Shadows of Reality
Chapter Thirty-One – Past, Present and Future.
Kairi groaned as she slowly opened her eyes. She blinked a couple of times until her sight was clear, and she breathed in deeply while closing her eyes again as the memories of what happened flooded back to her.
A gasp escaped her lips and she attempted to move her arms to her stomach. She had to see if her baby was alright, but she couldn't move her arms. Turning her head slightly she saw that her wrists were firmly locked by metal clasps. Even though she couldn't see over her protruding stomach, she knew her ankles were shackled down as well.
There was a sudden thump to the inside of her stomach, causing her to smile. It was like her baby knew that she couldn't move, so he or she was letting her know that they were all right.
"Sora?" she called out, her voice echoing through a dark room as she did. She looked around as saw a stony ceiling with dark walls around her, telling her that she was in some kind of cave. "Sora where are you?"
"Call as much as you want," a deep, calm voice said. "He cannot hear you" She turned her head slightly and looked back as a bald man walked into the room.
She stared at him and tried to speak strongly to him. "Where am I?" Unfortunately it came out as more of a plea.
He chuckled and said, "You, your majesty, are in my laboratory. My name is Master Xehanort, but you know that, don't you?"
She continued staring at him darkly.
"Don't worry," he said almost jovially. "There will be no mistreatment of you and your unborn child. We'll be taking the best care of you."
"Why am I here then?" Kairi whimpered.
"You and your child are important, my dear," Xehanort said. "Your husband will come for you, and I will be waiting. He holds the power of Kingdom Hearts and it will be mine."
"No!" Kairi yelled out. "No please. Leave Sora alone."
"I can't do that," he replied simply. "My Endless are strong, but not unbeatable. To reach my goal I need his power, whether he willingly gives it to me or I forcefully take it is up to him. Either way suits my purpose. Now just relax and try not to struggle to much, you wouldn't want to hurt your child." He grinned wickedly at her whimper. "You're supper will be in later." With that he turned but before he left he said, "And if Sora chooses to save himself for once, that's alright with me too, because my backup plan happens to be in your womb." Then he left. That's when it occurred to her. Xehanort had told Sora that he would take the life of their child, but she knew that he was just getting inside of Sora's head. He had a much bigger plan. One that was too big for any of them to figure out.
Kairi sobbed and said, "Sora, I know I can't stop you from coming for me but please, be careful."
VVVVVVVVVV
The ocean lapped over her legs, cooling her burning body. The suns rays were beating down from above, but she didn't notice the burns that they were creating over her body.
Through her closed eyes she could feel something suddenly block the sun, causing her indigo eyes to open curiously, meeting a familiar pair of cerulean blue eyes.
"Sora," Kairi said with a grin as the young man hoisted her into his arms. He spun her around, causing her to giggle happily before he set her down onto the burning sand.
"No," Kairi muttered as she wrapped her arms around his neck. She smiled warmly as she heard his heart thumping under her ear. "The sand's too hot."
Sora reached down and scooped her up again. She snuggled up to him, despite the heat of the air. He sat down in the shade of a palm tree and said, "You got a pretty nasty burn."
"Do I?" Kairi mumbled. "I'm not surprised. Ever since I got that bad sunburn on Ohana, I've been burning more."
Sora lightly ran his lips along the burn on her shoulder. She giggled happily and twisted around on his lap. She moved so that she was staring eye to eye with him and smiled warmly again.
Sora leaned forward and kissed her deeply on the lips. They continued to embrace each other in the shade of the palm tree for quite a while.
Kairi giggled as Sora rubbed her back, touching a spot where she was particularly ticklish. She broke the kiss and stared at him for a moment before he said, "I love you, you know that right?"
"I love you too," Kairi replied and leaned into him, but he backed up.
"Forever right?"
"You bet."
He moved away again and she felt a wave of frustration pass over her.
"So, what are you doing Friday night?"
"I don't know," she replied with a small smirk. "What am I doing?"
"Well, I was thinking that a pretty little redhead would like to come to dinner at Island's Paradise with me."
Kairi's eyes widened a bit and her mouth fell open as she gaped at him. "How on Earth did you get reservations there?"
"Booked it a while ago," he admitted. "Sorry, I'm not important enough for anyone to pull strings for."
Kairi rolled her eyes and said, "Sora, everyone here knows that you are the Keyblade Master and they know what you've done for all the worlds. Too bad they don't know you're actually one of the Princes of Destiny Islands. We'd get in there every night at a second's notice."
