Dead Mom and the New Friend
Sora awoke, feeling the sweet warmth of the covers though his sleep was still muddied by strange dreams. Dreams of a castle where everything inside of it was completely white. He was traveling along with some strange duck and dog creature and fighting figures in black coats whose faces were covered with hoods. Also he was wielding some sort of mythical weapon called a Keyblade, and was considered a hero by everyone. It was such a strange dream, he was glad to be done with it.
These dreams have been plaguing him for a while now. No matter what he did he couldn't help but keep having these dreams. What was stranger though was just how real they were though. Less like dreams and more like memories.
"Sora ...Sora…..Wake up you lazy bum" Sora's eyes blinked as he saw a shadow overlook him, those familiar blue eyes covered by locks of blonde hair.
Sora's heart skipped a beat as he leaped up, hearing giggling, "Give me a break Namine"
She just smiled as he got to his knees and stood up. Namine had been his best friend since they were children. They met when they were very young, and clicked instantly. She was sweet, kind, and always by his side. Already he could see her notepad at the ready, probably a sketch of him napping in there somewhere.
"I-I just had a weird dream that's all" Sora said rubbing his head.
Namine shrugged, "You and your dreams Sora, always so strange"
"Yeah, but this one was weird, I was in a castle, and it was all white...and for some reason my companions were a duck and a dog"
"Weird" Namine giggled.
"Yeah…." Sora groaned
"Oh come on, weird is fun, weird makes the world go round" Another more high pitched voice said.
Sora looked up to see a familiar tall looking boy, with messy blonde hair that covered one of his eyes leaving the other yellow one exposed. He was wearing a casual yellow jacket with whiet suite underneath, a fancy bow tie tied around his neck. Tall, and skinny, he always had a wide grin on his face, though his smile was always a tad crooked, like it was always scheming, still Sora trusted that face no matter what.
Good old Bill Cipher himself, another best friend from childhood. He was like an older brother in a lot of ways, strange yes but always coming up with good advice that would get him through the day . Together, Namine and him were an unlikely trio of weirdo's all together. He was carrying a large log with him as he approached.
Thinking back, the harshness of reality started to kick in.
The last few months of Sora life had become a living nightmare, at least on an emotional level. His mom had passed, now he was an orphan. Thankfully though if it weren't for his friend Namine taking him in he'd probably have to leave the Island or worse, for he didn't really have many relatives close by. Namine had been his saving grace, and someone he cherished greatly. He had a close bond with her, but after that the bond was only stronger now.
In fact it was Namine and Bill who had took him in when his mother died, giving him a place to say...For that he was forever grateful.
Still, he missed his mother, missed her more than anything in the world. Part of him was starting to forget her. Many of the images he had of her had been lost or went missing. His mother was not someone who likes taking images of herself. Now all Sora had to go on were his memories, but slowly it felt as if they were fading.
"Hey what's so glum chum" Bill said leaning on the log he had brought with him.
Sora sighed, "Sorry, I was just thinking about mom"
"Still?" Bill said tapping his fingers, "Come on kid, you gotta focus, we're about set sail soon across the brimey blue"
Namien seemed surprised, "Is that happening soon," She sounded excited, "I thought we had a while to go"
"Nope, did a big run around on the raft, soon will be outta here faster then the horses at the track"
The raft, Bill and Namine's dream, to leave the Island and explore the world and all they had to offer. Sora was on board with this idea too, not only because he wanted to explore but because he wanted to be with his friends as well. However ever since his mother's passing, it was less about exploring but more about getting away from the memories of the Island and maybe finding some peace. Though as he thought about it, the more guilt he felt as if he was trying to forget about her.
