Up, Up, and Away

[Reno]

Sora gave a cry as he was pushed away, his eyes widening. He could see it happen all like it was in slow motion. Riku reached for his keyblade, riku, eyes bright and ready to kill - Ven jumping in, grabbing Ultima, Ven slamming his keyblade into his lover's chest.

Sora spiraled out on the ground, giving a new cry or horror. He struggled to his feet, slipping on the sand in his rush, running to Riku as he collasped. He caught the other, holding him clsoe. "Riku... Riku!" Just for that split second he had seen his lover's beautiful green eyes again...

Now he was terrifed that he;d never see their beautiful true colors ever again.


The other keyblades all relaxed and Terra scampered over to Ven;s side, looking at him. It had been a good move but... had it killed Riku?


The others behind the barrier were quiet, contemplating, watching... and the barrier slowly disappating, allowing the others to walk forward - but everyone was frozen all staring and waiting.

"Riku..." Sora whimpered, cupping his face in his hand, brushing away beautiful silver locks.

[Rikugurl]

Ventus swallowed as he saw his brother and Riku. He... really didn't think much about it. The only way to get a keyblade from a keyblader was to unlock their hearts... there was no way Sora could talk him out of it.

But.... but Riku wasn't just... some other keyblader that used it for evil... He was no...Xehanort.
His blue eyes went wide.... Oh my god.... what have I done....? His eyes watered as he watched Sora hold onto Riku in that loving way.

His brother....
His breath choked as he stepped back more, blood running down his face.


Axel blinked as he saw the barrier fade in a way. A quietly as he could, he ran to Roxas and wrapped his arms around him, pulling him close.



"Riku..."

"Riku..."
Ocean eyes turned that belonged to a chubby faced teenager. He turned to see a blonde girl in all white.
"Let me seal away Xehanort's Heartless and your Darkness... you'll forget it all... and the pain will go away.... but, you'll have to sleep for me to do so."
"Heh... I'll do it myself." The silverette boy turned and walked out.

Slowly slits opened to show a radiant color of the ocean. The eyes to remind everyone of Destiny and its beauty.


In the Thorning World Throne, the small globes that were world slowly made room... for the fragments around the room. The globes of Twilight Town, Space Paranoids, Olympus, Neverland and Atlantis appeared and Traverse Town disappeared.
The room itself started to cave in on itself as the shallow water poured out.

A Dancer appeared in Twilight Town, looking around oddly before a crystal heart dropped down in front of her. It blinked and took it, suddenly changing.
Olette blinked as she looked down. Her normal clothes! Her normal body! She smiled happily but frowned. Where was everyone?

The black thorns inside Kairi's home started to quiver and die, seeping through the cracks and into the ground. As so did the thorns in the treehouse. The waters from the hurricane finally settled and pulled back into the ocean.
The sun crept out and shown down on the world.
The people atop the hill looked down, seeing the destroyed mainland... but at least... everyone was ok and the storm was done.

The thorns in the room with the Cornerstone of Light died too, letting the room glow like before. Minnie smiled, looking at it and pointing. "They did it!"
The castle returned to its bright self and the birds started to chirp.



The ocean eyes opened more, looking and focusing up at the brunette. "S....Sora...." A weak whisper arose from pale lips. "I...I fell..... I thought.... heh.... I'm so sorry..." The horns slowly broke off as well as the black nails. More black swirls came from Riku's body as he laid there.

Slowly he looked away, his eyes weak and watery. "Ahn.... Sora... C-can you hear it...? The song...? That you picked... picked out for our wedding....? Can... can you hear it?" His eyes closed slowly and a very faint smile arose around the edges of his mouth. "I can..."

The dark grasp on Sora's soul broke, a small spark of Light coming from Sora's body flickered... as Riku's body suddenly went limp. The water from the Throne room seeped into the empty pool, a beautiful color of purple. It only filled the pool about an inch and made the silver hair sway.

Not too far away, the door slowly opened again, pouring Light over everyone... but no one moved.

[Reno]

Terra looked down at Riku and Sora, his heart constricting painfully. He;d never... seen a display like this before. but... it berought tears to his eyes. He'd never seen someone looking so in love... or so hurt.

His head shot up, hearing Ven;s choked breath. He could see the look in his face, the growing self-loathing and hurt. He wrapped his arms around the other suddenly brought him to his chest, giving him some much needed comfort. He ran his fingers through his hair, trying his best to soothe him.


Roxas melted into Axel's embrace happily, but as he watched Sora and Riku together his breath caught. His shoulders atrted to shake and he brought his hand up to wipe away the tears. Riku was gone...


Aqua watched the pair, looking away. "Riku and Sora... they;ve suffered enough. Please they don;t desereve this!" That's what Axel had said. "Oh god..." she whispered, wrpaping her arms around herself, boweing her head so she didn;t have to look. no no they didn;t desereve ANYTHING that had happened to them...

