Fast Food Madness: The Epic Return V2

Kairi's eyes lingered on Sora's, the girl feeling his words touch her. "Promise?" she asked, tightening her grip on his hand. He'd kept a promise to her a long time ago, and they found each other again. And this last time, the same happened, even though it hadn't been the best reunion. Kairi knew that Sora meant what he said, but she needed to hear him swear on it.

 

Sora took his hand off Kairi's shoulder, lifting it a little and tucking back some of her red hair as he looked at her with soft blue eyes. "I promise," he said softly, meaning it deeply. He would always find his way back to her, no matter what.

 

Kairi smiled weakly, nodding slightly. She took those words to heart, confident that Sora would keep that promise. Even if he was going to be away for only a day or possibly two, she was still going to fear for his safety. As well as Riku's and Roxas's. She wanted them all to be alright, because she cared for each of them.

Riku's eyes rested on Kairi, not able to see her face because of the direction she was facing. He was happy that Sora made that promise, because he knew it meant a lot to Kairi. Riku couldn't make that promise himself, since he wouldn't be staying long, even when they did get out of the Realm of Darkness.

 

Sora lowered his hand once Kairi's hair was behind his ear, setting it on Kairi's hand that he already held. "While I'm gone, can you do something for me?" he asked softly, the weak smile he had from before disappearing as he inquired something of Kairi.

 

Kairi nodded slightly, her eyes slightly holding her newfound curiosity as her smile began to fade. She would do anything for Sora while he was away. Anything he requested of her.

 

"Try to stay at home as much as you can," Sora requested softly. He didn't like the idea of her being out and about when he couldn't even be called to her. What if something bad happened? What if some jerk tried to take advantage of her like Jeff had with Namine in the past? Sora was simply taking precautions to protect her, even if he couldn't be there himself.

 

"I will," Kairi promised him, knowing his request was simple but important. If she ever left the house, it would be to be with Namine. She had a feeling they would need each other, just like last time.

Roxas subconsciously tightened his hold on Namine during the conversation Sora and Kairi had, feeling similar. Somehow, he knew that he could pin his emotions on Sora, since they were connected in a special way, and could sometimes feel the same thing. He believed this was one of those moments. It didn't affect him too much, since he had been feeling that way to begin with. But it was something he just knew.

 

Sora nodded faintly, squeezing Kairi's hand reassuringly. He was glad to hear her say that to him, just like she must have been glad for his promise. Things would be alright after this...things couldn't possibly get as bad as they had been when he first returned home after four months.

Namine had her hand on Roxas's chest, her head also on his shoulder as the two of them remained silent. She overheard Sora and Kairi's conversation, and she knew that Kairi wouldn't be the only one staying in her home for a few days; Namine would too. Even if Jeff no longer bothered her, she didn't want to risk running into him.

 

Kairi let her eyes leave Sora after a moment, turning her head to look at her childhood best friend. She squeezed his hand as she met his eyes. "You need to come back safe too," she said. Her eyes then roamed over to Roxas. "That also goes for you."

Riku nodded. He would come back, but that would only be to say goodbye for a little while. He silently vowed to return, though. For Kairi's sake.

Roxas locked eyes with Kairi and nodded slightly, his arm wound tightly around Namine. "You got it," he swore to her. He held her eyes before looking down at Namine, promising to come back to her as well. He couldn't imagine being without her, through life or death.

 

Namine moved her hand off of Roxas's chest and wrapped it around his torso, bringing herself a little closer to him at his promise. He would come back...she knew he would. She believed him completely, but she was still concerned. What if--No, she wasn't going to think like that. She just wasn't.

 

Kairi smiled slightly, her eyes going back to Sora and Riku as she squeezed their hands in hers. As much as she didn't want them to leave, she somehow knew that they would be alright. It was just something she felt inside, something she couldn't really explain. She loved both of them dearly, but in different ways of course. Kairi hoped the promise never went broken between any of them--all five of them.

Roxas brought his other arm off the couch to wrap around Namine as well, keeping her close as he looked down at her. Going away last time had been difficult, but the fact that they had an estimate on how long they would be gone made this a little easier. However, it still wasn't simple to accept, since they were going to somewhere much more dangerous.

 

Namine felt Roxas's other arm come around her and she instantly lifted her eyes to him, seeing that he was already gazing at her. "Be careful," she said, pulling herself a little closer to him without thought. She turned her head to look at Sora and Riku as well, speaking a beat after she said her first sentence. "All of you."

