Word form Leara – Welcome to chapter three I hope you enjoy.

Background info -- Mara has had pitch black dreams ever since she was a child. Only darkness lived in her dreams, and every night they made her cry. Mara is ill weak really. She wants to go with Sora and the gang to look for other worlds but she knows she'll never be able to keep up. But what happens when that large black monster wants to 'save her' from what? The darkness of her heart? From her loving friends? Or maybe its her dreams...Sora/Rikuxooc

Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts, or anything made by Disney/Square Enix.


Chapter Three:

Yellow Eyes

The empty hallow sound of nothing.

That's not a sound or a thing. Nothing is just that nothing

Nothing:

not anything: an indefinite pronoun indicating that there is not anything, not a single thing, or not a single part of a thing

That is nothing, a void of empty space. That is darkness and I'm trapped in that void with no way out and no one to keep me company. I'm all alone again.

"Why is this happing to me?" I asked the void not excepting an answer, but the hope that someone some thing would answer my plea was too hard to turn away.

I felt myself braking again. The barriers that held my emotions inside my already fragile heart were starting to crumple. This always happened, no matter how hard I tired to hold back the upcoming tears that always came when I was in this void, this darkness the darkness of my own pain, of my own heart.

The sound of my tears colliding on the invisible floor was the only thing I could hear. I wanted more then anything for it to stop this constant loneliness that I experienced every single night when I feel asleep. My dreams were filled with nothing more then this darkness this void on complete nothingness, and for some reason it made me cry, every single night it made me cry.

"Damn it!" I yelled looking at my pale bare feet "Why am I even here?" I pleaded for an answer although I knew I would never get one. Then with out any thought I lifted my head and stared into the darkness. Taking the deepest breath I could I screamed.

I had never screamed that loud before in my life even if I was inside my own mind or heart. That was the loudest I had ever been, and I kept on screaming. This was like some relieve on my swore heart. The need to breath over took me and my screaming ceased. My arms hung limply at my sides as I took slow deep breaths trying my hardest to slow my heart which was scaring my lungs.

My tears had faded which surprised me, once my tears had started in these 'dreams' I had always kept crying until I awoke. Then I dropped to my knees my body starting to stiffen, I continued to stare into the dark abyss. My throat groaned as did my stomach. I must be hungry.

Then without warning my body became alert. I slowly stood up my legs apart and knees bent in a battle stance. I readied my arms and waited. This was the first time I had ever felt any kind of presents inside the void and I was sure it wasn't going to be good, or was it that my body had just come to except the faked I was alone and there was no way anyone could be here.

Out in the void I saw it, something moved. I was stunned there was really something in this darkness along with me. I straitened up and ran towards the outlined dark mass. Before I was able to get close enough the thing moved back father into the shadows.

"Wha, hey, wait a minute! Don't run away I just want to speak with you." I yelled after it. Still the thing ran from me. I chased after the mass for the longest time and we stayed the same distance apart no matter how fast I ran. After finally catching a clue I stopped my pursuit of the thing. As I had excepted the thing stopped as well.

"What in the world is going on?" I asked the thing demanding an answer.

It said nothing.

"Oh don't give me that! I want an answer now!" I yelled. Again nothing happened. I was ready to scream again but before I got the chance, the thing walked no, glided towards me. When it was less then feet away from me it stopped. I looked up it.

Thing was clearly, no substantially larger then I was. I was a messily 5'3 while this thing was pushing 7'0. I stared up at it not sure what to do. This…this Thing was clearly not human at least not anymore. I could see dark wings attached to its back. It shoulders seemed to attached to torso like some put together yourself toy. Its head was a bit square as was its body. It feet on the other hand, were like small triangles of folded up paper so it hung limply towards the ground. It wasn't even touching the ground it was floating above the so it's folded up feet would not bend or rip under its weight. But it was his hands that left it mark on me. Starting from his shoulder his arms only grew till it stopped at it hands, those hands would easily fit over someone head.

