Saya feels heavier than usual upon my back, her chin resting on my shoulder as the rest of her body fights to stay awake. It's like all the energy she's ever had is slowly draining out, escaping into the sky as the sun sets over the ocean. Tears threaten to break loose, but I hold them back for her sake. I don't want her last moments to be filled with fear or sadness. I want them to be of hope for the future, and the knowledge that I will always be there to protect her.

"We're almost there aren't we?" Saya says softly in my ear. I continue up the stairs, my feet dutifully carrying us both to our destination. "Kai, thank you."

"No need to thank me." I reply, smiling for her.

"I know," she whispers, so quietly I almost miss it. Silence falls, and I stop.

"Saya?" I ask urgently.

There is no answer as her arm falls limp, a single piece of paper falling gently out of her unfurled hand.

"Say-" I cry, my throat choked with grief. Her face is serene, still. Finally, the look of peace that has been missing for so long has returned to her features, but yet the agony I've kept locked away is still clawing it's way up, threatening to break loose… I look away, picking up the single piece of paper off the ground, and turning it over. On the other side is the picture of Riku, Saya and I, from the photo booth. I clutch it tightly. "Saya, you taught me what life is all about. What's really important, and what is not." I start walking again and continue, hoping she might still be able to hear me. "You fought so hard, not just for your own happiness, but for everyone's happiness. That's all that mattered.

"Saya, I promise I will do everything I can to keep them all happy." I take a deep breath as I can no longer hold the tears back, and their cool moisture runs down my face.

"We love you, Saya," I whisper, reaching the place where it all began. Cradling her body tightly against my chest, I pull open the tomb door and place her gently upon the silken material of her resting place. Stroking her cheek gently, I tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear and press my lips to her forehead. The tears are still streaming down my face, and they hit the floor with little pitter-patters as I draw away.

"I'll see you soon, okay?" I say as I seal her in.

As soon as the door is shut, I slump against it and stare aimlessly at the sky. My heart feels empty. So many times it's been stabbed by loss and pain… when will it get to be too much? Dad… Irene… Riku… Moses and Carmen…

"I just missed her didn't I?" Hagi says, slumping next to me. I wipe the snot and tears from my face with the back of my hand.

"Yeah," I whisper.

"It will all be okay Kai. You have a life to live, friends to look after. She will be back." He smiles wistfully at the sky before placing a single red rose against the tomb.

"What about you Hagi?" I ask, shifting my gaze to his tired face.

"When she wakes, I will be waiting." I sense there will be no further discussion from the silent man, so I slowly stand, looking one last time at her resting place.

"Until then?" I say to Hagi.

He nods. "Until then."

I head back down the stone steps, the distance to my bike and the two lonely helmets seemingly much farther than before.