The great stag, keeper and guider of souls, approached the lonesome whitetail. "Why have you not passed on?"
Sky glanced up, shrugging, "I guess I’m just not ready," He answered evasively.
"You are afraid?"
Sky frowned. "Maybe...just a little. I’m more afraid of what lies beyond. Where will my life go from there? I’ve been dead all this time yet...I never felt like it."
The stag lowered himself to the earth, looking at him with mixed curiosity and concern. Truthfully, he had grown a bit attached to the young whitetail in the time he had been here. He felt compelled to help. He had a nagging feeling that the whitetail was hiding something, as well. "Death is not the ending," The stag said thoughtfully, "Some choose to be reborn, in another place and time."
Sky looked up, hope flashing across his face for just a moment before it died and he glanced away. "I’d...like that but...Cloud is tied to me. When I saved him all those years ago...I..." He trailed off and the stag knew then just what it was that kept the whitetail there.
"You gave him a part of your soul to keep him alive."
Sky nodded slowly, "I'm afraid of what would happen if I crossed over without him."
The stag sighed and looked off into the distance silently, mulling over the young buck's words. Finally, he broke the silence, "If you crossed over he would die. He should have died those years ago, as was destined. The part of you that gave him is the only thing keeping him alive now. If you crossed now it would leave with you. He is living on borrowed time...the time that you gave him."
Sky's shoulders slumped, it was just as he had feared, "Then what should I do?"
"Speak to him. I trust that he does not know of this, it is time that you told him," The stag paused, "And perhaps you will reach a decision."
The whitetail stood, gazing away into the distance. The next rainfall, he would speak to his brother and reveal his secret. "I'll do it," He muttered.

It was raining again. Cloud sat under his favorite tree in the birch, watching the droplets fall from the sky like tears. The rain held a nostalgic sadness for him, it was a sign of life for many but to him it only brought pain and a feeling of melancholy.
A black tipped ear flicked back instinctively and Cloud smiled solemnly, "Hello, Sky."
His brother settled next to him, his body was solid like any other deer's but it felt…different; strangely cold and hollow. It was a reminder of his past. Even if he had been forgiven, the guilt refused to leave. It would not leave until Cloud knew that his brother could move on and rest, something he should have done long ago...so why hadn't he?
"Cloud...there's something I need to tell you," Sky spoke, his voice but a murmur above the whispering rain.
"Mh?"
Sky shifted, his robin's egg blue eyes half-closed, "There's a reason I haven't passed on. I should have told you from the beginning...but I was afraid."
Cloud frowned and nuzzled his brother encouragingly, "There's no reason to be scared. Tell me."
Sky took a breath and started from the beginning;
"Cloud...all those years ago, when I died, I saved you. When you collapsed, you were dying. You would have died but...I couldn't let you. It tore me apart to see you suffering. I...I gave you a piece of my own soul to sustain you. I didn't think much of it and I probably should have.
You see, you're tied to me now. If I pass on, the piece of my soul I gave to you will go with me and...you will die. You are only living on the time that I gave you; borrowed time."
He concluded his tale and fell into silence, waiting for a reaction.
For a long while, Cloud could only stare into the rain. Slowly, his brain processed all that he had been told. Slowly, he realized what it all meant. The only way his brother would find rest would be if he died.
"This was unexpected," Cloud muttered finally after the long silence broken only by the falling rain.
Sky's ears drooped. "I'm sorry," He mumbled.
"For what?"
"For doing this. I should have just..." The younger whitetail trailed off, looking away.
"Sky, it's not your fault. You didn't know this would happen. I would have done the same."
"It's just not fair! I meant to save you...not this!" Sky cried, "This was the last thing I wanted."
Cloud sighed and nuzzled his brother comfortingly, "It's okay. I think...it's time both of us rested."
Sky pulled away, his eyes widening, "Cloud..."
"I'm tired, Sky. I feel like I've lived for an eternity. Everyone else has moved on with their lives and I'm stuck in a never ending limbo," The gray whitetail sighed, a longing, tired sound, "My time here is done."
Sky blinked and nodded slowly, "How long do you want?"
"Give me...twelve days."

The days passed. One by one, Cloud approached those he had grown closest to, those he had cared for, and to each one he explained his situation, the choice he had made and said his final good byes;

Virgil
I'm sorry that I didn't visit with you much. I don't know why...I guess I just felt a bit like a burden. Ha...I really am sorry. You're still a friend to me, I hope you'll think of me the same way. I won't forget you, that's for sure. Stay strong.

