Hey Guys!

Quick note before this chapter starts is a warning that I have added in some more FF characters.

I hope you enjoy this installment of A New Beginning: Settling In Part III

(IT ENDED UP BEING 26 PAGES :D)

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Rinoa rubbed her eyes tiredly as she made her way to the front door of her house. The breakfast meeting with the board of trustees had not gone well. Mr Braska, and Mrs Tilmitt had disagreed once again on which groups of students deserved the new fundings for the social clubs. The arts, and sports departments always seemed to be at war, when really it was the academic clubs that missed out, they usually had to do their own fundraising. The open day had been much more draining however. It seems Destiny High has become the most popular option for education across the islands. With many students travelling to view the school. She had been expecting about two hundred intrested future students and families but ended up with more than five hundred. Overall her day had been one big headache.
She opened the door and kicked her wet heels from her sore feet, stretching her arches as the cold tiles beneath her eased the pain from her flattening feet.

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"Hey." A cool voice broke the silence in the room. Rinoa turned around to see three pairs of eyes staring back at her. Lea, Roxas and Namine sat in the lounge, a game show playing in the background. Angelo ran to her happily and licked her ankles in appreciation of her return.

"Hey guys." She responded, checking the clock for the time. Just after five. Rinoa looked around the room for Sora, finding him absent she addressed the group herself. "Do you guys want a hot drink?" She offered as she untied her long dark hair.

"Yes please!" Lea answered eagerly for his friends without consulting them. He sauntered to his feet and made his way to the kitchen where Rinoa was preparing four mugs for them.

"Where's Sora?" She asked the familiar red haired man as she fetched chocolate drinks, tea, and coffee, unsure of what her guests preferences were.

"He's upstairs with Kairi. And Xion." He answered, preparing his friends drinks. "You're very trusting letting those two share a room on their little trip." Lea said grabbing a bag of green tea and placing it into a cup for Namine, two teaspoons of hot chocolate and sugar for Roxas, and a sachet of black forest coffee for himself. Rinoa watched his movements carefully memorising them for later.

"They are quite similar aren't they." The raven haired woman mused looking at their drink selections, tucking away the information Lea had shared for later.

"They have their differences." Lea assured. "I think you'll find Namine quieter than Kairi. Much less violent." He remarked thinking back to their trainings together. "Roxas on the other hand, is slightly less optimistic than Sora."

"Interesting." She thought aloud.

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Lea looked down at her smaller frame. Feeling comfortable in her presence like he did when he was fourteen. His eyebrows began furrowing in question, thinking of their past. "What's more interesting is how you, ended up here." Lea wasn't sure it was appropriate to ask from the look on her face at his query. But he couldn't take it back now.

"That, is a long story." She sighed.

"It's okay. I have time." He pushed, letting her know that he was there for her to talk to. It seems her past life had been a secret to Sora since he was surprised Rinoa could know someone from another world. Rinoa smiled down at the countertop.

Looking up her gaze met Lea's electric green. "The story I'm more interested in is the one about Xion. Sora never really explained anything about her. He only ever really mentioned Namine and Roxas. I know nothing." She explained hushly so that the teens a few metres away would not hear. Lea walked off with his friends drinks and returned to sit up at the kitchen countertop with his own drink and continue his conversation with his former friend from Radiant Garden.

"Xion was- is- my best friend alongside Roxas." Lea began. Rinoa gave him a slight look of shock. "The wizard made me leave the room for the spells. But after Ventus, Roxas, and Namine had been released ol' Yen Sid was too tired, and too stubborn for his own good." Rinoa took a few sips from her own coffee, taking in this new information. "Xion worked with us at the organization. She was a puppet created with the memories and information from both Sora and Kairi. She was technically only a year old when she died."

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Lea paused for a few moments, drinking from his own cup as he admitted the death of his friend aloud.

"She.. She died? ….How?" The Heartilly woman questioned quietly. Lea shook his head, forcing away the tears that threatened the backs of his eyes.

"She found out that the reasons she grew stronger was because someone else was growing weaker. So she sacrificed herself to save the other person. Honestly, I tried to stop her. She kept running. She met Riku, and Namine and found out the truths that I- my nobody Axel I mean- had been keeping from her and Roxas. "

Rinoa hung her head low. "Sora? She sacrificed herself for him, didn't she?"

Lea nodded. "How did it happen?" Rinoa furthered her questions knowing fully how it was affecting Lea, but carried on in search for her answers.

Lea groaned slightly, looking over his shoulder somberly at Roxas. "She.. Kind of fell off a tower.. Kind of exhausted herself beyond repair.. And kind of just let herself go." Lea looked up and met Rinoa's dark eyes, wet with unfallen tears. Looking absolutely mortified at the fate of his friend. "It was relatively painless. And she wasn't alone. She died in Roxas' arms.." Lea clenched his fists at continuing to talk about the uncomfortable subject of Xion's death. "But she's back now, and that's the main thing. In a few weeks, or months she will be back to normal. Like Kairi says. She will be the first puppet/ nobody to experience a childhood." The fiery man sighed as he finished the last of his drink. Feeling more energised than he did earlier after the coffee.

Rinoa smiled, swirling her cup around. "It's funny." she speculated, gaining Lea's attention. "Xion looks so, so much like Sora's father."

"Oh?" He questioned lightly, trying to gain some insight into Rinoa's life since he last saw her in Radiant Garden. He still didn't know why or how Rinoa was here on Destiny Islands. Acting as Sora's 'Aunt' When Rinoa had no siblings to be an aunt.

"Same hair, same eyes." She noted to him.

"You're quite young to be caring for an almost-adult." He remarked to her, prying further into her private life.

Rinoa rolled her eyes. "Young?! I'm in my thirties now Lea! You should know- You'll be turning thirty soon won't you?"

Lea waved one finger and tsk'd. "Sorry to disappoint, but my human body didn't age over the years that I was a nobody. My body didn't exist then. Instead of being two years younger, I would say I'm about five to six years younger than you now."

Rinoa's face fell, "How in the world is that fair!" She teased.

Lea smiled at the dark eyed beauty in front of him. "Don't worry," Lea began his voice as soft as velvet, "You look as young as you did 17 years ago Rinoa." Lea decided he would play the long game in getting information from her. Maybe regain some of the friendship they had many years ago. As wrong as it felt, the familiar stir inside him returned for the first time in years when he watched her descend the stairs earlier that morning.

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Rinoa smiled playfully, remembering Lea's advances when they were teenagers. She rinsed her cup, stating "I should go check on my nephew." Before leaving her fiery friend.

She climbed the stairs, risking a glance back to the boy she had known to find the man he had become memorizing her movements intensely with his eyes, determination etched across his face.

Hushed gurgles and coos drew her attention back to the top of the stairs where she found her nephew and the girl next door comfortably close. Sora asleep on the job as always. He and Kairi dozed on the windowseat, her auburn head resting softly atop his shoulder, Xion laying quietly awake, her sky blue eyes snapped to her as she approached.

"Sora?.." Rinoa nudged the boy quietly. He drew a deep breath through his nose as he woke, and looked up at his aunt confusedly.

"Sora it's after five."

He looked around, stretching his tired eyes and found Kairi dozing next to him. "Hmm..?" He questioned as if his brain had not processed her words.

"It's after five." She repeated. "I can take Xion to get her cleaned up."

"Yeah.. Okay." He yawned, lifting Xion carefully from his friends lap, and passing her up to his aunt. Who walked downstairs, baby in arm.

Sora stretched out like a baby dinosaur, waking himself before stirring Kairi from her sleep.

"Kai?" Her eyes fluttered open, "We fell asleep."

