Chapter Ten: Ruins

"Are you sure this thing came with insurance!?" Tidus yelped as Rikku brought the airship into full gear. He grabbed on to the door tightly.

"Uhh, it should!" Rikku said, lurching the airship down further. Tidus let out a yelp.

"You are going to kill us all! You crazy diver!!"

"Is that supposed to be an offensive?!"

"Yes!"

"I'm going to kill you Tidus!!"

"Watch where you are driving first!!"

Kimahri looked down at Sora. The small boy was standing in front of a large window, that dazed look still molded into his eyes. He huffed, and walked behind him, and there was silence for a few moments. "Kimahri not sure about this."

"It is what we have to do." Sora replied.

Kimahri grunted. "Are you sure."

"I was told this was the way." Sora said. He turned and looked up at Kimahri; the haunted look in his eyes did not fade. "I am her protector….I do what she says."

"Kimahri thinks this is leading to a trap." Kimahri said. "Surely Heartless know that we going to Zanarkand. They find us. They take Light from little Sora."

"What gives you that idea?"

"It feeling Kimahri has." Kimahri replied.

Sora nodded and walked away. He felt when ever he walked as if he were really floating, not truly walking at all. He was unsure of why he felt…this way. He felt as if he was gliding, not really attached to the ground….and sometimes his vision would still fade to Zanarkand memories then back to where it was now a days. And sometimes, even, Zanarkand memories would mold with those of Destiny Islands. Sora shook his head, but the feeling did not go away. He continued to heave himself to the commanding deck, where he found Tidus hanging on to the wall. He looked over at Rikku, then at Tidus. "I told you not to trust her with driving."

"Yea….maybe we really should have let Lulu or Wakka drive!" Tidus replied.

"Aie!! I heard that!" Rikku shouted, turning her head over her shoulder. "Really, you guys have no faith!!" the two nodded, and Rikku sighed. She found the Ruins of Zanarkand and lowered the airship down. Once landed, everyone walked onto the dry ground of Zanarkand.

Sora took a step back as it seemed to him the ruins towered over him and became living as they had been. He wasn't sure if it was a vision of the past, or if some magic had changed the ruins. He felt a hand steady him, and he looked up to see Tidus. Sora blinked, but Zanarkand did not return to ruins for him.

"You ok, Sora?" Goofy asked.

"I'm..fine, Goofy." Sora said and looked back at Zanarkand.

Lulu looked around at the ruins. "Where do we go, Sora-sama?"

"How can he even find his way?" Wakka asked. "This place is a wasteland!"

Sora began walking forward. He was frightened…didn't they see it? This place was living, there were people walking around. He continued to the entrance of Zanarkand, leading his friends. He turned down several ally ways and then stopped. He heard laughter and he turned and looked up at a Bliztball stadium. Tidus stood beside him.

"What's wrong, Sora?" Tidus asked.

"There's laughter.." Sora pointed to the stadium. "And cheering…" Tidus looked at the rest of the company. Sora shook it off and continued walking.

"You must remember, Tidus-domo." Lulu counseled. "Sora-sama is not able to separate the now and the past…he sees Zanarkand as the way it was. He cannot do anything about it; Yunalesca-sama gave him her memories….and, now that is what Sora-sama sees."

"That would explain his zoned out look." Goofy commented.

Rikku ran up to behind Sora. "Sora, where we going?"

"Where we need to be."

"Where is that?"

"I don't know." Sora said. "I am just, walking." He continued on until they reached an old abandoned temple that was falling apart. Sora walked up the steps, and Rikku pulled him away before a rock fell on top of him. Sora looked behind him to find the others following.  He looked back up at the temple.

"What is this?" Wakka asked. "It's falling apart!" he walked past Sora and entered the decayed temple. He stepped over pieces of wood and brick, finding tattered cloth everywhere.

Sora continued on and lead them into the heart of the Temple. He stopped and looked around.

Sora?

Sora froze and looked behind him. Zanarkand faded and he was back on Destiny Island. He blinked and found Kairi standing next to him "Kairi?"

"Sora, where are you?" Kairi asked. "It's cold here….and I can't see, why aren't you with me anymore?"

"What do you mean?" Sora said. "I'm here…with you, back home…." He paused and turned again, seeing people of Zanarkand walking around. He looked back at Kairi with a confused expression.

"You and I are no where, Sora." Kairi said. "I'm trapped where its cold…and you, you don't even know where you are anymore. Your mind is lost between three different places, you don't know where you are. Riku and I are lost..we are cold."

"But I'm with you!" Sora said, grabbing her by her arms and looking down at her. "Kairi….can't you see me anymore?"

Kairi shook her head. "No…I can't, Sora, please help me….its cold here…..I can't find Riku anymore….."

"Sora?

"Kairi..I don't know where you are!" Sora said. "Tell me where you are…..and I promise I'll find you!"

"I don't know!" Kairi began to cry. Sora wrapped his arms around her and brought her into a close hug, not wanting to let her go. He laid his cheek against her red hair, closing his eyes. He heard someone calling out to him, but he didn't turn. He held on to Kairi tightly. He felt someone shaking him but he didn't let go.

"Sora…"

"Yes Kairi?"

"Will you save me?"

"Of course..nothing will stop me." Sora whispered. He opened his eyes and found himself back in the Temple of Zanarkand. He blinked a few times, looking around seeing Kairi not there. He then saw that Wakka had been shaking him. Sora took in a breath. "I..I'm not sure what to do next."

Lulu looked around them. She then grabbed Tidus's arm and pointed to the corner. Tidus turned and saw two glowing eyes in the dark corner, then they darted away. Tidus brought his sword out, and looked around. Donald and Goofy readied themselves for battle, as did the others beside Sora.

Sora took a step forward and a Heartless jumped at him. A light formed around Sora and shot down the Heartless. The Heartless hissed in pain and backed away. Sora walked forward and all the Heartless backed away from him, and the others followed. Sora stopped. He looked at his friends and felt himself suddenly falling. He reached up to grab anything, but wasn't able too.

Rikku yelped and went to grab Sora's hand and looked down as the floor started to ripple. Her eyes widened and she began to fall as well. Tidus and Wakka ran after them, following. Lulu looked at Kimahri and they also followed.