Tying Knots

[Reno]

Terra shut his eyes, not wanting to die... not like this. He still... had so much to do. He didn;t want to be another of his father's victims!

"Ven... i love you..." he gasped out again, desperately trying to reach the other - deperately wishing he could tell him face to face - show him how much he fucked meant it!The claws were descending - he felt them stabbing into his chest...

Then a sudden warm light filled him and Terra gasped, eyes opening - unsure of what was happening himself. Hatori;s red eyes were wide and staring up at his own. The light was dancing down his arm... disentegrating it like it was acid.

No... it was... purifying him? The light reached Hatori's heart suddenly and the Atterian gave a scream - his whole form glowing as blue and yellow lights shot out from him - the energies of all those he had stolen. most didn't have a home to go back too - instead spreading off into the universe to give lfie back to othe places that might need it.

But one blue light curved in the air like it had suddenly lost all sense of gravity - falling back at an alarming rate, and slamming into Sora.


Sora looked down at his brother as he stirred. "Ven...?" he murmured, seeing the other looked away. He couldnlt help but be compelled to look as well. Moments later... he was hit.

The brunette gasped, his head arching back, blue eyes wide... it was his... his energy. In his inner world he could see it. See the blue energy seeping through the land - s,ashing the barrier to pieces and destroying the dakrness of death as if it had never been.

Final form ended in that instant - Donald and Goofy being pushed back from the powered and stumbled backwards.

Ten other lights shot from Sora - returning the energy that had been so graciously given. Blue to Aqua and Donald, Golden to Terra, Silvery-white to Fuujin and Ven (who was still in his arms), red to Axel, Goofy and Mickey, white to Roxas, and finally... a purplish black to Riku.

The brunette slumped over, blinking confusedly, feelign dizzy from the whole exchange.


It was like fireworks alighting the sky. The blonde watched the lights beautify the sky. Roxas gasped suddenly as the white light hit him and he went rigid, eyes wide. Suddenly... he felt a hellofa lot better! It was his own energy - the little bit he gave to Sora... returning.


Donald blinked blearily, still getting ahold of his surrondings when a blue light hit him as well. the dizziness cleared instantly, and he looked around, taking in his surrondings once more. He looked towards Terra, gasping in surprise.


Mickey blinked slowly, the red light covering him warmly and he smiled. Balance was returning...


Aqua gasped a bit as the light hit her, and sshe felt like she was floating in a calm river. She felt stronger suddenly - she hadnl;t realzied how much sharing that energy with Sora had cost her...


Hatori was still yelling, and a golden lght shot from his ehart... and straight into Terra. At that same moment the pwoer he had given Sora returned to him as well, covering him in gold like he was fine jewelry. The brunette's eyes widened. It had an almost numbing effect - the pain in his body tempoarily forgotten. the wounds were still there though, clear as day and bleeding badly - though thanks to the return of energy no longer life-threatening.

"No... NO it won't end like this!" Hatori screamed, his hand clenching down, intending on snapping the other;s neck, but the light emitting from Terra soon encased the other completely.

Hatori barely got to scream one final time before he was overtaken - completely purified. Terra landed on his own two feet, the white light dispersing all over, spreading out into the universe.

It was over...?

The brunette slowly turned on shaking feet. "Ven..." He called weakly, determiendly beginning to walk towards the forest. His feet moved mechanically, his purpose certian. How he was moving... well that was a feat in itself. the wounds on his back were sure to stop him but Terra didn't let up.

He made it maybe thirty feet before he collasped, blue eyes able to see the other... but he was so far away....


"Terra!" Aqua cried, breaking past her brother, covering the distance quickly. A second person burst from the forest.

The brunette was digging his hands into the ground, trying to struggle back to his feet. he didn;t feel hurt but his body had to rest. He didn't udnerstand that, all he understood was Ven, Ven, Ven... When Aqua was at his side he gasped out. "Ven... bring me ... to him... please."

"Boys..." Aqua mumbled, "One track-mind I swear." But she obligied, grabbing the other's arm, slinging it over her shoulders. She grunted, trying to lift him. "What's your head made of? Bricks?!" Terra chuckled at the old joke, having ehard it many times before when Aqua had been stuck dragging him awya somewhere. but usually she had Ven's aid...

Another person grabbed his other arm, pulling it voer his shoulders. Terra glanced to his left, momentarily thinking he was Ven - but his ehart thrummed no. Roxas.

The blonde lookalike smirked. "alright, to Ventus you go." together the three of them struggled back towards the forest - to where Ven was.


Demyx, not wanting to miss a thing, grabbing Saix's hand and dragged him towards the others.