She yawned in return. "Oh. We did." She agreed glancing out of the window at the clouded sun that had begun to set. She stripped the blanket from the both of them, baring her legs.

"We better get ready for this dinner of yours." He shuffled awkwardly, positioning himself in the corner of the nook, the furthest distance from the redette. Her skirt had hitched higher during their snooze, baring the majority of her thighs to him. She didn't seem bothered by it. Kairi swivelled her legs over the edge of the window seat, smoothing her dress down before standing.

"Will you, Roxas and Namine meet us over there at six?" Kairi's long lashes flicked over her iris'.

Sora's voice cracked like gravel against his throat. "Yeah, *cough* ah, that should be fine."

She threw him one of her dazzling smiles. "Okay cool. I better go help Gran set up for dinner or else." She laughed. Spitting out a quick "Cya." As she ran down the stairs.

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Sora ran his fingers through his hair. Confused by the complicated situations they were currently in he dropped his worries, emotions and hormones from his mind refocusing on the more immediate task ahead of him. Dinner. Explaining Xion to Kairi's family.

Sweatpants and socks weren't going to cut it for the formal dinner tonight. The teen boy made his way back to his room to fetch his more tidy clothes. Sora pulled out a red button-up shirt and some tidy black jeans.

'Practically stain proof.' He thought pulling off his white tee and changing. Fastening his belt he took a moment to look around his room. He cleaned up his discarded clothes and threw them in his washing basket. Stowing Xion's items under her crib some of his own toys caught his eyes as he tidied. Sora reached up into his toy pirate ship and gently removed two sewn figures from it. He had made these dolls as a child, one was himself and the other was Kairi. As children they would play with them together in his room, imagining and creating amazing adventures that the dolls could go on. Sora caressed them in his hands, if only they had been able to go on the adventures they had imagined, instead of being torn apart.

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A short knock on the door shook him out of his reverie.

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"Hey kiddo." Rinoa walked into the teens room, Xion happily supported against her hip. The elder raven haired woman noticed the two figures in the boy's hands. "Whatcha doin' with those?"

Sora frowned. "Not much. Just thinking." He replied as he put his precious possessions back into the boat where they belonged. Xion reached out to Sora, who obligingly took her into his arms. The little girl took a fistful of his shirt and scrunched it momentarily.

Rinoa chuckled. "Lea has been trying to get her to say his name."

Sora's face snapped up in a grin. "Oh really now?" He laughed, wiping dribble from the baby girl's lips.

"Mmhmm. And then Roxas joined in too. I think the two boys have turned it into a competition to see who is her first name."

The spiky haired teen shook his head, to the amusement of Xion who outstretched in an attempt to catch a lock of his hair. "Speaking of Lea." Sora started with a smirk, "Mind explaining what exactly you two are to each other?" He teased, waving his free hand around to over emphasize.

Rinoa raised her eyebrows and let out a large breath. "We don't have enough time to talk about that right now, you have a dinner to get ready for."

Sora clicked his tongue at his Aunt's dismissal, bouncing Xion on his hip. "Uuuuhuhh." He remarked sarcastically.

Rinoa was quick to quip back. "Well then, mind explaining what exactly you and Kairi are to each other?" The image of her nephew and the neighbour sleeping in the reading nook flashed through her thoughts.

Sora visibly reddened, walking to his closet to avoid eye contact, he went and pulled out a black tie. "Kairi and I are friends."

It was Rinoa's turn to "Uuuuhhhh." sarcastically. "Friendly friends then?" She taunted. Sora gave her a warning look. "They spilled the beans about you two sharing a room on the trip." Rinoa shrugged, helping Sora tie his tie. "And then I saw you two up here." The two paused silently. " If you like her why don't you tell her?"

He looked down at her sadly, resuming swaying Xion on his hip.

"..Riku.." He spoke.

Rinoa's breath hitched in her throat, finding the right words to reply with. "Is that why you and Kairi have been closer recently? Because he's not here?"

The teen nodded shamefully. "It's just.. Awkward, Y'know. They're both my bestfriends. They have something together too. It's a lose- lose situation." He sighed.

Rinoa folded her arms across her chest. "You just need time. Don't rush things. It's complicated enough with Xion, school, and training as it is. Speaking as your aunt, and as your teacher." She joked.

"As always." Sora poked his tongue out.

Rinoa grinned, "Well as far as your relationship goes with Kairi right now, I'd tell you to be safe and not get her pregnant but it's basically too late for that conversation." Reaching her hand out to pat Xion on the head.

Sora's tan face scorched beet red at the thought while he facepalmed. "I can't believe you just said that." He choked embarrassedly.

"Well whatever you do tonight, don't say or do anything to upset Balthier. Or he will strangle you with your own tie." She sang sweetly, pulling Xion from his arms and wrapping her snugly in her own again. Sora gulped, realising the possibility of his death occurring tonight as he followed his aunt out of his room.

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Everyone sat in the living room waiting, Rinoa had Xion who was playing happily in her lap. Lea hovered over Rinoa, his hands resting on the top of the grey couch the girls sat on. Namine turned to Sora, greeting him with her normal delicacy. He noticed she was wearing an old item of Kairi's, it was a knee length, white lace cocktail dress, Kairi had hated it. Proclaiming it was itchy and unpractical as it was tight around the legs, making it hard to run around at her parents dinner parties. It suited Namine much more.

Roxas must've experimented with his new clothes, which were somewhat similar to the brunette boys, aside from the fact Roxas wore all black. The two nobodies complimented each other nicely Sora noted.

"Right." He began, buttoning up the bottom of his sleeve as he checked the time, "You guys ready?"

"We were ready before you." Roxas challenged.

Sora smirked, walking over to Xion, stroking her black haired head. "We'll be back after dinner to take her over." He mentioned to Rinoa.

"Good luck with that." She chided. "You're gonna need it."

The nerves in Sora's stomach churned slightly, he tried to dismiss them.

"I know." He admitted. Placing a peck on each of the raven haired females heads "Let's go guys."

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Sora grabbed his black sports jacket while the teens pulled on their shoes at the door. Roxas slowed their pace as they began to walk the short distance to Kairi's house."It's Balthier right? Balthier Heart?" Roxas asked nervously. Namine nodded. "And.. uhh. Fran? I should probably just call them Mr and Mrs Heart." The blond boy fussed. Sora nodded in agreement. "And what about the ah, old lady. What should I call her?"

Sora stopped to think about Kairi's grandmother and how to explain her. "Her name is Quistis. She's quite fierce looking, and she's assertive but kind. It's probably best you call her Gran to be honest." Roxas nodded in understanding. Sora's feet took him the familiar route to Kairi's doorstep, up the winding garden path to her dark oak door.

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"Here goes nothing." He announced to the two nobodies as he plucked up his courage, ringing the doorbell. Knowing he could be murdered in this house tonight dampened his usual attitude he had when he strolled into her house. A faint 'I'll get it' could be heard, muffled through the door. Sora chuckled at Kairi's apparent eagerness to invite them in as he heard her shoes quickly click against their hard wooden floors, apparently racing to the door. Sora greeted her as she opened the door for them. "Hey Kai-." His chuckled greeting died on his vocal chords, watching the fan of air wash over her hair as she opened the door. "Ri." He breathed out, studying the girl in front of him in awe.

