Strange Love

Chapter 10~The Rooftop

     "I thought I said you don't have to help me in the garden anymore." Haru put her hand on her hip. Eleanor smiled at Haru's tough exterior.

     "Well Haru, I am the type to come help you anyway." Eleanor said. "So, what can I do?" Haru rolled her eyes. She walked past Eleanor hiding a light smile and Eleanor turned on her heel and walked behind haru.

     "Do you know anything about gardening?" Haru asked and Eleanor stopped in front of the rows of plants.

     "Now that i think about it, not really." Haru turned around and Eleanor gave her an awkward smile. "I still want to help." Haru held out the green watering can to Eleanor and she took it.

     "Fill this up with water and water all the flowers in these rows." She pointed to the rows of the bright flowers they stood in front of. "It would save me a lot of time. The water hose is in the corner over there." She finished.

     "I won't let you down." Eleanor said, passing Haru and walking over to the hose. After filling the watering can she walked over to the flowers closest to her and started watering, walking down the row.

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     Not sure how mish time had passed, Eleanor managed to water half of the flowers. She was too busy focusing on the flowers that she didn't hear the door open. "What can I help you with?" Eleanor heard Haru ask. A few moments passed and Eleanor heard the metal door closed rather loudly. She carefully leaned over the flowers making sure not to crush them, and past the archway. It's Legoshi. She thought as she stood straight again. She set the half empty watering can onto the ground next to her then walked over to Haru.

     "Hey Legoshi." She said with a smile stopping next to Haru looking up at the tall wolf. "What are you doing here?"

     "Oh," He seemed shocked to see Eleanor. "I was just here to get some flowers." He said pointing to the paper that was in Haru's small hands. Eleanor leaned over to look at the drawing. A set of doors was covered in flowers.

     "It seems you need some roses. We have many kinds, go ahead and take a look around." Haru said. The two girls looked up at the wolf. Eleanor noticed him looking at the bandaged arm so she put her arms behind her back. Legishi looked up not wanting to make Eleanor feel uncomfortable. She quickly turned around to face all the flowers.

"The roses are over there." Eleanor pointed toward flowers she had been watering. Legoshi smiled then took his usual big strides over to the back, only before the small rabbit stopped him.

     "Wait, I don't usually give these flowers out so as payment you can help me with something." Haru compromised with Legoshi and it only seemed fair so he agreed. I thought I was helping. Eleanor thought but didn't say it out loud. She was just glad she was helping Haru with at least one thing that needed to get done. Haru led him over to the small shed, Eleanor following behind, wanting to see his task. "These plants need to be brought over there." Haru pointed to a wooden platform across the rooftop. Legoshi nodded, then swiftly and easily picked up two of the tall, heavy looking plants in his arms and headed toward the plants' destination.

     "Legoshi," Eleanor called and Legoshi stopped in his tracks. Eleanor walked behind him. He didn't get to turn around before Eleanor was gently guiding his long and heavy tail upward to stick it between his back and his suspenders. Legoshi seemed to stiffen, almost dropping the plants. He tried to speek but nothing came out. He wasn't used to anyone touching his tail like this. "Sorry, I just want to make sure the plants are safe from falling over." Legoshi looked over his shoulder, straining his head down to speak, but he didn't have the courage to look in her eyes.

     "No, it's alright. " He forced out of his mouth then continued walking. Eleanor stood in her place for a second then made her way back to Haru. The plants were taller than the rabbit making them look huge but Eleanor decided to help with a plant or two before going back to watering. Squatting down she curled her fingers around the lip of the ceramic pot. It was going to be heavy. Just before Eleanor could pick up the plant Haru laid her soft hand on Eleanors injured forearm. The soreness made her flinch.

     "That's why I'm not letting you pick these up. Even if you're not bleeding you could still get even more of an injury." Eleanor sighed, but nodded. Legoshi came back for more plants, his tail still pinned to him. Having Legoshi help with this task was a smart idea. Time to get back to her own work. The tulips were next. They each got lightly sprinkled while the roots got more attention. "Eleanor, can you water these really quick?" Haru, who now stood on the platform, waved Eleanor over. Her steps were quick hopping up onto the dark wood. "They need a lot of water." Nodding, Eleanor started to water each plant. Legoshi came over with the last plant. During the process of walking back and forth with the plants, he built up the courage to ask the question.

     "What happened to your arm?" He asked as he set the last plant down with a thump. He was nervous. As if on cue the water in the watering can came to a stop.

     "I fell," Eleanor said. "It was dark and I think I tripped on a rock or, something." Legoshi nodded. That's all he needed to know. He didn't think she was going to tell anyone. Maybe she really thinks she fell or she could be scared to death seeing her attacker right in front of her. Legoshi wasn't sure but he wasn't planning on asking any time soon. She didn't seem scared. Although, he still felt guilty and sorry even if she really didn't remember it was him. "Well, I have to get more water." She stepped off the platform and over to the hose, filling up the can. When Eleanor turned back around, the two were not in sight. She shrugged her shoulders and walked back to the tall plants, giving them all the water they needed.