Here is the next chapter. And this is the longest chapter I have ever written in my life. But, it is worth it. Enjoy.
Chapter Three: Memory Island
When Kairi opened her eyes, she was in her bedroom and it was early morning. She checked herself for any abnormal scars or anything unusual, but all she found on her were just her pink pajama-bottoms and a white shirt with blue sleeves. She sighed in full relief knowing that it was all but a dream. "What a nightmare." is what came out of her mouth. She got out of bed and walked to her closet door, where a tall, slim mirror hanged, and checked her complexion. Beside the pajama-bottoms and shirt, she looked almost the same she was when she left Destiny Island to find Sora and also in the dream she had, but the only difference: Kairi is seventeen-years-old.
It has been around three years since she left The World That Never Was with Donald, Goofy, and King Mickey; three years since Sora and Riku flew down from the sky and into the ocean. Nobody had to worry about the heartless nor either the nobodies; all but Kairi, at first. Even though she knew it was all over, for her that is, there was a part of her that was afraid that someone or something was going to come and take her away from her home and have her friends go out and save her again. Of course, this was during the first of the three years. After that, she stopped worrying and started living her life.
She did look the same, but during those three years, Kairi's body had altered to a figure of one that would go forth on a modeling career. Her chest had developed to the point that gave her full satisfaction; they were neither too small nor too big, they were just right. Her legs, waist and buttock have gone through some alterations themselves, making her mature into a beautiful woman. The stage of womanhood, for Kairi, was clearly recognized by the male gender of any age after the age of nine, which was in a positive tone. Her hair was in the same length as it was when she was fifteen, but it was in a brighter-reddish color and her bangs were cut a bit shorter. But, despite all of that, she still had her facial features and had the sea-blue color in her eyes.
She would've been a model if it weren't for her boyish appearance. After spending a few years around boys can really fuse up a girl's mind. She had a lot of boy clothes hanging all around her closet; most of them were baggy pants with some small holes at the buttock. She also had some long-sleeve shirts, with some pictures boys like, some boy's hats and a big pile of boy's shoes, which were not organized correctly, in her closet as well. Kairi stared at her reflection for some time, showing no other expression then blankness. She was staring at the nose-stud she got when she was sixteen for getting an A on a Math test. She brushed her hair with her hand to the back of her left ear, revealing, in her reflection, some earrings: One on the earlobe and three were in the bone.
Kairi the stared at a picture that was taped on the mirror; it was of herself with Sora and Riku three years ago, after they came back from defeating the Organization XIII. She was between the boys, holding them both closely to her. Sora was on her right side with his arms around her waist and his head next to her cheek; he looked as if he was going to kiss her. Riku, however, had his hands down and was bending over so Kairi could put her arm over his shoulders. The photo was taken at a birthday party, who's birthday she couldn't remember, a few months after they came back to Destiny Island. They were so happy to even be together once again. Tears cam down her cheeks as Kairi stared at this photo. She wished she would do something like that again, but she felt she never will.
She got dressed in some jeans with white-bleached highlights and a boy's dress shirt (the sleeves were almost cut up to the shoulders and the pants were torn from the knees) and ran down the stairs to the kitchen, where she caught her mother sneaking a cookie. Her mom was named Tyra and she was, to Kairi, the greatest mother she would ever have. She was somebody who wanted Kairi to be who she wanted to be and not care what others said. How do you think she got the earrings and nose-stud in the first place? In appearance, she was the identical replica of her daughter, only a lot older and less adolescent looking. Her hair was longer than Kairi's and was in the color of the dark midnight, with a hint of some auburn-color when it hit the sun. She also had the sea-blue color in her eyes as Kairi did; unfortunately, the color was fading away, to an emerald-color, by age. She had an astonishing figure as Kairi did, but she was suppose to be on a diet because she gained some weight around the waist. This explains why Kairi caught her with a sugar cookie halfway down her throat.
Kairi laughed at the sight of her diet-cheating mom and said, "What ever happened to your diet, mom?"
Tyra smiled, almost laughing, in embarrassment, along with her daughter, and said, "I got a little side-tracked, honey."
