A/N: Okay, I'm going to have to update this now because I've got a reviewer who is begging me to do it. First things first, I'm really sorry for not being able to update sooner. The stupid hold-up called exam has caused all the hassle. And now that it's over with, I'm temporarily free again-though not for long. There are still the finals. But anyhow... I hope you enjoy this little tidbit of a chapter as well. And as always please rate and review. Thank you very much... :)

Chapter 26: Finally Gone

Today had been the day. He left already and for some reason, Natalie felt suddenly cold and empty like a part of her had disappeared along with him. She never expected this kind of pain to grip at her insides, just like a hand was squeezing the very muscle that pumped life's blood through her veins...and just because he was gone, and she'd probably never see him again. Well, technically she would, once Sephiroth married her, but it wouldn't be the same anymore. She couldn't look at him the way she had on that night that she'd given herself to him. She knew it without a doubt that she belonged to him now.

It was considered rude not to pay the guest farewell courtesies before he left, so she definitely had seen him leave, but she couldn't say anything because her parents were there, and they were watching her.

[Flashback]

Josie appeared at her door a little after lunch. She had been informed beforehand to dress nicely for Prince Kadaj's bon voyage, and so she had. Her heart hammering in her chest. She hadn't seen him since she left him confused and alone on that bed that night. Now what would she say? What was she supposed to say now that he was leaving? Just that thought was an omen enough. The summer was ending, and autumn was fast approaching. This summer had been wonderful because he'd been there, and now that he was leaving, she could feel the ache of loss gnawing away at the edges of her mind and heart.

When she let her personal assistant escort her, she had timidly walked the carpeted halls to the receiving room, dressed in an elegant chiffon dress and white gloves. Her head was held high, but in all truth, she wanted to cry when she spotted her parents—with the royal guard—and her prince—with his entourage behind him—conversing with each other. Probably saying their farewells and wishes for a safe return, and gratitude for his help, etcetera. She knew they were probably lying between their teeth. And she would have spoken to him to if she didn't feel so ashamed of herself. And like an obedient girl, she had appeared by her parents' side to say her scripted farewell to the Prince of Nyx. Kadaj had been curt and quick in replying as well, and for the briefest of moments, his eyes had locked with hers. She didn't know what to make of them. They were cold, expressionless, and for a moment the surface broke and she saw a glimmer of sadness in those beautiful green eyes, and then it vanished just as quickly. It was his own secret farewell to her; his final goodbye. And for some reason her bottom lip had trembled ominously.

She wanted to cry. She wanted to launch herself into his arms. She wanted to come with him. She didn't want him gone. She couldn't bear to stand by and watch him go. For one moment, she had pictured herself running to him and hugging him fiercely and refusing to let him go, but she knew it was stupidity. It was insanity. So she held her ground, pursing her lips and biting her tongue lightly. And as he turned his back and sauntered off the door, his entire entourage shielding him from her view, she knew it was over. He was gone. Things would be different if she ever saw him again.

[End of Flashback]

Now that he was gone, her confinement had been lifted and she was once again free to roam the halls of the palace, but the offer of freedom didn't give much solace to her hurt. It didn't provide the feeling of freedom she'd wanted. Somehow, the palace walls were now a harsher containment more than ever. She wanted to get out, but there was no way to do so. Not without him. Natalie plopped down on her bed, and with numb fingers reached for the pouch where she'd kept the photos of her and Kadaj together, lying on the sheets next to her. She'd taken it out earlier, but was too much of a coward to even unzip it and take out what was inside. But now with sure and deft fingers, she had opened the little sack and took out the photos, staring at the one in front, of her hugging Kadaj, content smiles on their faces. That day had been one of the best days of her life. She barely knew him then, but was slowly realizing that her heart was longing for his presence, day and night. She had been slowly falling in love with him, and then that final night when she left him in his room after they'd made love came crashing down on her like a load of bricks. What had she done? He probably thought she hated him.

