Trapped in Forgotten Memories (Kingdom Hearts)

The Mission

"You need to find Sora? Why?" Kairi asked.  I stood, holding out my hand so she could get off the ground. I pulled her up, and she repeated her question. "Haku, what's going on? Why do you need to find Sora?"  

I just shook my head. Would she really believe me if I said a strange voice in my head told me to? I would just seem more crazy than I actually am.

"Do I really need a reason?" I asked, shrugging. "Can't I meet your friend?" Kairi narrowed her eyes in suspicion.

"You said find, not meet," she said, staring me down.

"No I didn't."

"Yes, you did."

"No, I don't think I did."

"Uh, yeah, I think you did."

"Look, I just want to find-"

"Aha! There! You said find!"

"It's true, you said find," the sorcerer said from his chair.  

I huffed in annoyance, smacking my forehead. 

"Fine, okay, you're right," I said, "but you don't need to worry. Nothing's going on. Well, nothing too serious." Kairi folded her arms, a frown on her face.

"Haku, it hurts to think you don't trust me enough. Aren't we best friends?" My eyes widened in surprise at her words, a memory starting to form in my mind.

*****

"Why do you need to leave?" Kairi asked, her wide eyes focused on mine. I scratched the back of my head, looking down at my dirty socks.

"I'm really grateful that you let me stay with you and everything, but I...I..," I mumbled, not able to find the right words. I was worried about my friends from my home world. I didn't know where they had gone after our beautiful land was destroyed, and I had almost forgotten about them. I had to do something.

"It's okay, you can tell me," she said, smiling at me.

"It's a secret, Kairi," I whispered. Silence was the only sound, and I finally looked up to see tears in her eyes.

"You don't trust me?" Kairi asked, her voice breaking. "Aren't we best friends?" Regret washed over me as I grabbed her hands.

"Of course we're best friends!" I exclaimed.

"T-then why can't you tell me?" 

"B-because I was just kidding! April fools!" I stuttered, hoping my excuse would stop her from crying. I plastered a fake smile on my face, but on the inside I was so nervous. Kairi stared at me before laughing, and I finally relaxed.

"Don't scare me like that," she said, wiping her eyes. I nodded my head, but my heart was still pounding. I couldn't tell her I had to leave; it would break her heart. 

But, I need to find my friends.

What can I do?

*****

"Of course we're best friends!" I exclaimed, grabbing her hands. I flinched as I realized I was repeating exactly what I did in my memory. Dropping her hands, I stared into her concerned eyes. "We are best friends, Kairi," I said more calmly. "That's why I need you to trust me."

Kairi stared at me before nodding her head.

"Sorry, Haku, I don't know what came over me," she said, looking down. "Now I feel selfish.."

"Hey, chin up," I said, smiling. "Your tiara's falling." Kairi looked up at me, a small smile appearing on her face.

"So, you have to find the young Keyblade Master," the sorcerer said. I nodded my head in agreement. Wait, Sora's a Keyblade Master? I guess that makes sense; he did save the worlds, or so I hear.

"Yeah. Do you know where he could possibly be...uh...," I trailed off, realizing I didn't know this guy's name.

"This is Master Yensid," Kairi whispered.

"Master Yensid," I finished.

"At the moment, no. You'll have to travel the worlds, using the same method you used to appear here," he stated. I nodded before an idea occurred to me.

"Hey, why don't you go with me, Kairi?" I asked. 

"Oh, well, you see, I would love to, but...," Kairi mumbled, avoiding my eyes.

"She herself is training to become a Keyblade wielder," Master Yensid said. 

"Wait, you can fight?" I asked, surprised. She nodded her head, a slight smile on her face.

"Yeah, I'm trying to become stronger. I'm tired of always being left behind, y'know?" Kairi said. Her eyes suddenly widened. "Hey, if you're trying to search the worlds looking for Sora, you'll need a weapon! There are thousands of Heartless still lurking around."

"Hey, don't worry," I said, opening a small dark portal behind me. "I always have my....trusty hammer!" I tossed my hammer in the air with one hand, and caught it in the other. Kairi laughed, and I smiled. 

I"m gonna miss that laughter.

"Well, I should get going," I said. "I'll be sure to visit you soon, okay?" Kairi pulled me into a hug.

"Okay. Stay safe, Haku," she whispered. Pulling away, I waved before walking out of the room, closing the wooden door behind me.

"See why you should always trust me?" Yami said as I started down the stairs.

"Yeah, yeah," I muttered, shaking my head.

"So, where are we off to?" Hikari asked.

"Home, first. I need to change my clothes," I said, smiling at her.

"Finally," Yami mumbled. 

"What's that supposed to mean?!"