Summary: When they were younger, it wasn't just the two of them. Namine and Kairi are twins that had an adopted sister since the age of three. A few years later their sister is taken from them. As time progresses they keep in touch with her through letters, and by her every now and then stopping by when she can. Now, ten years later, she's back, for good, the deal that was made all those years ago fullfilled so she can finally reunite with the ones she calls family. But the job she left needs her back halfway into her vacation, and for more dire circumstances. Now their older sister is working to keep her siblings safe as they are pulled into her world, one she was hoping they'd never have to enter in the first place.
Seen that ray of light
And it's shining on my destiny
Shining all the time
And I won't be afraid
To follow everywhere it's taking me
All I know is yesterday is gone
And right now I belong
To this moment to my dreams
So I won't give up
No I won't break down
Sooner than it seems life turns around
And I will be strong
Even if it all goes wrong
When I'm standing in the dark I'll still believe
Someone's watching over me
The night was calm, the entire home currently basking in the peacefulness. Kairi and Namine, just six years old at the time, were sitting in their rooms, waiting for their sister to come and explain to them what was wrong like they always did. Kairi's short red hair was absolutely still as she sat on her bed, hugging her legs to her chest as she stared at the door across from her bed. Namine's pale blond hair was being twisted nervously in her fingers as she too sat on her sister's bed. Every now and then you could hear the slight raise of a voice before it would immediately died down. That's what had been going on for the past hour, and it was slowly eating at the two girls.
Finally the door opened and they both watched as their older sister came in. Long black hair that fell straight down to her upper back, with unique black eyes staring at them, just a shade lighter than her pupils. She was pretty pale, but not sickly, and she wasn't as pale as the two younger girls. She was only ten, but a good four years older than them. She smiled slightly at the two girls on the bed. "Shadow, what's wrong?" The girl smiled at their name for her, and sat down in front of them on the bed.
"Nothing's wrong you two, just some unexpected events came up, that's all." She sighed and ran a hand through her hair, looking older than what she really was. "I have to go away for a bit. OK?"
"But why sissy?" Namine asked quietly, still playing with her hair nervously.
"Some people need help and they asked me to be the one to help them, so I agreed." she said it with a smile, and the two girls were still to young to noticed the sadness in her eyes.
"When will you be back?" Kairi asked curiously.
"I'm...not really sure. But I promise, I'll keep in touch, OK?" She could see both girls borderline tears. Holding back a sigh she sat Indian style and Namine came over to crawl on her lap, the older girl wrapping her arms around her small waist. "Don't worry guys, it won't be that bad."
"But you won't be here!" Kairi said with a small sob, climbing over and feeling her arm wrap around her as well.
"I know kiddo." She said quietly, and took a deep breath so she could stable her voice again. "I'm sorry." She held the two tight, like she didn't want to let them go, because that would mean she would have too leave.
They heard a knocking on the front door and Shadow's eyes narrowed. Both girls were borderline passing out so she carefully climbed out from under them, taking Namine and carrying her to her bed before tucking her in before placing a soft kiss on her forehead. She repeated this process with Kairi before walking to the door and slowly opening it. "Be carefully sissy." Namine said quietly, just barely a whisper.
Shadow gulped and nodded before stepping out and closing the door, the soft click signaling her departure for the next three years.
XXXXXX
Namine's eyes snapped open and she pushed herself up, wildly looking around her room. When she didn't see anything out of the ordinary she bit her lip before sliding out of bed, her soft white nightgown flowing slightly as she walked out of her bedroom and down the hall. Footsteps silent, she her way quickly to her destination before she found herself in front of a solid wood door. Carefully opening it she walked in and to the large bed against the center wall.
Red hair spilled across the pillow as Kairi slept, however she had the slightest frown on her face, something that was rare to see. Namine gently shook her sister's shoulder. "Kairi." she whispered. It only took a moment before her sister woke up, looking slightly startled briefly before her features softened. "What's wrong Namine?"
"I had a dream about Shadow again." They'd call her Shadow for as long as they could remember, that was their nickname for her, but professionally they called her Shade. Just something they had come up with and it has stuck. No one really called her by her real name.
Kairi's eyes went sad as she nodded, scooting over so Namine could sit next to her. "Do you think she's OK?"
"I'm sure she is. After all these years of being fine why would she slip up now?" Kairi said with some cheer in her voice, and Namine smiled.
"Yeah. I'm really glad she made our performance. Just wished I could have seen her." Shadow had her own ways of keeping in touch. Letters were consistently left on their windowsills and in other various places, she had been keeping up with them as they moved. They would always write back, leave it in the same place her letter was, and the next morning it would be gone or replaced by another. This was how she would find out important events. Whenever something big was going on in their lives they could always bet to see their favorite flowers in some shape or form as a gift. For Namine it was always the Daffodils while Kairi liked colored roses.
