- Chapter 9 -

Homecoming

A few days later, Sora and Hikari were once again making their way to the shrine. At the steps, they saw Mizuki with the other girls, all of whom were giggling.

"What's going on over there?" Sora asked.

Hikari smiled slightly. "I think I know."

As they got closer, they saw a little white-furred monkey climb up Mizuki's arm to her shoulder.

"Yep," Hikari said. "Mizuki's pet monkey."

Sora raised an eyebrow. "She has a monkey?"

Hikari nodded as they went closer, Mizuki smiling as they approached.

"Hikari! Sora! Good to see you," she said, before looking to Sora. "Glad to see you're okay, Sora."

"I'm hanging in there," Sora replied. "And who's the little one hanging on your arm?"

Mizuki smiled. "This is Xuenu."

"Xuenu..." Sora repeated. "That's a mouthful."

"It means 'snowgirl' (1)." Mizuki explained.

"I see," said Sora. "Where'd you get a monkey?"

"Tai," Mizuki replied. "She was an anniversary present."

"She's cute." Sora said. Hearing that, Xuenu jumped over from Mizuki's shoulder to his. Sora gently petted her head.

"Glad you think so," Mizuki said.

Kumiko tugged on Sora's hands. "Sora! Come play with me!"

Sora smiled. "Okay."

Mizuki whistled, and Xuenu obediently jumped back to her shoulder.

"Just take it easy, Sora," Hikari reminded.

"I will," Sora replied. With that, he started running around with Kumiko as Hikari took a seat next to Mizuki.

"How are you doing?" Mizuki asked.

Hikari shrugged her shoulders. "Fine."

"Tai told me about what happened with Sora," Mizuki continued. "I'm really glad he's alright."

"So am I," Hikari said. "I don't think I can ever repay him for saving my life."

"I bet." Mizuki watched Hikari stare at Sora as he ran around. "So... are you gonna tell him?"

Hikari turned to her. "Tell him what?"

Mizuki rolled her eyes. "You have an obvious crush."

Hikari turned beet-red. "W-well, I did."

"You did?" Mizuki asked. "Or you do?"

Hikari sighed. "It would never happen anyway, so I'd rather not talk about it. His heart belongs to another, his friend Kairi. I learned that the hard way."

Mizuki patted her friend's back comfortingly. "I'm sorry, Hikari."

Just then, Kumiko's voice caught their attention.

"Sora? Are you okay?" They all looked up, and saw him wobbling slightly.

"Y-yeah, I'm fine-" Sora didn't even finish talking before he collapsed, out cold before he hit the ground.

"Sora!" Kumiko rushed over to him, followed by Hikari and Mizuki.

"Mizuki, help me get him into the shrine." Hikari said. Mizuki nodded, and they carefully picked him up and carried him into the shrine, while Kumiko and Chiyo rushed inside ahead of them.

"I told him not to strain himself," Hikari said, visibly annoyed. "That stupid, stubborn..."

"Easy now," Mizuki interrupted. "Let's just get him to a bed."

Before long, Chiyo came out, pulling Mika by the hand.

"What happened?" Mika demanded.

"He hasn't fully recovered from the Arachne bite," Hikari explained. "He overexerted himself playing with Kumi."

Mika quickly took command of the situation.

"Chiyo, go get Erika," she said. "Lady Hikari, you and Mizuki get Sora to the infirmary."

Chiyo ran off to do so, and Hikari and Mizuki carefully moved him to the infirmary and laid him down on a bed.

It wasn't long before Chiyo returned with Erika in tow.

"How's he doing?" The bespectacled medic asked, getting right to business.

Hikari looked Sora over; he looked peaceful, breathing just fine.

"I think he's just exhausted." she said.

"From what Chiyo told me, I assume the same," Mika said.

Erika looked him over just to be sure, and nodded.

"Yeah, he's just exhausted." Erika said. "He'll wake up soon."

"I'm sorry," Kumiko said, looking down. "I shouldn't have asked him to play."

Hikari shook her head. "No, Kumi. This is not your fault. Sora's just so stubborn... he wouldn't tell us if he wasn't feeling good." She gave Sora a dull glare. "When he wakes up, he's gonna get a heck of a lecture."

Mika smiled slightly. "I don't doubt it."

-X-

That evening...

The sun was just setting as Sora finally woke up. He sat up in bed, blinking wearily.

