Somewhere Over the Rainbow: Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Summer wasn't insane or she liked to think she wasn't insane, at least as far she knows. It was often hard to tell, especially since she's dead. The anguish and torment of knowing that she had broken her promise to her girls, the countless days she spent screaming and crying for her family as well as the catatonia of wandering this mortal world knowing that there was nothing beyond often made it hard to stay lucid; Just The usual stuff she had to deal as a ghost!

Maybe she was insane. Living on as a mere shade of what she once was took its toll. Her memories slipping, her body fading, and the torment of no longer being able to feel and-! No, focus. She could be insane later. Now, she needed to make sure the kid was well protected because as far as she could tell, he somehow made her not dead.

With a log in hand, she marched back to her makeshift camp before driving it hard on the ground, adding to the wall she was building around the boy.

THUNK!

"Quite the sleepy head, aren't you?" She noted with mild amusement before heading back to the forest to punch down another tree.

Now some people, mostly Raven, would wonder why she was using whole logs to make their camp? Wasn't there a more efficient way like her using her axe to cut down trees? Aside from the fact that she hadn't thought of that up until now, she had many reasons to do otherwise!

CRASH!

Reason number one was just because she had an axe doesn't mean it's a good idea to use it. It'll dull the edge and bend it out of shape as her Sundered Rose doesn't have the mass to cut through logs effectively. She wasn't sure if her ghost axe would remain sharp so best not to risk it and speaking of her axe, how did she get to keep it?

THUNK!

She hadn't thought much of it as it wasn't like it could do much with her body being made of ghost stuff, but now that she was solid again (and by Oum, it felt amazing), why did it form with her when she died? Shouldn't she be naked, or do ghosts get to keep what they have in life? Perhaps weapons have souls? Maybe, but she was getting of track

Walking towards another tree, she planted her feet, before throwing her hands with all that she got. Down goes another tree with a mighty crash, crushing foliage and sending birds scattering. Grabbing branches, she started pulling, tossing the smaller ones aside for the fire.

As for her second reason, she might have forgotten how to make camp. In her defense, it's been years since she died. Unable to interact with the living, she was made to wander the earth, which made the boy all the more valuable. She can't go back to being a ghost, not when she could breath and feel the sun again!

THUNK

It was freeing, feeling the solid ground beneath her feet, the wind against her face and the sounds and colors the world had to offer. "It feels like I'm alive again!" She giggled before blinking as she passed through a tree.

Feeling her heart race, she ran back, desperately seeking the feeling of solidness before she tripped over a branch. "Damn it…" She groaned, laying there, cursing her undeath.

As much as she could breath, feel and think once more, she hadn't come back to life, far from it. She still felt cold and her body felt hollow, like she was only half there. One foot in the land of the living, and the other in the land of the dead. No longer dead, but not quite alive. A state she was locked to so long as she remained close to the boy.

"It's so unfair," She sniffed, feeling wetness dripping down her cheeks as she curled up on the ground. She wanted to go back, to run as fast as her legs could take her so she could be with her girls, her loving wife, even stupid Raven and that dumb old Qrow, but she can't…

"No!" Wiping the tears off her eyes, she forced herself back to her feet, "That's quitters talk." Forcing herself to smile, she laughed bitterly, "I can go back, I can meet my family again…" She just needed the boy to go with her. It was fool proof!

"I just wished I could call them…" She sighed, feeling the dead weight in her pocket. Turns out, phones don't translate well to ghosthood. She also doubted that the CCT would keep her number active after not paying her phone bills for months.

If she wanted to meet her family again, she just had to make sure that her ticket back home didn't die so back to making camp!

"I'm coming girls," She promised, gritting her teeth as she marched over to a tree, fist clenched, "Just you wait!"
CRASH!

-x-x-x-

It wouldn't take long before she finished her camp, or rather her makeshift fortress and not a moment sooner as the sun had now set and the stars smiled down upon. With thick timber walls and an earthen rampart to support things, she was sure she'd have enough time to get back to her feet if a Grimm just so happened to pass by. For now, she was going to sit by the campfire and cook dinner.

Turning the spit on the hare she had caught, she smiled. It was strange being able to smell again and feel the heat of the fire, but it was a welcomed change. Extending her hands towards the fire, she watched the fire flickered behind them. She could still see through her body, but things grew a little dimmer as a shadow now cast over her eyes.

"Maybe if I stay long enough around you, I could come back to life," She mused as she stared up to the starry night sky.

Having a body once more, she was quickly reminded how it sucked to get tired. For every pleasure she felt, she felt pain in equal measure. "It's going to take a while to get used to this," She muttered as she shifted on her rocky seat.

She needed some time to gather herself as well as get used to all these sensations. Feeling the grass beneath her bare feet sent shivers up her spine. Cheeks red, she tucked her legs close as she muttered, "Maybe I should take the scenic route just to be on the safe side…"

She shook her head, patting her cheeks, "Ok girl, get your head out of the gutter. You're a mother damn it!" A mother of two wonderful children at that and the wife to a loving girl. Remembering Taiyang's scent, her strong firm hands around her and his tongue-!

