Title: Love at First Syllable
Summary: Kairi is called to Disney Castle for some odd reason. During her journey, she must face the one person she hasn't seen in a year; Sora. But...he just won't talk…
Chapter XIV – Awakening of the Princess
Disclaimer: …Nope! Still don't own them!
Last Time on Love at First Syllable: Arriving at Hallow Bastion was sure to do something to Kairi, but the question is, what?
Yuffie and Kairi had spent the day laughing and being carefree in Hallow Bastion the day they arrived. Of course, under the careful eyes of Sora, Riku, Leon and Cloud. They all smirked as they watched Kairi in amazement as she giggled and laughed over every small thing.
That night, they were all going to sleep at Merlin's house. They had no place else to go.
Kairi had walked towards the door, but was stopped by Leon.
"Where do you think you're going?" He asked, looking at her.
"For a walk. I'll be back soon. I just want to see the sights at night. I can be found near the gates, where the Forbidden Land starts." Kairi explained, grasping the handle of the door.
"Fine. Just make sure you don't go through the gate. Horrible things are said to be lurking there." He mumbled, moving away the door.
"Aww. You think I'd really disobey your rules?" Kairi smiled as she left for her walk. Little did they know that she really WOULD disobey him.
She walked up and admired the stars from the spot Yuffie had showed her, but walked a little too close to the gate. She quietly opened it, and slipped through, and began to descend the stairs. She walked through the empty and dead valley, until she reached a crystal filled cave. She gasped in amazement and awe as she saw the Crystals fill the room with light. She wondered what could be beyond that area, and walked through another dead and eerie valley, until she came to an opening, and saw a man standing there.
He had long silver hair, blue eyes, and had one black wing. His eyes held no emotion as his hair danced in the wind.
"You." He said in a monotone voice, still staring ahead. "What are you doing here?"
"Uh...I'm…j-just passing by." She stuttered.
He gave a small chuckle at this. "How can you 'pass by' if there is no place to go?"
"W-well, I was just exploring…" She whispered.
"Well, I thought that they'd tell you. Everyone knows that this place has been forbidden. The Princess should know that the most, but it seems that this Princess had just been a fool." He started to chuckle again.
"Hey! I am no fool!" She screamed out of furry.
Then, in the blink of an eye, a 10ft. sword was drawn near her neck.
"That just proves how foolish you are. Everyone knows not to mess with Sephiroth."
Leon, Cloud, and Sora had stayed up the late hours, waiting for her return. It had just hit midnight, when they figured something was wrong.
"Come one. We have to go look for her." Sora ordered as he stood and began to walk toward the door.
"Your right." Leon agreed, as he and Cloud followed.
Kairi ran as fast as she could. She knew that if she didn't, she was sure to be dead. She just had to stay alive.
She quickly ran up the stairs, closer the gate.
Sora, Leon and Cloud quickly made it to the sight-seeing area. They looked around and didn't see a sign of Kairi anywhere.
They heard footsteps running up the stairs, and panting of someone who was in distress.
They had seen a hand on the door, and girl's face pop out.
"Sora!" Kairi cried as she walked towards them.
She sighed in relief.
At least I know I'm safe…
Sora smiled as she came closer. It was nice to know that she was safe. Or so they thought.
As she came closer, Sephiroth appeared and drew his sword. (A/N: Quickly! Pull out your PS2 controller and tap triangle to make this more realistic!) He swung it so it would hit her right on the neck.
Sora's eyes widened as he drew his keyblade. He had to do something! Then, he thought of it! He quickly threw his keyblade, throwing off Septhiroth's sword, and grabbed it as it came back.
Kairi turned around, and her eyes widened with fear. He was right behind her, with a menacing smirk.
Cloud quickly ran in front of her and held his sword, all set to fight him.
"Leave her alone!" He ordered.
Sephiroth just smirked and put his sword back in the sheath. "The Princess will be mine. But, I'll leave you be for now." And with that, he vanished.
Kairi fell on the ground and cried. She couldn't take it. How did all these people know her? Why were they after her? What did she do?
Cloud walked over, and picked her up, bridal style. All the memories where coming back to him. He knew who this girl in his arms was. He held her like this before.
"Its okay, Princess. Everything will be fine. I'm here to protect you." He whispered, trying to soothe her.
She had fallen asleep in his arms as they walked home. The boys all talked and discussed many topics, all surrounding her.
"Cloud, you know her?" Leon asked.
Cloud nodded as he continued to walk. "You know her too. Back before we were attacked, the king, her father, ordered us to protect her at all costs. I just can't remember what happened…" He trailed off.
