Aqua sighed as she approached Kairi's borrowed room in the Land of Departure. After the physical and emotional toll of that summons, Kairi had been rendered bedridden for days much to her frustration. Needless to say, Kairi was not happy about being restricted to her room. She was no longer bordering on delirium which arguably made it more frightening that she was still adamant about going after Sora.
She still remembered the conversation they had the day prior which gave her some insight into her pupil's pain.
"How are you feeling?" Aqua sat down next to her bed with a tray containing breakfast.
"I've recovered much of my strength. I should be able to go after Sora and Riku soon."
Aqua wished she was surprised, "So you're still committed to that."
"He's out there alone. You saw him. He's running himself ragged out there, and even Sora can't fight forever."
"I know that, but Riku may still find him. King Mickey is also still looking for clues to help us get him back. I don't think that you should throw yourself out there like this."
"Because I'm too weak?" Kairi bit back bitterly, and Aqua was left at a loss for words. It was an ineloquent way to phrase it, but at the heart of the matter, it was the truth.
"You simply may need more training."
"No!" The redhead replied defiantly, "Sora is constantly taking hits for me. He fights, he searches, and he suffers for my sake. He's willing to shoulder the world if it makes my life easier, but I want to do something for him now. Maybe I'm not as strong as the rest of you, but I have to do something. He's in danger and waiting around isn't good enough anymore. I-I don't want to be a burden like I was last time, and I won't be. I'm stronger now, and I'll get even stronger. But I can't keep waiting here while he's in danger because of what he did to save me."
Aqua eyed the fists clenched around her comforter and sighed, "We can discuss this later. Once you've recovered."
"Kairi," Aqua knocked on her door, "May I come in? How are you feeling today?" No answer. After a few minutes, Aqua summoned her keyblade only to find that the door was not locked. Opening it, she was greeted by an empty bed and her own tired smile. You could never really lock a keyblade wielder anywhere.
Sighing as she pulled out her Gummiphone, she called a particular number. She had enough of a head start as it was.
Kairi thought she made good time on her way to the former Keyblade Graveyard, but she let out a groan when she saw another gummi ship parked near her landing spot. She should have known she would have been busted. Someone was bound to be closer with a faster ship.
All the same, she put the ship down and disembarked. She would just have to hope for the best depending on who made it here. When she finally arrived at the portal, she breathed a sigh of relief. This was probably the best possible outcome.
"Guess I wasn't very hard to find."
"Master Aqua said you had run off," Goofy replied with his shield still up.
"And there weren't many places you'd go. We were closest," Donald shrugged.
Kairi puffed out her chest and stood tall, "I'm going."
"Are you really sure that's such a good idea?" Goofy asked with genuine concern.
"Yeah, you might just get in the way," Donald replied harshly, but she knew from Sora that he meant well. Honestly it was a bit refreshing for someone to at least be honest about it.
"I…I'm not entirely sure myself," Kairi clutched a fist to her chest before looking back at the duo with determination, "But he's already done so much for me. He's alone and he needs help. I-I'll be that help if I have to."
Donald and Goofy shared a look and nodded before putting on their serious faces, "We're coming with you."
"What?"
"Sora's one of our best buds," Goofy explained, "And we may not be keyblade wielders, but we at least know how to look after 'em."
"Yeah! And we couldn't look Sora in the face if we let something happen to you."
"Guys…" Kairi smiled, "I'm glad Sora has such loyal friends."
"Thank us later. First we gotta find him."
"Right," Kairi nodded before looking back at the ship, "I hope you can forgive me, Master Aqua, but Sora has waited long enough. It's too much to ask for another day."