.::. Maiden .::.

Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts or Square Enix, nor any of the characters rightfully owned and portrayed by Disney and/or Square Enix.

Setting: Post-Kingdom Hearts II. Sequel to Waiting No Longer.

Genres: Drama, Action, Romance

Rating: Rated Mature for Violence, Mild Language, and [Lemons]

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Chapter Three

The click was a sound of success. Sora willed his Oathkeeper to dissolve, and opened the door to Riku's apartment. White morning dawn gave the generally dark apartment an ethereal feel. Sora closed the door behind him gently, and looked around at the foyer he was in. From what he could discern through the awkward lighting, the room was the same as it always had been. Dominated by a leather sectional sofa and desk, the remaining space in the room was stuffed with a contemporary bookcase and a television.

Sora walked further into the apartment, turning in the corridor to the kitchen and bathroom. All the while, a feeling of oppressive dread pervaded within Sora. He was trespassing his best friend's home and what he could potentially find there may prove the worst for Riku. Although Kairi and he suspected Riku had a secret lover, they each knew he would have told them something, even a lie, before leaving without notice. Something was wrong.

Sora blindly fumbled for the light switch, and blinked as the fluorescent kitchen lamp turned on. Squinting in the sudden change in lighting, he scoured the counter for any notes. The calendar had nothing written about leaving. Sora shut off the light, and went into Riku's bedroom. Twilight filtered through the blinds, gently flowing onto the dark carpeting. Sora found the bed hastily made, but nothing was disturbed. His night stand looked normal. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

Back in the main foyer, he scanned Riku's desk for letters or notes. All of them had various scrawled memos, or inventory for work. A few photographs were strewn in one drawer, and some photocopies of Jiminy's journal. However, one drawer was locked. Sora summoned his keyblade, and held it up to the drawer. A resonating click disturbed the silence of the morning. Letting go of his keyblade, it vanished in ribbons of light. He opened the drawer, and found a neat stack of envelopes. Picking them up, Sora sat in the desk chair. Each enveloped had a broken seal of the King.

Sora pulled out the letter in the first envelope.

"How are you, Riku? Things have been quiet at the Castle. It feels nice to finally be home. I betcha your folks missed you as much as my friends did. Remember, Riku, if you ever need anything, just write to me, okay? Keep the light in your heart." -King Mickey

Sora marveled at it. That letter must've been sent four years ago...wow. I wonder what all these other letters are? Sora pushed aside the first few on the top of the stack, and read a letter from the middle of the pile.

"Leon wanted me to let you know that he's been keeping an eye on the Keys of Kingdom Hearts, so you can rest easy and keep an eye on the last one. Yen Sid has been saying that things are a little out of sorts in the Worlds, so be sure to keep me, Donald, and Goofy updated. I got your last letter, and I agree with you. I'll be sure to have Donald get to that quickly." -King Mickey

Sora began to feel uncomfortable reading the letters. What had been going on? Why didn't he hear these things? Sure, he got a letter from Donald, Goofy, or the King from time to time, but nothing like this was ever in his letters. So Leon was helping to guard the Keys now? Well, it was a certain relief to have extra security. Sora reached for the last envelope, but it was empty. Curious, Sora grabbed the second to last letter instead and opened it. The paper itself was thin and flimsy; it was folded and unfolded so many times, it felt more like a tissue than stationary.

"Riku, you know I never go back on my promises. Cross my heart, hope to die. But things have started to change. I don't know how long we can protect Kairi without the power of the Cornerstone. Even then, the Cornerstone doesn't seem strong enough lately. A few Heartless got too close to the Cornerstone for my liking. Leon had to go back to Radiant Garden; things have started interrupting the latest renovation project.

I spoke to Merlin about the Cornerstone, and he said that its light is being diminished by three of the Keys. If we continue to have the power of the Cornerstone protect the Keys to Kingdom Hearts, I'm not sure if the Cornerstone will be able to protect Disney Castle anymore. Riku, I hope Sora and all of you are well. Best wishes." -King Mickey

Sora folded the letter and slipped it back in the envelope. His hands were cold. He began to feel angry; his

emotions began to reflect those of his other side.

"What's going on? Why won't anyone tell me any of this? Donald? Goofy? Someone!" Sora stood up quickly, and grabbed his hair and gritted his teeth.

