Moving Forward Hurts

10 Years ago

Naruto ran from treetop to treetop. He was going back to the land of wind again. Maybe he missed something there, maybe Gaara found something! Those were all his desperate thoughts were saying.

Naruto coughed as landed on a tree. His throat was dry. His stomach was growling in protest, but he ignored it. He didn't have time to eat or drink! He didn't have any time for sleep either! He had to find Kairi!

When Naruto landed on the next branch, his foot slipped. As he began to fall, he was about to conjure another clone, but he blacked out before he could even weave his first sign.

The shadows began to swirl around them. Without thinking Naruto lunged forward to Kairi. Kairi started look scared at swirling darkness, so she looked towards her father, and held out her hand.

"Daddy?"

He was so close; his hand was only and inch away… when the darkness covered them completely and vanished. Leaving no trace left of his daughter.

"Kairi!" Naruto's eyes shot open just in time. He landed on the floor of the forest, just barely uninjured. As he picked himself, he realized he passed out, now all his shadow clones were gone, "Dammit!" Naruto slammed his fist into the tree. Now he needed to start over.

"Naruto," Naruto was surprised by the voice. He looked to see Sasuke and Kakashi jumping from the trees landing near him.

"What are you guys doing here?" Naruto asked, "Did you find any leads?"

"Naruto…" Kakashi gave him a sympathetic look.

"No, we haven't," Sasuke simply said.

Naruto frowned, "Then why are you here?" If they didn't find Kairi, they shouldn't be wasting his time.

"Naruto," Kakashi, the current Hokage approached, "We've come to bring you home."

"What? Why?"

"How long have you been out here?" Sasuke looked over Naruto, "When was the last time you slept."

"You think I care about sleep?" Naruto asked, "My daughter's missing."

Kakashi looked down, looking ashamed, "Naruto, you've been searching for months. I know you reached out to the other Kage for help, and they granted it. I know you spread shadow clones all over the world, using sage mode to find Kairi's chakra… but you haven't found it."

"I must have missed it," Naruto reasoned, "I'm going to-…"

"Naruto," Sasuke interrupted, "Stop doing this to yourself. You used sage mode and chakra mode for months, in every land. If you haven't found her chakra, then-…"

"Don't say it," Naruto practically shouted.

"… it means there nothing left to find."

"I told you to not say it," Naruto shouted again. Refusing to believe what Sasuke was implying, "She's not dead!"

"Naruto," Kakashi tried. He didn't want to tell Naruto to give up. He knew how cruel it was to tell a father to stop looking for his daughter, and it was even harder for Kakashi, since it was Naruto. He watched him grow up, from knuckle head idiot, to a ninja who would someday succeed him as Hokage. But Naruto had other children that needed him, "Hinata's pregnant."

Naruto looked stunned, "What?"

"She was pregnant from before Kairi was taken," Kakashi explained.

"All the more reason to find Kairi!" Naruto stressed, "She will be devastated if she missed her siblings' birth."

Kakashi gave Naruto another sympathetic look. Naruto was in denial, and he couldn't blame him.

"Will you stop?" Sasuke asked.

"Would you stop if it were Sarada?" Naruto asked. Sasuke just narrowed his eyes, "Thought so," Naruto started to walk past them… Well wobble past them, "Now if you don't mind, I-…"

Sasuke struck the back of Naruto's neck as he was walking past him. Naruto instantly crumpled to the ground like a rag doll.

"Sasuke!"

"If he couldn't even see that coming, he's worse than we thought," Sasuke instantly countered. Kakashi sighed. He really wished it hadn't come to this. He really didn't, but everyone agreed. Naruto and Hinata needed to stop. Their search was destroying them, and whether they accepted it or not, they had to realize something… Kairi was most likely dead.

%%%%%

Sakura sighed in relief. She was standing in a hospital room, lying in the bed was a pregnant Hinata.

