Kingdom Hearts Fan Fiction ❯ Kingdom Hearts: Castle of Darkness, Heart of Light ❯ The Light in Cloud ( Chapter 9 )

Sora couldn't help but cry as well. This was the first time he had seen the death of a friend, even though Keirii had only been a friend for a little over a week. Yet, she had made a place in his heart, where he kept all of his friends, in that short period of time. And now, she was gone. Why does it have to be like this? Sora thought, She shouldn't have died. We were all supposed to make it out of this. He looked up at Cloud, who still held Keirii's body close to him. It was the first time Sora had ever seen this emotion from Cloud; he had thought that his friend never cried, or had any other emotion for that matter. Sora wanted to comfort Cloud in someway, but he didn't know how. So he left Cloud to his grief and Sora gave in to his own. Beside him, Donald was sobbing softly and Goofy kept brushing away tears. Mickey stood by Cloud, his hand still on the warriors shoulder, his head held down.

 

Oh, God, Sora thought painfully, what do I tell Riku? Keirii wanted me to tell him that she was sorry, but how can I tell him when we meet up with him that she's not coming with us? Sora bit his lip and took in a breath through his nose. He would have to tell his friend the truth, that's all he could do.

 

After what seemed like years, Cloud slowly lifted his head. Something was gleaming in his eyes that scared Sora a little. Carefully, as if Keirii was only sleeping, Cloud laid his sister down to the ground. In a way, if the wounds were ignored, Keirii did look like she was sleeping; her eyes closed with a peaceful look on her face. Cloud brushed a loose strand of hair from her face and he lifted a hand up. Sora saw the silver chain that had Keirii's wolf pendant hanging from it. Cloud undid the clasp and hung the chain from his neck so the two wolf heads were side by side. He reached down beside him, gripped the hilt of his sword and stood up. Sora looked up at him as Cloud stared out where Sephiroth had disappeared to. Sora slowly stood up as Cloud said, “I'll kill him. I'll kill him for all the pain he has caused me these past years.”

 

Sora walked over to him and asked, “You wanna go after him now?”

 

Cloud looked at Sora and said, “If it's alright with you.”

 

Sora put a determined look on his face and nodded. Donald let out a long and angry quack and Goofy stood tall. Mickey stood of Cloud's other side and said, “We're here for you, to help you. We'll have your back.”

 

Cloud nodded and he ran across the roof of the castle. Sora and the other followed. They ran up to one of the towers and with their enhanced abilities, jumped to the top of the tower and down to the other side. They were on the lower parts of the tower now and Cloud stopped. Looking around, he yelled out, “I know you're here Sephiroth! Show yourself!”

 

Sora looked around, getting into a fighters stance, holding his Keyblade. Mickey, Donald and Goofy all readied themselves as well and waited. They didn't wait long; a halo of darkness appeared in front of them and Sephiroth stepped out of it. He no longer had any of the wounds that he had received from Keirii and he looked even more evil than before. “Still won't give up,” he said coldly, “will you, Cloud? You even are willing to drag your friends into this. A pity that your sister can fight alongside of you isn't it.”

 

“Shut up,” Cloud snarled, holding his sword in front of his, his grip on the hilt tight. “You are the reason for her death. And I now have the power to defeat you.”

 

“Do you now?” Sephiroth asked, raising his eyebrows, “What makes you think that?”

 

“Because I found my light,” Cloud said, “I can use my light to destroy you.”

 

Sephiroth chuckled and he pointed his sword at Cloud. “Really, now? Did you really find your light? Are you sure?”

 

“I've always had it,” Cloud said, “I just never realized it. My light comes from the friendships I have created over the years, from the love I have for Tifa, for Keirii. Every emotion that I have and you don't is my light.”

 

As Sora watched Cloud, his friend was surrounded by a soft light. It was only for an instant, but it was there. Sora smiled as he saw the strength return to Cloud and he knew; his friend had found his light.

 

“I had tried to push everyone away, thinking that they would be safer away from me. But I needed them, and some way, I had known that, yet I still pushed them away. Only when I had thought that I had defeated you did I return to the people I cared about, and who cared for me just as much. They were my light and they were the reason for my light. There will always be darkness in me, I know that and I accept it. But now I know that I have a light that is strong enough to keep it at bay, so it won't have it's control over me anymore, which means,” Cloud pointed his own sword at Sephiroth, the glow around him getting brighter. “You no longer have control of me, Sephiroth.”