"So, it's true? Kairi really is a princess?" Sora asked, still not believing what he was told, before he gave his life for hers.
"Yup." Cloud said before they walked through the door, into Merlin's house.
Cloud placed the delicate girl in his arms on the bed, and watched her sleep. Sora sat next to him, and looked Cloud straight in the eyes.
"You know, she's mine." He stated firmly.
"Yeah, I know. I'm just her bodyguard, but she'll always be like a little sister to me." Cloud smirked at the thought.
Sora stood and stretched as he headed for his corner. "I'm going to sleep. Thanks for taking care of her when Sephiroth came." He smiled as he lay down.
Cloud nodded as he continued to watch her sleep.
To think, he almost failed his duty. His only sibling-like person in his life. He almost lost her... Well, technically, he did, but you get the point.
He gave one last thought before falling into sleep, near his 'little sister'.
The morning rays hit the group as they all stirred and woke up. Riku kissed Kumiko on the cheek as a 'good morning' and Sora just was staring. He couldn't wait until him and Kairi could kiss. But, he had to wait. He needed the perfect moment. After all, how special would a first kiss be if it didn't have to 'perfect moment' to it?
Kairi had awoken a few moments later. She was still scared of the incident with Sephiroth, and that led to her being tired.
That day, the group decided to go for a walk. They walked all around Hallow Bastion, and even got to try Uncle Scrooge's Sea-Salt Ice cream!
The group sat on the ledge of a house roof eating the ice cream.
"Wow! This is…amazing!" Kairi gasped.
Sora nodded, as everyone else was too busy eating to even care what was happening.
"Hey, Kai, I have to show you something." Cloud spoke, after finishing his bar.
"Kai?" Kairi asked.
"Yup. I gave you that nickname when you were little. I'm the only one who called you that." Cloud smiled at the memory. What happened to those good times?
"Oh…" she whispered, looking down very sadly.
"What's wrong?" he asked, noticing her gesture.
"It's just that…well, I can't remember." She gave a smile, sad smile.
Cloud stood up on the roof and began to walk off. "Come on. I want to show you something. All of you."
After miles and miles of walking, they came to beautiful garden. Three statues of people stood in the center. One was of a fairly good-looking man. He held his head high with pride and joy. It looked as if nothing could make this man sad. Beside him stood a woman that almost looked like Kairi, except longer hair, and more intense features. Then, beside the women, was a young girl. The girl was wearing a beautiful flowing dress, and her face held a smile.
"That looks like Kairi when she was younger…" Riku trailed off.
Cloud simply nodded as Kairi walked closer to the statues. They all held worlds at the base that she read out loud.
"Our beloved King. He who stayed happy and positive, with a joy of everything. Our King proudly gave his life to save, not only the lives of his family, but those of everyone else." Kairi read, as she moved to the statue of the women to continue.
"Our beautiful Queen. She had set off to a new world in order to keep her daughter alive. She knew she would not live long, and wanted to give her daughter safety and a home. She will be remembered for her words of wisdom, and great intelligence." Tears were drawn to Kairi's eyes as she went to the smaller statue, and continued to read out loud.
"To our darling Princess Kairi. When Darkness was present, her heart would shine through. Hard times may have a toll, but she will always be pure. We all pray that our little Princess is still living somewhere."
Cloud closed his eyes to suppress on-coming tears. "Kai, everyone thought you were dead. That's why Hallow Bastion is abandoned. No one wanted to live in a world where they were always reminded about the sweet little girl who'd do anything to help others. But, those who did stay here lost their memories, like me."
Crystal tears ran down the cheeks of the auburn haired girl as she heard every word coming from Clouds mouth. She understood now. This is her home…No, it was. Her home is still Destiny Island, but Hallow Bastion is now her other home.
"Th…that castle. Was that…where I lived?" She asked, scared to hear the truth.
"Yeah. The castle changed into that when the Heartless got a hold of your father." He informed her.
Hearing this, Kairi just laid her head in her hands, and began to walk away. Her cries were apparent to everyone she passed.
"You guys go somewhere. I'm going to try to talk to her." Aerith gave a sad smile before chasing after Kairi.
Aerith and Kairi had walked around town, and finally gotten to Merlin's house.
"Kairi, I know that this is very hard for you, but it's all true. You were born here. I saw you. Your small smile gave light on that day. You are the one that saved us all. We were lost in the dark, but your smile saved us. You hold light within you, and no amount of darkness can consume it. Kairi, you have so much more than you imagine, and you have all these people here to help and protect you." Aerith explained.
"But, the people who are supposed to help and protect me are my parents!" Kairi exclaimed.
