A/N: Welcome back to the next chapter of Another Chance to Live. Unbelievably, I received a review a few minutes after I posted the first chapter.
LV-Chan: I'm so glad you like the story! The first chapter was the background for Rayth. I just need to post his appearance, that's all. As for the other characters that'll be in this story… you'll just have to read on.
So, without further ado, here's the second chapter of Another Chance to Live.
Chapter 2: Awakening
My eyes snapped open. The ceiling fan blew soft gusts of wind, rustling my spiky black hair. Light shone through the windows, bringing warmth to the room. The bedside clock was ticking quietly. Each second that passed felt like an hour before I sat up.
Looking around, I learned this: I'm in a girl's bedroom. The bedspread was of a pink color with hearts stitched all over. A pillow of some sort of star-shaped fruit was thrown into the back corner. Clothes spewed from the open overstuffed closet, leaving a large pile of similar skirts and shirts. Even the walls were painted pink.
I stood up and looked down at myself, grinning. "I sure as hell don't fit in with this room," I joked to myself. My dark purple eyes were slightly hidden from my hair. I wore a large black trench coat over my skin-tight purple shirt. The blue gloves I received from Mother several years ago were still on my hands. My baggy dark blue pants were held up by a brown belt with a skull belt buckle. Bandages stained with blood were wrapped around my ankles, just above my dark red shoes.
Where the hell am I?
I turned my head towards the window and walked towards it. Peering outside, I could tell I was on an island, filled with plants and other houses that looked a lot like huts. Fish were strung along hanging lines, ready to be cooked. Young children were playing outside on the paved roads with a blue and white ball. It looked to be an interesting game. I thought that I might as well learn the game while I'm stuck here.
Knock knock knock
I spun around, hearing the tapping of the bedroom door. "Is it okay to come in?" a girl's voice asked. Frantic (and slightly confused), I rushed to the door and slid up against the wall. If she walks in, she won't see me, I thought. The door will hide me once it opens.
I could've sworn I heard stifled giggling on the other side of the door. The doorknob turned slowly before she thrust the door open. As I recall (as much as I despise remembering), the force of the door was so great… well, you can imagine what happened.
Through the great pain I was put through, I could feel the girl run in and close the door. She laughed when she saw me slide down against the wall onto the floor with a giant nosebleed.
When I could look up, I blinked at her. I could tell she definitely owned this room; her pink tank-top, her white undershirt, her pink skirt…it all matched the room. But what really captivated me were her facial features. She had calm blue eyes with a great sparkle of light in each eye. Her beautiful red-pink hair smoothed evenly to her shoulders. Her lips were of a perfect shape; not too red but red enough, and not too puffy and not too shallow.
Welcome to paradise.
She extended a hand to me. "Here, I'll help you up." She was still grinning.
Humiliated and embarrassed, I took her hand as she pulled me up off the ground. As I steadied myself, I rubbed my nose. Blood ran down my fingers. I looked at the girl, who was eyeing me carefully. I couldn't be that interesting to her… can I?
She bowed deeply. "I'm sorry about the nosebleed," she apologized. "I'll get some tissues from the bathroom. Be right back." As she opened the door, she turned her head at me and smiled. "By the way, my name's Kairi."
Still humiliated, I nodded. "Rayth." Her smile widened before she left.
I dropped onto the bed, lying on my back. Is this what the man mean by another chance at life? I tried to remember more of what had happened, but it was all a blur to me. I put my hand over my stomach, where he thrust his Keyblade into me. I found myself in disbelief when I couldn't find the wound. I lifted my shirt up and stared in awe. "Not even a scratch," I murmured to myself in awe.
When I looked up, I blushed. The girl named Kairi was staring at me, a quick flash of light in her eyes. The redness in my cheeks felt uncomfortably warm as I quickly pulled down my shirt. She started walking towards me and wiped my nose with the tissues as if she hadn't seen anything. As she used her third tissue, I smiled to myself. We hardly know each other, yet she treats me like a friend she's known for ages.
