Gathering information

Kairi drove for about an hour before she located Sora's house. Not only did she look on his file for his house address but she also relied on the small info Sora gave her.

"In a blue house; a street before you hit the beach."

When Kairi arrived at her destination she pulled over to the side of the road, put her car in park and got out. She looked up at the small blue house overlooking the beach and sighed. She continued to walk up to the house and knocked softly at the front door. A woman with long straight brown hair opened the door.

"Hello?"

"Hi, my names Kairi. I work at the Destiny Islands Asylum. Your son, Sora; he's my patient." Sora's mom looked struck for a moment than calm.

"Please, Kairi come in." Kairi entered the home and was surprised by how nice the inside of the house looked. As Sora's mom led Kairi to the living room, Kairi looked at the pictures of Sora when he was little and some pictures looked recent. Kairi stopped when she saw a small picture on a table of Sora and a boy with spiky blonde hair. Kairi picked it up slowly and smiled softly.

"Excuse me ma'am…is this Roxas?"

Sora's mom turned around surprised. "How do you know him?"

"Sora used to talk about him sometimes when we were together."

Sora's mom walked over to Kairi and looked at the picture of Sora and Roxas when they were young playing with wooden swords.

"Strange, Sora never talks about his brother…not even to me." Kairi looked up at Sora's mom shocked.

"Oh, I'm sorry I didn't mean to-"

Sora's mom cut Kairi off. "No, it's quite alright. It's a good thing."

"Good thing?"

"It means Sora trusts you. His trust has been hard to gain since what happened."

"I don't mean to intrude but, doesn't he trust you? I mean you are his mother." Sora's mom shook her head sadly and walked towards the couch. Kairi turned back to the picture and smiled softly. She set it back down softly on the table and followed Sora's mom to the couch.

"Would you like anything to drink Kairi?"

Kairi shook her head. "Oh, no. I'm fine." Sora's mom sat in the chair across from the couch while Kairi sat on the couch.

"So, is your visit here pleasant or trouble?"

"Neither, actually I just wanted to talk to you…about Sora."

"He isn't getting better…is he? I guess I can relate…" Sora's mom folded her hands in her lap and looked down.

Kairi sensed what she was thinking. "Oh, Sora's um…fine if that's what you were asking…that's another reason I'm here. Who put Sora in the Asylum?"

"My doctor. Sora went to visit him and told him what was going on and he recommended afterwards that he be put there."

"I think you need a new doctor."

Sora's mom looked up. "What are you saying?"

"Sora, he's fine. There's nothing mentally wrong with him. He's sane, healthy, and normal."

"Then can he come home?"

Kairi looked at Sora's mom upset. She can't tell her what's going on; it'll only make things worse.

"He's uh, not available to leave yet."

"You said he was normal."

"I said he was normal. For some reason, only I see it. Believe me; I'm fighting my hardest to get him out."

This made Sora's mom smile. "No wonder he trusts you." Kairi looked up shocked.

"Anything else you need?"

Kairi exhaled slowly. "Sort of. Can you tell me who Sora's father was? It's important and wasn't on his file…"

Sora's mom's smile faded into a sad frown. She got up, walked over to the wall beside the kitchen and lifted off a photo on the wall. She walked back to Kairi and handed her the picture.

"His name was Oliver. (AN: First name that popped into my head…) He died when the boys were little."

Kairi stared at the picture. It was a man with short brown blonde hair and blue eyes. He looked like Roxas. He was dressed in a military uniform.

"I'm sorry to ask but, did he die in war?"

"No, he was a fisherman on the side. He died in a boating accident one night. There was a hurricane at one of the other islands. The winds were too strong and…he lost control."

"I'm so sorry…"

"Don't be. It's okay…"

'Died in a boating accident?' Kairi thought. 'She lost her husband, then a few years later she lost Roxas…Sora's all she has now…I have to find him.'

Kairi handed Sora's mom the picture. "Do you mind if I go to Sora's room? Just to look around. I wanna get to know him better."

"Up the stairs, down the hall, last door."

Kairi nodded. "Thank you."

Kairi stood up and walked over to the stairs. She walked up them and turned into the hallway and walked all the way to the last door. She opened the door slowly and walked into a dark blue room. Over to the left was a desk with a lamp and some papers that looked like homework. Over to the right was a dresser and a small loveseat couch in front of a small flat screen television. On the floor there were clothes everywhere. Straight ahead there was a bed next to a window that overlooked a small island. Kairi entered the room slowly and closed the door behind her. The only light in the room was from the window. Kairi didn't want the light on because she wanted it dark. Remembering what Sora said about Darkness, she hoped he would show if it was dark enough. Surely enough there was a breeze past her face.

