A/N
I AM SO VERY SORRY FOR HOW LONG THIS SINGLE CHAPTER TOOK! I have been busy with work and trying to find time to do this! I took most of this month to finally finish this! Please give me any feedback and thank you so much for reading! Now after little over a year, please enjoy this next part of Valiant Hearts!
Valiant Hearts III
Chapter 6
Aftermath – Suspicions Resolved
"Here."
Kairi looked up tiredly to see Olette holding out an apple to her as she finished a cura spell over yet another unconscious member of Hollow Bastion's militia that survived the numerous battles with wounds that not even a potion could heal immediately before reaching up to take the fruit gratefully, a faint blush stained her cheeks as she took a bite out of it just before she stood up to take in the scene around here.
She stood in the middle of a makeshift medical center that consisted of multiple tents, rundown buildings and the more intact shacks. All of them housing wounded of both soldiers and civilian alike sprawled out over cots, benches, and rigid sleeping mats while what mages and doctors they had did what they could to help; either by healing the wounded … or easing someone's passing.
This included both Aerith and Naminé helping with their higher level of curative magic along with Garnet and Rydia, whom had recovered from their time out on the surface of Hollow Bastion thanks to what elixir they had available.
Kairi spotted one or two of them every now and then moving about the medical area, looking even more worn out than the redhead was due to the mental strain curative magic causes, alongside the girl she recalled from when she arrived in Sanctuary, Basch and Ashe's friend Penelo, she was moving about the tent with a crate of potions as well as using a technick called first aid to help critical conditioned patients to stabilize and be treated through more mundane means aside from magic.
They only had so much ether to supply for the mages healing as many wounded as they could without completely exhausting themselves
Taking another bite of the apple in her hand, Kairi turned and glanced at her side to see a ragged looking Olette still standing there, her single green eye no longer on the redhead, but rather starring distastefully at the person who was on the other side of her.
With a glance over her other shoulder, Kairi saw that her sister Xion was standing ever present next to her.
Oddly enough, she was not watching Kairi like she usually would; rather her eyes were on Olette. Dull as they usually are but instead eyeing the brunette warily, icy blue eyes meeting a single burning emerald green.
Ever since she and the others arrived to help in the makeshift medical center, only to be confronted by a very startled Ashe and Basch, whom both immediately went on the offensive at the sight of Xion following after Kairi.
After some convincing on the redhead's part and surprising support from Naminé, both the Queen and her Guard lowered their weapons, stating that they will be keeping an eye on Xion and at the sight of any aggression at all will result in violence.
Prompting Kairi to promise that none of that will be necessary before the two warriors left, giving the youngest of the Keybladers a warning glare… that was completely ignored by the Xion.
Once after they entered the tent and separated; the more medical savvy personnel spread out through the makeshift hospital while more combat-oriented members like Olette, Tifa, Yuffie, Basch, and even Cloud were helping clear additional space for more tents and cots outside while Cid and Leon ran logistics and supplies.
Even so, Xion continued to receive looks of suspicion from Ashe as the Queen used what little curative magic she knew to help where she could.
Her sister seemed to either ignore or not notice the looks as she followed after Kairi, up until Olette approached and openly scowled at the smaller girl as she had looked between her and the redhead, somehow causing the raven-haired girl to glare back.
Kairi glanced between the two slowly, an obvious tension filling the air as the two eyed one another.
This was the first time she had seen her sister act like this… and when she means like this she meant not completely docile unless provoked.
To see her actually react to something other than an attack or to her words, even if it wasn't necessarily a positive reaction, but it gave her hope to see Xion was being responsive to others.
'Well… gotta start somewhere.' Kairi mused as she fidgeted between the two before she opened her mouth to ask if the brunette needed anything in an attempt to relieve the tension, only to be interrupted.
"Kairi, Leon wanted me to come get you and the others. Said he wanted to debrief us… so ya know it's gonna be a really long day with his famous death-by-debrief." Olette grumbled as she finally broke eye contact with Xion and reaching up to scratch around her eyepatch absently before crossing her arms and meeting the redheads gaze.
"Ugh… Already?" Kairi groaned in response. "Can't I just… help more people in here?"
She rather continue to do more here than go and give details on all that happened to her. But she knew it was inevitable.
But if she could put it off as long as she can, she will.
"Yeah… my thoughts exactly, but you know our fearless leader, loves his debriefings." Olette rolled her eye with a shake of her head. She had been spending this whole time outside helping Tifa move debris from around the area. In other words, moving big chunks of stone for the past… she doesn't even know how long!
Regardless, Olette's body ached all over from the number of healing bruises and recently mended bones thanks to a healing session with Naminé.
