Alright! Here is the long awaited chapter!!!
Again, I'm really sorry about the wait. Believe it or not, I'm not even done with KH2 yet lol. I will try to get the next chapters up quicker. Cause now the horrible events of junior year are starting to kick in......SAT's..... *cry*
Anyways, enjoy! ^_^
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Chapter 20 – Don’t Be Afraid of the Future
“Kairi…” a voice echoed through my mind. “Kairi, wake up.”
My eyes gently fluttered open, Sora’s hazy face staring down at me with soft eyes. “Hmmm…wha?”
“Kairi, get up. We’re almost there,” he said, his voice low and distant. I must have been out cold because, at that moment, I really didn’t hold the energy to move. My body was extremely exhausted and I just wanted to go back to sleep.
After Sora and I left Destiny Islands, we got on the Gummi ship and set it on Autopilot. Then we fell right to sleep. I guess we were out for a good couple of hours even though I felt like I didn’t sleep a wink.
Maybe it was cause the mats we slept on weren’t very comfortable.
“Kairi!” Sora suddenly shouted. “Hold on! We’re gonna hit turbulence!”
I fiddled around for anything to grab but there was nothing close by. Using the little energy I had, I reached my hand towards the edge of a nearby windowsill and grasped it quickly. By that point, the ship began to shake violently. The lights began to flicker on and off as various objects slide all around. Something banged against my foot, causing me to almost lose my grip. “Sora!” I cried out.
“Hold on! It’s almost over,” he yelled back. No sooner than he said this, the turbulence died down and all was quiet – except for a high pitched wheezing sound. It seemed so loud and the frightening sound sent chills down my spine.
But then I realized that it was me…
Sora came rushing over to me and held me tightly in his arms. “Are you okay?!” he asked, his voice apprehensive.
“I’m fine,” I managed to say through deep breaths. “Please tell me that won’t happen again…”
“It won’t,” he answered with confidence. “We landed safely. Look for yourself.” He pointed out the window, grabbing my arm to help me up. The minute my eyes hit the window, my jaw dropped open.
Outside was a beautiful garden, planted with bushes, shrubs, and flowers. The sun shone brightly just above a large castle that towered over the breathtaking courtyard. And in the distance, small brooms busily swept the pave ways.
“Where are we again?” I quietly asked, my eyes still fixed on the site.
“This is Disney Castle. If you like it from inside here, you’ll love it once we get outside,” he said, holding my hand. I forced myself to look away from the window and followed him out of the Gummi Ship.
“We really weren’t supposed to land here but I’m sure the King won’t mind,” Sora stated almost to himself. “Let’s go.”
Sora took off ahead of me and I slowly followed behind, my attention still stuck on all the beautiful surroundings. But I felt something swiftly run past me, brushing lightly against my leg. I looked down to see one of the brooms staring at me – which was kinda creepy when you think about it. “Hi…” I said, my voice somehow startling it. With a jump, it took off to catch up with the other brooms.
“Kairi?” Sora called out, now a good distance away. I faced him again and hurried in his direction. Was the broom staring at me because it didn’t know me? Or because I was pregnant?
I caught up with Sora and stuck close behind this time as we entered the enormous castle. I wondered what everyone would say once they saw me like this. But I quickly shook this thought away, as my stomach began to tighten up with nerves.
“Sora!” a high pitched voice called out from afar. In the distance, I could see a small black mouse jumping cheerfully up and down. He quickly ran towards us and Sora caught him in midair.
“King Mickey!” he happily exclaimed. “It’s so good to see you again!”
Sora set the King down, their faces full of excitement. “And it’s good to see you! But I had a feeling you were going to show up after Ri…”
When he said this, both Sora and I gathered closer towards him, a spark of interest flaring in our eyes. But Mickey abruptly stopped, turning his attention towards me. “Kairi! It’s nice to see you too! How have you been?”
I could tell the King was happy to see me, but I could also sense the slight disappointment in his voice. His eyes kept darting from my face to my stomach and I could tell he was upset. “I’ve been great! You?”