"So, you think it's really gonna work" Sora asked looking up at Bill who smiled, "We'll really be able to see the worlds"
Bill shrugged, "Sure, see the worlds...See all the weird and bizarre...It's out there, and if it's not, then will just have to make the weird ourselves"
"Make it ourselves"
"Yeah, look at me, I'm weird to add a bit of spice to this already dull and tiny Island"
Sora sighed, "I guess"
"It will be fun Sora" Namine said taking his han and smiling, he felt good looking at that smile, "You, me and Bill ...The three of us, it's gonna be fun, imagine all the things you can draw, all the adventures will go on. Like when we were kids remember"
Sora chuckled, "Yeah...All those adventures"
He remembered those adventures, he used to pretend to be some epic hero fighting a dragon and saving Namine who was a princess. Those felt like more innocent times, back when his mother was alive. Now though, he just felt deflated, like he was doing this just to find a distraction.
"Hey, hey, no goggling, we got work to do" Bill said picking up the log, "You too can make kissy fate later"
Sora just turned red.
The rest of the morning was spent working on the raft. It was definitely hard work but worth it. Also like with everything else with this project a good distraction for him to not think about his mom or everything else going on at Destiny Island at the moment. As they kept on working Bill looked out onto the horizon.
"Just think" Bill said sounding happy, "Will be out there making stories of our, think of the prestige, the recognition, the fame"
"I'm not really into fame," Sora said, tying rope together and his fingers keep fumbling it up.
"Ah, you should" Bill snickered, "It's cool...Besides, I plan to have a big party in honor of our departure, everyone is invited of course, Namine you and Sora will dance to the crowds"
"Wait what?" Sora cheeks turned red.
Namine just took his side pleadingly and giddy, "Oh come on Sora, please, please ...For me ...It will be fun, we get to show our love for each other".
Sora sighed, but how could he say no to that. Namine was probably the biggest help to him since his mom's passing and he did have deep affection for her. How could he not want to express his feelings for the girl he loved.
"Okay" Sora smiled.
"Great!" Bill declared, "Hey kid you still got your lucky card"
Sora looked into his pocket and saw a card with a triangle with a single eye and top hat on it, "Yeah…"
"Great, remember that's a lucky card, it's supposed to give you good luck"
Sora chuckled, "I know, you gave it to me when I was younger"
"Well it's definitely made my life luckier" Namine beamed and kissed him right on the lips.
"Now, now…." Bill snickered, "You can do that and more when we leave"
"If! You can leave"
Sora felt a chill run down his spine as he turned around. There he saw one of the local Islanders, Riku, standing behind them.
For a long time, Riku and Sora had always known about each other but they never really got on, nor did they have much interaction with one another. He was always a bit of a loner, but whenever he interacted he was either very rude or just mean. Sora never really liked him, and always felt that he had to protect Namine whenever he was around.
"You honestly think you can leave this place" Riku asked almost in a mocking tone, "This Island is a prison...Surrounded by water"
"Thats' why we have a boat," Bill chuckled.
"Ha! A boat, really?" Riku walked over to the raft and looked over it, "Not even that sturdy, you honestly think that a boat is going to get you out of here"
Bill shrugged.
Namine glared at him, "Well will try"
"Go ahead and try but honestly your gonna fail" Riku smirked, "Your better off just staying here and being miserable like the rest of us"
"What do you want Riku" Sora asked, standing up to make sure nothing happened.
Riku shrugged, "Eh, nothing...Just thought I'd see what you were up too, like I said you really don't have much luck getting out of here. Not unless you could find some sort of magic or something"
"Magic doesn't exist" Sora taunted.
"How do you know, you haven't found it yet"
"And you will"
"I think so…" Riku said as he turned around, "And when I do I'll get out of here first"
Sora eyes narrowed, "Yeah well...Will leave first"
With that Riku just left gesturing them away as he walked off. Sora could feel a tinge of anger in his voice. Why was he always so mocking.
"Ah just ignore him kid" Bill said, "Soon it will just be the three of us"
Sora sighed, "Yeah...The three of"
-000-
Afternoon came and Sora needed some nice quality time for himself.
Destiny Island main town was quiet, mostly just the market place in the center or some of the neighborhoods surrounding it. As Sora began to walk around he tried to remember things he did with his mom whenever the two of them were together. However the harder he tried the difficult he found it. It was as if something was blocking the memories from becoming reality in his mind. A mental lock and he didn't have the key for it.
