Title: Love at First Syllable

Summary: Kairi is called to Disney Castle for some odd reason. During her journey, she must face the one person she hasn't seen in a year, Sora. But...he just won't talk.

Chapter XVII: The Single Room.

Disclaimer: Nope! Still don't own them!

Last Time on Love at First Syllable: A suicide corrected. Sora is now talking, and Sephiroth is gone. Will he ever come back? Or will he finally take his leave...

NOTE! This chapter was edited by: Mamoru-chan, Inari and FlowerLady-Aerith! Thanks a ton! I owe you guys BIG! Second NOTE: This chapter has minor cussing.

"Damn that girl!" The silver haired man growled. He was staring at his sword, which was at least 10 feet long, and had crimson blood slowing dripping from it. He gave a small smile though. This is what they needed.

"Sephiroth, calm down. You must remember that she was injured. With her in that state, she will be an easier target." A woman's voice from the shadow emerged as a crow flew onto her shoulder.

"Maleficent, I work for no one. You will not order me to do anything. Everything I choose to do is out of my own will." He closed his eyes, as he began to clean his sword. No need for a perfect sword to have blood stains.

Maleficent began to chuckle. "Of course. But, beware. If you dare to interfere with my plans, then you will be killed."

Kairi sat up, and winced from her wound on her neck.

"Kairi! How many times do I need to tell you that you can't sit up fast? Your wound might re-open, and that's the last thing we need. Aerith is coming today to heal it completely." Sora groaned. How many times did her have to tell her? So far it's been at least 50.

She smiled as she kissed him on his cheek. "I'm sorry! I just really want to explore the rest of this castle!" She exclaimed, with a determined gleam in her eyes.

I need to know what's in the room that the butler wouldn't allow me in.
Sora just sighed. "If you're still thinking of that room that you weren't allowed in, give up! He's not going to let you in, and you know it."

She looked down. "I know, but there's something about that room...it's calling me."

He kissed her on the cheek as he gave a chuckle. "Aerith is here. I have to wait outside, so I'll be right back."

Kairi kissed him back. "But if I'm healed, why can't I come and see you?"

He stood up, and looked down at her. "You'll be tired. Trust me. Her healing takes a lot out of you. I'll be right here when you wake up." He smiled, as he slowly walked out, hesitant to leave her. Minutes later, Aerith walked in with a calm smile on her features.

"Now, Kairi, this is a major wound. You need to relax, and allow me to heal you. If you don't allow me, then I can't heal you."

Kairi nodded, and closed her eyes. Aerith sensed her relaxation, and placed her hands above the young girls body.

"Cure." She whispered, as a green light emitted from her hands, and around Kairi.

Sora leaned against the wall, just an entrance away from Kairi. He focused his eyes on the green glow that emitted from the room, knowing that the process was soon over. He stared at the ceiling, deep in thought. So many questions, and events that can happen. So many problems that the one key he held in his hand brought.
Of all the people, why Kairi? Why does she get stuck with the job of protecting each world? Why will she be the one to-
A small sound from the wall cut him off from his last thought. He looked over, and saw Kairi grasping the wall in a desperate situation. Blood had trailed its way down her arms and legs, to create a puddle on the floor."Sor… Sora...!" She gasped out.

He quickly ran over, and held her, as she let go of the wall, and fell into him."Oh man! Kairi, what happened?" He whispered in her ear.

"My...My neck..." She whispered back, and fell limp in his grasp.

Calm down Sora. She just passed out.
He quickly removed the cloth from around her neck, to see the wound fully healed.

"Her body didn't respond well to the healing process. The wounds gone, but she did loose a lot of blood. Its best if she stays here for a few days; at least a week." Aerith explained from the frame of the room.

Sora nodded, and picked up the frail girl, and walked over to the bed. He carefully placed her down, and held onto her hand, and he laid his head next to hers.He placed a sweet kiss on the side of her forehead, as he began to whisper into her ear. "God, Kairi. You have to stop scaring me like this." He gave a small chuckle.

He sighed, and pulled her body closer to him. "I'm sorry." she sighed quietly, as she returned to her sleep.

He gave her another kiss, and began to think again. He had to accept the facts. She'd give her life for anyone. That's probably why she's a Princess of the Heart. But, she'd also give her life without thinking about it. That's why she's the Princess of the Worlds. "Kairi..." He groaned as he placed his forehead upon hers. "Why you? Of all people, why does it have to be you? The one person I want to spend my life with!"

Because you were never meant to know each other, let alone love

His heart was right. She came with her mom, from an unheard place. Without her, they'd still be on the island...Well, Riku at least. He'd be out protecting her.

Sora's head lifted at the sound of a door shutting.

"Hey."

It was Cloud. Of course. He was supposed to be protecting her after all.

"How is she?" he asked in a hoarse voice.

"Sleeping. She didn't respond well to the healing process, so she needs time to recover." He explained the exact thing Aerith had told him.

"Well, you should get some rest, or go eat." Cloud gave a small smile. Kairi's parents would be happy to know that a kind young boy like Sora would save their daughter.

Sora shook his head, but stood up and began to walk out. "I'll be back soon. Watch over her."

Sora walked the halls, his hands holding his head up, and his eyes closed. He couldn't tell what, but he knew something was going to happen.

"Sora..."

