Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts or anything Disney.
Chapter 12
Kairi stared at Riku's trembling back as the boy stood over his unconscious friend, the Keyblade that had sent Sora into that state clenched tightly in his fist. The Atlanteans were babbling at them, accusations flowing wildly. Riku was paying attention to none of it. She didn't know what had happened with Sora. She didn't know why the thing that he had turned into had attacked the Atlantean – though she had a feeling from the little she had glimpsed that he hadbeen attacked first. But Sora – or whatever that thing had been – had torn right into the soldier.
But while she didn't know what had happened or why Riku was just staring, she did know that something needed to be done about the outrage. She stepped around the boys and stood in front of Sora's unconscious form, her back straight and the Keyblade by her side. "Everyone, calm down."
The accusations became a roar. She sighed, trying to stay calm as she raised her voice. "Please! I can't answer anything if you all talk over each other!"
None of them seemed to care. The crowd was growing, and the soldiers were raising their weapons offensively, their faces hidden by masks. She caught Riku moving to sweep Sora up behind her and breathed a sigh of relief. That was one problem taken care of. Riku could take Sora away if they needed to run. She raised her Keyblade in a deliberate movement, letting all eyes follow it. When it was pointed straight up toward the floating carved heads, she let out a single Light Flare, the bright white orb shooting up and spinning until it disappeared in a flash right below the power source.
Everyone's attention was on her, and sought out the eyes of the crowd, hoping Queen Kida would come soon. "We defeated the Heartless, mostly thanks to Sora. The only reason he attacked one of your soldiers was because he was attacked first. Please step back."
She hoped she was right. If someone had seen differently, she would have to defend their retreat. Riku had to carry Sora if there was trouble. She didn't know if she could fight against so many by herself – especially since she couldn't kill them. They were human, not Heartless or Nobodies.
Thankfully, they did calm down, the din lowering to low murmurs and she took a wary step back. No one stepped forward or raised weapons. Trying to keep the relief from her voice she said, "Please inform Queen Kida that we will be in our quarters to recover from the battle and will be leaving once we have recovered."
They would have to raid Sora's pockets for a Mega-potion for all three – and an Elixir for Sora himself. Hopefully that would wake him up. She was worried and needed answers – and Riku would probably want them even more. Sora had a lot of explaining to do.
After another tense moment, she heard Riku moving away and she stared at the crowd another instant before pivoting on her heel and following, keeping her back straight and her paces even. They couldn't mess up now. An instant of weakness and the frightened people might attack from what they saw as preemptive self-defense.
Only when they were out of sight of the crowds did she wince and let herself begin to limp, one hand pressing to her stomach. The Heartless had scratched through the fabric of her clothes, making the blood less visible. The pink of her outfit and the fact that they healed themselves often made any blood stains less of a big deal, but there was one growing, and she was out of potions.
"Can you last until we're in the gummi ship?" Riku asked. She stared at him a moment, but sighed. He always noticed.
"We can't go to the gummi ship. I promised we would be in the quarters they gave us, Riku. And there might be a Nobody here – someone had to have set those Heartless on us." She saw his eyes darken and tried to be firm. They couldn't just leave while these people were in need.
"Fine," He snapped. "But when Sora wakes up – "
"When Sora wakes up, I think both of us we'll have forgotten about this conversation altogether," She said grimly.
A mega-potion worked wonders – two did even more. And an Elixir healed Sora, but didn't wake him up. That surprised her, and both she and Riku searched his pockets until they found a whispy yellow orb in his pockets and broke it open to apply the liquid on him. In moments, he was waking up.
"Someone get the name of that ship," Sora muttered as he woke up. Kairi's lips twitched into a small smile. It was impossible not to smile at him. He couldn't have meant to do anything wrong – this was Sora.
"That would be Slender Thorn, and it was no ship that hit that oddly dark version of you." Riku's dry voice made Sora freeze and Kairi watched the emotions play out on both their faces carefully. Riku was angry, and hurt – which wasn't that different than he had been in the Underworld. Sora... was definitely feeling guilty. And scared.
