Search Party
By Kikofreako
Summary:
Sora's whereabouts are unknown, Kairi has some strange power, and what's up with this Blonde Haired Kid that's carrying around a set of Keyblades? Everything's spinning out of control as Donald, Goofy, the Destiny Islands crew and the FF crew are jammed together in efforts to find a certain brunette. SoraXKairi Some: Squiffie and SelphieXTidus.
Disclaimer:
I don't own Kingdom Hearts, but I do own Kxerrix, so don't steal! Stealing is baaaadddd. -wags finger- You don't want her Yellow Opera army coming after you.
The Random Quote of d00m:
"Does losing your friends scare you? Yes, it does. Than I scare you." -Marluxia
XxX
Tyson knocked softly on Kairi's door. "I've been trying for fifteen minutes. You could at least acknowledge my presence."
"Go away. I don't want to talk to anyone." Her muffled voice strained through the door.
"Then Naminé is coming in."
"Tyson I don't-"
"If you won't listen to me, than maybe you'll listen to her." A chink of light found its way out as the door opened a crack.
Kairi gave a small smile. "Is this one of those battles I can't win?"
"Yeah, it is."
She gave a sigh. "Tell Selphie she should probably come in, too."
She sat on the bed and waited for the two girls. Silently, they opened and closed the door and took a seat on the bed. Selphie's eyes were red from crying- probably from Riku. Or the Replica. Whichever.
"I want to know what's going on here," Kairi said softly. "Naminé, you know what's happening. Please...I'm tired of not knowing."
"Okay." she whispered. "Where do you want me to start?"
Selphie leaned back against the wall. "Begin at the beginning."
"Your beginning or mine?"
"Yours."
"Okay." She cleared her throat and gathered herself. "When I was little, the Superior realized that I had the power to tamper with a person's memories."
"Who's the Superior?" Selphie inquired.
"The head of the Organization. And no, I don't know his name- he's just the Superior. So he figured out I could change memories. If I didn't do what he commanded, I would be imprisoned in the castle."
Kairi murmured thoughtfully. "Then Sora came, and you were to tamper with his."
Naminé nodded. "Yes. I was to basically, take his feelings for you and change them to me." Kairi reddened. Ignoring it, she went on. "I did it, for awhile. My conscience got the better of me, and I told him what was happening. After taking down Marluxia on the thirteenth floor, I restored his memories. But that meant losing his fake ones, and the ones in the castle. He won't remember me if he sees me, and he won't know Axel or the rest of the Organization."
"How did you get involved in the Organization, anyways?"
"I, uh..." Now it was Naminé's turn to blush. "Kxerrix is my cousin."
Selphie sat up, startled. "You two do look alike, I guess. But the eyes..."
Naminé scowled. "Her's were blue too, until she started tampering with the Heartless. Only the ones with specific power over Heartless have golden eyes- I suggest you stay away from them. Ansem's eyes were gold, too."
"Yeah, they freaked me out..." Kairi trailed off. "How do you know about Ansem?"
"I was in Sora's memories, remember?" She decided not to add the part about Hollow Bastion. Everyone was stressed enough as it was.
"Oh yeah."
"Okay. Where was I..." She counted off on her fingers, trying to recall the sequence of events. "Yes- Tyson. He came to Castle Oblivion, right before it was destroyed by the Organization to wipe out any evidence. He was trying to find Sora, the other half of his heart. They actually are stronger in one another's presence- their hearts bounce off one another's power, if you will. That's where I met him, and Vexen reappeared, wanting to know if I was interested in saving Sora. The rest is history."
Selphie scoffed. "Why does Vexen want to help us, anyways?"
"He doesn't- he only wants revenge on the Organization- after he was found traitorous, Axel killed him. Well, he didn't finish the job. You're the way to retaliation for him."
The redhead traced her finger over a pillow absently. "So why exactly do I suddenly have these powers?"
"The Keyblade has a sort of emergency plan- if one is disabled- like Sora is at this moment, it goes to the Queen Of Hearts."
"So...I'm the Queen?"
