Cairo, Egypt. 15 January 1989.

He woke up with a start, breathless and shivering. An unpleasant bead of sweat trickled from his temple, down his cheek and into his sweaty neck.

A nightmare, surely. He sat up slowly. Sitting up, he looked around. Alone. He was alone in his hotel room. His crumpled sheets covered his knees and, running a trembling hand over his eyes, he wondered where Jotaro had gone ?

Later that morning, the Speedwagon Foundation men had dropped him off on the outskirts of the city by helicopter and, after a few hours' walk, Kakyoin had come upon the injured Iggy. It was not until late evening that the young man was reunited with his companions. He had smiled broadly, truly happy to find them all.

But there, still sitting silently on his bed, he was still tasting the pangs of loneliness. For a long time, it had been his only and best companion. But this was no longer the case.

Kakyoin counted mentally. Their journey had begun on 25 November 1988. And it was January 15, 1989. 52 days.

Fifty days with the best men he had ever met.

But even the thought of the memories of this epic journey did not reassure him. He felt sick. Dread gripped his heart, like a merciless vice that squeezed, notch after notch, the poor organ. He could not remain motionless in his bed.

He got up and let himself be attracted by the pale glow of the stars in the inky sky. The deserted streets of Cairo were dimly lit by a few street lamps here and there. It was unthinkable. Such a journey. Japan, Hong Kong where they had almost perished in a plane crash, then their meeting with Polnareff who had also been manipulated by Dio, Singapore with Dark Blue Moon and the cargo-stand, then Yellow Temperance who had taken his appearance, India with their fear at the idea of losing Abdul, Pakistan, Arabia, the Red Sea. The descent of the Nile, their meeting with Iggy, his hospitalization to treat his eyes. And finally his reunion after a short period of convalescence.

He walked towards the bay window of his room. Leaning his forearm against the glass, he exhaled slowly. But there was nothing he could do. A haunting melancholy took hold of him and he only felt worse.

- Jotaro? he called, in case he was nearby.

But only silence answered him. It was terrible. It had been weeks since he had felt this staggering emptiness in his being. Trying to reason with himself, he ran his hand, which was still trembling, over his eyes, brushing his fingertips over the thin scars.

The unpleasant sensation had not disappeared since his awakening. And Jotaro wasn't in the mood to sleep either. After all, the very next day they would surely face the greatest threat of all. A bloodthirsty, manipulative, century-old vampire. Dio Brando.

The spiral inside him seemed to accelerate and he closed his eyes, leaning his back against the glass to regain some semblance of stability.

He was sure of it. This fear that was piercing his insides was real. Oh, it was more than just a nightmare. It was a certainty.

Once Kakyoin realized this, he felt a little less bad. He was certain of it, almost totally. He would not survive this final battle. How could he be sure ? He didn't know, but at that moment he thought about what he was leaving behind. If only he could have left a few months earlier, only his parents would have regretted it !

But he chided himself inwardly. Now he was brooding again. This was not really the time.

Kakyoin straightened up, lifted his back from the glass and walked to the radio in the room. He turned it on and immediately piano notes rose in the cabin.

With a weary smile he recognised the song. Alone again, by Gilbert O'Sullivan, released in 1971, the year he was born.

This song was perfect for him, and he knew why.

I promise myself to treat myself, and visit a nearby tower. And climbing to the top, will throw myself off..

Kakyoin, thoughtful, let himself be overwhelmed by the singer's voice and the lyrics, which he knew by heart.

With a sigh, he looked at his thin bag of belongings on his desk and an idea crossed his mind. What if he wrote? After all, maybe he would come back alive, in which case he would get rid of the letters. But at least if he left, he could tell them what was on his mind.

Alone again... Naturally.

Kakyoin sat down in front of the desk and turned on the small lamp to illuminate the paper and the fountain pen he had just grabbed.

But as if to knock me down, reality came around. And without so much as a mere touch, cut me into little pieces.

He took a moment to think. What was he going to write ? And to whom ?

To his parents. And to his companions. In any case, he didn't know anyone else.

The young man pushed back behind his ear the lock of hair that was invading his vision. With a breath, he began to write, with application.

