Tying Knots

[Reno]

For everyone who had gone home that day they would be having a much shorter night then the new couple.


the little home was quite quaint and he and Riku had loved it instantly. It was eprfect for their first night together. they stayed traditional, taking off their shoes at the doorway, padding across the wooden floor.

the champagne was lovely, and even though It didn;t have much alcohol, Sora, being the lightweight he was, could feel his mind buzzing comfortably. Or maybe thatw as just because of all that had happened today. He and riku... married. It was - well it wasn;t hard to believe. He really could see him and Riku living together for the rest of their lives. It just had a... magical feeling to it.

Sora looked outside of the window, nothing but forest and the soft light of the room was out there. It was comforting. He smiled, before tugging at his kimono, walking out of the little room, sliding open the door. Riku's stunning eyes met his sapphire and he smiled softly. his own kimono was an off-white with blue dragons imprinted on it, complimenting his eyes. A silver sash kept it tightly closed - but that would be remidied quickly.

He smiled softly at the other, padded across the floor, his footsteps echoing. instead of going back to his side of the table, he sat down at Riku's side, laying his head on the other's shoulder. "Riku..." he murmured softly, cuddling up to the other's warmth.

[Rikugurl]

It was quiet in all the homes around the universe.

Kairi laid on her back in the cool room, hearing the sound of a fan above swirling around softly. The tropical heat put a damper on her pregnancy... but in three more months... it would all be worth it.

Back in Twilight, Olette snuggled close to a blonde of her own. Their relationship wasn't as deep as the other's... they were still.... kinda dating... but the brunette had become crazy over Seifer over the months.
He was rock solid with a very soft core... and that attracted her a lot. Besides, he stopped calling her Wussette and... became very close to her.

Axel of course was asleep by his lover of many years. Their hands were together as they slept, Axel snoring up the room. One more day and then his 30th birthday. God he was GETTING OLD. But that didn't matter... as long as Roxas still loved him and they were in good health, he wouldn't of cared if he was turning 60.... ok well... maybe that's a bit too old!

Xio slept next to the fireplace, snuggled with his six pups and now a new member, the carbuncle.

Ventus had happened to fall asleep in his large, black chair in front of the computers. Late work was left undone as drool dripped onto the steel floor.


The night was quiet and peaceful. It was nice after such an eventful day. He was sure the other worlds Sora wanted to visit on their honeymoon would be more wild.

He watched the other come close and smiled as he sat next to his side. He closed his eyes as he leaned down and nuzzled Sora. Even if the house was made of wood and in a forest, it was still warm with the soft glows of candles around them.

Soft kisses started to plant themselves on Sora's neck, each softer than the last. "I love you..."




There was a jerk in a dark realm.
A golden move rose above a barren waste land. Large jagged rocks shot up towards it, as if the moon attracted them.

"I HATE YOU! This is all your fault! After everything I've done for this family! It's all your fault! She's gone! She's gone!"

"What's wrong with him? He doesn't seem normal. Look at his ears..."
"It's what the land calls a Berserker. Natural beings that are to protect this world and the dragons."
"Couldn't just have a normal son..."
"What do you mean? This is a blessing!"

"How could she care about me not seeing her? I was suppose to protect father... I was suppose to protect everyone..."

A large roar came from within the mill. Yellow eyes blared out a a light as a snarling mouth arose fangs. Why wouldn't this damn thing work!?
Powerful claws swung at the cord, making it break. Metal cords were flung around, ripping into anything they touched.... including a face.
A bloody 'X' was slashed into the young man's face.
He was pushed back, his dark, almost purple hair mixing with the blood.
He fell to the floor... holding his face and crying...
What am I?

Another jerk appeared in what seemed to be the land. If one were to look closely... they could see faded bodies of naked humans bundled together under what seemed to be black ice.

Something suddenly shimmered in the sky. From the moon, an odd crystal fell deep into a cavern. It bounced from the jagged rocks and fell down, down, down.

It hit the black ice with a crisp sound.

The jerk came again from under the ice.
"Superior...."
No answer...
For...me...?

A pale body that was twisted around a much darker one was the one jerking. An arm slowly moved, reaching up towards the ice.... towards the crystal. The hand came out of the ice, covered in a clear black liquid. Claws grabbed a hold the crystal and it glowed. It suddenly disappeared.