Kairi just smiled. "Mom, I know dieting is hard, but we have to go through it some days."
"Unlike the men," Tyra retorted, a bit scornfully while putting the cookie jar away. "They don't even have to worry about their weight problems. They could just eat whatever the hell they want and not gain an ounce."
"That is not true, mom. There are some boys out there who watch what they eat. And whenever they do pig out, they burn it off by exercise."
"Like your friends?" Her mother said, which she felt regretful for saying it.
Kairi stood at her place, which was by the sink and at the right side of Tyra, not saying anything or making any certain movements whatsoever. She was like this for a minute before she started for the door. "I'm gonna go out for a while."
"Where are you going, anyway?" Tyra asked with concern, but knew what answer she was going to get.
Kairi stopped at the door and turned to Tyra and replied, "I'm going to the island."
"Well, be back by midnight, okay?"
"Why midnight?"
"Enough time for me to think up a present for you." Was what Tyra told her daughter as she smiled and walked out the door.
Kairi reached the docks an hour later, where she found a couple of girls laughing and giggling over something. She was a bit curious over what they were saying, but, for some reason, she didn't feel that interested.
The girls spotted her as she got down to her boat, full of joy and surprise. "Hay, Kairi!" one of the girls said as they ran towards her. "Hey, Kairi, guess what happened yesterday."
Kairi looked up at them with a bland stare, "What?"
"We just found out from Wakka a half hour ago," the other girl said, "We still can't believe that it's really true."
"What happened yesterday?" Kairi asked again.
The two girls stared at each other, smiling and giggling some more, then turned back to her and shouted simultaneously, "Tidus and Selphie shared a paopu fruit together!"
Kairi was surprised herself. Of course, she wasn't that surprised; she knew this was going to happen sooner or later. Tidus and Selphie were spending a lot of time together before Kairi came back and, later, developed a little relationship. She remembered Selphie always told Kairi how much she liked Tidus in the sexual way almost every day, but was never to even confess it to him in person. She even knew that, according to what Sora once told her, that she wanted to try the paopu fruit for a long time. And now, she actually got the chance to try it out, and with Tidus, the boy she liked very much.
She told the girls that Tidus should be very proud of himself for having the courage to even make this commitment, even to one of her best friends. She then told them that she had to leave quickly. One of the girls asked her if she was going to share the paopu one day. Kairi answered, "I hope."
"Hopping to share it with Sora?" the first girl said. Kairi didn't answer her because she was thinking about the little carving in the cave of her head and his head. There was also the carving of an arm with a paopu fruit in the hand; it was carved by Sora four years ago, on the day before their world was consumed. When she found it, she carved her arm with a paopu fruit in her hand. She wanted to share the paopu fruit with Sora for a long time. A tear came down her cheek when this thought flowed through her head, but she shook it off and said to the girls, "I don't know if I'll ever share it with Sora. Besides, he doesn't really believe in that kind of thing; he thought of it as a pointless fairy tale."
The two girls frowned a little after listening to Kairi. They knew how she felt whenever they, or anyone else, mentioned Sora and/or Riku; they felt very sorry for her because of this. Then, when Kairi was about to sail off, the second girl (the one that spoke after the other one) asked, "Where did he and Riku go, anyway?"
Kairi was quiet for a long time, then she turned to the girls and answered, not smiling, "They went out to take care of something in another island. Who knows when they'll be back." She waved to the girls goodbye and was on her way.
Kairi sailed down the sea, heading towards the island where she used to play in with Sora and Riku. The closer she was to the island, the stronger the memories she kept in her head were. Personally, Kairi stopped calling Destiny Island and started calling it Memory Island because it was the only place that never changed during the years and was where her memories were the strongest and would never go away. The first time she ever called it by that name was during the time when Sora and Riku left her behind, for the second time, making her feel alone emotionally.
