A/N: OMG, GUYS I AM SOOOOO SORRY! I know it's been a month and I really am sorry! School started and OMG it was insane, I have tons of homework every night and I'm taking three college courses, two of which I'm doing poorly in (One I'M failing.. yay… -twirls finger) Now, this chapter sucks ass… majorly… It was just so bad. Like, it's jumpy and it ends abruptly… -sighs- but I need to get it out. Plus I didn't read it over… and I've been writing it for a month, therefore its liable to be FILLED WITH ERRORS! Please don't crucify me for it! I wanted to have it out to you guys ASAP! And this was as soon as I could. This is the last Chapter… with the exception of the epilogue in the next chapter… I really appreciate all you guys! I love each and everyone one of you! –Hands out prizes- You guys rock! You make me want to update! I hope to see you all around on my other stories. I'm going to have a few coming out. I mean I already have Operation Pay Back out (look for an update soon) and I'm thinking about two more Final Fantasy X stories and maybe a FFVII story. So look out for it and I hope to see you around. And if any of you want to talk to me, my screen name and email address are on my profile page. All right. Thank you again! Toodles!
Disclaimer: Screw that. I own everything whahaha!
Adjusting to a New Life
"You know, I caught hell from Kerri when you were in the hospital," Auron said as he handed Scott a cup of coffee.
He smiled half heartily and said, "I figured as much. I sincerely apologize."
He took a seat across from his friend. "You gave us all quite a scare. Even me. I know you're sick, but regardless…"
His head fell into a downcast, his hair falling over his eyes. "I know. I didn't mean for it to happen that way. I never wanted to do that to Kerri." He sighed as he ran a hand through his hair.
"So, what is going to happen now? A visiting nurse will come and check on you three times a day or so?"
Scott nodded. "Yea. They didn't want to let me out of the hospital; however, I couldn't just sit in there. I was going crazy."
He smirked, "You never like being cooped up."
"You know me, Auron. I get claustrophobic when I'm placed in a small room. So, instead of forcing my to stay there, they are going to send a visit nurse here everyday to check on me and whatnot." He coughed a few times. "Though, I'm not really allowed to do much, I'd rather be here with my daughter than in the hospital away from her." He coughed again.
Auron looked at him curiously before slowly nodding and saying, "Completely understandable." He continued to watch Scott as he was having a coughing fit. "Scott, are you ok?"
Scott held up one hand and covered his mouth with the other as he continued to cough. When he "finished" he said, "Yea, just a part of the illness. I'll be fine…" He took a few deep breaths.
Auron raised an eyebrow at him. "Are you sure? Because I could shoot you right back to the hospital if you need to go…"
He shook his head as he coughed again. "Nonsense. I'm fine." When he finally finished coughing, he leaned back in his chairing practically gasping for air.
"Scott, that can't be a good thing. You're practically drained off all your energy," he said as he walked around the table to his friend. "Are you sure you don't want to go back to the hospital?"
He shook his head vigorously, "No! I won't go anywhere, until I at least speak with my child." He took a deep breath and braced himself as he stood. "I just need a good night's rest."
Auron took him by the arm and helped support him. "I help you upstairs," he said as the two made their way out of the kitchen.
888
It was close to 1am by the time Kerri and Tidus were coming home. The two stood at the front door, Kerri was waiting for Tidus to open the front door. "Shit…" he muttered.
Kerri crossed her arms and looked at him warily. "What do you mean 'shit'?"
"I don't have my key…" he said as he glanced at the door.
Her eyes went wide. "We were supposed to be home an hour ago. We can't knock, Auron will kill us."
"Really? Because that wasn't clear when he said, 'Be home by midnight or I'll kill you.'" He glanced at the door again. "Damn it." He stood on the doorstep trying to come up with an alternative entrance. "Maybe we could climb through a window…?"
"Which window? Our rooms our on the top floor, what window are we going to crawl though… I mean are any of 'em going to be open?"
He shrugged, "Only one way to find out." He walked off the front porch and walked around the house. They searched for an open window and finally found on in the backyard. "See! There's an open window!"
