A/N: I know I said I probably wouldn't do any more Sasuke oneshots for a while, but I got a creative impulse for this one. Besides, 1) this actually isn't about Sasuke himself, but rather his family and what they were doing during the time the worlds were seal off, and 2) this is technically a twoshot because this turned out longer than I expected and the site doesn't seem to be letting me save a document that's 10k+ words long, so I had to cut it in half.
You will notice that this story is mainly centered around Sasuke's adopted daughter, Cuore. Why is that? Because I wanted to establish her character for Kristen Verne's KH universe. You see because she only appears near the end of Final Fantasy IV: The After Years, has very few lines of dialogue, and is a part of an emotionless race, Cuore is a blank slate, her character can be taken any possible direct without being out of character(you know, since she hardly has any character in canon).
Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy © to Disney and Square Enix
Kingdom Hearts Alternate Universe © to Kristen Verne
Sasuke and Hinata © to me
Incomprehensible Feelings: Part 1
Her name is Cuore. It's a name that means 'heart', which is ironic considering her...circumstance. You see she is what the Keyblade wielders call a Replica, an artificially created Nobody, a being without a heart. Cuore was actually a part of a mass production of Replicas called the Maenads. They were created from data collected from the crystals of the Land of Twin Moons, and several other worlds too. They lacked emotion, always finding illogical actions to be 'incomprehensible', were connected through a hive mind, were powerful sorceresses, and were able to mind control the eidolons by turning them into stone and summoning them when needed. They all took the appearance of one particular person...Rydia, except for their teal hair and topaz eyes, a form their Creator saw suitable for controlling the eidolons.
Cuore however was different. She is what her Creator called the defective one. Why is that? Because unlike the others who took the form of adult women, she took the form of a child. She also wasn't connected to their hive mind nor their Creator's. When she met Rydia, she initially mistook her for her master. She had never been outside her production pod so when Rydia awakened her she pretty much imprinted on the summoner. Unfortunately, all the other Maenads were wiped out, leaving Cuore as the only survivor.
Now she was starting a new life in the village of Mist, having been taken in by Rydia, raised as her own daughter, and training to be a proper summoner. It was...not easy for her. She was struggling to break the habit of talking like her kind(cold, condescending, robotic), understanding human emotions, and to just...feel anything. She could fake it sometimes, such as excitedly getting Edge to play with her hoping it would lead to something, but it doesn't seem to work. She doesn't let it show very much, but she often questioned her purpose in life. Why was she created? Why did the others choose her to be their sole survivor? And why was Rydia doing so much for her? She could not understand. She never voiced these thoughts to anyone,...except one person.
A Keyblade wielder from another world named Lea, who was there when she was awakened(1), had asked his friend Xion to be a sort of councilor for her. Xion used to be a Replica just like Cuore, only she had managed to gain her own heart thanks to her friends. And as a former Replica, she understood the little girl's struggles better than anyone else. When Lea told her about Cuore, Xion didn't hesitate to help out a fellow Replica. The two have talked once, Cuore spilling her doubts and concerns while Xion giving her words of encourage. The one thing the woman said that was etched in her mind was: "Just be patient. Believe in the people who believe in you. Keep the ones you value the most close to you. As long as you can do that, someday you'll be able to gain a heart of your own." How foolish, was what Cuore initially thought when she heard that. But seeing how Xion did appear to have a heart, she decided to keep an open mind. She just wasn't sure how to accomplish that.
Things have gotten little more complicated just a few weeks ago when Rydia decided to marry Sasuke Kazekiri, a man from another world who was also there when Cuore was awakened. The concept of marriage kinda baffled the little Replica. What's the point of a ceremony about a two people being together? What's all this talk about...love? After their marriage, the two spent three days alone for their honeymoon, and when they got back decided to officially adopt the girl as their daughter, giving her the new full name Cuore Lydia(2) Kazekiri. Cuore just didn't know what to make of it. The two of them now wished for her to call them Mom and Dad because they were now family, although she was having trouble breaking the habit of calling them by their first names. What exactly does it mean to be family anyways?