"Don't worry, summer's coming up soon, maybe she'll stop by like she did last year."
Namine giggled. "Mom and Dad still don't know about that, huh?"
"Nope." Kairi said cheerfully, and both girls fought the onslaught of giggles that threatened to wake their parents up.
"I really miss her Kairi." Namine whispered. The redhead wrapped her arm around her shoulders and gave her a tight squeeze.
"I know sis. I do too."
XXXXXX
Kairi sighed as she walked out of her final class for that day, feeling exhausted and just ready to curl up and sleep. She wasn't mad that Namine had come in her room last night, but it did screw her sleeping up some. After making her way to her locker she opened up the door and put in her books, briefly studying the various pictures taped to it. Most of them were of Kairi and Namine with their three best friends, Sora, Roxas, and Riku. They had basically known them close to their entire lives, ever since they moved here when they were six. But taped in the top corner was one of Kairi and Namine when they were five, with a ten year old Shadow with them. They were under one of the trees in the park with Shadow trapped under the two as they tackled her.
Kairi smiled some before and was about to close her locker door when she was met with the energetic face of Sora, a real smile coming across her features. "Hi Sora!" His spiky brown hair pointed in every direction as bright blue eyes greeted hers.
"Hey Kairi! Want to get some ice cream with Roxas and me? He went to go find Namine so he could ask her ask her too." Roxas was Sora's close cousin, the two basically twins and as close as brothers, with the exception of Roxas having blond hair.
"Sure. That would be nice." She was about to close her locker door when she saw an envelope sticking out from underneath one of her books. Pulling it out, she saw her name in block print written across the cover, the pen having been pressed down firmly. Immediately recognizing Shadow's writing, she grinned and closed her locker door. "What's that?" Sora asked, looking at the envelope quizically.
Kairi had completely forgotten about him. "Oh, um, nothing, just a letter from one of my friends." She explained quickly, putting it in her backpack. "Let's get going, don't want to keep the others waiting!" She grabbed his arm and dragged him down the hallway as they quickly picked up speed.
When the exited the school they could see Namine was already with Roxas and Riku. One look at her sister and she knew her sister had also gotten a letter. They both smiled at each other and followed the guys as they made their way off the school property and towards the shopping center where the ice cream shop was located. Riku glanced over and could see the excitement in the girl's eyes. "Never seen you two so excited about ice cream before." Smirking, his silver bangs fell slightly in front of his turquoise eyes as his shoulder length hair hung around him.
Namine smiled. "We're just excited to see the knew Hoodwinked movie coming out this week." That was the truth, but not the sole reason for their excitement. The girls had made it a habit to keep their sister out of the conversations from the guys. It wasn't a secret that they found hard to keep, they just didn't want the sympathy and problems that would come with it. The less people the better.
"That movie is so awesome! Mind if we come with?" Roxas asked.
"Sure." Kairi chirped. "We'll catch it a couple days after the opening so that way we aren't fighting the crowds." Throughout the next hour they sat in the simple ice cream shop eating their Sea-Salt ice cream but that was as long as the girls could wait before they excused themselves and left the shop, waiting until they rounded the corner before breaking into a run.
XXXXXX
Dear Kairi,
Sorry it took me a couple days to get back to you. Work has been picking up speed and refusing to slow down, trust me, not fun. But taking the day off to see you and Namine at the performance was beyond worth it. Your voice worked so well with the piano I was shocked, and very pleased so see that you kept up with your singing lessons even though you wanted to quit. You gotta remember, there is always going to be a time when quitting sounds more than appealing, but the rewards are so much greater if you hang in there. Another thing that I learned when taking on life.
So I was looking at your report card in your last letter. I know Geography isn't your favorite, but a C+? Come on sis, I know you can do better. If anything, think of it as a war, you on one side, the class on the other. I better not be seeing you getting killed in this class, so pick up the book and start studying. If anything ask Namine for help, I know she's pretty good at it, in turn offer her some help with her math class, fair trade.
Hang in there and I will talk to you later. Summer's coming up, so finish it full force so that way the payoff is all the more sweet. Love you tons.
-Shadow
Kairi giggled some as she read the letter. When she got to the part about her grade she frowned slightly before admitting defeat. Shadow was right, whether she like it or not. But asking for help wasn't one of her most favorite things to do. With it being Namine though would probably make it easier. She thought.
Deciding she'd ask her later on that night she went to her desk and sat down to pull out a sheet of paper and pen before starting to write.