She jumped onto the docks in just one leap. The wood aged a little bit, making it creak whenever feet slammed on it. She turned to the edge of the docks where she remembered sitting next to Sora, which was also on the day before their world was consumed, and sighed. She shook it off a second later and walked down a path to the beach, feeling the breeze blow in her face. The beach was clear and fresh and the ocean was showing its crystal-blue color as it splashed along the white sandy bed. Kairi walked down the beach, taking her time with every step. She was looking around at her surroundings on Memory Island, looking as it was when she first saw it as a little girl. She stopped at the point where the water from the ocean could touch her feet and was staring out to the sea with a blank expression.
It wasn't until later she realized she was standing on the very spot where Sora first found her as a little boy. She could never forget when she first saw him. His flawless features on his face, his brown and spiky hair and all around his forehead. He was staring at her with a curious gaze, pondering over who this girl was. He leaned close to her face and asked her where she came from, but she disappointed him by telling him she didn't know.
Then, Sora leaned forward once again and asked, "What's your name? My name is Sora. What's yours?" and the answer he got from her was one small word: Kairi.
This memory faded away with the wind and Kairi looked around the beach once more, digging her shoes into the sand. Then, suddenly, she laughed and wrapped her hand around her stomach. She remembered when she met got to know Sora and Riku and how it ended in an unusual way.
She was only seven or eight at the time; it was one of those days when she was depressed for no apparent reason whatsoever. She was sitting down on the beach, staring out into the abyss, when Sora and Riku walked up to her. They just got done with some sword fighting (don't worry, they used wooden swords) and wanted her to play with them, since she isn't playing with all the other kids.
Sora stood next to her and said, "Hey, Kairi. Do you want to play with me and Riku for a while? We promise to be gentle to you." Kairi shook her head no in the way many little girls shake their heads no when boys asked them to play with them. Sora's smile faded when Kairi turned him down. He turned to Riku, wondering what was wrong. Riku, while brushing his white away from his eyes, suggested that they should talk to her and console her as best as they can. Sora agreed. He turned back to Kairi and knelt beside her, asking her if she was okay. Kairi turned to him and saw his adorable, but concerned, eight-year-old face.
Kairi nodded her head, "Yeah, I'm fine." But she wasn't smiling at all, which made Sora a bit more concerned than before.
He was worried about Kairi for a few days now because she hasn't been playing with all the other kids. She never even walked up to them and asked if they wanted her to play with them. They all thought she was a bit cuckoo in the head. Sora and Riku, on the other hand, believed that she was just lonely for the place where she came from, the place she couldn't remember. They felt she didn't deserve to be unhappy all her life. She needed some kids to play with her, and those kids were two boys by the names of Sora and Riku.
Sora rested his knees on the sand, staring at Kairi, and asked, "Are you sure you're okay? Because I don't think you are."
"I don't think so either." Riku agreed.
"Well, I am!" Kairi shouted.
"Then, how come you're sitting here by yourself?" Sora asked.
"Because I want to be by myself, Sora."
"But, Kairi, why can't you just hang around with us? We can protect you from any bed guys and all the monster lurking around here. We can be your best friends."
"I don't feel too happy to be anyone's best friend." was Kairi's reply.
They sat there for a minute until Sora came up with an idea that not only can make Kairi happy, but can also make her laugh. He decided to tickle her on the belly by using the evil fingers, which was what his dad used on him ever since he was five. He began by pretending that his fingers were hurting.
Kairi looked up at him, "Sora, what's the matter? What's wrong with your hands?"
"They're starting to hurt all of a sudden."
Riku was a bit worried too, but, then, he realized what he was doing; after all, he was there when Sora's dad would tickle him. He decided to play along, "Uh-oh."
"What?" Kairi turned to Riku.
"It's happening."
"What's happening?"
"Sora's getting the evil fingers." Kairi asked what the evil fingers were. "The evil fingers are fingers that are taken over by evil demons that like to tickle little girls like you on the belly and they don't ever stop. So you better run away from him, cause he might get you."
And get her was what Sora did; he tickled her for only a few minutes. She was laughing very much from the feeling of his fingers wiggling all around her belly. He stopped when Kairi begged him to stop. They giggled for some time, seeing each other's smiles on their faces. Then, without any hint of warning, Kairi wrapped her arms around Sora's waist, hugging him tightly. This confused Sora very much, but, strangely, it also made him a bit comfortable. Then, he heard her say, "Thank you for making me happy, Sora." to his ear. Now, at that moment, being a little boy of eight-years-old, Sora would've pushed her away, saying cooties over and over again, but instead, he smiled and hugged her around her neck, saying, "No problem."