Her eyes roamed the glossy film that coated the pictures, and instantly, she could feel her tears coming, pooling at her lower eyelids. She managed to hold her tears back even as she rifled through the photos. When she was done, all she could do was slip them back in the pouch lest someone else found them. She blinked through watery eyes and focused on her neatly arranged pillows...and the stuffed monkey tucked between them. Natalie bit her lip, looked away, and stood up... She was still in her chiffon dress and making up her mind, she left her room. It was almost time for dinner and her mother would no doubt send for her soon, but as quick and as silent as a cat, she calmly crept down the hallways leading to the guestroom Kadaj had stayed in.

She had been expecting a messy wake after he'd left—just like in one of the movies Kadaj made her watch, but no. The room was neat and spotless, but it was evident that the maids hadn't cleaned his room yet. (She knew it would be done tomorrow.) There were still small traces that hinted Kadaj's presence. The small creases on the bed for example, and the displaced remote control. The drapes were still open, showing the view of the city that looked so far yet so near in reality. Natalie found herself walking over to the French windows that opened to the balcony. Placing her hands flat on the smooth glass, she stared out as small lights blinked from high rise towers seen far off, and the contours of the elegant bridges as well. Ceres was indeed a beautiful place and a powerful domain. No wonder nations fought over her. Everything was near plentiful here. She stepped away from the window and closed the drapes, switching on the lights as well, watching as the glass chandeliers attached to the room's ceiling light up cheerfully. But of course, it did nothing to lighten her mood. Strangely, this room felt cold...almost haunted.

Not even thinking, she sat on the edge of the bed and ever so sluggishly, lay down. She buried her face on a pillow and sobbed none too quietly as the smell of richly spiced dark chocolate assaulted her nostrils. The bed still smelled like him, and frankly, she did not know how the scent had lingered long enough. Perhaps she had imagined it. She glanced at the empty space next to her and felt a sharp pang of loss in her chest. This was the same spot she had claimed that night, when Kadaj had taken the other. Rolling over, she found herself staring at the weird patterns that swirled on the fancy woodwork of the four-poster bed. Sighing, she reached for the pillow on her side of the bed and clutched it to her chest, crumpling her clothes a bit, but she didn't care. She buried her face into it too, inhaling the scent Kadaj had left behind. She vaguely wondered what he was doing now. Was he okay? Was he thinking of her?

Staying a few more moments on the bed, she got up once she realized she had been here too long than necessary and her mother was bound to send for her anytime soon. She set the pillows back on their proper places and used a post at the corner of the bed to pull herself up. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a crumpled piece of paper near the wastebasket under the bedside table. Kadaj would've thrown that, and maybe didn't care whether it landed or not. It felt stupid but she reached for it anyway, unable to stop herself, curious of what he had written or drawn. Maybe it was a discarded drawing. But as her fingers closed around the junk, she felt the smoothness of the texture and slight stiffness of it. And as she unfolded it to reveal a blank surface, saw the ragged edges that said it had been torn of off a notebook or—in this case—a sketchbook. Feeling a bit disappointed, she flipped it over and saw the pale strokes left by a drawing pencil. It was light and almost glimmered against the light but she could make out the handwriting enough to know that it was supposed to be a letter.

Nat, I

Bye princess. I'm leaving and

Nat, I don't know what to say. But I'm leaving anyway, so I wanted to tell you to forget about me

Forget about me, Nat. I'm no good for you.

It was stupid,

I can't take you with me. But I want you to know that I will never forget you. In your own little way, you reminded me what it's supposed to be like. I was a bloody mess, but when I met you, when I found that I needed you more than anything, I knew I had fallen all over again. And it's because of you. Princess, you're the best thing that's ever happened to me. For your sake, forget about me. Don't ever think of me. We're not meant for each other. I should never have dragged you into this mess that's called my life. I'm sorry, Natalie. I'm sorry, Princess. I'm so sorry, my angel. I fell in love with you and it destroyed your life. But I can't help it. I love you, Nat. I love you so much that it hurts. This is the only way I know how I can somehow stop it from messing up further. I don't belong with you anyway.

DAMN IT! I SOUND SO STUPID!