XXXXXX
Heya Namine,
How's my favorite piano player? I was blown away the night of your performance, you looked so nice and professional! But the bouncing knee has to stop, I know you're nervous but you shouldn't be. You and Kairi did great and I couldn't be more proud of you guys.
That picture you gave me in the last letter was beautiful. I noticed how you used pen instead of pencils, it looked really nice and a little more solid, might want to try and work on keeping your strokes in one direction, k? But seriously, if you could give me one of the islands then that would be awesome. =) And turns out that I have a friend who's an art supplier in town. The address is on the back, stop by in the next few days and tell her your name, she'll hook you up.
I better get going, work seems bent on having every second of my attention. I swear, it's worse than Yoru when she was just a pup. Love ya sisand I will talk to you later.
-Shadow
Namine smiled when she read about her sister loving the picture, and made sure to note that she would have to start watching her strokes and wondered if Kairi would want to go with her to the islands tomorrow so she could get started on the sketch. When she read the final paragraph she giggled, remembering the pictures of Yoru when she was just a puppy. The Alaskan Husky was growing non stop the first year and still had the heart and energy of a two year old to this day, even though he was pushing five years old now he was still going strong.
She glanced at the picture of the dog on her bulletin board and grinned before picking up a notebook and a pencil before quickly starting to scribble.
XXXXXX
Kairi woke up a few days later and pushed herself up to take a shower before pausing for a moment. Something didn't feel right. Wait, that was the wrong way to phrase it, something felt different. That's what she meant. Her lower lip puckering slightly as she thought, she quickly took a shower, got dressed and finished up with doing her hair and makeup before quickly grabbing her back and heading down the stairs. Namine was already there, her outfit more simpler than Kairi's, and she wore only a little makeup. Their mom was in the kitchen and making scrambled eggs, which Kairi was immediately wary of. Namine looked up apologetically as she sat down. "Morning honey." Their mom had bright red hair that Kairi got her's from, and her eyes were a light blue set in a narrow face. Her form was pretty small and Kairi was just about her size, which was around 5'7".
A plate was set in front of her with overcooked eggs that gave them a dry look and toast. Kairi bit back a groan but ate the piece of toast before getting up and heading towards the door with Namine taking an apple with her. "Bye mom!"
"But you barely ate!"
"Not hungry." She said, walking out the door with Namine next to her. The blond held the apple out to her sister who gratefully took it. "Thanks."
"How many times do you think you've told her you don't like dry eggs?"
"Throughout the many years that I've been alive." Kairi said with a sigh. "But she tries, just doesn't listen."
"At least dad didn't try to make pancakes today." Both girls flinched at the memories of burnt pancakes and stomach aches.
"Remember when Shadow made those chocolate chip pancakes for our birthday when mom and dad were on that business trip." Namine said happily.
"Best. Food. Ever." Both of them laughed as they walked to school, their moods improved by the memory.
They both loved their parent's dearly, however they weren't always in touch with the two girls. Their dad being a professional business executive he was constantly traveling, as was their mom who was a nurse who went across the country teaching classes. So they were gone most of the time and didn't see their kids much. Neither really minded it, in fact it made it somewhat easier since when they were home they were pretty out of touch. Problem was their parent's never noticed. They were a little out of date on what the two liked and disliked so it made them being home somewhat annoying at times, but they still made it work.
The sisters had most of the same classes, except for second period, where Namine had art while Kairi had choir. Both of them stood in front of the school, looking up at it briefly and feeling that rare time when they wanted to be anywhere but there. Normally they were pretty good and going and being OK with it, only once did they skip and that was because a friend needed their help. "Ready?" Kairi asked.
Namine gave her twin a small smile. "Let's go."
XXXXXX
The motorcycle ripped down the streets of the mainland of Destiny Islands, quickly making sharp turns as it moved knowingly throughout the streets. Pure black with silver lining the edges, the bike was a Yamaha R1, just with less body armor. The tires tore against the ground as the rider expertly made their way to their destination. Dressed in black shorts and the same colored t-shirt that was cut off at the sleeves with a slight v-neck, the outfit hugged the drivers body and made out it was a girl. Deep black shades sat in front of her eyes and her black hair was tied back in a ponytail, with the ends died a deep crimson red. Under her shirt and on her upper right shoulder there was a tattoo of a dragon encircling a long sword, the beast a solid black with bright red eyes. It was detailed down to the individual scales and was probably about four inches in height. Finally a long silver chain held her dog tags that rested just underneath her shirt, their name engraved in old English lettering. Earphones were in place and at full volume while the 160GB iPod resting in her back pocket, blasting Disturbed.
