"Well you only need the light when it's burning low."

Andrew Centric

It was midnight, in the town of Wedinburgh and the night sky was dark and stormy. The pitter patter of rain and the flashing of lighting was the only thing that you could hear. While the night sky was dark, the aura around the Hanbridge Manor, was much darker. The peaks of the manor stretched high into the sky and almost seemed to touch the lunar glow. Lighting was striking the front yard, but not once shaking the house. Black drapes, hung over the windows and the outside of the house was painted in a dark blue, which in the night, looked to be black. The front door was barred shut and the gloomy ribbon on the front of it, only added to make it look more intimidating. The rain was pouring on top of the roof, making it thud softly.

Inside, layed a boy. He couldn't have been more than ten years old; he was leaning against his bed, with his brown hair ruffled messily, and his emerald eyes, glowing in determination. He was staring out at the thick book in front of him, trying to memorize what exactly it said. Seconds, turned into minuets and soon the boy stifled a yawn and rubbed his eyes. His muscles felt heavy and his eyelids were shutting slowly. Forcing them open, he stretched his hands above his head and swung his feet underneath the bed. The light of the moon peeked through the window and landed itself upon the room, causing the young boy to follow it's gaze. The rain came through as well and landed on his face, making it seem as if he was crying.

These were the types of days that were the hardest for him. Between his father shut up in his office and his younger sister being tutored, there was nothing for him to do. The house had been empty the whole day and the portraits seemed to follow him wherever he went. His voice echoed throughout the corridors and the shadows seemed to follow him everywhere he went. What was worse, but the boy could fool himself into thinking it was better, was that his father had summoned him into his office. The man had given him a list work work he should complete by the end of the week, before sending him out. Green eyes blinked in pain, as he remembered his fathers harsh dismissal.

The death of his mother, had truly impacted the Hanbridge family.

The once loving and joy filled house, was now filled with fear and stress. His father, a man that whose laughter was once contagious, was now never to be seen. Locked inside his office, the man rarely came out, only to criticize his daughter or son.

And while his father was locked in his office, the boy was locked in his own cage. Where the rain was never ending.

Swish. Boom!

The door creaked open and a young girl stepped into the room. Blonde hair with blue and green streaks framed her face and her blue eyes were soft and curious. In her hand was a small white teddy, which she was clutching.

"Brother?"

Blinking, the young boy shook out of his shock, before peering at the person. Yawning deeply, he asked, "Diana? What are you doing up this late."

The young girl, Diana, stuck out her bottom lip, before saying, "I should be asking you that question."

The boy furrowed his brows, before replying, "You bed time is 9, but I usually go to bed at 10 o'clo - "

"Yes, and right now, it's one in the morning," Diana replied, curving her eyebrow. An exasperated smile settled on her face.

"Oh."

Crash!

" 'Oh', is right. You can't keep wearing yourself out like this Drew. It isn't healthy."

'Drew' gave the young girl a pointed look, "You're six, how do you know what's good for me ?"

"Andrew dearest," Diana said, sweetly, "It's called common sense. Just because you don't have it, don't take it personally."

"Gee thanks." Andrew frowned, before rubbing his eyes once more and asking, "You still haven't answered my question?"

"What question?"

"The one of why you're up so late at nig - I mean early in the morning. "

The blonde peered at him, before saying, " I went to go and get a cup of water and then I saw you still awake."

Andrew sighed, before shutting his book closed. Diana stared at him, her eyes understanding. "Father gave you more work to do? "

Drip. Drop. Drip. Drop.

Exhaling deeply, the nine year old nodded, before saying, "Of course. I'm going to be the head of the company, so I have to do this."

The brunette tried to put as much enthusiasm into his voice as possible, but judging from the looks that Diana was giving him, he did a miserable job.

"Andrew...we both know how you feel about the business. There is no need for you to pretend in front of me."

Thunder boomed.

Andrew sighed, before scratching his head. "Liking it or not, I have to. It's my responsibility to take charge of the Hanbridge family name. "

Diana was silent for a few moments, before she asked, "But is that what you really want?"

Andrew grumbled, before showing a rare smile. "We both know that I don't have choice in this matter. It's better if I accept it as quick as I can."

The young girl sighed. "Mom wouldn't want you to overwork yourself. "

Andrew froze, his eyes momentarily flashing with sadness. He then straighten up, before saying,

"Mom's not here. She will never be here again."

And so the storm raged on.

...

Akko Centric

Dear Cana, it's raining today...

