Note to Disclaimers: I do not and never will own Kingdom Hearts or anyone else except Cyra so please don't sue me. This is for entertainment only, not profits.
Author's Note: Right. I know I SAID that the chapters would be shorter, but, ah, I couldn't control myself again! SORRY! Anyway, I hope people like this chapter too, because things are going to start getting a bit confusing and twisted. Please, just bear with me faithful readers and reviewers! Thank you everyone who has reviewed and hasn't reviewed! Especially those people who have respected my writing. But please, I just want to say, I hope my writing isn't upsetting people or making them argue because it isn't here for that. I just want people to genuinely enjoy it because I enjoy it and I will write what I please.
Bit of word coding here though:
"this is either just people's voices or people Kairi can't see yet"
These are thoughts
This is the regular type stuff
Thoughts of Zephyr
Bright blue. A morning filled with crisp air floating about the damaged seashore. I sigh as Riku presses another damp cloth to Sora's bloody temple. Sora has been out for over a day now ever since the incident, but neither Riku nor me have tried to wake him. I remember someone telling me that attempting to wake someone after such a shock could cause a coma. I don't believe it though. Sora's brown hair is dry with crusted blood flaking at my touch. His skin has trails of the red liquid dried in streams down his face where his cuts have healed from Riku's curaga spell. I drape my arm lazily over the balcony rail of my shack where Sora is sleeping peacefully on my bed with Riku caring for him. I know I would love to, but Riku insists that I rest, which he knows I will refuse to do until Sora has awakened from his sleep. I pace back and forth across the ledge as I cast the briefest of glances at Selphie, Tidus and Wakka who are gathering materia for our journey. In the other room, my living room, Cloud is talking quietly with Aerith while Yuffie sits atop on my roof. I haven't seen Leon since we arrived back here on the island, but Aerith assures me that he's off training somewhere-privately. I roll my eyes as I recall Yuffie's attitude toward Leon and his towards her. They both appear on edge around each other. I have felt the vibes from both of them-I giggle; they're in denial. I find a particularly interesting spot to stare at while I see Riku, from the corner of my eye, remove his blindfold; I chuckle.
"They won't give her back." I mumble to myself in vain. I scold myself for thinking of even the slightest possibility that Sephiroth and Ansem might return Cyra, even though I am still angry with her. I have already forgiven her for what she's done, but Riku seems to have a hard time doing the same. I watch as he moves away from Sora to the balcony where I'd been standing, his face brooding and displeased. Riku's never been one to look happy, but I sensed contentment within him for the short duration of Cyra's stay on the island with us. He is solemn now, his presence of purity wavering as he explained to me. I begin to wonder if I can be claimed by the darkness when I am awake, though the princesses forewarned me of the cautions. I snap my fingers. That's it! All I have to do is sleep to dream, then, I can converse with the Princesses of Heart! I make my way to the bedroom when someone grabs my wrist. I know it is Riku. "Is there something you need?" I ask him as I stand still before him.
"I know where she is." Riku states.
"So do I," I reply hastily for it is the truth. "I must leave now. Let me free."
He obliges. I nod at him, curtly, before I dash to the bathroom. Within its solitary wake I hold my head in my hands as I lean up the door, tears trailing down my cheeks. It was never meant to happen this way, was it? I want to scream so desperately but no sound leaves my mouth. In fear of my own heart's weakness, I continue to sob as I slide down the door until I've curled up upon the glossed wood floor. The ground feels cool beneath my skin where it meets my body, which is shivering with uncertainty of the unknown, of our nearing journey. And I wish I could face it as Riku does with the same charisma and bravery that he showed me minutes ago. Or like Sora, who proved to Riku and I that no matter what age, he was always the mature one. He demonstrated a sense of courage that I'd never fathomed real, a sense of integrity, a sense of dedication. That's why I love the silly dope. Throughout everything I could honestly declare that this was a RE-AWAKENING, this incident that occurred hours ago. Despite the trials we are to embark on, I feel strong enough to do this; I believe I'm ready. In response I sniffle loudly within the confines of the tan colored room. Even though I feel strangely calm, I resume my steady sobbing. You can get through this Kairi, if not for you, then for everyone else you love. But...can I really do it? I chuckle as I realize that I've contradicted myself once again. You're ready and you've always known it. I acknowledge the part of me that knows I am able to complete my pending task, but I also listen intently to the part that is unsure of how to complete the task. I will need help.
