A/N: Long chapter, and I mean long…trying to figure out if I like shorter or longer chapters. This one's good! And the large sections in italics are flashback scenes from Kairi's POV. The chapter title is from the lyrics to "Colors of the Wind."
…
Never Wonder What They're Worth- Part 1
…
Kairi stood by the edge of the Interceptor, looking out at the sea of stars and space that was flying past her. She had ridden in a gummi ship on the way from the Hollow Bastion back to Traverse Town, but this was definitely something else entirely. It felt like she could reach out and touch the stars themselves.
They'd been traveling for three weeks, searching for the next Guardian Soul that was in danger. In that time, Kairi had pieced together parts of her companions' histories based on what she had seen and heard.
Puck had sat down and told her all about his history. Kairi figured he just liked hearing the sound of his own voice. He was a Trickster under Oberon, King of the Third Race. Fairies, that is. He had taken the mortal guise of Owen Burnett, manservant, because "it sounded like fun." He turned against Oberon to save the child of his mortal employer and was condemned to stay in Owen's mortal form. However, Owen began to form an individual personality and the two were forcefully separated to keep them from going mad. Then, when AVALANCHE was given their mission, he went along to provide magical backup.
The rest of her new friends were a bit more mysterious. Rufus had been a Prince, Marlene was adopted, Kairi had learned, and Tifa was still pining over some guy name Cloud. Funny name for a guy…
Rufus had feelings for Tifa, she thought. He was always there for her, helping her out, cheering her up, but she didn't seem to notice. Lexington and Rinoa were starting a tentative relationship, based on all they had in common, but both of them were uncomfortable with talking about it with anyone else, and nobody asked.
Kairi sighed as she felt a slight breeze brush her cheek. Her she was, having her won adventure. She could be a hero, like…
Sora.
Someone approached and stood next to Kairi, leaning out. "Munny for your thoughts?" Shera said.
Kairi sighed. There was so much she had to work out. "Shera, have you ever missed someone so much it hurts?"
Shera smiled that sad smile, the one that never reached her eyes, and said, "Yes, I have to say I have. Who is he, Kairi?"
Kairi flushed. She's good. She's really good. "What makes you think..?"
"That it's a boy that's got you so upset? Let's just say I know the symptoms. What is he like?"
"Sora? Well, he's my best friend, he's funny, and brave as anybody. He's the Keyblade Master, and I'm trying to find him. Do you think that's bad, that I have my own personal agenda? I mean, I still want to help you guys, too, it's not that, but, you know, I just want to find him."
Shera laughed. "Don't worry, Kairi. Everyone has their own personal reason why they are in this group, and you're not the only one who's doing this for someone they love."
Love? Did she say love?
Kairi was suddenly reminded of a conversation she had had with crabby old Cid one day in Traverse Town.
"Cid?"
"Mmm?"
"What's it like to be in love with somebody?"
"You and Sora, hmm?"
"Wh-what? Me and..Sora?"
"Chh..yeah, kid, seems purty clear you got it bad for the little runt…""I don't know anything about that, and maybe that's why I'm asking you. I figured you'd know what it was like."
"Hmmm, now what's it like to be in love. Well, don't tell anybody I told you this, 'cuz I got a reputation to maintain, but when you're in love, it's like nothin' else matters. It's like you can't eat or sleep, but you don't want to, cuz you got this person on the brain, and this person is the prettiest, or handsomest as it may be, smartest, funniest person in the world. And when you're in a room full of people, the only person you see is them."
"Cid?"
"Mmm?"
"Have you ever been in love?"
"Once. She was a sweet girl, dunno why she put up with me. But that was a long time ago, and I don't wanna talk about it. Why don't you go and make us some dinner, eh? Make yourself useful, or somethin'."
Kairi grinned. She missed that grumpy old bear. She turned to Shera, curiosity getting the better of her.
"Who are you fighting for, Shera?"
Shera closed her eyes. "I'm searching for someone. A young man- well, he wouldn't be so young anymore, none of us are. I loved him, you know, Kairi, I really did. And then our world was taken over by the Heartless and we were separated. But I'm still looking for him, kind of like how you are looking for your Keyblade Master."
