A/N: I was just brainstorming one night and this chapter popped up XD I dunno why but it's really hard for me to start a story, I never know how to start it xP Hope you enjoy this short first chapter :]

"Don't worry about it, Kairi, everything will be fine."

"I know, Cid. I'm excited…really."

"I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too."

"Kairi?"

A small, red-haired girl turned to the older image of herself. She sat up straight and her sad blue eyes faced the green eyes of her mother.

"Yes, Mother?" Kairi said, hesitantly. The woman smiled warmly and placed a hand on her daughter's shoulder. Kairi could see tears forming in her eyes.

"You know that we lost all our money because of this project to find the Keyhole. That has all gone to waste now. I just want you to know that we will stay strong no matter what."

"Mother, we can solve this! I know we can. We'll just find a way to raise all our money again." In her excitement, she stood up and grabbed her mother's hands. Her mother smiled sadly and shook her head.

"Kairi, sweetie. There isn't any way to raise enough money to support our kingdom." Kairi's sparkling blue eyes turned sad as she let go of her hands. She sat on the bed again and looked down at her feet.

The door opened to reveal a tall man with spiky blonde hair, bright blue eyes, and a nonchalant expression come in. His cold blue eyes softened and his nonchalant expression turned warm. He put an arm around Kairi's mother and cleared his throat.

"Father, what do you think we should do?" the young sixteen year old girl asked expectantly. At times like these her father always knew what to do. He looked hesitantly at her mother and then back to Kairi. Forcing a smile, he decided to answer.

"Well, I arranged a meeting with the King of Destiny Islands."

"That's great! We'll just ask for help in repairing the kingdom."

"Um…I don't think he'll help that easily. You see Kairi…he wants to join our two kingdoms."

"Oh, wonderful! Um...but how is he going to do that?"

"You're going to be betrothed to his son…Sora."

"Princess?"

"Huh, what was that Cid? Sorry, I spaced out." She heard a chuckle from the friendly, but strict mechanic who volunteered to take her to Sora's castle. Sora...she wondered what he was like. On her lap, her white cat, Vanilla, stared at her with her bright green eyes. She stroked her softly as she waited for Cid to ask the question again.

"I said, how do you think you'll like the lad?"

"Sora you mean?"

"Well no duh, Sora, who else could I be talking about?" Kairi giggled and tucked a strand of her red hair behind her ear. Cid has been working for her family for many years and was the only one who could talk to her normally like this. She felt safe and comfortable when around him. He was like her second father.

"I didn't see him yet, so I wouldn't know," she blushed. She didn't even know him and she was getting married to him. She thought her father had disapproved of betrothals and whatnot. She felt betrayed…and hurt. More hurt because she thought he understood her.

"What are you expecting?" he asked. He made a turn and Kairi could see the castle in the distance. It even looked huge from far away. No wonder her father wanted to join kingdoms, but she used to have a whole life in front of her.

"Expecting? Well um…a prince? I'm not sure what to expect," she admitted.

"That's good Kairi. Don't have too many expectancies, because fate is a very fickle creature."

"Thanks Cid. Really, you helped me so much."

"I see you as my daughter. Besides if I didn't help you, you'd be a wreck," he joked.

"Hey!" Kairi giggled and looked out the window. She almost gasped at the sight outside. There was a glistening, vast ocean with a vivid sunset. She pressed her face against the window and tried to take in everything at once. She had never been to a beach before. There weren't any in Radiant Garden. All thoughts about leaving home left her mind for a while and she sat in the carriage hoping to watch a full sunset one day.

She sat back and closed her eyes. Maybe the trip here won't be so bad. Maybe Sora would actually turn out pretty okay. Thinking positive is really hard, Kairi thought. She sighed and crossed her arms. That still didn't make her heart ache any less. She had to leave behind everyone, except her father who's coming with her in another horse carriage. Her father had to get there earlier to meet with the King of Destiny Islands.

"Okay, Kairi, we're here." The carriage came to an abrupt stop and Kairi nearly flew off her seat.