"The Cornerstone? The Keys? Why doesn't everything just stay right!" Sora sighed, arms falling limp. He felt useless and helpless. He hated feeling like he couldn't take care of himself, or worse yet, Kairi and his friends. With robotic movements, he put away the letters and locked the drawer with the keyblade. He left Riku's room, still wondering where his friend was. Was he in trouble? Or was he with King Mickey?

With heavy footsteps, Sora ascended to the next landing. He closed the dented door to his apartment behind him, and sighed when he looked at Kairi, sleeping on the bright red futon. He felt a pang slither through his heart. She looked just as she had at Hollow Bastion...lying there, motionless. Helpless. Sora knelt beside her, and ran his finger along the side of her face. He felt tears well up in his eyes. He pressed his ear against her chest, and let the soft, but steady, beating of her heart - her own heart - sooth him.

"Sora?" He lifted his head. Bright blue eyes looked down at him.

"Sorry, Kairi. I just..." He wasn't going to cry. He shouldn't cry.

"It's okay. Have you found anything yet?" Kairi weakly opened her palm, and Sora took her slender, bandaged hand in his tenderly.

"Some...but nothing that tells me where Riku is for sure."

"Maybe Donald, Goofy, or the King know."

"Maybe..." Sora let go of her palm. The Oathkeeper materialized in his hand. He raised it, and cast Cure. The warm green aura of the spell's magic swirled over Kairi before dissolving into her. Kairi sighed, and pushed herself upright. Her head didn't spin, and her eyes were able to focus in the now orange glow of morning.

"Thanks. I feel better already."

"Don't get too ahead of yourself. Once, when Donald healed me, I thought I was good as new, but it turns out I wasn't, because the next thing I knew I was eating dirt because I couldn't see straight. You can imagine the quacking I got for running and rolling around right after I got bashed around by some Heartless." Kairi giggled, imagining Sora in his old red jumpsuit, frolicking around with gusto before falling face forward in the dirt.

"Unlike you, I don't plan on dodge rolling or Heartless fighting anytime soon." Kairi giggled, and felt relieved to see Sora chuckle again. Since her injuries, he had only a solemn face. He got up from kneeling, and sat next to Kairi. She let herself fall slightly, a feather in the cushion of Sora's arms. His cold hand gently stroked her right shoulder, initially uncomfortable, but slowly his hand warmed. The gesture was a great comfort.

"What will we do about the dining set?" Kairi's words were directed towards the wooden splinters scattered about the tiled kitchen floor.

"Recycle it, I guess. We can always buy another one."

"Not without more munny. We're pretty short right now. Speaking of which, shouldn't you be getting ready for work?"

"And leaving you to play hooky by yourself all day? Not a chance." Kairi smiled. Sora's demeanor was rising again; it made her heart stronger when he was happy.

"In that case, could you make your lazy butt useful and make some breakfast? I'm starting to feel like I didn't have dinner."

"As you command it, Princess." Sora got up slowly, making sure Kairi didn't fall over on the futon. He disappeared into the kitchenette, the sound of wood being kicked and shuffled around the testimony to his breakfast scavenging. Kairi sighed, and closed her eyes. She felt exhausted. By now, she felt that Cure had rid her concussion of any mal-symptoms, but she had still resisted the lingering temptation to sleep the night before. Only an hour ago had she given in, which was a great feat in itself.

Riku, where are you? Things are going weird...and somehow, I feel like I'm to blame...and I know Sora is looking everywhere for an answer. He can't stand seeing me like this, and I can't stand seeing him like that. We need to do something...if only we knew what it was that attacked me...a Heartless? A Nobody?

It wasn't a Nobody or a Heartless.

Kairi knew it wasn't a Nobody or a Heartless. She knew that much now. It was as if a phantom of an idea at the tip of her tongue had just been savored and swallowed. An innate part of her knew. Namine. Kairi felt her heart respond to her other half; one half of her whole power. Ever since she had woken from her fitful rest, she could feel Namine inside of her. The back of her mind felt...turbulent.

