A/N: Last chapter. OMG! I feel…a little scared. I guess I'm anticipating the end. I mean, for one thing, it's one less fic to update. But on the other hand, I love this fic. It's grown up so much. I mean, it went from an idea when I visited a Halloween store to, well, this. I'm quite proud of it and I really hope this chapter does not fail its predecessors. But that's for you all to decide.

Now, for the last time,

Enjoy. (squeals shamelessly)

Epilogue

Two Weeks Later: November 2nd

Brown leaves rained around the five of them, almost as brown as Sora and Leon's hair. Small slush-like pools surrounded their feet – remains of the light snowfall form the previous day.

Sora shifted his weight mindlessly, the idle movements meaning to give the illusion that he was actually doing something instead of drowning in his thoughts. The events of October 21st still rang clear in his mind: the almost-wedding, Sephiroth's confessions and blood and bright fire…

Then there was Riku. Sora tugged the cuffs of his black jacket further down his hand until it covered even his fingertips.

Yuna smiled softly, eyes transfixed on the graves before her. "I should have liked to meet them," she admitted, her quiet voice breaking the silence. She smoothed her black dress over her legs as she bent down to gingerly set a pair of flowers onto each grave. "They seemed like such kind people. Like their sons."

Sora smiled lightly at the priestess' claim. Leon spoke, his voice as terse and serious as ever, "They were. They thought of nothing but others' well-being. Especially Okaa-san," he added with a hint of fondness, glancing at Aerith's grave.

A teenage girl tucked a stray lock of maroon hair over her ear, blue eyes glazed over in thought. "Yeah," she agreed, emitting a small chuckle. "I remember the little flower shop she used to run. Since this is just a small town, she knew everyone here and sent them flowers for their birthdays or when they were sick. Strangely enough…no one minded it – they actually seemed to appreciate the gesture."

Kairi smiled and glanced over to meets Sora's sapphire eyes. "Of course," she continued, "your dad had his moments, too."

The brunet gave a half-hearted laugh. "But he never admitted it. Like another certain someone I know," he said, giving his older brother a pointed look.

Leon pretended not to notice, coughing lightly and remarking, "Well…that's it, then. Our respects have been paid…"

Yuna got up and looked at Leon with an empathetic expression. "Standing before the dead with such feelings of regret… you should not think too much about what happened between you and Sephiroth. It couldn't have been helped."

The brunet's lips settled in a tight-lipped grimace. "Are you claiming it was my fault, then?" he asked quietly.

"Not at all," Lulu cut in, flinging her raven hair over her shoulder. Her amber eyes flashed at Leon knowingly. "What she means to say is…we believe you were just what most humans often are – blinded by passion."

"It seems so simple when you say it that way," Leon remarked, unconvinced of the reason. "But still, I can't help but feel like…I could've done something, anything."

"You think you can know everything that'll happen? No," Lulu chuckled at his naiveté, offering a kind smile. "You couldn't have done anything." She stepped forward and settled a full-bloomed white lily onto each grave. "The best thing, I believe, to do is live your life as sincerely as possible. Otherwise the burden of 'what could have been' will always linger heavily upon your shoulders. And, I doubt that is something your parents would have wished for you."

Leon blinked in surprise. Well, he sort of doubted that statement. Ever since he found out what Sephiroth had done, all those touches…all those words of whispered love…he just felt so dirty afterward, like filth was clinging to his body and soul. He had looked into the eyes of a murder and had seen a life-long partner to love and hold. But it had all been a lie. The thing that felt the most worthless and dirty within him…was probably his heart. He had loved a killer.

Mom, he lamented, wishing so hard he could speak to his parents one last time. Dad… She says it's not something you would've wished for me. But are you okay with what I did? How can I show my younger brother strength and truth when I feel so weak and I was gone in lies…?

The brunet thought over the Black Mage's words, and scrutinized the graves in front of him. Six feet under that damp, cold and alive earth, his parents lay… What kind of wishes and hopes had they left behind? Had they changed now that they were no longer alive, or had their deaths…just enforced them?

"…You're right," he finally said softly.

