Is Any of This for Real....or Not?

(Sora's POV)
My mind went blank. I really don’t know what to think anymore. Before I would have freaked at the sight of the scar, but lately I’ve been put through so many disturbing things, this one seems minor. I turn around and look at myself in the mirror. Who am I turning into? Some kind of insomniac? I mean, I won’t be able to go to sleep anymore; afraid I might get hurt or killed. I let out a sigh of frustration and put my shirt back on.

Going back out to the bridge, I see that Goofy has fallen asleep, typical.

“We’ll be in Hollow Baston in a couple of minutes, Sora.” Donald states. I give him a pat on the back for pretty much flying the ship by himself. I look back over at Goofy and realize that he is drooling all over the controls. Memo to self, clean the controls before helping out Donald land this thing.

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Finally we arrive in Hollow Baston. I jump out of the ship and stretch. Maybe now I will get some answers and if not, at least I will get to see some old friends. As we walk to the front gate to the enormous castle, Goofy stops me.

“You know Sora, no matter what happens or what you’re going through, we’ll stick with ya till the end.” I feel tears starting to come to my eyes. I have become such a crybaby lately. So instead of letting them see me cry I run forward I little bit; keeping my back to them, with my hands placed behind my head.

“Thanks you guys,” I choke out. “I hope I can repay you someday, for all the things you’ve done for me.” I turn and smile the biggest smile I could possibly make. They laugh and in turn so do I. I turn back to the gate, hesitating a little. Do I really want to know what these dreams meant or am I destined to know? Either way, I’m about to find out.

I push the doors open. Heartless haven’t been in this castle for a long time, but it still gives me the creeps. I mean this is where I lost my heart, but I regained it with Kairi’s help.

“Hello? It’s me, Sora!” My voice echoes throughout the halls and passageways. I wait for a moment; hoping they were still here, and alive.

“In the library Sora!” I sigh in relief. I walk over to the library to find Leon leaning against a bookcase, reading a book.

“Hey Sora, long time no see.” Leon always makes me laugh, putting his book back on the shelf. I mean he wasn’t trying to be funny, but he always says everything in such a serious tone, you have to wonder sometimes if he even knows the definition of funny.

“Yeah I know. Actually Leon, I came here with a problem. Could you gather everyone in here so I don’t have to tell my story more than once?” Leon looks at me with a puzzled look on his face.

He shrugs, “Alright, just give me a couple of minutes.”

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We all gather in the library; Aerith, Cloud, and even Yuffie. I have to remind myself that Yuffie is a ninja not a nurse; thinking back to the nightmare that started all of this. I explain my problem to the group, each of them listening closely. By the end of the story Leon looks confused, Cloud’s expression hasn’t changed, Aerith looks at me in disbelief, and Yuffie laughs hysterically. That makes me feel great.

“So....so....you’re trying to tell me that you think there are two realities. Oh my God that’s the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard!” Yuffie falls to her knees laughing; tears coming to her eyes. Everyone gives her the same look, are you really that insensitive?

“What?” She looks around at all of us; disbelief at our reaction clear on her face. “Oh come on he has to be joking! This is Sora we’re talking about. The most stable one out of all of us!” She looks at me and I turn my eyes to the floor, embarrassed.

“Oh, I’m so sorry Sora, I thought you were only joshing.” She has a look of sincerity on her face, but the damage is already done.

“No you're right, it was stupid, see you guys later.” I storm out of there in a raging fury. When I get outside I lash out with my keyblade at a nearby statue. It shatters into a million pieces.

“How stupid am I? How could they ever understand?” My body sinks to the ground. I put my head in my knees. I’m trying to calm down, but I just can’t. Suddenly I hear footsteps come running towards me.

“Sora!” Leon yells. He comes up behind me, putting his hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath.

