Author's Note: Enjoy the fluff.
Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts.
CH4: Intrinsic
Blue's a nice color.
Not in the gaudy plastic jewels and knick-knacks he'd spot in Arabian shop corners, or set in the worn book covers with peeling spines in Beast's castle. It's something in the air, something in the sea, which calls out to him instinctually. Cookie-cutter shapes under an unchanging sky. Sora isn't sure why. Does he refract that light, a plant under ultraviolet nutrition? Without it, he's hollowed out and filled with substitute, the boy with the false sun in his eyes. But just a fraction, he assures himself. He's not gone, not like before, with malleable memories and no tangible identity.
It isn't going to happen again. That's what he told himself.
However, Roxas keeps on the impression of sheer unaffectedness, save the small frown playing on the edge of his lips. Inside, he's emoting madly, trying to keep his ground. ''Oh, nothing. Some people I thought you knew.''
Sora mimics the expression, dissatisfied. His face falls. ''Maybe if you describe them, I'll get it?''
''It's hard to explain, but I can't —''
'' — and why not? You know how I feel about secrets! …Please, Roxas. I swear I'll listen. Don't you trust me enough to give me a chance? '' the brunette pouts, russet spikes falling down at the corners and eyes watering, poking at Roxas' heartstrings in heartless jabs, an obvious punch to the stomach.
Good god, that guy sure knew how to play the cards just right. It was hard to hold his composure, when he wanted Sora to know just as badly.
The blonde stares him down, causing Sora to back up slightly.
''W-what? Is there something on my face?'' he protests, shying away from the obtrusive glare.
Roxas bites his bottom lip indecisively. ''I-I can't! I already said too much, and with him listening to every damn thing we say…'' the teenager turns on his heel, something bitter in his mouth. He hated that shadow that haunted Sora with a passion, that he manipulated Roxas to further his own goal. He'd personally rip the creature out of existence the next time he saw it, if it wouldn't keep them trapped in empty limbo. The blonde knew that now.
He could handle a wasteland of nothingness with a degree of humility if it didn't include Sora. Everyone needed the keyblader, not the shell of him.
Sora walked over, spinning Roxas around to face him again. ''I don't really get it, but…don't beat yourself over it, okay? I'm sorry for pushing it. We'll get through this mess. We always do. So smile! Like this, see?'' The cinnamon-haired boy tugged at the corners of his mouth, showing a dentist's dream of pearly whites.
Roxas felt his defenses crumble down around him by a solitary act of kindness, and unthinkingly, uncomprehendingly, his feet gave out from under him, and stumbled to the ground, staring up at him. Behind his ears, a headache pounded. That shadow's words came back to him hauntingly: the draining factor was about to kick in. What did that even mean? What was it going to do to him, anyway?
His voice came out scratchy and horribly emotional. He loathed it, being so vulnerable. Roxas pulled his knees to his chest. He was a Nobody, so why? Was it because of Sora? What was it about the other teen that made him so special? Why did he still make Roxas feel? It bended the laws of physics in their universe, but clear as day, it was there. ''Why are you so nice to me?''
Sora, his hands raised in quiet surprise, went down on his knees. ''That's what friends are for, silly. We share our burdens with others, and then we grow stronger from it.''
''But I hate you,'' Roxas mumbled softly, ashamed with himself at the envy that made him despise his own guts. ''You have everything—friends, family, dreams, a life. What do I have? I don't even own myself.''
''Who told you that? I see you as a separate person from me, Roxas…but I don't hate you.'' Sora answered frankly.
''Why not?''the blonde murmured with a hint of viciousness, imploring a further explanation.
''Well, for one thing, I've always wanted to meet you. A reunion with a great dude who could hold his own in a battle with me,'' Sora winked, trying to cheer him up. ''We never had the time to really catch up, although Axel had a lot to say about you.''
''I know,'' Roxas contemplated the pyro morosely, with a degree of sadness. The words still managed to ring in his ears, through the scope of Sora. Watching his best friend burst into flames and die hadn't done wonders for his psyche. ''He saved you.''
''Yeah, I would have been a goner without him.'' Sora sat down with a plunk next to him. ''I wonder where he is now?''
''Hopefully, he's in a better place than us.''
Sora smiled. ''I think he is, being a good guy at the end and all. Fate's not that cruel.''
''If it was fair, it would have made me a genuine existence. Not nothing.''
