Song of the chapter: Speaking A Dead Language- Joy Williams
A/N: Well, I could tell you why I've been gone so long, but it might sound like an excuse...or it might not. Regardless, I'M SO FREAKING SORRY. Honestly, I HATE authors that don't update often. I have lots of chapters on the way, and under construction, and for a reason; I've been in the hospital for 3 WEEKS. Yeah...I haven't been a happy camper. The internet sucked there, but I was able to write A LOT. Again, it's no excuse, so I'm deeply sorry to each of you that were growing impatient.
BoxAuthor88: Well, I'm an idiot for not seeing that -.- sowwy...This was anything but a quick update, so I apologize. As for Roxas and Xion, I feel like you deserve an answer, and I remain uncertain, maybe you can leave me suggestions! :3 Thank you for everything love, I'm so sorry to keep you waiting! xoxo
SetoshiArenhariKai: Dark, drama, doom! Ahh! Hopefully Sora'll catch a break sooner or later! I know this chapter is ate, but I hope you enjoy!
AquaTitaniaMiyuki: Thank you so much, love! That's so sweet of you to say! And yes...poor Sora indeed...
bec1895: I'm glad you still enjoy the story, and updates WILL BE HAPPENING! So long as I'm not in the hospital...Love xo
JGM16: Thanks!
The V-Blade: Haha Kairi giving mouth to mouth probably wouldn't have been a too romantic "first kiss" ;) And don't worry, like Maleficent said, she wants revenge *duun*
awesomefanficlova (Skyy): I'm glad he's okay, too! Xehanort's confusing the enemy...and everyone else...I guess we'll just have to wait and see what he's cooking up. I'm sorry it's late, but here it is! XO
Zero Wolf: Thanks so much!
Oblivion16: Right here! I hope you enjoy, hun! :)
Rena1913: Not long at all, cause here it is! Sorry to keep you waiting!
FIN-UH-LLY! Here we go again!
"Look, I'm fine!" Sora assured, pacing back a forth in front of his friends.
It had been somewhere around three hours since Sora had nearly drowned in Radiant Garden's ocean. Sure, he had come close, but he didn't actually die. This made Sora feel as though everyone was worrying too much for his well being.
"I promise, if I didn't think I was ready, I-"
"It's not that we don't think you're ready," Aerith tried to explain.
"It's that we're worried," Leon finished.
"You don't need to worry," Sora half smiled, as if the earlier events weren't a big deal, "I can handle this-"
"Sora!" Riku stood, fed up with his friends trying to plead his case, "You almost died!" He gripped both of Sora's shoulders and looked into his ocean eyes, "You almost freaking died! That's not something you can reverse. We're not worrying about you for fun!"
Sora sighed, lowing his gaze to the floor while everyone stood in silence, glancing at each other occasionally. He opened his mouth, about to protest again, but he couldn't find any words.
"…You were cold…" Kairi mumbled with a frown.
"Huh?" Sora turned to her.
"You were cold!" Riku repeated for her while re-tightening his grip on Sora's shoulders, "Your body was like ice! Your skin was pale and blue! You may as well have been freaking dead!"
"What's the big deal?! I didn't die, Riku!" Sora huffed, now becoming fumed in return, "You think you need to look after me! I'm not a child, Riku! And if I remember correctly, I'm not the one who fell-" Sora stopped himself, his eyes clearly telling Riku what he almost said.
"What? Fell into darkness?" Riku tested with a harsh glare.
"Guys-" Kairi sighed.
"No, no, let him speak, Kairi," Riku pushed, "C'mon, Sora. Tell me how you really feel."
Sora stood in silence, staring at the floor.
"What? You can talk, but can't act?"
"Riku-" Kairi tried again.
"What's the matter? Are you scared? Are you gonn-"
Riku was suddenly struck in the side of the face, as his cheek met with Sora's fist in one swift motion. This caused the entire group to gasp and move in between the two feuding friends.
"Sora!" Goofy yelled, restraining the now kicking teen with the help of Cid.
