Chapter 2.4

Butterfly walked in measured steps, pondering the path ahead.  His mission was to see that the arrow flew straight and hit its mark.  There must be nothing to deflect it.  He nodded his head slightly.  His mission required great subtlety, a gentle touch is all that would be required.  He watched an autumn leaf fall gently to the ground and reflected that this too was what his mission was,  Just as most people would not notice one single leaf falling to the ground so too they must not notice him, and any action he took.  The poetry of the moment moved him deeply and so he composed a Haiku in his mind to commemorate the occasion.  He would remember to write it down as soon as he got to his room.  He was confident of his ability to carry through this mission of his Master whom he loved very much.  

“Katashi, how fortunate I have found you!”

His train of thought broken he smiled at his approaching friend.  They had known each other since he had first been allowed by his Master out of the temple walls some six years ago.  They were as different as two people could be.  While he couldn’t say what exactly Riku saw in him, he understood what he saw in Riku.  Riku was completely in the moment.  For this one there was no past and no future.  All there was for Riku was the now.  Butterfly liked Riku because he made him smile.  He never had and never would put any trust in Riku for anything of importance, but as a diversion, there was none better.

“Riku, how fortunate for us to meet.  I will be undertaking a journey and it will be good to share a meal with you before I leave.”

“I don’t know anything about your journey but I do know there are two women you have to meet.”

Butterfly studied him silently with a disproving look.

Laughter.  “No no, not those kind of women.  Trust me, you will want to meet these two, in fact they specifically asked about you.”

~ by ridgewalker on February 6, 2008.