I come to a sudden stop infront of a gray stone. I read the words on it as it seems to stare back at me. Slowly, I set the wildflowers in my hand on the stone and gently stroke it, like a pet.
"Who were you..." I sigh. "And why did you have to die? I wish I could see you, talk to you, know you... But it's too late for that."
A tear runs down my face.
"Did you ever smile? Did you cry? Have you got any friends, enemies, lovers...?"
The wind blows through my hair, as if comforting me.
"Would you and I become friends, maybe? We might be like sisters... We would share secrets, memories, and a strong friendship."
And it starts to rain a little. Beneath the willow tree, I am protected from it.
"You could come and live with me and the boys, in our happy house... Okay, our weird house, but it's never boring. And there are cute boys. Did I mention the cute boys? Well, maybe you have a boyfriend. That's cool. He could live with us too. We have more than enough to go around. Yes, I would have liked to know you."
Warm wind blows into the safe place.
"Maybe we will meet. Maybe, someday, we will. I'm studying the heartless and the hearts they release when they die. In secret, of course. I have a theory. Maybe, if one were to find a nobody, and the nobody's heart, and their spirit, like in a spirit gem..." I close my eyes. "They could come together again and be real, human, feeling, living creatures.."
All is silent.
"And you'd be my special project. Cause I'm determined to meet you some day."
The rain stops. Clouds lazily float by in the blue sky. I lean against the tree.
"Yeah. It can't be too long. All I can ask for is time. Then you'll be back." I cross my fingers over my chest in a diagonal cross x, as my own special way of promising. "I promise."
A light comes through the shadows. I walk into the sunlight and get picked up.
"Come on, Adele, I think they've found something."
I glance at the marker once more before turning to the ship and my sweetheart.
'She was here, and then was gone... Dearest Rinoa, we'll bring you back.
Someday.'