All the non-stop fighting from Agrabah, to the surface of Hollow Bastion, to the defense of Sanctuary, healing spells and potions could only go so far for the body, but do little for the mental strain. Olette was reaching her limit, and as long as she had Kairi and Naminé, she would keep fighting.
Kairi sighed as she took another bite out of her apple, knowing she couldn't delay this anymore before she nodded for Olette to lead the way, completely oblivious to the brunette's inner turmoil as she following her out of the medical tent into a row of a mix of rundown buildings and other tent that made up the improvised hospital.
And unsurprisingly, Kairi was followed closely after by Xion, who she felt trailing behind her more rather than see her as she had been doing ever since she separated from the others.
'Funny… kinda reminds me of how Naminé used to cling to me when we first met. Well except she isn't actually clinging to me physically.'
Kairi smiled to herself at the memory before glancing back over her shoulder at her sister, their eyes meeting immediately as the younger girl had her gaze trained on the redhead.
Upon making eye contact, the redhead gave a reassuring smile, only it came out as more of a tired grin, causing Xion to tilt her head slightly as she continued to follow after her sister.
Ever since the fighting stopped and the need to survive lessened, the adrenaline boost of energy went with it, leaving behind the exhaustion everyone was feeling, and looking around now, Kairi could see how those of Hollow Bastion wore grim and tired expressions; even as they go on about their way to help and do their part to recover from the back to back engagement with The Organization.
'It's a wonder anyone is still standing, we lost… so many people in the first attack, and even after that when the breach was made over Sanctuary, we gave it our all and pushed them back; losing even more people in the process! We're all running on fumes.'
Kairi thought grimly as she followed after Olette, all the while observing those around her as they continued on about their business to accomplish whatever tasks they were intent on completing. Most if not every single person she passed looked to be on verge of collapse, and she was doing no better.
Even after casting cura on herself after the battle had come to an end, her body was still covered in what were more severer cuts and bruises as they continued to heal at a much more rapid but tender pace. Making the healing cuts itch slightly while the bruises ached.
Olette even had lingering pains of her own; the redhead had taken notice earlier that the brunette had a slight hitch in her step. It was small and well-hidden thanks to the coat she wore, but after all the time she and the brawler had spent fighting together…
Kairi knew better.
Being swatted around like a fly against that giant Nobody, she knew that even the brute of the trio was still in a lot of pain but attempting to conceal it as best she could.
After a few turns here and there, passing numerous militia and civilians either in cots or helping clear extra space for tents. Olette led them up to one of the more untouched buildings that was acting at the Militia Head-Quarters.
It was like most of the buildings in Sanctuary, grey brick and cement forming the walls with hard solid wood making the frame of the structure itself and the roof. The only real difference was that this building was three stories tall with a majority of the rooms being used for living quarters.
'Maybe it was some kind of apartment building before this place was abandoned.' Kairi mused to herself as she looked the building up and down when the brunette leading her and Xion on came to a stop and turn to the sisters, eyeing the shorter of the pair.
"Listen umm, Xion. It's gonna be a long brief with all sorts of boring talking and what not. So why don't you go and help Penelo and the others instead? Ya know, since you rarely say a word."
Olette spoke causally but Kairi could hear the slight in her words, something she really didn't appreciate, and judging by the glare the smaller girl was sending the brunette, neither did she as she stepped closer to the redhead.
"Olette…" There was a clear warning tone in Kairi's voice as she glared at the duel-wielder as she met her gaze evenly, both exhausted as two sapphire blue orbs met a single emerald green.
As the tension seemed to build, it was all but deflated when the brunette sighed loudly and breaking eye contact while waving her hands dismissively, as if to say 'fine fine' and pouting slightly, bringing a smirk to the redhead's face before she patted her girlfriend on the shoulder.
"Olette…" This time Kairi's tone when she spoke was much softer as the brute of the pair felt the redhead lean close to take her hands into her own, giving them a squeeze and causing the eye-patched girl to look up.
"You trust me, right?"
"With my life." Olette responded immediately as she squeezed her girlfriend's hands in return and bringing a smile to her face.
Kairi stepped forward and pressed her forehead against the brunette's, making her blush brightly, even so, she leaned into the other girl's touch.
"Then trust me when I say… she isn't a threat. Not if I can help it." She spoke in a hushed whisper as the she turned her head to look at Xion with a soft smile, causing Olette to do the same and see that the raven-haired girl was not glaring at her anymore, but rather she was staring at them with her head tilted slightly; her dull blue eyes shifting from her sister to the brunette.
'That's…kinda cute.' Olette thought for a moment before shaking her head slightly. She knew better, this girl was not some naïve, curious little kid that she appeared to be. 'But at the moment…'
With a heavy sigh, Olette turned to the redhead in front of her and nodded.