It was the last emotion she saw that made her own heart beat a bit faster. Sora was rarely truly scared of something. But he was scared now. And she couldn't fathom the reason. Clearing her throat before Riku and Sora could get into a fight, she asked, "Sora, what was that?"
The brunet shifted uncomfortably on his and Riku's bed, fidgeting nervously. Together both she and Riku chorused, "Sora!"
He jumped and met her eyes first. She had to admit if she had the choice she wouldn't have wanted to be him when he and Riku were alone. The tall boy was bristling indignantly and only seemed to be getting angrier the longer Sora was quiet. Sora was barely audible as he murmured, "That was Anti-Form."
'It's a form?' Naminé's question rang in her mind, and she echoed it out loud. "It's a form like Valor?"
"Definitelynot like Valor," Riku growled, his eyes boring into Sora's skull. "The others never smelled like darkness."
Sora flinched and Kairi frowned in Riku's direction. He wasn't paying her any attention. She wished she hadn't let the Keyblade disappear. She was sure Light Flare could get Riku's attention just as it had the natives. Sora's shifting on the bed caught her attention and she watched as he stood up and stared out the window. "It's a form like them only because the clothes gave it form. But I choose to turn into the others. Anti-Form just... happens sometimes. When I'm trying to turn into one of the others."
Kairi took a moment to digest it – but Riku wasn't. He was shifting to block Sora's view of the window. "You lied to me."
Sure enough, Sora shifted his eyes away from Riku. Kairi sighed, and observed them both sadly as the brunet answered, "I didn't want you to worry."
"Oh Sora," She whispered, and watched Riku grow angrier. Riku always worried, and he observed both him and herself almost fanatically to make sure they were both healthy and there. There was no way he wouldn't have found out eventually – as had been proven.
"Damn it! I already told you I was worried. Stop using that excuse! I've been worried. I'm always going to be worried when someone I love smells like they were a fucking Heartless themself. And that's what you looked like, Sora! Have you seen yourself like that? You look like a Heartless. What part of that statement made it seem like a good idea not to tell us?" Riku was yelling by the time he reached the final word, but she didn't care. She was more focused on the way his voice cracked slightly and how his arms shook slightly as his hands curled into fists.
"Riku..." She murmured and looked to Sora pleadingly. Silently, she tried to entreat him to say something as his eyes met hers. She felt Naminé stir and look out and knew she was trying to do the same to Roxas, despite the fact he couldn't see her. Sora's eyes slid away, guilty and stunned and she felt her shoulders slump. They were at a breaking point. Sora was the only one who could fix this, and if he didn't his relationship with Riku would be strained, if not broken – and the ties between the three of them would definitely be frayed.
His eyes flashed back to hers and she saw him nod slightly. She glanced at Riku, who had his eyes closed. She didn't know if he was struggling to calm himself, or waiting for the axe to drop.
"I know what it looks like. I saw myself in the water once in Land of the Dragons. Maybe it would be better if I hadn't, and Goofy and Donald had never told me before that. But I remember what it looks like." He paused, and took a shaky breath, blue eyes skimming Riku's face quickly, searching for something. She stepped closer to them both.
"How in control are you?" She asked, putting a hand on Riku's arm and then one on Sora's. Both of them looked at her and she smiled at them equally. Sora still needed to answer why he hadn't told them – and especially Riku – but they would work back up to that.
Sora was biting on his lips again, sucking them in and bright white teeth showing. His eyes were distant and out of focus. She wasn't sure if he was talking to Roxas, or thinking of how to answer. When he did speak, it was hesitant and confused. "It's not... it is me. Just... Not this me. I don't think like I do now. And when I think of it now it's almost like someone else, but it is me and the memories are like any memories, fuzzy in places and crystal clear in others."
"How do you think when you're like that?" Riku's eyes had slowly traveled from her to Sora, his curiosity overwhelming his anger. She mentally thanked Sora for talking. They had enough trouble without straining their relationships any.
Sora frowned in concentration. "It's more like... instincts. There are just two groups. Or maybe three. There's prey, possible prey, and... mine."
"Yours?" She asked, Riku echoing her just a beat behind. That sounded odd. She could understand the other two, considering how the - ...how he had acted.
