rlm@0: Author's Note: I'd like to thank my friend, Chi, for helping me with
rlm@0: this. If it weren't for her and a few others who keep asking when the
rlm@0: next chapter would come out, I'd never finish. ^-^ She helped write
rlm@0: one of the scenes in this, so I appreciate that greatly. ^-^ Thank
rlm@0: you, Chi. ^-^ *hugs* And thanks to everyone who's kept Prism Hearts
rlm@0: going. ^-^ This was going to be a one shot story, but you all helped
rlm@0: push it forward into a series. I don't want it to end now. ^^;; I'm
rlm@0: considering making a sequel series to it. ^-^;; I guess we'll see
rlm@0: what happens. ^-^ Thanks again!
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Prism Hearts 
rlm@0: Chapter 10
rlm@0: Treasure Chest of My Heart
rlm@0: by Amazoness Duo
rlm@0: amazonessduo@hotmail.com
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Her Highness wishes to see you now."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Highness? Who? Kairi's mind spun dizzily, her thoughts far too
rlm@0: slippery to hold onto. Where was she? That thought alone felt far too
rlm@0: familiar. She shouldn't always be wondering where she was. She just
rlm@0: wanted to be back home on her islands with Riku and Sora. A boot
rlm@0: prodded her shoulder, demanding her attention. Apparently the soldier
rlm@0: didn't intent to let Kairi rest. The brunette blinked, trying to
rlm@0: focus on the blurry world around her. Ever so slowly, it began to
rlm@0: take shape once more. The castle, Relm, Yuffie, the princess... It
rlm@0: all slowly came back to her. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Now," the soldier insisted, her eyes narrowing. "The Queen doesn't
rlm@0: like to be kept waiting."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Getting up on wobbly legs, Kairi followed the pretty knight quietly.
rlm@0: It seemed that most of the knights here were women. Come to think of
rlm@0: it, had she seen any boys at all since coming there? She shook the
rlm@0: thought off. They had to be around somewhere. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Brushing some hair away from her eyes, Kairi let her eyes wander
rlm@0: across the expansive hallway they were walking down. Gleaming suits
rlm@0: of armor and magnificent paintings lined the walls. This kingdom
rlm@0: obviously had a lot of wealth to throw around. A knight hefting a
rlm@0: large painting into place caught her eye as they approached wide,
rlm@0: ornate double doors. That painting... She couldn't recognize the
rlm@0: woman in it, but it looked so real. Relm. It had to be. So she was
rlm@0: still around somewhere. Despite the nervousness that spiralled in her
rlm@0: stomach, she could feel a bit of hope blossoming up at the thought
rlm@0: that she wasn't alone in this place. That meant Relm wasn't
rlm@0: imprisoned. Maybe she knew what was going on. Even if she didn't, it
rlm@0: would be so nice to have someone to be near again. She couldn't stand
rlm@0: being alone for much longer. The loneliness was eating at her heart.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 'That's why you killed yourself in the first place,' a familiar
rlm@0: voice whispered in Kairi's head. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Closing her eyes tightly, the princess ignored the voice. 'I didn't
rlm@0: kill myself. I'm right here. I'm alive. This isn't a dream. I won't
rlm@0: let it be.' When she opened her eyes, they were in front of the
rlm@0: double doors. She sighed, breathing deeply in an attempt to wash away
rlm@0: her nervousness. Maybe she could explain things to the queen and see
rlm@0: if she knew anything. Or maybe she had seen Riku or Sora. Or... She'd
rlm@0: never know unless she tried. And, as she'd heard, the Queen wasn't a
rlm@0: patient woman. Steeling herself, she entered the large chamber. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The knight bowed deeply after entering. Kairi only stared. The Queen
rlm@0: was a huge woman, taking up all of the huge throne that she sat in.
rlm@0: It took her a moment to realize the pretty, silver haired woman next
rlm@0: to her was actually a man. But what astonished her the most was the
rlm@0: presence of a harlequin in the large chamber. One with a particular
rlm@0: smirk on her lips. "Harle!" Whatever else she might have said became
rlm@0: a squeak as the knight's hand at the small of her back forced her
rlm@0: into a tripping kneel. What was Harle doing here with these people?
rlm@0: Whatever hope she'd had began to deflate as the Queen and her
rlm@0: entourage continued to study her. They were staring at her as if she
rlm@0: were some sort of thing, human only in form. It made her uneasy how
rlm@0: they sized her up, making her feel vulnerable. This might have been a
rlm@0: bad idea after all.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "So this is the one?" The queen asked curiously, not addressing
rlm@0: Kairi in the least.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The silver haired man nodded, smiling faintly. "I believe so, your
rlm@0: majesty. She certainly appears to be. If she's the girl we've been
rlm@0: looking for, then the tragedies to your kingdom will soon cease. She
rlm@0: will lock away the Heartless spreading through your kingdom." Walking
rlm@0: slowly to Kairi, he watched the small girl in front of him. Reaching
rlm@0: out, he took her jaw, tilting her face up. "We've finally found you."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: A chill ran down Kairi's spine at his words. She slapped his hand
rlm@0: away, taking a step back, but she already heard the knight behind
rlm@0: her. "Don't touch me." She tried to put as much menace into her voice
rlm@0: as she could muster, but she was suddenly feeling very, very alone.
