The Kingdom of My Heart

by reichirudesu.

NOTICE I do not own any of the characters for Kingdom Hearts. They belong to the Square-enix corporation. Thanks again! And especially thanks to the people who are reviewing, you are a great encouragement!

CHAPTER TEN

I moaned.

I was laying flat on my stomach, barely returning to consciousness. I coughed lightly, still in a half daze. I didn't attempt to move my head, feeling the throbbing pain within it. I stirred.

There was the sound of roaring ocean behind me, echoing in my clogged ears-- above was the call of seagulls. I became more and more aware of myself.

I was laying in something grainy, and hot-- sand! It was plastered to my face, hair, and clothing. My clothing had hardened around me. Everything was dry from the sun. It beat down on me, I could feel my face and arms burning, the back of my knees, too. I wiggled my toes and found I was only wearing one shoe. The other foot was contained in a sock.

I tried to will my body to move, but I felt so weak. My lips were dry and cracked, and I licked them with what little moisture my mouth still had. I was miserable. I heard a voice call in the distance, shrouded by waves, and the sands moving as someone moved closer. They were instantly at my side, helping me up.

"Are you okay?"

I couldn't reply. I moaned, I think. They sat me up, dragging me to my hands and knees. I coughed, and with that came bile and sea water. I was barely strong enough to get it out. Someone patted my back, more talking... The splitting pain in my head got worse. I wanted to pass out.

"Water," I tried to say. Nothing came out.

My arms shook under me and I fell back to the ground, spiraling in weariness. The last thing I saw was yellow.

'What strange bananas...' I thought crazily to myself before I was gone again.

I sat up in a bed, unexpectedly. I was covered in sweat, breathing hard. I had a nightmare I couldn't even remember. I ran my hands through my hair-- soft and normal. Brown. Spiky. It wasn't caked with sand and ocean water. I looked about the room, I was alone.

It was a girl's room. There were abandoned dolls displayed on a dresser, crayons and paper here and there. Various shades of purple and yellow glowed in the late afternoon sun. I stared at my hands, then ran them over the clean sheets and nightgown I was wearing. I had no clue where I was. The window was open, and I looked down to a road. A village? There were palm trees and the smell of the ocean. I leaned out the window, the breeze blowing my hair-- the gulls were crying.

"You're awake," called a sweet voice from behind. I turned away from the window, looking to her.

She had a oval face framed with burgundy hair. Her eyes were bright and curious, deep blue in color. She was casually dressed in a tank-top and skirt, bare feet digging into the carpet of her room. She handed me a glass of water which I graciously drank. I stopped after finished the cup, toying with it in my hands. I was nervous.

"How are you feeling?" she asked.

I swallowed. "Much better, thanks to you." It was the first time I heard my voice so far, it sounded strange to me. I cleared my throat. "Where am I?"

"You're in my bedroom. I hope you don't mind, you were caked with sand and sea-water so I cleaned you up and put you to bed. You've slept quite a few hours."

I looked out the window, listening to the people call about below.

"Destiny Islands is what it's called here. We're on the main island at the moment, where we live and work. Where did you come from?"

I began to answer and stopped, unable to recall. I scanned my brain for any trace of buildings, names, architecture. Nothing. I felt so numb and terrified.

"I, I don't remember."

She sat on the edge of the bed. "That's okay, you may still be recovering--"

"No, I can't remember anything." I would have panicked but didn't have the energy for it.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes," came out in a ragged sob. I felt warm tears falling down my face and hitting the bed. "I'm sorry," I sniffled.

"It's okay," she crooned, putting her hand in mine. "I don't remember where I came from either."

"You don't?"

She shook her head and smiled. "It's okay, I understand. If you want to cry, cry."

"I don't think I want to."

"We found you on the beach, washed up on the shore. At first we didn't know you were alive. You awoke and coughed up the sea water and passed out again. We carried you and brought you here. You can stay here as long as you like, its not such a bad place to live."

I ran a hand through my hair, biting my lip. "Thanks, again..."

"Kairi," she introduced. "I'm Kairi."

"Pleased to meet--"

I was interrupted when the door flew open, in came tumbling a strange boy... another stood in the doorway. I was embarassed and attempted to wipe away my tears. I didn't want them to know I was crying.

Kairi stood. "I knew you guys were listening in. Sora..." She was scolding him and helping him to his feet. He had tumbled into a chair. He stood and grinned, rubbing his arm where he had hit. He was barely taller that the girl, who I took to be my age. He had brown spiked hair and a goofy half grin.

"Sorry, Kairi." he said. He looked over her shoulder at me sitting on the bed, he waved. I felt myself being meek. Then I noticed something...

"Your shoes."

"Shoes?" He stuck one out, looking it over.

"I remember your shoes, from the beach I guess."

"Really!" He bounded over happily. "So they must be like your first memory, huh?"

"Sora!" Kairi hissed.

"I guess," was all I could say. He seemed pleased that he was somehow involved in an important memory, even if it were just his shoes.

"Sora, you idiot," said the taller boy standing in the doorway. He was cool and tall as he walked into the room. He looked at me and neither smiled nor made any attempts to appear friendly-- his cold eyes intimidated me. "I'm Riku."

"I'm Sora!"

I looked at each one in turn, pointing. "Riku. Kairi. Sora." They all nodded that I had it right.

"What's your name?" Sora asked.

I opened my mouth yet again to speak. However, I stopped. What had I been about to say? My name... I-I couldn't recall. I searched my memories for someone calling my name, but found nothing. Who was I? Where am I from? I began to get frustrated, searching my brain while the three others looked at me curiously. I bit my lip hard, feeling stinging tears fighting their way out.

"Hey!" Kairi rushed to my side and sat. "Don't cry! It's okay!"

I sobbed. "I c-can't remember m-my name!"

I could feel them all look at each other, confused.

"Can you remember anything?" Riku asked.

I shook my head as I furiously wiped tears away.

"Maybe you'll remember soon." Kairi bent over me, like a mother, "It's okay! Don't cry!"

Sora crouched to the ground, trying to reach my gaze. "Please don't cry. You'll figure it out, until then... maybe we can give you a new name-- make it one you really love! Then, when you remember everything again you can tell us!"

"Really?"

"Sure," he said. Kairi nodded.

"We don't have to tell anyone else that you don't remember," Kairi added.

"I... I would like that very much."

Sora sat thinking. His face was overly serious, head forward-- forehead crinkled. I smiled. He noticed me, staring. "What's funny?"

"Your face... you were thinking so hard!"

He frowned. "I was trying to think of a name for you."

"Already?" I asked.

"Now Sora, these things take time." Kairi scolded, "let's atleast get her some real food and some clothes to wear first, then we can all try and think of a name, together."

I became embarassed just sitting there in a light nightgown and pulled the sheets up around me.

"Are you cold?" Sora asked.

"That's it, all boys get out of here and wait downstairs!" She scooted them out of the room. "I'm sorry, they can be so rowdy!"

"You mean Sora can be."

She giggled. "It's like your a native. Here, I'll get you something to wear."

"Is this your parent's house?" I asked.

"No, this is the Mayor's home."

"Ah," so she had no family, either.

She came back and handed me a stack of clothes. "The bathroom is just there, you can change before dinner. Oh, I kept your old clothes on the sink... maybe they'll help you remember something."

"Thank you, Kairi." Her name still sounded strange on my tongue.