Fast Food Madness: The Epic Return

Sora gradually slowed down the hits and made them less forceful, his hand eventually coming to a stop against the wall. He winced and furrowed his brows, tears of frustration appearing behind his closed eyelids. How was he supposed to protect Kairi if they weren't even on the same planet?! How would he be able to comfort her when she was upset, or see her smile or anything?

 

The tension in the room was thick, and that along with everything else was enough to will tears to Kairi's eyes. Right now, she was happy she was covering her eyes, not wanting Sora to see her cry again. But...at the same time she wanted to get up and just walk over to him, and give him a much needed hug--for both of them.

 

Sora shook his head slightly and brought back his hand, hitting the wall lightly. There was no way he could do this! He couldn't just leave behind what was most precious to him. She was so...vulnerable. She had no way to protect herself while he was gone. He had always been the one to protect her from physical or emotional pain, but he wouldn't be able to do that anymore. That thought made him feel like a bullet when straight through his heart.

 

A feeling of sharpness impacted Kairi's heart, and she knew that was from Sora. It was strong enough to make a tear leave her eye, and she bit her lip to keep it from trembling, using her hand to wipe her newly shed tear. She looked over toward Sora, and she found herself wanting him to hold her...while he still could.

 

Sora breathed heavily and leaned his forehead against the wall, his eyes staying shut as the emotions fully ran through his heart and mind. Most of them were revolving around Kairi, and his fears for their relationship. But right then and there, something else hit him hard. Almost as hard as the emotions he had felt a moment ago. Everything they had worked for...It couldn't go to waste now. He wouldn't allow it to; not while he still had breath in him.

 

Kairi took in a soft breath and used the couch for support, pushing herself up. Once she was standing, she immediately headed toward Sora, though her steps were slow, hesitant. She was a little afraid that he would start hitting the wall again, and she didn't want something bad to happen if she surprised him. Regardless, she kept going, her steps silent.

 

But how in the world was Sora supposed to keep something bad from happening? He would be so far away, too far for him to get to Kairi even if she called for him. And even if she did...It would have to be a matter of life and death for him to be able to come back. The job that he, Roxas, and Riku were going to be performing was very important, and he couldn't leave it unfinished, even if his head and heart were with the girl he loved with all his heart.

 

Kairi's emotions were all over the place, from the situation and her heart. It was affected the most, and she knew this because of all of the emotions she was receiving, from both herself and Sora. She reached him and put her hand lightly on his shoulder, taking a step to the side so she could see his face.

 

Sora kept his hands against the wall, his left hand flat and his right hand staying in the form of a fist. Because of Kairi's light touch, though, he no longer felt any desire to hit anything. He opened his eyes halfway and gazed at the ground, his forehead still against the wall. He needed a few moments to compose himself before he dared look Kairi in the eye again.

 

Kairi thought she felt a bit of tension leave Sora's shoulders after she touched him, but by his posture and the way his hand remained in a fist, she couldn't be sure. She gazed at the side of his face for a moment, her hand set lightly on his shoulder as a silence came between them. She wasn't sure what she was going to say, if she could even come up with anything. Kairi's eyes fell to the floor as she inhaled silently, fear lingering in her from Sora's actions and the journey he would take part in soon enough.

 

Sora exhaled softly, the breath leaving him as a soft sigh. He should have found a better time to release his frustration than at that moment, when Kairi was watching him. He lowered his right arm, the one that Kairi had her hand upon. The fist slowly came undone as his eyes fell shut, feelings of regret coming to his heart. "Sorry," he mumbled softly.

 

Kairi blinked once, the same expression held against her features. She squeezed Sora's shoulder lightly at his apology. Some things...some things you just couldn't control, and a lot of times it was anger. Kairi understood that, no matter how much she was affected by his anger. The only reason he was doing this was because he was frustrated at the predicament they were all in--not at her. That relieved her a little bit as she gazed at Sora, nibbling on her lip.

 

After a few more moments, Sora finally felt as if he had calmed down enough. He was still upset, of course, but his emotions weren't flaring so much. He opened his eyes and turned his head slightly from its former position, his forehead still lightly against the wall as he gazed at the girl beside him.

 

Kairi began to run her hand over Sora's shoulder, rubbing it for some comfort. She realized what was wrong with him, because it was affecting her too, just in a different form. It didn't really matter since they were all in the same boat, but what they could do was be there for each other...while they still could.

 

Sora exhaled a heavy breath through his nose, his eyes falling on Kairi's hand running over his shoulder. After a moment or two of watching that light movement, he lifted his opposite hand and gently placed it over her hand, stopping the motion. As much as he appreciated the gesture, he felt like she needed the comfort more than he did.

 

Kairi blinked once, her eyes resting on Sora's hand over hers. She then looked to him, but didn't say anything; she wasn't sure what could be said.

 

Sora brought his forehead off the wall and turned to face Kairi, his eyes staying on her throughout the whole thing. He brought up his free hand and lightly set it on her shoulder, hoping the gesture would comfort both of them somehow.

 

When Sora placed his hand on her shoulder, one thing ran through Kairi's mind. His safety. So many times the hand-on-the-shoulder gesture was for support or comfort, for reassurance. It was a way of saying somehow everything would be okay. The small movement made his well-being become one of her concerns. "...You'll be safe, right?" she whispered, startling herself when she spoke. It had been so quiet for so long.

 

"Roxas'll be with me," Sora responded soothingly, his voice soft. He didn't know if he would be safe or not, so he avoided answering the question directly. Chances were, though, that if Roxas was with him, the two of them would be alright. They always had each other's backs, no matter what.

 

Kairi looked up at Sora, understanding what he meant by his answer. But still, she could tell that under the surface of his words, there was something missing. Something that felt like assurance or a promise. "...Right," Kairi said, her eyes lowering to Sora's shirt.