Ok, another chapter up. Hope you guys like it. If you don't then stop reading it, who reads something they don't like anyways right? Right.LOL. Anyways I don't own Kingdom hearts or disgaea or Final fantasy or Max or anything I shouldn't for that matter so don't sue me please. On with the story…
CHAPTER 4
"I'll be back I promise!" Kairi giggled, she new Sora wouldn't lie to her.
"You better! You still have my keychain remember!" He grinned down at her from the gummi ship's main doors. She smiled back feeling the butterfly's dance freely about in her stomach. Sometimes it felt like her body would explode if she didn't confess her feelings for him. Watching Sora leave was one of the hardest things she had to do.
"Starring off into space again huh?" Max asked, startling Kairi. Now flushed in the face the teenager wiped the counter again and again attempting to clean an imagery speck of dust.
"It's almost closing time. Shouldn't you be off helping Tifa?" Kairi hissed attempting to avoid any further conversation. Max's just seemed to love teasing her, but it brought some fun into her life. Max's face turned bright pink at the mention of Tifa's name.
"She asked me to see how you were holding up." He answered starching the back of his head nervously. Kairi smirked. "I'm fine as you can see so get back to work already." She teased walking out from behind the counter to pick up some glasses from an empty table in the corner. He responded with a snort and headed in back. Kairi laughed lightly and placed the glasses into a bin under her left arm. Things had changed quite a bit since the day Sora left. She still missed him terribly but also kept hope for his return. Kairi was lucky though, landing a great job here at Travers 7th Heaven. If it hadn't been for Tifa's kindness she wouldn't be here now smiling.
"Ok, that should just about do it. I don't think we need much more it's almost closing time anyways." Tifa said softly talking her place behind the counter. She smiled at Kairi before mixing a drink and taking it to a waiting customer. Tifa was so nice, everyone who left here always held there heads high and not just because of the alcohol. Tifa's personality brightened there day, her smile just had that kind of effect on you.
"Anything you need done Tifa?" Kairi asked watching the young woman.
"I'm good. Max might need some help out back." Tifa responded walking back towards the counter balancing many plates and bottles on her arms. Kairi nodded allowing Tifa to drop more empty bottles into the bin under her arm. Pushing the door open Kairi stepped into the back room and walked over to the large sink. Placing the dishes down she glanced back at Max would was counting the number of boxes and keeping track of stock.
"Need anything Max?" He shook his head.
"Just mention to Tifa that we might need to pick up some more black pepper." With that said he went right back to work counting the boxes. Kairi watched him work surprised. Max really wasn't as clumsy as his father, but they both had that cute little laugh. She giggled quietly to herself leaving the room.
"Good night Locke, be careful on your way home!" Tifa called out waving to a common customer. Kairi picked up the broom from behind the counter and started to sweep. "So any plans for tonight you guys?" Tifa asked humming quietly to herself as she cleaned off the tables for the night. Kairi nodded upon closing the door and locking it tightly. She changed the sign next switching it to closed.
"Yeah, me and Max are going to the third district again. Would you like to come?" Tifa shook her head losing the smile on her sweet face.
"I don't think I could see Max that upset again." Kairi nodded, dropping the topic. It hurt to see Tifa avoid her gaze. She managed to always keep a stiff upper lip except when it came to Cloud. Some night's Kairi just wanted to cry herself. Sora had told her that Tifa was looking for her childhood friend Cloud. When Sora told her he was alive, she was so happy. But, upon finding out that no one knew where Cloud had gone crushed her heart.
"Everything is done out back!" Max said to Tifa as he walked into the room. From what Kairi could tell Tifa forced a smile.
"You guys go head. I'll finish up and meet you later." Kairi was surprised to hear that, what could have changed her mind so suddenly?
"Are you sure Tifa?" Max asked leaning on the counter, she sure had him whipped and didn't even know it.
"Yes. Go ahead. I don't have much left to do around here anyways." She laughed messing up Max's hair playfully as she walked by. Kairi giggled leaning the broom against the wall.
"Ok. See you later." Kairi waved heading out the door followed behind by Max shortly after.
Max walked behind Kairi his head in a blur. Man Tifa was a great girl, unlike anyone he'd ever met before. She didn't judge you on what you looked like, just your personality mattered. I mean after the insentient with his father and Donald it was nice to know Tifa would always be there for him. Not only giving him a job when he first came here but when his home in the third district was destroyed along with the rest she gave him and Kairi a place to stay. No question asked. "Hey Max, are you all there?" Kairi questioned causing his train of thought to crash.
"Huh?" Max gave his head a quick shake. She giggled slowing down to walk beside him.
"You're spacing out on me." She teased. Kairi was another girl that he couldn't live with out. It was funny now thinking about how much a girl can affect a guy's life.
"Sorry. I'm starting to behave more like you." He teased back pushing her playfully. She retaliated by sticking out her toung. Childish yes but that was Kairi's personality. Everyone loved her for it too. "So, any particular reason why you wanted to come with me?" Max asked shooting a glance around the fourth district. Kairi shrugged.