The pale body unwrapped itself from the darker body with ease, even if it looked impossible. Claws gripped the ice and the body was lifted through it, covered in the clear, black liquid.
Once fully exposed, the claws reached up to the jagged rocked and started to climb up it. Up.... towards the moon.

Blue hair stuck fast to the pale, golden eyed creature as it continued up the mountain. Painful and weak noises came from it as he continued to climb. When it finally reached the top, there was only a little room to sit or stand... but the golden eyes fixed on something else. A stone.... a dragon stone...

[Reno]

Tidus lay beside Kairi, fast asleep. In three monthes he was gonna be a dad - he was so excited! Yet nervous too. He hoped he made a good one. He wanted to be the kind of dad his kids looked up to, who weren;t embaressed by him...

Seifer had a soft smile playing over his scarred face. Olette was another girl completely - sweet and enthusiastic at one moment, fierce and fiery the next. She shared her concern easily, and didn;t take any bad-mouthing from anyone. He liekd her a lot... and one day he did hope he and her were joined on an alter as well.

Roxas, who had become immune to Axel;s snores, slept soundly beside the other, drooling all over his pillow. He was happy like this and knew he always would be. this was the life he had always dreamt for - had fought so fiercely for.

Invidia, mesmorized and comforted by the fire, was glad how easily welcomed she was with the other animals - the moombas. She took her place happily. She wodnered when that brunette with the soft hands would come back. she liked him.

Terra padded out into the room, walking up beside the chair that Ven was slumbering in. He chuckled fondly, reached over and lifitng the other easily. Ven would get a neck cramp like that. He walked back to their room, laying the blonde out. He took off the other;s shoes before joining him on the bed. "good night Ven." he murmrued softly to the sleeping male, kissing him lightly on the forehead before wrpaping his arms around the other and bringing him close.


Sora tilted his head back, encircling his arms around the other, enjoying the sweet kisses. Tonight was a night for soft touches and gentle joinings - nothing but love. "I love you too." he breathed contently, a gentle smile spreading across his lips.


Aqua stared out her window, unable to fall asleep. she wasn;t tired even after such an eventful day. Outside she could hear Terra moving around before settled again - knowing he had taken Ven to bed. Silence spread across the base like a snake suffocatig the sound dry.

She was surprised how quickly Terra was changing. He was more gentle these days. He still cussed a hell of a lot, and their sex was still violent... but in his own, small ways he shows how much he was growing to care about Ven. Hell, that whole dancing episode today - had it been a year ago Terra would have decked the blonde right then and there.

"Pff, i can;t believe your making me make fucking muffins." Ven growled, as he stirred the batter.
"Yeah well, you lost a bet." Terra said, placing the lucky deck of cards on the table. He stepped over. "Hey Ven?"
"What bastard?"
"you got something right there." Terra started, lifting his finger, wiping off a bit of batter from the others cheek, sucking it off from his fingers. "mmm delicious."
Ven blushed, kicking him. "fucking hell get lost!"
"Ow! sonofa-"

Yet Ven;s heart was resisting the change almost fiercely - and she worried at times what it was doing to them. Neither of their hearts would open if Ven kept it up.

Aqua sighed and smiled. "At least she had fuujin. She had worked wodners on he rheart. she felt... normal again. she felt just like she had before the experiments, before becoming a keybladers... before losing Sai.

She looked out at the moon, remembering.

"but daddy why can;t i?" she cried, tears in her eyes, hearing the loud cries and screams from the mill. they had to lock him up in there... all by himself.
"don;t worry, by morning you can."


A warm wet clothes dabbed away at the bloodied face as the girl looked down at her injured brother. The doctor said he was gonna be just fine, but she worried all the same. "Big brother... get better soon pelase? I wanna play tag again..."


Aqua laughed, throwing some of the flour at Sai. "Haha, take that!"
"Aqua we need that!" Sai complained.
"Oh whats wrong, no sense of fun?" Aqua threw another handful of flour, laughing as it caught her brother in the chest, staining his clothes white.
Sai was smirking, challenging. "Oh your gonna get it now!"


Aqua sighed, leaning back against her headboard, her eyes falling shut. She had always looked uop to her brother. He always knew so much, and always made her feel better whenever she cried.