"Fine! I trust you! And if you say she isn't a threat then I believe you. But… Kairi, if she so much as-"
She was then cut off suddenly as a flash of blond and white trailing out from between the many rows of tents and shacks surrounding the building followed by a very excited but exhausted greeting.
"Kairi, Olette, Xion!"
Naminé smiled warmly at the sight of her girlfriends and Xion in front of the Head-Quarters building standing close together as she approached the trio.
She had been too busy with Aerith, Penelo, and Ashe in the makeshift medical ward to see much of Olette or Kairi, even if the redhead was helping with what curative magic she knew. But the young Sorceress did her best to not push her limits to much, but with how many wounded they had and with how few potions they had… the need to save as many people as she could only made her push her limits bit by bit, resulting in a headache that she knew would be a migraine by tomorrow.
But she knew the lives she saved would be worth it the pain. She was going to give it her all just like Kairi and Olette to protect Hollow Bastion and defeat the Organization.
And as she emerged from between the numerous tents and shacks to spot both girls close together while Xion stood next to them, Naminé smiled happily as she approached them and called their names.
'They look so exhausted…' looking both Kairi and Olette up and down as she closed the distance, Naminé could see that the past few days had taken its toll on the other two Keybladers. Xion on the other hand, she just looked particularly bored as she turned to look at the approaching blond.
A smile broke across both Kairi and Olette's faces as the smaller girl walked up to them and immediately moved to hug them. Both redhead and brunette hugged back happily, but what surprised both the strategist and brute was when Naminé moved towards Xion and tentatively hugged the raven-haired girl.
Eyes as wide as tea saucers, both redhead and brunette watched her the smaller girl tense up in the blonde's embrace, her arms sort of swinging up and down at her sides while her fists clenched open and closed, almost as if she didn't know what to do or how to respond to another person hugging her that wasn't Kairi.
Which was to just stand in her older sister's embrace.
And then Naminé released the fidgeting girl before smiling at her. Something both Olette and Kairi noticed immediately was how exhausted she looked, even as she smiled brightly.
'We're all dead on our feet at this point…' Kairi thought while looking both brunette and blonde up and down as fatigue settled over her body, making her sway slightly where she stood before looking back up at the building in front of them, dreading what was about to be a very painful ordeal; for her and for everyone else.
Steeling herself, Kairi closed her eyes and took a deep breath before exhaling slowly, trying to push back her anxiety as she turned back to look at the others.
"Come on, let's get this over with." Her words came out shakily, a fact both Naminé and Olette did not miss as they glanced at each other then back at Kairi before the redhead started to make her way into the ruined building that was their current HQ.
Xion was still standing there staring at Naminé with an expression mixed with surprise and confusion before rigidly turning to follow after her sister, while the remaining Keybladers paused in the door way and looked at one another again for a brief moment, concern for their girlfriend was obvious on both their faces after Kairi's sudden one-eighty mood change caused red-flags for both of them.
Both of them knew that something had happened to Kairi while she was missing, they knew it in their hearts and even though they wanted to know what befell their redheaded lover, they both feared that what they were about to learn was going to hurt more than any injury they sustained throughout the many battles they had fought in these past few days.
Reaching over, Olette extended her hand out to her blonde girlfriend, whom took it immediately and gave her a reassuring squeeze, before they turned to follow after Kairi and Xion.
Both mentally preparing themselves for one of Leon's fames death by debriefs! This was going to be one of their longest ones yet.
-Valiant Hearts III-
The 'Command Center' Leon was using looked to once have been a large office as it was tucked away behind a ruined desk in the lobby of the old building. Members of Hollow Bastions Militia came and went, either reporting to the gunblade wielder, or simply taking refuge in one of the buildings many rooms.
That consisted of a large table in the middle of the room with a map of Hollow Bastion and all its district labeled, some crossed off while others were circled, showing where search teams have been and where they have not, continuing their search for survivors with a large computer set up with multiple towers and hard-drives connected to is off in the corner.
The occupants of the room consisted of Leon standing at the head of the table, leaning his hands against the surface of the table, Ashe and Basch stood to his left, eyeing a particular black haired girl, while Tifa and Aerith stood over on his right, both looking at their adoptive daughter with a concern, as Cid worked and typed away on the computer off in the corner whereas the opposite corner was occupied by, surprisingly, Cloud.
Every one of them where covered in injuries, physical and mental, as they all looked exhausted from the numerous battles they have fought since the beginning of the Siege of Hollow Bastion, which felt so long ago…
At the front of the table opposite Leon in front of all of them stood Kairi, Naminé, Olette, Xion, and Yuffie.
