Of Roses and Impromptu Valentines

By Clorinda

Rated: PG

Category: General

Summary: "Even though he probably didn't love her, at least he cared." One-shot. Short and strange.

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Sakura Kakei sat on the windowsill, her back leaning against the wall. Her hair whipped wildly in the wind, and she silently watched the azure blue sky, as a flock of white birds erupted and scattered just as a door slammed somewhere.

Valentine's Day.

But men had never found her attractive enough to profess undying love, and it was only her brother or perhaps it was MakubeX, from whose direction the flowers came. But one of those men was bound by blood to her heart, and the other was a boy.

Below her, she could see Gingi and Kaoru out on the street, kissing without that fierce passion that took over them, and Kaoru seemed almost gentle. Sakura averted her gaze. The loneliness of the computer room was only accentuated.

She heard the door to the outer office being pushed open. Footsteps echoed. A man's voice called out rather cursorily, "MakubeX, if you're still in here, we all order you to get out and have fun."

No reply.

Sakura knew she was the only one there. Her brother had been here at least half-an-hour ago, but she was unsure if he had left or not. Through the open door, she could see the tall, graceful figure of Kazuki. He was carrying a single long-stemmed butter-yellow rose.

She knew why he had come, and she closed her eyes tightly so that she wouldn't have to see him give it to Juubei.

But the silence meant Juubei was not here. Maybe Kazuki would leave to find him, and finally she'd be at peace to brood.

A light touch on her shoulder, made her eyes fly open. Kazuki was standing right beside her, the rose in his lowered hand. He was smiling, looking half-worried. "What's wrong?" he said softly.

"Nothing," she replied, shaking her head. "Juubei's not here, huh?"

"I guess he went out. You don't look like there's nothing wrong, Sakura," His hand reached out and swept back a lock of hair that fell limply into her face. "Here, this is for you."

He pressed the rose into her hand, and he had remembered to get the florist to snip off the thorns. Only the smoothest rose with the strongest fragrance will ever do for a woman as special to me as she is.

Sakura held it up, touched by the gesture. She inhaled deeply. "It's beautiful," Even though he probably didn't love her, at least he cared.

—- End -—