a surrendering heart chapters
Title: a surrendering heart
Chapters: 4/13
A one-shot collection featuring a look at a romantic dynamic between Kairi and the members of the Organization XIII
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a surrendering heart
13: Roxas x Kairi
the love story of a nobody
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After a day filled with friends, struggles, and sea salt ice cream, there was nothing nicer to Roxas than laying in his soft bed at night with a smile on his face and warmth in his heart. And maybe this warmth and light and happiness manifested itself into the shape of a pretty girl in his dreams.
She had been appearing for the past few nights and it had come to the point where Roxas wished for sleep just so he could meet her again. Her company was special. It was different than having Hayner around, pumping him up for the next big Struggle match, and different than Pence who was aspiring to be a photographer and would always come to Roxas for advice, and it was even different than Olette's company, which Roxas had also grown to cherish. Though Olette was sweet and pretty, she wasn't like the girl from his dreams.
He felt a special connection with her. It was like he had known her for his whole life. But that wasn't possible. He had never met her before in his life. If he had he would have definitely remembered her. Dark, red hair and pretty blue eyes. She stood shorter than him and was thin but he couldn't help but notice the way she fit into his arms was like the feeling of fitting the last piece of a puzzle.
Roxas loved everything about her. She was perfect, from her laugh to her voice to her name even. Kairi.
When she first told him her name, as they say atop he clock tower during sunset, Roxas had nearly choked. The name even sounded familiar. He knew her from somewhere, he had to have, or else she wouldn't have made such an impact on him. But when he asked her where he knew her from she would simply laugh and playfully shove him aside. She would tell him he knew where and she would call him silly.
And then he would wake up in a fluster with sweat glistening on his forehead and a strange, unsettled feeling in his gut.
But last night was different. Kairi had asked him to meet him at the train station and already Roxas could tell something was up. The train station was where you saw people off. Roxas wasn't sure he was ready to say goodbye. She hugged him, resting her head on his shoulder and began to tell him she had to leave and that she couldn't see him anymore. Roxas wrapped his arms around her, holding her close, maybe hoping she wouldn't be able to leave if he held her. He told her she had been the best part of his summer vacation and it wasn't even over yet. She couldn't leave. But Kairi simply shook her head and broke their hug. She leaned forward, giving Roxas a swift kiss on his lips and telling him something that Roxas deep down had known. She wasn't supposed to be here with him. And with that she had left, leaving Roxas to wonder where she was going and why it had hurt so bad to see someone he barely knew leave.
"What's wrong Roxas? You just wont he Struggle tournament against that rotten Setzer!" Hayner asked as he glanced over at his sullen friend. Though Roxas held the championship trophy in his hand he still had a trace of sadness behind his eyes, something Hayner, Pence, and Olette noticed was ever present when they looked at him.
Roxas glanced over at his friends, seeing his three closest friends watching him, their expressions mixed with care and worry. He smiled back and looked at the trophy. Despite the fact that his dreams were keeping him down today he knew his friends were here and enough to keep his minds of Kairi. What was he even thinking? She wasn't even a real person. She was only there in his dreams so why should she even matter?
He looked at the four marble shaped objects decorating the trophy. Why not share it with his friends? With a bit of effort, he managed to pry each colored marble from the trophy and toss it to his friends, who accepted it graciously. He held it up to the setting sun and watched as the bright light glistened off of the blue marble and lit up like a jewel. "As promised." He remarked, a feeling of warmth beginning to spread throughout his chest again.
"Thanks a ton, Roxas!" Pence said as he held his green marble up to the light and tilted his head to the side, inspecting it carefully.
Hayner nodded in agreement and laughed, holding his red one up as well. "One more treasure for us to share." And Roxas grinned, knowing Hayner was right. It was a treasure and he was happy to share it with the three people who mattered to him the most. They were real anyways, not some picture-perfect girl his subconscious conjured up.
"I've got a present too...for all of us." Olette stated and Roxas turned to her with a smile. At least Olette was real. She was just as cute as Kairi had been. The only thing different was the deep connection he felt with Kairi but he could surely make a connection with Olette after some time. Right? She leaned over towards him and pulled out another type of treasure: four sea salt ice creams.