Sora nodded, his gaze on Namine when she spoke. "We will," he assured her, giving her a promise as well. He gently squeezed Kairi's hand, giving her the same promise as well.

 

Riku nodded wordlessly to Namine, agreeing to be careful. Last time, he hadn't even been aware that Sora and Roxas were leaving. Now that he did, he was going to make sure that they came back. He had only been here for about ten minutes and he could tell how much Sora and Roxas meant to Kairi and Namine.

Roxas tightened his hold on Namine at her words, bringing his lips to the top of her head and closing his eyes. He would be careful, and he hoped she would do the same. He didn't even want to think of what happened the last time he was gone.

Kairi's weak smile remained on her face at the boys' promises, her eyes lowering as she tightened her grasp on Sora and Riku's hands. It was going to be difficult to watch them leave again, but she knew that they had a responsibility to tend to. They had no choice but to go, and she had no choice but to let them.

 

Namine shut her eyes, turning her head more into Roxas's shoulder when she felt him kiss her. She knew that he would be back, and hopefully soon, but there were no guarantees with that second one. She could only hope and pray that they resolved the problem quickly, and without any injuries or problems

 

Riku lowered his eyes to the floor after looking at Kairi, seeing how this was the third time she had to deal with this. He knew it probably wasn't easy, and he felt bad that this had to happen. They had a job to do, though. "Guys," he called, lifting his head to Sora and Roxas. "We need to get going." Riku didn't want to shatter the moment with the girls, but there wouldn't be any more moments if they didn't get moving.

Roxas pulled his head back at the words and exhaled a breath, lifting his eyes to Riku and nodding. The faster they moved, the faster they could get back. He squeezed the girl he loved in his arms, lowering his eyes to her then as he started to loosen his grasp on her.

Kairi turned her eyes to Riku then, her eyes full of concern still. She couldn't help it; she just wanted them to be safe. The Realm of Darkness sounded terrible. She couldn't imagine what was going on there. Kairi bit her lip to fight her sadness at this situation, wanting all three of them to come back to her and Namine, victorious.

 

Namine opened her eyes when Roxas squeezed her, the girl feeling him start to loosen her embrace. Though she obviously didn't want to, she loosened her hold on him as well, bringing her head off his shoulder. She knew that the boys didn't have any time to waste; they had a job to do.

Sora looked to Riku, nodding faintly at this words. He took one of his hands off Kairi's but kept his hold on that hand anyway, the brunet not planning on leaving without giving her a hug and a kiss goodbye.

 

Riku looked to Kairi and offered her the smallest smile of reassurance before nodding to her and letting go of her hand. He started pushing himself up from the couch, mentally preparing himself for what they would have to do next.

Roxas moved one of his arms back to his side, but let the one around Namine's shoulder come back until his hand sat lightly on her shoulder closest to him. He looked at her and gently squeezed her shoulder. However, he didn't plan on leaving until he did told her goodbye properly.

Kairi's hand formed a small fist when Riku let go, the girl's hand resting next to her on the couch. She lokoed up at her best friend and then turned her gaze to her other friends and Sora. She never liked goodbye's, and even if she somehow felt assured by their promises, she was still scared.

 

Sora saw the look in Kairi's eyes, and he squeezed her hand without thought. He hated that this situation had to affect the girls so much, but that was just how things were. He wordlessly kept a hold of Kairi's hand as he rose to his feet, turning slightly to face her when he was fully upright.

Namine felt the urge to cry at Roxas's gentleness, the gestures reminding her of the last time he and Sora left. However, she didn't let the tears surface; if fate was on their side, then the boys wouldn't be gone long at all. She smiled weakly at Roxas, putting on a brave face for both of their sakes.

 

Roxas let his eyes linger on Namine a little longer, his lips turning up faintly at the corners at her smile. He let go of her shoulder and pushed himself up from the couch as well, turning to offer Namine his hand once he was upright.

Kairi looked up at Sora and stood up from the couch, seeing Riku looking at her as well. It was sad that he just got here and they couldn't enjoy his company for very long. She hoped that when the boys came back, Riku would too, instead of just leaving without saying goodbye.

 

Namine lowered her gaze to Roxas's outstretched hand without thought, lifting her own hand and slipping it into his. She was going to be brave through all of this, even if the thought of Roxas leaving scared her. A lot of awful things had happened when he was gone last time, and she could only hope that things were better this time around.