Riku felt left out by this and squeezed in between them, making a group hug between the three of them.
This was the day when Kairi became best friends with Sora and Riku, which they were best friends for a few more years. It was also the day when she first developed a little crush on Sora.
The memory of the three of them hugging was still in Kairi's head and she was watching it with a tear running down her cheek. Then, the memory faded away like dust as she walked through it; she was heading towards the little badly made wooden cottage that lead to the small, round island where a paopu tree was. She reached the tree and climbed on it, surprised to find out that it could hold her weight. She jumped off and ran around the coconut trees, as if she was a little girl again.
Suddenly, she stopped when she remembered that this the exact place where she, Sora and Riku received the letter from King Mickey in a bottle. It was three years ago since then, but it felt to Kairi only yesterday. She remembered running up to the boys with the bottle in her hands, calling to them.
Sora and Riku turned to her. "Hey, what's up?" Sora said. Kairi held up the bottle with something inside it. Sora took it and saw that the item was a rolled-up piece of paper. Stamped on a corner of it was a picture of a green mouse head. Sora recognized it as King Mickey's seal. "From the King?" He took the cork out and slid the letter out of the bottle. He then opened it to see what was inside, Kairi and Riku were looking over his shoulders. What they read in the letter was this:
Dear Sora and Riku,
I'm writing to you both on urgent notice. It looks like we have another mission to take care of and we need your help a lot. Master Yen Sid wants you both to come to his tower, where he'll explain the mission to you in full detail. I will have some transportation that'll help you reach the tower in two days. And there is something else you need to know: This mission is going to take longer than the last one. Hope we accomplish it ASAP. See ya later.
King Mickey
PS: I don't know how to say this, but I request you two to spend those two days with Kairi because you are not going to to see her for a long time.
The three friends stared at the letter for a long time before Sora put it down. They were very quiet afterwards; no sound came from either of them for another long while. Sora and Riku cannot believe that there is another mission for them to accomplish. But Sora figured "What must be done must to be done." He turned to Riku with an enthusiastic smile, "You ready to do it again, Riku?"
Riku smiled back, "Yeah."
Kairi looked at them, not believing what they were saying. Sora and Riku, her closest friends ever, were going to go on another mission, leaving her again and making her miserable. She turned and ran off. "Hey, Kairi! Wait!" Sora was shouting before running after her. Riku tagged along behind them.
Kairi stood by the coconut trees, clutching her chest tightly. Her heart was starting to ache because she wasn't close to Sora and this memory only made it worse for her. The memories of Sora always ached her in the heart. She wanted Sora to be with her. She wanted him to hold her in his arms. She missed him very much and as the days and nights passed on without him here with her, the pain in her heart increased. Her secret crush on him was also making her heart hurt. He didn't actually know that she loved him a lot, as much as he loved her. This was also why she ran away from him. She didn't want him to see her tears on her cheeks. There were already some tears when she ran.
Suddenly, something caught her eye down on the beach. There were two figures standing in the middle of the beach, staring up at Kairi. She didn't know who they were for they had hoods over their heads. The one on the right had to be a boy for he was wearing a pair of black pants that fit him perfectly, revealing his muscular legs, and a pair of black boots. He was also in a tan-colored sweater with a brown vest in the outside. The figure on the opposite side, however, was indeed a girl for she was in a beautiful blue robe. She was also wearing some white pants and some white shoes. Kairi couldn't figure out their purpose for even being here in the first place. She assumed that they must have some connection with this mission Sora and Riku were in and they were on their side. But, she thought, what if they were minions for Malificent? What if they came to kidnap me and take me away from my home? I don't want to go through that again. I just can't. But the thought of that was just ridiculous. There hadn't been any of the Heartless or Nobodies all around the Island. And, besides, these two strange figures didn't look threatening in any way. So, after a second, Kairi started for them, to find out who they are.