And she didn;t even have a picture to remember him by. Soemtimes she worried her memory was fault - that she didn;t see him how he used to be. Could she really trust her mind?

"I miss you brother." she murmured, her eyes falling shut.

[Rikugurl]

As Ven was pulled up, the drool followed him as far as it could go before coming off his mouth. Yea... he knew it would be ok to fall asleep at the computers. No matter where he fell asleep, he always woke up in his bed.... next to Terra.

Terra... was slowly starting to frighten Ventus. It was.... hard to explain. Like.... he was afraid of falling in love.
Maybe because... he had seen how much it could hurt... and he didn't think his heart could... stand it if anything happened to Terra.

He knew Terra's and Aqua's hearts were already opening so much... but him...?
He was fucking.... scared to open his heart. And after Riku's speech today... It hurt even more. Maybe... one day it would open... but not today... not anytime soon. He didn't want to go through the pain of the memories... The pain of falling in love... and every little cough or shiver would of the loved one would send a pain or shiver down his spine.

He was sorry... that he couldn't give Terra.... his love.
He wanted so badly.... to see his friend happy...

The blonde shivered in the brunette's arms as these things dawned on him...


Riku continued to kiss away at the soft skin of Sora's neck. He smiled softly as he pulled away. He leaned over Sora slowly, moving him down to the wooden floor. His bare foot reached back carefully and pushed the table away.

He straddled the brunette and smiled down at him, pulling his hair behind his ear once more as he slowly leaned down. He placed his lips against Sora's and kissed them softly a few times before a tongue moved against them.

A shoulder was revealed as as he pushed his tongue into the other's mouth, starting the extremely passionate kiss.


Fuu frowned as she sat up in bed. Her silver hair was a bit messed but who cared? She looked up at her ceiling as if... looking up at Aqua. The large scar around her other eye showed as the straight hair pulled back.

She knew... that Aqua was hurting.

Slowly she looked down and sighed, looking around her room. She loved Twilight Town. Of course she did. Enough to protect it and the people who lived there. But... it seemed everyday that her love was moving to something else.

She slowly reached over to her nightstand and picked up a badge. Her police badge. She had worked very hard to become a protector. Years of training at a military camp... becoming strong as stone and fearless.
A tear hit the badge before it fell to the floor.
She'd give it up....


In Aqua's room, there was a sudden sound of something hitting the floor. Something small... but because it was a solid hitting the steel... the noise was noticeable. It took a few moments for it to stop but when it did, it was clear to see. A Dragon Stone.

[Reno]

The funny thing was... Ventus so badly didn;t want to be hurt and see Terra hurt that he was in fact hurting the other. Terra wanted them to get closer, and Ven kept pulling away, hiding further and further into his fear. He wnated to be able to hug the other without it ending up in a shouting match, he wanted to have a conversaton not laden with cussing, he wanted to have sex without one of them coming out bruises or bleeding.

Terra looked at the blonde silently - knowing that this feeling growing inside him might never be returned at this rate. Ven had already promised him that he would never leave...

But what if it wasn;t true?

Terra shook off the disturbing thoughts, shutting his eyes. Ven never lied... sure he was a jackass half the time, but Ven, much like his twin, never conciously broke a promise he made. Comforted by that fact, the brunette fell into slumber.


Sora smiled up the other as he was laid out on the ground. He shut his eyes as their lips met. the ksis started slow, but began to build up with more passion, sora meeting riku ever step of the way. his hands tangled into silken silver locks, moaning contently under the other.

He could do this all night. Just... be like this. Happy and with Riku - all alone and satisfied. It seemed almost impossible to imagine one man could bring him such happiness, but riku could.


Aqua stirred at the noise, her eyes opened. Her head turned, looking down towards the ground - at a blue stone. She gasped, jumping from her bed, picking up the stone. she stared at it in shock.

The image of Regole stared back. Twears clouded her vision.

Aqua walked down the beach, the waves calming to her ears. She was all alone down here - her chores were done and it was time for a break.

The waves hit against the beach nosieely, leaving soemthing shiny in their wake as they reseded. Aqua blinked, hurrying forward. what was it?

The waves were coming back quickly, scooping up the item, but Aqua was there, thrusting her hand into the chilly salt water, hand closing around soemthing solid. she lifted it towards the sky to get a good look, the sun glinted off the surface. It looked like an over-sized marble...

