26: XXVI:

Promise.

"O-Okay..Just don't let go, promise?"

"Promise."

If any, he knew there was definitely one promise he made to her that he knew he could keep.

Neverland.

Maybe he couldn't always be by her side. Maybe he wouldn't be able to drag her along with him on all of his perilous journeys he knew he'd have to face in the future.

But, he'd take her to Neverland. He'd truly show her how to fly. Sure, she got a taste of flying at the Celebration Party, but that was nothing to what he aimed to show her.

So, there he was, in the Gummi Ship, listening to the frequent questioning of the blindfolded Princess. She asked the question, "Where are we going?" if Sora's count was accurate, twenty-six times. But he was patient and simply answered, "You'll see when we get there, Kai."

After flying for what Kairi guessed was days, The Wielder led The Princess of Heart out of the Gummi Ship and into Neverland. She fidgeted uncontrollably. He'd never seen her so excited, so thrilled. And it was all because she was with him. With delicate, caring fingers, he untied the blindfold as her beryl eyes took in all before her. She gasped. She'd never seen a place so beautiful, so magical, and so very romantic.

The stars glittered brightly in the ebony sky, and golden lights glittered from the buildings of the enchanted city. A humongous Clock Tower stood, higher than all of the other buildings at Neverland's center.

"Sora..." she was at lost for words, for once. "It's..it's..." but she was silenced when, as if on cue, a familiar fairy clad in forest green hovered over to her, jingling in delight. The little fairy nodded at Sora in approval before showering the both of them with her magical dust, and vanishing, just as quickly as she came.

Though she tried to fight it, the redhead's feet slowly lifted from the ground. She shrieked in fright and clung to Sora, who also began to hover.

"Kairi," he chuckled. "We've done this before. Don't be scared."

"But..This is-"

"It's no different," he interrupted her with a smile. "Trust me."

How could she not?

"O-Okay..." she stammered. "Just don't let go, promise?" He nodded and held her hand.

"Promise." And before she could question him more, they started to soar.

She screamed in pure bliss and delight. She was flying. She closed her eyes and giggled as the wind swept past her, tickling her skin and rustling her hair and garments. Sora laughed too, to him, it felt as if he was learning to fly all over again. With her, all seemed new to him. She opened his eyes and made him see things the way she did. Kairi spread her free arm to the sky, swearing that if she reached just high enough, she could touch the beautiful stars, hanging in the sky.

"S-Sora! This is great!" she said above, the whistle of the wind. Sora nodded and grinned ear to ear.

"A promise is a promise!" he told her.

"I knew you'd keep it!"

xXXx

Eventually, the two got tired, and landed atop the humongous Clock Tower.

"I love the view here," Sora spoke as Kairi leaned against him. "I remember before I beat Ansem, I couldn't wait to show you," he smiled, turning back the pages of his previous journey. Kairi nodded.

"It's truly beautiful, Sora," she sighed. "'Never seen anything like it." Sora shrugged.

"Doesn't compare to you..." Kairi blushed. "Did I just say that aloud?" he nervously rubbed the back of his neck. Kairi nodded and hugged him.

"You're so sweet..." Sora sighed and hugged her back. If only he could hold her in his arms forever. "Sora?" she spoke again and her tone really shook him.

"Yeah?" he looked down at her thoughtfully.

"Promise...Promise that you'll never leave me again, please?" That sweet, innocent question left him speechless. It took his breath away. What if he had to leave her? What if he had to go out on another journey and leave her behind for her own safety?

"I-I'm sorry, Sora," she sniffled, tears clouding her eyes. "I'm being selfish..."

"No," Sora wiped a single tear that fell from her sapphire eyes. "You're not being selfish," he sighed. "Kairi, I know there will be other journeys...There will be more Heartless to fight...But I promise. I promise I'll never leave you or Riku behind." he reassured her as she listened intently with wide eyes. "We're all Wielders now, it's our duty to protect the Worlds, so why not do it together?..." but before he could finish she kissed him. And that dizzy sensation flowed over him, that sensation that made his mind spin and his thoughts hazy.

"Do you really mean that, Sora?"

"I promise."

Baby I promise that I'll stay true
Don't let nobody say it ain't so
And baby I promise
That I will never leave
That everything will be alright, I
I promise these things to you
Girl just believe
I promise

Disclaimer: Still Don't own Kingdom Hearts. I don't own the song "Promise" by Jagged Edge.

Is it the end you ask? I dunno, you decide.

Read & Review.

-.X.H.u.s.h.e.d.-F.o.r.t.e.X.