rlm@0: Even Harle was simply watching her. She was powerless to do anything.
rlm@0: They had said they wanted her to seal the Heartless, but they didn't
rlm@0: seem to feel like asking her. She shuddered. It seemed like they
rlm@0: already had plans for her.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Laughing, the man's girn broadened. "So spirited. Just like the
rlm@0: princess. This will be fun." The cruel glint in his eye made Kairi
rlm@0: take another step backwards into the guard. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Fun or not, I want you to hurry, Kuja. I've lost too many knights
rlm@0: to those things. If they attack the castle again..." The Queen
rlm@0: trailed off. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Kuja nodded, bowing low. "I am at your service, your majesty. The
rlm@0: Heartless won't trouble you for much longer." Reaching forward, he
rlm@0: grabbed Kairi's wrist tightly.The girl struggled, but the frail
rlm@0: seeming man had a strength that far surpassed his frame. Stepping
rlm@0: forward, he yanked Kairi along. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Kairi's worry had now become full blown panic. She was a prisoner
rlm@0: here, whether or not she'd been in a cage. And she didn't think they
rlm@0: just meant for her to lock a keyhole. She dug her heels into the
rlm@0: ground, but the silver haired man easily pulled her stumbling after
rlm@0: him. "Harle!! Help me!" she cried, nearly twisting her shoulder as
rlm@0: she tried to get away.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The harlequin smiled enigmatically. "I am only ze court jester,
rlm@0: Mademoiselle."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The queen sighed heavily. "Entertain me. This droll business tires
rlm@0: me." She waved her hand halfheartedly. The Harlequin quickly complied
rlm@0: as Kairi was dragged further and further away from her friends, from
rlm@0: freedom.   
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Okay, that wasn't too hard. Yuffie ducked around a corner, moving
rlm@0: quickly and quietly. All she had to do to escape was act like she
rlm@0: actually wanted to hear what the guard was saying. When the guard was
rlm@0: close enough to the bars, Yuffie had grabbed one of her hands and
rlm@0: told her she knew exactly how she felt, mustering all the sympathy
rlm@0: she could into her eyes, which hadn't been all that difficult with
rlm@0: how miserable she was feeling about Relm. While the guard was
rlm@0: distracted to have someone finally listening to her, she'd
rlm@0: pickpocketed the key to the cell. Thankfully, someone had dropped her
rlm@0: Sleep Materia and it had rolled into her cell. She used it to keep
rlm@0: people asleep while she was sneaking around houses in search of
rlm@0: anything valuable. It worked just as well on the guard and she'd
rlm@0: hurried to get her things that they'd left in the armory. Now she was
rlm@0: ready for whatever they threw at her. Even that Beatrix lady. She
rlm@0: hoped. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Whatever the case, she was back on track. Her first priority was to
rlm@0: find the Keyblade Mistress. Guilt welled up inside of her, an angry
rlm@0: inner voice that argued she could find her later. True. There was
rlm@0: always treasure to be found and a palace like this should be full of
rlm@0: valuable trinkets. Again a wave of guilt and sorrow that threatened
rlm@0: to drown her, even more powerful than the first. 'Sheesh... Fine,
rlm@0: fine. I'll go find Relm first.' She was pleased to find that she
rlm@0: actually felt better with that plan of action. Still lousy and
rlm@0: miserable, but better. Maybe she could apologize. Ick... She wanted
rlm@0: to apologize? What was wrong with her? She shook her head. This whole
rlm@0: thing was just getting weirder and weirder. Apologies were not her
rlm@0: strong point. Neither was feeling guilty, for that matter. But she
rlm@0: had been a bitch... And Relm had been completely devestated because
rlm@0: of her. She'd never made a girl cry like that before, especially not
rlm@0: one who appeared so devoted to her. She didn't like the feeling that
rlm@0: accompanied it. Sneaking around the corner, she hoped she'd never
rlm@0: have to feel that again. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Dipping her feet in the icy water, Yuna watched her reflection. She
rlm@0: was away from the others because she couldn't trust herself to smile.
rlm@0: She couldn't slip on a smile for their sake no matter how much she
rlm@0: wanted to. The warm waters of the Destiny Islands were growing colder
rlm@0: and stormier. The hole that Tidus and Wakka had found just kept
rlm@0: getting bigger. Everything felt so wrong. The adults were afraid,
rlm@0: whispering to each other around the children. Everyone was worried
rlm@0: about what might happen next. First Sora and Riku had disappeared and
rlm@0: now Kairi went missing. Were the rest of them next? Would the Destiny
rlm@0: Islands simply fade away?
