I have to say Kairi was almost OVERLY cheerful. At least it helped me mend the pieces of my heart that I could find. The only part of my heart I couldn't find was Axel's part. He had grabbed my fingers on the boat but I feel like somehow he grabbed my heart well. The strain must have ripped it in two. The only way I could get that part back was to find Axel. In till then Axel would have to take care of it himself. I trusted him with that. The weeks flew by in a schedule. Kairi would go do her morning chores and I would sit by the sea thinking of a plan. At lunch I would then go make a packable lunch that we could take on the boat. Yes, boat. It was a fishing boat that every day Kairi and I would go fishing. Then in the late afternoon we would go to the market and I would help her sell the fish. After all our hard work we would spend twilight on the beach with a big bon-fire, eating the delicious feast Kairi would prepare. On those nights I would let my mind wander. What would happen if I just stayed here with Kairi? What if I gave up on Axel like he suggested? What if I got to France and didn't find him? Then the scariest of all, What if I really do find him?
The Lull of that schedule was broken by the 5th week. One morning I awoke to find Kairi was taking her "day off." I decided to just go sit on the beach. As I was sitting I was trying to sort out my thoughts.
"What are you thinking about Roxas?" Kairi said in the most sincere voice I've heard come from her mouth.
"Do you ever think we are reborn? And punished for our crimes in the past?" I asked her.
"Yes… In fact I know this. I am punished for being obsessed with someone in my past. Now I can't remember who he is. All I do remember is I love him and that will never change."
"Then I must have been leaving the people a lot. Now I'm being punished by getting my love taken away." I said in a solemn voice.
We sat there in silence for a long time. The sun finally set and we didn't feel like getting up and building a fire. We didn't feel like moving at all. We Finally just decided to sleep there on the beach.
"Roxas, don't leave me. Ok?" Kairi whispered as she fell asleep.
"Don't worry… I won't leave you." I replied.
I held onto her hand and finally fell into a deep sleep.
Waking up to yelling is not fun. I woke drowsy and dry from sleeping on the bare sand. The voices I heard were angry and stressed. I started to hear what they were saying.
"Uncle Saix! It's not that! He is just a really close friend! I told him not to leave me! I am usually alone here! Do you know how hard that is? Well do you?" Kairi was shouting.
"Boys will dis-honor you! You know that he is not the right one! The right one is in Paris remember?" This man called "Saix" screamed right back at her.
"I know that! This boy is only my friend! He is coming with us to Paris! God, it's like you don't want me to have any friends!" Kairi screamed and ran off.
"That girl…" Saix then walked off to a cart that had just appeared.
The right one what was he talking about? What did he think Kairi and I were? We are just friends. I sat up and wondered. Was this the man we were going to Paris with? If he was I was glad I had Kairi!
"Hey you boy! Stand! What's your name?" Barked Saix
"A-Ah! My name is Roxas, Sir." I replied shakily
"Stay away from Kairi." He then walked off into Kairi's house.
Great. First impression on my friend's father? Just great.
It was time to leave. Saix had agreed to let me tag along as long as I stayed not to close to Kairi. We packed up the cart of goods Saix had brought on to the fishing boat and were out to sea faster than you could say sea salt ice cream 3 times! The air was crisp and salty. It made me wonder how long this journey would take. On a map Japan was separated from France by America, and Canada or South America or by Russia, Africa, and parts of Europe. Which way would we go? Which way would keep me from Axel? How long would the journey be?
"Saix where are we going?" I questioned after my curiosity bubbled up.
"Well we will follow the map into the Indian Ocean, follow canals to the Mediterranean Sea out all the way to Spain, then finally float up The North Atlantic and cross into France. Last part is taking a train to Paris. This will take us 2 weeks at least…" He replied.
"Ah." Was all I could say.
He had it all planed out. This journey of mine seemed like it would be never ending. The first land stop was going to be Somalia. Calm settled over us. The waves gently breaking against the ship made a calm lull. A lullaby was sung softly by the air blowing gently over the waves. I wish Axel was here. I think he would like it. Saix was asleep over his maps that he held dear. Kairi was hugging her knees at the crow's nest. I was sitting feet over-board at the front of the ship. Wishing Axel had his feet over with me, his arm lightly touching mine, just like it was when we were young. I yearned for it so bad it almost felt as if he was there. I imagined him there next to me and felt as if everything was going to be ok. I slipped into the net tied to the front of the ship. I felt calm just imagining him being there. So calm I just lightly fell into a sleep full of dreams full of Axel.