"Whoah." Hayner warned as Roxas stood up quickly, teetering on the edge of the clock tower. He grinned, about to tell the other to relax when his foot slipped and wavered side to side before completely tumbling off of the clock tower.
He fell slowly, slowly and it felt like all of time had completely slowed as he felt a link stir in his mind. A link from his mind to another. He could even place a name.
Naminé? He could feel the link waver and he felt something strong stir within his chest. The link was strong and growing stronger. It was like he could feel a presence here beside him or perhaps even within him. Naminé...what's happening to me? He asked although he wasn't sure she would even know.
Who are you? And that's not my name. She said and Roxas couldn't believe what he was hearing. That voice...that voice... I'm Kairi. It was her. He was talking to her, here and now. She was real. He knew it, he knew she was real. What was this connection he felt with her? Why did she tug at his heart in a way he couldn't remember anyone doing for a while.
Kairi...I know you. He said, slowly realizing where it was he knew her from. He now knew why he had felt a connection with her. His heart dropped.You're that girl he likes. And the 'he' Roxas was referring to was Sora.
Who? She asked, desperation clear in her voice. Please, a name. She begged.
I'm Roxas. He told her, maybe a bit stubborn in his efforts to tell her his name instead of the one she really cared to know.
Okay Roxas, but can you tell me his name? He didn't know why it hurt, it didn't know why it stung so badly but he could almost feel his summer memories falling away from him. At least … the ones of her. Because they weren't real. In no way, shape, or form. And they never would be.
And his link to her was gone and replaced with another, a more important voice rang in their mind's. The one she really wanted to hear.
You don't remember my name? Thanks a lot, Kairi! He said. She gasped in surprised to be hearing his voice. O-kay, I guess I can give you a hint. Starts with an "S."
It was Sora's name she longed to hear. Sora's voice she wanted to hear. It was Sora's feelings that Roxas felt.
But was it selfish of Roxas … that he wanted to keep them all to himself?
O.O.O
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a surrendering heart
12: Larxene x Kairi
the love story of a sadist
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Whenever Larxene giggled, it sent most sensible-minded people running for the hills. And Larxene loved to giggle. But whenever she laughed like that, a laugh that was so innocent it was absolutely terrifying, those who knew her well knew that the only thing that caused Larxene to laugh like that was pain. Physical pain, emotional pain inflicted upon others was her one, true delight in this world. It made her insides tingle.
And who was it that caused such a laugh to ring through the Castle Oblivion halls? It wasn't Axel, as Larxene found it much more amusing to make Axel uncomfortable with her lingering touches and her coy way of invading personal space. It wasn't Marluxia, who Larxene treated with the respect one gives to someone who didn't get in their way of what they were trying to achieve.
No, it was someone who Larxene believed deserved pain and misery because that is what this person upon others in the worst possible way. Emotional pain sometimes hurt the worst and Larxene was all too aware of that.
"Soon Sora's going to forget all about that pretty princess Kairi and his memories will be replaced by you. Then you'll have him all to yourself." Larxene told the witch who sat there with her head down, her bangs falling over her lidded eyes. "Although, you're not nearly as pretty as Kairi I believe." She sneered as she grabbed a strand of Naminé's limp, blond hair. "This simply won't do." She chided as she shook her head and gripped at the little blond's chin, forcing those dull, blue eyes to look at her. They didn't have the same energy as Larxene's held. Larxene's eyes were alive and sparked with hatred, cynicism, and did Naminé spy pain?
The little blond glared at Larxene, which only brought another smile to the Savage Nymph's face . "No. Sora won't ever forget Kairi, because I'm the shadow of Kairi."
"You may be her shadow but you are nothing like her, you know." Larxene laughed again, the sound as petrifying as the sound of that Replica's screams that rang through the castle as the members tortured him. Maybe death was his way out. Death. Was there a better word for that? Were they even really alive? Naminé stared at her, trying not to falter but that absolutely devilish grin caused a tremor in Naminé's non-heart. Was this what fear felt like? "Stop it!" Larxene shouted with a slap as sharp as her Foudre knives. The smaller girl fell out of her chair on impact, gasping as she clutched her stinging cheek. "Princesses don't glare! Princesses are polite, so you better learn your manners if you want Sora to love you."