Kairi closed her eyes, allowing her mind and body to slip into that purgatory of sleep and wake. The darkness of her exhausted mind slowly lifted, as though the morning light grew stronger in the conscious world. Soon, she felt an indistinct presence; an intangible existence, separate and yet the same, joined in union with her mind and dreams.

It wasn't light, or dark. It didn't have a heart...but neither did it want one. I cannot know what exactly it was, but it was not a Nobody or a Heartless. And he...he thinks it was a Nobody. He needs to be told it wasn't.

"Breakfast!" Blue eyes opened to see a large, goofy grin, holding two slices of toast lathered with jam. She tucked a strand of blonde hair behind her ear, and looked up at him earnestly.

"What attacked me...it wasn't a Nobody. I know that now. It was different." Relief spread across his face, expressed in the morning glow that made his spiky hair brilliantly blonde.

"How do you know that for sure, Kairi?" Kairi blinked, vision slightly distorted by disheveled strands of hair. She looked up at Sora, who sat beside her, curious, holding the paper plate with breakfast on his lap. Kairi sighed, and closed her eyes.

"I...don't know. But I'm going to listen to my heart, and my heart tells me that it wasn't a Nobody."

"So...I didn't hurt you?" He looked at Namine sincerely, a mixture of relief and dreaded confusion in his face.

"How could you hurt me, Roxas? You could never. You're too sweet." Namine giggled, and Roxas relaxed. The moment passed, and it was Kairi and Sora that sat on the red futon. Namine and Roxas were an innate part of themselves, but sometimes, in moments of extremes, their other sides grew dominant. It was a fluid, unnoticeable change; names and appearance may be different, but the love between them was the same no matter what form it took.

"What did you see that attacked me, Sora?"

Pain flashed across Sora's face. He then relaxed. If Kairi knew it wasn't a Nobody, then how could what he had seen be right?

"It looked like Roxas." Kairi remained in silence, but the shock was plain in her eyes.

"But it wasn't. We know that now."

"Then what was it?" Each remained silent, stoic, unmoving. Neither looked at each other, gaze simply drifting through the nothing in the air. Until Kairi's stomach squealed in a wailing demand for food. Both laughed heartily, and Sora gave Kairi the plate of toast. She ate quickly, and had to slow down with much self control. The taste of food in her mouth was wonderful after so many hours of not eating, recuperating, and being Cured.

"Do you 'sink tha' Riku iz okay?" Kairi spoke between chewing and swallowing a piece of apricot jam toast. Sora relaxed into the futon, sighing in thought, and in attempt to exhale the last of his frustration.

"Well, knowing Riku, he's fine, but probably in some sort of dramatic situation. He can take care of himself, but I'm more or less worried about how deep he gets himself into stuff. I don't want to lose him again." Kairi nodded.

"He can deal with the darkness, Sora. He's a big boy now. I'm more worried about you, actually."

"Me?!"

"Yes, you. You always overreact, not to mention from what Donald's told me, you have a hard time saying 'no'. Plus, you're a little nosy."

"I am not nosy!"

"Hehe. Yeah, sure. Remember when we were twelve, and my Mom told you to not pressure me into swimming?" Sora blushed, but Kairi continued: "You kept asking her why, and she would just say it's a personal thing, and since I didn't tell you, you told Riku I was allergic to water. Riku said it was stupid, and you nearly fainted when I went swimming the next week. You never stopped trying to figure out why I couldn't go swimming."

"In my defense, it was really weird, and no one ever talked to me about girl stuff!"

"But most boys don't care, and just don't ask! Case and point: you're so nosy." Sora pouted, and Kairi laughed. She finished her toast, and Sora cleaned up her plate, and half-swept the kitchenette to push the wooden splinters against the far corner.

It was late afternoon when Kairi woke up again, finding herself wrapped in Sora's arms, head pillowed against the gentle rise and fall of his warm chest. She felt her palms throbbing and achy, as well as her lower back. Kairi blinked a few times, not moving. She was comfortable, but the ache in her back began to become overwhelming. Finally, she forced herself to move.

"Huh? You awake?" Sora asked drowsily.

"Yeah. My back hurts like hell." Kairi sat up, wincing, and groaning a bit. Sora quickly called forth his keyblade, and cast Cure. Kairi sighed, the warmth of the magic a soothing massage on her muscles and joints.

"Is that any better?"

"A lot, thanks."

