A chill hung in the air, unsettled and anxious. The sun and disappeared beneath the waves and the night's black ink smeared across the sky. Though the moon hung high, her sad, whispering light offered little against the pitch black of the night.
Running hand in hand down the street, the black pavement was cool beneath their feet. Each step sent a shock up Kairi's legs: a sharp pain that spread from her numb feet. They were silent as they ran and the moon watched over them. Kairi danced on her toes, the sting of the pavement growing unbearable. How'd it get so cold?
Content crickets preached from the grass and the little old fashioned lamps stood guard on the edges of the road.
Xion wrapped an arm around Kairi's waist and whispered into her ear, "The moon is so pretty." Xion slowly walked towards the curb, the moon's light glinted off her shoulders. She held a damp towel at her side, clamped in her fist. Xion stood silently as she stared up at the moon, transfixed. Through the darkness, Kairi stared at Xion's back. How is she not cold? Kairi hugged her arms as a strong wind howled against her. Xion remained still and not a single goosebump laid against her perfectly soft skin.
Kairi found her eyes trailing down the length of Xion's back. She wanted to reach out and feel Xion's exposed skin, soft beneath her fingers. Kairi loved the way she could see the outline of Xion's shoulder blades and the form of her hips. Kairi purred to herself. Often, she caught herself staring, watching intently. The sound of Xion's voice caused Kairi to snap her head up.
"It kind of reminds me of how I used to watch the sunset with Axel and Roxas." Xion turned slightly, causing the moonlight to illuminate her breast. Kairi wandered over to Xion, accepting a tight embrace. Xion thought for a moment before continuing, "Except they weren't shivering their skins off." A small laugh bubbled up Xion's throat. She led Kairi by the hand, slowly, towards the dark house at the end of the street.
"Hey, Xion? C-Can we h-hurry? P-Please? I'm really cold, and just because m-mamma and pa-"
"Alright, alright," Xion said, hushing Kairi as she quickened her step. Half-dragging her and half-carrying her, Xion continued on with her speech. "I wish Naminé could have come. Do you think she was lying? I mean, I know her mom's crazy-"
"N-no… I don't th-think she was l-l-l-lying…" Kairi stuttered, tripping over her feet.
"Why do you have to be so damn cold," Xion muttered as she held Kairi closely. They passed beneath a light-less street lamp near the foot of the driveway.
"H-how c-can you N-NOT?" Kairi sounded surprised as she stared at Xion, who was wearing next to nothing. Xion shrugged. They had just reached the porch when Xion answered a nonchalante, "Just not," and took the house keys from Kairi.
Kairi turned to stare down the empty street, clutching a damp towel to her arms. It looked so eerie, as if something would jump out at her at any minute. It was like… like that night, so long ago. True, the Islands have seen some rough storms, but nothing could compare to that night.
The three of them, Sora, Riku, and she had all gone down to the Island during the storm, hoping that the supplies hadn't all been washed away and the raft not destroyed.
The sky had grown dark, and a menacing orb began to appear amidst the stars. Kairi had gone to the Secret Place, where she remembered Sora finding her. What happened next? She couldn't really remember. Her memories of that evening fell into a blur, and with it, the following months. Kairi stared at her feet, a small smile appeared on her lips. I knew I was safe… because Sora protected me…
The wind screamed down the street as Kairi's smile faded, a single tear slipping down her cheek.
I-I thought he loved me… He-He promised he'd come back for me! Kairi held her face in her hands. But he never did... So I went looking for him. W-when I found him, it was like he didn't even remember me! Kairi sniffled, tears coming faster now.
Xion seemed to be confused with the keys, or how to insert them into the door, because she certainly wasn't noticing the earth shattering sniffles coming from behind her.
SORA! You loved me! Don't you remember, Kairi voicelessly screamed at the dark sky. She squeezed her eyes shut, hot tears spilling over. It was as if he barely recognized her. Every day she spent on the Island, every day she spent looking for him, she imagined their reunion.
She thought he'd be excited to see her, they loved each other after all. She thought he was going to run to her with a big, goofy grin spread across his face. He was going to pick her up and spin her around, babbling on about how happy he was and how much he had missed her. He would kiss her. It may be an awkward kiss at first, but he would kiss her. Little did she know that what she hoped, and what would be, were two completely different things.
And what does he do, Kairi angrily thought, Ran right past me and fell at Riku's feet! Kairi held her arms tightly, tears streaming down her face. How did things go wrong? Did Sora even try to come home? I waited every day on the beach. Every. Single. Day… waiting. True, he did hug her, but it was with acquiescence.