"Yes, I usually am." Lulu's poison-purple lips spread in a smile. She put the flowers in an arrangement she liked and stood back up. "Well, that is everything then…"

Sora looked up at the priestess in front of him. "So what now, Yuna? Are you going to keep staying here?"

The brunette gave him a stunned expression, but then looked in the distance thoughtfully. "I think…I've spent enough time here in Japan. I was…here to keep Mas… Riku safe, but now…" her fingers suddenly brushed against the gold band around her right ring finger. "I think I'll go look for him."

At first, Sora wasn't too sure as to what she was talking about, but then he saw the wistful expression upon her countenance. She must be thinking about that guy, her fiancé, who had to go away all those years ago… The brunet offered her an inquiring look. "Do you think you're going to find him?"

Yuna gave a small giggle and tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "I'm positive I will. After all, he said all I had to do…

"…was whistle."

"So where did that priestess and that pale woman go?" Kairi asked, smoothing her dress over as she took a seat on one of the church's concrete steps.

Sora leaned against a pillar, loosing up his tie. "Yuna already left. She didn't really want to take up alotta time here." He glanced at the large wooden doors of Kura Church and felt cold chills run down his insides. "Um…too many memories here, I guess. Lulu went away too, but I'm not really sure where."

"Did her wound ever heal up?"

"Yeah, that's gone away with Yuna's help."

"That's great," Kairi said softly. She bent down and removed her black heels, rubbing her sore feet. "She did that with the… 'Majick' stuff you were telling me about. You told me a lot of things actually… Things that are really bizarre."

Sora looked down at his friend, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, well…I just wish I had told them to you sooner. I'm…sorry, Kai."

The girl waved him off, letting out a weary sigh. "That's okay, really. Quite honestly," she chuckled half-heartedly, "I don't think I would've believed it all. Sephiroth…killed your parents and almost did the same thing to you and Leon. Yuna and Lulu are these…witches – Mages, I think you said? And…" Her voice got quieter. "Then…"

Sora's heart dropped, as did his mood. "And then there was Riku, who…was a cursed…vampire." He swallowed the thick saliva that had built-up in his mouth, and bit his lip. His cheeks felt hot – really hot, and that only stung his eyes, which produced fucking damn tears that he really didn't want. "Y-yeah," he managed to rasp. "That's p-pretty much the sum of it." He forced a laugh, but it came out humorlessly. "I guess it does sound…pretty far-fetched."

Kairi heard how taut his voice was and looked up at him. "Do you regret anything? I mean…is there anything you wanted to say?"

"…I don't know…"

Kairi sucked her bottom lip. Faintly, she tasted the remains of the strawberry Chap Stick on her lip. The strawberry taste reminded her of that day about two weeks ago when she and Sora made that cake. Even then, when she thought nothing was wrong, what had her friend been thinking of? Who had be been thinking of? Had it been her? Or had it been Riku?

She brought her legs up and hugged her knees. "The day before you left, you acted like nothing was wrong. You made me my favorite cake because you wanted to do something nice for me."

"I didn't know if I was coming back," Sora confessed softly. "That's why I did that."

Through the thin material of her black stockings, Kairi felt the cold concrete press roughly against her feet. For some reason, it seemed colder after Sora said that. She smiled. "I'm glad you thought of me and Leon," she said quietly.

Sore took a deep breath and then looked down at his friend. He watched as the wind ruffled her hair, watched as she forced yet another smile. "I wish it didn't look like I chose him over you guys. But…that's what it looked like, and…I guess that's what…I did…" He saw her hug her knees tighter.

"Hmm…" she hummed, giving a neutral answer.

"Kairi, please," he pleaded, "It's not… Don't think-"

"You loved him," she interrupted quietly. She took a relaxed deep breath. "You wanted to be with him – get closer. So that's why I can…" She looked up at the morning sky, at the neon-pinks and easter-egg blues melting in the sky. The five of them had agreed to visit the graves at dawn – the marking of a new day.

There were no graves for Sephiroth or Riku – the reason for the former obvious. But Yuna did do something in honor of the vampire; a dance Lulu told him was called the Sending. It was a respectful gesture that only a priestess could express in purposeful steps that sent one's soul peacefully into the Afterlife. Sora wondered if there even was an Afterlife for vampires. He liked to believe so, but what was the point? The vampire had said so himself – he wasn't going to Heaven. The brunet supposed Yuna's dance was just to comfort him, and herself.

