Unattainable Desire
By Chiharu Tanaka
A/n: THANK YOU FOR YOUR REVIEWS! I just need to put an FYI…Naminé's family (Castell) owns condominiums, apartment buildings and housing estates in the country.
Disclaimer: Characters © Tetsuya Nomura and Yoshitaka Amano; Story and plot © Chiharu Tanaka 2005
Chapter 5: Farewell
"We're HOME!"
Yuffie's ultra-loud voice startled them, and both of them backed away quickly, blushing bright red. Yuffie took a few happy skips and landed in the kitchen.
"Yo! What are you guys doing? Oh my God, you guys already ATE! RUBY, THEY ATE BEFORE US!" she squawked. Ruby emerged in the kitchen and Sora quickly turned back to the dishes. She blinked in surprise.
Wait…Kairi can't cook…so that means Sora did? That's strange…Sora doesn't cook for anyone but himself…
Friday's morning sunshine hit against the glass window of the shabby old house. Kairi couldn't help but smile as she looked at the bright spring day that awaited her.
Spring is ending…and summer is in a few days…and I finally get to go home today.
She quickly took a shower and dressed herself in another one of Yuffie's presents to her, a light blue tank top and ¾ blue jeans. She rushed down the stairs and was greeted by the whole gang, who were already up.
"Wow…you really can't wait to go home, can't you?" asked Sora. For a second, Kairi thought that he sounded reluctant to let her go.
She sat between Yuffie and Ruby, who were on the verge of tears. "Kai…you're the nicest girl I've ever met! Don't forget us, okay?" said Yuffie, crying while hugging her.
Kairi wiped away a tear that escaped her eyes. "I won't, I promise…" she said. Ruby hugged her as well, in tears.
"We felt like you were one of us…we're gonna miss you so much!" wailed Ruby.
After they shared enough sentiment, Cid coughed a little and called for a brief discussion.
"So, someone's gonna hafta take Kairi home, coz if we all do, we'll get caught…and that won't be pretty. And Kairi…you have to promise not to reveal us to da cops…which I trust that you ain't gonna do…"
Kairi smiled. "I won't, I promise."
"Okay, so I think you kinda have to play along. Make them believe that you've never seen us because…"
"I was blindfolded?"
"Yea, yea, that's a good one. And you didn't know where we took you…and don't know how we take you back."
Kairi nodded. Cid resumed his asking again. "So, who's gonna volunteer?"
Yuffie and Ruby shook their heads. "We can't do it, 'cause we couldn't bear the farewell…and that might blow our cover."
Silence ensued. It was only broken when one hand was raised into the air.
"I'll do it," said Sora. Everyone turned to look at him once more.
"Okay, Sora's going. Now, how exactly are ya gonna get past the security? Tantalus, help us out."
Baku thought for a moment. As Tantalus's manager and scriptwriter, he knows a lot of believable tricks.
"Ah, I know. Kairi can be a grandma…while Sora can be the granddaughter. Guards are suckers for that."
Sora looked at Baku in disbelief. "What do you mean, granddaughter?"
"I mean exactly that. C'mon, there's no way you're coming in as a guy, the guards are super alert on guys from downtown! Besides, you'll look like one after makeup."
Zidane, Cinna, Wakka and Blank stifled their laughs. "I gotta see and photograph this," said Zidane.
Sora turned to look at Kairi. With a sheepish smile, she just shrugged. A final sigh, and Sora finally spoke up.
"Fine…I'll do it."
The boys, as well as Cid, burst out laughing when they saw what Yuffie and Ruby did to Sora. His spiky brown hair was weighed down with a ton of hair gel, and two extra pigtails popped out of nowhere from the back of his head. He wore a loose-fitting blouse and a long skirt. His face was done with light makeup; some lip gloss, light eye shadow, mascara and blusher.
Yuffie and Ruby wailed from behind him as he scowled angrily. "Oh my gosh, Sora, you're so CUTE!" wailed Ruby, hugging him. Kairi, who was wearing an old cloak and a grey wig, holding a cane on her right hand, giggled as she saw Sora's cuteness.