It wasn't often Kairi wore makeup. She had claimed being too much of a tomboy to bother with it until high school played on her confidence. He remembered reminding her again a few months back that she didn't need it, saying she was fine without it when he had really meant she was beautiful without it. But right here, right now he couldn't deny that she was breathtaking. Her dark lashes were longer and fawned over her bright blue iris', her skin shone with a radiance that only he seemed to notice, while her lips glistened dramatically inviting his gaze. Sora shouldn't have dared to look any further down as Roxas and Namine made their way slowly through her doorway, but he couldn't stop himself before realising the effect his actions would have on his mind. He followed the line of her slender neck as she conversed with the others about Xion quietly. Thin burgundy straps draped over her exposed collarbones, plunging deep down into maroon laced 'V' neck dress which barely covered the inner curves of her breasts.

Sora quickly darted his eyes to the floor, suppressing the heat rising within himself after his gaze had lingered slightly too long over her exposed cleavage. Kairi's ankles, though still somewhat tantalizing in her matching stilettos, did not stir him so much as the rest of her did.

"Sora are you alright?" The light reflected in her eyes as she looked on at him worriedly.

Shaking the concerning thoughts from his mind he mock stretched out, feigning tiredness. "Yeah, just dazed out there. Must still be tired.." He lied, removing his jacket and hanging it up as he entered her house.

Kairi's pearly whites flashed across her glossy lips. "Lazy bum." She mocked closing the door behind him.

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When Sora entered the dining room Quistis already had Roxas and Namine seated beside her, locked in conversation. Her greying hair pulled back, aside from her face framing strands that hung near her wire rimmed glasses. The woman had aged quickly over the last few years as her health has roller coastered. Photo albums such as the one in front of Roxas right now had made more appearances than usual recently as she reminded people she was beautiful in her youth. Her daughter in-law Fran smiled on at them from the kitchen. "Hey Sora!" She called excitedly.

Sora responded politely as always, finding himself comfortable conversing with her like he usually does. "Hey Mrs Heart! How are you today?"

She gave him two thumbs up while she finished off in the kitchen. Sora quickly spared a glance to Kairi's forehead beside him, who rolled her eyes and nodded towards her mother, or more so her attire which was now visible as she moved out from behind the countertop. Kairi's island mother wore a short, skin tight black dress and high heels. Fran had been a model earlier in her career, and liked to dress photoshoot ready. She could seen on many of the advertisements across Destiny Islands. Fran has always had long ash blonde hair, tanned skin and alluring brown amber eyes. Balthier had his eyes on her all through high school. His senior year he had built the boats that the children would ride out to the play island in, but their original use had been to impress Fran who at the time had an obsession with pirates. It worked considering the two were still together now.

Sora jumped slightly when a large hand landed on his shoulder, ignoring his reflexes he reminded himself not to instinctively turn around and hit anything.

"Sora my boy!" Balthier's voice rang in his ears.

"Mr Heart." He greeted in return, turning around to shake the Mayor's hand.

"Firm as always." He commented on the boys grip. "And this must be the infamous Roxas?" He asked as the blond teen rose from his seat.

Roxas made his way over to the man, extending his hand. "Yes Sir."

Balthier swayed his eyes over to his wife. "I like this one already." He charmed. "Right. Dinner!" He announced clapping his hands together beginning to help his wife bring the dishes to the table. Sora followed suit as Kairi picked up a few plates and transported them to the table.

"Oh Sora, you don't need to help, you're our guest!" Fran insisted, in her formal host mode in front of her husband.

Kairi's Gran interrupted from her seat at the table. "Oh please. The boy is practically furniture in this house. He's family. Let him help." Fran smiled in agreement as everyone sat down.

Balthier naturally sat at the head of the table, opposite from him sat the eldest, Kairi's grandmother at the other end. She had stolen Namine and Roxas into conversation again as they sat to the right of her, alongside Fran, seated beside Namine and Balthier.

Sora remembered to keep his tied neck as far from Balthier as humanly possible so he chose the seat remaining next to Quistis, and let Kairi be the factor that separated him from her dad. Sora was also thankful that he was seated beside Kairi, if she had been opposite from him he was sure that he would have choked on his food seeing that the top portion of her dress that was visible above the table left little to his imagination. He scrunched his toes in his shoes, disturbed by these new inappropriate memories of Kairi opening the door entering his head.

Everyone settled in their seats, passing around bowls of food to serve to their plates. The chatter soon quietened. Sora looked up the table to the Mayor who brutally stabbed a roast potato with his fork.

"So Sora.. How is the universe doing?"

Let the interrogation begin.

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Sora answered all of Balthier's questions about training and school, and other worlds satisfactorily, and assured Quistis that he would be around more often now Roxas and Namine are here too.

Fran looked on at the youngsters, "You guys have had pretty crazy lives haven't you?" she mulled aloud. Kairi and Sora could only laugh. If only they knew the whole story. Upon their return from The World That Never Was, he Riku and Kairi had 'summarised' the finer details of what had really happened over the years of travelling. Their 'crazy' lives are supposedly wandering the world's helping others, and saving the universe. The darker pieces of information had been withheld. More specifically their daughter becoming comatose, Riku giving in to darkness, and Sora technically murdering creatures and nobodies.

"So we've met Roxas and Namine now. You spoke of two other men, and a girl? I thought we might be meeting them tonight too, so I was surprised when Kairi informed me we would be having a smaller gathering tonight." Balthier questioned.

Sora cleared his throat, looking across the table to Roxas, who apparently wasn't going to be any help in this conversation at all. "Ah, yes, Mr Heart. We also managed to revive a man called Ventus. He is, ah, currently with his friends and Riku dealing with a situation with some of our other friends in a world near here." The Mayor and his wife placed down their cutlery, paying more attention now that the real conversations were beginning.

Kairi wiped her mouth with her napkin. "And then there's Lea. He's my training partner. But we had met before then. He and Roxas are good friends." The four teens paused, sharing reluctant looks with each other which did not go unnoticed by the adults.

Quistis readjusted her glasses. "And what of the other girl?"

Roxas spoke up quietly. "Xion is my friend."

Namine placed her hand atop his under the table. "Xion was my friend too." She smiled. "And Lea's."

Fran's smile diminished slowly. "...Was your friend?" Her red eyes flickered to Kairi, searching for answers.

The redette also placed down her cutlery, taking a breath before informing her family. "Xion was the last person connected to us that we were releasing from our hearts." She looked to Sora quickly, however he was engaged in unwavering eye contact with her father. "The wizard performing the spells grew tired, and she remained, incomplete in a way."

Fran looked absolutely mortified, whereas Quistis held her hand over her heart.

"The poor child.." She quavered.

The teens brows furrowed, Kairi stuttered as she tried to find the words to explain. "What? OH! No , wait.."

Sora interjected quickly with a small laugh, "She didn't die. She's fine. Xion is happy and healthy." He scratched his head, wondering how to continue.

Balthier now looked bored, and annoyed, tired of waiting for the truth. Namine noticed this, Sora and Kairi each grew redder by the moment. How were they exactly going to explain that they now have a child. She pondered this herself as the awkward tension in the room grew. "Xion is younger than she is supposed to be. When Yen Sid was creating her body he collapsed before he could age her." Spoke the young girl clad in white.

They Mayor picked up his fork and shovelled food into his mouth, "And what does that mean?"

Kairi smiled gently. Might as well spit it out. "Xion is currently a baby. A spell has been placed on her to speed her aging process significantly and we have been honorably tasked and entrusted by the Great King Mickey to ensure her safety until she is mature enough to care for herself."

Both Fran and Balthier shared a stunned look. Quistis brought her glasses down to clean them. "So it's basically glorified, unpaid, babysitting then." She deduced.

Kairi's glossy lips parted, mouth wide open as she jokingly scolded her elder, "Gran!"

Fran shook her head in disbelief, Balthier spoke up, "Does this King not know you two have school studies to do? Your future is important Kairi! You should know that."

