What is Love
Sora awoke in his bedroom again, yesterday was so strange that he wasn't entirely sure if all of it was real. He was just glad to be back in his room. The place was still as messy as ever, toys and clothes littered the floor. His blankets were all bent and crooked and everything was completely disorganized. Back in the day his own mother would have cleaned things for him, but she was gone now, and so he had to clean for himself. Sadness took him but only for a second, for other things were now troubling his heart, things that didn't give him sadness but...Unknown feelings.
As he took time to wake up, he tried to remember just what happened, his mind started spinning.
It had been a few days since he had met Kairi and showed him around Destiny Island. Ever since then something new was happening to him. He felt...Happier again, but he didn't understand why. Something about her personality really brought up the positivity back to him. It was strange though, knowing someone only for a few hours and yet feeling like they were their for him for a lifetime.
His anxiety about his mom was dying down and he became excited again about things. Especially about his grand journey with his friends.
Then he thought of Namine.
Was he, was he being disloyal to Namine as he was
"Mom liked strange" Sora sighed looking into the sky, "At least I think she did...Ugh...Why is it so hard to remember these things"
The memories of his mother were still fading day by day it seemed. At least meeting someone new like Kairi was a reprieve from the agony of it. However, so long as they did something inside him still felt missing. Not even his beloved Namine could fill that gap it seemed.
Namine.
That's right, he still had to make sure she was okay, her big party was coming up.
It was then an idea came to him, what if...What if he followed Riku advice, and the two of them went away from the Island, saw the worlds...See what was really out there. Perhaps that would be what could fill the void in his heart, make him forget all the things here.
Sora headed downstairs hoping to find Namine and Bill, only to find an empty kitchen.
"Namine?" Sora called, "Bill?"
Nowhere in sight.
Then from the living room, he could hear a piano playing from the living room. There he saw Bill playing, he seemed to be quite calm. The notes echoing across the room as he opened his mouth an hummed a few moments of his song.
Smile, till though your heart is aching
Smile even though it's breaking.
When there are clouds.
In the sky.
You'll get by.
"Bill?"
He stopped and turned around, "Like it kid...One of my favorites, though about singing it for the party"
"Yeah, um, what it is it?"
"A philosophy" Bill got up, doing a bit of a dance for no reason before stopping "To smile no matter what, no matter how much pain and agony one is going too always good just to smile"
Sora chuckled, "Interesting philosophy"
"Yep" Bill said patting Sora's back and taking a seat on a chair, "So kid, what's up, hows being Destiny Island best tour guide"
"Fun...Gives me something different to do"
"Good to hear kid," Bill just smiled, tapping his fingers on the chair, "You know kid, ever thought about what exactly you're going to do when we travel to other worlds, what you want to do?"
Sora shrugged, "I don't know...Just see things I guess"
"And?"
"And"
"Come on kid," Bill smirked, "I know you want to do something else, just tell me, I won't laugh"
Sora chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his head, "I-I don't know, maybe, maybe help people...Be a hero"
Bill laughed.
"Hey!"
"Sorry, sorry kid" Bill wiped his eye, "It just kinda funny, you a hero"
"Hey i'd make a great hero" Sora said.
"Well I hope you have a good villain then otherwise you wouldn't be worth much".
"Villain? I don't need a villain?" Sora asked sounding confused, "It would be me and Namine, going around, helping people, that sort of thing...Seeing the sights, actually the more I think about the more that does sound amazing".
"Every hero needs a villain," Bill smirked, "A foil, someone to fight again...a ying to his yang, could be an old friend...Could be someone you just me...But they need to do something quite awful in order for you to make that connection"
Sora looked confused, "Again, I don't need a villain, I just wanna see stuff for the heck of it...See the world you know"
"Noble, Bill got up and put his hand on Sora's shoulder smiling, "You know kid, we aren't so different, in a lot of ways, I kinda wanna see the worlds to"
"Really?" Sora beamed, "Then maybe come with me"
Bill just chuckled, "Hold your horses kid...But not to tight since that's animal cruelty...But in all seriousness, it's true. The universe is an interesting place, once you get passed the mundane and boring. Sadly that makes up a lot of the universe but even there the weird and fascinating exist"
"How profound"
"And if you can't find the weird...Make the weird, I think it's the job of weird people to make the universe fascinating"
Before Sora could answer the door begins to knock, Sora heads inside and opens it finding Kairi who stood there smiling.
