Summery: A boy who lost his heart, after it was locked away by the Keyblade. Everyone was ready to give up all hope for him. Then, came a princess. A story of how a girl found a boy's heart, and a boy who found the girl to share it with. Sora x Kairi
A/N: WAY long chapter, so, have fun chewing on this one!
Thank you, once again to all those reviews! We breached 100 reviews! HOORAY! I commend you all for achieving this and making my motivations possible! However, I wanted to ask you something. If you haven't noticed (and care, at this point) I've swapped catagories. I thought it would suit Those Without Hearts better if there were an Action/Adventure, even though there is still, and always will be, a significant amount of drama.
Ooh! The plot thickens! I hope you people know your Final Fantasies, because its finally about to take its place in this Kingdom Hearts story! I'm a huge fan of the series, and wanted to involve them into my story. Hopefully, you're all good at deciphering anagrams, too! Then, you'll be able to see what's coming.
Luckily, I only have college classes on Mondays and Wednesdays, so, I'll still have some time to write (hopefully). My schedule doesn't appear to be swamped, but, I can't make any promises to you people. However, I'm still eager to write another Fan-Fiction, but alas, this should be finished first.
Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts. Or any elements of Final Fantasy, such as the classic summons or other characters.
The Lionheartless
Those Without Hearts
XIV: Son of Mouse
Tapping the heel of his boot against the marble floor, Number Seven waited patiently. The Superior was interrogating Number Twelve, trying to root out hints of her obvious betrayal over the true Organization XIII. However, she was stubborn with her lies, denying most every claim and trying to twist the Superior's words. All while trying to act as though she was being framed.
"Very well." The Superior said after a moment, the tone in his voice always hiding his true intentions. "Proceed with your investigation, as assigned."
"Of course." Larxene said, the contempt in her voice bubbling over.
"As expected, she fully responsible for the disappearance of Number Six." The Superior said calmly as soon as Larxene had left.
"Her punishment?" Saix asked.
The Superior chuckled, a rare behavior. "Locate our former brother, Number Thirteen."
Saix grinned. Number Thirteen was just as big as a nuisance as the Keyblade Master was becoming. Sharing similar traits was only to be expected of them, as they did complete the other. Number Thirteen, however, always had a tendency to take things personally, however. A trait Sora could never accomplish, being in his handicapped state.
"I sense a disturbance..."The Superior whispered. "What news do you bring?"
Saix's glare increased. "Our esteemed prisoner Axel and Lexaeus apprehended some months ago..."
"Escaped, I presume?"
Saix nodded. Both seemed to be taking the matter incredibly well, even though it was actually a crisis.
"He has been acting through the minds of our own numbers. Vexen and Zexion were unable to manipulate him after we tried to bring him into our ranks."
The Superior sneered. "His insanity would have interfered with the order. No loss to us."
"That is the issue, though." Saix continued. "It appears he has received the help of two allies. During their escape, they infiltrated the Devil's Lab-"
The Superior tensed, annoyed, but Number Seven went on with the report. "All of our research concerning Kingdom Hearts, as well as the Keepers have been stolen."
"So, they seek to reign over Kingdom Hearts?"
"As it would seem, Xemnas." Saix agreed. "However, they also bear a resentment for Organization XIII. Based on our sources, one of their prioritized goals will be to drag us out into the conflict. As if our involvement with Maleficent hasn't taken a blow to our secrecy. They have even undergone the effort to use alias names and pose as impostors of Organization XIII."
Xemnas chuckled again. "So, we shall become exposed for their crimes? No doubt, the Keyblade Masters shall be the judges to decide our sentence..."
"How shall we act?" Number Seven urged. "Avoidance or will we face them?"
"What names do they now go by?" Xemnas answered after a moment of contemplation.
"Kafekx, Yemourxs and Jaukx." He listed off.
"Good. Contact our brothers, traitors or no, they must be told to be on constant vigilance for these impostors."
"As you wish, Superior." Saix bowed his head, then stepped back into a summoned corridor of darkness.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-(THoSe WiTHouT HeaRTS)-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Sora's jaw tightened as he tried to stay in control, the the gorillas pried their fingers into his hair curiously, all wondering how it stayed up and remained so spiky all the time. Kairi chortled hysterically as she watched the disgruntled Keyblade Master being groomed by the apes.
The red-tanned elephant, Tantor, though as kind as he was paranoid, had generously offered to let Kairi and Sora ride on his back on their way to the Old Nesting Grounds. His trunk would swing back every now and then at the freeloading gorillas, all of them very interested in having Sora and Kairi in their midst. Kairi was a bit surprised at them, since they did know Tarzan for his entire life. Being humans as well, their presence, Kairi reasoned, shouldn't be much different then the Tarzan's.
Several monkeys hopped along Tantor's spine, all jumping on top of them as they sloped up a hill. Their ting fingers poking around at them, Kairi could only laugh helplessly, while Sora simply tried to shake them off.
"Hey, HEY!" Tantor trumpeted to the monkeys. "None of that, okay? It's all fun and games until someone looses an eye!"
The monkeys stuck out their tongues at Tantor, making faces at the unknowing elephant. As they walked along a stream, the elephants nose reached over as he walked, sucking up gallons of water. Curving it back, he aimed the trunk at them. Kairi covered herself with her arms as water blew out the water, shooting or scaring off the monkeys.
"That's better." The elephant said proudly as the soaked monkeys screamed angrily in the trees.
"Great job," Terk said sardonically. "You just soaked our two hairless-wonder buddies."
Tantor's ears flapped, panicking. "O-o-oh! I'm sorry! I only meant to...well, those little monkeys are always...what I mean is-"
"Don't worry about it!" Kairi said, actually appreciating the cool water with the glare of the sun cooking the jungle. Sora only shook his head like a wet dog, water spraying everywhere.
"Um, your both okay?"
"We'll live, Tantor, just relax!" For some reason, Kairi found the entire thing hilarious. "It's no big deal!"
The elephant blew a gust out his trunk, a small wind rustling through the forest, sighing in relief. "Wow, you really are something-"
"Oh, please..." Terk groaned. "You embarrass me sometimes, you know that?"
"Hey, it wouldn't kill you to be a little more like Kairi here-"
"I like my fur, thank you very much. "Terk sniggered a retort.
Tantor was tempted to grab the ape walking along. "Hey! Don't go putting out your prejudices against humans..."
"Prejudice?" Terk scoffed. "Best friend of Tarzan, here! And we're practically distant cousins, Tantor. Kind of stupid I'd be prejudice, of all things!"
Kairi leaned back into Sora, her sides aching from trying to quiet her fits of laughter. She had no idea animals had such lively personalities, even after meeting Donald Duck or Goofy. Sora was only incredibly confused as to what in the world was making Kairi to behave so oddly. Considering Kairi was the only one who could understand them perfectly, Sora could have easily assumed that the jungle had gotten to her and she was going crazy.
"Hey, it's Tarzan!" Tantor pointed his trunk in the air. Sure enough, the ape-man glided along the tree branches, jumping through the air and landing on ground. Rushing up to Tantor, the elephant boosted him up with his trunk.
"Sora!" Tarzan panted, trying to show his happiness to see the two safe. "Kairi!"
"What's going on?" Kairi said, getting to the point. Tarzan pointed over the hills, then made an incredible noise, sounding exactly like a gun. The entire gorilla family paused just to jump in fear at the noise.
"Clayton!" Tarzan snarled. "Clayton has Jane-"
"What?" Sora and Kairi said together.
"Clayton wants to take Tarzan's family...and make them Clayton's Heartless."
"He's with the Heartless now!" Kairi exclaimed. "I knew he was a little strange but..."
"A man in black skins is using Clayton." Tarzan added. "He's the one to took Jane and give to Clayton. Clayton will not listen to Tarzan. Clayton will only listen unless Tarzan becomes a Heartless instead, or if Tarzan goes and gets Sora and Kairi."
"Sora, we have to help!" Kairi said back to him, but a pang of guilt struck a cord.
Was Sora ready to get involved in combat again? Kairi had led Sora away to keep him safe from any dangers to prevent him from going back into that beastly form again. She sighed, having second thoughts. Would they even be able to help? Then again, how long would it take for Sora to recover from what just happened?
Sora leaned over, trying to include himself into the conversation more. "We'll, go."
"But Sora..."Kairi muttered.
Putting a hand on her shoulder, Sora gave a firm squeeze. Somehow, that was enough to convince Kairi. He wanted to do this. He had to prove he could still protect the people that mattered to him.
"Okay." Kairi confirmed. "We'll go with you and get Jane back."
"Thank you." Tarzan said, bowing his head.
"But where are they?"
"By Old Nesting Grounds."
Kairi flinched. "But that's where we're headed already!"
"Tarzan knows." The ape man said. "We save Jane before my family gets there."
"Couldn't we just-"
"Family only safe there. Sabor is hungry, and also wants to take my family. Sabor never goes to Old Nesting Grounds."
