The Blossom and Fall
It was spring when I met you, I remembered it clearly, 14th of April. The fragrance of the blossomed flowers passed through my car while I'm driving the highway to the Konoha beach. I opened the roof of my convertible car, my red Mazda MX5, to smell the scent of the spring season. I pat Akamaru's head and saw that he was enjoying the gush of air on his face.
I lifted my phone to check who texted me. It was from my co-detective.
Kiba, where's the file of Senator Sato? I need it, thanks! And have a safe trip btw.
I replied to him and return my gaze to the road that I was driving. In an unfortunate event, my car just broke in the middle of the highway. It was far from the gas station, basically far from everything. My heart sank when I checked my phone to call somebody, but there was no signal there.
"Fuck! What am I going to do now?"
Suddenly, you saw me at the side of the road while heading to your destination. I glanced at you while you walked out from your black Audi. I thought I already saw all the faces in Konoha but yours is fresh, a foreigner maybe?
I assumed I was having a stroke of bad luck that day but when you came, you were the only luck that I need in my life.
You greeted me and I greeted back. You're heading your way to a specific store where the supplies for your craft are abundant and Konoha beach is along the way, so you invited me for a ride. I accepted.
We talked about a lot of things in your car, I can still remember the smell of the citrus and wood musk with a hint of leather inside it. I looked at the back of your car and Akamaru was now sleeping. At that moment I realized something in me, this may be the reason why I haven't felt this feeling to any other girls. I only felt it to you, Kankuro.
I reached my destination, and thanks to you I was able to call my sister to pick me up and fix my car. I know we both didn't want to separate at that moment so I build my courage to ask you.
"Hey, do you like a tour in Konoha? I can tour you here if you plan on spending more time in our village" I waited for your reply and prayed that you will accept it.
"That sounds fun. Put your number in here" and you did. I immediately put my number in your phone then you waved goodbye.
After our little tour around my village, our meet-ups became more frequent. I remembered when you created a wooden puppet that looked like Akamaru, I treasured it very much. There were days that I helped you with your craft while you were playing with Akamaru. It feels like I'm in a Monet painting, it's soft and fresh, and warm. You pick up the painting palette that you used for your puppets and put an inverted triangle of red paint on both of my cheeks.
"Look, it suits you" you said while laughing
"Get me that!" I told you while snatching the paintbrush in your hand.
I dip the brush into the purple color of the palette and drew random lines on your face and you laughed. I wish I could treasure that moment forever. Days become weeks become a month, the feeling that I am feeling becomes deeper and I couldn't escape from it.
I hide it from everyone, afraid that they would judge me and also to protect you. You said I shouldn't hide it and be open about our relationship, you showed me courage Kankuro but the intent look from the elders in the village says otherwise. So, I keep it hidden.
I had a huge fight with one of my friends which leads me to some trouble. You saw me crying and ask me if I wanted to have a vacation at the Konoha beach, and I happily accepted it. You brought your brother with us; he was spending his free time in Konoha after meeting his friends Naruto and Lee. I gladly agree in bringing him, to know more about you, and about him, and about your family.
I love how open-minded your family was, they easily accepted me as part of your world.
We drove to the same highway where we first met, this time it was autumn. 14th of September. I opened the roof of my car to see the vibrant color of the fallen leaves and flowers, and to feel the gust of Konoha wind. Gaara was enjoying it, I can feel that it was his first time seeing this part of the village. I left Akamaru with my mother, he's sick and needs some rest.
I heard you were talking to someone on your phone, it was your sister, Temari. You put her in a speaker and the three of us heard your conversation.
"Yeah! I brought Gaara with us. We're going to the beach! Bleh! I bet you're envious right now. Go find an Oasis there in Suna" You mocked her while laughing
"You fucker! Why you didn't invite me? Put your phone to Gaara" she said
He extends his hand to Gaara but he just looked at your phone with a deadpan face.
"Gaara? Can you hear me? Can you smack Kankuro's head for me, please? And call me if you are both in trouble. I miss you two! Come back here please" Your sister said, I can feel the longing feeling in her voice while saying those words.
You return the phone in front of your face "We miss you too sis! I love you alright" Your smile faded after saying that
"What? Stop saying that. You sound like a creep! Ew ew ew"
"I know you love us too. Thank you…..and you heard me. I love you big sis, remember that" you slowly said to her
You extend your hand and put the phone in front of my face "Here's Kiba. Talk to him"
"You heard her Temari, he loved you. They both love you" I said then I glanced at you, we both mocking your sister. I returned my gaze to the road and starts laughing.
