(Notes: Whoa, longest chapter yet! This takes place within The Little Heart, as always, but at Destiny Islands, like where Riku was at the end end of DDD, but not at the same time. I also use the forbidden "S" word, dun dun dunnn)
(I obviously do not own Disney, Square Enix or Kingdom Hearts, because if I did, I'd be super rich and probably not here, writing this.)
The Sixth Heart
The heart stood on the sandy beach, waves crashing up against the shore and petting at the hearts feet. The heart stood solemn, staring alone out at the sunset.
Hello there!
Suddenly said a cheerful voice from behind it. The heart smiled, because this voice was all too familiar to it.
Hello.
It said, a soft smile on its lips. The smile, although beautiful, was fake and plastic, a rehearsed act to please the crowd. The Little Heart came and stood beside it. They had met many times, but the Little Heart could not gather any information from this heart in the black jacket. The Little Heart thought because it had the same jacket as the Wanted Heart, that they may of been in some sort of secret club or something.
The Little Heart put its hands behind its head and stared at the beautiful heart before it. Sure, it was still covered by a coat and hood, but Little Heart could see its breathtaking smile and beautiful dark blue skin that reminded it of a awe-inspiring night sky lined with dazzling stars.
You know, if you like sunsets, I know one place where we could view it better.
The Little Heart spoke up. The Forgotten Heart nodded and gestured so it could follow. It followed the heart along the shoreline, and then up a path. This path then led to a bent tree, a perfect bench overviewing the ocean.
Ahh, this is just breathtaking.
The Forgotten Heart said in awe. The Forgotten Heart had went there many times before, but never to view the sunset. The two just sat there, for the longest time, not saying anything. It was just the peaceful sound of the waves and a gentle breeze blowing through the trees.
Suddenly, the Forgotten Heart laughed softly, raising a gloved hand to its mouth.
What's so funny?
The Little Heart asked, curious, and also slightly concerned.
Oh, it's just that my Soul and Body always believed I never existed.
The Forgotten Heart answered with a sigh. The Little Heart grew a little saddened by this, seeing as most of the hearts inside it, like this one, usually had gone through bad things, horrible things, before finding sanctuary here. The Other Heart was completely broken, The Wanted Heart had been forced to given up its life, and this one… well, this one radiated off an uneasy amount loneliness and emptiness, its life felt ephemeral. It knew its life had been full of meaning, happiness, joy spent with others but like the sunset, it can't look pretty forever and its future had been one filled with endless abrupt storms.
The Little Heart looked away from the sunset and down at its palms.
Why? Why did it know this?
It was invading other people's lives and privacy without their permission. How was it even doing this? Did it ever stop to question that maybe people didn't want others to know how they felt? What bothered the Little Heart most though, was how it came so naturally. All it'd have to do was concentrate, and BAM! A wave of emotions would come and flood over it so fast that it was overwhelming. It would feel all things it didn't want to feel, experiences it never wanted to go through. It could remember a few lifetimes, but only lived one. Why did it have that power? Was it given to it for a purpose?
It put its hand on its face, a tad stressed from all the thoughts buzzing around. It would start affecting its body and soul soon. With all these hearts and emotions the Little Heart always tried to remove the painful ones from going through completely. Sure, sometimes the emotions would leak through, although the Body and Soul were different, they were still connected and acted as one. It didn't want to hurt Sora.
While laughing, a tear went down the Forgotten Hearts face as the laughing started to turn into choking. Immediately, the Little Heart pushed its troubles away as though they were nothing and looked up at the Forgotten Heart which was more important than its own. It then asked, concerned:
Are you alright?
The Forgotten Heart wiped away the tears with its sleeve and nodded slowly.
Uh-huh, it seems that you're doing it again. You never stop, do you?
It said shakily, with a small laugh.
Huh? What do you mean? What aren't I stopping?
The Little Heart asked, confused. Why couldn't the people in the black coats be straightforward for once?
It thought for a minute and suddenly realized what was up.
Ever since the Little Heart was a newborn heart, it had a sort of radiance. You could compare it to a star, because, well, it literally shined. Sure, it wasn't abnormal to see a heart that had a faint glow surrounding it, but the Little Heart was different. People just seemed to smile around the Little Heart, and at first the Little Heart did not know why.
