"Kairi...I think that we're ready to try and find your mother now."
When Master Aqua had taken Kairi aside during the day's training and told her those words, in the quietest of voices, Kairi's heart had skipped several critical beats.
Kairi glanced around the training grounds, at the others still hard at work - Sora and Riku, and Xion, and Ven, and even Skuld, too, now. She bit her lip as she looked up at Aqua, and then she quickly strode off across the small bridge over the stream, and on down the curving mountain path. She kept walking until she came to an old, stone viewing platform, with chipped and overgrown old benches. There, Kairi sat down on one of those old stone benches, taking a deep breath and setting hands in her lap.
Aqua came to sit beside her - watching her from the corner of her eye.
Kairi controlled her breathing, her heart pounding in her chest...and she turned to face her Master. "You figured out a way to find her?" she asked.
Aqua nodded. "With Ven and Terra's help - and even a visit to Master Yen Sid-"
"King Mickey's Master?"
"Right - he's the master of this kind of magic. And, with all of their help, I've been practicing a locator spell that should work for us." Aqua hesitated, adding, "Though, it might not be all too precise."
"How does it work?" Kairi asked curiously.
"Well, it examines and identifies the imprint of emotions on a cherished object, and then searches out the matching Heart that left it there - wherever it is, out there in the worlds," Aqua explained. "It draws a link between the echoes and the 'real thing.' And wherever that Heart is located, that information is etched into the Heart of the caster - myself, in this case. Then, we'd just let that knowledge guide us to that Heart. But, there are some variables to it that can influence the results: strength of the spell, strength and skill level of the caster, as well as magical interference or obstruction. Just as there are spells to find people, there are magical ways to conceal your location."
"Otherwise, we could just track down Xehanort with this kind of magic," Kairi remarked.
"Exactly," Aqua said. "As much as I hate to admit it, he is still a Keyblade Master - and a master of all sorts of obscure magicks I couldn't hope to guess at. And that likely involves obscuring his movements from other magically powerful people. I wouldn't even bother trying it, with him. In fact, Ven once mentioned that Xehanort had interfered with even Master Yen Sid's scrying abilities before - obscuring the location of Mickey, in an attempt to bait Ven to him," she concluded grimly.
"Well, I'm ready to try this with my mother," Kairi said, taking off her necklace and giving it over to her Master immediately. But though she tried to say the words with her usual levels of spunk, inside, she really wasn't feeling that confident about it...
But Aqua gave a nod and took the necklace in hand, regardless. And she immediately got to work with...whatever this magic was. She clasped her hands together over the necklace, closing her eyes and letting a breath go free. For a long moment, nothing happened. But then her hands began to glow with a blue energy, and a bright light shined from between them. A warm wind swept out around them, fluttering at their hair and clothing, and rustling the grass. Aqua opened her eyes - and then her hands, revealing the necklace. The pendant was glowing a bright blue now...and then it began to pulse.
"Is it-" Kairi started.
"Wait," Aqua said, simple and quiet - and not unkindly.
Kairi fell silent again.
The necklace flashed more quickly, before finally ceasing - the light fading away.
At last Aqua turned to face Kairi, and she smiled. She held the necklace out to Kairi, who took it back immediately. "The spell worked," Aqua stated clearly. "I was able to discern a location - but I can't say how exact it will be," she added on quickly.
"It really worked?" Kairi said hesitantly, hardly daring to believe it...
"Yes."
"And this means she's- she's alive out there, somewhere? The spell doesn't pick up on- on dead-"
"No!" Aqua said firmly, making a face at the very notion. "No: it's only for tracing Hearts still in existence in this World - wherever they are. It definitely means...that she is still alive. If she wasn't, the spell simply would have failed."
Kairi nodded, sitting there on the bench, clenching her hands into fists in her lap now. She stared out at the mountain peaks, the blue sky above...the waterfalls...
"Would you like to go now...or would you like some time to think about things?" Aqua's voice came again, high and gentle now. "I understand that this is a big-"
"I..." Kairi started. She swallowed hard, closing her eyes. She wanted to just jump up and say, let's go. Let's do this! I'm ready for it! But...the truth was...she wasn't sure that she was. She was afraid that if she didn't go right away, something might happen to rob her of this chance, but...she was also afraid of actually going through with it now that it was real. Now that it was possible. She breathed, in and out, and opened her eyes. "I need to go home," she said dazedly, standing up. "I need a few hours to - no, a day. Can we go tomorrow?"
