Seasons of Sadness, Seasons of Joy

Disclaimer: I do not own Corpse Bride, or its characters. They belong to Tim Burton.

A/N: Hey guys, this story takes place after the movie, but I am changing the time period. Instead of being in the late 19th century, the events of the movie are two years before World War I. Hope that doesn't throw anyone off. Enjoy!

Ch. 1 Reunions

Somewhere in a forest, several soldiers can be seen in a trench. One of them is a familiar raven haired man.

"Right lads, we just got our orders. HQ says that Fritz is digging in. They want us to go up and over," said the unit commander. As the others turn to begin making assault plans, Victor's mind begins to wander.

'Two years. It's been two years since I saw Emily last. I wonder if she ever thinks about me? I know I miss her. What I would give to see her one more time,' Victor thought.

Suddenly, machine gun fire split the air above the trench as artillery began to rain down. It was, in a word, Hell. The cacophony of noise pulled Victor from his reverie in time to hear his commanding officer yell, "Damn it! All right lads, UP AND OVEEER!!"

Victor grabbed the edge of the trench in unison with the rest of his squad. Pulling his way up, he reflected on how Emily had come out of her grave all those years ago. Realizing that his commanding officer was still in the trench, Victor paused and turned.

"Sir? Sir?! Is something wron-" Victor's question was suddenly cut off as his world turned black.

"Ms. Plum, I need another round, please," said a very familiar Corpse Bride.

"Are you sure dearie? That's your third round tonight," said the short cook, Ms. Plum.

"I'm sure Ms. Plum. I can't get him out of my head, even after two years."

"I know dearie, I know. You need to move on though. Obsession like this isn't healthy," said a very concerned Ms. Plum.

"Hah, unhealthy? I'm dead. My health can't get much worse," replied a very depressed Emily.

Sighing, Ms. Plum Replied. "Dearie, there are different types of health besides physical. You're torturing yourself. You need to-"

Ms. Plum was interrupted by the clanging of a bell and the shouts of "New arrival".

"Hmm. I wonder if it's any one we know," wondered Emily aloud. In truth, every time a new arrival was announced for the past two years, she had hoped it would be Victor. It always wasn't though, and lately she had noticed a lot of soldiers. She knew a war had to be going on right now.

"Now dearie, don't get your hopes up. It's probably just another soldier."

Looking, they could see a figure in the uniform of a private standing by the bar and looking around.

Sighing, Emily said, "You're right. It's not Victor."

Patting Emily's arm, Ms. Plum began to notice something strange. The new arrival wasn't panicking. He was calmly looking around like he was expecting to see what he was seeing. There was only one breather who had ever been down here though…

Ms. Plum's thoughts were interrupted when Bonejangles began to get very vocal. Laughing, he yelled, "You're back, huh kid? Welcome back to our lovely spot under the Living."

Confused, Emily stood from her seat in the corner and began walking over.

'I wonder what Bonejangles meant "welcome back"? Surely he didn't mean… No Emily, don't think it's him. You'll only set yourself up for disappointment. But oh, I've missed him so. But… he probably doesn't even remember me.' Thought Emily as she strode over to the new arrival. Looking at him, she saw a bullet wound. The bullet had gone all the way through him. Wincing, she knew it had to have been painful. Emily finally saw the man's hair.

'It's like a raven's feather. Just like Victor's hair.' At this thought, Emily lost control and began to tear up.

Steeling herself, she walked over to the new arrival.

"Hello! I'm Emily and I'd like to welcome you to your new home," Emily said.

Pausing, she finally noticed that the whole of the Ball and Socket had silenced.

Finally, the figure turned and Emily gasped as she recognized the new arrival.

"Hello Emily. I'm back"

"V-Victor?"

With this, Emily fainted.

"Is she okay?"

"Yes. You just surprised her is all. How's it been Victor? Other than dying?"

"Terrible. I hope she wakes up soon. There's much we need to talk about."

Emily heard what sounded like Bonejangles and Victor talking as she regained consciousness. Groaning, she began to sit up, only to feel hands, hands with flesh, grip her shoulders to steady her.

"Careful! We don't want you to pass out again," said Victor.

By Emily didn't want to be careful. In fact, she did just the opposite. Throwing caution to the four winds, Emily threw her arms around Victor and began to sob.

Coughing nervously, Bonejangles mumbled something about "adjusting his guitar or stringing his hat" as he quickly made his way to the door and left.

Nervously, Victor said, "Emily? Emily, what's wrong? D-did I do something?"

Emily burrowed deeper into victor and refused to answer. Victor Nervously wrapped her in his arms and tried to comfort her. Finally, after what seemed to be an eternity, Emily's sobbing slowed and then stopped. Finally, lifting her head, she said, "How? How are you here? W-What happened? And why are you dressed like that Victor?"

Smiling a small smile, Victor replied. "The answers to your questions are actually all the same. I was a soldier in the war Emily. I was a private. I-I was shot."

Emily tentatively touched the wound.

"It looks like it hurt. D-Did it, Victor?"

Victor quickly looked at the wound and then looked back at Emily. Smiling, Victor replied, "Of course not Emily. I died very quickly and painlessly."

Emily could read the lie in his eyes, but she decided against commenting on it. If it bothered him to speak of it then she would let him tell her in his own time.

Wiping her eyes, Emily pulled away from Victor, but oh was she reluctant to leave his embrace.

"So, how was life going? I figured you moved on with it right," asked Emily.

At this, Victor's smile faded. "It's a long story Emily. And not a very happy one either."

A/N: Hope you enjoyed. Hopefully the next chapter will be up soon.