Kairi smiled softly. "I really like your room. It's quaint…your mom is nice too."

"She always is."

Kairi turned around and saw Sora sitting on the couch. He looked the same as he did in the Asylum. Except his skin wasn't black. His clothes were still shrouded in black though; same with his hair and his eyes were still yellow. 'He must be fighting it' Kairi thought. Kairi walked over to the couch and sat next to Sora.

"Are you fighting it?"

"I'm trying the best I can."

"You need to try harder. I mean, your Mom already lost Roxas and Oliver…she doesn't need to lose you too."

"I know. It's hard."

"Well, try as hard as you can. For your mom, for me."

Sora looked up at Kairi and saw her shake a little from his eyes. Who wouldn't? "I am…believe me."

Kairi sighed. "Can you still hear him? Roxas that is…"

Sora shook his head. "I stopped hearing him right after the darkness took over…before it; no…before I killed Selphie…"

Kairi inched closer to Sora. "Don't say that. You didn't kill her, you were controlled. The Sora I know wouldn't kill."

"How would you know…you've only known me for…almost a month."

"But in that month I got to know the true you. Doesn't that count for something?"

Sora looked up at Kairi and smiled. "I guess it does." Kairi smiled. Sora's head quickly snapped towards the door. "Mom…I can't let her see me like this…"

Kairi turned towards the door and heard footsteps coming up the stairs. She quickly turned back to Sora to see him fading away.

"Wait, don't go."

"I have to, but promise me something? I need you to tell my Mom something…" Sora leaned into Kairi's ear and whispered. Kairi's eyes widened.

The door opened and Kairi turned around to see Sora's mom.

"Sorry to interrupt you dear, but I have to go to the hospital for test and you should probably leave since I won't be here."

Kairi smiled. "It's alright; I was just getting ready to leave anyways." Kairi and Sora's mom advanced down the stairs and towards the front door. Before Kairi left she turned towards Sora's mother. "Oh, one more thing. Sora wanted me to tell you that… 'V' said hi." Sora's mom turned around and stared at Kairi. She slowly nodded and walked towards the kitchen. Kairi walked outside, closed the front door and walked to her car. She unlocked the door, sat in the driver's seat, fastened her seatbelt and put the car in drive. She took one more look at the house and drove off.

When Kairi finally arrived at her house, she parked the car, unlocked the front door to her home and entered. Kairi shut the door once inside and sighed. She threw the keys on a table and headed upstairs. Once she got to the hallway, she saw her sister's door opened, and a small light was coming from it. 'It's really late…why is she still up?'

Kairi walked up to her sister's door and opened it slowly.

"Namin'e?" There was a small light in the room from a lamp in the corner. In the center of the room there was a boy sitting on his knees cradling Namin'e in his arms. He was facing Kairi so she could see him better in the light. He had spiky blond hair and shiny blue eyes. He was cradling Namin'e in his arms and holding her tightly. Namin'e seemed to be asleep since she wasn't moving, however she seemed out of it.

"Roxas?" Kairi and the boy looked towards a dark corner in the room to see Sora standing there puzzled. "What are you doing here?"

Kairi turned back towards the boy. "You're Roxas…but you look older than when you died..." Kairi was indeed correct. Roxas looked the same age as Sora.

"You are Kairi? She kept saying your name…calling you."

"What are you doing…?" Sora looked just as surprised to see Roxas as Kairi.

Roxas slowly looked down at Namin'e then back up at Sora. "He's coming. He wants to finish what he started. First with Namin'e…than you…than her…" He looked back up at Kairi.

Sora flashed next to Kairi and put his hand on her shoulder. "What does he want?"

"Didn't you hear me? To finish what he started. All from the beginning, to make an end. From the deaths he's caused to the darkness he's created. He's coming, and he won't stop until he's done."

Kairi looked towards Roxas confused. "Who Roxas? Who is he?"

"You mean you don't know?"

Sora looked at Roxas pleadingly. "Roxas…don't…"

"She needs to know Sora!"

"Just tell me! Who's coming!" Roxas looked back at Kairi and sighed. Sora moved behind Kairi and put both his hands on each shoulder.