"You will have help, Kairi, Princess of Heart."
"Who's there?" I whisper quietly. I look around but see no one for I am alone in the privacy of the bathroom. "Who are you? Please...tell me what I need to do to save my sister." It's the princesses.
"The one you know as the Keyblade master will help you, for he is strong and bound to your cause such as you are too." Jasmine's voice enters the already floating voices around me.
"There will be one more who will aid you with his strength and knowledge of what you cannot understand as of now; but, you must believe in him, princess, for his heart is weak with misery." Aurora speaks with hope.
"Riku." I reply to Aurora's voice.
"She will guide you through her spirit though you must pay close attention to her clues; she is far, but near, princess. Do not let her efforts be in vain. She is counting on you, as are we." Belle answers.
"I understand." I answer as I stand to leave the bathroom. When I walk out, I notice that Riku is gone but Sora still sleeps peacefully on the bed in my room. Cloud and Aerith are sitting on the couch, both painfully still, discussing important matters-our trip, no doubt. Meanwhile, Yuffie is chasing Tidus down the seashore as she screams and waves her shuriken at him in a threatening manner as Leon trails behind her, casually flicking his fingers over the leather chains on his pants. I want to laugh but find that my throat is far too dry to even speak. Damn that crying! I walk past the door to my room towards the kitchen, which is empty, for snacks before I settle down to think more. I fix myself a small sandwich and take a seat, in front on the empty framed window, on the cloth covered wooden chairs. Something in me stirs as I observe Selphie touch a palm leave, then more, and finally she has pushed away all of them to reveal a wide opening. I stand up so quickly that my chair clatters to the ground. The secret place! That's it! I run from my house to where Selphie is beginning to enter through the palms. I pant heavily as I rush past her, only for my eyes to meet the door, already wide open and two figures standing before it entrance. "DONALD! GOOFY! What are you doing here?" I cry as I run to them.
Goofy sends me a smile as he waves. "Gwarsh Kairi, why we're here to pick up Sora to seal that there door to Kingdom Hearts."
"So you know it's been opened?" I ask the obvious but I don't care.
Donald rolls his eyes. "Shut up you big palooka! Kairi knows!"
I shush them both as Selphie walks in, green eyes curious as she looks at us. "Um…can someone please explain all this to me? Why are there a duck and a dog in here?"
"Well Selphie," I begin, "Goofy isn't a duck, he's a flea. Anyway, they're here for Sora. It's time."
"Are you ready, Kairi?" Donald asks.
"Yes, as ready as I'll ever be." I explain simply as I walk past him. "Come on guys," I gesture for them to follow. "My house is this way and there you'll find Sora and Riku and the others."
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"So what you're saying is, Ansem is stronger?" Leon questions.
"No." Donald replies haughtily.
"Well…er…what we're sayin' is that there man Ansem is stronger, yes But-" Goofy was cut off by Donald.
"He has extra power with him." Donald glares at Goofy who is scratching his head. "King Mickey mentioned something about his control of a high power, higher than his own, higher than the Princesses of Heart, too, except for the purest of heart that is this "higher power's" match."
"Cyra." Riku states stoically from the shadows. "He's possessed Cyra's power."
"Right." I agree. "Cyra and myself, I recently learned, have the ultimate powers to change the universal flow. Her darkness and my light have always created a balance, especially when we were far away…but my mother said something about the staffs, our staffs, merging to create the ultima staff known as the Nodia. This staff is supposed to either be split apart to balance, or taken into the hands of the wrong person, to create a world full of void, of darkness. Cyra…she is aiming to do that…against her own will."
"Then there is still hope for her yet." Aerith quips. "Kairi, if she is under someone else's control, once she has been removed, she can be saved and so will the worlds!"
"It's never THAT simple, Aerith." Yuffie points out as she smacks Tidus on the head. "Just ask Sora."