Soemthing dark filtered inside and her eyes narrowed, bringing it closer to get a good look - and gasped when she saw a familar sea dragon - one she;d watched many times before jumping from the ocean like some massive dolphin.

Regole. "a Dragoon stone... I found one!!" She rushed home suddenly excited. she needed to show Sai!!

[Rikugurl]

He smiled more as he continued to kiss the other. Why couldn't this night last forever? The warmth of the candles, the silence of the room... just the sound of them breathing. The peaceful feeling they had in their hearts.

The silver hair did fall from his ear as Sora started to play with it. It gently fluttered down to Sora's cheek as Riku shifted above. Slowly he pulled away and looked down at his lover. Just... admiring him.
His aquamarine eyes grew soft as his hair covered his face a bit. He didn't bother pulling up the cloth that fell off his shoulder.

His pale fingers reached up and slowly slid under Sora's kimono, pushing it away to expose some of his chest. He leaned down slowly, kissing his collar bone and continued down, finally finding a bead so softly suck at.


Claw dug deep into the rock, pulling up the gooey and shivering body of a man. The space was so small, but he was able to sit down. The stone was taken into a claw and pulled up. It was raised up towards the large moon. There was..... no dragon.

Eyes moved, studying the rock between a large 'X' scar. As he continued to study the rock, the black liquid started to fall off thanks to the moon. It ran down past his bare feet and back down towards the souls in the ice. Blue hair now became soft and normal around abnormal ears. Ears that looked like something one would see on an elf.

"Why are my ears funny looking, father?"
"It's a sign that you're a Berserker."
"Is Aqua a Berserker?"
"No she isn't... Berserkers are only born once every 75 years. Your mother doesn't know how blessed we are... for our son to be a natural protector of this world."

"What is it number VII?"
"......I wanted to ask you something."
"Yes?"
"I..... I want to become your closest aid."
"Hahahaa.... power?"
"No.... you see.... it is my duty to protect and serve... those who are superior. It is the code of Berserkers."
"Mmmm..... but it's not your duty.... as a Nobody."

Nobody...?

Golden eyes looked down at the ice that he had climbed so far from. Down below he could see a twisted body of a dark skinned man with silver hair. There was actually some space around him unlike the other imprisoned souls. That.... was where he came from.

"Superior..." He looked down and away. "Xemnes...."

Slowly he looked up at the stone, his body almost now dry.
"Aqua..."

"Submit to me Saix... forget everything else. It doesn't matter now."
"Yes.... Superior...."

His eyes narrowed as his claws soon became normal fingers. "Sister....?"
He.... she wanted this back....

He looked up at the moon and as quick as possible, threw the stone at it. It twinkled in the moonlight... and suddenly disappeared.

[Reno]

Sora smiled up at him, staring back with soft eyes. He didn't resist as his kimono was being opened, infact relished at the feeling. As Riku's lips descended Sora moaned lightly, toes curling a bit. "oh... Riku..." he gasped, hands falling around the other's shoulders.

He turned his head down to watch the other and for the second time in his life he was struck by how much like an angel Riku appeared as. The moon shimmered at just the right angle, creating a halo in the silver hair. "Beautiful." he breathed down at the other.


Aqua curled around the orb. how had it gotten back to her? Was it a sign? What did it mean?!

She hurried for her door - but then realized she didn;t know what she would tell Ven or Terra. She could just hear Ven;s voice now 'You woke me up to tell em a fucking fairy tale? Thanks. get your shit face back into bed.'

Yeah that was... more or less accurate. And she couldn;t wake Terra without waking Ven. So she did the next best thing. Tsuami apepared in her hands and she cut a path for ehrself. She frowned at the protal, seeing how faded it;s edges were. She was losing the power. The more her heart opened... the less and less the ability came to her.

For now she brushed it off, jumping into the blackness, leaving her home base... to apepar in Twilight, walking into a room altogether familar to her.

She expected to see Fuujin asleep, imagine her surprise when she saw the other staring at her badge and... crying? "Fuu...?" She murmured quietly. She knew how improtant that badge was too Fuujin - she had done so uch work and trained so hard for it. In Fuu;s mind it was her great accomplishment, one she wouldn;t give up for the world.

