Look up Away in a Manger by Bing Crosby

December 7, 1942

My Dearest Husband,

I hope that wherever the world has taken you is treating you well. I hope and pray each day that you have a warm place to sleep, enough food to eat, and clean water to drink. Each morning, I show your picture to Paisley Sophia so that she will always remember her daddy and how great a man he is. As far as life on the home front, everthing is as hectic as ever. The shows have been a success thus far, and I will not lie in that it feels wonderful to be on the stage again. My only regret is that you are not here at that front table watching each night. Sometimes I feel lonely, and sometimes it seems hard to move forward alone. Sometimes my normally colorful outlook seems to be a bit gray, but then I remember why you are so far away in the first place. Today is the one year anniversary of when we as a country were attacked. It may seem a little cliche that I'm writing that, but it reminds me to be thankful that we have brave men like you that are willing to fight for our freedom.

I just ask that you stay safe and return home to us soon. Until then, I pray for your protection and your safe return.

All my love.

-Krissa

It was nearly midnight. Krissa was already in her pajamas, robe, and slippers. She also had rollers in her hair. She walked outside and dropped the letter in the mailbox. It was really cold outside, but she was eager for that letter to be sent out. She should have been sleeping given she had only returned home from another show half and hour ago and she had another tomorrow. It was the one year anniversary since Pearl Harbor had been attacked. All of the radio broadcasts and newspapers spoke of nothing but reliving the awful events of that day. Part of Krissa was angry due to the fact that because of that incident, her husband was away from her at that time. Still, she could not help but be proud of him. The day he got his letter that told him he was leaving, he had done nothing but dedicate himself to his country. She could not help but worry, however. She knew that he was in danger every minute he was gone.

Krissa walked upstairs and into Paisley Sophia's room. She had been asleep for awhile. Krissa ran her hand down her daughter's cheek. She looked angelic as she slept. The young mother could not help but think that her child was the most perfect little girl on the planet. No matter what happened, Krissa still had her. Very carefully, she picked her up and sat down on the rocking chair. She cuddled her in the same way she did when she was an infant as she rocked. Slowly and softly, the mother sang to her child.

Away in a manger,
No crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus,
Laid down His sweet head.
The stars in the bright sky
Looked down where He lay,
The little Lord Jesus
Asleep on the hay.

No matter what, it was still Christmas. Even without Riku, Krissa wanted to make it special for her daughter.

"Merry Christmas, Ladybug," Krissa said as she stroked her child's hair.


Look up Hark! The Harold the Harold Angels Sing By Frank Sinatra

December 8, 1942.

The next afternoon during rehearsal, Krissa and Kairi were onstage trying to learn new material. As the two were onstage going back and forth between singing and discussing the material with the band, two soldiers walked in. Both had a serious yet somber look on their faces.

"Where is Ms. Aerith Gainsborough?" One of them asked.

"She's back in the kitchen," Xion answered. Neither of them said another word. They just silently walked to the kitchen.

"Something is wrong," Kairi said. Everyone else had the same bad feeling. Nobody said another word. They just waited for something to happen. It was silent for a few minutes, but after awhile, everyone heard a loud scream. The voice then screamed a name. "ZAAAAAAAAAACK!"

"Aerith..." Yuffie sadly whispered. After another few minutes, Aerith emerged from the kitchen and looked at everybody, and everyone in turn looked back at her. One could tell she was trying not to make a scene, but she could not help the tears falling down her face. This proved to be impossible, however, so she turned and ran out of the building.

"I'm...sorry..." One of the soldiers solemnly said before they both turned and walked out. Everybody hung their heads in sorrow. Tears were running down many of their faces. Zack Fair had recently proposed to Aerith before he was sent away. They hadn't know each other very long, but they were deeply in love. Nobody knew what to do. Aerith probably would not be able to be comforted in a time like this. Everyone knew that nobody was suffering as much as she was, but there was still a feeling of helplessness running through all of them. For awhile, everyone stayed in one place and mourned. Many were holding on to each other for comfort. It was all to real. Somebody they had known, somebody they were all close too, was no longer with them.


Look up The Wind Beneath My Wings By Better Midler (Obviously not a 1940's song, but this has to be Zack's song, does it not? Just Picture it in the 1940's style music)

Everyone gathered in the club that night as usual. The popular vote was to cancel that night's festivities in order to honor the memory of Zack. Aerith's mother, however, had sent out a telegram stating that the show should go on as planned as Zack would have wanted it that way. Still, the atmosphere among all the workers, volunteers, and cast was somber, and everyone's hearts were with Aerith, Zack, and his family. There was a crowd of people waiting o hear entertainment, so the show had to go on. The troops were counting on them.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen," Krissa said as she walked on the stage. "I know you all are expecting some swing, and believe me, you'll get it, but I want to start off tonight just a little bit differently. Just earlier today, we just got word that a dear friend of our has lost his life fighting in the war. He was a cheerful man who had a big heart and an even bigger sense of humor. I also know him to be a brave individual, and I would like to think that he went down a hero. I would like to dedicate this song to him to honor this memory. Each of us knows someone in the war, so I hope you take it to hear as well. Rest in piece, Zack Fair."

It must have been cold there in my shadow,
To never have sunlight on your face?
You've been content to let me shine,
You always walked a step behind.

I was the one with all the glory,
While you were the one with all the strength.
Only a face without a name,
I never once heard you complain.

Did you ever know that you're my hero?
And everything I'd like to be?
I can fly higher than an eagle,
Cause you are the wind beneath my wings.

It might have appeared to go unnoticed,
But I've got it all here in my heart.
I want you to know I know the truth .
I would be nothing without you.

Did you ever know that you're my hero?
And everything I liked to be?
I can fly higher than an eagle,
Cause you are the wind beneath my wings.

You are the wind beneath my wings.


Kairi went home that night and crawled straight into bed. She wept until she fell asleep. She wept for Zack, and she wept for Sora. The danger of the war was now real to her. The fact that Sora might not make it home to her scared her to no end.