"Kairi..." Sora helped her ease back onto his chest. He lifted her a bit higher onto him so each of his legs surrounded her like a nest.

"Yeah?"

"I don't think we can stay here, anymore."

"Why not?" Kairi moved quickly, putting her chin on his chest to look up at Sora's face.

"Kairi...it's...complicated...but I found some things in Riku's apartment...letters from the King. And I don't think Destiny Islands is the safest World for us. Things have started to come undone, as far as I can tell..."

"Why didn't you tell me this sooner?" Kairi demanded, an edge to her voice.

"I didn't know about this until I read those letters! And I didn't think about leaving until you fell asleep...it's just...what if that thing, whatever that imitation was, comes back?" Kairi pursed her lips.

"Well, we can fight it off. We'd be expecting something now, right?"

"And what if we can't."

"What kind of attitude is that, Sora? You've beaten thousands of Heartless, thousands of Nobodies, and Organization XIII! How can this one thing beat you?"

"Because I couldn't protect you from it. Kairi, I failed you."

"Sora, you're only failing yourself by thinking that. I'm fine." Sora was unconvinced, but did not completely block out Kairi's words. She stared intently at him, but when she realized he was not going to counter nor accept her words, she sat up.

"I feel gross. I'm going to take a shower." Kairi groaned as she pushed off the futon to stand up, and Sora quickly stood up to become her crutch.

"We'll stay for a little while. We'll talk about stuff later when you don't feel gross, okay?" Kairi smiled, and walked towards the master bath off of their bedroom. Sora helped undress Kairi, her palms still sore although Cure had taken care of any physical cuts from the glass shards. With one hand in Sora's, and the other holding onto the soap shelf, Kairi got into the shower. Sora turned on the water for her, and shut the curtain for a little privacy to soap up. He closed the toilet lid and sat on it, leaning against the wall with his arms cradling his head. He stared into the ceiling as the steam rose from the hot water.

"Sora!" Kairi stumbled out of the shower suddenly, catching the lime green shower curtain. Sora dashed forward, catching her soaking wet, slender body. Although she was extremely warm, and the room was filled with steam, she was shivering.

"Kairi, did you hit your head?" But she didn't respond to that.

"Look!" Sora turned to the showerhead. The water was black as night. In his gut, he knew something was utterly wrong. He briskly brought Kairi to her feet, and grabbed a towel. The dark water fell slower, dripping with more purpose. Kairi wrapped herself as Sora pushed behind her, and once out, he slammed the bathroom door shut.

"What is it!" Kairi asked frantically, shivering, scarlet hair clinging to her tender, light bronze flesh. She yelped as the door heaved. Sora pushed harder against it. He quickly summoned his keyblade, and locked the door. It heaved consistently now, and the sound of running water vanished.

"We've got to go. Now." Kairi was swept off her feet as Sora quickly began to run through their apartment. A shriek of wood erupted behind them as they left the apartment. Kairi clung to the towel, teeth chattering more from fright than the cold. Sora's crown chain bounced fiercely as he leapt down the stairs, three at a time. He turned around, and shoved the door open with his shoulder. A few startled yelps from the Islanders escaped as they ran towards the Docks. Confusion followed curious eyes, some judging them an inappropriate young couple, others feeling dread from the way Sora's face remained determined, hiding the fear and anxiety within.

"W-where are w-we going?" Kairi asked between chattering teeth. Sora carefully placed her in the tiny schooner from their childhood that they still used to get to Destiny Island. Sora's fingers fumbled with the rope tow, but eventually shoved it aside and cast off, grabbing the two oars and beating them against the waves.

"Destiny Island might give us some time to think, or prepare to fight. I don't feel like this is any old Heartless or Nobody. We might be able to contact the King, somehow."

"H-how will w-we? We don't have any l-letters t-to send, 'n anything els-se will t-take t-too long." Sora's brows furrowed as he attempted to put as much distance between Kairi and the attacking blackness as possible. Kairi's eyes widened as she noticed a figure on the shoreline. It was Roxas.