“Never better! But I’ve got a surprise for you! And I really think you’re going to like it!”
I have to admit that this really did shock me. What could it be?
“Follow me!” he continued, turning around with a quick jump. I glared over at Sora, giving him a look that said, ‘Do you know what it is?’ But he just shrugged and followed the King down the hallway.
We eventually came to a small flight of stairs, a tiny door shut tightly at the very top. After climbing them, we reached the door and the King began to turn the knob. But I felt the need to say something before he fully opened it. “It’s really nice of you to do this King Mickey, but you really…”
But my words were suddenly cut off. With a silent gasp, I held a shocked hand over my mouth. Tears began to brim my eyes as I felt Sora’s hand rest gently on my shoulder.
In the middle of the room was a small baby crib. Its bars were white, its sheets a light pink. The walls were covered in white wallpaper, pink baby merry-go-rounds patterned all across the top and bottom. There was a rocking chair in the corner, a small dresser next to the crib, and toys were scattered everywhere – rocking horses, puzzles, teddy bears, building blocks – anything a baby would need.
I stared wide-eyed at the beautifully decorated room, feeling completely speechless.
I slowly entered it, my whole body feeling weightless. “Do you like it?” I heard Mickey speak out. “Now don’t feel upset about the color theme but Queen Minnie and I have a strong feeling it’s going to be a girl!”
Although I heard what he had said, I couldn’t find the words to answer him back. Instead, I walked further into the room, my fingers running over every inch of the furniture. I spotted a small brown teddy bear sitting on a baby sized table. She was dressed in a pink bow and skirt. I walked towards it and got to my knees. The bear reminded me of one I had back home, probably dusted over in the attic. And it made me realize just how unprepared I was for this.
“Kairi?...” I looked up to see Sora staring down at me. “Are you okay?”
I quickly nodded, figuring I should snap out of it…for now. Standing up, I wiped my tears away and faced the King with a smile. “Thank you so much, Your Majesty. You have no idea how much this means to me.”
“You’re quite welcome! I know this must be difficult for you so I thought I would help you out. Anything for a friend of Sora’s!”
I smiled cheerfully, hoping my expression was happy enough to cover the true fear inside me. The King quickly turned his attention towards Sora, his face gradually gaining concern. “Sora, can I talk to you alone for a minute?”
Sora put down a toy that he was holding and nodded at the King. “Sure,” he responded, walking towards the small mouse. “Kairi, we’ll be right back. You’ll be okay by yourself?”
I nodded at him, gesturing for them to go. But before the two left the room, Sora looked over his shoulder and gave me a reassuring smile. And it instantly lifted my spirits.
Once I was alone, I took a good look around the baby room, grinning softly at the youthfulness of it all. But for some reason, I began to feel spine tingling chills run through my body. Maybe it was a draft or a window was open. Either way, I didn’t feel very comfortable, almost as if someone was watching me. I shook away my shivers and quickly left the room, wondering where Sora and King Mickey went.
Low voices could be heard just around the bottom of the stairs. I quietly descended them, keeping my body close against the wall.
“What do you mean?” I heard Sora almost whisper.
“Riku came here Sora. He came here and told me what’s been going on,” King Mickey’s voice spoke quietly. “He told me how he got Kairi…pregnant and how he feared the baby would be evil.”
“Riku came here?! Where did he go?!”
“Relax, Sora,” the King quickly interrupted. “You really have more important things you should be worrying about.”
“Like what?...” Sora replied, his voice a little shaken up.
“After Riku left, I was notified that a man in a black cloak has been visiting various worlds.”
“What?!” Sora shouted, his voice echoing down the hallway. “But I thought the Organization was gone!”
“Shhh!” King Mickey immediately responded. “This guy isn’t part of the Organization. He’s not after people’s hearts. He’s after something else…”
“Something…else?”
“Yes. Sora, listen to me carefully. This man is stronger than anything you’ve faced before. Apparently, he’s capable of many horrible and cruel things. And what he seeks…is very special to you.”
“But I don’t understand. What could be so special that this guy wants?”
There was a long pause as silence filled the castle. “…Kairi.”