It had an aura around it, that could affect the way people felt. It naturally drew in other hearts like moths to a flame, and healed those hearts with the feelings it sent out. In some cases, it sent out the feelings subconsciously, without realizing it. Such as to hearts scared or filled with sadness, its warmth wrapped around them like a cozy hug. It wouldn't get rid of the pain completely, but it eased the burden and intensity you felt.
I-I'm sorry! I can't really control it, it just happens.
The Little Heart said waving its arms defensively. Its face was blushing, embarrassed. The Little Heart sometimes hated the way it forced its feelings onto other people. The Forgotten Heart sniffed.
No, no, it's okay. I like the feeling. I don't feel forced… just, warm.
The Forgotten Heart said, hugging its arms over its chest with a smile.
Are you su-
The Little Heart stopped halfway as it realized something.
Wait, you can hear my thoughts?
The Little Heart said, confused. The Forgotten Heart giggled.
Bits and pieces sometimes, yes. Did you just think it was a one way street?
(Yeah, the Little Heart was simple minded like that…) The Little Heart shrugged, because the thought never really crossed its mind. The Little Heart just stared out at the sunset, the mess of colours a marvelous spectacle to watch.
Hey, did you ever think those two abilities could related?
The Forgotten Heart said suddenly.
How could they be? One was the receiving of other hearts' emotions, and the other was the exact opposite, the Little Heart sending out its own emotions to others. The second one it could sometimes use in battle to calm down an enemy, but the first one seemed useless and did more harm than good.
The ability to find the hurt and the ability to then mend it.
The Forgotten Heart whispered quietly. The peaceful heart smiled and looked over at the oblivious heart beside it, still trying to connect the dots.
If you think that first ability is so useless and harmful, then take my hand.
The Forgotten Heart said, offering its hand to the Little Heart. A tad hesitant, the Little Heart then accepted the kind palm of its new friend.
Suddenly, the Little Heart was enveloped in a surprisingly pleasant was a sweet taste on its tongue, and the Little Heart was filled with laughter. It felt like a time of joy and content, an eternity of peace and relaxation which only lasted a minute.
The Little Heart's eyes widened at the Forgotten Heart, which giggled at the Little Heart's reaction. A voice was then heard on the other side of the Little Heart.
Still not convinced, then give me ago.
The Little Heart gave a yelp of surprise and almost fell of the tree. Another heart dressed in a black cloak leaned against the tree, hands in pockets. Its face as serious as the first time it met the Little Heart, the Wanted Heart offered one of its hands to Little Heart, not even turning to look away from the sunset.
The Little Heart, after skeptically looking the new visitor up and down, took the Wanted Heart's hand and stood up. A feeling of satisfaction and appreciation enveloped it. It felt embarrassed, bashful and full of pride all at the same time. The feeling came through dedication, and hard work, preciously earned with one's own well earned sweat and determination.
Hm, what was that memory? Must've been an amazing experience.
The Little Heart asked after the feeling subsided. The Wanted Heart blushed and slouched it's shoulders.
I don't wanna- It's not important.
The Wanted Heart argued. The Forgotten Heart laughed.
Oh come on, just tell us!
It said, encouraging her friend.
Fine, don't laugh.
The Wanted Heart said. It took a deep breath.
… It was when I found my first chest, and finished the mission, alright? No big deal.
The Little Heart and the Forgotten Heart exchanged glances, both trying to hold in their laughter.
What was your memory?
The Little Heart asked the Forgotten Heart. After a moment, thinking its words over, its face fell.
Watching the sunset, like this. With my friends… like this.
The Forgotten Heart said, gesturing around it. A smile was creeping onto its face.
My schedule is pretty straight forward.
The Forgotten Heart added with a giggle. The Wanted Heart laughed too.
Same, maybe we could do it together some time?
The Wanted Heart asked with a shy grin. The Forgotten Heart was surprised for a moment, then looked at its lap and blushed slightly before replying.
I-I… I'd like that.
The Little Heart smiled happily as it looked at the two hearts beside it.
How about me?