"Yeah, just... people who belong to me." He peeked up, grinning just a bit at them. "You know. The people I love. You two."
Kairi tilted her head inquisitively. 'Odd,' Naminé chimed in.'I've never heard of such a thing. He really is unique. His darkness takes over, but still recognizes his important people even if in darker terms.'
'He did as a Heartless too. Why should this be different?' Kairi asked. She smiled softly as Sora's eyes met hers. She remembered when he had first fallen into darkness – after saving her. And then Riku had saved them both, finally realizing what was really going on.
'This is more dangerous than that Heartless,' Naminé reminded her as Sora's eyes flicked to Riku's.
The silver haired boy's arms were crossed, and his eyes were hard and uncompromising. "You still should have told me."
"Yeah. I probably should have," Sora admitted. Riku didn't seem to know what to say to that and she found herself the one asking the question that needed to be asked.
"Why didn't you?" She didn't understand it. Sora told them everything. He shouldn't have kept it a secret – especially for so long. She watched his face change, his eyes falling to the floor and his cheeks flushing red. Her eyes found Riku's and they exchanged a worried glance.
"I'm the Keyblade Master." She had to lean forward to hear his ashamed whisper. "I should be stronger than this. My darkness shouldn't be able to take over."
She kept a careful eye on both boys. Riku had come to terms with his own darkness. She didn't think he would react badly to Sora's – but he would to Sora keeping it from him. Oddly, he looked stricken, and she felt a chill go down her spine as he asked, "Why can it, Sora? Even with the clothes, this isn't normal. Someone shouldn't be able to turn into something so close to a Heartless unless..."
Riku trailed off, but Kairi knew what he was implying, and why he looked so stunned. She reached out for him at the same time as Sora did, but he had already taken a step toward the door. Sora's voice was firm for the first time since he woke up as he met Riku's eyes, "It's not your fault."
"Really?" Riku asked harshly, voice hollow and his back to them. He had his head turned slightly toward Sora, glancing back through a curtain of hair. "Because I'm thinking that the reason Anti-Form exists is the same reason Roxas does."
"And that wasn't your fault! You know it wasn't!" Sora lunged for the other boy and Kairi quickly backed away. She wouldn't interfere in this. They had their own unique ways to deal with Riku's brooding. Her hands clutched at their bed, the smooth material curling under her hands as she tried to keep her balance while backing away from their upcoming fight.
Riku tried to throw the brunet off of him, but Sora had managed to get a good grip. Oddly for once he wasn't fighting and Kairi watched with mystified eyes as he simply clung to the taller boy's back as Riku attempted to loosen his grip.
When Riku slammed them both back into the wall, then Sora fought back, kicking him in the knees. Kairi watched with mystified eyes as Riku snarled in pain and threw Sora past him and to the floor, tackling him soon after. What followed was nothing like their usual spars or wrestling matches, but instead seemed a no holds barred fight where Riku tried alternately to push Sora away or pin him down and Sora just tried to stay in as much contact with Riku, actually trying to hurt him only when it became either hit the other boy or be knocked away.
"You know, I think you're both being silly." She waited for that to sink in and both boys paused and looked up at her after a moment. "Riku, it's not your fault. Sora, Riku's not going to do anything stupid and can fight anything likely to come after us long enough for you to help. And you should have told us. Instead of focusing on what caused it, maybe you should both be trying to figure out a way to stop it. Would that satisfy your guilt, Riku?"
Her lips twitched at their rapidly blinking eyes and stunned expressions. Their first instinct was always to fight. Sora started to shift away from Riku and stand up. He did stand up but he didn't move farther away from Riku when the boy put a hand on his shoulder. Riku was looking at her, not Sora, but she smiled at the gesture. At least both of them realized when they were being stupid now.
"Final Form makes it happen less often," Sora offered and she felt her brow furrow. She had heard of Final Form, but she had never seen him use it. She glanced at Riku and found him wearing the same expression.
"Why don't you use that form more often? I can't remember ever seeing it." Kairi watched the rapid shift of expressions on Sora's face until it settled on a frown. He was struggling with something, but she couldn't understand what.