 

Sora looked over at the one winged man and saw what he thought was shock on his face. But it was quickly masked by hatred and Sephiroth readied his stance. “It doesn't matter if you have your light or not; I will kill you. Join your sister in the afterlife.” Then he rushed forward, swinging his sword up.

 

Cloud blocked the attack and Sora rolled out of the way. Standing, he then charged at Sephiroth, raising his Keyblade. Sephiroth jumped back from Cloud and swept up his sword to strike at Sora. Sora blocked the attack and knocked it aside. Cloud took that moment to lunge at Sephiroth. Mickey joined the fight and Goofy charged in, holding up his shield. Donald stayed back, casting various spells to keep Sephiroth from going far.

 

Sephiroth was quicker than Sora expected. Even with four people at him at once, he still managed to hold his own. He dodged left and right, swinging his sword when he could, but Sora noticed that he was blocking more than attacking. Suddenly, Donald yelled, “Heartless!” Sora took a quick glance to see Shadows rising from the ground. Sora looked at Mickey, who said, “You fight with Cloud. We'll deal with the heartless.”

Then the small king switched battle positions and was soon taking out the heartless, along with Goofy and Donald. Sora returned his attention back to Sephiroth and just dodged an attack from the silver haired man that would have taken off his head. Sora returned the attack, keeping in mind that Sephiroth was someone who he had to give his full attention in fighting against. Beside him, Cloud thrust his sword at Sephiroth's middle, trying to cut him down, who twisted his body so the large blade missed him by inches. Cloud regained his stance quickly and Sora stood beside him. Sephiroth charged at the two of them and Cloud and Sora jumped in different directions, surrounding him. Sephiroth spun around and tried to swing his sword at Cloud, who rolled out of the way, and just barely spun back around and blocked Sora's attack from behind. Cloud swung his sword up, the tip of the blade scraping the floor as he did so, creating sparks and leaving an inch deep gash in the stone. Sephiroth jumped up high, suspending in the air and Sora jumped after him, swinging his sword in an aerial combo. Cloud came after them, his sword glowing slightly as he brought it up. Their battle now in the air, Sora swung his blade with Cloud's trying to knock Sephiroth down. But the one winged man was just as good fighting in the air as on the ground. Sora brought up his sword to block an incoming attack from Sephiroth and then gave a counterattack in return. His attack hit, but just caused Sephiroth to lose balance slightly as it glanced off his armor. Both Sora and Cloud took that chance to attack, but Sephiroth swung his free arm, sending both of them hurtling towards the ground.

 

Sora hit the stone on his back with a painful crash. He was winded for a moment and he rolled over, his back hurting. He looked over at Cloud and saw the young warrior pushing himself up, spitting out blood as he did so. Sora tasted a metallic flavor in his mouth, wiped the back of his hand across his mouth and saw it come back bloody. He pushed himself to his feet, stumbling as he regained his balance. Behind him, King Mickey, Donald and Goofy were finishing off the last of the heartless. Up above, Sephiroth still hovered, a wicked smile on his face.

 

“Give up, the both of you,” Sephiroth said, slowly descending to the ground, “Neither of you can defeat me.”

 

“You're wrong, Sephiroth,” Sora yelled, “We'll kick your ass right back to hell, where you belong.”

 

Sephiroth laughed, touching gently onto the ground, and said, “You amuse me, Keyblade wielder. It really is a shame that I have to kill you.”

 

Sora growled and stepped forward, raising his Keyblade, but Cloud stopped him by resting a hand on his shoulder. Sora looked up at Cloud and saw that his friend's face was set, his blue eyes glowing slightly. “I'll finish him off,” Cloud said.

 

“Are you sure?” Sora asked, “You look like you can't take another beating.”

 

Cloud smiled and said, “I need you to stay alive, so you can drag me back to the ship once I finish him off.”

 

Sora grinned and said, “I would take that as an insult, but I know what you mean. Just don't make me drag you back dead, alright?”

 

Cloud nodded and then he walked up to where Sephiroth waited. Sephiroth pointed his sword at Cloud and asked, “Finally giving up, Cloud.”

 

Cloud stopped and glared at him, his body seeming to crackle with energy. “You just don't get it, do you?” Cloud asked softly. As Sora watched, Sephiroth came at Cloud and swung his blade. Cloud blocked the attack, bringing both their swords up as he did. Sephiroth brought his sword back and jumped skyward. Cloud crouched and launched himself after Sephiroth. Sephiroth faced him as Cloud flew at him. Holding his sword out to his side, Cloud said, “I'll never give up, not even after you are dead.”