"Whoops sorry, princess, bad habit," he said, looking back at her and smiling apologetically. He jumped off his seat and went over to hold the door open for her. He held his hand out and gave her an encouraging smile. Holding Vanilla tightly, she took his hand. Well here goes nothing...she thought and jumped off.

"Sora, honey? The king from Radiant Garden is here. Come out and introduce yourself."

A spiky brunette got off from his bed and sighed. Running a hand through his hair, he went out the door to meet this 'King' he heard so much about. The king and his daughter. The one he was supposed to marry.

Oh gosh, what if she's ugly? he thought. What if I don't like her? He shook away his thoughts and decided he would think about it later. Folding his hands behind his head, he looked around the hallways. It looked so empty.

Where's Mom?

He went down the stairs and stopped abruptly. A woman with gorgeous brown hair tied in a braid with a pink ribbon and with sparkling green eyes was standing beside two men smiled at him. One of the two was his father and Sora didn't recognize the other. That must be the king. He looks a bit intimidating...

"Uh…hi," Sora said awkwardly. His father smiled at him while the man nodded. His mother, however, had a strict look on her face.

"Sora, that is no way to greet…"

"It's fine, Aerith." The man with jet black spiky hair, also known as Sora's father the King of Destiny Islands, stood up. He had a scar the shape of an X on the left side of his cheek, glowing blue eyes, and a built body. His strict face turned playful and clapped Sora on the shoulder. Sora chuckled and rubbed the spot where he hit.

"This is my son, Sora. Sora, this is Cloud, the father of the girl you're gonna marry. He's also the amazing King of Radiant Garden," his father said excitedly.

"Oh…"

"Thanks for the introduction, Zack." Sora saw a man with spiky blonde hair stand up. His blue eyes were sharp and his face was emotionless. Suddenly Zack ran over and patted the man on his back and they both started to laugh. Sora raised an eyebrow and his mother giggled.

"They're childhood best friends you know," she said. Sora widened his eyes in surprise and looked back at the two. They seemed so different and yet they were best friends?

"Zack, stop it, your son and wife are here!" Cloud tried to get away from Zack and his armlock.

"Good, then we have an audience for your humiliation!" Zack laughed as Cloud glared at him. Sora chuckled but then coughed to hide it. How embarrassing, Sora thought. He crossed his arms and coughed.

"Yeah, I'll just go now," he said as he went up the stairs. Aerith looked on as he disappeared into his room. She decided to break up Zack and Cloud's playful renunion.

"Okay, you two. Now we'll wait for Cloud's lovely daughter and then we'll have the two meet. Oh no, I need to get some tea for you guys! Hold on just a minute." She disappeared into the kitchen as Cloud and Zack sat down at the table.

"Don't you guys have a lot of servants, maids, and butlers?" Cloud asked, questioningly.

"We do, she just likes to make tea," Zack said amusedly. "We may be royalty but just don't act like it."

"Oh," Cloud gave a rare smile. "It's good to see you again Zack. It feels like years since we goofed off like that."

"Haha, I missed your nagging you know."

"I don't nag!"

"What's that? Do I sense denial?" Cloud shook his head laughing and leaned back against the chair.

"How's Claire?" Zack asked his face becoming serious now.

"She's doing well. She offered to stay behind to watch over the kingdom. Kairi's taking it pretty hard though."

"Kairi…you know I have never seen your daughter before. When is she coming?" Zack asked, folding his hands behind his head.

"Hm…Cid should be coming here with her soon."

"Cid!? He still works for you? Wow, I thought he would've gotten fed up with you already," Zack joked. "So, Kairi doesn't want to marry Sora?"

"Cid is a very loyal person and a close friend. As for Kairi…I'm going to have a hard time with her. She's very…stubborn. She also was very upset that she had to leave home. We'll just wait until they meet."

"C'mon people have that feeling all the time. She'll be okay, she's a grown girl."

"Yeah I guess you're right."