[Rikugurl]

OOC: You're making it hard to keep those three words back for the next rp! D:


Riku watched as the light burst from Hatori. His eyes widened as he saw the stray blue come zooming pass him and into Sora. "Sora!" He watched it hit his lover and them... another blast of lights came from him. He blinked again as he watched a purple hue wrap around him then embedded into his chest.

His lungs calmed and his ocean eyes turned pale once more. He could feel some strength come back... and he too could feel the darkness of death vanish. He leaned down next to his husband and looked at Ven. He too seemed to get some strength back... but it wasn't doing much good...


Goofy flipped out of Sora and down onto the ground, rolling back and finally hit a bunch of bamboo. He sat up and his head swirled, little birds flying around it. All of a sudden he was hit again and fell over. "Gwarsh!" He shook his head and sat back up, getting to his feet this time. His head was straight now and blinked. Was it over??

He walked over to Sora and Riku, looking over them and placing his hands at his mouth. "Oh no!"


Fuu blinked as she felt a light hit her too. She looked down, feeling much better and not so worn out. She looked up though when she saw Aqua and smiled. She was ok!


Fran watched all the light wrap around everyone. She knew her strength had broken... but that was ok... it was worth it. As everyone retreated back to forest, she stepped out of it. Her high heels pressed against the rough dirt as she walked across the sandy land towards the river. The land was scared from the monsters and the river was mudded.

Amber eyes looked down as she finally stopped, her ears blowing a bit in the wind. She stood over Hatori... or at least where he use to be. Was it pure light... or pure love that killed him? For a creature who took things so easily and cruelly... his death... was so simple. It seemed.... like he got off easy for all the things he had done to people and worlds alike.


Axel almost fell over as he was hit with a red glow. His eyes grew a brighter green and he grinned widely. The fire in him was crackling loud now! He moved out and grabbed the chakrams that had fallen and they disappeared in his hands before he noticed that Roxas had rushed out. He watched and smiled as he saw Roxas help. He walked back into the woods and over to where the rest were huddled around.


Saix blinked as his sister pushed through his guard. He slowly stood and turned, seeing what had happened. His golden eyes looked up, seeing all colored lights fly through the sky. He was a bit speechless, but was suddenly taken by the hand and pulled. He tripped a bit but caught his footing, running with the other towards the scene. His eyebrow raised though as he looked at their hands joined.

When they reached the rest, Terra was slowly being laid down next to Ventus.


The blonde twin was limp in his brother's arms, his eyes almost closed, but gold could be seen at the seems where his black eyelashes stopped. His breathing was steady now and his body seemed to stop sweating.

However... inside of him.... didn't look much better. The small spots they use to glow in his heart were now gone. The Darkness patched up all the broken pieces and engulfed it once more.

Terra's heart was almost open... all the black pieces almost all fallen off. Only a few chunks held onto it but every time Terra expressed his love and listened to his heart... they would break off more and more. When he was dangling there, he expressed his love once more... and Ven was reaching out to him.... pushing all his heart into the reach that would never meet.

Ventus gave Terra all his light in his heart that had already opened.

And with this power.... Terra's heart completely opened once more and the lock became free, expelling out pure light from his body.

Now that Ven had given away all his light that he had opened, his heart was closed fully once more. If a Heartless were to randomly pop up and just poke the blonde, he would instantly become a Heartless himself.
But... he didn't have a choice. He would... be nothing if Terra died... Another promise would be broken... and he couldn't live with that. He knew the power of the Paopu connected them... and he needed to do what he needed to do...

It would just take him a long time for his heart to open once again.

[Reno]

Sora looked up as Terra was laid down carefully by Aqua and Roxas. He slowly did the same, laying his blonde twin next to the brunette.

Terra looked at the other, reaching out slowly, clasping his hand in Ven's. He felt so very tired... but he wanted some indication that his friend was gonna be okay. "Ven..." He mumbled weakly.

Everyone around them was silent. Sora pressed closer to his husband, staring down at the two worriedly. Ven ahd given a lot for Terra...

Donald stared down sadly at the two, hoping for the best. they had gone through a lot together in just such a short amount of time.

Mickey silently looked at them as well. The pwoer of love was strong... And he had a feeling one day Ven would reveal that yes indeed he did feel the same for Terra.

Roxas retreated back to Axel's side, clasping their hands. for once Axel wasn;t the one who had nearly died in this fight (imagine that!). And he was entirely grateful. Unfortunetly he wouldn;t wish that pain on anyone else either.

Aqua was silent as she stared at her two friends retreating a bit as well to wrap her arms around Fuujin, silently looking for support.