Mickey's ears lowered as he came closer - looking down at Riku sadly. How... How could fate be so cruel to make this be the outcome? Had Riku not proven himself time and time again? Why now...?



Sora stared down at Riku's beautiful green eyes, happy to see them. They were so beautiful... and he never wanted to forget them. "Yeah Riku..." Sora whispered, his voice choking. "I-I can... I can hear it..." His voice cracked as he saw the smile. "It's beautiful..." he gasped out.

The darkness filtered out around them and Sora gave a sharper gasp as he felt his soul change and shift to something much brighter - just as the connection that linked his and Riku's hearts... snapped completely. He gave a loud rattling cry as if he was in pain, buring his head into Riku's neck, screaming, "RIKU!!" He started to sob, the sound heartbreaking and agonizing. "No, Riku no... please... Wake up... wake up! Please... please Riku... Ri....Ri..."

Everything was so wrong and so unreal. Riku's cooling body was not in his arms. Riku wasn't dead. He couldn't be dead. He lifted his head, shaking his lover. "Wake up you idiot. We'll be late for our wedding." More tears spilled, dripping onto Riku's unresponsive face. "You...you still have to get a better job. Remember? You wanted to get something better then waitressing. You... You still owe me a pet!" His shakes began more furtive. "Come on Riku... you can't! you can't... please you just can't..." He broke off in a moan of anguish knowing the other wasn't opening his eyes - wasn't going to get up and say 'Haha, just kidding Sora'. He wasn't going to do anything ever again.

Riku was gone gone gone and Sora's world had shattered.

[Rikugurl]

Ven felt cold all over. God... he did this! As he felt Terra's embrace, he pulled away violently. He didn't deserve that. He didn't deserve comfort... or love... or.... or ANYTHING! He didn't deserve Aqua... or Terra... or ANYONE.

Tears rolled down his eyes as he listened to Sora beg and plead... like it was going to make a difference. He slowly turned away and walked off, looking at the ground as he went. He didn't want to see people looking at him...


Axel watched, his own breath caught. His eyes looked down, tears streaming down his tattoos. No... they didn't deserve this... not at all. They both put their hearts into helping him and Roxas...
His long arms embraced Roxas more, burying his head into the blonde's shoulder.


Fujin looked down. She had never seen anything this sad in her life... and she was a police officer. Slowly she left the side of Seifer and Hayner, walking over to Aqua. Her red eye looked at the woman and slowly reached an arm out, touching her shoulder.


As Sora pushed and shoved Riku into 'waking up' Riku's body was unresponsive. When Sora had finally stopped, his head moved to the side, the silver hair shifting as more fell into the water.


Kairi watched, tears running down her face. She... she couldn't.... She slowly left Tidus's side again and walked to Sora and Riku. Her feet made the water ripple, a brighter purple. She came up behind Sora and reached down to his shoulder.
"Sora...." She said softly... and with much heart. "He's gone...."

[Reno]

Terra was going to protest but knew he couldn;t make Ven listen. He looked back at the two, before looking away shutting his eyes. He looked up though whe n Ven started to walk away. He frowned - afraid of what mentla thoughts the other was thinking and knowing their basic track. He walked after the other, their steps quiet even on the purple water.


God was this really happening. Roxas shut his eyes, hearing his brother's cries, shivering all over. How... how why....


Aqua jumped at the touch, before looking up at Fujin, unable to hide the tears in her eyes. She felt terrible - more then she;d felt in a long, long time. Not since Ven... The memory made her sob and her eyes shut.


Donald was rubbing his eyes, not making a sound but still this sight was too much. And for it to be happening to Sora of all people - the most selfless person who hardly ever asked for anything, gave too much, forgave so fast... The person who desereved love probably more then anyone...


Tidus let Kairi leave his side, nawing on his lip as he looked at the ground. One of his childhood friends was dead... and another was... a wreck.


Seifer watched Fujin, unable to stare at the sight of sora or riku. It was hard to believe - he hardly knew them but... it was still incredibly saddenning.


Hayner shook his head sadly, bowing his head, mumbling a faint prayer under his breath.


Sora shivered as Kairi touched him and he looked up at her. "No!" He denied. "He can't be he just... he just can't..." His expression twisted and he bowed his head, more tears flowing freely, hugging Riku to him. "He can't be gone... he can't..."

Roxas watched silently, then knowing what needed to be done, he slowly dislodged from Axel, walking over to his brother and... ex-lover. He kneeled down. "Sora... let go." he whispered. Not to his surprise, the brunette shook his head fervently. If Sora didn't let go he'd never realize that Riku was gone for keeps. It would be harder to move on it... He reached out, fingers curling around Riku's body, tugging him from the other's grasp.