"Hey! Calm down!" Yuffie demanded as she watched Leon and Aqua hold Riku back.
"Stop it! Stop it!" Aerith held her arms between the two now separating groups, sighing when things calmed down.
"Knock it off!" Ventus hollered.
Riku was now holding his pulsing cheek, while Sora squeezed his injured fist; both teens panting fairly heavily. Donald and Goofy were completely stunned; Sora was never a violent person, especially not to his friends. They knew there had to have been something bothering him. Something more than just Riku's taunting.
The room remained tensely silent for what seemed like an incorporable period of time. Cid kept his grip on Sora, while Leon kept his grip on Riku.
"You two…" Kairi lightly breathed, everyone's eyes immediately falling onto her, "You two are best friends…" She shook her head.
"Sora just punched me-"
"Riku was being an a-"
"Shut up!" Kairi huffed, still noticeably weak, "I don't want to hear it! You guys are acting like you did when you were eight! Now communicate like the mature, civil people you claim to be, or I swear I'll-"
"Okay, okay…" Riku shook out of Leon's grasp, as did Sora.
"I'm sorry, Riku…" Sora hung his head like a child being scolded, while everyone continued to watch the events of the tense interaction unfold.
"…Me too…" Riku sighed.
"I didn't mean it…"
"I know."
"I just…" Sora once again was at a loss for words, "Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why do you worry about me so much…?"
Riku's expression softened into subtle guilt when Sora looked directly into his green eyes, looking for answers.
"What aren't you telling me?"
"Nothing," Riku assured, although Sora continued to stare.
"Was it the whole 'near drowning' thing?"
"Sora…" Riku exhaled deeply, shaking his head.
"What?"
Riku looked right into Sora's eyes, hoping not to slip up, and not to falter. Riku didn't know if he would like the outcome of the words that were pressing at his lips, threatening to come out.
"You…You know how to swim…" He whispered so quietly it almost went unheard.
"Huh?" Sora cocked his head.
Donald and Goofy turned to each other for a brief moment, concern pouring from their eyes.
"You know how to swim! You're a good swimmer! You grew up on an island!" Riku yelled, becoming angry again, "You know how to swim."
Sora shook his head briefly before his eyes widened as realization struck him.
"You…no…You don't think…You don't think I went in…on purpose?!"
The room was now tense with the fact that the unanswered question was out in the open, and now had to be answered.
Riku simply sighed, avoiding Sora's eyes, along with everyone else's.
"Riku…You can't honestly think that!" Sora half laughed at the idea, "There were dozens of Heartless! Maleficent and Pete came up to the look out while I was out walking. All of the Heartless pushed me over! The water was cold! Yet they kept coming! They pulled me under and I was too numb to use the Keyblade. You can't think I did this by my choice!" Sora pleaded.
"Sora...I…" Riku looked into Sora's eyes, searching for doubt or lies for a long, silent moment, "So…you think you're ready to go travel?"
Sora smiled at Riku's change in topic, indicating he believed his story to some degree.
"Yeah. As soon as Donald and Goofy are ready, I'm ready," He smiled.
Riku looked over to see an unsatisfied Kairi with her arms crossed in pure dissatisfaction.
"Now what?" Riku groaned.
Kairi only raised an eyebrow, rolling her eyes into Sora's direction.
"Fine…" Riku sighed.
Riku opened his arms, as did Sora, and the two shared a brief, typical guy hug, which satisfied Sora.
"Okay, are you two alright, now?" Mickey inquired.
"Yep," Sora nodded.
"Good," Donald sighed out of relief.
"Is there a gummi ship ready for us, Yer Majesty?" Goofy asked.
"Yup! When you guys are ready, there is a gummi ship for the three of you!" Mickey smiled, "We'll all be travelling back to Yen Sid's tower together in another ship," Mickey explained to Aqua, Ven, Kairi and Riku, "Do you three remember what your task is?" The tiny King turned again to Sora, Donald and Goofy.
"We're finding the Key to Return Hearts!" Sora smiled.
