AN: New chapter, yaaay! xD This one's another chill one. :D Plus fun one lol. More girl time! :D :D :D Plus maybe a little mystery thing to figure out...
Kairi opened her eyes slowly, and found herself drifting through an endless void of white.
Pure, bright, beautiful in simplicity.
She was floating on air - or nothingness itself - on her backside.
She tried to move, but...her body just refused to do it.
She sighed, and closed her eyes again.
Sora...Riku...Aqua - Xion - Roxas...Terra...Ven...
Xikira...
What had happened? Where was she?
Why did her brain feel as slow and unresponsive as her body right now?
What even was this place...?
It couldn't be that place of ocean and sky described to them by Riku's friend, Erin. The place Masters Terra and Aqua had called "The Final World." A place of legend and mystery that maybe wasn't quite so mysterious now...
No, this place was nothing like that place.
So Kairi could be sure she wasn't dead - right?
She sure hoped so.
But then what...was this? Where was this...?
She needed answers, she needed to get out of here, she needed her friends - she needed...
"I'm sorry... "
Kairi opened her eyes again. This void of white was brighter than ever now, and...a shadow fell across Kairi's form.
A figure was floating there next to her head. A...woman...?
Slender, warm, mature hands touched Kairi's form. One on her arm, and the other - her hair. Holding her...
Kairi tried to tilt her head, tried to look at this woman...
But she was a hazy, blurry shadow against that blinding light...
Kairi just saw- she saw-
Long hair? Long hair shimmering, falling down the woman's shoulders as she leaned in and pulled Kairi closer...
"Who...are you?" Kairi struggled to speak, her voice coming out as a pitifully weak whisper. "Where am I...? What's...going on?"
"It wasn't supposed to be like this at all. I never could have imagined that you'd end up getting so badly hurt like this. It...was supposed to be better..." The woman's voice, it was soft, it was...uncertain and hesitant. And it sounded...almost familiar in some strange way?
Did Kairi know this woman?
"But I suppose that's just what I do, isn't it? My mistakes always cause others pain and misery. After all this time, I'm still nothing but a wicked, wretched little witch...playing with the Hearts of others."
"Don't be so...hard on yourself..." Kairi said, trying to peer more closely up at the woman. Trying to make out her features, something definite, something... "Um...? Name? What's your..."
"No. Things have to go on. There's always hope. All of you...taught me that. Even if..."
"What-?"
Kairi suddenly found herself being released from that warm, tender embrace. She floated freely into the void again...and though she did her best to crane her neck, that woman disappeared into the light of the void itself within moments.
Kairi sighed, a sudden sense of supreme exhaustion and sleepiness taking her over...
And then she opened her eyes again - truly.
She recognized her surroundings immediately this time: she was in the Land of Departure. In her room again.
Reality. Awake. Aware.
No longer some strange, strange dream...
Of course, she also woke up to a body that just ached all over.
Inside and out!
Every breath, every little motion just sent these burning ripples through her innards.
It was completely awful.
"Kairi...!" came a breathless voice she recognized.
She turned her head to find Sora there. Sora...at her bedside. Sora was here with her...
"Sora?" she said weakly. Weaker than she'd expected herself to be. "What's..." she began, trying to lift herself up to sit.
"Oh - Master Aqua said you're not supposed to move too much," Sora said quickly, staring at her with pure concern.
Kairi sighed, relaxing back into her bed. "Ow..." she said dully, as pain rippled through her body again. "What happened to me?"
"You don't remember...?"
"I remember getting turned into a Heartless chew toy," Kairi said, frowning. "But was it- that bad?"
"U-um..."
"Sora..." she whined, mustering up a glare. "Come on, don't sugarcoat this. Tell me how bad it is."
"Sorry, Kairi, it's just...just..."
"Just what? Come on!" she said, real irritation now entering her Heart. "I'm not some princess who needs to be coddled!"
"I k-know that! You're one of the strongest people I know!" Sora said instantly, firmly. "But I'd be treating you the same exact way if you were Riku, so you kind of have to live with it, Kairi..." he added with a small grin.
Kairi couldn't help but smile a little at the sight. His smile always did that to her...so bright and wonderful... "Fine. But - just tell me, please?"
"Well...you were poisoned," Sora said carefully. "That Heartless had some really nasty poison in its body. And it had its...teeth in you for...a while there, you know..."
"So that's all this is? It's poison? But you cured it, right? This is just - the aftermath?"
"We did use a lot of Healing magic - and then we kept feeding you Elixers-"
"Did you use the one I had on me?"
"Yeah. Lucky you had it. But even after we got you back onto the ship, and back here...we still had to keep it up for a...a while..."
"How long is 'a while' Sora? How long have I been...asleep?"
"A little over a day," Sora said quietly.
"Ugh..." Kairi groaned. "I missed a whole day of training - and everything else!"
"Kairi...you could have...we almost lost you. Master Aqua didn't tell us until after we'd gotten you...stable again, but she wasn't sure you were going to pull through. It was a...a scary couple of long hours we had. And we couldn't even reassure you or anything..."
