Fast Food Madness: The Epic Return

Sora lifted a hand and put it on the back of his head, his gaze falling to the ground. He had no clue what to expect with this departure. The last one that he and Kairi had gone through had been much more sudden, and in a way, it was a bit easier. It had taken a while for the emotion to settle in instead of it all impacting him when he left.

When Namine felt a light breeze blowing, she instinctively tucked a strand of her long blond hair behind her ear. Once that was done, she clasped her hands behind her back. She desperately just wanted to run the other way and pretend none of this was happening, but her feet led her forward, toward her farewell.

 

Out of the corner of his eye Roxas caught movement, and he turned his head in that direction, moving his body as well. He recognized who it was immediately: the girls. A part of him froze at the sight of them, especially Namine, because it proved to him that this was really happening...he was really leaving. "Sora," the blond boy called, his head turning slightly so he could yell to his friend over his shoulder, but his eyes stayed locked on the two figures approaching, and particularly one.

Kairi's gaze was on the ground, watching her feet as she walked. Roxas had been too far away for her to hear his voice, so she was unaware that they were actually at the spot. She just couldn't believe that she had to say goodbye to Sora a second time. After reality had set in, she'd cried in the Secret Place. But now she didn't have her sanctuary; on this world it wasn't even a place. It was a person...

 

Sora looked up at the call, the teen looking to Roxas at first. But then he noticed some other movement that caught his attention. He gazed at that instead and immediately recognized that the girls had arrived. He felt frozen at that moment, his eyes wide with nervousness and sadness.

Namine looked down, feeling her feet drag a bit as she walked forward. She didn't want to do this--not at all. But she didn't have a choice, either. So it was in her best interest to put on a brave face and deal with the reality she hated.

 

Roxas turned his head slightly, that way it was facing forward again. His hands were in fists, naturally from the tension that was beginning to show through him. It was undeniable that he hated this, that he and Sora got called to a mission, only to leave the people they loved behind. Roxas's bright blue eyes were locked on the girls, his eyes glancing from Kairi to Namine, only to linger there. His eyebrows were furrowed slightly from the intensity this moment was already bringing. It was only to get worse, he knew it.

Kairi felt something tingle inside her and she looked up instinctively. It was then that she recognized it; it was because she was near Sora, who was up just ahead. Her eyes briefly glimpsed at Roxas, who was standing a bit away and ahead of Sora, before they fell on the boy she loved. Her heart skipped a beat; from fear or just the sight of him, she wasn't too sure.

 

Sora shut his eyes for a brief moment, the teen taking in a deep breath before releasing it. He had to calm himself down; his raging emotions weren't good for anyone here. One of his hands uncurled as he opened his eyes, but the other stayed in the form of a fist at his side. He kept his eyes on Kairi now, his ocean blue orbs looking directly into her's.

Namine lifted her head after a moment, and she nearly stopped when she saw the sight right in front of her. Roxas and Sora were a little bit ahead of them, with Roxas being the nearer of the two. The blond kept her hands behind her back as she headed forward, her gaze staying on Roxas. She didn't want to look away....not now, not ever.

 

Roxas's eyes instantly locked with Namine's, and he felt himself tighten his fists somewhat. It wasn't out of anger, but sadness and anxiety. Seeing her now, he really didn't want to do this.

Kairi had the urge to stop where she was when she saw the look in Sora's eyes, but at the same time she wanted to just run to him and collapse in his arms. But she did neither, and pressed forward, fighting the emotions that were now raging within her heart.

 

Namine forced herself onward, slowing down when she was closer to her boyfriend. She stopped herself completely when she was about two feet in front of him. Behind her back, she adjusted the grip her hands had on one another, hoping it would somehow distract her from the horrible situation. Of course, it didn't do anything, because the situation was right in front of her, and it couldn't be avoided.

