Cigarettes and Roses

The sun was setting; bands of pink, peach, purple, and gold streaked across the horizon. Their reflection turned the fluffy white clouds into pink puffs of cotton candy against the darkening blue sky. Gentle breezes caused leaves to flutter, dust to stir, and teased red tresses about the face of a man sitting on a grassy slope.

His effeminate frame was clothed in black jeans, a lilac button down shirt and black dress shoes. He had his knees drawn to his chest; arms crossed over them, his chin resting on top. The redhead’s face was impassive, except for his emerald-green eyes. They held some unfathomable emotion in their depths as they gazed unblinkingly at the vibrant sunset.

A figure descended the hill and sat down next to the man, who made no indication that he had noticed her. She was dressed in brown pants and tennis shoes with a white blouse and tan vest. She tossed her auburn hair over her shoulder and drew a long drag on her cigarette. She turned to the redhead and exhaled a stream of smoke in his face. He coughed, scowling.

“What was that for?” Kurama asked crossly.

“Oh, I was just making sure you hadn’t died with your eyes open. You were sitting so still it was hard to tell.” Shizuru replied airily. He snorted in disbelief.

“You were just waiting for an excuse to do that I’ll bet.”

“I do try. That shirt makes you look like a girl.” His eyebrows rose.

“My mother gave me this shirt.”

“Did she ever tell you that she wanted a girl?” The plant-master shook his head chuckling.

“How come all our conversations are like this?”

“Like what?”

“Whenever I want to be alone, you come along and insult me in a way that makes me not mind that, yet again, you’ve come to bother me.” The brown eyed girl laughed.

“Your ass deep in denial, Kurama. I don’t come bother and insult you when you want to be alone. I come and make you laugh whenever you are feeling down.” Kurama’s eyes widened in surprise.

“How did-” He began.

“I know you were upset? Because I know you, Kurama. You put on that stoic façade of yours and think no one will notice, because, god forbid, you act like a normal person and show some feelings and talk to someone about it.”

He blinked, looking taken aback at her uncanny insight into his mind. Shizuru turned back to the sunset and he did the same. It was almost over now. Only a brilliant streak of yellow-gold light peaked over the mountains, contrasting with the navy blue sky. The first star of the night appeared, twinkling merrily. It was soon join by a dozen others and the last vestiges of light vanished from the sky.

“Shizuru?”

“Hmm?”

“Thank you, for everything.”

“Anytime Kurama, anytime.” There was a smile in her voice.