- Chapter 31 -
Family Ties
The Lanes Between
On the way back to Radiant Garden, Hikari told the story about Sora's experience with alcohol (1).
"We had sake with dinner one night." she began. "It's an alcoholic drink... and we forgot to tell Sora as such."
"Yeah..." Sora rubbed the back of his neck. "I... well..."
"He got drunk on one glass." Hikari said bluntly.
Everyone laughed at that, much to Sora's embarrassment.
"It's not that funny." he insisted.
"No, it is." Hikari giggled. "He was so out of it. Especially the part where he barfed into the trash can and asked when he ate vomit. And when Mama sent him to his room, he was howling like a dog."
By this point, Donald, Riku, and Lea were laughing the hardest, falling onto the ground. Sora covered his blushing face with a hand.
"Why does the ground never open up to swallow you when you want it to?" he muttered.
Riku pulled himself up, still snickering. "Your mom is gonna kill you when she finds out."
"Don't remind me." Sora said flatly.
"Yeah..." Hikari added, "our culture's a lot different from most others."
"And in my defense, I didn't know it was alcohol." Sora defended.
"Eh, just make sure you tell Mrs. Kumo that." Riku replied.
"I will." Sora answered. "And that's if she finds out, and she won't unless one of you tells her. I'm taking it to my grave."
"Yeah." said Riku. "If she finds out, she'll send you to the grave."
"I'm aware of that." Sora shuddered. "She scares me more than any enemy."
"Yeah." Ven shuddered as well. "I remember. Marion's scary when she's mad."
"Not as scary as Kairi's mom." Sora remarked.
Aqua turned to Kairi, raising an eyebrow. "Your mom's scary?"
"She's a former prosecution lawyer and shrewd businesswoman, so yes." Kairi replied, shrugging.
"Lawyer, eh? Those people are scary." Lea remarked. "Though my mother was practically a secret agent, so I'd have a hard time getting scared."
"...Say what?" Nixe asked.
"Seriously, my parents were agents. Part of a group called Shinra." Lea replied. "My mom trained recruits in Radiant Garden."
"That's so cool!" Hikari exclaimed.
"Maybe if we get a break, we can go home." Kairi mused. "I'd like to see my parents."
"So would I." Riku added. "But it's not safe."
"Yeah..." Sora looked down at that.
Radiant Garden
The group docked at Radiant Garden, and was met with Sasuke as they got off.
"Did you find the girl?" the young guard asked.
"Sure did." Sora said as Lea and Sera came out, hand in hand.
"Sasuke, meet my girlfriend, Sera." Lea introduced.
Sasuke's jaw dropped. "You have a girlfriend?!"
"Why's everyone so surprised?" Lea demanded. "I'm charming."
"I'm more surprised you didn't tell me." Sasuke clarified. "Lea, we've been friends for years, man."
"I just wanted to keep it private." Lea replied. "But... yeah."
"It's nice to meet you, Sasuke." Sera greeted with a smile.
Sasuke shook her hand. "Same to you, Sera. C'mon inside."
They entered the castle, where they saw several servants moving things around and cleaning up. Even Ansem was moving boxes around.
"What's this?" Sora asked. "Spring cleaning?"
"The castle is still pretty trashed after everything, so we're just organizing." Ansem explained. "We just want things back to normal."
"Need some help?" Hikari offered.
"If you wouldn't mind." Ansem replied gratefully.
"Any construction going on?" Riku questioned. "I'm good with building things."
"Some in some of the rooms upstairs." Ansem answered. "Thanks for the help."
-X-
The group all spread out, Kairi and Sora both grabbed a box and followed Ansem to the library.
"If you want to help put those away, you can." Ansem instructed. "There should be decorations and photos in there."
The two teens started to unpack. Kairi pulled out a photo book, but accidentally dropped it. It fell open to a picture that caught Kairi's eye: a picture of Ansem standing next to a beautiful woman with long red hair, looking much like Kairi herself.
"What the..." Kairi picked it up and flipped the page, dropping the book in surprise as she saw a picture of herself as a baby, and another picture of the woman and a man with auburn hair, both holding her.