Kairi sighed, figuring this Sabor was another one of their enemies. They sure seemed to be making plenty of enemies, lately.
"Hurry!" Tarzan said, standing up, jumping off Tantor.
"Hey-where are you all going?" Tantor cried out as Sora and Kairi jumped down.
"You just got here, Tarzan!" Terk yelled. "Get back here, you bald ingrate!"
"I'm going on ahead with Sora and Kairi!" Was all Tarzan was able to shout back.
The black gorilla shook her head, Terk moaning as she rubbed her leathery face. "Well...duh...I can see that..."
-.-.-.-.-.-.-(THoSe WiTHouT HeaRTS)-.-.-.-.-.-.-
"It's gone!" Tarzan gasped, looking around for an old bridge.
"Clayton must have cut it."
Tarzan sniffed the air, then looked at the chewed ropes. "Not Clayton..."
In sync, Sora and Kairi's Keyblades appeared in their hands, the blades glowering at the presence of danger.
"Sabor." Sora said aloud for Tarzan, the ape man nodding.
"We have to go down there to get to Old Nesting Grounds." Tarzan pointed below, where a dried river once flowed through. Now, it was filled with old, rotting trees covered in blankets of thick moss and grass. "Where Sabor sleeps."
Kairi took in a deep breath. She had to ask. "How do you know?"
Tarzan looked at her, his handmade spear at the ready. "Where Sabor gave Tarzan this," He pointed at the scar on his chest, to three thick claw marks.
Kairi made a step to go down, but Tarzan shook his head. "Kairi should not go. Should go back to Tarzan's family."
The Princess of Heart glared, clenching the Oathkeeper. "I can do this."
The flare in her eyes seemed to convince Tarzan, and he simply shrugged. Kairi was actually surprised he didn't argue any further.
In unison, the two Keyblade wielders and the ape man climbed their way down into Sabor's lair. They could only hope that the deadly foe wasn't at his home as they passed through.
Tarzan carefully tapped the ground with the butt of his spear, fishing out the soft spots of moss they could fall through. Sora stepped ahead of them, his own Keyblade out and guiding them through a safe passage. Kairi nearly slipped twice, both times, the two young men were there to catch her.
Tension was on the rise the further they made their way in. The jungle seemed dead here, no birds singing, not even a breeze to breath life into the still trees. Even the vines that strangled all the trees in the jungle looked limp and withered. It was as if this Sabor's malice had drained away all the energy.
"Almost there," Tarzan whispered, trying to encourage his two friends. Coming up ahead of them was a pile of boulders that had washed down from the mountains, now acting as perfect stepping stones for them to exit.
"Kairi," Sora said to her. "Go, first."
Not refusing his offer, the two pushed her up the first boulder, waiting for her to safely get up the rocks. As they did, she stood and waved down at them. They made it, and without seeing Sabor.
Sora stepped aside for Tarzan to go up, whom easily scrambled up. Looking back, Sora checked the area one last time. It had been almost too easy for them to pass through. Something was just off.
"Sora?" Kairi called to him, waving a hand at him. "Aren't you-"
Sora's eyes widened as he saw a shadow behind Kairi. As it moved, he knew the shadow didn't belong to Kairi.
"KAIRI!" Sora screamed louder then he had ever spoken in his life.
Sabor yowled, and leapt for Kairi, his claws and jaws open to rip her apart. Pushing her along with it, Kairi and Sabor fell back into the tree graveyard, the Princess disappearing as the moss broke under their weight. The Oathkeeper had fallen out of her hands, and instead of vanishing and returning to her, Sora grabbed it before it could. Yet another advantage to being the Keyblade Master.
Dual wielding the Keyblades, Sora shoved past Tarzan and dove into the opening, after Kairi.
Sabor growled angrily as Kairi bashed a rock into the cat's face, but instead of taking a moment to absorb the pain, it leapt at her, its claws slashing. However, for Kairi, it seemed utterly slow compared to the dark Sora she had to face the two days prior. The only difference that really unsettled her though, was that the Oathkeeper wasn't answering her summons.
Nevertheless, she backed away from the leopard, its movements reminding her of the other beast that controlled Sora. Snapping its jaws to intimidate her, Kairi's heart was hammering against her chest. She couldn't help but wonder why she couldn't understand this animal like she could with the others.
Tripping over a branch, Sabor immediately took advantage of her moment of being vulnerable and lunged. The cat screeched as something grabbed it from behind, throwing it aside. Tarzan tackled it, trying to wrestle it to the ground. Digging its claws into his arms, Sabor growled and snarled at Tarzan. Pushing the handle of his spear into Sabor's neck to choke it, the leopard suddenly bit down on Tarzan's weapon. Jaws snapping it in half, Sabor rolled off its back and onto its feet, then mauled Tarzan in the cheek. Cracking his skull painfully against the tree, Tarzan grunted painfully as a crimson trail dripped down from deep scrape.
Throwing aside the broken piece of his spear, Tarzan crouched down, holding his weapon like an experienced knife-fighter. Tarzan was the first to move, goring the leopard in the chest. However, Sabor had reacted and Tarzan's mark only hit between its leg and chest. Cracking a roar, Sabor pushed down Tarzan, the man holding it by the mouth to keep it from eating his face clean off.
Sabor roared painfully again as Sora slammed hard into the cat, sending it flying off Tarzan. Brandishing both Keyblades, Sora charged again for the leopard. Facing a new challenger, Sabor hollered and jumped out of the way as Sora plowed through a brittle log, splinters exploding everywhere under the might of the Keyblades. Skidding to a halt, Sora rushed again and again after the fleeing leopard. Until another figure came down from above. Sora flinched, and dove away as another leopard landed in the spot where Sora just was.
"Another one?" Kairi exclaimed, trying to help Tarzan up.
"Sabor's mate," Tarzan guessed.
"They look the same!" Kairi pointed out.
Both leopards lowered themselves, each one wanting to dig their claws into Sora. Crouching like he usually did, Sora had the Oathkeeper positioned over his shoulder, and the his own Keyblade crossed over his waist. Electric red sparks were flying out of the Keyblades and Sora's hands. A crimson aura surrounded him, emitting terrible power as the conjoined Keyblades poured their energy into the Keyblade Master.
Kairi gaped. Was this a Keyblade Master when he was at his peak of power?
Sora coughed, his chest burning as he spat out the hot blood filling his lungs. Both leopards saw the glimmer of weakness and attacked. Knocking one away, and hitting the other in the chest, Sora performed a perfect backflip as the leopards crashed into each other. Pushing off the tree behind him, Sora launched for them, cross slashing both Keyblades into an 'X.'
One of the leopards roared helplessly as the Keyblades tore through its fur. Sora twisted around, and made a motion finish it off, that is until a leopard collided into him.
"Three!" Tarzan gasped, reaching for his weapon.
Sora spat out the scarlet in his mouth after he kicked off the third leopard. All three of the leopard advanced on the Keyblade Prince, all out for more then just a meal. They wanted revenge. However, they stopped, suddenly, then sat down. Coming down from the opening, five more leopards joined the chaos, only circling around Tarzan and Kairi.
"How do you like my collection?" Xigbar laughed, appearing from the shadows. "I have to admit, it wasn't easy getting the first one. Let alone making some of my Nobodies copy it-"
"Who are you?" Kairi demanded.
"No one important...just a nobody." Xigbar chuckled at his pun. "A nobody sent to knock of a somebody like you, Sora..." He threw back his head and laughed.
"Good thing I caught myself," Xigbar rambled. "I almost called you Roxas. Not like I'd be wrong, though. You two are practically twins."
Sora tightened his grip over the Keyblades.
"Oh, am I boring you?" Xigbar said, taking off his hood. "Or do you remember a familiar face when you see it."
Kairi's mind clicked, remembering a fraction of her forgotten days as the princess of Radiant Garden. "Briag."
"HA!" Xigbar laughed. "That's a good girl, so thoughtful you remembered my name!" Two guns appeared in his hands. "Well, as fun as this reunion is, your Highness..."
All of the Sabor copies twisted around, their fur whitening and their spots becoming sharp and jagged, fully becoming Nobodies. Sora tossed over the Oathkeeper, it flashing out of sight for a moment, Kairi reaching out to catch it as it appeared in her hand.
"That's cute," Xigbar intoned, tapping his weapon against his leg. "Giving your girlfriend a Keyblade? I guess that makes you two betrothed or something. Too bad you'll never make it to the altar together...but you will go to your graves as one!"
Xigbar vanished, but not before shooting the first bullet at Tarzan. The shot rung out, and the leopard nobodies leaping into action. Kairi hit back the blade bullet, sending it flying into the flank of one of the eight Nobodies.
Hurtling his Keyblade forward, slicing through the first Nobody, Sora pressed on until he slammed the leopard into a tree. Wrenching around, the leopard yowled and twisted as Sora fed his energy into the Keyblade, its tip glowing brighter and brighter. Twisting the handle, Sora ripped it out, the Nobody frozen in place. Stepping back, Sora flipped around the Keyblade, loosening the raw power from its metal, then hacked the Nobody in two.