Today, Cuore was waking up in the morning as her day usually starts. She got out of bed, rubbed the fog from her eyes, put on her usual white dress, and exited her room. There she entered the kitchen, where she was greeted by the site of her mother, with her emerald hair, blue eyes, and dark green dress, in the middle of cooking.
Rydia look at her direction. "Good morning, Cuore. Could you go outside and tell your father that breakfast is almost ready?"
Cuore said nothing and just obeyed. She went outside, and found her father, with his black hair, green eyes, a scar running down his right eye, and white and black uniform, standing on the grass, looking toward the sun rising out of the horizon, and seemly enjoying the wind blowing around him.
She approached him before speaking. "Um... Ry...I mean, Mom says breakfast is almost ready."
Sasuke responded by taking a deep breath and stretching his arms a little before saying, "Alright. I'll be right there."
With that Cuore went back inside and sat in her seat on the table. Soon Rydia set down their plates of bacon and eggs and cups of tea before sitting down herself, followed by Sasuke walking in and taking his seat.
As the family ate, Rydia spoke up. "So today's the day you have to return to Radiant Garden?"
Sasuke sighed. "I'm afraid so. Lord Ansem gave me time off to let me spend time with you, but I can't stay off duty forever."
Rydia just smiled. "Don't worry about that. After all, we'll be joining you soon enough."
"You sure you don't wanna just come with me using my Star Shard?"
"I would if Cid hadn't insisted that we wait until his new prototype is finished. He really wants to use our move as an excuse to test it out."
Cuore didn't exactly care much about moving to another world. It wasn't like she'd been here for any longer than a few months, nor any fond memories of this place to speak of.
Sasuke chuckled. "That Cid is as eccentric as ever, especially for a seventy-year-old man. You'd think he would've retired by now."
Rydia giggled. "We're talking about a man who free fell from hundreds of feet in the air while detonating a bomb in his hand and somehow lived."
The swordsman sweat dropped. "I will never understand how he managed to do that, let alone help patch up an airship while still sore from that."
"It's just like his assistants always say: He's impossible." The summoner sipped her tea before speaking again. "Say how about after breakfast we go to Baron and see how his project is coming."
"I was actually thinking the same thing. I wanted to say goodbye to Cecil before I go anyways." Sasuke then turned to Cuore. "What do you think, Cuore?"
The girl just looked impassive. "I suppose there is no consequence."
The parents both inwardly sighed. This is one difficult child. But they couldn't blame her.
After Breakfast they left Mist and set out for Baron. They passed through the Mist Cave, then Rydia summoned chocobos to travel the rest of the way. When they arrived at their destination, they hopped off their chocobos and the summoner dismissed them. Right after she did though she suddenly found herself wobbling a little and almost fell over before Sasuke grabbed her shoulders to hold her steady.
"Whoa, easy there," he said with concern. "Are you alright?"
Rydia shook her head to snap out of her daze. "I-I'm fine. Just felt a little dizzy for a second, that's all."
"Well, don't strain yourself. I don't wanna have to worry about you while I'm waiting for you back home."
"Of course, Honey."
They made their way through town until they reached the castle gate. There the guards escorted them to the royal chamber, where they found a man with shoulder-length, snow-white hair wearing white and blue armor and a woman with blond hair tied in a bun wearing a white gown, King Cecil Harvey and Queen Rosa, sitting on their thrones.
Sasuke bowed in respect. "King Cecil. Queen Rosa."
"Ah, Sir Sasuke." Cecil replied as he rose from his seat. "I was hoping I'd get to see you before you left."
The guard captain approached and shook hands with the king. "Well, couldn't bring myself to leave without saying goodbye to my second teacher."
The paladin chuckled. "You flatter me, Sasuke."
Sasuke looked around the room for a second. "Where's Prince Ceodore?"
