Archive of Our Own ^beta

It was nice of Riku to join her as she traveled through her memories. They’d discovered it on accident when Riku fell asleep the first night she’d gone under. He’d appeared in her dreams, and at first, they thought they were dreaming. Only they were chatting too normally, and only when Riku poked her nose and she sneezed did they realize something was up.
The next day, Riku appeared in her dreams again, explaining that because she was asleep while she searched through her memories, he could visit her. Something about their hearts being connected, like his and Sora’s had been. It made her heart flutter to know their hearts were connected too, even after all this time.
Kairi had had her doubts about her bonds to her friends, or at least, their bonds to her. They’d both grown so much, both experienced so many worlds and trials. All the while she’d been at school and at home. The most shed done was get kidnapped. So go have this reassurance that her and Riku were still connected gave her newfound confidence.
They explored her memories together. When she saw her memories of her waking up as Sora faded away in Hollow Bastion, she clung to Riku’s hand like a lifeline. When they watched her memories of the island being destroyed, as her heart was flung from her body, Riku clung to hers, shaking like a leaf.
The two finally had a chance to /talk/. When Riku visited, they’d do one of two things. One, they’d traverse her memories. Sometimes they’d visit her memories of growing up on the islands.
Shame filled her as they watched her tell Sora that they should leave on the raft, just the two of them. Riku’s shoulders sagged ad he watched them.
“I was there you know,” he said softly, and her head snapped to look at him, her eyes wide.
“You.. you heard? Riku… I didn’t-“
“No it’s okay. I know you had a crush on him. Being with him, sailing the seas, I couldn’t blame you,” he chuckled dryly.
“That’s not it!” She shook her head, taking ahold of his hand with both of her own, clinging to it.
He looked down at her in surprise, and his brow furrowed in confusion. “W-what?”
“I…” her face flushed as she began to explain, and she sighed, hanging her head. “I sensed something changed in you. I didn’t know what it was.. but that night, I felt scared. Like if we didn’t leave, something bad would happen. I knew it would be because of you… that’s why I said we should leave, I was scared..”
His eyes widened in understanding. “… Because I was about to destroy the world.”
She nodded, so deeply ashamed of herself for suggesting that. “I never wanted to leave you behind… not *ever*. I only did because something shifted after you won that race… something… it changed… the whole world felt weird… I just wanted out, an escape. I didn’t really want to leave you behind… but.. I know this isn’t really a good defense. I was just scared,” she sighed.
“Kairi,” he placed his hand over her own, causing her to look up at him in surprise. “I *was* a threat at that point. I was ready to leave, to destroy the islands… I just thought you’d be with me… when I heard what you said to Sora.. I got scared,” he admitted shyly, not willing to look her in the eye. “I opened the door, figuring at the very least, it would let all three of us be together. I wished for it.”
“…like a genie?”
He snorted at that, and nodded. “Yeah, I thought of the door as a genie. Just didn’t realize it would be Jafar…”
“Who’s Jafar?” She asked in confusion, furrowing her brow.

Their interactions were like that, flowing through their memories. Kairi would wake up during the day and go about her daily life, and would return at dusk to fall asleep. Her rest wasn’t very restful, but it was more efficient that way. Plus, it meant she didn’t have to leave Riku alone.. not after he saw that memory of her and Sora.
Some days though, when she was really frustrated and desperate, she slept through the day as well. Riku had left her dreams when morning came, and Kairi was walking through her nightmares when she heard a sound. A hiss.
Confused, she looked around, following the sound. Sounds of a battle grew louder as she approached, and she hurried into the darkness of her dreams. She found a round chubby cat, that looked more like a balloon than a cat, hissing and fighting off some heartless. It was just a nightmare, but her dreams were so real… did her nightmares come to life and start attacking this kitty? Who was the kitty?
“Pearl,” she held her hand out, and an orb of light rushed to the kitty, her light expanding to vanish the heartless. The kitty looked around in confusion, his fur all puffed out. He was panting, looking so panicked.
“Hey, it’s okay,” she kneeled down, holding her hand out to him. “You’re safe now.”
The kitty looked at her warily with red eyes, growling and hissing. She glanced down at his chest, where she could see an emblem of sorts. “Hey… you look like Sora’s dream eater, Meowy,” she hummed. “But you’re a different color…” while Meowy was blue and white and pastels, this kitty was black and pink with silver. He was pretty, was he meant for her? was he her dream eater?
She remembered some of the treats Sora would give Meowy, and she dreamed some up, holding a puffy pastry in her hand. She broke a piece off and tossed it to the kitty, who hissed and batted at it. After a moment of staring at the piece, his nose started twitching, and he cautiously leaned down to sniff it. He licked it tentatively, and sat up, licking his mouth. His fur began to settle, and he leaned down to eat the treat.
Smiling, she broke another piece off, setting it down closer to her. The kitty looked up at her suspiciously, and slowly crept closer. He didn’t turn his back to her, staring at her as he munched on the pastry. His tail flicked while he ate, as if to say “I know what you’re doing.”
He looked at the piece in her hand expectantly, and she slowly held her hand out to him. He huffed and stood up, pacing around and growling at her, but she didn’t move. Smiling softly, she slow blinked at him, and then turned her head away to show she meant no harm. The growling stopped after a moment, and a few moments later, she felt the treat being eaten from her hand. She squealed softly, and glanced over at him, only to be met with a glare and a hiss as he finished off the treat.
“Well aren’t you hissy?” She chuckled softly. “What’re you doing here in my dreams? I didn’t make you…. At least, that’s what Sora and Riku said they did when they made Komy and Meowy…” she hummed. She held her hand out for him to sniff, and he wrinkled his nose, batting at it and hissing again.
“I’m sorry you faced my nightmares,” she said softly. “I know they were scary… you’re so brave for taking them on all on your own!”
The kitty tilted his head, pausing for a moment. Kairi sat down on the ground, and the scenery changed around them, turning into the sandy shores of Destiny Islands. “I’m Kairi, what’s your name?”
The kitty tilted his head to the other side, confused. He slowly sat down, not taking his eyes off of her. “Do you not have one?” She asked, offering him another dreamt up treat.
The kitty stepped closer, and ate the treat out of her hand. A small rumble sounded in his throat, and she realized he was purring, not growling. “Hmmm… what to name you…” she reached a hand to pet him, and he ducked, hissing at her hand. A moment later though, and he continued eating the treat from her hand, even licking her hand in thanks.
“Sora has Meowy, so maybe you can be… Hissy!” She laughed softly.
The kitty’s ears perked up at that, and a small purr rumbled in his throat again. “Oh? Do you like that name?” She smiled, offering him her hand. “I didn’t think I’d ever get to have a dream eater of my own,” she smiled fondly.
The kitty sniffed her hand once more, and then nudged it softly with his forehead. Eyes lighting up, she gently pet his head. The kitty closed his eyes and purred, leaning into her touch.
“Oh such a sweet boy,” Kairi giggled, giving the kitty cheek scritches.

That night, Riku appeared in her dreams, though she hadn’t made much progress.
“Find anything?” He asked her, looking around at the island scenery.
Looking back at him, she smiled, turning around. “Yup! Meet Hissy! He’s my dream eater!!” The big black cat hissed at Riku, burrowing closer to Kairi in her arms to get away from him.
“D… Dream eater?” He questioned, frowning.
“Yeah! What’s wrong..?” She frowned, confused at his reaction.
Riku stared at the cat, who was a purring mess as she rubbed his tummy. Hissy was completely relaxed, eyes shut, tail wagging lazily as he was given kisses and hugs. “Kairi… that’s a nightmare.”