Sora turned to the redette beside him, her head hung low at her father's warning words, her hair swept the sides of her face hiding her from the view of the others at the table. Finally she looked up. fiercely meeting her father's gaze. "Dad. It's the right thing to do. Xion gave everything up, including her life, so she could save us. She turned against everything she was made for- to do the right thing for everybody." Kairi's knuckles grew white as she clenched her fists. "A lot of people have sacrificed so much so that people like you and me could have futures. If I can do anything to help them, or thank them, I will." Kairi's fiery words melted Balthier's cold, hard stare.

"She sacrificed her life?" Quistis asked. Sora and Kairi looked to each other with wide eyes, smiles playing on their lips at how astounded the adults were at a small peek at their real lives.

Balthier ran his hands through his blond hair showing his frustration, finally becoming his less composed, more relaxed self. The old man groaned now holding his temples in his finger and thumb. "Why do I get the feeling you kids aren't saying the whole story.."

Kairi smoothened out her hair after finishing the last bite of her dinner. " Because it's top secret, need-to-know information." She smiled cheekily as she stood from her intimation of her father whenever he wouldn't share his mayorly situations with her. She began to clear away the plates as her parents talked together quietly. Sora stood and helped Kairi clear the dishes. He started scraping the extra food into the food scraps bin while she filled the sink with water. Fran turned to the two teens in her kitchen.

"When do we get to meet her then?"

Sora felt Kairi's hips sway intentionally into the side of his leg, though he wasn't risking looking at her, incase he blushed in front of the whole room. "Sora can go get her now if you like." Kairi offered, placing the first plate in the soapy water.

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The keyblade bearer stuttered as Kairi leaned over in front of him, brushing against him while grabbing the next dish to wash. "R.. right." Wiping his hands on the tea towel he began to prepare to leave. Surprisingly Roxas followed. The boy from Twilight Town farewelled the Heart family for the night saying he was going to make sure Lea wasn't lonely. With a quick hand squeeze from Namine, he slipped on his jacket and out into the night with Sora.

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Roxas strolled lazily beside his somebody, his hands resting in his jean pockets. "What a trainwreck." He announced walking down Kairi's driveway.

The Island boy diverted his attention to his friend quizzically. "I don't think it went that bad.. I mean we didn't say the full truth but-"

"I meant you." Roxas deadpanned returning his somebody's eye contact momentarily.

Sora blushed furiously, realising Roxas must've intentionally blocked his view of Kairi when he walked through the door. "I was just taken by surprise that's all. These feelings are new, I can't help it." Sora deflected, trying to explain his confusion.

Roxas stopped in his tracks, looking back at Sora, tilting his head for emphasis as if to say, 'seriously'. "They're not new! You've had them for years! I should know because I felt what you felt, idiot."

Sora rubbed the back of his head again out of nervous habit. "Was it that bad earlier?" He asked sheepishly.

His nobody sighed. "No it wasn't. I don't think she realised. But dude, c'mooon."

Sora groaned, pulling his spiked hair down over his face. "I need helpppp." He whined frustratedly.

Roxas opened up the front door of Sora's house. "Yes. Yes you do."

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Rinoa and Lea perked up from where they were on the couch when the two boys walked in. Rinoa placed her work papers down on the coffee table while Lea turned the volume down on the remote.

"How did that go?" She asked.

Sora shrugged. "It went alright."

Rinoa nodded happily until Roxas ratted them out. "They didn't say they were related genetically."

Sora's aunt's lips formed into a thin line, her brows arching into her forehead in question. "The Hearts don't know a lot of things.. Kairi didn't want them to know that she pretty much died." Sora tried to reason.

Rinoa stood up, walking over to Xion's carry cradle that she was sitting happily in. "There's too many secrets. You guys need to tell them everything. And before Riku gets back so Balthier has time to calm down about what happened with him. But I'm glad to see you home with your head attached to your body." She jested, passing the ebony haired girl to Sora.

"Me too." He agreed taking the baby girl into his arms after adjusting his tie.

"Don't be too late eh? Xion needs feeding again before bed." Sora nodded at his aunt's words. Taking a few seconds to notice the proximity between her and Lea before setting out again.

Xion squirmed unhappily in the brisk night air so Sora walked quickly. Kairi waited for him by her door, her slim figure illuminated by the porchlight. She shivered as a gust of wind blew over them, rubbing her palms against her upper arms to warm her goosebumps away. Sora looked down again, his eyes meeting the floor and their feet. Roxas' words rang in his ears. Sora tried to pluck up whatever resistance he had left, beginning try indifference to stop thinking, and feeling anything outside the friend zone when it came to Kairi.

"Hello Xion." She cooed running her thumb across the girl's cheek. Kairi had stepped into the gap between herself and Sora. Leaning into his side as she fawned over their youngster he felt her brush against him. The scent of her familiar strawberry vanilla shampoo drifted up to him. He ignored it as best he could.

"Do you want to take her in?" He asked.

"Of course! It's been hours since I've seen her." She worded excitedly.

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He followed her cautiously back into the living area of the house. Quistis and Namine sat on plush chairs beside the warmth of the fire, Sora wandered over to the comfort of the heat to rest his forearm against the mantle above it and watched as the Mayor and his wife slid out of their kitchen and over to their daughter who was holding the new arrival.

"Mum, Dad, This is Xion." She introduced, staring down lovingly at the small child.

Balthier looked on unemotionally, lost in thought as his wife and daughter played with the baby girl.

"She's so beautiful." Fran crinkled her nose happily while Xion grabbed her finger. "Just like you." She smiled up at her daughter before turning to her husband who now had his arms crossed.

"What do you think B?" The ivory haired woman asked excitedly.

Balthier's eyes flicked to his daughter, his brows raised skeptically. He hummed as he mused his thoughts. "Just. Like. You." He repeated looking between his teenage girl, and the baby between her arms. The man unfolded his own arms as he took a step forward towards his daughter. "Except for the hair." He thought aloud. His gaze wandering over to the brunette boy whose eyes were suspiciously interested in looking at the mantle he leant against. "She's very fair isn't she?" The Mayor continued. Sora knew Balthier didn't mean that to describe Xion as being pale or pretty.

Quistis shuffled in her chair. "Well now then my girl, why don't you bring her over to me. These old eyes can't see pretty little faces at a distance anymore." The redette chuckled as she swept across the room gracefully to place the baby in her grandmother's arms. "Well now she is a sight isn't she." Her light blue eyes crinkling mischievously. "I always knew you would make cute children." She smirked, her eyes teasing her granddaughter. Kairi laughed bashfully toying with the sides of her dress as she blushed faintly. The family was too preoccupied watching the young princess of heart to notice the wiggling of the island womans eyebrows to the real recipient of her statement. Sora's eyes grew to the size of small saucers before turning away from his neighbour in embarrassment. Quistis didn't miss much. He remembered back to when he returned to the island, he had spent much time with her and Kairi when the elder woman had become ill. She had told him once that she thought he would be graced with beautiful children, beautiful red headed ones to be more exact. At least he didn't have to splutter an excuse this time.

.

.

Quarter of an hour flew by as the Heart family acquainted themselves with the young girl. Namine's slim figure made its way to stand next to Sora's where he had remained resided by the fireplace.

"Hey." Her sweet voice fell softly on his ears.

"Hey." He replied casually as silence enveloped them once more. Only breaths could be heard between the two of them as they, the outsiders, watched the family behind them.

Namine tilted her perfectly platinum locks to the side as she peered at the young man beside her. "Long time no see." She began awkwardly. The two of them hadn't properly spoken yet. They had both been busy. So the last proper talk they had was at Castle Oblivion.