"What is it?" Sora asked, sensing Kairi's fear. He turned, and growled as he could see the Organization-clad image of Roxas, standing on the shoreline, Oblivion keyblade in one hand, Chocobo keyblade in the other. The hood covered his eyes, tendrils of blonde hair poking out just beneath. He paced quickly back and forth, and with that movement, a shimmer of hope shone within Sora. He pulled himself away from the eerie image, and rowed harder, feeling his arms burn with every fierce, snapped rotation of the oars.

Kairi could not leave her gaze from the sight of Roxas...essentially, of Sora...pacing, frustrated, seeming so eager to press his keyblades against Kairi's throat. She clutched the damp towel to her thin frame, and finally lowered her eyes, instead looking at the grain of the wooden schooner. Nothing made sense. Not anymore.

Sora hopped onto the dock, grabbing the rope and tying it tightly to anchor it to the Island. He took Kairi's hand, and helped her up, she clutching fiercely onto the towel wrapped around her frame.

"Sora, what now?" She looked up to him for answers. Any answers at all. The sun was hot and fierce in its afternoon throne, casting out sunlit reflections on the rolling sea. Sora's spiked chocolate hair was damp with sea spray, and his hands were stiff, palms thankfully protected by his black gloves. His gaze reflected Kairi's; unknowing, undecided, and unsure.

"What about the Door in our Secret Place? Maybe that could take us to the King, if I unlock it correctly."

"But..." Sora could see the fear and reluctance in Kairi's eyes. He was desperate for action, for something, and anything that popped into his head was up for consideration.

"Never mind. A stupid idea." He spoke quickly. Kairi nodded. Sora drew her into a sudden embrace, and he held tightly onto her.

"I promised, I won't make you wait anymore, but I also promised to keep you safe." Kairi melted into the embrace, the warmth of Sora's tense body a shield against the cool sea breeze against her nude body.

"Sora, we'll do anything we have to, as long as we do it together, okay?" Sora nodded as he released the hug, eyes stinging with the threat of tears. Kairi smiled, holding onto his hand tightly in reassurance.

"I love you, Kairi." Sora spoke sincerely, and Kairi kissed him tenderly on the lips in return. But as she opened her eyes, she could see the air split apart into darkness.

"Sora!" Sora turned, and from out of roiling darkness came Roxas, running against the sand, keyblades outstretched. The air resumed its place, the darkness dissolving. Sora crouched down, bracing himself, the Oathkeeper materializing in his hand. As Roxas reared the Oblivion, Sora leapt, and sliced the Oathkeeper at Roxas's jaw.

Roxas stumbled back, but flipped over the consecutive attack from Sora. He lunged at Sora's chest, missed as Sora sidled, but gave Sora a blow to his side from the hilt of the Chocobo. Sora's breath left him, and he slowed enough for Roxas to lash him with the Oblivion. Sora gasped, and stumbled, finally losing his balance as he tumbled from the dock into the sea water.

Roxas turned, and peered behind the shadow of his hood at Kairi, who stood limply, clutching the damp towel to her frame. His gait was deliberate, and slow. His boots creaked against the salt lathered boards, each blade clutched in a hand, resting at his sides.

"You aren't Roxas." The imitation paused, as if confused, or even bemused. It was only a moment, and he continued to stalk towards Kairi.

"Gyah!" Sora leapt from their schooner, and shot himself at Roxas. The imitation only had a moment to register his attacker before both were knocked off of the dock and onto the beach. Kairi gasped, and sprinted to the edge of the dock. Sora rolled as he hit the beach, spinning around in time to watch Roxas charge. Sora raised his keyblade.

"Firaga!" Flames spat out of his blade before combusting. As the red and yellow fire trickled out, Roxas descended from the sky, dual keyblades preparing to impale Sora. Sora loudly clashed against each keyblade with a defense swipe, propelling Roxas backwards. A moment paused, and each remained in a braced, ready stance. Roxas's hood had fallen, revealing a gaze that...was not Roxas's. He had no iris, no pupil; just white, a blank space somehow filled with malice and, perhaps, fear.

Sora moved first. He charged, rolled out of the first counter, and thrust Oathkeeper to Roxas's side. The blade caught, but Sora was buffered as the flat of the Chocobo slammed on his head. He lost sight for a moment, and felt a sharp pain slam into his shoulder. He gained sight back to see sand filling his vision, and a shadow quickly descending on him. He rolled as the Oblivion sunk into the sand. Standing up, Sora brought the Oathkeeper down on Roxas's shoulders. Roxas crumpled, but on the ground, thrusted the Chocobo at Sora's calves. Sora leapt over the attack, and Roxas, and thrust the Oathkeeper on Roxas again, pushing his foe backward on the beach.