"No..." Sora whispered.

[Rikugurl]

Ven continued to walk away. His mind... so many things. He just met his brother... and now just took away his life. And what about him? He didn't deserve an open heart. He didn't deserve a long life of happiness. He couldn't look at anyone... not Terra... or Aqua. He didn't even want to look at himself.

And... how would he feel... if he lost Terra? He couldn't even fathom it. He couldn't even come close to thinking of the pain.
He continued to walk towards the door. Aero Maxim appeared in his hand and he threw it violently at the dirt. It stuck cold... and didn't reappear in his hand for once.

He stopped when he came in front of the door. More tears running down his face. He held onto his heart and looked down, seeing the drops fall to the stones below. He.... couldn't just leave either...


Fujin frowned, seeing the other cry more. She slowly looked back at the scene and frowned. Taking the bottom of her long skirt, she pulled it up enough to rub Aqua's tears away.


Goofy looked down, seeing Donald all upset. They all were... A while glove laid down on Donald's shoulder, trying to give his friend some comfort.


Kairi blinked at Sora but didn't say anything. What could she say?
She saw Roxas come in and say a few things, trying to pull Riku away. She too knelt down and put a hand over Sora's. A warm light light wrapping around it.
"Sora... you have to let go. He.... he's not coming back." She spoke softly... and she knew that wouldn't work... but... it would break her heart to say the next sentence... but Sora had to hear it.
"I.... I can't feel his heart anymore Sora..."


Axel bit his lip as Roxas left. So.... Riku.... was really gone. He was about to help Roxas pull the silverette away.... but in all honestly.... if Roxas was the one in that pool.... Axel would never let go.

[Reno]

Terra was surprised to see Ven throw away the keyblade - and it didn;t return. He was giving up his keyblade...

When Ven stopped he stepped up behind the other, wrpaping his strong arms around him, drawing him back against his chest. Ven couldn;t avoid comfort forever - he was wracked with guilt... and needed it.


Aqua blinked, smiling bitterly. "T-thanks..." she whispered, the roough clothe soothing. She bowed her head, frowning.


Donald looked up at his old friend, smiling faintly, before looking down once more.


"no... no, no, no you guys you can't..." sora gasped, fighting Roxas' attempts even more furiously, drawing Riku against him, curling over the body. "Do you guys hate me that much?"

"W-wha? Sora..." Roxas stuttered.

"I'm sorry... I-I chose Twilight Town... I killed some of our friends I'm sorry Roxas please..."