Kerri looked at the window and tried to guess what room it was from. Her eyes went wide as she said, "No good."
He looked at her confused and said, "Why?"
"That window," she pointed to it. "Goes to Auron's room…"
"Well we can't just stay out here. C'mon, Ker. You can climb through it and open the front door."
She looked at him like he was crazy before smacking him upside the head. "Are you stupid? He'd wake up and KILL ME FIRST!"
He clamped a hand over her mouth and in a harsh tone he said, "Do you want to get caught! Shut up! You're little, you can get in and whatnot. If I do it, we'll definitely get caught. Now shut up and get up there."
She glared at him and muttered numerous amounts of foul obscenities under her breath and threatened his life multiple times before she finally agreed to do it. She placed her two hands on Tidus' shoulders as she placed one foot in his cupped hands. He lifted her up and she stepped onto his shoulders.
"Shit…" she muttered as she almost fell. She leaned up against the wall of the house and peered in through the window. She looked around the room before she called back down to Tidus. "You idiot, his bed is right under the window!"
"Just shut up and climb in." He fiercely whispered back to her.
She lifted open the screen and slowly tried to get herself into the house. She was just about to enter when she heard an additional voice from below. "Can I help you?"
"HOLY SHIT!" Tidus yelled as he jumped back, letting go of Kerri.
She grabbed on tightly to the windowpane as she swung up against the wall. "Ah, Shit! That hurt you IDIOT!"
"Just what are you two doing?" the voice of Auron echoed through the darkness.
Kerri looked down at Auron and then at Tidus. Her arms hurt from the sudden jerk when Tidus decided to let go of her, but she felt safer hanging from the window then down on the floor. She smirked towards him and said, "Just hanging around…"
He looked up at her and shook his head. "You do realize it's after curfew right?"
"Err, really? I didn't know…" Tidus said taking a few steps back away from Auron.
Auron crossed his arms and glanced between the two blue-eyed teens. "Yeah, actually it's an hour after curfew. And I want you to guess how that makes me feel."
"You feel bad, that I'm hanging from a window and are going to go easy on us?" she said in a hopeful manner.
He forced a laugh from his mouth. "No… that's not quite it." He took a step towards Tidus. "Though Kerri, I must say you are in a safer environment than Tidus is."
She looked down at Tidus and Auron and she said, "Run, Tidus! Run for all you are worth!" Tidus made a break to the left, dodging past Auron's outstretched arms while Kerri pulled herself through the window.
Once she was in the house she bolted through his room, towards the stairs. She was half way up the stairs when Tidus came barreling through the front door. Together they ran up the stairs and stood at the top of the flight. "Err… go to my room, you can't get in it when it's locked, I lost the key…" Tidus said as he grabbed Kerri's hand and pulled her down the hall towards him room.
Once in there, he locked the door and just as a safety precaution he placed a chair up against the door. Kerri looked at him with a glint of anger in her eyes. "He won't be up! YOU IDIOT!"
"Hey! How was I supposed to know he'd be up? And it is your fault that we're late!"
She threw her hands in the air. "MY FAULT! HOW IS IT MY FAULT?"
"If you and Gippal weren't hiding from me, we wouldn't have been so late!" he said as he crossed his arms over his chest.
"UH, if you recall, I tapped you on the shoulder while you and Yuna were making out and I said… and I quote 'Tidus, Gippal and I will be in the car. We're waiting for you. We're not going to make it for curfew, but we won't be that late if we leave now.' And YOU waved me off saying yea yea… whatever!" she placed her hands on her hips. "We were in now way 'hiding from you!'"
His cheeks reddened slightly. "Well, excuse me."
She shrugged and threw herself on his bed. "You're excused. But if Auron comes after us tomorrow, I'm telling him it was all you."
His mouth dropped, "But I, uh… I should have left you in the hallway!"
"You know how you said you lost the key?" she smiled mischievously. He nodded slowly before she replied, "You didn't loose it; I put it someplace for safe keepings."
"Well… I have the key to your room!" he said, acting like it was some kind of accomplishment.
