Disclaimer- I do not own any of the characters from Kingdom Hearts I or II.

Notes- This may be one of the biggest GOMEN GOMEN author's notes sections yet. I'm so extremely sorry for not updating in about 11 days, butI had no control over the situation.First of all, I went with my family to Washington D.C. for 10 days and I just got back this afternoon. There was no access to a computer or internetwhere we stayed.Secondly, my internet is acting up again. As I write this, I'm not sure when I'll be able to post. Soon, hopefully. So, let's get this ball rolling...

Chapter 12-Into Town

"Into town, to the market, please." Fleur replied to the driver. Slowly but surely, the carriage began to move down the gravel road. They drove for about fifteen minutes, then reaching the town square. From there, Fleur issued more directions to the driver.

"Smithson's Shoemakers, please." She said in a very polite tone. The driver turned the carriage to the left and drove down a narrow road of shops, stopping at one with a giant shoe-shaped sign labeled Smithson's.

"Here we are! Come on, Sora. They're sure to have a perfect pair of boots for you here!" She said excitedly. He noticed a big difference in her attitude, just from being outside of the castle walls. He followed her into the store.

As they opened the door, a bell rang to alert the owners of a customer. The entire store smelled like leather, and Sora could see shoes of every size, shape, color, and style lining all the walls. There were some chairs and stools for trying on shoes, and a rack of polish and polishing cloths.

"Mr. Smithson? Are you in here?" Fleur called. She looked around the wall of shelves to see Mrs. Smithson, rummaging through some leather scraps. At the sound of Fleur's voice, the old woman jolted up from her bent-over position and smiled widely.

"Fleur! How nice to see you again! And who is this?" She said, indicating Sora.

"I'm Sora, Fleur's bodyguard." He answered firmly.

"Sora, so nice to meet you! Mr. Smithson is out right now, but I can help. What can I do for you?"

"We're here to get some winter boots for Sora, preferably black ones. What's the best pair you've got?" Fleur said.

"Ahh, I see..." Mrs. Smithson said with a growing smile. "Come with me. We just got some new ones in yesterday, I think they'll suit you fine. They're in the back room." She turned and began walking towards the back of the store, to a door labeled "Do Not Enter." Fleur and Sora followed, still looking around at all the different shoes they had on display. When they reached the back room, Mrs. Smithson turned around to them and spoke softly.

"Don't you tell Mr. Smithson I brought you back here. Even a wonderful customer like you isn't allowed, but I'll make an exception this once." She turned back around and opened the door.

Inside was piles and piles of papers. They were stacked several feet high on the floor and on a desk. They were falling off of shelves in old worn files folders. Some were even stuck in the window sill, which was caked with dust. In the back corner of the room, there were 3 boxes, freshly opened up. Inside the boxes were boots, lots of black boots. Mrs. Smithson opened a box and pulled out a single boot.

"What do you think of these?" She held it up proudly.

"They're perfect. Absolutely flawless." Fleur answered. Sora took the boot and smiled, looking it over. It was all black leather, knee high. They had laces all the way up the sides that were then covered by a zipper. The top was trimmed with fur, also black.

"These are the nicest boots I have ever seen... for me?" He was obviously very surprised at this.

"Of course. Only the best." Fleur replied with a smile. Sora was still not used to being treated so nicely.

Fleur and Mrs. Smithson chatted a bit more, and then Fleur paid and she and Sora left. Just as they arrived home, Fleur said that they were going to go see Yajai again.

"She should be done by now. Bring your boots and you can try it all on together. Let's hurry, or she might fall asleep!" Fleur ran off in the direction of the seamstress's room. Sora grabbed the box with his boots in it and ran off after her. Their arrival was becoming routine: They entered, found Yajai sleeping, and were rushed into doing whatever Yajai thought they were there to do.

"You came back just in time! I finished the boy's clothes about an hour ago. Come, come see!" She shuffled off, just as she always did, and returned with a heap of black and red cloth. "Try them on!" She shoved the clothes at Sora and pushed him towards the dressing room. She and Fleur sat waiting outside for several minutes, until Sora returned.