Shera strolled off down the deck of the ship and disappeared below deck. Kairi watched her go. It's strange. She was in love with somebody a long time ago, just like Cid. Maybe…nah. Not possible. I mean, the two of them don't seem like they'd have a whole lot in common. And how would I find out? It's not exactly polite to walk up to a person and say, "Hey, were you in love with Cid once?"
But they were both from the Hollow Bastion…
Hmph…maybe I should try and get us to Traverse Town. Some of them at least have to know Cid…
Bleh. Stupid mission…
…
Kairi was rudely awakened in the middle of the night by a commotion above deck. She sat up, and promptly bumped her head on the low top of her bunk. The Interceptor may be more comfortable than a gummi ship, she thought, but it's still no luxury cruise-liner.
Kairi stomped out of the cabin she shared with Marlene and headed up the small ladder to above deck. Everyone was running around, getting ready for something. Kairi grabbed Puck's arm as he sped past. "Puck, what's going on here?"
"No time, chica," the fae huffed. "We're about to be planetside. According to Titania, our next soul's sitting pretty on that world." He pointed. Kairi saw a blue and green world; one that looked untouched by the darkness that consumed so many other worlds.
"It's pretty," she said. Puck grinned. "Yeah, and with any luck, it'll be us that keep it that way."
"Less talkin', small fries!" hollered Barrett. "Less talkin', mo' workin'!"
…
"Pocahontas! Pocahontas, where are you?" Nakoma sighed. Her friend was, yet again, nowhere to be found. She was most likely visiting her tree again, or sneaking into the English camp. Since John Smith had been sent back to England, where he could better recover from his gunshot wound, things had been better between the natives and the explorers, but Powhatan was still attempting to control his daughter's frequent visits to the camp.
Needless to say, his attempts were, for the most part, in vain. Pocahontas still made frequent trips to the encampment to visit Thomas and to inquire as to John's condition and whereabouts.
And now that Nakoma needed the chief's daughter, she was, of course, out of hearing range. Nakoma sighed again, and headed off in the direction of the English camp.
She found Pocahontas in deep conversation with Thomas, while poring over some maps. They had been working on a project for several weeks now. Nakoma didn't understand all of what they were doing, but some of it involved mapping out the land that the tribe lived on.
"Pocahontas," Nakoma said, nodding to her and offering a small wave to the young Englishman.
"Yes, Nakoma, what is it?"
"Your father and Kekata wish to speak with you. Kekata has had another vision."
"What?" Pocahontas asked. "What could this mean? Thomas, I am sorry, but I must go. Kekata would not summon me unless it was something important."
Thomas nodded. "It's alright, Pocahontas. We can finish this tomorrow. It's no problem."
Pocahontas nodded, and followed Nakoma back to her father's home. Kekata was sitting in the middle of the floor, white hair waving in a slight breeze. The elder looked up a Pocahontas with eyes that were sharp in his wrinkled face. "Come here, Pocahontas," he said.
She approached Kekata and sat down next to him. The old man took her hands in his. "My child, I have had a vision. I saw your destiny. You are the rarest of heart in this world. There are those who come from the darkness, and I have seen that they will try to extinguish the light you have brought to our people. But I have also seen others. These…strangers from another world, they will come to save you. And to save the world."
Powhatan stood next to them, silent and stony-faced. The last thing he wanted was for more strangers to walk their land. The chieftain had had enough trouble with the first batch of foreigners. But, if they were destined to come and save his daughter, than he would allow them. After all, he had sworn he would never begin another conflict like the one they had suffered before.
But would he have a choice?
Powhatan was troubled by these thoughts, but he had no more time to dwell upon them, as a man rushed into his tent. It was that young Englishman. The one with the stupid hat.
"Thomas?" Pocahontas rose and went over to the pale figure. His face was filled with fear. "What is it, Thomas?"
"Something- dunno what it is- is attacking the camp. We'd- we'd already lost two men when I left, and they just…they disappeared. These- shadows, they're blasting everything. You all need to get out of here, now."
Kekata stood up before Powhatan. "They have come, the evil ones are here now." His worn face was tired. Powhatan felt his chest constrict. These shadows, they were coming for his daughter, his Pocahontas. And they would not rest until they had her. Running would do no good.