The keys jingled behind her. Xion wasn't having any luck.
Kairi thought back, she could barely remember the day Xion came into her life. It was their first day back to school. Sora absolutely refused to leave Riku's side that day, even followed him into the bathroom and cried whenever they had separate classes. Sora never said a word to Kairi that day, or any other day at that. He seemed to pretend she didn't exist.
This was the first day Kairi broke the dress code. She wore a black pull-over hoodie and baggy jeans. It wasn't offensive, she just blatantly refused to wear a skirt in the dead of winter.
Kairi was on her way to the office when she saw her. Standing awkwardly against the wall, was Xion. She clutched a pile of books to her chest, staring blankly down the hall. She had fine features and a black braid that wrapped around to her shoulder. She sported fine legs and her skin was a soft, peachy color.
When Xion looked up to see Kairi, she appeared to be surprised, her mouth slightly hanging open. Hey, she looks... kind of like me... They had the same eyes: same shape, same color. Her mouth was small and her lips looked gentle. Her face was shaped like an upside-down teardrop. Their only differences was the hair and height. Kairi was just a tad taller.
"Hey...," Kairi asked, wandering over, "You lost?"
It was an odd sensation. Kairi felt as if she were staring herself in the face. She didn't remember when she decided that she liked Xion, but it felt weird. Does this make me a narcissist? No one seemed to notice the resemblance, so Kairi decided it would be okay. She remembered having a chilling thought sweep through her one day: What if this could make Sora jealous?
The wind blew against Kairi. Did Sora always like Riku? Or was this only recent? Kairi remembered questioning herself when she was younger. She was definitely capable of loving another girl and was terrified by the thought of telling her parents. She knew they would not be happy if they learned of a forbidden crush. Maybe that's why she always pushed Selphie away, because she was afraid? She loved Selphie, but she loved Sora more.
Sora loved me! I know he did! So why does he love Riku?
Kairi curled her hair behind her ear. She was so angry at Sora that when she found Xion, she wanted to use Xion to make him jealous, to get back at him. Nothing worked. Kairi pummeled her palm against her forehead. Stupid, stupid thing to do to Xion. It was unfair for me to use Xion. I would never want to hurt her. Kairi sighed, oh, Xion would be furious if she found out.
Kairi heard the door unlock behind her and turned around. Xion was stooped over shining her phone's waning blue light on the doorknob.
"Got it!" She exclaimed and opened the door.
Kairi sulked into the house, dropping the towel and her bag at the door. The warmth of the house was welcoming. Kairi felt along the wall for a switch. Light sprung from the lamps, illuminating the hall and the winding wooden staircase.
There was a small voice behind her as Kairi began walking up the stairs.
"Hey, Kairi? Are you alright?"
Kairi stopped and was silent for a moment before she mumbled a "yes" and ran the rest of the way up the stairs.
The carpets were soft and warm beneath her feet, compared to the cold, hard concrete of the road. Water slowly dripped down Kairi's legs as she quickly waltzed into the bathroom. Her phone was on the counter, emitting a crude vibration. She ignored it for the time being as she showered, dried, and slipped on her jammies.
Kairi put up her hair and walked to the window. Through the gnarled branches of trees, she could catch only a glimpse of the moon. Kairi sighed, trying to imagine it in the shape of a heart. I have to talk to her, but how can I? How could I confess something like this? She- Kairi stopped in mid-thought and looked down at her spazimistic phone.
Xion watched Kairi's back as she sped up the grand staircase. She had been acting strange, Xion had to admit. Maybe the cold air got to her… but something just feels… Wrong! Xion strode down the hallway, to the bathroom on the left-hand side, as she tried not to drip on the carpets.
Xion's head felt heavy as she leaned over the sink. Xion looked into the mirror and almost screamed. She looked clammy and sort of run-down. Even her eyes were red, as if she had been crying. She's mad at me. I know she is. But why…? Xion knew Kairi was prone to freaking out for absolutely no reason at all, but this felt different. Xion sighed, I'm going to have to talk to her… find out what's wrong. But I can never talk to her easily! I always say or do something wrong!
Xion almost keeled over into the white sink. She would have slammed her face into the faucet if not for her arm. Xion felt sick and had an intensely growing bad feeling. Xion looked into the mirror once before turning to get into the shower. She slipped off her bathing suit and turned on the shower head. The boiling water cut through the lingering cold that clutched to her skin.
She was just getting out of the shower when the doorbell rang.
*** I know this chapter is really choppy, especially at the end. But anyways, still hoping you guys like the fanfiction and keep on reading! ***