Tarzan pulled Kairi down, scooping up his broken weapon, slashing one of the leopards between the eyes. Jerking back and pawing its face for a moment, the leopard stretched forward, then shot out like a cannon for Tarzan. The Oathkeeper seized control of Kairi's limbs, acting through Kairi. Suddenly jumping ahead, tumbling into a roll, then holding up the white Keyblade. Slicing through the Nobody as it flew over her heed, then vanishing as darkness reclaimed the fallen creature.
Throwing the spear like an oversized dart, Tarzan barely intercepted one of the blades aiming for Kairi's neck. Xigbar sneered, lowering his weapon from an aim, then vanished again to pick a new sniping spot.
Putting all of his weight, Tarzan slammed a punch into a Nobody, actually knocking the wind out of it. Rolling around, Tarzan hopping up on it until he was on its back, then slammed his fist down, mimicking a mighty gorilla throwing a tantrum. Its back cracked from the pounding, Tarzan then wringing his arm around its next and pulling back hard. It's claws came up, digging into his arm. Sora shouted something, then passed Tarzan's broken spear back.
Kairi looked away before Tarzan stabbed the Nobody in the back of the head. Sora had just hacked apart another Nobody, only half of the leopards remaining.
"Not bad, kids," Xigbar chuckled. "How 'bout we take things up a notch?"
The last four jumped together, all colliding into one another. A strange, dark aura swirled around them like a whirlwind, mixing them all together. Landing hard, a massive, four headed, white leopard emerged from the whirlwind. Sora, Tarzan and Kairi stood next to one another. Sora pointed his Keyblade at one of the middle heads, then gestured to Kairi and Tarzan to take out the ones on the sides. Nodding at the instruction, the three scattered as the giant Nobody tore through the trees.
All of them making their way up the moss covered surfaces again, but now separated from one another by at least fifty strides. The enormous Nobody reared out of the trees, screaming a deafening roar. Limp vines and dying trees fell and slanted just by the terrible cry. Turning, the Nobody rounded on Tarzan first, ready to leave Tarzan with more then just a scar on his chest this time.
Xigbar's annoying bullets constantly fired at them, forcing the three of them to constantly keep moving. Sora had finally had enough of it, and apparently, so did his Keyblade. Just about two seconds before another blade came at any of them, the Keyblade would glow in Sora's hand, informing him to move quickly. Sora would slash open a portal to corridors of light, then appear again at the last possible second to block Xigbar's bullets. Although it left only Tarzan and Kairi to deal with Xigbar's Nobody.
"Little sneak!" Xigbar said, along with a storm of profanities as every one of his shots was deflected. "Alright, Sora, let's see you pull off this..."
Loading his guns to their full capacity, then aimed them in the air. Holding down the triggers, bladed bullets shot into the air, then began to hail down on the area.
Sora's Keyblade buzzed with its warmth, Sora's strategic mind freezing up. He couldn't block them all! An answer came quickly, thankfully, and Sora would have grinned if he knew how. Holding up his Keyblade, Sora's muscles tightened as he squeezed as much energy as he could into the Keyblade.
"Gather!" Sora had to say aloud to help him focus. The Magnet spell burst to life from the Keyblade, a giant orb growing into view. All of the ammo that Xigbar had emptied were pulled towards the spell, orbiting around it before getting sucked in. Xigbar squinted, his smug smirk betraying his true rage towards Sora.
Dropping the Keyblade down, the Magnet spell drifted towards the Nobody. As it spun around to lash out on Kairi, one of its heads hit the orb, shattering it. Shrieking, as the head now looked like a pincushion, Kairi shouted for Sora. As Sora was running to her, Kairi rolled to dodge the Nobody's spaded tail as it tore through more of the trees. Holding out his Keyblade, Kairi jumped up on the blade, and had a spare moment to wink at him. Sora nodded, and heaved up the Keyblade, sending the Princess speeding in the air towards the Nobody's heads.
Slicing through its neck, Tarzan swung down just in time from a vine to catch Kairi. The head rolled off, then melted into dust, leaving a gaping void in the Nobody's body. Sora quickly caught up to them, Tarzan passing Kairi to a vine. Wrapping his ankle around a vine, Tarzan dropped down, looking almost suicidal as the Nobody snapped for him. Grabbing a vine and pushing over, Tarzan swung back to escape its massive fangs from taking off his arm or worse. Gravity pulling Tarzan back, Sora predicted where the ape-man would swing, then booked it for the direction, all in the while of dodging the Nobody's claws.
Sora nearly tripped as he felt Xigbar's bullet dig into his shoulder. Not stopping to pull it out, Sora only switched the Keyblade in the wounded arm, so his good arm could grab hold of Tarzan. Kairi nudged Tarzan so he would reach Sora quicker, as the Nobody had dropped under the trees to try and outwit the three. Grabbing his hood, Sora was lifted off the ground, and just in time as two heads came through the ground, nearly devouring the Keyblade Master whole.
As the vine swayed to reverse directions, their combined weight giving them more speed. Xigbar aimed to the very vine holding them up, a direct hit would sent the two straight into the mouth of one of the three heads. Pulling the trigger, Xigbar sneered, but then felt the same bullet blade suddenly hit his leg. Grunting, he pulled it out and looked up, seeing the Princess of Heart smiling innocently, lowering the Oathkeeper waggle a finger at him.
Naughty-naughty. She mouthed to him, then jumped to another vine as Number Two of Organization XIII shot off her vine.
Tarzan let go of Sora, the prince falling like a comet for the Nobody. Kairi threw her Keyblade to Sora, knowing he needed it right now. The Oathkeeper obediently appeared in the Keyblade Master's hands, just in time for Sora to decapitate another head. Falling on its back, the Nobody roared again, going into a blind rage from the agony of having a second head removed.
Running along its spine, Sora desperately made his way to reach the tail. The tail flicked around, coming up like a scorpion's take, its spade pointing for Sora.
"TARZAN!" Kairi shouted to him. The man nodded, then made his way to Kairi, tugging at Vines as he went along. Though not nearly as fast as him, Kairi also began heading for it, the two coming in a pincer attack. The Nobody bucked off Sora, sending him helplessly in the air. Jumping off, Tarzan and Kairi grabbed the vines at the last minute, Kairi nearly loosing her grip for her muscles lack in strength. Tugging them down, the two came hurtling dangerously for the Nobody.
Sora twisted around, preparing for the tail to swipe a cut for him, until he saw two blurred figures swing down, crossing the tail. The tail suddenly curled up in pain, and like the heads, cracked like a piece of glass and melted away. Landing back onto the Nobody, whom was clawing the ground, trying to search for its prey, Sora scrambled to his feet. Running back to his head, the Nobody circled around, chasing its missing tail. Grabbing onto its bristly fur, Sora had to stab his Keyblade in it, the Oathkeeper having returned to Kairi only moments ago to cut off the Sabor Nobody's tail.
Recoiling from the blow, the Nobody tipped to roll on the ground and crush him. Sprinting sideways, bending the laws of gravity, Sora pushed off, landing on the log. Raising his Keyblade, Sora waited under for the Nobody to come down. Only several feet away, Sora jumped up on the log, coming down hard. The log slanted down under the force, but then came flying back up in a teeter-totter fashion. Back into the air, Sora cut through its third neck before the Nobody could crush him.
Kairi and Tarzan were both there to grab him from under his arms. Panting, Sora swallowed the sticky saliva in his throat and tried to nod gratefully at them. Their lines suddenly broke, and the three came crashing down. Tarzan quickly retaliated and took the two teens by their waists, using his flexible toes to grip on to the vines long enough for him to throw them aside.
Toppling over each other, the two dizzily tried to stand. They managed to see Tarzan, at the last minute, plummet towards the fatally wounded Nobody.
"Tarzan..." Kairi breathed, her lungs sore from the exertion. Sora pulled her up, almost as tired as she was, but determinedly raised his Keyblade. Kairi mirrored his action, willing to fight on alongside him.
Sora's hand pushed her away from him and he jumped away as well, as three bullets snagged the ground. Their Keyblades flashed, indicating more blades were coming. Sora opened another corridor for them to enter, Kairi jumping in with Sora.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-(THoSe WiTHouT HeaRTS)-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Xigbar cursed, reloading as he looked around for the Keyblade Master. Killing off the Princess of Heart was only an added bonus, but the only way he was getting out alive was if Sora was eliminated. Kingdom Hearts or no, this boy was far too dangerous to be left running around.
He froze, feeling two burning, metal tips against his throat. Chuckling, Xigbar surrendered by throwing down his weapons.
"Nice. Very nice." Xigbar applauded as Kairi and Sora had their weapons crossing his neck. "You guys really are something, even I'll be the first to say that...too bad I couldn't say the same for your monkey-friend down there. My-"
"Shut," Sora said slowly. "Up."
"Don't they teach little princes like you manners?" He spat. "And what's with the whole talking like an robot act, eh?"