"It's Kairi who he loves." She whispered, weakly getting up on trembling knees and clutching at the floor with her other hand for support.
"And no wonder. Kairi's pretty and kind and that's what boys like Sora want. The heroes want a princess, not a pathetic witch." Larxene hissed as she stepped towards the poor girl on the floor, her heeled boots making noise on the white floor. She stepped on one of Naminé's crayons for good measure as she walked. With one hand on her hourglass hip, she leaned down and clutched at Naminé's hair with the other.
"Let go." She whispered meekly, clutching at Larxene's hand in her hair and trying desperately to pry her fingers off her, though any effort proved futile against the much stronger girl's hold.
"Or what Naminé? What are you going to do about it?" She laughed and pulled the girl up slowly by her hair, dragging her closer as Larxene got on her knees. Naminé may not have known what feelings really were but she knew what she was close to feeling right now. Terror. She squirmed, grunting as she wiggled her way around but finally calmed herself when she noticed she wasn't able to go shake herself free. "Nothing. You aren't going to do anything. And you're too afraid to even switch around my memories. You could play around with them if you wanted and make me forget how badly I hate you." She said the word 'hate' with the hiss of a deadly snake. "But you're too afraid."
The witch was dropped without so much as a warning and once again, she fell to the harsh floor. She only wished that Larxene would leave her here to tremble and shake and cry. And try to forget that everything Larxene was saying was true.
"Get up!" Larxene yelled and watched as Naminé made a slow effort to lift her small frame from the floor. Her brows furrowed, her finger twitching with the electrical current within her as her blood began to boil.
"Heroes don't fall for the bad guys you know." She whispered this little tidbit to Naminé once she got to her knees as well. "And heroes love themselves princesses. But did you know..." She began to say as she cupped the other's face and stroked her cheek with her thumb. "the bad guys like princesses too."
Naminé gasped, watching with horror as Larxene leaned forward and brushed her lips against her own, testing out the waters, before pressing hers to Naminé's with ferocity and as their lips parted, Naminé could nearly feel the electricity sparking between their parted lips. "W-What-"
Her word were interrupted by Larxene gripping her wrist and pulling her forward. She struggled, trying to pull herself out of Larxene's hold and wondering what that glint in her eye was. Larxene had always loved to taunt her … had always loved to hurt her but this...?
"I like pretty princesses too." She giggled as she licked her lips. Naminé was surprised it wasn't forked. "They're so sweet. You taste nothing like one I'm sure." She said as her blue eyes scanned the little witch up and down. "But you'll just have to do."
Larxene giggled as she placed Naminé's hand on her zipper and raising her brow to Naminé, expecting her to do as suggested. The smaller girl shook her head and Larxene had to do nothing but glare and Naminé knew her place. She bit her lip and slowly began to pull the zipper down to Larxene's coat.
"That's a good witch. Do as your told and don't even think about doing anything stupid."
And Larxene's laughs rang through the halls as Naminé made memories she wanted so badly to forget.
O.O.O
O.O.O
a surrendering heart
11: Marluxia x Kairi
the love story of the grim reaper
O.O.O
Marluxia liked to watch Naminé draw, not just for the fact that he needed to keep an eye on the girl, but for the fact that she was always the most lovely when she was concentrating on making a blank, white page a masterpiece. Such talent, such power, he would never admit it but Naminé had always intrigued him so.
Was that the only reason he liked to watch her draw? Was that the only reason he was always standing there, his long body casting a shadow over her. How suiting, as she was nothing but a shadow of the girl with purest of hearts.
And so, one day, while watching the pretty shell of a princess take out her crayons and notepad, he took a hold of her hand. She gasped, staring at him with those big, empty eyes, that soft mouth open in surprise. And he guided her hand as he whispered into her ear, "Draw me a girl."
She immediately followed his orders as she trained to do. He snapped his fingers, she jumped and never missed a beat.