"Um...Hi?" Sora said looking for anyone else around them, "Do you uh...Need something?"
"I wanted to see you again"
Sora grimace, "Me? Why?"
Kairi rolled her eyes, "Rude, I wanted to thank you for the tour yesterday, plus you seem like a cool guy to hang around with".
"Oh uh…" Sora looked back inside the house, Bill and Namine were gone and he really had nothing better to do then sulk, "Well um…
"Great!" Kairi took his hand and dragged him outside.
Guess he was going to go back outside again.
So much for asking Namine about joining him on an adventure out of the Island.
"Hey kid!" Bill called just before Sora left, "Have your lucky card"
"Yep"
"Good kid...Very good…"
So off they went.
Destiny Island seemed quite lovely today. The sky was clear and sunny and the trees seemed to have the lushness today. However all Sora could hear was people talking about Namine for some reason. How cute she was, how nice, it seemed like the entire Island was abuzz about her for some reason. All the way through the main streets of town, to the local park at the center of the Island it was all about Namine, all the time.
Kairi seemed very taken in by the Island as well. Enjoying the trees shapes and the small village in the center of the main town. A few people waved hello to her as she passed them by and she waved back. Sora was surprised by how outgoing she already was for a place that she had only been around for less than a day.
Sora wished he still had her spirit. Ever since his mom passing he still couldn't move past it. That's why he wanted to take Namine off the Island. Get away from it all, just the two of them on a grand adventure. Maybe bring Bill along too...He was a good and wise enough friend that it would be fun to have along as well.
The three of them...Together...Getting away from it all.
The party would be perfect
Speaking off, that's what everyone seemed to be talking about tonight when they passed local islanders. Bill party for Namine was going to be the talk of the town. It seemed like everyone was being invited to it.
"Yeesh, your girlfriend must be popular around here" Kairi said, giving Sora a smug expression, "Hope you treat her well"
"I do!" Sora said shocked, "But she's not my girl-I mean, I don't know i uh-"
"Wow that really gets you tongue tied doesn't it"
Sora's cheeks turned red, "No it doesn't"
"Well it seems to"
Sora rolled his eyes. Sure Namine was popular around the Island as of late, what of it. That didn't change his feelings towards her. She had been his friend since childhood. The two of them had done everything together. The only other person he ever knew longer then that was Riku
"You know if you don't show her your true feelings she's gonna get away from you" Kairi suggested.
"Yeah well, easier said than done"
"What is" Sora looked to see Tidus approach them, "What's easier said than done"
"Showing someone you love them" Kairi explained.
Tidus eyes widened, "Oh like that song"
"What song?"
Kairi
How does she know you love her?
How does she know she's yours?
"Never heard of it" Sora said, but before he could Tidus joined in giving the song a little kick.
Tidus
How does she know that you love her?
How do you show her you love her?
Sora was confused, "Uh, what's going on"
Kairi/Tidus
How does she know that you really, really, truly love her?
How does she know that you love her?
How do you show her you love her?
How does she know that you really, really, truly love her?
Kairi
It's not enough to take the one you love for granted
You must remind her or she'll be inclined to say
How do I know he loves me?
How do I know he's mine?
Well, does he leave a little note to tell you
You are on his mind?
Send you yellow flowers when the sky is gray?
Hey
He'll find a new way to show you
A little bit everyday
That's how you know
That's how you know he is your love
Tidus
You got to show her you need her
Don't treat her like a mind reader
Each day do something to lead her
To believe you love her
Kairi
Everybody wants to live happily ever after
Everybody wants to know their true love is true
How do you know he loves you?
How do you know he's yours?
"Okay, this is great and all but I still don't get it" Sora asked, getting tired of being dragged around everywhere.
Kairi rolled her eyes, "Then you aren't paying attention"
Kairi
That's how you know he loves you
That's how you know it's true
Because he'll wear your favorite color
Just so he can match your eye
Rent a private picni
By the fire's glow
Ohh
His heart will be yours forever
Something everyday will show
Everyone
That's how you know
That's how you know
That's how you know
That's how you know
That's how you know
That's how you know he's your love
That's how she knows that you love her
Kairi/Tidus
That's how you show her you love her (That's how you know)
You've got to show her you need her
Don't treat her like a mind reader (That's how you know
That's how she knows that you love her
That's how you know that you love her
It's not enough to take the one you love for granted (He's your love)
"Get it?" Kairi asked.
Sora blinked as everyone just returned to normal but nodded all the same, "Yeah...Yeah I think I do"
"Good!" Kairi said, "So...Are you ready for the party"
"Nope! Not at all!
Kairi sighed, "Okay...Come on, we're gonna find a place for privacy"
So off they went until they headed to the one place Sora would never think to visit.
-000-
"So I was all like ...uh huh...and she was like ...Oh no you didn't, and I was like...Oh yes I did. And that my dear Namine...Is how me and Yoko Shimoura first met at a local mexican restaurant" Bill had been ranting now for the better part of an hour, not even making any coherent sense at this point. He had started going on various stories that made no sense, and were all just personal stories.
Namine just looked at Bill confused and unsure what was going on all she knew right now was everything seemed to be falling apart. How was it that even if they had created this scenario Kairi still found a way back into Sora's heart. This was going to ruin everything. All of her hard work would be for not and as for Marluxia...They would...They would send her to Larxene for something that she really didn't want to think about . The triangle sure had taken a liking to being in human form, he kept messing with his arms and legs, as if they were entirely new experiences to him. When he looked at the water he always messed with his air, trying to get it as messy and spiky as possible, though half of it always covered his face so that only one eye was showing. The eye was glowing yellow and instead a pupil was a single black slit, the last remaining sign that he was a demon at the end of the day. Various images of Larxene's threats and torturous things she would come sparkling through her mind calling her to curl up inside.
"Woah, kid, what up?" Bill said, noticing what was going on, "Looks like your about to combust...That actually sounds fun! Do that!"
She began to panic, pacing back and forth on the beach. Bill was just standing there, looking at her with a wide smile. How could he be so happy at this moment? Didn't he know what her masters were capable of? Didn't he know the suffering she had been through during her entire time living in that absurd castle.
"HOW CAN YOU BE SO HAPPY!" She shouted her voice echoing across the scenary.
Bill shrugged, not even flinching "When there are clouds in the sky, you just smile I guess"
"How did this happen," Namine paced back and forth in horror, "Why is Kairi here? You said everything would work, that the memories were perfect. Aren't you supposed to be some master of the mind or something"
Namine began pacing back and forth the sand growing and shrinking as she moved as if the world was being affected by her emotions. Anger, sadness, panic, everything she wasn't quite sure how to handle was running through her body. She wanted to scream but couldn't, cry, but her eyes were dry. Her head started to hurt but she didn't know why. All the while Bill just stood there that manic grin on his face, observing her, as if more fascinated by her breakdown then actually concerned.
"I thought the memory was perfect, I made a world where Sora and I were together, now Kairi is here" She started to say, her voice shaking and higher pitch then normal, "...He is with Riku again...Ugh...Even when I finally thought I had his feelings for them drawn to me...But...But there still here".
Inside she could feel an array of emotions continue to pirkle up through her. Anger, fear, regret, sadness...She couldn't process all of these things at once. They were still very new to her and she didn't know what was going on. All she did know was that the empty void she felt was still there, still yet to be fulfilled.
She felt like she was going to explode
She felt she was going to burst
"Oh here come the combustion" came Bill teasing voice.
