Kairi sighed, closing her eyes as she felt the darkness encircle her, shrouding her in the everlasting void. She knew she shouldn't have run into the darkness to avoid Axel but . . . it felt like the only thing she could have done at the time. Kairi allowed herself a small smile as she shook her head. She was a Princess of Heart and here she was, running willingly into the darkness. Something was wrong with the picture, wasn't there?
She shook her head; she couldn't worry about that now.
She bit her lip as she wandered through the pressing darkness, what would happen if she never got out of here? What would become of Kingdom Hearts then? Kairi shook her head, she couldn't – wouldn't – think about it. She didn't want to think that this might be inviting darkness into her once more, making Sora's journey that much longer. She didn't want to think about . . .
….
….
….
Kairi sighed, this was taking too long. The darkness around her never seemed to end, making the red haired Princess of Heart short tempered. She didn't want to be stranded in the darkness forever. She blinked, glancing momentarily behind her, the petite girl frowning as she couldn't see anything but the pressing darkness – this is getting old, she thought idly.
They couldn't keep her here forever could they? Wherever this here was . . .
As she glanced behind her, she balled her hands up into fists; her body felt like it was disconnected. She could feel it – there was someone else here in this . . . whatever this was . . . with her. She frowned, biting down on her lip; she didn't know who it was . . . they were conviently staying back, away from her.
Her mind screamed out Axel – she wouldn't have been surprised if it was right.
Her footsteps slowed as she started to grow tired, her legs heavy. She huffed, trying to brush her long bangs out of her eyes – but couldn't locate the offending strands, her body still feeling disconnected.
"About time, Princess . . ."
Kairi tensed up as she heard that voice – she'd been caught. She closed her eyes tightly as she tried to keep calm, her body temperature rising. Not wanting to look small and intimatidated by the man standing behind her, she whirled around to face him; eyes narrowed as she balled her hands up into fists. "What do you want with me?"
A smirk graced his features. "You wish to see Sora again."
Kairi's eyes narrowed, a groan escaping her lips. "Do you know where Sora is?" She tapped her foot in annoyance, a frown marring her face.
"He will appear at the castle within time . . ." he trailed off, a smirk appearing on his features.
Kairi raised an eyebrow, stumbling backwards as she heard the rustle of the man's cloak as he approached her. She narrowed her eyes as she felt his gloved hand clasp around her wrist, dragging her towards him, regardless of her trying to push back.
"What castle?" She knew she was putting too much stock into believing he meant the Hallow Bastion castle. She frowned as he didn't answer but tugged her forward instead. "Where are you taking me?"
She huffed in the silence that followed, bringing a hand forward to brush her bangs out of her eyes. She frowned, letting out a groan of frustration as she couldn't seem to find the offending strands – she felt so disconnected from her body.
"Don't make me say it again," she grumbled, pulling back on her arm. "Where are you taking me!"
She heard the dark clad man groan, yanking on her arm again, making the Princess of Heart yelp. "We're going to the castle."
"The Castle?" she couldn't help the tone of confusion and sarcasm entering her tone. "Like the Disney Castle?"
Someone at the King's castle would surely know where Sora was. However, she curled her nose up at the thought of the Hallow Bastion one.
"It's similar."
Her eyes narrowed at the chuckle he let out.
"Who are you?"
Silence, then: "The names Axel – got it memorized?"
Kairi nodded, offhandedly. "Another Castle . . . just great; how many are there?"
"Well, Kairi," Axel said, coming to a stop so suddenly Kairi walked into his back. "Welcome to your new home."
The red haired girl shook her head as she took the time to slip her arm out of Axel's grasp. Turning on her heel momentarily – she was getting a negative vibe from this guy – a plan forming in her mind to loose him, but her plan was short lived as Axel's hand came down tightly on her shoulder, whirling her around, bringing her to his side.
"Now, now, don't try that Princess," he muttered darkly. "There was worse people hanging out in the darkness then I am."
Kairi couldn't help the shudder that ran down her spine. She could tell from his tone that what he said was true.
And with that said; Axel pushed Kairi forward, shaking his head as he saw her stumble over her feet.