"Splendid job, you two…I didn't even recognise the boy!" said Baku before guffawing.
Once everyone got over Sora, Ruby proceeded to put the makeup on Kairi. She fitted a theatre-like mask on Kairi's face, and once perfectly fitted, Kairi looked like she aged 50 years! Everyone was shocked to see Kairi become so old.
They left after some final touches on the two's faces. Sora was stomping around with his new outfit, and Kairi shot a glare at him.
"How about you try walking like a girl?" she asked. Sora scowled.
"Fine."
"You're lucky they didn't make you wear high heels…or a bra, for that matter."
They took a bus to the outskirts of uptown. There, they walked up to a gate where a few guards were standing. "Is this uptown, my child?" asked Kairi in the oldest voice she could. Sora gaped in surprise, she sounded so convincing.
"Yes, it is, grandmother. Let's get you checked in," he said in his girlish voice possible. Kairi looked at him in surprise, he sounded really convincing as well.
The guard eyed them suspiciously, but let them in anyway. They walked down the busy streets. Sora took the chance to speak to her again. "Where do you live?" he asked.
"Castell Condominiums. I live in one of penthouses."
"I don't think we can get past the guards to actually go into the condominiums without getting our IDs checked."
"Then we'll just stop by one of the nearest Herrington hotels. Ah, there's one across the street!"
They crossed the street, Sora clinging to his 'grandmother's' arm. They entered the building, and people were doing their daily work as usual.
"Wow…talk about security…not. Where's all the guards?"
"Probably downtown. Now usher me to the water closet."
"Water closet?"
"The ladies room, you dummy."
"You want me to go into the ladies room? Are you nuts?"
"You're dressed like one, it doesn't matter. Besides, I doubt anyone's using the ladies room on the ground floor."
They got to the ladies room, and both of them went inside. As Kairi expected, no one was there. She told Sora to stay by the door in case anyone comes in. Then, she got into a cubicle and changed out of the granny costume to the evening gown she wore a few nights ago. She got out and looked at Sora one final time.
"I don't know why I'm saying this…but I'll miss you. And the rest of them. I'll do my best to convince daddy to develop downtown."
He smiled sadly at her. "Thanks. Now go, your parents must be worried sick." He stepped aside to let her out. She walked down the empty hallway and emerged at the counter. When the passing maids and butlers saw her, they gasped.
"Miss Herrington! You're alive!" screeched one of the maids, and got hit on the head by her supervisor. The supervisor bowed in apology.
"My deepest apologies for the rudeness of the girl…" he said, glasses drooping. Kairi shook her head.
"It's okay…I'm a bit dizzy…could you call my parents or something? And I need a glass of water."
"At once, ma'am."
The supervisor ran off to the phone at the counter while the maid rushed off to get her a glass of water. A butler escorted her to a seat in the lobby.
Sora took the remaining costumes she had changed out of and placed it in a bag. He left the ladies room and out of the hotel, still dressed as a girl. With another sad look towards the hotel, he walked off to head towards downtown.
"Kairi!"
Calista hugged her daughter tightly as droplets of tears ran from her eyes. Kairi hugged her mother back. "I thought we lost you…thank God…"
Kairi hugged her father, then hugged Naminé who was crying. "Thank God…how did you get here?" she asked.
"Well, they had me blindfolded, so I didn't know where they took me…how they looked like…where I was for the past few days…and how I got back…"
"How many people were there?" asked Tidus.
"Erm…I think it was four guys…and a girl. They fed me though…and sent me back…I don't know why."
"Without any ransom note?"
"No…no note."
Could it be the Organization who kidnapped her?
Naminé shook her head. "It doesn't matter anymore, I'm just so glad you're back," she said. Kairi turned to her crying mother.
"Don't worry, mom…I'm okay, really."
Zachary, Kairi's dad, turned to Tidus. "Assign a new bodyguard for her…someone more experienced."
"Thank you for attending this meeting."
