Tamao had no idea what was going on. He held the plushie close to his chest at the funeral. Why were they burying Sakura? It made everyone cry.

He didn't yet know the concept of death, which only made it sadder for the parents. Amara, the keeper of the burial grounds, finished saying a few words before the ceremony ended.

It was far too silent, and after, the burial finished. Aisuru and Azurn led Tamao away from the scene. "Why are we leaving Sakura?" Tamao asked. He may not know the concept of death, but he wasn't dumb either. "What happened to her?" He added.

Neither parent answered, the sylveon and the shiny glaceon just kept walking, hushing Tamao.

It hurt, and Tamao knew it. He was told that after the accident, Sakura would no longer be with them, but what did it mean?

Once arriving to their home, Aisuru ushered Tamao inside, and Tamao brought the plushie into his room- once shared with his sister.

"Why won't anyone answer my questions, Sakura?" Tamao whispered to the plush. Of course, he knew it wasn't Sakura, but he felt as though it were. As though it was what Sakura would've been, or what she is now.

Shaking his head, Tamao looked for the fabric Sakura was using for the plush, but he failed to find it. Instead, Tamao settled on using a red to pink fabric with a faint heart pattern.

It wasn't perfect, but it would do. Tamao began sewing away at the plush, finishing the back and placing it on Sakura's bed. "I think that works for now, right Sakura?" Tamao smiled.

He laid down on his bed, and closed his eyes, preparing for sleep.

-------

Upon waking, Tamao grabbed the plushie he already named after his sister and brought it to the table. It was silent, Azurn already at work, and Aisuru still mourning the loss of her daughter.

"'Morning, mom." Tamao greeted, making himself some breakfast. Aisuru quietly, yet swiftly, greeted Tamao back. "Good Morning, Tamao. Make sure you finish eating and get on the bus, it's important you make it to school today." Aisuru sighed.

Tamao nodded and ate as quickly as possible, knowing he wouldn't make it to the bus in time if he didn't. As soon as he finished, Tamao grabbed Sakura and his bag, then ran outside, running to the road-

He paused. The road was where his sister died. Tamao didn't ponder on it for long, though, as his sister was with him. His grip tightened around Sakura and walked over towards the bus-stop, where he waited.

After a couple of minutes, the bus pulled up and Tamao- along with a few other eevee, walked onto the bus. 

Tamao walked over to the back of the bus and sat down. Most eevee didn't sit at the back of the bus, and Tamao figured it would be best if he sat there.

He didn't want others to question where his sister was, or why he had a plushy with him.

As the bus slowly started to pull forwards, a few other eevee sat at the back as well. Tamao didn't say a word to them, as the bus was quickly filled with quiet chatter.

Tamao didn't pay attention to any of it, though. He just sat there, holding onto Sakura and looking out the window. 

The small eevee wondered what school would be like that day. If there would be an announcement or not. If he'd get a lot of attention- positive, or negative.

That's when it started to settle in. Tamao watched his sister die, but it was alright now, since he had Sakura with him!

Even if it wasn't the real Sakura, it felt real enough to Tamao. He felt each bump in the road as the back of the bus hit it, a few even sent Tamao out of his seat.

Eventually, the bus arrived at the school, and the bus slowly unloaded. Tamao hopped off at the end with Sakura in-paw. 

Tamao slowly made his way under the school pavilion and sat down at a picnic bench.

He pulled out a pack of fruit-snacks from his bag and slowly ate them, talking to Sakura the entire time.

"Do you think everything's gonna be alright today, Sakura?" Tamao asked. He felt a little embarrassed talking to a plushy at school, considering he was in Middle School, but that was about it.

"You're right, Sakura." Tamao agreed with whatever the plushie said. He stood up and walked inside, heading to the cafeteria and throwing away his now empty snack bag, grabbing a second breakfast.

It was banana bread today, with chocolate drizzle. Tamao grabbed a chocolate milk carton as well and quickly wolfed down his food, throwing away the trash and going back outside.

Admittedly, it was cold out, but outside was where he had more space. It was also where Sakura liked being the most. Sitting back down at the picnic table, Tamao waited for the bell.

It was a long wait, but it rang soon enough, and Tamao headed inside. Walking through hallway and hallway, amongst a bustling crowd of pre-teens, Tamao managed to make his way to Homeroom.

It wasn't long before the classroom became filled, and Tamao could already hear chatters amongst his classmates.

"Doesn't that weirdo have a sister?" One eevee whispered. Another nodded. "Yeah, Sakura. I wonder where she is, Tamao doesn't ever really leave her side."

Conversations similar to that bounced back and forth before the final bell rang, and the teacher walked in.

"Morning, class. You know the drill, don't do anything stupid and have fun. Use this time to get any owed work done if needed, or study." The teacher announced.

Tamao had all of his work done, and it was in his bag, so he had no need to. He just sat there, holding Sakura close to him. 

"Tamao, where's your sister?" The teacher asked. Tamao looked up. "Oh- I thought you would've been told aready?" Tamao confusedly responded. The teacher shook her head. "Oh... Well, uh- two days ago-" Tamao's voice slightly cracked as he recalled the fact his sister wasn't with him.

"Well- my mom and dad brought her to some place, and then we left her for a bit, and yesterday we said goodbye for the final time." Tamao explained.

He didn't understand when the teacher started sympathizing with him, along with a few other classmates. Then, first period bell rang- surprisingly quick. Tamao grabbed his stuff, and went to his first class.