Demyx bit his lip as he came to the scene, holding Saix;s hand still and not really noticing. "Is he... dead?" Well... no one said Demyx had tact.

[Rikugurl]

Riku's eyes softened as he looked down at the two. He knew what the pain was like... and he would never, ever wish it on someone else... no matter who it was. He looked at Sora slightly and a placed a hand on his shoulder.

Axel frowned was Roxas came over, but he smiled slightly as their hands clasped. His exotic green eyes looked down at him then at the two. "Come on..." He whispered softly... but when he heard Demyx, he looked over at the blonde. What a question!

Fuu sighed softly as she watched Terra hold Ven's hand. Her red eye moved, seeing Aqua come in closer. She was on her blind side, but an arm wrapped around the blue haired woman and soft fingers ran through the hairs softly.

Goofy pulled down his small green hat and held it to his chest as sad eyes looked down at them.

Saix blinked when he heard Demyx and looked down at him. He yanked him slightly closer and frowned. That really wasn't the best question to ask at this sort of moment.


Ven's hand laid limp as he just laid on the ground. His face was facing Terra's, all bruised and a few scratches here a there. His breathing was slow as he just laid there, some small wind blowing through his forever spiked hair.

It was so silent.

"Mmmn...." The blonde flinched and a finger twitched. Everyone watching all drew closer.
Golden eyes opened slowly, seeing blue looking at him in a blur. His fingers curled around Terra's and a small smile appeared on his lips.
"Uuhn... don't do that again... fucker."

[Reno]

Sora looked towards Demyx with wide eyes. What kind of question was that?!!?

Roxas hit his own forehead - considering Demyx wasn;t clsoe enough to hit. what an idiot!!

Mickey just smiled sadly, shaking his head. the blonde had a lot to learn about manners.

Aqua shot Demyx a glare when he asked. Ooooh she could kill him for that!

Demyx yelped in surprise and Saix tugged him, cowering against the other's side. "sorry..." he mumbled to everyone.

Terra grinned widely when the other finally responded. "Yeah like it was MY fault." he grumbled. Well actually it kinda was but... "you should worry me like that fucktard." he grumbled back, drawing up Ven's hand, kissing it softly.

[Rikugurl]

Fuu blinked and shook her head. Already swearing at each other? They sure did have an odd way on showing their love. Ven was ok... but it he and Terra would need a lot of rest... and they all knew where they were headed next. Disney Castle again.

Saix looked down at Demyx and grinned a bit. He slowly wrapped his arm around the other's waist and watched.


Riku smiled softly as he heard the response. It wasn't something he would say... but it was a response none the less. He looked over at Mickey and frowned though. "Mickey... what about Hatori?" He asked as he looked through the opening of the woods at Fran over the spot where Hatori once stood.

Goofy smiled and looked at Riku. "That's 'majesty' to you!"

[Reno]

Aqua grinned listening to the two. they;d be just fine if they could still insult each other. That was their way.

Demyx blinked in surprise. It had been... a long time since any one had brought him close like that. He blushed brightly, scuffling a foot and looking at the ground.

Donald nodded. "Thats right!"

Mickey laughed, waving his hands to the two. "Oh come on your guys know i hate formalities!" No matter how many times he tried to get his friends to call him Mickey though Donald and Goofy refused to budge. He looked at Riku, then past the woods. "It seems he's gone..."

Sora blinked. "Yeah just like Ansem had." sora said. the scene had remidned him a lot of how Ansem (the heratless) had siappeared from the light of Kingdom Hearts. that meant he was gone for good... right?!

[Rikugurl]

Riku nodded as he looked way, back at Donald and Goofy. He stuck his tongue out at the two and then looked back down at Terra and Ven. "Well... we should get them back to the castle."

And so they did.


Seasons passed since that day. Only about two though.
A hot sun beat down on black material as his shifted. Silver hair fell from under a hood as it shook a bit. The sound of hammers and saws filled the air around him. Sweat dripped from his face as he panted, just wanting to get this section done.

He stopped as the nail was fully in and leaned back on the dry tops. They roofs were made of wood and palm leaves, giving it a real tropical look. It had a boardwalk split in two so that fishing boats could float down the district to the main island. The bottom of each house was to be shops or official places as the tops of them were houses for people to live in. They were small but cozy... like the treehouse Riku and Sora once lived in.

The district already had 32 homes and shops... and only two were left to build. They were at the end... the furthest into the lush of the island and the ocean water. This was where two small homes were being built, no shops or anything to them. They were raised like the others and could only be accessed by wooden steps like most the others.
One was for Riku and Sora... and the other for Tidus and Kairi.