Sakura carried Sarada as she went to the Uzumaki house. A few days ago, everyone got together and spoke. It had been months. Naruto used his sage mode. Every Kage searched their lands. The Hyuuga clan dispersed to aide… but there was nothing. No trace of the sweet little girl with red hair. If the Naruto's sage mode, and the Hyuuga's Byakugan couldn't find her chakra… Then her chakra was gone!

Sarada squirmed a little and Sakura realized she was holding Sarada too tightly, "Sorry sweetie," Sakura readjusted her hold. She gently stroked her small baby's head.

This… was so hard to accept. How was Sakura supposed to visit Naruto and Hinata, and not have a cute little girl running up to her saying "Aunt Sakura, you're here!"

After delivering Kairi, Naruto asked Sakura if she wanted to be her godmother. She accepted.

Sakura did leave the village for a time, to travel with Sasuke. After giving birth to Sarada, she decided to come back home. Sarada needed a home, a house, a village.

Sakura barely recognized Kairi when she came back. She got so big and she didn't recognize her. However, Kairi soon warmed up to her.

Knowing, that Kairi wouldn't be there anymore. Wouldn't grow up with Boruto and her new sibling; made the village seem less warm. That was just Sakura's perspective.

Naruto and Hinata were going to see it as much worse. Sakura didn't want to do this now, Hinata was pregnant; the stress was not good for her or the baby. However, according to recent reports, Naruto was killing himself. Apparently, he hadn't eaten or slept well during his search for his daughter.

They needed to stop now. That was why Sakura was on her way. She was hoping to try and ease Hinata into that very difficult talk.

Soon Sakura was walking in front of the Uzumaki house. Sakura looked through the window and saw Hinata siting on a chair. Across from her were her father and Hanabi. The scene looked serious. Apparently Hinata's family was talking to Hinata; about giving up on finding Kairi.

Sakura swallowed, maybe this was better. This kind of situation was best if discussed between family.

Suddenly Hinata stood up, it looked like she was shouting. Sakura could hear her voice, but it was too muffled to make out. Sakura flinched, she'd never seen Hinata so full of rage.

Sakura was about to leave when Hinata suddenly grabbed her stomach and collapsed onto the floor. Hanabi and Hiyashi got up to help her. Sakura panicked and her medic instincts kicked in.

She rushed to the door and punched through it. There was no time for knocking. She ran to the living room to help Hinata.

It was close, too close. Hinata almost miscarried. If Sakura wasn't there… she didn't even want to think about it. She managed to her to the hospital and had the hospital's daycare look after Sarada.

Hinata needed to stay over night under survey. Sakura sighed and went out to the hall. Hanabi sat with her father, Hiyashi as she held Boruto.

"How is she?" Hiyashi asked when they saw Sakura.

"They're both okay," Sakura said.

"The baby?" Hanabi asked for clarification.

"We stopped the miscarriage, and she's not giving birth prematurely. She'll need to stay overnight, though," Sakura explained.

"I see," Hiyashi nodded, "Thank you," then he walked away.

Hanabi sighed as she gently bounced Boruto, "I told father I should have spoken to her alone."

"How come?" Sakura asked as they sat down.

"Well, as you know, I was made the heir over my elder sister," Hanabi explained, "Things were different back then. While she wasn't exiled from the clan, she was still overlooked. I know it made her childhood… difficult."

Sakura nodded as she listened, she knew Hinata lost the chance to be clan head.

"While we were talking to her," Hanabi explained, "Father said, 'I know it's hard to accept, but we need to move on.' I don't know if it was how he worded it or if it was because he himself said it, but Hinata got angry. She screamed, 'I'm not you, I won't forsake my child just because it's convenient.'" Hanabi's voice faltered at the end, "Then she clutched her stomach and…"

Sakura placed a hand on her shoulder.

"We love Kairi," Hanabi sounded close to tears, "You know, that right?"

"I do," Sakura confirmed.

"Father loves Kairi too," Hanabi said, "He's been so much happier since becoming a grandfather… It was… so hard to decide this. I knew Elder Sister would not be happy… I knew she would be upset, but…"

"Hanabi, I understand," Sakura said, "This was hard for me too," Sakura looked at Boruto, "How is Boruto supposed to grow up without her?"

