Parisa: Hi everyone; I know I haven't finished Birth by Sleep: Harumi's Quest yet, with only 1 more chapter left; but this needs to come out! Disclaimer's please!
Haruka: Hiya everyone! Parisa doesn't own anything but me, Phoenix, Harumi and both my grandmothers.
Hikari: She also owns me too!
Haruka: Who are you?
Hikari: I can't tell you I'm sorry… *frowns and walks off*
Haruka: Why does she look like Harumi?
KH Dream Drop Distance: Distance Connects Us All
Chapter 1: The Mark of Mastery
Haruka stood on the island where the leaning Paopu fruit tree was and stared at the sun setting in the horizon. The colours of the sky was like a masterpiece of colours; blue, purple, pink, orange and then yellow. The setting sun made the perfect blue sea glisten like a gem. The wind blew and it was refreshing, smelling like the salty water which surrounded their island. The young red haired woman stared into the distance and closed her bright emerald green eyes.
Harumi sat on the leaning tree and stared at the 2 boys from a distance.
"1 Keyblade alone is enough…for any friendship. I learnt it the hard way. I wouldn't wish our lives on those children." She looked down at her Wayfinder. "Terra, please tell me what's to become of us? What's to become of Hikari?" She asked with a tear falling down her cheek as she placed her hand onto her stomach.
"Haruka…" She heard a voice and turned her head to the side to see Kairi.
"Kairi." The red haired teen sighed with a little sorrow; yet another journey without the girl, she felt bad.
They both stood there and watched the sunset. Both were very quiet and wanted to say something.
A young 4 year-old Kairi kneeled down and started picking some flowers. Little Haruka walked up to the blue eyed girl and tilted her head to the side slightly.
"Hello." The green eyed girl said and Kairi looked up at her with a sweet smile.
"Hello!" The girl giggled.
"What are you doing?" Haruka asked.
"I'm picking some flowers for grandma; do you want to pick some?" She asked but the red haired girl shook her head vigorously at this.
"I can't pick most flowers, but I'll join you." Haruka kneeled down next to Kairi.
"Why can't you?" She asked.
"Because grandma Hanako said I shouldn't. I sneeze when I smell most flowers." The green eyed 5 year-old answered. "What's your name?"
"My name is Kairi." Haruka smiled with her green eyes sparkling.
"That's such a pretty name, Kairi. My name is Haruka, but people call me Ruka."
"I know who you are. A lot of people around Radiant Garden know who you are, Haruka." The said girl started giggling at this.
"Wow, I feel so popular." They both started laughing and the giggling died down. Haruka turned to Kairi with a gentle smile. "Hey Kairi."
"Yes, Haruka?" The 4 year-old girl turned to the red haired child.
"Do you want to be friends?" Haruka asked curiously and Kairi grinned.
"Of course!" The green eyed child grinned too and they held hands.
They both smiled at the memory of how they both met.
"Haruka?" Kairi asked and the said girl turned to her with her head tilted.
"Yes, Kairi?"
"I want to be friends again." Haruka giggled at this.
"Kairi, we ARE friends." She stated.
"Well, let's be the way we were when we were kids." The auburn haired teenager said and she nodded.
"Yeah, you're right Kairi. Let's be the way we were in the past." The red haired girl grinned and Kairi returned the smile.
The Princess of Heart took out something from her pocket and held it up. Haruka blinked as she stared at a necklace with a Thalassa Shell and a small round silver bell.
"I made this for you. It's to bring you luck on this adventure." Her green eyes sparkled at this as she smiled.
"Thank you, Kairi." She took it and clasped it around her neck; the necklace was like a choker style instead of loosely falling by her neck. "It's so beautiful; I love it very much and will always wear it. Kairi…"
Haruka held her friend's hands and a tear fell down her face. Kairi blinked and frowned at this.
"What's wrong, Ruka?" She asked curiously.
"You still haven't been the Radiant Garden recently." She said.
"Well, I've been to Hollow Bastion." The Princess of Light and Darkness shook her head.
"No, I've transformed Hollow Bastion back into Radiant Garden." Kairi's crystal blue-indigo eyes widened.
"Really?!" She asked with happiness.
"Yeah, it's the way it was 12 years ago; the Radiant Garden we were born and grew up in. Someday, Kairi, I will bring you there myself." She stated. "I promise."
"I would like that very much. Thanks Haruka." Kairi smiled.
"You're welcome Kairi." She stated.
"Haruka!" They heard Sora shout and looked at them. "C'mon, we've gotta go."
"Alright, keep your pants on!" She yelled and Kairi and Riku laughed.
The auburn haired Princess walked across the bridge and met up with the others. But the red haired Princess jumped off the bridge and landed in a graceful crouch. Riku watched this and blinked as he thought of something in the past.
They looked up to see Harumi walking on the bridge. She looked down at them with a smile. The red haired teen jumped onto the sand in a graceful crouch whilst holding onto her stomach. Little Sora jumped at this. She stayed on her knees and the little boy laughed nervously.
"Riku?" Haruka poked his forehead and he snapped into reality. He blinked and she smiled. "You okay?"
"Yeah, I just zoned out." He mumbled and she giggled.
"Alright, daydreamer!" Haruka pinched his nose and he laughed as he pinched her cheeks. "Eeeek! Riku!" She whined.
"You guys are weird." Sora pointed out and the red haired teen stuck her tongue at him.
"Well, we better get going." Riku said and they nodded.
"We'll be back, Kairi." Sora smiled and she nodded as she looked at the her 3 friends.
"See you soon." She smiled.
Mysterious Tower:
"As a Keyblade Master, Xehanort had a gift like few others." Sora, Haruka and Riku stood in front of Yen Sid. The red haired Princess' eyebrows furrowed together as she gripped onto her fists when she heard his name. "But such great minds are often plagued by a single great question. What is the essence of the human heart that weakens us, or empowers us? The answer he believed would be found in the 'Keyblade War'."