"Well, so, I'm fine now, right?"
"I- still wouldn't say 'fine,' Kairi-"
"But I'm not going to die or anything now, am I? I'll be on my feet again in no time?"
"Y-yeah...yeah...Aqua and Terra - they think so. Another night of rest and you'll be able to start...moving around and stuff again..."
"Then why are you still talking like something horrible happened? What are you not telling me, Sora?" Kairi did her best to give him a full-force glare this time.
Sora looked away. "Um...well, Kairi - it's just- that Heartless had you caught for a good minute there. And- do you remember...do you remember it?"
Kairi tried to think back, but her brain was all mushy. She remembered the Keyhole. The fight. Getting caught off her guard like an idiot and having her shield broken like it was wet tissue paper...being tossed up and snatched into that Heartless's jaws...being chowed down on like a chew toy...and...
Fierce, sharp, long, dark burning claws tearing into her wildly-
Kairi gasped, trying to sit up again. And failing again. "W-what- so what- how much- damage did it do to me? When it- scratched me up? I mean, what's a couple of scratches on me, right? No big deal! The bigger deal is going to be if it totally destroyed my outfit!"
"Aqua fixed it with magic," Sora said swiftly, managing a smile. "Your coat's fine, your- that's all fine! And- and you're going to be fine too-"
"How bad is this?" Kairi yelled. "Would you just shut up and tell me!"
Sora looked like a kicked puppy - and Kairi felt like she'd kicked a puppy.
She let a pained breath go, closing her eyes. "I'm sorry, Sora, but you're...not really helping me out here...keeping me in suspense..."
"I don't mean to! I'm just not sure how to- you know what, I'm going to go get Aqua. She needs to know you're awake, anyways!"
Before Kairi could even protest, Sora was up and bolting. Leaving her alone in her room!
She stared after him in anger, shock, confusion. And trepidation.
She squirmed under her blankets and brought her arms up with what seemed like the greatest effort ever put forth. Her arms felt like they had weights tied to them. They trembled as she brought them up to her chest, out from under the sheets. She lay them out on top, exposed and in the open now. Staring at her bare arms, she saw they were bandaged up a lot. From her wrist up to her shoulder, on her left arm, and on her right...elbow to shoulder.
She realized she wasn't wearing her usual clothes at all - she was in fact wearing a small, thin, light blue gown. She moved her legs and judged the gown to be not even knee length. Not even half-way, that...
Whose clothes was she wearing, anyways?
Or had they gone to Traverse Town and gotten her some new threads?
If they had, she wasn't going to complain...
Still, it was a mystery to be solved, damnit!
Along with other, more pressing mysteries.
She still couldn't quite seem to think straight - or fast...
It was all just...
Kairi didn't have to wait long before Aqua came rushing into the room.
Running, literally!
"Why the big hurry?" Kairi joked, smiling at her.
Aqua smiled back, quickly striding to her bedside and dropping into the chair previously occupied by Sora. She placed her hands together, gazing at Kairi in silence for a minute. Then- "Do you-"
"I remember getting destroyed by that Heartless, yeah," Kairi interrupted. "Sora said I was poisoned. But he was acting really weird, still..."
Aqua nodded carefully. "Well, he is your best friend, isn't he? He's naturally going to be- very- very worried about you. Especially after what you've gone through."
"Not you too!" Kairi exclaimed. "If somebody doesn't tell me what the fuck is-"
"I'm sorry - there's no need to start swearing!" Aqua said quickly. "Kairi...even though you survived your injuries, they were still...extensive. You took a lot of damage, and there are going to be a lot of...permanent reminders of that battle." She gave Kairi's arms a look - a tiny nod of softness.
"Is that it?" Kairi said. "I mean, so my arms are a little torn up - so what? I can still use them and everything, can't I? It won't affect my ability to swing a Keyblade?"
"N-no, it- it shouldn't!" Aqua assured, smiling again. "But...no, it- wasn't exactly just your arms. Your entire body took...damage. And there's going to be heavy...deep scarring across your body. We won't exactly know how...severe it is until we can remove the bandages, but it shouldn't be anything too worrying!"
Kairi stared at her, then down at herself. She heaved another sigh. "Could you help get these blankets off me? I want to get a look at myself."
Aqua stared back at her, anxious. Then she nodded, getting up and leaning forward to do as asked.
Kairi examined herself as Aqua sat back down again.
Bandages around her middle, her thighs to her knees, knees to ankles...
She could see them under the gown.
She could feel them now.
"Whose dress is this?" Kairi said absently.
"It's mine, from when I was your age," Aqua replied, smiling brightly. "I had to dig it up from the depths of my dresser, but I think it fits you nicely."
Kairi beamed. "I think so too. It's great. I haven't worn dresses since I was little - I'm a skirt main, these days - but it's lovely! It's soft, and warm. Thank you."
"You're welcome."
"So, you were the one who did all this for me?" Kairi said, again, gazing up at her. "The bandages and everything?"