A black hood was pulled and silver hair popped out. The pale man with aquamarine eyes looked back over to the other roof top, seeing a dark skinned blonde man looking out over the ocean before hammering again. "HEY TIDUS!" He called, grabbing the blonde's attention. "Get outta here huh!?" He laughed as he placed a hammer down. "Kairi is gonna pop any day! You should stay home with her!" He knew Tidus wanted to finish their home before the baby came.... but that wasn't going to happen.

He looked out towards the mainland and smiled, seeing the bell on the school house. Sora would love their new home... and he was back with his kids. He then looked up at the sky, feeling the wind blow through his sweaty hair. At peace once again... but for how long...?



Fran didn't have a place to go really. Sora was a teacher and he would loose his job if he missed any more days of school. He would only travel during summer break it seemed. The Chasers had their own problems to worry about... she couldn't travel with them. So... she went where they all thought was best. Radiant Garden. She found a temporary job at the weapon shop. So many mismatched people lived there... most of them losing their own world. People from all over the universe stopped at Radiant since it was the largest world in the connection.

That was right...
Since Hatori disappeared, his light went into restoring some gateways, making it possible for everyday people to world hope using trail ways that Nobodia and Twilight Town use to share.

It didn't take long for Radiant to get quite an array of visitors... and it sent them and Delshad into a booming economy. Luckily, it was more for the market than housing.

On day, and odd ship landed at a plane port. A few men hopped off, their clothing a bit odd itself. They walked the market, quick hands taking things and shoving it into their own pockets or bags.
A fellow walked into the near weapon bed and had a look around. His dirty blonde curled like hair shifted a bit as he looked at a woman at the counter. She was odd looking... with rabbit ears.

He slowly walked over, noticing that she was asleep. "Asleep on the job I see..." He spoke softly as he walked closer. It would be easy to steal nice weapons from this place. When he reached her, he looked down, seeing a nice ring on her finger. How beautiful and unique it was. That too would of been easy to steal. Slowly he reached down and pulled the ring softly, watching it slowly leave the dark skin.

That was when a knife slammed down next to his hand. "Back away..." A voice came from the sleeping woman.
The man grinned as he let go. "But that ring... it's rightfully mine... and so isn't the woman wearing it."

Amber eyes opened. That voice... She looked up and gasped. The man smiled down at her. "Well.... since I can't seem to steal anything from you... how about if I steal you?"
Her eyes brightened as a smirk came from her as she slowly stood. "You were always so bad with those kind of lines...Ffamran 'Balthier' Mid Bunansa."
The man just shook his head. "Well, you were always so good at pretending to sleep on the job Fran Mid Bunansa."

She smiled more as she left from the counter and slowly wrapped her arms around the man. "You'll have to thank Sora for saving my life." The man only laughed though. "HAHA, I thought you'd be getting into trouble."
Balthier was bad at real conversation... so he just had Fran write a note... saying that the pirates were back at the skies and they were welcomed to visit Ivalice at any time.



As for Saix, his place wasn't with the Chasers... though he loved his sister and now he was with her once more... he had a job to do. He was a guardian of Regole's region... and even if he was hated as a child and teenager... that was his rightful place.
It took quite awhile for the towns people to accept him as a guardian... but they had to admit. Good and bad things had happened since that night of the Heartless... and Saix wasn't there to blame.

The blue haired man did everything in his power (which was a lot of power) to clean up the region... to kick out the corrupted leader and have him running away to another region all together. Houses were rebuilt and the town went back into the bartering system. It was still a poor place... but everyone was poor... and everything was equal once again. Saix believed that if things stayed this way... it would become a more peaceful place to live.

Many people were happy about this amazing change in just a few months that some men got together and made a small temple near the water so people could once again honor and pray to the great dragon that protected the seas. In the temple... the high guardian lived. Saix. And no... he wasn't alone either. A man who was able to capture the youth of the town lived there too. His water shows attracted the people... and helped them come together... even if it was rock music.

A black kimono hung from pasty skin. The full moon was shinning and golden eyes looked up at it. Finally... peace found this land again. He heard some noise in the next room and blinked, leaving the room he was in and walked into the main temple. A blonde... with horrible hair was faced away, writing down some musical notes on a piece of paper.

Pasty toes with long nails patted on the floor as he walked over. His long blue hair shifted as he got on his knees. Long arms slowly wrapped around the blonde's shoulders from behind and a face was buried into a warm next. A smile arose from his lips before a soft kiss was planted on the white flesh.



In Delshad, different color leaves started to fall down on the sidewalks. It was late afternoon and the sun was making the sky red. The hues of the leaves clinging on the trees made the view of the town street beautiful.
A paper bag was held tightly with both hands, wrapped close to his chest. Some bread and peanut butter popped out from the top but that was no problem since the man carrying it was so tall.

