11. Moonlight

The day was coming. She, Sora, and Riku would cast their lots to the waters and go as far as they could. What was once excitement had morphed into a silent unease. Kairi didn't understand the uncomfortable tightening of her chest. This was an adventure to be had. This was her chance to see other worlds and meet new people.

So why was she so frightened?

Dark memories began to resurface in her mind. That night had been filled with a darkness that was alive and slithering. She had fallen deeper and deeper within the all-consuming abyss. For a moment, she had believed that this was to be her reality, but a light brighter than any she had seen before had pushed back the darkness and the final thing she saw was the calm waters before her.

Kairi felt a chill in her bones that would not go away no matter how much she rubbed her arms. This was different; she was leaving her home of her own free will and only for a bit. Adventure was good.

There was a rapping at her window that did her the favor of taking her from her thoughts. It was probably some annoying bird. Kairi pulled back the curtains to shoo the bird away to find that it was actually Sora. He sat on one of the branches of the tree by her window.

Eyes widened, Kairi shut the curtains. She stumbled to her mirror and fixed her hair with her fingers. Looking down at her outfit, she fought down a flush. It would take too much time to change out of her pajamas.

When her breathing was under control, she went back to her window and opened it, "Hey Sora. I wasn't expecting you."

"Sorry about that. I was feeling a little jumpy and wanted to see you," he admitted.

"Buck up, Sora. What are you? Scared?" she teased.

"A little. When I was home, I couldn't stop thinking about everything that could go wrong, you know? It's stupid. We've been waiting for this forever and now I'm chickening out," he slid off the branch and sat on the window frame.

Kairi rested a hand on his forearm in support and shook her head, "Your feelings aren't stupid. Honestly, I'm a little scared too. But, I know the three of us can take on anything we find."

Sora beamed at her. His eyes were bright enough to light the darkness around them. It was that spark that made his eyes so beautiful to look at, almost like shining jewels. Her stomach was doing flips just looking at them right now.

"You're right. I should stop thinking the worst. I bet we'll reach all sorts of different worlds and even find more about your old home!"

Kairi did her best to keep her smile. After all these years, she had little hope for good news. She almost didn't want to find out what actually happened. This way she could pretend everything had turned out for the best. Times like this she envied Sora's strong optimism. If she had learned anything, it was harder to keep that kind of hope alive.

"Hey come on, don't make that face. I know things don't look too good, but neither of us knows what actually happened. Besides you just said it. Whatever comes our way, we'll make it through together," he had an odd firmness to his voice that made her shiver in something close to delight.

Sora swallowed and made a face that looked like he was holding down something vile and spoke with deep reluctance, "And if the worst has happened. I'll be right there with you and crying. If everything you once knew was destroyed, then we can mourn the loss of some wonderful people."

Now she had to fight down tears. Hearing even him admit the possibility made it feel so much more real and raw. As much as she hated, she appreciated him saying it. That was proof enough that he was sincere with his words, though she never doubted the truth in them before.

She didn't want to face him with anymore tears. Kairi had cried too many times as of late. Nothing would get done if all she did was cry. Instead of facing his warm and accepting eyes, she gazed instead at the moon.

The moonlight felt morose like a lingering sentiment of times past. As beautiful as it looked, she couldn't help but feel a dark foreboding. Buried deep in her memories, she remembered a moon just like this from years ago. It was like the moon was giving one last farewell before submerging forever in the shadows.

"Well, I should be leaving. I didn't exactly tell anyone where I was going," he said with a chuckle.

She snorted, "Yeah, that's probably best. My dad would freak out if he knew I had a boy in my room this late." That thought was a lot more enticing than it should've been. The idea of Sora coming to her so late with other plans than just talking had her fighting off giggles.

Sora reached for her chin, causing her to freeze. His thumb rubbed soft circles against her skin. Dipping his head down, he placed a single soft kiss on her forehead, "Good night."

He leapt down and rolled on the ground before jumping to feet and running away.

Kairi went to bed when a silly smile on her lips and flushed cheeks. Sora was doing little to help her fantasies subside. Covering her head in her blanket, she giggled. She supposed she could make due with a kiss on the forehead for now.