"Of course. Tomorrow," Aqua confirmed. She stood too, and then she hesitantly reached out and touched Kairi's shoulder. She caressed her, squeezed her - then let her go again.
"Tomorrow, then," Kairi agreed.
Kairi sat up in hers and Xion's bedroom for a long time - over an hour. Maybe two.
She'd dug out the old photo album from underneath her bed. And for the past few hours she had just sat there looking at it again.
Pictures that had context now - in the memories Namine had showed her before.
But it was all of those memories that made Kairi's Heart feel so heavy and constricted...
A sudden knock at the door made Kairi startle out of her...whatever this was.
"Kairi, are you okay in there?" dad's voice came through the door. He'd questioned her when she'd come home from training early - much earlier than usual - but she hadn't answered him. She'd gone up to her room and asked to be alone for a while.
But now...
She guessed she couldn't keep avoiding it any longer, could she?
Not when tomorrow she was going to confront this...face to face...in person...for real...
"No..." Kairi called back to her dad, sliding off the bed and holding the album in her arms. She strode across the room and opened the door. Dad gazed down at her, his face filled with worry and surprise. She looked up at him, her own face twisting. Her lip threatening to quaver... "There's some stuff I need to tell you about - things I should have told you weeks ago. I'm sorry..."
Dad blinked down at her. But he shook his head. "Don't be. I knew something had happened - the day you first went back to your...home world. Even Xion knew something had really upset you. I was just waiting for you to come to me with whatever it was."
Kairi nodded, then turned and went back into her room. She dropped onto her bed, holding the album in her lap. Dad sat next to her, eyeing the album.
"What's that you've got there?" he asked. "Don't tell me it's some kind of spellbook full of dangerous-" he started to joke.
Kairi shook her head, a small smile tugging at her lips. "No, daddy, it's not a spellbook - I already know all the most dangerous spells."
"Well, that really sets an old man's Heart at ease, honey..." dad murmured.
"Sorry," Kairi said, with a small grin now. "Anyways, look, this - um - it's...something different. When I went back to Radiant Garden, I spoke to some people at the castle - King Ansem, and others - and they helped me to track down my...birth records. And from those, I was able to follow the trail to...to my grandmother's house. And that was where I found this..." She offered the album over to dad; he took it carefully, opening it up to the first page.
He gazed down at it with wide eyes. He flipped a page - and then another. And a third... He looked over at her, carefully now. Softly. "Is this...?"
"Yeah. Me and...my mother," Kairi whispered. "Her name is Rynn. Rynn Matsui. My grandmother was Nora. So, that means I was Kairi Matsui."
"All right," dad said simply, holding her gaze with that softness, that care... "And is this all you found?"
"No...there's more. I went to Namine for help with it, weeks ago - because of her memory powers, you know? I told you about them..."
"I remember something like that, yes."
"Well, she was able to go as far back as my babyhood days. She was able to show me those memories. Memories of me with my mother. Because...those were the only memories I had with her," Kairi went on, quick and rambling now. With a shaky laugh that was faker than anything. "You know what I found in my records, at the castle, dad? My mother - she gave me up a month after I was even born! She left me with grandmother, and then she left. I learned that from the memories Namine showed me!"
"Kairi, I-" dad started to say.
Kairi went on anyways. She couldn't have stopped now. "She hated me, you know. She didn't want me. She said it to my little baby face! Right before she left me there - on the streets! She could have just portal'd back to grandmother's house, she could have at least- but she didn't! And I know she was ill, I know things were messed up for her, I know that she was dealing with a crazy guy who-"
"Kairi, slow down, please. What do you mean a-"
Kairi slammed her mouth shut suddenly, her eyes stinging as she whipped her head away from dad's alarmed gaze. "Just...stuff I saw in my memories..." she said tightly.
Dad looked down at the photos again, silently staring at the images of Kairi's birth mother. He'd gone a little pale now. He took in a deep breath before raising his head again. "What did you see, honey? Please, tell me."