"That... that's me!" she exclaimed in shock. "How..."
Sora turned to her from where he was unpacking a box.
"What's up?" he asked, coming over.
Kairi pointed to the book. Sora picked it up, gaping.
"Wait, that's...!" he let out.
"Why does Ansem have pictures of me?" Kairi asked.
"Let's ask him." Sora decided.
They went over to where Ansem was stacking books on a shelf.
"Ansem?" Kairi asked, getting his attention.
"Yes?" the ruler asked, turning to her.
"Wh-why do you have pictures of me?" Kairi asked, showing him the book. "And who are these people?"
After a moment of surprise, Ansem managed a small smile.
"Those two are your parents, Kaname and Rimi Mae." he replied.
Both Kairi and Sora gasped.
"M-my parents?!" Kairi exclaimed, getting a nod from Ansem.
"How'd you know them?" Sora asked.
"Kairi's mother was my niece." Ansem answered, looking her in the eyes. "I'm... I'm your great uncle."
"What?!" Kairi let out.
"No way!" Sora exclaimed.
"But... but why?" Kairi questioned. "Why didn't you tell me before?"
"You didn't remember." Ansem explained. "I, and the others, didn't want to confuse you... we wanted to tell you, but you didn't remember."
"Kairi, we found your family here!" Sora smiled, before Ansem's words dawned on him fully. "Wait... others? What others?"
"My apprentices." Ansem replied. "And Sasuke... and Lea."
"Lea knew me too?" Kairi asked.
"Yes." Ansem replied. "He and Isa babysat you when you were a child."
He sighed. "Look, I am sorry we didnt say anything. Please, follow me."
He led them to the back of the lab, where the shrine depicting Kaname and Rimi sat, incense burning before it.
"We never forgot them or you." Ansem assured. "We just didn't know how to tell you."
"I... I can't believe it..." Kairi suddenly fell to her knees. "I've still got family here... You're my..."
Sora went to to kneel beside her but Ansem beat him to it.
"Yes." Ansem said. "You used to call me Uncle Ansem."
"Uncle Ansem..." Kairi repeated, managing a smile.
She leaned against his shoulder, sobbing slightly, and Ansem hugged her, sniffling.
"I've missed you, my dear girl..." the ruler let out.
Sora smiled slightly at the sight, then quietly walked away to give them some time alone.
"I thought I had no one left..." Kairi whispered.
"So did I." Ansem replied. "I thought you were dead. Naminé and Riku both spoke of you, and I had hope."
Kairi managed a smile, looking at the shrine. "I'm sorry I can't remember you or my parents."
"Don't be." Ansem said. "They would be happy to know that you're happy and safe."
"What happened to them?" Kairi asked.
Ansem sighed, looking away. "They... they died protecting you from Xehanort during the fall."
Kairi gasped. "Xehanort... he killed them..."
Ansem nodded sadly. " I am so sorry... I wish they were here. I wish you could see them again." He took her hand. "Please... come with me."
He led her to an upper level of the castle, to a small apartment.
"What is this?" Kairi asked as he unlocked the door.
"Your old family apartment." Ansem replied, gesturing to the room right down the hall. "Your home was right down from mine."
He opened the door, and Kairi looked around the apartment.
" I tried to put everything back the way it was." Ansem said as she did.
"It's beautiful..." Kairi said, putting a hand over her heart. "And... it does feel familiar."
Ansem opened another door. "I had your room restored, but changed a bit, since you're not five anymore."
Kairi looked around the room, smiling.
"Please, tell me." Ansem began. "What happened to you?"
"All I know for sure is that when the world fell, I was sent to the Destiny Islands." Kairi replied. "Aqua said she cast a spell on me, to send me to someone to keep me safe when I was in danger."
"And when you were there, did you have anyone to take care of you?" Ansem asked.
"Yeah." Kairi answered. "The mayor and his wife. They adopted me." She smiled. "They took great care of me. They love me..."
"Then once this is over, I need to meet them." Ansem decided.
