Gordias' Knot

Chapter One: Snarl

Roxas stood on the beach, shell in hand, watching the waves. "Xion." he muttered. How long had it been since they had seen each other? Axel wasn't around much anymore. Then on the island, a figure. "Xion?" They could scarcely believe it, and raced up to meet them. "Xion!" The figure turned around, removing their hood to reveal...Zexion?

"Surely...You must have known that this was going to happen?"

"Why would I know?" A boy from behind them shouted. Walking off the bridge to approach Zexion.

"Because in your memory, you've been to a number of worlds before you came to this one."

Wait, was that Zexion, or the boy behind-

"And of course, in those worlds, the only beings you met were the dark kind."

No, that was definitely Riku...wait, who was-

"And that's all that's left in your heart: the darkest of memories"

Heart, and head...dark...hurting!

"Your memories of home are gone-every one."

Home...the island? The town? The Castle? Which castle?

"That's a lie! I remember everyone from the islands!"

Everyone...remember...remember her friends...

"They're my..."

Remember Roxas, Remember AxelRememberRikuRememberKai…

"My...my closest friends…"

"And who threw away those friends?"

NO!She didn't throw them away she hadtoleavehadtoprotecthadtoknowhadtoopenwhydidtheyneedtoknowwhy

"Maybe it's your own actions you've forgotten."

Forgottenameforgotlifeforgottenpromiseforgotten

'Hey'

herforgotteneveryonetheyeverknew

"It is you who destroyed your home."

Homeiswheretheheartiswheretheyarewheresheis

'Are you okay?'

'whowasshewhowashewhowasSora?

"Who am I? What am I...here for?"

…

"Well, for starters, I'd guess you're here to take a nap."

That voice, a girl? Xion opened her eyes and saw a redheaded girl looking down at her with a smile. She…

She was so familiar, "Who are you?"

"Kairi. I don't think I've seen you around the islands before."

Xion shook her head and got up from the ground, "No, I'm not from around here."

At this, Kairi's face fell, "Oh...then...I guess you're not…"

"Not what?"

She looked away. "There's someone that used to live here. Nobody else seems to remember him...but I know he was real." Kairi began staring off towards the sea. "I promised...that I wouldn't come back to this island unless he came back."

Xion tilted her head. "Then...why are you here?"

Kairi sighed. "I...I just could have sworn that he was here...I could feel it."

The black haired girl offered a smile. "Well, if you hadn't shown up, I don't know what would have happened to me. Thanks."

Kairi looked back at her. "Well, I guess it's good I was able to help you out. Are you feeling better?"

"I'm…" she began holding her head, the pain returning "Argh!"

"Oh geez, I guess not. Here, let me get you to the mainland, there's some actual beds there." With that, Kairi slung the girl's arm around her shoulder and began carrying her. "I almost forgot, what's your name?"

"Xion...my name is Xion."

From the balcony above Riku watched his childhood friend carry the replica to the boat, and begin to ferry her back to the village. He shook his head. "This just became a lot more complicated."