Cactus.

In this world there was a seed, planted and grown into a cactus formation. She was a she; she stood strong sturdy and pure. She was leafless, held showy flowers and covered in thorns. Highly protective of herself and feared no fiery heat, as time progressed her thorns grew tougher then ever.

In this time there in another place born from another breath of air rose and kept float a balloon light as a feather ready for take off no baggage. no weight. no fear. As he flew with the winds to wherever it would bring him.

He takes off any direction,
she stays still ready for anything.
He approaches the never before seen,
she imagines a whole lot of odd things.

One mid afternoon Balloon hovers over the unexplored dryland. Cactus takes notice to
the bubble passing by and yells out a greeting to bring the balloon down towards her.
They meet they talk getting along just great comparing life and dreams.

Balloon speaks of where he's been and wants nothing more but to show Cactus
all of the world. Cactus illuminates the thought of it and agrees to the idea.
But the plan crumbles as Cactus realizes that she has never lifted her roots to roam
anywhere and thought it would be very impossible. Balloon tries to give her more reason
to leave with him, but Cactus continues the impracticalities of the idea. They were having such
a good time with each other and wanted to continue conversation but unfortunately balloon
had to continue away from the heat before he deflates.

Cactus' disappointed face urgently tells Balloon to leave for now but to come back again.
Balloon completely agreed and would never forget. Then Cactus continued to explain to
Balloon not to return for a long while for she will be preparing plans to escape the drylands
with him for the next time. Balloon and Cactus say ther fair wells, no hugs and kisses
for that would puncture Balloon badly and they did not want that at all.

As Balloon floated away into the blue skies Cactus begins to cry as she had no clue
what to do for her promising ambition. Cactus let her tears dry up as she began
to put some thought in what she should do. Her first thought was her thorns. Cactus
thorns were trophies to her, she used them to fight off unwanted visitors and kept
her alive and green. But it also stopped her from embracing Balloon the way she wished
she could. So without a word she began grating away her thorns.

It took her months to finally be completely bare of all thorns. She lifted a smile
on her face as she imagined Balloons touch against her soft skin without harming him.
Yet she plunged back into a frown, as she knew this was not enough. Cactus still needed to
detach herself from the rough grounds she had always lived upon since she was born.
With anger Cactus tugged and pulled all she could away from the ground. Day after day
she would continuously try again to pull away from the ground so she could fly with balloon.
It took months for her to finally realize that there was no use, every root she pulled
burned her with pain and she knew if she leaves the ground she would die.

Cactus thought and thought of a different approach to the plan to set her free but there
was nothing. For the rest of the days waiting in sorrow all she could do is imagine being with
Balloon and doing the things they had spoke of doing. Cactus grew flowers on her skin to
resemble the color of Balloon's bright flesh to continue reminding herself of his one day
to return. At the same time as she thought of his return she also realized when he would arrive
she will have nothing but bad news to share with him.

Seasons and years pass. Balloon thought it was time to finally see Cactus. On his way
to her Balloon prayed and hoped Cactus had figured a plan for both of them to be together.
When Balloon arrived to the exact place he had left Cactus, shock filled in his eyes as he
took in a horrid sight.

The thornless cactus had become defenseless through the years and as a result the
hungry bellied birds and insects took advantage of poor ol Cactus. They fed on her
flesh and meat leaving her with hardly anything left. Balloon approached Cactus' battered
body in fear that she was long gone and dead. Balloon ran his eyes all over her body for
any signs of life. Balloon held his eyes wide as he spotted a freshly sprouted flower
painted in his color. Balloon neared himself towards the flower and called out Cactus' name,
there was no response. He shuttered back tears, this could not be real to him, Balloon
was so use to happiness in the world this was frightening for him. This sight was completely
unbearable to Balloon, he could no longer hold back the tears and the torn feelings he
was experiencing.

He pressed his cheek to the cactus' flower and begged for her existence to come
back to him. The wind stood still and silence only spoke for the moment. Balloon began
to feel regret for ever springing up the idea for Cactus to join him in his traveling. They
knew it was not going to work but Cactus wanted it more then anything. Balloon felt it
was entirely his fault and loudly cursed regret to himself.

Suddenly, the petal against Balloon's cheek shook as in a nod and whispered to him that the
plan will carry on. Balloon pulled back in disbelief then brought himself as close as he could
be to the speaking flower. Cactus spoke revealing its her that is within the flower. Her face
appeared in the flower as she let out a giggle and demanded they should go at once before
a bird picks at her new face.

But Balloon knew she would not be able to survive if he picked her from the cactus corpse.
That did not matter to Cactus, she had an idea. She instructed Balloon to pick her
regardless and to head towards a near by oasis she knew of as fast as they could.
Cactus promised Balloon she will not wither and leave him alone and that this was the only
choice they had.

So Balloon swallowed his gut and picked Cactus from the dryland and off they went to
the oasis at once. As soon as they arrived to the oasis Cactus continued instructing
Balloon to untie himself loose and fill up with both air and water. At first he was unsure
what that would do but to quick realization he knew exactly the plan. Balloon filled up
correctly and was about to tie himself back together but just before he looked up to Cactus
as she gave him a long gaze and he knew right then to take her in. Cactus held her breath
as she entered into his body he quickly tied himself tight and secure. She was now close then
she ever imagined within Balloon.

Balloon peered inside of him and exchanged a smile and blush with Cactus flower.
Cactus and Balloon knew they were going to live their dreams to explore and discover
the world as planned. The cactus and the balloon were finally as close as can be and could
never be inseparable as they were now forever together.