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: That was exactly why she should be smiling. To give the others hope.
rlm@0: Sometimes hope was the only thing you had. But Yuna's smile had
rlm@0: proven elusive. She couldn't get herself to hope. She could only
rlm@0: muster up fear and dread, feelings that didn't make for a very
rlm@0: convincing smile. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Yuna sighed, pulling her feet out of the chilly water. Her image
rlm@0: rippled in the wind, looking as distorted as she felt. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "What are you doing, Yunie?" a voice asked from behind the young
rlm@0: summoner. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Yuna almost fell into the could water, shocked by the voice nearly
rlm@0: in her ear. Strong paws grabbed her shoulders, hold her onto the tiny
rlm@0: pier. "Rikku... You... startled me." She closed her mismatched eyes,
rlm@0: trying to catch her breath. The catgirl moved like a thief in the
rlm@0: night, something that Yuna was still getting used to. It was a little
rlm@0: scary around the house, being snuck up on. Ever since her father had
rlm@0: died, she had lived alone. Lulu had offered to let her stay with her
rlm@0: and her parents, but Yuna had always declined. She didn't want Lulu
rlm@0: to see how hoften she cried. She had to be strong. She couldn't let
rlm@0: anyone see how weak she truly was. Even this new girl. She forced a
rlm@0: smile to turn towards Rikku, but it crumbled into dust before she
rlm@0: could turn around. Desperate, she kept her back to the catgirl. "I
rlm@0: was just... thinking..." Yuna said at last. That much was true, at
rlm@0: any rate. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Rikku nodded, sitting next to the brunette on the dock. She watched
rlm@0: Yuna carefully. "What about, Yunie?" she asked at last.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “I…” She wasn’t sure if she should say but for some inexplicable
rlm@0: reason she found she wanted to. It was strange since she didn’t even
rlm@0: open up to those on the island that she had known so much longer, no
rlm@0: matter how much she felt her head  and heart were about to burst.
rlm@0: Maybe… maybe it was because Rikku hadn’t been there long that she
rlm@0: felt she could talk to her, because she could offer a new view and
rlm@0: not just the predictable assurances that Lulu, Tidus and the others
rlm@0: were bound to give her.  She stared into the water some more, she
rlm@0: couldn’t say anything, could she? Rikku had just gotten here, did she
rlm@0: really want to scare her with horror stories of bottomless holes and
rlm@0: the uncertain reflections of a frightened girl?
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Rikku quietly watched the other girl, holding back the urge to
rlm@0: fidget or nudge the girl into saying something or anything. She was
rlm@0: managing to show an unusual amount of restraint for once. She noticed
rlm@0: as the other girl clenched and unclenched her slender hands and
rlm@0: before she could stop herself impulsely lay a paw on top a hand. She
rlm@0: felt Yuna jump slightly and she just blurted out the first thing on
rlm@0: her mind. “You can tell me anything, you know… I wouldn’t ever betray
rlm@0: you…”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “You would never betray me?” Yuna asked, surprised enough to look up
rlm@0: at Rikku. Plenty of people wouldn’t betray her but still… the way the
rlm@0: catgirl had said it… she had meant it, but why?
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Rikku blinked, surprised herself at what she had said. “I wouldn’t
rlm@0: betray your secrets, I meant…” She backpedaled.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Oh…” Yuna looked down again, she couldn’t deny she was disappointed.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Rikku instantly regretted bring that morose look back to her Yuna’s
rlm@0: face, she was her ‘saviour’ after all. “Hey… but I… well I did mean
rlm@0: it. You did save me after all, I owe you my life… that little violent
rlm@0: girl would have pummeled me.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Yuna slowly smiled,and then she began to giggle. “I don’t think
rlm@0: Selphie would have really hurt you… well not that much.” She blushed,
rlm@0: “I don’t think I did that much to save you…”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “No way, if it wasn’t for you I’d be gone…” She grasped Yuna’s hands
rlm@0: in both her paws. “I swear I won’t leave you until I’ve done
rlm@0: everything I can to make you, my -savior-’s life happy!”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Yuna blinked back tears, she didn’t know why but that completely
rlm@0: unexpected, impulsive but passionate declaration hit her hard. Her
rlm@0: hands pulled away from Rikku’s and she flung herself against a
rlm@0: surprised kitty, wrapping her arms around a warm furry neck. She
rlm@0: whispered a quiet ‘thank you’ and later when she calmed down began
rlm@0: whispering a few more things, just happy to have someone listen.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "It won't do you any good, princess." Nonetheless, Kuja seemed
rlm@0: amused by Kairi's struggle with her bonds. He grinned, sipping
rlm@0: something from a goblet as he watched her. "Yes, I know you're a
rlm@0: princess. Princess Hikari from the kingdom of Hollow Bastion. I'm
rlm@0: something of a troubleshooter for monarchs. I offer my services to
rlm@0: help them in return for a fee. Not that I need the money, but it
rlm@0: helps in my search. I even helped your father. I... 'acquired' a few
rlm@0: specimens for his research on the Heartless."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Kairi stopped wrestling with the chains that held her in place and
rlm@0: turned to look at the silver haired catman. She shivered at his
rlm@0: predatory gaze. But she had to listen. He knew about her, about who
rlm@0: she'd been before she woke up with no memories on the Destiny
rlm@0: Islands. And for once, he wasn't saying she was a suicidal girl who
rlm@0: had been obsessed with escaping into Squaresoft games and Disney
rlm@0: movies. In a way, she needed to hear that, to hear that she really
rlm@0: had been a princess, had been a part of this, that it wasn't all just
rlm@0: her dying mind's fantasy. Even if she was shackled, even if he was
rlm@0: about to do horrible things to her, she still needed to know that
rlm@0: this was real. That Sora and Riku were real. That her journey hadn't
rlm@0: been for nothing. "Ansem... was my father?" 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Yes... She could remember that if she tried hard enough. She had
rlm@0: been his little princess. He'd loved her, but he'd always been so
rlm@0: busy with his research, obsessed with where it migh lead him. The
rlm@0: Heartless... They had consumed Hollow Bastion, stealing the hearts of
rlm@0: all those who couldn't escape in time. All because of her father's
rlm@0: research. She remembered seeing the kingdom crumble, but only
rlm@0: vaguely, like a dim nightmare. How had she escaped? How had she been
rlm@0: able to get away from that? Nothing. She didn't remember anything
rlm@0: other than waking up on the Destiny Islands. But she could still
rlm@0: remember having a mother... Her best friend, the only person who
rlm@0: cared about her. She shook her head, trying to force the thoughts
rlm@0: away. Her mother was from the life of a lonely girl who had killed
rlm@0: herself. Ansem was from this life. But... She didn't want to deny her
rlm@0: mother's existence, even if it meant validating her own. But it had
rlm@0: to be one or the other, right? Her life with Riku and Sora or her
rlm@0: life as a lonely outcast. The answer was obvious. But why couldn't
rlm@0: she completely deny that lonely life, that room that kept haunting
rlm@0: her?