Turning back to Bill she just saw him dancing...DANCING...Dancing in the middle of the beach as if there was nothing wrong. If anything he seemed more interested in his human body than anything she was feeling at the moment. It infuriated her. It infuriated her so much that literal clouds started forming in the sky. Yet there he was, dancing to some invisible tune of music that only he could hear. It just continued to make her wonder why he was helping her, and why she was letting him. He was just so random about everything, nothing made sense, and everything he did was just wierd and bizzare.
Namien finally marched up to him fuming, "You know you said you were going to help you said you were going to do something...YOU SAID!"
Bill stopped dancing and put a hand over her mouth and said in a very dull tone, "Are you done now"
Namine slapped his arm and took a deep breath, she was on the verge of tears at this point "H-How can you be so calm?"
"Now, now kid, calm down" Bill said taking her hands gently, he smiles, Namine can't help but notice that in human form, the triangle is kinda good looking "We still are in control, his feelings still lie with you, all we see is a small remnant of his heart, east to squash...Just as we will with Riku when my plan comes into play "
"Control!" Namine started hyperventilating, "I promised Marluxia a good memory, if they forget...If there are cracks...He's gonna...he's gonna…"
"He's gonna fall, when Sora is yours, after all isn't that the point, to have the love Sora feels for his friends, and have it be given to you ...With it, you could have him get rid of all those nobodies with a single wip of his blade"
"W-What are you talking about?"
Bill just chuckled, his human eye transforming into the glowing yellow ball with slit, "Kid, don't you realize why the Organization uses you...Not because you are weak, but because you are strong, stronger than you realize"
"I-I-" Namine took a deep breath and began to pace back and forth, "I haven't really thought of it that way, I-I don't want Sora to kill anyone"
"Is he though?" Bill asked, keeping a grin "He's merely fulfilling his heroic duty, saving you, defeating the Villain. Finally giving you that sense of being part of the story"
Namine again paused, "I guess? Again I never thought about it like that"
"Nani-Nani-Naini!" Bill said, in a very assuring tone, confidence radiating through him, as he paced around her, that manic smile though still on his face. "What did Sora do to Xehanort...Kill him...No if's and's or buts about it...He's dead...and because of Sora. But that doesn't make Sora evil, he just finished his part in the tale. The hero who conquered the villain and thus saved the universe from the growing darkness that threatened the light. Isn't that how most of these stories go down at the end of the day".
Namine paused to think about what he was saying. Was he right, was the Organization afraid of her for her power. She never stopped to consider that her powers over memory was quite unique. Not any of the other members had that ability only her. All of this was to get Sora to fall in love with her, not anyone else.
"You have more control than you think Namine"
"I do" Namine eyes widened.
Bill nodded, "Yeah ...I can help you" he held out his hand to her.
Namine looked at it for a moment, unsure whether to take it, however, he had gotten her this far, she trusted him. If this was going to work, then she would need to learn how to control this power she had, and maybe, just maybe, overcome the Organization along the way.
"YES!" Bill then sat down and asked him to join her, "Now come on my young Padawan, it's time to understand and learn"
Namine sat by his side, Bill gave a crooked grin and patted her leg gently.
"So, what do we first"
"Easy, first we need to get down to your very core" Bill replied, "A Lot of that inner emotional stuff that normally is the key to most people's power"
"I still don't get it"
Bill rolled his eyes, "Why are you doing this kid? What is the motivation here"
Namine shrugged, "I guess, I guess I'm tired of feeling empty, alone...Invisible"
"If you need to sing a song feel free, I get that feeling all the time"
Strangely Namine did get that feeling as she walked up to look at the beach. Despite it being fake it was definitely beautiful to look at. She thought about everything she had been through since she could remember.
Invisible when you're sad
Clocks tick and phones still ring
The world carries on like mad
But nobody sees a thing
Whispering behind their hands
Lost for kind words to say
Nobody understands
And everyone goes away
Grownups wanna fix things
When they can't it only fills them with shame
So they just look away
Is it being greedy to need somebody to see me
And say my name?
Even when you lose your mom
No one turns off the sun
Folks carry on, that's that
You're invisible when you're sad
"Ah geez kid, you got all sappy" Bill got up and stood by Namine's side.