"That's right!" Mickey grinned in return.
"So are you guys ready to go?" Sora turned his focus on Donald and Goofy.
"Ready when you are, Sora," Donald beamed, accompanied by Goofy.
"Alright, then let's go!" Sora smiled as he, Donald and Goofy headed for the door, "We'll be back soon. Thank you guys for everything," he smiled to Leon and Aerith, "Bye everyone! See you soon, Riku, and good luck with your training, Kai," Sora nodded with a grin before exiting after his two friends.
By the time Sora had closed the door behind him, Donald and Goofy had just turned the corner, making sure Sora knew where they were before they left his sight.
"Hey, wait up, guys!" Sora smiled; just as he was about to run to his friends, Kairi called his name.
"Sora, wait!" She closed the door behind her and caught up to him just as he turned around.
"What's up?" He cocked his head in curiosity.
"I just…" Kairi hesitated, staring at the ground.
She hesitated once more before wrapping her arms around his neck, pulling him into a very wanted hug.
"Be safe…" She whispered, feeling the tears stinging at her eyes.
"You too," Sora returned the hug.
"Sora, hurry up!" Donald yelled from around the corner, causing Sora to let go of Kairi abruptly.
"Coming!" He hollered, "I'll see you soon, I promise."
Kairi nodded with sad eyes before re entering the house, a sinking feeling pulling at her bright heart.
Sora was shaking with excitement. He found it funny how when he travelled with Donald and Goofy previously, he just wanted to find his other friends and go home. Now, he couldn't wait to travel with them once again.
"This is gonna be so awesome!" Sora cheered, taking his usual chair in the Highwind.
"I can't wait to tell all our friends you're okay," Goofy beamed.
"That I'm okay? What do you mean, Goofy?" Sora wondered.
"Nothing. Let's just get going," Donald instructed, "Where would you like to go first?"
"Uhh…well, what's close?" Sora asked as he watched Donald scan the map on a large monitor.
"Umm…Looks like the Coliseum is the closest world to our coordinates."
"Okay, then let's head there," Sora suggested, "Any objections?"
"Nope, A'hyuck!"
"I can't wait to see how the restoration of the Coliseum is going," Sora smiled, his eyes filled with wonder.
"It looks great, and it's completely finished," Goofy beamed, Sora's face immediately scrunching up in confusion.
"When did you see it, Goofy?"
"When we were looking for you," Donald sighed, "We had to look in a few different worlds."
Sora bowed his head, a little ashamed, and a bit embarrassed.
"Right…I'm sorry…"
"Don't be, Sora," Goofy offered a bright smile.
"Now quit frowning and start smiling or you'll crash this ship!" Donald winked, also offering an encouraging smile.
"Wouldn't be the first time…" Sora smirked, causing the three to share a much needed laugh.
"Maleficent!" Xigbar bellowed from down the Round Room.
"Where do you get off yellin' at Maleficent like that?" Pete huffed, "Why I oughta-"
"Maleficent," Xehanort stated calmly as he watched her enter the room, "Are you aware of the faults of your actions?"
"We spread the Heartless among Radiant Garden. There is no fault to the actions I have made," Maleficent scoffed, sharply turning her cheek and closing her eyes.
"Ahh, so you remain ignorant," Xehanort leaked on his right hand, "As instructed, you were to send Heartless after my XIII in Radiant Garden. What you are unaware of is the fact of your Heartless' actions. You summoned too many to one area. As result, my XIII almost met his demise."
"What?!" Pete's jaw dropped.
"Thanks to you, the Heartless pulled Sora right over the edge of a cliff into water. They pulled him under for so long even I'm impressed he survived," Xigbar crossed his arms and shook his head with a smirk.
"And just who is your source for this information?" Maleficent scoffed once again, hands curled tightly around her sceptre.
"I watched it all happen," Vanitas entered the room, "The I had no choice but to wipe out some of the Heartless that the loser couldn't handle."
"And here we thought you were taking a nap," Xigbar taunted, "Since when are you the hero?"