"He's still out, if you haven't noticed." Leon retorts.
"Up yours Squall." Yuffie mutters as she turns to me again. "When will he awaken? He's been out for quite sometime now, don't you agree?"
"There is nothing we can do." Riku says stiffly. "He will awake when it's fated."
"Is he in a coma?" Goofy asks. Riku shakes his head. "Gwarsh…on account' o' missin' Sora in action, we might be done for!"
"You're over dramatic!" Donald yells at his companion.
I laugh. "Look, seriously, we have to await Sora's wake. We cannot leave without him."
"And why not?" Riku glares at me, emerald eyes fiery. "Who made you boss?"
"Please Riku, not now." I silence him. "Besides, I received a sign, from the princesses, to await Sora's wake for he is key to our survival now and futuristically."
"I still don't see why we have to wait for Sora." Riku says as he begins to walk away.
I shake my head. Riku, stop this. I want to save her as much as you…perhaps even more than you. I want to follow him but everyone is looking at me expectantly. I nod as I take a seat next to Yuffie who has placed her shurikens next to Tidus's head. "Leave him alone Yuffie." I say as I begin to explain what we are to do. "It's simple, really. We are destined to find her, for the fates have decided this, but she will not come willingly nor will she come as easily as we'd like. Ansem's control, from what the Belle told me, is fiercely strong over her mind, especially since she's been with the darkness for so long. Ansem himself is superbly strong these days, having gained power during the dormancy we believed him to be settled in."
"But with our power, he'll be easy to defeat." Aerith smiles. "Our hearts are strong together; that is all we need."
I nod. I stand and walk to the doorway where Sora is still sleeping. "Then it is decided. We are going to Traverse Town. Donald, Goofy," I wink at them. "Ready the Gummi Ship. We have some worlds to save."
"ALL RIGHT!" Yuffie shouts happily. "LET'S GO!"
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When are you going to wake Sora? I pull the thin sheets over his sleeping form. It's been a week now since we've been in Traverse Town. Riku, Cloud and Leon have been out researching on the heartless from the libraries located in the outskirts of Traverse Town. Our next trip is to Hollow Bastion where Aerith assures us that there is much more information seeing that that is their world as well as Ansem's. So far there haven't been any Heartless around, but I know that sooner or later they will emerge and Sora will not be able to help us. I place a cool compress on his head, which is extremely hot, but his temperature doesn't show fever. Outside I can see Selphie and Tidus talking to the owners of the Items shop while Wakka flirts with the bartender lady. She doesn't seem to be resisting his "charms." Just across from him are Aerith and Yuffie, both who are staring at their glasses, which are full of a golden looking liquid-liquor. I decide that Sora will be fine and make my way over to the restaurant, then, to their table. I take a seat next to Yuffie who is wearing a slightly dazed look and I am pretty sure she is drunk. Aerith stirs her drink in bewilderment as I order a glass of coffee. I don't remember exactly when I started drinking it, but it has become a favorite of mine. After adding the milk and sugar, I lean back in my chair, stretching my aching muscles and sore arms from all the training I've been doing with Yuffie and Riku. Yuffie doesn't go easy one me, but I know Riku does since he's so much stronger, physically at least. Sessions usually consist of basic sword fighting positions and techniques, listening to intuition and basic reflexes. At least that is what Riku and Yuffie are teaching me. Aerith tells me that once I master what they are teaching that she herself will help me learn how to use magic spells. She says that I possess stronger spells than the average person does: I am a princess of heart. I grin at that thought.
