MAKE SURE YOU HAVE READ THE PREVIOUS CHAPTYR! I have redone chaptyr 15.

Irvy has taken Kay under his wing, shielding him from the truths that his mother is out of reach and his father is dead. But, you can only keep these secrets for so long…

The only character I own really is Kaytsu. All others are a product of Squaresoft.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The lifeless crew aboard the Ragnarok was starkly silent as they wobbled to the ship's turbulence. The silence was discomforting, but… what would anyone have to talk about?

Every occasionally, Irvine would throw a glace to any of the darkly attired persons on the bridge, especially at Kaytsu.

He sat close to his mom, never removing his eyes from her for a moment. Kay held her hand and brushed back the loose strands of hair that fell across her face.

He was patiently waiting for some kind of response, Irvine figured. Irvine shook his head sympathetically, and turned back to gaze into the sky. "(Kaytsu didn't even shed a tear when he found out his dad was long gone… I guess… he's got his mom to take care of.)"

Irvine saw his tough exterior as a sign of maturity, but Quistis and Selphie knew better. They found the behavior to be disturbing… unhealthy. He was bottling up all his feelings inside himself, gearing up to explode. Quistis was resolved to handle his emotional scars as soon as the funeral was ended…

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Irvine and Nida lead Rinoa in a slow and steady walk to one of the folding chairs. She was able to walk across the grassy plains with a bit of support, but, still, she remained unconscious. Kaytsu kept just ahead of them, clearing the way to a couple of seats up front. There was quite a turnout for the departed military leader. No faces that Kay knew, though they all seemed to know him—touching and patting him as he walked by.

A woman with a bottle green shawl that sharply contrasted with her ebony attire, walked into little Kaytsu's path. He looked up into her dark, flickering eyes. Somehow, he knew her… She gently ran the back of her hand across his cheek, which seemed to distress her. The woman then led the way to the front most seats.

The trio sat together, largely ignoring the mundane words of the minister; the minister's universal memorial service was entirely impersonal, (as they generally are) and Kay spent the majority of his time staring at his glossy, black shoes. Ellone kept her arm wrapped around his slender shoulders while her mind wandered back to the days when Squall was so tiny.

Meanwhile, Rinoa stared blankly forward…

She wasn't audience to the priest's sermon, or even to Squall's closest friends who each delivered a powerful and touching address. She was indifferent to any and every state of affair, peacefully dying within.

Soon Zell and Irvine were at either side of Rinoa, walking her to bid farewell to her dearly departed husband with Kaytsu escorting them.

Kay peered into the coffin and looked upon his lifeless father. He put his hands on the cedar and bowed his head, saying a few words. "(I'm…gonna miss you, dad. I love you, and… I'll take care of mom. So, like… just enjoy heaven and we'll be with you soon… Okay?)" He turned to Zell and Irvine who were approaching with his mother. "Let's give her some time alone to say goodbye," he suggested.

Once she made her final steps, Irvine tried to speak with her. "Noa… it's Squall." Her silence felt bitter, he thought, so he whispered out, "I'm so sorry Rinoa…" before he meandered away.

"Poor Rinoa…" Zell said as Kay pressed him to come with him.

Rinoa dumbly stood there, listed to the side a bit with her broken gait. She stared at the plush top of the opened coffin. Out of the corner of her eye, something demanded the attention of her secluded mind. Her eyes fell lower… lower… lower… and lower still, until they came across the sight of her dead spouse.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" she released a cry that was heard around the world and threatened the hearing of those present. They covered their ears as she continuously wailed to the heavens for mercy, her heart aching unbearably. Once her pain reached its limits, she thoughtlessly surrendered to the power of Angel Wing. Her mind was quieted as ebony wings unfolded from her back.

The moment it was safe to uncover their ears, Kaytsu, Quistis, and Zell immediately jumped to her side to comfort her, but on seeing the black wings, Zell outstretched his arms to hold them back.

Kay's jaws gaped as he watched his mother ascend a couple of feet and hover off into the distance at a fast rate. Realizing that she might not return, he somehow pushed past Zell. He ran after her futilely, screaming, "MOM!" as loud as his little lungs could take.

In a matter of seconds, the sorceress disappeared over the horizon. Kaytsu breathlessly fell onto his hands and knees. "MOM…!" he rasped. Suddenly, he started violently rip the tall grass from its rooting and thrashing the earth as all kinds of wild noises tore through his throat.

"Woa, woa, woa! Easy, there!" Zell came up from behind him and tried to take hold of the boy, but only managed in redirecting his fury. Kay got in a few good thumps on Zell, but Zell held him close until he quelled his anger. "It's okay…" he spoke soothingly as he rocked the youngster. He felt sorry for little Kaytsu and held him tightly as he cried for him.

Quistis and Irvine came running up. Quistis briefly glanced in the direction where Rinoa flew then looked to the boy. He looked so serene while Zell rocked him. Both Irvine and Quistis noted that not a single tear had rolled down his cheek. Quistis and Irvine exchanged glances.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

What's with Kay and not crying? What? Don't look at me; I don't know.

Anyway, so Kay has no parents, he's surrounded by SeeD caretakers… what do you think's gonna happen to the boy? Find out next time in… Altered Soul. Poor Kay.