But the lack of a funeral he was thankful for. It just seemed too much for him to handle. Even though there'd be no body in a casket, Sora knew he would probably still lose it. The idea of another funeral after his parents' was too depressing, plus it would finalize it – that Riku was gone. The thought alone caused a tight knot to wound inside his throat and stomach.

Riku…I-

"That's why I can empathize."

Sora was suddenly dragged out of his trance by the sound of Kairi's voice. She had been quiet so long though; he'd almost forgotten she had been saying something.

"What do you mean?" he asked, breaking away from the pillar to take a seat next to the girl. He frowned in confusion and asked, "Did you…like him, too?"

"Huh?!" Kairi looked at him, bewildered. "N-nani? C'mon now, Sora, I haven't…didn't…even meet the guy!"

"Oh…good point."

His friend let out a weary sigh. "I swear, you are too simple and…and clueless sometimes," she remarked with a small laugh. 'But…I guess that's just one of the things I love about you." She flushed lightly and leaned slowly towards Sora until her head was resting softly on his shoulder.

The brunet looked at her strangely. "Huh, what's all this all of a sudden?" he asked. But he could see it – how serious she looked, how her cheeks tinted red… "Kai-chan…does…do you li-?"

"I know that it'll never be," she stated firmly, albeit sadly. Her hand brushed against his idle one. "I mean, you were willing t die – again – for him. How can I change what your heart decided? Even now…you miss him so much. You knew a side of him that I, nor anyone else, did. And…I admit…I'm a little jealous.

"He got to hold your heart."

Sora heard as her voice got quieter, then eventually cadenced into silence. The brunet thought over her last words, and he was reminded again of those words Riku had uttered that day…

"The...The thought of someone else having your heart...instead of me...."

"I can't…return your feelings, Kairi," he said, wrapping an arm around her. "I'll only see you as a friend. But…you're my best friend, and I don't like to be the one who hurts you…and I am sorry that that's what I've been doing. But…" His thumb rubbed circles on her shoulder. He rested his head on top of hers, inhaling the sweet scent her hair gave off. "But we can stay like this for awhile if you want – if it'll make you happy."

"Sora…" Her heart hammered inside her body, her eyes brimming with tears. It wasn't because she was sad; though she couldn't deny the sorrow…it was because she was happy. Wonderfully happy. Because Sora was doing it again.

He was being kind to her heart once again.

Kairi closed her eyes and lost herself in the brunet's warmth. She focused on them touching, of the contact of their skin. It felt good, even though she knew this wouldn't last forever, like she always hoped it would.

"Sora?" she said, tentatively reaching for his hand and gauging his reaction.

Sore didn't seemed to mind the gesture, though. He flipped his hand over to weave their fingers together. "Yeah?"

Kairi licked her pink lips, gripping his hand tighter. Offering a small smile, she said, "Cradle to grave."

Sora laughed. Kairi could feel it vibrate under his skin.

"Yeah," he promised. "Cradle to grave."

Clouds began to swim across the blue ocean sky, slowly tainting it grey. Sora wondered if it was going to snow again. The temperature was definitely cooler than it was before. The lingering winds of autumn nipped at his nose and hands, making him visibly shiver.

"Do you want to go now?" Kairi asked, her head now on his lap.

"Well, aren't you yet?" he asked, looking pointedly at her clothing. "There's no way you can be warm wearing that."

The girl chuckled, sitting up and wrapping her arms around herself. "Yeah, well, it is getting a little chilly. Is there still anything you need to take care of?" She stood up and stretched.

Sora looked up at her in surprise. "What do you mean by that?"

Kairi put her heels back on, shivering slightly. "I'm talking about Riku," she replied casually, rubbing her hands together for warmth. "Is there anything you still feel like you should tell him?"