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Laughing, Kuja nodded. "So you really don't remember that life? No
rlm@0: wonder Sephiroth has been staying away. And why he's wanted us to
rlm@0: stay away from you." 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: He crossed the room gracefully, his tail swishing behind him,
rlm@0: reminding Kairi of the kitty she'd had with her for so long. It made
rlm@0: her wish she was there with her. That anyone was there with her
rlm@0: besides this madman. Sephiroth? Why did he sound so familiar? And...
rlm@0: Her eyes widened. He must be in charge. And if he wanted them to stay
rlm@0: away from her... Her heart froze into a heavy chunk of ice that
rlm@0: plumetted into her stomach as Kuja got closer. She was suddenly even
rlm@0: more afraid of what he intended to do with her. "Why aren't you
rlm@0: listening to him? He... he could hurt you. There's a reason he's in
rlm@0: charge." She was bluffing, but she didn't care. She didn't know
rlm@0: enough about Sephiroth or why these people were working with him, but
rlm@0: she had to hope that Kuja would pause and consider letting her go. Or
rlm@0: at least not whatever he had on his mind. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Grinning wickedly, Kuja trailed a finger down her chin. She squirmed
rlm@0: under his touch, but couldn't do anything more. "Because once I have
rlm@0: what I want, Sephiroth won't be able to touch me. Nothing will. I
rlm@0: will never die. That specter of death that chases after all of us
rlm@0: will never reach me. I will be free of the chains of Fate. Free of
rlm@0: death and pain. The same freedom that you had before you threw it all
rlm@0: away."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Kairi jerked about in her chains to no avail, feeling his hand
rlm@0: trailing down her neck, moving lower. Tears burned in her eyes.
rlm@0: Anger, fear, frustration, and hopelessness boiled inside of her. "I
rlm@0: won't let you have the Keyblade! I'm going to save Riku, no matter
rlm@0: what happens to me," she got out shakily. Yes, no matter what
rlm@0: happened, she'd save him. She shook as his hand travelled lower,
rlm@0: finally stopping over her heart.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "It's not the Keyblade that I'm after." Kuja laughed, tilting his
rlm@0: head back. "That's merely a toy. Let Sephiroth play with it for all I
rlm@0: care." His deep, scarred eyes met Kairi's and the princess shuddered
rlm@0: at the desperation in him. "We're all afraid of death. But all of us
rlm@0: will eventually run out of time. It doesn't have to be that way. I've
rlm@0: found a way out. Through you."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Kairi's shoulders slumped, her body hanging limply in her bonds. She
rlm@0: was screwed. There wasn't anything she could do. No one knew where
rlm@0: she was. She was helpless to stop Kuja from taking something that she
rlm@0: innately knew was important to her. Something she hadn't even known
rlm@0: was there. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Kuja laughed. "Giving up already? You don't deserve it's power. I
rlm@0: never gave up. I'd rather kill all the universed than die alone.
rlm@0: That's what makes me worthy of it. I'll use it to it's fullest."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "What the hell are you talking about!?" Kairii cried out at last,
rlm@0: sick of the feeling of helplessness, of his hand pressed against her
rlm@0: chest, of the thoughts that she'd never set Riku free. She couldn't,
rlm@0: wouldn't fail him. But she couldn't see how she would ever get that
rlm@0: chance. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Prism Hearts! The heart through which reality itself is filtered!"
rlm@0: Stepping back, Kuja gestured grandly. "Kingdom Hearts is the gateway
rlm@0: to the heart of the universe, to the birthplace of darkness and
rlm@0: light. But such concepts bore me. Prism Hearts, on the other hand, is
rlm@0: what shapes that darkness and light into the world around us. It's
rlm@0: what shapes the reality we live in. The power to reshape reality as
rlm@0: you see fit. The power of a god. It all lies within Prism Hearts." He
rlm@0: grinned as if he were sharing a private joke, leaning close enough
rlm@0: that his nose almost touched Kairi's. "Which lies within you."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Kuja didn't even flinch as Kairi began thrashing in her restraints.