My dear parents,

If you are holding this letter in your hands, it means that I am no longer of this world. I have had... A dream. So I wanted to write to you before I leave for my final battle. I know you are not aware of my journey, but I could not leave without saying goodbye, in case something happened.

I left to fight a great evil, to save the world and to protect those I love. It is a dangerous journey, but I am proud to be doing it, because I am fighting for a just cause.

I want you to know how incredible my journey has been. I have met wonderful people, friends who have supported me every step of the way, even in the most difficult moments. I discovered beautiful places, different cultures, fascinating stories.

I have never been happier than when I travelled with them, even though we were confronted with formidable enemies and perilous situations. We have become a family, a close-knit team, willing to do anything to protect each other. I know that you once worried about my growing loneliness, but that is no longer an issue.

Our journey was... eventful. Joseph Joestar, Mohammed Abdul, Jean-Pierre Polnareff, Jotaro and finally Iggy. They quickly became my friends. They have stands, like me, and I spent with them the best days of my short life. We crossed a multitude of countries, met a multitude of people and enemies, we cried and laughed together. It was a wonderful time.

I know I am taking a big risk by going to this final battle, but I am ready to do it, because I believe in our chances of victory. And if I don't come back, I want you to know that I died fighting for a just cause, alongside my loyal friends.

Please don't be sad if I don't come back. Remember me as a loving son, a devoted friend, and a brave fighter. And know that wherever I am, I love you, and I protect you.

I regret nothing, except that I cannot see you again. May you one day forgive me. I am so sorry.

I love you very much, Your son,

Noriaki Kakyoin.

Kakyoin let a single tear roll down his cheek and wiped it away with a wave of his hand. He knew that receiving this letter would hurt his parents, just as it had hurt him to write the letter that they would read if he died.

The bulb of the lamp seemed to sizzle and the young man took a deep breath before folding the sheet of paper in three and writing on the back of the letter "For my parents".

Then, before his courage failed him, he took another sheet of paper and bent over it, this time writing to his fellow travellers.

A few minutes later, Kakyoin put down his fountain pen, folded the sheet in the same way and wrote the words: "To my friends and fellow travellers".

Leaning back in his chair with a sigh, he looked at the ceiling.

He could not believe it, but he hoped with all his heart he would survive this fight.

Getting up, he went to the bathroom to take a shower to remove the sweat that was sticking to his skin.

When he came out of the bathroom, a little cooler, he got dressed and suddenly saw Jotaro come into the room.

The high schooler with the cap looked at his companion with his blue eyes and saw him smile.

- Can't you sleep anymore? the taciturn student finally asked.

Kakyoin nodded and answered :

- Yeah.

In fifty days they had developed a strong friendship and Kakyoin appreciated finally having a true friend, although Jotaro was not the most jovial person.

With surprise, he nevertheless heard Jotaro sigh and say :

- Me neither. Would you like to go for a walk ?

Kakyoin smiled this time.

- Yes, let's go. Let's go. Do you know what time it is ?

- Hmm. 5:27.

Kakyoin grabbed her long white scarf from her bag, assuming it would be cool outside. The two students left their room and went for a walk in the park surrounding the hotel.

They didn't talk much anyway, it wasn't really their style. Besides, the situation did not lend itself to it.

- Are you all right ? Jotaro suddenly asked, making Kakyoin jump.

Kakyoin looked at him questioningly :

- Why are you asking me that ?

- Hmm... you've been standing still for thirty seconds, staring into space.

Kakyoin opened her lips in surprise.

- Really ? I'm sorry.

Jotaro glared at him and Kakyoin finally added :

- I have a bad feeling, that's all. We're all nervous about this fight, that's normal.

Jotaro smiled slightly and nodded.

- Yeah.

Kakyoin spoke again :

- If... if we get through this, I'd like to never have to deal with a pit wielder again. Enemy, I mean, of course.

Jotaro smiled even wider :

- Me too. I'd even be tempted by the prospect of serious work.

Kakyoin smiled mockingly.

- Oh really ?

Joseph's grandson laughed slightly.

- Yes, I'll have a friend as a role model, it will encourage me.

The red-haired boy let out a laugh as the clock struck six o'clock nearby.

