AUTHOR'S NOTES:
The calm before the storm. The deep breath before the plunge. Welcome, folks, to chapter thirteen.
(Also I'm so sorry about all the typos in the last chapter, and any others in previous chapters that I've missed! I'm so eager to get this story written and posted that I don't really proof-read... I'll try to do better in future, but if you see something please say something and I'll do my best to get typos updated ASAP)
Enjoy!
CHAPTER THIRTEEN | HOMECOMING
Riku had long since accepted that every time he returned to Destiny Islands it would be accompanied by a sense of unease that followed him like a shadow. He didn't return often, and it was almost never of his own volition. More often that not he was nudged, prompted or outright dragged back home by the desires of someone – or something – else. Roxas, Xion and Naminé had all dragged him back over the years in their desire to discover their distant origins. After her first visit, Xion said she felt closer to both Sora and Kairi after dipping her toes in the waters surrounding Play Island. If nothing else, she finally understood why she liked seashells so much.
Kairi could have flown herself here, but even in spite of the tension that had been mounting silently between them Riku was grateful that she'd accepted his offer. He had, after all, been the one to take her to Yen Sid's tower to complete her training; it seemed somehow right that he should be the one to finally bring her back.
She was curled in the co-pilot's seat, her head resting haphazardly against her palm while her sharp eyes picked out the stars and shapes that flew past the cockpit. Riku found himself stealing more glances than he needed to, his eyes lingering on something new every time. The hollows of her cheeks, or the shadow over her eyes, or the tightness in her expression. Most notably, he couldn't ignore just how studiously she was avoiding looking back at him.
It had been almost a week since she had awoken, and in that time she had barely spoken to anyone aside from Axel and Naminé. Three days after waking Mickey had brought her up to speed with their plan, and Riku had been surprised when she had objected.
"We won't win against all of them," she'd said stubbornly. "They're too strong."
"Well y'see we thought about that," Mickey countered, "which is why we're taking as many people as we can. We'll get Sora back, Kairi."
Eventually she had given in, retreating back to the Cornerstone to gather her strength. When she hadn't been below ground she had been in the gardens sparring with Axel, or with Roxas and Xion when they came by. Riku had watched her from the colonnade outside the throne room, struggling to match her battle-worn physique with the eager, headstrong girl he'd collected from the islands all those years ago to finally begin her training.
He wondered if she regretted it.
They landed on Play Island near the weatherworn hut that stored all manner of odds and ends; long-forgotten memories from their childhood. He spied Selphie's old skipping rope half-buried under several deflated beach balls. Riku watched Kairi carefully from the corner of his eye. Against the backdrop of their childhood home the changes in her were more prominent than ever. It wasn't just in how she looked but in how she carried herself. She stood tall, her hands clenched in to fists at her sides where she used to hide them mischievously behind her back. Her face was calm, impassive, with no hint of the barely-smothered grin that used to tie Riku's stomach in knots. She walked slowly towards the hut, her steps careful and measured as the sands shifted underfoot, and her nimble fingers plucked a wooden sword from where it had been half-buried in the sand that had piled against the rotting door.
He caught it purely by reflex; it was in his hand before he even knew that she'd thrown it. He cast his eyes over it, looking at the nicks and scars it had accumulated. He remembered some of them. He's caused more than half of them. Tides and Wakka had contributed their fair share too, but the largest collection had come from Sora's reckless hacking and slashing. Too brutish and wild, Riku used to tease as he'd easily deflect each of Sora's failed attacks. He'd always liked to think himself better than Sora – stronger, smarter – but in truth his height had given him an unfair advantage that Sora had refused to acknowledge.
The sound of shifting sand was his only warning. He lifted the sword and the wooden hilts collided with a thundering CRACK as Kairi brought her own sword down to challenge him. Any assumptions that her strength was merely enhanced by her keyblade were quickly blown aside as he struggled to untangle the wooden blades, and it was only when she lifted her sword for another attack that he was able to regain control and dart out of the way.