Namine sighed, "I've felt that way since I was ...Born I guess"
"No, no...I get yuh"
Namine just smiled, it was funny how this demon triangle was being so nice to her. Perhaps he wasn't as bad as she thought. So far he was the only one helping her. Not even the Organization had done that. Most of the time they boss her around. He actually wanted to develop these powers of memories.
"I just hate having this feeling" She sighed sitting on the sandy beach again, "I feel lonely, and tired...and...and like I'm not supposed to be part of this story, like I'm not meant to exist"
"You know Namine" He said as he walked around the beach, "Technically this is your world, you can control it, make it yours, I mean we need to keep the illusion and will keep Kairi in check but honestly...You could do anything"
"Can I?"
"Yeah, go ahead"
"Do what?"
"Do anything...I don't know...Have a flower grow in sand...Just concentrate and find out"
Namine looked at the sand. Sand was lifeless and didn't grow anything. However if Bill was correct, then this was her world, she could do whatever she wanted. Raising her hand, she took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She concentrated with all her might, if this was her world then she should be the one in control. Not the Organization, just her, this could be the world were she would have Sora's love.
Opening a eye, she saw it...a rose growing from the sand.
Bill picked it up and handed it to her, and as strange as it was, he was at that moment quite charming, "See...You don't have to be invisible if you don't want too"
Namine took and sniffed, "It was quite beautiful"
Bill just looked at Namine with a sly smile, however to her, it was quite intoxicating. "So…" He spoke in a calm voice "Shall we continue?'
Namine nodded, "Yeah ...Sure"
"Alright kid...Hold it, focus and….." Bill said, standing behind Namine the whole time, keeping her balance. It was quite comforting actually to have him be there. Like a kind and gentle hand guiding her as she began to experience this new found power of hers opening up inside her.
Namine held out her hand and then in a moment a flower emerged, "I did it!" She beamed clapping with excitement.
"Yes!" Bill chuckled, the two of them were on the beach practicing memory magic, "See kid, you are way more powerful than you think you are"
Namine giggled enjoying the sense of fulfillment for once in her life.
"The library?"
"No one is here, besides this is one of the empty rooms"
Sora didn't know why Kairi was so interested in his love life. They had just met after all, shouldn't she first get to know him a little bit before she started going all over the place with him. Still, he didn't find himself objecting, which was strange. Part of him really wanted to, but another part just wanted to see where all of this was going. Perhaps it was just a good distraction, or perhaps something more.
As he thought there was something oddly pleasant about all of it. Being with her, and Riku the day before, almost felt ...It felt right. He didn't know how that could easily be explained. Like his heart was telling him to follow them.
Why though
Namien was his love
Bill was his best friend.
It didn't make sense.
"Hey...Hey...Earth to Sora," Kairi said snapping her fingers in front of him, "Are you payting attention"
Sora blinked as he woke back up, "Oh huh..S-Sorry...Drifted off their."
"Apparently" Kairi sighed, "Okay, well first thing…"
The doors to the library opened up causing everyone to go silent for a bit. Sora turned to his surprise to see Riku entering the place. He didn't seem to notice them at first. Until his cyan eyes caught his own blue one. There was a brief pause and an awkward moment of silence.
"Hi Riku!" Kairi waved.
Sora flinched, "Oh no"
"What are you two doing here?" Riku asked walking up to them now.
"Using the library duh," Kairi snickered, "Actually, I'm glad you're here, you can help too"
"What?"
"What!" Riku blinked, "I'm not helping with anything, I need to do some research"
"Will help, but first you help us…" Kairi retorted.
Sora just again blinked, she was very direct for someone she didn't know.
"I uh…." Riku didn't get to finish.
Kairi just pushed to the center of the room where she and Sora were and began to get things ready.
"Great...Okay ...So, we need to teach poor Sora here how to dance for his girlfriend"
"Oh I am not helping this," Riku was about to leave but Kairi took his shoulder.