It was the queen who answered. "He's going through his morning exercises with Sir Kain. They should be finishing up soon before they take a break."
"That's good to know." Rydia said before looking a her husband with a wink. "Wouldn't want him to miss the man he looks up to."
Sasuke groaned a little. "Come on, Rydia. You know that kind of stuff embarrasses me."
The summoner giggled. "I'm your wife now, remember? I can tease you all I want." Everyone shared a laugh at this. Well except for Cuore, who just didn't understand what was so funny.
Once the laughing died out, Sasuke spoke. "Say, I was wondering how the Shooting Star was coming."
"It's going quite well," the king answered. "Would you like to see for yourself?"
"You know it."
"Alright. I'll take you to the hanger."
Cecil and Rosa then led the Kazekiri family down to the airship hanger. As they step onto the loading dock, they were greeted with the site of an airship. I was similar in shape to the Enterprise, but blue in color. Sitting on the dock was a chubby old man with a big gray beard wearing blue mechanic suit with a helmet and goggles, the airship engineer, Cid Pollendina, sipping on a cup of coffee. Next to him was his protégé, a short woman with auburn hair, dark skin, and wearing pink, the dwarf princess turned mechanic, Luca, also sipping on coffee. Behind her were two figures who at first glance looked like a couple of blond-haired, pale-skinned, red-clothed children, one boy and one girl, but were actually Luca's automatons, Calca and Brina, who just sat there lifelessly. They also saw Cid's two assistants fast asleep on the airship's deck.
Soon Cid notice their approach. "Hey hey! Sasuke! Come to check out my masterpiece?!"
Sasuke smiled. "Actually yes. How's it coming?"
"It's almost done! Take good look! The Shooting Star! This world's first airship capable of traveling to other worlds!"
"Unless you count the Lunar Whale." Luca teased.
"Hey," Cid huffed. "That was made by the Lunarians, far more advanced than we are!" He sighed before turning back to Sasuke. "At any rate, that was some fine material you brought me. I tell you, plating this ship with those Gummis has been no easy task, but we've managed. You really ought'a thank the Cid from your world for provide this stuff for me."
"I'll be sure to do that when I get back." Sasuke replied. "You just make sure this thing will be safe for my girls."
"Relax! We got this! Give us three days, fives tops, and she'll be flying to you in no time."
"I'm gonna hold you to that, I don't know if I can wait that long."
"We better have it done soon!" Luca chimed in. "This old man is refusing to retire until this ship reaches your world."
Cid laughed. "Come on! I gotta close my career with something big, ya know! And what's bigger then an airship that can travel through space! This is gonna be my finest work of all time!" He then cleared his throat. "All right. Break time's over." He turn to his sleeping assistants. "Hey, Lazybones!" This got them both awake instantly. "Get your rears in gear and get back to work! Times a-wastin'!"
"Yes boss!"
Luca stood up and turn to Calca and Brina. "Wake up, sweeties. We've got work to do." The dolls twitched as they reactivated. They stood up and bowed to the dwarf before heading to the ship.
It's another thing that kinda baffled little Cuore. Those dolls were nothing but clockwork, completely lifeless. And yet Luca treats them as though they were her own children. Same goes for Cid and this new airship model. She didn't understand the affection towards such soulless objects. She had asked Luca about that and while the dwarf was initially miffed at her wording, she answered that a good creator forms a connection to his or her creations. It doesn't matter it these creations are biological or handmade, it's just the way it is. And to Luca, Calca and Brina were her pride and joy. The little Maenad supposed she couldn't argue with that logic, but she couldn't help but wonder...what did that make her? What was her kind to their Creator? And why did Rydia and Sasuke treat her like that despite not having created her themselves?
Sasuke then turn to his wife. "You sure you'll be able to find my world on your own?"
Rydia giggled. "Remember, I've been to your world before. Plus, as I've already told you, I can use the Summon Charm we gave you as a beacon. I'll find you, no problem."
