Chapter 14: Left behind

Sora woke up and turned towards his left side to see Rem holding his arm, having been with him for however long he was knocked out. He closed his eyes and started to remember what happened, having easily been defeated by Xehanort. This thought caused him to think about his purpose in the world he was sent, making him realize that he needs to defeat the Organization once again to save the world from being engulfed in darkness. He attempted to get up but as he did this, he could hear someone from the door say,

"Ah, you are awake. I'm glad, I was hoping we could chat for a bit."

Sora turned his head towards the door to be surprised to see Wilhelm once again, having recalled him from the mansion prior to coming into the capital. He sits up straight before asking him what he would like to talk about.

"Xehanort. I am aware that you have a bad history with him but I just have to ask, what happened to him? He was never like this."

"Wait, you know about Xehanort?"

"Yes, I'm aware of the Keyblade as well since I not only met Xehanort but also another friend, Eraqus."

"Eraqus?"

"Hmm seems like you haven't met him...that worries me but do you know what happened to Xehanort to be in the path of destruction?"

"Sorry Wilhelm, I don't know what happened to Xehanort but I know that I defeated him, so I don't know why he is here as if nothing happened."

Wilhelm stood silent for a moment, a bit disappointed that he won't know what happened to his friend yet he decided to switch topics and check on the young boy's health, having taken a hell of a hit. Sora explained that he was alright yet he started to ask what happened to Subaru, concerned for his apprentice before being explained what had happened. This gave Sora some unease since he knows the person that beat Subaru near death was Vanitas, leaving him to also be concerned that Subaru might have lost the keyblade.

"Subaru...he isn't going to take the news well that he lost his weapon."

"Subaru-dono is a strong spirit; despite having been on the disadvantage against this Vanitas, he still kept standing on his feet. You should be proud."

"I am proud of him, I wasn't sure if I was a good Master but he was a worthy student but now..."

Sora stopped on his tracks as he started to recall many problems the Organization had caused him and his friends. As he stood silent alongside Wilhelm, Emilia entered the room to check on Sora first. Wilhelm told Sora that he should rest for a bit before leaving, feeling some anger in his heart towards Xehanort. As Wilhelm left, Emilia had asked Sora if he was alright to which he answered that he is alright.

"How is Subaru? I know he was injured last time I heard."

"Subaru is asleep and recovering from the injuries he gained from those bad people."

"Organization XIII, they are people who want to destroy the world but they also want to hurt those closest to me..."

"Well then allow me to help you. We are friends after all."

Sora looked at Emilia and was a bit stunned by what he heard, seeing as she is determined to fight alongside him despite the risk. Before he could ask her why would she want to put her life on the line against the Organization, he also heard a voice from Rem saying,

"And I will fight by your side as well, Sora-kun."

Sora turned towards Rem and noticed that she was determined to help him out against the one that hurt him. He smiled at the two and closed his eyes, happy to have people he can rely on in this world. As he started to get up, Sora asked Emilia what they were going to do, to which Emilia responded that she would be returning with Roswaal to the mansion.

"Will you be taking Subaru with you?"

"Yes, why wouldn't I? But I want to ask Sora, will you be joining us still?"

"...Yes but I have to ask, would it be okay if we can have Subaru be here in Wilhelm's care for now?"

"Sora-kun, may I ask why?"

"Yes, why must Subaru stay? After everything he has done, I want to have him with me."

"I know Emilia but the Organization will be going after me and you all, having Subaru with us would only put him at risk. Until he recovers and can regain the power of the Keyblade, I want him to be safe."

Rem and Emilia both looked at each other, surprised that Sora would want Subaru to stay here yet they understood that he just wanted Subaru to be safe. Before any one of them could say something, Sora asked Rem if she could stay to protect Subaru. She paused for a moment, uncertain if she wants to be away from the one she loves yet she accepted since she knows that he is entrusting her in protecting Subaru Natsuki.

"Can I speak with Sora-kun alone for a moment, Emilia-sama?"

