Kingdom Hearts Fan Fiction ❯ Kingdom Hearts: Castle of Darkness, Heart of Light ❯ Rebirth ( Chapter 10 )

Returning to Radiant Garden didn't feel right, not without Keirii with them. As Sora walked down the ramp, he realized that things weren't going to be the same again.

 

Cloud went to the infirmary of the castle and he stayed there for several days, under the watchful eye of Aerith. Other than that, everyone else returned to the normal routine, except they were short one person. Everyone was affected by Keirii's death. Yuffie would be doing something she normally did and then she'd suddenly burst out into tears. Leon was even more quiet than usual, Tifa didn't look as happy as she usually did, Cid couldn't fully concentrate and had ended up slamming his finger while repairing one of the smaller Gummi ships. Mickey, Donald and Goofy weren't their usual cheery selves and Chip and Dale hardly let out a squeak. Sora and Kairi had decided to hang back for a while to help out the others, but Riku returned to the Destiny Islands on their Gummi ship. Cid had told them that he would give Sora and Kairi a ride home when they were ready to go. Sora didn't blame Riku for going; his best friend needed to recoup from what had happened and the best place to do it was home. Sora had noticed that, as he left, Riku was wearing Keirii's wolf pendent around his neck. Figuring Cloud had given it to him, Sora didn't question it. He also hadn't tried talking to Riku about what happened either. When Riku was ready to talk to him, he would come on his own. For now, Sora knew that it was best to leave his friend alone.

 

Leon told Merlin about what happened and the old magician had hung his head in sorrow. “That girl was one in a million,” he had said, “She really lit up the place when times were dark and she was so spirited. Yes, she was one in a million.”

 

No one didn't know what to do about Keirii's father back in her home world; Cloud said that they would probably find out eventually. Sora could understand why Cloud didn't want to be the one to tell Keirii's father; the Wolfkin leader would probably put all the blame on Cloud, proclaiming that he killed Keirii. So no one worried about the Wolfkin, knowing that, in a way, it wasn't their place to go there.

 

Cloud was able to leave the infirmary after about a week. He was fully healed and his strength almost completely returned. Sora would find Cloud sparring either with himself or with Leon or one of the others, gaining his strength back. He was preparing himself, incase Sephiroth decided to show his ugly face again. But there was no sign of the one winged man; Cloud had badly injured him and he was probably out of action for a while. Even the heartless population had gone down and the security systems stayed mostly quiet. Sora kept up with his sword skills and he found himself sparring with Cloud. Neither of them held back, so the training worked out for the both of them.

 

A few days after Cloud left the infirmary, a special ceremony was held in memory of Keirii. It was held in the gardens close to the Life Tree. A stone statue of a wolf, a few feet tall, was place next to the Life Tree; the wolf had its head lifted up in a long howl. Mickey led the ceremony, standing in front of all of them. Once everyone who was coming was there, which were everyone in the group and a few townsfolk who had knew Keirii well, Mickey began.

 

“We're all here to remember the memory of Keirii. She was a loving sister and a caring friend. She had made us laugh when we were sad and comforted us when the times were hard. And she wasn't ashamed of whom and what she was; a Wolfkin, whose kind is bound to their world. She was unique, willing to break free of the customs that tied her down. She stood among the people she saw as her friends, even when her people disapproved. She was brave and did everything she believed in, even when she was afraid of the outcome. She fought bravely and strong, never giving in, even when others would have. She was willing to protect those she loved, even if it cost her life, which this time, it did. Let her memory remain with us forever.” Then the king looked at Cloud and nodded.

 

Sora watched as Cloud left his place at Tifa's side and took Mickey's place. He looked at everyone and began to speak. “I can repeat everything his Majesty said, and it would all be true, but I'm not going to repeat that's already been said.

 

“I never had any siblings while growing up. All I had were my friends, which as time went on, became my family. Keirii… she was different somehow. I knew it the moment I had woken up to find her tending to my wounds I had gained from a battle against Sephiroth. She was only fifteen, and she didn't even know me, but she was determined to make sure that I was fully healed. A friendship grew between us and a bond formed, long before we had made our pact a year later. Keirii was only a kid when I first met her, and I saw her as that for a long time, but deep down, she wasn't. I realized that Keirii was more grown up than she looked. She had gone through so much in her life, a life she had hardly started. She stayed strong, even when she was alone. I have always admired her for that. Keirii was a very special person to me; she was my sister, someone I knew always had my back, even when I was wrong, and I cared for her like she was my blood. And so, I give her my name; she will be now known as Keirii Strife, my sister and a part of a family that she never truly had while growing up. She was a big part of our whole family,” Cloud looked at Sora and the rest of them, “and we treated her like she was family. I know that she was grateful, to me, to all of us, for that.” Then Cloud turned and crouched in front of the wolf statue. He touched the top of its head and whispered, “I'll miss you, Keirii, and you'll always be in my heart. Thank you.” He stood up and he returned to Tifa's side, who took his hand and squeezed it gently.