"There are a bunch of books here, you won't be able to go through all of them in a day, having two sets of eyes is going to help. So you can be a big grump and do it all by yourself or just help Sora learn how to dance to impress his girlfriend and then will help you"
"I don't even know you two!" Riku shouted, getting him shushed from somewhere, when he spoke again it was in a whisper, "I don't even know, so why would I want to help even if you help me...Heck why help me you don't even know me"
"Well it's a good place to start" Kairi snickered, "Besides an idea of seeing the world, sounds interesting to me"
"Actually yeah," Sora spoke now getting the surprise of the both of them, "I was thinking about what you said, I actually wanna take Namine out of the Island myself, show her the world...Get away...From all of it...From the memories".
Riku gave Sora a questionable look, "This about your mom?"
"Yeah,"
Riku nodded, "I get it….Okay...I'll help with...whatever this dumb thing is".
"Really!" Kairi beamed, "Oh thank you!"
"Hold on," Sora interrupted now, "Why does Riku need to help, shouldn't I practice dance with you?"
"Well someone needs to instruct plus we can practice three way dancing"
"What?"
Kairi rolled her eyes and sighed, "Look, you, Namine and Bill are a trio, a three way bond, so it's not enough just to impress her, you got to bond with your best friend. The three of you are supposed to be together forever right...So, learn to dance with two people instead of one"
"That sounds complicated" Riku muttered.
Sora nodded.
"Just try". Kairi groaned as she went over to the record player.
As soon as Kairi started the music, Sora cheeks turned red. It was a slow song...A slow song. Of all the things that she could have played it was a slow song. Why? Why! Worse he was gonna dance first with Riku, someone he didn't know...Someone who was tall, muscular, not that bad looking.
With Kairi's own good looks and kind demeanor, Sora started to feel flushed and very confused right about now.
"Darn it! Darn it! Darn it!" he said to himself.
"Okay," Kairi said sitting on a chair, "Now I'll watch Sora first, step one, step two"
"What does that even mean" Riku asked.
"Just step you two...Move to the rhythm"
As instructed Sora and Riku began to move to the beat of the music. Slowly, ever so slowly and delicately. Step one, step two, just like Kairi told them. It was actually quite pleasant, if a bit awkward for two strangers to dance with a third stranger watching. In fact if someone put it that way it was downright creepy. Yet, in this particular moment, and only this particular moment did something feels right and natural about it.
Why though?
Why was Sora okay being with these two strangers, Riku and Kairi, people he had just met and yet was perfectly okay with dancing in the middle of library study room.
Kairi took there hand now and joined in.
"See, one, two three, one two, three…." Kairi said, "See you two are getting it".
"You help me with research though after this…"
"Yep" Kairi nodded.
Sora nodded, "So, where are you gonna go," He asked as they kept dancing.
"I don't know, anywhere really," Riku frowned, "Get away...From the memories"
Sora nodded, "Maybe, maybe we could go together ...The...one two ...five of us"
"We'd need a big ship" Riku muttered.
"It be like a big adventure" Sora said.
"I think I prefer to go solo"
Sora frowned, "Oh…"
"What would you do?" Riku asked, "With Namine I mean...If you saw the worlds"
Sora shrugged, "I don't know...I think, I think I'd want to help people?"
"Help people?"
"Yeah," Sora nodded, "Help people wherever I can, you know...Just see if I can be helpful, see the sights, help people when I can, just...Make a difference, be good"
"Sounds like you want to be a hero"
"What's wrong with wanting to be a hero? I don't even know if I would call it that, I just want to ...Help...And that's it"
"Guys," Kairi hushed them, "The music is starting"
"Wait…" Sora face turned red, "Kairi this is a love song"
"I know"
Mmmmmm, Mmmmmm
So this is love, mmmmmm
So this is love
So this is what makes life divine
I'm all aglow, mmmmmm
And now I know
And now I know
The key to all heaven is mine
My heart has wings, mmmmmm
and I can fly
I'll touch every star in the sky
So this is the miracle that I've been dreaming of
So this is love