"Yes but I want to ask Sora; Before we leave, can I speak with Subaru? I want to know something."

"Yes, I would want to speak with him but I fear that he would convince me to take him on this dangerous fight against The Organization."

"Okay, thank you Sora." Emilia nodded at Sora before leaving the room to go towards Subaru's to speak with him. As she left the room, Sora started to show more signs of sadness and anger due to the thoughts of The Organization.

"Sora-kun, are you okay?"

"Not really, the organization really had caused lots of trouble for my friends and for myself. I do not wish to see any of you get hurt by them."

"But I do not want you to be on your own against this Organization. This Xehanort hurt you and I won't let him get away with that."

"That's nice of you, Rem, but I have to face him on my own...I don't know if I can. I'm nothing without my friends...Hehe I am still weak...And a poor excuse for a master..."

"You are not weak, Sora-kun. You are a good Master to Natsuki Subaru, you are a well fought warrior, you are very kind and can bring people together. I believe in you, Sora-kun. If anybody can defeat this Organization XIII, you will with all of us by your side."

"I don't know Rem, I have defeated them so many times but it seems like they will never stop coming out to hurt me..."

"No matter what happens, I believe in you, Sora-kun. Even if it takes an eternity to defeat them, I, Rem, will be there by your side to help you."

"I don't want you to get hurt...I don't want anybody else to die..."

Rem noticed that Sora was recalling moments where he had lost his friends because of the Organization, making her hug him tightly. This got Sora's attention, before he could say anything Rem quickly responded to what he said.

"Sora-kun, I understand that you had failed a few times against the Organization. I understand failing as I had failed to help my sister when the witch cult attacked our home. I know we all see our failures more than our achievements but look at what you had done from what you had told me. You saved the world multiple times even though you lost your power on many occasions, you managed to save those you care about even after they were killed, and you care about others to fight for them. You are the greatest person. No matter how hard things get, I will be here with you."

Rem smiled at Sora as she finished speaking, showing the boy that she loves that he is not alone. Sora smiled at this and quickly made a promise that he would make sure to keep everyone safe. As the two smiled for a moment, Rem asked Sora about Kairi, wishing to know more of her competition.

"Kairi, well she is a kind girl and a tough one. When things seemed rough, she wouldn't back down. She would fight with everything she got; She also believed in everyone just like how you believe in me. She was my closest friend since we were kids..."

Sora looked outside to see the kingdom as he spoke of Kairi, making him miss her, Riku, Donald, Goofy, and all the others he had made along his journey. This thought made him question how they are handling his disappearance. As he was lost in thought, Rem kissed Sora on his cheek again. This action made Sora feel a warmth in his heart unlike before, making him smile at her before the two stood together silently for a moment. As Sora was about to leave, Rem made a statement to the boy she loves.

"I know it'll take time but I will win your heart, Sora-kun. I promise that I will, because I love you, Sora-kun."

"..."

Sora stood in silence for a moment before smiling at her, understanding that she cares about him more than friends yet he still isn't accustomed to the concept of love. He quickly went to give Rem a hug to show that he cares for her before leaving to find Roswaal. While on his way to Roswaal, he ends up bumping into Crusch and Felix, both of them wanting to check up on both himself and Subaru.

"Sir Sora, it is good to see you again, my name is Crusch Karsten. I would like to speak with you in private."

"Um sure, what would you like to speak about?"

"About the enemies of yours."

Sora nodded at Crusch before following both of them, seeing that it is an important meeting. As the three head towards a meeting room, Crusch begins to ask her questions to the keyblade wielder regarding the Organization.

"Who exactly were they? I know two of them were Xehanort, an older version and a younger version, but what is this group's motivation?"

"Organization XIII, led by the older Xehanort. He wants to have seven lights to clash with his group of thirteen darkness to create a weapon known as an X-blade and to unlock Kingdom Hearts."

"Let me guess, Kingdom Hearts is something that shouldn't be summoned."