 

Sora and the others all rested flowers around the statue and soon, it looked like a garden of various flowers had grown up around the howling wolf's feet. They all stood there for a while, remembering Keirii and the time they knew her. Then they all began to drift off and head back to the castle. Sora and Kairi hung back and the two of them, hand in hand, walked over to the stone wolf. Sora crouched beside it and Kairi crouched down beside him. “I'm going to miss her,” Sora said, “and I wish I was able to get to know her more.”

 

“Yeah,” Kairi said sadly, “I really liked her. She was so much fun.” Kairi suddenly giggled slightly and said, “She and Cid were always at each other. She would always end up pounding him on the head or knocking him flat. She didn't take any crap from anybody.”

 

“Yeah, I remember seeing her do that to Cid, the first day we came here.” Sora sighed and he stood up. He looked down at the statue and he gave her a salute. “Rest in peace, Keirii,” he said, “You deserve it.” Then, taking Kairi's hand, the two of them headed up to the castle.

 

~*~

 

Keirii's still form was lying where Cloud had left her. Her face looked peaceful, almost like she was only sleeping. There was nothing but silence on that roof top. Not even the sounds of the battle could be heard. A soft light appeared next to Keirii and it formed into a large mountain wolf. The wolf was whiter than snow and glowed brighter than the full moon. The wolf lowered its head close to Keirii's and nuzzled her hair. Another wolf appeared on Keirii's other side, a little smaller than the first. It brushed its tongue against Keirii's cheek. It lifted its head and looked at the first wolf and spoke in a soft, female voice. “She didn't deserve to die, not like this.”

 

The first wolf lifted its head and looked at the female, his mate. “She chose to die,” he said, his voice calm and deep, “She died protecting the people she loved, like a true Wolfkin.”

 

The female sighed and said, “So many of our kind seemed to have forgotten what it means to be a true Wolfkin.”

 

“This little one didn't,” the male said, looking down at Keirii, “She is just a pup, and yet she knew more than any leader of the four tribes.”

 

“And she defeated our greatest enemy,” the female said.

 

“Yes, she did. And she will be rewarded for it.” Then the two wolves glowed brightly, surrounding themselves and Keirii in their light. When the light faded, they were gone.

 

~*~

 

“Whaa… I'm bored… who ever said reading is fun really didn't have a life.” Sora looked up after he finished talking and gave himself a mental high five when he saw a smirk come from Cloud. He was trying to cheer his friend up, by secret orders of Tifa, so Cloud won't go into a deep depression stage and return to the way he was before; silent and distant. Sora had asked Tifa why she wanted him to do it and the young woman had said that he was the goofiest among them and would probably make Cloud laugh.

 

Cloud looked up at Sora, his eyebrows raised. “Merlin likes to read,” he pointed out.

 

“Well,” Sora said, closing the book he had been trying to read, “Like I said… Merlin's an old geezer who doesn't get out anymore; hence him not having a life and always reading. Now, if he puts a Hawaiian shirt, a pair of shorts and went out more often, then…” Sora suddenly stopped, a mental picture of what he just described Merlin in popping into his head. He shuddered and said, “Never mind… I like the book reading, old geezer Merlin best.”

 

Cloud laughed and shook his head. “I think it's best if you stopped talking Sora. You're going to give yourself nightmares.”

 

Sora grinned and he jumped to his feet. “Let's spar or something. I feel like I need to move.”

 

Cloud looked back down at his book. “Go spar with Kairi. She could use the practice.”

 

“She went out shopping with Aerith, Tifa and Yuffie. We're running low on food here.”

 

“How about Leon?”

 

“Working on trying to take down firewalls that are still up on Ansem's computer with Cid.”

 

“King Mickey?”

 

“Come on Cloud!” Sora exclaimed, “That won't be sparring; that'll be me getting my ass kicked.” Cloud chuckled and Sora glared at him. That time, he wasn't trying to be funny; he was serious that time. “Cloud, why don't you want to spar?” An idea popped into his head and he grinned wickedly. “I promise that I'll go easy on you.”

 

Cloud's head shot up and he glared at Sora. “What do you mean by that?”