By the time she finished, the dam had broken and tears were already rolling down her cheeks. She tried in vain to stop them, pressing the heels of her hands hard against her eyes. She couldn't cry—not when her mother would send for her soon. She couldn't cry when people would clearly see those puffy eyes. And with tight fisted hands, she clutched the scratch paper to her chest. Even if this was just a rough draft for a would-have-been letter, Kadaj had still written enough to make her realize that he was truly in love with her, and that made it all the more wrong every time she remembered how she had left him that night, anger welling up inside her and consuming the rational part of her brain. This wasn't his fault. This was hers. She knew he was leaving, she could have at least made it easier for the two of them, made the last moments sweet and unforgettable; instead, it had churned to a mass of bitter tears and bitter-felt letter drafts.

She had his number. Maybe she could call him later in her study.

vVvVv

It was well almost time for dinner when Kadaj's private plane had finally touched down on Nyx's airport. He was finally home, and somehow that thought wasn't as comforting as he'd imagined it. Air traffic had made his crew stay in the air longer than usual, but he didn't mind. While he was still hovering in the air on his plane, he felt closer to Ceres. In the air—and with one swift word—he could easily command the pilot to turn back around for Ceres. But he couldn't do that even if he wanted to. In order for Natalie to move on, she had to forget about him. She had to put him out of her mind. She had to lose communication with him, and above all, the Kadaj that had fallen in love with her needed to die first. Both of them couldn't be free if one still clung to the other like a lifeline. It hurt, but Kadaj knew that he had to start destroying the connection first. Although, Natalie had the privilege of kicking it into action. She had been so angry when she left his room that night that he was hurt and relieved at the same time. Hurt because she would do such a thing, but more relieved since it meant destroying a relationship, which made goodbye a little easier.

But he had been wrong. 'Good bye' hadn't been easy. He had tried writing a letter to her. He wanted to, but somehow, the words just came out wrong. In the end, he had thrown it into the general direction of the wastebasket, not even caring if it made it. He knew without a doubt that by now, that crumpled up piece of paper was already swimming with the other rubbish. What would have Natalie thought if she'd even read it? He was stupid and he knew it. What was he even thinking?

He shifted around on his seat, checking his phone from time to time since his brothers were just too excited and couldn't stop sending him text messages every now and then. It had been annoying, but relieving to know that his brother's cared. And as he heard the captain's voice speaking of a safe landing, he knew that it was time to face reality once more. He heard the doors open and men began bustling around to carry his extra luggage. He picked up his laptop bag and followed his men out of the plane and onto the field as they surrounded him like human shields, all of them wearing bullet proof vests over their suits—just like he was.

As Kadaj continued on his way to the entrance of the airport, he glanced up at the night sky, darkest blue with stars dotting the vastness of it. And of course, the lights of so many machines and city structures. The low drone of the plane could still be heard as he was entering the foyer and was suddenly replaced with the buzz and hum of people—when the sliding glass doors closed behind him—as they collected their luggage, conversed with the airport staff, and as parents were trying to calm their bratty children. It was a comical sight, but he was not in the mood for humor. His sneakers squeaked softly against the polished floors as he shuffled along behind the wall of men walking in front of him. It annoyed him really. He was capable of protecting himself, but he knew these guys were being paid for their job. So as much as he'd like to order them away, he couldn't. Even Yazoo wouldn't let him.

They were nearing the VIP Lounge with its double doors set against a backdrop of white-washed walls when a man in a gray suit came over, carrying the cliched leather suitcase. The hairs atop his head were scarce, signs of balding, but to his credit, he looked cleanly shaved, shoulders set back in a smart posture. The men around him began to thin as the older man approached warily. When he was at a thirty pace distance from the silver-haired teen, his hand lifted and snapped to attention rendering a formal salute. Kadaj returned the military courtesy with the same vigor and stopped walking.

"May I speak, your highness?" He asked.

"Lieutenant Colonel Tridon, you may," Kadaj droned in a low voice, for once, glad that people weren't really noticing. At the snap of a finger, Kadaj's other men dispersed, some heading straight for the lounge, leaving the two alone.

And as they conversed, Kadaj slowly led the way to the lounge, still a few paces away.