The guard captain smiled. With their business finished, everyone left the mechanics to their work and left the hanger. They came to the castle's courtyard when a voice shouted.
"Sir Sasuke!" Everyone turned to find a teenaged boy with wild blond hair wearing blue armor running up to them, Prince Ceodore Harvey. Following behind was a man with blond hair tied in a pony tail wear white and blue dragoon armor, Sir Kain Highwind.
"Hey, Prince Ceodore!" Sasuke greeted as he shook the boy's hand. "Working hard?"
"Yes I am. Hard to slack off when you have Sir Kain as an instructor."
"Indeed," Kain spoke. "I'm quite impressed at how well he's able to keep up with my regimen."
"Is that so?" Sasuke said as he grab his chin in thought. "Think you can show me how much you've improved?" He then drew his sword, Moon Cutter.
"R-Really?" Ceodore slightly stammered. "You wanna...spar with me?"
"Why not? That is, if it's alright with you."
Ceodore looked a little nervous for a second before turning to his parents, both of whom gave him an encouraging nod. He then look back with a determined look, drawing his own sword. And then he rushed to Sasuke.
It was a simple sword spar, with Ceodore on the offensive most of the time and Sasuke on the defensive. The kid did put up a good fight, but was no match for the older, more experienced warrior. After a few minutes, the prince was kneeling on the ground in exhaustion.
Sasuke sheathed his sword and offered his hand. "Not bad. You definitely have improved."
Ceodore took the hand and was pulled to his feet. "Thank, Sir Sasuke."
The guard captain nodded before turning to everyone. "Well, I think I'd better get going."
"You're leaving?" Ceodore asked in surprise.
"I'm afraid so. I got duties to fulfill, and I've been away for too long."
Cecil then approached. "Well it was good to have you around for a while."
Rosa then spoke. "Please know that you are welcome here anytime."
"You'll be visiting us as much as you can, right." Ceodore said slightly dejected.
"Of course, I will! I consider this world kinda like a second home, after all." Sasuke placed a hand on the prince's shoulder. "Just remember what I've told you. Be proud of who you are, in every aspect. And if you want people to see you for you, aim to surpass their expectations, not to just meet them."
The boy smiled. "I will."
Sasuke then turn to his wife, and pulled her into a hug.
"Take care, my love," said Rydia.
"Please be safe on your trip," replied Sasuke.
The two then share a deep kiss.
When they finished, the guard captain turned to his adoptive daughter. "And you be a good girl for mom, okay?"
"I'll...try," Cuore replied.
Sasuke then sighed. "One of these days, Cuore, we're gonna get you to loosen up." He then leaned over and kissed the girl on the forehead. He then stepped away from the group and pulled out his Star Shard. "Well, I'll be seeing you all!"
Everyone wave and said goodbye as Sasuke was engulf in the star's light which then shot into the sky, carrying him with it. Little did any of them know, the next time they'd see him would turn out to be a lot longer time coming than they thought.
It had been a few days since Sasuke left. Cuore walked into the kitchen having been attracted by strange sounds. She was met with the site of her mother, leaning over a garbage can, and seemed to have just thrown up. She gave out a few slight coughs before collapsing on the floor with her hand on her stomach.
"Is something wrong?" the little Maenad asked.
Rydia groaned before saying. "I don't know. I haven't been feeling well these last couple of days."
"Might it be a good idea to see a doctor?"
"Yes, I think I should. I really don't want to your father to have to welcome a sick wife."
So the two of them went to the doctor to see what was the matter. And Rydia was in for a surprise.
"Tell me, doctor, is it serious?" Rydia asked as the doctor was checking her.
"Well, that would depend on your definition of serious," he answered.
"What do you mean?"
The doctor smiled. "Well, let me put it to you this way. With just the right care, you're gonna be just fine...in about nine months that is."
"Nine months?" Then suddenly what he was saying clicked and her eyes widened in surprise. "Are you saying...I'm..."
The doctor nodded. "Congratulations, Mrs. Kazekiri!"