"Ugh..." he said. "Who turned out the sun?"

"Sora!" Kumiko cried, running over to him. "You're awake!"

"Yeah," Sora said. "What happened?"

"You did exactly what we told you not to do," came the voice of Hikari. "You overexerted yourself."

Sora turned to see Hikari sitting in a chair off to the side, resting her cheek on her fist. Seeing the stern look on her face, he let out an awkward chuckle.

"Um..." he managed, "oops."

"Yeah, oops." Hikari came over to him and flicked him in the center of his forehead.

Sora winced and clutched his forehead. "Ow! Hey!"

"You idiot!" Hikari snapped, anger and worry in her voice. "We told you to take it easy! You were lucky to survive the Arachne bite in the first place, and now you're making it worse!"

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry," Sora said, rubbing his forehead. "I thought I was just a little tired. I didn't think I'd collapse."

Hikari calmed herself down. "Just be careful in the future," she said, getting a nod from Sora. "If you're strong enough to stand, let's go home."

Sora nodded and stood up, turning to Kumiko. "We'll play again when I get better."

"I understand," said Kumiko. "Please, just get better."

-X-

Hiro and Akiko were waiting outside when Sora and Hikari reached their house.

"Sora, are you alright?" Akiko asked.

Sora nodded. "Yeah. Just tired."

"Go get some food, then go straight to bed." Hiro ordered. Sora nodded, and went inside.

Akiko sighed. "What are we going to do with him?"

"Good question." Hikari replied.

"I have an idea," said Hiro. "Hikari, you and I have a meeting we must attend tomorrow. I'd ask Sora to join but he'd exhaust himself. Akiko, do you think he could help with the housework?"

"Yes," Akiko replied. "I won't let him strain himself."

The next morning...

Sora joined Hikari and her family at the breakfast table.

"So..." he said, "what's happening today?"

"Hikari and I have a meeting with the yuki-onna up on the mountains," Hiro replied. "You are going to stay here and help Akiko with the housework."

"There's no way I'm going to let you stress yourself out." Akiko added.

"Okay," Sora said. "But what are the yuki-onna?"

"Their name means 'snow woman,'" Hiro answered. "They're yokai that prefer the cold."

Sora nodded in understanding. "Judging by the name, they're all girls?"

"Yep," said Hikari. "We'd invite you, but it's a long walk, and we don't want you passing out again."

"I understand," Sora replied.

-X-

After breakfast, Sora helped Akiko clean up the table and put the dishes in the sink as Hiro and Hikari departed for their meeting.

"I'm glad you're feeling better." Akiko said.

"Me too," replied Sora. "So, what's the plan for today?"

"I have sewing, cooking, and cleaning to do," Akiko said. "While I sew, would you mind doing some cleaning?"

Sora smiled. "Sure."

"Thanks," Akiko said, smiling. "I just need the porch and house swept."

As Akiko sewed some fabric, Sora grabbed the broom and began sweeping the floor, whistling as he worked.

"You're chipper," Akiko noted.

Sora nodded. "I find it best to stay positive."

"That's a good way to live," Akiko remarked. "So, since you're helping cook, what do you think we should make for dinner?"

Sora thought for a minute. "Do you have fugu (2)?"

"Yes," said Akiko. "But do you know how to prepare it? It can be poisonous."

"Yeah!" Sora said. "My mom, dad, and grandpa taught me how. Do we want to do it fried, grilled, baked, or sashimi (3) style? Since I picked the food, why don't you pick the dish?"

"Hmmm," said Akiko, pursing her lips in thought. "Sashimi sounds good."

-X-

Later, Sora helped Akiko slice the fish when he suddenly stopped, looking down. Akiko turned to him in concern.

"Are you okay, dear?" she asked.

"Yeah," Sora said, sounding a little sad. "It's just... making this dish, helping around the house... reminds me of home."

"You haven't been back there for a while, have you?" Akiko asked.

Sora shook his head. "I try not to think about it, but... I miss my parents."

"It's only natural," Akiko said, deciding on something. "Sora, after dinner, go pack."

That surprised Sora. "What?"

"You're not getting better in one day," Akiko replied. "You should go see your parents. Take some time off."

Sora nodded. "Alright. If you insist."

"I do," said Akiko. "I'm sure they miss you just as much as you miss them."

Thirty minutes later...

Sora and Akiko had just finished cooking when Hiro and Hikari returned.