Kairi nodded at that, picking up a photo of her parents. "What were my parents like?"
Ansem sat down on the bed, patting the spot beside him. Kairi sat as she began his tale.
"Rimi's father was my twin brother Hachirou." he began. "I raised her as if she was my own child after he and his wife Mariko died in a sickness outbreak." He smiled at the memories. "Your mother was the sweetest, kindest woman I've ever known. She sewed clothes and gave them to the poor people in town."
Kairi smiled at that. "And my dad?"
"He was a strong man who was kind and good. Sora reminds me of him sometimes." Ansem replied. "Sasuke knew him better than me; Kaname was his master."
"I'll go talk to him then." Kairi decided.
"You should speak to Even and Ienzo too. They knew your mother well." Ansem told her. "Dilan and Aeleus knew your father since he was a child."
Kairi nodded. "Okay, thanks."
Ansem smiled and hugged her again.
"My dear girl... I've missed you." he said happily. "You've come home..."
Kairi smiled, tears of joy streaming from her eyes.
-X-
Some time later, Kairi exited the apartment, and was met with Sora.
"Ienzo said you went this way with Ansem." he explained. "You okay?"
"Yeah." Kairi assured. "I need to go talk to some people."
"Mind if I come with?" Sora asked.
Kairi nodded. "Please."
They went into the main room, where Even and Ienzo were talking with Lea.
"Even..." Kairi piped up, "could you tell me about my parents?"
All three stopped, looking at her in surprise.
"I found a picture of them while we were helping Uncle Ansem unpack. He told me everything." Kairi explained. "Please... tell me about my mother."
Even shook off the surprise, smiling.
"Of course." he said. "Your mother, Rimi, was my closest friend, and my only one growing up. My father was her tutor."
"I remember her sneaking me candy every day when I was a child." Ienzo recalled with a smile. "She was always smiling and had the kindest heart."
Kairi smiled at that, before turning to Lea. "Lea... you knew my parents and me. But you never said anything..."
"You didn't remember." Lea said. "Plus, there's what I did to you as Axel. It just... didn't feel right."
He sighed. "We were like brother and sister. And then I... I shattered any chance of that again with what I did." He looked down in shame. "I'm... I'm so sorry."
After a minute, Kairi put a hand on his shoulder.
"I've told you to stop apologizing." she told him. "It's okay."
Lea smiled at that.
"Thanks..." he said softly. "As for your mother, she was a wonderful woman. She was kind, made the best desserts ever, and just loved everyone."
"She sounds like a nice lady." Kairi remarked. "I wish I remembered her."
"I'm sure you will someday, Flower Girl." Lea replied.
Kairi raised an eyebrow. "Flower Girl?"
"My old nickname for you." Lea explained. "You used to call me Fire Boy."
"Fire Boy..." Kairi repeated, before smiling. "Right... thank you for telling me. Do you know where Sasuke, Dilan, and Aeleus are?"
"Outside." Even replied.
Kairi and Sora nodded, excusing themselves before leaving.
"Your parents sound amazing." Sora mused.
"Yeah..." Kairi agreed.
They went out to the gate, where Sasuke stood with Aeleus and Dilan. Sasuke turned at their exit.
"Hey, guys!" he greeted with a smile.
"Sasuke..." Kairi began, "please, tell me about my parents."
The three guards were thrown for a loop for a few minutes before Sasuke found his voice.
"You... you remember?" he asked.
"No." Kairi clarified. "I found a photo of me and them while we were helping Uncle Ansem clean. He told me most of it."
"I see." Sasuke said.
"We would be happy to tell you about them." Aeleus told her. "Your father, Kaname, was our best friend growing up, mine and Dilan's."
"He was also captain of the guard." Dilan added. "He was a goof, but a great leader and an amazing swordsman."
"He was also my master, and the closest thing I had to a father." Sasuke included. "Most of what I know comes from him." He smiled at her. "You were actually my first friend, Kairi. I was too shy to make any myself."
"I was?" Kairi asked, tilting her head quizzically."
"Yeah." Sasuke replied. "You introduced me to Lea and Isa, and I spent years trying to find you after the world fell."