He let go of her hand and watched her begin to draw. He noticed how his hand completely engulfed her own. He noticed how her blond hair fell across her lashes.
It started off as lines that soon began to resemble the shape of a face. Round cheeks, still holding baby fat. And next Naminé drew the shape of eyes, eyes so wide and dark lashes framing. Where were the crayons? Marluxia looked over and grabbed a few colors, throwing them to her. "Draw her, my dear." He said as he gripped her chin lightly, smirking slightly and watching her nod in submission. Quickly now, Marluxia hadn't the time to waste.
Naminé grabbed the blue crayon and Marluxia watched, tilted his head to the side, and wondered if 'violet' was actually the color she should have been using to color in those wide, innocent, pure-of-heart eyes. The drawing was lovely, but it in no way captured the utter beauty that the real person held. But still, he could imagine those eyes wide as he grasped at that delicate chin and brought that face closer, closer, closer until-
"What are you doing?" He demanded and she immediately flinched, her hand clutching at a golden crayon beginning to tremble. She was now working on the hair, long and flowing but no, that wasn't right, it shouldn't be colored in with gold but with-
"Use this." He threw to her a different color. Ruby, the crayon read. A bright and pigmented color. Alike the color that bled from those who had hearts. Naminé took the crayon, inspecting it with curiosity and confusion but slowly she did as she was told, carefully touching the tip of the crayon to the white paper, beginning to slowly color it in with red. But why, he knew she was wondering and he laughed softly to himself. "What made you think when I said a girl, I meant you?" He asked, seeing her hand stop for just a brief second before continuing. Had that hurt the poor girl's non-feelings? He smirked and she didn't speak but instead colored red, beautiful long red hair and those blue eyes that should have been a bit different but were lovely nonetheless. He gripped the witch's shoulder, squeezing it as a feeling akin to anticipation rose within him. A man of darkness should not be so aroused by the purest of light.
The drawing came to life. Her eyes, her hair, her lips. Naminé drew the breasts then lower to the slim thighs that he could so easily imagine spread for him in a sign of pure and utter submission. Why was it so easy for him to imagine her underneath him, peeling off his black robe to reveal chiseled, unblemished skin, that she would marvel at. Why was it so easy to hear her cries? Her sweet cries, pants, moans. He could hear them now, reverberating off the white walls of Castle Oblivion.
"It's finished." She whispered quietly as she held her notebook to him, her head hung low. He looked upon it, smirking as he tore it from the spirals and shred it, shred it bit by bit and threw it. The colorful paper slowly fell around him and to the floor. She watched him, dropping her notebook and gasping. Excited, Naminé? He clutched her shoulders, gloved fingers dancing across that white skin.
Instead of leaving, he made love to Naminé.
And imagined it was the pretty girl on the floor.
O.O.O
O.O.O
a surrendering heart
10: Luxord x Kairi
the love story of a gambler
O.O.O
"Nice poker face Luxord." Axel sneered as he stood at the door to the prison, arms crossed and eyebrow raised in quite the condescending manner.
Caught by surprise but feigning a calm air, Luxord slowly looked over at the fiery Nobody and let out a quiet chuckle. "What are you doing Axel? Waiting for me to be done with her so you can have your time with the pretty princess?" He questioned, walking past Axel and towards the steps to the First Floor of the castle. "Take it, I've spent quite enough time with her."
"Oh, I know." Axel began as he followed Luxord to which the blond rolled his pale, blue eyes. Did this annoying twit had to constantly pester everyone? "And this coming from someone who has all the time in the world."
With a grunt, Luxord whipped around, standing mere centimeters way from Number 6. Axel's chin was titled up slightly to stare into Luxord's eyes, the green color of Axel's the same as acid. It almost burnt like the sun. Luxord nearly blinked and looked away but kept his face stern, expressionless and Axel cackled before clutched his stomach.
"What are you doing pestering me like this? It is obvious you were not waiting for time with the girl but for time with me so here I am. What is it that you wish to speak to me about?" Luxord said, fuming inwardly but doing his best to deny the fact that the Fury of Dancing Flames could always make his blood boil if he tried.