 

Sora saw Sephiroth smirk, thinking that it was all a joke. Sora watched as they got higher and he thought that if Sephiroth got one shot at Cloud, sending him back down to earth, then it was over for Cloud. But, as he watched, Cloud swung his sword around over his head and as he did, it began to glow with blue smoky-like fire. He rested it against his shoulder and Sephiroth held his sword ready in front of him. Cloud swung his sword forward but stopped in half swing. To Sora's amazement, Cloud's sword seemed to explode; five smaller swords detached themselves from the main sword in a burst of the blue light. The smaller swords, all glowing with the fire-like blue light, surround Sephiroth, who was looking around in shock, unable to believe what was happening. Cloud was surrounded in golden orange fire-like light and, holding the main part of his sword, the biggest part, at his side, he shot up at Sephiroth. He slashed at Sephiroth, moving so quickly now, he seemed like a blaze of fire, and flew past him towards one of the floating blades and grabbed it, flying up over Sephiroth as he did. He flew down at the one winged man and slashed at him again, making Sephiroth grunt in pain this time. Releasing his hold of the second blade and still holding on to the first, Cloud moved back up and attacked Sephiroth again. He flew up and down going quicker after every attack. Finally, Cloud flew up high and spun around. Sephiroth stared up at him in horror as Cloud came streaking back down, swinging his sword down. Sora watched as Cloud came towards the ground at such a speed, he thought that he was going to crash. But, Cloud landed at a crouch, the five blades landing around him, points down into the ground. He straightened up, the firy glow around his fading away. He reached up and caught his sword and slowly swung it to his side. Cloud looked up at where Sephiroth still hovered, now beaten. “I will,” Sora heard Cloud say softly, “never give up on life.”

 

Sora looked up as Sephiroth stared down at him. “This isn't over,” Sephiroth said coldly, “Not now, not ever.” Then the one winged man vanished into a halo of darkness.

 

Sora looked around as King Mickey, Donald and Goofy joined him. Donald was still staring up at the sky and by the looks on all of their faces, they had seen everything. “What did Cloud just do?” Donald asked in amazement.

 

“I don't know,” Sora said, “but whatever it was, it did what we came here to do.” He looked over at Cloud just as the young man collapsed. “Cloud!” Sora exclaimed and he rushed over, followed by the others. He crouched beside him as Cloud pushed himself up with his arms. His breathing was labored and he looked ready to pass out. “Are you alright?” Sora asked him.

 

Cloud looked up at Sora and smiled slightly. “I think I need a hell of a lot of bed rest. And I think I'll listen to Aerith for once when she treats me.”

 

Sora smiled, glad that his friend was alright enough to joke a little. “You did it though,” Sora said, “You defeated Sephiroth.”

 

Cloud shook his head slightly and said, “Not yet; I hurt his pride maybe and his body, but I haven't defeated him yet. We'll be seeing him again.”

 

Sora nodded and sighed. “Will we ever beat him?”

 

Cloud looked at Sora, a frown on his face. “We?” he asked.

 

“Well, yeah,” Sora said, “You don't think we'll let you go at it alone. Sure, you'll be the one to defeat him, but we'll help you; every step of the way.”

 

Cloud smiled in thanks and then he pushed himself up onto his knees. He looked at Sora and said, “Do you think you could put my sword back together for me? I think I'll pass out if I move anymore.”

 

Sora nodded and he stood up. He allowed his Keyblade to disappear and he began to put the smaller swords back into place on the large one. The parts clicked together and in no time, it was back to the way it was. Sora carried the sword back to Cloud and slid it into its sheath on Cloud's back. Then he went to Cloud's side and, draping one of his friend's arms over his shoulders, he helped Cloud up to his feet. He grabbed the back of Cloud's belt with his other hand and the two of them began to head back, King Mickey, Donald and Goofy behind him. Sora did most of the walking; Cloud's own feet were more like dragging than walking. They got to the tower and Sora jumped up high and onto the upper part of the castle roof, where Cloud had fought against Sephiroth the first time, and where Keirii had died. Sora felt a wrench of pain in his stomach when he realized that his friend was really gone. When they got to where Keirii had died, they stopped, shock on their faces.

 

Keirii's body was gone. There was only a streak of blood where Keirii had dragged herself to Cloud and some blood where she had laid, but Keirii was gone. Sora heard Cloud snarl softly and he said, “The heartless must have dragged her body away, damn them.”