"Kairi, what-" She didn't let him finish; he was barely quick enough to leap aside as she slashed at his waist. When she jabbed towards his hip he deflected, leaving himself at an awkward angle and forcing him to roll as she made to slash at his shoulder. By the time he'd found his feet she was already at his back; he twisted, allowing her arm to run right past him. He dropped the sword in favour of grabbing her wrist and holding it tightly.
"Kairi, stop, what are you-" To her surprise she darted forwards, ducking under his hold and spinning, twisting her wrist from his grasp with practiced ease. Her sword fell in to the sand as she leapt out of his reach, spinning mid-leap so that she was facing him. She charged, fists at the ready; Riku summoned his keyblade in order to form a shield – anything to keep them apart long enough for him to figure out exactly what was going on – but before he could draw upon his magic he found himself clashing with Destiny's Embrace. A torrent of sand and sparks whipped up around them as she continued to press the attack, leaving him with no choice but to frantically backpedal. Eventually he saw his opportunity – a flourish at the end of a combination that allowed him to skirt around her and finally plant his feet firmly in the sand.
"Kairi," he said firmly, "what are you doing?"
"Something I've wanted to do for a long time," she answered. "You always said we would spar one day. Today is that day."
"I don't think that we should," he answered, lowing his guard by a fraction in the hopes that she would do likewise. She gripped her keyblade tighter.
"Why not? The others won't be arriving for hours." It might not have been so menacing if she'd said it with a smile instead of glowering at him down the length of her keyblade.
"We shouldn't waste our strength-"
"You have no idea how much strength I have," she hissed. She charged again, lifting her keyblade high overhead. He lifted his to block her, only to be caught off-guard as she twisted at the last second, rapping him on his hip as she barrelled past him. He blocked blindly, throwing up a shield behind him that blocked her next attack and granted him the time he needed to spin around to face her. As soon as he brought the shield down he launched himself at her, landing a series of featherlight blows that forced her to dance backwards. Eventually her blade caught his and she locked eyes with him through their tangled teeth.
"You used to hit Sora harder than this when we were kids," she challenged. "Stop holding back." She followed up with a volley of her own that caught him off guard and sent him stumbling through the sand. She wasn't especially strong (not to say that she was particularly weak) but she was fast, and after several agonising moments of failing to find an opening Riku threw himself sideways in to the sand to break her endless barrage.
"Wind!" It whipped the sand around him in to a frenzy that granted him the time he needed to find his feet again. He sent the sand scattering through the air and found Kairi waiting patiently for him within a gossamer shield that surrounded her on all sides. It fell as Riku emerged and she charged again. This time he was ready; he deflected her first attack and quickly countered with three sharp thrusts. Kairi dodged the first, ducked under the second, and parried the third. Riku was quick to take back control, deftly twisting his blade around hers until he could wrench it from her grip and cast it aside.
"Kairi-"
"Light!" Her left hand fired a ball of light that struck his chest while her right reached for Destiny's Embrace, recalling the Keyblade before it had finished falling. She muttered something under her breath and her keyblade flashed before sending another pulse of light towards him. He twisted out of its path and watched it crash in to the docks, completely unprepared for the blast from behind that would send him to his knees. He groaned and rolled on to his back, dismissing Braveheart and holding his hands up in surrender. It didn't stop Kari from placing the tip of Destiny's Embrace under his chin.
"Kairi, what's gotten in to you?" Her eyes were narrowed with rage; her jaw clenched so tightly that the muscles in her neck twitch.
"You didn't come after me." The words were cold and clipped, forced out between clenched teeth.
"Kairi-" The keyblade pressed in to his neck and he swallowed thickly. "Sora's mind was made up. He wanted to save you on his own-"
"I'm not talking about Sora," she said. Her eyes were filled with burning fury that made his stomach churn painfully. "Axel told me. Naminé showed me. You didn't even try." Her free hand clenched in to a trembling fist at her side. A tremor ran down the keyblade.
"Sora had already made up his mind-"
"He would have listened to you." She took a step back, dismissing the keyblade with a sharp flick of her wrist. Anger turned to sadness as she stared down at him. "We needed you, Riku." He sat up, rubbing at his neck and wincing at the deep welts he found there.