My eyes had gone wide without my knowing. The Thing opened its eyes which I had just realized where closed. I dropped my mouth in shock. The things eyes were a bright yellow. It was unnatural the way they shinned in the thick darkness. At first I thought that the beast had no pulp but with a closer look I was able to see a very small slit much like a cats eye or maybe even a snakes.

I was frozen I couldn't will my body to move. Why had this monster appeared in my dream, what was its purpose for being here? I don't get it not in the least. What in world is going on in my mind?

I looked down at the monsters chest and flinched back. I gasped staring at the empty hole that was the thing's chest. That hole was shaped like a heart.

"Wha-what is going?" I asked it. I felt my body begin to shake.

The monster looked down at me with sad eyes. I looked up at it in confusion. Why is it sad?

You do not remember?

A voice asked me inside my head. I gasped jumping back away from the beast.

"What are you?" I asked without thinking.

The monsters eyes narrowed sadly looking at the ground. Then it looked up at me again. It started at me for only a moment then lifted up its toy like arms extending it hand towards me. I looked at it overly large finger with wide eyes taking a step back trying to stay out its grasp. I then looked up at the monster and asked

"What do you want from me?" it froze dropping it's arms, halting to decent towards me

I wish to save you…


My eyes snapped open, going wide with shock. I sat up quickly looking around me frantically. I could remember the dream as clear as the bright blue sky above me. I took hurried breaths trying to calm myself down. Looking around again making sure the monster was no longer near me. Quickly it dawned on me that it was no where in sight.

This worried me. If that thing was running around like I thought it was, then it could be hurting some one right as I'm thinking all of this. But where could it be it was a huge monster, it couldn't get that far, oh wait it has wings that means I could be a good mile away by now and I would never know it. But what could that thing want with me any way. Well maybe it wasn't after me it was after someone else that means they could be in trouble. I quickly stood up, ready to go running off looking for the monster.

But before I could start on my run I realized too late that there was no where to run. I desperately tried to pull my foot forward to run, but it caught under something and caused me to trip. I fell forward quickly but never hit the solid mass under me, my hands had caught my fall.

I froze holding myself on my hands. My foot was stuck and it hurt. I turned my head around and saw if was caught under that stupid…what's it called…the dumb seat of the boat. Slowly I walked on my hands backwards towards the seat, bending my knee in the process. Once I was close enough I lightly pulled my foot out and brought it over the board and sat down.

Once again I looked around me but this time not for a monster, but to find out where I was. The realization had hit me, while I was helping my foot, that I was over reacting way too much too quickly. If I didn't calm down I was going to hurt myself or most likely exhaust myself and pass out.

I let in a small gasp realizing where I was. I was in the same place I had been the morning before. Again I was sitting in my boat my sweater around my shoulders keeping me warm and there was no one around. At least that's what Believed.

"Hey Mai, what are you doing?" A voice asked me from above. I jumped causing my sweater to fall to the ground. I quickly turned and looked up my going wide in fright, and then they relaxed. I let out a sigh looking back down at myself looking for my shoes. I tried to hide my raging fear that was coursing through my body.

"Gosh Selphie can't you give a girl a warning before you show up." I told the girl grapping my shoes after I had found them sitting behind me and slipped them on. I could feel Selphie's shock roll off her body.

"What are you talking about? You were just sitting there like a bump on a log and you tell me to warn you." She defended making a face. I turned to look at her once seeing her balled up face I laughed.

What was wrong with me, That monster was just part of the dream right.

"Well of course I just woke up, so I don't pay any attention to what's going on." I partly lied standing up and banged the tips of my shoes on the bottom of my boat making sure to hold the dock for support.

"You're mean Mara." I looked up at the green eyed girl eyes wide, Since when was I mean? My mind asked

"Oh really, I'm mean now." I asked resting a hand on my hip

"Yes as a matter a faked you are, now anyway." Selphie said with a pouting look.

I snorted at her focusing myself not to laugh at her.

"You're strange sometimes Selphie." I told her getting ready to pull myself on to the dock

"What! You're one to talk Mara." She announced moving out of my way.

I stopped looking up at her raising an eyebrow at the brown haired girl for a moment as she did with me. Then we both started laughing at each other.