"We stand and fight," the chieftain announced. Thomas's jaw fell open. "But- sir, no disrespect or anything," the youth stuttered, "But you can't defeat them. We have muskets, cannons, weapons far more advanced than yours and these creatures are slaughtering us one by one! What do you think you can do against them?"
Powhatan chose not to reply to the boy. He looked down at his daughter, still kneeling on the ground. She did not seem to be afraid. If anything, she seemed fiercer and more passionate than she normally was. Powhatan could have laughed, in any other situation. Here was Pocahontas, braver than any of her father's warriors. Braver than even her father. She truly did have her mother's spirit.
"We stand and fight," Powhatan said again, his eyes not leaving his daughter's face. "We stand and fight, not to win, but to protect our heart. We must hold off the darkness until the strange warriors our elder has spoken of come and defeat this threat. But we will not bend to the darkness. Whether we survive or not, we shall make this battle one that will be sung about for many years. But my daughter must not fight, young Thomas. You must take her from here, and my warriors and I will try to keep the creatures from you."
Pocahontas stood up, tossing her long hair. "Father!"
Powhatan shook his head. "I will not hear you, daughter. You must not be involve in this battle." His voice softened, and he took his daughter's face in his hands, peering into her eyes, so much like his own. "I know you are brave, but your safety is more important than anything, for if anything should happen to you, our world is doomed. Promise me, my daughter. Promise me you will stay with Thomas and out of danger."
Pocahontas frowned, but nodded. "Yes, father. I promise."
Thomas's face had started to return to its normal shade. He bowed to both the chief and the elder, and took Pocahontas by the arm. "C'mon, we need to be out of here, and fast. It'll only be a matter of time before they come here."
Powhatan kissed his daughter's forehead, and Kekata placed both of his hands on her face, whispering prayers to keep her safe. The two young people hurried from the tent. As he watched her go, Powhatan tried not to think that he may have just seen his Pocahontas for the last time.
Nakoma was standing outside when she saw Pocahontas and the Englishman rushing into the forest in the opposite direction of the pale men's camp. The Chieftain soon came out of his tent and motioned to her. "Nakoma, you must take the elders and the children away from here. Take them to the cliffs, to the south. Do whatever you can to protect them."
Nakoma blinked in confusion, but the urgency of the Chieftain's voice and the sternness of his gaze made her nod once and head over to where the elders were watching the children of the tribe. As she led them to the south quickly and quietly, Powhatan turned around to Kekata. "Shouldn't you go with them, Elder?"
The ancient man smiled mysteriously and shook his head. "No, I believe I will stay here. I feel perhaps I will be needed."
Powhatan knew better than to argue. Kekata had his reasons for everything he did, and he had never been wrong yet.
"Very well." Powhatan left the old man waiting outside his tent as the Chieftain went to summon his warriors.
Meanwhile, Thomas and Pocahontas were silently running through the forest. The young man turned to look at his companion. "Know anywhere safe we can go?"
She thought about his question. "I do not know for sure," Pocahontas finally responded. "Perhaps…perhaps we could go to Grandmother Willow."
Thomas knew all about the tree. John had told him stories, but he just couldn't believe them. Though, with the morning I've had, I'd believe anything. Even talking trees.
"Do you think we'd be safe there?"
Pocahontas frowned. "All I know is that Grandmother Willow has her own way of dealing with intruders."
Thomas sighed. "All right."
Pocahontas gripped Thomas's hand tighter and led the way.
…
It's gonna be nice to be on solid ground again, mused Kairi as the ship entered the fragile atmosphere of the world. The Interceptor was nice, but nothing compared to a real world.
Someone leaned against the bulwark next to her, and Kairi found herself face-to-stomach with Barrett. The big man grinned at her, resting his arm on the wood. Kairi still had a hard time believing that one of Barrett's arms was fake, a prosthetic attached when a crazed monkey had bitten off one of his. The story itself was crazy, plus his arm looked just like the other one. Apparently Puck cast a spell on it to disguise it.
