-Chapter 4-

Three years later

It had been three years since Lightning had given up her life to save Serah. When she had awoken from the successful surgery, all she could do was cry. No one knew about it, aside from the doctors, and anyone who knew Lightning was saddened at her departure.

They had a funeral for her, and not many people had come much to Serah's dismay. Seeing the few people at the funeral just showed her how much Lightning had closed people off and her life was now tragically cut short because of her. It still didn't sink in, even after all those years. She had eventually married Snow, she was happy with that, though sad that her only family could not have been there.

Serah was in front of the old home that she had abandoned when she moved In with Snow. She never organized the things after Lightning's death because it was simply too much to bear. With a hesitant stride, she went inside the building she had been avoiding all those years.

Pushing open the metallic door, she could see the years of accumulated dust all over the place. The room was just as she had remembered it the day she left for the operation. Lightning's desk was neat and organized, with the exception of some dirt and grime that had came from years of not cleaning. Still reluctant, she sat at the seat that she saw her sister using everyday. She could almost imagine Lightning herself, sitting there, filling out papers, as usual. Serah shook her head at the remembrance and started shuffling through the desks. Some drawers had papers for work, another had writing supplies, and as she was sorting through these items, she found a picture tucked away in the corner.

It was a picture of Lightning when she was eighteen and Serah was fifteen. At that point, Lightning had joined the Guardian Corps and started becoming more distant. Serah didn't want that so she forced Lightning to spend some time with her that day, and although reluctant at first, she enjoyed herself. The thought made her smile.

Under the photo, there was a sheet of paper tucked behind it. It was less worn than the other documents in her desk, so Serah examined it. She held the paper up halfway to her face and gasped.

It was a letter. To her.

Dear Serah,

If you're reading this… then I'm probably not around anymore. I couldn't stand the thought that you were going to die right in front of me again. It was too much to bear the first time, and I don't think I could've handled it the next. You had your whole life in front of you for it to be tragically cut short like this. College, marriage, children, I could go on. Me? I'm content. So please, don't blame yourself for my death. I did it of my own volition, knowing full well what would happen after. I'm also really sorry that I haven't spent that much time with you over these past years. If I could go back, I really would Serah. So, as a last request, please live your life to it's fullest and mom, dad, and I will be sure to watch over you.

Sincerely,

Claire

Serah began to shed tears on the paper. These were Claire's last words to her. Lightning had planned it from the beginning, and she didn't know any better. She was happy that she was getting a second chance at life, and she wasn't aware the Lightning was taking her place in her death sentence.

Serah wiped her eyes and saw a few words scribbled at the bottom of the paper.

P.S. No matter what Serah, just remember I'll always love you.

As if on cue, Serah's or rather, Lightning's heart, resounded in response.

As she exited the building, Serah now had a new determination to live not only for herself, but for Claire as well. No matter what would happen, she'd get through it. Besides, Lightning would be there with her every step of the way.

A/N: There you have it. To be honest, I wasn't really satisfied with how the whole fic turned out. I might make a part 2 to this story in the future, but not right now. How might I make a part II? Hm... maybe you can guess, has to do with the Fal'Cie anyway.

Well, thanks for reading my story and listening to my ramblings :P