"Oh I get it, you're using me for my money," he joked playfully. "Since everything you had as the Princess of Radiant Garden was lost while my mother just hid all our money. Then, if you get everything back, you'll just dump me because you're only using me for money."
Kairi giggled and said, "Of course not silly. I'm using you for your looks too."
Sora laughed at her and hugged her tightly as he said, "You're adorable."
"Thank you," she said mischievously and tried to kiss him but he moved again. "Sora!"
"Yyyeesssss?" he replied, dragging the word out. There was a mischievous glint in his eyes as he eyed her almost playfully.
Kairi growled in frustration as she pounced a bit, pinning him into the ground as she leaned in and finally kissed him.
VVVVVVVVVV
Kairi was smiling as she awoke from her dream, which was actually more of a memory. A memory of a simpler time in her life. It was hard for her to believe that it had been less then a year since then.
That was when she realized that her hands weren't locked down anymore and there was a steaming plate of food beside her. She eyed it and couldn't help but notice how it actually looked like a healthy, well-balanced meal.
She felt her baby move around in her stomach and reached forward to grab the plate. As much as she didn't want to eat something that Xehanort gave her, her baby still needed the nutrients. If it were just her, she would have ignored the food.
As she ate her eyes wandered around the room. She paused eating when she finally noticed the glowing tubes of liquid. She almost screamed when she saw what was inside them, but stopped herself. After the initial fright, blinding anger passed through her, only to be replaced with confusion. Inside of each the tubes of glowing fluid was a person, the knights that had kidnapped her.
"They're prisoners," she whispered as realization sunk in. "I bet they're being controlled too." Her baby kicked enthusiastically, as if agreeing with its mother. She eyed the last knight (Ventus) and instead of the rage she expected to feel when she looked upon the person who almost made her lose her baby, she felt pity for him. Maybe it was because she knew he was a prisoner. Maybe it was because she knew he was being controlled. Or maybe it was just because he looked so much like Roxas. She wasn't sure.
After she was done eating she reached forward and attempted to call her Keyblade to her, but as she did, it felt like an electric shock when through her body. Oathkeeper appeared, but she had to let it go as she screamed in pain.
"Oh dear," Xehanort's voice echoed from behind her. She jumped a bit, not having realized that he was there. "Did I forget to mention that to you? I can't stop you from calling your Keyblade, but thanks of the power that generates when you summon it, I was able to rig the table you're on to use a thunder spell every time you do. Only a small one, but still, too many times and you're baby won't be so healthy when it comes out."
Kairi whimpered again and tears appeared in her face as she watched the smug man leave yet again. She moved her hand to her stomach and whispered, "Please Sora, hurry before something happens to our baby."
VVVVVVVVVV
Kairi stared at her reflection as she finished fixing her hair. She stood up in front of her body-length mirror, studying her dress and makeup. She frowned a bit and said, "I need to lose some weight." She couldn't know at the time that she would be saying that many times in the not to distant future when her figure would actually be bigger.
"You're an idiot," Naminé said as she stared into the open door. "You do not need to lose any weight Kai."
"Yes I do," Kairi replied. "I'm nowhere near as skinny as Selphie or that other girl that keeps trying to jump Sora. What's her name? Eva? Edna?"
"Edie?" Naminé said. "Kairi, she's anorexic and Selphie just doesn't have any curves. I heard Sora talking to Roxas about how he loves every little thing about you. He likes the fact that you're not so thin that it looks like he's about to break you if he hugs you. You're tiny as it is. Besides…"
Naminé walked up beside her and winked playfully, "Sora's going to think that looks hot. The dress looks great on you Kai. Where are you going again?"
"Island's Paradise."
Naminé giggled and said, "Hmm looks like I need to get Roxas to step up a little more. That place is expensive and romantic." She sighed wistfully at the end of her sentence.
Kairi smiled and stared at herself again. If Sora loved the way she looked then she could stand it, for now.
"I'm not going to complain though," Naminé continued. "What Roxas and I have is great. It's definitely better than the whole confusing Riku and Midori thing."
Kairi giggled, nodding with amusement.
"So, since you're mother's not home tonight," the blonde said. "I'm going to spend the night at Selphie's. She offered for you to come, but I told her that you were on a hot date tonight." She winked as she said this. "So, since I assume that dress is coming off no matter what, you might as well be here."