"Whatchoo lookin' at?" he asked her. Kairi smiled up at Marlene's dad. "Nothin'," she said. "Just…this world is so pretty."
Barrett's grin became a little sadder. "Yeah, it is, ain't it? Sometimes I think that I say that every time I see a new world. 'Prettiest thing I eva did see.' And then, sometimes it stays pretty, and sometimes…well, you know."
Kairi nodded. I do know. Kairi saw an opportunity to glean the answer to some questions that had been bothering her. "Barrett? Can I ask you a question?"
"Sho', kiddo. Go ahead."
"Why is Shera always so sad?"
Barrett cleared his throat and looked out at the approaching planet surface. "Well, Red," he said, using the nickname Puck had come up with two weeks ago, "It ain't really my story ta tell, but since you asked, I'll tell ya what I know.
"Time was when we all lived on our world, inna place called Bastion Town. Rufus was a prince, Rude was on da guard, like me, and Tifa was justa kid. I used ta be friends with her momma. Anyway, Shera was a few years older than you are now, maybe 18 or 19, and she was sweet on a fella a coupla years younger than me. Her daddy wasn't too keen on that."
"Why? Was it the age difference?"
Barrett shook his head. "Nah, it was a kinda class thing. He was an engineer, her daddy was a Baron, an' apparently this young fella just wasn't good enough for Shera, the way the Baron looked at it. But Shera, she really loved him, more'n anything, and he loved her too. 'Course, he'd never admit it, but you could tell. And the two of them were seein' each other in secret, and this went on for about a year. And then the Heartless came."
Kairi nodded. She knew what was coming next.
Barret gulped. "And the Heartless came, and everything was getting' destroyed, and the two of them, they got separated, is what Shera told me. An' she- well, she never found him. I figure he's gotta be dead, or Heartless-sucked, or somethin', but Shera, she don't want to believe that. It's been ten years since then, and since then I can't say I've really seen her smile."
Kairi looked at her feet. Shera's situation sounded very much like hers was right now, what with Sora being god-only-knows-where. Except that she's been alone for ten years. Sora won't be gone for ten years.
Right?
"Barrett?"
"Mm?"
"What was his name, the one Shera was in love with?"
"Him? Well, don't know why you're so interested, but his name was Cid. Cid Highwind."
I knew it!
Kairi suddenly figured out where she had seen Shera before, back in Traverse Town.
"Cid?"
"Hmm?"
"Who's this girl in the picture? I found it when I was cleaning."
Cid saw what Kairi had in her hand and took the frame from her. "Hmm, haven't looked at this in months…"
"She's awful pretty. And is that you? You look so, so…"
"Young? I was. And so was she."
"Is she the one you were in love with?"
"I said I don't wanna talk about it."
"Oh…okay then, I'll just put that back then."
Cid kept the picture in his hand. "Nah, I'll hold on to this for a while."
"Fine with me."
The picture had been of a handsome young blond man, smiling as he put his arms around a teenage girl. The girl had brown hair and was wearing a yellow dress.
And she had big brown eyes behind her glasses.
…
The Interceptor hit the planet surface about twenty minutes later, in a grassy cliff surrounded by trees. It only took them that long, Lex had complained, because 'there were too many stupid freaking trees on this stupid freaking planet'. This was minutes before he turned to stone, as did Rinoa. Apparently the physiology of the gargoyles depended on the time of day on whatever planet they were on. In space, they remained in flesh form constantly and slept like everyone else.
As they exited the ship, Kairi couldn't meet Shera's eyes. She wanted to tell the woman everything, that she knew about Shera and Cid's relationship, that Cid was alive, and that Kairi knew where to find him. But she couldn't for some reason. That would mean admitting that she had been prying into Shera's past. Maybe if Shera someday told me her story herself, then I could help her, Kairi thought. But how can I expect her to do this when I haven't been honest about my whole past? I haven't told anyone about my time in Traverse Town. Maybe after we save this world…
If we can.
Maybe I should tell the first chance I get.