Sighing Sora sat down and didn't see anyone around, it was like the town was completely empty that day. Not that he didn't mind. It was nice to just not have anyone to talk to right now. Something inside him was very wrong, he felt very isolated and alone.
When he was with his mom, Destiny Island always felt magical. Or perhaps it was she made it magical. His mother was always able to make something extraordinary out of the mundane. She tell him stories about the large inactive volcano at the end of the Island, and how it was formed when the great Island gods decided it would be fun to play molton bowling. Or how the coconut fruit was the most juicy came the coconut cows. Silly stories perhaps but to him they were what made things interesting to his imagination.
His favorite stories of course being those of the sailors. Those brave individuals who would go out into the world to explore. The idea did entice him for sure, the idea of exploration, but also the tales of heroism that would come with it. Despite those large deeds though heroism to Sora just mean helping others, and making a difference.
Sora's mom always told him that no matter what even small things like befriending others could make a major difference in people's lives beyond just grand gestures of Namine. But now...Now she was gone, that inspiration was gone from him.
Only Namine seemed to fill him with any sort of real happiness or feeling at the moment, he would do anything for her.
Still, he missed trying to remember his mom, an he wanted answers, or something.
"Hey mom" Sora said looking up at the sky, "I hope you care hear my or something, I'm kidna...I'm kinda in a bit of a lump here"
Sighting again Sora just got up and continued to look around.
He missed his mom.
Sora
Hey Mom, Dead Mom
I need a little help here
I'm prob'ly talking to myself here
But Dead Mom I gotta ask
Are you really in the ground?
Cause I feel you all around me
Are you here, Dead Mom?
Dead Mom
Dead Mom
I'm tired of trying to iron out my creases
I'm a bunch of broken pieces
It was you who made me whole
Every day their staring at me
Like all "hurry up get happy
Move along
Forget about your mom"
They are in denial
They don't wanna feel
They want me to smile
And clap like a performing seal
Ignored it for a while
But they've all lost their mind for real
You won't believe the mess that we've become
You're my home
My destination
And I'm your clone
Your strange creation
You held my hand
And life came easy
Now jokes don't land
And no one sees me
Nothing seems to fit
Mamma is this it?
Are you receiving?
I want something to believe in
Or I'm done
Take me where my soul can run
Or I'll be in my bedroom
Wake me when I'm twenty one
They're moving forward
They didn't lose a mom
Mamma won't you send a sign?
I'm running out of hope and time
A plague of mice, a lightning strike
Or drop a nuclear bomb
No more playing they're dumb game
I'll go insane if things don't change
Whatever it takes to make him say your name
Dead Mom
"Sorry to hear about your mom" Sora blinked as he paused and turned around.
Behind him stood a young girl, around Namine's age. In fact she kinda looked like Namine in a way, except her hair was shorter and bright red. Her eyes were very blue, sorta like his, but they had a kindness to him. Sora felt his heart skip a beat looking at her. Honestly he never done that before with anyone but Namine.
"Uh, h-hi…" Sora took a deep breath and exhaled, "Sorry, am I uh ...huh…"
The girl just giggled, "Kairi"
"Huh"
"My name...My name is Kairi" She said extending a hand, "Yours"
Sora slowly took it, still unsure, "S-Sora...I'm Sora"
"Well nice to meet you Sora" Kairi said taking his hand firm before letting go, "Glad to meet someone here, been getting a bit loss here lately, I'm new"
"New?" Sora blinked the concept felt strange to him, "We don't get a lot of newcomers to the Island"
"Really? Can't imagine why, it seems nice here"
Sora nodded, "It is ...Well ...Um...See uh"
"Hey wait," Kairi ran up to him again, "I don't really know my way around here, I could really use a tour guide"
Sora bit his lip wanting to say no, however something was keeping him from speaking. Instead he took a deep breath and nodded. Whatever it was about this girl, he wanted to help, even though he also wanted to be alone.
"Oh thank you!" Kairi beamed, "So? Where to first!
Sora tapped his chin and had an idea, "I know!"
-000-
"The play Island?" Kairi asked as she looked around the area.