Kairi blushed deeply and yelled, "Naminé!"
She grinned again as the doorbell rang and she said, "Sora's here! Have fun and remember, use protection hun."
Kairi glared at her but quickly rushed down the stairs. She took a deep breath and opened the door. Sora stood there with a grin on his face that turned into a slightly goofy look when he looked her over. He held out his arm and she intertwined hers with his. Glancing back at Naminé she said, "Bye Nam."
"Have fun," Naminé said as she waved. "Take care of her Sora."
"Oh don't worry," he said with a grin. "I will."
They walked out the door and to the car that Sora had gotten not long ago. He held the door open for her as she got in then went to the driver's side.
"Sora," she said slyly.
"Yes Kairi?"
"On the way back can I drive?" she asked with a slight purr to her voice as she leaned closer to him.
"Umm…"
Kairi leaned in and kissed him teasingly.
"Okay."
She laughed happily and said, "That's good. You never know where I'll decide to go or what we'll do there." She winked at him.
Sora groaned a bit and said, "Iri, we've got to get to that restaurant, so you better stop or we might not make it there."
Kairi laughed happily as she leaned her head against his shoulder. He started the car and started driving to the restaurant.
When they got there, Kairi couldn't help but gasp at the décor. It was a beautiful place, classy but at the same time with a typical, common tropical theme that was extremely common around the islands.
The waiter led them over to a table and Sora pulled the chair out for her. Kairi giggled happily as he sat down across from her and said, "This place is amazing Sora."
"I was hoping that you'd like it," Sora admitted. "I actually had to come here before with my mom when I was 13 and I found it nice." She raised her eyebrow at this. "Well, I remembered being miserable at the time because of all the couples, so I figured YOU would find it nice." Kairi laughed at this.
Their waiter brought their menus over and Sora looked down at the list with confusion on his face. Kairi giggled and said, "I've never heard of some of this stuff! And a lot of it is using the old language from Destiny Islands!"
"How about," Sora said to her. "You choose what both of us want. Don't worry about the price, ok?"
Kairi bit her lip and then nodded and said, "Sora?"
"Hmmm?"
"Thank you."
"You're welcome Iri."
"I love you," she said as she grasped his hand.
"I love you too…"
VVVVVVVVVV
Kairi awoke again. She wasn't sure how long she had been Xehanort's captive, but she estimated that it was only a week now. She broke out of her thoughts as she noticed that there were Endless moving around the room. Most eyed her warily, but some of them grinned at her in an almost eerie way.
"Glad you could grace us with your consciousness your highness," a tall creature said. He looked almost in the shape of a human, but slightly more slouched over. His eyes were an eerie yellow, and his black body seemed to stretch abnormally far with every move he made. "We have word that your 'beloved' husband isn't taking your disappearance too well. He's going through a bit of an emotional breakdown while they all try to find where you are. Don't worry, we'll drop some clues so that he can come here."
"No!" she yelled. "I'm the reason he stabbed himself and lose his heart, I'm the reason he rushed into the World that Never Was, and I was the reason he actually died before. I won't let you use me for this!"
"It doesn't look like you have much of a say in the matter, does it Queenie?" the Endless asked with a growl. "Besides, you'll want him to show up before the brat is born."
"Xehanort said that no harm would come to my child," Kairi said with panic as she wrapped her arms around her stomach.
"No harm will come to the little creature. However, after the child is born, there is nothing stopping us from getting rid of you."
Kairi felt fear flash through her body. She didn't want to die and leave her baby in the hands of Xehanort and the Endless. Her thoughts then moved to Sora. She didn't want to be away from him, and she knew that it would break him if she died.
"Incoming transmission," another one of the more advanced Endless called out. "Spy in Twilight's Destiny reporting!"
This caused her eyes to shoot towards the screen that she had seen in the room earlier. The Endless that was taunting her left her side and moved to the screen, obviously superior over the others.
"It's about time," he spat. "You did do a good job of getting into the gummi ship and messing with it enough to crash them in the world we wanted."
"I know," the figure replied. "And the prisoner?"
"Doing well."
"Can't say the same for her beloved hubby. He's seriously pissed. Hell, he even fired the entire council here because he was so angry!"
Kairi gasped with horror as her eyes widened. She stared at the screen, not believing what she was looking at. "No! We trusted you!"