I don't understand what's going on any more. I said to myself my mind still dewing on the dream and the monster that dwelled there. I tried to make myself to stop laughing.

"No, but really Mai what are you doing?" Selphie asked whipping the tears form her eyes. I didn't look up at her as I climbed out of my boat to the dock.

"What do you mean, I was just sleeping." I really didn't want to talk to Selphie about my odd sleeping habits.

"Again?" she asked

"Yeah." I answered, getting on my hands and knees so I could grab my sweater.

"Man, Mara you need to be more careful. You don't know what could happen if you keep falling asleep everywhere." Selphie told me. I looked up at her as she put her hands on her hips, doing so she was trying to make me listen to her, sadly it worked.

"Don't worry Selphie. I don't fall asleep just anywhere. But my boat is really comfy." I joked letting the smile cross my face.

Selphie's large green eyes narrowed. I hesitantly let out a laugh Time to get out of here. I told myself.

"Well anyway Selphie," I said quickly walking around her so if I needed to I could make a run for it "Where are Sora and the others?" I finished. I stopped mid step still looking at Selphie.

Why did I ask about them? I could have said anything else, something random but why did I asked about them. They are my friends but…oh yeah the raft. Selphie raised her eye bow at me.

"There on the other side of the island, why?" She asked crossing her arms.

"Thanks a lot Selphie." I turned away from her with a wave "I'll see you later k." Then well I ran for it.

"Hey! Mara!" Yelled Selphie as I continued running towards the small trap door near the tree house, I didn't look back I couldn't I just had to get away form her and any of the other teens on the island so I could think. I ran up the small set of stairs on to a platform. I looked over at the coconut tree near me; I jumped into the base of the tree and climbed up till I was near the large trap door opening, which lead to the other side of the island. I jumped into the hole almost losing my balance in the process.

Once inside I sighed as I walked through the hole to the other side.

"Okay time to think." I said rubbed my head. "It was just a dream right, same with that monster?" I began to chew on the inside of my lip unconsciously, "If it didn't mean anything then why did it bother me so much? And…that…that… thing, monster, beast I don't know, 'it'. What ever it was, it's bugging me. But it's just a dream I shouldn't feel anything, at least not for this long, right!?" I said to my feet. I looked up and noticed at I was close to the star tree already.

"That was quicker then I thought." I said out loud.

I lightly bit my tongue in aggravation. Stupid brain stop making me speak what you think! I growled to myself continuing to walk forward. I seemed to have this weird habit of speaking my thoughts without meaning to. There was this one time I remember so clearly that every time it's even mentioned I blush and want to go hide in a little hole that is my room. Well years ago are around mid winter it was one of the very rare occasions where it snowed on the islands, but was gone with in the hour. I was dressed in my sweater and scarf walking through the thin layer of snow my hands stuffed into my pockets trying to keep them warm.

I had been walking for a while not really going anywhere, I just wanted out of my house. I never stayed inside much like the rest of the children. None of the kids had gone to the island since it was too cold to try and sail out to the small bit of land. So the every one was outside playing in the little bit of snow that had fallen.

As it turns out as I walked with my mouth coved I had started talking to myself. My thoughts had decided to verbalize themselves and so I ended up speaking every word I was thinking. So every time I past some kids playing in the snow I would softly say what I thought without even knowing. It was safe to say that almost every one on the island knew I was in a bad mood.

I didn't really like snow, I still don't. Rain was fine oh I love the rain. I know that snow is only frozen rain but it was far to cold for my tastes. And I suppose I always saw more danger in snow then I did in rain.

I continued to comment on everything I past even when Sora showed up. Sora saw me walking alone and decided to keep me company, well I didn't notice him, even with his large shoes crushing the snow. Again without my knowing Sora came up behind be as I walked and asked

"What are you doing Mara?" Well as expected I jumped and more or less freaked out on him. Once I looked his way my thoughts began to once again speak out loud. I almost made poor seven year old Sora cry. He asked me half way through my mind rant, why I was saying such mean things. That's when I realized what was happening. I was so embarrassed with myself and I couldn't face anyone for a while. I did apologize to Sora before I went in hiding in my room.