Just like everyone else present, they were exhausted and covered in still healing injuries, save one of them. Kairi stood at the head of them shifting from foot to foot, Xion directly behind her with Olette and Naminé flanking the redhead and glancing between her and the rest of the room while Yuffie stood off to the brunette's right fidgeting slightly as her wings shifted with her movements.
Leon continued to lean over the map of Hollow Bastion and looking over it before giving a tired sigh and looking up at the five girls in front of him.
He looked over each of them sighing again and pushing off from the table to stand at his full height and cross his arms.
"Agrabah. Explain to me why Yuffie," he said pointing at the winged ninja, "you jumped into the portal after Kairi and her team."
Yuffie winced at a question she had been hoping would not be asked… but she knew it was inevitable; and as she opened her mouth to answer with a half assed excuse lie she'd made up, she was interrupted.
"I asked her to come with us."
Closing her mouth with a snap, the winged girl looked over at who spoke up for her.
Kairi met Leon's gaze as he looked at her with a raised eyebrow, and he was not the only one with a confused look on his face, both Tifa and Aerith had puzzled looks on their faces too as they glanced between Kairi and Yuffie.
"You asked her to join you on this mission without informing anyone else?"
Their leader wasn't fooled one bit as he looked between the two girls.
"That is correct... it was short notice and I think she was running late because she overslept." Kairi looked over at Yuffie with a playful smile, it was forced but the young ninja got the idea she was trying to go for as she gave a subtle nod and grateful smile.
"Y-yeah well it's not my fault you asked me so late! I had to prep my tools and lost sleep!" She pouted, being master of deception helped with the act as she crossed her arms and turned away from the redhead, making her wings shift with her.
With narrowed eyes, Leon leaned back over the desk again.
"And what reason did you want Yuffie to accompany you on this mission?" He asked while everyone present listened.
Kairi gave a sigh as she met their leader's gaze evenly.
"I wanted her on this mission because we were dealing with a Genie. A being that was powerful enough to tear open the barrier between worlds and that Genie being Jafar, who has a personal hatred for me and with how powerful he had become, I wanted someone who was an expert on stealth to help us infiltrate Jafar's stronghold with the least amount of notice and to keep injuries to a minimum. Something I only realized I needed the night before the launch of the mission."
Olette and Naminé watched and listened at the well made yet blatant lie Kairi was making for Yuffie, both of them managing to keep a straight face as Kairi talked in the ninja's defense.
With another suspicious glance over the winged girl and redhead, Leon gaze a heavy sight before pushing back off the desk as his eyes glanced over Yuffie's wings.
"Yuffie, I asked you earlier about your wings… You brushed me off before but I want an answer now."
Kairi opened her mouth to respond only for Leon to cut her off.
"I asked Yuffie, not you Kairi."
His curt response to the Keyblader's attempt to speak for the ninja made Tifa glare at him as she made to have a go at him before Aerith gripped her arm to keep her in place, although even she was glaring at their leather clad leader. Even Naminé was frowning and Olette was glaring at him, her single green eye seething with anger at seeing him treat Kairi like that.
Kairi closed her mouth with a snap.
Yuffie huffed in irritation.
"Well, if you must know!"
And so Yuffie began to retell the events of her infiltration into Jafar's palace, how it was floating high above the city and how she had no method to reach it. Telling the story as if she were with the Trio of Keybladers, changing certain facts around about how she obtained her wings; facts such as that instead of being tricked by Jafar, she remembered the good Genie that helped them escape the Cave of Wonders, and made it so that it was that Genie that gave her these wings and helped them get into the flying palace.
Everyone present listened intently to every word. Kairi internally sighed in relief as Yuffie was a grade A liar! She even saw a small curve at the edges of Olette's lips as she looked passed her at the ninja.
'Ninja Master Yuffie at her finest…'
Leon listened to everything the winged ninja had to say as she recounted the mission to Agrabah and the point of her gaining wings, he raised his hand to signal her to pause in her story and turned to the Keyblade trio.
"And where were Kairi, Naminé, and Olette during this winged infiltration?"
Rolling her eyes, Kairi crossed her arms while shifting her weight from one foot to the other.
"So now I can speak?" She whispered to herself before meeting Leon's gaze as he ignored her words, causing a certain pair in the room to react as well, one with a smirk and another with a huff.
"While Yuffie used her newly acquired wings to scout out the palace me, Olette, and Naminé went searching for Princess Jasmine; and we found her being chased by Jafar's minions or rather a wizard named Mozenrath that Jafar had tricked into doing his dirty work."