- Do you want to do something special?" asked the redhead.

- What ? Jotaro answered, not having understood.

Kakyoin laughed and continued :

- Sorry. I mean... Do you have a specific plan for after high school ?

Jotaro glanced around in surprise before looking ahead, shoving his hands into his pockets.

- Yeah. I'd like to work in oceanography.

- Really ?!" Kakyoin gasped, that's very specific.

- What about you ?

The redhead looked away, a little embarrassed.

- I'd like to. I only have a vague idea. I like painting a lot, so I thought I'd go into art, maybe ?

Jotaro looked at a hundred-year-old tree with bare branches in front of him.

- The truth is, I don't know yet what my parents will think.

Here, to Kakyoin's great surprise, the dark-haired man sighed before saying :

- You know, you care a lot about their opinion for someone who joined us to travel to Egypt without telling them.

The redhead felt even more embarrassed, which Jotaro sensed.

- I didn't mean that in a bad way. In fact, your parents will be happy for you if they see that you're flourishing in a field you've chosen. No one can choose what you want to do with your life better than you.

Kakyoin smiled gently this time. Jotaro didn't often have such... comforting words ?

- There's still something I want to do after this is over. I'd like to go on a trip. To Italy.

Jotaro smiled slightly.

- I have a great uncle who lives there. I'll give you the address if you like.

A crazy idea crossed Kakyoin's mind and he turned abruptly to his first real friend.

- Would you like to come with me ? If you know anything about it, you'll show me around !

Joseph's grandson smiled thinly.

- Why not ? It will always give me time away from my mother's glue pot.

Kakyoin laughed slightly.

- Honestly, you're exaggerating. Your mother is lovely.

The Joestar pursed his lips in amusement.

- I know she is. I love her anyway.

The mere mention of Holy cast a pall over the conversation. It was obvious that she must be at death's door. And for Jotaro, it couldn't have been easy knowing his mother was in danger. The other day, the doctors at the Speedwagon Foundation had confirmed that her condition was getting worse faster than expected. 
- If we go, the others will soon get up.

- Yeah, let's go.

An hour and a half later, when Iggy was no longer able to stand still, Joseph suddenly said :

- I think he wants to take us somewhere.

Abdul added :

- It's a safe bet that he knows where Dio is.

- We have to go," Polnareff concluded.

Joseph scratched his beard thoughtfully and said :

- Take only what you need, we'll come back for our stuff later.

Kakyoin smiled and nodded, and Jotaro arranged to meet him in the hotel lobby ten minutes later.

In the room, Kakyoin placed the two letters and her bag on top of them on her bed before turning, without regret, towards the door.

No matter what happened, he would have said his goodbyes.

***

Cairo, Egypt. 17 January 1989.

The previous day had been both a disaster and a success. Arriving at Dio's mansion in the afternoon, they had suffered the losses of Abdul and Iggy.

But then Kakyoin had also lost his life in the confrontation. It was his reflections on Dio's stand that enabled Joseph to warn Jotaro.

Jotaro had almost died, and his grandfather had stayed there before his grandson manually restarted his heart after recovering Joseph's blood from Dio's body.

In the rising sun of that dark day, Jotaro watched the sun's rays reduce the body of the hundred-year-old vampire to dust. But his heart ached. It hurt that he had lost two of his friends.

- There, it's over," Joseph said softly, his face lit by the warm Egyptian sunlight.

Jotaro didn't make a move, so Grandpa continued :

- Dio had a huge debt, in a hundred years he will have taken everything from many people. There was a slight silence, which Jotaro broke after a while.

- And too many things will always be his.

He clenched his fists, frowning, trying to block out the dull anger that was rising inside him.

- Yes, too many," agreed the old man, "and it's a great loss. Iggy, Abdul, Kakyoin. It's over.

Back at the hotel, oddly enough, the first thing they did was fall into a heavy sleep, only to wake up the next morning.

Jotaro opened his eyes, not remembering what he was doing there. He could hear his grandfather snoring and started to get up.

He had not returned to the room he had shared with Kakyoin. Not yet. Silently he took the key from the chest of drawers and went to the room in question.

He entered, and the first thing that hit his nostrils was the smell of impeccable cleanliness. Obviously, someone had been there to clean up.