Aqua nodded. "Of course!"
"Thank you," Kairi repeated. "for saving my life. You and Sora, and Ven...and Riku, I guess, too..." she added.
"You don't have to thank me for that. It was my responsibility - because you are my responsibility, Kairi. And because I care about you."
Aqua eyed her again. Like Sora had.
"Ugh. WHAT?" Kairi snapped. "Either everybody can stop doing that, or you can fess up!"
"I'm sorry. I...Kairi, your shoulders, neck, and head took damage too. It was lucky you didn't lose an eye or anything! But..." Aqua stood, quickly scurrying across the room. She picked up a rectangular, wooden mirror...and came back with it clutched to her chest. "If you want to...inspect the damage..." she trailed off.
"It's not...that bad, right...?" Kairi said with trepidation. "I mean, I'd like to think I'm not one of those self-obsessed vain girls-"
"Obviously! But, on the other hand, it's perfectly natural to take pride in one's appearance!" Aqua said swiftly, shifting her stance and nodding. Nervous. Very nervous. "And it's perfectly natural to- if you were to feel- negatively...about...changes to that- that appearance...from battle. Riku should be a good example already of the fact that we shouldn't...go into battles expecting to come out looking as neat and perfect as fairy tale heroines - yes?"
"Yeeeeeees..." Kairi drew the word out to infinity, staring at the mirror in Aqua's grasp. She took another breath, in and out. "Okay - give it to me. Get it over with. If I look like chopped sushi now, so be it...but I bet I'm still better looking than Riku!" she said with a brave grin.
Aqua bent down and held out the mirror, then retreated a few steps, gazing at her with wide blue eyes.
Kairi forced herself to roll her own eyes...then she struggled to sit up, and struggled to hold the mirror in front of her own face.
She blinked at her reflection.
She tilted the mirror this way and that.
She tilted her head this way and that - painfully.
"O-okay...that's not...chopped sushi levels of..." Kairi quivered out. "It's workable, r-right? It's- it's not totally peeled potatoes, or- or grated cheese? It's- you know- rugged, roguish, battle-hardened heroine...kind of look to it? Kind of a 'sexy badass who's seen some shit' thing? Where she walks up and you just know not to mess with that girl...? I can still- style my hair- I could- guys are into scars, right? And other guys just don't even c-care - S-Sora wouldn't care! He- he doesn't...does he?"
"Of course he doesn't," Aqua said gently. "He's worried about you in general, but he thinks nothing of your- scars- specifically. In fact, I'd say that, yes, he's bound to be even more attracted to you for it, as a sign of just how strong you really are."
"W-what?!" Kairi exclaimed, her voice going high. "Who s-said anything about attract- attrac- nobody said that!"
"And now I believe we're even, in terms of teasing about romantic interests," Aqua laughed.
Kairi flushed, painfully setting the mirror aside. "R-right, even - so no more!" she stammered.
"I didn't think you were the kind of girl who could dish it out, but not take it," Aqua said, light and humorous still. A glint to her blue eyes. "We're learning new things about each other all the time, still, aren't we?"
"Stooop..." Kairi shut her eyes and turned her head aside. "I'm wounded and almost died - you should be going easy on me..."
"You're right, I suppose. I did pick a terrible time for this," Aqua said, more seriously now. "We can hold our 'girl talks' again after you've recovered."
"Thank you," Kairi squeaked.
Aqua got to her feet. "Well, I'll leave you to rest-"
"No! Stay with me. Please."
Aqua fell right back into her seat again. "Of course. If that's what you want."
Kairi felt it was more what she needed, right then.
After another whole day and night of resting (and intermittently taking potions), Kairi did feel a whole lot better.
So much better that she was able to get out of her bed finally, and put her legs to work.
Unsteady, achy legs, admittedly - like the rest of her body - but she was able to walk again and everything.
And with a little help from Master Aqua, she changed out of that nice blue gown and back into her usual outfit.
It was comforting - confidence-boosting, even - to be back in her own clothes. Her battle outfit! Back to rocking the crop top and mini skirt - back to her sweet ass coat. She really could go for the rugged hero look, couldn't she? Right?!
Yeah. Yeah she could!
She still might have avoided looking in the mirror again, though, as she finally left her room alongside Master Aqua.
Aqua had been right that the scarring was extensive - but she'd also been right that Kairi was so lucky not to have lost an eye or two from the ordeal. Though, it looked to have been pretty close...
There was a- a particularly big, long scar that started at the top of her head, going down past her temple, over her cheek, and on down along her neck. Just...straight down the left side of her face. A few centimeters over and it would have taken her eye. Although, her right ear was all bandaged over; Kairi was dreading how that one would turn out to look...
"Kairi, are you alright?" Aqua's voice floated to her, jarring her from her thoughts.
Kairi wobbled on her feet, instinctively grasping the woman's arm. She frowned, then ducked her head. She kicked at the floor as best she could. "I'd been thinking about growing out my hair lately...that's all..." she muttered dejectedly. "I thought - you know - maybe I'd try it again? I did have it longer when I was little. When we first met...remember?"