Kairi gazed at the wall intently, her blurry world becoming even more distant to her. "The man who- helped make me- he...he didn't treat her good. He...scared her. Hurt her. And he thought of me as some kind of tool - or a weapon, or something. I don't know. And she...I don't think she wanted to have me...at all...you know?"
"I understand...all right, Kairi. All right. And how do you feel about all of this...?"
"I don't know. Sometimes I hate her for it, but other times I'm grateful she protected me from him - gave me up to grandmother at all. She still...did good there, right? She still gave me a good life? A good home? She didn't have to. She hated me. But she still did it! That has to mean...something, right?! He was going to take me from her, and she saved me from that! She stabbed him, she fought him! Even though she was afraid, even though he...treated her so badly. She still got up the courage to protect me like that! Doesn't that count for something?"
"I think...from the sounds of it...it was a very complicated, difficult situation," dad said carefully - gently. "And I don't think I could judge any of it. I couldn't judge her. I don't think it's my place to do that, regardless. But you...how you feel about it, I think that's just as complicated. And I think it's allowed to be. You can be upset, and angry, and sad, and confused, and even...glad, for the good things that might have come from it, yes. That's perfectly fine. I just wish...God, honey, I wish you'd come to me with this sooner. I wish we could have talked about it all so much sooner... If I'd known you were holding all of this inside of you..."
"I'm s-sorry!" Kairi burst out, crying now in full. "I just had to- I had to-"
"You had to sort it out on your own? Deal with it yourself?"
"Yes!"
Dad almost looked like he was going to laugh or something, for a split second. But he nodded, and then he reached out and pulled her into his arms. "Kairi...you are a strong, forthright, and discerning girl. And I have always loved and admired that about you. Always. But that fire, and that stubbornness that comes with it...sometimes it's not...one of your greatest traits in the world. Sometimes it's to your detriment. Sometimes..." He shook his head above her, and squeezed her tighter still.
Kairi sat there with her dad in silence for a minute. And then another. And then... "I know where to find her - now. Master Aqua used a spell to...trace her. I asked her a few weeks ago, and she said she'd do what she could to help me, and today she told me she was ready. She did the spell and...it worked. But I told her I had to come home, I had to tell you, at least... I want to do it tomorrow. I want to go, tomorrow..."
Dad let her go, pulling away from her slowly. He grasped her arms gently, gazing at her. But not saying anything...
"You- you can't stop me-" Kairi started.
Now, dad laughed. Fixing her with an almost offended look, actually. "I would never stop you, Kairi. If this is something you feel you have to do...then I won't stop you. But I do want to be sure of one thing: that you go into this with a clear head - and Heart," he added, moving his hand to place his palm over her heart. "No matter what you feel or think, and no matter what happens...you need to be prepared to accept whatever form this...closure takes. The answers you're searching for. All right, honey? Because from everything you've told me, from these photos, this woman...I hate to have to say this to you, but she doesn't look like the kind of person who's going to welcome you with open arms. And I am sorry..."
"I know that..." Kairi murmured, looking away. She wiped furiously at her stinging eyes. "I do! But - it's just - it's been fourteen years for her as much as me, hasn't it? She could have...changed. Changed her mind. Rethought some things. Maybe-"
"Maybe," dad agreed softly. "And that would be...one of the better outcomes. And for your sake alone, I hope so, honey. I really do. But...but you should be prepared for the fact that even a decade's worth of time can't heal all wounds. That some things...some things you just can't get past. And it might hurt you, it might seem unfair, but it's just-"
"I guess we'll see?" Kairi interjected.
Dad sighed. He nodded. He caressed her arm, stroking her - patting at her. Then he set her album aside and got to his feet. "Yes... But no matter how it goes - if you do find this woman - I'll be here when you get home. Okay?"
"Okay," Kairi said simply.
It was a little surprising when Master Aqua showed up at the house the next day - before noon, even.
Kairi had at least expected to get in her daily training session before...
But here she was.
"Good morning, Kairi," Aqua spoke - in careful tones.
"Morning," Kairi replied, apprehensive, herself... "Are we going to-"
"Before you go," dad said suddenly, his gaze on Aqua alone. "I'd like to talk to you for a minute, please - Master?"
"Of course," Aqua said simply, with a respectful nod.