 

“Well,” Sora said, shrugging, “Obviously, since you seem to be avoiding sparring with me means that you think you won't be able to beat me. Guess that means you're not as tough as you use to be, huh?”

 

Cloud closed his book and stood up. “Oh really?” he asked, his blue eyes gleaming, “Then I guess I'll have to take you up on your offer and prove you wrong.”

 

Oh, shit, Sora thought to himself, maybe taunting him wasn't a good idea after all. Sora opened his mouth, about to tell Cloud that he had been joking, when Cloud suddenly went rigid. Sora's smile dropped as he watched his friend pale slightly. “Uh, Cloud?” he asked, “You okay?” He heard footsteps and looked around as Donald, Goofy and the king walk in. They stopped at the sight of Cloud, worried expressions on their faces.

 

“Cloud,” Mickey asked, “is something wrong?”

 

“It can't be…” Cloud said. Then he ran past Sora and the others and out of the library. Sora looked at Donald, Goofy and Mickey and then they went after him.

 

Sora caught up with Cloud and asked, “Cloud, what's going on?” But Cloud didn't answer, so Sora just followed him. They ran through the castle and down to the garden. They went to the Life Tree and Cloud stopped. Sora was about to ask again what was going on until he saw what it was in front of him. And what he saw, he couldn't believe.

 

Keirii sat on her knees under the shade on the tree, her long hair falling down her back. The streaks in her hair seemed darker, almost a sapphire color now, but other than that it was Keirii. She held one of the flowers that were resting at the feet of the wolf statue, gently stroking the petals. She was humming softly to herself, her violet eyes full of life. At their approach, she looked up at them. She set the flower back among the others and stood up. She was dressed the same as she had been when she died, except for the long jacket, and the wounds that had marred her body were gone. She looked the same as she did before the battle. She walked towards them, stepping from the shadows of the tree, not disappearing like Sora had thought she would. She stopped a few feet away and, holding her hands together in front of her, she smiled, tilting her head slightly.

 

“You all look like you've seen a ghost,” she said, her voice soft.

 

Beside him, Cloud stepped forward slightly. “Keirii?” he asked, “Is it really you?”

 

Keirii frowned and placed her hands on her hips. “What?” she exclaimed, “Don't tell me that you forgot about me already.”

 

Happy laughter came from Donald and Goofy as the two of them ran at Keirii, enveloping her in a huge hug. Keirii laughed as she hugged the two of them. They pulled away and King Mickey ran to her and jumped up into her arms, hugging her tightly. Keirii set Mickey down and Sora tackled her, sending them both to the ground. Keirii burst out into laughter as she sat up, hugging Sora. After a while, Sora stood up, helping Keirii back to her feet. He then stepped aside for Cloud, who was still looking at Keirii in disbelief.

 

“How?” Cloud asked, looking at her, “How are you alive? You died in my arms.”

 

Keirii looked at him and said, “The Guardians gave me another chance at life. I had defeated our greatest enemy, and I didn't deserve to die, not the way I did. I have so much here, that they wanted me to come back, to live my life the way I want to.”

 

Cloud shook his head. “I can't believe this,” he said.

 

“Well, believe it,” Keirii said, walking over to him, “I'm home.”

 

Sora waited for Cloud to say something. But instead, Cloud rushed to Keirii and swept her up, hugging her tightly to him. Keirii held him just as tightly, smiling slightly. Sora looked behind them as Yuffie, Tifa and Aerith came quickly around the bend. At the sight of Keirii, Yuffie squealed and tackled both Cloud and Keirii. Tifa and Aerith, looking just as stunned as they had been, walked the rest of the way. Keirii and Cloud had pulled apart and Yuffie was patting Keirii's face, her eyes wide. “She's alive,” the young ninja exclaimed, “She's really alive.”

 

Aerith smiled and hugged Keirii and then Tifa did as well. Keirii pulled away, her eyes gleaming with tears. “I'm so glad I was able to come back,” she said softly.

 

“Hey Cloud,” Yuffie said, frowning slightly, “Isn't it weird how Keirii got a second chance at life, just like you did?”

 

Cloud gave Yuffie a look, who then went quiet. Keirii looked at all of them, asking where the others were. They all began to head back to the castle, but as they did, Sora realized that Cloud wasn't with them. He stopped and looked back. He saw his friend crouched in front of the tree, head bowed. Sora smiled slightly and left Cloud to his prayer, following the others back to the castle. They met up with Leon and the rest in Ansem's Lab. They all were just as surprised and happy to see Keirii alive and well. Once Keirii finished exchanging embraces, she looked around and frowned slightly. “Where's Riku?” she asked softly.

