A Heart Unbound

Chapter 17: A Monster's Unforseen Emotions

Sora, Donald, Goofy, and I followed Mike and Sulley through the metal hallways of their company building. I could only hear the sound of clanging as our feet consistently hit the floor, and that bothered me. Sora seemed more silent than normal.

"Sora? Are you okay?" I asked him as we walked side by side and far enough so that the others couldn't hear our conversation.

"Yeah. It's just...everything is starting to make sense...somewhat."

"Is that a bad thing?"

"No...and yes. I'm glad to know that you're back in my life the way you used to be, but I can't shake the feeling that Xehanort is the reason for your parting with us in the first place. He was there when Destiny Islands fell to darkness, and he put that part of Ventus's heart inside you. He wanted to dispose of your memories of me...and everyone else you care about. But...why? Just for the purpose of making you his 13th vessel? That's unforgivable!"

"Hey, we're together now, aren't we?"

Sora stopped and clasped my hand tightly in his. His action brought a bright red coloration to my cheeks.

"Hana. Back then, we had a special connection, but...when Xehanort took our memories, that disappeared. We forgot."

"Sora.."

"Hana." His palm gently cupped my cheek. "Just...let me finish."

I sighed and stayed silent.

"You were everything to me. My heart belonged to you and yours to me, but our hearts have changed."

The memory of Sora and I's sweet moments from the past brought about the surface of old feelings, but what he said is true. Our time apart had forced our hearts adrift.

"My heart is somewhere else now, and yours is too."

I won't lie, Sora's words did bring tears to my eyes, but only because I knew this chance for us was ruined by the darkness ensnaring Xehanort's existence.

"Hana, don't cry. Please."

"Xehanort did this to us. He ruined the love we had, but you're right. Our hearts are in different places now. I don't think that can be fixed."

"I want to fix it." Sora took both of my cheeks into his hands and pulled in closer to me. "I do." His voice turned to soft whispers. I removed his hands from my face and reluctantly shook my head.

"We can't."

"Sora! Hana! Let's get going!" Donald demanded us from the other end of the hallway.

"Okay!" Sora called back to Donald but never stopped looking into my eyes. "Hana, I'm sorry."

"Let's just go, before Donald loses it."

"Right." Sora tried to grab my hand, but I pulled away. I did this because I knew my feelings for him started to surface again. I couldn't let that happen, for I know his heart belongs to Kairi now. Besides, I love Hayner, with all my heart...don't I?

Following Mike and Sulley's lead, we reached a room filled to the brim with doors. Each door either consisted of solid coloring or unique designs that set them each apart.

"We need to find Boo's door." Sulley explained.

"Okay. What's it look like?" Sora looked around at the hundreds of different doors.

"Like that! There it is!" Mike pointed to a white door decorated with flowers, and the door was on the move!

"Let's go!" Sulley jumped on one of the other moving doors, and we all followed. We strolled through a large entryway in the wall, and a seemingly endless supply of doors slid on countless conveyer belts. I looked down and instantly regretted doing so. Below me was a boundless chasm of doors and railings. A single slip could've been the end for me, but I didn't let myself scream.