They disappeared into the dining room - leaving Kairi alone in the living room. She thought about trying to eavesdrop, but the thought of dad's reaction to that kept her where she was. After a good, long several minutes, dad and Master Aqua both returned to the living room. Aqua didn't look too different from her usual - but dad...Kairi could tell.
Especially because he came right over to her and gave her a big, suffocating hug.
"Dad..." she strangled out, squirming. "Come on, I have to go-"
"I know...I know..." he murmured, slowly releasing her. He looked into her eyes. "I know you have to do this. But I wish you didn't. I wish that about a lot of things, when it comes to you, and the life you've led so far...and the life you're going to lead. But as much as I'd love to, I can't just keep you here at home forever, shielding you from everything that's out there."
"So you actually admit it," Kairi said, with a poor attempt at her usual grin.
"I admit...that you've proven already that you can handle the things that are out there," dad replied. "So I'm going to trust...that you can handle this, as well. But if you ever need some help - please-"
"I'll tell you everything when I get back - this time," Kairi interjected quickly, blushing shamefully. "It just...might take me a day or two to work up to it, okay?"
"Thank you. That's all I'll ever ask. Whenever you're ready, whenever you feel comfortable enough - tell me what you can."
"I will."
"All right. Then..." Dad sighed, looking to Aqua again. "Go. But come back soon - and try to stay safe."
Aqua gave him a serious nod, then turned away and placed her hand over her Heart. She breathed, and her Keyblade appeared in her hand at her side. She raised her arm, pointing it out - and a portal of swirling blue light appeared in the middle of the living room. She opened her eyes again and looked to Kairi. "Are you ready?" she asked gently.
Kairi drew herself up, nodding. "Ready. Let's go!"
Aqua lowered her Keyblade and strode into the portal; Kairi followed after her swiftly - not looking back at dad.
Exiting out the other side, Kairi stepped out into a world she didn't recognize.
It was a...a cramped world. A busy world. In all directions - even up and down - there were buildings and lights and signs flashing everywhere. All made of rusted, dirty metal - like the street beneath Kairi's feet. Far above, where tall metal buildings just kept reaching higher and higher, she could see various other streets and bridges and walkways. This was a place of levels, it seemed like. Endless levels. She couldn't even see the sky, no matter how much she craned her neck!
She stopped trying, and instead looked to Master Aqua. "So, what did dad talk to you about?"
Aqua glanced at her. She hesitated a moment.
"What? Oh - did he actually try the whole 'overprotective dad' thing, and threatened you or something?" Kairi said in disbelief.
"W-what? No!" Aqua refuted firmly, shaking her head. "It was nothing like that!"
"Then what did you-"
"He just wanted my assurance...that when I spoke about how a Master is meant to treat her apprentice like a child of her own...that I meant it in full," Aqua replied slowly, holding her gaze.
"He is being crazy overprotective, then," Kairi uttered, glowering at her surroundings. "Unbelievable!" And after he'd just told her to her face how he'd realized she was capable of handling this!
"I don't think it was like that - I think it's about love," Aqua said softly. "He just...has that much love for you, Kairi. I see it every time he's around you - every time he so much as looks in your direction. It's incredible, and powerful, and...it honestly has me a little envious," she admitted in a murmur, her cheeks flushing.
"Still, he doesn't really think I can handle myself-"
"Kairi, it really wasn't like that," Aqua interrupted firmly. "It wasn't! I think it was a normal level of parental...passion and concern! Okay?"
Kairi eyed the woman suspiciously for a long moment. Then she sighed, nodding. "Sure. Okay. So...where do we find...her?"
"Well, she should be somewhere around here, at least," Aqua said, casting a look around, herself, now. "I couldn't say how accurate the spell really was or not - sorry."
"It's okay," Kairi assured. "Let's just...ask around. Maybe we'll get lucky."
Aqua nodded. "If that's what you want to do."
The problem was, however, that despite how multi-storied, cluttered and compact this world seemed to be - all things that spoke of a place that should be bustling with activity - it just...wasn't. In fact, it was a downright ghost town around here! Kairi strode toward a small shop and peeked inside - but there was nothing. No one. She craned her neck and looked down the walkway, but...there was no one in either direction! As far as Kairi could tell, she and Aqua were the only people around. At least here, anyways.