"Sora no..." Roxas whispered, rubbing the other's back, his voice too choked up to make the right words. He couldn;t make it better. He couldn't...


~~~

Sora went through the next week as if in a daze. He wasnlt sure when one day changed to the next. He didn;t really... register the funeral - or the words he spoke, or the flwoers he left... He couldn;t figure out why his mom and dad wouldn;t stop hugging him...

Riku was coming back - he had too.

Maybe that was why he couldn't face to be home yet. In fact everyone from that day had yet to go home - even Axel and Roxas who had a whole town to run.

Sora wandered down the halls of Disney Castle, unable to get his mind off of it. riku would come back. the paopu... it saved Axel - why wouldn;t it save Riku too?

The sound of something sweet and slow tinkled in his ears. his ehad perked up, the melody nagging at his brain. He knew it...

As he walked closer and closer he regoznized it more and more. Slow waltzing steps across the ground, sweet spins and sweeping turns. His ehart stopped. The wedding song...

Sora suddenly charged forward, running towards the throne room. Why? why were they playing that? they really did hate him to torture him like this.

The little door was already slightly open, waiting for him and slowly he opened it the rest of the way - the song clear and loud in his hears, heartbreakingly beautiful. he looked down the red carpet, his breath catching.

"Sora..." The smile was bright and beautiful, the eyes green and full of light.

"R-Riku..." Sora gasped. He suddenly ran forward, screaming. "RIKU!"

The graceful silverette descending the steps out the thonre, spreading his arms wide just as Sora crashed into him. with a hearty laughed, he spun sora around, hugging him tight. "I'm sorry i'm late. We have a wedding to finish huh?"

"Wha...?" Sora blinked, looking at riku. He was in a black tux that brought out his hair and eyes and smile... it was perfect. He looked around, seeing all his friends and family clsoe by, smiling encouragingly, happily. He looked up in green, green eyes. "But Riku... how?"

"The light... I... It gave me a second chance - a second life. I was reborn." Riku murmured, caressing Sora's face.

Sora laughed and cried at once, unable to beloeve his ears, his eyes, his own mind. "Oh...? I guess i'll make a pheonix charm for you this time, seeing as i lost the twilight one."

"Mmm... sounds perfect." Riku whispered, lowering his fsace. Sora shut his eyes, waiting for the kiss, when a loud snap from outside made his eyes shoot open-

and he stared at his cieling blankly. Sora turned on his side, groaning brokenly. This had to stop. "I can;t live like this." he whimpered, curling in a bed that was too big and uninviting. He couldn;t sleep, couldn;t eat... could barely talk.

He needed a walk.

Sora schuffled from the bed, still dressed because he was too unmotivated to change his clothes anymore. Too uncaring that he would probably lose his job the longer he stayed away. Too... too hurt all over. The painful throb kept breaking open at each memory his mind conjured, at each new dream his imginatiion teased in front of his eyes, bringing Riku back to him...

Sora tore out of the room, rushing down the halls of the Castle, not stopping until he was in the courtyard, the moon shining down upon him. but he noticed instantly he was not the only one there. A figure was silhouetted on one of the hedges, sitting there silently, his head turned for the sky full of stars.

Sora walked forward tentatively, noticing the other;s features- blonde hair and blue eyes much like his own. He opened his mouth about to call to Roxas when his ehart gave a faint tug, telling him he was wrong. "Ven..." he murmured instead. He walked voer to him, looking up, before jumping onto the edge landing next to him. "Mind if i join you?" he whispered. He hadn;t spoken to anyone really since that day - a word here or there and it usually took people much time to get some response...this was the first time in a week that he had actively started a conversation.

He and Ven needed to talk.

[Rikugurl]

Red hair fell over black shoulders, the moonlight shining down on it gave it slight spiky shadows on the wooden floor.
A lion much like his master sat by him.
Green eyes watched the moon. He couldn't sleep.

Xio looked up at Axel and whimpered but only got a hand in his face and a slight push. He whimpered more and got the hint, pulling his tail between his legs and walked to the large bed. He jumped up and laid next to Roxas, giving him warmth.

Axel had never been to a funeral before... and never wanted to really. Seeing Riku... laying there in the casket... holding that single rose... the sight.... of people trying to pull away Sora...

He closed his eyes as tear ran down his face. It had been a week already... and Riku still hadn't returned. He too questioned why... the paopu returned him to Roxas... many times.

Slowly he looked back to see his lover in the bed. Everyone had a hard time sleeping, but he was happy Roxas found a little bit of it.


Goofy was pretty much speechless for the whole week too. Not his sociable self at all. Gwarsh... Sora looked all over the place for Riku... In Castle Oblivion and outside of it. All the worlds they saw.... old and new.... always looking for Riku.

He found Riku... and could only keep him for five years... until he lost Riku forever.
The thought broke his heart... he wondered... if Sora regretted not doing something with Riku. That if they knew they only had five years together... what would they do to live out life to the fullest.

The sad thoughts were hard to steer away... and when they were off to the side, Sora's face appeared once more... and it was a never ending cycle of mourning.


Minnie at first couldn't believe it. One moment she was setting up a wedding... the next, a funeral. However, the funeral... was not postponed. She wish it was... that Riku would wake up. He didn't wake up at the funeral though. He didn't wake up when they closed the casket. He didn't wake up when Sora cried and called his name as they took the casket out of the throne.

