Radiance

[Kaede Okinawa]

Her shoes made a soft tap as she wandered through the grounds. The cobblestones under her feet were in a messy pattern, but still had an old beauty to them. Kaede clutched her satchel closer to her side. It contained many of her things, or at least the things she couldn't go a day without.

Taking a deep breath, she sighed as all the scents of the garden came to her. There were lilacs, roses, petunias, and any kind of flower she could think of. She started to walk around, not looking for anything really, until a certain scent came upon her. The scent was familiar, it was the smell of home. She stood on her tiptoes, looking for the tree she knew was there. Finally seeing it, she walked up to it. It's light pink color accentuated the clear blue sky above it. The radiant sun beat down on the petals, making them seem even more beautiful. Running her delicate piano fingers over the flowers, she sighed with relief. Japanese Cherry Blossoms she thought.

All of a sudden, a strong breeze flew by, sending the petals spinning in whirlwinds around her. The sun shone on her snow white face, giving it its own radiance. Deciding that this was the perfect spot to relax, she leaned up against the trunk and took out her calligraphy pen and notebook. The papaer was a pure white, and shone like snow on a bright winter's day. Smoothing the paper down with her hands, she started to write the words that came to her head in magnificent letters. The ink swirled along the paper like a falling raindrop. Kaede's tension flew away as the Blossom's petals soared around her.

 

[Sukie Takahiro]

Sukie wondered through the keep, trainers scrapping on the gravel. The grass was littered with yellow and brown as the trees sorrowfully let their companions go. Eyes peered over the empty flower beds where only evergreens remained. How he loved the roses in full bloom. The smell of lilies and tulip dusting the air. It was always the same, life then death. The circle could never be changed or deleted. It was every living organisms destiny. But their soul would live beyond death.

Sukie began to walk around the garden, as he picked up a Cherry Blossom. It's elegance capturing his attention. Soft pink clinging for dear life before slicing through the breezy air to await it's doom. Sukie raised the flower to his nose, gently swaying the bud in hope to recreate the scent he loved so. Eyelids drifted close for moments while memory tracked back to a summers day. Hands raised to slowly caress the gift, plummeting the radiant flower to the earth.

Sukie continued to walk again, this time he stopped as he noticed Kaede sitting down and doing something. She did look engrossed in what she was doing. Sukie decided to have a little chat.

"Peeka boo, guess who?" he asked, scaring her from the back.

 

[Kaede Okinawa]

The whole page was covered in swirls of writing. In it's own way it was beautiful in it's own way, just like everything else was. Kaede's eyes sparkled as she admired her writing. Practicing it had gotten her a long way, and maybe, just maybe, her parents would find it acceptable. It gave her the courage to send a letter to them, but she was reluctant to. They hadn't even bothered to send her a letter, so it felt like they wouldn't really care either way. Besides, she thought. They're barely ever home anyways... Sighing loudly, she shook her head and let the cool breeze calm her. Taking a deep breath, she continued to write in her ever enchanting black swirls.

Suddenly she was interrupted. A familiar voice yelled from behind, "Peeka boo, guess who?" She yelped as the voice made her jump. Her pen dropped from her hand and went point first into the paper. The tip broke off, oozing jet black ink all over her paper and her hands that were trying to frantically keep it from dripping off. Her attempt was to no avail, and a splotch of ink landed on her skirt. Looking over the mess, she started to laugh, seeing how silly it was to freak out about something so simple.

Turning around, a smile immediatly sprung up on her face."Sukie!" She exclaimed. Her cheeks started to turn a rosy red. She hoped that he hadn't seen her trying to stop the ink, for she was sure that it looked utterly ridiculous.