Shome Tsubasa Shtuff

Gingko Tree

The tree had only been around for thirteen, maybe fourteen, years and still it stood taller and sturdier than those around it. Not to mention all the other trees were various mixtures of oak and birch, while this was a gingko. It didn't smell all that pleasant either, it gave off a rancid odour, scaring away birds and people alike, as most female gingkoes did. But not everyone was avoiding it. Fai had noticed within the first week of being in Japan that Kurogane would often approach the tree, either sit by its roots or hoist himself up and sit amongst the leaves. He wouldn't stay very long, maybe fifteen or twenty minutes before he'd get to his feet and walk away. And he would do that every single day. Is wasn't that Fai was annoyed by it, the curiosity that had sparked within him just seemed like an itch that he couldn't scratch and it wouldn't go away until he got an answer.

Fai rose early one morning, awakened by the blinding sunlight and the soft chirping of birds. A warm breeze had blown in through his window and he had decided to take a walk around the grounds. He had roamed for a while, weaving through beautiful Sakura trees and flowers of so many shapes and colours that he thought he had never truly seen a rainbow till then. His gaze wandered and his steps came to a halt. Kurogane was there again, sitting underneath the ginko tree, Ginryu placed on the ground in front of him as he knelt with his head bowed. Fai's interest peaked and he found himself walking over to the ninja, the putrid smell of the tree becoming stronger with each step closer. He sat down next to Kurogane once he reached the tree and Kurogane sighed. "I was wondering how long it would take you before you asked." Fai laughed awkwardly, unaware that Kurogane had noticed him watching him. "Can you blame me? You come here every day." Kurogane lifted his head and looked up at the tree, letting out a breath. He shifted his weight and crossed his legs beneath him before picking up Ginryu and laying it across his lap. "Well, this is where they buried my mother and father, or what was left of him, so..." Fai's eyes widened and guilt knocked into him like a punch in the gut. "Sorry Kuro-sama...I didn't mean to pry..." Kurogane shook his head and leaned back on his right hand, left sleeve hanging limply at his side. He turned to Fai and gave a wry smile. "Don't worry about it, you were just curious. And it's not something I go around announcing." Fai smiled back at him, the warm feeling in his chest coming back like it did every time they had talks like this, and every time the ninja smiled too come to think of it. He reached out a hand and placed it gently on the trunk of the tree, feeling it's life energy pulse beneath the bark. "They buried them under the tree?" Fai asked quietly, watching Kurogane's eyebrows knit together and him shake his head. "Oddly enough, the tree grew after they were buried, right on top of their grave...and..." He trailed off and Fai raised an eyebrow. "And what?" Kurogane bit his lip and shook his head again, scratching the back of his neck. "Never mind...it's stupid." Fai blinked owlishly and turned so he was fully facing the ninja and grinned, head tilting slightly to the side. "If it's something that has to do with this, I won't think it's stupid." Kurogane stared at him for a moment before he turned his focus back to the tree, cheeks colouring. He cleared his throat. "Well...uh...back when I was little, back before this huge palace got built here, I lived here with my parents. And we used to have gingko trees growing everywhere. There was this really massive one that grew right next to our training grounds and when I..." He trailed off, laughing slightly at the memory. Fai smiled and his heart skipped a beat. "When I would finish my training I would go and climb it, to see how high I could go. My father used to tell me that if I could make it to the last branch he'd take me out to the battle field with him...but I got older and still I couldn't reach that top branch." Fai smiled at the image that had just entered his mind, a smaller version of Kurogane, not quite twelve yet with rosy cheeks and short limbs, reaching up for a branch and ultimately falling to the ground. Only to get back up and try again. "This tree just...it almost feels like it's from my mother." Kurogane continued, reaching out his hand to press it against the rough bark of the tree. "Like she grew it to remind me to...to never stop reaching for that last branch..." His voice broke a bit at the end and he pulled his hand back to fiddle with the handle of Ginyru. He cleared his throat and turned to Fai, smirking. "I guess it's just better to think of it this way, so I'm not stuck on the thought that a tree grew on top of their grave." Fai gave an airy laugh before biting his lip. What could he say after that? His heart pounded in his ears and he reached out, entangling Kurogane's fingers with his own. He smiled. "You're the strongest person I've ever met Kuro-pu." Kurogane rolled his eyes at the nickname but managed a smile. He squeezed Fai's hand lightly before standing up and stretching. "Well, the weary don't ever get to rest, I've got stuff to do so I'll see you around." He took a moment and looked up at the dark clouds that were beginning to gather. "And if it starts to rain don't stay out here." Then he turned and waved over his shoulder, retreating back to the palace. Fai watched him go for a minute before he turned back to the tree, placing one hand on the bark and one over his heart. "I...I don't know where to begin. I have so many things to say...I guess I'll just start with thank you. Thank you for being alive, for Kuro-rin, for making him able to come into my life. I...have no idea where I would be without him, he's helped me through so much and I'm so grateful." His hand clutched at the bark for a moment before he smiled. "Please continue to help me watch over him and keep him out of trouble..." Fai laughed lightly. "We know how much he needs help with that sometimes..." The next words felt heavy in his throat and he struggled to get them out, lungs feeling empty. "I'm sure you're proud of him, wherever you are. He's grown into a strong man..." Fai took in a breath and leaned his head against the tree, inhaling the rancid smell and for once smelling something much sweeter. 

"Thank you..."