[identity profile] tabitha-dornoc.livejournal.com posting in [community profile] kh_drabble
Challenge: [064] Yin and Yang
Title: Tipping the Scales
Word Count: 366
Notes: This is... different, I know. Yin and Yang is the theory of two opposites working together in balance. Kingdom Hearts is riddled with opposing characters and themes, none of which I felt confident I could bring something fresh to (though others don't seem to have that problem, *glares*). So, I worked with the idea of balance instead. POST KH2, but only very vague spoilers.



They say an archaic scale rests squarely at the feet of each individual's Fate. On one side is that person's Life, growing denser and denser with age. The heavier the Life and harder the Fate, the more weights must be applied to maintain balance.

The weights are the price of living.

They say, long ago, that a young, vibrant boy from some small islands of Destiny paid many, many prices, though so very few were actually his own. That the price for Light's survival was inked into every curve and bend of that boy's body.

The calloused pads of his fingers from the hilt of a blade. Dark burns on his wrist from the Underworld god. White scars, criss-crossed, from a battle against one thousand. A second shadow of himself that flickered along his skin and held a different name. The pinch in his eyes from a year of dreamless, loveless sleep.

That boy offered his childhood to the gods of war, they say, and gained victory as a reward.

And yet, it was not balanced, that inner scale of his. Too much debt placed upon single shoulders, teetering one side away from the other. It should have broken him.

But they say that one day, before the scale snapped cruelly along old chain, a careful, watchful girl ran her fingers along the price the boy paid for her. A smooth, ridged line of skin, resting a hand's width above his sternum, where a key was once driven into his heart in order to release hers.

And when they were together, that boy and girl, they say she would carefully sneak weights from one side and toss them to the other, lifting her price with the only currency she had.

A brush of skin here, a touch of palm to palm there, and perhaps, on the terribly bold days, a press of lips.

And if that boy ever did laugh and ask What Are You Doing?, well then, her answer would have been Tipping The Scales. Perhaps he would not understand that, but surely he would have felt the constant elastic pull in his chest loosen, ever, ever so slightly.

But that's just what people say.

Date: 2006-06-04 04:11 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] criminalize.livejournal.com
Y'know, I'm not normally a fan of Sora/Kairi but this was just too brilliant. I love your description of Kairi as someone who keeps Sora from breaking, and I love your description of Sora's battle scars, because I've seen way too many fics where he has perfect, smooth skin which is totally impossible considering the fights he's been in, not to mention the fact that it highlights the fact that he really has been through a lot since everyone knows that he really is still very young. I especially love the line: "That boy offered his childhood to the gods of war, they say, and gained victory as a reward." I love what you've done with the theme. Argh. I just love this whole drabble in general. ♥

Date: 2006-06-04 04:39 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] feriowind.livejournal.com
Wowzers. That was like, awesome! Though I'm usually much more of a slash/yaoi sort of person, this was just too good. I really like your description of his scars, as well as the description of his past's burden!
(deleted comment)

Date: 2006-06-04 02:05 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] avalonestel.livejournal.com
*bows to you* This is one of the single most beautiful works I've ever read in all my years, fanfic or otherwise. The description of Sora's battle scars was an unexpected addition, but it was wonderful. This was amazing. Kairi really is what kept him going, and you portrayed that from both sides perfectly. Thanks for an amazing fic!

Date: 2006-06-05 04:55 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] syvia.livejournal.com
*anime fall*

You! You- are amazing. Yet another brilliant piece. *applauds and friends you*

Date: 2006-06-06 11:46 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] syvia.livejournal.com
*shrugs, sighs* I'd planned on skipping it. I'm suffering from a lack of computer-and-internet at home, so I doubted I'd even see the challenge post in time to participate. By the time I did, I was concerned with other projects. Shame though- the theme was intrigiuing.

I'll just see what the muse has to say about the next one. ^^

Date: 2007-03-04 07:16 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] masakomoonshade.livejournal.com
"But that's just what people say."

I love the way you wrote this. The style was genius--at once removed and intimate. Very good. Very.

Date: 2008-08-13 03:57 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] oni-gil.livejournal.com
Kairi makes me think of Aeris in this one. I think Kairi will grow up to be very much like Aeris someday, when she matures... always very conscious of others, very kind. (On the same line, I guess Sora reminds me of Zack. Just... not. Okay, forget that.)

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