Shadow's dark eyes glanced up briefly at the street sign before making a turn, and pulling to a stop when the light turned red. Pulling her iPod out she glanced at the time and a small smirk came across her face before she put it back and let her gloved hands rest on the bike again, fingertips of the leather cut off to expose her firm hands as they gripped the bars.
The light turned green and the engine kicked up again before disappearing down the street. It wasn't until five minutes later that it pulled up in front of it's destination. Destiny High was a pretty nice school, and it was obvious they took their job seriously. Shadow was pulling up just as students were rushing out of the large double doors. She kept her eyes opened for the two she was looking for, and briefly wondered how they'd react. After all these years in their notes they said they missed her, but it was one thing to write it and an entirely different thing to actually feel that way.
When they appeared at the top of the steps, Shadow smiled some. They had grown up a lot from the last picture they sent her. Kairi's hair was shoulder length, not as short as it once had been, and Namine' had cut her hair. Kairi was obviously more dressed up than Namine and showed more colors while her sister was more on the plain side and favored the lighter tones. She smiled at how they could look so different but also so alike. Three teenage guys walked with them, blond, brunette, and silver haired. She knew them as Roxas, Sora, and Riku, the girls talked about them all the time.
When they got closer she cut the engine and got off the motorcycle. When she turned around and leaned against it, arms crossed, the twins were walking past when Kairi glanced her way before freezing. Namine turned to see what she was looking at and followed the action, pausing mid-step as they both stared at her.
Time to find out if she was missed.
XXXXXX
When the bell rang, you could literally feel the celebration in the air as everyone jumped out of their chairs and rushed out the door. Namine, however, took her time, waiting until everyone had left before starting towards the door that led out of the geography classroom. Kairi was nowhere to be seen, so she decided to just meet up with her at the entrance as she walked towards her locker to quickly put away some books. Roxas was a few lockers down and greeted her before they headed towards the school exit. "That geography test was killer, I have no clue how you pull it off Namine."
She gave a small smile, embarrassed of the compliment. "Thanks. It's easy if you just study a bit." She giggled as he groaned and shook his head.
"Studying equals bad." They turned to see Sora there, as he shoved some papers in his backpack.
"No, studying is what gets you the passing grade." Riku and Kairi joined them now, the silver haired teen having made the comment. Namine smiled at her sister as they walked towards the large double doors, Sora now trying to tackle Riku. "How did you do on the geography test Kairi?" She asked.
"I think I did pretty good, thanks for the help." She replied in a grateful tone. "Not my absolute favorite class but I think I can bring my grade up in time before summer hits."
Her sister nodded encouragingly as the sun suddenly washed over them, quickly making their way down the steps as they discussed what they were going to do the rest of the day. "Hey Kairi, I need to head to the islands for a bit. Would you come with me?"
Kairi, who was on her left, turned to answer her before she froze, her eyes widening and mouth opening just slightly. Namine paused and studied her sister with a worried expression before turning to see what she was looking at, eyes widening as well.
She looked nothing close to the thin child she had been at the age of ten, instead it looked like she worked out, her clothes emphasizing the fact. Her hair was longer, she could tell even with it in a ponytail, and the dyed tips were definitely new. Namine swallowed, wondering if she was staring at a stranger for no apparent reason or actually looking at the person she had wished to see all these years.
The guys had paused and were watching them, not really knowing what was going on. Namine and Kairi glanced at each other before the redhead spoke uncertainly. "Shadow?"
She dipped her head slightly, a small smile on her lips. "The one and only."
It almost like it took a full minute for their minds to register what she had just said, while it only took milliseconds before Shade found herself tackled by two teenage girls. "It's you!" She chuckled softly as she was practically choked, but returned the hugs. Namine had tears slipping down her face while Kairi was biting her lower lip hard. "Where have you been!" She yelled at her sister, pulling back and looking slightly infuriated. "Not once did you let us know where you were, only letting us in on vague details. That's it! Nothing more!"
Shadow flinched slightly, but nodded. "Sorry Kairi, but I had to."
"Oh yeah? And why's that?" She wanted to hug her sister again so badly, but another part of her was angry that she never let her in on where she was.
"Because if I didn't..."Shadow paused to look for the right words. "It's hard to explain. I just need you to trust me on this."
It was silent for a moment as the three sisters studied each other, before Kairi finally sighed and nodded in defeat. "I trust you." She said with a small smile. Namine tackled her in another hug and Shadow smiled, hugging her sister back before letting go and pulling Kairi into a tight hug. "I missed you two so frickin' much." Kairi laughed and nodded.
"Um, excuse me, but who are you?" Sora asked slowly, asking the question on all three of of their minds.
Shadow smirked at them and put an arm around Namine's shoulder. "I'm Shade, and these two are my younger sisters."