Disclaimer: I only own Kingdom Hearts in my dreams. D:

A/N: Hey, guys! Thanks for the reviews, you are all loved. Haha. Toshi is such a butt, I know. Will that ever change? Hmm... only time will tell. xD Well, I don't know if this chapter would be considered long, it's probably just average, but I still hope you enjoy it all the same. :D

xoxo Bianca.

Intertwined Destinies

Chapter Six.

Gurgle gurgle. Gurrrgggleee.

"That was probably your stomach's loudest grumble yet, Goofy." Donald inquired, holding his tawny bill up in the air.

"Aww, sorry, guys. I'm just really hungry. Really, really hungry."

Sora frowned to himself in anxiety. He was getting hungrier as well, but there were no signs of food to be seen anywhere—not even the slightest. How long would it take before they were too hungry to keep on walking?

The three walked in silence, occasionally stopping to battle with numerous Heartless. Then when there had been no indication of Heartless for a while, Sora's eyes fell downward and began concentrating on his shoes. Suddenly, when Sora raised his gaze from his shoes to the sight before him, his heartbeat's pace increased dramatically. Rising from the ground was an obscure, murky, and ink-like substance—like a lone, thick shadow without its master. Donald and Goofy noticed this strange phenomenon as well.

"What is it?" questioned Sora, stepping forward with caution.

"I don't know," answered Donald and Goofy, equally puzzled.

Before any of them could speak another word, a howling sound so deafening emitted from the strange substance, and a force so powerful seemed to pull the three towards its direction, like a vacuum. It was like a mouth, inhaling severely and recklessly, trying to obtain Sora and his companions into its intimidating interior. There was nothing to hold on to, except for their weapons. The smooth glass seemed to help the inhaling shadows, being so slick and lubricious. Their legs wobbled as they struggled to stand their ground, but it was nothing compared to the vigor and energy the shadowy figure had against them.

Soon enough, all three of them were sucked into the vacuum-like obscuration... they could not see anything but darkness and felt as if they were falling an extensive amount of distance...

It was now Kairi who was walking ahead of the other. She was deep in thought, but her anger was still simmering. She was now fully convinced that Toshi was not worth even trying to be polite with and that he was a horrible, inconsiderate, pathetic idiot... as she had screamed that at him before. Kairi hated crying and she tried her best not to, but sometimes she felt as if she was so close to the edge of extreme despair and melancholia that the tears came flowing out without mercy. She was currently not in tears but that was only because she was concentrating wholeheartedly to refrain the tears from gathering and spilling down her cheeks.

Deep down inside, when Kairi hugged Toshi (and she felt like she needed a two-hour bath after coming into realization that she had been fooled) she knew in her heart that something was wrong. Like the instant she touched him, Kairi's heart really did know that it was not Sora, because when she was with Sora, it was like an exhilarating connection becoming alive.

Kairi was currently giving Toshi the silent treatment. Toshi was silently accepting the silent treatment because he knew he deserved it. Honestly, he felt sort of sorry and filthy for doing what he had done to Kairi. It showed him that Kairi felt strongly about herself and Sora, and that whoever would mess with that feeling would be punished. Toshi's respect for Kairi grew when he saw how passionate and unyielding she could be when protecting her feelings for Sora.

All in all, Toshi felt like scum. Slightly.

Poor Sora.

The shadows subsided, and he was left sprawled on what seemed like a cobblestone ground. His back pained staggeringly, his arms and legs numb. His eyes were squeezed shut tightly. What he had seen earlier... the darkness... such intimidating and unnerving darkness... swallowing him... practically feeding on him... it was so irregular.

"Ugghh..." Sora slowly reached his hands up and placed them over his eyes. Who knew that darkness could be so unearthly? He had been in dark places before. Like his bedroom at midnight. But something was fearfully different, so chilling, about that darkness he had encountered earlier.

Sora shivered and moved his hands to his temples. Pressing his hands against the sides of his head in circular motions, Sora tried to make himself feel better.

Hearing footsteps not too far off, Sora froze in his position. He dared not open his eyes, worrying that what he would see would scar him for life. The footsteps stopped. Sora sensed something, or someone, standing next to him. His heart drummed promptly.

"Oh, my!" came a very feminine and angelic voice, seemingly from the one that had come up to Sora.

Sora's fear washed away. Who could be afraid of a voice like that? Feeling curious, Sora opened his eyes. His vision was extremely blurry but then his eyes focused correctly and he was able to see who had spoken.