 

“I don't think so,” Mickey said, shaking his head, “The heartless aren't interested in hearts that are already dead. I remember her telling me that when a Wolfkin dies, their bodies vanish because the guardians come and take them away. That is what must have happened to Keirii.”

 

Cloud nodded and said, “I remember her telling me the same thing. I just wish… I just wish that we could have given her a proper funeral. She deserves that.”

 

“Yes,” Mickey said sadly, “she does. We'll have a ceremony for her, once everyone has had time to heal, when we return.”

 

Sora looked at Cloud and saw the sadness and loss in his friend's eyes. He knew that he was going to see the same thing in Riku's eyes, once he tells him. He was about to say something when the castle shook violently. “We gotta move,” Sora said. He hefted Cloud slightly, making it easier to carry him, and began to head towards the door. They all went quickly down the steps and through the castle. They stopped as debris fell from the ceiling, as well as large chunks of stone, and then hurried on. They got half way down when the shaking stopped, leaving everything silent. Sora slowed down, catching his breath and kept at an easy pace, helping Cloud along.

 

“Hey, Sora,” Cloud said, his breathing shallow.

 

“Yeah?”

 

“Remember when we first met?”

 

Sora laughed slightly, looking at Cloud. “Yeah, I remember,” he said, “You were trying to kill me on orders by Hades. You kicked my ass, too.”

 

Cloud nodded and said, “You were pretty tough back then. The way you fought was one of the reasons why I didn't kill you. Plus, I think I saw a little of myself in you.”

 

“Really?” Sora asked.

 

“Yeah,” Cloud said. He looked at Sora and smiled slightly. “A lot's changed since then, huh?”

 

Sora nodded and said, “Sure has. I never thought that I would ever see you as a friend, not just a comrade who's on the same side.”

 

Cloud chuckled and said, “And I never thought that I would end up being friends with you, back then, with a kid.”

 

Sora grinned and said, “I'm still a kid, at heart anyway.”

 

“Yeah you are.”

 

“Hey, I'm only supposed to say that about myself. I don't need your two cents.”

 

Cloud laughed softly and then he looked up, his face saddening slightly. “I wish Keirii was here. She had wanted to be there when I found my light.”

 

Sora looked at Cloud and said, “She was; maybe not in body, but she was there and she always will be. She'll always be with you, in your heart.” Cloud looked at him and Sora shrugged. “Something I had learned during all my adventures.”

 

Cloud nodded and said, “You're right. I'll always be grateful to her. And Sora…”

 

“Yeah?”

 

“Thank you.”

 

Sora nodded, not saying anything; he knew what Cloud meant.

 

King Mickey, Donald and Goofy, who had been quiet during Sora and Cloud's conversation, came forward. Mickey looked up at Sora and said, “We should be getting close now.”

 

Sora nodded and as he did, the castle began to tremble. They all picked up their pace again. They turned a corner and Sora saw the exit. “Almost there,” he said. They got to the door and rushed through. They went across the courtyard, the ground shaking now. Cloud stumbled and Sora held on, helping him back upright. “Hold on, Cloud,” Sora said. Cloud nodded and they continued onward. They broke out of the courtyard and saw the ship. “Run ahead,” Sora told Donald and Goofy, “and let them know we're coming.”

 

His two friends ran ahead and Sora went as quickly as he could, helping Cloud stay on his feet. His friend limped along beside him, using Sora's support to keep him going. Mickey kept to Cloud's other side, his Keyblade still out in case they were suddenly attacked. They made it to the ship and Sora went up the ramp. They were met up by Tifa, Leon and Aerith. Tifa quickly went to Cloud and wrapped her arms around him. Cloud left Sora's support and held onto Tifa, whispering her name softly. Tifa hugged him for a bit longer and then, draping his arm over her shoulders and wrapping her arm around his waist, she led him towards the back of the ship. Aerith followed and Leon looked down the ramp, as if expecting someone else to be coming and Sora knew who. Sora looked at Leon and said, “No one else is coming; let's go.” And before Leon could ask anything, Sora headed towards the cockpit, leaving Mickey to tell Leon everything. Sora knew what he had to do, and he couldn't hold it off.

 

He went into the cockpit and saw everyone else was there. Riku was sitting down, arguing with Donald and Goofy, who obviously told him to sit and wait. Cid was at the controls, looking at Sora questionably. Kairi and Yuffie were sitting side by side and they looked up when Sora came in. Yuffie tilted her head to look behind Sora and frowned. Kairi looked at Sora and then her eyes widened and began to fill with tears.