Falling out of the darkness, Kairi found herself on her knees. She let out a deep breath as she no longer felt the darkness pulling on her, trying to take her under once again. Grumbling incoherently to herself, she pushed her hair behind her ears as she looked around. She raised an eyebrow as a dirt path stretching out before her. Cerulean eyes followed the winding path to the Castle that seemed to tower overhead.
"What castle is that? It doesn't look like . . ."
Axel waved off her comment, grabbing her arm again. "Now, no more running off, Kairi."
"Don't make me say it again – what castle is this!" Kairi glared at him, trying to yank her arm away again with no luck. "Looks like the one at Hallow Bastion," she muttered under her breath.
The reaction she got was instant.
Axel stopped, yanking Kairi backwards. She glared at him as she brought her free arm to her shoulder – was he trying to rip her arm off? His other arm came up, grabbing her other shoulder, holding her tightly at arms length. "How do you know about the Hallow Bastion Castle?"
Kairi shook her head, biting down on her bottom lip, looking away from him. "I'm not telling you. It's none of your business."
"Whatever," Axel said after a moments silence. "Secrets have a way of coming out whether you want it to or not."
Kairi just glared at him. "What's this Castle called then?"
"Oblivion," he said, looking at her out of the corner of his eyes.
Kairi mumbled the name to herself, looking critically up at the White Castle. She could feel something dark coming from the castle she was being dragged towards. The white building was a ruse; the name showed the true nature of the castle . . .
"Why's it called that?"
She wasn't the only one who wanted answers.
Axel glanced sharply at the girl; she had a good perspective. He might have to watch what he said around her. "The one who named suddenly left and we never bothered to change it."
Some answer, Kairi thought.
The Castle loomed above them now, and in a nonchalant fashion, Axel made his way up the small stairwell, pushing the ornate doors open with a creak that didn't suit the building. Kairi crossed her arms over her chest, letting out a sigh as she looked from the castle and Axel to the dark grass spanning out behind her; there was hardly a point in trying to escape – Axel had proven it was futile. Grumbling to herself, she relegated herself to following him, her footsteps sounding against the immaculate cobbled steps.
Her breath caught, however, as she entered the Castle.
White spread out all around her; the floor a mixture of black and white tiles. Kairi couldn't help the amazement that must have crept onto her features, glancing around her. The Hallow Bastion Castle looked nothing like this; this place wasn't run down, destroyed or invested in Heartless – that she knew of anyway. As for the Disney Castle, she really didn't know; none of them had seen the Castle yet. Her gaze stopped on Axel – his black trench coat seemed out of place in the white washed foyer.
She opened her mouth, closing it a couple seconds later as footsteps sounded, echoing from the other end of the hallway.
Kairi glanced at the stairwell – also white – at the other end of the foyer, forcing down the urge to roll her eyes as she saw another black trench coat. She watched with narrowed eyes as the man lazily walked down the stairs, hands shoved in his pockets. His blonde hair caught her eyes, making her think momentarily of Selphie and her gravity defying hair. She blinked, pausing as his sharp eyes caught her stare, narrowing his eyes at her before glancing at Axel as he came to a stop at the foot of the stairwell.
"Who's the girl?"
Well, he sure gets to the point, Kairi thought idly.
"She's looking for the Keyblade Master." Axel said shortly, his tone sharp.
"I see," the blonde said slowly, running a hand through his hair. "Well I –" he paused momentarily. "Never seen him."
"No one's heard from him," Kairi said dejectedly, hardly missing the look Axel and given the newcomer.
The blonde nodded slowly, raising an eyebrow as he looked from Kairi to Axel, who shrugged. Rolling his eyes, grumbling to himself, he lazily made his way across the room, stopping in front of Kairi. "Now, now, don't look like that; why don't you tell me your name."
"Kairi."
The blonde grinned wildly, smirking over at Axel. "Well, I never thought you'd find her – good catch," he let out a laugh, crossing his arms over his chest. "Well, I'm Demyx . . ."
"I'm no one's catch," Kairi said, her voice monotone, her lips in a hard line. "I am not your girl."
Axel let out a laugh, turning on his heel. "That's the spirit, Kairi. Demyx – come on already; and Kairi don't even think of leaving. Your Keyblade Master will be here soon."
