Summary: Donald's mischief is back on the prowl (literally) as the duck wizard decides to put his magic to use... for sheer, vengeful entertainment on Sora, of course! Goofy and Riku decide to step in, while some make the most of Sora's "hairy" predicament...SoraxKairi

A/N: Quite possibly the last chapter, the finale! I guess this makes it a triple-shot? dodges thrown tomatos Okay, okay, I'll stop with the one shot jokes! Sheesh!

Oh and this chapter contains lots of fluffy, fluffiness that will send you into a fluffy fluff of fluffery fluffiness. (Did I just type that? Ew, I feel so dirty now...)

Well, I hope you guys enjoyed this fiction as I did writing it. And thanks for those of you reviewers!

Disclaimer: Probably a good thing that I don't...

Muddling

Part III:When Things Get Wild

It was only until the afternoon, that Sora's absence started to cause whispers about the castle, quickly replacing the stories of the growing romance between the Keyblade Master and the Princess of Hearts.

Today, had been causing much anticipation for everyone, as King Mickey, Riku and Sora were going to demonstrate their skills in several sparring matches. However, with no Sora in sight, the match was on the verge of cancellation, the main attraction, after all, was to see Sora and the King fight one another.

As promised, willing volunteers received tips and minor lessons from the King and Riku, Kairi being one of them. Mostly, it was to pass the time until a certain young Keyblade Master sprung onto the scene.

The castle's clock struck three, and still, no Sora appeared. By now, the crowds had dispersed, going back to their usual routines, leaving a rather disappointed feeling in the air. Especially from King Mickey, who had sadly announced the match rescheduled for another day.

Another curiosity was that Donald was nowhere to be found, either. Some had searched every possible place where the duck could be found lounging about, but to no avail. Daisy was more agitated then ever, and had gone out of her way to personally track down the Court Wizard.

Little did anyone know, that Sora had been there the entire time. After nearly being discovered by Kairi that very morning, where she had mistaken him for a very soft stuffed animal, and at one point, some type of throw pillow. Sora had spent a good hour trying to weasel his way out before she woke or someone found the two of them in the hallway. For the next few hours, Sora had managed to get himself into a tree, lazily waiting for the spell to loose its effect.

Pluto, however, was more lively then ever, constantly barking at a tree Sora was coincidentally in. Knowing he might regret it later, Sora had reluctantly "encouraged" the dog to leave with a rather intimidating roar. The gardeners had also decided to avoid that courtyard at all costs as well after hearing the sudden beastly cry.

Sora was about to doze off under the shade of the trees, that is, until he spotted a certain white creature wearing familiar blue robes. Baring his razor sharp teeth, Sora instantly shook off his plans to simply sleep away. Luckily, with everyone now staying away from the courtyard, Sora jumped down from the tree without fear of being discovered.

Using the vegetation as cover, Sora shadowed the unknowing Donald as he passed through. As he went up the stairs, Sora waited for him to reach the top, then leaped up the steps. Hiding behind pillars whenever Donald seemed to suspect his presence, Sora realizing how paranoid Donald was being.

Once again, Sora grinned.

Donald quickened his steps as he went along the red carpeted floor. Every now and then his mind would play tricks on him, making him think he heard low growls from behind him, or making him have a double take whenever he saw the outlining shadow of a feline.

Sora was nowhere to be found, and that worried Donald.

At first, Donald's plan seemed so perfect. The maid from yesterday mentioning the world "lion" had struck him with the idea. However, he only intended to turn Sora into a helpless house cat, or a kitten, at most. Then, Sora would be at the mercy of both himself and the King's pet, Pluto. Donald had so many plans into store to torment Sora, maybe he would like to take a swim in the ice cold fountain after just barely waking up. That would make him think twice before he ever played another nasty prank on him again!

But no, it had all completely backfired.

Instead of a defenseless little kitten, Sora had reverted into something else. Something much more capable of causing more trouble for Donald. Something like a lion.

Donald cursed himself for overlooking other effects the Drive orb might do. After their experiences in the Pride Lands, he should have known better that Sora's magical garments would kick in and come to his aid, once again. Or maybe, that stupid thing the maid had said in the first place was true. Maybe Sora really did have the heart of lion.

Donald just didn't expect that to be taken so literally.

He stopped suddenly. Why was he so terrified of a Sora? He was still a cub, not a full-grown lion. At least not yet, Donald thought with a wince. Plus, he was the royal Court Wizard, for crying out loud! He had faced the Heartless and Nobodies, all of them much more frightening then a meager cub!

Puffing out his chest, Donald straightened up and went to turn around, convincing himself not to be afraid of Sora any longer...

...that was before he came face-to-face with a dark-furred lion with intense blue eyes that born into his soul, making the duck suddenly feel sick.

Donald then promptly threw his hands in the air and let out his warbled shriek as Sora bounded after him through the castle.

"I'M GONNA GET YOU FOR THIS, DONALD!"

Kairi nearly jumped out of her skin as she heard the loud voice shake through the castle. Everyone else around he looked around, whispering to each other to leave. Kairi got up from her seat, closing her book, while others simply abandoned their books on the table. Kairi froze again as she heard another bellow rip through the air.

"GET BACK HERE!"

Kairi would recognize that voice from anywhere. She started to push through flow of traffic like a salmon swimming upstream. Once she finally shoved her way past the main current of frightened people, Kairi followed the sound of screaming and shouting.

Kairi soon came to a forked hallway, and was at a loss of which way to sound, the shouting seemed likely to be coming from each different corridor. Kairi was about to pick one, when a hand grabbed her.

"This way!"

Staggering to keep up with their quick steps, he finally let go, letting Kairi run at her own pace. King Mickey veered into the direction of a empty, lounging room. Running up to the bookshelves, King Mickey ran his hands over the spines of multiple volumes while Kairi forced herself to be patient.

"Here we go!" He exclaimed, then jumped up and pulled down on a musty, old maroon tome. The book creaked as it came down, and a large snap was heard. Gears from within the bookshelf cranked, and King Mickey motioned to Kairi quickly.

Obeying him, Kairi was just in time as the bookshelf revolved around, leading them into an entirely separate room.

The shouting and screaming was at its peak now, and it didn't take long to realize what was going on.

There, on top of a shelf filled with odd, dusty contraptions, was a mortified Donald Duck. Trying to climb up the bookshelf was a large, and very angry dark brown cat. Pluto was in the corner, barking and howling hysterically, also to afraid to go near the cat. Kairi looked over the beast again, and realized it was far to big to be a cat. It was actually more of the size of Pluto.

The lion roared, enraged, as Donald threw a metal world globe at him from the shelf.

"Bad kitty!" Donald croaked, readying a telescope to throw down. "Go away! Leave me alone!"

Much to Kairi's surprise, the lion responded back, "Not after I rip you from limb to limb and make you into roasted duck!"

Kairi looked down at the King, whom was looking like he had no intention of interfering. He glanced up at Kairi, an encouraging smile on his face. "Well?"

Donald yelled as the lion leaped up and swiped at Donald, barely taking a few feathers with it. The two continued to shout at each other, but...

That voice...

"Sora?" Kairi finally said.

The lion froze, instantly ignoring the screaming duck, even after the telescope crashed onto his head. Slowly, the lion turned its head, and looked straight at Kairi. Sure enough, the lion had the same sparkling, cerulean eyes, and even the same jagged hairstyle that Sora had.

Before Kairi could step forward, Sora whipped around and bolted out of the room.

Kairi fell down on her knees, her lungs burning from the exertion from running all evening. Every time she came within ten feet of the lion, he would instantly escape to find another place to hide.

Kairi hadn't even thought about why Sora was in the form of a lion, but right now, she didn't care. She just wanted to him to stop trying to get away.

Wiping her forehead, Kairi leaned back, letting her head fall back. Her eyes instantly met with two familiar, penetrating eyes.

"Riku?" Kairi said, lifting up her head and turning around to face him.

"C'mon." Was his only reply, and he started to walk away. Kairi scrambled to her feet and rushed to catch up to him...when would she have to stop running all the time?

Their stroll was quiet, which Kairi welcomed, since it gave her a moment to breath properly.

Riku slowed down and stopped in front of a door. It was his and Sora's room.

"In here." He said as he opened the door for her. Looking at him inquisitively, Kairi wanted to ask him directly what he was doing, but something in her gut told her she already knew what it was.

As soon as she stepped in, Riku had shut the door behind her, leaving her alone in the room.

At least, that's what she thought for a moment.

She could hear the pattern of someone breathing heavily, and their failed attempts to try and be silent. Walking around the room, the noise suddenly came to a stop. She stood at the foot of the bed. Smiling a little, Kairi lowered herself until she was on her hands and knees and peered under the bed.

The first thing she saw was a pair of radiating blue eyes.

Extending her hand, Kairi said softly. "It's okay, I won't bite."

Sniffing, obviously holding in a chuckle, the lion hesitantly moved to crawl out. Kairi backed up to give him room, and watched carefully as the feline emerged from under the bed. Sitting on his haunches, Sora stared at his front paws, slightly trembling.

Was he...afraid?

Slowly, Kairi reached out and touched the top of his head, causing him to flinch slightly, which almost caused her to withdraw her hand. Stopping herself, she let her hand fall on the top of his head, then gradually massaged the top of it with her fingertips. Hopefully, it would help him relax.

In fact, it was doing quite the opposite. At first, that is.

Kairi took this time to look over Sora, studying him. His tail snaked around the carpet, occasionally lifting now and then, the spiky tufted end landing with a thump. His large ears on top of his head slowly lowered until they flattened against his head, showing he was becoming less alert. As she continued to rub his head like any other animal that let her approach it, his head tilted back, his eyes were half closed, and he seemed to be much more content then before.

Pushing her nerves, Kairi scooted closer to him. Sora's eyes shot open, feeling her presence, and jerked away. The same fear in his eyes she saw before was in them right now. Kairi and Sora sat there, neither moving a muscle. After a long, awkward moment, Sora was about to turn away.

"Please...don't look at me..."

Kairi looked at him, then slowly said. "Why not?"

Sora looked like he was about to shatter into a million pieces from shock. "You...understand me?"

She looked at him questioningly. "Of course I can, why else-"

Sora gestured at himself with one of his paws, "I'm a LION, Kairi!" Sora took several steps forward. "People don't usually understand animals."

Kairi giggled, and Sora surrendered to a smile at the sound of her musical laugh. Closing the distance between them, all his worries of her reaction to his appearance seemed to vanish.

"But," Sora pondered aloud. "How is it you can hear me?"

Kairi reached over, and lifted him so that he was standing on his hind legs, then pulling him close. Sora's fur itself felt like it was turning red from blushing. His paws went out towards Kairi, pushing lightly against her shoulders for support so they could stay at eye level.

"I always hear you, Sora." She said sincerely. "No matter what or where you are."

Sora was suddenly really frustrated by the fact he was lion, since even he, saw how perfect this opportunity was. He wanted to try something so badly, but, he was not quite sure if it would have the same effect as it normally would were he human.

Oh, well, Sora thought, leaning in. Won't know until I try...

It happened very fast for Kairi, as she felt something velvet and moist stroke upward on her cheek. It still tickled as it registered to her what happened.

"Sora," She said, setting him down. "Um, did you just..."She stammered, her face going as red as her hair. Saying it out loud made it seem very different. "Did you just lick me?"

Now, Sora wanted to go hide back under the bed, scolding his boldness. "Uh...sort of...maybe? Yeah...I did..."

It was, after all, very much the equivalent to kiss.

Feeling incredibly idiotic as he watched her get up, he felt like he was under two inches tall. Turning around, she sat down on his bed. Sora then felt compelled to say something else that would either help...or hurt his situation.

"I, uh, just really wanted to...um, you know...but I couldn't, since I'm a...yeah. So I just, er, did what I could, while I'm...um...eh..." Sora bit his tongue, somewhat punishing it for what he did, and sulkily went to hide back under the bed.

Kairi's foot, however blocked his way. Ears still lowered, Sora kept his head down, not wanting to look at her. He then felt her hand lift his head up.

"Sora?"

"...yeah?" He looked at her hopefully.

"Um...never mind." Kairi closed off quickly, then started playing with her hair again.

Sora eyed her, watching her movements. He noticed her doing that a lot lately, playing with her hair, whenever she was around him. With the angle she tilted her head, and how she looked away with that shy look in her eyes...it all seemed irresistible to him.

"I If I only had lips..." Sora blurted out in a low mumble. "I could do it right..."

Kairi, who heard, pretended not to for his sake, but smiled at it nonetheless. Sora jumped up on Riku's bed, Kairi watching him, wondering what he was up to.

"So, Kairi," he began. "You...really don't mind seeing me like this?"

"No," came an honest reply. "Why should it bother me?"

"Well, usually when people see a lion," Sora explained, pacing around in circle. "They tend to scream, shout, maybe even throw things..."

Kairi laughed. "So, am I supposed to be afraid of you?" Sora sat down, looking somewhat embarrassed. "Oh...that's why you ran, then."

"I didn't want you to be scared of me, Kairi." Sora said sheepishly, one claw extending and drawing circles on the sheets, until it got snagged on a uprooted string. "I don't want to even think about what that would be like, you not even able to come near me because-"

Sora tried freeing his claw from the string, but it only seemed to make things worse. Kairi got up, then bent over to help him. She held his paw still, then used her other hand to maneuver the string out. As soon as he was freed, he wiggled the his toes and flexed out the claws. Of course, his paw was still in Kairi's hand. Looking up at the young woman, she planted a kiss on the top of his head.

"How could I ever be afraid of you?" She said sweetly. "After all..."She suddenly squeezed him into a hug. "You look absolutely adorable like this!"

Sora choked, not sure whether to take that as an insult to his masculinity or accept it gratefully as a compliment. Either way, he thought of something to counter her statement. And he would probably get away with it. Once she pulled away, she noticed a mischeivious glint in his eyes.

"Sora-?"

Pouncing on her, Kairi was thrown back by his force. Lucky for Kairi, Riku and Sora's beds where so close together. Somewhat in a familiar position, only Kairi had pinned him down last time, Sora took full advantage of it, and gave her another lick on the tip of her nose. Then on her forehead, then more on her cheeks...and he kept going. Kairi was laughing hysterically, making it all the more enjoyable for the lion-boy.

"S-Sora! Stop!" She pleaded, but still laughing as she tried to push him off. "That tickles!"

Sora paused for a moment, "I know! That's kind of the point!" Then licked at her exposed neck.

Now blushing profusely, Kairi took a fistful of his fur and tugged down hard. Sora immediately rounded on it and nipped playfully at her. His mouth closed over her hand, gnawing it, but not enough so his teeth would pierce her skin.

"'Kind of'?" Kairi repeated suggestively. "And just what did that mean, Sora?"

Sora removed his mouth from her hand, and looked at her, trying to make the most innocent look he could muster. The fact he was still a feline only increased its effect. Kairi's heart melted at the expression, and she couldn't help but pull him into another hug.

"You know," said Kairi through his mane. "You won't be able to use that look on me all the time."

Sora nuzzled his head next to her cheek, his whiskers prickling her skin. "That's what you think."

Riku felt hot air blow into his face, which instantly pulled himself out of his sleep. Pushing himself up, he yawned as he got up from the floor, rubbing the weariness out of his eyes.

Pluto gave a hearty woof, then gave Riku a slobbery, but affectionate lick that spread his sticky saliva all over his face.

"Thanks for the wake up call," Riku said, disgusted by the wet gift as he wiped off his face.

"Good mornin'!" Goofy's voice chimed in.

"What's with everyone sleeping outside of their rooms?" A high-pitched voice added. "Got bed-bugs or something?"

"Hey, Mickey," Riku said casually, knowing how the King preferred it when people called him by name rather then by title. "Morning already?"

"Yup," Mickey said cheerfully, then bent down to his loyal dog, ruffling the top of his head. "And why aren't you playing with your new pal?"

"New pal?" Riku asked, rolling his head around as he tried to loosen his tightened muscles.

An amused look crossed the King's face. Then Goofy explained. "Yeah, Daisy had a little present for Donald for his breakfast." Mickey snickered. "About to experience a whole new meaning to a 'Cat Nap,' Donald is. She thought she might teach him a lesson about this whole-"

"Whoa," Riku was wide awake now, then looked at Mickey. "You knew about the prank and the spell-"

Mickey clapped a hand on his friend's shoulder. "You bet I did. Don't think I don't know what goes on in my own castle, do I?" Mickey chuckled. The two helped Riku up on his feet the best he could.

"What'dya say we go down to the kitchens before the Head Chef gets started on lunch?" Mickey suggested.

Riku smiled, then motioned to open the door.

"Aw, I'd let them rest..." Goofy whispered. Pausing, Riku pressed on and opened the door slightly, peeking in his head. Even Mickey curiously poked in his head.

Kairi mumbled something in her sleep, then pulled herself closer for warmth.

"Ow..." Kairi felt the rumble in his voice, her head being directly under his.

Lifting open one eye, Kairi tilted her head up, Sora doing likewise, only he was looking down.

And there was Sora, back to his old human self.

"'Morning to you, too!" Sora said dryly as Kairi frowned slightly.

"Was it...a dream...?"

The Keyblade Master chuckled, his arm coming around to rub her back as he sank down so they were eye to eye lever. "My thoughts, exactly." He leaned in until their noses touched. "Guess great minds think alike, eh?"

Kairi took on Sora's contagious grin. "Yeah, and so do you, sometimes..."

It took Sora a good, full moment to realize her response wasn't quite the compliment he expected. Acting hurt, Sora moved to turned away, that is until he felt her blow into his ear. Her eyes filled with the laughter he needed to completely forget her previous comment.

"You know," Sora said, turning his head to look at her as she pushed herself up. "I'm not a lion anymore..."

"I know." Kairi replied, trying to act oblivious.

"So, that means," He got up to, resting his head on her shoulder to whisper to her ear. "I can do it right thistime."

Kairi turned to look at him as she felt his hand tilt her head to the side for her as they came closer...

Closing the door softly, Riku looked exchanged glances between Goofy and Mickey. Bending down, Riku patted Pluto on the head.

"Let's go give that Donald a little wake up call, eh boy?"

Pluto barked, then rushed off up the stairs, leaving behind the three to laugh at the never ending mischief that would always stay at Disney Castle.

Once they pulled away, Kairi's eyes were still intent on staying closed, trying to memorize the moment.

"Kairi...?" Sora breathed.

"...oh, sorry...I was just..." She said after a moment, finally opening her eyelids, but still having a dreamy look fogging her eyes. Sora suppressed a laugh and winked at her.

"Wait, don't tell me...cat got's your tongue?"

Kairi rolled her eyes, then leaned in again. "We'll see."