"Look!" Marlene hollered, pointing to the forest ahead of them. A group of women, children, and elderly people were walking out of the forest, lead by a woman with short dark hair. All of them were dressed in brown leather. They stopped upon seeing the newcomers, and the adults pulled the children behind them, bracing for an attack. Shera motioned to Kairi. "Can you help here?" she whispered. "Go up to them, slowly. Try to make them understand that we mean no harm. They won't hurt you because you're young. Take Marle with you."
Kairi nodded, as did Marlene, and the two of them crept forward. "Hello?" Kairi softly called. "We won't hurt you. We're here to save you."
The woman at the front relaxed slightly, but her eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Who are you?"
"My name is Kairi, and this," she said, pointing to Marle, "is Marlene, and the people behind us are a team called AVALANCHE. We save people."
The woman nodded. "I am called Nakoma. Our people are under attack, so I have been ordered to keep the elders and children safe while our men fight."
The rest of the team approached cautiously, and Nakoma tolerated this. Kairi was about to ask some more questions when one of the older women shrieked, gesturing wildly behind her. Kairi saw something that looked like a Heartless emerge from the trees. The one problem was, she only saw its shadow, like it was detached form its body in the same way Sora's was once. The people panicked, and Kairi saw more shadows show themselves. Shera took command. "Nakoma, get these people behind us!" she shouted. "AVALANCHE! Forward!"
Nakoma started to corral the people, the women picking up the squalling children, and Kairi watched, frozen in place, as her teammates rushed towards the shadows. Barrett's synthetic arm inverted into some kind of cannon, and he easily dispatched one shadow with a quick shot to what would equate to being the head. Marlene grabbed Kairi's arm and dragged her back to the ship, where the native people were huddled. Kairi distantly noticed, as her attention was focused on the battle. Barrett was now besieged by three huge shadows at once, and Kairi heard Marlene gasp audibly. Suddenly a flashing green light struck one of his enemies, and Barrett handled the other two. Puck was flying around, curing his companions and unleashing the occasional green blast at their enemies, who seemed to keep coming. Tifa was delivering quick kicks to the shadows, knocking them down so that Rufus could finish them off with a few quick swipes with a regal-looking sword. Kairi noticed that they worked well as a team. Silent Rude cast some spells, but as his enemies came closer, he relied on the bo staff he usually strapped to his back to take out two or three shadows with the grace of a dancer, oddly enough. That man was full of surprises. As was Shera, it seemed, as she would leap to a distance and take care of her attackers with a quick one-handed crossbow bolt. Within minutes, the shadows were vanquished, and Kairi was left with a newfound sense of respect for the people she was now in the company of.
AVALANCHE regrouped at the ship, where Nakoma was waiting. "Thank you," the woman said. "I do not know how to thank you."
Puck leered at her. "Oh, I'm sure I can think of something appropriate, toots."
This time it was Marlene who reached out and flicked Puck's ear. The fae yelped, and glared at her. "Being a pain in the ass must run in the family," he muttered.
Shera ignored him. "Is that what you were running from?" she asked. Nakoma shrugged. "I do not know," she said. "Our Chieftain told me to take the elders and children to the cliffs while he assembled our warriors. I can only suppose that they are now engaged in battle with these things."
Shera took a few minutes to think. The silence was making Kairi nervous. Is this what they do at every world they land on?
The leader of AVALANCHE turned to the team. "I had hoped that the shadows wouldn't attack until Lex and Rinoa woke up, and as it is, we're shortchanged two members. So, we're going to have to use a slightly different plan than we've used in the past."
Marlene leaned in, and whispered in Kairi's ear. "Usually, they leave me and Puck at the ship to guard it and wait to see if Titania shows up, but seeing as Rinoa and Lex are sleeping, I dunno what she's gonna do."
Shera nodded at Kairi. "We'll leave Nakoma and her people here with Lex and Rinoa. They're a kind of gargoyle, guardians who sleep in stone," she added to the native woman. "We'll take the rest of us and try to find the Guardian Soul."
Barrett looked disgruntled. "I don' think Marley's ready fo' this kinda stuff."
His daughter grimaced. "Dad, grow up. I know how to take care of myself. Come on now. Kairi's my age and she's some kind of freaking holy mission, so you can at least let me come with you."
Barrett was unconvinced. Kairi coughed lightly. "Well, I mean, look on the bright side, Uncle Barrett. This way, you can keep an eye on Marle and me."