Demyx made a face at Axel's back, before ruffling Kairi's hair. "See you later then."
"Yeah, later," Kairi said to his back, watching them.
She watched the two black cloaked men walk down the long corridor, past the stairwell Demyx had come down and around a corner at the end. Standing there in the foyer, curiosity got the better of her as she heard a door close somewhere around the corner. Crossing her arms over her chest, shaking her head and placing them on her hips instead, Kairi tapped her foot impatiently. Blowing her bangs out of her eyes, she frowned as she looked around the white foyer.
"How boring . . ." she mumbled, looking around. "There has to be something here . . . "
Nodding to herself, Kairi grinned wildly before moving away from the ornate door, further into the castle. Sure, she could leave, but . . . if she found out what was going on here before Sora came; she would finally be able to help him instead of being a hindrance.
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Once around the corner, the pink clad girl out of sight, Demyx let out a snort, shaking his head. "Seriously Axel, what's with the girl out there?"
Axel shrugged. "She's looking for the Keyblade Master, Sora – something we both have in common."
Demyx rolled his eyes, crossing his arms over his chest. "You said that already," he said, his voice flat. "What is she really doing here though."
Axel cast Demyx a look, his narrowed eyes piercing the blonde. "She occupies Sora's heart, as he occupies hers. As long as we have the Princess of Heart, the Keyblade Master will not be able to do anything. With her safety in mind; he will not strike at us – the Keyblade Master will fall."
Demyx let out a laugh, shoving Axel from behind as he caught up to him. "I must say, I wouldn't have thought of that . . ."
"I know that," Axel grumbled, starting up a smaller staircase, a black door at the other end.
"What?" Demyx yelled, balling his hands up into fists. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
Axel shook his head, stopping at the top of the stairwell; hand on the doorknob as he glanced back at Demyx. "Figure it out," and with that, Axel opened the door, disappearing inside.
Demyx grumbled as the black door slammed shut behind Axel. He'd show Axel – the rest of the Organization as well; he wasn't the weak link. Shaking his head, he reached back for his coat's hood, covering up his blonde locks. His black boots echoed through the empty hallway as he quickly assented the small stairwell, pushing the door open as he slumped inside.
As the door shut behind him, he found himself encased in complete darkness. He sighed, allowing the darkness to move around him, pushing and pulling at his skin. Blinking a couple times, he glanced through the darkness, making his way through the thick darkness. This was always the worst part; it tended to make him feel sluggish, like walking through molasses. He smirked as he saw the darkness start to thin slightly, white starting to peep though the darkness. Moments later, he found himself in a white circular room, white chairs reaching up to the high ceiling with the remaining members of the Organization waiting.
"You failed again, Demyx." A voice drawled as Demyx made his presence known, emerging from one of his dark portals to reach the high chair.
Demyx sighed, resting his chin on his palm, drumming his fingers on the opposite chair arm. "Xigbar, you old fool, like you could have done any better. You're what, seventy by now?"
Xigbar waved the comment aside, a smirk on his features. "A Hallow Bastion ex-mercenary who doesn't know his own memories –"
"Enough!" Another voice rang out, more authorative then the others. "We now know what the Keyblade Master is trying to accomplish out there and the Superior has designed a plan to derail the boy once more."
"It's about time," a bored voice muttered, his eyes narrowed and his hood resting against his shoulders.
"The Superior has also confirmed the existence of another Keyblade Bearer of the Light, assumed to be located in the quaint village of Twilight Town, Axel," the man's harsh eyes locking onto Axel's frame. "You are to head there immediately and eliminate him before he locates the others," – Axel nodded in confirmation, slumping back in his chair – "Saix, you will head to Hallow Bastion and make up for Demyx's mistake and once you locate Sora, you are to kill him – and anyone else who gets in the way – immediately."
"What? Why him?" Demyx cut in, slamming his fist into his armrest.
"You're incompetent."
Demyx glared over at Saix, throwing his hood down in anger. "You're one to talk, Saix," he yelled, his voice getting darker as he spoke. He narrowed his eyes, his lips curling up into a smirk as his eyes flickered to the scar adorning the other man's forehead. "If I remember correctly; you got that scar from –"
"Shut up!" Saix yelled, his anger getting the better of him as he called forth his Broadsword, thrusting in angrily in Demyx's direction. "I'll kill you, you know I will."