"Mm-hmm. It has awakened your heart- normally, that wouldn't happen for a few years, but this is an emergency, as I said before."
"Why can't I control them? It happens so suddenly...I don't know what's going to happen, or when they're going to appear." she said quietly.
"It's Tyson's heart- Kxerrix planted a tiny seed of darkness inside of it. Sora's heart made yours strong enough to be the Queen- you in his company helped it along, I believe. Tyson's would most likely do the same thing, in theory. But the tiny speck of darkness my cousin" -she spat those words out in disgust- "planted are throwing everything off, including your light. After you learn to control it, than it won't be a problem."
Kairi crossed her legs, eyes screwed up tight. "People are relying on me, aren't they?"
Naminé averted her eyes. "Yes."
Selphie squeezed her shoulder encouragingly. "I have faith in you. You're the strongest person I know, Kairi Jacobs." She walked out of the dorm. Kairi and Naminé watched her go, then Naminé got up to leave. Kairi coughed.
"Um, Naminé...you said that you had to take Sora's feelings for me and switch them to you. What exactly...were they?"
The blonde laughed. "I couldn't switch them completely. You can't take someone's love." And with that, she walked out.
Kairi started after her long after the door had closed.
XxX
Dark wisps of smoke curled around the room, making it impossible to see more than five feet in front of you. Black shapes moved around, glinting yellow eyes voids in space. A clang sounded as two large metal doors opened and closed, several chains being put back in place and the click of tumblers. Marluxia strode over, feet clicking softly against the metal floor. He smiled malevolently at his favorite sight- the Keyblade master in chains. He was in the center of the room, two Guardians holding him, in addition to shackles on his hands and feet chained to the floor. Although it couldn't be seen by the naked eye, a small seed of darkness was in his heart- if it began to show signs of light- the beginnings of an attack- the darkness would increase and cripple him like a rag doll until someone got there to beat out any resistence.
"Well, hello."
He lifted his face, sky blue eyes tired but defiant. "Go away."
Marluxia raised a pink eyebrow. "Mmm, touchy today? Is it because we finally have gotten our hands on your friends?" He relished the terrified look in his Sora's eyes before continuing. "You're not very good at hiding your emotions. And she isn't here yet, if that's what you're thinking." He smirked. "Not yet. But when she does-"
"SHUT UP!" Sora's voice rang out like stone and dripping with a red-hot hate. Something not often heard from the easygoing boy. His eyes narrowed. "You'll make a mistake. And I'll get out."
"We have a temper, I see. Maybe we'll have to beat that out of you too." Sora flinched, remembering the long scar now running down his back.
"You don't scare me."
"Does losing your friends scare you? Yes, it does. Than I scare you." He paused and snapped his fingers, as if suddenly recalling an insignificant event. "Oh, yes. I almost forgot. The Replica is back with us after six months with your friends. He says Kairi has taken a liking to him."
Sora stared back, trying to shove the swirling pinwheel of thoughts to the back of his mind, and trying not to choke.
"I think I'll just leave you here to think on that." And with that parting statement, the doors slammed shut with a cruel clash.
XxX
Naminé walked into the cockpit, tip-toeing past a sleeping Goofy. "Hey Donald. How far to Agrabah?"
He yawned. "About an hour and a half. Why aren't you sleeping? It's two o' clock at night."
"I dunno, I guess I just wasn't tired." She sat down in another chair next to Donald and sighed. "How are you and Goofy holding up?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
She turned to face him, a hint of depression in her eyes. "Well, it's got to be harder without...well, you know."
Donald sighed. "His cheerfulness used to get on my nerves. Not anymore."
Naminé smiled and leaned her head back on the seat. "He brightens up anyplace around him, you know? It'll be nice to have him back." She paused. "Did you know that Sora's name means sky?"
"Fits the little squirt." He laughed and turned back to the dash. The blonde eventually drifted off into a dreamless sleep.
XxX
"Wake up, sleepy head!"
Leon sat up groggily and found himself staring straight into big, blue eyes. Jumping back, he glared at the ninja.