He didn't know why, smelling his friend would have reassured him, but he had to get used to the idea. He was dead.

Jotaro collected his belongings and suddenly noticed Kakyoin's bag still in the same place. He sighed.

He had to take his things back to his parents in Japan. With the body too, because unlike Abdul, there was a body.

With a heavy heart, he lifted the bag by the handle and slung it over his shoulder before he noticed some folded leaves.

He looked at them and was afraid to understand.

Grabbing the letters, he read the two annotations without understanding them at first. "To my parents", "To my friends and travelling companions".

He felt his heart clench harder in his chest and he dropped onto the bed to put the bag on the floor and shakily opened the missive.

My dear friends,

It is you, isn't it Jotaro, who discovered this letter ? Knowing you, I wouldn't be surprised !

I don't know why I am writing to you. Maybe I suddenly realised that I could not escape my impending end ? I had a hunch the other night. I don't know if my fear will come true, but it surely will if this letter gets into your hands.

I do not regret for a moment having accompanied you on this adventure.

Mr Joestar, you are an incredibly spontaneous and courageous man. You have always surprised us with your crazy ideas, and I am happy to have had the chance to know you, your reactions and your jokes made me laugh !

Abdul, your wisdom has often enlightened me, I am glad you did not die in India. I will miss your wise counsel and your quiet presence.

I will miss Polnareff, your constant grumbling and ironic pessimism. You taught me to find joy in the darkest of times and that humour can be a powerful weapon against sadness. Will you give Iggy a kiss for me ?

And you, Jotaro, I consider you my first and most loyal friend, the one who taught me to be more confident, more resilient. You showed me that loyalty is one of the greatest qualities a friend can have, and that family and friends are the most important things in life. I am proud to have known you, and I know you will continue to fight for justice and protect those you care about.

I was afraid I was different once. And though I regret that Dio manipulated me, he at least gave me the opportunity to meet you. And for that, I could almost thank him! -Let's not forget who he is-

If you're reading this, it's probably because he's dead, because it's all over. Thank you. I would have preferred to go home, of course.

Of course, I would have preferred to go back to Japan with you, but I don't think I'll be so lucky. Could you give my parents back my things and the letter I left them
?I wanted to tell you one more thing. 52 days. That's how long our trip was. And they were the best adventures of my life, with the bravest men I've ever known.

My friends, do not regret the sacrifices made. There is no turning back, and I am glad I died for a noble cause.

I leave you my legacy, my memories, my thoughts. I also leave you my heart, which has beaten hard with every moment I spent with you. I leave you my friendship, which I hope you will treasure.

I know that our paths will cross again one day. I simply say goodbye to you, my friends, and thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you have done for me.

Goodbye my friends, Yours faithfully,

Noriaki Kakyoin.

A tear fell onto the paper. Jotaro brought a hand to his eyes, hiding them as he let the sadness wash over him. He too had considered Kakyoin his first true friend. And to realize that he would never see him again was truly cruel.

So, for a moment, a tiny moment, the impassive man let himself be rocked by the arms of his grandfather who, on entering and seeing the letter, had immediately understood.

The reading of their companion's last words also brought a few tears to his eyes and he finally said :

- The hospital called. Polnareff is out of the woods. And he woke up an hour ago. Let's go. He can read it too.

Jotaro nodded silently. It would be difficult but they would have to mourn their fallen friends.

***

Cairo, Egypt. 19 January 1989.

The hubbub of the airport dazed Jotaro and Joseph as they watched the plane Polnareff had just boarded take off for France.

- I hope we'll see each other again," Jotaro said, a little pensive.

Joseph, with a smile stuck to his lips, was astonished :

- Ah?! I thought you couldn't stand idiots like that Frenchman.

Joseph's mimicry of the inverted commas made his grandson smile.

- He's certainly stupid. But he's an entertaining fool.

Joseph grinned as the announcement rang through the airport :

"Your attention please. Passengers for Japan Flight 24 are requested to proceed to the boarding area.

- Ah, it's ours ! Hurry up, Jotaro !

Jotaro let himself be pulled along by his grandfather, who was overexcited at the idea of returning to Japan to find his daughter cured.