"I figured you'd like some company." She replied a small smiling forming on her lips.
"Yeah, I appreciate it." Max said facing Kairi again. The mood had changed so suddenly, from goofing around to serious. It was almost scary, Max almost wished he had come alone. Almost. Kairi was the first to dare break the heavy silence that hung over them like a blanket.
"Do you think Sora's alright?" Asked Kairi. Max's eyes focused on the ground, he hoped so.
"Yeah, he's fine. Remember he promised to come back." She nodded, but her eyes still remained saddened by his absence. "I really think he's doing this to protect you." She looked to Max confused. "No honestly, Sora once told me, that he'd fight until the very end. If it meant keeping you safe." Kairi blushed madly. Max sighed, it would be nice to have someone love him the way Sora loved Kairi.
"I'm going to the grave now." Max said. Kairi nodded watching him go. Poor Max. This place marked his fathers grave. At least once a week he would come here and lay down some flowers. The people in traverse town managed to clean this place up pretty well and left graves well empty graves for Donald and Goofy. There bodies have yet to be discovered. Max didn't take it to well and this place would always stay fresh in his mind. She and Tifa did what they could to keep his mind off it but, this isn't something you really ever get over. You just have to move on with your life. Since the heartless, death just didn't effect people anymore it was common. The norm. Strange huh? Yeah, well that was life everywhere now a days. She sighed, turning away giving Max some space.
"So the princess of heart is hiding here in Traverse town?" Almost jumping out of her skin Kairi turned around feeling a chill in the air. A man in a cloak stood only millimeters away from her. "You know princess you should be more careful." He said in a mocking tone his lips curving into a smirk.
"What do you mean by that?" Kairi asked standing her ground, just what did this creep want. She wanted to sneak a glance at Max but didn't want to risk him noticing it, just incase his position wasn't given away.
"You know very well what I mean by that Kairi. Your powers aren't a secret from everyone, and certainly not me." He hissed, sounding almost demonic.
"I don't know what you're talking about?" Kairi lied, acting stupid. How did this man know her, what could he have found out? No one should have known about her powers, no one.
"Trust me princess. I know you better then you know yourself." He grinned cocking up his head revealing his hazed over dark eyes. Strains of his hair poked out from the hood on his cloak drooping in his flawless face. Damn it, why did he look so familiar. Had Kairi seen him somewhere before, not that she could remember off hand. But he looked so damn familiar.
"I've seen you before somewhere? Who are you?" He laughed. Come on Kairi, like he's going to tell you. She felt so stupid for asking but what else could you do in a situation like this. Run? No, that wouldn't be possible. He looked far too quick, it was like he was almost floating on thin air.
"You'll find that out soon enough. Right now however is a different story." He said his hands making a sudden movement. Kairi felt overcome with dizziness, she stumbled around attempting to keep her balance. But to her dismay it was far to hard to keep focus on anything. She couldn't even scream for help. Everything was spinning so fast Kairi couldn't possibly grasp onto anything. Forcing her eyes to stay open just a little longer Kairi noticed him watching her in amusement as she passed out cold in a heap of whimpers.
"Kairi!" Max screamed but it was far too late. Kairi's attacker had already fled to hell knows where. Max's ran all threw the third district checking every secret passage way and every nock and cranny. But his efforts were useless, nothing. Not even any evidence as to which way they had gone. Things didn't look good. Dropping onto his knees Max's pounded the ground with his hands. This was his entire entire fault. He shouldn't have let Kairi go with him in the first place. If he hadn't then none of this would have happened.
"MAX! What happened? Are you hurt?" Tifa hollered over the increasing wind. Rain started to fall in little pitters and patters soaking threw Tifa's light jacket. She was worried, something must have happened. Tifa ran to Max and dropped onto her knees beside him throwing her coat over his shoulders. "Max." She couldn't believe her eyes, he looked completely devastated.
"Kairi….someone took Kairi…it's all my fault." He mumbled fists clenched and shoulders hunched over.
"No don't blame yourself." Tifa said softly, hugging him. What more did Kairi and Max have to endure. They didn't deserve it. Not in Tifa's mind, she cared for them both like they were her children. "Don't worry Max. We'll find a way to get her back." Max looked up finally meeting her eyes. "Let's go talk to Leon and Cid right now. He'll come up with something." Max nodded standing up beside Tifa. She smiled hoping to set his mind at ease. Leon and Cid had to help them, Kairi's life depended on it.
Another chapter done and posted. Did you like it? I hope so. I've been quite busy with the Naruto kick I've been on the past month or so but I'll try to keep updating. Even if it's a small amount of people that do truly like this story. I know how annoying it is when you want someone to continue so badly and they just don't because of the lack of reviews. It sucks. I get so angry. Well enough of my venting, hope you enjoyed the story.