Around us people chatter incessantly about their peaceful lives, but little do they know havoc will reign again, though hopefully not for long if I can help it. As I think about of trip to Hollow Bastion, I begin to feel giddy for I have never been able to become directly involved; nor have I been able to help in any REAL way, according to my mind. I push a wisp of my auburn hair behind my ear as Yuffie belches loudly then hiccups before slumping down in her chair. It is only moments before she has fallen completely off and lies snoring on the Spanish tiled floor of the quaint restaurant. Aerith giggles gently before sipping a bit of her drink. I gulp my coffee eagerly as I watch her trace invisible patterns on the wooden tabletop, her fingers running up and down the lined graining of the oak with a glazed look over her eyes and features. I myself allow my eyes to wander about the open atmosphere, which is quiet and serene. A soft, warm, almost humid breeze drifts by and I close my eyes, relishing the sweet caress of it against my skin. When I open my eyes, I see Aerith standing, a bit wobbly, to make her way back to the small house where Cloud had asked her to meet him. She grips the doorpost as she steadies herself, then, she continues on her wobbly way towards the Third District. I feel like laughing out loud at seeing the flower girl drunk, but something about the way Yuffie is snoring bothers the hell out of me and I nudge her arms with my foot. She swats at my shoes and rolls over before snoring again. I shake my head as I stand to retrieve someone to fetch her prone form. In a spite of luck, I run straight into Leon who agrees begrudgingly to take her back to the house.
Once I'm sure they are gone, I begin to wander the streets of Traverse Town. Surprisingly enough, even though I've been here a week, I've explored practically nothing but the secret cave by the waterway where I practice twice everyday. I see the people bustling about, shouting jovially about the streets as they gossip and talk about inconsequential things. Everything is relevant in their eyes; but to me, it is meaningless. I am not one to think so negatively but I do admit to feeling a little down lately. Once I've lifted my eyes to view around me, I discover that I have left the First District. I must be in the second district. I decided to have a look around, a bit exploring if you will, until I feel like returning to the others. My training session is supposed to be in an hour, but after seeing Yuffie drunk, I know she'll have a hangover too heavy to bear. Riku on the other hand, he will be pretty mad for me missing such an important appointment. I wave it away as I look in the windows of the various shops where items from boots to the most exotic things, such as chocolate and wild berries, lie in the windows. I press my face to the store where they sell weapons for protection. I feel myself searching for something similar to Sora's Keyblade or Riku's. I despise Aerith's staff as well as Cloud and Leon's swords. I do think Yuffie's weapons are interesting enough though. But for me, I want something powerful yet swift, deadly but silent. I continue to scan the shop window until my eye lands on a pair of ivory glossed nun chucks. They look odd for they are embossed in onyx and sharp not flat like other nun chucks, decorated with ruby stones and amethyst too. Without a second thought to how much they might cost or how much they might weigh, I walk in and purchase them. They are incredibly light and quick it seems, for I figure to test them out. I throw one at the stone wall and gasp when a large chunk falls to the ground. I am content with my decision and begin my journey to the waterway. Until I find the Day staff that my mother spoke of, I am fine with my new protector.
As I enter the little house, I see Yuffie hanging over the counter, her body heaving heavily. She's throwing up. I walk past her briskly as I run to check on Sora. My face falls as I see him in the exact same position as before I left. With a sign of disappointment I head to the living room where Aerith is cradling her head with a cold cloth and a cup of tomato juice in her hand. When she takes a sip, her face contorts hideously before she falls back against the pillows in agony as she groans loudly. I am about to ask her what is wrong when Cloud walks in with a bottle in his hands and a pitcher of the tomato juice. Once he sets it down, he is gone and back with a bowl of water. I trot over and once again, I am about to ask when Cloud speaks.
"I don't know what's gotten into you Aerith." Cloud presses the cloth to her head as she squirms against his touch. "First you threaten to beat Leon and now this? What drove you to get drunk, to drink on the first place? I didn't think things were that extreme or horrible yet."
"It wasn't intentional…or maybe I was just trying to prove I wasn't such a goody-two-shoe." Aerith mutters.
"That's normal…" Cloud responds slowly. "But…why now? Why at this time when everything is fragile?"
"I don't know." She turns over on the couch. "Just take care of me. Please don't ask me anymore questions Cloud."
"I understand." Cloud soothes as he smoothes her hair against her scalp. "I'll be here when you wake."
"I know." She replies before we both hear her even breathing.
"How long has she been like this?" I ask cautiously so as to not startle the former puppet.
"About two or three hours now." Cloud answers as he pulls the covers over her. "Kairi, Riku has been looking for you. He says he'll be training you alone today since Yuffie is…well…how do I put this?" He points to Yuffie who is now holding her stomach and drinking the juice before she jumps up and runs to the sink. "Well, I think you get the gist."
"Yeah. Well, thank you Cloud. I'll see you then." I bid him goodbye and head for the underground waterway to meet Riku for our training session. I'm stepping in when a voice echoes throughout the eerie cavern causing me to fall into the water.
"You're late."
"Why do you do that Riku?" I yelp as I pick up my soaking wet form from the water and begin to squeeze liquid from my clothing, which is now drenched thoroughly. "And so what if I'm late? You're always reprimanding me! At LEAST you could help me up since you have taken a liking to startling me every time we train. " I shout at from him below.
"I can't do that Kairi. You'll get slow." Riku replies as he jumps from his perch from high up on the cavern walls. "Besides, if I allowed myself to help you, your weakness would spawn; you wouldn't be able to fend for yourself in dire situations."
"We aren't in battle Riku." I retort nastily as I watch him walk over to me where he stops a couple inches away. "I don't see why you take it all so seriously. This is training for the real thing, not the real thing."
It's always the real thing, you should think that way. Now," He smirks, "FIGHT ME!" I yelp as I find myself holding my own against him, my nun chucks held in front of me to protect me. My hands grasp the ornate handles as I push towards my silver haired friend. "HARDER!" He yells as he too presses against my own weapon with his Keyblade, Oblivion. I grit my teeth as I take a complete fighting stance to ward of Riku. It is a battle of our strengths and I know I will lose, for Riku surpasses me in every battling area. He gives one final push and I fly backwards to the ground. My chest heaves heavily as I catch my breath. "1-0 Kairi." Riku stares at me. "Shall we continue?"
"All right!" I snap angrily as I stand up, shakily. "What technique do I learn today oh oneness?"
"Blocking." He laughs and throws Oblivion at me. I react slower than I'm supposed too for the keyblade's sharp edge barely misses my ear, almost skinning it even. "You're not paying attention!"
"Get off my back!" I scream as I toss my nun chuck at him. Riku and I always argue during our training sessions; we always jumpy, well, at least I am. "I'll show you Riku!"
"Show me, then!" Riku states as he back-flips across the water to the concrete area of the cavern. He raises Oblivion high above his head and brings it crashing down upon the spot where I'd once stood. I jumped just in time. Riku growls in annoyance before he spins Oblivion in the air until currents of electricity begin to sprout from it. "Damn! Thundaga!"
"No magic!" I cry as a bolt of the blue light singes my arm; leaves a burnt, charcoaled looking mark upon my pale skin. "I haven't even learned it yet!"
I gasp again as Riku continually shoots thunderbolts from Oblivion's tip. What is up with him? I do my best to avoid the bolts as I start to run up to Riku. When I reach him, I realize that he's losing control. The darkness is taking him! I dodge another streak of his deadly electricity as I grab onto his arm and begin shaking him. At first he doesn't seem to notice, but then he looks at me, eyes no longer that beautiful aquamarine I adore. He shrugs me off his arm, tossing me to the ground with a forceful shove. I cry out in pain as my back connects with the concrete, a sickening thump resounding around the cavern walls. My eyes moisten and tears threaten to fall as Riku makes a path towards me, Oblivion pointed maliciously in front of him. I struggle to stand; I struggle to reach for my weapons, which don't lie too far away, but my hands cannot grasp them. I cringe as Riku's eyes turn menacing and he raises Oblivion above my head, the steel tip shining in the dim lighting of the cavern. I scream out right before he brings it down upon me. Then I feel it, the hot, searing fire race throughout my body, tearing me apart. My tears spill over, screams leaving my mouth while I grasp my stomach in pain, garnet staining my hands and shirt as Riku laughs crazily.
He chuckles as I attempt to stand, though I am extremely weak from the blow to even move at all. I insist on trying to get away-who wouldn't?-from him as he raises Oblivion again. I shriek, shutting my eyes as he brings it down again. I wait for more of the agonizing pain to rip through me, but it never comes. I peek my eye open, momentarily forgetting the throbbing in my stomach. Riku is looking to the far left at someone, but my vision is too hazy to identify the person. I try to speak but Riku ignores me as he begins to walk to the person, Oblivion raised in attack mode as his eyes sparkle with undiluted hatred. I follow his strut until he stands in front of the person, but all I hear are yells, a few clangs of metal and a spell being shouted. As my vision becomes worse-until the point where my eyes are clouded over with blood-I see a figure looming over me, enshrouded in perpetual light and warmth. The person reaches down to me, a gentle hand touching my shoulder as warmth floods my body.
"Kairi, don't give up. You'll be all right. I'm here with you."
"Sora?" With those last words, I collapse into the numbing darkness.
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I wake up screaming at the person's touch, limbs flailing wildly as I try to get away. I start to sit up but fall back in pain. Then I remember. I slowly open my eyes. "Cloud?"
"Glad to see you're ok." He smiles. "Riku's been worried too, though I wonder if..."
"Riku?" I clutch his shirt as I see Riku come in and I huddle further back in my bed. I see the hurt in Riku's eyes, which are now their normal emerald green, when I recoil at the sight of him. He seems normal, but I feel adrenaline pump through my veins, the fear heightened as I recall what happened in the events during our training session. "You...hurt me...and...but why?"
Riku looks ashamed as Cloud moves away to take a seat next to the brooding platinum haired youth. "I...don't remember anything I did...honestly." His eyes plead with me as he stares long and hard at his hands. "I...would never intentionally...hurt you...Kairi. Sora would have my head." He chuckles tenderly. "I told you, the darkness...it takes over me sometimes." He looks away. "And it won that time, and it will continue to, no matter how strong I am and how harshly I fight it. Please...just stay away." With that, Riku stands and flees from the house, from the room, from me.
I try to get up again but the pain returns and I collapse again. "Please, don't let him leave!" I say to Cloud, but Aerith's lover shakes his head. "Why won't you stop him? He's done nothing wrong!"
"I know that and you know that too. But you have to let him face his demons alone." Cloud sighs as he moves to sit next to me. "Kairi, Riku needs to learn how to deal with himself, to come to terms with the darkness. He needs to learn how to resist Ansem, as I have...to resist the temptation of returning to it. "
"But I'm ok!" I shout solemnly. "I'm not dead!"
"But he could have killed you!" Cloud reminds me, rubbing my shoulders comfortingly. "If Yuffie hadn't saved you, I believe he would have killed you, unintentionally of course."
"Yuffie saved me?" I ask incredulously. "But I heard him," I stare off into nothingness, "I saw him...I heard his voice...he saved me Cloud. He rescued me from the darkness, not Yuffie."
"Who did?" Cloud looks bewildered.
"Sora...I heard him come." I smile wistfully. "I felt his touch..."
"But Sora's been asleep since we left Destiny Island Kairi. He couldn't possibly have saved you. Yuffie said you were already hallucinating when she found you." Cloud replies. "I'm pretty sure she said it was because the amount of blood you lost."
"No...it had to be him...I heard him! Hell, I SAW him!" I pound my fist against the mattress. "Don't tell me I'm delusional Cloud Strife!"
Cloud backs off quickly; I assume he believes me. I remember Sora saying that Cloud had seen Aerith during those crucial times where he was alone, fighting against the darkness. He nods in acceptance to me, but I barely acknowledge him for I am currently immersed in my thoughts. I take it he's deciding to leave since he stands and waves to me before walking towards the door. I smile graciously to him; he leaves. I fall back against the pillows and turn to the side of my bed. Sora is still lying in the exact same position as before, his eyes closed peacefully, his breathing even. I let out a small, elongated sigh as I watch him. I know you saved me Sora. I know it had to be you. I roll over suddenly, my misery starting to resurface, as I think of Sora in the next bed. He's in a freaking coma! Or is it a coma? I give one last tortured look his way before allowing sleep to claim me.
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"Here we are you guys." Yuffie smiles. "Welcome to Hollow Bastion."
"I'm going to train." Leon says immediately as he walks around a corridor.