''You're here right now with me, aren't you? So you're as real as I am, in irrefutable flesh and blood. Don't mess around with me! I can even hear your heart, no lie.'' Sora slung an arm across Roxas's shoulder, trying to boost up Roxas' mood meter.
''You know what? Stick out your pinky.'' The brunette ordered solemnly, but smiling all the same.
Roxas rolled his eyes. ''Juvenile promises; honestly, Sora, you're so childish.'' He stuck the aforementioned finger anyway.
''Kairi would have had a charm for this occasion,'' Sora shrugged. ''Unfortunately for you, I'm not her. And not to be rude, but I'm pretty sure an oath is better than the lint in my pocket.''
The two interlocked their digits together; in the darkness, there was only the faint phosphorescence over the whole expanse as an indicator of their oath.
''I will find us a way out of this. Cross my heart and hope to die, stick a needle in my eye.'' Sora let go and tauntingly swung a fist with no force at Roxas' arm. ''There, it's official now! We're busting our way out of here.''
Roxas curiously stared at the spiky-haired boy. ''Are you really going to kill yourself, in case you fail?''
''I'm not going to fail, because we're going to escape this weird dream or world or whatever this place is. You just have to believe me.'' Sora cracked his knuckles, enthusiasm returned in full glory.
''What's blind faith going to do?''
''Everything. I even learned how to fly using it, you know.'' Sora rebuked his comrade, straightening up again and extending a hand to Roxas. ''You ever been to Neverland before?''
King Mickey had amassed a lifetime of experiences from everyone he'd ever been in direct contact with. Wizards and warlocks, allies and enemies, all wrought on the same plane of existence. In his mind, everything remained clear, his motives fractured by none, morals dignified by his own code of honor. He knew who his friends were. But sometimes, there would be that blurring line of thought, an essence neither of light or dark, and the diminutive factor of gray.
The mouse contemplated it now, deep in the workings of searching his library for a certain missing fairytale. Through the tomes of old manila-leaf pages and piles of wrinkled bookmarks, he discovered not a single trace. His servants, who carried the odd likeness of brooms with knobby arms, bustled around the room sweeping and re-organizing the novels he'd left open. Hopping up on a stool, he scanned one row after another for any titles that popped out, but saw none of interest. Flipping through the books did no good, no indication of where the elusive answer he searched for was. He shifted a bit higher to the left, his gloved hand right at the edge of scooping up a story about apples that fit the description he'd heard, but couldn't reach…
''Gawrsh, I got your message, your Majesty! Do ya' need some help with that?'' Goofy scratched his head, bowing before peering up at the King worryingly. Dressed back in the traditional garb of Disney Castle inhabitants, with a shield held fixedly at his side, he observed the situation with concern.
''Goofy, do you think you could reach that book right there?'' Mickey pointed to said storybook with a grateful nod. The King had no problem jumping to that height with a well-placed flip, but the Queen argued constantly of miniature dents on the floor made from high jumps.
''Will do!'' the guard bobbed his head up and down and he stretched his fingers up to the edge of the book and pulled with a quick thrust. He effectively held it up in victory, but swung right into a lamp that crashed onto the bookcase, causing an assortment of tomes to drop like flies to the floor.
''Oops.''
And, of course, that was when Donald showed up, waving his wand right at Goofy.
''Aw, what did you do, you big palooka? You're supposed to be helping the king, not adding to his problems!'' Grumbling a quick incantation, the novels hovered in the air before neatly stacking themselves to the side. He huffed irritatingly, before noticing the presence of Mickey, who studied the two guiltily.
''Good afternoon, your Majesty!'' the duck bent low, temporarily removing the wizard hat and addressing the proper greetings before straightening up again.
King Mickey smiled at the two. ''Daisy finally let you out of her sights, Donald?''
Donald groaned. ''Don't remind me, your Majesty. She's done nothing but walk me around in a leash for the past week. I had to convince her I was helping you before she let me go anywhere!''
The mouse lightly chuckled. ''And you, Goofy?''
''Well, I've been gathering doo-dads for Chip and Dale, sir. They're upgrading the gummi ship to travel faster and all, and I thought it would be nice to help out.'' Goofy sloppily saluted the king again, beaming widely.
''Oh! So how's that working out for you three?''
The dog sniffed with some pride, boldly striking a brave stance. ''Going swell, ahyuck! They should be done in another day or two.''