Aqua smiled. "I do. And it looked lovely on you."
"Well, it's never going to get its day in the sun again, now..." Kairi sighed.
"I wouldn't sound so sure," Aqua said lightly. "There are plenty of ways, magical or otherwise, to solve that problem."
"I know, but, I sort of just wanted to let my body do its thing on its own."
"I understand."
"I suppose if magic's the only way, I'll have to take it," Kairi decided. "Though, until I do...do you think I could pull off incorporating a hat into my outfit?"
Aqua eyed her with a mixture of what looked like pity and compassion. Then she reached up and patted the hand holding her arm. "Oh, easily, Kairi. In fact, I've read a few books before with mysterious heroines wearing very cool hats before. It would just be the perfect cherry on top for your...your sexy, bad ass, don't-mess-with-me look!"
Kairi stared at the woman, slack-jawed. Then she beamed in a way that hurt her whole face. "You know, it would! It really would! Do you have any hats laying around, or are we going to have to visit Traverse Town? We need to scour the shops! It has to be purple - to match with the rest of my whole aesthetic - and- and it has to be like...do you think a narrow brim hat, or more of a big, wide thing I could use to tilt my head and hide my face in a seedy tavern?"
"Whichever you think would look better," Aqua laughed. "Though, yes, we'll have to go to Traverse Town for this one. Maybe tomorrow, if you're feeling well enough."
"I feel well enough now."
Aqua shook her head. "Uh-uh. Kairi, you're holding onto me like you'll fall over if you let go. I'm sorry, but we need to take this...at least a little slow. You wouldn't want to undo your recovery."
"Okay, tomorrow, then," Kairi agreed. "It's a date!" She grinned.
Aqua flushed, rolling her eyes. Then she smiled. "Sure - a date. We'll make it a girl's day. Just the two of us. Unless you wanted anyone else to come with-"
"No, just us! That sounds great."
"Okay." Aqua nodded. "Just us, then."
After flying passenger on Aqua's glider, Kairi and her Master emerged from the Lanes Between, descending to Traverse Town.
They landed outside First District, and entered through those large doors that were so welcome and familiar a sight.
Of course, the second Kairi stepped through and saw the milling crowds and groups, she just...
"There's nothing to be ashamed of," Aqua said, pulling her toward the café. "I'm sure there are more than a few people here who look the same, considering where they've all come from."
Kairi's Heart brightened at that, realizing that Aqua was right. In fact, she sort of remembered seeing a few people around before who had looked rather...well, worse for wear. But she'd never given that a second thought - so why was she so worried anyone else would about her? With this thought in mind, she took a breath and squared her shoulders, holding her head higher as she walked on.
They entered the café together.
Kairi's gaze roamed the busy tables, then moved to the counter. She hesitated only a moment before striding up to the counter and seating herself (Aqua did the same). "Hey - Tifa..."
Okay, so it hadn't come out nearly as confident or careless as she thought it would...
Tifa glanced over at Kairi, from her place before the customer she had just finished serving further down the table. Shock and worry crossed her face. Shone in her glistening red eyes. Then she slowly made her way over to Kairi, putting on a smile. "Hey...Kairi. And Keyblade Master Aqua-"
"Please - just call me Aqua!" Aqua said instantly, a tinge to her cheeks as she gazed at Tifa.
"Right." Tifa nodded easily. "Aqua." She looked again to Kairi. "Are you looking to stay for a while again, or do you just want something to drink or eat? You know what, we have a few things in the back I can just grab for you! One second!"
Tifa turned and disappeared before Kairi could even protest.
"I guess she can't stand looking at me, either," Kairi murmured.
"Don't be ridiculous," Aqua said firmly. "She's doing exactly as she said."
Kairi nodded, putting her hands on the table and staring down at them. She was grateful for the long sleeves of her coat, to hide her arms. Though, that didn't solve her lower body problem; her miniskirt left her legs totally exposed to everyone. Not something she'd ever cared about before - but now...
Maybe she could add some tights to the outfit? Some nice, purple, maybe lace...? It'd be worth it to see the look on Sora's face!
The idea really did appeal to her, the more she thought about it.
It wouldn't hurt, in general, really, to keep her outfit fresh.
If she was changing it up with a soon-to-be-bought hat today, then she could throw in some downright sexy tights too. Fit that whole badass, alluring heroine look to the hilt! Sultry, seductive, all-
She burst into giggles at her own thoughts.
"Do you want me to ask what's so funny?" Aqua said, amusement on her face.
"N-no, actually - I'd rather you didn't!" Kairi said swiftly, through continuing laughter.
"Okay..."
Tifa returned through the dim doorway, coming up to Kairi and placing a tray of food in front of her. "Sorry that took so long - we've been swamped lately," she said with a grin.
"And yet you sound like you love it," Kairi said, grinning back.
"Are you kidding? This is my dream job!" Tifa responded in earnest. "Ever since I was a kid, I'd dreamed of opening up my own bar. Alright, well, this isn't exactly the dream...but it's a huge step in the right direction."