Hanabi hugged Boruto, "I don't know."

"How have you been?" Sakura asked.

Hanabi was silent for a second, "… I searched everywhere. I pushed my Byakugan beyond its limit…"

"Hanabi, no one is saying you didn't try," Sakura consoled.

"She used to call me 'aunt,'" Hanabi recalled, "I would get mad and say, 'it's big sister,' then I would chase her around the yard…"

All Sakura could do was wrap her arms around Hanabi. She felt for the younger woman.

She imagined Kairi. Her sweet little smile, looking up at her with her white Hyuuga eyes. Oh, God, what did that son of a bitch do to her? Sakura didn't know, but she did know one thing, if Luxu ever returned. He will regret the day he ever set foot in the Hidden Leaf.

Sakura prayed, that Kairi was at peace at least.

Present Day

Kairi ran through the giant stone maze. The Keyblade War had begun, Xehanort had begun his attack. He already tried to stop them at the beginning. However, they managed to get through it. Now, it was the seven lights vs the thirteen darkness's. Xehanort raised a stone maze from the ground.

Kairi got separated from everyone. She had no idea where she was and had no idea if around the corner was a friend or an enemy. Kairi was starting to panic.

No, she couldn't panic. She stopped and leaned against a wall and closed her eyes.

Calm down, you trained for this. Just relax and focus.

Inhale.

Relax and focus.

Exhale.

I need to find someone. That way I won't fight alone.

Kairi felt her eyes pulse. Was it from stress? She rubbed her eyes and told herself to calm down again. When she opened her eyes, she gasped.

She could see through things again. She could see through the walls of the maze. How? Kairi rubbed her eyes, but it didn't go away. Wait, she could use this!

Kairi looked around. She saw movement. She narrowed her eyes, her x-ray vision was helpful, but it was too far away. Suddenly, her vision zoomed in.

Kairi didn't have time to question it though, because Axel was fighting Saix and another member alone!

"Axel!" Kairi started looking for the way to him, when her x-ray vision started to fade, "No not yet!"

With her power fading. She found the fastest way to Axel and started running, "Two rights, left, straight," Kairi chanted as the power faded and her vision was normal, "Two rights, left, straight."

Kairi needed to help Axel. As she followed the directions she saw. Finally, she saw the entrance to the opening where Axel was fighting.

Axel was blocking Saix, the other member was about to send a blast of ice magic to his unguarded back.

Kairi shot forward and blocked the spell.

"Kairi," Axel realized. Kairi pushed the other organization member off. Both black coats jumped back to one side of the clearing. This place, this spot, felt more like an arena than clearing in a maze.

Then, to make matters worse, Xemnas appeared from a corridor of darkness. Kairi grit her teeth, great as if this weren't hard enough.

At very least, there seemed to be a brief cease fire between two sides. Kairi knew it would end in a few short minutes, but any moment of rest was good.

"Well, I guess this was inevitable," Axel said, he looked at shortest member who still had their hood up, "Who's the plus one?"

"Inevitable indeed," Xemnas mused, "And this 'guest' has an old score to settle with you."

Kairi looked at the hooded figure, before glancing at Axel. Axel didn't recognize this person; how could they have a score?

"You are a traitor of darkness, as it is of light."

"Well, guess I can live with that," Axel shrugged it off.

Xemnas gestured toward the hooded figure, "It is a being of whom we have no memories. A true Nobody, hailing from the edge of oblivion."

Kairi had no idea what Xemnas was talking about, but then again, she knew better than to listen to the mad man.

"The being before you was recreated," Saix continued, "from the records that were left by Vexen, and the many experiments performed by you Xehanort."

"It was erased from all memories, and it harbors absolutely no knowledge of who it really is. Even I had forgotten it's existence," Kairi looked back at the figure. The one that was forgotten… forgotten. For a second her head throbbed

-Kairi-

"But like the others I could not recall why," Xemnas continued, "Truly the perfect pawn for this battle."