“Yuffie didn’t mean to be cruel. It’s just when she gets scared, she tries to make a joke. She didn’t mean to make you mad. Please forgive her.” I have to think about it for a while. She did try to make light of things when Leon first told me about the dangers of being a keyblade wielder. I understand now, but I feel even more foolish.

“I should be the one to apologize. I should have known. I mean if I was in her this situation, I would have done the same thing.” Leon shakes his head at me as he takes a seat beside me. I look at him. He always knows what to say when I’m not sure of myself or wants me to realize something. Leon looks off into the distance; as if he was stalling for time.

“You know, I noticed something while you were telling your story.” My eyes flicker over to him, trying to figure out where he’s going with this train of thought. “Riku was the one in your nightmare that tried to get you to give up the keyblade and he was also the one to give you the warning while Kairi was the one to attack.” What’s he getting at? Leon’s eyes lock with mine. He’s serious. “You love him, don’t you?” All blood drains from my face. How did he figure it out? I turn my face away from him and replace my head into my knees.

“I guess….but right now that really doesn’t matter.” My voice is muffled by the fabric of my pants. Feeling Leon’s body shift beside me, I look up at him as he stands. Bending down, he gives me a smirk and ruffles my hair.

“No Sora, that might make all the difference in the world.” With that said, he leaves through the doors back into the castle. I sigh. Hopefully he was smart enough not to blab about my crush to everyone else. Standing myself, I head inside. Maybe together, we can figure a solution to my current problem.

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“So we know that lately you have been having these weird dreams.” I shake my head in a yes motion at Cloud’s statement.

“Yet the real question is why you are having these dreams.” We all just look around the library in thought.

“Oh, remember that Kairi and Riku warned you of something that you trust is going to hurt you. What do you think they’re talking about?” questions Aerith. That’s a good question. What do I trust that would try and destroy me. Then it dawns on me.

“What if they were talking about an ideal I have. Not something or someone I actually know, but something I thought was true but isn’t.”

“It could be a possibility. Truths we hold in our mind are things we treasure most.” says Cloud. But what is this truth that I hold so dearly in my heart?

“Oh my God! The only thing I can think of is that Riku and Kairi are ok!” My mind starts to race. I have to leave right away. I'm sure Kairi is fine on the islands, but I have no idea where Riku is. I can't live without knowing he's ok!

“Calm down Sora. We have no proof of that theory.” Leon is trying to console me with his words, but it isn’t going to work this time.

“We have no time to discuss the details! If Riku or Kairi is in danger I need to go, NOW!” I try to run, but Cloud and Leon hold me in place. I keep struggling, but as soon as I am about to break free, Yuffie slaps me in the face.

“Don’t you dare run out on us! I think you would know if Riku or Kairi was in danger. Can you still hear their voices in your heart, Sora?” I stop. My face still stings from the force of her hand, but she’s right. I can still feel Riku and Kairi in my heart and that means they're is ok.

“I’m so sorry. It’s just the idea of losing them is....is something I can’t handle right now. Knowing Kairi is safe on the islands is comforting, but finding Riku is the only thing that keeps me going. I don't know what I'd do if I lost him...” They all give me a knowing look and I feel myself blush. All of them know now how I really feel about Riku. Looking down at the floor, weariness washes over me.

“I need to rest. See you guys later.” I turn and head for the ship.

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As I open the doors to go outside, I realize that it’s nighttime. I have never been in Hollow Baston at night. I also notice a slight fog. I shrug and try to feel my way through the fog. Before I can take another step, a force stops me from moving forward. Instincts tell me that something’s wrong. I summon my keyblade and prepare for an attack. In front of me the fog starts to clear. I squint to see if my enemy is the one causing the fog. As soon as I see who’s in front of my very eyes, my mouth goes dry. I let the keyblade fall to the ground and I fall to my knees. Why’s all of this happening? There in front of me is Kairi, with sword in hand.

So Kairi finally shows her face! What does this mean for our hero? You'll just have to read the next chapter!!