(Friends Forever)

Author's Note: Pretty shortish chapter but the song Dear My Friend (Sonic Unleashed) really reminded me of Kaede and Anasasia's friendship that I created but if y'all want. Give it a listen*

*November 25th, 1920*

*2:35am*

*Queen Victoria Boat*

It was two more days before the cruise ship reached everyone's destination as Kaede stayed awake in her bed as she heard a knock on the door which made her sit up in the process.

"Come In!" Kaede whispered in a low voice as she heard the door opening to reveal that Anastasia was the one knocking as she gently entered the room as she closed the door behind her before turning her direction back to Kaede.

"You Couldn't sleep as well, Didn't you? I can't either since the big day is slowly approaching.." Anastasia had spoken to Kaede as she carefully walked over and sat next to her friend.

"I could say the same as well since I've never really been on a boat before so It's quite uncomfortable for me since I get dizzy very easily…" Kaede answered back in a quiet tone of voice as she chuckled while doing so as this prompted Anastasia to chuckle as well before speaking once more.

"I can understand that feeling as well. I usually get seasick as well but since my Mama and Papa used to always to on boat outings so I just had to get use to those feelings and other things" Anastasia spoken back to Kaede with a smile on her face as this made the pair quietly laugh in the process before the subject was changed.

"By the way, What happened to the Phoenix Sword and the previous users? I remember it was cracked after your battle with John Claude? Are they still with you?" Anastasia asked in a tone of curiosity as she awaited for an answer with a small smile on her face.

"Yes, the previous users will always remain within my heart. Wherever I go during my life. They will always be with me so they're pretty much watching me in spirit but I can still feel them within me…" Kaede had answered back as she let out a smile which made Anastasia smile even more as the girls shared a small but quiet giggle as this prompted Anastasia to reach the inside of her pocket as she pulled out a small red locket that was shaped like a heart.

"A locket? I-Is it for me…" Kaede had asked softly as she fought hard to hold back tears since she never had a friend or anyone from her school give her anything as a sign of friendship.

"Of course, It's a locket filled with all of our happy and wonderful memories together cause it's something we should always cherish for all eternity so I'm giving you this wonderful and amazing gift…" Anastasia had answered back with a warm smile on her face as she gently opened Kaede's fingers and placed the locket in her hands as she saw the tears rushing down from her eyes.

"T-Thank you for this gift. I'll always be sure to cherish it in my heart. You and everyone else have been such good and amazing friends and I could never ask for anything else…" Kaede had said towards her friend as she was met with a warm hug from her before she eventually returned the favor by hugging Anastasia back as the pair released each other from the hug.

"I guess I should be heading back to bed now but I had a wonderful time talking with you. You've made my night even better so Thank you…" Anastasia had thanked Kaede with a warm smile on her face as she walked towards the door as she heard her friend beginning to speak.

"Anytime and I can say the same for you. You are the best friend that anyone could ask for…" Kaede had said towards Anastasia as both girls smiled for a few moments before the door was closed in which was heard by Kaede as she gently placed the locket on her chest as a tear fell on the locket as she thought about all of her memories that she had with Anastasia and the others.

"Thank you, My beloved friends…" Kaede quietly whispered to herself with a tearful smile on her face as she knew that her farewells were drawing near as she slowly got up from her bed and stared at the window to see the beautiful moonlit sky as a smile formed on Kaede's face.

"My friends, I wish nothing but wonderful wishes towards everyone's way…" Kaede thought to herself before she returned back into her bed where she slept for the remainder of the night.

*Anastasia's Room*

Anastasia was laying on her bed as she thought about all of the memories that she shared with Kaede and with her siblings as well as this brought a tearful smile on her face.

"You've made my life so much better, my dear and wonderful friend. You've saved us from murder and deilvered us towards salvation so I will always be appreciative towards you but not just you but Kazumi, Akito, Bartok, and Yelena. Each and everyone of you had a hand in saving me and my siblings…" Anastasia thought to herself with a smile on her face as she found herself crying softly with a mixture of sadness and happiness as she knew what was to come.

"Kaede leaves in two days so I must make those days count for my friend" Anastasia quietly said to herself with a smile on her face as she thought of ways to entertain her friend and everybody else for the last reminder of the two days as she was filled with a new sense of hope and determination for everything.