"So, who is it?" Axel asked.

No one answered. Saix looked at Kairi, "You called on one of the New Seven Hearts. You must be desperate."

Kairi glared and got into a battle stance, she was so going to knock that attitude out of him!

"If I'm a traitor," Axel intervened, "Then I guess Kairi here is a trump card."

Kairi was surprised by Axel's support, "What?"

"So, it's not desperation I see in you. It's foolishness… and lunacy."

"Huh?" Axel asked.

"Without the battle between the seven lights and thirteen darkness's. Kingdom Hearts requires the seven hearts. That is why we seek to destroy the guardians. Are you truly foolish enough… to believe you can defeat us?" Xemnas goaded.

"What do you think?" Axel snapped.

"I think you'll lose, Axel," Saix answered.

The figure then flinched.

"Yeah right!" Axel barked.

"… Axel," the forgotten member muttered. Kairi noticed as did Saix.

"Even if you possess the strength," Xemnas said, "This being cannot be defeated by your hands. Even if memories are lost from you both."

Axel snapped and summoned his chakrams, "Alright, let's find out." Filled with fire Axel sent his weapons to the new member. In a flash of light, a keyblade appeared in the black coat's hands and knocked the weapons back. Axel caught them and merged them into their keyblade form.

After calming down, everyone saw the keyblade the new member had.

"Wait. That Keyblade…"

"It's just like Sora's," Kairi said in surprise.

Axel hoped, "Are you- Is that you Roxas?"

"… Roxas…" the coat whispered, almost like they were trying to remember the name.

"No, it's not Roxas, Axel," Saix declared.

The member began grabbing their head, "… Roxas… Axel…" Then unsteadily at first, the member ran ahead. Charging at Axel in a feral battle cry.

Kairi got between them and locked keyblades. Kairi got a better look. The hood still made it hard to see most of her face, but Kairi knew, "A girl?"

She and Axel jumped back. Ready to fight. Xemnas disappeared in a corridor of darkness.

%%%%%%%

Sora got knocked back by Xemnas.

After restoring Xion and Roxas, it was now five on two.

After Xemnas knocked away Roxas and Xion. Kairi attacked. He blocked her keyblade, but she managed, to force her keyblade through his defenses. Xemnas was forced to back away. Kairi continued her assault, he dodged. When he attacked, she blocked. She stayed focus, but in the back of her mind, she couldn't help but feel finally proud of herself for keeping up with him.

Xemnas finally got serious and sent his power at her. Kairi tried to block, but it wrapped around her. It wasn't an attack, it was a trap. Kairi couldn't move, trapped in sphere of Xemnas's power.

Sora ran forward to help her, but Xemnas did the same thing to him. He forced them to watch Roxas, Axel, and Xion fight Saix.

"Now watch… as your friends slowly vanish into nothing," Xemnas then left them to help Saix fight.

Kairi squirmed. It was like she was wrapped in concrete. How was she supposed to get out of this?

She closed her eyes.

Breathe

Kairi heard a voice.

Kairi, just breathe.

Who? Kairi thought. She wanted to open her eyes, but something told her the owner of that voice wasn't in sight.

We'll meet soon. You're finally noticing.

Noticing?

The power in you. You notice it. It's been inside you your whole life.

Power?

As well as the discrepancies, but we're getting ahead of ourselves. You need to get out of this trap.

How, I can't use my Keyblade?

That weapon is formidable, but it's not the only power you have. You don't have mastery over it yet, but I mastered it. I can help you.

How?

Kairi, reach out to me. I can lend you my strength, but only for a few seconds. That boy is doing it now.

Sora?

Reach out to me Kairi! I can help you, I want to help you, but you must let me!

Not seeing an option. Kairi focused on the voice. She had an image, it was blurry, but it looked like a boy, a couple year older than her. He was wearing a long white tunic, and he had long dark hair. Kairi couldn't see his face though. His hand was reaching out to her. So Kairi reached out in her mind and took his hand.