rlm@0: "Stay away from me! You're insane! I'm just a girl who wants to find
rlm@0: her friends." She swallowed, trying to keep her gaze angry. What was
rlm@0: all this about? It wasn't true. It couldn't be. Parallel visions
rlm@0: flashed through her head, struggling for dominance. One world where
rlm@0: she was a princess, searching for the boys she loved. One world where
rlm@0: she was a lonely suicidal girl who was dying in her bedroom. She
rlm@0: could feel the shackles on one hand, blood dripping down the other.
rlm@0: Was she lying on the floor or was she in Kuja's demented torture
rlm@0: chamber? Which was better? She felt so weak all of the sudden,
rlm@0: feeling the carpet soaking with blood, her blood, underneath her.
rlm@0: No... Her thoughts were drowning as she felt herself sinking deeper
rlm@0: and deeper. So tired... 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Kuja... Where was Kuja? 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "He's far away. He can't hurt you here," the mysterious voice said
rlm@0: from the other side of the door. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Kairi struggled to sit up and get to the door, but her body refused
rlm@0: to listen. Everything felt cold and numb. Her fingers moved dimly in
rlm@0: an attempt to reassert control of her body, but that was the most
rlm@0: they could do. Blood stained the floor around her, yet somehow she
rlm@0: was too drained to do much more than acknowledge it. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Just rest, Kairi. It can end here. You can stop struggling so hard.
rlm@0: You can finally rest. That's what you wanted, isn't it? That's why
rlm@0: you slit your wrists, right?"
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: No... She tried to speak, but her lips merely quivered. Her eyelids
rlm@0: felt so terribly heavy, as if the weight of the world rested on each
rlm@0: one. Somehow she knew that the voice was right. It could end here.
rlm@0: She didn't have to go back. Facing Kuja was her choice. And she was
rlm@0: currently unable to do anything to stop him. And she was so very
rlm@0: tired... Her eyes began to slip shut as a familiar lullaby began to
rlm@0: whisper through the door. A lullaby her mother used to sing her. Yes,
rlm@0: she could finally escape. No one could ever hurt her again. She
rlm@0: didn't have to keep being the outsider. She didn't have to keep
rlm@0: playing in a world that never wanted her. All she had to do was
rlm@0: rest...
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: But... But she wasn't alone... There were people who needed her.
rlm@0: Riku. Sora. She couldn't give up. Not until she set Riku free. No
rlm@0: matter what had brought her to this point, broken and bloody on her
rlm@0: floor, she couldn't let that stop her. She couldn't leave Riku and
rlm@0: Sora. Not yet. Her bloody, shaky fingers clenched slowly. It wasn't
rlm@0: time to rest. There would be time for that later. 'Riku... I won't
rlm@0: give up on you. Ever.' She wasn't dying. She was searching for her
rlm@0: friends. This place... it was a nightmare. She had to wake up before
rlm@0: it consumed her. Or she'd never get back to her friends. With all the
rlm@0: strength she had, she forced her eyes back open. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Blinking weakly, the room came back into view. She was still in the
rlm@0: dark yet elegant dungeon that Kuja had set up especially for the
rlm@0: maiden he was searching for. Her. She sighed shakily, slumping in her
rlm@0: chains. She had been about to die. If she'd stayed there... Her heart
rlm@0: pounded at the thought. What was going on? What was happening to her?
rlm@0: Blinking quickly, she tried to bury the fear and hopelessness that
rlm@0: threatened to overwhelm her. What was real? What was her imagination?
rlm@0: These chains felt so real, but so had the bloodsoaked carpet she'd
rlm@0: been laying on. She didn't know anymore. She didn't know anything
rlm@0: anymore. No, she couldn't think like that. There were still Sora and
rlm@0: Riku. She had to believe in them. She had to. It was all she had left.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Kuja... Where had he gone? Lavender eyes darted around the chamber,
rlm@0: trying to spot the silver haired man. He didn't seem to be anywhere
rlm@0: in sight. What she did see didn't exactly put her at ease. The two
rlm@0: blonde twins she had met earlier watched her from a raised platform,
rlm@0: resting against each other as if they had just finished playing. They
rlm@0: both watched her intently, almost as if they were waiting for
rlm@0: something. Licking her lips, Kairi tried to think of something to
rlm@0: say. Anything. At least she wasn't alone. She couldn't stand being
rlm@0: alone. "Where did he go?" she asked at last.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Away," one replied, the two still watching the princess intently.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Not exactly the response she'd been hoping for, but it was
rlm@0: something. Before she could think of what to say next, the twins
rlm@0: interrupted her thoughts.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "You can't let him have Prism Hearts. If you do, he'll tear all of
rlm@0: this apart. Everything you love, everything you care about, all of it
rlm@0: will be obliterated and filtered into his own dream world. Everything
rlm@0: will be reborn as he sees fit. Before it can be reshaped, everything
rlm@0: must be shattered. Then he can mold it however he wishes. All he
rlm@0: needs is your heart," Maya explained.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Kairi shuddered. Everything gone, replaced by Kuja's dreams. Her
rlm@0: hair fell about her face as she shook her head. "No, that's a lie. I
rlm@0: don't have Prism Hearts. My heart doesn't change anything. If it did,
rlm@0: I wouldn't be chained up in some dungeon away from the boys I love.