"You mean to tell me that my brother, Lord Sephiroth has deployed a battalion on the northern shores at the seaport in the capital city of Banora?" Kadaj asked, tasting suspicion at the tip of his tongue.

"Yes, my lord. The Lord's Regent himself asked that this information be shared to you," the officer spoke just as the doors were opened and he and Kadaj strode into the lounge.

"Did his Excellency tell of the purpose of doing so?" The teen questioned, striding towards the coffeemaker and reaching for two Styrofoam cups.

"He has not specified, my lord." The officer replied in a clipped voice.

"I see, and what does Yazoo want me to do?"

"All he's told me is to inform you. His majesty thought it better that you be disclosed personally." The officer nodded politely as Kadaj offered him a steaming cup.

"Alright... Anything else?" Kadaj asked, lost in thought as he took a sip of the scalding caffeinated drink.

"Nothing more, sir."

vVvVv

Five Days Later...

War tanks and an army on foot scoured the city streets, bits of rubble and chunks of glass littered and scattered on the road. Body bags could be found here and there, some were lying carelessly on the side of the roads. Soldiers on foot roamed the area, carrying rifles and other weapons. The broadcaster was announcing the damage done and the number of casualties, and how the entire northern area of Aerys was closed down. As far as Yazoo knew, that area was secluded and independent. The town was held together by an overlord. The citizens were no doubt screaming and running for help by now. Yazoo was sitting on the ruler's office as Regent, and watching the news perchance because of Loz. His older brother had been insistent, being in charge of the military and all.

"The battalion we deployed... That's where they went?" Loz blinked, hands knotted into tight fists.

"Most likely Sephiroth's edict. We just followed instructions." Yazoo reasoned but couldn't even get rid of the sick feeling that lodged deep in his throat. It had been their doing.

"But if we hadn't consented..." Loz began to bubble, but Yazoo raised a hand to stop him just as the long-haired Regent toyed with the cuffs of his long-sleeved coat.

"There was nothing we could do even if we refused. He would still push it on and most likely accuse us of treason. He's the ruler; we should follow him." He scowled.

The furnished oak doors that led to the room creaked open and Kadaj stepped in, wearing checkered grey sneakers, slightly fitting jeans, and a three-quarter length sleeved shirt, a cap fitted on his silver head. Two of the brothers were dressed in semi-formal attire, and Kadaj was as casual as ever, with everything that was going on, you'd think he didn't have a care in the world. Yazoo cast a furtive glance at Kadaj's way and Loz's fist was pressed against his lips. And the announcer was still blabbering on TV.

"Why, Kadaj. Going somewhere? You look as casual as ever." Yazoo quirked an eyebrow at him suggestively.

One glance at the television screen, and Kadaj scowled. "Another attack?"

He asked, not believing what he was hearing or seeing for that matter. It had gone on since he came back in Nyx. Sephiroth had ordered more and more battalions to be deployed in the weakest and poorest areas of the world. They all knew the man was set on world domination, but to take nations one by one was a different matter. War was coming and it was as plain as day. The greatest nations with the strongest militaries were convening, preparing, amassing defenses to avoid the next attack. Alliances were being forged and enemies were being counted. And for the past few days, the media had been oppressing, calling Yazoo every now and then, asking for Nyx's alliance in the world war that was coming. And just yesterday, Nibelheim country had bombed out one of Nyx's provinces. And the military did all they could to defend. In the end, Yazoo issued an order that navy war ships were to guard the territorial waters of the kingdom, and Nyx's air force were to do the same, doing aerial patrols twenty-four hours a day. Amidst all that, Kadaj had suggested that the other armed forces were to patrol the boundaries too. His brother took him up gladly on that offer. They were set on defending, and being offensive if need be, but in all truth, neither of the three brothers wanted war.

Kadaj on the other hand was busy with his own problems. He was sure as never before that Ceres was taking the side of Nibelheim and the others. The said domain's military prowess wasn't one to be underestimated. It was the seat of world power after all. And of course, he never ceased to wonder what Natalie was doing these days, whether she had managed to move on since he'd left. In those instances, he wanted nothing more than to kick himself for even thinking about her.

