Karin: Yay! Yay! Chapter Four is here!
Sora: Sorry it took a while. Things have been hectic here.
Karin: Yeah, first midterms in January and then Standardized testing at the beginning of March. But now I am back to my regular education schedule and will be happy to update since I didn't update in January like I had hoped I would.
NOTE1: replies to reviews are moved to the bottom of the chapter now so you can get to the chapter faster like you want to.
NOTE2: I made a little mistake in describing the orange, pumpkin cat thing on Sora's costume from Halloween Town. It's on the right side of his head, not the left. Sorry about that.
Disclaimer: No owning of Kingdom Hearts will ever come true for me.
Title: The Nightmare of Halloween
Rating: Teen
Pairing: Sora/Namine
Genres: Fantasy/Romance/Humor/Drama
Summary: She hated Halloween; in fact, Namine Kizuki could very well say she downright loathed Halloween. However, fate seems to have other plans for Namine when she somehow winds up in Halloween Town—a place were it's all about Halloween all the time. Will she be able to get home back to the normal world or will she find herself falling in love with the Pumpkin Prince? Sora/Namine
Oh There's
An Empty Place
In
My Bones
That Calls
Out for
Something Unknown
The Fame and Praise
Come Year
After Year
Does Nothing for
These Empty Tears
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The Nightmare on Halloween
Chapter Four:
The Trial
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Her heart pounded loudly in her ears and resonating throughout her skull was the only thing Namine could hear at that moment. Not the vehement arguments or the hammering of the Mayor's hammer calling for order. Not the protests or echoes whatsoever. It was all deaf to the sound of her heart throbbing against her rib cage making her feel a little dizzy.
Oh dear god, please let this be a bad dream. Just a silly, tedious nightmare in which she could talk to Olette about in the morning with a joking atmosphere. Please let none of this be real, she begged in her mind.
But Namine knew it was fruitless to pray. She knew praying wasn't going to help her. Nothing could help her at this moment in the middle of horrific creatures from dark myths and folklore.
Because this wasn't a dream. This is was real.
And as much as her subconscious wanted to block everything out and put shields around her mind making her believe this was just a nightmare in order to protect herself, Namine Kizuki knew even that wouldn't make anything better.
No matter how appealing that option was from where she stood.
Currently, Namine was sitting on a chair next to the podium on top of the platform with the Mayor calling—and unsuccessfully, she might add for good measure—for order among the fellow citizens at the podium. As if that wasn't bad enough, her wrists were tied behind said chair disallowing her to escape.
Namine shivered as she felt all of the citizens' of Halloween Town eyes on her. The unpleasant feeling lurched in her stomach making her feel as if she would throw up but never would.
Bowing her head, the blonde couldn't help but wish she were at home again. She hated being tied up like some sacrificial lamb towards a pack of hungry wolves. Not only could she not escape, but she was completely alone in this sea of people. No Olette. No Hayner. No Pence. No Dad.
The realization of that stung her severely.
Pressing herself into the back of the chair, all Namine wished she could do was sink into the floor. God, she hated it when people stared at her. She hated being the center of attention. She was not a socially talented person. Olette said her shyness was adorable, but Namine couldn't help but curse her lack of confidence while sitting in the Town Hall among the citizens of Halloween Town.
"Order! Order everyone!" the Mayor cried banging his hammer. "For goodness sake! Let's get this meeting started!" he told the townspeople with a hint of frustration in his voice. Frustration that had been caused by her she was sure.
It took a little bit, but finally everyone had quieted down enough for there to be a civilized meeting. However, Namine thought she preferred their yapping rather than their silence. At least then, their attention wasn't completely and utterly on her.
Hmmm, she wondered if the whole "there's no place like home" thing from the Wizard of Oz would work right now. Knowing her luck, it probably wouldn't.
Still, the thought did have its appeal she supposed.
The Mayor cleared his throat after silence settled in the Town Hall. Setting down his hammer upon the podium, he got down to business.
"Now, we are here today to discuss the matter on what we should do with the human girl. Does anyone have any proposals?" he asked the audience.
"How in the world did she even get here?" asked the werewolf in a raspy voice making Namine cringe. "I was sure no one in the human world even knew about Halloween Town anymore." he said with the others nodding in agreement and murmurs breaking out into the crowd.