Sora stood on the body of the Chocobo, and the Oblivion keyblade remained in the ground yards away. The empty gaze of Roxas upturned to meet Sora, bruised, breathing heavily, and glaring furiously at Roxas.

"What are you! How can you be Roxas!" He shouted. Roxas smirked, and turned his head. Sora followed its gaze as Kairi sprinted down the beach.

"Don't get too close, Kairi!" Kairi slowed, and stopped a ways off. Roxas leapt up, hungry, but was knocked down by the Oathkeeper, the blade now pressed into his throat. The image was disturbing, and Kairi felt herself grow numb.

"You aren't Roxas, so what are you?" Kairi asked, fearfully, but curious as well. Roxas laughed, and it did not sound human. It was a deep octave; a mixture of minor notes and sharps in a twisted melody like some heinous dirge. Kairi shivered, and Sora felt himself betray a tremor. Roxas faded into black, and his form melted into dark tendrils. It became the color of tarnished silver, and as it reformed beneath Sora's blade, it was like some indistinct ghost, all that was visible a fleshy mist and eyes...completely empty eyes. Sora, angrily, thrust the Oathkeeper at the laughing figure. The laughing stopped. As before, it drifted away like sand cast to a strong wind. Nothing remained, if only the scuffles of sand to prove the skirmish happened.

"Are you alright?" Kairi asked. Sora's stare was blank, Oathkeeper still clutched in his hand tensely.

"We need to see the King." Sora asked. Kairi nodded, and hugged Sora. The Oathkeeper was taken away in ribbons of light, and Sora put his arms around her shoulders.

"Whatever happens, whatever is going on, I'm coming with you. And there's nothing you can do to stop me."

"I know that now. I'm just...I'm afraid I'm going to get you hurt, Kairi."

"I can take care of myself. Just remember, I'm always here for you."

"And I'm always here for you." Sora kissed Kairi's forehead, and they remained in a close embrace for immeasurable moments as the sun gradually inched towards the horizon, giving up its heavenly throne to the moon. Sora then came to full realization that Kairi was practically naked.

"Sorry." Sora took off his black and silver jacket, giving it to Kairi. Sora also took off his shirt. Kairi fastened the towel like a skirt, and put on Sora's shirt and jacket.

"Thanks, I feel much better." Sora nodded, the chilled sea breeze caressing his bare chest. He shivered once as he adjusted to the temperature. The blazing setting sun led the two to the Main Island. Yet, as they neared the shore, they noticed two familiar friends. One leapt frantically, waving his wing, and the other, tall and prominent in the horizon, waved his lanky arm in a friendly gesture. Kairi smiled, then blushed.

"Umm, Sora...I'm pretty much naked."

"Uh...haha...yeah...well, we'll be half-naked together, okay?" They laughed nervously, though anxious to see their friends. Sora realized it was odd they would show up on such short notice, though it wasn't unwelcome. Sora leapt out of the schooner as they reached the dockyard, and Donald and Goofy jogged up to them.

"Hey, Donald, Goofy." Sora greeted them with a grin as he tied the schooner.

"H'yuck, hey there, Sora. 'N Kairi, too! What've you two been up tah?" Goofy and Donald blinked as they examined the two. They proceeded to look away, and examine the setting sky. Donald tapped his foot, and Goofy whistled.

"It's not that!" Sora quickly shook his head, and hands frantically. He laughed nervously. Kairi stood up, and carefully left the schooner. The color from her cheeks would not leave, but she wasn't as embarrassed as she thought she would be.

"We've been attacked." Donald and Goofy each looked at Kairi with a serious, solemn expression. Donald sighed, and put his head into his wing in disappointment.

"We didn't make it in time."

Sora stepped closer to his friends.

"In time for what?" Donald looked up to Sora, his eyes concerned and sincere.

"In time to help you. We've got to bring you two to the Castle, and fast. Yen Sid said that there're things comin', 'n it's not good. He wants to see you two."