Raimundo
Buddy...I'll miss our goofing off. You always were able to cheer me up even when I was in my lowest point. I hope you won't forget me. Maybe I'll see you again someday...

Iaurdagnire
I have to admit, you intimidated me at first. You always were such a gentle giant, though, and so wise. I looked up to you a lot, respected you…and I’m glad that I got to know you, I couldn't have asked for a better friend.

Kaoori
I know we only met a few times...most of the time in not so great of circumstances. You are a strong and beautiful doe, Wesker should be proud to have you as his mate. I hope the best for you and I'll miss you.

Amadahy
Ah Ama...I can't even begin to find words. You were the one I could relate with. You and I...we had a lot in common. I’ll miss you...a lot...but I want to thank you for being a friend to me. I'm grateful for the time we spent together.

Aeis
It was a pleasure getting to know you. I remember the day I met you like it was yesterday...I don't think I've ever been nuzzled quite that much in one day. I wish we could have spent more time together but...I guess that’s just how life goes.

His farewells done, the whitetail retreated to his favorite tree. There was one last thing he wanted to do. Lowering his head, the buck drove a tine into the bark. Slowly, meticulously, he carved a likeness of his pictogram into the bark. He stepped back, admiring his work, before settling down at its base to quietly watch the forest life pass around him.

Twelve days had passed. Cloud sat beneath his favorite tree in the birch, quietly watching. His ears flicked back as he heard the sound of an approaching deer. He turned his head, smiling as he saw his brother materialize and sit next to him.
Sky, however, did not return the smile. His face was solemn and melancholy.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" He asked.
Cloud nodded silently.
The younger whitetail sighed, knowing there was no way he could deter his brother when he had made a decision. He reached over and nuzzled the elder whitetail, "This isn't going to hurt. It will be just like falling asleep."
Cloud nodded, "I'm ready."
Sky suddenly faded from view, leaving him completely alone. Cloud closed his eyes and waited. Within moments, he could feel a strange tugging sensation. Weariness settled over him and he swayed, trying to fight it at first. Then, slowly ever so slowly, he let it over take him. The gray whitetail laid his head on the earth and lost himself to sleep.
His sides rose once...twice...and then he lay still.

Cloud awoke as though from a dream in a shadowy forest. He lurched to his hooves, looking around his new surroundings in curiosity. Was this what the other side looked like?
"So I see you are here."
The gray whitetail turned his head and saw a great stag looming over him. "Your brother has gone on ahead. He is waiting for you now."
Cloud blinked, "So this...?"
"Is not the afterlife. It is but a place between life and death, a highway of sorts you could say."
"What's on the other side?"
The ghost of a smile crossed the great stag's face, "That is for you to find out...if you dare take the first step toward it."
The whitetail hesitated, for a moment he wondered what would lie before him. Taking a breath, Cloud nodded, more to himself than to anyone else, and took the first step toward his new life...where ever it may be. The great stag watched him go, knowing he would not have to lead that soul. He watched the gray whitetail fade into the distance until the dark trees swallowed his form.
His job done, he turned and strode away into the darkness.

It was a calm, peaceful day. The sun was out and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky, the rays reflected off the smooth surface of the pond. The birds chirping and the sound of the ripples breaking against the shore intermingled in a soothing lullaby. Sprawled in the cool grass, face turned skyward, was a young man. His eyes were closed and his breath steady with slumber, the wind tousled his messy blond hair and tugged at his clothing as though trying to rouse him.
It was only until a voice came floating over the wind did the young man open one deep blue eye. The words were indistinct but the voice familiar. With a sigh, he sat up and stretched. Just then, another boy came running over the brow of the hill. He appeared to be only a year younger. His eyes were the color of the sky and his hair as dark as the mud on the banks of the pond.
"Brother! Brother! Wake up, sleepy head!" The boy shouted.
The young blond smiled, "I'm awake, Sky."
Sky plopped down next to his brother, grinning ear to ear, "What are you doing out here, Cloud?"
The blond shrugged, "Just thinking."
"Looked more like napping to me," Sky retorted.
"I was just resting my eyes."
Sky laughed, getting to his feet, "That's what they all say!"
Cloud chuckled and stood, "Really, I'm being honest."
Sky grinned, "Whatever you say. It's dinner time anyway, that's why I came to find you."
"That explains it," Cloud trailed off, a wicked smirk crossing his face, "I'll race ya back home."
Without warning, he took off running. Sky gaped, entirely caught off-guard.
"Huh? H-hey! That's no fair!" He shouted after his brother's disappearing form.
All that could be hear was joyful laughter floating across the hills.