Chapter 28: Through The Mist

'Weird...it's so quiet...like...the whole world...has stopped...

'There's no pain...no fear, no doubt...no worries...is this Heaven? It's kind of warm...so is it hell? Maybe...but I never did anything bad enough to land me there...so where am I?

'Where am I?

'Who am I?

'What is my purpose?

'I'm so happy...wherever I am, I'm feeling happy...warm, at peace...complete...and...

'I know...everyone's alright...they're not in danger...

'Danger...it used to have a meaning...a definition...what is it?'

"Sora?" The voice was full of authority, but it sounded warm, like she felt. And it reminded her of another place, other than the one she was in now...

"Who is it?" she called out. The light was comforting, but it seemed to glow brighter.

"It is I, your mother." A young woman floated into being, her long brown hair flowing elegantly behind her, her dress of the purest white.

'Mother...it rings a bell...'

"Mother?" She was confused. "This word...has a meaning, yes?"

"You have grown so much..." The woman's voice was filled with an emotion...but what? "What are you doing here?"

"What are you doing here...Mother?"

"This is where I belong...and where you don't. My family...the only people I truly loved...I wanted to preserve those moments...so I closed my eyes and allowed the content to wash over me...and now, my eyes are closed forever. Don't let your eyes close yet, Sora!"

She smiled and began to fade. Sora reached a hand out toward her, but grasped only air.

'Family...love...forever...belong...

'What do these words mean?'

"With my eyes closed, the pain's gone...there is it again...pain...what meanings have these words...?"

"I couldn't stop him..." Another figure in pearly white appeared at her shoulder, speaking low but caring. "He was so wrapped up in his work...I couldn't see him for what he was capable of..."

Sora glanced sideways. "You are...his mother."

'I know...that meaning now...'

"I am. I was brought here after my disease. And my husband...never knew. Neither did any of my children."

"But...?"

"I have always loved all of them." She shook her jet black hair past her shoulders, where it curled at the ends. "My son pines for you like no other. Please, return to that world before it is too late..." She closed her eyes and disappeared.

Once again, Sora stared at a blank area. "What is your son's name?"

'I know the answer...I know I do...so what is it? What is his name?'

"Wow. You look pretty out of place here, sis."

Sitting beside her feet was a young man, a few years younger than her, with gorgeous brown locks cascading down his face. Things were becoming clear to Sora, now more than ever.

"You would have been a lady killer, Chichiri."

"Thanks, I suppose. What about you, Sora? How is your love life?"

"I'm...not sure."

"Oh. Well, if you remember, tell me. I want to know. How are Yusuke and Father? I think Yusuke was in Sydney the last I heard..."

"He was...but how did you...?"

"I dunno. Take your guess." He glanced at something behind him. "Whoops, got to go. Another time then, Sora." He waved and looked back down, fading fast.

Sora launched herself to the spot where he had sat. "NO! WHY IS EVERYONE LEAVING ME?!"

'Alone...no one around...losing them...it hurts...the pain...oh, why won't it go away?!'

"COME BACK, PLEASE!"

"Sora? What are you doing here?" A teenager with untidy bronze hair and a muscular build clasped his hand around her wrist. "This isn't the place for you."

Sora spun around. "Toya!" She embraced him tightly. "Oh, Toya!"

He laughed, wrapping his arms around her. "Silly old bear. Why are you here? I mean, sure it's safe, but it's also lonely..no one's ever around for long."

She buried her head into his chest. "I want the pain to go away! It hurts so much!"

"Yes, I know. But you can't give up. Not now. There are people who need you. What about Kyoya? How do you think he's feeling, with you gone?"

Now the tears began. She clenched her jaw. "I know, but...!"

"He needs you more than I do." His arms grew tighter. "He loves you more than you can imagine. More than anyone can. As I loved you, so does he."

'Toya?'

"Go to him. He's waiting. Don't make him impatient, okay?" Something touched her hair-his lips?-and his arms unwound from her waist. His eyes were gentle but fierce. "When the time comes, I'll be the one to get you." He grinned once before turning and running into the white void.

Sora ran after him. "No! Don't leave me!"

She paused, glaring after him. 'Am I...alone again?'

"SORA! WHERE ARE YOU GOING?? YOU GET BACK HERE RIGHT NOW, YOUNG LADY!!"

A small girl ran past her, rubbing the tears off her face. "I have to find him! I need to talk with Toya!"

"SORA!!" A young lady came rushing after her. The white void disappeared.

...Matron? Tamaki's mother?


The younger version of Violette Benoit paused before Sora. "Have you seen a little girl run by?" she asked softly, her voice filled with concern.

Sora looked out over the wide fields of flowers, smiling. "You don't have to worry about her. She won't get too far."

Violette tilted her head sideways. "I think so, too. Poor thing...her father just got after her for something rather trivial. And her mother recently died giving birth to her younger brother. He was stillborn, as well..."

The clouds were white and puffy against the palace walls. Here and there, a few trees were gathered to create some shade. Her home from years past...Sora looked back at her. "Matron, why have you...gone after the girl?"

"She is my world, aside from my son. I care about her well-being." Suddenly, Violette narrowed her eyes. "You called me Matron. Who are you? Only the children know me by that name."

Sora stared down at the grass before looking her mother in the eyes. "A princess, signora, from a distant country. Nothing more, nothing less."

"Really?"

"I was raised by my father, with my older brother far away, and my friends surrounding me with their love."

"What are you saying?" Violette stared over the fields now. "You're...Sora, but from the future?"

"...Matron Violette. You always see through my pretenses. I was always a horrid liar."

"I have." She shook her head, glancing back at Sora. "Oh, what am I doing, talking to an illusion? My head had finally caved in under pressure. There is no such thing as time travel. But, I shall play along. Please return. You do not belong here."

I thought so. These are my memories, from years ago. But...then, what was the white void? Was I really in Heaven? Huh, how odd. I was in Heaven, yet not truly dead...

Just then, the young Sora ran into Violette's arms, crying. "I can't find Toya! He left me here all alone! HE'S SO MEAN!!" She noticed Sora. "Who's she?"

She gently patted little Sora's head. "Nobody. You don't need to know. She will be leaving soon." Violette looked at Sora. "Do you know where to go back to? Do you know how? Will you be fine by yourself?"

Sora smirked and nodded eagerly. "I know how. It's easy. Ciao, signora."

The meadow in front of her home faded away, and she stood in a dark, empty void. Thank you, Matron. For everything you have ever done for me. I'll be sure to visit you one day, after I wake up once more. "Because...I'm not alone. I know it. If I call out to him, he'll answer."

She smiled up at nothing and ran, not looking behind her.

If he truly loves me...I'll wake up, and finally be in his arms once more.