11I do not own any of this, except for my own characters. Please review, CC is much appreciated, flamers will be used to roast my marshmallows.
The day was cloudy and windy, perfect for June Gloom. The air, though dancing with sorrow, was quiet and grave amongst the long procession of black. A long coffin of the best, darkest red wood was being carried on the string shoulders of six young men. Women were crying, an elderly woman with tightly done up grey hair was entwined with another weeping woman, this one younger. Her long, raven hair was done up just as tightly as the matron, both were a sharp contrast between the young and old, but their black dresses and veils seemed to melt together as their tears mixed. A young girl, on the verge of her third year in high school stood behind the procession of her uncles carrying her father to his final resting place. A single, glistening tear slid down her soft cheek as it began to rain.
"Father…"
-First Day of School-
Step. Step. Step.
"Do you see her? That's Suzume Hanahashi."
A hushed whisper amongst the bustling halls.
"Poor thing, did you hear about her father."
"Yeah, he died in the hospital."
"From what?"
It was though she was a ghost, gliding above the floor, the shadows her only comfort.
"I heard it was a heart attack."
"Nu-uh, he has this really weird disease, it spread everywhere!"
"No way! Must've been terrible."
The insufferable rumors, the heartless gossips, cowards that tried to brave the horror of the haunt. Those that took the dare from the bully to enter the haunted house. They never knew, could never guess when the ghost would come up from behind the,, ready to share her sorrows.
"Indeed, it was horrible."
The girls froze in terror as Suzume stood behind them, her hair covering her eyes and casting a terrible shadow on her face.
"He couldn't even speak his last words. They were screams of agony."
They ran in away, screaming as their hearts attempted to burst from their cages. Suzume's words were true in part, at least. The screams of agony had come her mother and her grandmother as she tried to hear his last words.
"Be strong, my sparrow, take care of your mother and grandmother. Remember, that I will always love you."
A single blossom fell from the citrus trees.
Suzume shook the words from her head, and began her way to class once more. She walked with pride and only glanced at her peers from the corners of her eyes. There were few that she gifted with smiles, and even fewer that she held conversation with. It didn't take long for her to reach the classroom and even less to be quite shocked at the greeting that she received from one of that last people she would ever expect.
"Suzu-chan! Ohayo gozaimasu!"
It seemed as if a ball of blond fluff had attacked her.