She stood tall, with pale skin and light, light blonde hair. Her hair was in loose locks, reaching her elbows. A bright blue ribbon—which matched the long, simple bright blue dress she was wearing—accented her ethereal hair. Wearing no jewelry, the girl who seemed to be in her early twenties kept herself fashionably plain.

"Are you alright?" she bent down and inspected Sora. "How perfectly dreadful! This is an outrage. How did you come to be like this? Who did this to you? Are you hurt much? Hmm, I don't seem to remember seeing anyone like you around here before. Not that I see anyone here at all anymore. Lately, it's always been so very quiet and so very empty here in this town. It is very lonely. But, oh! I'm sorry; I must have trailed off..."

The lady took hold Sora's wrists. "Let's get you up, shall we?" Bringing herself up as well, she supported Sora as he struggled to stand. "What's your name, stranger?"

"Um, Sora."

"Alrighty then. Why don't we get you inside, Sora?" That, of course, was not a question to be answered as the lady already started tugging Sora in the direction of a tall building. When they reached a heavy wooden door at the entrance, the lady fumbled with a chain of keys. She had so many keys that it took her a few moments to find the correct one.

Sora suddenly remembered something. "I... oh, no... my friends! Donald, Goofy... they—"

"Hush, hush, now," murmured the lady as she picked at her keys. "We'll talk later."

Sora sighed and quickly glanced upwards before looking back at the lady. Wow, there sure were a lot of keys in her hands.

Wait, did he just see something?

Doing a double take, Sora rose his gaze again and stared at what he saw earlier—a glowing neon sign with blinking letters. He read it over and over again in disbelief...

Traverse Town Inn

Finally!

They reached it.

The edge of the stained glass floor.

Kairi took a deep breath and peered over the side. Darkness. Deep, scary, solemn darkness. A fission ran down her spine. What now? Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Toshi staring right at her. Kairi noticed that he was wondering what to do, too... and he was looking at her for the answer.

"What now?" Kairi whispered aloud, still staring down at what seemed to be infinite darkness. She was directing the words to herself, and Toshi seemed clever enough to take note of that and not reply.

Tearing her eyes away from the dark sight, Kairi looked back at the miles of stained glass floor they had walked across. There was no turning back now. And it wasn't as if it would be any different if they walked over to the other edge. Kairi gulped and blinked in anxiety as she looked down again, and then an idea came into mind.

No, it was too crazy.

It wasn't safe, either.

Besides, there was absolutely no guarantee that they'd survive if they...

Kairi shook her head at the negative thoughts and forced herself to think about that idea more. There was no guarantee that they'd find another idea. There was no guarantee that they'd find a better idea. There was no guarantee that they'd have anywhere else to go besides... whatever was down there... if there was anything down there...

"Toshi," Kairi said flatly, sounding fully like she still didn't want to talk to him, but she'd make an exception this time.

"Wh-what?" Toshi's voice held a surprised tone.

Kairi took another deep breath, only this one was deeper and longer and heavier. Would she regret this? Although, there was nothing to lose at the moment...

"Are you afraid of heights?" Kairi asked softly, exhaling.

"Huh?"

"Are. You. Afraid. Of. Heights."

"I... don't think so."

"How about the dark? Are you afraid of that?"

"No, I guess not..."

Kairi looked worried and satisfied at the same time. She closed her eyes for a brief moment and then opened them slowly, staring at Toshi attentively.

"Good."

With that, Kairi stepped towards a puzzled Toshi.

And then she pushed him over the side.

A split second later, Kairi herself jumped off the edge, her heart hammering against her chest as she did so.

REVIEW REPLIES!

Princess Kairi: Don't worry, I'll be awaiting for a pic of your dogs' very patiently. :) Oh, and I feel bad for Kairi, too... Toshi is indeed mean... but it looks like he's rather sorry?

MagicV: You think Toshi deserves a slap? Haha, I bet Kairi'll agree to that. Maybe. Hmm, if Toshi doesn't start behaving soon, perhaps he truly WILL get a slap! (Toshi: WTF? Nooo, my tender cheeks...) Muahahahaa...

Darkying122090: Hehe, thanks. I'm glad you think that. :D

Dragongirl920: Writer's block, eh? Well, when I can't think of anything, I sometimes like using my dreams... haha.

BattleAngelKurumi: It's alright, review at your own timing. :) Thanks for reviewing at all!

daaku: Heyy, the almighty Alex graces me with her presence. xD I'm happy you like, uhh LOVE, my fanfic... whee. :) Sora and Kairi, yes, a cute couple. B-but they are yet to meet. D: