You Are My Kingdom Hearts ➳ Axel

The Witch of Dreams

Chapter 22: The Witch of Dreams.

Jai's POV:

"...Naminé..." I turned onto my side with a light groan.

"-ai? Are you awake, honey?"

My eyes met emerald pools of worry. Aerith Gainsborough. Her lips relaxed into a tired smile as she softly grasped my hand.

"Aerith," I croaked. "I think I understand now..."

She shook her head silently as she propped up a pillow behind my head. "That's wonderful, sweetie, but don't worry about it right now. You just need to rest."

I almost let her coax me back into another slumber, before I bolted upright, blubbering hysterically. "I need my brother and Axel, I need to see them now. I have to talk to them. Aerith, I have to-"

"Shhh," she cooed, stroking my hair. "They'll be here soon."

"You don't understand, I need to see them now-"

"Jai!" Cloud barked from the doorway. "Cut it out."

I cowered silently, watching on as Cloud took a seat beside my bed. He sighed and rubbed his eyes in obvious exhaustion.

"Cloud, that really wasn't necessary," Aerith scolded, her mouth twisting into a pout.

Her hand delicately rested on my shoulder while she stared him down. Cloud just stared right back.

"Can we have a minute?" He asked quietly. Aerith didn't budge until he added a rather begrudging, "please?"

She eyed him warily, before adding, "I'm going to make some tea. I'll be back when it's done."

Cloud chuckled once she was out the door, shooting me a small smile. "She's persistent."

"So are you," I murmured, folding my left hand over my right and leaning my head against the wall.

It wasn't uncomfortable, but I knew that my neck would ache soon. It was better than being horizontal for hours on end. It was strange to think that I was so 'go go go' before, and now, I was laying in a hospital bed for God knows how long.

"Okay. So. We have a lot to discuss."

"Yeah," I replied softly. "We do."

"I understand that you're mad at me," Cloud began, closing his eyes as if to shield himself from our conversation. "But-"

"I'm not angry anymore," I said simply.

"What?"

"I had time, Cloud. I had a lot of damn time to think, and I realised something. We're family. You're my brother. Man, I'll be damned if I let myself lose a family member over something he was too afraid to tell me."

A genuine smile tugged at the blonde's lips. The smile that was reserved for me, his baby sister. "I'm so glad we took you in."

"Me too," I admitted. "I don't know where I would be today if it weren't for you guys."

Cloud nodded. "So... I suppose you want answers now, don't you? About the darkness..."

I laughed lightly. "No, not unless you're ready to tell me. And it's perfectly okay that you aren't."

"That's such a relief," he sighed. "I promise I will talk about it with you when this is over."

"I look forward to it then," I answered with a grin.

Cloud leaned forward and planted a light kiss on my forehead. His expression changed to one of concern. His eyes revealed an internal struggle, and I could only just sense the conflicting emotions within him. Guilt. Fear. Love.