"I can't change into Final Form by myself," He said finally, and she understood.
Or she thought she did. "You need Donald and Goofy?"
"No. Not them specifically. Just... more energy. Even then I get tired more quickly. Afterwards. Roxas too." He fell silent a moment and then shrugged. "I can't use energy from you two."
"Why not?" Riku asked, stepping aside so he could look at Sora's face. Kairi sighed at the suspicion in his voice. Riku was going to be constantly suspicious for the whole conversation if his behavior so far was any indication.
"Because it would take too much energy from you. You wouldn't be able to fight while I was in Final Form. Any fight I would want to use Final Form in would be too dangerous to just have one person fighting," Sora explained. Kairi smiled, despite the answer. It was like him to have thought through the effects on everyone else despite the fact Final Form would keep him from turning into something he didn't want to. Then he added, "And... I never attacked people before. Just Heartless and Nobodies. Things of darkness. I didn't know I would when I was like that."
"To be fair to... you." That was going to get confusing. But Sora was referring to it as if it was him and so would she. "You did get attacked first. I think."
"You were. You didn't attack him until he attacked you," Riku confirmed. Sora's face brightened – and then fell. Kairi's heart clenched at the sudden concern on his face.
"Is the soldier okay?" Sora asked, and Kairi couldn't answer. She was almost sure that Sora hadn't hurt the man enough to kill him, but he hadn't been alright.
She couldn't lie to him. "I don't know." As his face fell she quickly reassured him, "He won't die! He's just... injured."
Oh," Sora said, and sat down on his and Riku's bed. She watched him silently, and glanced at Riku, who was looking back at her expectantly. He seemed to realize she expected him to do something and the expression that formed on his face was one of mild panic. Evidently, he didn't know what to do either.
They stood in awkward silence for a few minutes while Sora stared at the floor and they stared at each other. Finally she shifted her weight, hesitated a moment, and then moved, crossing the few steps and sitting on one side of Sora, reaching for his hand. He let her take it, and she watched Riku copy her movement. She shifted closer until their sides were touching, giving him silent comfort.
She met Milo and Kida alone, leaving Sora in Riku's hopefully capable hands. Sora would bounce back, either way. He just needed to let it sink in.
"We would appreciate it if we were allowed to stay longer. It is too much of a coincidence that there were three of those below your power source. It is possible that someone is behind it, working to ruin your city." Another Nobody, in Kairi's mind. She wouldn't be caught so easily this time. She would listen to the part of her that was uneasy next time.
"Is it not also possible that it is an enemy targeting you?" Kida asked, cocking her head to the side. Kairi had been used to Kida's insatiable curiosity in the few previous conversations and this formal meeting was something she just wasn't used to.
"It's possible. But the goals of our enemy aren't known and your power source is too big of a prize to leave around." Kairi could see why any dark creature would want it. To be able to convert it and use it would be a blow against the light. It was warm, their power, and made of light at the moment – but she didn't doubt that their enemy was clever enough to find a way to change it. They had found a way to destroy Destiny Islands.
"Excuse me miss, but how do we know you don't want it?" Milo spoke up, his eyes expressing more curiosity than outright suspicion. With a nervous smile he explained, "It's happened before. A-actually the people I originally came here with tried to steal it."
A familiar deep voice asked from the doorway, "What the heck would we use it for? I don't know about Kairi and Sora, but I don't really have space to put it."
"Riku, I've seen your room. You don't have space for you, never mind anything else," She said before thinking about what it would mean. Even as her breath escaped on the last syllable she remembered he didn't have a real room. None of them had rooms now, or homes.
She fought down the tears that automatically rose and swallowed, trying to look for the same reaction in Riku – but he seemed confused at her expression. It was Queen Kida who asked, "Is something wrong?"
"I..." What could she say? That she wanted her home back? She wanted to wake up in her bed the next morning and wanted for them to go swimming around the waters of their play island. She wanted to talk to Selphie and groan to Tidus about homework and wanted to see Wakka challenging the boys to blitzball.
