I can't help mumbling, "I'm sorry…"
He halts in his tracks, standing still. His head turns slowly towards me, his expression unreadable.
I was expecting to find hatred in his dark blue orbs…but instead all I see is agony.
His voice suddenly drops in volume, reminding me that he's still hurt over what happened earlier. "…Me too."
Silence takes the forefront as he continues to carry me while my heart grows weary with each step. The sun drowns in the horizon behind us, drenching the sky in total darkness. My body goes completely numb as Sora clutches me tighter, his hands the only thing keeping me in the world of awareness…
Don't Be a Gentleman: Darkness Rising…
It's strange…usually I would be ecstatic in a situation like this (no matter how pathetic it makes me look).
Just being with him, having his arms around me…it almost brings a tear to my eye.
I've missed this. Being with him…
All the anger from before is starting to drip away, replaced with inklings of sadness and relief that he's even willing to touch me.
I should be grateful, extremely grateful. I should apologize; tell him how much he means to me right now…how much I appreciate this act of chivalry…
But…something's stopping me…
I can't describe it perfectly, but all of a sudden I started feeling…cold. Like a freezing torrent of rain running down my skin, leeching away at my precious reserves of warmth and life.
Shadows…they're clinging to my fingers, traveling up my hands and into my stomach. I really, really hope my eyes are playing tricks on me. Ugh, I hate the dark…
I was reaching my limit. I've always had issues with the dark ever since I was five. It only got worse after the grand adventure (aka my recent kidnappings). I guess it's just a part of being a Princess of Light…
…which is incredibly stupid. How can I show my worth if I can barely stand a night outside my own bedroom?
It's an annoying fear that I have to conquer, especially after everything that Sora and Riku have been through.
Still though, it's just…cold. I wanted to ask Sora about it (surely he must be feeling something too), but…
His face had transformed back into a hard mask and his eyes were blank. I'm not sure talking to him would be the best idea at this point…
Ugh, but I'm freezing! I clamped my mouth shut, refusing to voice my frustrations out loud. Instead, I hugged Sora, hoping to get a spot of warmth from his chest. His body was even worse.
I shivered, gnashing my teeth together to stop the chattering.
As my body starts to shake, Sora suddenly stops. He said, "We're here."
I glanced up warily at his face. "Huh?"
"Your house…" He gestures towards the building with a nod.
"Oh," I said. Darn, I didn't think I'd get home so fast. Dang…
I tried to unclench my fingers around his neck, but my arms won't move.
I felt horrible, but I couldn't stand the thought of letting him go. After everything that's happened I know a long separation is in order…and I'm not sure my sanity will last during that.
But just as strong as the feeling to make him stay exists…another part of me wants to run and never look back. It was like I could feel the shadows getting closer…they wanted to catch me…
You're being irrational, Kairi. Stop it! You're not a little girl anymore. Now let the man go! I gritted my teeth before getting out of Sora's arms. My muscles automatically tensed as the soreness from the battle earlier nearly made me trip on the spot.
It was a sad and painful lesson to acknowledge. Never underestimate your boyfriend in a fight after kissing his best friend (actually, never challenge him to a fight unless you're going to follow the rules).
This would be the perfect time for me to kick my pride out the window and actually give Sora the apology he deserves. Of course, now my body decided to be cruel and shake like there's no tomorrow.
I struggled to keep myself straight as I looked into his eyes. It was a miracle that he hadn't left yet. Muttering, I went through the easy obstacles first. "Thanks…um, for bringing me home."
Wow, excellently done, Kairi. You've really hit a field goal there…
Sora didn't say anything. He was just standing there with his eyes closed, as if he were waiting for something. I wondered vaguely if he was sleepwalking. "Hello? Sora?"
"Yes?" He opened his eyes. They were black again.
"I'm sorry, for everything."
He was walking closer to me now, making the wind colder with his every move. "You said that already…"
"I know…but I just needed to say it again. I thought I was trying to help…but lately all I've done is hurt everyone around me. I was being selfish and…" I paused as he stood in front of me, his face a couple centimeters above my own. "I…it was wrong and…"
He brought a hand up to my face, caressing my cheek. It felt like ice. "Kairi?"
"Yeah?"
"Don't talk."
I closed my mouth as his cold hand traveled up into my hair, numbing the right side of my face. He smiled slowly, lifting another hand up to my head. "Your hair…it's so light…"
The way he said it…it had to be more than just a casual reference. I was starting to feel uncomfortable but I couldn't find it in me to move.
His hands continued roaming my face until they stopped right above my cheeks. It was like he was a blind man, searching through all the discreet details and nuances…like he was trying to find a way into my soul. I shivered again as his hands squeezed my cheeks, pinching the skin through his nails.
His voice was deep and thoughtful. "You're as bright…as bright as the sun. So full of light…it almost hurts…" He chuckled softly, staring into my confused orbs with awe. "Could you share it with me?"
The question startled me. My mind was being thrown for a loop. The idea of giving Sora some of my light was appealing…but at that moment all I wanted to do was run inside the house and hide under the covers.
It's too cold… "Sora…I don't know."
He closed his eyes and leaned towards me. "Please…" He then kissed me, softly brushing his lips against mine.
Immediately dizziness scattered my brain followed by lightheadedness and pain. My face grew colder and colder until I couldn't sense anything at all.
Except for his lips…
He kissed me again and again, starting with my jaw all the way down towards my collarbone. Everywhere he touched, a cool sensation would flow in until I couldn't feel in that area. He had become a leech…and now he was sucking all the heat left in my shivering body.
It was getting harder to breathe. I could barely let out a steamy puff of air before his mouth pressed against mine, cutting off the faint release of oxygen. It was exhilarating…and terrifying. His kisses were getting deeper and harder, making it close to impossible for me to stay somewhat conscious.
I pushed my hands out desperately, shoving with all my might, aiming for his chest.
My hands instantly freeze in place but I force myself to keep pushing, to break away. Anything but this…anything… I gasped, letting out a painful breath past my sore throat as feeling comes back into my cheeks, probably pasting it red.
I bend low, grasping my knees. "I-I'm sorry…but I can't do it now…" I coughed before glancing up to take in his face.
I couldn't read his expression at all…because his face was covered in darkness. In fact, his whole body was shrouded in purple swirls and black trailing smoke. It wavered in the air, following his movements as if it were attached to his hands and feet like a thousand ribbons. His eyes were yellow, glowing brightly in front of me.
My eyes widened to impossible lengths while I took a couple of backward steps, slamming into my front door. "Sora…"
I couldn't see his mouth, but a spot of white was shining in the shape of a crescent moon (which I later presumed to be his teeth). He did a small flip, landing five feet away from me before crawling away at a rapid pace, disappearing with the other shadows across my lawn.
My heart hammered into my chest, beating away the minutes as I stood idly on the porch, holding a couple of fingers up to my mouth.
I slowly turned and opened the door, cringing at the creaking sound it made as I closed it. I sank to the floor, my back sliding against the sharp wood while my arms fell loosely at my sides.
It was rather strange…me sitting there, tremors rolling through my spine while I clutched my knees.
Gosh, Kairi! Get a grip. I snorted, faking nonchalance as my legs took me in the direction to reach my room.
The house was silent, the only indication that anyone being awake was the light blaring from my father's office. I could see my mother in the room, signaling for me to come over with a furious look in her eyes.
Great, what did I do now? It wasn't until I approached my mother, and withstood her rants, that I realized the small smile spreading across my face.
There we go…another chapter.
I had an interesting time writing this even if not that much happens…
Thank you all for reading and reviewing.