Chapter 36: Deep Jungle

-April 14, 2009-

Kasandra's POV

When I had opened my eyes, wondering briefly when I had closed them, I pushed up on Sora's chest to look around. The treeh-

I screamed, holding my ankle as gently as I could.

Sora sat up slowly with a wince, rubbing the back of his head with a low complaint. Catching my eye, he smiled, "You're okay!"

I shifted to get my ankle to a more comfortable position with a wince, "N-Not entirely…"

Sora gasped, "Oh no! We need to get you to someone who knows healing!"

"I-It's fine! I'm fine! Really!" I smiled as reassuringly as I could, "But apparently we were out longer than we thought… Look outside."

He followed my line of sight to the window. It was nightfall, "I'll be fine until morning. I'm fine…"

Sora looked sceptical as well as a little angry at my stubbornness. He nodded after a moment before standing up. I looked up at him questionably, until he set down a pile of broken wood in front of me and summoned his keyblade, pointing the tip at the pile.

"Fire!" At his command, flames roared to life, bringing a small, warm fire to burn before us.

Shivering, I rubbed my bare stomach, happy for the warmth. Wait... "Sora? What am I wearing?"

Blinking, he did a double take, "Uh... Something different?"

Rolling my eyes, I winced once more, "I-I know that! I meant specifics! Give your keyblade. It has better reflection than my guns."

I touched the long connected blade, only to drop it immediately. Cringing, I cradled my hand to my chest, "Ow! What the…?"

"Are you okay?! Let me see!" Without letting me answer, he dropped to his knees next to me, grasping my wrist gently pulling it towards him.

With a red face, and heart beating fast, I turned my head away not wanting to look at him, "I-I'm fine! Really!"

I could almost hear the frown in his voice, "It's a bit burnt… I think I might have a few bandages at least for this and your ankle…"

He didn't let go of my hand as he searched for said bandages. I hadn't realized how cold I actually was until Sora pointed it out. He then proceeded to wrap his arms around me pulled me to his chest, "That should keep us both warm for the night." He closed his eyes, resting his head atop mine before mumbling, "I wonder where the others are…"

I curled up closer without a word. I wasn't really sure what there was to say.

"Hey, Kassy…?" I hummed in question, "You said before that you're from another world… Can you tell me about it?"

I took a deep breath, "I suppose so. Well like I said before it's called Earth."

"Earth…" Sora breathed out, "What's it like?"

"Where do I start?" I gave a nervous giggle, "It's very much like your world. But there's more than just the mainland and play island. It's so much bigger it's not even funny."

"Like... How big?" He asked in complete awe.

I giggled once more, pausing to wince and rub my ankle very gently, "Makes your play island look like an atom."

"And you... go everywhere?" Sora gasped.

"Oh god no! I live on an island as well. Well lived." I shrugged.

He smiled widely, holding me closer, "Amazing…"

"I suppose so. I liked it but sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming at times. Suffocating. Although I don't think I could have lasted a day on the mainland alone. Sylvia on the other hand probably would have given her right hand for an opportunity to get out."

I felt Sora frown against my head, "Sounds like Riku…"

That had me sitting up, realizing that was something he indeed would say, "I-I'm sorry…"

His eyes flashed worriedly, "No no! I'm not mad! I just... It's just... I..."

I smiled slightly, "I get what you're trying to say. I think. How about you?"

The chocolate spiked boy tilted his head. I shook my head, my smile widening ever so slightly, "Your life. Tell me about you now." I cuddled closer to him for warmth. Just warmth, I swear.

"Well... It's always just been Riku and I... At least for about twelve years... Then one night with a meteor shower... She just appeared." He added after my fake look of confusion, "Kairi. She always followed us... And I think she figured out that I loved-" He immediately cut himself off.

I giggled and pushed up on his chest, pausing a second to rub my ankle, "You do realize that I already figured out that you're in love with him right?"

He blushed lightly, "He he... What, uh… What gave it away?"

My smile slowly faded, "I-it's… Um… You… The way you look at him…?" That lie shouldn't have been as hard as it seemed.

Sora frowned, "Right…"

I frowned, looking down to avoid eye contact, "I'm sorry, Sora. Things are complicated. I… I can't tell you some things… Maybe one day… But not now…"

He was silent for a moment. I feared I would begin to cry any moment. Eventually he took a deep breath, "Alright… I understand. It looks like it hurts you to keep it a secret but I'm here for you. Okay?"

Still refusing to look up, I began sniffling. There went the waterworks, "T-Thank you…"

He lifted my head with one hand on my cheek, "I mean it. I don't want you to suffer alone. But if you feel you have to just know that you're not alone. No matter what. Will you promise me that? That you'll never think you're alone?"

I couldn't fight the smile through my blurry vision and quiet sobs, "Y-Yes, I promise!"

He smiled widely and wrapped his arms around me once more, tightly pulling me into his chest. Nothing was said. I cried into his chest, the stroking of his hand on my back barely felt.

Time seemed to stop around us. When my tears ceased, and Sora's breathing slowed to indicate sleep, did I finally close my eyes to accept the darkness waiting.