Black rocker pants and a tight black hoodie kept him warm along with his black and white checkered scarf. Red sneaks patted and crunched under the dead leaves as he walked from the store and now close to his home on the street. Mmmm, he could already taste those peanut butter and jelly sandwiches already!

He smiled softly as he already heard a familiar yip as he grew closer to the house. He blinked though as his green eyes caught something on the ground. He stopped and leaned over, looking closer. A Nobody symbol pendant? That was odd. He wondered if anyone in Delshad owned it since they still used the Nobody symbol to represent Delshad. He slowly was about to pick it up when someone who was walking passed him bumped into him.... and rather hard.

"H-hey!" He frowned and looked behind him to see who it was. He was hoping it was no one from his town! He blinked though when he saw the person. It was a man in a pretty snappy business suit. He had broad shoulders and a brief case at his side. He was a dark fellow with dark sunglasses... and a shinny bald head that reflected the red light.

Axel's green eyes widened a bit as they shared a glance, his red hair falling over them slightly... and the man was off again. But Axel... he stayed there, just watching the man leave. His green eyes sharpened but he soon finally smiled. "Heh... he's still as rude as ever..." He finally turned and slowly walked to the house. He didn't even understood what he said... it just seemed to come out. Something deep inside of him knew that man... and knew him pretty well.

He opened the door and smiled as Xio jumped up and licked his face. "Haha!! I'm home!!!"



A silverette was sitting on the kitchen counter, smiling as she watched a busy blonde watch the very small oven. "Fucking chirst... hurry the fuck up!" He kicked the oven and the bell suddenly rang. He grinned and grabbed a mitt, opening the door and looking in. He pulled out a large sheet and put it on the counter to cool.

He looked at the woman and nodded, seeing her jump down and grab an odd looking bottle. There was a nozzle at the top and she slowly hunched over the baked good, writing something with the frosting. When she was done, she nodded at the blonde and he took the good, placing it on a large plate.

He took it from the small kitchen and out into the main room where gold and green ribbons were hung around the computers. There was a small table next to a large leather chair and a brunette sat down on it. Behind the chair stood a woman with blue hair, covering the brunette's eyes.

The plate was put down in front of the brunette and the blonde nodded.
When the brunette's blue eyes opened, he could see a huge muffin in the shape of a keyblade. On it, it read:

Happy Birthday Terra
From your friends, Aqua, Fujin & Ventus

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

[Reno]

"And that's the end." Sora proclaimed clapping his hands together as if he were snapping shut a storybook.

"Noooo!" The some odd thirty children whined around him, the cloest tugging at his pant legs for more. Becuase they knew the minute that the bell rung and they walked from this classroom... they would no longer be first graders. They would be second graders and Sora would no longer be their teacher.

In an attempt to length that time - the last day was always the most trying - they always tried to make him length the story, as if it would length their school year. It had actually been quite difficult for Sora to fit in the whole story on account of all the days he had missed this year.

But he still made it.

"What happened to the Wolf?!" One child spoke up, little Jezabelle, her hair done in blonde curls. "Did he ever get true love's kiss from the Wind?"

Sora chuckled. Yes he had indeed given all his characters superfical 'fairytale' names. He was the 'Hero' and Riku was the 'Dark Knight' (who later swept the hero away of course!). Kairi of course was the 'Princess of Heart' (hey it wasn't his fault she already had a fairytale-like title!) and Tidus was the 'Stumbling Prince'. Donald the 'Mage', Mickey 'The King', Minnie the 'Queen' and Goofy the 'King's knight' (again not his fault! They were ALL fantasy to these kids). He had called Axel the 'Pheonix' and Roxas the 'Lion' (he thought they fit. Axel always came back... and Roxas was fierce). Aqua was the 'water serpant' and Fuujin the 'One-eyed Dragon' (Eh... He had no explantion for this one. they just fit in his mind). Fran was the 'Air Pirate'. Saix was the 'Guardian' and Demyx the 'Musician' (Yeah well... he had to add them on such short notice! He'd come up with something better later!). Terra of course was the 'Lone Wolf' (inspired by his last display and Ven... was just simply the 'Wind'.

Everyone had a happy ending except Fran who was 'ever-searching' for her true love who she had lost - and Terra who lvoed what he could not yet have - Ven. He would only give them happy endings when they came true.