Kairi began to recount their efforts to rescue the Princess and gaining her help of her as well as the magic carpet that was with her to use it to reach the floating palace and regroup with Yuffie, leaving out the specific details about the fight between Yuffie, and focusing on how they found and killed the wizard before their final confrontation with Jafar,
She spoke about how they planned to use the magic sphere to trap the Genie and how they almost succeeded only for it to explode as it absorbed Jafar's Genie powers, Kairi shuddered at the memory as she retold how Olette had used her body to protect Naminé from the exploding orb only to be knocked away by Jafar who, in a desperate attempt to kill all four of them, had turned himself back into a human sorcerer and nearly incinerated both Naminé and Olette if not for Yuffie's interference.
As Kairi retold the events, she could see the young ninja rubbing at her throat, no doubt remembering a phantom pain of the battle, she also noticed Olette's stony expression as she stared at the ground with her shoulders hunched before Naminé reached behind Kairi and took the brunette's hand, giving it a squeeze as she comforted her; causing her to look up and her shoulders to relax before squeezing the blonde's hand in return while she concluded the retelling of events.
Explaining how an enraged Jafar attempted to choke Yuffie to death before Olette managed to stop him, strangle him, and snap his neck, killing him.
As Kairi finished, she noticed Tifa and Aerith looked at the Olette with a mix of sadness and worry, the sorceress much more than the martial artist. They both knew this was a war they were fighting, but hearing about Olette actually taking her first human life…
Not a Heartless or a Nobody, an evil human being, but human all the same.
Aerith leaned into Tifa, who wrapped an arm around her lover and gave her a comforting squeeze.
Leon let loose another signature sigh before settling over the table once again.
"So, the mission was a success. Good. Now, on to more… recent matters…"
As he spoke, his gaze slowly drifted over Kairi's shoulder and onto Xion then back to the redhead, making her tense up.
Kairi knew what he was getting at and she had been dreading it ever since she had returned from… death.
She could even feel the burning gaze of both Naminé and Olette on either side of her as well as Tifa and Aerith's concerned stares shift over to her.
Taking a deep breath to help settle her nerves, Kairi felt a tug on the back of her coat, making her glance back to see Xion looking at her with the dull eye, but a spark of… something lingered in her gaze as she seemed to feel the redhead's discomfort and was trying to reassure her.
Kairi couldn't tell, but she was grateful regardless as she sent a smile and nod of thanks to her little sister, causing the younger girl to tilt her head to the side as if puzzled before Kairi turned back to meet Leon's gaze.
With one more deep breath, Kairi steeled her self for what was about to come next.
-Valiant Hearts III-
"DAMN THOSE RATS!"
Xigbar roared as he lay in a still growing puddle of blood on the freezing surface of Hollow Bastion, he watched as his own blood froze almost immediately.
His wounds were bad, very bad, his left arm was nothing but a frosty blood covered stump, his torso was shredded, and his legs were covered in deep cuts and lacerations from the stone shrapnel.
"How…HOW!?"
Xigbar shouted as his mind kept replaying the event that occurred. His own creation attacked him, defended those filthy vermin! AND DID THIS TO HIM!
The pain was overwhelming, if he hadn't teleported away when he did… he surely would have been obliterated. Looking down at his tore coat, and the still growing frozen blood puddle… He needed to leave, get back to his lab and fix this!
With a grunt of pain. He raised his right arm, notices he was missing two fingers and saw the massive gash dragging across his forearm, he opened a portal directly to his lab and stepped in.
He needed to fix this! His body, his creation, and fast before the Superior found out about his complete failure and punishes him for it.
-Valiant Hearts III-
Kairi recounted how she, Olette, Naminé, and Yuffie returned to Hollow Bastion only to find it under siege by both Heartless and Nobodies, and how they all joined in the fighting. Only to tell how she was separated from the others and was engaged by Luxord.
When she mentioned the blonde Gambler, she noticed Olette tense up at her side, balling her hands into fists at her side hard enough that her gloves began to tear, and once again Naminé reached over to try and reassure her of whatever was going in her head.
Even Yuffie looked at the brunette with concern.
But Kairi had to continue on, explaining how she was captured by the Gambler and taken to the canyon, and with a deep breath, Kairi retold how she faced down the leader of Organization XIII before being viciously attacked and how she was subsequently killed.
"I…it was like my very soul was being ripped out of me. The pain was overwhelming…I-"
Kairi could feel tears streaking down her face as her words got stuck in her throat. And the looks she was receiving, Leon's grim look, everyone else's pale faces as they listened, Tifa looked on the verge of collapsing as she clung to Aerith, while she could feel both Naminé and Olette standing stiffly on either side of her beside Yuffie.
She swallowed hard before taking another deep breath and letting the words spill out.
"I died."
The silence that followed lasted for what was an eternity to Kairi, before it was finally interrupted.
"Tifa!?"
"Olette!?"