She narrowed her eyes at him, "I know, but you remember what happened last time you used it… correct?"
He shuddered at the memory. "Yea… how could I forget?"
She shrugged, "You forgot Gippal and I were waiting for you in the car…"
"You are never going to let me forget that are you?" She shook her head 'No'. "I should have figured as much."
They waited fifteen minutes before they unlocked the door and peered out into the hall. It was dark and there was no sound of movement. Finally, Tidus opened the door all the way and said, "I think the coast is clear. You can go to your room."
She nodded. "Alright, 'Nite, Tidus." She walked out into the hall and jogged to her room. She quietly closed her door and locked it before she walked over to her bed. Tired beyond all reasoning, she dropped down onto the bed still clothed in her Blitz ball uniform.
888
Late in the morning, Tidus woke. He sat up and stretched his arms over his head. He let out a yawn, before swinging his legs over the side of the bed. Slowly, he made his way towards the hall. Before exiting his room, he stole a glance at the mirror.
He groaned at his appearance. His left side of his hair was flat from sleeping on it, while the right side was sticking up in multiple directions. Sighing, he opened the door and entered the hallway. He made his way down the hall, and stood outside Kerri's room. "Ker," he called through the wood. "You have to get up soon… we have practice at Gippal's today…"
An unintelligible sound emitted from her room. Tidus merely shrugged it off and walked downstairs. He walked into the living room and sat down on the recliner. His eyes began to droop again, but before he could dose off, Auron came into the room.
"Nice to see you join the living again, Mr. Reina," he greeted the teen. He looked around the room and said, "Where's your partner in crime, Ms. Muratore?"
Tidus pointed up and said, "Sleeping…"
"Ok, well I will wait for her to wake before we have our little discussion," he told him before walking out of the room.
Tidus brought his hands to his face and let out a considerably loud groan. 'Just what I need first thing in the morning… a lecture…'
About a half hour passed before little Muratore graced everyone with her presence. She sauntered into the living room and spread out across the couch. She was lying on her stomach, with her head buried in her arms.
Tidus glanced at her and laughed, which caused her to pop her head up. She looked at him and harshly said, "What!"
He snickered and said, "Nice hair…"
Her hair had been in a ponytail before she fell asleep, but with all the twisting in the bed, the hair was failing out and was all disheveled. Actually, truth be told, a majority of the hair was out of the schrunchy. It hung down over her face and some of it was sticking up. She rolled her eyes and said, "Bite me," before dropping her head back into her arms.
A few minutes of silence passed before Auron walked into the room. "Oh, good afternoon, Ms. Muratore. How kind of you to join us."
She brought her left arm over her head and waved his comment off with her right arm. "Yea… whatever…"
"Now, I let you get in the house, and sleep undisturbed, but now Tidus, Kerri, we need to talk about your actions last night," he said as he glanced between the two teens.
Kerri groaned loudly, covering her head with both her hands. Auron glanced at her and said, "And, Kerri, I would like it if you sat up."
Reluctantly, she sat back and glared at him. But it didn't seem to faze him all that much. He just went straight into their lecture. About 45 minutes and about 15 additional chores for the next months, the two teens were dismissed and returning back to their rooms.
The adolescents quickly showered and got ready to go to Gippal's house, to practice for the show the following week. When they finished, they ran out the front door and sped off to Gippal's house.
888
A thousand songs later, a strained voice, and a few cramped hands later, the 4 of them dropped down onto the couch for a break. Kerri took her bottle of water and chugged half of it. She wiped her mouth with the back of her arm and said, "Can we stop? I mean we have to go to mass anyway."
Tidus flexed his hand to stretch the muscles that were cramped from continuously playing the guitar. "Yea, I guess we're done for today."
"Great!" Kerri said with a smile. "Because, truthfully, I wasn't really asking. I was done regardless of what you said."
"Alright. But we have to practice some more during the week," he added before he stood to put his guitar away.
Gippal and Kerri's smiles faded from their faces as they quickly turned and glared at Tidus. "What!" they exclaimed at the same time. "Tidus, do you want me to have no voice for Friday night?" Kerri asked as she firmly planted her hands on her hips.
