CH 17

KHKHKHKHKHKHKHKH

Kairi was indeed pleased with Riku's report on her hero, and the news even perked up Roxas, who finally alowed the Princess of Heart to feed him some broth.

Axel paced however, his restlessness increasing as time passed. "I don't like this at all."

Riku paused, a finger thoughtfully on his chin "What is it now Axel?"

"This plan sucks! She holds all the cards. Yes, it's fine and dandy for us...more impoirtantly for Roxas, that Sora is relatively ok for now. However there is a teensy tiny problem...We can't attack!"

"You're right we can't!" Riku said sharply "Not as things stand right now! Wich means the plan has to wait until we can. The plan hasn't changed Axel. Gather strong Hearts and battle Maleficent, defeat her, and free Sora. That is the plan. The only difference is the when. We have to play by the Witch's rules. We have no choice. That being said that doesn't mean we can't still be gathering our army."

He sighed, then said determinedly

"We know that as soon as she's done celebrating, that witch wiill begin making sure no one is around to defeat her. That means we have Squall and his gang split up, and go to different worlds to gather Strong Hearts in secret. It'll give us a head start until she starts cracking the whip."

"You're forgetting something, oh brilliant strategist." Axel remarked in his snide way "YOU happen to be one of the worst enemies to her right now. You have a Keyblade, and she won't stand for that kind of thing. Sora's in this position because that weapon defeated her in the first place."

Riku whirled on the Flurry of Dancing Flames "Sora's in this position because he killed her. Twice! He's in this position because he foiled her one too many times and she's taking her revenge. It has Nothing to do with his Keyblade."

He calmed himself "As for me...I'm given leeway. I'm one of Sora's friends, so I get a pass, even if she does fear the Keyblade I weild."

He went to Kairi and said softly "I'm sorry, Kairi. She expects you to show up tomorrow. No excuses. You have to face the facts now."

The princess of Heart clasped her hands together "I know...Riku. But I'm ready. I want to see him. I must..."

He placed his hand on her shoulder "You'll be ok. I'll be with you."

She closed her eyes "Yes."