"You dreamed of opening a bar as a child?" Aqua raised an eyebrow.
Tifa laughed, leaning forward over the counter on her elbows, peering at Aqua. "The exact response I garnered from every single adult around me back then! Right down to the stink-eye."
"Sorry," Aqua said quickly, flushed. "It's just-"
"Don't worry about it," Tifa interjected, waving a hand enthusiastically. She heaved a sigh, her eyes finding Kairi again. Her expression grew more serious. "I don't mean to pry or anything like that, but-"
"It's okay," Kairi said automatically. "It's kind of hard to miss, right? It's totally in everyone's face. And mine," she added, in a murmur. "We fought a really tough Heartless the day before last, trying to seal a world's Keyhole. I got distracted like an idiot, and it made me pay for it."
Tifa frowned. Her hands came together, fingers interlacing. She nodded. "I...see. I'm sorry, hon. It must have been awful. Are you still healing, or is it all better now?"
"I'm pretty much back to a hundred percent now," Kairi said.
"That's good! Good..." Tifa stared at her still, then straightened. "So, I'll just leave you to enjoy your meal. Do you want anything to drink with it? Water - milk - juice? Fizzy drinks?"
"Water - thank you."
Tifa quickly fulfilled her request, handing it over to her.
"Hey-" Kairi said quickly.
"Yeah?" Tifa said, attentive.
"Do you happen to know where Aerith might be?" Kairi asked.
Tifa hesitated, then she smiled. "Oh, of course. Well, the last that I'd seen of her, she was over in Fourth District - playing with some kids around the fountain square."
"Thank you," Kairi said, smiling back.
"No problem! Now, I should get back to work...busy busy, you know?" Tifa laughed and twirled away, off attending to other customers again.
Kairi looked down at her tray and took a bite of her food. Then she took a few more, quickly. It was good.
Really good.
Speaking of...
Kairi set her utensils down and turned to Aqua, a grin coming over her face.
Aqua looked back at her with sudden trepidation. "What's that look for...?" she hedged.
"Nothing. Just...well, you got pretty flustered talking to Tifa a minute ago...I saw that blush, clear as day - and so did she!"
Aqua made a noise of sheer exasperation, promptly dropping her face to the countertop, covering her head with her arms.
"Too late to hide it now - we all saw it!" Kairi giggled.
"Ugggghhhh! That was not- I was not- UGH! Children misinterpret things!"
"Okay. We'll say I believe you."
Kairi and Aqua emerged from the back streets of Fourth District, into the vast fountain square proper.
Kairi smiled as she took in the square and its surrounding buildings. Those yellow lighted windows of great big buildings, which were anywhere from three to six stories high, in some cases! It was a lot more colorful this visit than she remembered; it seemed like all sorts of people had gotten the idea to start drawing on the ground and the surrounding walls. She'd affectionately refer to it as graffiti. Some of it was really impressive, appealing to her own artistic side. She might have to come by and add her own drawings to this place sometime...just like she used to draw on the walls with Sora in that secret cave back home...
"Heya, Kairi - oooh, and Aqua, too! How's it..."
Kairi saw the way Aerith's face changed, as the woman broke off from a small group and approached them in the fountain square. It was like Tifa's - and it wasn't a way that Aerith had ever looked at her before. Not so intensely, anyway...
But did that have to be a bad thing? Didn't it just show...how much these people had come to care for Kairi? And in accepting it for what it was...wasn't Kairi affirming her bond with these people as well, in return? The people she cared for right back?
"Hey," Kairi spoke, giving a smile. "I know, it's a shock - a Heartless got the better of me while we were trying to seal an endangered Keyhole. It was...really powerful, and it caught me with my skirt down. But it'll never happen again - trust me! Lesson definitely learned!"
"Oh, sweetie..." Aerith sighed, striding right up to her and pulling her into a hug. "You seem to be taking it well - but I still wish it never had to have happened to you. You've already gone through so much..."
"Hasn't everyone here?" Kairi said, returning the hug gratefully before pulling away. "All I can do is keep on fighting for the day where it can finally stop happening to us. All of us."
Aerith gazed down on her with amazement. Then, just pride. She gave Kairi a nod and a small smile. "Mhm. That's the spirit! Keep that chin up."
"So, what about you?" Kairi asked, wanting to change the subject. "How have you been doing here? What have you been doing? Because I heard from Tifa that you've been goofing off with the kids here..."
Aerith grinned, setting her hands on hips. "I'll have you know that keeping kids entertained is very important work! After all, if I wasn't wringing them dry of all their energy, why, they'd run wild all up and down this place! And we wouldn't want that. Not any of us..."
Kairi giggled. Aqua gave a small laugh, shaking her head slightly.
"I get it, trust me; I've had my hands full with wrangling my own," Aqua said to Aerith, her lips curving into a small smirk. "Not even a full day of training can wind these children down."
Aerith laughed loudly, clutching at her stomach. "Yep! Fully agreed!"