A young girl stared mindlessly out of the window of her pale blue room. Her brown hair flew down her back in a wave and her crimson eyes peeked out from underneath her fringe.

I wonder...Cana, are angels real?

"Brat, get up. We need to get going," A voice called from the door.

The voice belonged to a woman, who seemed to be in her mid fifties. Make up was splashed onto her face and made her look a few more years older than she actually was. A cigarette was held up to her lips and the dress she was wearing made her look worse than she actually was. Her eyes were bored and her nose was crinkled in disdain.

The girl pursed her lips. "Don't you think that you're dressed inappropriately for a funeral?"

Cana, what's it like in heaven?

"Don't act smart with me girl, i'm your mother!" The woman snapped, before puffing out a smoky breath.

The girl scoffed under her breath, before getting up and moving past her mother and out of the room. Her black dress swung near her kneecaps and her hair bounced uncomfortably behind her.

We both know that you'd never go anywhere else -

" Listen girl.." The woman said, as she came up from behind her, "Don't do anything out of line. If you do...then we both know what will happen." She gave the girl a harsh squeeze on the shoulder.

"Of course," The girl muttered, but didn't even flinch. She had long gotten used to the pain.

- even though you always said that heaven couldn't handle your craziness.

Satisfied, the older woman took in a deep breath and plastered on a grieving expression. Shoving the younger girl out of the door, she walked along the road, thanking everyone when they gave their condolences.

Mom's pretending again...I agree with you now, it's kinda scary.

"It must be so hard for you! And little Akko, she must be in so much pain right now!"

"Sniff, Y - Yes. I - It's very hard for us right now. Sniff, A - Arcana was such a big influence on A - Akko's life, considering the fact that I was almost always working on my job." Small *fake* tears trailed down the woman's face, as she spoke.

"Poor dear..."

If you were here you'd probably be laughing in her face...

Both mother and daughter got into a black car. Akko watched, as the trees passed by and the mud sloshed everywhere.

You used to hate cars, you said that they made you weak.

The young girl sniffed, as tears clouded her vision. A sharp sting settled in her heart and she gripped the end of her black dress, tightly. Her knuckles turned white and the pain in her heart intensified. Her face turned even more pale and she took in shaky breaths. The air was suffocating and Akko felt like throwing the door open and leaping out of the car.

Although we both knew that you were to proud to admit that you had motion sickness.

The rain fell in patterns onto the window panes and the crimson eyed girl, traced them with her fingers. The coldness of the window, was nothing compared to the feeling inside her heart. Akko's fingers were numb, and her brain was exhausted.

You always were too proud...you always said that your dignity relied on your pride.

The duo arrived at a the church yard. Akko waited until the door opened before stepping out. Her bangs covering her face, and her hands clenched towards her sides. The rain fell onto her shoulders, but she paid no heed.

Pushing the brunette forwards, the older lady grumbled. "Let's get this over with, come on girl."

Akko nodded and allowed herself to be pulled away. The chairs were already set up and a coffin was in the middle, holding the body. The aura was dark and tense and everything was black and grey.

This place is so deary...it's shocking -

"Akko," A familiar voice called out from behind her.

Turning around, the brunette saw one of her sisters best and oldest friends. Shiny Chariot, also known as her fake name, Ursula Callistis. Her thick red hair framed the tight black dress she was wearing and the foundation did nothing to hide her red puffy eyes. Water dripped down her face and her mascara was already ruined.

- considering the fact that black is one of your favorite colors.

Akko tried to muster up a smile, but she just couldn't, so she settled for a nod. Smiling softly, the older woman pulled the brunette into a hug and took in a deep breath. Akko buried her face into Chariots shoulder and inhaled deeply. Scents of cinnamon entered her nose and her eyes were teary as she pulled away.

"Thank you, for coming," Akko said, her voice soft.

Chariot opened her mouth to say something, but was cut off by another woman, with wild purple hair.

"Of course we would come kiddo. "

A woman with short purple hair, along with light green eyes stared right back at Akko's crimson ones. This person, was Croix Meridies another one of Arcana's friends.

Although you did say that you wanted your funeral to be golden...

"She wouldn't have wanted us to come and see her when she was so weak..."

"True..."

Croix looked around, before saying, "This isn't exactly what I'd do for her - " she cut herself off.

Akko swallowed hard. "Yeah, mother was the one to plan everything."

An awkward silence descended on the three of them.

"You know, I keep thinking that she's gonna jump out of the box and yell, 'I'm not dead yet bitches,'" Croix's voice cracked at the end of the sentence.