The Keyblade pressed harder against his throat, testing Xigbar's audacity to speak again.
"Cold, really cold." Xigbar said, grinning. Inwardly, he was panicking, but would rather die then show it. "How'd someone as cruel as you get a girl, anyhow?"
Sora's jaw tensed, his Keyblade painfully burning into Xigbar's skin.
Still playing along, Xigbar went on. "You might be heartless enough to kill me, but what about our little princess, here?"
Kairi winced.
"I can tell you're still new to the games of war," Xigbar taunted. "There's no way you'd-"
The Oathkeeper bit hard into the Nobody's neck, actually drawing blood.
"I shouldn't forgive you, Braig." Kairi interrupted. "You were part of that stupid resistance group in Radiant Garden, weren't you?"
Xigbar laughed. "Once upon a time, girly. Yeah, so what if my original did that? I'm just his Nobody, so technically, I'm not guilty of anything."
"Liar. You two are exactly the same, and the fact you even remember who you once were is proof your as responsible as he is!"
Xigbar whistled. "Ooh, getting catty, are we?"
"It's because of people like you Radiant Garden is gone..." Kairi growled, her eyes burning with anger and sorrow. "Because of people like you, so many people were taken away..."
"Boo-hoo-hoo." Xigbar mocked, trying to ignore Sora's Keyblade drawing blood from his neck as well. "All in the past, your Highness. Get over it."
Sora had heard enough, taking away his Keyblade, he grabbed the man by the hood's collar, dragging him away and then holding him over the ledge of the tree.
"Kairi," Sora said to her. "Just, say, the, word...and, I'll...let, go."
"Like she would, you freak!" Xigbar snarled, his eye twitching in fear. "She's still a Princess of Heart. Meaning pure heart! Kairi doesn't have it in her to-"
Kairi bit her lip, and looked away. Sora nodded, his grip falling, but only so he could grab Xigbar by the throat, choking him.
Gargling for air, the man kicked his legs helplessly, clawing at the Keyblade Master's hands. Sora positioned his Keyblade with his other hand, it's tip touching the spot over where Xigbar's heart once was.
"You," Sora began. "Tried, to, take...Kairi, away."
"Yeah," Xigbar gasped. "So...what...if I did?"
Sora's eyes glazed over like a storm raging within them. "You...should, pay."
Xigbar squirmed in pain as Sora's hand closed tighter over his esophagus. The two cuts in his neck juicing out more of Xigbar's cold blood as Sora's pressure increased.
"You're...just...the...same...as...us!" Xigbar said, his throat slowly being crushed. "No...heart...no-"
Sora's eyes flashed a menacing gold, and a loud crack and a gurgling noise was heard.
Kairi turned around, unable to bear any more. "Sora!"
But he had already driven in the Keyblade through Xigbar's chest. Releasing his hold on the lifeless man, Sora put a foot on his stomach, taking back his Keyblade while also kicking off Number Two to his grave. Xigbar never hit the bottom, though, as he disintegrated into a black dust.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-(THoSe WiTHouT HeaRTS)-.-.-.-.-.-.-
"Tarzan!" Kairi called, cupping her hands to substitute for a megaphone. "Tarzan!"
The giant Nobody laid still, slowly dying as it broke apart. Kairi almost felt pity for the creature, after all, it was Xigbar's doing for capturing it and corrupting the poor leopards in the first place. Perhaps this was the world's method of justice for the many lives it had stolen in its time. Cruel and unfair, Kairi thought bitterly.
Her hand tightened over the Oathkeeper. But what about how Xigbar died? His death was just as cold, if not, worse then the leopards' was. True, he had betrayed not only the royal family, being her family, but everyone else of Radiant Garden. His crimes had been paid for...but Kairi couldn't help but deny the system of redemption. Kairi looked over at the Keyblade Prince...
Would Sora have to pay for his actions, as well? In her own opinion, Kairi thought Sora was suffering enough as it was, and surely, for something he did not even deserve in the first place. His heart was literally out of place, and Kairi hoped that would make it so Sora was not held accountable for his callous acts.
Feeling his unmistakable, empty touch, Kairi turned her head around. Sora leaned down his head, his eyebrow raised slightly.
"Just thinking, that's all."
Sora looked down at his Keyblade, appearing ashamed. "I, don't...know, what...happened..."
He seemed so innocent, to Kairi. Sora had never had any emotions to deal with in the first place, and was blind to know how to deal with them. Kairi was unsure of whether or not it was a good sign, Sora beginning to experience emotions. They weren't the ones Kairi wanted to awaken. Such as hate, rage, and sadness. What the Princess wouldn't give just to see the boy feel an ounce of happiness for just a simple moment. That alone, would be enough for him, and Kairi as well.
Kairi put a hand on the side of his face. "Hey, what was it that Goofy would say all the time?"
Sora seemed to brighten by the name of the clumsy knight. "...no, frowning?"
"Yup!" Kairi nodded, then grinned idiotically at him.
Sora tilted his head, his hand going over hers. Just as she hoped for, he bared his teeth, squinting his eyes as his cheeks pushed up the skin against his eyes. Giggling, Kairi used her thumb and stuck it in his mouth, pushing up his attempted smile into a half grin.
Kairi simply couldn't take it, then bent over, laughs spewing out of her lungs.
"Ha, ha, ha..." Sora tried, wanting to join in with Kairi.
Kairi only laughed harder, but that only encouraged Sora.
"Ha, ha, ha, ha." His voice sounded more like a machine.
Waving around the air, Kairi took in a deep breath, putting a hand on him for support. Hearing him try another set of 'Ha's,' Kairi's hand felt his abdomen relaxing as he tried.
"No, no!" Kairi said, wiping her eyes. "You have to use more of your stomach when you do it."
"Who-haa!" Sora blew out, sounding more like he was going to throw up rather then laugh.
The Oathkeeper seemed to increase its weight in its arm, stopping Kairi before she could correct Sora. Kairi blushed as the Oathkeeper's chiding, it was not exactly the most ideal time to teach Sora how to laugh. Nevertheless, she was grateful that Sora had somehow managed to cheer her up.
"Okay, we'll continue this lesson later," said Kairi, waving the Oathkeeper in front of her enthusiastically. Sora playfully slashed the air, and the two took off in the direction of the Nobody leopard.
Kairi skidded to a halt, loosing her balance and nearly falling into the pit. Startled by the figure that had jumped out in front of her. Grabbing her before she teetered over the edge any further, Sora stepped ahead of her in case the Nobody was up for another round.
"Tarzan!" Kairi exclaimed, looking up at the ape-man as he dangled on a vine. "You had us so worried about you-"
"Safe?" The wild man asked, referring to Xigbar. Tarzan's face weary and smeared with both dirt and dried blood alike.
"Clear." Sora confirmed.
Letting out a breath, Tarzan thankfully let go of the branch, landing on his hands and feet in front of the Keyblade wielders.
"Tarzan had to give Sabor this." He held out his chipped and badly worn out spear head. Kairi looked down at the Nobody, now limp and almost completely dissolved into nothing. Putting two and two together, Kairi concluded that Tarzan was able to finish off the Nobody while she and Sora had been dealing with Xigbar.
"Thank goodness you're alright," Kairi said, exhaustion over the battle wanting to get the better of her. "And thanks for your help earlier..."
"Tarzan always there to help friends." He smiled, accepting the Princess' gratitude. "Now, Tarzan want to go help Jane."
"Right," The prince and princess agreed.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-(THoSe WiTHouT HeaRTS)-.-.-.-.-.-.-
"Rain, rain, rain..." Kairi grumbled as they trudged through the mud, which was dramatically slowing their so-called 'rush to rescue Jane' endeavors. Normally, Kairi did not mind the rain at all, in fact, she had enjoyed it quiet thoroughly as a child.
But as a child, there was also many other things she enjoyed. Such as having a safe home, a family, the crowds of smiling faces...and most of all, no Heartless, Nobodies or conspiring forces out to make her life worse. Kairi tried her best to remember a day where the clouds were nowhere in sight, where the sun beamed down on the world. For almost ten years of the reign of darkness, there had always been that everlasting storm prowling the skies. Always, it would come from the East, from Fate's Archipelago.
The source of all the darkness in the world, as many would refer the Archipelago as. Kairi frowned. She remembered visiting the islands herself on many occasions, and had grown to adore them while it was still the stunningly beautiful Destiny Islands. How such a heavenly place could become as twisted and evil as Fate's Archipelago, it both broke her heart while sickening her to the core.
The rain was coming down in sheets at this point, thinking being the only thing distracting Kairi. Sora and Tarzan weren't exactly the ideal types to strike up a conversation. Completely soaked to the bone, Kairi couldn't imagine how Tarzan could stay warm wearing only a loincloth.
"There!" Tarzan hollered to them from above, his arm pointed in the direction of a roaring waterfall. "Tarzan find Old Nesting Grounds!"
"Great, but-hey!" Kairi stepped forward. "Tarzan! Wait!"
