Hiyaaa!

So, yay, third chapter! It's not as long as last one, but I felt it didn't need to go on and on...
I sketched what I think Ghost looks like, and it turned out okay for a first sketch (except the feet... feet will forever be my greatest nemesis). When I can be bothered I will post it up, if you'd like. :)
I also don't think I'll be updating as often in these two weeks, as I've just thought I have two pieces of science coursework to finish, some music coursework, geography exam practice questions to do, writing for Art case studies and three A3 paintings for my final piece... all of which I think are due in around after Easter-ish. (I think we can have as long as we like on the final piece, actually...)
Anywho, on with the story!

Lots of love
Nai x

She lay back on the bed in her room, freshly showered and redressed in her brand new clothes. Her boots stood on the floor besides her as she relaxed, keeping her eyes firmly closed. The noise of the engine was muffled through the thick yellow and red walls of the Gummi Ship, but every so often the whole thing jolted suddenly as Donald tried his best to manoeuvre around the onslaught of Heartless.

The three travellers had told Ghost to jump through the large crescent shaped window in the Mysterious Tower, failing at first to explain that they had a ship hovering beneath ready and waiting to catch them. Reluctantly, she had jumped – landing in the cockpit of what she was told to be the Gummi Ship.

The interior of the contraption was much much bigger than the out, and Ghost suspected a few tricky bits of magic were to blame. It had two bedrooms – each with two small beds, a few chests of drawers and a desk bearing notepads and drawing paper alike; probably for Sora to pass time with while travelling between worlds. There was a sitting room and a kitchen area, with a breakfast bar that doubled as a dining table as well. And last, but most definitely not least, a large sparkling bathroom which Ghost had claimed the minute she entered.

After she'd washed and Donald had set course for Destiny Islands (here Sora blushed and mumbled something about saying goodbye properly), the trio minus aforementioned duck had sat her down in the sitting room and began to explain their long and winding tale – from the storm of Heartless that started it all to what the Heartless actually were, and from that to the Organisation XIII and an in-depth explanation of Nobodies and the workings of the heart. Listening to it all, Ghost couldn't help but feel pity for the happy-go-lucky brunette. So much had been taken from him, and yet his laugh was as hearty as ever.

She briefly wondered if she'd ever laugh as freely as that again.

With a sigh, she pushed herself from the pillows just as the door opened, and Sora walked in with a towel draped over his head, flattening his gravity-defying haircut. He gave her a friendly grin before throwing himself onto the bed next to her.

"I think we're moving this bed into Donald and Goofy's room… y'know… 'Cause you're a girl."

She raised an eyebrow. "How observant."

He rolled his eyes and began drying his hair roughly, standing up so he could move freely. She watched him in silence, cracking a smile as the ship shook again and he almost lost his balance, banging his toe against the desk.

"DONALD!"

"Sor-ry!"

She let out a small giggle, receiving a sharp glare in return. "Shut up."

"Sorry."

"Was that sarcasm?"

"No," she replied sarcastically, sliding off the bed and slipping her boots on. She grabbed the scabbard and shield from the desk and belted them on, before leaving Sora to do whatever. Making a quick pit-stop at the fridge for a chocolate bar, she went on to the cockpit, quietly edging inside so as not to disturb.

"Finally!" Donald quacked, leaning back in his seat with an 'aww yeah' kind of expression as the ship began to drift down towards an island.

"Hyuk, we're here! Better tell Sora."

"Tell Sora what?" Sora asked, walking bluntly into the room with slightly damp hair.

"It would appear we have arrived," Ghost said after swallowing a piece of chocolate.

No one could really help grinning back at the expression on Sora's face as he jumped gleefully and went to disembark – until he stopped himself, looking at the food in the female's hand. "…Where did you get that?"

She took a moment before answering. "… The fridge."

"THAT'S MINE!"

Ghost walked slowly behind the rest of the group eating Sora's chocolate, as he marched ahead of them with a defeated look marring his face. She watched the shore casually; the tranquil, rippling waves that rolled a short way up the white sand before retreating back to the aquamarine ocean. Pretty pink and purple shells lay scattered occasionally among the driftwood, left behind by the waxing and waning tide. It was a peaceful place to stroll; and from what she'd heard off Sora, this wasn't even the main island.

"Sora…?"

Ghost paused to turn around in the direction the voice came from. A girl no younger than herself stood awkwardly where they'd just walked, her dark pink hair falling in gentle waves to mid-back. She wore a pair of pale blue denim shorts much like the ones Ghost owned previously, with a white lace smock top secured under her bust. She carried some white slip-on plimsolls in her hand by her side, while the other was clenched in front of her chest.

Ghost looked back at the brunette, but he was facing the other way. "Um… Sora…"

"What is it now? You finished my choc-oh." He grinned, the smile almost reaching his ears. "Kairi!"

"Sora!" The pinkette shrieked, dropping her shoes on the sand and jumping into his arms, legs wrapped securely around his waist. "What were you thinking, you idiot! Riku and I knew you were leaving, but without saying goodbye first! And in the middle of the night!"

"Hey, hey!" He chuckled, trying to prise her off. "I was kidnapped by those two – don't blame me!" He pointed in the general direction of his animal comrades (who had begun whistling innocently), as Ghost stepped backwards, turning towards the horizon again. Her mind drifted off into rambling thought as she purposefully ignored the reunion going on behind her; deliberately overlooked the small ache her chest felt. Theoretically speaking, if she had had friends before, would she ever get a reunion with them? The more she unwillingly thought about it, however, the more she began to feel like she didn't really want one at all. It would hurt their feelings if they found out she had no idea who they were. She was starting to get quite annoyed at this whole lack of memory thing.

Suddenly, she felt something whack her bare shoulder – and she looked to find a warm hand, which lead up to a smirking face half-concealed beneath shining silver hair.

"So who's this then, Sora? Found a new girl to woo?" He joked, spinning the white haired girl around so everyone could look at her. She felt her cheeks slightly burn at the attention, and tried to seem indifferent about it.

"Oh shut it, Riku. That's just Ghost – Yen Sid asked me to look after her."

Ghost looked at the sand, which suddenly became a lot more interesting. …Just Ghost? Look after her? Thanks a lot Sora, make me look like some weak, helpless little weirdo who can't go to the bathroom without assistance.

"Well, it's nice to meet you, Ghost," the pinkette grinned, holding a hand out in greeting. "I'm Kairi."

Gulping down her brief irritation, she returned the gesture, pulling away quickly after. "Yeah… ditto."

"Don't talk much, do you?" The taller boy mused. "I'm Riku. Nice name, by the way."

"…Thanks."

"SO," Sora cut in, grinning. "Are you guys coming with?"

Kairi and Riku shared a look. "We… don't think so, Sora. Sorry," Kairi answered gently, adding a quick apology on the end.

Sora looked a little taken aback, but nodded nonetheless, smiling sadly. "Guess I can't change your minds, then. Ah, well." He chuckled at his obvious disappointment. "I suppose I'll see you soon, then?"

"Aren't you staying a while?" She asked hopefully, picking her shows back off the sand. Riku walked over to her and put a hand on her shoulder, shaking his head. She visibly drooped, before looking back at Sora's sad smile. "Well, then…" she began. "Don't lose my lucky charm. Be sure to bring it back to me!"

Sora laughed at some hidden joke laced within her words, nodding. "I wouldn't dare do anything else."

He turned towards where Ghost had edged over to Donald and Goofy, now standing beside them watching the scene awkwardly. "We going?"

Donald nodded and began to lead them back to the ship as everyone followed, Sora looking back over his shoulder as he walked.

"Don't die!" Riku called, waving cheerily. "We have complete faith in you, Mr. Keyblade Master!"

"Come home soon!" Kairi shouted, jumping up and down as she waved with him.

Sora laughed at his best friends, nodding as he reached the rope ladder stemming from the side of the Gummi Ship. "Will do! It won't take long for me to get rid of this new threat – I mean; I did defeat Maleficent and Organisation XIII."

"Ahem! We helped!" Donald called angrily from beside Goofy, who laughed good-heartedly. They were already in the ship, and they moved into the cockpit to start the engine as Sora climbed aboard and pulled in the ladder.

"Yeah, yeah…"

"Bye!" The two teenagers on the beach yelled, flailing their arms frantically and Sora copied them. "Stay safe!"

"Remember your promise!" Kairi called, smiling softly at him.

His face exploded into colour and he nodded quickly. "See ya!" He shouted back, his eyes watering as he left his best friends behind for the third time.

And all throughout, Ghost watched him with jealous eyes from the corner of the room.

"Any sign of her?"

"N-no, not yet, sir."

The man growled, and the smaller brunette gulped as he felt hot flames dance at his back. His fingers worked quicker on the translucent rectangle, and he could tell it wouldn't be long before the blisters came.

Stupid Eon and your stupid pushoverness, stupid, stupid, stupid.

"What about the others?"

Eon frowned to himself as he brought up a new window on the rectangle – this time showing the flickering image of a young blonde sitting atop a roof, her face showing her boredom plain as day. "Only those who we already knew about. There's been no change, Boss."

The boss sighed; reaching up into his hood to massage his closed eyes, soothing the throbbing that he knew was the start of a stress-related headache.

Meanwhile, the blonde from the image stretched lazily, cracking her joints to get rid of the stiff ache that resided there. Her steely blue irises disappeared as she fluttered her eyelids in the dying sunlight, resting back on her palms to bask in the slowly dissipating golden rays.

She had lost count of the hours that dragged by as she watched the town below her bustle noisily. People watching was one of her favourite pastimes – she always used to sit on top of inn where she stayed and overlook the market place as it began to quiet down. She found that sunset was the best time to see interesting characters; those who liked to avoid rowdy crowds, those who were busy all day, and those who were lazy. Many more, as well. Dawn and dusk were her favourite times.

She pulled her legs up to her chest, resting her chin on her knees. Her eyelids fluttered tiredly as she watched.

I want to go home.