A/N: Hey guys! D8 Sorry for the unbelievably late update! I have a job now, so things are starting to get even busier! Dx But I hope this chapter will suffice for now. And I also want to thank you guys for so many reviews! 8D It's like my first story ever on this site, and it's doing really well! (bows a bazillion times) Anyway, enough of my rambling! I hope you guys enjoy!
I do not own Kingdom Hearts, Square Enix and Tetsuya Nomura do.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 26
Ding Dong!
"Oh, good morning Sora! Did your folks settle in well yesterday?"
Sora nodded quietly. "They were glad to be home. Did you talk to them yet?"
Kairi's mother shook her head. "No, not yet, but I have an urgent matter to discuss with them today. I'll be sure to come over."
Sora nodded again and was about to say something else, when Kairi sleepily walked through the door, bading her mother good-bye with sleepy eyes.
"Goodness, Kairi. How long did you stay up last night?" her mother asked.
"Until 12. I forgot to do an essay," Kairi hazily responded.
Her mother shook her head. "Well, take it easy today then. I don't want Sora having to piggy-back ride you like last time."
Sora spared Kairi a last glance before walking into the chilly Monday morning to school, where a dreaded thing called "homework" was assigned daily. The town was busy and hard-working as usual, with its usual citizens and the clock tower basking in the sunray's early light. The sky showed signs of a good, but again, windy day with the usual coldness blowing in a slow mile. With a bored look and the lack of yearning to learn, he walked slowly with his hands in his pockets beside Kairi, who looked as though she'd drop dead any minute. He rolled his eyes and decides to start a conversation while taking an interest in a random object. In this case, he chose the signs plastered upon the walls.
"Geez, you just HAVE to be a straight-A student, don't you," he mocked broodly.
"Shut it. I'm not in the mood to deal with you," she angrily mumbled.
"When are you ever?" asked Sora boredly.
Ignoring his snide attitude, Kairi walked on miserably as her tiny bit of energy chipped away slowly with each step toward the train station. Sora merely watched her with a "slightly" worried expression, hoping that she at least remembers how to walk properly. Kairi slipped a big yawn and rubbed her eyes of tears, trying to regain focus as the train station came into view. The two walked up the steps and into the packed car speeding to Sunset Hill, with no idea of what awaited the two today.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The doorbell rang loudly throughout the house, signaling the man of the household to answer it while his wife watched him go. The door swung open to reveal Kairi's mother, along with a box of baked treats.
"Ah, good morning!" greeted Sora's father, letting her come in.
"Good morning," smiled Kairi's mother. "How was the trip?"
"It was relaxing. Just what we needed!" Sora's mother squealed happily as the auburn mother took her place on the lone couch.
"Indeed! I never thought my back could bend that way after that massage," joked Sora's father.
Kairi spared a chuckle and set the treats down on the table.
"I was wondering," she began. "If you two are still deciding on whether or not Kairi-"
"Oh no no no, hun!" squealed Sora's mother. "We've decided that right when you asked!"
"That's right!" Sora's father agreed. "We aren't bothered a single bit! We'd love to have her stay for a week! After all, it's the least we could do for you when you looked after our son for a week."
Her auburn head nodded slowly. "I see. I can't thank you both enough."
Sora's mother pasted a smile upon her face. "Although, don't you think you should've told Kairi before hand?"
Kairi's mother's smile waned slowly. "I'm afraid she'll be angry with me if I tell her we only could get one ticket."
"But that ticket is to see your husband across seas, right?" Sora's father asked.
"Yes, and that is also what I'm afraid of," Kairi's mother added. "I'm afraid my daughter will be angry if I don't bring her along..."
Sora's mother smiled faintly. "Oh come now. If she went alone, who knows what could happen to her!"
"That's right! Something terrible!" Sora's father announced quite unexpectedly.
The auburn mother chuckled at the brunette couple and gave a warm smile. "Alright. I'll tell her tonight, before I leave."
The two nodded. "We'll also explain to her if she decides to get angry."
The three got up and walked over to the front door, giving last minute farewells after the front door was shut and locked securely.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Hey, ditz."
"...No thank you. I'm... too full to eat... another bite..."
"Kairi, wake up!"
Kairi jolted up, looking around frantically too make sure she wasn't surrounded by mountains of ice cream and little pudgy kids who were trying to force her to eat a scoop of vanilla. Instead, there were mountains of people shuffling out of the tram. The spiky brunette next to her stood up quickly, looking down at her.
"Is food all you can dream about?" Sora asked rudely.