Sora smiled sadly at her. "Yeah it has been a while.." He started looking down at her much shorter form. "I'm really sorry for what happened at the castle. And after, I said I would remember yo-"

Namine broke his sentence with a small laugh at the boy. "There's no need for you to be sorry. I'm sorry for what I did to you. I made it so that you wouldn't remember me, which is a good thing because everything worked out how it was supposed to." She smiled, pressing her fingertips together while reflections of flames of the fire danced across her eyes. " You were always supposed to remember her. I even wanted you to remember her." She dainty girl finished.

Sora withdrew a large breath, guilt washed over him as pieces of memories hazed together like a puzzle that had missing pieces. "I still feel like I disregarded you, I practically threw your feelings away." His sad eyes met the rug beneath the fire that he stood on while he fidgeted uncomfortably.

Namine rested her hand atop his momentarily to gain his attention. "You didn't." She grinned. "We can't both love you y'know. Turns out my feelings were meant for someone else.." Namines cheeks looked singed from fire as she admitted her attraction to Roxas aloud. Sora smiled incredulously at the young nobody beside him. "I suppose most things have worked out then." He breathed, the ghost of the smile still fading on his face.

The pastel girl's lips parted slightly as she thought of the boy beside her. "Most things?" She questioned tilting her head once more.

Twisting his body slightly he motioned towards the family behind him. "Xion."

Namine rotated her body around, heating the backs of her calves against the fire. Looking over at the young girl born in Castle Oblivion, she saw the girl she had known, the girl who had been stuck under the harsh thumbs of the organisation like she had also once been. Remembering back to when she was used, pushed and pulled by the currents of Organization 13, the memories made her feel as if ice pricked her veins. Looking over to the warmth of the family that surrounded the ex fourteenth member, that had also extended their arms to her, she couldn't feel more thankful.

"No. I really think that worked out for the best too." She hummed quietly enough so that only he could hear her above a whisper.

Sora savoured the sight when he also turned around to witness the joy they were the audience to. The most beautiful sight of all was curled up on the living room rug, her legs angled to the side as she propped herself up by her small arm, her thin fingers and palm resting gently against her ankle. The maroon dress draped gracefully as it pooled around her knees. Her auburn hair shone vibrantly in the luminance of the light of the flames. She twisted around to face her friends, her gaze catching them off guard as she caught their stares. Instinctively his eyes travelled across her form, accidentally trailing down the deep V of her dress before forcing his eyes back to hers. Kairi was showing off her infectious grin to the both of them as she shared her happiness with them. He couldn't help but return her grin. At that moment he felt he would never want to look anywhere else as that smile graced her face.

.

.

The island girl jumped to her feet with all the experience of a baby giraffe in her heels. Her arms flailed outwards in an attempt to steady her wobbling form. "oooOOooo" She quavered she she bent her knees to give herself more balance. Sora pressed his fist against his mouth firmly, suppressing his laughter while his free hand made a grab for her wrist in case she fell. "I'm good, I'm good." She assured, releasing herself from his grip, her smile washing over her worry.

Sora half heartedly mocked her stance as he feigned his own imbalance, holding his arms out like a plane. "You sure?" He teased, falsely stumbling slightly as he stood on the tips of his toes. The two friends laughed as Kairi hit his upper arm in a joking manner. Noticing they were now the main subject of the room they drew the attention away from themselves, straightening their postures to something more formal.

"It's getting pretty late I should probably head home." Sora announced. "I would stay longer but I need to take Xion back and feed her before she goes to sleep." He rubbed the back of his neck out of habit.

"Well. Make sure you come over with this precious girl again tomorrow. Heavens knows otherwise I would be left alone in this big house all day." Quistis grumbled at the other two adults in the room, knowing they would become too busy for family time once more after this 'formal' dinner.

Balthier withdrew himself from the back of the chair that Kairi's grandmother sat in. "Mother." He warned her slightly not wanting to enter an argument with her. Especially in front of Sora and Namine.

"We'll make sure to come over tomorrow." Sora assured her, reaching down for the baby girl in her arms. Namine and Kairi spoke quickly about something he could not quite hear. While The Mayor and Fran helped the older woman from her low chair and into the foyer of their house.

"It was lovely having you Roxas, and Xion over tonight Sora." Fran said warmly.

Kairi stepped up beside him. "I'm going to go over to Sora's quickly and help him get Xion settled in, and say goodnight to Lea and Roxas. It won't take long." She sang sweetly, inching towards the door.

Fran looked happily between her daughter and the keyblade warrior, ignoring her husband's eyes on her. "Sure, that sounds like a good idea. Namine would you please get a glass of water and bring it up with us?" She asked politely while herself and her husband continued to the stairs, followed shortly after by Namine, water in hand.

Balthier called out from the top of the landing. "See you later Sora."

The young man felt his insides churn, returning his goodbye he called, "Goodnight." Before exhaling louder than he would have liked.

The princess of heart laughed beside him. "Really, was it that bad now?"

Sora huffed beside her, shaking his head, his spikes of hair moving as he did so. "No." He grinned. "Would you be able to grab that for me?" He nodded towards his black and grey sports jacket that hung beside her front door. Kairi reached upwards, her dress losing a few centimetres in length as she did so, he found himself diverting his eyes, reaching for the door while balancing Xion in one arm. He had already seen enough of her thighs for one day. "Ready?" He asked as she folded the grey sleeves between her arms.

"Ready."

.

.


Kairi's heels clicked quickly as she increased her number of steps to keep up with Sora. He found himself slowing his pace to fall into stride with her, her footfalls coming into balance with his. Soon enough they found themselves wandering into his house. Removing their shoes just inside the door they found Roxas, Lea and Rinoa waiting for them.

"Hey Kairi." Sora's aunt called kindly.

"Hey Ri. I hope these two aren't giving you much trouble." She joked, plopping herself down comfortably on the sofa beside Lea, giving him a playful nudge as she did.

Lea gave her a light shove back. "Hey, hey, hey now Princess. I'll have you know I'm on my best behaviour."

Kairi rolled her eyes. "Pffft. Yeah right!" Sora placed Xion into Kairi's arms quickly as he returned to the kitchen area to get a bottle sorted for the young girl.

"You got pretty dressed up there little wildfire. I'm not used to seeing you not covered in sweat." Lea teased her further by sticking his tongue out and screwing up his face in mock disgust about his training buddy.

Rinoa interjected their argument, watching her nephew blaze red in the kitchen at Lea's statement of their neighbours current appeal. "I think you look lovely Kairi. I'm sure these boys think so too. They just have different ways of wording it. Don't they Lea?" She ended firmly watching the man return his gaze to her.

Lea turned back to the other female beside him. "You do look okay Kairi." He agreed.

Kairi bounced the small girl on her knee. "Thanks Lea. You look okay too." She chuckled. Looking at the man out of his organization coat or training clothes he looked like a normal laid back guy, besides the hair anyway. He looked relaxed in black track pants that tied with a drawstring, and a dark red, cotton top which he had rolled the long sleeves up on.

Sora took his moment to return with baby bottle in hand. Kairi settled the young girl in her arms reaching for the bottle in his hands as he sat opposite her on the armrest of the couch beside her, next to Roxas. Silence took over the room for a short while, each person too busy observing Xion's small figure to worry about the intricacies of small talk. Sora found himself feeling oddly calm in the quiet. After a night full of talking, questions, and answers, the quiet felt comforting, especially in the presence of a handful of his friends. He rubbed his eyes tiredly as he yawned.