Donald, usually slow to connecting things together, made a realization. ''Your Majesty, are you planning on heading anywhere with the vessel? I thought all the worlds closed up again after Sora and Riku defeated Xemnas.''
Mickey made a shushing noise with one finger, hopping down from the stool. His short stature still managed to be enforcing, despite the difference in height. ''Don't speak so loudly, Donald. Actually, the worlds and their keyholes are open, but the only monsters sticking around now are low-brow Shadows and Dusks. No sign of the Organization since, fortunately. I'm planning to consult Yen Sid about some of my concerns, but Minnie's so set against the idea of me even leaving the grounds. I can't blame her; I felt guilty about leaving a letter last time, but you two know my reasons now.''
A flurry of nods from his two subordinates. In the back of their minds, they wondered why the King even took the bother. Wasn't everything solved? They made sure of it.
''Fellas, I was hoping that you two could meet up with my master and bring him this message.'' Mickey reached into his pocket, pulling out a plain white envelope and handing it to Donald. ''Goofy, hold onto that book for him as well, alright? He'll know what to do.''
''What are you going to do in the meantime, King?'' the followers said in unison, loyally listening and preparing themselves for the venture.
Mickey tut-tutted the two. ''Research, and that's all I have to say about it!'' He didn't specify further, and neither did they.
The two friends, once they left the general perimeter of the castle and headed toward the hangar, began to babble amongst themselves.
''Awh, I wonder if we'll be able to see Sora again? Maybe we could stop by Destiny Islands for a quick visit afterwards?'' Goofy rubbed his head ruefully, thinking of all the adventures that he'd encountered with the key wielder.
''I can't believe I'm saying this, but I miss the blockhead too. And it's only been three weeks!'' Donald squawked out disapprovingly, but looked vaguely excited at the very prospect.
''I hope we get the time to, though. Daisy's going to kill me when she finds out, so we better hurry.'' The duck added, folding his arms and doing his best to appear nonchalant and failing. He took up a faster pace.
''What do you think he's doing right now, Donald?''
''Sleeping, of course. What else?''
''He could be having a race with Riku, y'know?''
''Nope, he's a lazy kid, so he's definitely napping in that school of his.''
And the duo shared a fit of laughing over imagining the brunette in a number of odd situations, all the way up the cobbled yellow path to Chip and Dale.
Truth be told, the entity known as ''Sora'' wasn't remotely close to napping. The shadow that still held full reign over his body struggled to keep in character, but day by day, his self-control waned. He'd tried to blackmail Roxas into doing what he wanted, but he hadn't realized that the Nobody had such a high resistance to his properties. That, coupled with the strong resentment, was a strong medley. It was now a test between the two, a contest between whichever one could endure longer. Though his power gradually sapped itself, Roxas wasn't fairing too well either. Only another day, he reasoned, and then the teenager would snap. Until then, keep in violent tendencies and an urge to rip up people's insides. He was a living zombie, encased in human skin and veins of red, hiding his true intentions under the guise of a high school student.
And the concept of higher education was a fool's fantasy. Why work hard to get into a job, more school, or unemployment? Only three options, unless one happened to be ridiculously wealthy. So the day passed mercifully quickly, the faces of teachers and students and homework blending into a mosaic of colored blobs. He was too preoccupied in imagining gruesome macabre to instill into the minds of whoever created the ghastly institution to mind about other things. If it wasn't for that Kairi girl covering up for a decent 90% of his procrastination, most would have assumed he'd like nothing more than jump out a ten-story building to see if he splattered on the ground below. Once that horrid school day was over and done with, he walked side by side with Kairi. Riku stayed after class to tutor Selphie on the rigors of mathematics, presumably for community service and a glittery comment from the teacher. But then again, Riku happened to avoid Sora in general, if he could help it. It wasn't like Anti-Sora hadn't seen it, but what could one individual do?
Footprints deeply embedded in the dirt, Kairi hopped along the polished stones that Friday, her Mary Janes clicking together down the road. Sora lagged slowly behind, glazed expression and glossy eyes not all there. They weren't able to keep up the pretense of a trio, with Riku off teaching, so the two of them awkwardly went down the pavement to Kairi's house. Not a lot of people were around at that hour, so the streets remained curiously quiet. Advertisements for sunblock and beach towels lined the stop signs in a steadfast formation, but there was little more than a stray tourist scurrying along on a bicycle to view them. Summer was gone, already, not to return until the end of spring once more. And with fall came the semblance of normality.