"Look's like it." Yazoo nodded once.

Kadaj turned away from the television screen, digging his motorbike's keys from his pocket. "I'm going in the city. Have to get some things." He droned, twirling the trinkets between his fingers.

"All right." Yazoo sighed. "Just watch your back. I've been getting reports of terrorist threats. And we're not exactly sure which ones are real, and which ones aren't." He shrugged.

Kadaj waved a hand flippantly at his brothers, dismissing his suspicions. "I'm not a kid, Yaz... I know how to take care of myself."

"Yeah, but with everything that's been going on... I don't wanna think about that." Yazoo waved him off. "Go if you must."

"I'll be back late in the afternoon."

vVvVv

The streets were as noisy as ever—just your typical day in the city. There were food stalls of course, and teenagers flocked around them like eager dogs scouring for something to eat, only these weren't scraps of food or leftovers. Kadaj was walking down the sidewalk, oblivious to almost all of the stares for all he cared. It was common knowledge to spot the youngest prince of Nyx roaming the city streets without a guard, so no one paid much heed. Dark sunglasses covered his eyes as he casually roamed the busy streets lined with shops that sold different things. He had been to the bookstore to buy some drawing materials. Of course, it would've been a lot easier when you let your personal shopper do it, but picking out the drawing tools had always been a comfort to him; a way to tame his wild thoughts from scurrying all over the place.

The world was in turmoil for all he cared. What could Sephiroth be doing now? For all he knew, the man was with his army, never one to entrust great tasks to the petty officers. Kadaj knew that for Sephiroth, being in command was what he always wanted. It wasn't really surprising that he wasn't back at Nyx commanding the other armed forces left behind. The teen simply didn't want any part of it. For a moment, he remembered the heated discussion he'd had with the ruler of Ceres and the military officers on a summer dinner. The ladies of the house had been present, and he could still hear himself declaring that he didn't want to get involved if a war ensued. Domains and Kingdoms were forming alliances now; planning strategies of war against the enemies. It hadn't surprised Kadaj in the least bit to hear that Nibelheim Domain had dropped a destructive bomb on one of Nyx's provinces. Thousands of people had to be evacuated and rescued that day. That was always the price of war. Life. One or many had to be taken. It was always either win or lose. Yazoo had often told him that in a war, there was no middle-ground, but Kadaj conveniently broke that rule. He had his own happy place that wasn't easily affected. But that was inside his head.

Now he had to choose a side. But what side would that be? Kadaj was walking on the sidewalk, passing open shops and listening to the pleasant sounds of city traffic. Nobody paid him much heed, and that was okay. He glanced behind him once in a while, keeping in mind that paparazzis were not so easily fended off no matter how hard you tried. Even if the days had long gone, he still couldn't believe that he and Natalie had gotten away with their escapades to the city without a single peep from the press. Well, sure the newspapers had shown a photo of him with a blonde girl, but Natalie had been dubbed the mystery girl. If the royalties in Ceres caught sight of the news, they didn't pay it heed. Being a certified playboy had its advantages.

vVvVv

"I want him dead!" She snarled into the phone, the object gripped tightly between her fingers, and taking a nervous glance at the doors.

The person on the other line made a reply that made her want to tear her hair out. He had told her to arrange the dispatching of the boy and it had to be done now. She couldn't defy her master. If she did, punishment came swift but sure. She feared him alright, so she was set on obeying him as well. He had paid her quite well when he hired her. It had been a queer and dangerous job offer for a girl at first, but now she realized that it wasn't that hard. All she had to do was lie, follow instructions, and make sure her tracks were covered. And to say the least, she was getting better at this.

"You have to get it done, you hear me? There is no room for incompetence. My lord has commanded me so." She snapped harshly. There was another reply before she visibly calmed. "Good. Get it done, and he shall pay us both well."

Satisfied, she slipped her phone into the hidden pocket of her skirt. Gingerly, she made her way out of the room she had confined herself in for the past few minutes. Her highness would need her royal services.