Kairi blinked in surprise. "You spent all that time... trying to find me?"
Sasuke nodded. "You were like a sister to me, and I was so worried. You were so little, and..." He put a hand on her head. "You have no idea how happy I was to see you and finally be sure you were alive."
The guard sniffled before pulling Kairi into a hug. After a minute, Kairi smiled and returned it.
"I'm sorry I forgot." she told him.
"Don't be." Sasuke assured her. "We're just happy you're home."
Dilan and Aeleus proceeded to bow.
"Welcome home... Lady Kairi." Dilan said.
At that moment, Ienzo came out.
"Lady Kairi, Lord Ansem wants to know if you and the others would join him for dinner tonight." he informed her. "He wants to tell you more about your past and answer more questions."
"I'll talk to them." Kairi replied. "But I'm sure they'll be up for it."
Ienzo nodded at that.
"Also..." Aeleus began, "we want to apologize for our actions as Nobodies."
After a minute, Kairi smiled at him.
"I forgive you." she told him.
"So do I." Sora replied. "You weren't yourselves. Xemnas messed with your heads."
"We're still sorry." Dilan answered.
"It's okay." Kairi assured. "And... all of you can drop the 'Lady Kairi' thing. Just Kairi, please."
"If you insist." Ienzo replied before smiling. "Though, if some of the older servants come back, you'll have a hard time convincing them not to call you that."
Kairi shrugged. "Fair enough."
"It's good to have you back." Sasuke told her, ruffling her hair.
"Thank you." Kairi said. "C'mon, Sora. Let's go tell the others."
She led him inside by the hand, the others watching her go.
"Looking at them, it's Master Kaname and Miss Rimi all over again." Sasuke said wistfully.
"Yeah..." Aeleus agreed.
"They'd be happy that Kairi has found someone who cares for her." Ienzo mused.
Dilan nodded. "They would. And they'd be proud of the woman she's become."
-X-
It wasn't long before Sora and Kairi found the others, seated around the main area.
"What's up?" Mickey asked.
"Ansem wants us all to join him for dinner tonight." Sora explained.
Aqua raised an eyebrow. "What's the occasion."
Kairi smiled. " I found out that Ansem is my great uncle."
That threw everyone for a loop.
"He is?!" Riku exclaimed.
"Yeah." Kairi replied. "My mom was his niece. Sora and I found photos of them while we were helping him clean."
"Yes..." Ansem came in at that moment, setting up photos on the bookshelves. "Since you know..."
The group looked them over, seeing photos of Kairi's family, and one of a younger Ansem with another boy, identical except for a pair of eyeglasses.
"Is that your brother?" Sora asked.
"Yes." Ansem replied. "Hachirou. He was older than me by a few minutes. He and his wife died in a sickness outbreak when Rimi was a child, and I raised her after that. I never married or had children of my own, as I wanted her to inherit the throne."
"Wait a sec." Ven piped up. "Your brother was king, right? So she should've been the heir either way."
"Actually, my brother was denied the crown by my mother, because he married a woman below his station, and had a child with her." Ansem explained. "An Ido, the gypsies of this world. My mother hated them. She... wasn't a benevolent ruler, to put it mildly. She hated Rimi and Kairi as well due to their bloodline."
"What a hag." Sora spat in discontent.
"You have no idea." Lea cut in. "Kairi and I had to get rid of her one day because she was going to take Kairi from her parents by force (2)."
"Seriously?" Kairi asked.
"Yeah." Lea said. "We made her think you were a little monster. Cut up her dress and shoes, glued her to her hairbrush and chair, dumped snow on her... the works." He grinned. "It was fun, and she was mad."
"Indeed." Ansem chuckled. "I will not deny that she deserved it, but we can discuss this more at supper."
"Sounds like a plan." Hikari said.
-X-
After everyone split off to do their own thing, Kairi made her way back up to her apartment, Hikari following her.
"Is this your home?" Hikari asked.
"Yeah. It is." Kairi answered. "And this is my room."