Fleur was speechless once again.

Sora's coat was black on the outside, but the entire inner lining was made of the red fabric with the dragons and cherry blossoms. The inside of the hood was also red fabric. His shirt was just plain black and fitted. His pants were black cargo pants, and two of his pockets were made with the red fabric. The bottom of the right pants leg had the embroidered symbols of strength, protection, and love. He turned slowly, smiling at Fleur. After a few moments, she found words to speak.

"It's magnificent. You look like a prince! I couldn't be more pleased. What do you think, Sora?" She spoke warmly.

"I love it, too. And I feel like a prince. Thank you so much, Yajai!"

"No problem, any time you need it. Come back soon!" She called as Fleur and Sora left, waving to her as they exited. Once outside, Fleur walked silently for a few steps, then turning around. She stopped Sora with a hand on his chest and looked down.

"Sora... When I said you looked like a prince, I meant it. And you really do. You are a prince... my prince." She looked up at him. He smiled, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close. They both leaned in and met in a passionate, warm kiss. He stroked her hair as she clutched the collar of his coat. They both felt a sense of serenity and peace come over them. Seconds later, though, this was broken by the sound of shoes clacking down the hall. Fleur jumped, pulling away from the kiss. She held her breath listened hard. The steps grew louder, so she pulled away from Sora's hold and grabbed him by the arm, taking him upstairs. She ran fast, her breathing quick and quiet. As she reached the top of the stair case, she ground to a halt and immediately released Sora's arm. Roselin stood towering over them.

"Where's the fire?" She said softly. "And why were you holding on to him? He is supposed to be strictly restricted in contact with you. Merely another guard, he is."

Fleur's voice shook as she replied in a timid tone. "I... I was hurrying to get my bath before dinner... I was trying to help him keep up with me. He was having trouble get-"

"Stop with the excuses! I don't care anymore. Continue with your useless lives, but don't let me catch you horsing around anymore!" Roselin screamed into Fleur's face, leaving Fleur cowering. Sora was just standing a few feet back, wanting more than anything to hold Fleur and comfort her. Roselin stomped off, leaving Fleur and Sora in the hall.

"Sora... we have to be more careful now that she has returned from her trip." Fleur spoke in a quiet monotone. "We can't be so casual about things like this anymore. I'm sorry..."

"Don't apologize... it's alright. Let's get you to bed, it's getting late. Sora walked next to her, making sure the coast was clear before putting his arm around her. They reached her room, and he opened the door for her. He was going to stay behind, but she beckoned for him to follow as she entered. As her walking slowed, he scooped her up in his arms and laid her down on her bed. He locked the door, then returning to her bedside.

"Get some rest. You need to rest before tomorrow. We're planning your party, remember? And we have to go tell your friends. Good night." He whispered. He kissed her forehead, then standing up straight. She looked up at him and smiled. As he turned to leave, she took hold of the back of his coat.

"Don't..." She said softly. He turned back around. She grabbed the edges of his coat a pulled him down towards her. She wrapped her arms around him and rolled over, pulling him onto the bed with her. She kissed him again, wishing for him to stay there with her. "Don't... go..." She repeated.

"We both know I can't stay. It's just cruel to ask me to. I hate to say no... but it's dangerous for both of us. I... I love you, Fleur." He kissed her gently and rose from the bed. She said nothing more as he walked to the door, leaving quietly. As he shut the door, she uttered a repsonse.

"I love you, too..." She murmured. Her eyes slowly shut and she drifted off.

Notes- Ok so I have been gone for awhile, but I really hope this chapter pleases all my readers as much as it pleases me. I personally love his outfit. And they finally said it... they said I love you! Yay... Well, R+R! I want to make sure you didn't give up on me... love to all my readers!

-VarekaiSoleil

P.S.- I just realized that some of you may not know what gomen means... "Gomen" is Japanese for "Sorry." I hope no one was too confused... and if you knew what it meant already, then go you!