The blue-eyed blond looked up from his guitar with a smirk and a hint of mischief glistening in his eyes. "Hm… you with no voice… there is a Yevon!" he exclaimed as he threw his hands up in a false praise.
He eyes narrowed as she glared at him. "If you like your tresses, Goldie locks, I suggest you stop talking now."
Tidus ran a hand through his hair before shutting his mouth tightly. Baralai chuckled softly at the two "siblings" as he packed up his own things. Gippal walked over to him and patted his back. "Thanks for help out so last minute, B. We just thought it would have more of an effect if I wasn't playing the bass guitar and singing."
Baralai lifted the bag containing the instrument and hung it over his shoulder. "Not a problem."
Kerri sighed and rose from the couch. She stretched out her arms and said, "C'mon, Ti. Auron will have a shit fit if we're late… again."
Tidus shuddered involuntarily before picking up the guitar and saying, "You're right. Let's go." He waved his left hand, "See you guys around."
888
After Kerri and Tidus had gotten home, they each sprinted towards their room to get ready to attend mass at the temple. Once they were done, the two teens along with Auron and Scott piled into Auron's truck. The ride was surprisingly quiet, so Auron glanced in the rearview mirror and said, "How is the practice coming alone?"
"Alright," Kerri responded, "Tidus has become some kind of control freak, but…"
"If Kerri hadn't become so lazy, I wouldn't have to be," Tidus added in.
She jerked her head in his direction, "I am not lazy. You just think we can go on for hours without a break. And I'm sorry, but my vocal chords can't handle that."
"Alright, you two," Scott called from the passenger seat. "Ya know, if I didn't know better, I would swear you two were brother and sister the way you carry on like that."
Auron let sigh escape his lips. "Could you imagine having to have dealt with that for seventeen years?"
"I resent that!" the two 17 year old shouted in unison.
After some more arguing the 'family' finally pulled up to the temple. Kerri was lagging behind the other three men. Just as she was about to enter the temple, a cold hand grabbed her arm. Instinctively, she immediately jerked away from him. She spun around and glared at him. "What do you want, Seymour?"
He frowned as he placed an arm around a girl. The girl was about the same age as Kerri, long dark brown hair and deep chocolate colored eyes. She had a condescending smile on her lips as she looked at Kerri with disdain. Kerri recognized her as Serena, the girl that sat behind her in magic.
"I just wanted you to meet my girlfriend, Serena," he said with a smug expression on his features.
Kerri smiled broadly as she patted both Serena and Seymour on the shoulder, "It's nice to see you finally got a girlfriend, Seymour. Wish you all the luck." Then without missing a beat, she turned on her heels and entered into the church.
She walked over to where her 'family' was seated. Tidus looked at her curiously, "Where'd ya go?"
"Seymour wanted to talk to me," she smiled as Tidus expression clearly read anger. "I've been cut from his list…"
888
The week had gone by at an unreasonably slow pace. It was early Friday afternoon and Kerri and Scott had gone out for lunch. "This was nice, Dad."
He smiled as he retrieved his wallet to pay for the lunch. "Yes, it was." After leaving a tip for the waitress he stood from the table and asked, "How'd ya like to take a walk with your old man?"
She smiled broadly, "I'd love to."
He held out his arm, and escorted her out of the diner. They spent the entire after noon together, reminiscing and enjoying each other's company. As they were walking through the park, they came across a bench. Scott motioned to it and said, "Can we sit for a while?"
The adolescent nodded. "Not a problem."
As they sat there, Scott took a few deep breaths and studied Kerri face intently. He sighed and took her hand in his own. "You know, not many others see it, but I see your mother in you."
She half smiled, "Yea, but I look just like you."
"While I was here, I never once went a day without thinking about you and your mother." She smiled as she squeezed her father's hand. "I was wondering, Ker, how's your friend Dave?"
The smile vanished from her features and he head fell into a down cast. "He passed away…"
"Oh, Ker…" he pulled her into a tight embrace. "I'm sorry. I had no idea. Were you ok after that? I know you two were best friends."