Sora winced faintly, bringing his fist to his heart. He felt what Kairi desired, and he almost shouted out for her to run to him. But he clenched his teeth and held her gaze, staying silent instead. His urge to hold her was so great, because he wanted to make things better. In this case, though, a hug couldn't solve their problems.

 

Roxas was vaguely aware that he was holding his breath, his eyes glued to the girl before him. He could tell by her expression that she was just as upset about this as he was. That feeling was all around them; he knew Sora and Kairi were experiencing it as well. Roxas didn't say anything to Namine as he looked at her, not sure he could get any words to leave his throat.

Kairi passed Roxas and Namine, aware that her friend was no longer walking with her. The lack of her friend's presence didn't leave her feeling alone, because the boy she loved more than anything was just a few yards away. She believed that he was all she really needed, and what made her lower her gaze to the concrete was the realization that all she needed was going to be all she wanted after today.

 

Namine felt as if she couldn't breathe. It felt like somebody had taken a hold of her throat and wouldn't let go. But eventually she overcame the sensation and took in a breath. It was a bit shaky, but that didn't surprise her, considering the tension surrounding her and her friends.

Though Kairi lowered her gaze, Sora kept his on her. He had thought of what to say a lot over the past few days, but in the end, he hadn't thought of a single good thing. But what was he supposed to do? This was an impossible situation, so he couldn't think up a few words to make it better.

 

Roxas blinked, his fists uncurling. That small sound--that shaky breath--was enough to set his next action into motion. The blond boy took a small step forward and wrapped his arms around Namine, finally taking in a breath. The scent of her perfume and shampoo mixed into his senses, the boy closing his eyes as he tried to engrave it into his memory, knowing he wouldn't experience it for a while.

Kairi glanced back up from under her red bangs when she got a few yards closer, and she slowed when she realized how close she had gotten to Sora. The look in his eyes surely matched hers; nobody was feeling anything different, because everybody was upset this had to happen. Kairi came to a halt just in front of Sora, her eyes locked with his bright blue gaze.

 

Namine immediately wrapped an arm around Roxas in resposne this embrace, the girl feeling herself sag slightly in his arms. Of course, though, she wasn't letting any tears fall. Not at this point, anyway. She lifted her other hand up and wrapped it around as well, this hand being lifted so that she could grab the fabric of Roxas' jacket near his shoulder. Her eyes shut as she tried to hold onto him just a moment longer, wanting to never forget what it felt like to be in his arms.

Sora held Kairi's gaze, but he didn't have to look into her eyes to know what she was feeling. He knew exactly what she was experiencing, because in his heart he was feeling the same things. Sadness. Concern. Longing. All that he wanted to do was stay with her forever and care for her like she deserved, but at that moment, he couldn't do that.

 

Roxas tightened his hold on Namine without thought, having that urge when she returned his embrace. He didn't think he was going to be able to let go of her until they had to leave, and that was when he would really struggle.

Kairi's eyes lingered on Sora's for a moment before she lowered them, taking in his attire. He was wearing his clothes from his last battle, which had seemed like so long ago. So this is real... She exhaled softly through her nose as her eyes located the crown necklace around Sora's neck, having forgotten he had it until now.

 

Namine had a fist around the fabric as she turned her head on his shoulder, her cheek resting on it. I won't cry...I won't....she thought as her eyes became more moist. This was the time for goodbyes--the tears that came along with it would have to wait until she was alone.

Sora felt frozen. Paralyzed. At that moment, he wasn't sure if it was possible to leave Kairi behind. He had known this would be hard, but now it seemed absolutely impossible to follow through with this. But he knew at the same time that not only was it possible, but it was necessary. So many people were counting on him, including Kairi. He had to save the other worlds to protect her....Right?

 

Roxas turned his head toward Namine's, his eyes tightly closed. He could already feel emotions inside his chest, thick with the knowledge he would have to leave in a matter of minutes. He wasn't sure if he could do it, because letting go of Namine would be hard, literally. Roxas was leaving her, and the fact that he wasn't sure of how long terrified him.