'Today was one of the longest days ever' He thought, realising that even with a midday nap he was still worn out. It seemed like days ago that he woke up on the gummi ship back on destiny Islands. And even longer since he, Riku and Kairi had set out to the Mysterious Tower. So much had happened and changed over the space of three days, he realised it was no wonder he was tired.

Rinoa noticed Sora spacing out, and called out to him to break him from his reverie. "Hey Sora, you alright?"

He whipped his head up, humming in response. "Yeah, no, I'm fine." He jumbled.

Xion was finishing the last of her drink as Rinoa stood to go grab an old towel. "How did the rest of the night go you two?" she asked nervously, before taking Xion from Kairi's arms and preparing to burp the small baby.

"It went okay. I think Dad, and Gran had an inkling there was more to it though than just babysitting someone who helped us out though." Kairi shuffled quietly, looking over to Sora who only nodded in agreement.

Sora looked over to his aunt who gave him a knowing look. Referring to their earlier conversation about confessing.

"We should probably tell them Kai. I mean you're older now and there's more at stake. It's not just you, me and Riku anymore." Sora wasn't directing this specifically at Kairi, he wanted Lea and Roxas to understand that they too were included in their group of family and friends.

The redette smiled. "Yeah I guess you're right. I would rather they found out from me than by accident."

Roxas slid down onto the floor beside Sora's dog. "Or have them jump to conclusions." he said motioning to Xion. "If there's some sort of mortal connection between me and Sora, I'd hate to die because your dad thought you and Sora had se -" Roxas was silenced by a sharp swish of material whipping across his face. Sora had swiftly untied his necktie and slapped his blonde friend with it.

"Shut up." Sora quipped sarcastically.

Roxas grinned, knowing exactly how he had rubbed his somebody up the wrong way. He commended the boy for not blushing at the topic. "Make me." He taunted back.

Sora held the tie one more in a joking manner as Roxas faked asking for mercy, holding one hand up in self defence while the other lazily patted Angelo.

Rinoa observed the two boys happily, watching them act as brotherly as Sora and Riku do. The dark eyed woman was thankful for the new lives that had entered her home. She had noticed a change in Sora recently, one she was not fond of. She knew more friends were a temporary solution to that problem. Now she only had one last thing left to tell him. She had wanted to leave the night on a positive not no matter what.

"Hey Sora why don't you walk Kairi home? I can finish everything up here with Xion. I'll put her to bed." She stated as she bounced the girl over her shoulder.

Sora looked to the girl beside him. "You sure Aunty Ri?"

Rinoa rolled her eyes. "Yes, I have done this before you know. You were this small once I hope you realise." She laughed. Sora and Kairi stood, the young pinkette saying her goodbyes to the little girl. Sora had only just finished putting on his shoes when Rinoa walked over.

"Hey Sora.. Your father called." The two teens froze, Kairi momentarily as she slipped her heels back on, Sora however remained gazing at the wall. Staring at his jacket that hung on its usual hook where Kairi had placed it, the letters of his last name printed across it stood out more than usual. The name he shared with his father.

"Oh..? What.. What did he say?" The brunette boys voice cracked slightly, but he brushed it off as he continued and began to pull the extra layer of clothing on.

Rinoa held a little tighter onto the the girl in her arms. "He said he would ring again tomorrow.." She began.

Sora turned to the Heartily woman. "So he's not coming back then." He drawled disappointedly. His vision now meeting the floor. He felt a warmth radiate beside him, Kairi must have stepped a little bit closer to him to comfort him.

Looking at the floor he missed the change breaking across his aunt's face. "Quite the opposite actually." She smiled. "He's all booked to return in three weeks time."

Sora's head snapped up, shock evident on his face.

"What." He questioned, not sure he had heard her right. Kairi's lips broke into an excited smile.

Rinoa grinned even wider. "Your dad is coming home!"

His agape mouth took its time to stretch into a smile. He faintly felt Kairi's fingers lace themselves around his arm and shake it happily out of excitement for him.

"That's… That's great." He breathed even though he felt all the air had been knocked out of his lungs. "I'll make sure to be home tomorrow night to get his call." He nodded to himself as he spoke.

Rinoa paused to wipe Xion's mouth. "And- It should all work out with your travel plans if you're still going."

"That's awesome!" Kairi exclaimed.

Sora looked at the girl beside him, looking taller again now she had her shoes back on. "Yeah.. Yeah it really is."

Rinoa was happy for the lives that lived in and beside this house. And she was grateful for the last room of the house to be finally filled once more. It made it seem more like a home. "Right, Look after him Kairi, I'll get this one sorted. Goodnight guys!" Rinoa strolled back slightly and began ascending the stairs to put Xion away in her crib.

.


.

Sora and Kairi walked wordlessly out of his house, Once they reached the roadside pavement he stopped. Huffing out a smile at nothing in particular. "Unbelievable." he pondered.

Kairi was on alert for his reactions. Knowing he would be feeling a lot right now. "You okay?" She asked, tenderly reaching for the crook of his elbow. He turned to look at her, happiness erupting over his face.

"Okay?" He repeated joyfully, spontaneously hoisting her petite frame up into his arms. "I'm great!" He explained. Spinning her around as he had her lifted slightly above himself. The two of them laughed momentarily, as he spun her in the dark of the night. Their figures illuminated slightly by the streetlights on their little cul-de-sac. He looked up at her, she shared his smile, her hair fawned over the sides of her face as she looked down at him. Her palms resting atop his shoulders for support. He realised their position when he saw out of his peripheral vision. "S..sorry" He stuttered but made no move to lower her. Doing so would only bring the curves of the exposed parts of her breasts closer to his nose. Her lips came together gently in a delicate smile before weightlessly whispering "It's okay." as if nothing was happening between the two. His throat hitched as he drew a small breath against her bare skin, finding there were traces of her soft perfume in the swells and crevices of her chest. His hands that held her by the small of her waist slowly lowered her down, as safe as she felt being let down gently, the pace was almost agonisingly slow for Sora as he felt her brush past the entirety of his body. His blood was on fire racing through his veins, stirring something to life within him. As her heels clicked the pavement he apologised once again. "I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me." He stated honestly while rubbing the back of his neck out of habit when he was nervous.

She waved it off as she fixed the front of her dress that had bunched at the front as he had lowered her. Showing more leg than the dress had ever intended. "Like I said." She chuckled. "It's okay. I'd be excited to see your dad if I were you too."

He was thankful it was dark and their eyes were still adjusting or else she could have compared him to a tomato, or worse, asked why he was red. She finished flattening out the front of her dress, her eyes wandering over to her lone porchlight, the windows dark showing the silence in the house as the occupants slept, drawing her gaze to his illuminated house she mused.

She folded her hands behind her back, swishing her skirt around slightly. "Hey? Do you want to go for a walk?"

He gulped. Looking between their two houses. Rinoa had said that she would look after Xion.. "You want to terrorise the town at this hour?" He asked.

Her grin would have matched that of the cheshire cat's, "Absolutely. You coming?" She called as she trotted off in front of him, her heels clicking against the black tar road.
He shook his head to himself as he went after her retreating form towards the beach.

.

.


Few minutes of silence followed them as they walked harmoniously together. Usually they would walk to Riku's together, but there was no point in stopping there tonight. His usually illuminated window was dark, with its curtains spread across, showing no inklings of life inside.

She slowed her pace as the walked. "Do you think he's okay?"

Sora looked up at the sky, observing the stars above the islands. "Yeah, Riku will be fine. It's probably more diplomatic stuff by now. I don't think it would have taken them long to control the rebellion to something manageable. They wouldn't have been fighting fire with fire, so there wouldn't have been a battle." Sora reasoned to himself. Trying to believe his own lies for the safety of his friend.