Yuffie makes a face. "Ha, well good riddance to bad trash, I always say." She flicks her finger in his general direction as she starts towards two towering doors. I hesitate beside Donald and Goofy as everyone goes ahead of us. Yuffie turns around and winks. "Don't worry, it's safe here. Besides, if anything starts to go wrong, we're here to protect you."
I nod hesitantly before I follow them. I feel Riku boring a hole through my back as he walks behind me, Sora in his arms. It's been two weeks now since Sora's been out. He still shows signs of visible life, but he won't open his eyes or give any sign that he will wake up soon. If Sora is going to be like this, how will he help me? I feel myself becoming angry with him but realize all too soon that he has done nothing to cause his situation. I push the horrible thoughts aside as I enter the library with Yuffie and Aerith. Cloud tells us that he and Riku will go place Sora somewhere safe while Donald and Goofy explain that they need to go explore the place. They wish to refresh their "memories." I agree but do not follow lead. Instead I observe my surroundings, piecing together something that I remember, but don't exactly recall. I've been here before. Inside the library I see Aerith sit down with a thick book, her emerald green eyes lighting up at the text. She beckons to Yuffie before they both giggle insanely. I join them but I cannot read the writing. I look at Aerith for help but she merely chuckles and points to Yuffie who can't seem to stop laughing. Well, I guess it's just me alone then. I wave bye to them-they don't seem to see-and head out to explore Hollow Bastion just as Donald and Goofy are. I step outside without anyone noticing.
Outside the air is crisp, breezes of a light, cool nature drift by me, hugging me. But the wind lacks warmth, as if it is sad, somber, crying out for help. Then I hear it, a voice calling out to me. I turn around but see nothing. "Hello? Who's there?"
"Kairi, do you not remember?"
"What?" I ask around as I follow the voice, almost tripping on a set of stairs that are in front of me. When I look up, there are more stairs and towers hovering above me, towering over my petite form. I swallow the lump that has formed in my throat and make my way up the stairs. "Where am I?"
"In the Great crest…but I am not here." The voice answers.
"Where are you then?" I question irritably.
"The Grand Hall…good luck."
"Oh great…" I mutter. "An invisible voice is asking me to go to the Grand Hall of Hollow Bastion. And not only am I going, but also I don't even know WHERE I'm going." I continue mumbling stupidly to myself when I run into something hard. "Ouch!" I rub my forehead and grumble. I stand dumbfounded at the sight of two double doors, made of oak and designed with two ornate designs of royal fashion, standing before me. I touch one cautiously but jerk back right away. I've been here before! I take a step towards the doors, gently pushing them but they swing open against their own accord. I poke my head in and gasp.
"I was waiting. What took you so long?"
"I…I got lost?" I stutter as I stare.
"Silly, how could you get lost?" The girl giggles. "Grandma is going to scold you again! She doesn't like it when you play jokes on her. Remember what happened LAST time you did something like that?"
"I don't…recall exactly." I stand stupefied in front of her. She bounces up to me, raven hair unraveling from her bun. "Who are you?"
"Kairi! I always knew you were a joker, but that stings!" She pokes my shoulder then laughs. "I'm your sister stupid, remember? I'm your twin, not identical of course, thank the heavens, not offense though."
"Cyra?" I say hesitantly.
"You win!" She sticks her tongue out. She skips around the room, hair flying up in down in rhythm with her skipping as she talks. "Kairi, when do you want to play hide-and-seek? The last time we played was so long ago! Plus, Grandma says mom will be mighty upset if you're mean to me again!"
"I don't…understand." I answer. She smiles and continues talking.
"You're not meant to, yet."
"Belle?" I whip around to face her; the princess is now clothed in a simple blue dress with a white apron. "Why are you wearing that? Wait! Why are you here? How can you see her?"
"She is sort of a figment of your imagination." Belle smiles kindly. "You're remembering things, memories that have been repressed, forgotten, hidden. She is here because she never left."
"Never…left? Left where Belle?" I ask.