"Oh," Riku muttered, apparently getting it. "You miss home."
She nodded silently, curling her fingers up into loose fists and staring down. She jumped when Riku's hand was placed on her shoulder. She hadn't heard him come up. She looked up and found him smiling gently down at her before the expression turned serious and he slid his gaze over to the queen and king. "Look, that?" He raised a hand and pointed at the circling faces and the blue glow. "Is too much trouble. We have enough trouble, we don't need your share too. Just let us search the city, and we'll leave in the morning. If they don't strike again, we'll leave."
Her head snapped up and she opened her mouth, only to feel his hand tighten. She stopped immediately, wondering what he was doing. They couldn't just leave these people here while they were still in danger. But when she searched his face she saw only determination. He had to have a plan.
"We will allow one of you to search the city. Your friend... I don't believe my people would appreciate seeing him right now." Kida's eyes reflected her sympathy, but Kairi still wanted to protest. Sora hadn't done anything wrong. But she bowed her head, willing herself to be silent, especially when she saw Riku's free hand tightening into a fist, despite the polite smile on his face.
"I'll do it," Riku offered. "Kairi can watch Sora. If we're excused?"
"Of course," Both Milo and Kida said, and Kairi let Riku pull her out of there. She wasn't content with any of this – but Riku knew what he was doing, usually. Except, as they reached the door way Kida called, "Kairi, if you would like, you may bring your friend here and we could all train together. I noticed that you were not as adept with your weapon as your friends. Perhaps I can give some help."
Kairi felt Riku stiffen slightly but for once ignored it, her eyes brightening as she turned and met Kida's eyes. "I would like that. Very much."
She let Riku pull her out after that, but couldn't help grinning. This was what she needed. Even if it was only for the rest of the day. She turned to Riku and ignored his scowl, asking brightly, "So, what if you don't find anything?"
"Then we leave. I doubt there will be much more than the normal Heartless once we're gone. Whoever is after us will focus on us, and not this world. The power source... We can't protect it more than we've done. We'll have to hope it isn't an actual goal of theirs." Riku slid his eyes back to the door they had recently come out of. "I guess I should give you the Keyblade. You use it more often than your daggers."
She could tell he didn't approve. For once, she had to ignore it. She wanted to do this and he wasn't protesting – probably because he knew she wanted it. "That would be great. I... What if I want to practice with the daggers as well?"
"Give the Keyblade to Sora." Riku's eyes shifted away and she saw him frown, looking thoughtful.
"How do you know?" She asked, studying his expression.
"I just do," He answered, and she left it at that. Answers would come in time, and truly the fact that she could hold that Keyblade at all was a miracle that none of them understood. She wouldn't question it, not yet.
She barely deflected a blow aimed to her middle and attempted a counter – but somehow Ultima was there beneath her guard. She could sense him pulling his strength at the last second so she only stumbled, but it was frustrating. She had been better before – but now her limbs were leaden. Dagger practice and Keyblade sparring had worn her out. But she knew in a real battle she would have to keep going.
"Time for a break," Sora said, and he actually sounded winded. She looked up hopefully and saw him grinning at her, and his breathing was a bit fast. Not as heavy as hers, but she had actually made him put out an effort.
"You're getting good fast." He looked thoughtful as he stared at the Keyblade in her hands. "I guess it makes sense. I mean, we have to get stronger as we fight. I don't even have much style to my fighting. I think your style is more graceful than either mine or Riku's."
"But I'm doing well?" She asked, needing to hear it again. He blinked, seemingly surprised – but was quick to smile reassuringly.
"Yup! I figured you could use a break though. You started getting clumsy," He commented and her heart sank. How was she to last in a longer fight without needing them to help her if she couldn't keep from getting tired?
"Hey," He said softly as she turned her eyes away. "I didn't mean that it was bad. At least you give signs when you're tired. I just keep fighting until i collapse – ask Leon sometime. First time I fought him I fainted afterward – still got 'im good though."
It was impossible to keep being unhappy when Sora seemed so smug about his own defeat – he didn't seem to care he had lost. He had come so far since then – she didn't think she could catch up, but she could at least get good enough not to be a burden. She didn't want Sora thinking he needed to transform just to help her – not when there was a chance Anti-form would show up.
"It was a pleasure sparring with you," Kida said, smiling from the side of the room they had chosen. She had helped Kairi with her daggers and unlike Sora had shown no mercy. Everything was blunted, so there was no real damage – but there were bruises. Kairi had decided to let them heal naturally, as a reminder she was improving.
"Likewise," Kairi replied, her eyes warming on her new friend.
That was when they heard the screams. Her head shot up and she ignored the way her limbs dragged as she straightened and pulled the Keyblade up to a defensive position. Both Kida and Sora seemed to have the same opinion as she did. Kida took up her spear and Sora lifted Ultima once again.
Sora led the charge into the hallway. Kairi followed as quickly as she could, trying to stay right behind him. It was impossible. The second she stepped into the hallway there was darkness. Yellow eyes peeked out from it and Kairi jerked back, remembering when Sora's eyes had been yellow and unblinking like theirs. There weren't any Emblem Heartless – all of them were natural. Shadows, Neoshadows and even some Darkballs all swarmed around them, blotting out the evening sun.
Her Light Flare was the only light for a moment and despite the fact she saw it hit and knew it killed the Shadows near it, all she saw was more darkness once it was blotted out. Even Thundaga didn't light up as much as she wished it would. She found herself terrified. Before in other battles she had always been able to see the light. Now there was only darkness, only her own waning strength to go on.
'Your strength is greater than you think. Step forward, Princess of Heart.' It was Naminé, but her voice was sharp, a triumphant voice in the dark. 'What light do you need besides your own?'
The Keyblade in her hand shone as she swung it forward. There was a name in her mind now and Radiant Spirit sliced through a Neoshadow down low and she danced around the darkness, striking fast and light. There was little strength in her style, but much speed and grace and she ignored the way her muscles screamed, delighted at the new feeling of the Keyblade. It felt more like it was hers – there was still something else in it, but she could feel Radiant Spirit now.
Unfortunately, her new delight and adrenaline rush couldn't give her strength for long. A Darkball smashed into her back, it's dark teeth digging into her shoulder. She struck at it and let off a Light Flare, but she could feel the blood now trickling down her shoulder.
Her movements didn't stay steady for much longer. Only a few more minutes and she could feel herself slipping. The Heartless seemed to sense her weakness and pressed closer, their claws seeking her heart. She tightened her grasp on Radiant Spirit and tried to slip away for a breather – but there was nowhere to go.
"Hold on!" She heard Sora shout and couldn't tell if it was to her or someone else. But her feet slipped and she went down just as Curaga's healing energy swam through her, filling her being. Much better than a Potion, even a High Potion. She felt better – though the bruises from earlier would be gone. The wound on her shoulder was now only throbbing, and other scratches she had gathered were healed, other injuries closed up. But she was on the ground and the Heartless were jumping onto her.
"Kairi!" Darkness in the darkness destroyed some of the Heartless on her, others backing up just enough that she could breathe and climb to her feet. She wished she had the skills to roll to her feet like the boys could. A hand helped her up and she knew from the size and grip it was Riku. He pulled her close, protective. She turned slightly and jumped back into the fight.
This time she kept careful track of where Riku was and by the short distance between them at all times she guessed he was doing the same. Light Flares and Dark Auras flew in every direction and their two Keyblades cut through the Heartless. He was doing much better than she and she wasn't quite in synch with him – but she would learn.
She knew they were actually making progress when the sun began to shine through the windows. Now that she could see she tried to get glimpses of her other friends. She saw Kida almost immediately, slumped against a wall – but some of her soldiers had found her.
As she fought, she realized she didn't see Sora. In fact the last she had heard had been when he did Curaga. He had been tired, just like she had, but he hadn't had Riku's support. Riku, who had been fresh and hadn't been sparring off and on for hours. Sora hadn't been as exhausted as she had – but he had still been tired. Her eyes flicked across the battlefield as the ranks of Heartless shrank to just a few.
Riku took care of the last few and she began to spin in place, slowly looking around. "Riku..."
She heard him shift and the distance between them disappeared. She looked up at him and saw her own worry reflected in his eyes. "Where's Sora?"
He didn't answer for a moment, his gaze sweeping the hallway. He pulled her forward and said, "C'mon. He must have been driven down one of the other hallways."
She followed Riku, trying to ignore the carnage the Heartless had left behind. Somehow, she couldn't help but feel it was there fault that so many Heartless had shown up. In an attempt to distract herself she tried to figure out Riku's pattern, but he didn't seem to have one. Her eyes strayed to the blood on the floors and she snapped her eyes back to Riku. There had been a lot of Heartless – she couldn't help but wonder how many hearts they had claimed.
"Don't look at it," Riku said. She glanced up, but he was still striding forward, not facing her. "We can't do anything about that now."
"I don't think Sora could have been driven this far away," She said instead of replying. He stopped and looked around.
"No. Probably not – but... Here. The stairs." He strode forward again, his long legs making her have to jog to catch up. She peered down the stairs. But still didn't see what Riku was looking at. She tried to follow his gaze, but all she could make out was a faint black patch on the green grass below.
Naminé's anguished cry of, 'Sora! Roxas!' made her realize what that was – though she still couldn't see how he had fallen down there. The battle must have been longer than she realized. She had the sudden urge to just jump down and gripped the stone banister until it receeded. She wasn't sure if that had been her or Naminé, but she knew that fall would kill her. Radiant Spirit seemed to throb in her hand, in time with her pain.
She had fallen behind now, Riku taking the stairs two or three at a time and rushing. More Heartless could have attacked Kida's home and if she kept following, she knew he wouldn't even look back. Not until they reached Sora and saw the damage done to him.
He was alive. She knew that. She didn't know how she knew, but she knew that, and she kept her steps careful, letting Riku get farther and farther ahead of her. He probably had more healing items than she did – she only had one potion left, and would have to ask Sora for more – though she didn't know many more he had left either.
By the time she reached their side Riku was crouched down and was roughly shaking Sora. There was an empty potion bottle nearby so Kairi assumed Riku had tried that already. "Riku, that's not going to help."
He stopped and looked up long enough to scowl. "The potion didn't wake him."
She bit her lip before the words she wanted to say could come out. He was probably too injured for a potion to wake him – but Riku wouldn't like hearing that. "I need to learn Cure. I've been trying. I've almost got it – but we need someone who has a high powered healing spell, besides Sora."
She knew it didn't really matter right now, but she was trying to distract Riku as she slid a few more feet forward to peer into Sora's face. His clothes were ripped, but she assumed they fixed themselves – or that Sora had learned how to sew – because they were never ripped for long. And there were still bruises and injuries, obvious ones. She had to wonder what he had looked like before being given a potion. "Does he have any hi-potions?"
Riku rummaged through Sora's pockets and she waited patiently while he managed to find one and tip Sora's head back and pour the bottle down his throat. They both waited and Kairi sighed when the injuries healed up more but the bruises remained and he didn't stir. She laid a hand on Riku's shoulder when he began to shake the boy again. Naminé was hovering, and had something to say. "Give me a moment."
'Try using Radiant Spirit. His heart and yours were once shared, and he should feel the Keyblade.' Kairi immediately raised the Keyblade. There was something to that, and later if she remembered she would pursue the thought Naminé had given her. For now, she stepped past Riku and gently laid the tip of Radiant Spirit on top of Sora's chest, directly above where his heart would be.
'Please wake up,' She called silently. The Keyblade glowed briefly and there was an answering flash from Sora's hands – two answering flashes, to her surprise, and she caught the brief outline of Ultima and Oblivion before both disappeared and Sora groaned. She blinked, feeling strangely lightheaded for some reason and stumbled back. An arm caught her as her knees buckled and she leaned back into Riku's chest as they watched Sora wake up. They could have waited, she knew – but it was odd to see Sora unconscious. Very odd.