Sora helped her off the boat as the two of them walked onto the beach. The play Island was relatively empty today, just a few kids running around the beach. Nothing to special. Which was good, it was bad enough he had to be with someone, he didn't really want to put up with anyone else at the moment. Normally he would be willing to be social with just about anyone but now, now he just wanted isolation and loneliness...Except for Namine, and for some reason this new girl named Kairi.
"It looks nice" Kairi said as she carefully walked along the beach.
Sora nodded, closing his eyes, "I came here with my friends, normally we run around, relax...Have fun. Or at least we used too"
"What changed?" Kairi said, Sora just remaining quiet, "Was it because of your mom?"
"You could say that," Sora sighed, "I come here mostly with Namine now, try to forget, make me happy"
Kairi just frowned at him, the two of them continuing to walk across the beach, "Forgetting isn't going to help, it's only going to make you numb"
"Maybe that's what I need though" Sora thought but didn't say, "I guess…" he said instead.
The two of them just walked along the beach completely quiet and looking at the water. It was peaceful, kinda like when he and Namine did it. However, something about it felt more...real. A strange way to describe it though. Why wouldn't his previous walks not be real? Still, this was nice right now so best not to think about it and just continue.
"So what do you do hear for fun?" Kairi asked.
Sora shrugged, "Spar with wooden sticks, run around, usual stuff. Honestly the Island doesn't really have much here, so you kinda just have to use your imagination. Thankfully Namine always has something to draw or act out?"
"Who?"
Sora blushed, "Oh um...M-my friend, Namine"
"Oooooh," Kairi smirked, "By the looks of your read cheeks they sound like more of a friend"
"She's um…." Sora bit his lip before speaking, "My girlfriend"
"Ah how cute!"
"It's not cute"
Kairi laughed, "I think it's cute"
"Well it's not" Sora tried to get angry but couldn't, "I mean okay...Maybe a little, look, she was my best friend for a long time, and I've always had feelings for her and then you know...Poof, it kind happened".
As he kept walking, in the distance Sora could see that kid Riku running somewhere in the play Island jungle.
"Riku?" Sora asked sneering at him, "What do you want?"
"Hi" Kairi said waving politely, "I'm Kairi"
Riku just looked at him for a moment to his surprise took her hand, a change of attitude compared to this morning, "Hi"
A moment of silence passed as Riku just looked at both of them, his face indicated that he was thinking about something.
"Hey" Riku muttered, "Do you wanna see something"
"Sure!" Kairi seemed interested.
"What?" Sora was shocked.
Why was Riku acting so nice to them all of a sudden, especially when he was such a jerk earlier. Was it because Kairi was here. Did he like her, was he trying to impress her and show a side that he wasn't used too. Either way he found himself following him and Kairi to a new location he never ben too
Riku turned around and walked off signaling the two of them to come. Kairi followed instantly while Sora just stood there for a few moments. His mind rushing into a thousand different directions. First he had met a new girl who had never come to the Island and now Riku, someone he did know but barley wanted him and her to follow him to who knows were. What on earth was gong on right now?
"Sora!" Kairi called.
It was enough to get him to go follow.
Riku lead them into the deep part of the jungle, a area of the Island Sora had never been too before. Normally he would spend time on the beach or by the docks. Here though was kinda creepy, the large trees covering the sun and the large mountain areas eclipsing the sky. Eventually they headed toward a cave.
Slowly they entered, the area a bit closed off.
"What is this place?" Sora asked.
Riku hushed him, "You'll see"
"Kinda creepy" Kairi muttered, "But I think it's also cool"
"You think this cool?" Sora asked.
"Yeah ... don't see why not"
Riku eventually lead them into the cave until they arrived towards a small tiny unclave with a wooden door inside of it. Sora saw the door immediately and for some reason was quickly drawn to it. It was so mysterious.
Why?
Why was there a door here.
"I wonder that too…" Riku said, as if he knew what Sora was thinking, "I found it a while ago, and wondered that same thing"
"Find anything out?" Kairi asked.