Rufus grinned at the girl, and clapped the big man on the shoulder. "Lighten up, old chap. If you need any help looking after your child…"
That changed Barrett's mind. He grunted. "Marley, baby, stick wi' me. An' you too, Kairi. Ol' Barrett don' need nobody's help takin' care of me or my own."
Kairi stifled a giggle. Nakoma looked to Shera in an approving manner. "I am not accustomed to a woman leading warriors," the woman said uncertainly. But then she smiled, showing off small, pearly teeth. "But then, I should not be surprised that a woman could have such strength, knowing Pocahontas as I do."
Puck's sizable ears perked up. He floated at eye-level with Nakoma and raised a white eyebrow. "Pocahontas, you say? Who might this Pocahontas be, persay?"
Nakoma blinked. "She is the daughter of our chief," she said, " Pocahontas is the strongest, bravest, most spirited of our people."
Suddenly, game show noises sounded, and Puck was holding a megaphone. "Bingo, bingo, bingo," he blared, "We have a winnah!"
Tifa grabbed the fae by the hair. "What are you blathering about?" she asked irritably, but there was a twinkle in her crimson eyes. Puck snatched his hair from her grasp and turned upside-down. "This Pocahontas is the soul we're trying to save," Puck explained slowly, as if he were talking to someone who was either very young or very slow.
"Are you sure?" Shera asked. Puck nodded. "Getting' some pretty strong vibes here, doll. Kinda like the vibes I get every time I see you, hot stuff."
Kairi rolled her eyes. Typical Puck. Shera took no notice of the fae and instead spoke to Nakoma. "Take your people on our ship. Don't worry, it's safe, and Lex and Rinoa will wake from their stone sleep at nightfall. We have to save your world, and if we don't come back in a few days, obey Lex's order, and he'll take you to safety."
Nakoma nodded. She didn't understand everything that was going on, but she could feel that these strangers were truthful. As she herded the elders and children on board the English-looking ship, she desperately prayed that they could save the land she loved.
Shera moved the team in the opposite direction and turned to Puck. "All right then, twit, try to get a lock on Pocahontas."
The fae smirked. "No sooner said than done, folks." His eyes glowed a bright green and the fairy began to spin rapidly. Kairi watched, concerned, and looked to Tifa, who was standing next to her. "Is he okay?"
Tifa nodded. "He just does this for show. I've seen him locate a Soul with nothing more than a blink. He's a ham, that one."
Rufus heard Tifa's comment, and put a hand on her shoulder. "Now, now, Teef," he gently admonished, eyes dancing. "You have to appreciate all the work he puts into the presentation."
Tifa rolled her eyes, much like Kairi had done only seconds earlier, but grinned anyway. Puck suddenly shot upwards like an arrow. "Attention, ladeez and germs, one Guardian Soul this-a-way!"
He started to fly off, but Barrett took him by his bobbing heel. "Hold on now, punk. You gotta show us!"
The fae groaned. "This would be so much easier if you could all fly."
…
Kairi followed Puck in silence, not daring to meet Shera's eyes. The information she was holding inside was killing her. What am I supposed to do? I wish Cid were here. Then I could ask him for advice. What am I saying? If Cid were here than I wouldn't be in this situation to begin with!
Puck led them through a thick forest for what seemed like forever. Every second Kairi was positive that a gigantic shadow was going to jump out and eat all of them. So much for being a hero…
After what Kairi figured had to be the better part of an hour, the fae slowed. They came out of the woods to find themselves face-to-face with a shallow river. In the middle of the river was a tiny island, dominated by a massive willow tree. Sitting under the branches rather dejectedly was a young man with russet hair, fanning himself with a floppy hat. A young woman with jet-black hair was crouching at the base of the tree, talking to herself. Puck zoomed over, and the young man jumped to his feet, raising an iron pistol. Puck froze, and Shera cried out, "No! Don't shoot!"
Kairi wondered what was up. Puck had jumped into battle against shadows without hesitation; why was he so bothered with one human with a gun?
"Marle, what's going on?"
Barrett's daughter answered, "Puck's a fae. Iron can kill 'em."