Thoughtfully, as the plane took off, Jotaro looked out of the window at the Egyptian land. A land that had brought him great victory but above all, great loss. Abdul, Kakyoin. They deserved to see the end of this adventure.

He let out a long sigh, cut off by Joseph's shouting voice.

- Oh my God ! said the grandfather, pointing at an old woman who was looking at him angrily.

Jotaro frowned, not understanding as the old lady came over and smacked poor Joseph over the head with her umbrella.

When the hostess had calmed the old lady down, Joseph slumped back in his chair before muttering :

- I think I'll go to the cockpit, replace the captain, at least I'll have some peace.

Jotaro looked aghast and shook his head, muttering his eternal :

- Better and better.

Joseph talked endlessly to a slightly grumpy Jotaro who, despite himself, smiled to see his grandfather playing the fool to take his mind off things. Anyway. It wasn't much of a change from the usual.

***

Tokyo, Japan. 20 January 1989.

- Holly ! Joseph exclaimed as his daughter ran in front of him once they had set foot on Japanese soil.

Jotaro's mother, visibly recovered and perfectly fit, came to hang around her father's neck in greeting and walked towards her son with a smile. Keeping her distance, she leaned over to see his blue eyes under his cap.

- How is my son ?

She didn't expect it, but Jotaro came closer to her and hugged her.

- I'm glad to be back, Mom.

It was by far the best day of Holly's life and she was smiling until her cheeks hurt.

Suzie Q was delighted to see her husband and the four of them headed for the car to return to the Kujo home.

The Speedwagon Foundation had repatriated Kakyoin's body that evening, and the next day the funeral took place.

Jotaro remained silent and somber throughout the ceremony, but at the end, when almost everyone had left, he walked over to the grieving couple who were trying to hold their heads high.

- Mr and Mrs Kakyoin, I presume ?

They turned around and Jotaro's heart stopped beating for a moment. The son was the spitting image of his mother. The same red hair, the same purple eyes, and the same pale skin. The dark-haired father looked at Jotaro.

- Don't we think we know you ?

Jotaro nervously pulled his cap down over his eyes, before swallowing hard.

- My name is Jotaro Kujo. I'm a friend of your son's. He travelled with others. He travelled with others and me to Egypt.

Noriaki's mother's eyes filled with tears that were difficult to contain.

- Did he suffer ?" she asked weakly.

Of course he had suffered ! Dio had pierced his abdomen through and through, burning some of his insides from the speed with which he had hit him. And Kakyoin had remained alive and conscious for a few minutes, the time to understand the extent of Dio's power, and to make sure to transmit the information with all his last strength. He had saved his and Joseph's lives.

His throat tightened and the thin barrier holding back his tears threatened to break.

He had suffered, of course, because of the agony, but also because of his sadness at leaving his parents, because of all the plans he would never make, because of the trip to Italy that would never happen. 
Jotaro clenched his fists and looked at the parents before lying :

- No. He died instantly, he didn't feel a thing.

The father put an arm around his wife's shoulders and said softly :

- We loved our boy very much. And we are very happy that he has made friends like you.

Jotaro felt his throat tighten and slipped his hand into the inside pocket of his suit.

- He must have felt his death coming. He left a letter for you.

The emotional parents took the letter and Jotaro turned his back, to give them some much needed privacy. Before walking away he whispered :

- I am sorry for your loss.

Kakyoin's mother suddenly grabbed Jotaro's arm and, surprised, he saw her smile frankly, despite her tears.

- Whenever you want, Kujo, come and see us, we'd love to.

Jotaro nodded :

- I will, thank you.

And he walked away, taking one last look at the grave that covered his friend's body. His back turned, his gaze empty, and he muttered to himself :

- Seriously... Kakyoin.. Couldn't you have stayed alive ? Funerals are boring !

And once again, he gave in to his sadness and let a few tears fall.

When he reached the level of the stairs where he had met Kakyoin, he stopped for a moment at the top before whispering softly :

- Rest in peace, my friend. We have defeated Dio, thanks to you.

And finally, barely perceptible, Jotaro let fly a very last word to his first friend :

- Thank you.

The End. 4297 words. Hope you liked it !