Kairi ignored, standing up slowly and walking out into the chilly air of Sunset Hill. Sora followed behind, trying to mentally slap himself silly for letting her sleep on his shoulder during the train ride and covered his redden cheeks with his broad shoulders. Their jackets didn't seem to be helping as the temperature continued to drop each day with the upcoming month. Their breaths were as white as the clouds above and their eyes stung with cold breeze. Sora shivered a bit as he exhaled a large puff of warm air. Kairi sleepily looked at him and began drifting in her thoughts.
Maybe I should start thinking about what to get him for a present.
Kairi faced forward, watching the scenery before her change.
A scarf? I could make one.
Sora side-glanced her, wondering if she even noticed.
No, that's too cliché.
"Hey, you there?" he asked.
How about a new jacket? I don't even know what kind of brands he likes.
"Ditz, watch out for that pole."
Maybe I could cook or-
Bonk!
Kairi cringed in pain as she held her forehead with closed eyes bearing tears. "Ouucchh..."
"I told you to watch out. You were probably dreaming of food again," Sora huffed.
She rubbed the sore spot irritably as she felt the pain surge through her head. Sora rolled his eyes and shook his head simultaneously.
"Don't do that," Sora said, seizing her hand and pulling it away form her face. "It'll just make it even redder."
Kairi jerked her hand out of his, pouting sleepily. "I know that."
"Sure you do," Sora agreed boredly. "let's get going or we'll be late."
The two trotted on the cobblestone path passing by people, familiar and unfamiliar alike and preceded through the black gates of the school, wanting to get this day over with. The school's heating systems seemed to be out of order, making the building a giant glacier of students and teachers. The sun overhead did little to warm the freezing students as they progressed to their next class. Sora grumpily trudged to his locker at the end of the hallway, cursing his algebra teacher for making them carry that godforsaken rock called a "book" everyday to class. He already had too much on his mind, so why have this useless stack of bound paper drag him down even further? Once making a successful grab for the lock he hastily inserted the combination and tossed the heavy book inside without a care and slammed it shut, cheering inside that he doesn't have any homework from algebra tonight. Before he could make a step to his next class, a gentle tap interrupted his route. He turned slowly to find a pack of giggling girls who looked younger than he was.
Freshmen...
"Uh, hi," he said, wishing he could say something more than that.
"Hi Sora," said the triumphant-looking girl in front. "You may not know me, but I was wondering if I could ask you a question."
Sora thought for a split second and answered," Sure." Class wouldn't start for another five minutes anyway.
"I-Er-We were wondering what kinds of things you like," she corrected herself.
Sora lifted a brow, not sure how to interpret the question. "Um, why?"
The girls started giggling again. "No reason, we would just like to know."
Sora could've sworn he saw a swarm of red swell in their faces.
"Um, well, I like all sorts of things. I don't really have a favorite," he laughed nervously, scratching the back of his head.
The leader pouted innocently and put her hands together as if she were praying. "Oh come on, there must be SOMETHING."
"Um, well, actually," Sora trailed off, thinking of what his most favorite thing IS. He looked around for some help, when he noticed a certain auburn girl sleepily heading off to her next class.
"Kairi?" Sora asked, wondering why she's walking like a drunkard.
The girls' expressions were a mix of confusion. "Kairi's your favorite?"
Sora jerked his head back, shaking it feverishly. "N-No! That's not what I- anyway, I'll see you girls later. I have to talk to someone really quick."
He rushed past the group of females and over to a swaggering Kairi who was about to make her way down the stairs. Sora placed a hand on her shoulder, making her acknowledge his presence. She turned, looking more sleepy and miserable as ever.
"Hey, are you sure you're gunna be okay?" Sora asked, slightly tightening his grip on her shoulder.
She nodded. "Yeah, I'll be okay..."
Sora grunted, making a trip around her and blocking her from moving another step.
"No, you're not," he said, making sure he was directly in front of her. "I'm taking you to the nurse, whether you like it or not."
Kairi scowled with her dreamy face. "Look, I'll be fine. Don't worry about me."
Sora still didn't move, having the same scowl plastered on his face and having his hand on the rail just in case she tried to pass beside him. Being as stubborn as she was, Kairi still decided to go on. Without even thinking, her foot made an unexpecting slide on the step, sending her to fall forward. Sora eyes went wide and soon, everything was a blur until he focused clearly and found himself on the top of the second set of stairs on his back.
