Amaranth

Chapter 1: Daffodils

!THIS IS A REWRITTEN VERSION OF THE ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED STORY. IF YOU'VE READ THE VERSION BEFORE THIS, PLEASE REREAD FROM THE BEGINNING AS I'VE MADE MANY CHANGES TO THE STORY LINE! Enjoy :)

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"Mommy! Mommy!" Mikasa shouted to her mom as she dashed out the door and into her backyard.

"Wait up, Mika," her mother scolded with a smile, "I'm not as young as I used to be."

"Sorry, Mama," Mikasa apologized, "I'm just excited!"

"I can see that," her mother laughed as she caught up and grabbed Mikasa's hand.

"What flowers are we learning about today?" Mikasa asked as she swung her mother's hand back and forth while walking towards the family garden in the mountains.

"Depends on what we run into," her mother said as she ran off, daring her daughter to keep up with her.

After running for a while, the two fell down in an open field. Mikasa had landed on top of her mother, giggling. Her mother laughed as well, and it was just as joyful. There was no doubt in the minds of anyone who knew the family that they were joyful and genuinely happy together.

"Hey, Mama?" Mikasa asked as she lifted her head up and looked to the right.

"What's up?" her mother asked as she propped herself up on her elbows.

"What's that flower?" she asked as she pointed.

"Ah," her mother sighed as she lifted her into her arms and carried her to the bush that held the flower. "These are Amaranths."

"They're pretty," Mikasa mumbled in awe.

"It's important too," her mother informed her with a smile, "they're a source of vitamin C that help you heal and get strong." As she said the last bit, she jabbed her daughter's stomach playfully, almost tickling her, causing Mikasa to squeal and giggle.

"What do they symbolize?" Mikasa asked her mother excitedly.

"They symbolize immortality," her mother smiled as she put Mikasa down and sat cross-legged in front of the flowers.

"Wow," Mikasa mumbled in silent awe.

"Mikasa," her mother said her name firmly.

"Yes, Mama?" Mikasa asked.

"I want you to know something," the older woman said as she pulled her daughter into a tight hug, "No matter what happens, there will come a day when I'm not around. People can't be immortal like flowers."

"We can't?" Mikasa asked with a pout, "but I don't want to live in a world without you."

"I know, baby," her mother smiled at her softly as she kissed her head, "I've lived a world without you, and I don't want that ever again."

"I don't want you to leave me," Mikasa whispered as tears filled her eyes at the mere idea of losing her mother.

"That's the great thing," her mother mumbled as she pulled Mikasa out to arms length away, "People aren't immortal, but can you guess what is?"

"What?" Mikasa asked, excited, hopeful even.

Her mother's answer was short and sweet, but it made the world seem so much warmer and colorful to a young Mikasa. "Love."