#this one is wholesome

[thatsneakymedic]

October Writing Challenge Day 7 Ghost

"These flowers are perfect for the shrine, don't you think?" Kabuto said as he kneels down to see the violet cornflower, growing on the grass among the fields of other flowers.

"Do you know anything about flower meanings? Because I don't want you to get something that has a different message instead of love." Urushi replied as he looks at the eye catching flower.

"I mean, I don't see why we can't pick it. Corn flowers are hardy plants that can grow almost everywhere. But then again, another name for them is "bachelor buttons". And as far as we know. Mother Nonou was a nun who may or may not practiced celibacy that comes with taking on the robes." Kabuto thinks as he leaves the flower alone to get a daisy flower that was next to it.

Daisies mean innocence... right? While Nonou wasn't entirely "that" innocent. She was indeed a pure soul who gave her life trying to save one child.

Kabuto himself.

"Urushi, how about I go ahead and buy flowers from the flower shop. That way, perhaps I could also buy a book about flower meanings or at least have Mrs. Yamanaka teach me a few things as well?" Kabuto stands up as he wipes the stray loose grass that was around his legs.

Urushi just shrugs, "You'll waste money that way. Plus I doubt that she would want you to use your hard earned money for her sake when it should be used for the children. But if you have plenty to spare, you can. Just don't go about spending a lot on a bouquet when at least one or two flowers would do."

Kabuto could only smile at Urushi's advice as he prepares to leave to Konoha to buy some flowers from the flower shop. "I'm heading out, I'll even buy a book for next time. Take care of the place, I won't take long." Long after Kabuto arrived and when he left, he was the most closest "son" to Nonou than Kabuto himself and would know more about her personality than he did. He even witnessed how Nonou cried when Kabuto left with Danzo to join ROOT. She knew full well his reasons why and Urushi was the one who witnessed it all. The last thing his mother told him before she left was to "wait for me or Kabuto. Because we're coming home together."

At the Yamanaka flower shop...

The bell above the door rings and Kabuto heads inside and he looks around the store. It seemed to be just only him a cloaked woman wearing a hood with light brown hair falling on her sides. Seemingly unfazed or unbothered by the crying of the baby in the store. But despite her unassuming appearance, something... felt familiar with her as she stares at the flowers. And if he looked carefully, the shiny rim of her glasses can be seen peeking out from under the edge of the hood.

"Hey there Kabuto! Just one moment, while I put little Inojin back on the baby bouncer." Ino cheerfully greeted him while Inojin whimpered and cried loudly in her arms. When she tried to put him down on the bouncer, he could cling onto her shirt and refused to let go, screaming more louder than before.

"... Then again. Can you give me a moment? Inojin has been really fussy and clingy all morning and he has been in my arms for a while now. He's not sick, his diaper is fully changed, and he's well fed. He's just wants to be around me 24/7." Ino almost wanted to sound like she's whining but even she knew how it was going to be when it comes to raising a baby on her own.

"Not at all, I can wait. Your son comes first after all. Besides, it will give me plenty of time to look over the flowers. Kabuto smiled but he could easily tell how tired Ino is looking despite her cheerful and optimistic words.

While she heads to the back of the store to try to calm her son, Kabuto looks over at the variety of flowers before him. Some costing a bit too much, while others while pretty came in bundles even though he planned on buying 2 or 4 flowers.

Kabuto looks over at the roses and he contemplates on getting it but the woman approaches him and looks at the flowers with him. "Are you in love with someone? White flowers are always the best when it comes to pure love and innocence." Kabuto after realizing the rose's meaning, decides to not get it after all.

"No, miss. I'm just looking for some flowers for my mother. But I don't know anything about flower meanings so I'm just trying to find out which ones would be suited for her." He then thinks for a moment.

"Do you know anything about flowers? If you do, can you help me?" Kabuto asked rather humbly, since he knew that he shouldn't bother another customer, but considering how fussy the baby is. It might take Ino awhile to calm him down.

The woman doesn't turn to him, but she does point at the carnations and white lilies on the stores. "If I had a son who would bring me flowers, I would love it if he brought me at least one of those. Pink carnations represent motherhood and undying love, white lilies mean purity and rememberance though they're also a funeral flower as well. But I do love tulips too. No need for any significant meanings as any flower would be appreciated. It's the thought that counts after all."

Kabuto listens to the woman and his strong intuition tells him to pick the tulips so he takes at least two pink ones. The price didn't matter to him, but they do seem like they would fit with the shrine. The woman from under the hood smiles, "Those would be perfect for your mother, I hope that she appreciates them. Even one would be good enough."

