Fast Food Madness: The Epic Return

"I know you're there," Sora mumbled, having felt a hand lightly against the back of his chair. He forced a weak smile as he opened his eyes and turned to look at the redhead near him.

 

Kairi let a soft giggle slip past her lips. His senses were pretty sharp after all of his adventures. "How are you feeling?" she asked softly, a faint smile on her lips. After what happened moments ago, that was one of her main concerns.

 

Sora blinked once before answering. He should have expected a question like that. He quickly formulated a response that wouldn't deal with his physical health. "Much better now that we're heading home," he said softly, meeting Kairi's eyes.

 

Kairi nodded slightly, agreeing. "Me too," she said quietly, turning her head to gaze out the ship. The view of the passing stars was much better up front, she realized then.

 

Sora kept his gaze on Kairi even though she wasn't looking at him. He saw her hand loosely at her side and he took it gently in his hand, very lightly holding the backside of it against his cheek. He then turned his head slightly against it, glad that Kairi was there with him.

 

Kairi looked down at the gentle touch, feeling her smile return. Sora always had ways of doing that, and causing a warmth in her heart. It was present around him almost always, and she knew why--she loved him, more than anything. And if she would have lost him back there, she would've lost a part of herself.

 

Sora released a silent breath and allowed his eyes to shut halfway as he stared ahead of him, seeing the stars flying past them as they headed home, where they belonged.

 

Kairi lightly curled her fingers around Sora's grasp. She let her smile melt away slowly, her eyes locating the front of the ship, watching the stars glide by in silence. It was peaceful, the little bit of quiet they all needed after such crazy events.

 

Sora let his eyes close completely, Kairi's presence having a calming effect over his heart. He felt as if he could possibly sleep, and perhaps he would, if he knew for sure his friends would wake him when they arrived home. After all, they'd probably need his help landing the ship.

 

After a few moments of silence, Kairi glanced down at the boy at her side. She smiled slightly, giving his hand a light squeeze. "Get some rest," she encouraged him softly. "We'll keep track of our progress. Roxas or I will wake you when we get close to home."

 

Sora opened his eyes and lifted his head, looking at the girl beside him. "Stay with me?" he requested softly. He knew that both of them wanted to spend some time together, even if he was asleep during that time.

 

Kairi's smile grew a little, and she nodded once. "Sure," she softly replied. How was she going to deny a request like that? She couldn't, and probably never would.

 

Sora smiled softly and allowed his eyes to flicker shut again, his hand still lightly holding Kairi's to his cheek. He calmly took in a breath before slowly releasing it, already feeling like he was drifting into a state of slumber.

 

Kairi gave his hand one last squeeze before letting her eyes fall back on the stars again, knowing that gazing at them would keep her interested, at peace, and would help pass the time.

 

Sora's grip on Kairi's hand loosened slightly as the teen finally drifted into sleep, assured by the peacefulness of his current situation that things would be alright if he left reality for a short while.

 

The next morning...

Roxas rejoined his friends in the kitchen, having just checked on Namine in the guest bedroom. He rubbed his hand over his face as he approached Sora's kitchen table, sighing.

Kairi looked up, watching the boy pass her and finally sit down at the table. She was curious as to what was bothering him, but she felt she already knew the answer. Namine.

 

Sora heard his friend's sigh and turned to him, stopping himself from getting out bowls for cereal. By the looks of it, Namine wasn't any different than she was the previous day. "Anything?" he asked softly, approaching his best friend.

Namine furrowed her brows, suddenly feeling anxious in her sleep. Anxious...and very uneasy. Like something important was missing. She forced her soft blue eyes open, but that only confused her more. Where am I? she wondered. How did I get here?

 

Roxas shook his head, clasping his hands together on the table's surface and staring at them. "Not a thing," he confessed, disappointment evident on his face. "I don't know what's wrong... She just won't wake up."

Kairi bit her lip, feeling sympathy wash over her, as well as worry. It had been almost 24 hours since Namine slipped back into her coma. "She'll wake up soon," Kairi tried, not only to convince Roxas, but also herself. "She's a fighter; she'll get through it."

 

Sora walked over to his friend, setting a hand on his shoulder in a brotherly way. "She'll be fine," he said quietly. "You two always fight for each other...don't give up hope." Sora remembered back to a time when he had lost hope--it had been his ultimate low point. But Kairi kept hope and restored it in him. He hoped Roxas and Namine would be able to do the same for each other.

Namine sat upright in the bed, setting two fingers on her temple. Something definitely didn't feel right, but she couldn't place it. She exhaled silently forced herself out of bed without any difficulty, wanting to get some answers to her unresolved questions.

 

Roxas looked up at his best friend, nodding his thanks. "Right," he said, forcing a small smile on his face. No, he would never give up on Namine. Ever. It was something Roxas couldn't do, wouldn't allow himself to do.

Kairi smiled slightly, agreeing with Sora. The two of them had made it through a lot by relying on their hopes, and it got them to where they were today. Their relationship was stronger than it had ever been. She hoped the same would be for Roxas and Namine as well.