After another unforseen hiatus, I have returned.

you have my word that I won't be gone that long again until this tale is finished.

Sora: "You seem a little off these past few chapters... they're short, have little recognizable plot, the thought trains run in circles..."

Me: "When did you become an editor? I always thought you were a 'lazy bum' in language arts class."

Sora: "DON'T call me a lazy bum! Only Kairi has the right to call me that!"

Ooookay... well anyway here is chapter fourteen everybody!

Enjoy!

CHAPTER XIV

DELAYS

When the corridor closed behind us, we were in the topiary garden.

Everything was eerily silent aside from the birds chirping on the parapets.

"Where is everyone?" asked Roxas.

"Uh... beats me." Ven frowned at a bush.

The gate to the lower halls hung wide open across the courtyard.

No torches were lit, no servants were frantically cleaning the halls.

There was supposed to be a Ball in like... six hours!

I turned to look at the parapet above us where the throneroom stood, and even that balcony stood vacant.

We quickly ascended the stairs and came to the main hall, still no sign of anyone.

When I wrenched open the door to the library, I was greeted by a frightened squeak.

"Oh! Who goes there!?" It was Minnie.

"Minnie, where the heck is everyone?!" I asked.

"Oh my goodness Sora, I didn't expect you back so soon."

"Well... where did you think we were going? I just went to get a suit for the ball."

"Really? Kairi said that you were going to take the Gummi Ship back to Destiny Island, Mickey said that would take a day at least."

I frowned, "Uh... why would she say that? don't we... have a ball today?"

"Why yes! We postponed it to allow you more time. It is now the day after tomorrow."

I drooped as Roxas slapped me on the back, "Okay! Well then! looks like we have some extra time to ourselves!"

Ven's grin turned sinister, "What do you guys say about another excursion to the mall?"

Roxas grinned at that one and gave me a raised eyebrow, "Hot Topic?"

"Guys! Come on. I don't have the munny for another mall run."

Minnie then did something that shocked me to the core.

From a small red pouch on her waist, she pulled a small silver card.

"Then use this! The King and I are more than happy to provide you with munny for anything you may wish."

She placed the card in my hand and smiled wide.

The card was emblazoned with the King's own symbol.

"Tell me this isn't the King's credit card." I whispered.

"Why of course it is! What did you think it was? a business card?" She cackled.

"Your Majesty, I can't take this; much less use it!" I tried to push it back into her small hands, but she quickly stuffed them into her pockets.

"Oh Sora, do you not understand what you've done for all of us? How many times have you saved the life of the King? My own life? You are a hero, and heroes deserve to be rewarded."

She gestured at the door, "Go on now! Take your friends to the Mall, the Kingdom of Disney will gladly foot the bill."

Kairi grinned as I walked into the room. That smile must have a $600.000 electric bill.

"Sora! I didn't expect you back so soon!"

I shrugged and gathered her up in my arms, "I used a corridor of darkness."

Her mouth formed a large "O".

"Ah... I thought you were taking the Gummi ship and kind of... uh..." she trailed off, so I finished for her

"Told Queen Minnie and suggested that she postpone the Ball until the day after tomorrow?"

"Yeah. That..." She mumbled.

"Eh, its alright. Queen Minnie gave me the King's credit card and told me to take my friends to the Mall in Destiny Islands.

I thumbed the card in front of her eyes, "She also said that anything we want, I am to buy."

Her eyes went wide in shock, "A-anything?! But... S-sora we can't do that!"

"Exactly what I said. Do you think it worked?" I wiggled my eyebrows.

"Obviously not, because you are the worst negotiator ever."

"Hey! That's getting personal Kairi!" I slipped the card into my pocket.

Sitting heavily on her bed with a grin, "So I take it we are going on a date?"

"A-a date?" I swallowed hard, "Uh... y-yeah I s-suppose you could say that. Roxas and Ventus are coming though." I frowned.

"Obviously, they ARE part of you after all."

"No kiddin'." Roxas' voice sounded just before he stepped away from me, "You have no idea what goes on in his head Kairi. I could tell you stories that would change your life."

"Oh PLEASE don't!" I shouted.

Her smile grew wider, "Is that so? like what?"

"Well, when he walked in here; he thought that your smile looked so good that it probably has an electric bill." he beamed.

"Aww... Sora that's so sweet!"

I blushed, "Yeah... well... its true."

Roxas took a breath, "Last night he was thinking about you, he probably would have tried to join you in your room if I hadn't stopped him."

I shoved him into a chair rather suddenly which made him yelp.

"What was that for?!"

"Shut yer yap!" I growled.

Roxas hauled himself to his feet, "I was only joking man."

"Sorry..."

"It's alright."

Kairi moved for the door, "Maybe we should just head out."