"Tarzan find Jane!"
Hanging her head down in defeat, Kairi sighed while wiping her face of the water. Sora stepped in front of her, bending forward and offering his back to her.
"It's okay, I can-WALK!" Kairi cried out as she now found herself being forcibly being carried by him. Never one to admit when she needed help, Kairi irritably pushed her hair that was sticking to her face. Jumping slightly as to gain a secure hold, Sora quickened their pace to try and catch up to the ape-man.
"Another, fight, soon," Sora explained. "You, need, to, save, energy."
Much as the Princess hated to admit it, she would most likely have dropped dead from exhaustion by the time they reached the Old Nesting Grounds.
"What about you?" Kairi said, her attitude reverting back to worry. "Won't you be even more tired if you carry me?"
Sora shrugged as he skipped over a hidden hole of soggy dirt that would have sucked them in faster then quicksand. "Training. This, is, nothing."
Kairi sniggered, as she was given more proof that Sora would never turn down an opportunity to exercise his chivalry. Kairi wondered if that was part of his habits form being raised as a prince, or if it was actually a trait that belonged to Sora originally. Sora grunted as he jumped over the slick rocks that would make a gazelle look clumsy.
Sora stopped short, Kairi's head going forward and hitting her throat painfully on his shoulder. She quickly disregarded it as she saw something that would never cease to leave her alone.
Heights.
Clinging to him tightly, which was difficult, since her grip was slippery due to the fact they were drenched from the rain. They were overlooking at a very uninviting cliff that had a direct view over the river, which was crashing over a edge into a the thundering waterfall. The current was especially fast and looked more like it was filled with chocolate, as mudslides dumped into the speeding current.
Sora was seemed doubtful to take advantage of the endless supply of vines, since their chances of slipping without a solid grip were too high. That only guaranteed their odds of falling into the river and falling over the cascading ridge. His other option was to use the logs that had formed temporary dam to cross over. The angry water was shoving into it, trying to break apart the clog, and would only cause another wave in the river.
Meaning, Sora had to move fast.
Kairi's face deepened to the shade of a ripe tomato as Sora squeezed her exposed legs to hold onto her tightly. Even after the storm hit, Kairi was especially cursing herself now for always dressing for warm weather in a miniskirt. Kairi held her breath as Sora leaned forward, then pushing off the ledge.
Grabbing onto a vine, it broke free from its branch from the sudden tug, doing exactly what Sora hoped for. Slowing their fall just enough to give Sora time to quickly whispered to the air around him. The Aeroga spell softening his fall to prevent any sort of injury. Hovering for a moment, the spell setting them down a foot before the soles of Sora's shoes tapped the ground. Breaking into a run, Kairi bit her tongue as Sora bounded for the dam, logs already starting to break apart.
Hopping on top of a log, Sora unsteadily tried to maintain a useful element known as friction as he sped across the logs. Only halfway across, the logs rose, and the river's power triumphed, the dead trees being pulled apart.
"DONT," Sora shouted, before swallowing a mouthful of dirty water. "LET, GO!"
"I WON'T!" Kairi yelled in his ear, her voice letting out a frightful squeak as he jumped to another log. Slipping once or twice, the suspense only left Kairi with the option to close her eyes. Her grip tightened, and her legs clamping every time they were in the air as Sora jumped over.
Sora's gulped as he saw yellow eyes light up from their destination. Hordes of Heartless just waiting for them to cross.
A trap.
Grinding his teeth, Sora hesitated.
"SORA!" Kairi screamed in horror. The log they were were on bashed into a jagged rock, causing it to cast-side. The two were hurtled into the dirt-stained water, littered with rocks, twigs and roots. Sora broke the surface, noticing nothing was on his back.
"KAIRI!" Sora shouted. "KAIRI!"
"SO-" Kairi gurgled, ducking as a log threatened to roll over her. "-RA!"
Sora held his breath, then dove beneath the surface. His eyes burned under the foggy water, but he discarded it as he saw his princess anchored by a rock, a red mist drifting from her thigh as the lodge and current pushed the point deeper. She would either drown or bleed to death, at this rate.
The water, however, was too strong for even him, and was yanking him towards the waterfall, now only seconds away.
Bubbles came out of his mouth, replacing his cry as he hit into a rock. Pushing his head out the water, he briefly saw Kairi's head come up, only to have a wave shove it back down. The glimmering blade of the Oathkeeper swung above the water as Kairi desperately tried to hack apart the log before her lungs were completely flooded.
Summoning his own Keyblade, Sora stabbed the rock behind him, then pulled hoisted himself up on top of it. Coughing out the water, Sora rose to his feet and skipped over more fortunately placed rocks to reach the one Kairi was stuck before. All he had to rely on was luck that the Keyblade would hit the log and not slash through Kairi in the process.
Trusting chance was something Sora had never done before. But this was the only way he saw open to save Kairi.
Yelling, Sora drove the Keyblade down, the log splitting in two and releasing the Princess of Heart. Dropping his Keyblade, Sora thrust his arm down and yanked out Kairi. Wheezing out mouthfuls of water and its disgusting contents, Kairi gasped for air. Holding her close, Sora's fingers ferociously combed through her hair, trying to convince himself she was alright.
"This is why...I always..."Kairi heaved. "Have hated...stupid water-slides..."
"Hahaha," Was all that came out from Sora from Kairi's little joke.
Kairi looked up at him, flabbergasted.
"Sora? Did you just...laugh!"
Sora touched his throat, fearing he might have swallowed more then just water. Kairi beamed, then hugged him tightly around the waist. Sora's chest twanged, something slamming back and forth inside of him. His vision blurred for a moment, not noticing the impatient Heartless sliding down from the vines.
Instincts took over, and spun them around, Sora switching spots with Kairi as a Heartless drove its claw into Sora's back.
Well, it tried to.
Sora intercepted the Heartless by grabbing it by its wrist, crushing it under his iron grip. Separating himself from Kairi, Sora swung the Heartless over his head and hurled it into the depths of the waterfall. Hundreds of Heartless froze, glaring at them, slightly reconsidering attacking the Keyblade Master.
"Kairi," Sora said to her as the monsters closed in. "Trust, me?"
"Of course I do." Kairi replied instantly, wondering why the boy would even have to ask.
"Good."
With that, he grabbed her around the waist and jumped over the ledge with her.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-(THoSe WiTHouT HeaRTS)-.-.-.-.-.-.-
"Don't EVER," Kairi said, now back in the routine of spitting up more water. "Do that again, Sora!"
His arm still around her, Sora spat out the pieces of bark that he had nearly swallowed up impact.
"But," He began. "You, said...that, you, trust, me-"
"Keep up those stunts, and I'll have to start reconsidering!" Kairi said, but was now trying her best not to laugh. She was failing miserably.
The Keyblade Prince's head bolted up, both his and Kairi's Keyblades appearing in their hands.
"Ah," Clayton greeted, pointing his rifle between Sora's eyes. "So you did decide to join us! And right on schedule!"
"Sora! Kairi!" Jane shouted to them, but one of the crew members silenced her by gagging her mouth. The Professor attempted to protest, but was knocked out cold, much to Jane's dismay.
"I see our savage friend fell through in delivering the both of you two me..." Clayton looked around. "My debt is repaid, then. Now, where is that bloke...what's his name...Xigbar?"
"You were working with him!" Kairi burst out, Sora restraining her as Clayton's rife aimed at her.
"Now, now, my dear." Clayton said soothingly. "All in a day's work, I am only fulfilling my payment to him-"
"Well, you're a little late on that, now, aren't you?" Kairi said hotly. "Xigbar's finished! We already took care of him-"
"Really?" The hunter raised an eyebrow. "Then I supposed I am indebted to you then, for taking care of him. Now, shall I take my share of the spoils...or let you two free..."
Sora's fingers curved into a fist, his eyes narrowing.
"Well, I can't suffer a total loss...I guess it would be the gentlemen's thing to do to let one of you children go. And the other?" Clayton's rifle clicked, the safety now off.
"Kairi..." Sora whispered to her, lightly putting pressure on her to get up and go.
"No," She breathed back. "I'm tired of us getting separated all the time. I'm not going anywhere if you're not."
Sora opened his mouth, but the rifle was now directly in front of him again.
"If you can't decide, I'll do the honor of choosing for you." Clayton said with a sly smirk. "Of course, I could never show such disrespect to a lady..."
"NO!" Kairi and Jane screamed as Clayton squeezed the trigger, pushing herself to take the shot instead of Sora. Sora's chest tightened, his hand lunging out and slapping away the rifle. The bullet barely missed, grazing Sora's cheek and burning a path like a cut.
Twisting around, Sora's legs spun around as he lifted his body around, his legs tripping Clayton to his feet. As the hunter fell, Sora was getting on his feet, one hand catching the rifle as it was flung in the air. Twirling it around so Sora could hold it properly, he put his shoe on Clayton's head, the mouth of the gun directly over Clayton's.