 

Sora looked at Keirii and said, “He went home, after we returned. He couldn't stand being around here anymore.”

 

Keirii looked at Sora sadly and she nodded. She then turned to Cid and said, “Can you take me to him. I have to see him. I think… I think I have some explaining to do.”

 

~*~

 

Riku stood at the water's edge, the waves of the ocean brushing the toes of his shoes. The sound of the waves filled his head, but it wouldn't drown the thoughts from his mind, or the pain in his heart. The sun was setting onto the water, casting a golden glow all around. The ocean wind stirred his silver hair, brushing it away from his face. Usually standing here made him feel better, made anything that was bothering him go away. Here, he was able to let things go and move on. But the weight on his heart wouldn't leave. He never thought he would ever feel this much loss, sadness and hurt. He had thought he had felt it all when he had been forgiving himself for falling into darkness. He reached up and touched the wolf head pendant hanging from his neck. Coming home didn't change the hurt he felt; it was still there, throbbing, killing him slowly. He closed his eyes, allowing himself to drift. He thought of the short time he had had with Keirii, increasing the pain in his heart. It'll never go away, Riku thought, not while I'm alive, and she's dead.

 

“Riku?”

 

His eyes flew open at the sound of her voice. His head wasn't playing tricks on him, it couldn't be.

 

“Riku…”

 

He closed his eyes slowly, a single tear falling down his cheek. Slowly, he turned, opening his eyes to look behind him. She was standing there, looking the same as she did when he last saw her. The streaks in her hair were now like a sapphire blue, but she looked exactly the same. The wind stirred her hair slightly as she stopped a few feet from him. Riku stared at her, thinking that this couldn't be real. “Are you… are you real?” he whispered.

 

Keirii smiled slightly, walking up to him. She came up close to him, looking up at him, her violet eyes bright. She reached up and touched the side of his face with a hand and then brought her lips up to his, kissing him softly. They were warm and felt the same as they had when he had kissed her for the first time. She pulled back slowly and looked at him. “Did that feel real?” she asked.

 

With a sob, he pulled her close to him, holding her tightly. Keirii held him just as tightly, burying her face into his chest. He breathed in the scent of her; she smelt just like the flowers that grew on the Life Tree in Radiant Garden, the flower that Keirii and Aerith had called a Lunar Flower. Her hair was soft against his face and her body close to his felt alive. She was alive, here, and he felt the pain and loss leave him. He pulled away far enough so he could kiss her again, deeply and passionately. He felt tears fall down Keirii's cheeks and they mingled with his own. He held her tightly and he felt her fingers rake up through his hair.

 

Forcing himself to pull away, he looked at Keirii and asked, “How? How did you come back?”

 

Keirii smiled and said, “The guardians gave me another chance to live.” Her smile then left her face and she said, “Riku, I'm so sorry for the pain I caused you. Can you forgive me?”

 

Riku smiled and brushed away the tears from her face. “Of course I can,” he said softly. Then he looked behind Keirii and called out. “You all can come out now.”

 

From behind the trees up the beach, Sora, Kairi and all of the others came out and headed down towards them. Sora grinned at Riku and, folding his hands behind his head, the teen said, “So what was it that you said about you not being a sap?”

 

Riku laughed and punched Sora in the shoulder. “Back then,” he said, “I never thought that I would be this much in love with anyone.”

 

Sora smiled and nodded. “Yeah well, we never know what's to come in life, don't we?”

 

Riku shook his head. “No, we don't.” He looked at the others and said, “So, everything's good?”

 

Leon nodded and said, “The Dark Lands have disappeared and there isn't a hide or hair of Sephiroth.”

 

“But that doesn't mean that he's gone forever,” Cloud said, his arms crossed over his chest, eyes intense.

 

“But when he comes back,” Keirii said, looking at Cloud, “we'll be ready.”

 

Cloud nodded and looked at Riku. “I already know I have the support of everyone else, but I want to know if I have yours. Will you help me defeat Sephiroth?”

 

Riku looked at Cloud and nodded. He held out his hand and said, “I'll be there to help; every step of the way.”

 

Cloud reached up and he and Riku clasped hands in a warrior's clasp; hands gripping the wrist of the other.

 

“Now that we're one big happy family,” Cid said, “where's the food? I'm starving.”

 

Everyone laughed and Sora said, “Come on, we'll head to my place. Mom said she'll cook up something for all of us.”

 

Riku nodded and they all headed up the beach towards town. Keirii walked beside him and as she did, she slipped her hand into his. Riku looked down at her, slowly closing his hand over hers. No matter where I go, or what happens, he thought, I will always be by her side.