The summoner was stunned for a moment. She look down as she placed her hand on her abdomen. Slowly her expression melted into a smile.
Cuore was just standing there confused. "What's going on?"
Rydia looked at her daughter lovingly. "We're going to have a baby, Cuore. You're going to become a big sister. Your father is going to be so surprised!"
"Baby? Big sister?" Much like the idea of being their daughter, she didn't know what to make of the idea of being a big sister.
A couple days later, Cuore and Rydia are on the outskirts of Mist, along with the rulers of Feymarch, King Leviathan and Queen Asura, in their human disguises, the king disguised as a cloaked old man and the queen disguised as a normal but formally dressed woman. Cuore was practicing her summoning under their supervision. So far, she's only been able to summon goblins and chocobos, and her black magic was still developing. Perhaps another reason she was called a defect.
Soon, a large moving shadow caught their attention. Everyone looked up to see the new airship flying overhead. The Shooting Star slowly descended, landing near them.
Poking his out from the ship's bow was Cid. "Hahaha. It's finally ready!"
"Wow!" exclaimed Rydia. "You've really out done yourself with this!"
"Of course! This is my masterpiece after all!" The engineer then lower the ramp and ran down it followed by Luca.
"Everything is shipshape. We can travel the stars anytime you're ready."
"Oh that's good news!" The summoner jumped excitedly. "I've been so eager to get going!"
Cid chuckled, "I bet you are. Just say the word and we'll get you outta here!"
"Right! First things first, we'll need to pack a few things. Then I wanna go around and say good bye to all my friends. Once that's done, we can..." Rydia was cut off when she felt a strange chill up her spine.
Suddenly, the sky above them turned blood red. And what looked like giant chains made of yellow light filled the sky.
"What's going on?!" exclaimed Luca.
Rydia turned to the disguised eidolon rulers, who stared at the sky with narrow eyes. "Something's not right." said Queen Asura.
Soon, the phenomenon in the sky seem to just disappear, returning to the blue sky they know.
"What the heck was that?!" shouted Cid.
"I don't know," said Rydia, "but I don't like it."
Everyone turned to the two eidolons who sat in a praying position. After a couple minutes, a circular sigil appeared on the ground, and after a blinding light a man in a purple robe and crown appeared before them.
"Hallowed Father Bahamut," addressed King Leviathan. "We are honored by your personal visit."
"You may dispense with the pleasantries, Leviathan." The disguised eidolon god said firmly. "I have come here bearing important news."
"What is it, Your Grace?" asked Asura.
"It would appear that a force beyond our grasp has sealed boundaries between worlds."
"Wh-what does that mean?" asked the Rydia.
"It means that travel between worlds...has just been made...impossible."
The summoner's eyes widened in shock. "W-What?!"
"Wait just a dang minute!" Cid shouted. "Are you saying that my new airship is useless now!?"
"I'm afraid so," confirmed Bahamut.
The engineer then grew angry and began hitting his own ship. "Talk! About! Freaking! Lousy! Timing!" he said between punches. "All! This! Work! For! Nothing!"
"Cid!" shouted Luca granting his attention. "We have a more serious issue than your ship!" She pointed towards Rydia. Cid looked at the summoner and immediately grew concerned.
Rydia stood there with a shock expression on her face. "How? How did this happen?" she said in distress.
Bahamut looked at the sky. "I'm afraid I do not know. This is beyond anything even I can fathom."
"So there's nothing we can do about it?"
The eidolon god shook his head. "Unfortunately, this seal is so powerful, I have doubts that even a Keyblade can open any pathways between worlds. I am sorry."
"But... Why? Why did this have to happen now!? We were just about to join Sasuke on his home world! I just found out I'm pregnant with his child, and he doesn't even know! What...what am I supposed to do now without my husband!?" It was then that Rydia started shedding tears.
"Rydia...I..." Asura tried to speak up to try and calm the distressed summoner, but even she couldn't find the words.