Demyx shrugged off the icy tone, looking blankly at the angry Saix; no doubt that would boil his blood even more. "Whatever – anyway, where am I going?"
"Nowhere."
Demyx blinked, raising an eyebrow as he tore his gaze away from Saix to the black cloaked man sitting higher the others. "What the hell do you mean nowhere?"
"Someone will need to watch over the Princess of Heart," he said evenly. "You failed with the Keyblade Bearer, perhaps you'll do better with the Princess."
"A babysitter?" Demyx grumbled, slumping back in his chair, drumming his fingers against the armrest again. "Why the hell does she need someone watching her anyway; not like you can actually –"
"If Namine could do it; I have no doubt that she could figure it out within time," the voice rebutted, shaking their head. "Moving on; I will be heading to the Fabled Countryside to persuade the Beast by using his Princess of Heart. He is supposed to be close to the Keyblade Master. Luxord, you will be heading to Port Royal; Sora is said to have been seen there – Captain Barbossa is awaiting your arrival. While Saix, you will head to the Underworld, we have unfinished business there, Hades will fill you."
The cloaked man looked minutely at the other cloaked figures, the figures nodding in turn as his stare pierced them. Demyx nodded, letting out a sigh (as if they actually had a choice in the matter) frowning as he slumped further down into his chair.
Just great, he had to look after Kairi – the Princess of Heart, the one every side wanted to get their hands on.
Great, just great . . .
At least on the plus side; Kairi was good looking.
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Kairi couldn't help but hum to herself, the silence of the large foyer finally starting to get on her nerves. Clasping her hands behind her back, her footsteps echoing against the white tiles underfoot, she couldn't help but feel curious at the idea of the large castle before her.
What was going on here and what were they up to – could they really lead her to Sora? "Sora . . ." she mumbled, biting down on her bottom lip. "Where are you?"
She frowned, hardly paying any attention to what was before her as she started down the corridor, her thoughts wrapped up in the brown haired male she hadn't seen for years. She suspected that she'd still recognize him, as if she could ever forget him. Kairi shook her head at the thought; she had forgotten about Sora – but that was beside the point. But, would he recognize her? She thought she had changed a lot; longer hair, different clothes . . . different everything!
She stopped, her head shooting up as her purple shoes hit something solid before her. Balling her hands up before her as she took a defensive pose, her hands dropped just as instantly as she saw the small stairwell – of about ten five steps, she figured – with a black door waiting at the other hand. Raising an eyebrow, she couldn't help the curiosity that bubbled up in her; the black door situated between twisted pillars reaching high up to the ceiling, complete whiteness surrounding it.
Before she knew what was going on, Kairi found herself ascending the staircase, stopping in front of the black door.
Kairi couldn't help a shiver that escaped down her spine. She wasn't sure how to explain it; but she just knew that on the other side of that door was darkness; the darkness she had been running from her entire life. "Not this again," she muttered, despair wracking her tone. She shook her head, backing up, her mind trying to form an escape plan already. "I refuse to go through this again!"
As quick as she had got there, Kairi turned around on her heel, making her way quickly down the stairwell. Her footsteps echoed rapidly against the tiled floor as her walk turned into a run. She couldn't explain it just yet, but she knew that she had to get out of here. She had been tricked; they weren't going to help her find Sora – scratch that, she knew they were going to bring Sora here . . . but at what cost?
She didn't want to know.
Sora had already gone through so much; she wasn't going to put more on him . . .
Her heart hammering, half way down the corridor, she stopped mid step as she heard a creak of a door. Slowly – looking like a deer in the headlights, she thought – she froze as the black door opened, the darkness swirling around inside. Forcing down a shudder, Kairi turned on her heel, taking a deep breath to try and calm her nerves. Placing a smile on her lips, clasping her hands behind her back again, Kairi glanced back to the door once more, bangs falling into her eyes. Her eyes narrowed minutely as she noticed Demyx exit through the doorway, his back to her.
Time to put those drama classes mom gave me to use, she thought idly as Demyx turned around, storming down the stairwell.