"They did their job. If it wasn't for their sacrifices, you wouldn't be here today." Aerith gave a small smile. "I'm sure that whatever they did, they are now happy."
The auburn-haired girl smiled through some tears. "Yeah. Your right."
And with that, Yuffie and the boys made their entrance.
"We're Ho-ome!" She cried from the door.
Kairi had quickly wiped away tears and smiled. "Hey guys!"
Sora was glad to see her back to her normal, happy self, as he walked over and gave her a hug.
Afternoon turned to dusk, as the group stayed inside the little house, laughing and smiling at each others random and silliness. When night hit, everyone went to bed, but it was midnight that gave the most amazement.
"Cloud…?" A soft whisper, followed by a small shake, called to him.
His blue eyes slowly opened.
"Mmgh?" He mumbled as he tried to focus one the figure in front of him.
The figured stifled a giggle. It was obviously a girl.
"Kai…? What are you doing?" He asked as he realized who the figure was.
"I was…um… wondering if you could take me to those statues again." She hesitantly whispered.
He sat up and rubbed his eyes. "Sure. Wait…why?"
"I don't know…" She said with a child's innocence tone. "Something is just…telling me to go there."
After miles and miles of walking, they made it to the garden. Kairi walked up to the first statue and examined it.
"Hmm…" Her eyebrows furrowed together as she was deep in thought. "A family heirloom…"
She laid her hand on the necklace. She took it off, and placed it within the small hole, meant for the small white pendent at the bottom.
She then went over to the Queen's statue. "The bracelet from both a love, and a savior." She read as her eyes landed on her wrist. She took off the purple bracelet, and placed it on the mother's wrist, where a small dent was made.
She walked over to the Princess' statue and read with it said there. "A gentle hand to guide the way, the person who's our Princess today." Kairi placed her hand onto the statues, and waited for a few seconds.
Out of nowhere, a bright light flashed all around Kairi, as she felt a new sensation hit her. She felt power enter her body, as well as purity, and hope.
As the light died out, Kairi stood there in shock.
"Kai… are you okay?" Cloud asked, his eyes filled with worries.
"I…think." She whispered as she noticed a small shimmer of light landing in front of her. The small shimmer burst into an outburst of light, and when that died down, there stood a man and women, holding hands, with a smile on both of their faces.
"M…mom?" Kairi stuttered as she noticed the beautiful women in front of her.
"Hello, Kairi." The women nodded as she beamed.
The man reached out and ruffled her hair. "I guess you don't remember me, eh kiddo?"
Kairi shook her head and looked at him.
The man playfully placed his chin in his hand and thought for a minute. "Well, I am the King, but you can call me Dad." He smiled as he noticed her eyes brighten.
"Daddy!" She exclaimed like a five year old as she embraced the man.
Her father, the King, lifted her chin and looked into her eyes. "Ah, Kairi. I was so worried that you were injured, or dead."
She gave a small laugh at that.
"Wouldn't I be with you if I was dead?" She asked.
"Point taken. But, without you, all worlds would be in chaos." He smiled, and then looked over to Cloud. "I've seen you've done a good job protecting her."
Cloud gave a smirk, and replied honestly "But, I haven't been with her for twelve years!"
The King nodded and then added "But you were willing to sacrifice yourself to your dark version of you, Sephiroth, for her. That means that you still carry out your duty."
The Queen nodded in agreement.
The King and his wife then looked back at Kairi. "We have to go now." He spoke sadly.
Kairi nodded, and gave a small, sad smile.
"Honey, we're always with you. No matter where you are, or what troubles you face, we'll always protect you." Her mother gave her a kiss on her cheek as their bodies faded into Kairi.
Cloud walked over to Kairi and spun her around, so she was looking at the castle. Her eyes widened at the site in front of her.
The castle that held a Heartless insignia was now a huge white and pale blue castle, with darker blue rooftops and gold shingles. The Heartless insignia was now a blue heart. (A/N: The Kingdom Heart looking blue Heart.)
Cloud bent closer to her ear. "This is what your home was like back then. This was Hallow Bastion."
Kairi shook her head as she gave a small smile. "No. Not Hallow Bastion. That was the name after they left. The true name is Radiant Garden."
A/N: Wow! Eight and one fourth pages! I didn't get 15 reviews, but I got 10, so I'm happy! Now, I need you, my reviewers to do something for me!
You see, I always wanted to have at least one story that had 100 reviews or more, so if you all do your part, and hit the little button that says "Go" with the window saying "Submit a review" You can make a dream come true!...Er, well, one of them.
Can't wait to hear from you all in my next chapter!
♥CrystilizedHeart♥
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