Kairi smiled as she watched the two of them together. She watched Aqua extra close...
"What?" Aqua said, noticing her stare. Then she blanched, raising her hands. "N-no, no, don't say a word-"
"I wasn't going to say a thing this time!" Kairi chortled.
"Somehow I don't believe you," Aqua murmured.
"Won't say what this time?" Aerith said cheerfully.
"Don't..." Aqua warned, narrowing her eyes at Kairi.
"So you're saying you don't see anything you like - at least, compared to Tifa?" Kairi rattled off quickly.
Aqua glared in full, then whirled back toward Aerith. "Ignore her, please, she's just been on this annoying streak lately when it comes to-"
"If you're interested in Tifa-" Aerith began.
"NO! And- not- you, either! There is nothing there! Or- here! Kairi is just being the worst behaved princess in this or any world, for some reason!" Aqua growled out.
"Hey! Don't pull the princess card!" Kairi glared at the woman back now, crossing her arms.
"Then stop pulling the- romantic- the imaginary romantic interests card!" Aqua retorted, crossing her arms back at her.
"Welp, imaginary or not, there's nothing to worry about," Aerith spoke up lightly. "Tifa's already involved with Cloud - and with me, as well! And I don't think we have enough room in our little triangle to squeeze in a fourth person, if you get my meaning here," she went on, giving a false sigh of regret.
Kairi blinked.
Aqua stared, flushing hard again. Then she smiled, uncrossing her arms. "Well, there you go," she said to Kairi firmly. "There's absolutely no hope whatsoever there. A committed relationship's already established. Not that there was any- interest in the first place, I'm telling you!"
"Well, crap," Kairi sighed. "Fine, you win - I'll stop." She smiled at Aerith. "You know, I had no idea you guys were even together."
"Oh, we weren't, until just recently," Aerith said easily, beaming at her. "Tifa and Cloud both weren't in any shape for a relationship with anyone - until they actually started to be. Though, we're still taking it all slowly together."
"That's great, though, still!" Kairi beamed back. "I hope you're all really happy together."
"We are," Aerith said confidently. "We make each other happier. Some of us more than others," she added, laughing.
Kairi laughed too. "Well, good!" She hesitated, then leaned in and hugged Aerith again. "Sorry to keep you from your very important work. I've got a little light shopping to do here today, so I won't keep you."
"Don't be silly - I love getting to see you again," Aerith replied, patting her back. "Honestly, I miss the chaotic days of gallivanting around the universe with you."
"Well, you could always join us on our missions," Kairi said as they broke apart again.
Aerith shook her head. "No, no - that was just me being silly now. I have my duties here, just like you have yours out there. And I'm happy to get to do them - to be here to help so many people."
"Right. The excitement's probably not really all worth it..." Kairi said quietly, raising a hand and pointing at herself - pointedly.
Aerith frowned. She gave another, silent nod. "Right..." she echoed sadly. "When you go back out there, please just promise to be more careful?"
"Promise," Kairi said seriously.
"Then that's all I need. Now go - go on - get to shopping!" Aerith made shooing motions.
Kairi giggled, waving and turning away.
"Oh, you're heading all the way back to Second District?" Aerith called suddenly. "You know, we have plenty of amazing new little shops right here in Fourth! Between here and the Coliseum - don't you remember passing those by before?"
Kairi stopped, turning back to the woman. Following her pointing arm, out past the fountain to the large black doors. She nodded, and started off across the square instead. "I did forget, actually - thank you!"
"No problem!" Aerith giggled. "Have fun, sweetie!"
"So..." Kairi began, as she and Aqua crossed the fountain square together, heading into the next area.
"Please. Don't," Aqua gritted.
"What sort of hat do you think I should get?" Kairi said innocently.
Aqua glanced over at her. She relaxed, smiling now. "Let's just see what they have around here."
"Probably smart," Kairi nodded.
"My name is Violet Radiance, and I keep a Key in one hand and a...Wait, what did Terra do with that weapon those people gave you - from that world we were just at? Remember when we first learned about the Replica, and-"
"I have no idea - but my hope is he threw it overboard," Aqua's muffled voice of exasperation came through the dressing room door of the fancy but compact clothing and accessories shop.
Kairi twisted and turned before the full length mirror in the booth. She pulled the scarf up higher and angled her latest hat to one side. She pulled some of her hair down over her eyes. She sighed and tossed the hat aside, straightening. "Why? We could use it. It might come in handy, having an emergency weapon hidden away somewhere on our persons. It'd be the last thing anyone would expect, right? If the enemy is only expecting us to use Keyblades - to be swordfighters - then wouldn't it be a real surprise if we just...bam? Whipped out a sidearm and blasted away? It's why Keyblade transformations give a similar advantage."
"True, yes, but that only works once," Aqua's voice came again, sounding like she was just humoring Kairi. "Anyways, it's not worth the greater danger of letting any of you children handle some unknown weapon from another world. Not to mention the risks of cross-contamination, if we were to leave it in some other world. Or if anyone even just saw us using something so foreign."
