Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts.
A Dance of Swords
Chapter One
A girl sat quietly on a grassy hill, the grass an itchy relief under her. Her eyes were closed and her face was tilted up to catch the last rays of the setting sun. Her breath was slow and calm, a complete opposite to her pounding heart.
"Are you okay, Michiru?" a voice startled the girl from her thoughts. She jumped, opening her liquid silver eyes. A few strands of auburn hair escaped the single braid that hung down her back.
"Oh," she breathed, placing a hand over her heart, as if it would slow the rapid pace. "Saiki, you scared me." a boy with matching liquid silver eyes stared back at her, a concerned from spreading across his thin, almost delicate lips.
"Are you okay?" Saiki repeated his question. Michiru bit her bottom lip, shaking her head. Saiki shook his pale blond bangs from his face.
"I can't help but feel that everything is going to change," she paused, afraid of offending the boy. "I fell like one of us is going to change. And not in the way we want."
Saiki stroked one of the pearly white wings hovering over Michiru's back, his own ebony colored ones relaxing.
"Of course things are going to change," he replied with a slight smile. "Tonight is our Binding Ceremony, and our Companions will be chosen." Michiru was silent once more. She and Saiki were born to a long line of Guardians, winged people who upheld the peace in the different worlds. They didn't know much about the other worlds out there, only that there were so many they matched the stars in the sky. She used to pretend that each star was a world, but her teacher had laughed at the idea.
Tonight was their Binding Ceremony, a ceremony that bound their souls to a weapon used by their Companions. No one knew who their Companions were - it was the Light that chose. Nobody knew where the Light came from, either. All they knew that there was a part of it in everyone, and if it was extinguished bad things started to happen.
"What if our paths never meet again after the ceremony? There are so many worlds - so many Companions that need Guardians-" she was cut off by a finger on her lips.
"Why don't we let the Great Lord handle that? We will meet again if it is His will," he wrapped an arm around the smaller girl's shoulders. They turned, hearing voices calling their names. It was time for the preparations to begin.
Exactly one hour later, both Michiru and Saiki were dressed. The dress Michiru wore was sleeveless, and the collar of the deep ruby material stretched far up her neck. An onyx button kept the stiff collar in place. A black ribbon was tied directly under her bust; the ends of the ribbon fell to the middle of her calves. A black ruffled skirt fell to just past her knees, and a royal blue mesh overskirt fell slightly over that. She wore thin, black mid-calf high shoes, and there was a black ribbon tied around each wrist.
Saiki wore an outfit that complimented hers. His deep ruby shirt was also high collared, but the stiff neck was held closed by a button made of pearl. His black pants were tucked into thin, metal colored boots, and he wore a sleeveless overcoat of royal blue.
The two turned to each other as they came to stand in front of a large ornate door with an onyx key etched on it. It was crossed with a silver key. A pair of wings were either side, and a simple black and red crown floated on top of it.
"Do you accept your responsibilities of Guardians, and, as such, the responsibilities to protect your Companions with your lives?" a soft, powerful voice asked. The voice came from nowhere and everywhere at once, and Michiru knew at once that it was the voice of the Light. Both Michiru and Saiki nodded, not daring to speak.
"Then, step into the light and be reborn," Saiki stepped forward and the hulking set of doors opened. A powerful, gentle light bathed those who had come to see them off. Saiki flashed Michiru one last smile, and then he was gone. Michiru was hesitant at first, but then stepped into the light from the doors. She felt a tugging at her midsection, but she could not see what was around her. The light took over her senses, and she knew no more.