[a/n] An epilogue, as promised!

Disclaimer: I own nothing except for Caine Stokes. Thanks very much.



It's almost been a year now since everything started. To think that my birthday, last year a source of pain and heartache, has come again. I'll be eighteen tomorrow. A full-fledged adult. Last year, I hardly seemed to be past childhood. Now, all that has happened has changed me.

All of it started with one man, too. Kind of odd that one young man put so many things in motion. We never found out why Caine Stokes did what he did. After talking to his sister, we discovered that they had an abusive father in their childhood. But that still explains so little. Caine was an enigma I'll never figure out.

I can't tell you that I killed Caine and had a clear conscience afterwards. It was probably one of the most haunting experiences I'll ever have. There's always someone in the crowd with his blond hair, and something inside me stirs. There was so much emotion between us that will take years to get over. But Squall has been a real help for me.

Yes, Squall Leonhart. We've both found love and never, ever want to let it go again. That was too horrifying the first time. We're not living together or engaged yet, but I'm pretty sure Squall will pop the question tomorrow. I've seen him around the jewelry shop and the owner has been giving me little winks for a week now.

Vincent, Tifa, Zidane, and Rinoa moved to Traverse Town after Squall firmly insisted that they come. Monkey boy has started searching for Garnet and I hope he finds her soon. He deserves to have her, like I have Squall.

Vincent and Tifa aren't married yet. They still won't tie the knot until Hollow Bastion is restored. Although I don't know how long that'll last. Tifa has already shared with Aerith and I that she thinks she's pregnant, but will wait until she's absolutely sure to tell Vinnie.

When Vincent arrived in Traverse, I jumped him. I'm not kidding. I jumped onto him and hugged him as hard as I could. He actually hugged me back! And Aerith's and Tifa's reunion was very tearful. They're best of friends now, and do everything together. That's okay, as I've made a new friend.

Have I mentioned my new friend yet? Her name is Rinoa Heartilly. Yes, that Rinoa. It was an awkward moment between Squall and her. She finally came up to him and hugged him. It wasn't a bit romantic. I couldn't hold a grudge against her, especially when she was still so heartbroken. I talked to her, and, surprisingly, she wasn't angry with me either. She and I are great friends, and have discovered that we are somewhat alike. Rinoa has been dating a mystery man now for a month. She's going to bring him around to my party tomorrow.

I've been wondering now where Cid has been. He'd disappeared a year ago, on my birthday. But when Squall and I went to the Coliseum for the Hades Cup tournament, we found out why Cid had been gone. Lo and behold, Cloud Strife was alive and kicking, participating in the tournament. He and Squall talked without me around for a while, I was busy discussing past events with Cid. The gummi pilot hasn't yet managed to clean up his vocabulary. He is planning on taking Cloud to Hollow Bastion in a week, and Squall and I are responsible for bring Aerith there as well. So, they should meet again after so many years. I'm very happy about that.

I think all the loose ends are tied up now. We anxiously await the departure of the Heartless, because they've gotten much stronger. But we can handle anything now. I mean, come on, between the two hottest guys in all the universe (Squallie and Vinnie), plus me, the Greatest Female Ninja Ever, we should be able to kick some bad-guy butt.

But there's still something I have to get off my chest. And that concerns Caine. May his soul rest in peace. There must have been something wrong inside to make him act the way he did. I can only hope that he can resolve his problems now. And, as I write this, there's a comforting presence in the room, like the good side of Caine, the side with a soul, is here with me. And you know what? It's a rather nice feeling. He wasn't all bad. The tiniest glimmer of light inside his soul can still save him. And I think it already has. He's forgiven me now. I think I can finally go on in peace... reconciled with him and myself.

I'm a clean slate, a fresh day, a new beginning. And I can't wait to start living.


[a/n] That's it. That's the end of the songfic that is 'The Reason'. I really hope that everyone enjoyed it, as I enjoyed writing it. Originally, it was going to be Squall being called away to see Quistis before she died, and Caine sneaking up into Yuffie's heart. But I was all excited when my muse presented the idea of Squall hurting Yuffie on a silver platter. Needless to say, I think my muse was right in that decision .

Here are the people who made this story possible through their encouraging reviews. I love each and every one of you and if I could, I'd visit you all and hug you to death. Anyway, here's the list.

October Breeze

Deplora

Peter the Muggle

Annjirika

Anime no Megami

Regno Cuore

hush the silent

SunMoon,EarthSky

dragonmaster

Vivi

BlueEyedDemon1

Hotaru170

SetsuntaMew

Hieis-Water-Hanyou-Neko-chan

immortalbreeze04

ria-aeon-hunter

Aoi-butterfly

krysmitsukai

himaco

TiFa4ClOuD4EvEr / Tifas-love90

Miss Da Qiao

Natsumi Akimoto

Angel-Shellz

Ezri-Candy

DemonSurfer

ROBINROX

tim or death

Rednight-rider

I got a record 60 reviews for this story, which is more than I've ever gotten for any other story. I really appreciate that, all reviewers! I'm pretty sure that Ez and Jupiter will let me go into the Enchanted Plushie rooms and give out some. We have Squalls and Vinnies, Sephys, Clouds, Rikus, anything you want, we have it .

I want to thank three special people for helping me along the way. October Breeze deserves a lot of credit on getting this story going. She was my editor for a while with the first chapters and was really dedicated in getting my stuff back to me with comments and helpful hints. Deplora encouraged me to continue when I was at a major writer's block. Thanks Deplora! And finally, to my friend Ezri-Candy (otherwise known as Ez), whose account was frozen unjustly -sniffle-... and who helped me finish this fic. She is a great friend and I hope you all take a gander at some of her stories, as they are worth viewing.

And of course, I have to thank Hoobastank for writing the song 'The Reason.' Were it not for that song, I wouldn't have made this fic!

Well, I'm longwinded. To wrap things up, I'm starting a new story! Possibly two, but I'm not sure. It will be called "Lost Soul" and full details are in my bio.

Lots 'O Love!

pingpong