 

Riku jumped up, pushing past Donald and Goofy and went over to Sora. “Where is she?” he asked, “Where's Keirii?”

 

Sora felt like he was going to throw up. He didn't want to do this, but he had to. “She's… she's not coming…” he said softly.

 

“What do you mean?” Riku exclaimed angrily, “Where is she, Sora? Tell me!”

 

Sora looked up at Riku and he couldn't stop the tears that welled up in her eyes. “She's… she's… oh God, Riku! She's dead!”

 

Riku paled, his green eyes filled with sudden disbelief. He shook his head and said, “No, don't say that…”

 

“Riku, she died. Sephiroth killed her when she was trying to protect Cloud. She gave up her life for his. She's gone, Riku…” Sora sobbed softly and hung his head. “She's gone…”

 

“NO!” Riku cried, grabbing a hold of Sora's shirt, his hands shaking. “She can't be dead! Sora, please don't tell me this!”

 

Sora looked up at Riku and whispered, “She said that she was sorry. She wanted me to tell you that she was sorry.”

 

Riku stared at him, his green eyes now filled with pain and loss. He slowly sank to his knees, still gripping to Sora's shirt. “No…” he whispered, his entire body shaking, “No…” And Sora could do nothing but stand there as his best friend began to sob uncontrollably. Around the cockpit, he heard the soft sound of weeping, but they weren't as loud as Riku's. Sora heard footsteps behind him and saw Leon and the king walk in. Leon's face was blank, but Sora could see the sadness in his eyes. Mickey walked by, his head hung low and went to the front.

 

“Let's get out of here Cid,” the king said.

 

Cid nodded and wiped his eyes. “Yes, your Majesty,” he croaked and he turned to the controls. He lifted the ship up and began to fly from the world as it began to crumble within itself.

 

Sora dropped to his knees beside Riku and allowed his friend to sob against him. Kairi walked over and knelt beside them and the two of them held Riku, trying their best to comfort him, but knowing that they couldn't mend his broken heart. The three of them stayed like that for what seemed like an eternity, not knowing what to do, or what to think, anymore.

 

~*~

 

The trip home seemed much longer than the first. Riku stood by the window in the same room he and Keirii had shared their first kiss together. Then, Riku hadn't known that it was going to be their first and last time together. It all seemed so unreal right now, but Riku knew that it was real, all of it; Keirii was dead, and he was never going to see her, or hold her, again. If I didn't take so long in telling her, Riku thought, we would have had more time together. But it was too late, and Riku hated himself for it. He felt like it was his fault that she had died. If I had gone back for her... Riku shook his head, knowing that probably wouldn't have made any difference, but deep down inside of him, he felt like it would have. He stared out the window, like he had had when Keirii had found him. He had been running away from her, and for her to find him here, with the two of them alone, it had scared him even more. He had tried to leave, but she had stopped him and when she did, Riku had known that he wasn't going to be running from her anymore. And when he had kissed her, he had given up on running altogether. He closed his eyes, thinking of that one blissful moment he had had with Keirii; holding her close to him as they kissed and how he had felt her body temperature rising with his own. How he had wanted her then more than anything and wanted the moment to never end. He didn't bother to stop the tears that squeezed through his closed eyelids. He pressed his forehead against the window and cried softly.

 

“Riku?”

 

It had been Keirii's voice, but his mind was playing tricks on him because when he turned around, it was Tifa standing by the door, not Keirii. He wiped the tears from his face and looked at the black haired woman. “What?” he asked, his voice a little cold. He wanted to be left alone.

 

Tifa walked in. Her face was filled with sadness and he knew that she had been with Cloud, who was also mourning just as much as he was over Keirii's death. Tifa looked at Riku and said, “Cloud wants to see you.”

 

Aerith had come after Riku a while ago, telling him the same thing. Riku didn't want to go; he couldn't face Cloud, not now. There was too much of Keirii in his features and Riku just couldn't see him. Because in some way, deep down, he blamed Cloud for Keirii's death as well. Sora had told Riku that Keirii had died protecting Cloud, had given her life for his. Riku turned back around, saying, “I don't want to see him right now.”

 

“Please Riku,” Tifa pleaded, “He's been asking for you for a while now. He wants to see you and he needs to tell you something.”