His head tilted to the side as he heard that voice. Why was it so familiar?

"Sora!"

It was getting louder as it cametowards him.

"YOU LAZY BUM, PAY ATTENTION!"

He quickly turned around to retaliate, but didn't as he saw Kairi standing there."What are you doing out of bed?" He asked in shock.

"Well, you said that when I first woke up, I'd see you. But, I saw Cloud. So, I came to see you." She limped over to him, and leaned on his body. "Wow, walking has never been so hard."

He stood there for a minute, and then bent down.

"Sora? What are you doing?" she asked.

"I'm going to carry you. You said that walking was hard, so I'll just carry you on my back." He smiled as he looked over his shoulder at the girl

.As soon as Kairi was about to climb on, a certain little someone jumped on instead, holding a keyblade. "WHEEE! Giddy up, Sora! Ride like the wind!"

"SAKURA!" A voice boomed through the hallway, which meant it was Riku.

Sakura hid behind Kairi, as he came into view.

"Sakura. Give me the Way to Dawn. You're just a bad a Kumiko with that thing!" He growled as he cornered his sister.

"B-B-But Riku! I want to be just like Kumiko! She's so pretty and nice!" Sakura cried as she was carried out of the room.

"Shh! Calm down, Sakura. It's alright." They heard him soothe her.

Sora looked over his shoulder and smiled. "Shall we?"

Kairi gave a blank look, before realizing what he said. She climbed onto his back and rested her head on his shoulder. "Yeah. Let's go."

After their journey through the empty hall, they came upon the door that the butler was guarding.

"I can walk now." She whispered in his ear, as she planted her feet on the ground. She walked over to the door, grasped the handle, and gave a quick look to make sure no one was there.

The golden doorknob turned to reveal an empty, stone room with a small pedestal.

"Man, what a rip-off!" Sora sighed as he went to leave, but stood still as he saw Kairi staring blankly.

She slowly took evenly paced steps, as she began to climb the three stairs that lead to the pedestal.As she reached the top, she placed a hand on her chest right near her heart. She gently pushed down, and pulled out her heart, which held a pure, golden glow.

Cloud walked through the hallways. He hated lazy days like these. Luckily, he found some action as he walked by a gold glowing door.

He walked in, and tackled Kairi so she fell of the pedestal. Her heart returned into her body, as her eyes opened.

"Huh? What happened?" She asked in an innocent voice.

He wrapped his arms around her head as a tear rolled down his cheek. "This happened when you were younger. When you're in this room, you basically commit suicide. Your father wanted to see what would happen, and this was the result. This room was created only in the state of emergency. As in every world is consumed by darkness, and there is no chance."

She slowly stood up, and began to totter around. " I...I'm dizzy..." She murmured before falling into Sora's arms.

"You should get her off this world. If she stays here, the room will call for her to return. Take her someplace safe and calm." Cloud stated as he walked off. He had a tad bit too much excitement for a 'lazy day'.

Sora helped Kairi stand, as her eyes gave a dazed look.

"What world will we go to?" She asked.

"I don't know... Probably Twilight Town. You haven't been there yet. It's a calm place, with some nice sights. Perfect for resting." He smiled as he kissed her on her cheek.

She kissedhim back, as they drew closer to the Gummi Ship, with Riku, Kumiko, Sakura, Donald, and Goofy waiting for them.Sora sighed as he began to board the ship.

Cloud! Why do you manage to tell everyone everything before me?
A Quick Game of Charades. (A Sakura Mini-Story)
"Kairi?" Innocent aquamarine eyes fell upon the figure in front of her.

"What's up, Sakura?" The auburn haired girl

"Uhm, would you mind playing charades with me?" Sakura asked.

"Uh…sure!" The older girl replied. "As long as I don't have to act. I'd rather guess."

"Sure!" The younger girl replied.

Before the game started, Sora, Kumiko, and Riku decided to try to guess at Sakura.

"Okay! Number one!" Sakura exclaimed as she began to run around, acting like she was waking something. Everyone gave a puzzled look, so she sighed, and tried plan B. "Kairi! Oh, Kairi! I love you! I've come to save you so we can kiss!" She began to exclaim.

"Oh! Your Sora!" Riku pointed out as he fell to the ground laughing.

Sora growled as a blush became apparent on his features.

"Yay! Riku wins! Okay, number two!" she smiled as she began to run over to Sora, sit on his lap, and act like she was going to kiss him.

"Oh! Kairi!" Kumiko laughed.

"Way to go Kumiko!" Sakura giggled.

"One…Two…Three…Four…Five…Six…Seven…Eight…Nine…Ten…" Kairi slowly counted to herself to calm down.

"Alright! Next one!" Sakura continued on, as she ran into a different room. A few minutes later, she came back out in Riku's old clothes. Her hair was held up, so it was his length, and let her bangs fall into the same postion as Riku's. She then brought our a cardboard keyblade…thing, and began to wave it around. She then ran over to Kumiko, kissed her, ran to Riku, and yelled in his face.

"Oh! Your Riku!" Everyone cracked up laughing as Riku cracked his knuckles. He was going to kill her one day…

Gah! So sorry for the late post! My parents have been keeping me off the computer unless it's for math. I HATE MATH!

Please Review, and I can hopefully get chapter 18 up REALLY soon.!

Until then!

♥CrystilizedHeart♥