TH-THUMP

Kairi felt energy surging through her. She felt another presence. It wasn't invasive, like when the Heartless took her heart, she still felt control, but it also felt like she was… a co-pilot. The energy surged through her. Her entire body, then it poured out of her, as she heard her voice say, "Eight trigrams: Rotation."

The power surged from her body. Xemnas's trap finally loosened enough for Kairi to start spinning. As her spun, the power spun with her, becoming stronger and more ferocious, until finally Xemnas's trap shattered like glass.

When Kairi was free, she presence leave. The voice was, gone, but she didn't have time to think about that. She shot towards Sora, summoned her keyblade, and slashed through it. Getting Sora out.

They both rejoined the fight. Kairi was behind them. She was ready, she was…

-Kairi-

Kairi's head started to hurt again. Suddenly she remembered her grandmother. She remembered holding her hand and walking with the elderly lady- She held the pregnant woman's hand as they walked. Kairi looked at the baby bump and smiled.

"I can't wait, for him to come."

The woman smiled, "You'll be the best big sister."

Kairi was yanked out of her trance when someone grabbed her arm and yanked it behind her painfully.

"Kairi," Sora's panicked voice called.

Kairi looked up to see her friends terrified faces, "Sora!"

"What difference does one little light make?" Xemnas's voice came from behind, "You have others. Just as we have more darkness's to replenish our ranks." Then the corridor of darkness activated, taking them away.

%%%%%

Kairi watched the sunset with Sora. The fight was over. They won, Sora even found her and brought her home again. She felt at peace, while Sora held her hand. She glanced at him. Kairi felt safe and warm with him. She felt it the moment he found her washed up on the island.

They shared the Paopu fruit… Maybe now, it was time to tell him about how she felt. Kairi took in a deep breath, she was about to open her mouth, when.

"Kairi," Sora's grip tightened slightly, "I'm sorry, but to bring you back, I had to break a rule. So, I can't stay."

"What?" Kairi looked at him, "No."

"I'm sorry," Sora said as he began to fade, "But I'll come to you, I promise…"

Just like that Sora was gone again, Kairi could not stop the tears that began to fall.

%%%%%

Hinata walked into the cemetery, carrying flowers. She did this sometimes, bring flowers for her fallen comrades… and for Kairi.

After… after Himawari was born. They had to accept it. They searched everywhere, several times, and couldn't find Kairi. So, with a heavy heart, Hinata and Naruto, declared her dead. A headstone was placed in the cemetery.

It was hard. Living without her, but she and Naruto agreed, if they couldn't live for themselves; they would live for Boruto and Himawari... and Kairi.

Hinata went there first. She knew the spot; she could walk to it with her eyes closed and Byakugan deactivated at this point.

She reached the Hyuuga section. Hinata and Naruto thought it would had been better if Kairi rested with her Uncle Neiji. As she got closer, she noticed something, one of the graves was missing. Hinata dropped the bouquet when she realized which headstone it was. She rushed forward and confirmed it. Kairi's headstone was missing.

"Kairi?" Hinata called, "Kairi!" As if Kairi had gotten up and walked away Hinata started calling for her daughter, "Kairi where are you."

"Lady Hinata." Hinata froze before turning around. Standing behind her, looking the same as he died, was Neiji Hyuuga.

"Big brother Neiji," Hinata spoke, "Have you seen Kairi?" Hinata began to wonder the cemetery, "She should be here, resting. She needs..."

"Hinata," Neiji spoke, "She doesn't need a headstone."

Hinata turned to face him, confused.

"Hinata," Neiji continued, "Kairi is alive."

Hinata's eyes shot open. She blinked when she saw her ceiling. She looked to her side to see Naruto asleep. She sighed and turned over. It was just a dream.

Maybe tomorrow, she would visit Kairi's headstone.

We all know how stubborn Naruto can be and we all know how much of a mama bear Hinata can be.

Yes, Kairi just channeled her Uncle Neiji

Yes, I'm continuing with this story. I feel something good here, and I want to see where it goes.