Tifa had fallen against Aerith, her head feeling light as the words of her adoptive daughter hit her like an ultima spell. The martial artist had dropped to her knees holding her lover, who helped lower her to the ground as she held her close.
While at Kairi's side, Olette had gone extremely pale as she started to sway slightly before collapsing backwards and being caught by a startled Yuffie.
She was out cold, blacking out from shock.
Kairi coiled in on herself as she looked back up her at unconscious girlfriend and watched Tifa cling onto Aerith like a lifeline.
She had tears streaming down her face while the sorceress whispered soothing words to her, tears of her own filling her eyes as she looked between her lover in her arms then up at Kairi, who was apparently was supposed to be dead.
There was a tug at the red-heads sleeve as she looked over to meet Naminé's tearful gaze, her blue eyes wide in shock as she slowly reached up and touched Kairi's face, feeling the warmth coming off her, feeling the tears streaming down her face.
She was alive.
"Y-you can't be dead…because you're here and alive with us."
Naminé whispered as she slowly tightening her grip on the redhead's sleeve. As if needing something tangible to hold onto as tears rolled down her cheeks.
Seeing those tears brought an aching into Kairi's chest before she wrapped her arms around the blonde sorceress. Holding her close, feeling her own tears streaking down her face freely.
"I'm sorry… I'm so sorry."
Leon could barely hear those whispered words from the redhead as he, Ashe, Basch, Cloud, and Cid wore grim faces at the new information. Each of them having been through similar situations of loss, only there was no reunion like this.
Ashe and Basch having lost their entire Kingdom along with their closest friends, save for the few that they could save before their world fell. Balthier and Fran still traveling the world somewhere while Penelo helped where she could in Hollow Bastion.
Cloud and Cid thought back to the friends they had back on Midgar and those the people they couldn't save.
Cid turned away from the group and lit up a cigarette to take a deep breath before letting out a puff of smoke with a sigh of his own.
Cloud simply leaned against the wall behind him and closed his eyes. No outward cue of how we felt.
Leon reached up to the hidden locket hidden under his jacket as it reminded him why he fought, who he fought for.
"Rinoa…"
It was nearly inaudible as he looked to the keybladers in front of him.
Olette was still out, covered in bandages and with her eye patch over her healing eye, still in Yuffie's lap, while Kairi held Naminé and let the young mage cry against her; both of them covered in healing cuts and bruise as they stood together.
Leon knew they were at their breaking point, and looking back up at Aerith and Tifa, the later still clinging to the other as she tried to get her breathing under control, as well as everyone else present, the gunblade-wielder knew that they all were on verge of collapse.
With a sigh, Leon looked over at the only person who hasn't said a word this whole time.
Xion looked from Kairi, to an unconscious Olette, then back up, a puzzled look on her face as her sister held a sniffling Naminé in her arms.
The recent memory of the blonde hugging her came to mind as she watched the two of them clinging to each other. A sudden urge spurred her on as she moved closer to the pair.
Kairi felt another pair of arms wrap around the small of her back on-top of Naminé's. Pulling her face out of the smaller girl's blonde locks as she looked up to see Naminé's tearful expression as she turned to see who was hugging her as well.
To their surprise, it was Xion. The raven-hair girl had her arms awkwardly wrapped around the other girls. A small frown on her face as if wondering if she was doing it right before she adjusted her arms slightly around her sister and the blonde.
The sight of this made both Kairi and Naminé's look at her in surprise before a giggle bubbled its way from the blonde's throat; causing Xion to drop her arms abruptly and step back, a puzzled expression on her face as she looked down at the floor.
The redhead smiled at her sister's confused reaction when she felt Naminé unwrap her arms from around her and slip a hand into her own; giving it a squeeze before she turned around to face the silent girl, spreading her free arm out as an open offer for the girl.
Xion tilted her head to the side as she looked at the blonde girl's tearful smile before glances at her sister in bewilderment. Kairi merely smiled and nodded encouragingly.
If her sister supported it, then it must be okay…
Before Xion could move, a quiet groan got their attention. Looking down at Yuffie's lap, Olette began to stir.
Olette slowly opened her eyes, her uncovered eye looking up to see Yuffie watching her with concern.
"Yuffie… why am I in your lap?"
With a snort, the ninja shook her head with a short laugh.
"Well you kinda fell on me."
The brunette looked up at her in concern before she looked around and saw that everyone was looking at her. Tifa and Aerith were sitting together in each-other's arms while everyone else stood off around the table; but when her gaze landed on Kairi as she held Naminé's hand with Xion standing in front of them.
Then it came back to her, the brief, and what Kairi had said about her… death?
Olette suddenly got to her feet stiffly and approached the redhead with a serious face that caused her to take a step back before the brute reached up to press her hand to Kairi's cheeks and squished them together.