She opened the door, and the two girls looked over a room with soft lavender walls, a four poster bed, large dresser, and a large window overlooking the gardens.
"It's pretty." Hikari observed.
"Yes." Kairi agreed, before her eyes fell on a small white cage in the corner with a little white hutch inside. "Hmm?"
She saw a note on it, picking it up and reading it aloud.
"'Dear Kairi, I know you lost the last one I gave you when the world fell. Think of this as a coming home present. -Sasuke.'"
Kairi looked up, and her eyes went wide as she saw a small white rabbit looking up at her from inside the hutch.
"BUNNY!" Kairi squealed in glee, taking it out.
"It's so cute!" Hikari exclaimed, running over.
Kairi looked it over. "I'm gonna call you... Snowball!"
The two sat around, fawning over and playing with the rabbit until Sora entered.
"Hey, guys." he greeted, before noticing Snowball. " Uh... where'd the rabbit come from?"
"Present from Sasuke." Kairi explained, holding it up. "Isn't she cute?"
"She is." Sora agreed. " So, how many bunnies does this make?"
"Seven." Kairi replied casually.
Hikari gaped at that. "You have seven?!"
"She's obsessed with rabbits." Sora told her. "Mr. and Mrs. Mizu have her make sure they're all girls so their house isn't overrun." He turned to Kairi. "Anyway, supper's almost ready. You should probably leave the bunny here."
Kairi nodded at that, and put the rabbit back in the hutch before both girls followed Sora to the dining hall.
-X-
"Hello, everybody." Ansem greeted as they all sat down. "Thank you for joining us."
The food was spread out, and Kairi turned to Ansem.
"Uncle Ansem, can you tell me more about my parents?" she asked.
"I'd like to know, too." Sora added.
"Well, sit back and prepare for quite a tale." Ansem replied. "My twin and I were always very different than everyone else. Most of them never liked the poorer people or treated them well."
"That's terrible." Goofy remarked.
"Yes." Ansem agreed. "Hachirou and I were taught different by an old servant. So much so, that my brother would sneak out and spend time with the people. It's how he met Mariko." He smiled slightly. "She was a singer. She and my brother married in secret. Because of that, my mother took the throne from him."
"Witch." Nixe scoffed.
"Indeed." said Ansem. "And so, I swore never to marry or have children, so that my brother's child would inherit the throne."
"Your mother sounds like a horrible person." Hikari said. "Royals are supposed to serve and protect the people, not lord over them and treat them like bugs to be stepped on."
"Until my brother and I took over, sadly, that's how most of the royals acted." Ansem sighed.
"That's just sad." Sï'Lea remarked.
"It is..." Ansem said. "My brother and Mariko were once targeted and almost killed by a group of rebels called the Insurgos. They were saved by a boy named Yamato. Yamato Kazekiri."
"Kazekiri?" Riku asked, looking at Sasuke.
"Yes." Sasuke nodded. "My father."
"When they were attacked, Mariko was pregnant with Rimi." Ansem went on. "She and Hachirou named Yamato as her godfather and Yamato became the best guard we had. A few years later, a poisonous flower killed many people in the city, including Mariko and Hachirou."
"Oh, man..." Sora let out.
"I raised Rimi from then on as if she was my own daughter. Then she met Kaname." Ansem continued. "Kaname was the son of an Insurgo who decided to sneak into the castle one day. He ended up hiding in Rimi's room." He chuckled at the memory. "After I found him, Yamato escorted him out, only to find out that the boy's father was abusing him and his mother. Yamato arrested his father and took Kaname as an apprentice."
"Interesting." Aqua mused.
"Yamato was killed during a rebel uprising... and Kaname became captain after him." Ansem said. "It wasn't long after that he married your mother, Kairi, and ten years later, you were born."
"When you were little, Isa and I babysat you every day." Lea said, smiling at the memory.
"Then I met you." Sasuke included. "You were being bullied by a girl named Elrena Viggo, and I stepped in. You introduced me to Lea and Isa, and I became your father's apprentice. Kaname was also my godfather."
"Wow..." Sora remarked. "So what happened to them, Kaname and Rimi?"