Demyx huffed, balling his hands into fists before shoving them into his pockets. He grumbled as his bangs fell into his eyes, angrily pushing the bangs away before returning his hand to his pocket. His footsteps echoed against the tiles, his eyes trained on the floor beneath him. His mind a mile away, he didn't notice Kairi standing to the side of the corridor, eyebrows raised. It wasn't until he heard him name, a hand falling on his shoulders did he stop.
He blinked as he saw Kairi standing beside him, an eyebrow raised. His harsh response died on his lips, his features turning a touch softer as he looked at the red haired girl before him. "What're you doing here, Kairi?"
"Looking around, I was bored," she said, shrugging the comment away, knocking Demyx's arm off her shoulder in the process.
Only Sora and Riku – her friends – did that to her; not someone wishing to use her bait.
Demyx nodded, glancing warily in Kairi's direction. "Find anything interesting?" he asked when she said nothing.
"Eh, hardly," she said offhandedly, turning the corner. "You have way to much white going on here."
Demyx let out a laugh, shaking his head. "Perhaps you're right," he sighed an idea coming to mind; he if had to babysit her, at least he could make it more interesting. "So then, where are you from, Kairi?"
"The Destiny Islands," Kairi said after a long pause.
What else was she supposed to tell him? That was where Axel had found her anyway – saying anything else would just prove that she was trying to hide something from them. And saying anything about Hallow Bastion was out of the question; too many awkward questions and her part in the ordeal two years ago would come into play . . . no, it was better they didn't know.
She wasn't going to be their tool; it was just going to take longer to see Sora now.
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Axel watched with narrowed eyes as he saw Kairi waiting at the end of the corridor, approaching Demyx. A frown appeared on his features as he saw the girl reach out for Demyx's shoulder, the blonde laughing at something she had said. He let out a groan as he heard Kairi mention the Destiny Islands as they rounded the corner. He couldn't help but shake his head, without a doubt, Demyx would be the one to foil their plans. He might have been left to look after Kairi . . . but the Princess of Heart seemed to be more cunning then expected – how long would it be until she had Demyx wrapped around her fingers?
Descending the short staircase, he sighed, feeling another presence behind him. "Why'd you choose him, Xaldin?"
"He's the closest to her age," he said shortly, glancing briefly at the red head as she turned the corner. "The Superior has taken an interest in her and is planning to plunge her slowly into the darkness. With her pure heart, she is currently out of our reach; but if the Princess of Heart succumbs to darkness once again; imagine what would happen to the Keyblade Master then. Currently, she is guarded by the light, but if we manage to break those barriers . . ." he trailed off, a smirk appearing on his features. "If she is lost and enveloped by the pressing darkness, it will cause Sora immense destruction."
Axel let out a short laugh, crossing his arms over his chest. "And how long will that take?"
"That will all depend on what Demyx does with her and how strong her barriers are. However," – here, Xaldin smirk grew slightly, shaking his head minutely. "The Princess of Heart is weak at the moment. She is torn in wonder about the boy she once loved – has he forgotten her? She wonders. Thoughts like that make her uncertain about what is before her."
Axel nodded, bringing out a hand before him, a pool of darkness slowly appearing. "So, I suppose I'm to head off and destroy this second Keyblade Wielder that's made his presence known."
Xaldin nodded in response, turning on his heel, his large stride carrying him away from Axel. Shaking his head, Axel turned his attention to the darkness before him, stepping into it. He blinked, unfazed as his vision blurred momentarily as the white corridor behind him seemed to warp before being eclipsed by the darkness. He thoughts whirling about what had taken place, of Kairi's place in all this mess and what was before him, it wasn't long before he stepped out of the darkness, his eyes narrowing as the sun shining above his head beat down on him.
He heard the portal close up behind him as he cast a glance around him.
Brown.
As far as he could see, everything was brown.
Sighing with a shake of his head, Axel headed into the winding town below him, his mind focused now.
This was the place.
He was here.
. . . Roxas . . .
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A/N –
This story needed an update.
The old script was bad and needed a facelift.
02/05/09
AN2: Sorry for all the 1's, their supposed to be breakers between the different POVs. got rid of the ones I had in there before.