"Sora didn't want any help." She narrowed her eyes again and folded her arms.
"And when has that stopped us before?" she demanded. "I saved you from yourself when you were ready to push us both away. You didn't want our help but we gave it anyway because that's what friends do. I needed you, Riku, and Sora did too – even if he tried to pretend that he didn't."
His voice abandoned him. His throat tightened as he remembered it too vividly. I'm nobody, he'd said, just a castaway from the darkness. But Kairi had clung to him despite his attempts to shake her off and she'd called Sora over, connecting their hearts and allowing Sora to see past the illusion of darkness that had taken over his body. Without Kairi, would he ever have returned to himself again? Sora would have let him go, ignorant of his true identity, left to wander the shadows for an eternity disguised as the Seeker of Darkness.
"I thought you were my friend."
The words sent a dagger through his heart. Kairi continued to stare down at him, pinning him to the floor with eyes that were filled with anger and pain.
"I… Of course I'm your friend-"
"Are you?" she asked. "The last time you said more than two words to me was when you took me to Yen Sid's tower. I know you were busy looking for Aqua, but I know that you brought us the gifts from the Good Fairies. Were you really so busy that you couldn't even say hello?"
"You were training," he answered. He'd hovered in the clearing, watching as she practiced magic in Merlin's training ring, firing shards of eyes at straw-filled dummies.
"And you think I wouldn't have stopped to see you? We had nothing but time in the chamber, a few minutes wouldn't have made a difference. I needed you, Riku. I needed my friend."
"You had Axel." Her eyes narrowed and a furious tremor ran across her shoulders.
"I had to make friends with Axel," she countered. "You and Sora were too busy to visit, and Merlin was… Merlin. It was either make friends with Axel or spend all my time alone."
"And do you regret becoming his friend?"
"That's not the point! I didn't need a new friend, I needed my old ones. I kept telling myself that you were both too busy, that you didn't have time, that there were more important things to take care of, but then after I came back…" She trailed off, shaking her head. "I barely saw you."
"I was looking for Sora," he said, drawing himself to his feet.
"I needed you!" she cried. "I was right there and I needed you, Riku!"
"If you'd just told us what you knew about Sora-"
"I would have told you." The confession caught him off-guard and his argument died in his throat. She folded her arms, holding herself tightly as she watched him closely. "Axel has only ever seen me as strong. He's never seen me weak, not like you have. I needed someone I could be weak with." The unspoken accusation sent a spark of rage burning through his gut, that it was somehow his fault that everything had come crashing down the way it did. He narrowed his eyes.
"Don't act like we were that close," he countered. "You were always closer to Sora than you were to me, even if he didn't see it. Why do you think I fought so hard for you when we were kids? I wanted you to see me the same way you saw him, but you never did. After I fell to darkness, I was a different person."
"We all became different people," she said. "Does that mean we stop trying to help each other?"
He'd never stopped trying, though he supposed it was fair to say that he'd certainly redirected his efforts. Sora had always been in need of help, biting off more than he could chew and attracting the worse kind of trouble at every turn. Meanwhile Kairi had always been safe. Safe on the islands, safe in Twilight Town, safe enough in the dungeons of The World That Never Was that he'd been able to leave her there until the opportunity arose for him to save her. Safe back home again, safe with Merlin, safe with Axel… right up until she wasn't. She'd been kidnapped and on the run and imprisoned, left to fend for herself while he was off trying to fend for Sora. Even know, when she should have been safe with Aqua and the others, she had been in more danger than any of them had realised.
"I'm sorry," he murmured at last. "You're right; I haven't been the friend you needed. After I fell to darkness, after all the pain I caused, I felt… I didn't feel worthy. I couldn't push Sora away, no matter how hard I tried, but with you it was different. You're pure light and I always worried that you could sense the darkness in me; that you wouldn't want to be around me anymore. I guess it was easier to avoid it than risk finding out the truth. I didn't realise how much you were hurting. How much you're still hurting. I'm sorry, Kairi." She nodded, lowering her gaze to the ground between them.