I cringed at the memory. Now I felt like going into hiding again. I always did, it was defiantly guilt I did almost make Sora cry even if it was eight years ago I still felt bad.

My mother told me once that I 'Kept guilt' When I told her I didn't understand my father butted in and told me I was a 'keeper of guilt' Again I was confused so my mother continued and told me

"In the distance past or maybe even in a different life, you did something you felt really bad about. So now you can very easily feel guilty about anything. Just because of the one thing you did that you can't even remember, but your hearts dose and it will always feel that pain until you tell some one about what happened or just fix the problem the thing that you did…"

I let out a sigh walking towards the end of the passage. My mom had never been good at talking with kids. Once I reached the tree I hopped out of the passage in to a small platform where the tree sat. Turning my head to the right I saw the raft, but there wasn't any one there.

"Huh?" I said quietly in confusion. Normally someone was at the raft at all times -usually either Kairi or Riku- doing something to the thing, but there was no there. I began to wonder if something happened to my three friends. Worry spread through my heart but I forced myself to stop it quickly by thinking of reasons why they would be gone. Right now in the number one slot was that 'there doing something stupid' that sounded about right.

I walked from platform to platform hopping to see my three friends making there way over to the raft before I had to go looking for them, but still not luck. Walking down the ramp I noticed the raft for the first time. My face fell. It was finished, the raft was finally finished –more or less-. That meant that they were going to leave, to find the other world…Kairi's home town. I let out a tired sigh.

"Well I guess there's nothing I can do." I said quietly walking up to the raft.

I stood in front of it but kept my distance. I was afraid to step onto it, like I had just yesterday. I knew if I did I would be admitting to myself that I had to tell them, that I had to tell them I wasn't going to go with them, just because of this sickness I was cursed with, and I just couldn't face that faked just yet. After all they won't be leaving today, but I knew they would be leaving tomorrow. It was easy to tell that all that was needed was the rest of the rations for the journey. My lips dropped to a frown

"Sigh…oh well." I said sadly

"Mara, move out of the way!" A voice yelled from my right. I quickly jumped onto the raft without realizing it; my brain was trying desperately to get out of the way. I turned my head to see Riku and Sora running past me up the ramp where I had just came, Riku in the lead. I stared after them eyes wide they just scarred the living daylights out of me! I yelled holding my hands to my chest.

"Lord what are they doing now, racing again?" I asked looking over where the boys had just come. I looked over at the teen again Riku was just about to touch the star shaped tree.

"Figures," I said softly. I turned to the right and ran toward the risen earth where the two had come earlier. I jumped onto the land and looked over the broken bridge I hated so much, and there was Kairi standing on the other side. I ran down the small set of stairs into the lukewarm water. I didn't want to risk getting run over as I walking across the dumb bridge.

"Kairi!" I shouted getting her attention "Are they racing again?" I asked

"Yeah there at it again," She said watching me hoist myself up on to the bit of land near her "but Riku will win he always dose."

"Yeah you're right, but you never now, Riku could trip and Sora gets the lead."

"You're kidding right?" She asked an eye brow raised.

"Yeah…we all can dream right." I said shrugging my shoulder

"I would pay money to see Riku trip." Kairi said watching Riku jump from the top of the coconut trees Sora behind him having some trouble.

"Wouldn't we all Kairi, wouldn't we all." I heard Kairi laugh besides me. "Alright, let's see who wins."

Both the boy ran as fast as they were able, trying there hardest to get over to Kairi and I first. I was surprised that they weren't pushing each other into the water so they could get there first. But in the end Riku got over the bridge first. I had to admit it was a close call. I heard Riku say something to Sora but didn't really catch what he said. All I noticed was Sora's pout. Kairi waved at me and made her way over the bridge to the raft, while Riku walked up to me.

"How are you doing Mara?" he asked me with a smile. "I didn't think I would see you until later." Ow…low blow…I don't sleep that much, do I? I forced a smile giving a simple

"Fine, how about you?" I notice Sora walking after Kairi the small pout still planted on his face.