"That's right! There's no way a human could've known about Halloween Town!" another creature chimed in.
"Oh really? Then what's that up there on the platform? A plant?" someone snapped resembling Pugsley from the Addams Family at the creature.
Namine felt her eye twitching as they talked about like she wasn't there. With the way they were treating her, she might as well be a plant for all they cared.
"Can humans even be plants?"
"Are you serious? Of course they can't be plants!"
"She does resemble some kind of wilted flower if you look at her."
"Will you all stop with plant comparisons with the human! Humans and plants are two different things! End of story!"
Resisting the urge to curse them all off for their complete nonsense, Namine counted to ten in her head. She knew that it wasn't in her best interest to yell at the people who were holding her captive. No matter how tempting and satisfying it would be.
"People please! Stay at the topic at hand!" the Mayor begged.
"The human should leave!" some cried. After that, others voiced their opinions loudly.
"It's not like I had a choice…" Namine muttered to herself irritably. "I mean, how the hell was I supposed to know that there was another world in that stupid door…?"
Unfortunately, that sentence meant only for her ears was heard by a little girl as well. The girl wore a witch hat, mask, and a grey dress with her hair sticking out a little under the hat.
"What do you mean stupid door?" the girl sneered with a slightly high-pitched voice. Everyone seemed to stop their discussions and turned to the blonde being held captive. Namine could've sworn her face resembled that of a tomato from embarrassment.
"I mean…" she began uncertainly, "I had no intention whatsoever to come here. I was just minding my own business in the forest near my house and then I—"
"What were you doing in a forest?" interrupted the boy in the devil costume
"None of your business!" Namine growled out. She did not want to share that she had run away from her house because of the shock of her father openly mourning and the grief of her mother's death crashing down on her. Calming down somewhat, she added, "Do you want to know what happened or what?" seeing that no one was objecting, she continued.
"Anyway, some ghost dog—Zero, I believe—stole something from me so I chased after him. He led me to this strange pumpkin shaped door and I accidentally fell inside. Next thing I know, I'm here. End of story." the blonde finished. "To be honest, I didn't even know about Halloween Town until I was actually here. I can assure you no one in the human world has any idea about this." she promised. It was quite obvious no one had any idea about Halloween Town because if they did, they would probably do everything they can to get inside and ruin it for money or whatever.
"Zero led you here?" one of the vampires inquired curiously. Namine resisted the urge to shudder in fear.
"Yup." she said shutting her blue eyes for a bit, and then opening them to look at him. "That's how I found the door to this place. You know, you should really get that dog trained—he's really disobedient—so nothing like this will happen again." Namine told them dismissively.
There was some mumbles about Zero seeming to only listen to Jack or Sora, but Namine wasn't sure.
"Zero's never done anything like this before." the Mayor said. "Usually he stays inside Halloween Town. Why in the world would he be in some forest? Something must've caught his eye I suppose. That dog loves to scavenge for things…" he explained.
'And my ring just happened to catch his eye…' Namine thought miserable. Well, it was shiny so she guessed Zero must—as most dogs—like shiny things.
"You said that there was a door in the human world?" the Mayor asked finally turning to Namine. Said teen jumped a little from being startled, but nodded nonetheless.
"Yeah, a pumpkin shaped door was in the very deep apart of the forest. Maybe that's why no one knew about it…" she trailed off.
"Hmmm, this brings light onto the situation," the Mayor said gravely. "I guess the only solution would be is to get rid of you."
"What?!" Namine exclaimed.
"Oh! Can we do it?" yelled the three nasty little children. Each had a sinister grin on their faces.
"We know just what to do with her!" the girl said excitedly.
"She'll be gone by tonight!" cheered the skull masked boy.
"Our guarantee!" the devil boy said.
"Wait! Hold on a second—"Namine cried as the others began unanimously voting for whatever these children had planned. Did they know something she didn't?
"Splendid then," the Mayor agreed smiling just about to bang his hammer to signify the end of the meeting, "The girl will be given to Oogie Boogie by sundown. He can do whatever he wants with her."
"We most certainly will not give her to Oogie Boogie!" a new voice proclaimed echoing throughout the Town Hall.
