There was a tingling feeling passing through her skin as a warmth seemed to come down on her from above. Kanaya opened her eyes and looked around. She was lying flat on the ground in a bed of roses, all in bloom and bright in colour. Around her was a white dress with a green sash, sleeveless. She sat up and looked around. Where was she?
She got to her feet and looked out, noticing a house. Then she realised...it was her childhood home. What was she doing here? Last thing she knew was seeing a car speeding toward her. The house looked quite bright, just like the sky and where did all these roses come from? She didn't remember those.
Kanaya walked through the flowers and toward the house. She made her way up the path and gently opened the front door. Everything looked the same inside, from what she saw.
"Hello?" She called out. No answer.
She looked up at the photo of Porrim and herself but it was different. She was the only one there, Porrim was missing. She blinked in confusion, then heard a clatter come from the kitchen. She hesitantly walked into it and saw a woman sitting at the table with a drink.
"...M-Mother?" Kanaya gasped.
Mrs M smiled at her daughter, "Hello Kanaya dear".
Kanaya ran up to her and gave her the biggest hug she'd ever given her.
"I can't believe it's you" Kanaya spoke breathlessly.
Mrs M chuckled and kissed her forehead.
"What are you doing here? What am I doing here? What is this?" Kanaya asked all at once.
Mrs M sat her down with a smile, "Calm down you. Let me explain".
Kanaya nodded and sat down, waiting.
"Kanaya, welcome to your purgatory" She smiled.
"Purgatory?" Kanaya blinked and looked around, "Why is it our house?".
"Well it takes the form of your happiest memory, or rather where you had the most. I must be honest, I expected it to take the form of where you had your date with Rose, but I wasn't disappointed" Mrs M chuckled.
"Really?" Kanaya smiled.
Mrs M nodded, "Look over there". She pointed toward the back-door.
Kanaya stood and opened it. Instead of the usual plants and other growing life, the door led to the restaurant front door where they had gone in all those months ago.
"The Sweet Cherub" Kanaya whispered.
"That's right" Mrs M smiled, "There's more than just that restaurant and all of that will soon take over. There aren't any more memories to be made in this house any more, so more will take over soon enough".
Kanaya frowned but her mother laughed, "Don't worry it will be fine".
Kanaya closed the door and joined her mother back at the table, "So what am I doing in my purgatory?". She pretty much knew the answer but asked anyway.
"Well Kanaya. You're dead" Her mother informed. "But not all the way there yet. I'm here to greet you and lead you, should you choose to pass but...".
"...What?" Kanaya urged her to finish.
"Well I'm not exactly supposed to influence your decision dear but, well, I personally don't think you should. I don't think you're time is finished" Mrs M smiled wryly.
"So...I can go back?" Kanaya spoke.
Mrs M nodded, "Yes, you have a choice as you would expect. You can go back or you can pass. The choice is completely your's".
Kanaya looked down and thought but her mother spoke up again, "Either choice obviously has a different effect and outcome on future happenings".
Kanaya nodded and said, "I went looking for Rose and I found her and the next thing I know...I'm dead. I don't feel ready Mother".
"Well like I said, I don't think your story is finished" Mrs M walked over and put a hand on her shoulder, "and you know, there's someone desperately waiting for you".
Kanaya saw a vision of Rose in the window, holding her hand while Kanaya was unconscious and her heart sank. She had a rush of regret and missed her dearly.
"Mother, I don't want to leave Rose. I couldn't live without her, so I don't want to make her do the same" Kanaya told Mrs M, "and not to mention, I love her. I still want to be with her".
Mrs M smiled warmly, "Shouldn't you be telling her that?".
Kanaya looked at Rose again and then back to her mother and nodded.
"Then you know what you need to do" Mrs M grinned.
"Choose" Kanaya agreed. "Well mother, I choose to go back and live again".
"Good, I'm glad you did" Mrs M smiled and kissed her daughter's forehead again. She held her face with both hands, "I'm so proud of you Kanaya. I hope you always remember that and please don't get upset any more. I'm always here".
She tapped Kanaya's chest lightly and Kanaya smiled up at her. They hugged tightly before Mrs M explained, "While you were dying, Rose gave you some of her blood to bring you back. When she did so, she paved a pathway to lead you home. Follow the trail of lighted Roses and you'll get back".
Suddenly the house melted around them and Kanaya was left in a lighted darkness. Glowing Roses appeared one after the other and made her a trail.
Kanaya smiled and began to follow it, but heard her distant mother's voice call out one last thing, "By the way, tell Rose her mother is proud of her too and we'll always protect the two of you".
"I will! Farewell Mother" Kanaya called out and then whispered.
She went ahead and followed each Rose flower, that eventually led her to a light that enveloped her sight, making her eyes close and open again.
She squinted at the sudden light in her eyes, but made out a figure above her. "Stable. Her eyes are opening" A male voice said.
Kanaya made a groaning noise and the male voice spoke to her, "Good to have you back with us. How do you feel?".
Kanaya removed her oxygen mask and spoke out, "I feel a bit sore but fine I think".
"Yes, you have many bruises and you had a deep cut to your stomach. It'll be sore for a few days but you've survived which is the important thing" The voice whom Kanaya assumed was the doctor, explained.
"Oh I see" Kanaya spoke, still slowly.
"Now, can you tell me your name?" He asked.
"Er, Kanaya Maryam" She answered.
"Goooood" The doctor was telling the nurse to tick or write on a clipboard, "We're going to do a couple more tests but it seems you're doing okay for now".
Kanaya smiled with the strength she could muster. The doctor spoke up happily, "There's someone who's been waiting for you".
Rose burst into the room and gently went up to Kanaya, "Kanaya?!",
"Hello Rose" Kanaya chuckled.
"Oh Kanaya! You're alive! I'm so glad, I thought I'd lost you forever" Rose held her hand tightly and smiled happily.
"Not going to loose me that easily Lalonde" Kanaya smiled.
Rose smiled back, "How do you feel?".
"I've had better days, but I'm here" Kanaya told her, "Which reminds me, I have a message to let you know, your Mother is very proud of you and both our mothers are going to protect us".
Rose's eyes opened in shock, but she soon laughed happily, "Oh I love you Kanaya".
"I love you too Rose" Kanaya responded as they embraced lightly as they could, "I think it's my turn to say I'm home".