 

Riku didn't say anything. He continued to stare out the window, not knowing what to say. How could he tell Tifa what he thought, how he felt? Behind him, he heard Tifa sigh softly and she said, “Well, come when you're ready.” Then he heard her leave. He slammed his head slightly against the window, feeling a small jolt of pain. It didn't cover up the pain that was coming in waves from his heart. He sighed and a small voice in his head said, “If anyone knows how you are feeling, Cloud will. Keirii was his sister after all.” Riku turned and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him. He walked down the corridor, his footsteps making a hollow sound off of the metal floor. He went towards the ship's infirmary and walked in.

 

He saw Tifa sitting next to Cloud, who was sitting up in one of the beds. He looked worse for wear; his face pale, his arms and chest marred with half healed cuts and his mid section was wrapped in white bandage wrap. His head was leaned back against the pillow and he had his eyes closed. He didn't look like the powerful warrior that Riku knew. As he walked in, Tifa looked up and she smiled thankfully. She stood up and, kissing Cloud lightly on the cheek, she walked over to Riku. She looked up at him and said, “Thank you, for coming.” Then she walked out.

 

Riku went over to Cloud and sat down in the seat that Tifa had been in. Cloud's breathing was shallow and jerky like. Riku felt bad now for how he felt about Cloud. He reached out and shook Cloud's arm gently. Cloud grunted slightly and opened his eyes. Riku felt his stomach drop slightly; he could see Keirii in Cloud's features, just like he thought. Riku looked away, feeling like he was going to be sick.

 

“You see her in me, don't you?” he heard Cloud ask softly.

 

Riku nodded and he forced himself to look at Cloud. “I can't help it,” he said, “The two of you share so much as the same features, well, at least you did.”

 

Cloud looked at Riku and asked, “You're hurting, aren't you?”

 

“Hell yeah, I am,” Riku said, not meaning to snap, “I feel like my heart is crushed. I'd rather take Sather screwing with the darkness in my heart again.”

 

Cloud nodded and he said, “Tifa told me about that. She said that it sent Keirii into a rage. That was one thing about Keirii; she protected those she cared about, even if it cost her life. We were the only real family she had that cared for her. She felt like she owed us, a lot.”

 

Riku shook his head, feeling tears coming back. “But she didn't have to die. She wasn't supposed to die.”

 

Cloud looked away, his cobalt blue eyes sad. “You blame me for her death.”

 

Riku looked at Cloud and said, “I… a little, but I blame myself as well.”

 

Cloud looked back at Riku and said, “Let me tell you something; Keirii never allowed anyone to tell her what to do. She always did what she wanted and that was that. Keirii knew that Sephiroth was going to kill her, but she didn't stop fighting, even when I begged her to stop. Keirii was willing to give up her life to protect me; to protect all of us. We were all she had, and she didn't want to have any of us to die. She would have rather died than have any of us die.”

 

Riku looked down and said, “I just want the pain to stop.”

 

“It won't and it probably never will. Sure, it will fade with time, but just one thing that reminds you of her will open up that never healing wound again. But Keirii would want you to move on; she wants all of us to.”

 

Riku nodded and said, “I know; it's just hard.”

 

Cloud sighed and whispered, “Tell me about it.”

 

“You really cared for her?”

 

“Yeah, I did. She was like a sister I never had. Sure, she was a pain in my ass most of the time, but…” Cloud looked at Riku, tears glistening in his eyes, “she always made me laugh, even when I didn't feel like it. She kept me going during my darkest times. She had saved my life and she didn't even know me. I owed her a lot, but now I can't pay any of it back, because she's gone.”

 

Riku nodded and said, “But I think, in a way, you did pay her back. You gave her the family she always wanted and the brother she hardly ever had. She was grateful for that.”

 

“You're right,” Cloud said. Then the two of them sat there for a moment and after a while, Riku spoke again.

 

“I had just met her, but I loved her more than anything.”

 

Cloud nodded and said, “And she loved you, just as much if not more.” Then Cloud reached over to the table on the other side of the bed. He picked up something and then, he held his hand out, fist closed around the object he picked up. “Open your hand up,” he told Riku.

 

Riku held out his hand and Cloud dropped Keirii's wolf pendent on its silver chain into his hand. His eyes widened at the sight of the stone and he tried to give it back to Cloud. “I can't take this,” he said, “This is your and Keirii's pact pendent.”

 

“She would want you to have it,” Cloud said, “The pendent was only a sign, nothing more. Keep it, please.”

 

Riku pulled his hand back and opened his hand again, looking at the smooth stone. He remembered seeing it all the time around Keirii's neck. He felt the sadness again and he looked back at Cloud. Tears falling down from his eyes, he said, “Thank you.”