They were really back, now, back to their lives. It would have been a downright lie for the supposed Princess of Heart to say she was happy with this. Their adventure, their experience, gone with warm days and cold lemonade; she rubbed her shoulder. Now that they were back to a mundane routine at home, life had gotten unexpectedly boring. Wake up, go to school, learn, go home, and sleep. Rinse and repeat; for a while, she sated her drive by committing herself to the search of the boy she'd played with on their island, but once he was here, it wasn't what she expected. That spark of zeal she'd see in him was gone, and he'd rather head straight to his house and sleep, than manage one teensy excursion to her room.
He wasn't the same, and she knew it.
But what could she do for him? The redhead smoothed down the blue pleats of her skirt in frustration, huffing angrily.
''What's wrong with you, Kai?'' Sora, hands behind his head and reason temporarily reinstated, sized her up with a yawn. ''School getting to ya'?''
She hung her head. ''No, it's not that. It's just…''
''Just…?''
''Come on, I'll explain at my house.'' She snatched Sora's free hand and swung him down the sidewalk, yanking him down to her home. Their book bags bumped backs, chains and trinkets jingling. Right through the alleyway, past the construction area, over the gate in a perfect example of parkour, breaths mingling together in shuffling beats. They stopped at the door, hands on knees, panting. The shutters of Kairi's home looked down on them, clapboard-white house hung with the festivities of tulips and roses in full bloom.
The brunette let out an audible gasp. ''Sheesh, you'd think we were running away from Heartless.''
''Hilarious, right?'' Kairi fished out a key from her purse and unlocked the door. She stepped in, undoing the straps on her flats. ''It's a new record: three minutes and thirty seconds, ten seconds less than last time. Let's celebrate.''
Sora peered inside the entryway, clucking noisily as he kicked off his shoes to reveal two pairs of wiggling socks and heading straight for the kitchen. ''It would have been even faster if I didn't stop for that traffic light.''
''Then you'd be road kill.'' The girl dropped her bag, closing the door behind her before following Sora straight to the refrigerator.
The teenager was in the process of inspecting the cooler's contents. ''Let's see: three water bottles, one pitcher of grape juice, a Tupperware filled with what looks to be lasagna, but hold on-is that an apple?'' He pointed at a moldy fruit stashed at the back, riddled with holes.
''Um, it used to be an orange, but…'' she examined the rot closely. ''Ew. I don't know how I never noticed that, but it's not staying.'' Kairi swatted at it before taking out the container of juice and a tray of ice cubes from the freezer and placing them on the counter.
Sora sniggered. ''What a girl.''
''Hey, I heard that! Be a man and toss it in the trash.'' She went on tiptoe and opened the cupboard, taking out two coasters and glasses to complete the snack set, and began the laborious task of filling the cups with juice.
''Yeah, yeah, yeah. Your wish is my command. ~'' He pronounced lamely, showing off his muscles like only Sora could. He picked up easily, setting his sights on the trash can in the far corner and shot. Just like a basketball, the apple-orange thing flew through the air, scoring an easy one-pointer into the disposal bin.
''Your prize for saving the damsel in distress.'' Kairi held out a cup swishing with purple liquid, which Sora eyed a moment, before tentatively reaching out for the glass and taking a generous swig.
''What, no kiss? I heard somewhere that it was mandatory for princesses.'' He blushed and looked away, face flaming tomato red.
''And by somewhere, you really mean you.''
''A-ahaha, you know me so well.''
Kairi smiled and went over, relenting to a tiny, chaste brush of lips on his left cheek. As always, it sent her heart fluttering and she flushed a complementing crimson. She was still so new to all of it, the whole dating business. But then again, she'd never had a boyfriend before, not that she'd been interested in anyone else. ''Yep, let's toast on it.''
They clunk glasses together in the last of the afternoon sunlight. Sora drained the last of his cup, Kairi about halfway and sat down on a couple of wooden chairs to the side.
''So what was so important?'' the hero implored, insisting on tilting his chair back precariously.
''Teach me how to fight, Sora.''
The person who resembled Sora fell off the seat, though luckily the cup didn't shatter. ''Kairi, don't feel like you need to do this bec—''
'' —I want to.'' Kairi curled her hands around the glass, watching the dregs swirl at the bottom.