She sighed sorrowfully. "It isn't something I want to talk about. It was bad… and we'll leave it at that… ok?"
He ran a hand over his daughter's hair before kissing the top of her head. "Alright, sweetheart." He paused and sighed softly before saying, "I know this isn't something you want to discuss, but… when I go… you still want to live with Auron and Tidus, correct?"
She sighed again and pulled out of his hug. "You're right. I don't want to discuss this. But yeah, I want to stay with grumpy and bubble butt."
He laughed softly. "Alright." He stood and offered her his arm. "Let's head home, Ker." She nodded, took his arm, and together they walked back home.
888
After a few hours of prepping, it was finally time fro Kerri and Tidus to head down to the school to prep for the show. Kerri was impatiently tapping her foot as she waited for Tidus to come out of his room so they could leave.
Kerri's hair was pin straight and half pulled back, with her bands left to cover the left side of her face. She was wearing a black shredded skirt with a pair of fishnet stockings. She had on a pair of four inch heeled boots, with crimson shoelaces that tied up the front. She had on a red tank top on with a black cover up that fell precariously off the shoulders. Around her waist were three chain link belts. She had on a black choker with a crimson heart shaped emblem around her neck.
"Finally…" Kerri complained as Tidus finally came out of his room. He was wearing a pair of jeans that were ripped along the bottom, with a crimson colored, button up collared shirt. He left the shirt unbuttoned and the collar was popped. Kerri smirked, "Well, Mr. Reina, this is a new look for you."
He shrugged and looked Kerri over, "You're one to talk, Muratore."
She laughed and looked herself over. "I know, talk about different…"
"Well, don't get used to it because I won't let you leave the house in that again…" Scott said with a smile as he entered the hallway.
Auron followed in closely behind him and stopped dead in his tracks when he saw the two teens. "Are you sure these two are ours?"
Kerri shook her head, "Nope, actually, I kidnapped the real Kerri and am holding her against her will forcing her to watch the Boobahs, over and over and over again!" She threw her head back and laughed evilly, only to receive strange looks from everyone but Scott who laughed. She shook her head, "Nevermind…"
888
A thousand pictures and 60 minutes later, the show had finally started. Everyone was in an overly large classroom up until they had to perform. Tidus and Baralai were checking the string on their instruments while Wakka twirled his drumsticks and Kerri and Gippal were playing slaps, she was winning. Since they were the closing act, they basically sat in the classroom, trying to figure out ways to entertain themselves.
"Guys, if we have to watch another imbecile try to pull a chocobo out of a hat, I'm going to go out on stage and stab that person…" Kerri said as she resisted the urge to bash her head on the desk.
"Hey, Ker, no need to worry, this just sets up what an awesome act we'll have," Gippal said as he placed his hand under her chin lifting her head to gaze into her eyes. She half smiled and he kissed her nose. "It'll be great."
"Alright, I gue…" she stopped mid sentence as another self proclaimed magician walked out onto the stage.
Her right eye twitched slightly as the boy said, "And Now, I will pull a chocobo out of my hat…"
She shook her head and walked towards the door. "Oh that's it… It's stabbing time…"
Tidus and Gippal exchanged a glance before they both took off running after her. Ten minutes later, Kerri was back in the classroom, and the two blond boys were keeping a close eye on her. She shrugged, "Not like I had anything to stab him with…"
Gippal watched her carefully, "No but maybe you'd pull one out of his hat…"
She narrowed her eyes, "Funny…"
888
Now if half the audience wasn't asleep, they sure as hell weren't paying attention to what was going on. It was finally time for them to take the stage. They excitedly set up and took their places on the stage. Kerri knelt on the right of the stage with her bangs concealing her face, Gippal was on the left side of the stage, and the other three were set up with their instruments in the back of the center of the stage.