"Just in time for dinner," Sora said, smiling.

"Ooh, what are we having?" Hikari asked.

"Fugu sashimi," Sora replied.

Hikari smiled. "Haven't had that in a long time."

"Sora made it." Akiko said.

That surprised Hiro. "Amazing," he said. "Here, we have cooks who are only allowed to prepare it after years of schooling because of how poisonous the fugu can be."

"My family taught me," Sora said. "We eat it all the time back home."

"Speaking of which, Hiro, Sora and I talked it over," Akiko said. "First thing tomorrow, he's going back to his homeworld to visit his family; he hasn't seen them in months."

Hiro nodded, smiling. "That's a great idea. A day or two at home would be wonderful, and probably help speed along your recovery."

"Thank you, sir," Sora said happily.

"Take as long as you need at home," Hiro said. "We'll resume your training once you return."

After dinner, Sora was packing a bag when Hikari entered the room.

"I hope you have fun." she said.

Sora smiled. "I'm sure I will."

"Hopefully, I'll see you in the morning before you go," Hikari continued. "But if not, have a good trip home."

-X-

The next day...

Sora woke up before dawn, getting ready to go.

"Here we go." he said to himself.

He went outside, activating his glider and armor before zipping off into the Lanes Between.

Destiny Islands

The sun was already up in the sky when Sora arrived on the islands, not too far from his house.

"Home sweet home," he said, walking to his house. As he approached, he saw an orange kitten curled up on the porch. He smiled at the sight of Ginger, a stray kitten he had begun to take care of before he left for his Mark of Mastery exam.

Ginger stood up, yawning and stretching before going over to Sora.

"Hey, Ginger!" he said, picking her up; the kitten playfully nibbled on his finger. "You wouldn't happen to know where my parents are, would you?" After a minute, he shrugged.

"No, of course you wouldn't," he said. Going inside the house, he looked at the calendar.

"Oh, it's Saturday. They're off doing errands," he remarked. "Well... guess I'll surprise them."

With that, he laid down on the couch, Ginger curling up on his chest.

"Feels good..." he said, slowly dozing off.

-X-

Some time later, Sora was jolted awake by the sound of something falling to the floor with a loud clatter.

"Huh?!" He exclaimed, sitting up and looking over to see two people standing by the doorway; the clattering sound was them dropping a bag of groceries to the ground. Sora's parents, Levi and Marion Kumo.

Levi was a man in his late thirties with spiky brown hair and blue eyes like his son. He was tall and lean, and wore a blue sleeveless shirt with a stylized red heart on the chest and red shorts along with black sandals. He worked as the head lifeguard on the islands.

Marion was a pretty woman about a year younger than Levi with long dirty blonde hair with a few noticeable spikes on the sides and a single bang between her blue eyes, pulled back with a light blue hairband. She wore a white tank top under a sleeveless light purple hip-length top that was worn open except at the chest, where it was held shut with a golden clasp shaped like Sora's crown pendant, as well as a beautiful red skirt with two printed rows of pink flowers on yellow vines running down the length of it on the left side, as well as two strips of pink fabric running parallel from behind the right side to her front. Finally, she wore small blue earrings, a beaded ankle bracelet around her right ankle, and dark blue sandals. She worked as a librarian.

"Uh..." Sora said sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck, "surprise?"

Marion and Levi almost immediately ran over and hugged their son. Sora smiled, returning the hug.

"We missed you so much!" Marion said as they pulled away.

"I missed you too," Sora said. "The guy I'm training with gave me a few days off, so I came home."

"Well, that's great!" Levi said, smiling.

"So, what do you want to do?" Marion asked. "It's up to you."

Sora thought for a minute. "Well, I know I'd like to see Kairi, but that can wait a bit. I'd love to just relax and spend time with you."

Levi and Marion exchanged looks.

"You don't know?" Marion asked.

Sora tilted his head quizzically. "Know what?"

"Son, Riku took Kairi back to Yen Sid's place with him two months ago." Levi replied.

Sora gasped in shock. "He did what?"

"So you really didn't know." Levi said.

Sora shook his head. "No. These past few months, I've been doing my own training. I've been on a world called Wutai. Their ruler offered to train me."

"Lessons from the king," Marion said, smiling. "Nice."

"Yeah, they're nice people," Sora replied. "They've been teaching me a lot of things. Archery, martial arts, the works."

"Wow, that's cool!" Levi said.