Sora blinked, surprised by her interested.
Riku shook her head, "No, I haven't but I have a theory, I think it has something to do with the old legend about the boy who left the Island"
"Legend?" Kairi asked, "What legend?"
"Oh I know that one, mom told me once," Sora said, "It's about a kid who was able to leave Destiny Island and was never seen again"
"Well I think it's real" Riku interjected, "I've been doing a bit of research and there's some proof that some of it was real. If it was...Then I want to find out how he left the Island, that way I can get away from this place too"
"Why?" Kairi asked, again she was very direct, "I just got here"
"Sorry about that, not much here...Just mostly dull people living dull lives"
Sora grimaced, one of those people was him and his mother.
"Hey he just lost his mom!" Kairi chasisted.
Sora face turned red.
"Oh, no offense" Riku said seeing Sora's expression.
"None taken" Sora grumbled. "Not like I ever had reason to tell you"
Kairi nodded, "However, I do think it is kinda cool, seeing other worlds with friends, though I wouldn't want to forget where I've come from, I'd like to take my experiences from home and spread them if I can, if it was appropriate of course"
"Only problem is I have no idea to open it" Riku said as he continued to move his hand along the wood of the door, as if he was looking for an opening, "It's been locked and nothing I've seen shows how exactly it can open"
"Maybe you need a magic key" Sora said.
Riku rolled his eyes, "Don't be stupid, there's no such-"
"SORA!"
Sora recognized Namine's voice as she saw her coming inside, Bill walking a few feet behind him.
"Yeesh this place is filthy" Bill muttered.
"Sora? W-What are you doing?" Namine asked sounding nervous.
Sora realized that this may seem awkward and smiled wide, "Oh, uh...T-This is Kairi, she is new to the Island and I ran into her and was giving her a tour and well Riku came along and asked us to follow him in a cave and well ...Here we are"
Namine just remained quiet and blink.
"Oh no...I'm in trouble"
"Oh...Okay" Namine said looking at Kairi giving a polite bow, "Welcome to the Island"
"Eh what are you doing leading people into caves kid," Bill said pointing at Riku, "Seems sketchy if you ask me"
Sora immediately backed Riku up, "Oh well he just wanted to show us this door...Said it would be way to get people off the Island".
"A door?" Bill said tapping it, "This is just a piece of wood, doors ain't special kid"
"What are you talking about, of course there are special things out there" Riku snapped sounding upset, "Better than this boring place, at least there is something different...Something new...and I'm gonna find out, no matter what it takes"
"Heh, good luck" Bill snickered, "Come on Sora, let's go"
Kairi frowned, "Oh...You gotta go"
"Actually…" Namine took Bill by the arm, "Sora, you keep showing Kairi around...I-I need to talk to Bill about the big party".
"Oh, party planning, I love it" Bill smirked.
Sora looked nervous, "Oh...Okay…."
Something told Sora he was probably in trouble but right now things were already intense. However he didn't want to necessarily dump Kairi on her own, that wouldn't be nice. Hopefully things would begin to calm themselves over.
"So…" Sora looked at Kairi and Riku, "Do you want to continue the tour"
"You two can tour I'm gonna figure out how to get outta here"
Sora and Kairi slowly leave him as Riku just stairs at the door
"Yeah… Okay then.
Kairi waved to him, "Goodbye...Goodluck"
Riku just waved but didn't face them.
"So…" Sora sighed, "Where to next?"
Kairi tapped her chin to think, "Take me somewhere secret"
"Secret huh" Sora snapped his finger, "I got it!"
-000-
The Secret Place
Wasn't the most creative name on the Island for sure but it was definitely good enough considering the location. Here was a secret cave underneath the Island where most kids would hang out and draw cute little pictures on the walls. Sora had known about this place all his life since he was a young boy. Alot of the time he would bring Namine here and the two would hang out in the darkness. Other times he would be here by himself to just be alone with his thoughts.
"Wow, this place is cool" Kairi said looking around the small cave, "Hey what's this door"
Sora turend to look at the wooden door that was attached to the rock, "Oh