"I know things haven't been easy for you," she said softly. "I always tried to treat you and Sora the same when we were kids, but you were so distant sometimes and I was so scared and confused… All you ever wanted to talk about was where I had come from and I couldn't answer any of your questions." She paused, glancing up at him carefully before continuing.
"I couldn't stop myself," he murmured. "First Terra and then you… I was obsessed with the idea that there was something bigger out there, waiting for us. Look where it got me."
"I know you've been through a lot, and I know I probably can't begin to imagine half of it, but I never thought any less of you because of it."
"Then you don't know the whole story-"
"I know what Sora told me," she said. "He used to tell me stories at night when I couldn't sleep, all about the adventures you'd been on together and things you've done for each other. I know enough to know that it hasn't been easy for you, but it hasn't been easy for any of us." He swallowed thickly over the lump in his chest.
"Will you tell me stories?" he asked. "All about the adventures you and Sora have been on since I last saw him?" She stiffened and turned away, casting her eyes over the shore. A glimmer shot across the sky; the arrival of another ship.
"One day," she said at last. "When Sora's home, when we're all home, maybe we'll tell you together. Until then…" She sighed and bowed her head, resting her hands over her heart. After a moment she straightened and glanced at him over her shoulder. "I need time, Riku, to forgive and… try to forget." It stung but he nodded, understanding at least a little. He was grateful when she nodded in return.
"I'll be waiting," he said, and he truly meant it.
"I'm going to the tree," she said as the glimmer on the horizon drew closer. "Will you let me know when everyone is here?" She didn't wait for an answer, making it very clear that he was not welcome to join her. He watched her go, his eyes trained on her back as she picked her way across the rickety bridge that led to the small outcropping that used to be their meeting place. He watched her reach out, running her fingers over the towering trunks until she came to the crooked tree.
Sand shifted behind him as three sets of footsteps approached. Riku closed his eyes, taking a deep steeling breath and schooling his emotions before he turned to greet the newcomers. Roxas, Xion and Naminé came to a stop several paces away.
"Riku, are you okay?" Xion asked. "You look troubled." He nodded.
"I'm okay," he answered.
"Where's Kairi?" asked Roxas. Riku motioned to where Kairi had settled on the sideways trunk of their crooked tree.
"She wanted some time alone," he answered. "It's the first time she's been back in a while." Xion and Roxas nodded; Naminé fixed him with a look that said quite clearly that she knew he wasn't telling the whole story. Then again, he got the feeling that neither was she. She rested her hands over her heart, looking after Kairi with an unreadable expression.
"So what do we do now?" Xion asked.
"I guess there's nothing to do but wait," Roxas answered. He unzipped his cloak and let it fall in to the sand, revealing a familiar white jacket with a flash of red at the collar. He caught Riku staring at the familiar outfit and he shrugged. "What? I don't want Sora confusing me with Ven." Riku nodded, though his reply was cut short when a corridor of darkness unfurled several feet away. Axel emerged, his face marred with annoyance as he stalked on to the beach. Hayner, Pence and Olette followed, each taking in the beach with no small amount of awe as an amused Isa brought up the rear. The portal quickly closed behind him.
"We picked up some hitchikers," Axel grunted, jabbing his thumb over his shoulder at the trio. Roxas rushed to greet them and was promptly enveloped by a tight hug from Olette.
"What are you guys doing here?" he asked. Pence scratched the back of his head nervously.
"We saw Axel and Isa heading out of town and we thought we'd follow them," he said sheepishly.
"We were gonna sneak up on them in the woods," Hayner picked up, "but then they opened one of those portal thingies and, well, we were curious."
"You walked headfirst in to darkness because you were curious?" Roxas asked. Hayner shrugged.
"Yeah, I guess," he answered. "They didn't even notice until we were halfway here and it was too late to turn back."
"We wanted to see Kairi and make sure she's okay," Olette added.
"She's just taking a bit of time for herself right now," Naminé said, "but I'm sure she'll be glad to see you."
"Axel said you were all off on some big adventure today," Pence said eagerly. Riku glanced at Axel who rolled his eyes and folded his arms with a huff.
