Ooh, double post. Rebel.
Enjoy this one, 'cause it's the penultimate chapter. I can't believe the fic's nearly over...
BUT... I'm busy working on an Epilogue type thing. It's technically for KH:TFF, but I'm working around it so that it's like a one-shot for anyone who didn't read it. I'll explain more when I get around to posting it. Shouldn't be too long until I do post it. I won't leave the gap between that and the last chappy too big, lol.
Chapter Seventy-Six
“So, do you know anything about them?” Sora whispered, sheepish, trying to make conversation. “I mean, Otaku and Ayura.” Riku thought a moment. King Mickey, Donald and Goofy began talking amongst themselves at this point. Kairi stood silently, waiting for Taiko to return.
“Not a huge amount,” he stated quietly, ruffling his silver hair gingerly. He was clearly uncomfortable, unsure of what to say to Sora. “I know Otaku’s around our age. I think Ayura’s a lot smaller than that.” Avoiding eye contact, he looked further down the row of houses, seeing the evergreen trees a short distance away. The pleasant smell of pine drifted along in the air.
“Ok,” Sora replied, looking up at Riku. After staying silent for a few moments, he gave a small sigh. “I’m sorry, Riku. I’m sorry I was such a jerk to you when I woke up. I shouldn’t have taken it all out on you.” Riku looked down at him, making eye contact. He was quiet for a short time, before nodding.
“It’s ok,” he smiled, speaking quietly. “I took it the wrong way, don’t worry about it.” Feeling the weight of his heavy conscience lifting from his shoulders, Sora gave a relieved smile, before his attention was distracted by the creak of the opening door.
Taiko poked his head around the door, gesturing for them to come in. They promptly entered, all piling in to the small house.
The front room looked much larger than they’d initially thought. A staircase stood at the left of the front door, leading to the upper floor. Beside these stairs, a group of white candles flickered on a wooden table, giving the room a cosy glow. The stone floor was covered by a large, blue rug. A long chair stood along the back wall, and above it, hung a picture of the family. On the right wall, there was a small fireplace, along with a bundle of short logs. Kiruna stood in the centre of the room, with Otaku and Ayura at her side.
Ayura was tiny, clinging to her older brother’s leg for comfort. With masses of curly, brown hair like her mother, and deep, jade eyes like her father, she was an adorable little girl. She wrinkled her freckled nose at the large group that had entered her room, feeling a little afraid of them. It was difficult to tell how old she was by just looking at her, but her cherubic face and pretty little lilac dress suggested that she was still very young. She reached up at her brother with small fingers, grasping for his much larger hand.
Otaku took her hand carefully, sensing her nervousness, seeming to reassure her. It worked, as the little girl gave a bright smile. He was very tall in his stature, dwarfing his mother and father. Mid-length black hair partially covered his striking, icy blue eyes, overlapping his glasses. Slightly resembling Riku, he had a sharp, mature face. He gave a smile at these guests, pushing his glasses up his nose before stepping forward to greet them. Kindly offering Sora his hand first, he went about shaking their hands, silently thanking them each in turn for saving his father. Ayura looked up at them, blushing. She giggled as her father picked her up, holding her in one arm.
“Thank you for helping my father,” Otaku smiled, standing with an open posture towards them. He seemed incredibly friendly and sincere, keen to speak with them. “He says you brought him back here to Foris, that must have been so difficult for you. We‘re right out here in the middle of nowhere.” Sora and the others were not sure what to say. How did Otaku know this about his world? They did not ask, fearful of sounding rude, but they couldn’t help their curiosity.
“They saved my life,” Taiko smiled, standing beside his son. “Please, sit down here,” he gestured for Sora and the group to sit down. Riku, King Mickey and Kairi sat down on the chair, while Sora and the others offered to sit on the floor.
“Taiko, you need to tell us what happened,” Kiruna broke into the conversation. “You haven’t really explained what went on after you left.” Otaku nodded, looking at his father, eager to find out everything he’d missed.
Taiko sat down on the chair beside King Mickey, and proceeded to tell them of everything that had gone on over the two years. He told them of how Sora had defeated Ansem, how Mikado had taken over, how Riku had been kidnapped, and he’d been kicked out of the New Generation. He explained how he saved them from Duossus in Square-One, how Kairi had offered to help him get home, and how he’d led them to Mikado. Now, he was trying to explain what had happened after he and King Mickey found Sora again, but he was having a lot of difficulty. Riku and Kairi were helped out, and the story was pieced together up to the point when they’d landed on Foris. Kiruna sighed, putting a small hand on Taiko’s knee.
“That all sounds dreadful,” she spoke quietly, a tone of shock in her voice. She couldn’t believe how badly her husband had been treated. Looking down at Sora, she gave a smile. “But you… all these worlds owe everything to you. You saved everyone, and they’ll never even know it.” Sora blushed, embarrassed. He rubbed his neck nervously.