Sora smiled sadly. "No. Not yet." The kids all groaned and whined, sympathizing with the tale. "But don't worry. Wind is still... searching for a way to bring love into the wolf's life. Remember Wind had never met anyone so devoted to him - who even recognized him... and the Lone Wolf loved Wind because he was always there even on the loniliest of nights." The brunette teacher grinned at his kids. "Wind is getting closer everyday to finding a way. He still needs to find the spell that came either bring him to Wolf or Wolf to him." Terra had in his story 'come from a land with no wind and no friends' and when his land had been corrupted, he stumbled upon a new land - land with Wind (Ven). He traveled many days alone... but the wind was always there. Wind would speak with Terra everyday - whistling conversation through it's breezes and keeping the other warm in the winter, cool in the summer. Terra eventually fell in love with his companion - a companiopn who never left and always made him feel happy and safe. Wind loved him back but had no way to show or return said love being nature... yet he was forever searching with Wolf to find a cure for their ailment.

Yeah maybe he was cheating by using stories that were true - but no one ever said he wasn't creative.

"they'll find it." Sora said with a determined nod.

"And the air pirate?" A boy asked. his name was Edward and he had brunette hair. He had once tried to spike it up like Sora's with his elder brother's hair gel - that had been a REAL amusing day.

"She's still searching but getting closer everyday." Sora said. "The Hero's determined to help once he is freed from his prison." Heh, Riku found that hilarious that he named school 'prison'. "And with his Dark Knight's help, they'll go on a search for The pirate's true love."

"And za mus..s.. musey person?" Rose asked, tugging nervously on her pink hair. She had a pretty bad lisp and was real embaressed by it.

"Musician." Sora kindly correctly, patting her on the head. "He and the Guardian are doing their job back on Dragoon. The guardian protects the people and the dragons - and the Musician keeps the guardians inner demon calm through his music. they're real happy."

"And before anyone else asks -" Sora started. "the Pheonix and his Lion are leading the town of Delshad once more. Last the Hero had heard from them they are very happy, and their town is growing more and more every day. Their people adore them very much and they are greta leaders. The Serpant and the Dragon are - as i said before - traveling with Wolf and Wind trying to help them find true love. They haven;t forgotten their other mission either though - to rid the world of the Dark Weapons."

"And the hero... will he ever escape?" Gezabelle asked.

"Yes. his Dark Knight will free him. Sooner then even he thinks." Sora. The bell rang. The kdis all cried in protest. "Alright, alright. Hugs everyone!!" Sora said, getting onto his knees, hugging each child one last time as they came up to him. His smile was wide and bright s he got them into a line and led them from the classroom and onto the grass where together they would wait for their parents.

Twenty minutes later, Sora waved to the last to go - little rose - before he walked back to his classroom. He cleaned one final time, gathered all his papers, turned off the lights and locked the door one final time. "Until next Fall!" He said, and hurried off.


Tidus looked up from his work, hearing Riku's call. He grinned faintly. Riku was right. his mind was half on his work - half on Kairi. He wnated to get this done but it was impossible. Kairi was going to have a kid any day now!!

He stumbled sillily - as if unable to decide between the first and second option then he hurried past Riku patting him on the shoulder. "thanks man i owe ya one!" He said before he rushed off. He was gonna be such a wreck in the hospital room. Kairi had him practicing HER bretahing exercises for when the time came. He was so excited though!

He was gonna be a father any day now! His father would have been so proud. His mother sure was.

Riku was soon alone - having nothing but the calm waves and the pounding of his hammer to occupy himself. At least... for awhile that is.

A hand came out, grabbing Riku's wrist, and slowly took away the hammer, replacing it with a cold smoothie. "Riku you really gotta stop wearing black." Sora said, having made a quick trip home to drop off his papers and make the smoothie for his lover. He had made sure to say goodbye to a dozing Invidia though - she was all cute and cuddled up in the window seat.

"Especally in summer!" He joked, nuzzling Riku's sweaty neck. He looked up on the skelton house - one that would soon be theirs. It would have everything both had ever wished for in a house. It was going to be the best. And Sora and Riku were going to decorate this one better then the last two. It'd be perfect. And he knew Riku would finally be able to sleep well once more. The waves calmed the other wonderfully.

Sora looked back at Riku who was slowly sipping at his drink. He smiled at the other then leant in, kissing him deeply, tasting peaches and paopu fruit. "Love you." He murmured, snuggling up to him. Sora's necklace, drawn by gravity and it's own heavy weight, slipped, clinged softly against a crescent moon and wooden star as if they had never been apart. The Hero had returned to his Dark Knight.


Mickey shut the book, slowly placing it on the library shelf. Just one more sotry that had been added to his many tombs. It had taken awhile - recrating Terra's story and the outcome of the battle. He couldn't write on the go like Jiminy did. But that was okay. It was recorded and that's what was important.