"I did come here for Kairi for your information. Saïx told me he couldn't bother dealing with the brat so I came here to do so. And here I found you talking to your Highness."
"And your point?" Luxord sneered, crossing his arms over his chest and resisting the urge to roll his eyes at the other's arrogant attitude. Something that Axel always seemed to carry an air of. While Luxord carried an air of sophistication and poise. It was quite infuriating listening to Axel's drivel. He was nothing but a jester and he was surprised the Superior hadn't subjected him to the fate of a pitiful Dusk.
"You think you're so smart, sophisticated, strong and I may have believed it once myself." Axel said, picking at a spot of lint on his sleeve in boredom. "But you're weak."
"Excuse me?" Luxord asked before chuckling. "Weak you say? Don't make me laugh Axel." He said, challenging Axel with a confident, crooked smile of his own.
"I heard your little conversation with the princess." Axel continued, glancing up at Luxord just in time to see the tiny flash of worry cross his features.
"And how is that any of your business?" Luxord asked, voice calm as a still lake. Never quivering, never wavering without a disturbance. But inside his nerves were wracked. The conversation between him and the Princess of Hearts had not been something for the other members to hear but he should have known better. There were always a pair of ears listening around every corner.
"Well I heard you trying to practically convince Kairi to give up on Sora. You called him weak, slow, and 'incompetent'", he spoke the word slowly, not used to having such a word dancing off his tongue, "of destroying the Organization. Well that's all fine but what I thought was strange was the fact that you told her how much of a better suitor you would be." Axel said, pointing an accusatory finger at Luxord, who narrowed his eyes in anger, disbelief?
"Nonsense I-" Luxord began but was cut off by Axel's wagging finger.
"Ah, ah, ah hold on Luxord. I heard it all. You asked her, 'What if you were with someone like me. Strong, intelligent, capable of fulfilling all of your desires and wishes, dear Princess'" Axel laughed and scratched at his head. "But what I don't get is why you could possibly be interested in her? She's just some scrawny red-head."
"Kind of like you." Luxord remarked and Axel faked a frown.
"Ouch. So cold, but then again, you always were Luxord. But then it hit me. That's why you want the Princess. You crave for everything she is, everything you haven't got anymore. And that makes you weak."
"Hmm...you think you have it all figured out do you, Axel? Well bravo, maybe your a little less clueless than you look. Am I really weak for longing for a heart again? Isn't that our sole purpose, our one desire?"
Axel did nothing but shake his head. He chuckled and slowly began to walk towards Luxord. "Kairi is pretty nice, isn't she? A beautiful, sweet princess. Like a Queen of Hearts, wouldn't you say?" He said as he began a slow and leisurely circle around Luxord. The taller man kept his eyes on the other but did not turn as Axel walked behind him and out of his sight. "And no matter how much you try to deny it with that stoic, calm and collective personality of yours, I saw right through it." The sound of soft footsteps against white floors stopped suddenly and Luxord could tell Axel had stopped directly behind him.
"Quit your idiot rambling and out of my way!" Luxord began as he turned around quickly. He stepped forward, pushing Axel with his arm roughly and continuing towards the steps. His foot was able to reach the first one before it stopped dead in it's tracks when Axel spoke again.
"You wish to be her King of Hearts. But that place is taken by Sora, I believe." Axel continued with a quiet laugh. "And I see that as quite impossible, seeing as you don't have a heart. And you better get used to it. I think Sora's not the one incapable, I think it's you."
Luxord stood there, his glare faltering as he felt the all-too-familiar sting that the truth bear. He placed hand to his non-heart and looked back the other.
Axel was quite dangerous and everyone in the Organization knew that. So many of the others were gone already due to Axel's trickery and yet the Nobody gave off such a attitude that promoted just the opposite. Moronic, laid back, uncaring. Luxord would have been wise to keep a closer eye out for Axel. Even with a stiff poker face like Luxord's, Axel had delved into the depths of his very own mind. The quality of a skilled cheater.
Luxord felt as if Axel had won.
"I know my cards too, Luxord." Axel said, pointing to his temple and smirking that haughty smirk of his. "And I know you're nothing but a Jack."
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