"Are you three sniffing some crack? Please don't do drugs with my brothers Kiba. I'm warning you!" she said
"We are not" I protested.
"Bye Temari, see you next week! I'll treat you to a coffee shop. I'll buy you a coffee. Do you like that?" You said to her. I can see your eyes are moist at that moment Kankuro.
"You should! Bye!...and…..I love you two too. Well, three now. Ok bye!" She immediately closed the call; your sister must be embarrassed by saying I love you too. We both laughed and surprisingly, Gaara did too.
We reached the cabin that we rented at the Konoha beach. It was marvelous! We swim in the morning and then drink beer while watching the bonfire at night. Gaara loves the sand, I can say that.
I keep saying l love you to you that night so you could imprint that in your brain.
We returned to the cabin and I cooked you two a steamed salmon and karaage. You did the rice, 10 out of 10, it was the perfect rice for me. We eat, laughed, and enjoyed our dinner like it was our last.
The rain starts to become a storm and then the thunder yelled from the dark night. I was frightened, but not about the thunder and storms we heard outside, I was frightened of something that was about to come that night other than the angry weather outside, it was darker than the death we feared.
An uninvited knock was heard on our door. I told you to stay in our room with Gaara and I'm glad you did. I opened the door and saw my friend with whom I had quarreled two days ago. We argued, he was mad…..so mad.
Then, he pulled up a big knife that looked like a small scythe. I was so afraid but not with the knife that he was holding, I was afraid because you left our bedroom and you're now standing in front of us.
You pushed him to save me and both of you stumbled to the ground. I managed to get the knife out of his hand but he caught us. He grabbed your hair and dragged you to the balcony. I rushed to you and wield the knife to stab him in the back.
He turns around and blocked my attack. We were both tugging the knife that I was holding while you were catching your breath on our side.
"RUN! KANKURO! RUN!" I screamed but you're still there with eyes wide open. You're now crying my loves and I cannot bear to see that.
Gaara saw the commotion and I was glad he did because he pulled you out of the scene. I know this is my end so I accepted it.
You were screaming while I was struggling with the knife. He won; the killer won. He stabs me in the chest and stomach, all were in my vitals. An automatic death.
My almost lifeless body touched the floor. My eyes glared at your spot; you were trying to escape from Gaara's pull while screaming my name. You didn't want to leave but thank God, Gaara managed to pull you out of the cabin.
No, my loves, don't struggle. Save yourself.
The killer keeps stabbing me while my body was on the ground and his final attack was slashing my throat. I didn't look at him, at my friend, at my killer.
Your face was the last thing I saw before embracing death, my loves. It's all that I need before I go.
This is a cruel world, Kankuro. A cruel world for people like us. Maybe our ending is written this way, in this specific world. I prayed that when I met you on the other side, we could rewrite our ending and I hope it will be a sweet ending.
My loves, see you on the other side.
Temari touched the hot side of the mug that she was holding while her cold tears run down her cheeks. She remembered one of Kankuro's last words.
"Bye Temari, see you next week! I'll treat you to a coffee shop. I'll buy you a coffee. You like that?"
She smiled while her eyes were swollen from all the crying. She sips the coffee in her mug and glanced at the white casket in front of her.
"You did treat me a coffee Kankuro and I saw you after a week but you didn't tell me it'll be at your funeral"
Her mouth was shivering. The people in Suna keeps walking inside the chapel to pray for Kankuro but she didn't have the energy to start a conversation. Gaara is still missing, her little brother, she felt useless for not protecting them.
Her brothers.
Kankuro and Gaara were imprisoned for a crime they didn't commit. Kankuro was found dead hanging in the middle of his prison cell after three days and Gaara managed to escape, he's nowhere to be found.
She cried until the last day of Kankuro's funeral. The next day, she concocted a plan to kill the person who imprisoned her brothers for a crime they didn't commit.
When she reached the village of Konoha, her feet walked to the pavement of the apartment that she was looking for. Temari specifically picked the apartment across his balcony, across the detective's balcony.
A red lamp was placed in front of her window, she bought it as soon as she paid for the apartment. To execute a more seductive effect, she didn't care about using her body for anything, she didn't mind. As long as she saw his and his colleague's death it will suffice all the loath and rage feelings inside her.
She stands in her empty apartment that day while looking across his balcony from her window.
"Your death is nothing compared to my brother's death"