She walked forward, the protal snapping shut behind her as if it never existed. She carefully sat upon the bed, bringing the other woman into her arms. she;d NEVER seen Fuujin cry before. It was odd, being the comforter then the comfortee. "what;s wrong?" she asked worriedly, almost all thoughts of the stone in her hsands forgotten. Fantasies and false hopes were less important than cold, harsh reality.


Terra stirred slightly, feeling the small ripple of darkness. Hazily he realized it was Aqua taking leave. He had noticed she had been doing so more and more often. Not that he blamed her. He and Ven monopolizied a hell of a lot of her attention at times - mostly on missions. Therefore she spent a lot of her freetime visiting Fuujin, staying by the scarred woman;s bedside a lot of the time.

He was lucky - he had Ven 24/7 practically, but Aqua had to stretch to find time to visit her girlfriend. It made the relationship a bit straiend at times... He had a feelign tonight was different though. Aqua usually never left so late at night, and she had spent a good portion of the night with the other woman...

He brushed it off, snugglign closer to Ven. His warm breath ghosting over blonde hair, making it sway. He fell back to sleep - but it wasnlt a comfortable one. The backlash of darkness from Aqua's leaving, small but impacting, had swept over him.

"Terra you need to be a good boy now." His mother whispered down at his little head. "you're do that won;t you?"
"Mommy?" Terra, only five, asked, completely baffled. "Mommy, i drew you a picture."
His mother only smiled tiredly, her eyes slowly falling shut. The icessent beep in the room made little to no impact on the toodler. "Mommy... my picture, see it?" he asked, holding it up high to his mother;s sleeping face even though he was too short to make it reach over the edges of her head.
"Come on son." the doctor murmured, gently guiding Terra away.
"but my mommy needs to see the picture!" The boy cried, confused.
"son, your mother isn;t coming back."


"come on Terra, we'll take good care of you." the lady said, her arms spread as if to hug him.
Terra just looked away, not walking forward. "no."
"Terra it;s be okay. i'll be your mother now."
Terra looked straight at the woman's face. "no. I don't want you."
"don;t worry dear, he'll warm up to the idea." The man beside the suddenly sullen woman said.


13-year-old Terra's eye twitched as he looked down at his handwriting. He had just had a shitty morning. He had been moved to a new home only seven days ago and was still adjusting. He didn;t like all the fucking kids that crowded the bathrooms, thought their youngest was a spoiled brat, the 'mom' was trying and failing to pass herself off as the sweetest fucking thing ever, the father was just some lazy-ass drunk - and now this. Two fucking kids right behind him, whispering as if he couldn;t hear. Whispering about how he was an orphan.
"I heard he killed one of his caretaker's dogs."
"I wouldn;t want him in MY house."
Eye twitch.
"He's nothing but a momma's boy though."
That. Was. IT.
Terra got up noisely, every head in the class turning as the brunette spun, decking them both. "FUCKERS!"
He got suspension, detention and it was his fastest move OUT of a home yet.


Terra, 16, frowned, toweling off his wet hair, pulling it away to stare at the suddenly dyed locks. Black. black was a good color. It made him forget that sickly figure with the same hair color as him, lying in that hospital bed asking him to be good.
He scowled at his reflection, throwing the towel on the ground uncaringly, even if he had been strictly told again and again to put stuff where they belonged. Dishes in the cupboards, trash in the can, towels and clothes in the hamper. Yeah fuck this family and their rules. He'd die first them let anyone impose anything on him.


"Do you KNOW this kid's longest stay in a family? Seven monthes Katie. Seven!" The father hissed. "and that was when he was FIVE. Face it, he;s bad news for us and our children."
"But he needs help."
Now seventeen Terra lounged on the railing of the stairs, listening quietly, blue eyes narrowed behind black locks.
"what he needs is to be locked away and never let out."
He knew what that one was like. When he was 14, after he started to get more and more violent, not only with peers, but adults and even animals, he had been thrown into a closet by his 'wonderful' caretakers and left there for almost 17 hours. he got those parents asses in jail for child abuse.
"no one knows how to deal with him and personally i don;t want too."
"but Stephen he;s hurt and-"
"Crying for a mother who's been dead all his damn life!"
Terra's eyes narrowed in fury and he stomped down the stairs. "you want me gone?" He snapped, to his 'shocked' caretakers faces. "good. I'm out of here. You can explain this to social services on your own."
He tore out of the house.