"I told Isa," he said. "You shouldn't have been eavesdropping."
"Isa, are you coming too?" Xion asked. He tilted his head.
"If you'll have me," he said. "I don't have a keyblade, but I wanted to offer my services." Riku wanted to hesitate, to argue that it wasn't safe for him without a keyblade, but he supposed it would be an unfair argument given that Donald, Goofy and Naminé were coming too. And Isa was strong; not as strong as he had been as Saïx, perhaps, but formidable nonetheless. Riku nodded.
"We'd be glad to have your help," he said. Isa nodded solemnly in response.
"It will make a change, fighting for Sora."
"So what happens now?" Hayner asked.
"Now we send you home while we wait for everyone else to arrive," Axel growled. He lifted his hand to open a portal and Olette latched on to his wrist.
"Please, Axel, can't we stay just a little while longer?" she begged. "I'd like to see more of the island, and we haven't said hello to Kairi yet."
"We're already here," Pence added, "surely a few more minutes can't hurt." Axel groaned and shook his arm out of Olette's grip.
"You'll have to ask Master Riku," he said, nodding in Riku's direction. "He's in charge of those kinds of decisions." Riku quickly found himself on the receiving end of three pleading stares and he swallowed thickly. They shouldn't have been here in the first place, so that rule had already been broken. They already knew about other worlds (another rule gone), and there was nobody else on Play Island so there was no chance that anyone would see them… With a resigned sigh he nodded.
"Fine, but only until the others arrive," he said. "When we leave, you go home."
"It's a deal!" Pence said eagerly before turning to Roxas. "Can you show us around?"
"Sure thing. Coming, guys?" The others quickly nodded and Roxas led the way. Isa and Axel followed closely behind, the latter still frustrated and the former clearly amused by the whole situation. Eventually it was just Riku and Naminé left. She placed a hand on Riku's elbow.
"It's going to be okay," she said quietly. "It'll just take time." He simply nodded, resting his hand atop hers.
"Thanks, Naminé," he murmured. She smiled.
"Now come on, you're the only one of us with any real memories of this place," she said. "A trip down memory lane could do you some good. Trust me, you're talking to an expert." She beamed then and he found it impossible to argue. He glanced over his shoulder one last time, finding Kairi exactly where he'd left her, before giving in and letting Naminé lead him after the others.
The sound of waves had always helped to calm her. She associated the sound with peace, with safety. With Sora. The crisp salty air was a painful comfort that soothed and stung all at once. She closed her eyes and rested her hands over her heart with a sigh.
"I'm sorry I came home without you," she murmured.
"Not like you had a choice," he answered. She opened her eyes, finding him leaning against the tree beside her; so real she could almost touch him. His hair swayed in the breeze as he knitted his fingers behind his head, staring out over the waves. "I'm glad you did. It's been too long since I've seen the ocean."
"You should be seeing it with your own eyes, not with mine." He looked up at her with a pout.
"Aw c'mon, Kairi, don't be such a downer," he teased. "I could be not seeing it at all. I'd rather this than nothing." They lapsed in to silence again. Kairi turned her attention back to the horizon, watching as the sun started its descent towards the water. It wouldn't be long now.
"You shouldn't be so hard on Riku." She glanced at him from the corner of her eye. He was sitting beside her now, perched on the trunk and leaning back on his hands with his gaze fixed on the ocean. She sighed.
"I want to forgive him, and I will, one day," she said, "but he should have been there for you. He shouldn't have let you leave like that."
"What happened, happened," Sora replied. "No amount of anger or bitterness is gonna change that." She sighed and leant forwards, tucking her hands between her knees and swinging her feet back and forth.
"I know," she whispered. She turned to him, wishing she could rest her head against his shoulder. "You know we're coming for you. I couldn't stop them."
"I know," he said. A sad smile played over his lips. "I know you tried, but they just want to help."
"I just wish they would listen to me," she sighed. "We'll be lucky to get back out in one piece. I wish they'd believe me about how strong Luxu and the others really are." Sora reached for her, his hand hovering near her shoulder. She watched it, wishing it was real.
