Wow, Wednesday already? Time sure flies! I am in denial that we are already in August though. Anyway, let's see if Aqua drooled in her sleep!
Master Yen Sid was standing next to the bed when they got into the room. Aqua was sitting, her legs still under the blankets, her face really pale. The second Kairi's eyes met the young Master's, she suddenly remembered. She was just a child, and the memories were fuzzy, but this person saved her from monsters before. Heartless? Hard to tell, but she was at least sure that the woman sitting there was the reason Kairi was standing there today as well.
Aqua looked at all of them, newcomers in the room, and weakly smiled. She looked exhausted - and once again, Kairi admired her for her strength, after all this time spent alone. She felt intimidated, too, almost too shy to really step into the room. Lea did not have such worries, and shoved Kairi forward with a big pat on the back. She almost heard Riku growl, but when she looked at her best friend, he was smiling back at Aqua, stepping forward.
"How are you feeling? Would you like something to drink? To eat?"
She stared at him for a few moments in silence, before sighing. "How do I feel? I feel old. You used to be just a child, and you are almost an adult now."
Riku chuckled, and she did, too. Kairi was stunned. She was laughing. She had spent a decade in the worst place there could ever be, and she still managed not only to smile, but to laugh as well. Of course, her eyes still lacked some light, and her laughter some conviction. Her voice was raspy, consequence of not having anyone to talk to for a long time. And yet, she looked so alive. Kairi decided that if she could ever become at least one percent as amazing as Aqua, her life would be complete.
Aqua slowly inspected every single one of them with her clear blue eyes. When she looked at him, Lea grinned and winked. When she looked at her, Kairi had no idea what to do, and curtsied - cursing under her breathe as she heard Lea snicker, but she had no idea how to react to such an impressive figure of bravery. When she looked at him, Sora didn't react. He looked pale as well. Was he even breathing? Kairi wasn't sure. Aqua herself was frowning at him, slowly hunching her shoulders. It took too long to Kairi to understand, and when she did, she gasped. The eyes. Aqua was staring at the golden eyes with awe, a terrible reminder of her past.
"Ma-Master Aqua, this is Sora." she hastily stuttered. "I think you have heard of him be-before?"
Aqua slowly nodded, her eyes still on the boy. Kairi looked at him. "Say something." she whispered. He was staring at Aqua just as much as she was staring at him. His face void of any expression, he finally spoke. "Slept well?"
He had barely finished speaking that Aqua had summoned her keyblade, pointed at him. He jumped back, and Riku and Kairi both had summoned their own weapons as a reflex, protecting him.
"Vanitas." Aqua hissed, her face suddenly full of anger. "I'd recognize that voice anywhere. That Darkness anywhere. Even after all this time…"
"Aqua, wait!" Riku slowly stepped in front of Sora, shielding him with his own body. "Things got complicated while I was gone to look for you - but this is Sora."
The Master shook her head. "I remember what Sora looked like. And this voice, it's Vanitas's. Even when I've never seen his face, that's not a voice I'd ever forget."
"Riku's right, Master Aqua." Kairi discarded her keyblade, showing her hands in a sign of peace. "This is Sora. Right after Riku left, he got… Kidnapped by Xehanort. They corrupted his heart with Darkness. He escaped, though, and since then, we are trying to cure him. We are making some progress every day. I don't really know who Vanitas is, but I can swear this voice is Sora's. I could feel some Light in him. Sora's Light. He lost his memories, but… He remembered Riku. He remembered me." Her voice cracked, and she stopped talking. Aqua looked at Sora for a bit longer, but her eyes weren't as harsh as they were.
"You really are Sora, then?" The boy shrugged, still keeping his distance.
"I'm Sora. She's Kairi. He's Riku. So far, that's all I'm certain of. I know that Xehanort did horrible things… including some to me," he shivered, "and I know they are more afraid of me than they want me to know, and I know I cannot summon my keyblade, and that I've got so much Darkness that pure Light burns me." He sighed. "You don't have to trust me. I don't mind."
Aqua closed her eyes and, for a moment, Kairi feared the Master was passing out again. But when she opened them again, all suspicion was gone, replaced by a great kindness. She softly smiled. "I'm sorry I was rude to you. Vanitas is one of the people responsible for my… Excuse me, Sora. I shouldn't have judged you so quickly. If I can be of any help, let me know. I know way too much what Darkness can do." She shook her head and her smile got brighter. She looked at Riku.
"Did you mention food earlier? I haven't eaten anything in forever. Feed me anything and that will be the best food I've had in a decade!"
She laughed, and Riku laughed, and everyone laughed as well - everyone, but Sora and Master Yen Sid. Aqua tried to get up, helped by Lea. She took a few hesitant steps, and when she was finally steady enough to walk by herself, Lea let go of her, ready to catch her if she tripped. She had slept for a long time, after all.
"A meal, a shower, and then…" She looked at Master Yen Sid gravely. "And then I think we need to talk about what happened while I was gone. Riku told me what he knew, but I think there are some things only you or Mickey can really tell me."
"Of course. But for now, let's get you something to eat. You will know all that you want to know, but if your body is rested, your mind is not. As you might expect, I do not have wonderful news to bring to you, so it's best if you hear it once you are feeling better."
The moment could have felt really serious, if her stomach didn't rumble very loudly. Lea burst into laughter. "Time to feed the Master, we get it! You must try my cheese soufflé - it won't be the best thing you've had in a decade, but the best thing you'll ever have in your life!"
"Lea, I think she's hungry right now, she won't wait for a hour or so." Teased Kairi, although it was true that Lea was quite the cook, and his soufflés were delicious.
"Alright, then we'll settle for a toastie. Do you like tomatoes? I put onions in them, too. Any food allergies? Oh, I think we still have strawberries, if Kairi hasn't eaten them all. Let's have strawberries for dessert!"
Aqua followed them with a smile, and Kairi sighed, relieved that her friend was offering enough distraction so that the Master wouldn't have time to dwell on sad thoughts. Kairi slowed down, to walk next to Sora.
"Everything okay? You look a bit pale since you saw her. Is anything wrong?"
He shook his head. "I'm fine," he said although his eyes said the opposite. "It's just that… I know what Darkness feels like. I know how it eats you up inside. I don't understand how she can be so sane after so long."
Kairi smiled, taking his hand. "I know, right? She's amazing. I don't think I would have lasted long down there. But now that she's awake, she can help us help you. Isn't that great? Master Yen Sid is right, we cannot press her with our ideas right now, she needs some rest. But we'll ask her when she's ready." Kairi hesitated, stopping. Sora stopped too, his hand still in hers. "What's wrong, Kairi?"
"She… She called you Vanitas. Do you know this person? Have you heard about him, when you were… there?"
His expression hardened, his grip on her fingers tightening, almost painfully. He looked away.
"Yeah, I heard about him. Nothing good. No wonder he works with them - he's not a nice person."
Kairi shivered. "I hope I'll never meet him, then."
Sora squeezed her hand in silence.
Mmmh? Did someone say FRUSTRATION? Why would it be FRUSTRATING to see Kairi shutting Aqua's doubts down? Why would it be FRUSTRATING to see that everyone quickly dismisses the thought of their friend not being who they think he is? I HAVE NO IDEA REALLY
Also, in case anyone's wondering why Aqua is so quick to believe them: she has spent ten years away. She knows the world has changed a lot, and she knows things she knew might be different from how they are now. So if a group of people she trusts tell her to trust someone else, why wouldn't she...? 8D
