Due to the fact that I've been threatened, by certain people through private messages, with spam mail and stalking, I shall now add in a few surprises for my life's sake. But don't EVER threaten me again. EVER. But thanks for the reviews! You guys ROCK!

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Chapter Fourteen: No Matter What

Kairi extended her paws to a beautiful but distant view of the Pride Rocks. "Let's go."

A figure suddenly pounced on Kairi, making her slump to the ground with a black panther on her back.

"Tifa! WHAT THE HELL! YOU'RE GOING TO KILL HER!"

Cloud's resounding voice seemed to work, because Tifa jumped right off.

"Sorry, Kai. We got to the portal at the last minute. We decided to come with you guys."

"Why?" said Kairi, helped up by Axel and Sora.

"Hey, I still need someone to help me pick out my wedding dress."

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"Well, Sora, the Heartless. They're still here. Nala's in hysterics. Think you can help her?"

Indeed, Nala was slumped on the floor, breathing hard. Rafiki, the healer, shook his head. The lionesses were seated in a circle, shifting nervously as their queen slumped in pain. Simba looked concerned, sitting right next to her. Gasps of pain here heard from Nala.

Rafiki's eyes lit up at the sight of Kairi. She had been here before, Sora thought. The lionesses stood up in joy and Nala's still form moved just a bit.

"Kairi!" said Tasha, a good friend of hers. She was a slender, tan lioness. She ran to Kairi, urgency in her eyes.

"Kairi, Nala's- something wrong with her. Not even Rafiki can heal her. This must be serious, for a healer to be unable to heal."

Rafiki shook his head. "My powers are all gone. Something's wrong."

Kairi looked at Nala, then at the lionesses, then at Rafiki.

"Rafiki- can you- can you turn us into humans again? I think that I can heal better when in human form."

Rafiki nodded and orange powder surrounded the group. Finally a group of humans faintly dusted with orange powder were standing. Tasha rubbed her head on Kairi's palm.

"Can you?"

Kairi scratched the lionesses' chin and walked to Nala, kneeling next to her. Everybody was tense.

Simba sat next to Kairi.

"Kairi, can you heal her?"

She looked at the young lion. "What is she feeling?"

Rafiki stood on her other side. "Pain- and she feels like her heart- "

In no time at all Kairi summoned her keyblade. Rafiki held Simba, just in case Simba attacked her. Rafiki sighed. "You can trust her."

Kairi stood, and then whispered a few words.

The keyblade glowed with a silver and blue light. So did Kairi's eyes.

The keyblade released an orb that flew over Nala. The orb instantly exploded, showering Nala with silver- blue light. Everyone had to cover his or her eyes, the light was so bright.

The light dimmed…

And everybody roared as Nala was seen standing, completely healed.

Rafiki, Tasha and Kairi laughed at the faces of everybody, from Simba to Axel and Sora.

Nala nuzzled Simba, who walked to Kairi.

"Thanks- and I'm sorry if I didn't trust you."

"No need."

Nala came to her.

"Thank you Kairi. We have already destroyed the Heartless. Thank you."

Sora yawned. It was getting dark.

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Sora and Kairi sat on a rock overlooking a beautiful lake. The setting sun reflected on the placid clear waters.

"Wow."

"Amazing."

"Yeah."

They both blushed, having been staring at each other. They looked away, drawing their attention to the sunset.

Sora then shyly placed his hand over Kairi's. They both smiled faintly.

Guess he feels the same way I do…

"Sora! I need to talk to you!"

Simba's voice roared and disrupted the two's peace. Sora sighed and stood up, said goodbye and left, but not before planting a quick kiss on Kairi's cheek.

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Simba and Sora walked on the grassy savannah. They stopped in the middle and looked up. Countless numbers of stars hung in the sky.

"When I was but a cub, my father used to tell me that fathers were always in the stars after they died." He looked at Sora. "Do you think yours is there?"

Sora shook his head. "I barely knew him, and I've never felt any love."

"Love? Parental or with a girl?"

"Both. I mean, Donald and Goofy's companionship (they're back with Mickey, FYI) only filled that emptiness halfway."

They sat down.

"But, what about Kairi? Does she not fill that void?"

Indeed, she did.

Sora blushed. "Maybe."

"Kairi feels the same way."

Sora looked at him in happy surprise. "Really?"

Simba laughed. "Yes, Sora. You both love each other in many ways, but this is one of the few blessing she has." Simba looked up at the stars, sadly.

"I don't understand."

"Kairi hasn't felt any companionship or love till now. Her only friends were her steed, Tifa and Cloud. During her life those were her only lights. Her life was filled with scolding and cuts."

Kairi had been maltreated, starved, hit, bruised, injured by the peasants, her enemies, everyone. It seemed as if she were despised by everyone. But Kairi held her head up and did as told, never breaking down, never succumbing to the abuse.

Sora sighed. All these years taking life for granted, enjoying everything, when another wasn't as well off as him…

Simba sighed. "I know, Sora, but don't take it so hard. If only they knew who she truly was…"

Sora looked at him, concern and curiosity in his eyes.

"What do you mean?"

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Kairi stood. She smiled; still not believing this was real.

He did WHAT?

Her smile turned into a sad frown. If only he knew who she truly was…

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Sora widened his eyes in disbelief.

"Kairi's a princess?"

"Yes. She doesn't want anyone to know, not even you."

Sora sighed sadly, with a small trace of anger in his voice.

"She doesn't trust me?"

"No, not at all. She was just afraid to break that bond of friendship. Friendship is very strong. Break it and worlds fall apart. She was afraid that you might be afraid to love her as a friend."

Afraid of rejection?

Sora stood up.

"She's about to be proven wrong."

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Kairi was standing, looking at the lake.

What should she do? Should she tell him the truth and face the worst? Or should she keep it a secret?

She was so caught up she didn't feel or hear a figure standing right behind her.

Kairi looked ahead.

It'll be better if I tell him the truth.

She turned and was greeted by a tight hug from Sora.

"I know," he said softly.

Kairi hugged him back.

"I was afraid, Sora. I was so scared."

Sora let go, holding on to her by the shoulders.

"Listen, I don't care if you're the Queen of Sheba, a princess, a peasant, anything. You'll still be the same old Kairi to me."

Kairi smiled faintly at him, relief in her eyes. "No matter what?'

Sora suddenly kissed her on the lips. Kairi kissed him back, wrapping her arms around his neck. Sora gently placed his hands on her waist. They broke for air.

Sora rested his forehead on hers.

"No matter what."