Sora grinned. "I know, right?"

They chatted for a bit, and then Marion changed the subject.

"Sora, would you like to go to the beach?" she asked.

"Sure!" Sora said. "Let me go grab my swimsuit."

As he went up to his room, Marion turned to Levi.

"Something happened," she said. "I wonder if he got hurt."

"Yeah..." Levi said. "I noticed it, too."

-X-

Three days later...

Sora crawled into bed, his bags packed nearby. He petted Ginger as he thought over the events of the last few days. He'd spent time with his parents at the beach and spent time with his grandparents. He'd spent the last day with his mom; they'd bought some presents for Hikari's family.

The door opened, and Levi entered.

"Hey, Dad." Sora said.

"Hey," Levi replied. "I just wanted to wish you goodnight. And how's that injury holding up?"

That took Sora by surprise. "Wait. You knew?"

"Parental intuition," Levi said with a small smile. "That, and when we went swimming, I saw those bite marks on your chest."

He took a seat on the edge of Sora's bed. "Your mom and I both knew something happened. You don't have to tell me, but for mine and your mom's sake, just tell me you're alright and that this isn't some final goodbyes kind of visit."

Sora shook his head. "No, not at all! I was just homesick."

Levi smiled. "Just wanted to make sure." He embraced Sora. "We miss you so much when you're gone. I wish you'd visit more often, and so does your mom."

"I know," Sora replied. "But I couldn't bear it if Xehanort found out where you two were."

"I understand," said Levi. "Well, get some sleep. You mom and I will be up to see you off in the morning."

Sora nodded and wished his father good night, laying back in his bed as Ginger curled up next to him.

The next morning...

When Sora woke up, the sun was starting to rise, and he could hear his parents in the kitchen. He went down, Ginger following him.

"Morning." he said, smiling.

"Good morning." Marion replied.

"How'd you sleep?" Levi asked.

"Fine," Sora said. "Would've been better if a certain kitten hadn't kept walking all over me all night." He playfully glared at Ginger, who mewed.

"You're so lucky you're cute," he said before turning to Marion. "So what's for breakfast?"

"Eggs and bacon." Marion replied.

As they sat down to eat, Marion smiled.

"I hope your friends like the gifts we got them." she said.

Sora smiled. "Me too."

"What'd you get them?" Levi asked, curious.

"For Lord Hiro, I got him a book on the history of the islands. He was... curious about our world," Sora replied. "For Lady Akiko, I got some unique cloth and ingredients. And for Hikari, I got her some sea shells and pictures of the beaches."

"Nice," said Levi. "I'm sure they'll love them."

-X-

After breakfast, Sora got everything ready to go.

"I think that's everything." he said.

"Okay..." Marion said, sounding downtrodden.

Sora gave her a comforting smile. "Hey, don't worry, Mom. I'll be back."

"I know you will," Marion said, hugging him and kissing his forehead. "I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too, Mom." said Sora.

They pulled apart, and Marion smoothed back a few loose hairs on his head. "Be safe."

"I will." Sora assured.

Levi hugged him next. "Sora, we are so proud of you."

Marion joined the group hug, and after a few minutes, the three pulled apart.

"I love you." Sora said, waving as he got on his glider and departed.

"Our little boy..." Marion said, giving a tearful smile as Levi put his arm around her.

"He's grown up." he said.

"Yeah..." Marion replied. "And I couldn't be more proud of him."

Author's Note:

(1): Kristen Verne suggested the name. It's Chinese.

(2): A type of pufferfish.

(3): A Japanese delicacy consisting of very fresh raw meat or fish sliced into thin pieces.

Thank you, Kristen Verne, for RP'ing this with me again.

Sora's parents, along with Ginger, are Kris's property, used with her permission. Marion's design here is taken from a picture of Sora's mom I found on Deviantart, drawn by combatmaster; I really liked the look, so I decided to use it instead of Kristen's; she gave me her approval. Everything else is in line with Kristen's portrayal.

About one or two more chapters left to go, and this little side story will be finished.

Voice cast for this chapter:

* Levi - Brian Beacock (Takato Matsuki from Digimon, Byonko from Zatch Bell!, Sakon and Ukon from Naruto)

* Marion - Dorothy Elias-Fahn (Kaoru Kamiya from Rurouni Kenshin, Naru Narusegawa from Love Hina, Konan from Naruto)

Please R&R. Until next time!