Kairi hissed quietly through her teeth. Feigning painlessness as she continued walking. "Riku? Diplomacy? Yeah right." She laughed quietly rubbing her arms with her palms.

Sora watched her growing discomfort. "Yeah it will have something to do with his Master training. And-" Sora stopped his intended sentences, "-Would you just take those off?" He chuckled, standing still waiting for her to take her shoes off.

The redhead placed her hand firmly on her hip. Turning around to face him under the street light, he felt like he was looking at her for the first time tonight all over again. Her fair skin shone in the moonlight, contrasting against the deep maroons she wore that matched her hair. He noticed the sheen of her glossy lips had worn off over the course of the night, alongside the rest of her makeup that had subtly muted over the hours. "I'm fine Sora." The determination etched over her entire being, faded while he remained still, waiting for her to take his imperative. In an exasperated shiver that ran across her body, she gave in. Crouching down, half bent she began to remove her shoes. Her chest spilling forwards as she unbuckled the clasps. Sora groaned internally, shrugging his jacket from himself and offering it to her as she stood. It was more for his sake than her own. Kairi accepted his offer kindly, knowing he would not accept no for an answer. "It feels so good." She said stretching her feet out on the pavement beneath them. Wiggling her toes and swinging her heels in her hands she walked along the damp grass that separated the footpath from the road. Recently cut blades of green clung to the soles of her feet as she pattered alongside Sora.

"Are you excited about your dad coming home?" She pondered aloud.

Sora looked to his side to where she was, Kairi was concentrated on her steps, walking along the tops of the road gutters as if it were a tightrope. "Yeah I am. I suppose I'll talk about it more tomorrow night with him. We just have to get through this week at school and our trip before we see him. Which will be okay." He smiled, the sound of the waves growing as they left their developed roadside and down a dirt road walkway to the beach.

"School will be easy to sort out." She stated, avoiding walking on sharp stones while keeping up with him.

Sora thought about their trip more realistically now. There was no way they were going to be able to visit all of the worlds with Xion with them, and keep up with their holiday homework. He shuddered at the thought. Spending extra time in Twilight Town would make more sense. Namine and Roxas would enjoy it too. He would like to spend more time with Riku. Show him that he and Kairi were still just friends even with Riku off on another world. If he could even say that they were still just friends. Maybe they could even help out a bit in Radiant Garden.

"Say Kairi..?"

She looked over to him, thankful she had a break from walking over the harsh stones once her feet met the soft sandy beach. "Yeah?"

"Would you mind if we only travelled a little bit? We would go to Disney Castle for Xion's checkup, Twilight town for Roxas and Namine, and visiting, by then Radiant Garden should be pretty safe by then and we could go see Riku and the others."

She beamed up at him, playing with the ends of his jacket sleeves that she was wearing.

"I was thinking the same thing earlier. I'm really looking forward to hanging out with everyone. Spending more time with Hayner, Pence, Olette and Seifer would be good. And it's weird not having Riku here with us so we should go see him." She agreed. Sora had already stopped in his tracks. His eyes wide in horror.

"S..Sei-Seifer?!"

Kairi looked over to him, confusion obvious. "What?"

Sora just continued to stare at her. Wrapped snugly in his jacket, while her shoes hung limply at her side. Talking about Seifer.

"He's a guy from Twilight town I met when I was there." She brushed lightly. Not quite telling him the full story of her introduction to Seifer.

"Yeah I know who he is. That's why I'm surprised you would want to see him." Sora felt a twinge of jealousy, not that he would admit it, he brushed it off as being protective over his friend being acquainted to a ruffian like beanie boy.

Kairi continued walking down to the seashore, he could barely hear her over the waves of the night so he kept close. "Nah, he was nice." She assured
'Nice?' Sora thought, not sure Seifer and nice belonged in the same sentence. He decided to keep his disgruntled opinions to himself.

.

Sora watched and waited for Kairi as she totted down to the water's edge, letting the waves of the night lap across her feet lightly. The dark of her back which faced away from the moonlight was lit only by the white of his name scrawled across the lower back of his school sports jacket. He sighed. School tomorrow. This felt like the longest weekend of his life, but also the most draining. He was glad he could partially skip this week and just do the work at home. He realised Kairi had been his life saver when it came to school this year. Slowly she wandered back up to the dry sand to where he was.

"Whatcha thinking?" She asked pensively once she reached him.
Her words rang in his ears faintly. Triggering the memory of her letter to him.

.

~Thinking of you wherever you are.~

.

"Just homework." He said even though his thoughts were on her. "What about you?" he asked.

She hummed quietly to herself before flashing a smile. "Just that I think everything is okay for now. We have Roxas, Namine, Ventus and Xion safe now." She smiled.

.

~We pray for our sorrows to end ~

.

He smirked teasingly down at her, "Everything's okay for now? What could go wrong?" He folded his arms behind his head lazily, smiling with his eyes closed.

Kairi jabbed him lightly on his undefended torso. "I'm stuck with you for the next few weeks- What couldn't go wrong?" She joked stifling her own laughter as she fended off his half-hearted retaliations at jabbing her back.

.

~ and hope that our hearts will blend.~

.

Their play flight ended with her drawn out yawn, emphasizing how long of a weekend they have had.
"Don't get too tired." He warned. "I don't want to end up carrying you."He chimed sarcastically

Kairi shook herself out of her tired trance.
"It's okay- I won't. I don't like being carried anyway." She yawned once more. "It doesn't feel safe." She ended. The two stood there silently for a few moments. Over time he noticed her straight posture began to waver as she swayed in her spot.

.

~ Now I will step forward to realise this wish.~

.

Sora tucked his head around to view her porcelain face. She blinked sleepily, not noticing his gaze. He nudged her slightly. Trying to gain a portion of her attention.

"You know you'll always be safe with me, right?" she nodded absentmindedly, not fully understanding the depth of his words. He grabbed her lightly by the crook of her elbow, stirring her around towards the direction of their houses, pulling her away from the beach as fatigue washed over her like a wave.

.

~And who knows: Starting a new journey may not be so hard~

.

Sora walked slowly beside Kairi as she drifted sluggishly across the sand. The cool island air pricked his skin while they walked. Kairi did not seem to mind, his oversized jacket concealed her from the elements. Growing slightly annoyed Sora reached a conclusion. His sarcastic remark had given him an idea. Nearing the gritted, dirt pathway he reached for her shoes in her hand, releasing them from her loose grasp.

Her red hair flew across her face, Kairi had whipped her head around, her expression startled. "What?" She questioned anxiously.

"You're really slow." He sighed. Her shorter legs struggled to keep up with him at the best of times. "C'mon." He said, crouching down in front of her, signaling for her to climb onto his back.

"No I'm fine." She said. Not wanting to be carried. Waiting for him to stand once more. He didn't.

"Kairi. C'mon. It's fine really. You'll be safe. I promise."

She scrunched her brows, trying her best not to let another yawn escape her while she listened. Finally she sighed. Clambering onto his back to the best of her ability.

.

~Or maybe it has already begun.~

.

Sora hooked his elbows around the backs of her knees, hoisting her into the air. He felt her coil tighter around his neck for stability. Sora turned his head slightly, her eyes her squeezed shut. The brunette began walking across the path towards the houses. He noticed her shallow breaths falling over his neck. "Hey, what's up?" He worried, maybe this wasn't a good idea afterall.

