Ye old Willow

Part 15 Task

Kazuki's voice faded dropping silent as the red glow of the sun setting spread along the willow tree, causing its leaves to look ablaze.

Fray nodded goodbye to Kazuki, their was no point in speaking to him anymore. That boy always did this, whenever the sun had begun to set, his silence would not be broken till its glow had completely vanished. It was the signal to the end of their conversation. And normally the signal to their goodbye.

Fray walked away leaving Kazuki alone. The willows branches gently waved farewell as a breeze passed through them.

Silence passed. The daily fire of the willow faded back into its green leaves.

“Three months huh?” He mumbled to himself, staring at the gray waters of the pond. His thought cold and dark, Just like the waters before him.

“Three months till what?” Zachariah replied stepping into the clearing. A unnoticed banana peel clinging on to his left shoulder. Kazuki didn't turn to face him. As such the banana continued to go unsighted. “Ghost? I didn't know that you could leave that house. Wasn't your soul tied there?”

Zachariah smirked at Kazuki's misunderstanding that still continued on to this day. He was not a ghost he was a-

“No, “ Zachariah replied cutting himself off, “I have never once been tied down. It was only business.”

“I see, I see, “ Kazuki answered. His mind not entirely on the subject.

Zachariah sat down, his back to Kazuki's, staring at the willow. “You know. You don't have to go ignoring Ayla anymore. Not only was the idea of it stupid. They ended up finding out who it was anyway.”

Kazuki remained silent.

Zachariah's lopsided smile grew thicker, “You know Ayla's mad at you right?”

At this Kazuki stood up, turning to face Zachariah. “What. Why?”

Zachariah just shook his head, “Cause you are acting like an Idiot. You ignored her, and sent her a confusing message that could have been taken very badly. And worst of all-”

Kazuki waited for the reason, his jaw agape. His ears focused on Zachariah.

“No, No. It's just cause your stupid.”

Zachariah got back up to his feet, walking gently over to the willow tree, that still captivated his sight. Placing his palm against it, “You in many ways are like this tree. Acting as a support to the ground, providing haven from life’s many troubles and most of all. You continue to grow. You are not at the stage were you need to be, those mistakes that you make aren't something you should worry about. But something you should fix and proceed.”

Kazuki saw faintly small white wings stretching from Zachariah's back. But that illusion disappeared as the banana reinserted itself on reality. Which instead caused Kazuki to start laughing hysterically.

“What, “Zachariah asked annoyed, “I thought I sounded cool and business was going so smoothly too. What did I do wrong?”

Kazuki had to struggle to speak, “Ba- Banana.”

“Banana?” Zachariah asked.

“You have a banana on your shoulder. Everything you have just said. Has been with a banana on your shoulder. I just can't take you seriously like that. Mr. Ghost.”

Zachariah flicked it off his shoulder. “Anyway, “ Zachariah insisted, trying to change the topic. “What are you going to do to make it up to her.”

Seeing Kazuki's blank expression, it was Zachariah's turn to laugh. “What did you think when someone gets mad at you, you have no chance of fixing it? Kazuki, you have a lot to learn don't you?”

“Yeah,“ Kazuki agreed, “Fray said the exact same thing.”

“At least he's turning out properly.”

“Huh?”

“-Nothing, “ Zachariah blurted, “So I guess I can take your ignorance of human relationships as you not having any idea on how to calm her down and fix your current status.”

Kazuki agreed quietly.

“Okay then!” Zachariah took a step away from the willow tree, once again approaching the pond. He had this really excited expression on his face, as if he was a kid that had just found a new toy to play with. “You are going to do exactly as I say. For one get out of that super condensed thinking of yours. You have three months for whatever it is. You shouldn't let it bother you for now. For two, I want you-”

“You gave him three months.”

“Yes I did. Is that a problem?”

“Why did you not take him back Are you hiding something.”

“Besides the fact that he is my son. No nothing.”

“Then take him back.”

“No. I told him three months. For him to keep to his deals he has to know I keep to mine.”

“We can't have him going around and talking to people, he knows too much.”

“And who would believe him?”

“...”

“Trust me My dear, At the very least if it worries you, you can keep an eye on him. Though if he does manage to accomplish that task then, we have no right to him by organization laws.”

“Won't that be easy? You've seen how he is treated at school.”

“It would be if my boy knew what he had to do. As he is now he might stand a chance. I highly doubt it though. The past is hard not to fear. And for someone who has been alone for nearly four years. His past is harder than others.”