A/N: Hey guys, just wanted to let you know I haven't given this up. Unfortunately, it has been too long, so my disclaimer will just be normal, but I promise next chapter we will left off where we began…..
Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts or any of its characters; I just get to play with them!
Chapter 4: The Journey Begins
"Oh no, it's happening again!" Kairi yelled out to the darkness. She was completely immobilized, feeling helpless lying on nothing.
"Please, let me wake up. Please!" She was praying aloud, for she knew it was another dream. But it always felt so real, the fear she always woke with, wondering if next time she would even wake up.
"The more you scream the less I get to inform you." said that familiar voice. It was Riku, and he walked over to her and looked down at her.
"What do you want with me? Why do I have to stay like this every time?" She was panicking now, unsure of exactly how to break free of this charm.
"I want you to know what you need to. I can't tell you where I am, but the only way I can contact you is through your dreams. I know you and Sora are leaving tomorrow, and you need to be prepared." Kairi suddenly gained the ability to move once more, and immediately jumped up.
"There will be dangers beyond that of which you have ever seen, even in your past journey. You need to be prepared. Get ready." With that, Riku disappeared, as if he faded into the darkness.
"No! Come back! I don't understand!" Panic struck Kairi's voice as she felt the unknown force keeping her up slowly let her fall.
Kairi woke and sat up suddenly, breathing heavily. She stood up and changed into a new outfit that she hadn't worn before, she was saving it for such an adventure. She wore a bright red sleeveless shirt with a white stripe going from her shoulder to her belly button, with little sections sticking out, making it look as if it were a thorny vine. She had a black belt to match her black Capri's, with white running shoes that had red stripes going from front to back.
Once she finished changing, she grabbed the rapier from its resting place in the corner, and left the house.
It would be much too hard to leave a note for my parents. It would make me have second thoughts. I have done this before, it can happen again.
Sora opened the door after Kairi arrived, and he looked surprised.
"New outfit?" He grinned lightly and invited her in the house. She sat on the couch as he went upstairs to change as well. He came down in an outfit similar to his old one, only it was all black, excluding his yellow shoes that went well with the new clothing.
"I figured I'd get a new one as well." He explained, laughing as Kairi sat there checking him out. She noticed that he had two wooden makeshift swords in his hand. She looked at them, then up at him questioningly.
"I want you to be prepared. We're going to have a quick match before I open the door." Kairi nodded, and gulped a little. Leaving her newly acquired rapier on the couch, she took the sword he held out for her and walked outside onto the sandy grass.
"Sora?" She asked hesitantly.
"Yeah, what is it Kai?" She smiled lightly at her rare nickname, but bit her lip nervously before she spoke.
"When I got my rapier, I heard a voice too. It said 'The closer you get to the light, the bigger your shadow becomes. But don't be afraid.' My shadow turned into this giant Heartless and attacked." Sora turned around and stared at her in awe. He opened his mouth to tell her of his similar experience, but closed it, as well as his eyes, and decided to tell her later.
"Are you ready?" He asked, after they got outside and stood a good ten feet apart on Kairi's front lawn. She shook her head lightly, as well as the rest of her body, trying to loosen up, before answering.
"Yes. Let's start." Sora smiled lightly and got in his normal fighting stance. Kairi just stood there awkwardly, holding the wooden sword down at her side, squared off with Sora. He walked cautiously towards her, and took a stab at her thigh. She quickly brought the sword up in front of her and down upon his, knocking it away. She turned and switched sides, so her sword arm was facing Sora. She held it up in front of her face, looking around it at Sora. His face contorted slightly with surprise at her sudden knowledge of sword fighting, and he took a swing at her hip this time. Again, she knocked it away, towards the ground.
All right, enough toying with him. Kairi told herself with confidence. It's time to bring out the heat. She held her sword up again, waiting for Sora to strike. He struck with a quick shot, aimed at her head, but once more she swatted it away. This time, however, she began throwing a complex combination of counter-attacks, streaming away. She never let up, not until she had hit him several times. Once in the thigh, two others in the hip area, and once on the shoulder. When they finally stopped, Sora was bent over, using his knees for support, gasping for breath; Kairi stood straight smiling, hardly short of breath, and untouched.
"Kairi, when did you learn how to sword fight?" Sora asked between gulps of breath. She smiled again, broader this time, and responded with enthusiasm.
"Well, I had nothing else to do when you were gone, so I practiced against Tidus and Wakka!" Sora stood straight again, smiling at her.
"Well I think it's obvious. You're ready. Let's go get your rapier and we'll set off." She nodded in response. They walked into the house together, and Sora handed the magnificent rapier to the girl that never ceased to amaze him. She slid it between her belt and her Capri's, on her left hip. Then suddenly, a solemn look swept across her face as she pushed herself into Sora's chest and hugged him tightly.
"Sora, I'm scared. Even though I've been through all that has happened before, I'm scared." His arms wrapped themselves around her back as if it were instinct.
"Don't worry Kairi, I'm with you this time." She smiled lightly, turning her face so he could hear her better.
"You were with me last time too. This time you're standing next to me though, and that is better than last time." Their hug disassembled and they gazed into each other's eyes, warmth building up in each. Sora turned, gesturing for Kairi to follow him with his head. Kairi began singing under her breath.
"When you walk away
You don't hear me say
'Please, oh baby, don't go.'" She hadn't told anyone on the island, but she secretly wrote songs. A great majority of which were about herself and Sora.
"What's that Kai?" Sora said, without even turning around.
"Oh, nothing." Kairi said smiling, as she caught up with him and stepped into the same boat he was in.
Once they reached the main island, they tied the boat to the dock and walked silently beside the little pool, underneath the large tree house and next to the small shack that lay on the beach. The entrance to the Secret Place was hardly visible, through the line of trees and bushes. Sora stuck his arm out to the side, and his Keyblade appeared in his hand.
It seems so majestic and magical. I suppose that's because it is, but it sort of makes me feel like I'm with a god or someone legendary. Kairi's mind raced with thoughts as they both crouched down and went through the tunnel into the small cave. They looked around at all the carvings in the wall, particularly the one that showed the two of them sharing a Poupu fruit. They smiled and blushed at this, then looked at each other warmly. Words were not needed, they both nodded at the same time, which stated that they were ready.
Sora held his Keyblade out in front of him, facing the ceiling of the cave, and grabbed it with both hands. The tip began glowing blue, and a magical blue sphere of light was produced and hovered above it. The door began to glow the same bluish color and a Keyhole began glowing white, and appeared towards the center of the door, just a little to the right. They Keyblade seemed to react on its own, because Sora gasped as it pulled itself down and into the Keyhole, dragging him with it. He grabbed onto Kairi's hand just at the last second, and she was dragged in behind him. A strong shine of blue met her eyes, and she closed them; it was too bright for her fragile eyes to withstand. When she felt the constant pulling resistance between her hand and Sora's stop, she finally opened them and looked around.
"We're in Traverse Town!" She shouted excitedly out loud.
"No." Sora replied in a monotonous voice. "This may look like Traverse Town, but this is not the same alley that I was placed in when my first adventure started. No, this is a very different place."
Me and my evil cliffhangers! Muaha. Once again, sorry it took so long. School's been tough though, and with my two (yes two, I started an Inuyasha fanfic) other stories to work on, I haven't had much time for this. But I promise the next chapter will come faster! Now then….how's about a review to make that chapter come quicker? –Face lights up- Please?