Standard disclaimers apply.
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Hello there! I must stress that this will be semi-AU (alternate universe) and characters are possible OOC. So, if some things are fuzzy and you want clarification, or if ever there's a need to correct some details, please feel free to inform me. Thankies! – Nami
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CHAPTER 1: The Gummi Ship Ruckus
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KAIRI
Gummi Ship, Thursday, 10:15pm
"Ma'am, what would you like to drink?"
I stared blankly at the air hostess gaping at me. I smiled at her, "Dr. Pepsi will do."
She got herself a paper cup and poured a newly-opened can of my favorite drink. She gave me what I wanted as I muttered a word of thanks. She promptly beamed back at me before setting off to the seat across the aisle.
I shifted on my seat. I never thought that riding a foreign Gummi ship would be too unsettling, not to mention that there were continuous thunderclaps disturbing the night sky.
The guy beside me seemed really exhausted; I really would've engaged in a conversation with him if he wasn't. He, who seemed to be of my age, appeared nice and comfortable to be with; it's just that his glimmering chocolate hair was that one which seemed to defy gravity… or something to that effect.
He slept on his seat comfortably. I tried to catch a glimpse of his face--- and my efforts weren't futile--- he was cute, VERY cute indeed. He appeared to own a pair of classy black sunglasses, and it was a good thing he didn't wear that. If he did, then he might've seen me staring at him! The horror. Oh well, he had that kind of face which is very addictive to look at. However, he once again faced the other side, preventing me from scrutinizing his face further.
I felt heated blush suddenly form on my cheeks. Why oh why did I have to make up those ridiculous thoughts? Really, he was cute, and handsome, and attractive--- gosh, what was I thinking?
I turned to the window beside me and sighed as I mentally slapped myself and instantaneously turned my secret hopes down. I wasn't the kind who's allowed to like someone, so I really should shake silliness off my head. Probably, I was just exhausted. Yeah, that must be it.
Just when the tip of my cup touched my lips, the ship gave a fierce jolt. A small amount of the contents accidentally flowed to my pink top, and so I tapped it with my napkin. When I managed to drink and fill my mouth with cola, the Gummi ship gave yet another violet shake.
The woman in front of me yelled and cried hysterically, saying that the ship will crash down any minute now.
The flight attendant hushed, "Keep calm, please. We're only experiencing turbulence."
"What's going on…?" the guy beside me yawned. He was clueless as he just woke.
The lady at the back prayed out loud, asking God to save our poor souls or something. The people around me screamed and sobbed.
When the idea of what was happening kicked in, I couldn't help but blurt out. "…We're all going to die!" But that just made me shower the guy's chest the content of my mouth.
I realized what I just did to him, so I got a tissue paper and frantically stroke his black jacket; but my hands were shaking, and they surprisingly found their way to his cheeks.
"O-Okay, okay, it's alright, miss," he said as he motioned me to stop hitting him with the tissue.
The luggage from the cabinet fell down with a great impact; the foods and drinks flung to different directions. The cabin crew strapped themselves into their seats.
"Please calm down!" the flight attendant was pale herself. "I repeat, we're only experiencing turbulence."
"…But! But!" My eyes widened even more as the jolt became fiercer. I clasped my wobbly hands on the arms of my seat, my eyes tearing up. "We ARE gonna die! We won't make it!"
"No," he smiled fondly at me, "it's just turbulence."
"Do you expect me to believe that? Look what's happening! And how can you smile like that at a time like this?! We're all goners!" I shook my head vehemently. "I'm too young to die!" I steadied myself in vain on my seat.
To my utter surprise, the cute guy grasped his hand with mine, instead of the seat's arm. "Believe me, we won't die."
I felt faint warmth diffusing on my cheeks. He was just… too nice.
I looked into his mesmerizing ocean-blue eyes; I couldn't see even the slightest fear. As if reading my mind, he stated smilingly, "I've experienced things like this before."
Being with him somehow made me feel better about my condition. Amidst the horrifying screams and the swift ascending and descending of the ship, he made me smile. Oh, if only Riku was like him.
Just then, the Gummi ship came back to its normal pace. I sighed in utter relief.
The next thing I knew, we've landed.
The room got empty bit by bit, and the guy let me out first and helped me bring down my luggage. Oh, what a gentleman.
I stopped in front of him and bowed low, "Sorry for my very embarrassing act earlier, and thank you for your kindness!"
I'd rather not tell my name, I was being very hysterical earlier and that was really embarrassing. I wouldn't be able to see him again. I sure hoped we wouldn't.
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SORA
Gummi Ship, Thursday, 11:05pm
I scratched the back of my head. "That was nothing, miss! Oh, by the way, I'm So…." My voice trailed of when I realized that she was gone, "…ra."
I walked out of the Gummi ship with my heavy luggage.
"Excuse me, excuse me," I squeezed my way through the boisterous crowd; the whole place was jam-packed. "Please let me through."
Lots of people were at the hangar… and I couldn't help but think where the red-haired lady was.
I chuckled faintly at the thought. She was very pretty and cute, so it quite alarmed me when she went ballistic when the ship made violent jolts. It was purely normal, yes? Maybe it was her first time riding one. Oh well.
My thoughts roamed and went to that part where I held her hands--- I felt blood rush to my face. My, that was embarrassing. I shouldn't worry though; I guess she didn't hear me say my name anyway. I won't see her again.
I gazed at the place outside the hangar. The rain poured down vigorously; it was even accompanied by swirling chilly wind. I looked on top of me; the thin roof boomed continuously with the rain hitting it. I let out an exhausted sigh and went to fetch a cab.
I hurriedly tossed the luggage into the compartment with the driver's help. I told him where to go and we instantly set off.
I leaned back on my seat and closed my eyes. I had been doing errands for Riku for several times now--- this one's included--- and I feel really good about it.
Before I knew it, the cab went to a halt.
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KAIRI
Riku's place, Thursday, 11:30pm
The king asked me to lend his message-in-a-bottle to Riku. It appeared to be a command rather a request, so heck, how could I object?
I went out of the taxi after paying the fair, and pushed open my pink umbrella. I walked leisurely to a seemingly traditional Japanese house with wooden sliding doors, the stroller bag being pulled behind by me.
The scene was quite serene, the falling rain made the verdant lawns and grasses sparkle. There was a small pond at the left side; there were about seven lush trees around the house.
I smiled in sheer glee. It had really been a while since I was last in here.
I stood in front of the wooden door and knocked gently with my dainty hand. A booming voice then answered, which came nearer and nearer. "Sheesh, Riku, can't you open the door by yourself? Can't you understand that I'm still tired from that flight you made me take? Rik---" the door swung open and revealed the face of the infuriated guy.
"…You?" I muttered almost in silence as horror dawned into me.
He was the guy beside her in the Gummi ship.
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To be continued