Chrysanthemum

At the park Hazel sat, the patter of raindrops hitting her umbrella a lovely ambiance. She watched as the skies grew gray, dark and gloomy. But, no matter how depressing others found that particular kind of weather, Hazel always found solace in it.

Despite every drop being cold and unrelenting in their journey to splash onto a surface, she found herself the most at peace just sitting in the rain. Soaking up every drop as if she herself were a sponge.

A roll of thunder caught her attention. Checking her watch, she clicked her tongue.

"Better get it done then," she stood from her bench and made way, ignoring the many people that passed by. Her mind was too busy with thought as she stopped by a lone flower vendor, buying a bouquet of white flowers.

Holding it closely she continued walking the streets of Hollow City, stopping only once to get something to drink. Despite growing up there, she hadn't ever had the time to explore it all. 

The rain continued to beat down on the city, it's residents, and Hazel. Finally arriving, she took a deep breath and squeezed her eyes shut, swallowing back the rising anxiety.

' You can do this. Same as every year. '

Taking a step forward and through the large gate entrance, she briefly looked up at the words, ' Hollow Cemetery '. She rolled her eyes and continued walking, beeling for her destination as quickly as her short legs could take her. 

' Hollow Cemetery? What a cruel joke...Now where...Here!' 

Stopping in front of a headstone, she stared down at the letters engraved neatly. 

Ichiro Fukakusa

Loving father, loyal friend, and honorable son. Gone, but never forgotten.

1.7.02 -  5. 16. 37

"It doesn't matter how many times I visit you, dad," she began, closing her umbrella and placing the bouquet. "To me, it's like, you've been gone for an eternity. I wonder if you'd agree with Lloyd, or would you side with Stefani?" Sniffling, she crouched down and placed both hands on each side of the cool rock, feeling its rough texture. She softly bumped her head against it.

"I just… Don't know what to do." She whispered. She felt tears roll down her face as they quickly washed away in the rain.

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"Hazel! Hazel, get up, you've got classes today so let's go!" 

"Dad… Can't I just stay in…Please?" The young girl pulled her sunflower and bee themed blanket over her head. "Actually I'm sick. Try again tomorrow.."

Her father stared at her with an amused smirk. "Well played. I guess all this ice cream I got last night is allll for me.." Whistling he walked away, feigning sadness. Soon he heard the rustling of blankets and slamming of drawers, quickly followed by aggressive footsteps.

"WAIT!!" She huffed, hands on her knees as she tried to catch her breath.

"Did you do that all in one go? Nice!" 

Shouldering her bag she pushed past him, ignoring his teasing laugh. 

"Well well! Whatever could have happened to change your mind? Hmmmm?" 

"Be quiet!!"

Hazel and her father walked hand in hand to Hollow Elementary. Her father had dropped the teasing tone as he kissed her cheek goodbye. 

"Bye honey! Have a great, excellent , fantabulous, extraordinary day!" He shouted, waving both hands as the crowd of children walking into school snickered. Embarrassed, she hid her face and quickly made her way inside. 

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"Hazel Tesfaye to the principal's office. " 

The loud intercom buzzed in the classroom, and in good time. The young girl had been dozing off in history class- her least favorite subject. Something about a world war she couldn't bother caring about.

Packing her bags, she shrugged as some of her classmates asked if she were in trouble. She was a good, well mannered kid as far as she was concerned. Opting to stay out of the radar and mind her business.

In the office sat her mother, Tiffany Tesfaye. Hazel had inherited nearly every trait of hers, down to her soft eyes. Those eyes, Hazel noticed immediately, which were bloodshot from crying.

"Mom!" Immediately the young girl ran to console her, little hands dabbing away at tears. "Mom! What's wrong?!" Her head spun around, scanning the room. "Where's dad?" She asked, completely confused. Her parents had separated before she was born, but they maintained a friendship for Hazel's sake. 

"Mom.. Where is he?" 

Her mom held her close as the young girl sobbed, fat tears rolling down her face. 

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"I can't do this on my own," Stefani admitted. For the first time since their meeting, her voice wasn't loud and booming. It was small. It was vulnerable. "As much as I trust myself to get the job done, I have a sneaking suspicion that I might be taking on the council themselves someday. And if that's the case, well…" Suddenly she shot on, foot on the table and puffing out her chest. Hazel sunk into her chair, inwardly groaning. 

"I don't care if the whole world becomes my enemy, I will save my brother as he's saved me! And y'know what?!" She announced, all eyes on the two of them.

'So much for vulnerability...' Hazel thought. 

"It'll be a piece of cake!!"

"You moron.." Still, the smile creeping up on her face told her true feelings. 

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Standing up, Hazel saw the clouds part and the sunshine  down brightly on her. The same big stupid grin manifested on her face, head shaking. 

"I don't know what it is about you Stefani and your stupid ambitions but.."

"This is too big of an opportunity to waste."

Her eyes trained on her fathers headstone.

"I'm going now. I'm not sure when I'll see you again, but I promise I'll visit. Until then, dad."

Leaving the cemetery and crossing the road, thoughts only of the promising future.

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"What is it with you boss?! Why are you so mopey?! " Louis picked at his sharp teeth, eyeing Dantes hunched figure. The two had a hideout in the city's sewers after that fateful night. Word of Ronnie's death had reached them via Silver, one of Doctor Aurora's generals.

"Those bastards…" Dante grumbled, pulling at his hair. "Those bastards! Who the hell do they think we are anyway?! Sending one of his generals….Then that dumbass Ron had to go and get himself killed!!" 

Louis watched as his boss paced back and forth, horns glistening from the light seeping in. He sank back in his seat as Dante continued rambling.

"Well y'know what?! Fuck Aurora! Forget his stupid animen army or whatever the hell that lunatic has in store!" He pointed at the alligator man dramatically as ever. 

"You and I, Louis! We're free men now! We'll find those four assholes that ruined our honor and send em running! Then we'll do the same to Aurora and Silver and all those other freak experiments he has!" He huffed, out of breath.

"Dante. Don't play tough. I know you miss Ronnie too." Louis deadpanned, voice low.

"..."