"Umm…" Sora grimaced, his eyes taking a sudden interest of the ground. Leaves blew and hopped up the concrete steps. "I…I'm not so-"

"Oh, there you two are," said a voice. Sora immediately recognized the speaker to be his older brother. Leon stepped forward, hands in his pockets. "I was looking all over for you. But I suppose…" He glanced up at the church. "I suppose I should've checked here first."

Sora took the moment to disregard Kairi's previous inquiry. "Kai says it's getting colder and it looks like it might rain or snow anytime now. Should we go?"

"Ready when you are."

Kairi looked from Sora to Leon, then back again. Her lips set in a disapproving thin line, but she didn't express her reproach any other way. "Alright then, let's go. I'm freezing out here!" she exclaimed, rubbing her arms up and down. Leon shed his coat and handed it to her.

"Go ahead – I can handle the weather," he informed nonchalantly. Kairi flushed but nodded, wrapping the coat around herself. "Why don't you go wait by the gates? We'll meet you there in a few seconds." The girl nodded again and walked back towards the outskirts of the church.

After her form disappeared down the road and behind trees, Sora chuckled softly. "You know, she might think you like her if you do that."

"There is almost a decade in age difference," Leon pointed out, but not seeming too ruffled at his brother's comment.

Sora laughed. "But I thought age was just a number. I kissed and almost got married to a ninety-year-old guy, remember?"

The older Strife crossed his arms and lightly rolled his eyes. "I'm not into girls, though," he reminded indifferently. He got quiet then, which wasn't too unusual, but then Sora potted the contemplative expression on his face.

"What are you thinking of?" he asked, standing up.

Leon remained silent for another few seconds before answering. "It's…trivial, really. I was always afraid to tell you or Mom and Dad about my sexuality. It just…I never knew how you guys would react." He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "I didn't want to lose you all because you would hate how I loved. I didn't want to take that chance. I…glad that you didn't hate me afterwards."

"Kinda hard to if we have the same preference," Sora pointed out with a light laugh.

Leon ran a hand through his hair. "True, but…they never got to know."

It didn't take long for Sora to figure out who he was talking about. But then he remembered something. It had been the day he had almost died, forcing him to linger between the world of living and the world of the dead and had seen his parents… "W-wait!" Sora exclaimed, as a bubble of excitement grew inside him. "Leon, they did know! They did!"

The older brunet frowned, not knowing what his brother was getting at. "What're you talking about? They couldn't have – I never told them." He sighed wearily. "Sora…I appreciate you trying to make me feel better, but you don't have to-"

"No! You don't understand!" the younger exclaimed. Of all the things he had mentioned to his brother - like Riku being a vampire and under a curse, Sephiroth being a past lover – he had omitted the whole almost-dying scene from nearly three weeks ago. Quite honestly, he was planning to keep those details a secret (only Kairi really knew). Helplessly, he gestured at his eyes. "I-I saw them! I saw them and we…we talked, but we couldn't touch…but…" His bit his lip, imploring his brother to understand. "They… Dad told me it was okay. Th-they knew how you loved – they always had! But it…it never changed how they loved you!"

Leon's eyes widened further at each passing sentence. "Sora…how did you…?"

"You believe me, don't you?"

"I…" Leon hesitated, the looked off in the direction of the cemetery. No, that was impossible, right? How on Earth could Sora have conversed with their deceased parents? Is he just saying this? Then…why does it feel like the truth…?

Sora gingerly touched his arm, snapping Leon from his thoughts. "So you know now, right? That it was all okay and it…still is?"

The older brunet paused, scrutinizing his sibling with grey eyes. For some reason…he felt a bit – warm, was it? Yes, at Sora's touch he felt warm and somewhat…light. Was this what relief felt like? Leon hadn't even known that the secret and his fear had been a weight on his shoulders. He hadn't known until he saw the reassuring expression in his brother's eyes – sapphire eyes that seemed to contain the certainty of a mother and father consoling their child.

Leon stared in slight awe, then slowly felt the corners of his lips tug upward in a smile. It was the first time he smiled at Sora since…. Actually, had there…ever been a time before this?

Sora widened his eyes slightly. It seemed like forever since he last saw his older brother smile. It was small and somewhat awkward…but utterly sincere. He felt Leon's hand on top his head and ruffling his hair.