As a sign of appreciation, he takes out a 3rd flower and he presents it to her, "For you. Consider this as me repaying you for helping me." The woman's smile brightens as her pale hand comes out from the sleeve of her robe and she reaches over to take it from his hand, as her hood slowly pulls back to almost reveal her entire face. Including the glass on her circular frames.

Till the sound of the door to the back of the store opens and Kabuto turns his attention to the door to see Ino coming out.

The baby's crying has calmed down a bit and Ino wraps the store apron around her waist, "Phew! Thank god that he at least stopped crying. Is there anything I can help you?"

Kabuto's eyes turn to the hooded woman in front of him but she was nowhere to be seen. The flower was still in his hand but if she left the store, the door bell wouldn't let them both know. He looked around the store for her but she was gone. "Ino, there was a woman here. Didn't you see her? She was wearing a dark cloak with a hood, her hair was light brown, and she looked pretty young too."

"What woman? You're the only customer in this store that I had here today. No one stayed here to window shop or anything like that. I even have cameras to prove it. Besides, no one in that description has showed up either." Ino tilted her head as she looked around the store.

Kabuto just quietly stares at the spot where she was as he puts back the third flower into the vase where the tulips were while taking the ones that he's going to buy to the counter. "... I guess I'm just imagining things. I had an exhausting day, since the change of weather is making everyone feel tired or sick."

Ino rings him up and puts the two flowers into a makeshift bag with water tapped around the stems so that it can still be "fresh" while Kabuto heads back to the orphanage. "Tell me about it. I'm doing my best to keep Inojin from getting sick, but at the same time. I think that I might get sick from exhaustion myself if I'm not careful. I just want Sai to come home tonight to take care of Inojin so that I can get some rest."

Kabuto takes the flowers carefully as he gives a worrying smile at Ino, "I do hope that he does, otherwise. Little Inojin might scare your customers away, but then again. He's so cute so maybe he can also promote business to remind everyone that this is a family business. Take care Ino."

Before he heads out, a sudden chill passes him from the exit of the door and when he turned around. For a moment, he saw the woman's reflection on the door's glass for a few seconds. Though her face was still obscured, her glasses were reflecting back so not even her eyes could be seen. But her mysterious kind smile was burned into Kabuto's memory as he tried to recall where he has seen that smile.

When the door's reflection changed as the door closed.

She was gone again.

@lunyraartistry (here you go! a rather nice story!)

[happyheidi]

𝖠𝗋𝗍 𝖻𝗒 𝖠𝗇𝗇𝖺-𝖫𝖺𝗎𝗋𝖺 𝖲𝗎𝗅𝗅𝗂𝗏𝖺𝗇 | 𝖨𝖦: 𝖺𝗇𝗇𝖺𝗅𝖺𝗎𝗋𝖺_𝖺𝗋𝗍

[justcatposts]

The chosen one

(Source)

[shadowkira]

How the Dungeon Meshi characters say

' I love you. '

[o0kawaii0o]

no mercy 😭

[demaparbat-hp]

Damage.

Quote by @desertbcrnnobody

[gothamite-rambler]

Jason Todd babysitting baby Damian.

Jason looked around as Damian sat next to him. The little baby stared at the man with a blank stare.

Jason (rubbing Damian's chubby cheeks with his hand): Tiny baby. Precious. Soft. You are a cute baby.

Baby Damian smiled then giggled.

Jason: I can't believe you share his DNA, or her DNA or her father's DNA.

Jason booped Damian's nose making the baby giggle and cover his face.

Jason: All right, got that out my system. Let's go play in the dirt.

Jason picked up Damian and took him outside.

Jason: Battled my brother, taking care of my dad's secret son, getting paid. It's gonna be a good year.

Damian (happy): Ah!

Jason: Thank you.

[wifiwuxians]

lan wangji birthday art from 2021 to 2024!

[milkamel]

Finally part 3! Gonna take a break after this one unless I have more ideas lol Anyway Smilk isn't the best example of how you're supposed to keep people you find endearing close-

[gunstellations]

encounter (1/?)

next page

cont. of unfamiliar side

[the-brucest-fan]

THEM 🥹💙💛❤️

[lightros]

My personal proof that we inherit our behavior from people around us is that when a small thing makes me happy I do a small smile with my eyes closed for a second and I know for a fact I took that from my ex 6 years ago

[silvermoon424]

I'm picking the treasure stone, what about you?

[justcatposts]

You've been chosen donot resist

(Source)

[zor0roron0a]

cuddles with zolu <3

[crystallizedtwilight]

You've almost convinced me to watch one piece. Almost. More clown man and fam is needed....for research...