Chapter 8

Kairi sighed, "The papers reached them."

Ventus nodded, "What are we going to do? Before long they'll want us to fight."

"I know," Kairi sighed, "I haven't thought that far ahead yet."

Ventus swallowed.

"I know," Kairi shook her head. I wish I had just stayed with Yensid. I wouldn't have any of these things to worry about. I wish we had never built that stupid raft. I would have been able to stay out of this.

"Kairi?" Ventus asked.

"Yeah?" Kairi jumped slightly as he pulled her out of her thoughts.

"You alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," Kairi nodded.

"Are they destroyed?" Xehanort asked.

"No," Kairi bowed her head, "They had the assistance of a mouse." She glanced up and nodded, "I'm sure you're familiar with the mouse I speak of."

"Yes I am," Xehanort snarled.

Kairi nodded.

"Very well," Xehanort seemed very angry, "We will leave the boys to the heartless. We have more important things to do." He motioned for them to follow them as he led the way. They arrived in a part of the castle Kairi had never been in before. Kairi swallowed nervously. This part of the castle was eerily lit with the torches that sat on the walls at regular intervals. The walls were black and polished and reflective. A cold draft blew through the hallway and Kairi shivered. It's cold. I'm scared. I wish I hadn't done this. I wish I had listened to Sora and Riku. Oh well. It's too late now. You got yourself into this mess and you have to get yourself out. She glanced over her shoulder. Ventus looked as uneasy as she felt. She swallowed.

"I want you two to fight each other," Xehanort smirked, "Don't worry. It's not the real fight yet but I want to personally assess your progress and see if I need to just cut you and pick someone else."

Kairi nodded. She looked at Ventus.

He sighed and shrugged.

"Of course."

"Good."

"Why can't we just do it outside like we usually do?" Ventus asked.

"Are you arguing with me Svextun?"

"No!" Ventus shook his head quickly.

"Good."

Kairi cringed. Uh-oh. I think I just got us in trouble. Ugh! I'm so not good at this.

Xehanort watched them fight. The two of them were almost an even match for each other. Kairi came out on top with Ventus on the ground but only once he had started to slow down. Xehanort nodded. Perfect. The Princess will be the one to win. That's just what I need. Once I begin the fight to the death then she will defeat him and then I will turn her fully to the darkness. With the Final Princess in my grasp I will be able to open Kingdom Hearts and absorb its power. He smiled, "Perfect."

The fight ended. Kairi came out on top. Ventus pulled himself out of the ground.

"Good," Xehanort walked up to them with his hands clasped behind his back, "Very good." He had a sly smirk on his face, "You two may go."

Kairi nodded and led the way back up the stairs. They hung out in the front courtyard. "Ventus."

Ventus glanced at her in surprise, "Yeah? Kairi is something wrong?"

"You can leave," Kairi shook her head, "I don't want you to get wrapped up in this any more than you already have."

"And leave you behind?" Ventus shook his head, "No way."

"I can handle it," Kairi insisted, "It was my idea. You don't have to pay the price for it."

"I promised to help you," Ven insisted, "I keep my promises, especially the ones I make to my friends. I'm not going anywhere."

"I'm asking you to leave," Kairi said, "so you don't get destroyed. I can handle it. I got us into this mess. You may be the only one I can get out of it. I will take the consequences of my choice."

"Then I will take the consequences of mine," Ventus nodded, "I'm not leaving you here. I said I would help you with this and I will."

"Leave," Kairi pleaded, "I'll tell them you were destroyed by Sora and Riku."

"No," Ven shook his head, "I'm not leaving you here."

Kairi growled, "Go, I don't want you to be killed because of me!"

"But it won't be because of you," Ven smiled, "I will die because of the choices I make. I'm okay with that."

Kairi sighed, "Alright."

"We got into this together and we'll get out of it together," Ventus nodded, "Probably with a little help from Sora and Riku."

Kairi nodded, "Yeah."

"You two have a new mission."

Kairi looked over her shoulder to see Xigbar walking up to them.

"What?"

"The two boys are fighting an army of heartless," he paused, "again. Xehanort wants you to go assist the heartless and destroy the boys if you can. He has faith that you will be able to but he doesn't want to his newest volunteers."

Ventus nodded, "Alright."

Kairi stood and opened a corridor of darkness before flipping up her hood. She walked calmly into it. Ventus followed, putting on his own hood.

"Those two are slick," Xigbar smirked, "They got the boys the papers in no time at all. They have too much time on their hands." He shrugged and walked away, "You two are lucky I like you."

Kairi joined the battle with the heartless. Sora and Riku were handily destroying them. She smiled.

"It's those two again," Sora sighed.

"We don't want a fight," Riku stated firmly.

"Okay," Kairi nodded.

"That's good because we aren't here to fight," Ventus added.

"We wanted to tell you that the last Princess of Heart has been captured and if you don't get there in time," Kairi made a pouting face.

"Then she might just open Kingdom Hearts and there's nothing you can do," Ventus forced a laugh.

"Leave Kairi alone!" Sora stepped forward.

Kairi laughed, "We haven't done anything to her. She's our honored guest. We wouldn't dare hurt her, not until she serves her purpose."

Riku said nothing but his glare was enough to kill.

Kairi cringed. They're going to be so pissed off. They're not gonna trust me after this. I'm going to be alone. I don't want to be alone.

"Touch Kairi and we will destroy you," Riku promised.

Kairi put her hand on her hip, "Oh, are the little boys making threats."

"We're not little!" Sora snarled, "We're both taller than you."

"Hmm, touché," Kairi nodded.

Sora and Riku exchanged shocked glances.

"We told you. She's our honored guest. We won't hurt her until she opens Kingdom Hearts," Ventus did his best to sound and look annoyed.

"Then, if you two aren't there to rescue her," Kairi smirked, "and trust me, it won't be easy, she'll get destroyed."

"We're just here to extend the invitation to our grand victory," Ventus shrugged.

"Then we'll come early," Riku promised.

"Perfect," Kairi turned and opened a corridor of darkness.

"See you there," Ventus nodded. He followed her through it.