Chapter 4
Sun beams shimmered through the water's surface, shining through the translucent magenta fins of the female Aicaya, as she swam through the sea. Her red hair flowed behind her, her chest twisting with worry as she whipped her tail and broke through the waves. She spun in place, looking out at the water's horizon, desperately searching.
Cupping her scaled hands around her mouth, she called out, "Sora! Sora, are you out there?"
She waited for a reply, chewing her bottom lip when there was none. Slipping back under the water, she floated above the coral reef below, her arms hugged tightly around herself.
"Princess!" A distant voice called out to her, making her eyes slide shut as she sighed. "Princess Kairi!"
Swallowing the lump in her throat, she spun around, seeing her mother's advisor swimming towards her. He was a seahorse, larger than the others scattered in the sea. His skin was a mixture of orange hues that sparkled under the sun's rays beaming through the water.
"Yes…?" She addressed him, glancing back towards the surface.
"Finally found you," he breathed heavily, his tiny chest heaving. "The queen requires your presence."
Kairi winced, tempted to swim off again to continue her search… but maybe her mother knew something. A way to help her track down Sora. Swallowing, she nodded. "Very well. I'll go to her."
The advisor let out a sigh of relief, a smile across his mouth. "Thank you."
Straining a smile, Kairi swam past him, her mind too distracted to fake the pleasantries. Glowing domes and glass spires surrounded her the further she went, welcoming her to the Kingdom of Aruna. It was a familiar place to Kairi. It was home. The place she grew up with Sora by her side. The two of them were inseparable - or at least, they used to be… Clenching her hands at her sides, Kairi whipped her tail, propelling herself forward.
She passed the threshold of her home, the castle made with polished marble and glistening gems. It was over the top - in Kairi's opinion - but her mother seemed to think otherwise.
"Princess," a familiar, worried voice spoke up.
Kairi looked over, seeing Sora's mother near the archway that led to the throne room. Her heart tightened as their eyes met. She was her Lady in Waiting and had been there for Kairi her entire life. She practically raised her beside Sora... Letting out a breath, Kairi hurried over to her.
"Sumie…" Kairi greeted, unable to keep her eyes connected with hers.
Sumie's hands clasped in front of her. "By your reaction, I assume you had no luck finding him?"
Kairi swallowed hard, shaking her head. "I've looked everywhere I can think of… One minute he was there and the next…" Her voice trailed off. Looking back up at Sumie, she told her. "I just don't know where he could have gone."
"It's not like him to disappear for this long." Sumie agreed, reaching forward to grab Kairi's hands. "I know he's out there. Please, don't stop searching."
"I promise," Kairi assured her, straining a smile.
"I'll help however I can." Sumie assured her, letting out a breath, "It kills me that I can't be out there searching with you."
"Me too," Kairi admitted. "I'm going to try talking with my mom about it."
"I wish you luck," Sumie pulled her into a quick hug.
"Thank you," Kairi's eyes shut tight, tears threatening to escape Taking in a shaky breath, she pulled back, seeing a similar gleam of emotion over Sumie's eyes.
She went past the archway, entering the long, drawn out throne room, where her mother and father were already awaiting her arrival. They were regal, proud, their shoulders back and heads high no matter the circumstance. Kairi often found herself wondering what they had to be so proud of.
"Kairi," her father spoke up, his thick blonde hair floating gracefully in the water. His voice was deep, commanding, and if Kairi had been anyone else, he would have seemed intimidating. "We appreciate you gracing us with your presence."
A spark of irritation flicked in Kairi's chest, but she buried it away as she nodded. "Of course. I came as soon as I heard you wanted to see me." Years had passed since she had learned to speak cordially to her parents. Defying them to their face rarely brought anything other than punishment.
"Where have you been, Dear?" Her mother asked, her red hair that matched Kairi's hue exactly was pinned and extravagantly braided around her crystal crown. "I do hope you weren't adventuring with that boy again."
Kairi took in a slow breath, releasing it as she shook her head. "No… but, I was looking for him. He's… gone missing."
"Missing?" Her mother repeated. "For how long?"
"It's been just over a day." Kairi told her, "I've searched everywhere."
"He was most likely captured by ship." Her father surmised, making Kairi's eyes dart to him. "If that is so, there is little to be done."
"But - he's Sumie's son!" Kairi objected, swimming forward. "He's basically royalty, and at the very least, deserves a search party."
Her mother chuckled, bringing her hand to her mouth. "Oh, my Dear, he is the offspring of a Lady in Waiting, not a Prince."
"That shouldn't matter!" Kairi bit back, a glare forming in her gaze.
"He - along with the rest of our people - knew the risk of traveling outside Aruna's walls." Her father reminded her, his voice calm and collected despite Kairi's tone. "Whatever becomes of him is not our concern."
Kairi blinked, averting her gaze as she tried to process what they were saying to her. "He's… my best friend. I can't…" She shook her head, looking back to them as she placed her hand over her heart and cried. "You can't expect me to abandon him! I'm not about to sit and wait for him to return when he might be in danger!"
"That's quite enough." Her father raised his hand to silence her.
"It is not enough!" Kairi swam forward, "I won't stop until something is done!"
Her mother stood from her throne, returning Kairi's glare. "How dare you take that tone!"
"And how dare you ignore one of our people in their time of need!" Kairi bit. "If you aren't going to do anything, I will!"
"Now wait a moment, Kairi," her father stood up, still calm and collected, but Kairi ignored him, turning on her fin to storm out of the throne room entirely.
Emotion tightened her throat, nearly choking her as guards moved to block her way out.
"You can't keep me here," she looked over her shoulder at her parents.
"You must accept that there is nothing to be done." Her father told her. "I am truly sorry, Kairi."
Kairi paused, shaking her head, "You sure aren't acting sorry."
With a flip of her tail, she darted upwards, slipping between the guards and through the arched window to escape the castle. She could hear the clamor of the guards, the shrill yell of her mother demanding they capture the Princess. It wouldn't be the first time…
Despite it, Kairi didn't look back. She bolted between the coral, the homes and spires, knowing the swiftest way to leave the Kingdom without being spotted by the guards. Fellow Aicaya simply stepped aside, used to Kairi and Sora escaping together and swimming through the streets. A few of them even went out of their way to distract the guards to allow her more time. Perhaps there was something to be said about being familiar and friendly with the locals, rather than uptight and hidden away in a tower of jewels.
She reached the open water, leaving Aruna behind her. Schools of fish shimmered as they passed, paying her little mind as they fled a pod of orcas. Kairi watched them, keeping her distance as she allowed herself to take a moment to slow down. The guards wouldn't leave the Kingdom, at least not until given orders to do so. She was safe… she just wished she wasn't the only one safe from harm.
"I'll find you, Sora." She looked up towards the ocean's surface. "Just hang on."