"Don't we risk that every day, using Keyblades and actual magic? Some of the worlds I've been to before didn't have any form of local or unique magic! Or anything that looks like a Keyblade."
"Yes, we do, and that's why we exercise utmost care and discretion when entering other worlds," Aqua said patiently. "With what we do and who we do it in front of. We need to be mindful and aware of ourselves and our surroundings."
Kairi shook her head as she struggled her way out of her latest outfit, falling back onto the seat with an oof. She put her chin in her hands and stared at herself in the mirror, pressing her knees together. Her eyes roamed her own bare legs - that now held a multitude of long, deep, ugly scars.
"Are you doing...okay in there? You don't need any sort of help, do you?" Aqua asked.
"No!" Kairi said swiftly. But, the answer was maybe yes, truthfully... "Do you think stockings with garter belt, or tights would be better?"
"Kairi, I'm not exactly Miss Fashion Expert..." Aqua said, exasperated again.
"Says the woman wearing leggings and a lace corset as we speak?" Kairi said, in total disbelief.
"I was younger when I made this outfit!" Aqua said, sounding extremely flustered. "It wasn't exactly my finest moment of judgement!"
"Nuh-uh, no way! You're not walking back on this!" Kairi said fiercely. "Come on, give me your opinion."
"I think I just did. Not that it matters, because you can choose to wear whatever you want, Kairi!"
"Fine! Garter and stockings it is!"
"Good! I'm happy for you!"
"Well I'm happy for me too - no thanks to you!"
"Ugh...Just come back out of there when you're ready."
"I will! Oh...we're done now. Okay..."
Kairi thought she heard a murmur beyond the door that sounded suspiciously like, "Children..."
Which she chose to ignore, in favor of putting on her two new additions to her outfit.
Once it was assembled, she slowly opened the door and strode out into the open again.
She immediately turned to face Aqua and struck a pose. A pose that involved a raised leg, and a wide-brimmed purple hat pulled down over her eyes with her head turned aside. "How do I look?" she asked.
"Cool and mysterious," Aqua replied, smiling at her. "You've definitely...got that look down."
"Really?" Kairi wobbled and hastily put her leg down. She reached up and gave her hat's brim a flick, tilting it back on her head as she met Aqua's gaze. She crossed an arm, raising the other hand up to flourish it dramatically. "You aren't just saying that?"
Aqua's smile grew. "No - you're definitely the sort of person I'd be taking notice of in a seedy tavern."
"Yes! Hehe, thanks!"
"You're welcome. Now...would you want to go and find Aerith or Tifa again, or would you prefer to just go home?"
"Home," Kairi said. "I have to show off for the others!"
Aqua laughed, placing the back of her hand to her mouth. "You mean show off for Sora, specifically?"
"Y-you-! N-no-"
"It's all just girl talk, isn't it?" Aqua said sweetly. "And I promise not to tell - not that it isn't obvious to all of us already, Kairi..." she went on, a little more seriously.
"Not to Sora..." Kairi mumbled, looking down at her feet.
"Well then, isn't the only thing to do there to...make it obvious to him?"
"U-um...I mean-" Kairi stammered, shoving her arms behind her back and twisting her hands together. She shook her head quickly. "I don't really know if I- I'm not sure if he- I don't know...?"
Aqua stepped forward. She hesitated, then bent down with hands on her knees. Kairi looked up at her from beneath her hat. "I can't pretend to be an expert in this area of life, Kairi, but I at least know you might be scared for a good reason. Why you'd want to...hold out for now."
"You do?"
"Yes. It can lead to...disaster." Aqua laughed softly.
"That's encouraging..." Kairi uttered.
"Right...sorry. Just - don't worry. It's fine, either way, however you want to handle things there. But...if there's one other thing I know from experience, it's that if you wait too long, the world can pass you by. People, too. So if you want to take a risk, don't wait too long."
Kairi nodded - gave a small smile. "Thanks, Aqua. I really appreciate the advice. And I'll take it under advisement, for sure. And - sorry if I took my teasing a bit too far earlier. I don't want to just make you uncomfortable. Not outright..."
Aqua straightened up, brushing at her hair. "It's okay. I'm a lot tougher than that, Kairi. But...okay, yes, you might want to tone it down just - just a few degrees or so, please."
"All right! I will. Promise. Sorry, again."
"Don't worry so much. It's really fine with me. Today's been...it's been fun, Kairi. It really has been. Thank you for that." Aqua's expression became...strange. Thoughtful. No...wistful? "In some ways, I guess I'm more similar to that 'Kana' Replica, or to Xion, than I am to a girl like you..."
Kairi stared at the woman, at her Master, and she so badly wanted to just ask...
But she let it be, simply nodding, smiling again, and taking Aqua's hand in hers. "You're very welcome, then, Aqua. Now let's get going."
"I'm so bored!" Kana exclaimed, stalking this way and that through the lab in the Castle That Never Was.
Vexen regarded her with deep irritation. All that pacing was ruining his concentration. Something clearly had to be done about it. But what? What indeed...? How to fix this problem - for both him and her...