"Perhaps we should sit down for this." Belle takes a seat on the railing of the stairs. I take one as well. When she begins to speak, I listen intently. "Do you remember how Cyra restored your past, your memories?" I nod. "Well," Belle sighs, "there are some things that she did not restore for purposes unknown to herself, but reasons that are clear to me and the other Princesses of Heart." I arch my brow. "When you and Cyra were little, you were both born on Curpiona, as she mentioned to you, but what she failed to confirm properly was where you lived after that. You both lived here, with your grandmother who cared for you after your parents' deaths. Yes, Curpiona did fall to enemy hands, but you and Cyra were never old enough to know that. You were both only two years old at the time that your mother and father were killed. You were sent to your grandmother and grandfather so they could care for you during the years, even till now. But something terrible happened. The man you know as Sephiroth, as well as the man, Ansem, came here, to Hollow Bastion, and planned to suck it into the void."
"So how did I arrive at Destiny Island?" I gape at her.
"That's simple, really." She gives me a grin, but it is tainted with sadness. "When your grandparents heard about Ansem's plan, they gave you both to your uncle. But Sephiroth managed to grab Cyra as you both left through the portal. Now your uncle was a good, wise man, but he did not have enough magic left to reopen the portal and save Cyra. That is how she ended up on Nebula, which, at that time, was overrun with darkness. Your uncle knew, but he was afraid that if he took you there to save your sister, your pure heart would be tainted. especially since many people could not be trusted during those times." She stretches her arms and legs before resuming her previous position. "Yes, Kairi, Cyra is, as your parents said, the other half of heart-the dark heart. You are the light part. Truthfully they, your parents, didn't think the darkness' minions would claim her. And this is why she is here before you. When they took her, part of her soul, the childhood part of her, managed to escape, to remain here because children are afraid of the darkness. Cyra's inner child survives here, away from the darkness. She is happy here. But she cannot survive this war without the rest of her soul."
I glance at Cyra's younger form that is currently playing invisible hopscotch upon the red carpet. She winks at me. "Won't you come play with me Kairi? I've missed you lots! Then once we're done, we can go play jokes on Edgar!"
"I…" I look to Belle for help. "What should I do?"
"Go play with her." Belle gives me an encouraging push. "She's missed you a lot, and without you, she will die sooner. She needs you right now, or her soul will extinguish." Belle smiles again. "Go catch up with her, for this may be the last time you see her smiling face before this war breaks out."
I nod slowly as Belle begins to leave. "Wait!"
"Yes?"
"Who's Edgar?" I ask.
"The butler!" She chuckles. "See you soon Kairi, princess of Heart."
With that, Belle vanishes. I sigh in anguish. This is TOO much to handle right now. As I feel Cyra's hand grab mine and pull me with her, I begin to wonder. So if what Belle said is true, where did the memories Cyra returned to me come from? Are they real or are they fake? I feel my heart go out to my sister. She's been lied too and she doesn't even know it. Then again, what should I believe? I am so deep in thought that the only thing that causes me to return in a sharp pain in my foot. "What…?" I come back to reality.
"I'm here you know! How could you forget?" Cyra makes a face. I start to answer but she waves it away. "Just kidding! Come on, follow me! We'll go make mud pies and feed them to the dogs and cats! Won't that make Grandma mad, hahaha!" I follow obediently as we go through endless corridors, hallways, and staircases. Once we've reached the open air, I find us standing on a cliff ledge, vast clouds and mist below us. Cyra turns to me, face suddenly sad and somber. "Kairi?"
"What is it Cyra?" I inquire gently.
"When this is all over, you will come back to me, won't you sister? You won't let them take me away again, will you?"
She knows things she shouldn't have to deal with at her age, even if she's a figment, a very real figment of my imagination, in a sense. I peer into her eyes. Her ruby orbs sparkle with tears, tears of sadness that a child would have when losing someone he or she really loved. Without thinking I kneel down and hug her tightly but gently. "Of course I'll come back Cyra. Of course I will."
^TBC...
(I apologize for this chapter being so long, but I'm TRYING hard to cut them down more. I will be adding more about the other couplings in the next chapters, but I wanted everyone to get the basics of these next two chapters cause it might get a bit weird if it isn't already. Well, please R&R and constructive criticism is welcome but NO flames cause that is rude!)
+DarkKairi+