"Cannit. I only did what I did so the Master can get what we're working for. Otherwise, I woulda left him," Vanitas turned to leave again.
"Right, you keep telling yourself that. If you ask me, I'd say you're just going soft on us," Xigbar smirked, pushing Vanitas a tad too far.
Completely fumed, Vanitas swiftly turned around, and charged Xigbar, their faces merely inches away.
"Would you just shut your trap already?! It's not like I pulled him out of the damn water! If I hadn't been there, the whole plan would have been toast! And another thing-"
"Enough," Xehanort demanded, immediately hushing the enraged teen, "I have had quite enough of the bickering between you two. So, I shall assign you to work together for the time being."
"What?!" Xigbar and Vanitas exclaimed simultaneously.
"I refuse to work with this lazy ass!" Vanitas yelled.
"You will do as you are told, Vanitas, and the same goes to you, Braig." Xehanort stated firmly, earning a large sigh from the unlikely duo.
"Xigbar…" Xigbar correctly in a subtle whisper.
Satisfied, Xehanort turned to Maleficent and Pete with an obvious look on annoyance headed their way.
"As for you two…out of my sight."
"What?!" Pete gasped.
"I beg your pardon?" Maleficent huffed.
"Your assistance will no longer be required. You two are the weak links, holding back from my plans. Be gone, now."
"I do not take such prattle from the likes of you! You will rue the day you defy me!" Maleficent chanted before she and Pete disappeared in a cloud of dark and green fog.
"Now then, will someone bring Xemnas? I believe we may have another roadblock that is soon to cross our path," Xehanort groaned, closing his eyes in thought.
As soon as Sora, Donald and Goofy departed, Mickey decided there wasn't a moment to lose. He quickly gathered everyone to depart to Master Yen Sid's tower.
Riku quickly grabbed Yuffie into the other room.
"I…I umm…"
Yuffie quickly kissed him with a slight amount of force and passion.
"I know," She smiled, "Come back soon."
Riku smiled slightly before returning to the others. In a quick moment, the group said their goodbyes, and boarded the gummi ship that was left for them. Mickey and Aqua were co piloting while Ven, Riku, and Kairi sat in the back seats. Along the way, Ven had fallen asleep, and Kairi had grown restless.
Riku was noticing some subtle changes in Kairi, changes he didn't like. She seemed to be a lot quieter, and more anxious. He knew why, but he just hoped that the changes were only temporary. Sighing in discomfort, Kairi got up and looked out the window. She was amazed at just how amazing the outside surroundings were. Kairi quickly drifted and zoned out, staring into the seemingly never ending space.
As Kairi stood out the window for what seemed like an oddly long amount of time, Riku decided now was a good time to ask if she was okay. Ven was fast asleep, and Mickey and Aqua were not listening; conversing with one another. Standing from his seat, Riku approached Kairi. When he reached out and touched her shoulder, Kairi gasped and whipped around so quickly that it startled Riku.
"Hey! What's wrong?" Riku gasped, "It's just me…"
"Oh…" Kairi nodded, catching her breath and avoiding contact, "Right. I knew that. I guess I spaced out. Don't sneak up on me like that."
"Kairi, I didn't sneak up on you…" Riku said, Kairi noticing concern in his voice.
"Well I didn't hear you, what's the big deal?"
"Are you…are you okay, Kairi?" Riku sighed.
"I'm fine."
"Okay, now how about the truth?"
"I said I'm fine." Kairi repeated, her words coming out colder than she meant for them to.
"I don't buy it. I don't think you're fine. And you have every right not to be. I just want you to talk to me."
Kairi considered telling Riku right then and there about the nightmares, the constant fear, and the pain, but stopped herself. She didn't want Riku, or anyone else for that matter to worry about her, especially with the upcoming Keyblade War on the horizon. And, she didn't want Riku to tell Sora. She didn't want to be seen as damaged, or broken, so she bit her tongue, and forced a fake smile on her face.
"I'm fine Riku…I promise," Kairi crossed her fingers behind her back.
Riku sighed, still not fully convinced.