Everything fell silent as the newcomer entered. Namine's cerulean eyes widened when she saw it was the skeleton from Halloween night. What surprised her more was that Sally and the boy, Sora if she remembered correctly, were right behind him.
"It's Jack" some whispered.
"What is he going to do?"
"Look, Sora and Sally are with him…"
"Jack!" the Mayor gave a delightful cry. His happy face still in place when he saw the tall, skinny skeleton. "How are you? What do we owe the honor?" he inquired pleasantly as if he wasn't sending a girl to her execution seconds earlier.
"Why was I not informed of this meeting, Mayor?" Jack asked a little outraged. "In fact, I had no idea about it until Sora and Sally came to get me." he said.
"Oh Jack, this is just a measly matter. I didn't want to disturb you with something as silly as this Don't worry, it's all taken care of." The Mayor laughed nervously with his happy expression still in place.
"Even so, a matter is a matter and I wished to be informed about it!" Jack snapped. He then turned to the audience in a calmer stance. "Have we really stooped so low as to give her to Oogie Boogie? I thought we were better than this."
Some bowed there heads in shame while some others looked away. Tiny, fruitless whispers broke out to provide an excuse but none came.
"B-but Jack! She knows way too much!" the Mayor protested his frowning, distressed face taking place of the happy one. "What else should we do?"
Sora climbed up onto the platform and began untying Namine. Once that was done, she stood up while he held her wrists and examined them worriedly since they were red from the tight, rough rope that bound her. The blonde fought down a blush as he did so.
"We keep her of course!" Jack said. Namine's head snapped up at that statement. Did she hear him right?
"Keep her? But she's so ugly!" the witches chimed in together.
"And she's wearing silly clothes!" the three evil children that wanted to sacrifice her said in unison.
"She won't fit in at all!"
"She's no use here!"
"That's not true!" Sora said letting go of Namine's wrists and moved to stand in front of her glaring down at the crowd. "She's nice! And I'm sure we can find something for her to do! Plus, if she doesn't want her silly clothes, we can just give her new ones!" he told them angrily. "And she most definitely is not ugly!"
If Namine wasn't peeved by the fact that he called her clothes silly, she would've completely died of embarrassment from the fact that he indirectly called her pretty so bluntly in front of everyone.
"Perhaps I have some use for her." a man with a large, bolted cranium began as he rolled up in his wheelchair. Sally was right beside him the whole time. "She can help me with my work. Sally is only one person—"Namine could've sworn he muttered something along the lines of Sally also being very troublesome and rebellious as well—"and I could use someone who will listen without complaint."
Why did that sound like he was calling her a dog rather than a person? Namine resisted the urge to growl at him for he was saving her butt here.
"Where will she stay?" asked the Mayor.
"With me, of course. She'll work as payment for me letting her stay in my laboratory." the man in the wheelchair replied.
"Marvelous, Doctor!" Jack praised the man. "What a splendid idea!" he then turned to the Mayor with a smile. "You see, there are other solutions. I mean, after all, we can't really send her back because the door isn't there anymore."
Namine froze when she heard Jack say that. What did he mean the door wasn't there in the forest anymore?
"Yes, that is true…" the Mayor said reluctantly.
"What are you talking about?" Namine spoke up to the skeleton. "What do you mean the door isn't there anymore?" she demanded.
Jack turned to Namine with a genuine confused expression on his face. Titling his head slightly, he answered her question.
"It seems no one has told you yet," at this, he shot an accusing glance at the citizens of Halloween Town before turning back to her, "You see, each holiday has their own door leading to the human world—"
"Sorry, but what do you mean by holiday?" interrupted Namine politely.
"You know—Christmas, Valentines, Easter—they each have their own door and world inside like Halloween Town." Sora answered her cheerfully.
"So, there's not just a Halloween Door? There's one for each holiday?" she asked understanding what Sally had said before when she had asked Namine if she had come from another holiday.
"Of course!" Jack told her enthusiastically. "And each holiday can travel to another holiday through those doors whenever they want. Fascinating, isn't it?" he grinned excitedly at her. Namine used all her self-control not to wince a little from him being too close. However, he moved away from her immediately before she did give any sign of being uncomfortable.