The Little Heart knew that voice. It turned its head and saw the Other Heart's faint light blue ethereal body, which was transparent and barely visible. The Little Heart had never seen its body before, so the Little Heart was a little startled. It sat cross legged on the ground, leaning up against the bent tree branch.
It extended its arm up to Little Heart, smiling.
Go on.
The Other Heart encouraged with a small laugh. The Little Heart snapped out of its daze and took the Other Heart's hand.
At first, the Little Heart felt dull and emotionless. It dropped into a sluggish state, like after a long nap. Its senses were dulled, and its body felt numb, like it hadn't moved in a long while. Then there was the feeling of standing up again, running through fields of smooth grass barefooted, in the clear blue sky the sun was shining warm upon your skin. It was the sensation of freedom, an energy that was restless and wild, a wind eagerly racing across the land, boundless. Next, it raced off the dock, diving into a water that was warm, cool and refreshing. With this submerge into the deep, came the comfort and happiness of looking around and seeing your friends smiles. It was the feeling of living life to the fullest with the ones you cared about around you, no worries about what tomorrow held. It was being alive.
The Little Heart opened its eyes and looked around it. The experience was so powerful, that it had to do a double-check. It hadn't moved from its place on the island, yet that's not what it felt.
May I ask what that memory was?
The Little Heart asked, still calming down. The Other Heart shook its head.
No, not a memory.
The three other hearts exchanged confused glances.
What was it then?
The Wanted Heart asked.
It was a hope. The hope of one day being able to leave this place and see my friends again.
The Other Heart said, putting a hand on its chest and smiling softly at the thought. The Little Heart frowned at the Other Heart. The Little Heart knew nothing of its past or what it had been through. What had made it so broken? How was it able to smile spite of all that? The Little Heart knew that it wouldn't be getting answers any time soon.
So, still think your abilities are so useless?
The Forgotten Heart said poking the Little Heart softly, snapping its mind back into focus.
The Little Heart looked at the smiling faces of its friends before answering. The Little Heart looked back on what it had just received. These three had given it their hopes and memories without being asked and they were positive ones as well.
Hey, do you ever regret your decision?
The Little Heart asked the Wanted Heart out of the blue.
All the time.
It answered bluntly, without any hesitation. The Wanted Heart shrugged its shoulders at the Little Heart's and Forgotten Heart's off put gazes.
Who wouldn't? Remember how before we were completely merged? I refused you.
The Little Heart nodded. Clear as day it remembered the disjointed connection they had and all the times the Wanted Heart seemed angry or hurt, and the Little Heart was helpless to do anything about it. The Little Heart shivered at the thought.
Then we were able to talk it out, I finally understand. I don't mind.
The Little Heart recalled that too. Afterwards, the Wanted Heart relaxed its grip and its emotions stopped leaking into it in the uncomfortable fashion they did before.
Was I able to help you?
The Little Heart asked, slowly pacing its words. The Wanted Heart smiled.
Yes… you made me feel Wanted again when nobody else was willing to.
It replied. The Little Heart turned its gaze to the Forgotten Heart.
How about you, are you sad anymore?
It asked, concerned. The Forgotten Heart put on a confused face.
What do you mean sad? I'm not-
You're not that good at lying. Your eyes give it away.
The Little Heart interrupted, taking off the Forgotten Heart's hood gently. The Forgotten Heart sat there frozen, unsure of what to say.
The Little Heart looked out at the sunset.
You two are so kind, beautiful and colourful. I don't know why you two decide to hide such a magnificent heart. Especially you. Your so radiant and true, I don't know why anyone would think your forgettable.
It said thoughtfully.
The two hearts were silent and said nothing in reply. They all just sat and watched the sunset as it slowly transitioned into night, a mess of purples, blues and blacks dotted with shimmering stars filled the sky.
Waves crashed against the shore calmly, it was a peaceful and relaxing sound. The Little Heart then joined hands with the two hearts beside it as the last of the twilight sun slipped under the body of water at the horizon.
Right.
It said quietly.
Hm?
The Forgotten Heart chimed, turning its attention to what broke the long-lasting silence. The Little Heart smiled.
You're right. If a power like that enables you two to feel better, then… it might not be so bad after all, could it?