The rolling waves crashed upon the shore of the peaceful island as three figures took in the calming sight with endless gratitude. The tall palm trees stood firm around them, the occasional coconut falling from their confines when the wind blew hard enough. The various makeshift shelters that were built into the natural features of the island seemed empty, lonely.
"It's been some time since we've been able to do this," a tall, white haired boy sighed, leaning back on his elbows as he took in the scenery. He had piercing pale blue eyes that were slightly obscured by the shaggy white hair that fell on his face every time he moved his head. He wore a black zip-up tank-top with a white and yellow vest over it; his pants were a pair of baggy blue denim jeans, and on his feet he wore a simple pair of sneakers. He also wore a white band on his left wrist.
"Yeah, it feels so good to finally be able to relax after fighting the Heartless for so long," a brown haired male said, sitting beside the first boy. His hair stuck out in odd angles about his head and moved softly in the wind. His eyes were a deep blue and he had a content smile on his face as he looked out on the ocean. His clothing consisted of a black and silver over jacket as well as a baggy black and silver jumpsuit and a pair of black with yellow gloves with a crown necklace. His outfit was decorated with many zippers and extra leggings. His shoes were black and yellow.
The brown haired boy leaned his body back some more in order to get comfortable but immediately jumped in surprise when one of his hands ran into another's on the warm sand beside him. Flushing a deep shade of red the boy turned to look at the girl sitting at his side, silently wondering if she was at all bothered by the accidental bump.
The girl had dark red hair that reached a little past her shoulders and violet-blue eyes that were focused on the ocean before her. She wore a hooded pink strapless dress made up with three zippers as well as a white halter top underneath her dress, a black belt reminiscent of suspenders with a note book shaped bag attachment, and large lilac shoes.
"It just goes to show that we neglected a lot of things about this place when we were little," the girl piped up, seemingly oblivious to her red faced friend.
"After this we should go and get some sea salt ice cream," Sora said. Riku glanced at his best friend, an eyebrow raised in confusion. Kairi caught his look and giggled softly.
"Do they even have sea salt ice cream here?" Riku asked the smiling brunette.
Sora's smile faltered for a moment as he thought about his friend's question. "You know, I don't know. I just have this really strong craving for some sea salt ice cream right now." The bashful male rubbed his head and chuckled lowly, much to the amusement of his female friend.
Riku sighed loudly and shook his head. "Same old Sora," he muttered.
Sora jumped suddenly at his friend's words. "Hey, what is that supposed to mean, Riku?"
"You two haven't changed much," a familiar, high pitched, laughing voice said, interrupting the trio's getaway. The three teens jumped in surprise at the sudden voice and snapped their heads in its direction.
Before them stood a small figure with huge black ears that stood erect on the top of his head. He wore an outfit similar to Sora's save for the fact that his fit him perfectly.
"King!" Sora and Riku exclaimed. The two males jumped to their feet and rushed to greet the small, mouse-eared king.
"What are you doing here?" Sora asked, smiling from ear to ear.
"How've you been?" Riku asked at the same time.
"Hi, King!" Kairi waved, "Who's your friend?" It was then that Sora and Riku noticed the small figure of a stranger stepping out of a corridor of darkness. The two boys stiffened at the sight of a pair of menacing yellow eyes gazing curiously in their direction.
"A Heartless!" Sora gasped. He and Riku called upon their individual Keyblades and lunged at the figure.
"Riku, Sora, stop!" King Mickey shouted. Almost immediately the two boys stopped but both had their blades positioned before them, presenting the stranger with a warning.
"It's a Heartless, King!" Sora defended.
"Why are you holding us back?" Riku snapped. His heated eyes were trained on the stock still figure.
"Because she's not a Heartless!" the King snapped. He moved in between the two boys and the figure, arms out to block both sides from attacking the other without going through him.
"She?" Sora asked, his weapon dropping to his side.
Curiously, he and Riku looked around the mouse's head at the figure standing patiently before them. Their hands were on their hips and they cocked their head to the side in confusion.
Riku and Sora watched with wide eyes as the figure reached up and grabbed their face. With a sharp, quick yank the dark face of the Heartless fell away to reveal the face of a girl. She had long blue hair that stopped about the middle of her back and dazzling light blue eyes that shone brightly in the sun. Her complexion was fair and she was dressed in a blue half top that hung loosely about her shoulders over a white cami. She also wore a pair of black, tight fitting jeans as well as a pair of black and blue shoes. Around her neck she wore a simple chain with the symbol of a black and blue heart missing a quarter of a piece and her ears were decorated with a total of five silver earrings.
"Based on the confused looks on your faces I'm pretty sure the King hasn't told you about me," the girl said, her voice as smooth as silk.
"Sora, Riku, Kairi, this is Azami," King Mickey introduced.
"Why were you wearing a Heartless mask?" Riku asked, suspicion dripping from his voice. "And why are you traveling through the corridors of darkness?" The blue eyed male had yet to lower his weapon, his untrusting gaze focused on the lax girl in front of him.
"All that will be explained in time," Mickey reassured, "But not here. Sora, Riku, I need the two of you to come with Azami and me, we have lots to discuss."
"What about Kairi?" Sora spoke up, casting a worried glance the auburn's way. "We can't just leave her here."
"Actually, I think here is the best place for Kairi to be," Azami spoke up. "Too much light in the corridor of darkness can attract the others." Azami made a point to look at King Mickey as she said this.
The small, two foot three inches, mouse nodded in agreement. "Azami is right, for now Kairi stays here."
Sora opened his mouth to protest but Kairi silenced him with a hand on his shoulder. "It's alright; I'm used to staying behind while you guys have all the fun."
"Kairi," Sora trailed off, saddened by the girl's words.
Kairi giggled and waved off the boy's concern. "You worry too much Sora." She offered the boy a large smile and without a moment's hesitation got one back in return.
"We gotta leave now, before the others start looking for me," the girl muttered impatiently. She glanced back at the open corridor to make sure that no one was coming through it.
"Who are the others?" Riku asked. His eyes narrowed suspiciously.
"I'll explain everything back at the castle," the King promised. "Now let's hurry back!"
Sora and Riku said a quick and reluctant farewell to their long time friend before following the King and the mysterious girl into the corridor.
Preview for next chapter:
"Don't tell me you believe she's here to help us?" Riku snapped, "Why would she want to help us when she's one of them?
"I don't know," Sora said truthfully. He threw his hands behind his head, "Maybe….she's not like them at all?"
Riku scoffed at his friend's suggestion. "Come on Sora, you and I both know that once you've been corrupted by the darkness there's no coming back!"
"Well….what about you?" Sora asked, "You seem to be doing pretty well." The brunette smiled goofily as his friend opened and closed his mouth as he struggled to find something to say.