"Your fate...." The voice said, and Terra looked around, confused. Everywhere was nothing but darkness. "You... the keyblader of land... harness your anger and turn it into a force to destroy the darkness."
sora awoke with a gasp, slipping off the bench he had been napping on with a groan. "The fuck...?"


Terra hungry and lonely, wandering into the cementary. It had only been so many days since he;d taken to living on the streets - his money had run out. He needed a job - but if he tried to apply the servcies would find him and stick him in another home. Another palce where he was unwanted.
He knew where he had been wanted once. He walked to the headstone, staring down at his mother's name. "Why mom? Why did you have to leave?"
The stone was silent, offering no guidance, no answers. "Damn it mom!" Terra cried, suddenly slamming his fist on the top of the tombstone, again and again till his knuckls were bruises and bleeding and he was crying. "I can;t do this!" he rasied his hand, slamming it down once more - and the tombstone exploded, sending him backwards with a wild cry.
He stared at the starnge... thing that had materilized in his hand - blade he'd later realize to be the keyblade. He stared past that, at his mother's destroyed tombstone... and fainted.


He was being poked and prodded. "do all people in this world sleep with the dead?"
Terra groaned, his eyes fluttering open to stare up at blue eyes framed by messy londe hair. "Get away." he snapped, ushing the other away.
"Cranky aren;t ya?"
Terra sat up. "Who the fuck are you? And WHAT are you wearing?" this kid had the weirdest material on he;d ever seen.
"Clothes jackass. and my name is Ventus, Ven for short."
"Alright Ven," Terra hissed, putting extra empahsis on the blonde;s name, "why don;t you kindly fuck off?" He stood slowly, testing his left hand with a wince. "fuck." It hurt unnaturally, possibly broken.
Ven watched him silently. "Well i would... but you know being a keyblader to another one, i can;t just abandon you."
"Keyblader? You lsiten ehre you little fu-" Terra pointed at him, breaking off when the movement caused extreme pain. "Shit!"
"Here..." Ven murmured, lfiting his hands to cover Terra's.
"the hell are you doing queer?"
"Cure." Was all the other whispered. Terra watched in fascination as the green light warmed his skin... and when Ven pulled away the pain was gone. his hand was fine as if never damaged. The fuck?! Blue eyes looked into his own. "Let's be friends."
"Pff, fuck that." Terra said, stepping awya uneasily from this strange... kid. "I donlt have friends."
"Well learn jackass." Ven growled, his eyes narrowed.
He learned. But mostly because, right then and there they got attacked by heartless and Terra suddenly had to use all his pent up rage as a new outlet - fighting for his life.


"whats your name anyways?" Ven asked, laying across the grass, gasping.
"Terra. Just... Terra."

The brunette against the blonde shiftied inconsistently as his dreams fluttered through his head. Tears gathered at the corner of his lashes and slipped down his cheeks.

[Rikugurl]

Riku continued to suck on the bead until he heard Sora. He stopped and up at the other. A small smile appeared, still wondering why Sora would randomly say this at times. It wasn't a bad thing he supposed...

The kimono was pulled open more, as gentle and slowly as could be. His tongue returned to the soft skin he revealed and started to lick and suck at areas, making everything gentle to the touch. He wanted to enjoy the slight salted taste his lover had to offer for as long as possible tonight...

The sash soon came off the silver kimono, fluttering to the floor. Down past his navel and down, down his tongue went. It steered course when he went as far as he could go before pale fingers knotted in curly brunette hair.
He moved to the side, licking Sora's pelvic bone roughly, making that pleasure run to something close by.


The silverette woman's arms were wrapped around her knees as she continued to cry... but a ripple ran through the room that made her pick her head up. It was Aqua... She heard her nickname called softly and looked down at the tear soaked blanket.

No... it was a very rare sight to see Fujin cry. Not that she never wanted too.... but that she was trained not to. Crying showed weakness and as a police officer, you had to be a role model.

She swallowed as she was embraced, not declining it at all. In the other woman's arms, she sniffed and looked down at the badge. So many hard times.