He knew Goofy was off in the courtyard, happily napping away like he always had. Donald was in the kitchen, ordering the brooms around fiercely - making sure everything was perfect.

Why? Well they were going to have visitors soon. A new king and queen who had quite a tale to share. The new queen said it was absolutely 'enchanting'. He couldn;t wait to meet them.

Mickey looked up when a soft call beckoned him. Hwe smiled softly, seeing Minnie. He walked over to her, clasping hands with her. "Are they here?"

She nodded, her smile happy. She already liked them. that was great! It was just one mroe alliance the mouse King and Queen were going to make. He rubbed noses with her. "Welp, let;s go make acquintances then."


Demyx slowly drew his figners along the chords, bring out a soft, almost sad melody. He frowned. No that wasn;t the emotion he wanted to convey. He strung them again, but slipped his other hand further down, making the chord shorter. It was still soft and low, but less forbidding like the last one. He grinned, writing it down.

He drew another two chords next to that one, strining these faster, making the music more lively and happy. Yes, this was going to be a happy song. He continued this push and pull motion, trying to make sure every chord was perfect. He had to. This one was real speacial.

He had been a bit shocked when Saix had come to him - asking him if he was going home. Demyx had told him no, that he couldn;t remember what his old home was any longer. That;s why he had gone to Axel's home first - because... it was the only place he knew of.

'but Delshad isn;t home to me either.' Demyx said softly. 'Not enough water.' He had a feeling roxas and Axel were ready to throw him out anyways. He WAS interuppting their life after all.

'.......' Saix was quiet, then 'Come with me.'

"You really... don;t mind my company?" Demyx asked tentatively.

Saix just slowly shook his head, and it was all the encouragement he needed.

This world was perfect. Beautifully simple people, a wonderful beach, interesting legends, magnificent dragons... and Saix. Demyx was certain that he had never been happier.

Demyx blinked as he was pulled up against a warm body, not even hearing him come in. sometimes he did, admittedly, get lsot in his music. Most of it was loud and annoying but every once and awhile he had a true tune to share.

almost everyone had been stunned that Saix had liked Demyx enough to keep him around - and even more shell-shocked to find out they had started having... relations. He was pretty sure Aqua had a heart attack.

He still remembered the first day they had really... gotten together though.

Demyx was staring up at the sky with Saix, Regole's form slipping up and down in the sea. she had been restless tonight. she usually was on the night of the new moon - just like Saix. His eyes were always wistful as they stared at the sky - the tides were always slower and quieter on these days, never reached very high.

"What would you ever do if you landed a world with no moon?" Demyx asked curiously.

"Stop existing." Saix said, and even though his voice was still monotone it held the slighest hint of humor in it. He was making a joke.

Demyx laughed. "Well then... that would be awful! I'd miss you terribly... hey tell you what!" He nodded determinedly. "If we ever SO accidently stumble upon that world..." He took out his sitar, strumming some chords quickly. the tide reacted instantly, coming up the beach quicker and quicker - reaching the line it usually met on the full moon. "I'll be your moon for ya, k?" Demyx said with a large grin.

Saix looked at him very quietly, and Demyx sdtopped playing, laughing nervously. "Eh... why are you looking at me like that? Sai...? ..... yo... Sai? Sai-X!" Demyx yelped as he was suddenly pounced on and... well maybe ravished was the right word but hell he was pretty sure he'd NEVER been kissed like that before.

He smiled happily. "Hello Saix." He murmured feeling the lips on his neck. He turned his head, staring into soft golden eyes, before bringing their lips together. The sheet of music was temproarily forgotten - and still had a long was to go. But when it was finished... it was sure to be Demyx's most beautiful piece.

The title upon it read this: 'Tribute to my Heart: The Luna Diviner'.


Roxas was looking over some of the papers from the administration from the school board. He sighed a bit. It was odd that he and sora lvied far enough awya that their seasons were behind one another. While Destiny's students were getting ready for a nice long winter break, Delshad's were waiting for a long tortorous year of lessons ahead.

"It just keeps getting bigger. Looks like we're gonna have to start funding for more classrooms." Roxas mumbled to himself. He signed the bottom - approving the idea for construction. His stomach gurgled though and he pouted. "okay, okay." he licked his lips. something weet, sounded delicious.

He hopped from his chair, yawning as he sauntered down the stairs of his home, passing a dozing Xio on his way. The blodne went through the cupboards, humming softly. Pancakes? No that was definitely too sweet. Cereal? eh... too bland and boring. He opened the fridge. Jelly on toast? Eh... nah breakfast just didn;t sound good! He pouted, shutting the door, and deperetly opened the freezer. "ah perfect!"