With an irritated scowl, Kairi was about to voice it before a sharp pain stung her cheeks as the brunette pinched down and pulled them in opposite directions slightly, causing the battle-hardened keyblader to squeak and yelp before she jumped away, letting go of Naminé's hand in the process.
"What the hell Olette! That hurts!"
Rubbing at her now redden cheeks, Kairi glared at the brunette, who seemed to be relieved as she smiled tiredly.
"So you're not a ghost!"
Olette breathed out as she breathed a sigh of relief.
The room fell silent.
Suddenly snickering broke the silence as someone tried to hold back their laughter. They failed miserably.
Naminé couldn't hold it back anymore as she began to outright laugh, holding her sides as she was doubled over with giggles; and like that, the tension in the room seemed to dissipate.
"G-ghosts! O-Olette thought K-Kairi was a ghost!? Ghosts don't exist silly!"
The blonde got out between giggles as she started to settle down and regained her composure, wiping at the new tears from laughing so hard.
The brunette simply crossed her arms and pouted as an embarrassed blush crept up her neck.
"You don't know that for sure…"
Olette whispered to herself before she turned back to Kairi, who flinched back slightly and reached up to protect her cheeks.
"Oh no, not this time you brute!"
Instead, the brunette pulled the redhead into a tight hug, holding her against her as she buried her face in Kairi's hair, surprising her before her expression softened and returned the embrace, wrapping her arms around the stronger girl.
She could feel the faintest sensation of liquid dripping onto her head where Olette had her face concealed.
With a smile, Kairi rubbed circles into the brunette's back as she trembled and silently cried into her.
"Why…do you…keep…doing this…to me?"
The whispered questions came in-between hiccups as Olette tried to keep her tears at bay. Holding her brute against her, Kairi sniffled with unshed tears.
"I am so sorry…"
After a moment of holding her, Olette let go of her and stepped back, wiping at her good eye with a snivel before turning to look at everyone else present. She rubbed the back of her head sheepishly and looked at the floor.
"Sorry about that…"
Naminé walked up to her and hugged Olette without a word as she stepped back and smiled tiredly up at her.
"It's okay Olette… I had my hugs with Kairi too, it's only fair you have them too."
With a faint heat creeping into her cheeks, Olette smiled at her blonde sorceress and nodded gratefully before she stepped away from her and turned to see everyone still watching them, or acting like they weren't.
Cid idle huffed on his cigarette in the corner, Cloud leaned against the wall unmoving and looking out the window in front of him, Ashe looked at them openly with a worn smile while Basch seemed to take a sudden interest in the map on the table.
Fortunately Tifa was back on her feet, standing next to Aerith and sipping on a can of tea; the sound of clinking munny being pocketed came from where Yuffie was standing behind them beside Xion, who stared at the trio with curiosity.
All the while. Leon leaned over the table, staring down at the map and considered his next move; but first he needed to finish this brief.
"Kairi, I am sorry to ask this, but I need to hear everything you remember before you can rest."
The sound of a can being crushed echoed through the room before Tifa threw said can at Leon. He ducked under the projectile as it imbedded itself in the wall behind him before he looked at the martial artist with annoyance; he knew she would try something… He learned some time ago how compulsive she can be.
"Like hell! After what she just told you, you want to keep talking when she needs rest! WE ALL DO!"
Tifa shouted that last part before Aerith rested her hand on her shoulder and squeezed before stepping next to her lover.
"I agree with Tifa, we all need rest… especially the four that went to Agrabah."
The sorceress gestured to Kairi, Naminé, Olette, and Yuffie before turning back to the scarred swordsman, her eyes tired and red from her own tears, but nevertheless filled with determination.
Leon met her gaze then he glanced over at the fuming martial artist before he looked over the rest of the occupants of the room and then at himself. They were all covered in injuries, healing or otherwise, and needed time to recover. There was no telling if or when the Organization attacked again and they were the only ones capable of contending with their members, if even a single one of them went down from lack or rest and recovery...
With a sigh, Leon nodded and pushed off the table to cross his arms.
"You're right… we all need to rest and recover… we are Hollow Bastions only hope to combat the members of Organization XIII. If any of us go down, we are at major disadvantage."
A silent wave of relief seemed to flow over the tension in the room, as if everyone had been holding their breath waiting for Leon's answer.
"From now until further notice recovery is your primary goal. I've designated more… suitable living spaces for you all in part of this building. Women on the east wing, multiple rooms have been cleared out for you all. Men will be on the west wing, it's less spacious, but better than nothing. You are all dismissed."
With that said, Leon turned his full attention to the map as strategies, counter-measures, and contingencies began to develop for multiple scenarios. He needed to be ready.