The idea came to her in a flash of eureka and the whirl of the gears in her brain. Why hadn't she thought of it before? Being the little victim who always needed to be saved did no good for them, because she'd always be the one weak spot to them. If she at least learned some basic skills, maybe she'd be able to kick ass with the rest of the good guys, if the monsters ever came back for a second round.
She stared back at the brunette, expecting to see an apprehensive face torn, but met up with darkened cerulean eyes and a thin line of anger for a mouth instead. He looked so mad. It wasn't that much of a request, so why? The wine-haired girl looked down at her feet in anxiety, noting her nail polish was starting to chip. She needed to re-paint it a new color soon.
''Fighting, huh? It might be a better idea to ask Riku, as he's more experienced in battle than me.'' Sora's features were unreadable, his tone brisk. Kairi flinched at the sudden drop in temperature.
''I want you to teach me, though.'' Her voice meekly squeaked, and she gripped the glass even harder. ''But if you don't want to, I understand. I won't push it.''
The dead air was oppressive. Kairi could swear she could hear flies dying at the window sill. And then he spoke.
''Okay.'' Sora muttered, standing up and brushing off any stray dust that collected on him. ''Tomorrow, three o' clock sharp. It's late, and my mom wants me home early.''
''You can't stay for a sleepover? I've got some microwave popcorn, and we could invite Riku over and watch scary movies until midnight like we used to…''
''Nah,'' Sora lifted up his bag, chain necklace dangling, headed down the hall, and began tying up his sneakers. ''Thanks for the offer.''
''O-oh, okay, another time,'' Kairi cursed at herself, an uncomfortable trepidation forming between the two. The cheery atmosphere was gone, replaced by a cool indifference.
''See you later.'' There was a rattling slam of her door, and then silence.
The sharp crack of the door's hinges resounded in her mind, and she remained sitting. The musical tone of her phone interrupted her displaced thoughts. She reached into her pocket, pulling the device out and holding it to her ear.
''Hello?''
''Kairi, we need to talk. It's about Sora.'' Riku's words were slightly rushed in the static, and there was no mistaking the trouble it immediately incited in its connotations.
Kairi gulped.
''There's nothing wrong with being the darkness.'' Sora began, unaware of the conversation going on about him at the same time on Destiny Islands.
''What do you mean?'' Roxas replied, thoughtful.
''Without light, there can't be darkness, and vice versa. It's precisely the evil that makes the idea of good not the stuff of dreams.''
''How philosophical.'' The blonde uttered drolly, treading through the haze of cloudy black shapes with the care of a polar bear over a doll house.
''Actually, the King and Riku came up with it. And I agree when I say that this place wouldn't be so bad, if they added a beach and a sky.'' The keyblader emptily gestured at the haze. ''There's so many clouds you think it would rain, but it doesn't.''
Roxas snorted. ''This isn't the Realm of Darkness.''
''I know that! Just throwing it out there that this place doesn't obey reality.'' Sora crossed his arms, nodding to himself.
Amidst the fog, the Nobody noticed something that wasn't ephemeral for the first time since Sora's arrival into the nowhere-place they resided. He sprinted straight toward the object, ignoring the Somebody's calls of rapid questioning.
He halted right in front of the figure, unable to believe his eyes. He scrutinized a very individual he thought he'd never see again, in the life he led now, or even in death.
Sora caught up to him, slapping him on the back. ''Warn me before you go running off again! It's so dark here we might lose sight of each other if we're not…careful…?'' For the first time, he realized another presence in the area that wasn't Roxas.
A girl with golden hair and a white sundress scribbled on a sketchpad. Around her, pages and pages of a single drawing littered the ground. It was the likeness of a key, silver hilt and gold teeth, over and over and over again. She didn't even bother to look up from her work, ripping out another sheet to discard into her pile, an exact replica of the rest.
''It took you two long enough to get here,'' she murmured quietly.
''Who —?'' Sora repeated once more his previous statement, glancing between the two in complete confusion. ''Who are you?''
''The Memory Witch of Organization XIII.'' Roxas answered a tad sarcastically, disbelief still evident.
''But Naminé works just as well,'' she amended, taking a moment to look up from her crazed drawing phase, before she resumed her work once more. ''It's good to finally see you again, Sora.''