All of Clayton's lackeys grunted and shouted in anger, but paused as Sora snarled, shoving down Clayton's head.
"No one moves!" Clayton commanded. Machetes were drawn, and Jane's captors now holding them to her and the unknowing Professor Porter. "You care nothing of what happens to them?"
Sora growled, pushing his head into the mud further. Clayton snickered.
"Luckily, I always come prepared for these things..."
On cue, Heartless appeared on the sight, over three dozen crowding around them, ready to strike.
"Just a few assets that that Xigbar fellow granted me," He taunted. "You're more then welcome to shoot, just know, that I control them. Killing me will mean they have no orders, and literally, anything might happen. Also consider dear Miss Porter's life is on the line-"
"BANG!"
Everyone's blood turned to ice, the pouring rain hitting the river's surface being the only thing filling in the empty noise.
"Tarzan," Jane said in relief.
Standing high in the trees, was Tarzan, and also the one responsible for making the noise that fooled everyone into thinking it was an actual gunshot.
Taking advantage of the distraction, Clayton threw Sora off, and went to reclaim his rifle. Kairi kicked it aside, just out of his reach as he dived for it. Kairi pulling up Sora with an offered hand, the Heartless now springing into action. Tarzan was dealing with the crew members holding the Professor and Jane hostage, leaving Sora and Kairi to deal with the Heartless and Clayton.
The mud and the still pouring rain made it much more difficult to move around in, especially since the river was overflowing and would wash them away if they didn't seek cover in the forest soon. Kairi and Sora were back to back as the Heartless, looking more like demonic panthers, closed in on them. Looking over their shoulders at each other, the two seemed to formulate a routine to run through.
Linking arms, the two started to run around in circles as they let their Keyblades fly out, hitting the multiple Sabor Heartless as they came at them. Like a raging blender, they tore through a few, but if they kept it up, they'd sooner become sick before a victory. Nearly slipping in the slimy ground, Sora's slowed them down, holding Kairi from falling as their arms were still hooked around by the elbows. Removing their arms, they took up a ready stance, the two circling and watching their friend's back.
Sora bent forward, Kairi leaning back to roll backwards on top of his back. As if they had rehearsed it a thousand times, Sora grabbed her feet, Kairi doing her very best to keep in balance as she stood on his shoulders. Staying in spot as Kairi jumped off, all of the Heartless looked up towards her. With the distraction successful, Sora brandished the Keyblade around, the blade flickering as it shed off embers of a Firaga spell that circled around Sora, then exploded into several Heartless.
Weakened and divided for a moment, Sora cut through several before he stopped to squat down. Just a second after, Kairi's foot pushed against his back, pushing off and allowing her to land much more safely. Patting his back in a silent thanks, the two raised their Keyblades and charged to pick off the scattered Heartless.
"Utterly mad," Clayton grumbled, half-laughing at the fact his precious Heartless were loosing. Little did he know that there was a deadly yellow hue in his eyes, the darkness in his heart growing with the influences of the Heartless. Tarzan spotted the glint shining in his eyes, then glanced over at Kairi and Sora. The two were working together to wipe out the Heartless force, leaving Tarzan to work alone.
"Come on, you savage." Clayton laughed, shooting aimlessly for Tarzan. Slowly, his rifle was being twisted into an odd weapon, now retaining the appearance of a bazooka. The gun shot out strange bullets, all coated in strange goo. Anything it landed on, it would bubble up and unintentionally draw in Heartless. The more Heartless there were, the more influence they had over Clayton, instead of the other way around.
"Clayton!" Tarzan shouted, ducking as another bullet shot towards him. Though the wild man knew little about firearms, he knew enough that he didn't want to be hit by the balls shooting out of the mouth of Clayton's weapon.
"CLAYTON!" Tarzan shouted one last time, hoping the hunter might regain his sanity. The hunter chuckled maliciously, then fired away several shots. Suddenly, Jane jumped out from behind, wrapping her arms around Clayton's neck, then covering his eyes.
"Silly girl!" Clayton roared, pushing her off, then smacking her over the head with his twisted gun. Knocking her out cold, a black slime remained on her head, getting the attention of several Heartless.
"Jane!" Tarzan shouted, anger now boiling in his veins. Kairi, luckily, had seen Jane taking the hit, and was now making her way to her, Sora trailing after her. Wanting to lure the madman away before he could harm another else, Tarzan scampered up a tree.
"Come back here, boy..." Clayton droned, following him.
Bending down, Sora and Kairi looked over at the unconscious girl. Kairi reached to wipe off the slime, but Sora's hand grabbed her wrist.
"Don't, touch, it!" The Keyblade Master ordered.
"But-"
"Go help Tarzan." Kerchak's heavy voice came. Kairi's head shot up, Sora jumping up from the newcomer. "We'll take her to the Old Nesting Grounds-"
"You can help her!" Kairi asked hopefully.
"No." The silver-back answered. "But the Keeper of this jungle can."
"The what-?"
"GO!" Kerchak snarled, scooping up Jane with one arm as if she weighed nothing to him. "Go...and help my son."
With no time to argue or question the mighty gorilla, Kairi dragged Sora away. The two setting off to where Clayton and Tarzan were facing off.
"Come out, come out, little savage!" Clayton screamed, his glowering eyes intense with yellow rage. His arm had melded with the gun, the skin becoming a twisted, pulsating with strange, tentacle like spikes. The Heartless were following their superior, but secretly were encouraging to seek out Tarzan's heart and devour it for his own.
"Sora..." Kairi muttered, stopping dead in her tracks as she saw Clayton's spreading transformation. He was becoming a Heartless...
"Kairi." Sora said to her, taking her arm. "Tarzan, needs, help."
"But what about Clayton?" Kairi said, her eyes filled with pity for the man. "Can't we help him?"
Sora looked at him, then back at the Princess. He shook his head. "Done, for."
"How can you say such an awful thing..." Kairi muttered. Of course, she wasn't really referring to Clayton. To her, it reminded her of the path Sora might stumble down, should she fail at her task to release his heart.
"Kairi..." Sora said, his deadpanning tone quieting, trying to be gentler.
She shuddered, then shook her head. She wouldn't allow such a thing to happen to her Sora. The Oathkeeper shimmered with new life, admiring its master's spirit at her devotion.
"Right, we don't have time for this."
Sora stepped back, giving her space. Pointing in a direction for her, she nodded. One of them was going to meet with Tarzan while the other would face Clayton. Of course, Sora was the one for the more dangerous task.
"WHERE ARE YOU, TARZAN!" Clayton thundered, firing another dark bullet at branch. Darkness bled onto the vines, then began to take hold of them and using them as if they were alive. Kairi paused for a second, doubting her ability to reach Tarzan and avoid or fight the black vines.
"Just another rope, just a stupid rope, Kairi!" She scolded herself for her cowardice, then jumped up on a vine and made her way up.
Clayton spun around, firing a load at Sora, who knocked it back at Clayton. The bullet, now the swollen to the size of tennis ball, struck Clayton in the leg. Wrapping around him the darkness gnawed at his kneecap, converting his leg into something deformed and hideous.
Hitting the targets back, much like his old games of Catch-and-Throw with Riku, Sora easily made his way through. Dodging the Heartless, Sora was only a few feet away from Clayton.
"Very good, Tarzan..." Clayton said lazily, mistaking Sora for Tarzan in his blind rage.
Kairi waved the Oathkeeper threateningly at the snapping vines as they coiled around her leg, ripping her away from her own life-line. Cutting off the vine, it withered away, only to have another take its place. Kairi screamed loudly as the wind rushed past her, still terrified of heights. The Oathkeeper swung itself from her grip, chopping off several of the vines.
"Tarzan!" Kairi gasped as the man grabbed her leg before she fell any further.
"Sora?"
Kairi looked down at the boy whom was trying to fend off the Heartless diving after him, while also dodging Clayton's deadly attacks. Tarzan nodded at Kairi, and dropped her unceremoniously on a branch below, going down to join the fight.
"Men..." Kairi grumbled sourly.
In an upper slash, Sora's Keyblade tore through a Heartless, giving him only a second to jump out of the way at another bullet. Running for him, Sora jumped up, running along Clayton's deformed arm, then turning his heel and severing off weapon attached to him.
Clayton hollered loudly, the darkness retreating at the touch of the Keyblade. The Heartless growled, then jumped for Sora and Clayton.
Finding another use for a vine, Tarzan spun it around and threw it forward, the vine going out like a whip and cracking as it was tugged back. One Heartless stopped, splitting in half. Tarzan jumped down, behind the group of Heartless.
"Rock." Tarzan said with a smile.
"Rock." Sora repeated, the corner of his mouth slightly going up on its own.
In an nimble movement, Sora hopped back, then backflipped to curve right over the large rock that was behind him. Holding the Keyblade like a golf club, Sora set it back and swung ahead, hitting the rock towards Tarzan. Using his vine with noose he had tied while getting Sora's attention in the first place, Tarzan whirled it out and miraculously caught the rock. Before it landing, Tarzan used his inherited strength from his years in the jungle and began to spin around, the rock flying guiding after him.