"The one who we are all connected to. The one who screwed up all of our lives…"

Sora's grip tightened on Kairi until she winced. Kairi could sense Sora's uneasiness.

"Vanitas."

Just the name was enough. Enough to fuel Kairi's anger, enough to bring back emotions and memories that she didn't want to be brought back. She turned towards Sora and saw the same feelings and emotions run through his eyes. Roxas looked down towards Namin'e and tightened his grip.

"He came for her…I stopped him but in the end she fainted. I've been here all day, watching over her…waiting for him to return just so I can rip him to pieces…"

Kairi looked over her shoulder to Roxas and mumbled a thank you only to receive a nod in return. She turned back to Sora and stared into his eyes again. Sora wrapped his arms around Kairi and sighed.

"Sora, what's wrong?"

"Kairi…when I was in the Darkness, I wasn't alone. He was there. He told me to tell you to tell my Mom that he said hello. I don't know why, but I felt something when I was with him. Some sort of connection. In the darkness he had his own little world and own little hideout. Kairi…I think I saw your mom but I was afraid to tell you because…"

"Because what? Please Sora tell me!"

Sora shook his head. "I can't…"

"Please Sora…" Kairi took Sora's face into her hands.

Sora sighed. "She wasn't tied up or restrained or anything. She was walking around free roam. Kairi, your mom also tortured me…I didn't want to tell you this because, I think she's working with Vanitas."

Kairi shook her head defensively. "No, she hurt you?"

Sora nodded. "Kairi, I'm so sorry…" Kairi went into Sora's chest and sobbed quietly. Roxas looked at Sora as if he read his mind. They both exchanged looks that told each other's story. One was apologetic while the other was appalled and disgusted. Sora flashed out of the room with Kairi and into her room. He laid her softly on her bed as she cried herself to sleep.

"I'll be right back…" Sora whispered into her ear.

Sora flashed back into the darkness, into Vanitas's hideout. He walked around the room and stopped. He looked around to see nothing but darkness. He looked towards one of the walls to see a woman in chains strapped to the wall, slumped on the ground; tired and abused. She raised her head up towards Sora and frowned angrily at him. Sora looked towards the women upset and mumbled an 'I'm sorry' before hearing a voice boom from the darkness.

"Did you do as I instructed?"

Sora sighed ashamed and looked forward into the darkness.

"Yes. I did what you asked. Kairi now thinks that her mother is responsible for this whole mess. That she's hurting me inside the darkness…that she's your accomplice."

"Good." A man emerged from the darkness. He had spiky black hair and a cold smooth voice that could send chills down anyone's spine. Vanitas. He opened his eyelids to expose his bright golden eyes that shone through the darkness. "Let's keep it that way."

"The deal is still on right?"

Vanitas scoffed. "Of course. You do as I say, and the woman goes free…"

"And Namin'e and Kairi are unharmed."

Vanitas let out a small laugh. "Spare me the lecture boy. I know our bargain."

"If you break it and hurt her…I swear I'll-"

"You'll what? Break my bones? Make me bleed until I run out? Please, you really think that you can harm me? In MY world?" Vanitas turned around and left.

Sora sighed. He looked over towards the women.

"I know that you think I'm doing this for me. For selfish reasons...I just want to let you know, I am ashamed of what I'm doing. Not just with Vanitas…but lying to my own brother, to Kairi…I would never do anything to harm her or let anyone harm her. I'm doing this so you guys can be a family again."

Sora walked closer to the lady.

"Aqua…I care about your daughter. I'll take care of her until my end. I promise."

Aqua lifted her head to the boy and sighed.

"How do I know I can trust you? I've been told those words before, I'm no fool."

"Because I'm not him. We may look alike for some strange reason, but we are not the same."

Aqua shook her head. "Still not good enough."

"Fine, than how 'bout this?" Sora leaned down and whispered into Aqua's ear. Aqua's eyes widened and looked Sora deeply in the face.

"You mean it? You better not be lying to me or I swear when I get out of here, I'm coming after you first."

Sora shook his head. "Why would I lie about this? You can see it in my eyes, can't you?"

Aqua sighed in defeat. Sora flashed out and back into Kairi's room.

He crawled into bed with Kairi and covered them both in the sheets. When he was comfortable he cuddled into Kairi.

Sora thought about what he told Aqua. Honestly, he meant ever word.