rlm@0: I'd be on the Destiny Islands with all of my friends. I'd be looking
rlm@0: out to sea with Riku and Sora. Being fed grapes. And..."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Blushing faintly, the other little girl interrupted before Kairi
rlm@0: could get further. "It doesn't work that way. It's subconscious. Your
rlm@0: heart molds reality, not your mind. This is happening because you're
rlm@0: in conflict. Things aren't happy and perfect because part of you
rlm@0: won't accept this reality. Part of you is still clinging to the old
rlm@0: reality. So that dark reality has intruded."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "The Heartless..." Kairi whispered. That's when everything had
rlm@0: started to go wrong. Everything was perfect before the Heartless had
rlm@0: spread throughout the worlds. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Aya nodded. "Exactly. There is darkness and light in every heart.
rlm@0: But this was all a refuge from the darkness. But because you couldn't
rlm@0: fully close the doorway to the old world, the darkness began to leak
rlm@0: in. Ansem found it and began researching it, but he was never its
rlm@0: cause. He was used by it and his own curiosity."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "You're the one who allowed the Heartless here. You're the one who
rlm@0: left the door open for them. The Heartless in this reality were born
rlm@0: inside of Kingdom Hearts because you brought the darkness over from
rlm@0: the other reality."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "I wouldn't do that!! I wouldn't risk losing any of this! I
rlm@0: couldn't! I just want to be with them.." Kairi's voice broke, her
rlm@0: throat tightening. Why would she allow the Heartless here? How could
rlm@0: she be the cause of all this pain and suffering? The reason behind
rlm@0: why she'd lost both Riku and Sora?
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "You wouldn't?" Maya raised a blonde eyebrow. "You can't give up
rlm@0: your mother, can you, Kairi? You won't completely turn your back on
rlm@0: the other reality. So the door is still open through your heart,
rlm@0: Prism Hearts. You refuse to filter out all of that reality. The
rlm@0: darkness is part of that reality. If you won't filter it all out, it
rlm@0: will spill over here."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Sacrifices have to be made. If you want to live in this world, you
rlm@0: have to give up on that one. Completely. Entirely. You have to forget
rlm@0: that life. You must offer up your memories of it as a sacrifice to
rlm@0: save this reality," Aya insisted. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "But..." Kairi's head spun. It couldn't be... She couldn't have
rlm@0: brought about the Heartless. That other world, it couldn't be out
rlm@0: there. And yet... "Which... Which one is real?" Her voice was weak,
rlm@0: begging, pleading. She needed to know, even if she didn't want to.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The twins were silent for a long moment before they answered in
rlm@0: unison. "Which one do you want to be real?"
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "It doesn't work that way!" Kairi argued, frustrated that there
rlm@0: never seemed to be any clear cut answers for her.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Aya turned and looked at Maya. "You'd be surprised," she whispered. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Maya continued looking at the princess. "Give up on the other
rlm@0: reality. It's the only way to save this one."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Swallowing back the pain, Kairi raised her eyes to look at the
rlm@0: twins. "How do I do that?" She had to. For Riku. For Sora. They had
rlm@0: both done so much to save her. She had to save them this time. She
rlm@0: wouldn't let anything bad happen to them. All of her friends...
rlm@0: Selphie, Yuffie, Relm, even her cute little kitten... She couldn't
rlm@0: let them go.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "You have to confront yourself. Your own dark side. The part of you
rlm@0: that won't give up on the other reality. Only after you get rid of
rlm@0: her, when you can give up on that reality entirely, can this one be
rlm@0: saved." The two girls turned to leave. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Wait! How am I supposed to confront myself? What do I do?"
rlm@0: Watching, Kairi pulled ineffectively at her chains. "Please don't
rlm@0: go..." she whispered. Not alone. Not again...
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Aya stopped while Maya kept walking. She turned to look over her
rlm@0: shoulder at Kairi, her eyes soft and understanding. "I know it's
rlm@0: hard, Kairi. But everything demands a sacrifice. It's this reality or
rlm@0: the other reality. You have to decide for yourself which is real. But
rlm@0: some sacrifices are worth it." She turned to see Maya waiting for
rlm@0: her. "I made my choice a long time ago and I've never looked back."
rlm@0: She smiled faintly and waved to her waiting sister. "Whatever you
rlm@0: choose, give it your all and don't ever regret your decision." With
rlm@0: that, she ran to catch up to the identical girl, fading into mist. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: A slight breeze entered the vast chamber, swirling the mist about
rlm@0: into nothingness. Something caught in the sudden wind fluttered over
rlm@0: to Kairi, landing lightly at her feet. It was a child's drawing.
rlm@0: 'Mama and Maya' was written at the top in crayon. Even in a child's
rlm@0: artwork, it was unmistakeble. There had been a car crash. Plenty of
rlm@0: red crayon showed the aftermath. A blonde woman and a blonde girl
rlm@0: watched it all from above with angel wings. The same woman and girl
rlm@0: were in the car as well. Kairi's head jerked up, hoping to catch a
rlm@0: last glimpse of the little girl, her words suddenly coming back to
rlm@0: haunt the princess. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "I heard Lady Beatrix has been seeing someone lately," a knight with
rlm@0: blonde hair mentioned conversationally.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Really?" her compatriot asked with a note of disappointment in her
rlm@0: voice, leaning against the wall. "That's not fair." She crossed her
rlm@0: arms, pouting.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The other knight laughed, turning to the brunette. "You didn't think
rlm@0: you had a chance with her, did you?"