She threw away the last tissue as she finished. "There, all better," Kairi chirped. She handed me a mirror. "Take a look." I nodded and looked into it. She was right; the nosebleed was gone.
I smiled as I gave back the mirror. "Thanks," I said with a smile.
Kairi nodded. "It's no big deal," she replied. "It was just a nosebleed." She grinned. "And I'm really sorry about that, slamming the door into your face."
I cocked an eyebrow. "Like that was an accident. I heard you giggling before you did that."
She laughed. "Whatever you say, Rayth." She stood up and headed for the door. "Come on, I'll show you around."
How did she know? I hadn't told her that I have no idea where I am…I stood up and followed her out the door and out of the house.
She stopped a few steps away from the porch and turned around, facing me. Kairi put her hands on her hips. "This is Destiny Islands," she informed me. "A world for those who have an exciting destiny ahead of them. The island we're on now is the main island. Shops, markets, houses, a school, even a blitzball stadium; it's all on this island."
I interrupted her. "Wait, blitzball?"
Kairi nodded. "It's a famous sport that's played in a water sphere. There are six players: three forwards, two defenders, and a goalie. The object is to score the most points by kicking the ball into the opponent's goal box. Make sense?"
I nodded. "Show me the stadium."
Kairi looked at me, slightly surprised. "I guess the other island can wait for now," she replied. "Follow me."
She started running. I followed. I was actually surprised to see her run faster than me; I had a hard time keeping up with her. Sweat started running down my forehead into my eyes, blinding me. I took the bottom of my shirt and wiped the sweat away.
After what seemed like forever, we arrived at the stadium. It was quite big; the round metal stadium stretched a quarter-mile long. It was dome-shaped at the top. I had a feeling it was for the water sphere that the players swam in. I started walking towards it, mesmerized by the beauty and intrigue I felt towards it.
"The doors are over here, if you want to look inside."
I spun around. Kairi started walking towards the stadium entrance, smiling at me. I sighed, feeling myself blush again, and followed her inside.
It looked just as amazing on the inside as it did on the outside. Rows upon rows of seats made up the walls of the stadium. Four giant cannons were placed on the north, south, east, and west ends of the stadium. The water sphere captivated me the most.
"How does the water stay up there?" I asked Kairi.
She shrugged. "It's beyond me," she replied sadly. She glanced over at me and smirked. "You expect me to be some kind of engineer?"
I shook my head wildly.
That's when I noticed a few boys walking towards us.
One of the shorter boys had spiked brown hair and blue eyes. He wore an open white t-shirt with a yellow border along the ends. His blue pants were uneven; his left pants leg was shorter than the other leg. Another boy had a strange red-head hairstyle that seemed to curve upwards towards the front. He wore a pale yellow tunic and blue wristbands. His yellow bellbottom pants had a large 'X' design on each leg. The third boy had spiked blue-gray hair that curved downwards that partly covered his ice-blue eyes. He wore a yellow and white vest over a black undershirt and a large white bandage over his left wrist. His baggy blue jeans were held up by a thin black belt. The last boy had brown hair that spiked in all directions and blue-grey eyes. He had on a strange black jacket with silver shoulder pads over a dark blue undershirt and wore a necklace with a crown on his neck. His black pants were held up with yellow belts and had large red pockets. His gloves were black with silver and yellow bands.
Kairi smiled. "Hey guys, how's practice?"
The short boy shrugged. "Fine, I guess," he replied. "Could've been better. Right, Wakka?"
The redhead named Wakka nodded. "That's right. Tidus wasn't doing too hot in the pool, ya?"
As Tidus frowned and looked away, the grey-haired one spoke. "Practice was fine. As usual." There was something about his voice that sent shivers down my spine. Who is this guy?
I noticed the last guy size me up. I cocked an eyebrow. "Is there something you don't like?"
"Yeah. You."
Welcome to paradise.