Kairi clenched her fists. Haggard memories resurfaced now she was being carried. She had her own secrets. Ones she kept from her friends. Once she had returned to the island, after it had been restored, she had been advised to see a councillor - seeing she would not talk to anyone else. After many quiet sessions they had found that she suffered somewhat from post traumatic stress. Kairi could not remember anything from her life before Destiny Islands. Not until the heartless attacked anyway. Small pieces of information had filtered into her over time. Faceless people and meaningless murmurs from family she once knew the names of, came back distorted in her mind as she tried to put the pieces back together. She found she couldn't trust others anymore. The hope she had in had been broken when she had been kidnapped while comatose, by someone she had once trusted with her life, and known as a best friend. The underlying stress from this was only emphasised once Axel had attempted to take her as well. Kairi had tried, tried as hard as she could to work her way through her problems, so that no one would have to worry about her again. She would not be weak. After rebuilding her bridges with Lea at trainings, she had begun to let Riku know what she had been through, coming to terms with how he treated her. Together the two of them had become better friends because of it. She didn't blame him anymore, and they worked through it together, just talking about it seemed to help, like they had when they walked through Disney Castle's garden together. Although The feeling of being slung lifelessly over Riku's shoulder as he had carted her around as live bait was all she could remember right now. It seemed she still had things to work through.

"Kai…?" Sora distracted her, pulling her from her thoughts.

She clung to him a little tighter again as he walked. Trying to even out her breaths in her panicked state, overtiredness had sent her brain haywire. Reminding herself she was in control, and a piggy-back because she was tired was much more friendly than being thrown over a shoulder when she was unable to move.

She hummed in response, not letting on about her current state of stress.

"Being off the ground isn't so bad Kairi. It's like flying." He assured as they reached the road that connected to theirs.

She let out a breath she didn't realise she was holding as he talked. She could feel his soothing voice reverberate throughout his body. Remembering she was safe with with him she let her arms drape more casually around him. "How would you know what flying is like." She drawled, letting out another yawn.

"I've flown." He stated proudly.

Kairi adjusted herself slightly on his back into a more comfortable position. "Yeah right." She mumbled into his shoulder, letting her eyes drift closed.

'Being carried isn't so bad when it's with him'.. She thought.

He waited for her small snores to kick in. "Heh. I knew you wouldn't believe me." He chuckled to himself. Looking up at the stars above them as their houses were drawn into sight in the dim light.

.

~There are many worlds~

.

Somewhere up there were many of his friends. One day she would meet them all. He thought to himself. Walking up her porch steps and awkwardly opening the door silently with her, fast asleep on his back proved more difficult. He had thought she would have woken by now. Skillfully he slipped his shoes from his feet and ascended the stairs of her house as quietly as he could.

He had not yet reached the top of the landing when Fran popped her head out of their upstairs bathroom. "Kairi is that yo-" Her call to her daughter had been cut short once she saw the redettes sleeping frame that clung to the teenage boy who had crept into her house. Fran held a hand to her mouth, silencing herself as to not wake Kairi. Sora opened his mouth to explain, however Fran moved her hand to hold one finger over her mouth, silencing him with a non-verbal "shush".

Mrs heart walked wordlessly to her daughter's room, opening it to let the boy through with ease. Fran pulled back the sheets on Kairi's bed. Sora followed her orders, walking into her room he placed her down lightly, untangling her arms from his neck before putting her shoes down at the foot of her bed. Fran had tucked her in expertly until only the top of his jacket and her face could be seen.

He left her room as quietly as he entered. Mrs heart closed the white door behind her with a slight click.

"Thanks for bringing her home Sora." She said quietly.

Sora nodded. "Anytime." He replied truthfully.

"Make sure you come back tomorrow. And bring my granddaughter with you okay?"

Sora scratched the back of his neck tiredly. The dull ache in his arms from carrying Kairi subsiding. "Yeah don't worry we will definitely be coming over tomorrow." He answered routinely. He noticed Fran cross her arms across her chest, a playful smile growing on her lips. Sora felt like a deer in the headlights when he realised what she had actually said.

His wide eyes rose to meet hers. His hands raising defensively. "Wait, no, hold on. I can explain.." Sora choked out, which only amused the tanned woman more.

She rolled her eyes. "It's okay. Namine sort of explained things to Quistis earlier, I just happened to be eavesdropping as I walked past her room." She teased. "I know you will look after my daughter." She answered, seeing as he had just carried her home concreted that fact for her. "It seems that all of you have endured much more than we knew. One day, I hope yourself and Kairi could let us in on the actual events of the last few years."

Sora nodded sheepishly. Mrs Heart smiled before heading off to her own room. Sora bade her goodnight, before slipping down the stairs, collecting his shoes, and locking their front door with the spare hidden key in the dim of the night.

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~But they all share the same sky~

.

Sora walked quickly in the brisk air. He had been out much later than he intended to, and he was more tired than even he had realised. The lights of his house were all out. Silently he slipped into his own home, locking the door behind him. Grabbing his phone from his pocket he used the torch to guide him to his room.

Upstairs Xion slept soundly, he checked over her for a few minutes before rubbing his eyes. He slipped into some sleeping shorts, and out of his shirt, jumping into bed. Closing his eyes, and beginning to relax he was almost ready for sleep to take him. It wasn't long before his hand searched outward absentmindedly, confusion wracked his body when nothing came into contact with his fingertips. He opened his eyes to look for the body he couldn't feel. He wasn't sure what he was looking for until he saw the toy boat looming gracefully above him. The last few nights as he had slept she had been within arms reach of him. But now Kairi was in her own bed, in her own house. Not in the gummi ship, or his reading nook with him. He felt a pang of uncomfortable emptiness settle into his body. He sighed, rolling over to his side, trying not to think about his best friend.

His attempts at ignoring his own feelings were wavering. Sighing he reached over to his bedside draw. Muscle memory flowing through him as he pulled out the charm of thalassa shells. He had tried to return it to Kairi once he had taken it for the third time. But she had declined, saying that if he always had it, he would always come back to her like he promised. Over his journeys he had found himself holding it before he slept. He rolled over to look at it in the moonlight. This small charm had once been the symbol of his reasons to fight. When he was younger he used it to remind himself that there were many innocent people like Kairi, across the worlds that he would fight for, to protect. But as the years went on he realised he hadn't given her enough credit. He found himself missing her. He was desperately looking for Riku, so they could return to the islands, to Kairi. So when he found out that she had been taken by the organization, nothing else mattered. Sora ran his thumb over the shells lightly, trying not to think too much about it. Especially not about when Kairi had been taken by the organization, because of him. Before drifting off to sleep he assured himself, he would always make his way back to his friends, to her, because they would always be under the same sky like she had said. He placed the charm on the pillow beside him. He whispered the one word that always calmed his mind before falling into the sweet dreams that it brought him.

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~One sky, One destiny~

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'Kairi.'


I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT THIS CHAPTER IS.

My question for you all this week is:
Who are your 'Ships' in the KH universe?

I had plans but as I was writing it went a completely different direction and there ended up being more SoKai moments so I kept it going.
I know have a full time job as a microbiologist now so writing this will have to happen on my days off :)

I wanted to make Kairi less one-dimensional, and then show a little more of a relationship/ character build between Lea and Rinoa.
If you guys have any idea's you want me to try and incorporate just send me a message. This fiction is definitely rated T, for teens so we can make the characters appear more like teenagers. Meaning we will definitely be having more sassy (potentially uncensored) Roxas.

The Island gang hasn't met any of the newcomers yet. So we'll have Tidus, Wakka and Selphie come into it. Also if you missed the little hint at the start, find out who's dad is 'Mr Braska'.

If you still haven't seen the special credits for KH 2.8 watch them for some CANON SOKAI FEELS.
*thankyouuuuu Nomura!*

Anyway I hope you enjoyed this chapter! :)

Tayliexx