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Well... No, not exactly... But..." She whined, trailing off. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Don't you want to know who I heard she'd been seeing?" the first
rlm@0: soldier asked.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Why would I want to know that? It only crushes all my hopes and
rlm@0: dreams," the second replied.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Laughing, the blonde shook her head. "You're really stuck on her,
rlm@0: aren't you? I heard she's been going out with some airship pilot from
rlm@0: Lindblum. I think her name's Erin, but I'm not sure."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The brunette sighed, sliding down the wall. "I should've been an
rlm@0: airship pilot..." Lost in her thoughts, she didn't see the shadow
rlm@0: darting behind the two of them.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 'Ha! That was too easy. These knights might be good fighters, but
rlm@0: they obviously haven't dealt with a world-class thief before.'
rlm@0: Grinning to herself, Yuffie hurried down the hallway. With the
rlm@0: expansive palace to search, it was taking her longer than she'd
rlm@0: wanted to find the artist girl. But the knights didn't seem to mind
rlm@0: gossiping, so she'd managed to overhear them talking about the
rlm@0: sorceress who could bring paintings to life. Apparently she was in
rlm@0: this part of the palace. Somewhere. She could go room by room, but
rlm@0: somehow she doubted it would only result in embarrassment. The
rlm@0: knights wouldn't take a hearty 'Sorry, ma'am' if she burst in on
rlm@0: someone.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Now where could Relm be? What was she looking for, anyway? A big
rlm@0: neon sign that announced she'd found Relm's room? There had to be an
rlm@0: easier (and less dangerous) way to go about this than going door to
rlm@0: door. More importantly, what did she say to the artist when she met
rlm@0: up with her? Would Relm even want to talk to her? After what a bitch
rlm@0: she'd been, she'd be surprised if the little blonde girl even wanted
rlm@0: to continue travelling with her. That thought scared her more than
rlm@0: she wanted to admit. She'd apologize. That would have to be enough.
rlm@0: She hoped. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: A sound down the hallway broke her train of thought. Ducking back
rlm@0: behind a large potted plant, the ninja waited silently. One of the
rlm@0: heavy doors had opened and someone had stepped out into the hallway.
rlm@0: There were at least two people, and they were talking about
rlm@0: something. Yuffie strained to hear what they were saying.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "... wanted to thank you again. It's absolutely gorgeous. I finally
rlm@0: have a portrait that I'm not ashamed to show my parents."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: A soft giggle. "It was fun. It was nice to have such a willing
rlm@0: subject. Some people make painting them so difficult because they
rlm@0: don't really want you to. I think it turned out really well."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Not that you needed me there. It's much more beautiful than I could
rlm@0: ever be," the first voice said with a sigh.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "That's not true. I don't paint lies. The beauty was there, you just
rlm@0: have to look for it. Someday someone will see you just like in the
rlm@0: picture."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: A happy squeal of delight filled the hallway. "I can't wait. Thank
rlm@0: you very much, Sorceress Relm. I'll always remember this."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Relm! Yuffie's eyes widened. She'd found her. Now she just had to
rlm@0: get to her. And try not to stumble over her apology. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Anytime. I'm happy to get the chance to paint. I want to paint
rlm@0: things from all over different worlds."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "I'll pray for your safe journey. I'd love to see a gallery of
rlm@0: different worlds rendered in your gorgeous artwork."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Flattered, it took Relm a second to reply. "I'll make sure I send
rlm@0: you an invitation when I finally get it all together."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Thanks so much again, Sorceress Relm." The knight began down the
rlm@0: hallway.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Yuffie pressed into the wall, trying to will herself to disappear.
rlm@0: There wasn't a lot of cover in these hallways. The plant was large,
rlm@0: but if the knight stopped to look, she'd be caught. Her only hope was
rlm@0: that the guard was distracted enough not to be paying attention. The
rlm@0: other two knights were right down the hallway. If she made any noise,
rlm@0: they'd be there in moments. And she didn't feel like facing down
rlm@0: three knights if she could help it. Not that she doubted her
rlm@0: abilities. Just that... three knights would be an inconvenience.
rlm@0: Yeah, that was it. An inconvenience. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The knight came and went, passing by without a second glance. Yuffie
rlm@0: let out a breath she hadn't known she'd been holding and crept
rlm@0: towards the door the knight had exited from. Her heart pounded as she
rlm@0: neared the door. Her mind tried desperately to piece together a
rlm@0: suitable apology so she wouldn't just say the first stupid thing that
rlm@0: came to mind. 'Hi, Relm. Sorry about earlier. Hey, lets go find Kairi
rlm@0: now.' She sighed. She wasn't good with apologies. But she couldn't
rlm@0: stall forever. She had a bad feeling that Kairi needed her. Soon.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Taking the last few silent steps to the door, Yuffie gently took the
rlm@0: doorknob. Her heart pounded anxiously in her chest. Relm was just on
rlm@0: the other side of the door. So why was she so scared? 'Because this
rlm@0: time it might not be you doing the rejection.' The thought sprang to
rlm@0: mind, but she instantly shot it down. 'And what the hell is that
rlm@0: supposed to mean?' No answer. She swallowed and summoned all of her
rlm@0: courage. It was silly, summoning all of her courage to face a girl a
rlm@0: full head shorter than her. But she somehow felt that she'd need it.