Tidus and his 12 top agents, and Riku, were in the meeting room. "The subject of the meeting today is still Kairi Herrington. She may be back, but our mission is to get her kidnappers, and get them good. Therefore, I'd like you all to just continue searching the kidnapper's identity. She said that there were four guys and one girl…be on the lookout."
Tidus took a sip of water before resuming. "And, due to the two kidnappings that happened recently, I'd like to inform the whole agency that living with the person you're supposed to protect will be a priority. We can't have anymore kidnappings. And one more thing…Elena will be assigned to Kairi, whilst Riku will be assigned to my sister, Naminé. Clear?"
"Yes, sir."
"That is all. Dismissed."
Riku left the room with a strange feeling in his heart. He knew that he ruined his reputation because he let Kairi get kidnapped in the first place…but he felt slightly relieved.
At least they didn't fire me.
"Ah, Riku. Come over here for a sec."
Riku turned his head around and faced Tidus. "Yes, sir?"
"You issued your handprint when you entered this agency, right? I'm kinda busy, so you go right ahead and move to my sister's house. Bring your clothes…whatever you need. And when you get there, stick this chip onto the database, and the PIN is 256394."
"Yes, sir."
When he reached home, he let out a big sigh. "Let's just get this over with…" he muttered before taking out a luggage bag from his closet.
He stood at the doorway of the penthouse and did as Tidus told him to. He stuck the chip onto a slot, pressed his palm against the screen. "Please enter the PIN number," said the computer voice.
He keyed in the numbers and clicked enter. "Confirming with headquarters…approved. Welcome."
The doors unlocked. He pushed open the door and closed it behind him. He walked from the foyer into the living room and set his luggage down.
I'd better look for Naminé…wherever she is.
He took a few steps forward and saw a stairway. Curious, he climbed up and opened the door. The warm wind of early summer hit against his face. He saw Naminé, her head facing the sea, where the sun was about to set, her legs dipped inside the pool.
"Umm…Naminé?" he asked, walking up to her. Naminé turned to him and blushed embarrassingly.
"You're here…I didn't expect you until dinnertime," she said in her soft, dainty voice as she hoisted herself up from the pool. Riku felt his cheeks grew slightly warm, she was only wearing a two-piece bathing suit that showed off her slim figure.
Whoa…what a babe…
She took her robe off the beach chair and put it on. She walked towards Riku. "Come, I'll show you to your room."
"Did I ruin your relaxing time?"
She looked at him. "No…I was just about done. Come."
He followed her inside the penthouse. He picked up his luggage as he passed the living room. She led him to a hallway, past the kitchen with some doors on the left side of the wall. She pointed to a large white door. "Since you're going to stay here for a while, I might as well show you around. This is my room…and this room next to it," she said, walking forward to another white door. "Is your room. Make yourself at home," she said with a smile. He swung open the door.
"Oh, I sure will…" he said, looking around the magnificent room. The walls were painted a serene blue colour, with white curtains on a large window overlooking the sea. A large bed stood on one side of the room, and the other side was occupied by a few modern white sofas and a large flat-screen TV. He set his luggage against the bed and took off his shoes. He climbed on the bed, face down onto the pillow.
"Care to join me?" he asked with a naughty smirk, turning to Naminé. She blushed and hung her head down.
"No, thank you…you go ahead and rest…" she muttered quickly and closed the door behind her as she left. He chuckled.
Even when flabbergasted she's polite…ahah, how cute.
Naminé scurried out of his room and into hers next door. She quickly shut the door behind her and leaned against it.
I know I owe him my life after what he had done…but must I bear with his antics? Dear God…
She quickly showered and changed into normal clothes before she took a peek out of her bedroom. She timidly tiptoed off to the kitchen to grab something to eat. There, she opened the fridge and took a bottle of milk. She grabbed the cereal box from the cupboard, as well as a spoon and a bowl. After pouring the milk into the bowl, she poured in some cereal and took the bowl into the living room for a bite in front of the TV.
As she was walking, she heard a door open and close, and when she reached the living room, the shock in her brain made her drop the bowl of cereal onto the floor, milk all over her favourite slippers.
Standing by the stairway to her penthouse pool, was her bodyguard…indecently dressed at that moment. He was only covered by a pair of swimming trunks, and a towel draped over his shoulders. Naminé felt her face heat up like a steam engine as her breathing became raspy.
Riku rushed towards her. "I'm sorry…did I startle you? Wait, let me clean that up."
He left for a few seconds towards the kitchen to get a cloth. While in the living room, Naminé mentally slapped herself.
Oh COME ON, Naminé! You look like you've never seen a shirtless guy before. Sure, it was only dad, Tidus at the beach and Squall Leonheart on TV…but still…
"Are you okay?" asked Riku, waving in front of her face. Naminé blinked for a moment before she realised that the milk was soaking through her slippers.
"No, let me get that…" she said, taking the cloth from him. He pulled the cloth backwards.
"No, please, let me."
"No, you can't…you're a guest…" she mumbled, and tugged it again. He gave a final tug, which was too hard for dainty little Naminé to hold, and she flung forwards and her head hit lightly against Riku's bare chest. She backed away immediately as he let go of the cloth. "I'll do it…you go right ahead and…rest."
He shrugged and walked back to his room. Naminé bent down and wiped up the mess on the floor and set the bowl upright. She took off her slippers and carried the items to the kitchen. There, she tossed the slippers into the laundry basket in the pantry, and dumped the bowl and cloth into the sink and washed her hands and face.
Oh God…oh God…
She slapped her cheeks lightly as they still were red after the fiasco. She closed her eyes and tried to meditate and get the image out of her head.
Don't think of him…don't think of him…holy cow, I can't! The image is burned, stamped and engraved in my head! Argh! Why does he HAVE to be so…
Her thoughts were interrupted when the phone rang. She picked it off the lounge table(yes, she eats on a lounge table that connects to the kitchen) and answered it.
"Hello?"
"Oh, hey angel. Are you still up for going to the opening of the new art museum tomorrow?" asked Tidus on the other line.
"Umm…yes…why do you ask?"
"Well, the thing is…I can't go…I have a meeting with a CEO…you don't mind if you go alone?"
"Sure, no problem. I can go myself."
"Thanks, angel. Oh, remember to take Riku with you, okay? Bye!"
"Bye…"
The line went dead. Naminé clicked the OFF button and groaned loudly as she covered her face in her palm, slumping into a chair.
"Are you sleepy?"
"Who isn't…I didn't donate to this museum for the curator to give a 30-minute speech."
"Is it ending already?"
"Hush…yes, I think it is…thank God."
A wave of applause rang throughout the hall. Naminé clapped slowly with a sheepish smiled as the curator stepped down from the stage. After declaring the art museum officially opened, Naminé stood up and started walking around the gallery.
"What do you see in these…ugly, unrealistic things?" asked Riku in a whisper as they viewed a piece called 'The Human Mind'. Naminé shot him an annoyed look.
"You, apparently, don't see the ecstatic value in modern art. Now keep quiet, I don't want any other people hearing you making rude comments."
Riku tried hard to stifle yawn as they had spent 2 hours in the museum. "Are you done viewing yet? It's nearly lunchtime," he asked.
"A few more up ahead and we can get some lunch. Where do you want to go?" she asked, looking admirably at a new piece.
"As long as it's not a place that serves escargot, it'll be fine."
"Yeah. I hate those things."
After Naminé viewed the last piece (Rising Sun), they both exited the museum through the front door. "It seems that everyone else had left…even the journalists," commented Riku. Naminé smiled.
"That's good. I don't want an interview right now. Come, let's go to Pierre's Café. Tidus always brings me there for lunch."
They both walked down the wide steps together, but halted as a black Toyota Lexus drove up to the museum. It was a new one, too. The windows were all dark, like the ones you see on limousines. It stopped right at the bottom of the stairway. A door opened, and someone stepped out, ready to face the young heiress and her bodyguard.
To be continued…
A/n: ANOTHER CLIFFIE! MUAHAHAHA! gets shot by readers Okay, I'm really sorry for the cliffie, but it makes the story worth waiting for:D (Readers: What a lame excuse.)