(A/N: anything bolded is Gippal singing)
The entire stage was dark when Tidus, Baralai, and Wakka began to play the music. It started out softly and a light shone on Kerri. She was looking at the floor as she began to sing,
"How can you see into my eyes
like open doors
Leading you down into my core
where I've become so numb
Without a soul my spirit's sleeping somewhere cold
Until you find it there and lead it back" and on perfect cue she lifted her head and gazed out into the crowd as she sang "home"
With the saying of that word, the whole stage lit up and Gippal shouted out to her "Wake me up…"
She slowly rose to her feet as she said back in response, "Wake me up inside…"
He looked down at the floor as he sang, "I can't wake up…"
She took a few steps closer to him as she softly sang, "Wake me up inside."
By this time she had reached him and he looked at her and pleaded in the song, "Save me…"
She placed her hand on his cheek and sang, "Call my name and save me from the dark…"
He took a step back from her as he shouted out in the song, "Wake me up…"
"Bid my blood to run…" she sang as she took another step towards him.
He placed his hands on her cheeks as he sang, "I can't wake up…"
She looked down at the stage as she sang, "Before I come undone…"
He grabbed her chin and brought her gaze to his face, "Save me…"
She grabbed his hands and pulled them away from her face, "Save me from the nothing I've become…"
He took a few steps back from her as the music played in the background. She quickly followed him and tugged at his shirt as she sang;
"Now that I know what I'm without
You can't just leave me
Breathe into me and make me real
Bring me to life"
After that, they broke out into the chorus once more, repeating the same actions they did the first time.
"Wake me up
Wake me up inside
I can't wake up
Wake me up inside
Save me
Call my name and save me from the dark
Wake me up
Bid my blood to run
I can't wake up
Before I come undone
Save me
Save me from the nothing I've become"
She looked up into his emerald eyes as she sang out in almost a whisper, "Bring me to life"
He pushed the hair back over her shoulder as he sang back to her,
"I've been living a lie
There's nothing inside"
He pulled her into an embrace as she quietly sang "Bring me to life…" She slowly pulled out of his embrace as she started to sing again
"Frozen inside without your touch,
without your love, darling
Only you are the life among the dead"
Gippal quickly moved to her and grabbed her arms as he looked into her eyes and sand, "All this time I can't believe I couldn't see
Kept in the dark but you were there in front of me"
She slowly sunk towards the stage as she sang out,
"I've been sleeping a thousand years it seems
Got to open my eyes to everything"
Gippal held her hand and looked down at her.
"Without a thought, without a voice
without a soul"
She brought her gazed up to him, "Don't let me die here"
He took a knee besides her as he sang, "There must be something more"
She tilted her head back as she sang out loud, "Bring me to life"
They chorus came into play once more, and they did the same act again.
"(Wake me up)
Wake me up inside
(I can't wake up)
Wake me up inside
(Save me)
Call my name and save me from the dark
(Wake me up)
Bid my blood to run
(I can't wake up)
Before I come undone
(Save me)
Save me from the nothing I've become"
The music softened as the end of the song was coming. Kerri was sitting on the floor and looking away from Gippal towards the crowd as she sang and as he sang he pulled her into an embrace.
"(Bring me to life)
I've been living a lie
There's nothing inside
Bring me to life
Bring me to life"
The song ended and the lights went off. The crowd gave them a standing ovation. They lights in the entire auditorium went on and the gang had moved to the front of the stage and took their bows. After being ushered off the stage, Kerri glomped Gippal. "We rocked!"
He smirked, "Hey I was in it, you'd expect less?"
She took a step back and smacked his arm. "You're an idiot…" She was going to congratulate Baralai and Wakka, but Tidus run up to her, lifted her over his shoulder and started spinning. "WE WERE AWESOME!"
888
After the boring ending speech made by the principal, all the kids went out to meet their families. Kerri and Tidus ran over to Auron and Scott. "Ok, tell us, we were great…" Tidus said with a smirk.
Auron nodded, "I must admit, that was exceptional."
Scott smiled wearily, "You guys were spectacular. Especially you, Ker, I didn't know you could sing like that…"
She shrugged, "I'm not that good…"
He placed a hand on her shoulder, "Of course yo…" he stopped and took a few deep breaths. "You ar…" he started coughing. He turned away from her and started coughing more violently.
