AN:

This was previously Chapter 3, but because I melded 1 & 2 together, it's now 2. Big thanks to SoraxKairi7 for your continued support! You're awesome :)

Chapter 2: Looming Darkness

The ship touched down three hours later at Disney Castle. The four wielders caught up with each other during their flight and Mickey revealed that he needed Riku for an important job. Sora killed the engine and power and unbuckled his seat.

"Alright everyone, we've arrived safe and sound!" Sora announced cheerfully, jumping from his seat to the exit bay. Riku rolled his eyes as he undid the clasp on his harness.

"Yeah, we sure are lucky to be alive! Was that barrel roll really necessary?" he teased. Sora shot him a glare and Riku simply laughed him off. The gang continued walking down the ramp, and straight into the beast's lair.

A booming voice startled everyone making their way off the ship. "Mickey," the Queen snapped. Everyone looked over to the King, his eyes went wide and he gulped nervously, pulling at the collar around his neck.

"Oh, uh... Hiya Minnie! I was just..."

"You were just nothing! How many times must I tell you to warn me before you go running off!" Minnie interrupted her husband with a fire in her voice. Sora stepped out behind Mickey with his hands behind his head.

"Hi Minnie, see, it was our fault, see we wanted to see the King right away so he probably didn't have time to warn you!" he stammered, clearly nervous. The Queen visibly softened, earning a collective sigh from the group.

"Hello Sora and company, it's great to see you again," she smiled. "But you don't have to cover for Mickey, I already knew he's been planning this for a while now," she glared at the King. Mickey gulped again and began his descent, knowing he will be scolded for the next few days. Riku followed close behind, trying to keep a straight face.

"Well, uh, it was nice seeing you guys! We'll be back to pick Riku up later tonight!" Kairi shouted to the retreating figures. She turned to Sora and smiled. "Well Sora, we've got the ship all to ourselves! What do you want to do?" Kairi inquired innocently.

Don't think dirty thoughts. Don't think dirty thoughts. DON'T DO IT!

"We...could go visit Twilight Town?" Sora choked. He nodded his head, "Yeah, that sounds awesome!" he cried. Kairi smiled and took his hand.

"I think that's a great idea," she agreed with a grin. Sora felt a tingling sensation in his hand, but ignored it, and walked hand in hand back up the ramp to the Gummi Cruiser.

"Say Kairi, what do you think we should name the ship?" Sora asked quietly, breaking the comfortable silence that befallen the two friends. Kairi pulled a finger to her chin, squinting at the ground.

"Hmm... good question. You're the ship's captain, I'll stand behind whatever name you come up with!" she exclaimed. Sora looked over to Kairi and grinned.

"Alright... How about we honor Riku and name it 'The Highwind'?" Sora proposed. Kairi shook her head.

"Okay, I won't stand behind that one! That name is stupid and overused!" she claimed. Sora scrunched his face in confusion.

"Overused? Eh, whatever it doesn't matter. I want it a name we both like! How about...(Hey! There's a poll on my profile, I'll have several names you can choose from, you guys decide what the name of the ship will be! *UPDATE*: I really regret putting the HMS Shag At Sea on the poll... I'm trying to imagine Kairi's real reaction to that name. But I will wait a couple more days, let's see if anyone votes for a different name... I really hope so xD)?" Sora offered. Kairi jumped from her seat.

"That's a perfect name, Sora!" Kairi praised. Sora fell back into his seat satisfied, and looked back at the dashboard.

"We've still got two hours to kill before we arrive at Twilight Town. Wanna watch the new Lord of the Rings movie?" Sora questioned, motioning towards the living room with his head. Kairi glanced up and nodded, the two making their way across the ship to the living room.

About an hour into the movie, the young brunette fell asleep on Kairi's shoulder. She sighed as soon as she heard the snores, and moved his head to a more comfortable position on her lap. Kairi pulled her fingers through Sora's hair, gazing down at him with admiration.

How does he get those spikes to stay up without using gel? His hair is so soft!

Kairi used the opportunity to look at Sora without worrying if he'd catch her gaze. He has transformed in the past two years from his pudgy babyface to a defined jawline. Kairi bit her fingers, it was all she could do to restrain herself from touching his face and possibly waking him. Her eyes traveled downward to his rising and falling chest, mesmerized by the hypnotizing movements.

His muscles sure have grown from all that fighting...

Sora smiled in his sleep and hummed from the continuous brushing of his hair. "Mmm...that feels good...Kairi..." he murmured lazily. Kairi jumped, and sent Sora flying to the floor. He groaned, turned over and fell back asleep.

He was... he was dreaming about me? Kairi couldn't help but giggle. But what the heck was he dreaming abou... oh! Her face turned red as she realized the possible dream he could be having. Well... it's a wonder he's still asleep. Better wake him up, I think we're almost there. Sure enough, a message over the intercom from the autopilot made an announcement, "We will be reaching destination: Twilight Town in ten minutes. Thank you." Sora scrunched his face at the unfamiliar voice and poked his head up.

"Kairi? Why am I on the floor?" he whined, looking around in a daze.

