A Long, Long Time Ago

by Darkironprincess17

Five shinigami sitting in a tree. Five shinigami so happy they'd be. Five shinigami grew up too fast. Five shinigami with very different pasts. Come on the journey of the past, present and future of William, Grell, Ronald, Leah and Ashlyn as they fight for their lives, loves, friends, to save the world of Grim Reapers. Some violence and swearing. art included. Eventual shipping.

4. Chapter 4- Ashlyn

-ASHLYN-

A young girl wanders around the house, swinging her hands back and forth in exaggerated motions to dry the nail polish on her hands. Her ginger hair is in a high bouncy ponytail, and her eyes are shining with excitement behind her glasses. Today is her birthday.

She's sure her parents are going to give her a wonderful birthday present just like they promised. Maybe she'd actually be able to spend time with them for once. They could go out to the mall. Go shopping. She could hold her parents' hands for once and have them walking together.

She smells cigarette smoke from near the balcony on the third floor and rushes over. Sure enough, her mother's standing there on the balcony, talking on the phone, tapping the cigarette on the elaborate ashtray.

"Mom! Momma!" She bounds over to her mother, only to have the woman hush her mid-sentence.

Mrs. Redwood holds up a finger, and merely continues talking on the phone.

Ashlyn's bright smile falls slightly, so she draws back to the balcony and waits.

Finally, after what seems to be an eternity, the woman hangs up the phone, and adjusts her slitted black dress with long manicured nails. A powerful woman, Mrs. Redwood must always look her best. What are Grim Reaper jobs fit for if one can get much more profit through a business? She glances at her daughter through her bright red bangs.

"Was there something you needed?"

Ashlyn pauses. "Well... I was hoping for a happy birthday. Because... you know. Today's my birthday, in case you forgot."

Mrs. Redwood surveys her daughter for a moment before walking up and patting her hair. "Happy Birthday, sweetheart." She digs in her wallet and hands her a couple hundred dollars. "Here. We'll drop you off at the mall today and you can buy whatever you want."

"...Can't you come with me?"

"I'm afraid daddy and I have to work today. We can always go another time." She says as she exits the balcony, extinguishing her cigarette.

Ashlyn is left standing there, looking down at the floor. Her nails smudged a bit when she took the money, but she doesn't care anymore. Is this... this wad of green paper, is it really worth more than the chance to spend time together? Has she been getting it all wrong?