"What. Are. You. Doing. In. My. Room."
She pouted. "Well, I had to wake you up. We landed in Agrabah like, two whole hours ago! Duuuuuhhh!" she retorted.
He ran a hand through his chocolate brown hair. "Okay. Can you get out of my room now?"
She bounced off the edge of the bed, already hyper at seven o' clock in the morning. "Hee hee hee hee hee."
Leon looked at her suspiciously. "What are we doing today?"
"We're going SHOPPING!"
XxX
"Let's see. I've got munny, some potions, munny, some ethers, munny,.." Selphie counted off on her fingers. "I need more munny."
"You already have 3,000, you idiot!"
Selphie glared at Tidus. "You can't have enough munny. Especially when you're shopping."
Tyson crossed his arms. "You're getting PROVISIONS. Not jewelry, understand? Only stuff you NEED."
Selphie harruphed and hiked up her bag. "Whatever. Can we go already?"
"Please." Tidus muttered.
Selphie smacked him.
"Why do you always have to do that..." he mumbled, rubbing the back of his head.
XxX
"OMG! Look at this bracelet!" Selphie squealed, holding up a turquoise and sliver bangle. "It's PERFECT!" (Too much IMing for Selphie.)
Kairi groaned. Those boys had gotten out of shopping- "We'll go to check out Monstro. We'll meet you back here in three hours." Ha. Those dogs...
"Um, me and Naminé are going to go and get provisions. You and Yuffie can shop, okay?" Kairi said quickly.
"Sure." she said, distractedly. Her attention turned to a row of glittering scarves. "O...M...G!"
Naminé and Kairi were gone before Selphie could start in again. The brunette was immersed in giggles as she tied the scarf around her neck and flashed a sexy smile. "Hm, do you think Tidus would like this, Yuffie?"
Yuffie was about to gag. She wasn't exactly a girly-girl. "Look, I'm going to go and check out their weaponry, OK?"
Selphie pouted, but ended up giving into the persistent ninja. Picking over a selection of earrings, she wondered to herself why no one ever wanted to shop with her.
XxX
Hawkers lined the streets, waving their wares in the air. Yuffie was shoved this way and that as she scored the various booths and open-air tents. Where are you, little store...you've got to be here somewhere... Someone jarred her hard on the right, causing her to slip and land right on her backside in the hot sand. "Hey! Who-" She stopped as she realized her "attacker" was gone. She sighed and picked herself up, dusting off her shorts. Glancing upward, Yuffie thought she saw a trace of black amist the gold sand. Then, it vanished. "I've been out here too long. Seeing stuff...what's that called?" she mumbled to herself as she continued to amble along. "A migraine? No, that's not it..."
"QUALITY CHAINS! GET PROTECTION FROM THE ELEMENTS!" Her head snapped up at this.
"Yes! Come to mama!" She hurried over and wiggled into a crowd of people also there to buy accessories. Scanning the silk cloths adorned with glittering platinum strands, her eyes roved over, trying to find what she was looking for. Protect, Fira, Bizzariga, Ray Of Light, Raven's Claw... Bingo. She picked up a silvery chain and looked it over.
"Omega Arts." said the shopkeeper. "The best of the best, in my opinion. A little too pricy for you though, don't you think?"
Yuffie looked at the tag and almost choked. 2,000 MUNNY was printed on it in bold letters. "I, um..."
The man laughed coarsely. "That's what I thought, girlie. Now give it back." He held out a grimy hand. Yuffie looked at the label once more. The black calligraphy seemed to taunt her. You're too scared, it said. I'm worth it. You know that. What, do you think he'll hate me? You've got a yellow streak longer than I thought.
"No way!" she yelled, half at the shopkeeper and half to the chain itself. Digging around in her pocket, she slammed the money down on the counter and stormed off.
XxX
"I'm glad we didn't take Selphie here." Tidus commented as they walked through the giant whale. "You know what she would be doing right now."
"Oh ya." Wakka smirked, doing a high-pitched imitation of her voice. "EW! THIS IS LIKE SO GROSS! I THINK I JUST STEPPED IN SOMETHING! AUGH! MY HAIR, MY HAIR! Then, she would probably slap you, Tidus man." he chortled.
"You guys are as bad as her." Leon mumbled as he stepped into yet another chamber.
Tidus looked offended. "I demand you take that back! I am deeply hurt over here." He clutched his heart in mock agony, staggering about the room haphazardly.
"Yeah, whatever." Donald said, poking around some driftwood. "There's nothin here, guys. Let's go."
"I thought you would never say those hallowed words. How did you guys stand this place? Especially the nasty stomach..."
Their voices trailed off as the group made their way back to the ship.
XxX
"Do you know where we're going next?" Kairi asked, picking through a selection of ruby-red apples. She put an unblemished one in a rough burlap bag and handed the shopkeeper some change, walking to the next stand.
Naminé followed her, adjusting the position of the strap of her sack. "Well, we've been going in order, so I guess either Atlantica or Halloween Town."
"Halloween Town? I don't think I was ever there. Atlantica, either."
"I doubt it. You have to use magic to camouflage yourself there, and that wasn't exactly Riku's forte. In Atlantica, you actually have to turn yourself into a mermaid or a turtle or something. Weird, huh?"
Kairi laughed, then blew out her cheeks and made her eyes bulge. "Check it out, I'm a puffer fish! You get me mad and WHAM!"
Naminé giggled at the redhead's expression. "I definitely don't want to end up as a seahorse or something. We'll have to try and keep on Donald's good side."
"Yeah..." Kairi looked at a selection of strange-looking bread. "What are these?" she asked the tradesman.
"Ah," he spoke in a heavily accented voice. "One of my best selling pieces, yes. Travel food- bread rolls stuffed with berries and coated in honey. Lots of energy. Pretty good too."
"Okay, we'll have..." Kairi counted off on her fingers. "I guess about twenty."
Naminé took the food off the counter as the redhead paid the man and rejoined her. "You think that's enough?"
"For us or the Heartless army? Because I think we're okay either way."
"Okay," she laughed. "Let's see if we can round up Yuf and Selph."
XxX
Gah! -hides under a table- I am a bad, not updating for weeks. Please forgive me... I have had swim team starting and of course, school. Well, you finally got to hear from Sora. See? I didn't kill him or anything. -goes to reviews- Oh yeah...and all of you can have some chocolate and graham crackers. We can make s'mores! Yeah!
Perhelediel- -imagines you falling out of your chair- Hahahah- my friend (who's proofreading this story...sort of) just about did that too when I told her. Actually, I didn't have the idea until about three chapters into the story. It worked out, so...yeah. GAH! I am addicted to Squiffie...must stay loyal to Sora and Kairi...augh...but Squiffie is so much fun to write! Seriously...I laugh to myself when I write it. Namine will stay for the rest of the story, cause she rocks. Enjoy your s'more! (My dad likes the marshmallows burnt too; whenever one of ours accidently sets on fire we give it to him.)
Horsie890- Thanks again for spreading my story; I really appreciate it! I am trying really hard to make it better...my style of writing has some flaws, obviously. Enjoy your s'more!
Absh- GAH! -hand/forehead- I can't believe I called Terk a guy! -more head-smacking- And for my C2, I'd be happy to have you as staff or subscriber. Enjoy your s'more!
Therazerbladekisses- Disasteriffic, that PWNS! Well, the heads on sticks definitely would freak me out. I better keep updating. And thanks, I'm glad you won't flame me. Flames serve only as marshmallow roasters. And occupations for firemen. Enjoy your s'more!
Kingdom219- Lol, thanks. And enjoy your s'more!
Slinky Lover- Yeah, well your writing pwns too! -envies your plots- You are too awesome. And don't spill about the riddle! Oops...well, enjoy your s'more!
Hybred- Trust me, I really don't care what a flamer says to me, cause...they're a flamer. Thanks for the compliment, by the way! Enjoy your s'more!
Crystallynne- Woo, a new reviewer! Glad you like the story so far. Enjoy your s'more!
Akiko