I rounded the bed and stopped, "Wait a second... do you guys feel that?"

All over my body, I could feel an odd tingling sensation.

The air felt heavy.

Roxas' expression was unreadable, "Y-yeah... I feel it too."

Kairi nodded and hugged her arms close, "Its cold too..."

"Whatever it is, it's not good." Said Ventus, as he materialized next to me.

He brandished his keyblade and stepped out into the hall.

Kairi had also drawn her Keyblade and stood at the ready.

"My, my, must we use such arguments every time we meet?" Said a voice silkily from behind us.

I glanced over my shoulder. There stood Master Xehanort, with his usual mocking smirk drawn across his face.

My keyblade leveled at his nose, I growled, "Back for a repeat performance?"

Xehanort's smirk grew thin, "Why Sora, I thought we were friends? I merely came to congratulate you on your previous victory. It's very rare for me to find an opponent so... formidable."

He stepped forward and offered me his hand to shake.

Something in me was tempted to take it for the briefest of seconds.

I twitched and stated simply, "Get lost, or you will have a fight on your hands."

Blue sparks danced across the surface of the kingdom key and fizzled out on the tip.

I wasn't going to be caugh off guard this time.

He looked genuinely offended as he drew back his hand, "I was merely offering my hand in friendship Sora, I do not wish to be enemies."

Ventus leapt in front of me, "Don't let him fool you Sora."

"Bold of you my former apprentice. Foolish though." Xehanort's grin returned in force.

Roxas pushed past me, his black coat materialized on him like a black mist, "Trust me, you don't want to be picking this fight right now. Especially with four perfectly capable keyblade keyblade wielders on call."

Xehanort laughed and pulled his Keyblade from thin air, "So the story repeats itself. Have I not said before that your pretended keyblades are useless against me Nobody? I believe dear Riku said it best: "You can't fight fire with sparks."

I took a leap and swung, fully expecting the Kingdom Key to connect with his bald head. To my shock it passed harmlessly through him.

A spark of wild malicious glee ignited in his eyes, "Ah yes, I neglected to mention that what you see before you is only a data-based projection... I really must thank Master Ansem for that wonderful trick."

He glanced meaningfully at Roxas.

"L-leave us alone!" Kairi shouted, casting a blizzaga at him. He waived his left hand, dismissing the spell in mid-air.

He sighed dramatically at her, "Ah my dear Kairi... I was beginning to think that I may not get the chance to see you again. You look just as beautiful as I remember."

He gazed at her face for several moments, then turned back to me.

"You've done quite well to steal this one's affections Sora. Her heart has granted you quite troublesome protection these past few years."

He glanced at Roxas, then at Ventus, "The time will come, when neither of you will be enough to defend him. When that time comes; I will be there to claim what is mine Ventus."

He stepped back and faded into the dark corners of the hall.

Kairi was staring at the spot where Xehanort dissappeared in utter bewilderment.

"What... what was that all about?"

Shoving past Roxas and striding over to Kairi, I pulled her into a hug, "I wish I knew Kai... don't worry though, we will find a way to get rid of him. Then everything will return to normal."

Roxas grinned, "Speaking of normal... don't we have a date to get to?"

Roxas and Ven stood on either side of me as we waited for Kairi. I caught myself glancing anxiously at the top of the stairs.

Ven clapped me on the shoulder, "Quit acting like that. Calm down; you're only making the wait worse on yourself."

I grinned sheepishly, "Maybe so... but you have to admit I have a right to be anxious. This is the first date I've taken her on."

"First date you've EVER been on you mean?" Roxas snorted.

"Oh stuff it blondie."

"I may be blonde, but I'm right."

"Quit arguing boys, or I'll take your toys away." Kairi shouted down the stairwell.

"I don't have any toys." I shouted back.

"I could make a very inappropriate joke right now, but imma hold back." Roxas wiggled his eyebrows at me.

"I heard that Roxas."

"Guys, can we please get this show on the road?" asked Ven.

"Alright, alright, don't get your undies in a bunch man." I quipped.

Roxas turned and opened a Corridor in the corner of the room.

"I hate these things!" I groaned.

"You say that all the time Sora, give it a rest."

"Oh shut up already."

Kairi came down the stairs in a beautiful purple sundress with pink flowers printed on it.

A single white carnation corsage on her wrist, and a pair of white sandals.

My God... she looked gorgeous!

I must've been staring, because she blushed and giggled, "What's wrong Sora? Like what you see?"

I didn't respond.

"Heeelloooo?" She said, her smile widening.

Still no response.

"Oh well, I guess I have my answer." As she walked down the stairs, I honestly thought she was floating, she looked like an angel!

She walked over to us and held out her hand, "Shall we?"

Untill next time my friends!