The Kingdom of My Heart
by reichirudesu.
NOTICE I do not own any of the characters for Kingdom Hearts. They belong to the Square-enix corporation. Thanks again! And especially thanks to the people who are reviewing, you are a great encouragement!
CHAPTER TWENTY
"You're both... idiots."
Riku was standing there shaking his head. We stood there laughing, arms around each shoulder.
"We're twins," Sora said, his flowers bobbing.
"In more ways than one. Rei, here's your boat. I tested it and it floats fine."
I took my arm from Sora and gave Riku the biggest hug I could. "Thank you so much! I'm sure it's wonderful. I can't believe you went through so much work, just for me!"
"It was nothing," he said, but I could see he was a bit embarrassed. "Just try it out, already." He handed me an oar, and I could see the boat sitting in the water on the sand.
Kairi came up behind us, and she seemed mad at Sora and I. "I asked you guys to wait. Whoa--" She had noticed the boat in the water. "Riku! It looks great!"
"Yeah, I made the boat a bit smaller and the oars a bit lighter for her."
"Let me help!" Sora rushed to hold the boat still enough for me to climb in. My shoes and socks were wet as I put them in the boat. It was shaky at first, but then I caught my balance.
"Don't get too much water in the boat!" Riku called as he splashed towards us. "I don't want it to sink on its maiden voyage!" Kairi came wading up behind him. "It's just big enough for one other person to ride with you."
"Me, me, me!" Sora said, jumping up and down. His hands were still on the rim of the boat, and it threatened to take me down.
"Looks like fun," Kairi said. "I remember when I got my boat."
"Hey, Riku? How would you like to share the maiden voyage with me?"
"Aww," Sora whined.
"I'd love to," Riku said. He held the side of the boat and climbed in with expert skill. "I'm not paddling, that's on you, Rei."
"That's fine," I smiled.
"Sora, let go!" Riku smacked his hands and I started paddling away. He swam after us a bit but stopped.
"Have fun on your love cruise! Traitor! You're a traitor to the twins!"
I stuck my tongue at him and paddled further on.
"How do you like it?" Riku asked, reclining.
"It's perfect, moves fast and easy for me to control, even with your weight."
"You calling me fat?"
"No..." I smiled, enjoying the ocean breeze. "You're a very talented boat builder, though."
"Heh," Riku said. He smiled mischievously.
"What?"
"Nothing, Rei. Nothing at all."
"You have a secret!"
"I do. I have many."
"Tell me, just one."
"Nope. But, you know you don't have to paddle this far out, right? I just wanted you to go to the dock."
"Oops! I wasn't paying attention. Sorry." I changed directions to one closer to the island. "How long did you take to build this?"
"I got here early, right as the sun rose."
"Wow! I hope you didn't do it, just for this."
"Nope. I just couldn't sleep in today."
"Why?"
"Well, to be honest, I was excited. About summer, and spending time here, with you and the gang."
"I felt the same way, but I thought I was crazy. I had to wait for Kairi to wake up!"
"Don't wait for her one day, the island is gorgeous at sunrise. By the way, I just told you a secret."
"What?"
"You guys!" It was Sora and Kairi standing on the dock. "Hurry up and bring her in!" I turned the boat sharply and rowed the rest of the way to the dock. Riku and I hopped out and he showed me how to tie up the boat.
"Thanks Riku, you're the best."
Sora snorted. He was standing there with his arms crossed, pissed off.
"Aww, twin, don't be that way. You can't be too mad, you're still wearing your flowers!" He turned his back to me and I chased him, all the while begging him to stop. "Twin... twin..." I caught his eye. "Sora, are you blushing?"
"No way!" he said and he ran down the beach. We all chased him for a while until we collapsed in the sand.
"So Riku, when are you going to tell us your idea for the summer project?" Kairi asked.
"When I feel like it."
"No way! C'mon Riku!" We begged him to tell us, but to no avail. We gave up. At that point we all sort-of parted. Sora wanted to see what Wakka was up to, and Riku wanted to be alone for a bit. Kairi and I sat there for a long while, staring at the sea.
"I'm thirsty," I said, and got up to go to the waterfall. I bent low and got some sips of water.
"Hey! Sora!" It was Tidus, running up behind me. "Oh, sorry Rei."
I turned and saw he was really embarrassed.
"From behind the bush, I just saw the hair and the flowers. I was looking for Sora, I want to show him some of my new moves." He swung his stick around.
"He said he was going to talk to Wakka, last I heard."
He ran off, without even saying thanks. I sighed, so I guess that's what Sora will be doing for the rest of the day-- fighting. I walked back to Kairi, who was sitting where I left her, holding her head.
"Kairi! Hey, are you okay?" I bent low and felt her head. It was warm. "You've got a fever."
"Do I?" she said. "I was fine and then all of a sudden, this."
"We should go home, then. I'll go find Sora and Riku and tell them--"
"No need, we'll see them tomorrow. I'm going to get a drink of water." I followed her as she dunked her head under the waterfall. "Feels good," she said.
We walked to the dock. "You going to be okay in your own boat?" I asked. She shook her head. "C'mon let's try mine." I helped her in and climbed in after her. I untied the boat and we went drifting away. I took paddling once again, trying to go as fast as I could without upsetting her.
About halfway home, she laughed to herself.
"What?"
"Nothing, it's just... you've changed since you've gotten here. You were shy at first, but now... but now, you're different, that's all."
I must have had a confused face.
"In a good way, Rei. I mean it. And since you've come here, Riku's changed, too. He's softened. Even I've felt a change. All of this in a good way, of course. We took care of you and now you're taking care of us. You have a big heart."
"Thanks, Kairi."
"Sora, I don't think he's changed one bit," Kairi said. After that all you could hear was the sounds of my paddle through the ocean as we continued on home. I tied up the boat just as Riku said, and I helped Kairi walk home. I put her into bed and brought her some food and water, and then a washcloth for her head.
"Why didn't you want to say goodbye to Sora and Riku?" I asked. "They're probably worried."
"I..." She looked incredibly tired. "I just didn't want them to worry. They make such a big fuss out of everything, and I feel, too tired for that. Thank you, Rei."
"No problem, I'll let you sleep now, okay?"
I stood up from sitting on the edge of the bed and went to leave, Kairi caught my arm.
"Y'know, I consider you a sister."
"I consider you the same. Now sleep well, Kairi. I don't think Riku will tell us his plan if you're sick in bed."
She smiled, and curled up under the covers. I turned off the light and walked down the hall to my room. When I turned on the light, everything was so fammiliar and warm. My bed, some dirty clothes I had forgotten to sort, the way the sun was just beginning to set. I sat down on my bed thinking, today was a good day.