"Yeah, really fascinating…" she muttered. Jack then straightened out and went back to answering her original question.
"As I was saying, each holiday has their own door leading to the human world as well. Usually they're in secluded areas as to keep themselves hidden as was the agreement of the humans and the holidays a long time ago, but they don't stay there year-round." Jack explained.
"What do you mean by they don't stay there?" Namine asked with a tone of dread. Why was everything getting numb all of a sudden? Why did it feel like she was being sentenced to her doom?
"That's the thing; the door leading to the human world only appears in the human world on that specific holiday. So, you see, you got here through the Halloween Door on Halloween. Since Halloween is over until next year, the door has disappeared until next Halloween." Jack explained with a sympathetic look. "I'm afraid you're stuck here until next year…"
Not even bothering to listen to him anymore, the blonde haired girl sprang off the platform and pushed herself through the crowd of ghouls and goblins. Bursting the doors open, she raced towards the direction of where the door was the previous night.
He was joking, right? There's no way the door couldn't be there anymore! Doors just don't disappear! He was lying! He had to be lying! He just didn't want her to go back so she could tell everyone on what she saw!
He was lying. Jack had to be lying.
Reaching the gates that entered the forest, she kicked them open without a moment's hesitation and on pure adrenaline. A loud clang sounded in her ears, but Namine was solely paying attention to the fact that they sprung open and continued through them in a heartbeat.
Her tennis shoes pounded against the ground as she ran towards the spot where she had woken up at only the night before.
Jack was a liar. He was lying to her. The door was still there.
It had to be there…
It felt like an eternity before she had finally reached the spot where the door should be. The door that led her to this place. This place where all she wanted to do was leave.
To go home again.
But no euphoria came when she thought it would when she would see the door. No joy. No contentment. No happiness. Only despair registered in her mind.
Because the door wasn't there.
No. This couldn't be right. Maybe she had gotten her bearings wrong. Maybe this wasn't the place where she first woke up in Halloween Town. Maybe the door was somewhere else in the forest.
But she knew that wasn't true. She knew she had her bearings correct. She knew this was the first place she was when she first arrived in Halloween Town.
She knew that the door was gone. Just like Jack said.
Shaky hands touched the bark of the tree where she was sure the door used to be. Did she get paler all of a sudden? She had no idea. She was always pale. And yet, right now she felt ghostly white.
She felt dead.
No! No! No! No! No! No! NO!!!! she screamed in her mind. This couldn't be happening. But it was, and there was nothing she could do about it. Not until a whole year at least.
Namine's lips quivered unsteadily. Tears build up in her eyes. No waking up late for school. No going on shopping trips with Olette reluctantly. No cooking with Pence and trying out new recipes. No hearing Hayner call her big sis and teasing him. No father to take care of because they were both all they had left.
No Olette. No Pence. No Hayner. No Dad.
None of them for a year.
She wouldn't see them for a whole year.
The blonde bit her lip hard—to the point of almost drawing blood. She wouldn't cry. She wouldn't break down. Not like this. No, she wouldn't break down like this
And yet, why did her legs feel so weak to support her making her kneel on the dirty ground? Why did her eyes become so watery? Why did choking sobs erupt in her throat as the realization settled in?
"Hey," a familiar voice said as she felt them put a hand on her shoulder, "Are you okay?" genuine concern sounded in their tone.
Just like that, Namine felt the dam containing her chaotic turmoil of her emotions shatter. Without really realizing what she was doing—as all logic had deserted her at this point—she turned and latched herself onto them with an agonized cry. Tears flowed down her cheeks like a rushing waterfall and her choking sobs were so powerful that they shook her whole body.
Namine couldn't take it. She felt like she was drowning and wasn't going to resurface. Everything came crashing upon her in distress and misery.
Sora only stared in shock as Namine held onto him as if he was the only thing keeping her from sinking deeper into darkness. As if he was her lone lifeline in all of this.
He honestly didn't know what to do in this situation. He's never experienced something like this. In fact, he could very well say he didn't understand any of this at all.
On the other hand, he did understand that she was hurting. He may not get why, but something in him ached at seeing her like that. Not saying a word, Sora wrapped his arms around the petite girl awkwardly and pulled her closer.