Ansem looked down at that. "Xehanort killed them the night of the fall."
Everyone paused at that.
"He..." Donald said in shock, "he killed them."
"Yes..." Ansem said sadly. "I miss my dear niece... I wasn't able to keep her safe in the end."
Kairi put her hand on his comfortingly, and much to the surprise of everyone else, Even choked back a sob.
"Rimi wouldn't want us to grieve..." he let out, wiping his eye.
"You were close with my mother, Even?" Kairi asked.
"Yes." Even replied. "She was my only friend when I was a child. I-I cared for her more than anything."
"You loved her... didn't you?" Hikari realized.
"I did... but Kaname got to her before I could confess." Even looked at Kairi. "But don't get the wrong idea. I didn't hate your father. We never saw eye-to-eye, and when we were younger, we did have our share of fights... but he was a good friend."
"Best of frenemies, huh?" Ven asked.
Even shrugged. "More or less."
"She was the only one who could pull Even away from work." Ienzo added. "Rimi was so kind to me. She and Kaname would always sneak me taffy when no one was looking."
Dilan smirked. "Kaname was a wonderful friend, but sometimes I wonder what she saw in him."
"He was a goofball." Aeleus added. "Off-duty, he could barely take two steps without falling all over himself. I remember the day he proposed to Rimi. They came walking back, Kaname soaking wet because when he tried to propose, he fell into a fountain."
Everyone chuckled at that.
"Actually, Sora reminds me a lot of Master Kaname." Sasuke piped up.
"I do?" Sora asked, confused.
"I agree." Aeleus said. "Kaname was kind. He always tried to see the best in people, and to help others."
"He was silly, but did his best to help others, no matter what the cost." Lea added.
"That definitely sounds like Sora." Riku mused.
"Yeah... it does." Kairi agreed. "I-I wish I could remember them."
"I'm sure you will in time." Ansem assured. "Even if not, your parents would be happy to know that you're happy."
Kairi smiled at that. "Yeah, you're right. Thanks."
Meanwhile, in the underground waterworks factory (3), a young girl sat up against a pipe, returning to consciousness. She tried to stretch her arms and stand up, only to realize she was bound hand and foot. Frightened, she wormed her way along on her belly, gasping as she looked down from the far ledge.
"Wh-where am I?" she let out.
"In the world of Radiant Garden." a deep voice piped up.
The girl gasped, seeing Xehanort's Heartless standing above.
"Don't try to escape." the Ansem impostor warned. "If you jump, my Heartless will catch you."
"Please, just let me go!" the girl pleaded. "What do you want from me?!"
"Sora and his friends will do anything to keep you safe." Ansem grabbed her arm and pulled her away from the ledge, setting her back on the ground, leaning against the pipes. "They will give us whatever or whoever we want, and once they hand over who I'm after, you're free to go. Until then, you will remain here. Any attempt to escape will be met with... consequences."
He grabbed her chin, forcing her to look him in the eye. "Do you understand, child?"
The girl nodded, shaking violently.
"Good." Ansem let her go and vanished, going to observe Sora and his friends. Heartless appeared around the girl as guards, watching over her as she curled up into a ball, sobbing with fear.
"Sora... Riku..." she whispered, barely audible. "Please help me..."
Author's Note:
(1): See Chronicles of Wutai for details.
(2): See Kristen Verne and YamiChaos27's collab story Radiant Garden Renegades.
(3): The spot where Terra fights Braig in Birth by Sleep.
Yep, Ansem is related to Kairi! Anyone who's read Kristen Verne's KH Universe stories shouldn't be too surprised, though.
Also, I forgot to mention this last chapter, but that purple haired girl Kuro held hostage last chapter is Cathy Zuxim, a character from Kristen's stories; she, along with Kaname, Rimi, and what's revealed about Kairi's backstory here belongs to her and is used with her permission.
Well, I think it should be pretty obvious who that girl Xehanort kidnapped and whatnot is, but if not, you'll find out next chapter.
Thanks again, Kristen Verne, for helping me RP this chapter.
Please R&R. Until next time!