Epilogue

It's been two years since Ari disappeared. My life has pretty much returned to normal, or as close to normal as my life can ever be again. After everything that happened, Roxas ended up rejoining with Sora. Meaning he became a part of him, so he's still alive but…contained? I don't know. I still don't get Nobodies.

Axel returned to Radiant Garden, his other's homeworld. Speaking of which, all the other prisoners made it back to their homes, too. Axel chose not to rejoin with his other, though. I guess he just wants to be free. And he realized he doesn't need a heart for that.

As for me, well…I stayed in Radiant Garden for awhile. I found a place to live and a steady job. Axel and I have been helping each other along and stuff. But I think it's time for me to go home. I haven't seen my parents in four years. I guess I wasn't ready to go back. I don't know what they'll think or say, but I have to go home. And I want to.

Axel found a gummi pilot who could take me back to my homeworld. I thanked him, wished him luck, and we said our good-byes. I watched the waving redhead become smaller and smaller until he vanished, the ship reaching great height. Then we were in interspace and I marveled at the stars, worlds, and galaxies. After about an hour, we arrived at our destination.

I thanked the pilot greatly, but he wouldn't accept the munny I offered him. He said Axel had already paid him. Then, for the first time since that night four years ago, I stepped out into the town.

I took a deep inhale, savoring the sharp tart air. It was cool, but not unbearably cold. I began to walk. I passed all the old shops and cafés that I knew so well, memories flooding back to me. I entered the park, smiling at the trees that had shaded me my whole life. I ran my hand along the coarse wooden planks of the bench Jade, Ryli, and I had sat on every afternoon.

I continued into the park, wandering its path, not worrying about anything. Just remembering. No other place could be home to me like this world was. The path I was on slowly snaked through a thicket of trees that eventually became a forest. I kept walking. The woods were peaceful and quiet. No sign or trace of any humans, just trees and the quiet chirp of birds soaring above.

The woods slowly thinned and the path ended, coming to a cliff overlooking a marvelous river. This had always been my favorite getaway. I came here whenever I needed to be alone. I stepped toward the edge of the cliff, looking out over the water. A slight breeze blew through my hair and brushed against my cheek. A sense of wholeness and content settled inside me.

"Come here often?" came a voice from behind. I jumped in shock, not having heard anyone and startled by the sudden break in silence. I quickly turned to see a tall boy who looked to be about sixteen. "Sorry, didn't mean to scare you!" he apologized.

"No, it's OK," Kyra shook her head. "Just didn't expect anyone to come here, that's all."

"Me neither," he chuckled. "What are you doing out here anyway?"

"Hmm…kinda just visiting. I used to come out here all the time just to be alone."

He smiled, then took a small blue flower out of his jacket and walked over to a small rock that was in the grass nearby. He set the flower down in a ring of other flowers of all shapes and colors that surrounded the stone. Then he took a deep breath, staring at it, a look of deep thought on his eyes.

"What's that?" I wondered.

"Oh, this? Just a…memorial, I guess. It's for my brother. He was killed about four years ago, along with a few other friends of his. It was tough."

"Ryli…" I murmured under my breath. The boy looked up, surprised.

"Yeah, Ryli! You knew him?"

"Yeah, he was one of my best friends. Jade was, too. The other girl."

The kid's eyes widened instantly. "Y-you're Kyra!"

"Uh, yeah…" I laughed awkwardly. "Um, have we met?"

"I'm Jay. Ryli used to hang out with you all the time! And you disappeared too…everyone thought you were all dead. We thought something terrible happened when you were together one night."

"Well, it did. They were both killed, Jade and Ryli. And I ran away. I didn't know what to do or even think."

"Oh, I'm sorry," Jay lowered his head. "You should've come to me. I would've been there for you."

Kyra smiled to herself. He was just like Ryli, always trying to help everyone out, always putting others first. I could tell he was hurting, though. His head still hung, eyes fixed on the ground.

"Man, Ryli…" he whispered so quietly that I wouldn't have heard him if it weren't completely silent.

"Hey, I'm sorry." I put a hand on his shoulder.

"I-it's OK," he sniffed, forcing a smile. "Hey, do your parents know you're back yet? Does anyone know you're back?"

"Uh, not yet," I laughed, scratching my head. "I just wanted to see the woods ag-!" Before I could finish, he had grabbed my hand and started yanking me back toward the town. He was beaming, and I had to sprint just to keep from being dragged behind. I felt my excitement swell as we got closer. It had been so long!

Soon, we were barreling through the streets, Jay screaming, "Kyra's back everyone!", making a huge scene as everyone turned in confusion. I doubted any of them knew me or remembered me, but Jay's enthusiasm was contagious. Soon I was yelling along with him, hurtling through crowds of people, "I'm back! I'm back!" We both laughed as we ran, heading toward my house.

Everyone we passed stared and I usually would have felt self-conscious, but at this point, I could care less what they thought. Finally, I could see my house. In front, my mom was stooped over, gardening. My dad was doing yardwork.

"Mom! Dad!" I cried in joy. They turned, squinting, trying to see who it was. I was way ahead of Jay at this point, beaming and running faster than I ever had before. They slowly walked forward, not sure they were really seeing who they thought they were. Then, they too started running, yelling my name.

"Kyra!" We met, me throwing myself into their arms, them hugging me tightly and crying in joy. I sobbed, wrapping my arms around them. They didn't ask for an explanation. They just held me close, happy that I was alive and well. Jay watched from a distance, smiling. As I reunited with my family, I felt Jade, Ryli, and Ari in my heart, too.

"You're home, Kyra. You're home," my parents kept saying.

I smiled as I thought to myself, No. We're home.

Well, there you have it! That's Nobody's Friend! Tell me what you thought of the ending, I'm open to all comments, both good and bad. Thanks again to everyone who read and to The Infiniator and organization13girl for reviewing frequently! Hope you enjoyed:)