Namine continued to cry in Sora's chest not caring on how stupid and pathetic she looked right now. She didn't care that for once, she wasn't being the strong person. She didn't care that this might affect Sora and hers relationship later on.
She just didn't care because she really needed comfort right now.
And while she cried, while she sobbed, while she broke down, one thing loomed upon Namine Kizuki's mind—what was she going to do now…?
Karin: Yes! All finished with Chapter four! Hope everyone enjoyed it. Poor Namine! (glomps Namine) but yay for Sora for giving her a hug, right?
Sora: I'm happy that we'll finally be able to update this. Let's get something to celebrate.
Karin: Like orange soda?
Sora: Well, I was talking more along with lines of food, but that works too.
Karin: Yay! Oh, and reviews are highly appreciated. Thank you very much.
Reviews from Chapter Three:
Angle09- Glad you're happy that they met. Hope you liked the Sora/Namineness in this chapter as well. I had a fun time writing the part where Sora called Namine pretty indirectly. I was like "that's so Sora". So this is one of your favorites you say? (bows) thank you very much. Oh, and about Crimson Twilight, I actually did start the next chapter, but I just don't feel like finishing the chapter/updating it at the moment, but don't worry, I'm pretty sure I won't abandon it. Hopefully I'll get around to finishing the third chapter soon.
NaminexSora lover- Happy that you liked the chapter and that Sora and Namine had finally met. Poor Namine, ne? Since she can't go home until another year. But Sora was there to give her comfort and this way they'll be able to grow closer, right? I can't wait to write more Namine/Soraness. Wish you'll be around for future chapters to read them.
Abysilityy- yes, he is the sweetest hottie, isn't he? lol XD Of course they'll be getting closer. After all, there wouldn't be a story without that, would there? (laughs) Glad to see you'll be joining this story until the end. I'm very excited for that. Thank you for the Happy Holidays wish. I hope yours was well also. By the way, I read some more of your "Cold Taste" fanfiction and let me just say that it is amazing! God, Sora sounds like such a hunk! Lucky Namine. I hope to see more chapters for it in the future. That story keeps me on the edge of my seat.
Haretikers- well that's good to know about the whole originality thing lol. Hmm, we'll just have to see if Sora will be able to let go of her. And yes, now he has found someone like him—and a she indeed (laughs).
Wolves4life96- of course because it was so nice and polite. Thank you! XD lol Hope you liked this chapter as well.
Arashi- Definitely uh-oh. And now Namine must stay there for a whole year. Poor Namine, ne?
sAppHiRa-hiMe- I know the feeling Sapphira-chan. My computer got sick last year and it was a pain. It's okay that you didn't get to read last chapter right away; you still read it so that's what counts. Awww, that is so sweet Sapphira-chan! You are so awesome! And yes, Sora is so cool in his Halloween costume. He's just that amazing XD. Anyway, about your question—which I don't mind at all, don't worry about it because I'm happy to clarify—You know how the whole "Pumpkin King" name is a title to Jack in the Nightmare Before Christmas? It's basically the same thing for Sora. He's not an actual prince with crowns and stuff, but he organizes Halloween like Jack and everyone respects him as being so great with Halloween and the festivities. So, it's like a nickname or title among the citizens of Halloween Town that they know him as. Hope that answered your question. If it didn't, I'll try to explain it some other way, kay? Don't be embarrassed if I confused you because as an author, it's not good to confuse the readers or else they won't understand what's going on. Also, love your "Scarlet Temperament" story. It's so great and awesome. You're doing such a great job with it, Sapphira-chan.
DarkxRose13- Awww, thanks (hugs back) Your praises honestly made my day. I hope you continue to like this story.
TwiDawnLight- Glad to see you're so excited about this story. Wishing you continue to enjoy it.
Preview for Chapter Five:
"S-Sora!" she yelled out positively mortified as he snapped out of his trance and ran straight out the door. Her face was completely red like a tomato—identical to his own blush on the other side of the door.
Oh jeez, not even Hayner or Pence made an idiotic mistake such as walking in while she was changing.
End of Preview: What the heck had I left you guys with? (laughs) wonder how Sora made that kind of mistake. Well, then again, it IS Sora. lol
See ya Next time!