Chapter Summary: A small Shadow finds his way to a girl in white.
Remember, Naminé—unless you do what we say, you are never leaving this castle. Ever .
Marluxia's words rolled over in Naminé's mind. Over and over and over again.
If she didn't do what he said, she'd be stuck here forever, in this awful castle with its empty walls and even emptier inhabitants.
On the other hand, if she did do what he said, she'd be stuck in an even smaller cage, trapped by her own lies and her fake chains.
If only she had a Heart of her own…maybe she would have the strength to stand up for herself and leave!
And she wouldn't be anyone's shadow anymore…least of all Kairi's.
She was just so tired of being alone…!
Something shifted. Out of the corner of her eye, Naminé could see something moving towards her.
It was black all over, with a small head, long limbs, clawed hands, and twin antennae. The only thing that wasn't black were its large yellow eyes.
Eyes that were staring right at her.
It was a Heartless. A Shadow Heartless, to be more specific.
Naminé's eyes widened. She knew that, having no Heart at all, she was in no danger from the Shadow. But even so, phantom memories that didn't quite belong to her caused her to tremble (in fear?) at the Heartless's appearance. It took everything in her not to scream as the Heartless came closer.
And closer.
And closer.
Until it was standing right next to her, just below eye-level, as it stared up up at her and—
Did nothing?
Naminé blinked as the Heartless stared at her expectantly.
Almost like it wanted her to— oh .
Slowly, she reached out and brushed her hand against the surprisingly warm head of the Shadow. The Shadow closed its eyes in…contentment?
It was such an unexpected sight that Naminé could not help but giggle. Then she frowned thoughtfully.
Something about this Heartless seemed so familiar…
Naminé gasped in realization. She knew this warmth, even if she had never experienced it as herself. It belonged to a certain Somebody special: "Sora?"
Where was he?
Sora had no idea how he got here.
One minute he was in a dark, dark place, and the next thing he knew, he had somehow gotten to this big, empty, white castle in the middle of nowhere.
He had been exploring for a while now, trying to find a way out so he could find KairiRikuHome.
But this castle seemed to go on forever! He had been looking and looking and looking! But he couldn't find anything or anyone!
Just when he was about to give up, Sora felt something .
It was small. Quiet. Warm.
Light.
But so sad .
Sora poked his head into a room where he felt the light. It was a white room, just like all those other empty rooms.
But this one was not empty.
There was a girl covered in white inside.
The light he felt was coming from her.
It felt so familiar but was so different.
(Like Kairi butnot Kairi.)
And it was so sad.
Well, that wouldn't do!
Sora padded over to the girl in white.
He stared up at her and waited.
And waited.
And waited.
Until the girl in white got his message and reached out to pat his head and began to giggle.
Sora beamed. He did it! The girl was smiling!
Her light was happy now!
Then the girl in white said his name. She knew him?
Then she must know a way to help him!
Sora made a decision then: he was going to stay with the girl in white until he could find a way Home.
( A way to Kairi.)