"I...I need to be alone." With that Rydia rushed back home.
"Rydia!" called Luca, but it fell on deaf ears. She was about to go after her but was stopped but the eidolon king.
"It's best we leave her be for now." Leviathan said. "It's a lot to take in."
Cid then smacked his palm into his own face. "Man, I blew it! I shouldn't have made them wait."
Meanwhile Cuore just stood there, more confused than anything. Why is it so bad to be separated from him? she thought. Incomprehensible.
Seven months have passed. According to Asura, communications with eidolons, espers, guardian forces, and aeons from other worlds had ceased, and Odin confirmed that his connection to Sasuke's Summon Charm had been severed. There truly was no way to contact the outside world.
Ever since finding out she can no longer see Sasuke again, Rydia had fallen into depression. And the...emotional side effects of her pregnancy were not helping. Thankfully, the rulers of Baron recognized that she needed as much help as she can get and so the white mage queen, Rosa, offered to stay with Rydia for personal support during these stressful times. All of her friends have occasionally visited her, giving her comfort and support as well. Almost all of them were pleasant visits that helped her feel a little better.
However the same could not be said for the ninja king of Eblan.
"Come on, sweet cheeks." Said a man with silver hair, blue ninja gear, and a gray cowl covering his lower face. "I promise I make it worth your while."
"For the hundredth time, Edge, the answer is NO!" Rydia shouted. "Honestly, I can't believe you have the gall to ask me out when I'm already married."
Edge just sighed. "When are you going to move on, Rydia?"
"Oh, do you really expect me to just forget about him just because we're apart?"
"I'm just saying, it's unhealthy to linger on someone you're never gonna see again."
The summoner's glared at Edge. "He's stuck on his own world like I am, he's not dead!"
The ninja king scoffed at that. "As far as you know."
"Just like you don't know if we'll never see him again, since for all we know, this sealing of the boundaries could only be temporary."
"And you think that just waiting for the barrier to fall, when it may never will, is going make things easier. I mean look at yourself. You stressed enough as it is. By all accounts you're living as a single parent. And with a new kid on its way, do you think you'll be able to handle it by yourself?
"I won't be doing it by myself 'cause Rosa will be helping me. And I'm sure Cuore will assist whenever she can." Rydia's growled in frustration. "I swear, you're either delusional or desperate at this point! It doesn't matter whether or not I see him again, I will NOT betray his heart like this!"
"How do you know he hasn't already betrayed yours?" That comment earned Edge a Thunder spell to the face, sending him flying out the door.
Rydia's blood was boiling now. "I can't believe you'd even suggest that Sasuke would do such a thing!" She then growled before saying, "I've just about had it with you! Leave now, and never come back!" She then slammed the door shut, before stomping over to the living room.
Both Rosa and Cuore had both watched the exchange. Rosa let out a sigh of disappointment. She knew Edge meant well. He too had feelings for Rydia, and just wanted to help her be happy again. But the white mage also knew that the way he was going about this was wrong, and was only making things worse. He can't expect her to suddenly get together with someone else just like that, especially when they didn't even know for sure if the sealed boundaries were permanent. Rosa then walked out the door to heal the ninja's wounds, as well as give him an important talk about his actions.
Cuore, on the other hand, decided to follow her mother to the living room. She found her sitting on the couch, crying her eyes out. The little girl sat next to her mother. She didn't know why, but she felt obligated to try and cheer her up. Unfortunately, she was not good at this kind of thing. Having observed Rosa's attempts, she thought the best way to start was to hold her hand. And so she grabbed hold of it, which soon prompted Rydia to return the gesture despite still crying, giving her daughter's hand a light squeeze. As the mother began to calm down, Cuore took a moment to think of what she should do next. She soon decided that the best course of action was to divert her thoughts away from Edge and Sasuke. With that in mind, she decided to change the topic to something she was genuinely curious about.