"Oh, uh, you fell of the couch is all!" Kairi responded with a smile. Sora looked up at her and frowned.

"Oh...okay then," he stammered. Sora got himself off the ground, as much as he wished to continue to sleep. He motioned Kairi to follow them as they made their way back to the command center.

"Strap yourself in, we're entering the world's atmosphere in two minutes," Sora warned over the beeps and whistles of the console. Kairi did as she was told as they made their descent to Twilight Town.

Riku and Mickey walked side by side down the main hall towards the garden. Mickey kept his head low, obviously hiding something that Riku didn't know.

"Hey Mickey, what did you say you needed me for?" Riku asked the King, in hopes of initiating some conversation. The mouse has been almost dead quiet since he was scolded by his wife. Mickey looked around, and slowly nodded his head to Riku.

"This way, Riku. I don't want anyone to overhear this," Mickey muttered quietly. Riku glanced at the mouse, and nodded. They made their way through the hallway and down the steps to the garden. The two approached one of the giant hedges and stopped. Riku looked around cautiously.

"Uh, Mick, I don't think this is such a good..." a grinding noise startled Riku from issuing his warning, and turned back to the hedge lifted 6 feet off the ground. He peered down, revealing a ladder that looked to go on forever in a dark abyss.

"...spot. Right, Kings first!" Riku offered with a grin. Mickey scowled pushed him towards the ladder, Riku almost losing his footing.

"Hey, easy! I don't plan on dying today!" he cautioned as he made his way down the first few rungs. Mickey followed him down, pressing a few buttons on a keypad before the hedge began to descend again.

Sora and Kairi lept off the ship's ramp and watched as the ship took off to enter orbit. Kairi watched it go while shaking Sora's hand.

"Uh... Sora? Why is our only ride flying away?" Kairi asked nervously. Sora simply chuckled.

"Oh, right. You've never been on a foreign world with a Gummi Ship yet, hehe. We can't let the occupants know we're from another world, so the ship goes into stealth mode until I activate a beacon on my Keyblade, see?" Sora paused and materialized his keyblade, and flipped it to show Kairi. There was a small red indentation on the bottom of the pommel.

"The ship designates glowing portals on the ground that only keyblade wielders can see, where the ship can pick us up," Sora continued. It seemed apparent to Kairi that he's given this speech multiple times to friends he meets on the other worlds, as he sounded rehearsed. Kairi nodded her head in understanding. Sora nudged Kairi forward and they made their way down the steps of the train station. A boy in a red jersey and tied up black hair with blue pants and shoes greeted them as they reached the final steps.

"Well, well, well. It's been a while Sora!" Pence grinned. Kairi sent him an impatient look. "Oh, and Kairi of course too!" he stammered, words tinged from nervousness.

"Come on, the rest of the gang are at the Usual Spot. They'll want to see you, too!" Pence suggested, regaining his cool when Kairi calmed down. Sora and Kairi nodded at the pudgy boy, and he shot them a grin.

"Right, let's go!" he cheered.

Pence pushed back the curtain of the Usual Spot, allowing Kairi and Sora to enter first. The place seemed exactly the same, with all of the random trinkets, posters and beat-up furniture, with the exception of a tangled mess making disturbing noises on the couch. Kairi and Sora both found their gazes on the couch, eyes widening in realization. Kairi turned as red as a tomato.

"Heh...hey guys, sorry to bother you. We'll leave you two alone!" Sora choked as they started backing away. Olette finally turned to Sora and Kairi's attention, promptly pushing a confused Hayner off. Pence walked in and couldn't help but laugh uncontrollably at Hayner's still puzzled face as to why the kissing stopped. He turned around, eyes widened and glared at his best friend.

"Pence! Shut your trap!" Hayner growled. He then turned his attention back to Sora and Kairi while Pence started wiping away his tears. "Hey guys, sorry about that. You get carried away sometimes... You know what I mean," nudging Sora, head swiveling towards Kairi. This time it was Sora who turned a bright red. Olette quickly stepped in to help Sora out.

"Umm, Hayner, I don't think they're going out yet," she theorized. Sora let out a breath of fresh air, while Kairi had a look of confusion, as she never heard Hayner in the first place. Olette turned to the two off-worlders.

"So how are you two doing since the last time we saw you? I assume you guys destroyed Xemnas?" she inquired. Kairi and Sora nodded their heads.

"Yeah, Riku and Sora here went mono y mono with him! Riku was injured and scarred from Xemnas' blade, but he's all better now!" Kairi exclaimed, pride leaking from her every word for her two boys. Sora smiled at her, and the two didn't tear their eyes from each other until Pence interrupted.

"So, why are you guys here now if Xemnas is dead?" Pence asked innocently. Hayner reached over and smacked him.

"What, they can't visit us now? They're our friends, Pence!" he scolded. Sora and Kairi laughed at them.

"Haha, he's right you know, Pence. We just came to stop by and see how you guys were doing!" Sora informed them. Olette checked her watch and gasped.