"Ow, shit!" she cried, covering his forehead as the pain started mixing in that region. He squinted down at the weight holding him to the ground when his pain quickly went down the drain. He could clearly feel Kairi's cheek against his chest with the rest of her body in between his legs. The students gave a strange look to the couple as they passed up and down the stairs, whispering secretly at the scenario. Kairi soon began to wake up, rising from Sora's chest and looking around dizzily.
"Wh-What... Ow..." she mumbled, rubbing her forehead like this morning. From what Sora could see, Kairi must have collided with him on the head after she slipped on the first step.
"Geez," he irritably said, rubbing the sore spot on the back of his head. "You're so damn ditzy."
Kairi supported herself on her knees and resumed rubbing her forehead.
"Sorry..." she quietly apologized.
Sora sighed and seized her hand again. "How many times do I have to tell you to stop doing that? It'll only make it worse."
Kairi's unfocused eyes traveled from his chest into his sky-blue eyes. Like a simple spell with unbelievable powers, Sora was immediately drawn into her glistening blue eyes. It was as if the two were trying to find something through those delicate pair of eyes. Sora found his small, faint reflection looking back at him within her beautiful pair orbs. Kairi also found herself looking back dreamily in his calm sight. Bewitched was all that described the pair, when all of a sudden, a slight "ahem" snapped the two out of the trance. The two immediately looked up at the source of sound and found none other than Riku, grinning widely.
"Well well well, what have we here?" he said, bending down to about their height.
Kairi and Sora looked at each other, and then retreated in opposite ways and staggering up to deflect anymore weird stares.
"Hahaha, you guys are a riot," Riku joked loudly, slapping Sora and Kairi on the back.
"I-It's not what it looks like!" Sora stammered. "Kairi slipped on the step of the stairs and fell on me."
Riku nodded unconvincingly," Uh-huh. Okay. Right."
"It's true," Kairi cried quietly. "I lost my balance 'cause I'm a bit sleepy."
"So that's why you were nodding off in history," Riku laughed, ruffling her hair.
Kairi lazily straightened and out-of-place hairs Riku recklessly placed. "Yeah... But I'll be okay. Just lunch and another period."
"Pfft, yeah right! You friggin' fell down the stairs!" Sora argued.
"On Sora, no less!" Riku sarcastically cried and soon reconsidered when Sora roughly punched his arm.
Kairi shook her head. "Look guys, I'm fine. Don't worry about it. Now I've got to get to class now. I'll see ya- Hey!!"
"Just shut up and follow me," Sora grumbled while having his hand wrapped around her wrist.
Riku snickered loudly and called," Don't get caught makin' out in front of the deans now!"
"Shut up and go to class!" Sora angrily shouted. Riku's hoarse laughing could be heard trialing away as he lead Kairi down the steps and out onto the cold campus. If there was one thing Sora's face resembled, it was a very healthy looking tomato. Kairi, on the other hand, looked like an angry strawberry, struggling from his grasp.
"Sora, let go! I told you, I'm fine!" she wailed, trying to thrust her arm from his grasp and ignoring aggravated girls.
"Like hell you are. If someone doesn't look after you, you're gunna wind up in the school dumpster," Sora replied irritably.
"Grrr," Kairi growled. "I'm NOT a CHILD!"
Sora continued to drag Kairi onto the Nurse's Office, which were only a few meters away. "Yes, I know that."
"Then let me go!" she whined applying pressure from her feet to the floor, making it even harder to drag her.
"Quit being stubborn and let's go! I'm already late as it is!" Sora said, pulling even harder on her wrist.
"Then why did you even bother taking me?" Kairi angrily scowled.
"Because I'm worried about you!" he answered immediately. Kairi paused for a moment, then stopped against the struggle looking the other way.
You're... worried about me...?
"I-I told you, I'm... okay," she calmly said.
Sora looked at her, wondering why she won't face his general direction. "Tell me that when you come out of the Nurse's Office. Come on."
Sora didn't let her have the last response and continued to pull, but this time, he felt no resistance as he held her wrist. He looked back slightly, seeing her head hung low and shielding her eyes as she willingly let him pull. He could've sworn he saw a shade of pink line her face but soon ignored it when he reached for the door knob of the oak door. He opened it slowly to reveal a stern looking man with dark hair in a low ponytail and round spectacles holding a small clipboard. His narrow eyes fell upon the couple and his smug expression only fell uglier.
"Can I help you?" he asked grimly.
Sora shivered a bit and relied on the warmth he got from Kairi's petite hands. "U-Um, I'm just escorting her here."
Kairi poked her head behind Sora and made herself fully visible with a timid wave.
