Chapter 10

I woke up under Sora's arm. My face flushed in his warmth and I couldn't help but let out a small giggle as he woke up. "Amara," he says with a smile. "I wanted to tell you last night. No matter what, I'm here for you," My already warm face heated up even more, my heart skipping a beat.

"Are we going to be okay like this?" I asked in a mumbled whisper.

"Positive," He whispered back. His sapphire-blue eyes gleamed as he closed the space between us. I felt my body lock up in sheer lovestruck excitement, before letting my emotions go and rushed myself forward, presing my lips onto his. He wrapped his arms around my back, drawing me closer to him. After a few seconds, his lips parted from my own as the warmth of his breath filled my space.

This is it, I thought to myself. I know my true feelings now. Was I selfish for wanting nothing more than... well, this? I soaked in the utmost joy and love I felt in the heat of the moment, the two of us completely silent as time seemed to stop completely. I pushed away from Sora to sit up. "We better get going," I said in a quick huff. He sat up as well, giving a nod as he gathered our stuff, the two of us heading out to Florida.

*Four days later*

The two of us arrived in Disneyworld. My eyes and mouth widened in awe at the sight of the magnificent theme park - the crowds walking around in Disney-themed merchandise, the excited roars from the huge rides, and the ecstatic screaming children running around as their parents ran after them. It was just as picturesque as I had imagined. However, there was no sign of Donald or Goofy anywhere. "Well," I chuckled, reaching my hand out to hold Sora's. "Shall we start this hunt?" I asked with a sheepish grin. He nodded and we walked into the massive, dreamlike park.

Before we could reach the entrance, an assortment of familiar black shadows lined the concrete ground beneath us. Vaguely humanoid shapes rose from the shadows on the ground, yellow orbs sprouting from their heads to form their eyes. I would recognize these amorphous figures anywhere - Heartless.

"You ready?" Sora asked me as he jumped behind my back, getting into a fighting stance. I nodded, following his lead as the two of us drew our keyblades. Two Heartless lunged toward me and I swung my keyblade horizontally, slicing through them like a hot knife through butter as the shadows dissipated into thin air. Sora cut through three of them in one fell swoop, but with each one that we killed at least three more would take their place. The two of us continued striking at the Heartless, black mist clouding our vision as nothing but the lights of their eyes was visible. In mere seconds, I had began to lose count of all of them. Just how many of them were there?! Thirty, forty? Fifty, maybe? With each swing of my keyblade, I could feel my arms growing weaker, beginning to shake as they struggled to hold the metallic weapon aloft. As my breathing grew tighter and weaker, my body rocked back and forth as I fell over onto the ground, my vision fading as the imposing Heartless loomed over me.

"Amara!" Sora shouted, running toward me from behind.

"Sora..." I weakly called out, turning toward him as I struggled to keep my eyes open. Suddenly, three Neoshadows rose up from the ground between him and I, effectively blocking him in his path. He stepped back a bit, gripping onto the hilt of his keyblade as the one in the center lunged toward him. My fingers curled around the handle of my own keyblade, though I was far too weak to stand, let alone rush into the fray. I shut my eyes, unable to watch what was about to happen. I couldn't! Please be okay, Sora... I thought to myself. Sudenly, a blue light flashed all around us as a roaring thunderclap resonated through the park, which made me jump as my eyes immediately jolted open.

"Sora!" a voice screeched in the distance. I breathed a sigh of relief as I noticed that all of the Heartless had dispersed. As I noticed my focus beginning to retun, I saw Donald and Goofy running toward Sora. Donald pulled out his staff and jumped upward, smacking Sora upside the head in one fluid motion as a comical "bonk!" rang out. "What took you so long?!" Donald grumbled.

Sora let out a chuckle as he rubbed the top of his head. "Well... You see," He began, walking toward me, reaching his hand out and lifting me back onto my feet as I dusted myself off. "I may have gotten a little, uh..." He gave an embarrassed half-smile in my direction, then looked back at Donald and Goofy as I did the same. "...Distracted?" He said, intertwining his fingers with my own. I blushed at his touch as both Donald and Goofy raised their eyebrows, before jumping back in shock.

"Gawrsh, Sora!" Goofy exclaimed, flailing his arms about. "You know we're not supposed to meddle with the worlds!" He said, waggling his finger at Sora in a "no-no" gesture.

"Y-yeah, but-" Sora began, before Donald cut him off.

"No buts! You know better, Sora!" Donald scolded him before turning to me and giving a bow. "Sorry for all the trouble he's put you through, ma'am,"

My eye twitched a bit as Donald finished his sentence. I felt my fingers curl up into fists at his insinuation. How could he think that Sora was trouble to me in any way?! He had been nothing but perfect to me! I couldn't let this happen.

"Donald you grumpy old man! Why don't you listen to what Sora has to say!" I yelled at him, bonking him on his head with my fist. I let go of Sora's hand and placed them on my hips as I gave Donald a disapproving scowl. He gasped and stepped back, his eyes widening in utter disbelief.

"There is a lot to explain," Sora began, walking toward the park and taking my hand again. "We should probably head inside the park; we'll be safe from danger then," Donald and Goofy looked at each other and shrugged, following the two of us.

I turned my head to gaze back at Sora, and he turned to me with a gleam in his beautiful blue eyes as the two of us walked forward, heading into the park.