Kerri's eyes were wide with horror. "Dad!" she shrieked.
Auron and Tidus glanced at Scott. Auron threw his keys at Tidus. "Get my car, now." Tidus nodded and ran towards Auron's truck. Kerri stood there watching Auron trying to soothe her father.
She remained motionless as she watched Auron, help Scott into his car. Auron shot Tidus a glance, "You take him to the hospital, and I'll drive Kerri in her car."
Tidus nodded before speeding off to the hospital. Kerri's mouth was agape and her mind not with her, as Auron took her keys from her and got her in the car. Actually by the time she realized what was going on, she was in the ER waiting room not quite sure how exactly she got there.
A plump nurse that looked to be about the age of 45 came out. Her brown haired tied back tightly, and a pair of spectacles rested at the end of her nose. She looked over Kerri and Tidus who were still dressed from the show with disdain. "He's in a room, but I'm not going to sugarcoat it… it doesn't look good."
Tidus glared at her, "Well aren't you Ms. Happiness." He took Kerri by the hand and walked with her down the hall to her father's room. He was lying on a bed, with multiple tubes going in and out of his. He was hooked up to numerous amounts of machines and his eyes were closed.
Kerri's vision blurred with tears as she walked over to the bed. She down besides the bed and held her father's hand. She didn't say anything just looked at him. Auron placed a hand on Tidus' shoulder and ushered him into the hallway.
Kerri looked at her father with tears in her eyes. "Dad, I love you so much. Please don't leave me again…"
She sat there in silence for a few moments, before she heard him sigh. She looked up at him with a hopeful expression. Slowly, his blue eyes opened. She smiled, "Daddy!"
He smiled at her, "Sweetheart…."
"Daddy, I love you… please… please don't leave me…" she choked out, as she held back her tears.
He gave a gentle squeeze to her hand, "I'll never leave you. I'll always be with you, no matter what happens…"
She shook her head. "No. I want you with me in a physical sense."
He closed his eyes momentarily, before opening them again. "I can't always do that…"
"But it's not fair," she cried out as she squeezed his hand tightly. "I lost you once already, I don't want to loose you again!"
"I know, but I need you to be strong… I'm not saying don't cry… but don't waste your life…" he sighed heavily. "I'll always be in your heart, Ker."
She blinked back tears, "But… Daddy!" She kissed his hand. "You can't leave!"
"Kerri, please… I love you… I wouldn't go… if I didn't have too, but…" he took another deep breath. "Please don't close everyone out. They care about you too…"
"But what if I don't want to be cared about by anyone else?" she asked stubbornly. 'What am I doing? I'm being so stupid…but still… I don't want him to go…'
"Then do it for me… please? I love you," he looked down at his daughter. "I want you to go on, be happy… it's ok." He closed his eyes. "Promise me."
She swallowed hard before she choked out a response, "Ok, Dad. For you... But only for you, and I love you too…"
He squeezed her hand gently. "Thank you…" was the last thing he said to her before he slipped into unconsciousness.
She sat in silence watching her father's form for a good two hours, because the heart monitor stopped beeping and let out a shrill sound and the line went straight. She released his hand and brushed his hair out of his face. She kissed his cheek and whispered, "I love you, daddy…" before she walked out of the room.
She walked out into the hallway, a solemn expression on her face. Tidus didn't even ask what was wrong, he immediately jumped up and ran over to her and pulled her into a hug. "I'm sorry, Ker." She wrapped her arms around his waist, and buried her face in his chest and didn't say anything. Tidus ran his hand over her hair, "I'm here for ya, Ker."
"Kerri?" Auron said to gain her attention.
She pulled away from Tidus and looked at the older man. Her eyes were slightly red from beginning to cry. She immediately ran at Auron and wrapped her arms around him, "Why, Auron?"
He sighed and returned the gesture. "I don't know, Ker. But he's ok now… and that's what matters." He looked over to Tidus who looked upset as well, he grabbed the blonde's arm and pulled him over into the hug as well. "Don't worry kids, everything will be ok… we'll be ok."