Just then, the two figures started to run under the bridge that connected the round paopu Island to the big island. Kairi called for them but they didn't listen. She ran towards the edge and jumped off, landing on the soft sandy service. She saw them heading towards the door that headed to the second half of the Island. Kairi started for them until . . .
"Kairi!" Kairi turned around to find Selphie, Tidus and Wakka walking down the path from the docks. They appeared to have arrived a few minutes ago. The two boys were carrying a lot of beach equipment while Selphie was hopping up and down, waving to Kairi. She walked up to her, saying, "Hello, Kairi and Happy Eighteenth Birthday!"
Kairi smile and accepted her friends embrace, then said, "Thank you, but my birthday is not until five days from now."
Selphie broke off the embrace, "I know, but I wanted to give you a head-start."
"Well, thanks anyway." She retorted. "So, what are you guys doing here?"
Tidus put down huge, white cooler that looked heavier than himself, "It's the summertime. We always come to the beach during summertime. Why are you here?"
"I was just looking around, as usual. I just came down from the paopu fruit tree," Kairi turned to Tidus, "Which I wanted to congratulate you for."
Tidus didn't know what she talking about at first, then it clicked in his head. He caught Selphie by her hand and wrapped her around the waist, smiling, "Oh, thank you very much." He kissed his girlfriend on her cheek.
There was a hint of disappointment in Selphie's face, "Oh, Kairi, I wanted to tell you after we shared the paopu fruit, but Tidus kept me busy moving his tongue all around my mouth."
"Hey, TMI, man! TMI!" Wakka said waving his hand at them. He turned to Kairi, "Hey, why don't you join us? We can have a great time." The two lovers agreed.
Kairi resisted, "I would if I was dressed for the occasion. Besides, I just want to be alone for a while." She waved to them and ran to the door leading to the second half of the island.
They were quiet for a moment. Then, Selphie turned to the boys with enthusiasm, "Well, since Kairi's not here, why don't make plans for her surprise party?"
"What party?" Tidus asked, of course, he was joking around.
"Oh Tidus."
"Well, I think it's a great idea to have it here."
"Yeah, everyone can arrive in their swimsuits so they could go down to the ocean and splash each other."
Wakka ran over to the edge of the beach (opposite the ocean) and turned to his friends. "This could be the place to put all of grub in, man!"
Tidus nodded, "Yeah! We can put the snacks on one side, the beverages on the other side and put the cake in the center. That could look really cool."
"That would be great. That way, it's away from the salt-water. And here—" Selphie went on as they gave out more great ideas for the surprise party.
Meanwhile, on the second half of the Island, Kairi ran to the beach area, trying to catch up with the two figures. When she reached the area, she was too late. The figures were gone. She was breathing heavily, hand down no her knees. When she looked up, she saw the raft they built to sail off to other worlds, which they never used. She walked up to it and got on it, smiling a bit. She remembered standing here once, sewing together some shells to make her lucky charm. This was where she told Sora to get some supplies for the voyage that later became pointless.
When she thought about Sora, her heart started to hurt very badly, hurting to the point that could make her cry in loneliness. Then, she heard some footsteps from behind her. She thought it was Selphie or Tidus checking up on her. They knew she missed Sora, they just didn't know she missed him that much. Then, she thought it was the figures attempting to surprise her from behind. But, when she turned, she saw herself as a fifteen-year-old, running away from whatever she was running away from. That was when Kairi remembered.
Kairi, in the memory, held onto the pole in the center of the raft. She was crying her eyes out because of what happened between Sora and Riku. She was dispirited in the heart because Sora was, once again, leaving her for the second time, which was not what she wanted. She was also angry because of it.
Sora came running up to her, breathing heavily and a bit irritated. He spotted her on the raft, then walked up to her. "Kairi!" He said with the hint of anger in his voice, "What's the matter with you?"
Kairi didn't budge one inch from her place. When she did, she saw Sora standing in front of her, but not on the raft, glaring at her. She walked to the edge of the raft, and asked "Why?"
Sora's glare stood, "Why what?"
"Why do you have to leave?"
"Because I have to, Kai, the King needs me."
"But why now?" was Kairi's next question.
