A/N: Okay people…I am going to give it to you straight. I am getting a little fed up with the whole read and not review thing. I have one person who has reviewed my story so far… one! Over 300 hits and only 2 reviews! Normally I wouldn't be upset about this; however, the Mavericks playoff series with the Golden State Warriors has me an emotional bundle of nerves! (And I'm sitting alone in the dark because it's storming outside and my electricity went out…) ARG! So…in the words of my most favorite villain of all time: "Throw me a friggin' bone here!" I promise I will not cry if you flame me!!! REVIEW PLEASE! Okay…here's chapter 5…
Departure
The firm rhythm of her feet hitting the compact sand was music to Kairi's ears. The early morning sunrise flooded the beach in all its splendor as it commenced the dawning of a new day…a new adventure. She tightened her grip on the bags hanging loosely on her shoulder as she ran towards the docks. In all her excitement, she had gotten very little sleep the previous night. She couldn't help but look forward to finally getting to be a part of the action…not just a bystander.
Being kidnapped by Axel and being held captive by the Organization was motivation enough to learn some self defense; and in the past six months Kairi had been spent nearly everyday secretly training. Riku had even spent a few days teaching her some basic maneuvers before he left. However, she kept it hidden from Sora with the knowledge that he would most definitely object to it; but she somehow hoped that her new found skills would prove useful during their voyage.
She smiled as she neared the docks and noticed Sora's figure perched on the edge. "Hey you! I was starting to get worried you might decide to leave without me." she called out.
He responded simply by waving and slowly getting to his feet. She frowned as she approached; his usual carefree stance and goofy grin were replaced by awkward stature and a troubled frown. "Sora? What's wrong? And don't say nothing."
He smiled meekly at her as she crossed the long wooden dock towards him. "I just didn't sleep well last night. That's all…" he averted his eyes and motioned to his boat. "Shall we?"
She eyed him suspiciously, but just as well, climbed in the small boat that was already loaded with several bags. Sora quickly followed and began the short row to their tiny island. In the time it took to reach the shores, Sora's frown had deepened and thick wrinkles creased his brow in concern. He didn't say a thing, which wasn't too abnormal for Sora in the mornings…he's really not a morning person… But Kairi could feel that this was a forced silence, as if he were keeping something from her.
"Sora…"
"Hmmm?"
She placed a reassuring hand on his knee as he continued rowing towards the shoreline. "Whatever is happening…to you…whatever it is…I know that we can figure it out." She smiled as she squeezed his knee. "Together…we can do this."
He blushed and smiled faintly at her before securing the boat to the new dock. He stood up clumsily in the boat and offered a hand to help Kairi onto the dock, but as she stood up the small boat shifted under her weight and rocked violently to one side. Kairi yelped and latched onto Sora's waist to steady herself. As she clung to him, Sora erupted in fits of laughter. "Thanks Kai," he gasped between breaths while Kairi managed to regain her balance, "You always know how to cheer me up!"
She smiled back as she salvaged her composure and climbed onto the dock. "Well, I'm so glad that it only took me almost falling out of the boat and drowning to lift your spirits!" she replied in mock sarcasm as he began handing her the bags.
"Sora? What's in all of these anyways?" she asked as he climbed out of the boat and loaded himself with the bags.
"Mostly left over potions and junk from my last trips…" he noted the worried expression briefly pass over her face. "You know, just in case. I'm sure we won't need them…" he smiled as they made their way towards the cove where the gummi ship was hidden.
"Yeah," Kairi replied hesitantly as she clutched her bag closer to her side. "I'm sure we won't either."
As they neared the alcove that held the gummi ship hidden from plain sight, a realization suddenly struck Kairi. "What if the paths between the worlds were broken? How do you know if they are still connected?"
"I don't." Sora answered flatly without turning around. "The King said in his message that he would keep the gateway open between Disney Castle and Destiny Islands. I can only guess that's where Riku went. Hopefully that's only as far as we have to go…" He stopped in front of a tall curtain of vines and grass, and dropped his bags as he started pulling the camouflage from the ship,
Kairi nodded in response, although she had a strange feeling that this adventure would not be that easy.
It didn't take long to get the ship uncovered, load their luggage, and board. In a matter of about 15 minutes they were seated in the cockpit and strapping themselves in to prepare for launch. "Sora?" Kairi squeaked nervously, "I've uh…I've never really flown before." She shifted uncomfortably in her seat "Can you just, you know, take it easy?"
He smiled at her reassuringly as he flipped switches and started the engines. "Don't worry Kai. I'm an expert!" he puffed his chest and smiled his signature goofy grin at her as the boosters underneath them hummed to life.
She clutched the arms of her chair as the ship vibrated roughly around her.
"You ready?"
She squeezed her eyes shut and nodded her head stiffly. The boosters roared to life and the ship lunged forward abruptly. She cringed as her stomach fell to her heels and she felt the ground drop quickly from underneath the ship. He body trembled all over as the momentum dug her outline into the back of her seat. She puffed out her cheeks as her stomach did flip flops and she strongly resisted the urge to loose her breakfast. With her eyes still shut tightly, she tightened her grip on the chair arms and felt her whole body stiffen nervously. She was so preoccupied with trying to hold back the contents of her stomach, in fact, that she did even notice when the G forces eased their pull on her as the ship entered autopilot.
"Kairi?" she uneasily opened her eyes to see a playful cerulean gleam staring back at her. "You okay?"
She breathed a deep sigh of relief as she realized that she had, indeed, survived the take off. "Yeah, yeah… I'm fine."
"Yeah…I'm not convinced." He unbuckled her belt and offered her a hand, "Come on, I think you should go lay down…"
Still feeling queasy, she nodded shyly in agreement, "That sounds nice." She took his hand and followed him to the sleeping quarters underneath the cockpit.
He helped her through the narrow corridor into the room. She smiled thankfully at him as she eased onto the bed.
"Just rest for a while." He said soothingly, "I probably should have warned you about the nausea. Don't worry, you'll get used to it…" he turned to head back up to the cockpit.
"Sora?" she called as she reached out to grab his hand in hers.
"Yeah?" he turned back to face her.
She smiled warmly at him. "I'm really glad I'm here…with you…"
"Me too." He squeezed her hand affectionately and returned her smile before sliding the door shut behind him and returning to the cockpit.
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A/N: Man…two chapters in one day…Don't forget to REVIEW! ) By the way, I plan on revealing some of Kairi's "new skills" in the next chapter… so stay tuned!