"Though, this doesn't seem to be a place people frequent," Aqua spoke again, in casual remark.
"No, it doesn't," Kairi agreed. She pointed down the street, and started off. "I'm sure we can find someone, though. Somewhere..." I hope...
Aqua simply followed her without further comment, seeming content to let Kairi take the lead here.
Master Aqua, at least, knew Kairi could handle herself...
Kairi and Aqua passed by dozens of little shops and buildings - and extremely narrow, dark alleyways that Kairi wasn't even sure she could have squeezed her way through. Either way, she was not willing to try it. She was fine sticking to the main streets instead. And, after a few minutes of walking in a straight line, it actually paid off!
The street finally opened up - into a small plaza. It wasn't anything special, but it was at least well-lit. And, off to the side, Kairi spotted a large, vertical shaft behind a glass door. It must have been the way up! She hurried over to it excitedly. There was a small button on the wall, which she hit without hesitation. The glass door opened up, and Kairi was able to peer down and up through the shaft, confirming her suspicions; she let out an eep! as she saw a round platform falling down the shaft from far above, and swiftly pulled her head back out of it again!
Master Aqua gave her a look of worry and amusement alike, but just shook her head. "At least they have quick elevators..." she muttered, as the platform came to a halt before them. She stepped onto it without hesitation, beckoning Kairi in after her.
There was another panel inside - this one littered with numbered keys on it. Aqua stared down at it for a moment, her eyes furrowed with concentration. Then she sighed and turned to Kairi. "Would you mind if I...saw the necklace again? If I could re-cast the spell, I could narrow down her location for us again. Because otherwise, this is...it might take a while..."
"Sure," Kairi said, taking off the necklace and handing it over to her Master.
Aqua took it with great care, and she did exactly as she had yesterday. She held it in her hands, and worked her magic on it. Kairi was relieved to see the same pulsing light again, the same glow, that meant it had worked again! After she was finished, Aqua nodded to herself, and gave the necklace back to Kairi once more. "Okay...let's see now..." Aqua murmured, as, almost like an afterthought, she tapped at several keys on the elevator panel - seven, one, and three. Then, she pressed a big, green button, and the elevator platform suddenly shot upwards.
"Did your spell tell you where to go again?" Kairi inquired, as she put her necklace back on again.
"Yes."
"Then why didn't the first spell just tell you to go to the elevators in the first place? You just followed me," Kairi teased.
Aqua laughed lightly. "Maybe it did, and I just wanted to let you feel useful," she replied, in rare quipping.
Kairi beamed at her, giggling with sheer delight.
Silence fell between the two of them again.
"Hey, if we're going up to level seven hundred and thirteen...how far down were we? Or, how far up does this whole place really go?" Kairi questioned, watching the rapidly shifting numbers on the display panel in wonder.
Aqua shrugged in response. "I'm as clueless as you are."
"Then guess," Kairi joked.
Aqua glanced at her, her lips curving. "Nine thousand...eighty-two."
"I'm going to guess nine-thousand and eighty-three, then," Kairi said instantly.
Aqua rolled her eyes, setting a hand on her hip and turning away.
Still far sooner than Kairi might have expected, the elevator slowed down again - stopping on a whole new level. She and Aqua stepped out of the elevator again, into this new level. Immediately, they noticed it was far different from the one they had started on. For one thing: it was populated. For another, everything generally looked...cleaner and shinier up here. Brighter lights, reflective surfaces - smells and sounds and crowds moving this way and that, up and down the street, in and out of the buildings lining it.
"Do you still know where to go, or do I need to ask someone for directions?" Kairi half-joked, leaning in closer to Aqua.
"Would it make you feel better to ask someone?" Aqua joked back.
Either she was in a really good mood today, or...or she was trying really hard for Kairi's sake, because...
"No," Kairi sighed. "Let's just find her already."
"Okay. Then...this way," Aqua said quietly, starting off down the street. "I think she's close now - a lot closer."
Kairi hesitated a moment before following her Master onward.
Aqua led the way through the crowds - and then, at some point, she stopped. She turned and gazed up at a tall, wide building. She nodded to herself, and started for the entrance - a squeaky clean, glass double doorway. They strode inside together, entering a large lobby that was a stark contrast to all the cold metal of the outside: it was all nice carpet, velvet furniture, and pleasing colors - blues and greens. They both just took it all in for a moment, before heading over to a polished, wooden front desk - where a receptionist had been waiting for them.