"Of course I'm right! Now go upstairs and get some rest. Yuffie!" A slim girl with short black hair and sparkling violet eyes hopped down the steps and smiled brightly. She bowed to Zack and her eyes widened at the sight of Cloud.

"Cloud! Oh my gosh, it's been forever!" she exclaimed and waved happily.

"Nice to see you too, Yuffie," Cloud smiled and waved back. She giggled and skipped towards the two kings.

"Show Cloud to his room please," Zack said. Yuffie nodded and grabbed Cloud's suitcase.

"Come this way, sir!" she said as she ran quickly up the steps.

"Wait…what? Hold on!" Cloud hurried and tried to follow the energetic teen. Zack chuckled and rested his head on his hand. His wife came into the room with a tray.

"I'm back with the tea!" she said. She looked at the table and saw someone missing.

"You're too late, Spiky went up to get some rest."

"Darn it, I'm too slow." Aerith sighed and placed the tray on the table.

"You'll get it, honey," Zack smiled encouragingly. Aerith smiled and rested her head on his shoulder. Suddenly she sat up straight again.

"Hey, shouldn't Kairi be here by now?"

"Where is this place?" The redheaded princess walked aimlessly around the hallways. She had seen that same portrait over and over again. She hugged her cat closer to her as she quickened her pace.

"I should've just told Cid I couldn't find my room but no, I had to say I got this. Stupid, stupid, stupid…" she muttered. Vanilla meowed but Kairi paid no mind to her. Her feet were starting to get sore so she quickly took off her high heels. She sighed in relief and decided to rest for a while. She looked around and decided to check out the rooms.

"Hm…wonder what's in here," she knew she shouldn't be poking her nose where it doesn't belong but she had to get somewhere. She opened the door slowly and saw it was just a regular room. And a boy's room at that. She bit her lip and closed it. Goodbye to the idea of resting there. She backed away from the room and started to turn around to start searching for another room. Right when she turned, she bumped into something…or someone.

"Oof!" Kairi got knocked to the ground and Vanilla had jumped out of her arms. She looked up to see the person she bumped into. He had spiky brown hair and clear blue eyes that were staring down at her. She quickly stood up but lost her balance and instead fell into his arms. Blushing embarrassingly, she jumped back and straightened out her dress. He had no particular expression on his face while she must've looked like a goofball.

"I'm so sorry!" she apologized. That must've been his room. Her face turned red again as he looked her over.

"And you are?" he asked with a monotone voice.

"K-kairi," she answered. She thought she saw his eyes widen a bit but whatever she saw, it went away quickly. He moved closer towards her.

"Kairi eh?" He reached out and held her chin in his hand. "What a pretty little name for a pretty little girl."

Her face was heating up again but then he started to laugh. Was he fooling with her? She glared at him and moved back from him.

"Why you..." she started to say as she crossed her arms. Vanilla! She remembered her cat had run away when she fell to the ground. She had to look for her in this huge castle, but she'll just get lost again. Maybe that boy would help.

"Calm down, I'm just having some fun," he said after he finished laughing.

"Okay whatever…listen. I think we got off at a bad start." She coughed and held out a hand. "I'm Kairi. And you are?"

He stared at her for a while and then at her hand. Suddenly he started to laugh again.

"What is so funny?" she asked.

"You," he said shaking his head. "And why should I give you my name?"

"I was trying to be nice," she said placing her hands on her hips. What is up with this boy? "Okay whatever, I don't need your name. May you just please help me find my cat? She ran off somewhere and I'm not familiar with this place."

"Hm…me waste time to help you when I could be doing something more interesting. What do you think my answer is?"

"You know what? I'm going to find someone more helpful. Thanks for nothing," she whipped around and started to walk away.

"Now is that any way to treat your future husband?" Sora smirked as she stopped right in her tracks. She turned around to face him and had a hesitant look on her face.

"Sora?"

A/N: Worst cliffhanger ever LOL I suck at them. Sorry that the kings, queens, etc. don't act very much like royalty. This time period is actually present time :D