Sora would duck or jump to avoid Tarzan's improvised weapon, trying to take out as many Heartless before another round came by. Either bashed by the rock or close lined by the vine, Tarzan felt the vine finally giving out.
Not knowing any words that would warn Sora, Tarzan only dragged out a yell. Assessing the situation, Sora made his way for cover as Tarzan let go of the weapon, which hit two very unlucky Heartless in the process. With their advantage of having more numbers then their enemies, the dwindling numbers of Heartless backed away and fled back into the dark portal they came in.
"Good show," Clayton complimented. The two whipped around, only to see Clayton standing before them, his trusty old rifle aimed at Tarzan's heart. "I may not have gotten your little ape friends, Tarzan...But that doesn't mean I can't turn you into my own personal Heartless slave for me to-OW! What the devil?"
The three looked up, seeing Kairi holding up another unripe fruit to throw at Clayton. Clayton scoffed, not noticing Tarzan coming up and hitting the rifle out of his hands.
Flipping it around, Tarzan passed it to Sora for him to handle. The Keyblade vanished as soon as Sora reached to take it. Flipping it around with expertise, it was positioned perfected and he aimed the rifle at Clayton.
"We do keep ending up like this, don't we?" Clayton commented, his hand hovering over the machete on his belt. "Well, it finally looks like you two are going to stop acting like the savages you are...go ahead, boy." He looked at Sora, his head cocking to the side. "Go ahead and shoot me. I'm utterly harmless now, no lives are in danger this time...save mine."
Sora didn't respond, but only clicked off the safety.
"That's the ticket," Clayton grinned. "Shoot. Be a man."
"Bang." Sora said flatly, Clayton actually flinching. He lowered his aim, then drew back, throwing the rifle in the air. With one direct slash from the Keyblade, Sora split the gun into two equal pieces.
"Not a man like you!" Tarzan snarled, then charged.
Pulling out his machete, Clayton yelled and was about to move. He took two steps forward before his his foot fell short and was dragged into a pool of darkness.
"What-!"
A dark figure in a black coat cackled. "Sorry to put your show to an end! But I do love adding twists to the story, if you know what I mean!"
Sora and Tarzan jumped away, sensing the enormous power resonating from the man.
"Why, if it isn't little Sora!" He sniggered. "I am honored to be in your presence, Your Most Highly-ness!" He mocked a bow, then shot back up. "Well, I would bow, but you see, I've always preferred the imperialists' views over the whole monarchy mess. Hope you understand...
"Ah, but royalty is royalty, and I shan't be rude!" He giggled. "You can call me Kafekx, sire! Honorary member of the Entropy. Sorry, but our club is a little full, we have a three-member limit. No hard feelings!" He threw back his head and laughed again. "Anyways, I'll leave you all be...for now...but after I take my little friend with me, of course!"
"NO!" Clayton screamed, clawing at the ground to get himself out of the portal. "HELP ME, NOOO-!"
Kafekx clicked his tongue shaking his head. "So, he's not in the mood to play? Well, too baaaad!" Cackling hysterically, the strange man stepped back into a portal of darkness. "Be seeing you all soon-"
"Wait!" Sora called.
Kafekx poked his head out of the portal. "Wait? Wait, he says!" He laughed again. "Do I look like a waiter to you?"
With that, the mysterious and clearly insane individual disappeared, along with Clayton.
Sora stared after the air, his mind trying to process what happened. Tarzan looked at his Keyblade Master friend, unsure of what questions to ask first.
"Soraaaa!" Kairi whimpered, getting their attention. She stood stranded in a tree, with no vines of any sort to get her down.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-(THoSe WiTHouT HeaRTS)-.-.-.-.-.-.-
"She going to be okay?" Kairi whispered to Kala, but only to be hushed by a group of animals.
Tarzan had just placed her down in the center of the stone set up, and given by the vegetation that had taken over it, it was quiet ancient.
"This is where the Keeper sleeps," Tantor said wistfully to Sora and Kairi, only to be slapped in the trunk by Terk.
"Stop that!" She hissed.
"Hey, I can't help it! I was caught in the moment, okay!"
"Both of you, be quiet!" Kerchak barked. The two immediately shut their mouths.
Sora looked around at the compilation of rocks. That strange feeling of being called...this is where it was contacting him. Since they had entered the Old Nesting Grounds, the Keyblade had refused to leave his side. A chorus in his head was constantly singing soothing tunes to him, all of his weariness from the past few days simply washing away. His Keyblade jerked up, wanting to be put to use, but out of respect of the animals all gathered around, Sora was forced to stay put.
"We've been standing here forever," Kairi pointed out to him. "What exactly are they all expecting?"
Professor Porter, whom would normally be ecstatic about being around so many animals, and in one gathering place, was far too worried about his daughter to even care.
"Whatever it is they want...oh, Jane," He frowned. "Do be alright..."
Kairi looked at him sympathetically, Sora also having a strong impulse to go to Jane and check to see if she was waking up. Eyes wandering around, Sora's eye caught a strange engraved...something on one the tallest of the stones. It was a hole, of some sort, much too smooth and perfect for it to be eroded by nature. Squinting to improve his vision, the Keyblade jumped excitedly about in his hand, pointing towards the hole...
"Keyhole...?" Sora thought aloud.
Just as he did, the Keyblade was perfectly still. Sora could have let go of it and it probably would have hovered in place. Kairi's eyes widened, but so did many sets of other eyes as they looked at the Keyblade and Sora. The Keyblade shedding off its curious, starry dust, Kairi's will compelled her to go to Sora...
Sora almost jumped as he felt Kairi come around him, holding him from behind.
"Okay, I got you." She whispered.
The Keyblade kicked back in his hand, shooting off a beam towards the Keyhole. Returning with its own spectacle of lights and flashes, they could see the seal break over it.
The stone suddenly cracked down the middle and a bright figure curled into a ball descended on the ground. Rolling around, the figure revealed itself to be a large, rabbit-like creature. It had large, round, pointed ears over its head. A massive ruby planted on its head in-between its adorable, curious pale eyes. Four long, fox-like tails flicked around as it shook its head and yawned. It's entire body began to glow a muted turquoise blue, then scanned its vision around at its observers.
"My! Now THAT was a long nap!" The Keeper perky voice chirped. The tiny mouth didn't so much as move, as it didn't need to, its powerful voice filling their minds. "Oh, my, what happened here? Yuck, that looks icky! I better clear this up quick!"
The strange creature trotted over to Jane, in comparison, it was no bigger then the size of a normal dog, such as the King's pet, Pluto. Lowering its head so the giant red gem on its head glowed, the dark slime smeared over Jane's face evaporating.
"There! All better!" It said as Jane gradually began to wake up, the Keeper looked around curiously. "Okay, Keyblade Master, I know your out there...I mean, really, who else would have broken the seal and woke me up? C'mon, no being shy! I just want to talk to you!"
Sora swallowed, hesitant to approach the being. Kairi's hand filled into his, and she nudged him to go forward.
"I'll protect you." Kairi said humorously.
Nodding, he slowly made his way into the circle.
"Wow-wee...A Princess of Heart, too!" The Keeper whistled. "So you're the Sora and you'd be the Kairi everyone's talking about?"
"Um...everyone?" Kairi said weakly. Oddly, the glowing rabbit in front of her was very intimidating.
"Yeah, silly! The other Keepers!" The Keeper jumped up and down, squeaking. "You know, we're the ones who're supposed to guard the entries that lead to Kingdom Hearts. Not to mention protect the lands we're bound to."
"Kingdom Hearts?" Kairi looked at Sora, hoping he knew what it was. The real Sora had mentioned something called that, but Kairi had not the foggiest idea to what it was.
"Oh, so, you don't know?" The Keeper asked, its tails laying flat on the ground. "Well, I'm not really good at explaining things. Bahamut or Ramuh were always good at that stuff, maybe you two should go see them, if you want to know more about it."
The two of them stared blankly.
"Don't tell me you guys don't know about the other Keepers!" The Keeper gasped, its large eyes growing even bigger. "Oh, dear...well, I'm a Keeper, as you can see. I'm called Carbuncle, by the way! Pleased to meet you both, my lieges!" Carbuncle bent forward its head, its tails waggling back and forth again.
"Okay, a Keeper is a being, like me, that is set and bound to a certain area to protect it. We're also the guardians of Kingdom Hearts, you know, so not just ANYONE can get there. Not that its easy to find, anyways. Kingdom Hearts kind of finds you, actually...
"Anywho, there are a total of fourteen of us Keepers. I already mentioned Bahamut, he's kind of the leader to us, and then there's the old fart Ramuh. Well, really, we're all the same age, but he's just so CRANKY all the time! But, Kingdom Hearts was sealed away a long time ago, so we sort of went to sleep. People sort of stopped believing in us, and Bahamut thought it might be a good idea if we went to sleep, so we wouldn't disappear, you know? Kind of sad...