"I'm doing fine." He told me walking past me over to the edge of the island I followed.

"So what were you to fighting over this time?" I asked sitting down letting my legs hang over the side.

"Oh the usual," He said following suit "Nothing really important..."

"What was it?" I asked him again. He looked at me then back to the sea.

"What to name the raft." He said simply

"You're kidding me," I asked him. He shook his head "Sigh whatever, so what's the name?" I asked him. I did want to know but I didn't want to know. If I did then it would just lead my mind closer and closer to making me have to tell them.

"Highwind." He told me in a mater of faked tone, which caused me to laugh.

"Man, Riku." I set my hands behind me supporting the rest of my weight on to my arms. "The two of you are always at it. What's goin' on I don't know about."

"Nothing." He said

"Liar," I said looking at the side of his head

"There's nothing going on, really." He defended looking at me.

We stared at each other for a moment then I shook my head.

"I'll take your word for it, this time Riku." I said looking at the sea again. I head Riku sigh next to me. I was about to ask him what was wrong, even though I was sure I knew the answer, but I was cut off.

"HEY MARA!" Sora yelled from across the shore. I looked over in his direction. He was walking towards the bridge.

"WHAT?" I yelled back.

"Kairi wants us to get the rest of the food for the raft." Sora told standing on the edge of the bridge.

"Oh…Okay, be right there." I told him standing up.

I looked down at Riku giving him a smile.

"I'll see you in a little while okay?" I said quickly then turned around and began to head towards the water again. I really didn't want to go into the water again, but even more didn't want to go over that godforsaken bridge.

"Mara, why don't you just use the bridge? It would be the smart thing to do." Riku asked me bringing a single knee to his chest and resting his arm on it.

"Because, nothing good happens on that bridge, it's either me falling off or me knocking some else with me." I yelled at him walking with my head turned towards him.

Riku gave me a blank look.

"She's got a point Riku, remember a few days ago." Sora butted in a smile on his face. He had sat down on the edge of the island his legs hanging over the side, and he was sitting the same as Riku beside his chin in his hand.

Riku froze for a moment remembering his little dive in the ocean.

"Oh right. I think I would have found it funny if you to fall in the water, Mara." Riku informed me with a smirk on his thin lips.

I had made it out of the water and was proceeding to dry myself off, but right now I was really considering going back into that cold water to ring Riku's neck. I turned to face Riku and gave him a glare.

"Jerk," I said loudly. I then walked up the stairs heading towards Kairi. "Come on Sora we have work to do." I was very safe to say I was pissed.

"Uh… oh right." Sora said quickly standing up running after me, but made sure to keep his distance from me. I don't think that Sora wanted to test my anger at the moment.

I quickly made my way over to Kairi. Once she had come into view I asked.

"So what is it that we're supposed to get?"

Kairi looked over at me and the close behind Sora in mild shook. I don't really think that she was excepting us to come back to her so soon.

"Didn't Sora tell you?" She asked

If I was in the mood then I would have laughed. Ask dimwitted Sora to remember something that he didn't want to do right.

"I don't trust Sora with this sort of thing." I said stepping around the raft to face Kairi again making sure not to get on the raft at all, even though I had already been on the raft today.

"Hey I resent that." Sora said stepping onto the raft. I said nothing while Kairi laughed

"Okay anyway all we need in the rest of the food for the trip." Kairi said the laugher passing "All we need is: three mushrooms, three coconuts, three fish, one seagull egg, and you need to fill this bottle with water." Kairi reached into her pocket and handed me the empty bottle "Fresh water not water from the ocean." I nodded to her closing my eyes, vaguely aware of Sora nodding as well.

"Okay" I said curtly walking over to Sora ringing my arm around his elbow bottle still in hand "Let's go Sora." And I began dragging him off towards the ramp, towards the passage where I had entered earlier that afternoon.

"Uh okay," He was trying desperately to walk backwards without hitting me but just ended up hoping on one foot "See you later Kairi." Sora waved to her as he was dragged away. I could hear Kairi's giggles.