888
A few days had passed and it was the time for the burial. Everyone had gathered to give condolences to Scott's 'family'. The day itself reflected everyone's mood, dreary. It was dark and cloudy out, and looked as if it may storm at any given moment.
Kerri, Tidus and Auron were standing up towards the front of the crowd as the priest read Scott's last rights. Tidus had his arm around Kerri who was crying silently into his jacket. Tidus wiped at his face as a few tears cascaded down his cheeks. Auron stood solemnly next to the two keeping a deadpan expression.
"May you rest in piece for all eternity with Yevon, Scott Muratore. And may the loved ones you have left behind not forget the happy, loving moments you all shared…" the priest said to conclude the rights.
Slowly they lowered the coffin into the ground. Kerri and Tidus sent one last glance at the hole before walking away. Once in the limo, Kerri groaned mentally, she was going to have to entertain people. Auron had, reluctantly, invited the people who came to the burial back to the house. The last thing Kerri wanted to do was to entertain people. She wanted to be alone, preferably crawl into a hole and die, but she wouldn't do that, she promised her father she wouldn't and she would keep that promise.
Later that day, after greeting most the people, Kerri snuck out of the house and walked down to the beach. She thought of all the things that had occurred over her lifetime. She sighed heavily and gazed at the water.
Things had changed drastically when she had gotten to Spira. Her life was turned upside down, not in a necessarily bad way, but changed drastically nonetheless. She sighed heavily before plopping herself down into the sand. She leaned back and gazed at the sky. The clouds had begun to disperse and the sun was breaking through, slowly but surely.
"Kerri!" a voice called out.
"Well… this is my new life," she sat up and gazed back towards Gippal and gave him a slight wave, "And I'm going to have to learn to adjust..."
THE END
A/N: This is the last chapter and sometime soon, hopefully, I will post up an epilogue. Sorry if it was crappy… but, just… school… wow… -cringes- I just want to thank anyone and everyone who has reviewed and to know that I will not be gone, I have another story and I will have more, too many idea running around in my head to not doing anything with them. Well onto the thank you!
Thanks:
Leah: Yea losta people like the whole Paine video thing too. There will be one more "chapter" after this and it's not really a chapter…. Mm pizza…. Okies well now I'm hungry, hope ya liked this! Toodles!
Akiraine of Gia – Dingoes are awesome! Do not insult the dingoes! Lol and maybe I will visit New Zealand –shrugs- who knows. Maybe one day when I'm a famous person I'll travel the world! Lol, hope you liked this chapter!
loveable-M- lol yea, everyone loves the bubble butt thing. Hope you liked this chapter too.
Reyavie – heyyy girl! You're crazy… I say that like I'm not… er.. well I don't know what else to say.. so uh –hands over Squall- here you go!
SLy – er.. well next 'chapter' will be the epilogue and then its done. Sooo, yea. I know, It's been pretty much a year since I began this story and its finally over .. so sad… But I won't be gone, still have OPB and I'll have others!
Krystall Trensk – I'm glad you like the chapterrr yay! –feels cool- sorry this is such a crappy thank you, I'm just soooo tired… -yawn-
Arisu – well I am soo happy you liked my story. I'm sorry if this chapter was a bit disappointing. I was just so pressed for time. –pouts- I tried! And I know what that's like I'm taking AP Bio –cringes- lol
Chaka the Chopstick Ninja- heh everyone liked the video! Lol I don't even remember the last chapter –goes to read it- No wait must finish thanks you.. so uh.. Thanks! Talk to ya laterss
DarkFairyWarrior – well it's pretty much done, with the exception of the epilogue, but I'll have plenty of other insanity in my other stories I'll be writing and there is a lot of fighting in Operation PayBack go read it! Lol
emmy-miester – long time no see! Hey! I'm glad you reviewed! I hope you like this chapter… well.. uh toodles!
Serah- well I'm glad you liked it, but Kerri won't be getting kidnapped by Seymour- she's been cut from the list –throws party- lol I have another story, OPB its awesome! I think so anyway but eh that's ok!