"Alright…"
"Guys, we're here," Mickey hollered from the steering wheel, making Ven stir.
"Wha…we're here already? Ven asked groggily.
"Yep! Rise and shine, sleepy head," Aqua giggled.
"C'mon, let's go get you trained," Riku said as he, Kairi and the others left the gummi ship and headed down to the familiar tower below.
"We're here!" Donald beamed.
"Finally," Sora stood from his seat and stretched, "I thought you said this was the closest world. That took like two hours."
"Sora…That was maybe thirty minutes," Donald sighed with a smile.
"Someone sure is eager, A'hyuck!" Goofy teased.
"Well, it's been a while," Sora scratched the back of his head and smiled sheepishly, "Hurry up, let's go!"
"We're coming!" Donald and Goofy followed behind Sora as they left the ship to the Coliseum beneath them.
As the bright light faded, and Sora's vision cleared, he was greeted by the welcoming front doors of the Coliseum.
"Whoa! I can't believe we're here again! Let's go see if there are any games we can sign up fo-"
"Sora! Remember, this isn't a visit! We're on a mission!" Donald instructed.
"I know, I know! But we were on a mission last time, and we still had fun," Sora argued.
"Well, he's got you there, Donald," Goofy smiled.
"We won't slack too long, I promise," Sora said as he pulled the large front doors open, revealing the empty lobby of the Coliseum, "I just want to see everyone again, at least."
"Okay, we can say hi," Donald smiled, watching as Goofy closed the doors behind them.
"They must be in the tournament arena, let's go!" Sora proceeded to the arena, excitement filling his heart as he saw all the familiar faces of his friends.
"Sora!" Phil exclaimed as he was the first to catch sight of the teen.
"Sora!" Hercules and Meg followed to greet their friend.
"Hey, guys! Long time no see!" He beamed.
"Good job finding him, Donald, Goofy," Phil placed his hands on his hips.
Immediately, Hercules, Meg, and Phil lost their smiles, faltering into frowns.
"Hey, whoa! What's wrong?!" Sora began to panic.
"We heard…about Kairi," Hercules sighed, empathetic eyes looking into Sora's.
"Uhh…" Sora was completely confused.
"We haven't seen her, but we did try looking for her," Phil kept his gaze low.
Sora turned back to Donald and Goofy, looking for some kind of an explanation.
"If there's anything else we can do…" Meg suggested.
"Well, there is something you could do," Sora said, causing all three, and Donald and Goofy, to look in question at Sora.
"You name it!" Herc smiled.
"You can tell me what the heck is going on! How do you know Kairi? Is she in trouble?"
"Wait…what? Now I'm confused," Meg stated.
"That makes two of us…" Sora chuckled.
"Donald? Goofy?" Herc looked to the two for answers.
"Here we go…" Donald rolled his eyes.
"We found Kairi…She's okay, and as you can see, we found Sora now, too!" Goofy smiled.
"We're, actually here for another mission now," Donald added.
"Wait, you told them about Kairi?" Sora asked his two friends.
"Not-" Donald was cut off abruptly.
"On the subject," Phil stated, crossing his arms and approaching Sora, "I got four words for you, mister: You. Are Too. Young. For. Love."
Sora's eyes went completely wide, and his face blushed a deep crimson.
"Wait, you told them I LOVE her?!"
"Not us! It must have been the King, or Riku-"
"Ha! I never said Kairi, I just said love. You can't pull the wool over my eyes, kiddo," Phil smirked.
"No, I-" Sora blushed deeper.
"Hey, it's okay, Sora," Herc giggled, accompanied by Meg.
"Now if only you could tell Kairi," Donald joined in laughing.
"Hey, I have an idea! Let's stop picking on me and focus on why we're here…please?" Sora sighed, his face returning to the normal flesh color.
Soon, Sora, Donald and Goofy were explaining their current situation, and the Key to Return Hearts to their friends in the hopes that this journey could be a bit easier than they expected.
Again...I'm sorry...love you guys, I really do. XO