The figure looked over at her and said, "You were always too trusting, and that led to your downfall. Got it memorized?"
VVVVVVVVVV
Author's Note
Surprise? No action, but still very important to the plot while some fluff in there for the people who like that aspect of this story (like me).
Wanna know what sucks? After we presented our big projects, my teacher once again proceeded to tell me that she thought writing was my weakest aspect (she was talking about content, not grammar or spelling). So right now, while I'm trying to write another chapter, I just keep staring at a blank screen with no ideas.
Moral of the story: blame my teacher for my writer's block.
So, onto the replies!!
Oberon Axelus – That's not true, council can be good and bad. These ones were indeed pompous idiots though. Xehanort isn't going to be easy to get rid of. Not easy at all.
Chiglet663 – Too bad about re:CoM, because it beats the GBA version easily. I'm glad you like my fic so far but I'm confused. What do you mean boost my 20/2 to 20/1?
Syrena Li – Sora didn't blow up the castle. He wanted to blow up Wonderland. Emiliana. What she wants? It's a little confusing. You'll understand soon.
Shire Folk – I watched the opening for re:CoM again and it made me laugh a bit, watching clips from the first game. HAHA! That was my goal! The whole 'Silver and Gold' thing. I bet people were expecting Christmas or something!
Catharsis25 – I don't think the Final Mix version will be here for a while. LMAO you can pimp your story on my review boards. I don't mind. Thanks for asking though. Sora's powers are based partially on his emotions, which sucks for him, because what's more difficult than controlling your emotions?
Trainalf – Kairi might not be useless in future games, but I don't really count her as useful because she fought during a cutscene. Then again, I find Donald useless at the best of times too. Is that how it goes (for 358/2)? That's cool. My friend works at a game store and told me that games that popular usually come out about 4 months or so after the Japanese ones.
The Key of Hope – Why would it disappoint me? I didn't say 'this is when it's coming out', I just said that I heard it was coming out then. The website I read was wrong. Oh well. LOL pretty close to the equation that was going in my head. Mine was more like 'Anti Form+Kingdom Hearts=Nothing' because there would be nothing left!
Kanie – Well there ya go, you got an entire chapter about Kairi in her prison!
DAN88 – Actually, they're going to find out where he is in the next chapter (I think). Let me tell you, it's kinda ironic!
HesitantPen13 – Yup, that's the Vincent I was talking about. Reason? I don't know much about him, but I know he's a popular character so I just decided to throw his name in there for kicks. Yes though, he is dead. Yeah, did I ever mention that I think I suck at writing action?
simplyjennxD – Wow, make the review spaced a little differently, and I think you beat chasingfireflies. Roxas wasn't in CoM anyways, just at the end of the credits, so they WOULDN'T have put him on the cover anyways. And Kairi only shows up a few times. I agree it's better than KH1. Sora looks ADORABLE in it most of the time. I don't mind the cards. I'm pretty sure I die a bit in side every time Cloud vanishes while doing hair flip. I've only just finished Hallow Bastion. …wow for the language. I don't think it's very appropriate. Naminé is being forced to do what she does to Sora, plus she's just lonely. I can't hate her for it. How's he a shallow bastard? You really can't blame him for forgetting Kairi. It was what Marluxia wanted. You know, for some reason I feel oddly insulted by your question about where am I, but I'll answer it anyways. I am finishing my projects for school, helping my grandparents, babysitting my little cousins, shoveling the never-ending snow and slush, putting up with dogs, and you know, basically having a light outside of games and the internet. And I believe I update more than you do, even though it's not every second day now.
Chasingfireflies – Well, it's like I said earlier. I know how you feel because my teacher sucked all the inspiration out of me. I dislike fiction press, even though I was on it years ago. If I write anything original, I'll be damned if it goes on the internet. I used to have spare time years ago. I want to make Christmas cookies. I should do that next week when everyone else is at work/school and I'm home. I assume by bin you mean the garbage bin? It was on the sidewalk downtown in front of a sub shop. I read an insane amount usually, and I'm a fast reader. Xehanort doesn't give a damn about what happens to Kairi. She's just kind of attached to watch he does want. I'm told I have anger issues. I usually reply back that I don't…by yelling…the irony of that is not lost on me. Wanna know what comes about three weeks after Christmas? My birthday! Ew…I'll be old. :(
Shadows of Twilight – LMAO such an inspiring quote. Thank you.
Krystal Lily Potter