They- she- looked to be some kind of - well, machine or robot. She was all shiny, reflective metal, smooth and rounded, like the streets and buildings of this world all were. Apart from the fact that her form was clearly female, and that she had bright blue eyes, she was generally featureless - no defining characteristics or marks. Not even anything like hair on her head. Certainly no clothing to speak of.
"Welcome to Obsidian Suites. Are you looking for a place to stay on Level 713?" she started speaking, immediately after Aqua and Kairi walked up to her. "We offer full, family-sized complexes for all-"
"Stay? No, not us," Kairi replied quickly. "We're looking for...someone. A- a woman. Red hair, like mine. Her name is...probably...Rynn? Does she live here...?"
The woman cocked her head at Kairi. "I'm sorry, but I'm not permitted to disclose information on tenants to unauthorized individuals."
Kairi glanced down, biting at her lip. She took a breath and looked up again. "But - she's my- mother, okay? It should be obvious to-"
"I do note a striking similarity - I would be inclined to believe you - but I do have to follow protocol," the woman interjected, sounding at least apologetic.
"Well - can I at least look for her myself?" Kairi asked.
"Of course - all visitors are free to see anyone they wish in this building." The woman turned and raised a long, shiny arm to point off into a narrow hallway off to the left. "Just proceed through there and explore any floor you like."
"Thanks," Kairi said sincerely, already heading off in that direction.
"You're very welcome - and I do hope you find her. I'm sure she would be very happy to see you!" the woman called after her cheerfully.
"Kairi, I really do still know where to go," Aqua spoke, as they stepped into another elevator. Proving her words, she gave a few quick taps at the elevator controls like she came here all the time.
"I was trying to be polite," Kairi retorted, as the elevator started to move. "And I didn't want us to look suspicious."
"Right..." Aqua replied slowly. "Okay."
"I was!" Kairi exclaimed, glaring now.
"Okay - I believe you!" Aqua said, holding up her hands.
Kairi turned away, crossing her arms.
Aqua sighed audibly.
Kairi ignored her, and tried to figure out whether or not she could burn a hole through the wall with her magic and eyes alone.
The elevator door opened again all too soon, and Aqua led the way into a long, curving, nicely carpeted hallway. There were rows of doors on either side, along with decorative plants and other things every few feet. Every door had a number on them. Aqua started off down the hallway, glancing at those numbers with well-trained eyes. They marched on for a minute or two, following the curve of the hall...until Aqua stopped. She stopped, and turned toward a single door in particular. It had the number 104 on it.
Aqua turned back to Kairi, meeting her gaze. "This is where the spell ends. This...has to be where she is."
Kairi stepped forward, closer to the door, nodding silently. She gazed at the numbers. She looked down at the nice, silver, curved handle attached to the door. There was a little panel next to the door, with a tiny screen on it, whose purpose Kairi couldn't really guess at.
"Whenever you're ready," Aqua told her gently.
Kairi just nodded again.
Now that she was here, standing before this door...the only thing left between her and- Rynn Matsui...between answers, between resolution and at least...at least some sort of closure to the storm of emotions that had been in her Heart since starting this whole investigation into her own past at Radiant Garden...
Kairi didn't know if she could actually do it.
If she even wanted to.
What if she just left? Went home, back to her home, back to dad, back to Sora and the others, and just...forgot about it? Let sleeping memories lie...? Let the past stay the past?
No! No, who was she kidding with that? It would eat at her for the rest of her life.
She had to do this - now or never.
Kairi raised a small, shaking hand, and knocked on the door. Loudly. Several times over.
And she waited with baited breath.
Aqua raised a hand and briefly squeezed her shoulder.
They waited a minute more...
There was a click - the panel next to the door flashed green - and then the door cracked open...
AN: Yesssss I did cliffhanger your asses! xDDD I am evil incarnate, muhahaha! :D :D :D :D
Actually lol I just wanted to be able to have the next chapter to wholly dedicate to...THE THING. xD All properly and stuff. Otherwise this would've been a really long chapter...!