(Untitled)

[midgar_flowers]

She didn't trip and fall, or ruin her dress this time. She didn't run or go looking, refusing to accept the truth. She knew when she walked out of the dojo that they were gone. It was much too silent for this time of the morning. Much too empty. There was no point in denying that they were gone. Roxas and Zack would never have gone somewhere and

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[gunbladescar]

It seemed like every time I went for a walk that I bumped into someone. I guess it's just the mathematics and logistics of a 10 mile island half of which is occupied by killer dinosaurs.

I recognize this one as one of my neighbors. The one that lived with Yuffie. By the time, I realize I'm not alone, it's too late to turn around without being even more awkward than usual.

"Hey," I say quietly, not wanting to disturb the quiet too much. "You live at the Dojo, right?"

[midgar_flowers]

She didn't know how long she'd been sitting there, silent and alone, before she heard the soft voice. Aeris turned her head,and blinked up at the man. Squall...she'd met him least of all among the residents of New Wutai, but he was familiar face. One whose path would follow hers.

"I do." She offered him a small smile. "You live with Zell?"

[gunbladescar]

I nod. I'm quiet for a bit and then start to kick at the dirt a little with my shoe.

"You alright?" I ask, preferring that question to 'how are you doing today' or some discussion about the weather.

[midgar_flowers]

She watched the dirt he kicked at, scuffing a bit, and falling lifeless. She didn't feel it. Didn't hear it.

"I didn't hear them leave." She shook her head, and frowned softly. "The island didn't tell me they were leaving."

[provincialbelle]

Belle hadn't seen Roxas in a number of days and she's starting to worry that maybe something has happened to him. She had been wandering idly with a finger pressed anxiously to her teeth, gnawing upon it as she walked when she found the poor woman. Immediately, she hurried to her side, knowing that she couldn't just walk past. "Oh no," she exhaled her worry. "Are you okay, miss?"

[midgar_flowers]

She hadn't noticed anyone arrivig, and that stung all the more. Her lowerlip trembled when she looked up at the unfamiliar woman, and she shook her head. "No, not really. But I will be." She knew she would be. It just seemed so hard to believe now.

[provincialbelle]

Belle understood that sentiment because she had always driven herself to think determinedly that anything could go away, but she was left feeling worried now that something would always arrive to make that not so. "Did something happen?" Belle asked tentatively. "I don't mean to pry, I just couldn't pass you by like this."

[midgar_flowers]

Both thoughts were true. That was what life was about. Always a challenge, because when there was nothing left to overcome--to set right--you moved on to the next life you belonged in.

"My friends...they left without me." That was the worst part of it, not just missing their departure, but knowing they followed a path she never would. That she would never see Zack again.

[twilit_seeker]

With the disappearance of both Roxas and Zack Riku had felt compelled to check on the rest of his friends. He'd lost too many friends since leaving home, and losing the ones he'd made here on the island had unsettled him more than he cared to admit. If Sora were here he'd be the one teasing Riku about being a sap for a change.

When he couldn't find Aeris at the Dojo or at the Compound he started looking in less obvious places. Eventually he found her in the clearing where he'd seen her with the Unicorns. The disappearance of her two friends had obviously hit her very hard, and it made his heart ache to see her like this.

"It'll be okay," he said encouragingly as he sat down next to her. "They've just gone home. They're back to where they belong now."

[midgar_flowers]

She lifted her head only when she heard the familiar voice, and turned watery emerald eyes toward the young, silver haired man. "I didn't know they were gone. They left...and I didn't hear."

She didn't hear anything.

[twilit_seeker]

Riku turned towards Aeris and put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I didn't know either. I went to see Roxas but all I found was an empty hut and a letter." He paused for a moment, pondering his next words.

"I know how hard it is to be separated from your friends," he said quietly, remembering his time in the Realm of Darkness and later in Castle Oblivion. "But they never truly leave us. Their memories live on in our hearts, and that keeps us connected to them no matter how far away they are."

[midgar_flowers]

"A letter?" She lifted her head once more, and gave a curious frown. She hadn't gone to the hut. She hadn't needed to know their things were gone to know they'd left.

[spirited_hero]

[midgar_flowers]

The sound of Zell's arrival crashed through the silence, and startled Aeris out of her thoughts. She blinked up at him a moment, and brought up a hand to brush away a few stray tears. "Zell?"

[spirited_hero]