"Yes but they won't stop until we take them down...can I ask for a favor?"

"What would that be, Sir Sora?"

"Can you have Subaru stay to heal while I take care of the Organization?"

Crusch stood silent for a moment, uncertain of this request yet having understood that Sora doesn't want Subaru to get killed since he will be the one taking on the Organization, she nodded at him. She then told Sora that she will make a contract with Sora that she will have Subaru rest and heal for a while but in return, she asks him to give her all the information on the Organization and on the keyblade. Crusch would wish to have Sora fight on her side but forcing him to do it might not work, so the second best thing is getting information that could help her camp. Sora agreed to this and quickly began to explain everything he knows about each Organization member he has ever faced, their names and their abilities before explaining the keyblade to Crusch.

"That weapon is one of a kind, is it possible to pass it down to multiple people?"

"I think so, Miss Crusch, but I don't know how to just yet."

"Well, if you find a way, would you mind if some of our people can wield such a weapon?"

"Sure, as long as the people who have the keyblade will use it for good, I won't mind."

"Don't worry, my camp will use the keyblade for the greater good."

Sora nodded at Crush before going off to talk to Roswaal in order to inform him of what they will be doing. As Sora was leaving, both Crusch and Felix started to discuss about their conversation with the Keyblade Wielder.

"What do you think, Felix?"

"Nya, he seems to be nyice and nyonest regarding the information he gave us."

"Do you think he will allow our people to use the keyblade?"

"Nya, I think so."

"Well let's hope so, because that weapon could literally be the key to defeating the white whale."

Subaru started to wake up and noticed that he was in an unfamiliar place since the ceiling was different from the mansion. He looks around to see that he is on his own for now, allowing him to process everything that had transpired in the capital. The last thing he could recall was his keyblade being destroyed, causing him to attempt to summon the weapon again yet nothing was happening. This did cause him to panic since that was the one thing that made him feel important.

No No No No NO! This can't be happening right now! I can't lose the keyblade…!

Subaru had tears in both his eyes as he felt like his importance had been reduced to nothingness, forcing him to be depressed until he heard someone open the door. He quickly wiped the tears from his eyes before turning towards the door to see Emilia there.

"Subaru, are you alright? What's wrong?"

"Don't worry Emilia, I'm alright..."

"You feel sad because you lost the keyblade, right?"

"Haha, don't worry Emilia, I know the weapon isn't gone. It's just taking its sweet time to come out."

Emilia looked at Subaru and knew that he was just hiding how he feels, seeing through his words since she had seen him be depressed about it. She looked serious directly at him before asking him what is truly bothering him. Subaru looked at Emilia and thought about it for a moment, at first he was bothered a lot by losing his keyblade yet what really has been bothering him is how he had been dying since his fight against Elsa back in the forest. He had been feeling alone that he had kept this secret yet he realized that he could tell Emilia about his Return by death since he hasn't bothered telling anybody yet.

"Emilia, I want you to know something."

"Yes Subaru?"

"Ever since the forest incident, I can return by-" There was a sudden pause in the atmosphere, as if something had stopped time. As he was aware of his surroundings, he can see dark mist forming around him with a dark hand approaching his heart, crushing it enough to cause him to cough while being engulfed with intense despair. Emilia noticed this and quickly asked Subaru what was wrong, seeing the boy in pain.

"Subaru, what happened?"

"...Emilia...I'll be okay..."

Emilia could see Subaru in despair, as if something had killed his slight hope he had in him which prompted her to give him a hug, hoping it would make him feel better. Subaru was stunned by the hug, causing his face to turn red due to the embarrassment he was feeling that a girl was hugging him. As she stayed hugging the boy, she started to speak to Subaru in hopes of being able to find out what was wrong in order to help him.

"I know that you are in pain, but I will do what I can here."

"I'll be okay..."

"It been rough, hasn't it?"

Hearing those words made the boy feel as if a lock had been removed from his soul, allowing him to express the pain he had been feeling ever since he had arrived to this world. Tears rolled down his eyes with him speaking in pain,

"It has been...so rough...back home I was pathetic, a useless boy and even when I came here I still was useless until I met you...Master Sora...Ram...Rem...Roswaal...all of you...I care for you all...I don't want to be useless anymore! Losing that keyblade made me feel worthless, as if I lost a part of myself...I don't want to be alone again..."

As Subaru cried next to Emilia, she felt as if she can help the boy she saved in that alleyway a month ago, feeling as if she can help take away his pain. She patted his head for a little while to allow Subaru to let out all of his pain before the two returned to a conversation.

"I'm sorry...please forget what you saw."

"Why? It's not a bad thing seeing this side of you."

"Yes but I don't want you to ever see me cry."

"It's not like I will like you less for it, besides it makes me happy to know that I can see this vulnerable side of yours."

Subaru paused for a moment, uncertain on what else to say on the matter. This is something he disliked yet he knew that anything he said regarding what happened won't change Emilia's stand, forcing him to try to change the subject.

"Emilia, I'm not from this world."

"Huh?"

"I'm not a part of any country or any land here...like Sora, we are from another world."

"What are you talking about? Don't joke around after-"

"I'm not Emilia, I know Master Sora told me to keep this secret but I just can't anymore..."

Subaru knew deep down that if he can't tell her about Return by death, the least he can tell her is the truth of his origin. Emilia at first believed Subaru to be joking but the way he talked and the way he spoke told otherwise. This caused her to say if he can show her something of proof. This prompted him to pull out his phone and to show her a picture of himself alongside his parents. Emilia saw this and could tell that something was odd about this picture since it was Subaru with his parents in a very unfamiliar location with lots of lights. As she inspected the device, she knew that Subaru was telling the truth since she recalled her question of where he lived back when they first met only to hear of a place that doesn't exist in the maps. She turned towards the boy to ask him more yet she can tell that he is staring at the picture intensely.

"Are these your parents?"

"Yes..."

"Do you miss them, Subaru?"

"...I do...I wish I got to say goodbye to them..."

Subaru started to hold his tears since he felt the pain of not being able to say goodbye to the two people he cares about. Emilia could tell that Subaru is in even more pain, making her picture herself losing Puck in order to understand the pain he is going through. Having those thoughts bothered her a lot before looking at Subaru and hugged him again in order to comfort him. As she stood hugging him, she started to speak with Subaru,

"I want you to know that even if you are from another world, we will find a way for you to get back home to your parents. Nobody deserves to lose their parents."

"It's okay Emilia, I know I won't see them...I just wish I could..."

"No, if Sora is also from another world, then maybe we can find a way to get you home with his help."

"Master Sora would get mad at me if he found out I told you this."

"True but I'm glad you trusted me enough with this information. I just hate seeing you in pain after having helped you out."

"Emilia, why did you say you were Satella?"

"Um...well uh...I just didn't want...you to get involved in my problems..." Emilia started to blush a bit, not expecting the question to turn to her. Subaru began to understand that she wanted him to not get involved with her situation with the insignia yet he didn't know about who Satella was until Beatrice had told him during their time identifying passages of the Book of Prophecies. The two stayed silent until Emilia gave a sigh before started to break the silence with a sad tone,

"Subaru, I want to ask if you stay here in the capital to heal."

"Wait...why? I can still help you out!"

"I know, but I don't want you pushing yourself too much. I saved you because I didn't want to see you getting hurt. I fear that you might get yourself killed, which would sadden me because I've grown to care for you...as my friend."

"Emilia..." Subaru had paused himself when he heard that Emilia cares for him as a friend, uncertain on how to feel on that issue. He does feel happy she cares for him yet hearing the word friend doesn't really fit well with him yet he knew that he wasn't going to convince Emilia at all.

"Okay Emilia...I will listen and heal but I want you to know something important."

"What is it, Subaru?"