"What seems to be the problem?" he asked, getting up to display his height.
Sora's shoulders lifted a bit. "U-Um, I was wondering if she could rest here for about ten minutes. She didn't get much sleep last night."
The "nurse" walked over swiftly next to Sora and peered down from his glasses at an intimidated Kairi.
"Hm, have to have your little boyfriend speak for you?" he asked crossly.
Kairi shivered a bit at his voice and clung onto Sora's shirt. "U-Um, I-I was, just..."
"What's your name?" he interrupted, holding his clipboard before him and preparing to write.
"K-Kairi," she stammered, not wanting to let go of Sora.
The "nurse" scribbled it down vigorously and stared at the two.
"My name is Dr. Hojo. I suppose this is your first time?" he asked.
Kairi nodded, Sora gulped.
"Alright," Dr. Hojo said. "Go and lay down. I'll wake you up in ten minutes. You, boy, come with me."
Kairi felt relieved that she didn't have to go in alone, and followed after her brunette companion into the intimidating white room. Kairi's eyes lay upon the stiff looking bed against the wall and sat on it, keeping her eyes on Sora and Dr. Hojo.
"What's your name?" Dr. Hojo demanded.
"Uh, Sora sir," he replied stiffly.
Hojo scribbled it down on a blue slip for his tardy excuse.
"Stand at ease, soldier. I'm not a general officer," he joked, even though it wasn't funny at all. It was more like intimidating.
"Er, right," he laughed nervously, trying to ease the mood in the room.
Dr. Hojo ripped the slip and handed it to him almost forcibly and looked to Kairi.
"Go ahead and get to sleep. You, Sora, go to class."
Sora looked to Kairi one last time before going out of the door. Kairi laid herself down and listened to Sora's footsteps fade away as her eyes closed in a very deep sleep.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Yo, Sora!"
Sora turned to see Hayner, Riku and Tidus. The first to approach was Tidus, who playfully slapped him on the back.
"What's up, dude?" he asked cheerfully.
"Nothing," he sighed. "Just gunna see how Kairi's doing before I go to my last period."
Riku sneered, but kept his mouth shut.
Hayner lifted a brow, trying to prevent a smile coming onto his lips. "Uhhh, why would you do that?"
Sora already knew what was coming and just kept walking. "Um, nothing, I'll see you guys later."
But of course, his friends wouldn't allow that.
"Did something happen to her?" Tidus asked walking alongside Riku.
Sora sighed at their persistence. "She was just sleepy and needed rest. She's in the Nurse's Office."
"Geez, I thought you two were sneakin' off behind our backs or somethin'! Why couldn't you have said that?" Hayner asked, feeling a bit hurt that his friend refrained from telling the truth the first time.
"Because I know you guys are gunna make something out of it," he broodly answered.
"Haha, oh yeah, right," Tidus laughed.
Sora looked at his silver-haired friend who hasn't spoken a word since they met and put on a suspicious expression.
"What's with the face?" Riku asked, trying not to grin.
"How come you aren't saying a word?" Sora asked.
Riku thought for a moment. "'Caauuussseeeee, I have nothing to say?"
"Pfft, yeah right. I'm surprised you haven't blabbed it to these guys yet," Sora said, looking forward again.
"Hey, be grateful that they're not pestering you like I would," Riku jeered.
"Hold on. Tell us what, Riku?" Hayner asked.
"Yeah, what?" Tidus added.
Riku side-glanced Sora. "Should I tell them?"
Sora sighed. "Fine. Whatever."
Riku lagged behind a bit, dragging Tidus and Hayner along with him to make sure they kept their distance from their caramel-headed friend. Sora ignored the light whispering Riku gave off and reached for the silver handle on the door and opened it. There he saw Dr. Hojo, who was previously taking notes down until his eyes reverted to him. From the corner of his eye, Kairi laid on the bed fast asleep. Wait, asleep?
Dr. Hojo should've woken her up half an hour ago...
"Sora, right?" Dr. Hojo spoke.
Sora nodded. "I thought Kairi'd be awake a long time ago."
Hojo sighed and pushed his spectacles up higher on the bridge of his nose. "Her exhaustion's overwhelming. No matter what I do, she won't wake up."
Sora looked at the peaceful Kairi turn in her sleep.
"What have you tried?" Sora asked.
Dr. Hojo looked at her also. "Nudging and yelling."
Sora sighed and went over to her. "You mind if I try?"
Dr. Hojo nodded," As long as you don't try anything funny."