Your friends are here...they're sad as well...

Akko smiled slightly, her lips filled with dried humor. "Yeah, me too."

Chariot cleared her throat. "L - Let's go sit down."

Akko nodded and trio took their places in the front row. Croix sat next to Chariot and Chariot sat next to the brunette.

None of us believe that you... actually passed on.

"Today, we give our blessings, to the newly passed Arcana Kaguri..."

The crowed was silent and only tears were heard.

The man at the alter droned onwards and the young girl seemed to tune him out of her mind.

"It is truly a tragedy that she died so young..."

You used to tell me, 'I'd rather live a small life filled with - '

The brunette stifled a snort, most of the people in the cemetery didn't give two shits about Arcana and yet, their acting was quite funny. Akko would've laughed, but she couldn't really muster up the feeling. She couldn't really muster up any feeling nowadays.

The rain in the cemetery poured harder, and a few people brought out umbrella's. Akko didn't.

"And now we invite miss Fuwa Kaguri, the mother of this wonderful woman. "

' - adventure, than a long life, filled with boredom. '

Akko ignored her mother and instead subtly watched as Croix slid her hand into Chariots. Akko internally smiled. Her sister had always teased them about finally fessing up and dating.. so maybe they had.

"A - Arcana w - was my sweet child. E - Even from a young age she was rebellious, but always made people seem to like her, with her innocent eyes and innocent smiles. I - It is truly a sadness that she has fled from my life and I hope she has a very happy - " Fuwa faltered and for once Akko could see pure real sadness reflected in her eyes, " - t - time in the after life. "

Although, your life could never be filled with boredom.

"And now, if the sister of the deceased woman could say a few words..."

Akko could remember rising up, she could remember saying a few words that she had written and memorized. Because, even if she had made a thoughtful and a meaningful speech, it wasn't like anyone would understand or even listen. Well, other than Chariot and Croix, but the three of them had already had a funeral earlier.

In fact, i'd say that your life had a little bit of too much excitement.

The brunette heard the screeching and squealing of chairs. As she got up Chariot enveloped her in a big hug and muttered, "Make her proud."

Akko swallowed and smiled. Chariot got it...she knew what would happen if she had said that Akko had already made the dead woman proud.

"Hey kid, keep in touch. Alright ?" Croix asked.

"That's not even a question." Akko stated.

Though, you'd gasp at that statement.

After giving once last teary eyed smile to both Croix and Chariot, the brunette walked back to her mothers side and got into the car, with no resistance.

It was a silent car ride and Akko tried to shake her, now, wet hair, when her mother spoke.

"You both were close." It was a statement.

"Yes." It was an answer.

You used to say that you would probably die during a wicked stunt and that everyone would praise you for it.

A tense silence settled into the air. The older woman cleared her throat before holding out a necklace. It was bronze colored feather, which had two clasps on either side of it. It was hanging from a golden chain.

Akko's eyes widened in surprise and a fresh set of tears came to her. Her heart screamed in agony and she had to choke back a sob as she spoke. "Is it -"

Or that you die, by saving the world.

"Yes, it was all they found of her. I think you would like it."

No words could express how the young girl was feeling. Silently, she reached out and clasped it around her own neck, feeling the coldness of the necklace against her own skin.

"Thank you.." It was a whisper, when she spoke.

'Your Welcome.'

They were the words that were unspoken.

Those were all stories, huh ?

The older woman snorted. "Don't expect this, it's the last nice thing i'll do for you."

"I know."

Fairy Tales, to make me cheer with glee.

That night, the crimson eyed girl stared out at the sky, the moon illuminating her face and the rain splashing outside.

She pretended that she didn't feel the pain in her heart.

She pretended she didn't hear the pure sobs, coming from her mothers room.

She pretend she didn't hear the woman crying out her sisters name.

She pretended that her father hadn't come to the funeral, even though she sent him a postcard.

She pretended and ignored it all.

All this time, i've been relying on you, your strength, your happiness.

She sighed, before reaching out and touching the rain. The water dribbled over her fingers.

Your life.

She smiled and this time, it reached her eyes.

This time, i'm gonna find a way out on my own.

The brunette got up and walked over to her bed. Tucking herself in, she looked to the ceiling.

It's gonna be scary, but I know you'll be their for me. Always watching.

She yawned and stretched slightly.

Besides I got something better -

Her eyes began to droop.

- I got hope.

Akko shut her eyes and her mind went blank. There was only one last thing that she remembered.

Dear Cana, it's raining today.