Iron? Kairi wondered. Well, that's random. But I guess it's good to know nobody is invincible.
The man hadn't fired, but neither had he lowered his weapon. "Who are you?"
"We're here to save Pocahontas," Shera answered. "We're called AVALANCHE. We just saved Nakoma and the children of her people, and we need to see Pocahontas. You have no idea how important this is."
"Yeaaah, and while you're at it," Puck added, "You just might want to lower that ugly iron death-spewing lump in your hand. It's making me a tad bit antsy."
The man lowered his gun, and the team waded through the shallow water. Kairi gasped. The water was cold. Tifa noticed her discomfort and laughed. Don't know what she finds so funny, Kairi grumbled to herself. She can't be too comfortable either. Her skirt's way shorter than mine.
They reached the small island and the man cautiously approached. Shera held out her hand broadly. Thomas looked at it, and then shook it hesitantly. Who is this crazy woman, and why is she wearing breeches like a boy? He thought. "My name is Thomas," he stuttered. Shera smiled. "I'm Shera."
"And I am Pocahontas." The young woman stood up. Pocahontas observed them proudly, and Kairi had no doubt that this was the soul they were searching for.
She and Shera greeted each other as equals. "Pocahontas," the former said, "We are here to save you, and in extension, to save your world."
Pocahontas nodded gravely. "My Elder foretold your coming, and Grandmother Willow has been explaining my role as…the soul of this world?"
"That sounds a bit right," came a gravelly old voice from the tree's base. No, wait, the tree itself was talking. Sure enough, Kairi could make out a face in the rough bark of the willow, presumably Grandmother Willow.
Shera nodded to the speaker, as if she saw talking trees every day. "That makes our job a bit easier. Pocahontas, usually how this works is that we would bring you back to our ship and the elf, Puck, would try to unlock your hidden powers before the darkness find us. However, Puck's already here, so I see no need to go anywhere."
"But I doo…" Puck chuckled, and ducked before anyone could bop him upside the head. Shera sighed. "I'm really sorry to do this to you, Pocahontas," she said, "But you and Puck need to be alone for him to concentrate. If he tries anything, just hit him; he'll be fine."
Pocahontas looked a bit confused as to Shera's meaning, but seemed to accept the order. She and Puck meandered over behind the tree, on the other side of the island. Barrett sat down heavily next to Thomas.
"So, what be up wichoo?"
The young man wrinkled his nose at Barrett's informal language, yet he still appeared to get the drift of what the big man was saying.
"Shadows."
Barrett hmmmed in understanding. Kairi looked at Marlene. "What now?"
"Now? Now we wait."
…
After half an hour they had all grown tiresome of charades, except Rude, it seemed, and Rufus turned to Kairi. "Come on, tell us about some of your adventures, oh Princess of Heart."
Tifa grinned, saying, "Yeah. We've heard all of our stories a million times."
Kairi looked at Shera, and gulped. Steeling herself, she took the plunge. "Well, after I was rescued from the Heartless by the Keyblade Master, Sora, I spent time in a place called Traverse Town while Sora defeated Ansem. I stayed with a guy there who was cranky and crabby and had a bad mouth, but he took care of me. His name was Cid, guys. Cid Highwind."
Jaws dropped. Tifa cried, "What? You mean he's still alive?" Barrett looked at Kairi a bit accusingly, as if he was saying, "An' you didn't tell me?" Marle didn't seem to know what was going on, and Rude whispered something in Rufus's ear, at which he nodded quickly.
Shera seemed to be in shock, but there was a tear welling in her eye. "You mean…you know him?"
Kairi nodded. "I didn't know how to tell all of you, and I'm sorry for that."
Shera shook her head. "No, it's all right. The important thing is that he's alive. He's…alive. Cid…"
Kairi smiled, as did most of the team. "We'll let you two talk," Barrett said, ushering everyone, including Thomas, away. Kairi sat down next to Shera. The woman showed a watery smile. "I loved him, Kairi, I don't think you knew that. I still love him. And to know…he's alive somewhere out there, and all I need is to find him…" her face suddenly paled. "He's not…I mean, he hasn't…"
Kairi understood. "Don't worry, Shera. He's…well, he's…" Every bit as miserable as you are? No, I really could rephrase that…
"He's sad. Like he's missing a part of his heart. I think it's you. And he's still angry too."