rlm@0: Achingly slowly, the door pushed open.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Her mouth open, Yuffie paused before she could say something. There
rlm@0: were already voices in the spacious room. Frowning, she glimpsed
rlm@0: inside and tried to spot their sources. There, on the bed. She could
rlm@0: spot Relm's intricate red and gold bandana near their feet. The
rlm@0: artist was sitting on the bed with an older blonde woman who looked
rlm@0: vaguely familiar. The older woman was running fingers through Relm's
rlm@0: hair as they sat close to each other. Yuffie's hand clenched tightly
rlm@0: on the doorknob. What was going on? Who was that lady?
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "You did a beautiful job, Relm," the elegant woman said. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Thanks, Celeste. I'm so glad you think so," Relm said softly,
rlm@0: resting against the taller woman, not seeming concerned with the
rlm@0: fingers sliding through her hair. She closed her eyes, sighing
rlm@0: softly. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Taking Relm's chin with one hand, she turned the younger girl's gaze
rlm@0: up to her. "Of course I think so. I always think so, Relm. I love
rlm@0: you." Leaning down, she kissed Relm softly.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: It was all Yuffie could do to keep the doorknob from shaking in her
rlm@0: grasp. Her gaze remained locked on the two women on the bed. It was
rlm@0: unreal. Her mind wouldn't accept it for a long moment. It wasn't
rlm@0: happening. Relm was not kissing another woman. Relm wasn't making
rlm@0: soft sounds as the blonde woman's fingers continued to caress through
rlm@0: her hair. It... wasn't... real... She closed her eyes tightly, but
rlm@0: the image remained when she opened them again, albeit blurrier this
rlm@0: time. Her eyes stung painfully as she watched the image before her
rlm@0: helplessly. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Celeste..." Relm whispered softly, resting her head on the other
rlm@0: woman's shoulder. Her arms wrapped around Celeste tightly. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Slam. Relm jumped at the sudden sound. She turned, but no one was at
rlm@0: her door. She let out a shaky sigh and held on tighter.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Yuffie ran back down the hallway. Get away. Escape. Leave. It all
rlm@0: swirled about her. Damn it. That wasn't supposed to happen. She
rlm@0: didn't want that. Relm had found someone else? But how? Part of her
rlm@0: had thought Relm would always be there, always following, always
rlm@0: devoted to her. Logically she knew that wasn't likely, but she hadn't
rlm@0: given it any thought. She'd taken Relm's presence for granted. And
rlm@0: now she was in another woman's arms... 'She wasn't yours to begin
rlm@0: with,' she told herself. 'Shut up! Shut up!' Her eyes burned, images
rlm@0: bleeding into wet messes of color in front of her. 'Jealous?' that
rlm@0: sarcastic voice inside of herself asked. She muffled a sob as she
rlm@0: held her head tightly. She'd lost her chance. Relm hadn't waited for
rlm@0: her to make up her mind. And why should she have? Yuffie had all but
rlm@0: told her to get lost. There was no reason for her to wait around for
rlm@0: something that probably never would have happened. But somehow that
rlm@0: knowledge just made Yuffie feel worse. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: In her current state, Yuffie barely managed to stop before barelling
rlm@0: into a figure in front of her. Her instincts told her to grab her
rlm@0: shuriken, but she was too weak to bother with it. Escape the guards
rlm@0: and then what? Was Relm even coming with them anymore? She had to
rlm@0: save Kairi. The Keyblade Mistress was her responsibility. But she
rlm@0: felt so weak. Everything seemed so far away. Except for that icy,
rlm@0: ragged feeling inside of her. She couldn't seem to escape that.
rlm@0: Thankfully, she realized that the figure was too small to be a guard.
rlm@0: She blinked rapidly, noting that the girl was a little shorter than
rlm@0: Relm. She have lavender hair and a small horn jutting out of her
rlm@0: forehead. A Caller?
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "So you're just gonna run off?" the summoner asked, her hands on her
rlm@0: hips. "You'd rather go cry than try and get her back?" Her voice was
rlm@0: angry, obviously not pleased with Yuffie's choice. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "I'm not crying!" Yuffie swiped at her eyes with the back of her
rlm@0: glove, disappointed to see it come away tear-soaked. She didn't cry.
rlm@0: She was stronger than that. She'd learned a long time ago that she
rlm@0: was the only one she could count on. This just reinforced that point.
rlm@0: She had to trust in herself. Everything else would fail you. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "If she means anything at all to you, then you'll go back in there
rlm@0: and talk to her. Take her back. Don't just give up," Eiko insisted,
rlm@0: standing her ground in front of the taller ninja. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "You don't understand... I... I can't..." Yuffie let a small object
rlm@0: drop from her fingers. The smoke bomb burst when it hit the floor,
rlm@0: surrounding her with the thick cloud. When it disappeared, she was
rlm@0: gone.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: