#vanikai

[sydowoodo]

Beneath the mask...

This one took longer than I liked since Vanitas was so challenging to draw 😭

[kingdomsaurushearts]

If you know me, I am the Vanikai queen 👑

[lockandkeyblade]

i saw your thing about Vanitas/Kairi and how he becomes fixated on pure light

but, hear me out, he's terrified of pure light if he were to return and kairi helped him see its not so scary?

(i may or may not have planning a Vanikai series)

Bless and bless and bless. Don't take my words as gospel here because Write Your Truth my friend but ohoho man the things I would do with this myself. One of these days I'm gonna write a Vanikai and people will go check out my other stuff and be upset at me.

The thing about Vanitas being terrified of things, to me, is that his response to fight or flight is always going to be fight. This anxious bitch pushing himself at Kairi over and over again to prove to himself that there's no reason to be afraid of the frail looking stick of a girl with a flower keyblade hits so many of my favorite buttons with him, especially my favorite of all time-- the one where he plays 3D chess with himself and loses.

Because the intent is to adjust, adapt, conquer. It is not to care. It is not to relax. It is not to find a new space for himself, somewhere he fits and doesn't have to bite and defend his existence every given second.

The best part is Kairi isn't Ventus and she's gonna see right through that shit, especially because, that's Sora's face. That's her best friend's face and Vanitas might think he wears it differently but she knows that face and what it means when Sora's lips pinch, when a muscle twitches in his cheek, when his eyes flick about the place restlessly. She knows he's scared and she's fully going to lean into proving to him that she, and the Light World in general, can be a safe space for him.

As a favor to Ven or because she's trying to remove one potential enemy for them off the board as peacefully as possible or because she misses Sora or she just, she pities him, she would see through his shit and do her own thing anyway. Love that for her, love that for him, Vanitas deserves to lose as many times as humanly possible, especially in his silly mind games with himself.

[confession-of-the-heart]

I never really thought of it before, but the more I see it the more I like the idea of Kairi/Vanitas... A being of pure light and a being of pure dark.. it would be very interesting to explore a romance / deeper connection and what it would look like

~~~

[aeonphantasia]

Yesterday on the Akuroku BB discord server there was a brief talk of rarepairs in KH. So i decided to make a brief post on my Kingdom Hearts favorite ships/pairs because I feel like. Every ship is set in a post KH3 scenario:

-LauriVen: my comfort ship.

-AkuRoku: they're everything to me and MUST be protected at all costs.

-Soriku: the OriginalGays™ that changed my life. I owe you everything and you will always have a piece of my heart. Thank you for existing <3.

-XiOlette: they're just adorable and cool.

-VaniKai: the p!nk goth princess and the emo asshole who looks like the guy who broke her heart. Angst angst angst.

-Terraqua: the wholesome-extremely positive-anti toxic-zen ship. Also, they're super cute together.

-Xehaqus: the ObviousGays™ who are meant to be together even after death, and become the old men yaoi once again. But not toxic this time. Please.

-SkuldIsa/Isa x Skuld (Subject X): give that man some happiness. Or, like my friend @yelleonskhcollection once said, "what no p***y does to a mf"

-SeifNer: toxic friends hiding feelings for each other. Until they come clean.

-CLeon: the GayBros™ That's it.

-Elrena/♀: LesbianPower™ for the win.

My goal is to write at least a fic for each one of them.

Also still considering ships for other characters.

Possible ships I'm still exploring for Namine (I don't know why she is so difficult to pair for me):

-IeNami: thank to @yelleonskhcollection

-NamiStrel: they would be so cute together.

-YozoNami or RepliNami

-Pence x Namine

[drowning-in-cabbages]

The Princess and the Dog - Chapter 1 - 3Drowning_in_Cabbages4 - Kingdom Hearts (Video Games) [Archive of Our Own]

After finding Vanitas rotting away in the Realm of Darkness, Kairi offers to take him in. What she finds isn't necessarily a violent monster like everyone says, but rather an abused and hurt individual. She offers to give him a normal life, teach him how to be human, and maybe try to be his friend while she's at it. Vanitas, on the other hand, isn't having any of it, but stays by her side as a way to spite the other True Darknesses. But when the most powerful of the 13 comes knocking, will Vanitas leave the Princess? Or will he stay as her loyal guard dog?

Chapters: 1/?

[vanivenivici]

Been thinking lately about post-KH3 vanikai... The Potential. The thought of this... shared sense of survivor's guilt. "Everyone wanted Sora but I came back instead." [chef's kiss]

[evaundertale]

My kingdom hearts ships really just have become yes.

I straight up made this list because at somepoint imma draw these ships whether it's aus or not.

I like Sornami this I don't know why but I always felt Sora have more chemistry with Namine even if it's based off fake memories for the first half. But also I'm still slightly prefer them with others as well.

Love soriku there's no question their I reblog it like alot the ship has stuck with me sense kh2. And hasn't ever left. But other than that I'm a sucker for friends to lovers troop and this was the first friends to rivals to enemies to friends to loves. I'm not one who normally like rivals to lovers or enemies to lovers but this ship opened that up for me especially with how Riku tries so hard to redeem himself for Sora when he doesn't even have to.

Sorkai in kh 1 is great but shaky about it later on especially with reading the novels and looking at the translation of kh 3 also cause I think Kairi deserves better than how Sora treats her sometimes. It's like she's an after thought sometimes and it sucks.

Now Kairi with anyone else is higher then sorkai like roxiri, vankai, venkai, namikai, xion x kairi and sometimes and this is really just sometimes Odette x Kairi. I love all the ships and how their concepts could be.

I love namixi, rokunami, rokunamixi (ot3 like I think it'd be wholesome if they all were together and caring for eachother), rokushi these just are wholesome regardless of how you look at them.

Repliku and Namine I don't really ship Riku in Namine because I think Nomura shot that down instantly by changing the cutscene but also I liked the idea of Riku treating Namine, Kairi and Xion all similar sense he tends to interact slightly similar with each of them. But Repliku and Namine is both sad and wholesome it's probably due to the biased I have for liking the fan made trio with her the lost trio.

Vanami and Vankai so I got a reason for liking these two ships one the concept of Vanitas probably seeing Kairi as weak (in his eyes) or something but growing and interested in her for standing up and facing him despite that. Maybe they'd start off at odds not liking eachother or Vanitas being interesting while Kairi just sees him as a threat. The difference with Namine is I think he'd slightly mellow out not to much but find the fact she can manipulate memories fascinating. Maybe she reaches out wanting to help him even if he's full on darkness she probably would want to help like with Repliku but this time she feels she can is in more control to.

Okay okay the ships Namikai so I liked the aspect of how when they connected they have a light connection not to say that means anything but when Kairi needed someone Namine came in kh 2 and understood her like no one else even if she is technically a form of her Namine develops into her own person outside of Kairi and I just think it's wholesome which ever way you see it platonic or romantic.

Xion and Kairi I think in Xions case this ship is interesting to say the least not that it's bad just sense Xion in that weird grey area, she's Kairi, Sora and Riku at the sametime she develops on her own but still was the memories of Sora of Kairi and possibly Riku as well (cause why else did she experience a memorie only Riku has) so I guess she could have feelings for Kairi off Sora's memories of her but then again as she developed and Kairi slowly grow feelings over her seeing Xion becoming stronger despite her struggles.

I weirdly like Kairi and Strelitzia as a concept it's cute and I feel like wholesome from most comics or people who've talked about it. They tend to have wholesome ideas.

Venkai okay this one is just yes for me while her time away from Sora and training with Aqua she could get to learn not only combat but that she doesn't have to mimic others. From Kairi in Melody of memories in the Japanese translation she seems to blame herself slightly about Sora's death but not only that but from her combat in kh 3 it mimics mainly Sora's but with some of Riku. With Kairi's character constantly trying to catch up to both I feel like with time she lost a bit of herself due to that. From not finding her own way to train or fight that's why I think not only with the training from Aqua could she have time to reflect and think but get advice as well. In that time whether romantic or platonic I think Kairi and Ven would interact alot getting to know eachother and it being healthy to see the Wayfinder trios interactions. It might make her miss her friends but also might make her resolve to grow stronger that much firm. Now to the way I see Venkai sense Ventus is treated as the kid within the Wayfinder trio having someone around his age or also treated could lead to interesting bonding or Ventus mentioning how after all they been through Aqua and Terra still treat him like a kid. Kairi who probably doesn't really mind bring treated like she's younger much but might open up a bit more. Maybe over time they both talk about their worries or the events that happen to find some sort of closure. I think even if Ventus and her I think would he cute I also know full well it can be platonic as well.

Roxiri I will die on this rarepair ship. Okay actual reason I just love the concept the struggle with Roxas not knowing if she likes him for technically being a part of him or if his feelings are his own or Sora's (yes Xion probably go through that struggle to) while Kairi might end up hanging around him for see that he feels left behind to. I know Nomura doesn't address it much but from days and both Xion and him wanting to see where Alex went to when Xion forced a fight on him I do think Roxas should have a bit more struggle with those two events especially with them coming back not saying they wouldn't be friends again I just think they should talk about it maybe there's a stiffness in the air till they interact and in this time Kairi who also feels left behind alot probably talk about it growing a slow bond. From Kairi giving suggestions like Roxas talking it out especially sense thats how her and Axel worked it out. And Roxas letting her know that she doesn't have to face things along or feel left behind and to go at her pace. Maybe they could start having small bit training like he did with Xion in-between her training with Aqua. I feel like Roxas though would probably start off a little bit distant when she approaches probably dealing with the fact now that he's out only to find out Ventus is there and he looks like him exactly. Roxas struggles didn't really get addressed much but I do think if they were Kairi might help him out a bit even if it's just advice. The concept just intrigues me and I love it so dear.

Lastly RokuNamiXi I like Xion and Roxas I personally prefer rokunami a bit more but I also love the concept that they would just date together from me shipping all three pairs of Namine and Xion, Roxas and Xion and Roxas and Namine. I didn't wanna just let any of them be a third wheel. I think it'd be wholesome and sweet to see them all dating eachother from having feelings for eachother.

[goldensunset]

actually. toxic unrequited vanikai is this anything

[voidedgear]

damn i can't believe nomura said vanikai rights--

[kwoojii]

obsessed with @hallsth-eien's kh4 designs

[yuquiitas]

I broke the code

[septnanis]

“Just give it to him,” Vanitas says, arms folded behind his head while he feigns taking a nap on Kairi’s bed (better pillows, he claims).

Kairi glares at him over her shoulder. She covers the object in one hand with the other. “I thought you had exercises out on the yard today,” she says. Her cheeks heat up, she almost feel caught out by him.

Vanitas shrugs. “I’m a free spirit, princess,” he says. “I go wherever destiny tells me to go.”

That’s the exact opposite of free spirit, she wants to tell him, but Kairi’s not in the mood for a battle of wits with Vanitas at that very moment.

“What’s the big deal anyway,” Vanitas says, giving up on the nap, rolling to his side to put his head up on one curled fist. “You gave Sora one, give prince charming the other one you made.”

Kairi opens her hand and looks down at the charm in it. It’s not made of thalassa shells like the charm she gave Sora but of gleaming turquoise glass. During her training with Aqua, her master taught her how to make one.

It’s a halfway point between the angular charms that hang from Eraqus’ makeshift gravestone outside and the ones the sailors on Destiny Islands make. Smooth lines but still a little hodgepodge.

At the center, she drew a little determined face and some long, spiky bangs. Under the little face she drew the Dream eater sigil. It reminds her of Riku when she looks at it. It makes her smile.

“I never made one for him,” Kairi says, her smile falling and her stomach churning. “He made me so nervous back then. He was so… I don’t even know what to call it. Anger? Frustrated? So different from how he was when we were little.”

Vanitas doesn’t say anything, just looks at her.

“He was really sweet when we were little,” Kairi says. “I remember one time, it was raining really hard on the play island, this storm that came out of nowhere. It was just the two of us, I think Sora was sick that day. I slipped in the mud and fell pretty hard.”

She remembers the day, remembers not wanting to cry and embarrass herself. But her foot hurt so much and she’d ruined her favorite dress.

“Riku pretended he didn’t notice I was crying,” she says and turns the charm over in her hands. “Once the rain almost stopped he let me climb on his back. He was only little too, so I must’ve been pretty heavy but he didn’t complain once.”

It surprises her when tears spring to her eyes. She brushes them away quickly but the more she speaks the more they come. “He carried me all the way home, and he kept saying it was okay to cry and he kept making jokes to make me laugh.”

Vanitas kept listening intently, little emotion on his face.

“Riku didn’t leave until he was sure I felt okay,” she says. “I thought he was the bravest, coolest guy in the world. And I couldn’t stop crying.” Kairi’s voice thickens with emotion.

“Why?” Vanitas asks.

Kairi’s laughs through her tears. “Because a few days before Sora and I drew our faces on the walls in the secret place. I didn’t even think about waiting until it was the three of us. All I could think was that I wanted to do it.”

“You were just a little kid,” Vanitas says with a nudge to her back. It’s his own rough way of comforting her.

“It wasn’t just then,” Kairi says. “I told Sora I wanted to go off with the raft, just the two of us. I let Riku sit all by himself before that big battle instead of telling him to sit with us. I didn’t tell him I was going to go to sleep to find Sora. I don’t deserve to give this to him.”

Vanitas sits up and they’re nearly sitting next to each other. “None of those things makes you a bad person,” he says. “I think he’d still tell you it’s okay to cry. And I think he’s git enough of his own shit that he thinks he doesn’t deserve to get one of these.”

It helps a little, how easily Vanitas lays down the truth. It softens the edges of her doubts. Kairi scrubs her eyes and nose and laughs.

“So much for your nap,” she says and looks at him.

He reaches up and brushes one errant tear away with his knuckle. “Still better than training exercises,” he says with a grin. “Chin up, princess, anyone would be lucky to have you for a friend.”

Kairi uses her sleeve to wipe at her face and she smiles at him. “You’re not too bad at this, you know,” she says.

“Got a pretty good teacher,” Vanitas says.

Kairi rolls her eyes.

—-

Riku looks a little confused at her walking down the Gummiship hangar towards him but he smiles at her nevertheless.

“Morning,” he says. He looks a little sleepy.

Kairi stops in front of him. “Good morning,” she says. Golden light from the sun coming up spills into the hangar. “I uh, wanted to give you something before you left.”

She rummages in her pocket and pulls it out.

“Oh yeah?” Riku says before bending over to fix something in his bag. As he stands up Kairi holds it out to him.

The glass glimmers in the light of dawn.

Riku looks down at it with a quiet sort of awe and surprise. “This is… “

“A good luck charm!” She says just as Riku says:

“- for me?”

They’re both quiet for a moment before they both laugh. She holds it out a little further.

“I realized that.. I never got to make you one,” she says. “Back then. I should’ve.”

Riku shook his head. “It’s okay,” he says. When she gestures at him with it again, he carefully takes it from her. “I wasn’t exactly deserving of one back then. I know this was more of a thing between you and Sora.”

It doesn’t sound hurt. Probably because nobody looks at Riku like Sora does and now Riku knows it. It makes Kairi feel lighter, that Riku can be happy about that now.

“I guess some things happened back then,” Kairi says. “And we just never got around to fixing it.” To her embarrassment another tear slides down her cheek. She brushes it away. “Sorry!”

Riku shakes his head. “Don’t be,” he says. “It’s okay to cry.” He sounds just as earnest at nineteen as he did at seven but this time she doesn’t feel so bad so she rushes into a hug. He’s not little anymore. He’s not angry or frustrated anymore. He’s just Riku.

He wraps his arms around her and Kairi smiles into his shoulder so wide her face hurts.

“Thank you for this,” he says. She doesn’t know if he means the hug or the charm. He sounds like she gave him something priceless. “I’m really happy you’re my friend, Kairi.”

And just like that, he gives something priceless back to her.

He’s smiling when they seperate. She helps him pack the rest of his things and smiles when she sees him put the charm in his pocket.

“Keep an eye on Sora, okay?” Riku says and the fact that his thoughts always circle back to Sora makes Kairi so happy.

She nods and holds up a determined fist. “You better bring that back!” She says. “I worked really hard on it.”

Riku salutes her and nods. “You got it!”

After he leaves, Kairi smiles.

It feels like it’s going to be a good day.

[lockandkeyblade]

Vanikai

Vanitas would look at Kairi and see a threat

That Is Important

(Princess of Heart = Light stronger than Ventus )+ Keyblade + personally trained by Master kicked- ass- to -the -graveyard-and -back Aqua = Biggest Threat To His Existence Ever

This Is Important

EVERYONE on the Light side sees Kairi as some kind of Damsel in distress, even after getting her own keyblade , even after fighting in the same war, even after her own duel with Xehanort in her heart in Melody of Memory. Sora and Riku especially, see the girl not the warrior.

Vanitas would see her strength first and foremost.

Kairi needs that I think.

🐇Bunny

Oh agreed.

Even taking out the 'trained by Aqua' because lol personally I don't think she should be teaching anyone anything (sorry girl but if Riku and Sora have to go through a Mark of Mastery like that yours may as well be from the back of a cereal box) Kairi would be a huge existential crisis for Vanitas-- and man that would be quite the revelation for her.

It's easy to imagine some kind of crisis or attack where Vanitas like...defers. To her. Or just, whenever everyone is debating what they need to do next he always ends up being the person to cut everyone else off and ask her opinion on it.

Does he sometimes roll his eyes and take charge if she pauses a little too long in surprise? Yep. But as she adapts and she realizes that Vanitas is not only genuinely asking her opinion/direction but is going to respect it, man.

He's not even intending to empower her and he does. He just-- figures she'd expect it. He's taken aback by her not expecting it. His opinion of Light Denizens continues to drop below the floor because not only do they have a Princess of Heart she's a fucking Keybearer and they don't even bother listening to her, like, what????

And if I continue he's just gonna start guard dogging again lol we always get there eventually.

[confession-of-the-heart]

Adding to my VanKai anon from earlier: I’m serious. I legit think Vanitas and Kairi could bring out the best in each other, and that makes them a great ship (but in an interesting way, because I can see those two being absolutely wild and crazy together. They might argue A LOT).

And to all the SoKai shippers who are now probably shouting “BUT YOU ALREADY HAVE THAT WITH SOKAI” — no. Sora and Kairi bring out some of the worst in each other. Kairi brings out some of Sora’s most self-destructive tendencies, and in return, Sora brings out her dependency and refusal to change / adapt to change in a healthy way. He doesn’t challenge her, the circumstances and people around him do. I would argue that this actually makes SoKai really interesting tbh. But most SoKai shippers outright ignore or worse, romanticize these tendencies, and when you do that, then I’m sorry, but then SoKai is just so BORING to me (and I say all of this as someone who has shipped SoKai and been active in the shipping community in the past).

Kairi has a thing where she can make people feel accepted as they are. We see this with both Riku and Lea, and it could work with Vanitas too. Meanwhile, Vanitas isn’t one to sugarcoat things, which is definitely something that Kairi might need. Would they go through growing pains? Oh, absolutely! That makes a potential relationship between them (whether it is romantic or just friendly) so interesting.

That being said — again, I can see them being absolutely crazy together as a romantic couple. Running away together, go through thick and thin, play a game of who can pick up more people for a dance (in explicitly flirty ways) when they’re older. And again, arguing. Very passionately, very loudly. A LOT. I could go on and on…

But of course, all of this is just my imagination because their canon interaction boils down to… Zero 😅😭

~~~

[aeonphantasia]

VaniKai, or The Princess Who Tamed The Beast..

.. and taught each other what love is.