Kingdom Hearts II

The Water's Heir

By Axel Ingleson

-:Prologue-

Riku and Sora were making their way to their favorite island by rowboat.

"I can't believe it's finally over," Sora commented.

"It feels strange to just have a normal life after our adventures."

"Our adventures?" Sora asked. "You mean my adventures. I'm the one who was going all over the place trying to find… oh yeah."

Riku smiled. "You still miss Kairi?"

"A little," Sora admitted. "I still can't believe she's gone. I never expected her to go off and get married like that. I mean, she hardly knew the guy."

"Well, at least she's happy," Riku declared.

"How about you?" Sora inquired. "Have you found peace, Riku?"

"I suppose so," Riku sighed. "I still find myself wondering if I'll turn into Xehanort when I get older."

"You two didn't even have the same eye color," Sora reassured him.

"Yeah," Riku agreed. "You're right."

The two of them docked the boat and were climbing out when Sora spotted a woman off in the distance.

"Kairi?" He wondered aloud. He hurried to her, only to discover that she wasn't the person he'd hoped. "Can I help… Aerith? But how are you here?"

"I brought her," King Mickey told him. "I was going to bring the baby myself, but she insisted on caring for him until we reached you."

"Your majesty," Sora bowed. He looked down at the baby. "He's cute. What's his name?"

"It's a girl, Sora," Aerith replied. "Anyway, here's the letter we found with her." She handed Sora a small envelope.

Sora opened the envelop and read aloud:

"To whomever finds this baby. I fear my hopes for settling down with my daughter Demiko and having a normal life have been destroyed. The Superior has found me and he insists that I seek out the Keyblade wielder and defeat him. I fear that he has just sentenced me to death. No doubt he sees my wish to settle down as a betrayal of the Organization. Nothing could be further from the truth. I am not a traitor. I simply don't fit in with the others, so there's no point in me staying with…"

Sora broke off. Gods, this guy could certain ramble on when he wanted to.

"I didn't know he had a child," he said, regretfully. "I kinda feel bad now. So what do I do?"

"Well, the letter said to find a parent that could be trusted," King Mickey explained as Aerith handed the child to Sora. "Its up to you now, Sora."

Riku smiled as Sora looked down at the tiny girl nestled snugly in his arms. "She likes you."

"I can't…" Sora began. But then the baby cooed and he found himself smiling down at her. "Alright. I'll do what I can. But I think you're making a mistake. I have no experience with babies."

"No first time parent does," Aerith told him. "But don't worry. You'll do fine. If you want, I'll stay for a short while and help you with the basics until you can get by on your own."

"Thanks." Sora replied. "Right now, I need all the help I can get."

As they made their way back to Sora's house, Sora wondered how he would explain the new baby to his mother.

****

The woman in question was hanging out some clothes when she spotted Sora with the baby. Finishing with the garment she was currently hanging, she walked over to him and crossed her arms across her chest, giving him a stern look.

"Something I should know about?" she asked.

"No no!" Sora exclaimed. "It's not like that."

His mother smiled and ruffled his hair. "I know," she said. "I was just kidding. I know my son would never compromise a lady. So, what's the baby's name?"

"Demiko," Sora replied. "I met her father once," he added, not bothering to mention that he himself was the reason this baby was an orphan. "He was a musician."

"Where are her parents?"

"Her father died," Sora explained. "I don't know about her mother."

"Demyx was her mother," King Mickey explained.

"Oh," Sora realized he hadn't introduced his friends. "Mom, this is King Mickey, and Aerith."

"I'm pleased to meet you both," Sora's mother told them. He turned to the King. "What do you mean, 'Demyx was her mother'? Who was her father, then?"

"Axel."

"Axel," Sora mused. "I wonder why he didn't mention her."

"Who's Axel, dear?" his mother asked.

"A friend," Sora replied. "He sacrificed himself to save me when I was in trouble."

"He gave his life for you?" his mother smiled sadly. "it's a shame I never got to meet him. What was he like?"

"He was cool," Sora told her, realizing that this was an ironic description for a fire mage. "You would have liked him."

"I'm sure I would have."