"Hayner! We gotta go! The movie starts in five minutes!" she gasped. Hayner slapped himself. "Ugh, I'm sorry guys, Olette has been harping on me to see this movie with her. It's been great talking with you again!" Hayner apologized. Sora gave him a nod, and Olette a quick hug before they scurried out. Sora and Kairi turned their attention back on Pence.

"It's been great talking with you guys, but I have a Photography Club meeting in half an hour and I still need to print off some pictures. Don't let us stop you from exploring the town!" Pence called out behind him as he walked through the curtain. Kairi and Sora both traded glances.

"Did we just get ditched, Sora?" Kairi chuckled. "Yeah, I think we did!" he chuckled back. The two stopped laughing and resumed staring at each other's eyes. They both snapped out of it and looked away, blushing. Sora turned back around and offered his arm to the crimson-haired girl. Face still flushed, she grabbed on and let herself be led back out into the street.

Riku leaped off the last few rungs, landed in a roll and proceeded to dust himself off. Mickey landed a foot away and followed Riku's example. The ladder took them deep underground, the place was dank and smelled like an old cellar. A red rug adorned the center of the room with a fireplace that was flanked by a few velvet chairs. The King took a seat at the chair in front of the fire.

"Phew, what a workout Mickey! I hope there's an elevator for the climb up!" he joked. The mouse turned his chair around, revealing his grim face. Riku's smirk immediately was wiped from his face.

"This isn't a time for jokes Riku. Come, take a seat," the Mickey ordered, gesturing to the seat beside him. Riku did what he was told and took a seat, the mouse's behavior puzzling him.

"Look your majesty, if this is about Minnie, I think she'll be fine in..." Riku offered but was silenced by Mickey's hand.

"This isn't about Minnie, Riku. This is about Sora," he answered. Riku scoffed at the mouse.

"Sora? Why are you being so serious about Sora?" Riku wondered in a bored tone of voice. Mickey slammed his fist down on his chair, startling the silver haired boy.

"I'm not playing games Riku, you need to listen!" he roared. Riku's eyes went wide and he gulped.

I never knew the King could be so...intimidating.

"Okay, your majesty. You have my attention. What seems to be the trouble with Sora?" Riku questioned. Mickey's posture relaxed again, as did Riku's. The King turned his gaze to the floor, his shoulders dropping even further. Riku held his breath, knowing whatever was coming was not good news at all.

"Sora... he... Sora's heart is succuming to darkness."

Sora and Kairi hopped off the train at Sunset Terrace, arms still interlocked. Sora gazed down at Kairi, fond of how close they were growing. They walked arm in arm through the small district, content simply by being next to each other. They made their way to the end of the district, nearing the base of the hill when Sora suddenly stumbled and fell. Kairi gasped and lowered herself to catch the brown haired boy, but fell too when she couldn't handle his weight.

"Sora! What happened?" Kairi belted, panic striking across her features. His eyes met Kairi's indigo ones. For a moment, Kairi thought they were amber, but a quick shake of her head and they were back to cerulean. Sora picked himself up and grabbed a hold of Kairi, lifting her up.

"I'm...Not sure Kairi. It was like I blacked for only a few seconds. That's never happened before..." Sora recalled, his voice trailing off. Kairi turned his face to hers and gave him a quick glance-over.

"I think we should go to the hospital Sora. That's not normal," she insisted, shaking her head. Sora's eyes went wide and terror webbed his face.

"NO! No hospitals! I'm fine! Hospitals have needles and creepy doctors! Seriously, Kai, I'm fine! Honest!" he bellowed, hands flailing as if they were also trying to get the point across. Kairi sighed and complied, looping her arm back with Sora.

"Fine, but if it happens again I'll smack your head with my keyblade and drag you there unconscious if I have to!" she scolded. Sora gulped and nodded his head, continuing their path up the hill.

The pair reached the top of the hill and took a seat on the nearby bench, gazing out at the forever-suspended sun. Kairi shivered, and Sora moved closer to her, wrapping his arms around her. Somehow, she continued to shiver, if not even more. Sora quickly took off his black coat and wrapped Kairi around with it, quelling her chilliness. The two resumed a comfortable silence while appreciating the gorgeous view.

"Hey, Kai," Sora nearly whispered, breaking the silence. Kairi turned her head towards Sora, and leaned her weight on his shoulder.

"Yes, Sora?" she responded. Sora looked torn between a sneeze or a mouthful of words. Kairi giggled at his ridiculous face, which immediately splotched pink when she started laughing. Eventually she tired out and just looked up into Sora's eyes. He nudged her off his shoulder and quickly took her hands within his own.

"I've been meaning... to tell you this for a long time, Kai. I just never found the place to do it right... that or I was just too scared to do it..." Sora trailed off, looking out towards the sun. Kairi's interest was peaked, she carefully leaned closer to Sora, as if she could hear him better. He turned his attention back to Kairi.

"Kairi," he breathed, "I love you."

AN:

Oh man, looks like the plot is thickening! Sorry for leaving you with TWO cliffhangers, but I just couldn't help myself! Please leave a review if you enjoyed and follow/favorite if you want to keep hearing more! Bye for now! :)