Shera chuckled through her tears. "Well, he always did know how to hold a grudge."
She became more serious. "Tell me about him, Kairi. I want to know everything."
Gee, where do I start?
The girl began by telling her the story of how Cid and Sora met, as related to her by the Keyblade Master. Shera laughed appreciatively to hear that Sora had referred to the man as "Gramps."
Then Kairi told her how she had met Cid when she and Sora went back to Traverse Town after he saved her from Ansem in Riku's body.
"Hey, Cid!" Sora waved frantically while running up the cobbled steps, dragging Kairi with him. She saw a man in his thirties standing in front of them, arms folded.
"Well, if it ain't the big hero. Good ta see ya, Sora. Heard about that whole deal at the Bastion from Leon, but I didn't expect ta see you back here."
"Yeah, about that…Cid, we didn't exactly mean to get back here. Something's wrong with the gummi."
The man snorted. "Ya mean ya broke it, right? Stupid rookies, can't even take care of their own ships!"
Sora pouted, and Kairi wondered what that man's problem was. "Ci-id, I didn't do anything to it," Sora whined. The man was unimpressed, but he relented when Sora's puppy-dog eyes filled with fake tears.
"Fine, I'll take a look at it. Now, ain'tcha gonna introduce me to yer friend?"
Sora face-faulted. "Oh, yeah. Kairi, this is Cid. Cid, this is Kairi."
"The one you were lookin' for, huh?" Cid smiled gruffly around the toothpick in his mouth, and extended a calloused hand. "Pleased ta meetcha, Kairi."
Kairi smiled nervously and shook his hand. "Pleased to meet you too."
Shera smiled. "Cid was always very passionate about gummi ships, and not very forgiving when people make mistakes."
Kairi giggled. "I thought he was going to be awful and I didn't want Sora to leave me alone with him, but he did. I was a little bit scared of him until one night…"
"See you later, Mr. Geppetto; bye, Pinocchio," Kairi said, walking out of the tiny shop. The old man and his…son waved goodbye. They were nice, and welcomed her in their company as one of Sora's friends. Kairi had made a visit that day and was walking back to the house in the Third District to make dinner.
She opened the grand door and skipped into the Third District.
Right into a mob of Heartless.
Kairi let out a scream as they clustered around, trying to steal her heart. She kicked out, trying to fight back, but they were too many. She screamed again, and felt herself going under. I'm gonna die, she thought, and I'll never see Sora again…please, somebody-
"Hold on, kid!"
Kairi struggled to get her head up, and saw Cid leaping into the fray with a gigantic spear in his hand. He went through, wiping out Heartless with smooth sweeps. When he had finished, there was munny scattered all over the ground. He reached down a hand to help her up.
"You okay?"
Kairi looked up into his concerned, weather-beaten face, and nodded. Cid grinned lazily. "Good," he said. "Sora would be none too pleased to come back here and find out I let his girlfriend become Heartless dinner. Humph, little bastard would probably try to chase me down with that f$$# Keyblade he's always toting around."
Kairi took the proffered hand and stood shakily. She smiled at Cid. "Thanks."
"Chh…whatever. Yer welcome. I'm hungry, go cook some food."
Kairi giggled as she went inside to put the teakettle on. For a grizzly bear, Cid wasn't so bad.
Shera smiled after hearing this, a bit sadder this time. "He always was a hero."
"Still is," Kairi reminded her.
"But.. so much has changed, I mean, I'm different, he's different; it could never work out. It's been ten years."
Kairi sighed. "He's sad. He told me he'd only been in love once, a long time ago, and I know he still loves you. All we have to do is get to Traverse Town, where he is."
Shera looked hopeful. "He told you he was in love?"
Kairi proceeded to tell her that story, along with many others. The woman and the girl sat for hours, talking about a mutual acquaintance that each one held close to her heart.
….
A/N: Wow. This was long. And took me a while. But review, review, review! Any people you want to see, through flashback or anything else? Lemme know.