Riku, Hayner, and Tidus poked their heads through the door, wondering what's happening while they had their little story-time and watched as Sora cleared his throat at the foot of the bed Kairi slept on. He bent over slightly, making sure he's not so close that she'll knock him unconscious with her head again.
"Ditz," said Sora robotically.
"What'd you say?!" Kairi yelled, clenching Sora's collar now wide awake.
Dr. Hojo lifted his brows in amazement. "Well, never would've thought of that..."
"Works every time," Sora said nonchalantly as Kairi blinked awake and looking at her surroundings. Well, it didn't work EVERYTIME, but it worked this morning, right? In the hallway, Sora's ears picked up the sounds of held back laughter.
"You awake now?" Sora asked while inspecting for any signs of sleepiness in her eyes.
Kairi yawned," A little. But I feel much better now."
Sora sighed, when Kairi's eyes went big and she jolted from the bed. "How long have I been sleeping?!"
"Calm down, Kairi," Dr. Hojo said. "You only slept through your lunch period."
Kairi immediately calmed down. "Oh, I see."
Sora shook his head at her perseverance of maintaining her GPA. "Okay, well, now that you're all better, go and get to class before you're late."
Kairi looked at him go out the door, feeling a warm sensation churn inside. She mistook it for hunger since she skipped out on lunch and bowed to Dr. Hojo. "I apologize for the inconvenience, Doctor. And thank you."
"Don't say it to me," Dr. Hojo scoffed while taking notes. "Tell that to your boyfriend over there."
Kairi quickly went red and shook her head quickly. "H-He's not my-"
"Kairi, hurry it up!" yelled Hayner. "We'll be late!"
"Coming! Well, anyway, thank you," she said and sped out of the room after her friends. Dr. Hojo let out a single chuckle after scribbling down the clock-out time of Kairi.
Kids...
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After a painful five minutes of torture from the boys, Sora and Kairi went their separate ways and onto their next class. It zipped by quickly, now that stress was off both of their shoulders and the final bell resonated throughout the campus. Sora waited by the dead and frozen tree as usual and ignored the cold wind rushing through. Kairi walked through the double-doors and stepped carefully down the steps over to her awaited companion.
"Did you wait long?" she asked, regaining a bit of her breath.
"Not really," Sora answered. "Come on, I'm freezing my butt off."
Kairi nodded and followed suit. Indeed, it WAS freezing! The two wished that the sun wouldn't go down just yet since its sunlight started to fade away over the ocean. The train station was packed, though it did help in giving off body heat and the pair weren't so cold. After arriving near the Shopping Districts, the two walked on home, though the silence made Kairi uncomfortable. But why?
Maybe I should thank him and apologize. After all, he DID bring me to the Nurse's Office... Against my will...
Kairi huffed at the last part of her thought and looked at Sora, who had a stern expression upon his face.
"Hey, Sora?" she began.
"Hm?" he responded.
"Um, I just wanna say, thanks for earlier, and sorry for putting you through the trouble," she continued.
All of a sudden, Sora didn't feel so cold anymore.
Why the hell does my stomach always have weird feelings when she talks?!
"Don't worry about it," said Sora.
"I tell you all the time, and you STILL go against my words," Kairi scoffed.
"Yeah, so?" he asked mockingly.
Kairi sighed and decided to drop it. "Never mind..."
"Hey, it's not like you don't do it either," Sora said, trying to be fair.
"Yeah yeah," Kairi went on boredly.
Sora sighed and continued on through the streelit sidewalk and turning onto their street. After successfully walking her to her house, Sora went into his own, basking in the warm emitting from the heater inside. Kairi did likewise as she removed her shoes at the front door and caught sight of her mother cleaning in the kitchen.
"Hi mom," she greeted before going upstairs.
"Oh, hello Kairi," she greeted back.
Kairi noticed a few luggages scattered across the room.
"Is someone here?" Kairi asked, looking around for an unfamiliar face.
"Oh, no, these are my luggage," her mother nervously spoke.
Kairi tilted her head slightly. "Where are you going?"
The female adult settled the brown down and tried her best to not offend her daughter.
"Could you come here for a moment? I'd like to speak with you," her mother courteously asked.
Kairi obeyed and pulled up a chair, wondering what her mother would tell her in the next few seconds.
---------------------------------------------------------------
A/N: SO? How was it? Did you like it? 8D Yeah yeah, I know it's a bit typical of the staircase thing, but I always liked those kinds of things! xD Uh oh, I wonder how Kairi's going to respond to her mother's message! Chapter 27 will be up soon! Thanks a bunches for reading!! C8