"Thank you. It…" He looked at Sora warmly. "It really is okay. And…it will be from now on. I promise." Before Sora could say more, he withdrew his hand. "C'mon, I think your friend is tired of waiting for us."

"Uh…ha-ha, okay." Sora laughed and followed the older brunet down the leaf-rained road. Somehow, the air felt a lot less…clogged. Sora hadn't even known that the space between him and his brother had been so apprehensive.

But it's not like that anymore. I think…thing might actually get better from here on. Even though… The brunet's eyes fluttered down. His heart twisted in pain as he recalled pale skin, jade eyes and thin lips spread in a small smile. Sora tried not to dwell in his memories too long. Even though it's been two weeks…I can still remember everything about him so clearly, even his voice.

Riku… He stopped walking. Leon looked back at him in surprise.

"Hey, aren't you coming? Why'd you stop?"

Why indeed. But Sora felt a little strange all of a sudden. Like he was trying to remember something at the back of his mind and it kept lingering there, begging him to acknowledge it. The brunet frowned and backed up a step. "I…I think I forgot something…back at…Mom and Dad's graves," he said slowly, the words slowly stringing together in his mind. Later on, he doubted he knew what he was even talking about. "Do you…think you'd mind if I went back right quick?"

"You dropped something?"

"I…I think so."

Leon appeared mildly stunned, but nodded. "Sure, go on, but don't take long." He looked up at the graying sky. "It still looks like it could snow, and I don't want you and Kairi getting colds."

Sora was already walking away when he said, "Yeah, I'll be just a minute!" he soon began to break into a sprint. Trees went past him in green and brown blurs. He weaved through the tombs without even realizing what he was doing. Leaves crunched under his feet as a need grew bigger inside him with each step.

I don't get it… I don't get what I'm feeling right now. I feel…like I'm anticipating something. Like there's something I want, something I need… But what is it? His pace slowed down until he finally reached the familiar area of his parents' graves. Yuna and Lulu's flowers still lay upon the dead grass. Sora stopped before them, his chest rising and falling erratically as he tried to catch his breath.

There was nothing else there.

Sora frowned. Why had he run all this way and gotten that weird feeling…if nothing had been here? He racked his mind for an answer, but came up with nothing. Eventually, he let out a tired sigh. "I can't believe this…" he murmured, running a hand through his unkempt hair. "Was I…imagining things? I could've sworn that…"

The leaves rattled as the wind blew, lightly swaying the thin trunks in turn of the breezes dance. Sora swallowed the thick saliva built up in his mouth. It…it almost felt like…like… He heart pounded as his eyes traveled up to the sky. Like Riku had been calling me. He closed his eyes.

"This is so stupid…" But as soon as he muttered this, he felt something wet and ice-cold on his cheek. Sora opened his eyes, a hand swiping across his skin to see what hit him.

It was snow. Sora blinked in surprise. Snow? He looked around him, seeing the white rain flutter down fro the sky. He held his hand palm-up, looking around in wonder. "Hey, it's snowing after all…" He laughed lightly and looked down at the twin tombs beside him. "Look, Mom, Dad, it's snowing." A small flurry landed on his out-stretched hand and he recoiled immediately. "Ack! I forgot how cold those things were! Oh great, it's coming down harder…"

"Here, see if this keeps you warm."

Hot chills went down Sora's body as he realized he was no longer alone. Hands tentatively touched his shoulders but curled in a tight grip as the brunet half-turned to face the speaker. The person, male, whispered, "Wait. Don't turn yet. First I…want you to feel."

Sora's heart raced in slight panic. The voice…was somehow familiar…but it was also different. It sounded…husky and deep, but young. The hands traveled down Sora's arms and warmth immediately crept down the brunet's body at the action. Arms joined the hands until they were loosely wrapped around the teen's body. He shuddered. One of the stranger's hands went up, up…stopping right over Sora's chest, which rose in a hitched breath. Fingers traced over the scars Riku's fangs made. While Sora's mind wanted to run away, his body and heart told him to remain still. But not out of fear – somehow, this stranger was a friend…

"Who are you?" he asked softly.