"He'll let you leave again," he said at last. "Luxu needs you. He needs all of us. I just wish I knew what for." He lowered his hand, leaning back on the trunk again as his gaze turned back out to the sea. He grimaced slightly, raising a hand to rub absently at his chest. Kairi felt it too; a sense of unease pooling in her heart.
"What's happening to you?" she asked. He opened his mouth and promptly closed it again with a shake of his head.
"Kairi, I…" He paused. Another grimace. "I think Luxu is going to try and use me against you. I don't know how, but I have this feeling." She nodded.
"I figured he would try something," she murmured. He turned to her then, fixing her with his gaze. His eyes glistened in the sunlight.
"Kairi, you know I love you. I'd never do anything to hurt you." The statement was punctuated by a warm wash of love that poured in to her heart, filling her from head to toe until she thought she might explode. She clutched at her heart, wishing she could hold his hand instead.
"I know, Sora," she said. "Whatever happens, whatever he makes you do, I know. And I love you, Sora, more than words could ever say." His fingers reached out, passing through hers and connecting with her heart. She latched on to him, flooding their connection with all the love and pride and admiration she held for him.
"I know," he murmured. The laugh that followed was a half-sob that sounded like he was choking. "Believe me, Kairi, I know. I wish you didn't have to see me like this."
"Like what?" He grimaced, clutching at his chest. She searched his expression. "Sora, what's happening?" He opened his mouth and then shook his head again, unable to find the words. Kairi grit her teeth, finding their connection and pulling herself along it until she could catch a glimpse of his heart.
The darkness that had poured itself in to the hole he'd made in his heart was spreading, bringing with it an all-encompassing pain that made her blood run cold. There was a presence there – another mind reaching out to hers – and she pulled back before it could make a connection.
"He knows you're coming," Sora said.
"Sora, you're-"
"Be careful, Kairi," he pleaded. "Please. I don't know what I'd do if I lost you again. Promise me that you'll be careful." She clenched her jaw and closed her eyes, fighting against her tears. She'd cried enough.
"I promise," she whispered. When she opened her eyes he was smiling at her, filling her heart with so much love that she couldn't tell if it was her love for his or his for her. They were inseparable. His gaze drifted back out to the horizon, to where the sun was kissing the sea. She closed her eyes, reaching out to his heart only to meet an impenetrable wall of love and light. He refused to let her past.
"Kairi."
She felt his fingers as they brushed against hers, warm and rough and gentle as they reached out to take her hand and squeeze it tightly. She squeezed back, clinging to the feeling of his hand in hers.
"I love you."
He was fading. When she opened her eyes she could see through him, like stained glass. His eyes met hers a tear finally spilled down her cheek. She swallowed past the lump in her throat, unable to speak as he finally faded from view. Her fingers felt cold and empty without his. She clenched her eyes shut and bit her lip, slumping forwards and swallowing the sob that threatened to rise in her throat. She would not cry. Sora needed her to be strong. Sora needed her.
Her phone chirped in her pocket. She scrubbed the tear from her cheek and read the message from Naminé.
Everyone's here.
She took a deep breath and dropped down from the tree, slipping the phone back in to her pocket as she glanced back to the shore. Terra, Roxas and Riku were standing near the huts, deep in conversation. Naminé and Xion were crouched by the shore, pointing at shells. Ven was with Donald and Goofy near a mound of sand; Ven was apologising profusely while Goofy was holding on to Donald who was waving his staff wildly in Ven's face. Axel and Isa stood nearby, watching the exchange, while Hayner, Pence and Olette were putting the finishing touches on their sand sculpture. Aqua and Mickey were strolling slowly along the shore, toes touching the water. They would be the first to spot Kairi walking back along the bridge; Mickey offered her a big smile when he caught her eye. By the time she stepped on to the beach the others had gathered around. Hayner, Pence and Olette had made their way to the front of the group, and Olette threw her arms around Kairi in a tight hug.
"We're so glad you're okay," she said. Kairi returned the hug gratefully.