Sora stood there, his glare faded a bit, "I guess my life works in that way."
"What about me, Sora? What am I going to do?"
Sora knew what was going to happen next, his glare faded away for good. He remembered the last time he left her; he promised he was going to back for her, but he never did. "I know I promised you I'd come back for you, but I'm going to keep that promise, Kairi, you know I will."
"Why can't I just come with you and Riku?" Kairi said, jumping down from the raft.
"Because it's too dangerous. I just want you to be safe, Kairi. And, this time, I am coming back for you. Just wait for me, Kairi, wait for me and I will come back for you." Sora saw the frown on Kairi and the new tears that were coming. Sora's heart ached in agony because he was hurting Kairi very badly. He didn't deserve her if he was going to hurt her like this. Then, he came up with something that can cheer things up. "Ouch." He said as he rubbed her hands.
"What's the matter, Sora?" Kairi wondered.
"Nothing, Kairi, but my hands are starting to hurt."
Kairi shrieked, knowing what he meant, and ran away. Sora laughed and was after with the evil fingers. He caught her and tickled her in the belly for a few minutes. When he stopped, Kairi was laughing gayly. Then, she wrapped her arms around Sora's waist and hugged him tightly. She was still crying over the fact that Sora was going to go. Then, she said, "I'm going to miss you."
Sora wrapped his arms around her neck, said to her, "I'm going to miss you too."
Suddenly, the trail of thought was disturbed when Kairi heard Selphie's voice from behind her. They were a bit worried when they saw her watching the raft and she was holding on to her chest. Selphie nudged Tidus forward, who protested and then gave up, and was walking towards her.
"Uh, Kairi," Tidus began, "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. I was just reminiscing for a while."
Selphie knew what she meant, "About Sora?" Kairi nodded, "Don't worry, he'll be back. You know he will."
"Of course, I do."
"Well, Kairi, do you still want to hang out with us?"
There was a long silence before Kairi said, "I'll be there."
Tidus and Selphie smiled a bit and left her alone. Kairi then stared out at the ocean, beside the raft, like she always did. Little did she know, the two figures were watching her from the coconut trees behind her; they stare at her with pain and remorse. But, somewhere out in another world, there was somebody else watching her as well.
That somebody else was Ansem the Wise. Yes, Ansem was alive and well and looked as he always did since he vanished in The World That Never Was three years ago. But instead of the black and red outfit he wore before, he was wearing a pure white suit; he also had on a black dress shirt with a white tie. There were some physical changes he went through after his disappearance: His hair and goat-tee were now in a pure white color, just like his suit, and both were combed straight as if they were naturally straight. Another was the red fire color in his eyes. They were now in a crystal-blue color; he must have gone through some recovery from the research he's done over the years. He stood in front of a screen that has Kairi staring out at the sea for a few minutes. Then, he lowered his head and closed his eyes and, after a small silence, he spoke, "I thought they were going to speak to her."
Standing behind him was the Hooded Figure, leaning next to a wall. She was in the same outfit as she was when she talked to him in The World That Never Was four years ago. She straightened herself and walked up to Ansem. She answered him with "They decided to speak to her tomorrow."
Ansem smiled, "I was just wondering. She has changed a lot over the years."
The Hooded Figure looked up at the screen, "Yes, she has. She's looking a lot like her mother, don't you think so?"
"Yes, I believe so. I always say to myself, 'Is this the girl that will save the light and destroy the Forgotten Evil?' And, then, I answer to myself, 'Yes, she is. She is a the Warrior, just like Xena was in her day.'"
"She does remind me of her, don't you think so?"
Ansem nodded. Then, he said, "I just found out that the Apostles are expecting to see her soon."
"They'll get their chance in five more days."
"Five days. Excellent."
"Excellent indeed."
The two stand in front of the screen, watching Kairi staring out at the sea. One moment, she was a pretty little princess of heart, and now she was she will soon be a woman in five days. How does time pass by, The Hooded Figure thought.
What did I tell your about this chapter being so long. It is very long! Besides that, tell me what you think of it by reviewing it. And, please, do it soon, my review box is getting a bit lonely.