He snatched out the blue ice cream - Axel had restoked it! - tearing it from it's packaging greedily. "I love you Axel!" he said to thin air, licking at the frozen treat. Just as he was throwing away an empty stick, Xio was yipping and running down the stairs, jumping around at the front door. Roxas grinned - knowing what it meant. He ehard the door open soon thereafter, wonderful laughter filling the house as it declared returning.

Roxas sauntered into the living room and grinned. He walked up to the other, kissing him sweetly - the taste of sea-salt shared between them. "Welcome home. Have I told you how much I loved you lately? No? Well I do!" He chuckled, kissing the other deeply, leading him backwards towards the couch. He had missed the other allll day long. It was time for some fun.


Aqua grinend happily as she hid Terra's eyes from the sights around him. they had all gotten up early to do this. Aqua decorating while Fuujin and Ven worked together to baek the most delicious muffin Terra would ever taste.

The funny thing was, she didn't need to cover both eyes she only did out of habit. sometimes she teased him, taking away her hand from his left eye, knowing he'd see nothing, and would say. "Nooot yet."

Terra would grumble something about how evil she was, but his excitement was obvious. He was twenty-nine today! It was hard to believe he had made it so long. Like his friends, he had the scars to show for their numerous battles - including two new deep ones on his back and many strangers who looked upon said scars would wonder how one could ever live through so much. He, if ever asked, would just point to three people and smile. his whole world was this base and his best friends Ven, Aqua, and Fuujin.

Something delicious smelling came from the kitchen and he licked his lips, recognizing it instantly. Muffins! He swung his feet excitedly and Aqua laugehd from behind him. there was anothe rlong wait, and then the taps of two sets of feet walked out, and something glass was set before him, the smell invading his senses immediately. his mouth watered and the hands were taken away.

He saw the colorful streamers, the deluicious muffin-cake, and three smiling faces of his three bestest friends as they cried "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

He grinned. "Wow guys..." This was, without a doubt, one of the ebst birthday surprised he'd ever gotten. Nothing compared to it. "I don't know what to say... other then let's eat!!!!"

Aqua laughed again. "It's too bad... there's no candles. You can't make a wish."

Terra blinked then looked up at Aqua. He smiled, remembering how she just sorta fell into his and Ven's hands, crying for theabsolutete murder of all heartless, swinging her blue keyblade around like a battering ram. She had always been there to knock some sense into the blonde and brunette's heads when they fought and was always watching their backs protectively - a true friend.

He glanced at Fuujin next. this woman who had suddenly devoted her life to being a chaser and being around Aqua. She was the voice of reason - the one who gave speeches almost as good as Sora. She knew how to inspire and lighten one's heart with just a few words. A trustworthy companion.

Finally he laid his eyes on Ven. His first friend ever, he still rememebred how he had saved the young blonde's life - not expecting a friendship to blossom at all. He had just been doing his job as a keyblader. He certainly didn't expect that stronger feelings to develop either...

Terra sat in the hospitla bed, legs crossed and staring out the window as the moon shined down, making a patch in the tiles. His whole upper body was wrapped in bandages, stitches underneath them.

"did you mean it?" Ven asked, curled agaisnt the headboard.

"Mean...?" Terra questioned, glancing over at the other, staring into his once more blue eyes.

"The love thing. I mean... really mena it. You said in your story that... you couldn't - but then you go off saying you do so..." Ven started, waving a hand for empahsis.

Terra was quiet, turning his eyes back to the floor. "I... I know what I said. But you guys kept telling me that my ancestors past doesn't determine my future. Maybe they couldn;t love Ven... but..." He shook his head. "I'm happy with you Ven - happier then I'd ever been. I've never felt like this before... the feelings so strong that i feel... like I wanna listen to fucking romance songs and start writing poetry or some crap like that." He laughed.

"Well don't, you'd fucking suck at writing."

Terra grinned, then looked up at him, straight into the other's eyes and declared. "I do love you Ven. I lvoe you with as much as my heart can."

The blonde was smiling lightly, opening his own mouth to respond but Terra knew it would only be words he wanted to hear - not ones that the other meant.

"don't..." Terra whispered softly. "I know you're not ready. That you might never be ready. That's okay. But Ven... just like you promised you'd never leave my side, I won't ever leave your either. And these feelings... will never leave either." He smiled lightly. "... I'll always be here... waiting for you. Remember that."

Ven quietly shut his mouth and nodded.

Terra grinned softly, shaking his head slowly to Aqua's previous notion. "Nah, I wouldn't need it." He hummed happily. "I already have everything I ever wanted."

Fin!

For now...