Kingdom Hearts - A New Beginning

Chapter 05 - Kuroki's Story

Kuroki looked at everyone, waiting for some kind of reaction from his younger siblings; however, they remained where they stood, still in shock.

Akari leaned away from the embrace to look up at her twin, tears streaming down her face yet smiling with joy and relief. "I can't believe it really you... I have so much to tell you..."

Kuroki chuckled, ruffling her hair. "I'm sure you do. Wow, you've grown up so much..."

"So have you. Your hair might need a trim..." She playfully tugged on a lock of hair which was past his shoulders.

He laughed, swatting away her hand, ruffling her hair even more and making it look like a tornado had styled it. "And this long hair of yours needs brushing."

"Hey!" She swatted away his hands, "I try to tame it, but it always gets frizzy." She defended herself before wiping away her tears, growing excited. "Oh, I have so many people for you to meet."

Kuroki couldn't help but chuckle at how excited his twin was. "Alright, alright, settle down. No wonder Sora and Yume take after you."

That finally got Sora and Yume out of their shock.

"Hey!"

Kuroki couldn't help chuckle again. "Sorry, you two, but you know it's true."

Akari grabbed her twin's hand and pulled him over to her Ethean friends. "This is Ludger Kresnik." She then looked over to Milla and Elle. "And these two next to him are Milla Maxwell and Elle Mel Marta."

Kuroki tilted his head at them, analyzing them---Ludger gave a small wave and greeted the young man along with Milla.

Elle however stared at him. "So you're Akari's twin brother?"

The young man looked down at the little girl as she skeptically stared at him before he answered, "That's right, and it's a pleasure to meet you, little one." His tone was kind and genuine.

The little girl narrowed her teal-green eyes at him. "I'm not little."

Kuroki sweatdropped at how hostile she became towards him. "O-Oh... my bad..."

Akari chuckled, kneeling down beside her. "Of course you're not little, Elle. You always help Ludger, Milla, and me with a lot of things." She told the little girl, so she wouldn't kick her twin on the shin like she had done to Lea back in Mysterious Tower. "Oh!" The young Kingdom Queen remembered something and stood up, "I forgot the most important detail!" She grabbed Ludger's hand, smiling warmly at him. "Ludger here is my fiance."

Kuroki's blue eyes widened, surprised by the news. "... Engaged, huh?" He asked, eyeing the young man, who was suddenly in the spotlight.

Akari glanced from Kuroki to Ludger before settling on her twin, wondering what was going through his mind, hoping he approved of this engagement. She didn't know what she was going to do if Kuroki didn't like Ludger.

After a minute, Kuroki finally gave a genuine smile, glad that his twin sister had found someone who made her happy. "Well... congratulations are in order, then."

Akari slumped against Ludger, who managed to catch her as she let out a relieved chuckle and a sigh.

As the young Kingdom Queen relaxed, Ludger gave Kuroki a slight nod, returning his smile. "Thank you."

Suddenly, Pinkie Pie rushed over to Kuroki, who backpedaled a bit in surprise, grabbing his hand in her hooves, shaking it rapidly in a handshake. "Hi! I'm Pinkie, Kuroko!"

"Kuroki." Kuroki gave an awkward chuckle as he corrected the pink pony. "Uh, hi. It's a pleasure to meet you, too."

"Here, now let me introduce you to my friends from Equestria!" She then curled her tail around his wrist tightly, dragging Akari's twin over to the rest of the group. "You already know Sora and Yume. I mean, they're your siblings, duh! And then you know Riku and Kairi, Sora's friends from Destiny Islands. And then Twilight because you totally saved her life from some strong Heartless, so I'll skip them." She skipped past the younger pair of twins, Sora's friends, and Twilight.