When Rydia calmed down as much as she could, she felt Cuore's other hand rest on her swollen belly. She looked at her daughter to find her stare at her abdomen with a curious expression.
"So this is how humans are made?" the girl said.
It's funny how one innocent question could make Rydia smile a little. "More or less," she said as she place her own hand on her stomach.
"Doesn't this cause some...discomfort?"
This time the summoner couldn't help but giggle. "You have no idea. Between morning sickness, mood swings, and not to mention back aches, it's not as easy to bear as it may look. Rosa even told me that it will be very painful when it finally comes out. But once it's over, it'll all be worth it in the end."
Cuore looked down. "Personally, I couldn't imagine anything being worth such agony."
Rydia giggled again. "You still have much to learn, Cuore." It was then they both felt something twitch in her belly, catching their attention. "Oh, did you feel that? The baby moved. It's kicking."
Cuore stared at the swollen belly with awe. It amazed her that the baby was moving in there. Her trance was cut short when she felt a drop on her hand. She looked up to see her mother in tears again.
"I'm sorry," Rydia said as she started wiping her eyes. "I just...wish your father was here for this."
Cuore then looked down dejectedly, believing herself to be the cause of this. "I'm sorry. I didn't intend to..." she was cut off as she suddenly found herself in her mother's embrace.
"Don't be. I'm just glad I still have you here. Just having you around has been making this whole ordeal so much more bearable."
Cuore felt conflicted at what she heard. She really didn't know what to think. She didn't understand. "Why?"
"Hm?"
"Why would you say that? I've done nothing helpful. Neither you nor Sas...Dad created me. I was...adopted. I'm not even human, I'm a Replica. My kind even helped attempt to destroy your world. And I can hardly feel anything for you two, let alone anything at all, because I don't even have a real heart. I'm not like the baby in your womb. I'm not worthy of your...affection. Or anyone's for matter." The little Maenad hadn't noticed that a single tear had leaked from her own eye as she spoke. "So why? Why didn't you leave there to die with the rest of them? Why did you give me a name that means something that I don't even have? Why are...you being so...nice to me? It's all just...incomprehensible."
Soon, Rydia loosened her embrace as she lift her daughter's chin to look at her in the eye. "Listen to me, and listen good. It doesn't matter that you don't share our blood. It doesn't matter what you are or how you came to be. I took you in because the Maenads asked me to. I knew you needed a home, as well as guidance. And it didn't take long for me to grow attached of you, to care about you, despite your faults. Of course, I do admit, the fact that you're essentially a Replica of me does play a part in it. But in any case, only one thing matters now: You are my daughter. You're Sasuke's daughter. You're this baby's older sister. You...are our family, which you don't need blood ties to be a part of. And we will always love you no matter what, even if you're having trouble loving us in return. Besides, I don't think you not having a heart is entirely true." She then wipes the tear streak on Cuore's cheek. "Right now I'm seeing signs of a genuine heart growing in their somewhere, just like Xion said it would. Maybe it's just a tiny speck now, but I'm positive it could be there."
"How could you possibly know that?"
"Admittedly, I don't. But the Maenads chose you because they believed you, the one your Creator called a defect, could become something they could not; something more than a Replica. And you know what? I believe so too. I believe your heart will manifest one day."
Cuore wasn't completely convinced, but a part of her appreciated the words.
Rosa had been watching the entire exchange, and she could help but smile. There seems to be some hope for this family after all.
A/N: And I'm gonna cut it here for now. But don't worry. Part 2 should be uploaded in about 24 hours, so you won't have to wait that long.
Notes:
(1) Just to be clear, in my planned sequel for Moonlit Knights, which would cover the events of Final Fantasy IV: The After Years, I'm planning to have not only Sasuke involved but also Kairi, Lea, and Isa(yes, the four Radiant Garden Renegades XD). So the FF4:TAY cast have met them at this point in time.
(2) Lydia is the name I gave Rydia's mother. So when Cuore was officially adopted, they decided to give her Lydia's name as her middle name.