Flabby: Hey readers!!!

Tabby: Hola.

Flabby: This is out little introduction to the story. The Main Character is drum roll please… Sunila Napier!! Yay!! Yes Sunila is a very odd name but we love it and most of the time it is shortened to Suni. (Pronounced like Sunny.) She's our little ray of sunshine.

Tabby: And the title "As Night Lingers upon a Sunflower's Petals" if you hadn't put the two and two together, Suni is compared to a sunflower.

I ran my fingers through my hair tossing it around lightly.
"Are you sure you're ok?" My aunt's worried voice sounded through the phone which was pressed tightly against my ear.
"Yes. You don't need to worry, I am fine." I rolled my eyes then turned to stare out of the planes window which was still sitting on the runway.
"Did you remember-"
"Yes."
"And you got-"
"Yes. I will be fine. We haven't even taken off yet."
"Suni, there is still time to change your mind. Just walk off that plane; you will always have a place with me."
"Aunt Lori, I am a twenty year old women, I think I will be ok." I groaned, I hated getting treated like a child.

"Don't give me attitude, Sunila. I am just trying to make sure your ok." I could just picture her, hands on her hips, wagging her finger at me.
"Well, I am telling you now. I am going to be fine. I'll call you when the plane lands in Gotham. Opps, they want all cell phones off, got to go! Love ya." I hung up quickly, sighing in relief. No, they hadn't really wanted all cell phones off, but flight attendants were going to tell everyone to turn their cell phones off soon anyway. I leaned my head back on the headrest, closing my eyes. I just needed to get away. Far, far away. To Gotham, on a whole different continent.
A few moments later, the pilot's voice told everyone to sit down, buckle up and turn all electronics' off. I sighed again, relieved. The plane started moving down the runway picking up speed. As we left the ground, I pressed my hand to the window.
"Goodbye London." I murmured. It had been my home for over14 years now, and sure I would miss it, but I was ready, ready to begin my life, the way I wanted to live it. Not the way my aunt or uncle or my friends wanted me too.

I was also going back to Gotham for another reason. I was born and raised in Gotham until I was six. After my mother died at my father's hand, I went to live with my aunt and uncle who lived and still live in London.

As soon as the seat belt light went off, I shuffled through my carry-on bag grabbed my iPod, turning it on full blast. I opened the window shutter to gaze out at the thunder storm that had haunted London all winter.

My body flew through the air then quickly collided with the seat.
"What the-" I sat up, looking around in surprise. Other passenger collected their spilled belongings with confusion spread across their faces. Immediately, the pilot's voice filled the cabin.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I am sorry but please fasten your seatbelts due to the turbulation we are experiencing currently. Thank you."

I shoved my hand around my seat until I found the belt then fastened it obediently. The plane started to dip and buck as I leaned my head against the head rest enjoying the ride.

A hesitant, light touch on my shoulder awoke me.
"Hmmm?" I murmured looking around, rubbing my eyes groggily.
"We are going to be landing soon." This was the first time I actually noticed a man sitting next to me. He had a black hat pulled low over his eyes and as he was speaking, he pulled it lower so I could only see his mouth and chin.
"Oh. Ok." I packed all my items into my green backpack, and then placed it on my lap, sitting up straight.
Within the next fifteen minutes, we had touched down at Gotham Airport and were stumbling off the plane. I headed straight for the baggage claim, hoping to leave the dirty, dingy airport soon. Thankfully, my purple suitcase was a beacon of light among the sea of black bags. I hauled it off the stretcher, yanking it behind me then searched the crowd for a familiar face.
"Suni?" I heard someone call my name. Standing on my tip-toes I caned my neck to see over the bustling crowds.
"Shaye?" I called back, hoping to catch a glimpse of her dark brown mop.
"Sunila!" I heard a shriek from my left and in a second I was engulfed in a comforting hug.
"Shaye!" I returned the affection to my best friend since birth. We were both devastated when I had to move but had been keeping in touch ever since.

"Come on, let's blow this Popsicle stand!" She tugged at my hand was we cracked up over our little inside joke.
We ran through Gotham's ever-present drizzle of rain, eventually finding an open cab.
"56th Street." Shaye requested before turning to me. "I am so happy your staying with me until you find your own place. Are you planning on living in a dorm at Gotham University or just getting an off-campus apartment?"

"I was thinking about just getting my own apartment, but I want to be pretty close so I could use the subway, walk or get a cheap cab." She nodded.
"Well, you're welcome to live with me as long as you need to. Are you hungry? After we take your bags home we should grab a bite to eat."
I smiled enjoying her hospitality. What can I say? I have an amazing taste in friends.

After getting settled in her apartment, we collapsed onto the couches, both exhausted.
"Maybe we should just order pizza?"

"I was just thinking that." We smiled way too alike for our own good.

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As we sank our teeth into steaming slices of deep dish cheese pizza, we discussed everything we couldn't say over the phone or email. There were laughs, tears and many embarrassing moments.

During a lull in the conversation, Shaye, after much beating around the bush choked out,

"Have you heard from him?" My heart dropped. Him. Maybe she was talking about a different him.

"Who?" I asked after clearing my throat.

"HIM." She clarified, raising her eyebrows.
"Oh. Well, um, no. No I haven't" I choked on the words, tears starting to form in the corners of my eyes.
"Not a letter? Or a phone call? Do you have any idea what happened to him?" She placed her hand on mine, squeezing it tightly.
"No, no, no, none." A tear streaked down my cheek, then fell down to splatter on the slice of pizza I had now set down.
"Oh, Sun." She reached over pulling me into a hug. After she let go, I no longer felt sadness, but that didn't mean I didn't feel anything.

"Why?" I asked, my fist clenched.

"Why what?" Shaye shook her head, confused.

"Why did he leave?" I sobbed.

"Well, um, I don't know." She tenderly placed a hand on my shoulder as I shook in anger.

"He was my older brother. My protecter. He was supposed to be there for me." I spat.

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Flabby: Sooo…yeah, that's the first chapter. I know it's sorta kinda short, but it's an introduction, so bare with us.

Tabby: And tell us what you think!!