“I just did what I had to,” he smiled, feeling his face going pink with each passing second. “I thought I was just going out there to find Riku.” Riku grinned, ruffling Sora’s hair playfully.
“Wouldn’t know it just by looking at him,” he laughed, “but Sora’s very strong. He came after me when I needed it the most.” Kiruna smiled.
“You seem very caring,” she pointed out. Taiko folded his arms, nodding in agreement.
“He is,” he smiled. “I’m lucky to have him as a friend. I’ll never forget him. Or anyone here, for that matter. I owe them my life.”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The entire day was spent at this house, with a happy, friendly atmosphere. Taiko and his family were incredibly welcoming, and were excellent hosts to their guests, providing them with all that was needed. After half a day of just talking, Kiruna provided a meal for them all. A bed was even provided for Donald and Goofy, as they would be the next to fly the Gummi Ship. They planned to leave at sunset, when the rest of the village would be inside. Otaku had offered to check on the ship throughout the day, making sure that none of the villagers had tampered with anything while they were talking. Although it seemed like they’d only just got there, it was already time for Sora and the others to leave.
The golden lake lay unstirred in the orange glow of the setting sun. The light streamed through the needles of the pine trees, creating strange and surreal shadows on the lush grass. The twilight mist hovered around in the air, gently swirling amongst the trees, and over the ground. Standing by the ship, they all reluctantly began to say their goodbyes. Just as expected, they were alone at the edge of the village. Kiruna, Ayura and Otaku gave them their best wishes, hoping for their safe return to their own worlds. Taiko, the last to say goodbye, stood silently in the emotional atmosphere.
“Thank you,” he smiled, a small tear rolling from the corner of his eye. “For everything.” He looked down at Kairi, giving her a warm smile. “You promised me you’d get me off Square-One, and you did it. Thank you, Kairi.” Giving her a hug, the tears began to flow from his eyes even more.
“You made it home to your family,” she smiled, tucking her red hair behind her ear, “just like you wanted.” Taiko nodded happily, before moving on to Riku.
“Riku, I still think the members were terrified of you,” he laughed. “It was only a day, but we had a lot of fun. You’re great fun to be around.” Riku gave a cocky smile, before grabbing Taiko for a hug. They’d become close friends over their short time together, and neither would forget the other anytime soon.
“Take care of yourself,” Riku smiled, watching Taiko shaking the King’s hand. “Don’t get yourself hurt again. And don‘t listen to whatever strangers tell you.” Taiko laughed, before going on to thank Donald and Goofy. Last of all, he came to Sora.
“Thank you, Sora,” Taiko smiled, the orange glow lighting half of his face. The pastel skies began to cloud over, succumbing to the gathering storm clouds that loomed over the horizon. Glancing up after the sudden change in light, he gave a sigh. “I suppose I had better make this quick.” Sora gave a sad smile, shrugging and giving Taiko his hand. Instead, Taiko grabbed him for a hug. “I hope you’re proud of yourself, Sora. You stopped Ansem, and now you have stopped Mikado, his successor. Two generations, wiped out forever. You really are something special, and you should take heart in that.” Pulling away as the first droplets of rain began to fall, Taiko gave him one last smile. “Thank you, for everything you have done. For me, the rest of the worlds, and for yourself.” Sora gave a nod, smiling back at Taiko.
“I’m still sorry for being so suspicious of you at first,” he smiled, shaking Taiko’s hand. “Thank you for all you’ve done for us. If it wasn’t for you, we never would have reached Mikado. You saved us from Duossus.” Taiko smiled, as larger drips of rain rolled down his face.
“I think you’d better be going,” he sighed, “before the storm gets here.” Sora and the others reluctantly turned to the ship. Riku pulled the door open, allowing Kairi, Donald and Goofy on first. “Will you come back to visit us?” He looked up at King Mickey, with a gleam of hope in his eyes.
“I’m sure we’ll meet again,” King Mickey nodded. “Sooner than you think we will.” Smiling, Taiko nodded, before standing by Kiruna, Otaku and Ayura. They waved goodbye as Sora, King Mickey and Riku entered the ship, locking the door tightly on their way out.
Sora sighed, leaving with a heavy heart. Taiko had become a close friend, and being without him was going to be strange. Watching the blurred family through the splatters of rain on the window, he was finding it quite hard to come to terms with this. Although, he knew that this would be for the best. Taiko could spend the rest of his days on Foris with his family, and he could return to the islands with Kairi and Riku. There was no way they’d be completely happy together. He sat on the floor of the cockpit with Kairi at his side.
The rain began to gush in torrents as the ship slowly raised from the grassy floor, powering up into the air. Taiko and his family waved until the ship burned up into the dark sky, disappearing into the night.
Watching them with a sorrowful joy in his eyes, Taiko gave a watery smile.
"We
will meet again, Sora. I know it."
Hope you guys like this.
On another note, I finally got KH2 today! Yay!
<3 <3