"The Keyblade War…" Haruka mumbled as she looked at the ground. They looked at her and she looked up at Master Yen Sid.
"What if the challenges of our past, were in fact a map, to the light and darkness that battles within us all? Xehanort had to know so he renounces his duties as Master and chose the seeker's life. Since then, he had clashed with protectors of the light…" The wise man stared at Haruka. "Those like your father, Princess Haruka."
The green eyed teen stood tall and had a look of complete determination.
"The protectors of the light will be avenged for what that old man did to them." She stated.
"…And Keyblade wielders like yourselves. And mark my words; he will trouble us yet again." The Master raised his voice as he stated.
Haruka took a step back and gulped. She breathed heavily and they turned to her. Riku touched her shoulder and she looked at the group; she was so scared. She closed her eyes and saw the images before her. Tears kept falling down her face.
Suddenly, something hit his heart and he blinked. Terra and Haruka's eyes widened and the little girl felt her heart break. His Keyblade fell onto the ground. He fell onto his knees and they both hugged him. Then he disappeared into orbs of light.
Terra then started to cry and then hugged onto the little girl. She started to cry too.
"Master Eraqus…" He sobbed.
"Grandpa Eraqus…" She squeaked.
"What a sight." They heard a voice and then she looked up. Suddenly, anger filled her eyes and she gripped onto her fists; Master Xehanort. "Why do you trouble yourself with remorse, Master Terra? The man was bent on doing harm to your friends."
Haruka yelled and picked up the deceased Master's Keyblade. She started swinging it, yet it was so heavy. She swung it towards him whilst tears fell down her eyes. But he just grabbed the Key with a smirk.
"Grandpa Eraqus didn't deserve to die! It's your fault." She cried.
"He won't ever come back, little girl." He said and she looked up at him with so determination that it made the old man afraid; it was as if he saw her mother and father within her.
"You're wrong! I will bring him back, someday. When I'm strong, I'll bring him back! That's my promise!" She shouted. He raised his hand and slapped her. She shrieked and rolled onto the ground.
"Haruka…" The wise man trailed off and she looked up at him. "Remember what I told you in the past."
"In the past?" She asked.
"You were about to be attacked by the Unversed and you came to this Castle. Then Donald and Goofy came to your rescue." He stated and she looked at them.
"Donald…Goofy." She said with a tear falling down her cheek when she how they met for the first time. They smiled at her and she turned to Master Yen Sid. "I remember you told me that I should never be afraid because someday I would become fearless and I have. You said that someday I would become strong and I have. But then you said that I will defeat Xehanort…"
"But you will, my dear." Yen Sid said and she shook her head.
"All of us will defeat Xehanort; together." She stated.
"But why are we here, Master Yen Sid?" Sora asked curiously.
"Sora, Riku; you both will be put through the Mark of Mastery. You both must be ready for the storm ahead." Yen Sid answered.
"Won't Haruka be tested?" Riku questioned.
"I'm gonna investigate some things and find some answers. But, if any of you are in trouble; I'll be there to help you both out." She smiled at them, as she held their hands. But then a tear fell down her face and her smile dropped. "Nothing bad will happen to us. I'll protect you both and I won't lose you." They stared at her and felt their hearts touched.
"Haruka dear, whatever happened to your sister and your friends won't happen to Sora or Riku." King Mickey said.
"I won't be able to forgive myself if something bad happens." Haruka mumbled. "Their safety is my responsibility." Riku and Sora smiled at her.
"You are a true Keyblade Master at heart." Yen Sid stated. "Sora, Riku both of you are self-taught Keyblade wielders, an impressive feat. However, the time has come for you to let go of preconceived notions. Forget what you know about the Keyblade and begin your training with a clean slate."
They all gasped at this but Riku kept calm.
"But that's a formality right? I already proved myself. Me, the King, Riku and Haruka, we can take on anything, right Riku?" Sora asked.
"I don't know." He raised his hand and his weapon appeared. "I think that in my heart darkness still has a hold." His weapon disappeared.
"Riku…" Haruka trailed off and frowned.
"Walking that path changed me. I'm not sure if I'm ready to wield a Keyblade. Maybe I do need to be tested." The silver haired teen said.
Haruka held onto his hand and squeezed it. He looked at her and she smiled at him. He smiled as well; she would always be by his side and support him.
"I'm with you, always." She whispered.
They both agreed to be put through the test and Yen Sid nodded.
"Very well then. Sora and Riku let your examination begin." The wise man stated.
Haruka turned to her brown haired friend and placed her hand on her hip. She then poked his forehead.
"Now I want you to be very careful, you hear? This is your first journey alone so try not to get hurt, okay?" He pouted at this.
"Aw, Haru! Give me a break; I'm not a little kid." She giggled at this and rustled his hair. Then she turned to Riku and he held her hands.
"Take care of yourself, Princess." She smiled sadly at this.
"I will don't you worry about that. Concentrate and believe in the light within you." He shook his head.
"No, I believe in you. You are my light, remember?" He asked and she hugged him.
"I'll miss you." She whispered. "And I love you." He placed his hands onto her face and she looked up at him.
"I love you too." He pressed his lips against hers in an amazing and passionate kiss. Their brown haired friend's face twisted with disgust.
"Get a room!" He yelled and she pulled away from the boy she loved.
"Shut it, you!" She exclaimed and slapped the back of his head. He rubbed his head whilst groaning with pain. She walked away and stood next to Yen Sid. "Good luck, both of you." She said with a smile. They nodded with faces of determination.
There we go! The exam begins! Please review and thank you for reading!
~Parisa01