I found a quote and it gave me the most beautiful burst of inspiration. I don't know who it's by unfortunately. If anyone knows, please let me know! The quote combined with "Once Upon a December" and "Stereo Hearts" led to this interesting little creation. Let me know if you like it.

Summary: Her entire life was stolen away. At least that's how she saw it. She had never done anything wrong. She lived an honest life, and all for her sister. But she had nothing to continue that life for. Not anymore.

"The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion."

"Our hearts brim with sorrow, but life must go on. We will live as she wanted us to, in joy and peace. We shall not mourn forever. May the Maker lead us all to peace and prosperity, and let our weary souls be free once more."

I couldn't listen to the words of the priest. There was no emotion in them, no life, and no care. As people filed out of the cathedral, they gave condolences. "I'm sorry" meant nothing. There was no need to "stay strong" when there was nothing left to stay strong for. When everything in your life is gone, there is nothing left for you. No old friends to visit with, no sisters to hug you and tell you everything would be fine. No love, no joy, no anything.

When I finally gathered the strength to look around, the entire place was empty, save for the one girl at the front of the room. Even the living dead priest had left. I slowly tiptoed over to the lovely girl at the front. My dear sister. She had grown to be so beautiful…her hair curled so flawlessly down her shoulder. Her lips were lush and red without needing makeup. Her skin was ivory, and oh so lovely. Her eyes were always the most beautiful, so much like my own, but softer. They were like liquid crystal. I had always been envious I was not as pretty as her.

No, I could not describe her beauty enough. And soon…soon I would never be able to see the true thing before me ever again. I ran a hand along her pale face gently and felt her soft curls once more. This was the last time I'd ever be able to.

"Dear Serah," I whispered, too afraid to speak any louder. I was on the verge of breaking, and I knew it. "You were always so sweet…you brought light into my worthless life."

I smiled sorrowfully. I knew she couldn't hear or see me. But I didn't care anymore. I needed to speak my thoughts, for the first time in my life.

"You were always the one person I put before everything else. I always thought what would be best for you. You were always the pretty one. You grew up cute, but you're beautiful now. I guess you can thank mom and dad for that now…I love you, Serah."

With that, I forced myself to draw away from her. I strode out of the cathedral, knowing that if I had stayed any longer I would never be able to bring myself to leave. The moment I stepped outside, the familiar buzz of conversation greeted my ears. I shut it out. All I wanted was to get through the crowd. It seemed that someone's eyes were watching me. I glanced over to see the last person I had standing there. Hope. He walked over and looked up at me.

"Lightning?" he asked gently. "I heard that you came here…"

"Did you?" I responded, trying to hide a sniffle. It didn't work. We had too strong of a connection for him to not notice the subtlest things I did.

He wrapped his arms around my waist, holding me tightly and comfortingly. I gently returned the gesture. As the area began to clear out, I lost it. I fell to my knees to better embrace the boy before me. I cried into his shoulder. How pathetic I had looked, a grown woman clinging to a teenager as though they were my last hope. But, he was.

"H-Hope," I choked out. "I d-don't e-even know what t-to do anymore."

He began rubbing my back. "Light, we'll be okay. We still have each other."

I pulled myself together as best I could and stood up. I knew Hope could tell that as soon as we got home I would need to cry. I had always bottled everything up, but now the bottle was about to burst. I needed to let it all out.

"Let's go home," Hope suggested, grabbing my hand and gently pulling me toward our now overly large house.

He fished the keys out of my coat pocket and unlocked the door, knowing that I was going to be unresponsive for at least a few hours. I stumbled into the house, a strange numbness taking over my senses. I had caught a quick glimpse of myself in the mirror. I looked like the living dead, my face pale and eyes red. My mind barely registered my body collapsing onto the couch. It was the strangest sensation. I knew what I was doing, but it was hazy, as though I were looking at it through a fogged window.

I seemed to be taking advantage of my numbness by reminiscing subconsciously. It was something I didn't intentionally want to do, but I was doing it nevertheless. Memories of my innocent childhood flooded my mind. I let myself get lost in the happier times.

"Is it really there Claire?" Serah questioned warily.

I guess she had a good reason to be slightly on edge. After our last few adventures, we had gotten into lots of trouble. But it was different this time! This time I knew exactly what we were doing and where we were going. Plus, we weren't as little anymore. Now I was six, and Serah was four.

"It's there alright," I assured with a grin.

She gave a little smile and nod. "Alright."

I took her hand and led her to the little seaside cave. The tide was nice and low, so we had no problems getting in. The floor was lined with smooth stones, while the walls had seashells beaten into them by the waves. The ceiling had a few strands of seaweed hanging from it. I couldn't help but smile as I looked at it all. It was the natural beauty of living near the ocean.

"Um, Claire?" Serah said, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Oh, right!"

I quickly led her further in, to a rock large enough for one of us to sit on. I yanked up a few nearby stones and pulled out a golden locket. I swung it in front of her face.

"See? I told you it was here."

She stared at it in awe. "Wow, it's so pretty! Can I keep it?"

I laughed. "As long as you take good care of it, I don't see why not."

She began cheering with joy. She was so cute, really. It's no wonder everyone automatically loved her the second they met her. Serah really was the incarnation of adorableness. She dragged me out of the cave. I was a little upset about that because I wanted to collect some shells from there. As ungirly as I was, I still loved seashells. Mom teased me about it, but I couldn't help it if I liked them.

We headed home, Serah skipping alongside me as I walked. I watched her out of the corner of my eye, smiling the entire way home.