"Roxas told us what happened," said Hayner. "I'm not sure I understood it all but it sounded pretty bad." Pence nodded.
"We knew you wouldn't be down for long," he cheered. Olette finally let go and Kairi gave them all a smile.
"Thank you," she said. "I'm sorry to have worried you."
"Don't sweat it," Hayner said with a grin. Olette took Kairi's hand gently.
"Kairi, are you sure you're ready for this?" she asked. "It sounds dangerous."
"You could always come and hang out with us until it's all over," Pence offered.
"Thank you, but I need to go. Sora's counting on us." The others seemed to stir slightly at the sound of his name, sharing glances and silent exchanges. Axel stretched dramatically.
"All right, you three, you've said hello," he said, "now it's time to go home." He flicked his fingers and Kairi tried not to grimace at the wave of darkness that preceded the portal.
"But, Axel-" Olette began.
"No buts, we had a deal," he said. "When we leave you go home, and we'll be leavin' any minute. Scram." Olette pouted but did as she was told, dragging the two reluctant boys along with her.
"Good luck with… whatever you're up to," she called over her shoulder. "We'll be rooting for you!"
"Make sure to bring Sora with you next time you visit!" Pence called as Olette dragged him through the portal. Kairi forced a smile as she waved them off. She doubted they would be bringing Sora home today, no matter how much she wished for it. A warm hand found hers as Naminé stepped up beside her. Naminé's heart reached out to hers as she squeezed Kairi's fingers. It's going to be okay, it said. We'll get through this.
As the portal closed her eyes landed on Isa. He met her gaze and she forced herself not to run, squeezing Naminé's hand tightly as she focused on the sharp green of his eyes.
"Isa," she began, fighting to keep her voice level, "you're coming with us?" He nodded, stepping forwards through the others and tilting his head towards her.
"I know that our past together has been… less than pleasant," he began, "but I would like to make amends for it. I'm sorry for everything that has occurred between us." He rested his hand over his heart and bowed his head. Kairi swallowed past the lump in her throat, aware of everyone watching her closely. Riku's gaze was especially prominent – she felt it burning in to the back of her head.
"Thank you, Isa," she said. "I accept your apology and I'm glad that you're helping us fight for Sora. Maybe one day we could even be friends." Isa stiffened. Axel smiled from ear to ear. Riku made a strange, stifled noise somewhere behind her. Eventually Isa straightened and lifted his gaze.
"I'd like that," he said with a gentle smile. He was handsome when he smiled, Kairi thought; it made such a change to the scowl she had always seen him with.
"Well, fellas, this is it," Mickey said, a hint of nervous excitement in his voice. "Is everyone ready?"
They weren't ready. None of them were. She wished she could make them listen but it seemed her story had fallen on deaf ears. They were filled with hope, with the power of friendship, determined that they would come home with Sora no matter the odds. And so she smiled and nodded, clutching tightly at Naminé's hand one last time before pulling away. Naminé handed over her cloak; it felt cold and heavy on her shoulders as she zipped it up before launching her keyblade in to the air.
Hold on Sora, she thought, reaching out towards him. We're coming.
And with this little post-credits beach scene, we are officially outside of canon-territory; this is the last chronological piece of Kingdom Hearts lore which will appear in this story.
Did it bug anyone else that Kairi and Riku didn't speak to each other at all during Kingdom Hearts III? You're supposed to be friends, guys. Childhood best friends. I know there's every possibility that they might have caught up when he went to drop off her new clothes, but the way I see it with Riku so set on saving Aqua and Kairi so determined to race through training, I don't see them stopping to chat (if they even crossed paths at all, which for the purposes of this story, I'm assuming they didn't).
There are a lot of things I like about the Kingdom Hearts series, but Riku and Kairi's relationship is not one of them. (I didn't intend for this story to be a friendship-fix-it fic, but it looks like we're gonna do a little bit of patching up around here…)
What's happening to Sora? What will the others find in the Graveyard? Guesses on the back of a postcard (or in the review box) are always welcome.
Thanks to YumeTakato for your reviews - I'm so glad you're enjoying it, and hope you enjoyed this chapter too!