An idea came to him in short order. One he doubted would actually work on this feral she-beast. But at the very least, he could say he'd made an honest attempt at it.
"It's hardly a surprise you find yourself in such a state; welcome to the banality of existence," Vexen began laboriously. "Day in and day out, you go through the exact same routine - doing the same actions. Of course you're finding a lack of stimulation. But you know, that could easily be solved by simply opening your mind to the fact that there are far more interesting and varied activities to do in these worlds than fighting, combat and violence!"
"Oh? Like what?" the woman responded, no thought given. Not truly. Vexen saw that.
"Well...literature, art, mathematics - scientific theories and experiments. And of course, there are more varied examples among even our Organization; that lazy good-for-nothing Demyx plays that infernal instrument of his, and Luxord's ridiculous obsession with games, cards and dice is equally as grating-"
"You're one to talk about grating."
"And I suppose I cannot forget the more juvenile ways in which people occupy their time - eating sugary treats, running around causing mischief and mayhem...slinging childish insults." Vexen glared at her pointedly.
"So is that it? Food, insults, mischief, instruments and games?"
"Hardly! There are as many ways to keep one's self occupied in life as there are worlds. There are sports, there's sight-seeing and exploring, photography, cooking, engineering and computer programming - even such things like fashion...though you'd have no interest in that, would you, seeing as you prefer to remove your clothing at every opportunity!"
She laughed.
"And there is another thing - a most basic thing that we all enjoy on some level, even yourself-"
"What?"
"Socialization. Spending time with others, enjoying the company of another. Though, different people have varying tolerances for it. Some higher, some lower. I'd say yours is rather low."
Kana smirked. "I was going to say the same thing about you."
"Even a rock could have predicted that." Vexen retorted, rolling his eyes. "Regardless, the main point I'm aiming to make here with you is that you can find enjoyment and mental stimulation in other things besides fighting - and I'd urge you to give it a real consideration. It's all well and good to have one thing you're exceedingly good at, and enjoy above all else, but you can't let that be all you are or all you have. Lest you become some one-note, droll automaton of a being. Yes, it's important for a person to have variety in their life in general - it can be stressful and unhealthy to be stuck in the same routine, the same activities, for extended periods of time. As you are most certainly experiencing right now. Thus, the solution is as I have said: find something else to do!"
She gazed at him in silence, frowning.
After a full minute of this, Vexen shook his head and returned to his work.
Clunk.
Vexen startled, turning to find the woman sitting beside him. Straight-backed and proper. He stared at her. She stared at him. "What?" he said finally.
"Make me not bored," Kana stated. She gestured to his desk. "What are you doing here? What's all of this? How would I do it, too?"
"Are you actually saying...that you are interested in science? That you wish to...learn?"
"Yes," she sighed heavily. "Stimulate me - now."
"I'm afraid it isn't quite that simple," Vexen laughed. "You need to stimulate yourself - engage with the material, yourself."
"Okay." Kana reached out and picked up a heavy book. She opened it up and held it in front of her face in a rather uncouth manner. Upside down. But, Vexen supposed...he should give her the credit for trying? "What do I do with this thing?"
"You...what do you...you read it!" Vexen told her. "Read it, learn it - try to understand it. Not that you- can you even read?"
Kana lowered the book, glowering at him with a tight mouth. "Yes, I can read."
"Well, excuse me for thinking otherwise - it isn't as if anyone taught you-"
"It's not like anyone taught me to fight, either."
"Well, you-" Vexen paused. "All right, that is a surprisingly good point."
"So? Still bored here..."
"W-well, if you're going to start this, you need to start from the beginning," Vexen said, reaching for the book. He closed it and gently set it back in its place before reaching for another. He handed it off to Kana. "Start from the very first page, if you would - Kana. And hold it the right way - that's usually very helpful."
"Okay."
"Though, I warn you, it took me many years of study to get to where I am now. You are not going to do it in an afternoon."
"This can't be that hard," she scoffed, opening up the book and holding it before her eyes in that ridiculous way again.
"Words spoken by many a fool - moments before finding out just how absent of intellect they were," Vexen snorted. "You cannot go into this thinking it will be 'easy street.' In the realm of science, one must set aside one's pride and ego, and humble themselves so as to-"
"How do you do anything, then?"
"My sense of pride is deserved - it's been cultivated over years of hard work, breakthroughs, and successes! Such as yourself, for instance! Now, will you read for me?"
"I'm reading!"
"Read it out loud, if you please!"
"Why?!"
"So that I can help you understand anything you might be having trouble...understanding," Vexen responded, restraining his irritation and impatience as best he could (Kana seemed to live to test it, truly).
Kana shrugged. "Okay..." she murmured.
"'The infinite mysteries of the Body, Heart, and Soul are...'" she began to read aloud.
Vexen watched her closely the entire time. And as he did, it reminded him rather strikingly of an old memory...
A similar scene, with another...
Regardless, the feeling inside of Vexen was the same now as it had been back then.