Kairi's eyes flickered back up to the ocean-blue she loved, gazing into them and trying to memorize their bright color; it was useless, however, because everything about him was engraved in her memory already, and her heart. But looking at him now, and knowing that this was going to be the last time she saw him for a while... It scared her. "...Sora," she said, her voice showing her emotions, the name having left her lips without thought. Kairi felt even more upset as soon as she realized the emotion that stuck out the most: pain.

 

Namine held Roxas' shirt a little more tightly, her eyebrows furrowing as she held back tears. She knew she would have to let go in a minute, but she didn't allow herself to get a head start on that. She would hold on as long as possible, since it would be a while since she was able to do this again.

Sora's lips separated partway, a pained expression crossing his eyes and then sinking back into the depths. He took Kairi's call as an invitation and he stepped forward to be a bit closer. Then he wrapped his arms around her, one of his hands finding the back of Kairi's head. He gently brought it towards him and he lifted his chin a bit, setting it on top of her red hair.

 

Roxas wanted to speak, wanted to tell Namine that everything would be alright. But he couldn't be sure. After all, he wouldn't be here to make sure of it. On his side, yes, he would definitely be sure to make things right again, that way he could come home to her. Roxas didn't want anything other than that, and he hadn't even left yet.

Kairi sucked in a breath, gripping the front of Sora's short-jacket with two fists. She allowed Sora to keep her head in his chest and neck, the girl closing her eyes, not being able to see anything because of the position anyway. She began to feel her eyes sting, and instantly knew that unshed tears were beginning to form. But she wasn't sure if she would cry or not, because she hadn't done it in the past. Even so, Kairi knew that was different--then she didn't know what was happening, and hadn't comprehended it until Sora was already gone; but now, she had known days ago, and it was harder now that they were actually together.

 

Finally, Namine released that her attempt to hold back tears was an impossible mission. She opened her eyes and felt the first two tears fall, one sliding down her cheek and onto Roxas' jacket and the other sliding and then falling to the ground. He's really going....she thought, reality setting in once more. He's leaving...

Sora exhaled a breath, the teen momentarily lifting his chin off her head. He gave Kairi a light kiss on her head, his eyes closing at the action. He hoped that it would provide both of them some comfort in this impossible situation. In a matter of minutes, he and Roxas would both be gone, and it was unknown how long they would be gone. But this would be a temporary journey, he was sure. Someday, he'd be with Kairi again. And someday, Roxas and Namine would be together too. That knowledge was enough to get him through this adventure, even if it hadn't technicaly started yet.

 

Roxas moved his hand up along Namine's back, resting it atop her long blonde hair. He took in a breath quietly, just taking in the feeling of her in his arms. He was going to miss it, and he already knew that he was going to long for it as well.

Kairi took in a deep breath, willing herself not to cry at Sora's gesture. She didn't want to cry in front of him, especially when this would be the last time he saw her...for however long. She loved him so much, and he was very dear to her. She desperately hoped he would be safe.

 

Namine exhaled a quiet breath, the air leaving a bit shakily. Of course, though, that didn't surprise her, considering the circumstances. She shut her eyes once again, trying to memorize the way it felt to be held by the person she loved with all her heart.

After a few moments, Sora pulled back and returned to his previous position with his chin on top of her head. He started to run his hand over the back of Kairi's hair, feeling the softness of it on his fingertips. Just the thought of not being able to do this made him want to tremble. How would he be able to do this? He didn't want to leave...He had hope he would return, but that didn't make things much easier now, as he said goodbye.

 

Due to his trained ears, Roxas heard Namine's quiet breath, and the tremble within it. He started to pull back gently, wanting to look into her eyes. He wasn't going to have the chance to do that in a few minutes...

Kairi exhaled softly at the motion, feeling her eyes no longer stinging but burning with unshed tears. This was going to be so much harder than she orginally thought, and her mind hadn't given the situation any simple goodbye's either.