"Damn it woman, why is that the first thing you think of after all those years is that!" She was far too wound up and far too excited for just about everything. Regaining her senses was proving to be both a boon and curse. In need of something to distract herself, she turned to the boy beside her.

Bundled up in the sleeping bag she had found from his canoe, he slept soundly, allowing her to have a closer look. He was young, probably around the age a huntsman would be, "And probably around her eldest age," A treacherous part of her mind added. Shaking herself of such thoughts, he kept observing.

Despite the boring, but quite practical wear, he sported and the utilitarian weapon he packed, he didn't have a hint of aura. There was still something, some warm feeling that he radiated, but it was all but mute, practically useless for fighting the grimm as if.

Seeing how he reacted to a big one, she also cautioned against the idea of him being a trainee. He doesn't have the weapon or even flare for one. Hunters and Huntresses, no matter how practical they might claim, have a signature.

"So he's probably a civilian," She noted, but why was he out here in the first place? He doesn't look like he's moving to another town, packing so little supplies. Was he perhaps visiting a relative? Then why isn't he riding a transport or caravan?

While she had been dead for quite some time, the grimm were still the same old scourge she knew back then. It was dangerous to be out in the wild, even with hunters regularly culling the population. Even a long Beowolf, or even a mere Creeper, could prove to be too much for Civilians.

"You don't exactly scream rich either," She muttered, moving from her seat and kneeling beside the boy. She suspected that the boy might be simply out to enjoy nature, a pass time for the rich and wealthy, but they often come with escorts. He didn't look desperate either given his sunny disposition.

As it stands, there were simply so many things about the boy that didn't fit and she hadn't even talked about the boy's ability. "You are one strange boy, you know that?" She whispered before pausing as the boy grimaced, turning in his sleep.

"Go away you… you monster," He whispered, making her chest tighter. As she shifted away, he whispered, "Get away from that nice ghost."

Feeling a soft and warm smile graced her lips once more, she chuckled. "And a brave little kid." Even in his sleep, he looked like he wanted to help. Seeing his frown deepen, she reached out, hesitating for a moment, before running her finger across his hair. It was just as fluffy as she imagined.

"I shouldn't" She bit her lips, torn between comforting the boy, and letting him. They were practically strangers, but he just looked so adorable; Almost like a bunny with that snow white hair of his. Seeing the boy settle down from her touch, she sighed, "Maybe just this once."

Scooting over, she pulled the boy in her lap and stroked his hair. Staring down on the boy, she felt her cheeks redden. It's been so long since she last touched a person and felt their warmth against her hands. Closing her eyes, she imagined that she was merely comforting one of her girls, humming a familiar tune as she sang their nightmares away.

It almost felt like she was back in her home again, that the nightmare she had walked into that night was merely just that, a nightmare which would be soon forgotten. Everything had gone well, and now, she was to be rewarded by being greeted by her beloved daughters. She would watch them grow, become huntresses like herself and their mothers, and she would be happy.

As her song ended, she felt her cheeks grow damp. Opening her eyes once again, she watched as tears fell down the boy's cheeks. "Oh, I'm crying," She sniffled, choking back the tears now threatening to overwhelm her. She missed her children so much.

Rubbing her eyes, she saw how her cheeks were now stained with tears. She needed to wipe those away. It would be quite embarrassing having a civilian see a huntress like her break down in tears. Her attempt however would be cut short as he stirred.

Slowly, he opened his eyes, groaning as he let out a yawn. As soon as their eyes met, however, he froze. For a moment, she wondered why he looked so pale, before she remembered. "Oh right, I almost forgot I was a ghost," She said, holding back her laughter.

"Now before I let you off, do you promise not to scream?" She asked, "I'd rather not have us deal with some Grimm right now." Nothing brings a Grimm over faster than fear. Hesitantly, the boy nodded and she rewarded him with a pat, "Good boy." He was so cute when he blushed.

Shifting, she let him off, allowing him to get back up to his feet. It took a moment for him to compose himself before he cleared his throat and apologized, "S-sorry about that Miss Ghost…"

Smiling at him reassuringly, she waved him off, "It's fine. I'm just a hunter doing my job even from beyond the grave!" Despite her cheer, he still looked quite apprehensive. She couldn't really fault him for looking terrified. Even she would be in his shoes, but that wouldn't do. What kind of hunteress would she be if the people she saved feared her?

"Seeing how we got off the wrong foot, how about we start over? Perhaps by introducing each other?" She offered, flashing him her brightest smile. There was still fear in his eyes, but he didn't look so guarded anymore. She knew she could win him over.

"That sounds good," He nodded as he sat down on his sleeping bag. For a moment he hesitated, before he reached out, offering his hands. "Charon. My name's Charon Gray," He introduced himself.

Smiling wildly, she grabbed hold of the offered hand and shook them firmly, "Summer Rose, Friendly Ghost and Hunter Extraordinaire at your service!" Seeing the smile on his lips, Summer beamed. They might have gotten off on the wrong foot, but it seems like things are looking up. She could only hope.