And he didn't wake up before they buried him. The necklace that Sora had made him sat on the tombstone, blowing in the wind... and Riku... still never returned.
No, the man couldn't last forever... but he had so many year to live with Sora....


Kairi laid in the dark next to Tidus. A bit of her own heart felt empty with Riku's presence gone. She felt horrible... that... her stupid jealousy split the two. She just loved Sora so much growing up... and she was worried that Riku would get in the way of it by loving her. Well... she sure got in the way alright... but not how she expected it.

Her green eyes peered out into the darkness of the room, the moon shining in brightly. She couldn't go back to Destiny... not without Sora... and she knew it would take Sora a long time to go back because... well... he had nothing to go back to. Riku was gone... and Sora would have to find a new home...

Then again... there wasn't much left to Destiny in the first place. The hurricane was bound to destroy everything. She wondered how everyone was doing... and how they kept up there hopes without Sora being around. His kids... what would they think?


As for Ventus... he was on the same path as Sora. He refused to eat or sleep. His once perfect body had become thin and bony. Many times Terra and even Aqua tried to comfort him... but he refused it, leaving and finding an isolated spot in the castle. He had just stepped into his brother's life and then destroyed it. Yea... what a great long-lost brother he was.


Ven's stomach growled as he sat on the hedges. His eyes were tired but he refused to sleep or eat. The cold night sky made him shake slightly... but he wasn't sure if he was actually cold... or just the hunger and sleep deprived body doing it.

That was when he heard the sound of someone close and before he could look, someone was sitting next to him. The sound of Sora pierced through his heart. Sora hadn't talk to anyone... why would he want to talk to Ventus of all people.

Ven just looked down at the ground...

[Reno]

Roxas' hand lifted suddenly, and he pet Xio atop his ehad. "come to bed Axel." The voice murmrued, filtering over to The red-heads ears. "It;s hard to sleep without you with me." He glanced back.

It was hard coming to terms with death. losing a friend... was hard. Real hard. He had experienced it before - when he lost his life into Sora's. He had lost everything he was as good as dead... even if he gained a heart.

But... but now... day after day he couldn;t help but think - what if that day long ago... he had forced himself back into sora's form? would Riku be okay now? would his other not have to suffer? Wasn;t it not the fact that they had had to split a soul that... that made Riku go insane?

Roxas laid out, frowning at the cieling. "I keep thinking it;s my fault you know. that i left Sora to his ownd evices - not caring a whim about how hard it would be on him and riku to share a soul..." He turned his head, looking towards Axel. "I feel so guilty... and then i look at you and think of what would have happened if i did go back... and my heart breaks to pieces because... because i could never leave you alone. sora told me that day before he left... to be selfish - but thats all i ever was. was selfish. He was the selfless one and now..." He shut his eyes. "And now he;s paying for it."


Mickey sat staring at the cornerstone silently. The castle was almost always awake now. no one could sleep. "riku... you were more important then you could ever realize." He remmebered how his friend used to put himself down - saying he had no friends no one to really care - sometimes even going as far to say that Sora was the only one.

But no his death... hurt so many, affected so many. In diifferent ways of course but... He loked up towards the cornerstone, wodnering why his theory hadnlt fallen through. Sora was only supporting hismelf on half a soul - the other half was gone... how was that even possible?

And was that maybe why... why Riku couldn;t return? the paopu refused to work because... because it could not?


Tidus ran his hands through Kairi's hair soothingly. "go to bed." He whispered to her gently, blue eyes opening to regard her. He knew how badly she hurt - she regreted a lot, wanted to go back in time and fix the things she said... wanted to peice back together impossible things.

But it was too late - all that was left was to heal and deal with those regrets.


Terra felt the other side of the bed, sighing sadly. "Ven..." they still slept in the same bed, but no longer cuddled against each other. Ven refused almost all touch. Refused all help. He was closing hismelf awya, killing himself, and Terra was helpless to stop it. Ven was leaving him...

The black-haired male curled up, shutting his eyes tight.


"i'll take that as a yes." Sora said, letting a small lilt apepar in his voice. He settled next to the other and they stared at nothingness for awhile, surronded by the cool night.

"you know..." Sora started slowly. "I know everyone things i'm dead to the world, that i'm in my own ltitle world where everythings perfect but... i know." He stuttered. "I know what happened." He looked up. "And i still ehar things. You and Terra were fighting today - back in the armory. i heard you two shouting." He loked at Ven, chuckling hollowly. "You cuss a whole lot more then i thought." He rasied a hand slowly, placing his hand on the other;s shoulder, surprisied when the other didn;t flinch.

Then he whispered it, slowly and securely. "It wasn;t your fault Ven." even as long-lost twins... he could still feel their strong connection.

He looked away, going on before the other could fight back. "At first... At first i wanted to blame you. But... But even if... even if you were the one to stab Riku in the chest you weren;t the one to make him fall. You just did... what camed naturally. Yuo say the opening just like i did and took it. He was about to strike me down... and you saved my life... and stopped Riku from hurting anyone else's. It had alreayd been proven my words... weren;t bringing him back. I told him i love him... and he didn't even react."

He bowed his head. "Then i tried blaming roxas, thinking... thinking if he was still with me riku woulda... woulda had all the balance he needed to keep the darkness away. but... that never stopped him before. He fell twice even without my influence... even with his whole soul he had fallen... maybe i jsut... sped up the process but i think it was still... it was still bound to happen."

He took a deep breath. "then i blamed myself... and said that i didn;t lvoe him enough or maybe not at all. Mickey said..." Tears gathered in his eyes. "Said love was what kept us grounded... so how did it get all fucked up?" He swung his legs. "I fell with him though... and the dark was terrifying Ven. I... i still can;t believe... that I killed four people - chose the fate of an entire world to kill over something as petty as... as..." He shook his head. "and Riku'd been dealing with this... since he was born. I heard what Terra said earlier today - about Ansem and his experiment - how riku had been born with it without a choice. And i finally picked the right people to blame."

He took a depe breath. "Ansem the Wise and his fucking apprentices. They fucked up Riku's life... and they fucked up yours too." He glanced at Ven. "Aqua told me... about the experiments when she was at our island. She told me about Xehanort and what he did to you and Terra and to her. Said she was dangerous and was afraid she'd lose the battle anyways. And... she was right. She went back to kill Roxas. If she had suceeded... i mighta... would have fallen down the same path of blame." He looked up at the stars.

"Under circumstances like that... I really felt bad for ever thinking about blaming you. You were and are dealing with it too." He slowly wrapped an arm around Ven;s shoulders, shaking all over. "And... and Ven... I don;t want you to die too. Whther it be from starvation... exhasution... or soemthing worse" He whispered. "I don't want you to fall like Riku did... so please... i know its a lot to ask - but i want you to heal... I want you to be able to accept comfort and sleep and food... Terra needs you Ven. He;s scared without you and your hopeless without him. Aqua misses you. and... I miss you too - i still have so many things to ask you. I know forgiving yourself is hard but... but we're twins right?" He placed his hand over Ven;s heart. "If I have a strong heart... then so do you. You can do it."

One had to wonder, even after all that had happened, on how sora could still sprout out speeches like this.

[Rikugurl]

Axel looked back as he heard Roxas. He sighed and slowly stood, walking over to the large bed. His eyes burned from the lack of sleep. The bed looked so inviting...

Slowly he sat down next to Roxas, then got under the covers and laid down. Slender fingers ran over Roxas's face as he grew closer. "Roxas... you're not selfish.... if anything... I was." He said softly. "I wanted you to have your own heart.... knowing it would screw up Sora. But I didn't care... you meant more to me than anything else in the world... and I wanted you back more than anything."

He looked down and nuzzled Roxas's neck. "I knew I loved you the moment I saw you... It killed me inside that I couldn't say it... or express it. So... I protected you to the very end... and no one was going to take you away. Shit... I even hated Sora. He lost his heart and you were born... then he got it back and thought nothing of taking you away."

He frowned and wrapped his arm around his lover. "But.... we can't keep taking and giving the blame. Nothing will heal that way. And even if you don't believe me... at least know... that there's nothing we can do the change the past right. I know it sounds horrible... but at least we're still here... and Xio... as a family. We're still here to support each other and to give each other warmth. That's what really matters now."


Small footsteps came down to the Cornerstone room stairs.
"Mickey..." A small voice carried out. "Mickey, come to bed." A mouse in pink pajamas moved towards the king and wrapped her fingers with the other.


Kairi shifted as she heard him. Slowly she turned back to him and smiled softly. She was really grateful to the man... he had done so much even if he didn't think he did. She leaned into him and wrapped her arms around his neck, slowly closing her eyes.


Ven blinked as he heard all this. He's still full of shit... He thought at first... but more and more as Sora talked, his body started to calm down and his mind went to a blank. Was it really Ansem the Wise's fault? He wanted to study the Darkness in people's hearts.... probably for a good cause... but Xehanort... now he... he was the one to blame.

He sighed softly was Sora came close to him. He felt the hand at his heart and finally his blue eyes turned to his brother. "You're still looking out for people Soran... and this is your loss." He said softly. He couldn't help but look back up at the stars, laughing a bit. "Terra needs me huh? That's a first." He shook his head and took Sora's hand in his own. "We fight all the time... I think that's what makes us closer."

He looked back at Sora and smiled. "When we both heal... you need to teach me how to spew out the motivation shit like you do. It really works wonde--"


"SORA!"

Ventus stopped as he looked to see a redhead at the doorway. She was in a night gown and her green eyes peered at them. The look in her face... it was hard to tell. Shock... and happiness?

Kairi quickly rushed to the two and looked up, not minding that her feet were bare. "Sora! I felt it.... I.... I can feel Riku's heart again!"

[Reno]

OOC: I just realized soemthing that might make you giggled like an idiot XD. We're proboards THIRTEEN! XD this is Roxas' domain!

Roxas turned around to face Axel, his face sad but resolved. "Yes... you're right." Axel was right of course. Blaming one's self would get one nowhere. Together they would heal -like the family Axel said they were - like lovers were meant too.

However... Sora was family too - and he needed them both as well. they would have to help him as well because it wasn;t good to just let the brunette sit something like this out alone. Knowing him, he would even disregard his own feelings, or at least not bring attention to them. He knew soon, once Sora realized his attitude was only bring them down farther, the ravanish paces of hunger would be back, the smiles would be turned back on - no matter how fake they were, the sleeping patterns would apepar to be sound and Sora would seem okay, as if he were dealing with it. and it would all be lies.

Roxas knew his Other well because he had used such tactics with Axel before but the funny thing about a lvoer is that he can search and destroy all lies. Hiding behind masks never helped anyways.

He would be there for Sora as much as the brunette could stand, maybe more. He would find time for him, no matter what.

But most importantly, he and Axel would be there for each other. He snuggled closer to the warmth Axel broguht him, his breathing patterns beginning to calm. "i'm so glad... i still have you." He whispered in the still night, timid smile upon his face.


Mickey, clad in red, looked up, smiling faintly. "Yes, you are right." rikuw as not his first loss. He had lost others before this, friends of his. Ansem the Wise being one of them. It still hurt, and some losses cut more deep then others. He had been very close to Riku, and it had really hurt to see him go. However Mickey was also older and more experienced - if there was one thing he had learned it was that loss could be dealt with but not drawn on. One could not live in the past hoping for the 'what could have beens'. Hoping for something that could never happen was heartwrenching.

He wished he could share his wisedom with the grieveing humans around him - especally Ven and Sora who seemed to be taking it the hardest. However, such lessons must be learnt alone no matter how painful. His words would not reach the mind and soul - it would disappear in the infinity of the ether while setting back the chances of true recovery.

Mickey stood, taking her hand in his and together the two mice began too walk for their chambers.


Tidus smiled as Kairi was suddenly wrapped around him once more. He snuggled down with her, happily. He knew Kairi was taking it much harder then him - she was closer to Riku even if that bond had been weakening. And to see sora like that... it must be hard almost like losing to best friends at once.

Therefore, he wanted to be there for her as much as she needed him. He hated seeing her hurt and in tears - it felt like... it hurt him too.

He also couldn;t help but feel guilty and ashamed himself. He had held so much loathing for the two ever since they had gotten together - half due to the rumors spread around the school on which sora had to deal with daily and half... because of how obsessed Kairi had become with it. Even if most of her comments were talking down about the two it was also Riku and Sora did this or Riku does this now or Sora saw this and what not and it was always them!

It had been selfish... and horrible of him. Riku and Sora... they loved each other - in a way he had never seen before. And Kairi was just delaing with the pain of 'mentally' losing two best friends in one shot and also a childhood puppy love.

Now she'd literally lost one - if not both of them. And there were so many things left unsaid, apologize nots given, gifts and events ignored, smiles forgotten and talks unheard. Things that now would never come to be.


"Hey it's what i do." Sora said, a faint smile tugging up the corners of his lips. He could never stand watching people hurt around him - even if he was the one hurting the most. Just because he had lost the most important person to him... did not mean he would let anyone else get so far down that they would not be able to live fully as well.

He chuckled faintly at the other's comment about Terra, saying nothing. Ven didn't see it, Terra was still trying to deal with it - or maybe jsut understand it. They lvoed each other though. aybe it was because he and his twin's hearts were bonded, but he could feel the way his twin;s heart steadied when he was with Terra, could see how the earth keyblader's eyes softened when he saw Ven, could see how their smiles softened just ever so slightly and tentative, timid touches were meant to soothe and communicate the lvoe they were unable to with words - hell maybe the punches were a form of saying 'I love you!' as well.

Sora tuned in for Ven's next sentence, even when Kairi interrupted it. "When we both heal... you need to teach me how to spew out the motivation shit like you do. It really works wonde--"

Heal? Yeah, healing might never happen. sure, maybe over time the pain in his heart would lessen but he knew it would never ever fade away - it would always be there to strike back. always there when memories tormented him or dreams terrified him. He knew there was no healing for him - but that was okay. He'd still lvie out life - maybe not to its fullest or to the way he had planned any longer but... he would still live it. He had an urge to travel... to run from world to world, no boundaries. He would wander aimlessly for the rest of his life - get away from what hurt the most. That sounded like a plan.

rs. He heard the rest of the word in his mind, smiling faintly. Guess they did didn;t they? they got his twin to smile again and thats what he had been aiming for. Maybe he'd tell Ven the secret one day - but it really wasn't hard. Follow your heart and lsiten to its words. Why was it so easy for him and so hard for everyone else?

Sora looked down at his red-haired best friend. "Yeah?" Then she transmitted her next words to his and his eyes widened. What? Riku's heart? Oh no. Sora groaned loudly, his shoulders slumping in pure defeat. "I fell asleep again! God... my mind's seriously fucked up if it decides to trick me twice in one night." His heart was clouded in pain, unable to feel anything else at all. "Besides," He chuckled purely bitter now, "Even if Riku was alive... he's-" Sora;s face started to pale. "He's in a coffin... six feet under the ground and..." his heart thudded painfully, desires from his heart, body and soul to believe 'dream' Kairi's words. "And he'd be suffocating right now." He whispered slowly, his breath panicky.

His legs shook suddenly, the muscles jumping as if he was about to dash off towards the grave. His fingers twitched, ready to dig and dig and dig until the fingers bleed and until he found Riku's casket. But what would he find? A decaying lover? Beautiful aquamarine eyes staring up at him that would disappear the moment a kiss was attempted? A stunning silverette who had once been alive but was now dead once more?

He didn't know but what he did know was that they couldn't dig Riku up in time. "We need Terra."

[Rikugurl]

OOC: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA *giggles like an idiot*

Axel smiled and nuzzled his lover more, seeing Xio on the other side of Roxas doing the same. At least he knew his lover would always be warm... from the inside out. He had two pyros to love... and they both loved him with all their hearts.

And the good part was... Axel still had three lives left! He just had to be more careful... even if he was an accident waiting to happen.

He pulled Roxas closer, his lips right up against the fair skin. "I love you... We can talk to Sora tomorrow..."


Kairi blinked as she heard Sora complain. Were his dreams really that real like?
Her heart jumped when she heard Sora's bitter words. "But Sora! This isn't a dream! I can really feel him again!"

She too thought it was a dream when she suddenly felt it in Tidus's arms. She even had Tidus pinched her! This was no dream! How could he come after a week of being dead!?
Well.... a lot of strange things had happened in her life... like learning she was a princess.


Ventus blinked as he looked down at Kairi. He knew he wasn't dreaming. His eyes opened wide as he listened to her. How...? He didn't ask, just jumped from the hedges and nodded at Sora's command.
He rushed back to the castle, the wind at his feet making him faster. He raced up the many stairs and finally to the door that held the room where he and Terra slept.

The door swung open and slammed on the wall.
"TERRA! We need you! NOW!"

[Reno]

OOC: XD i wonder if you jsut did that for my amusement

"Mmm... love you too." Roxas mur mured sleepily. "and yeah... tommorrow." But right now it was nappy time. They had had a long month full of a shortened vacation, battle injuries, running for your life, emotional scars and so on and so forth.

He was, in retrospect, EXHASUTED. He smiled, sandwiched between two pyros and happy to have them.


Tidus was staring at the cieling a ltitle confuse.d He didn;t really know what was goiung on - all he knew was that Kairi shook him back into wakefulness, demanding he pinch her. Once he did she ran off.

He wondered if he should of followed her.


Sora wtahced Ven take his words to heart, then he jumped from the edge, looking at Kairi hopefully. "I hope it is." he murmured. He wanted it to be reality so bad... "Come on." aware of her bare feet, he scooped Kairi up into his arms suddenly, and ran off for the cemetary. Once there, he set her down on the ground, falling to his knees at Riku's gravesight and started to dig. "Are you SURE Kairi?" He asked, digging desperately all the same. Riku... could Riku really be alive down there?

Damn it Terra had to get there right now!!


Terra shot up in bed at Ven;s yell and the sound of the door. "God Damn!" He turned his head towards the other, blinking cluelessly. He looked all... panicked....

Stirred on by an uncomfortable need to try and clam the other, he jumped out of bed approaching him. "what the fuck is wrong?" Well no one said he was HAPPY about being woken up.

[Rikugurl]

Axel smiled and nuzzled closer, closing his eyes. Almost the moment he did, he fell asleep.

Xio seemed to do the same. Nuzzling up to Roxas and falling asleep. He wondered when they were going back home... he missed it.


Kairi blinked as she was picked up but hung on tightly as she was transported to the royal cemetery and blinked as Sora dug into the ground like a wild animal.
She frowned as she watched him. What if her heart was wrong? What if.... she was fooling herself?
What if they... dug up his remains... and he was just... rotting... and Sora...

She stopped though as she noticed that Riku's necklace was gone...


Ven frowned at him and crossed his arms. "You need to get the fuck down to the cemetery! Sora need Riku's body dug up."

[Reno]

Roxas smiled faintly, feeling the two around him falling off to sleep. He shut his eyes, letting his body relax. This was how it was supposed to be...

He fell asleep too.


"Damn it where the hell is Terra?!" Sora snapped. How much air was sealed in the coffin? how much time? How long did it take Kairi to get from her room to where he was? Damnit why wasn;t in his room, he could have been found faster and would have dragged Terra there himself!!

He grimanced as the dirt dug under his nails, the feeling uncomfortable, but it was soft because it was... well new. It made it easier to dig up - but he couldn;t make six feet happen by his hands alone. Why, oh why didn;t he know any magic that could help him here?


Terra's eyebrows drew together. "WHAT!?" Sora... wnated to dig up Riku. Riku who had been dead for a week. His body was decaying by now - already probably being devoured by maggots or... or something. Ew, that was just too terrible to imagine. Even when he had lost his mother... he had never wanted to dig up her grave.

"Okay Ven..." Terra started, plaicng his hands on Ven;s shoulders to try and keep him calm. "When your brother starts thinking necropheliac thoughts... you don;t help him. This is when you as the more sensible twin realize that he needs some psychological help. Riku's dead. If he hasn;t gotten that yet then we have a problem here."