"Shut up, Roxas," He muttered first and she exchanged puzzled glances with Riku before blue eyes opened and stared at them a moment. His eyes flicked toward Radiant Spirit for a moment and there was a look in his eyes that was more reminiscent of Roxas than Sora, but it faded by the time he was looking back at them, granting them a small smile as he sat up. There was a wince and Riku reached forward to help him sit up, shifting her slightly, but not letting go.
She had to smile herself as Sora allowed himself to be pulled closer. Riku was staring off over their heads but his back was tense and his grip firm. Neither of them were about to break it. She tilted her head and met Sora's eyes. "I guess you got the brunt of the attack. No one to help you. We should have expected another attack so soon. They're trying to kill us."
Sora's smile faltered and his eyes slid to the side. "I don't think it was someone behind this. I think it was natural."
"Natural?" She and Riku asked sharply. Sora raised his hands and pressed a hand each to their hearts. She stared at him, confused, and glanced at Riku. He was frowning, his eyes narrowed. She thought he had a bit more of an idea – but he was quick thinking.
Sora sighed, and didn't move his hands as he explained, "We're two Keyblade Wielders and a Princess of Heart – who also wields a Keyblade. Even one of us is enough to attract Heartless. Leon had to take my Keyblade away at first to keep them from sensing me. That doesn't work for long. With all three of us in one place – we're like a big tasty treat."
Kairi ignored his description in favor of the meaning behind it. "They came after us? This is our fault? It never happened at Destiny Islands!"
"We weren't moving around so much then – and that was before the darkness began growing like it is now." He didn't deny it was their fault, but instead of the guilt she expected there was a determined gleam in his eyes. "We'll just have to move faster and get stronger."
"This has happened before to you?" Kairi questioned, feeling alarmed. He had never mentioned being injured so badly or being swamped so hard.
There was a glazed look for a moment as if Sora was remembering. "Not like this. A lot sometimes, and some pretty bad fights, but never so many in such a small space."
Riku was ominously silent at this revelation and she could see his grip on Sora tightening right before he jerked the boy even closer. Kairi echoed Sora's yelp as the brunet fell into them. Riku didn't seem to care as he asked, "Why didn't you ever mention this before?"
"I forgot," Sora shrugged and Kairi heard Riku groan in disgust. Defensively Sora continued, "Well, it was a long time ago and since he warned me, I just accepted it as part of... all this."
He gestured to himself – or tried. Thanks to Riku have jerked him half into their laps he was more gesturing at all of them – but Kairi found that fitting as well. She smiled and shook her head at both boys. Sora squirmed to put distance between them, stopping when Riku scowled. She could almost see the word "overprotectice" running through Sora's thoughts. And it was true – Riku was overprotective of both of them and right after they had been injured he was the worst.
"We should leave before it happens again," Sora suggested when it became clear Riku didn't really want to let either of them go very far. He relaxed into them and Kairi felt Riku do the same, his grip loosening until he was only loosely embracing them both. It was a rare occurence even in his overprotective moods. Kairi couldn't blame him considering how many disasters had followed each other in the past few days.
"Sure," Riku agreed. None of them moved.
Sora frowned as he tilted his head, staring at something. "Are either of you two hurt?"
She looked at him blankly, but he was staring at Riku, who looked just as blank. Sora gestured to some blood on his vest. Riku stared at it and then shook his head. "It's yours."
"Oh." Sora briefly inspected himself and then shrugged. "Doesn't look like it was too bad."
Riku twitched and Kairi had to wince. Sora's definition of "too bad" was far from theirs. However, upon seeing Riku's dark expressions she hurriedly stood, dislodging both boys, and exclaimed, "Let's get back to work! The faster we leave the sooner Atlantis is in less danger."
Reluctantly, both got up to follow and she smiled, making her way back to the city. It was best to head off any arguments about injuries. Those went on forever – because they could have been dying and either of the boys probably would have dismissed their own injuries out of hand. Even during a battle they might ignore each others. But after a battle, she didn't want to be any where near them if one had any major injury. Her boys could scold each other almost as well as she could – though a bit more insulting than she was.
End Chapter Twelve.
Sorry for a long time between updates guys, but November and December are hard times at college, especially when for half the month of November I had roommate issues. The next world is funny.