Everyone else went about their own business.
Cid simply turned to his console and typed away, looking through Ansem's notes and research to find something they could use against the Organization.
Ashe had already made her way out the room with Basch following behind her as she made her way to the east wing before she stopped in the hallway to look to her knight.
"Captain, I am fine alone, the east wing was set aside for ladies after all."
The knight seemed to realize this before she lowered his head in a slight bow.
"Of course your majesty, I did not mean to-"
A tried chuckle cut him off as Ashe waved her hand dismissively.
"I only jest Captain. Please, go and get some rest, you and the men have earned it. And later, please gather the men so I may personally convey how proud I am of their combat prose."
Looking up at his queen, Basch let out a dry chuckle before nodding.
"Of course my queen. I shall tell them."
With a nod, Ashe rested her hand on his shoulder and met his gaze.
"And when I say rest, I mean it. That is an order."
With that, she withdrew her hand and continued down the hall alone, leaving Basch in the hallway before the knight turned to find the exit and gather his remaining soldiers. The queen's words would rally them, they always have.
Yuffie rubbed her shoulder as she made her way down the hall in thought before she passed the knight going in the opposite direction, nudging him on accident with her wings, causing the man to stumble slightly.
"Oh! Sorry bout that."
She went to help him, only for him to wave her off.
"No its fine. My apologize. Please, carry on."
With that, Basch continued on his way. Shrugging, the ninja continued down the hall and made it to the east wing and find an empty room. She collapsed on the bed with her wings splayed out under her without a word and sighed deeply.
"Just…Following…Orders."
She whispered out before she was out like a light. Exhaustion taking her into the realm of dreams with a certain brunette.
Back in the command center, Tifa and Aerith were holding their adoptive daughter in a tight hug, too tight in fact!
"Can't! Breath!"
Kairi flailed somewhat as she struggled to breath in their embrace.
Loosening their grip, the mage and martial artist pulled away. Tifa held Kairi by her shoulders looked her in the eyes.
"Kairi, if you ever die again you are grounded for the rest of your life. Understand!"
With a worn smile on her face, Aerith reached out and gripped Tifa's shoulder with a squeeze to get her attention.
"Tifa dear, that won't do. She would also be grounded into the afterlife. IF that ever happens. Right dear?"
The sorceress smiled sweetly over the martial artists shoulder as they both looked down at a very scared redhead.
Swallowing nervously, Kairi nodded her head vigorously.
"I-it won't happened ever again, I promise!"
Tifa could be scary, but with Aerith helping her… the pair were terrifying!
"Good, now lets all go get some rest, the three of you… or rather the four of you need it."
Aerith gestured to Kairi, Naminé, and Olette at first before looking over the redhead's shoulder at Xion with a smile when she corrected herself.
The raven-haired girl looked at the sorceress as she moved closer to Kairi, her hand reaching out to take her sleeve, Aerith noticed this child like action and smiled a little bigger before she turned to leave for the east wing when Leon spoke up from his spot in front of the conference table without looking up.
"Aerith, Tifa, I assumed you would prefer to stay close to Kairi, Olette, and Naminé; I arranged one of the larger rooms be cleared out for you all to stay in on the east wing. I believe it was some-kind of penthouse before it came to ruin… You're welcome."
He finished saying in a single breath as he continued to scan the map in front of him.
"Thank you, Leon."
Without looking up, he waved farewell to her coolly.
With an exhausted smile, the sorceress nodded thankfully before turning to Tifa.
"Well dear, it seems we have lucked out."
The raven-haired woman let out a dry chuckle.
"Ha, yeah? A ruined penthouse in a frozen cavern! You take us to the most romantic places."
The two women chuckled quietly as they walked down the hallway, all the while being trailed after by Kairi, Olette, Naminé and Xion.
The redhead having returned to her girlfriends sulking, both of them agreeing with Aerith and Tifa, making Kairi grumble about 'getting the message already' before following after her adoptive parents with Naminé and Olette trailed after her snickering with Xion in-between them.
She still had Kairi's sleeve in her grasp while she looked between the three girls with curiosity bright in her eyes.
Looking over them, Xion could easily see the numerous injuries they have sustained over the course of the past couple days, but even still, they laughed and teased one another even as Olette was concealing a limp and was covered in bandages, Naminé was running on fumes and would no doubt have a migraine in the coming day, and Kairi… she had been killed and came back to keep fighting.
All to protect the ones she loved, and even after all that, they could still joke and laugh together, no matter what happened to them, as long as they were all together … they would always be able to come back from anything.
Xion shook her head lightly as all these thoughts flowed into her brightening mind, tightening her hold on Kairi's sleeve, Xion continued to follow her sister further into the ruined building.
End of Chapter 6