Saints Row: Bullet to the Heart

Untitled Part 103

~*The Church, Mission Beach.*~

The turnout, however, was more than that. Dressed in white, mourners gathered. They hooked speakers up for the service that poured out into the streets.

When Gat and Ky arrived, the massive crowd parted. The service was supposed to be small. Close friends and Aisha's immediate family only.

"Guess they love her too." Gat grinned.

Ky smiled with a shake of her head. "When I feel things should be quiet, you go big."

"You know me. Ain't nothing small about me." Johnny smiled. Kyouki smiled with a laugh.

At the church they sat, the family, recalling all of her accomplishments and her life. There were laughs. Ky held Johnny's hand the whole time. She could feel him in a death grip, or she was. They were both a collected mess.

His jaw was tight. He sat stoically still. Ky had to keep her cool, icy demeanor. There were tears, as with most services, even with the service going beautifully. With a deep ragged breath, she mentally prepared. On the program, the music of choice was to be sung by Songbird, one of Ish's favorites. I Sing Because I'm Happy.

Kyouki looked at the coffin, standing excused herself quietly, placing her hand on it and the music was low enough for everyone to hear, and Ky began.

"~...Why should I feel discouraged... Why should the shadows come... Why should my heart feel lonely... And long for heaven and home... When Jesus is my portion...~"

A video screen played above the altar. It was when Aisha and Ky both were singing the very song Ky is singing alone now. Johnny put his head in his hands and cried. It was the first song they sang together. People had brought old videos of the pair back when she was still new to the Saints. But it was no longer a duet. Ky had her back turned. They didn't know she was singing until her voice broke. Kyouki poured every ounce of love and heart into the start of the song.

Ky stopped. They could hear her sniffle. "This is my best friend. Who is here with us, watching over us, every one of us, just as she always did." as she was watching other videos play on the monitor.

Shaundi placed a hand on Johnny's shoulder, rubbing, hoping to help ease his pain. Troy bravely patted his left shoulder. Kyouki turned around her hands, never leaving the coffin. She had tears pooling in her eyes. "I went through countless times what I would say, do. And I got nothing. The only woman who shares my last name, not related, was my sister, and I'm an only child." They all wept and chuckled.

There were no words. Ky's head went down, covering her mouth.

"Take your time. It'll be alright." Some called, knowing how much it hurts to speak.

"My best friend who I will never get to hug, laugh with, drink horrible coffee with, sing with, physically. But I know she's here." Ky took a deep breath and chuckled. "Ya know, we talked about this before. The hardest part was being there, having her in my arms... She didn't regret saving my life." Her nails dug into her palms. Going to take a step, her legs felt rooted. She stumbled. Troy and Johnny went to catch her, but Ky held up her hand. She walked to the front of the coffin. "Noel is being spoiled by the woman who, despite the language barrier, always treated Ish as family." Looking down at Aisha, she looked like she was asleep. "Not funny, Noel, making me sing at your funeral. You look so beautiful, Noel... sleep well." She placed a kiss on Aisha's forehead. "I called her Noel when she needed a new persona. Noel isn't a name, see. We had changed her entire image. Her code name, Noel, stood for No Other Elegant Lady." Ky chuckled. "There'll never be anyone like her. For that, I'm grateful. Because of the time I did have with The Aisha, is irreplaceable. And the reason why I sing. Thank you for everything. I got you. Like you had me. I'll see you when I get there." Kyouki went back to her seat.