"I want you to know that I care about you, ever since you saved me, you gave me a purpose in this world...I like you a lot. I want to know you more, I want to be able to make you happy, and I want to protect you just like when you protected me. I know you have had a lot of people give you trouble just because you look like this Satella but that doesn't matter to me. I accept you for who you are."

Emilia was left speechless hearing this, uncertain on how to respond and the thought of someone caring for her and accepting her seemed to be too true to believe. Her face turned extremely red to which she would expect Subaru to tease her like usual yet he didn't. This helped her realize that he was being serious. There was a silence before she responded to what she heard from the boy,

"I-I don't know about that but I really thank you for your kind words. Once you are fully healed then we may talk some more. I want to learn more about your world just as you want to know me more but make me this promise."

"What is it, Emilia? I can promise to you whatever you want me to."

"Promise me to not push yourself too hard. I don't want to see you hurt again. I know you can keep a promise but I just want you to be fully healed before returning to the mansion."

"...Okay, I promise to be careful and wait until I'm fully healed to leave."

Emilia smiled and started to leave the room, wanting time to think on her own on the words she heard from Natsuki Subaru. He...accepts me...I-I don't know how to react to this but if it is true...then that makes me happy.

Subaru stayed in the room by himself again and tried to summon the keyblade once more but no avail. This returned him to his depressing state, seeing himself as a weakling that needs others in order to survive. Without Emilia around, he was able to cry again since deep down he feels all alone.

'Thank you Emilia but I wish I could tell you everything...if I can't even reveal Return By Death then...what can I do? I lost the keyblade because I wasn't strong enough. I watched my master get hurt and couldn't do anything about it...I'm truly pathetic, aren't I…?'

Subaru stood on his own, crying as he knew deep down that he is merely nothing now without the keyblade. Subaru stood by himself for a bit before Sora entered the room, wishing to see Subaru before they left.

"Master Sora..."

"Subaru...I wanted to talk-"

"Let me join you guys!" Subaru interrupts Sora, wishing to join the group back to the mansion since he wants to be alongside his friends. Sora sat down next to Subaru while hearing his pleas for wanting to leave yet he started to say to him,

"I feel like I failed you as a Master...but I can say this, you made me proud. Despite having failed the Mark of Mastery, you still wanted me to train you."

"Because you gave me a purpose, the keyblade gave me a purpose."

"Subaru...I once lost the keyblade as well. When my best friend, Riku, and I were trying to save Kairi, he chose the dark path which made his heart stronger than mine. The keyblade chose him and I was left alone but I couldn't just let anything happen to him or to Kairi. Despite having lost the only weapon that kept me with Donald and Goofy, I still fought. I want you to know that even though you lost your keyblade, you are still strong inside. You are still a hero and capable of being the best hero, Natsuki Subaru. Which is why I want you to rest so when the time comes, you will be able to fight for the people you care about."

Subaru paused for a moment, completely unsure on what to think yet he understood what his master was trying to tell him. He gave him a nod before watching Sora leave the room, telling him that they will cross paths again, leaving Subaru confident in himself for now.

That's the end of the Second Arc of Kingdom Hearts: Saving life in Another World, we will now be heading towards the next arc but I want to make a few things clear:

1. Sora wouldn't want his closest friends to push themselves and since Subaru lost his keyblade, he knows that he would get himself hurt or worse so that is why he chose to have Subaru stay behind for now.

2. Emilia and Subaru's friendship is still there compared to the Anime since Subaru was able to open up a bit more to her and he didn't do anything to betray her trust.

3. The next arc will be a fully Subaru arc, since he needs to regain a resolve now that he doesn't have the keyblade.

4. The next arc's chapters will be much longer, so they will take me a bit longer to post them so wait a bit since I will be posting once per week at most.

Also since Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory will be coming out real soon, I will also be taking a break of writing (a week) in order to analyze that story before I continue. I do want to finish this and I want to see what you all think so keep on writing your reviews and I hope you all enjoy where I'm taking the story.