"But it looks like we're needed once again, 'cause, here you are! The Keyblade's Chosen one, and the seventh Princess of Heart! Really, I'm so glad I got to meet you guys first! Oh, everyone else is gonna be so JEALOUS of me!" Carbuncle giggled, then ran around in circles about Kairi and Sora. Kairi smiled, but only Sora looked as serious as ever.
Carbuncle stopped, its tails going rigid. "Wait a second..." Pawing Sora's foot, then sniffing the air around him, Carbuncle jumped back. "Uh-oh. That's no good..."
Kairi looked down at her feet, no doubt, Carbuncle had discovered Sora's little problem.
Reading her thoughts, Carbuncle's ears drooped. "I guess that explains a lot then, doesn't it?" The Keeper sighed, shaking its head. "But, I believe you can do it, Kairi. Just have faith in yourself, and everything will be just great, okay?"
She nodded numbly.
"Right! Well, I think it's best you guys go out and find the other Keepers. We might not look much, but we can really help!" Carbuncle giggled again. "The closest Keeper to here would be just over those mountains. That's where Ramuh lives! He might be an old fart, but he's really wise. So listen what he has to say, but don't fall asleep! He HATES that!"
"Thank you, Carbuncle." Kairi bowed low.
"WHOA! None of that! The Keepers are the servants, not you guys!" Kairi straightened up, embarrassed. "Don't worry about the jungle, though. I'll make sure the Heartless and the Nobodies think twice before setting their stinky feet in here again!
"One last thing," The rabbit jumped up on its hind legs, the gem on its head glowing. "I can grant more power to your Keyblades...so...there you go!"
Kairi suddenly felt her heart skip a beat, going faster for a moment, then slowing down. Sora looked over himself, not feeling anything, only shrugging at Kairi. She smiled at him innocently, disappointed he hadn't felt anything.
Someday, Kairi prayed. Someday, he would. She had to believe in that.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-(THoSe WiTHouT HeaRTS)-.-.-.-.-.-.-
"Sora!" Jane cried out, barging into their tent. Kairi was trying to teach Sora the meaning of sarcasm, since she had come very close to offending the poor Keyblade Master during breakfast. "Kairi, you both have some people here to see you!"
Jumping up to their feet, they followed the biologist outside.
"SORA!" A sliding voice cracked.
"Wha...? IT'S SORA!" Another quacked wildly.
Sora barely had time to blink as Donald and Goofy tackled him to the ground, trying to pile on an embrace.
"So glad your okay!" Goofy sniffled, nearly strangling Sora as he pulled him up. "The King's been so worried about-"
"Wait? The King's worried about Sora?" Jane asked innocently, her father also raising an eyebrow. The crew members who had survived the mutiny were all gathering around them curiously, abandoning loading the crates of supplies out of the Gummi Ship.
"Hey, Cap'n what's-" One of Goofy's knights stopped dead as Sora stood up. "Your Highness!" He choked, dropping to his knees. Soon enough, all of the other knights and mages that were standing around by Donald and Goofy dropped to their knees in humility.
Sora scratched the back of his head, never getting used to being treated this way.
"Excuse me, but what's going on!" Jane stamped her foot. "Exactly why are all of you bowing to Sora-"
The knights and mages gasped. Donald rolled his eyes and crossed his arms while tapping his foot.
"That's Master Sora, to you, missy!" A mage snapped.
"That there next to you is King Mickey's adopted son, Prince Sora!"
Jane and her father's jaws dropped. The King certainly had forgotten to mention that in his letter.
"Is this true, Kairi-"
"PRINCESS KAIRI!" They chorused. The Professor promptly fainted at this point.
"YOU TOO?" Jane gaped.
Kairi and Sora were looking around timidly, both not the type to flaunt the fact they were royalty.
"Um, yeah...we're both, um...Sora is the Prince of the Disney Kingdom."
"And you?" A crewman asked.
"I'm, er," Kairi's hands went behind her back. "Uh, Princess of...well, used to be, actually..."
"Oh, come out with it already!" Jane laughed.
"I'mthePrincessofRadiantGarden." Kairi blurted out at once.
"Wait...did you say...RADIANT GARDEN?"
"Yes," Sora said for her.
"I just knew I have heard your name before!" Jane exclaimed. "When you first introduced yourself, you reminded me, but I thought, 'What would a Princess of all people be doing here?' So I sort of left it at that. But to think...oh, that's so amazing! The whole time, Daddy, we've had a Prince and a Princess from the both of the world's most powerful countries with us (oh, that's right, he passed out) But that's incredible! I never would have thought I'd ever be...oh dear, but then that means-"
Kairi looked over at Sora, giggling as Jane went off on another rambling tangent. Sora shrugged helplessly, then looked towards Tarzan, whom had no idea what was going on.
Going over to her, Tarzan put a hand over Jane's mouth to get her to stop talking.
"Jane needs to breathe." He said. Everyone burst out laughing at the man's remark.
"So, Donald, Goofy," Kairi began. "Why are you two here?"
"King's orders, Your-um...Kairi!" Goofy said, correcting himself quickly as he remembered Kairi's instructions. "We're going around to all the areas we can find were folks have survived the war, going back and forth and takin' supplies to them! Me and Donald are also dropping off some of our pals in the force so they can teach people to protect themselves against the Heartless-"
"And the Nobodies!" Donald added.
"So..." Kairi trailed off, her hopes dampening. "I guess you guys are busy, then..."
"Of course we are-" Donald started.
"Sorry we can't come with you and Sora." Goofy stepped in putting a hand on her shoulder. "But the King said him and you are the only ones who can help the other kingdoms, right Donald?"
"Yeah, but he also said-"
"Ya see?" Goofy went on. "We'll probably meet up with you guys every now and then, so that'll give 'ya something to look forward to!"
"Alright," Kairi said, still crestfallen.
"Aw, remember what I told you?"
"No-!" Donald jumped in, only to be cut off again.
"No frowning." Sora said. Donald fumed, kicking the dirt and pouting. Putting a hand under her chin, Sora lifted it. "Smile?"
Kairi flushed, but simply didn't have it in her to even fake a smile at the moment.
"Please," He whispered, leaning in. "Smile, for...me?"
Kairi's heart stopped to swell up in excitement, then skip several heartbeats. Unable to resist, her mouth curved up, lips lifting to bare her pearly white teeth. Donald and Goofy covered their mouths to try and hold back their giggling at the tender moment between the prince and princess. Several others also had stopped to watch the couple, causing Kairi to politely step away and leave herself to blush precisely nine shades of red, also inventing a bright shade of her own in the process.
Jane hummed, holding back a laugh. "Now, I'm curious, if you don't mind me asking, that is."
"Um, what is it?" Kairi said, trying her best to make eye contact.
"Seeing how the two of you are royalties from opposite kingdoms," Jane started. "You two wouldn't happen to be engaged in an arranged marr-"
"NO!" Kairi declared. "WE'RE NOT-" She stopped herself, seeing everyone looking in her direction. Now seemed like a prime opportunity to go and hide in the tent.
Vanishing under the flap, Sora scratched his head, still wondering if the jungle's atmosphere was affecting Kairi's moods, still. Professor Porter, whom had regained consciousness, was being pulled up by Donald and Goofy.
"Well, that was certainly educational, to say the least." He waddled over to Sora. "Now, if you don't mind, er, um, your Highness, sir. I believe I have some time to show you and Miss, eh, Princess, Kairi some of our maps. I'm sure they will be vital in your travels, so why don't we go in and review them, hm? What do you say?"
Sora nodded. Finally, people with speaking with some logic!
"Jane, would you join us?" The Professor added. "Tarzan, your welcome to come in, as well."
"Coming, Daddy." Jane sighed, she stopped short as Tarzan grabbed her arm.
"Jane said before, she want to tell Tarzan something."
"Oh? I did...?" Her mind clicked. "Oh, yes, yes! I did, didn't I? Well, seeing now it doesn't matter now, with the King-"
"Is Jane sure?" The wild man pressed.
Jane thought. Actually, there was something she wanted to ask him. "Well, Tarzan. I was wondering if...could you teach me? To talk like you do?"
"Speak gorilla?"
"Yes." Jane nodded, her hands wanting to wring her skirt into knots. Tarzan grunted, then looked at her.
"Ooh-ooh-ee." He started slowly.
"Ooh-ooh-ee." Jane repeated nervously, trying to ignore the odd looks of people walking by.
"Eh-ooh."
"Eh-ooh." Jane wanted to pull back as Tarzan's hand came and squished her checks, forcing her to pucker her lips more.
"Ooh." Tarzan enunciated.
"Ooh." Jane said, somewhat laughing at his touch now.
"Ooh." He said finally.
Reviewing it over her head, Jane combined it all into one. " Ooh-hoo-hoo-hoo. Ooh-ooh-ee-eh-ooh. Good heavens, what did I say?"
Tarzan smiled, his hand taking hers. "That Jane stays with Tarzan."