"…" The stranger's lower body pressed against his back, until finally Sora's head was pressed against the boy's chest. Then he felt it – light beats of a heart, pounding against his ear. Sora didn't know what to feel – Riku's heart couldn't beat because he was Undead. But now…he was just plain….dead.

The snow fell around them, somehow speaking a thousand words with their rain-dance. The ice landed all over Sora's body, but he felt warm encased within this stranger's arms. That's when Sora noted the arms around him were bare, but they weren't the same milky-white Riku's had been. Sora heart sank further. "Aren't you cold?" he rasped out randomly.

"No, you're all the warmth I ever needed," the stranger replied, his voice vibrating under his skin, mixing with the beats of his heart.

Sora licked his lips. "You talk like you know me – who are you?" The brunet didn't even know if the boy would understand what he was about to say, but he just knew that he had to get these words out. "You sound…familiar. But the boy I think you are…he's different.

"His skin is paler, like a corpse. His voice is…different. It's almost unreal because it's like…it's lyrical and mesmerizing. And then…his heart…" Sora's sentence cadenced. He didn't know how to follow up that one, or what this stranger would say.

"…" The stranger took a deep breath, and Sora could see the faint mist float up to the sky. "My heart was heavy from missing you. But…if your heart belonged to someone, is it still theirs if they changed?" the stranger bent down, breath hot against his ear, "I love you, Sora."

Sora blinked, then looked up, receiving no protest from the boy holding him. He gaped at what he saw. The boy in front of him wasn't the boy from his memories. Not only did his skin have color and have a beating heart, but his eyes…they weren't the same jade as before. They were bluer, almost like an icy-blue. Thin lips curled up in a smile and mouthed words that had been motioned by the same lips before, once upon a time.

"Ai shi teru," Sora whispered back. Something wet fell down his cheek – later on he'd deny it wasn't a tear but snow. "Oh my God…"

The 'stranger' laughed, lightly stroking the brunet's cheek, staring at him with affectionate eyes. "You know, I didn't believe this moment would ever happen, but…"

He wasn't as beautiful, wasn't as pale… He was just ordinary. Yet Sora still felt that same spellbinding pull he always felt around Riku. Still felt drawn in – it was as if he hadn't left.

Riku was human.

And all next words that could've been said were swallowed up when the two brought their faces together and kissed.

Xelruna: OMFG….I finished it! It's out there in the world; it's done! Yes! –dances like a retard-

Oh my God, this has been quite a journey. Seems like eons since I first published this thing! Wow…a year and two months… this story…it was really cool to write. Honestly, I'm a bit sad it's over. I know some people are probably confused and want to have some questions answered which is why there is an important poll on my homepage concerning this fic. The poll will be closed on December 29th. Results of the poll are going to be posted on my profile the same day. Check back in then.

Well, since this is the end, I want to seriously thank everyone who has read the fiction. I'm glad that you all like it and I REALLY hope you liked the ending. T.T It took forever to come up with considering it's the end and I wanted it to be as epic as possible. Though perhaps I failed in that goal? :/ I LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH! I thank you so much for supporting me!!!!! When my life feels meaningless, you guys brighten it up. :D

I really hope you will take the time to read my other fics, which I think are as good as this one (minus the vampires and curses XDXD). But if you're for the dark theme of curses and stuff, then check out my upcoming fic that's coming out in January. It'll be called Slowest Suicide :D

Oh, and I'm adding another chapter which will just have the fic's playlist. Check it out if you want :)

Well, peace out my friends (I know later on I'll wish I had said something else, but that's because I love you guys so much! –huggles you all-),

Xelruna

CREDITS:

cute yellow kiwi (for being the first reviewer)

Brie92 and Panda's Forever Yeah (whom I always love to hear from and have stuck with the fic since the beginning)

Rhaplanca (for becoming my friend and making me smile)

DemyXD and Paper Heart Replica (for always offering me bribes to update XDXD)

Tangerine342 (for giving the longest review ever 0.o)

His Last Walk (who noticed how my writing improved and made me smile with her review)

And Maxi (for your insight and shameless fangirl-ness. ADMIT IT! I MADE YOU INOT A YAOI FANGIRL!!! XDXD)