"You don have ta join, ya' know? Just cause I am and Seifer, ya don have ta. It's rough thar Fuu."
A younger girl looked down and sigh. "Please?"
There was a sigh. "Alright, but if it gets too hard for ya, ya get out ok?"
"Ok."
"Hey! There's no way she can!"
"Don say that, ya know? Let 'er do what she wants. She's a tough cookie, ya know?"

"FUJIN!" A blonde called out as he saw the woman be thrown back by an obstacle.
The silverette growled as she was slammed into the cold mud, rain falling down on her hard. Some men passed her, going through the obstacle better than others.
Her fist tightened as Seifer came to her side but she pulled his help away and pulled herself up. She had to do this herself!

"Six years I trained at a military school with Rajin and Seifer. It taught me so much. I learned discipline and how to carry myself with honor. How to protect people in need and how to sacrifice things for the good of the people. Even as a little girl I always wanted to help people... It made me proud... as an orphan that I achieved so much on my own... with the help of friends."

She leaned into Aqua more and slowly shook her head. "I loved my job.... but.... anymore... I feel like there's nothing here for me. Seifer is the leader and happy with Olette... and Raijin hadn't talks to me anymore... My heart is slowly fading to this job... because it keeps thinking of something else."

She pulled away and sniffed again. "I love you Aqua.... and I can't stop thinking about you." She admitted softly. "This distance... I don't want to seem... obsessed but... it's so far away." She tilted her head, unsure what to say. This was the most she had talked... probably in her whole life.
"I..... want to quite my Protector job.... and become a Chaser..."


Ventus too felt the slight bit of Darkness... but since his heart was still very far from being open... it affected him none.
However, he could feel Terra's body and senses being uneasy... and woke him up. He frowned and pulled away, turning around and was going to give the other one a hard time about moving too much.... when he caught the sight of tears in the starlight.

His blue eyes became worried and sad as he just watched. Slowly he moved over the other and shook him softly. "Terra.... Terra, wake up."

[Reno]

Sora made a few contented murmurings shutting his eyes to relish at the feeling of the warm tongue swiping down his body.

His breath hitched as Riku got lower, shivering at the feeling of Rikus figners so close... his eyes opened and he gasped softly, his hips twitching instinctively. "Ri..." he breathed quietly, glancing down tentatively.


Aqua was very, very quet as the other spoke. she never heard the other woman speak so much... ever. Now reveal so much. She kenw how much the job meant to Fuujin, but that still didn;t explain why she was -

'I love you Aqua' The blue-haired female blushed lightly, looking towars Fuujin even as she distanced herself somewhat. Udsually Fuujin didn't even say all those words just a simple 'Love' - Aqua had gotten it quite quickly. Even teased her back sometimes by saying 'Love Too' back.

I want to become a Chaser.

Fuujin looked at her, suddenly silent and Aqua realized she was done speaking. Her mind worked furiously, trying to come up with a good, coherent response. "Fuu..." He stuttered, overwelhmed. Fuujin... wanted to give up her old life... to be with her?

Aqua bit her lip. Was she doing this just because they had so much distance between each other? Aqua lifted her hand, cupping the woman;s cheek, making sure they were seeing eye to eye. She kenw the other woman never wasted words - but still this worried her. "Fuujin... are you sure? Absolutely sure? I love you I really do but... and I love for you to be a Chaser with me and Ven and Terra. But... I don't want you to give up something you love if its not what you really want."

Being a chaser tended to be more dangerous then Fuujin's current life style. all she had to deal with was local disparities - if she did this... that dnager would multiply tenfold. The danger would be universal. That scared her a bit, but she knew the other woman could hold her own in a fight.

But they'd be... together all the time. They could...


"Hey Ven...?" Terra asked, eyes shaded yellow. Aqua, who was unconccious, was draped over his back, and he held her up by her legs, slumped over a bit so she wouldn;t fall.
"What?" Ven grumbled, his eyes also yellow.
"How are you alive?" He asked.
"fucking luck I guess."
There was a pause, then Terra smiled. "well, I'm glad."
Ven;s eyes turned to him, looking at him in surprise and Terra thought he saw a flash of familar blue. "...Yeah?"
The brunette's smiled turned into a smirk. "Yeah cause we wouldn't get anywhere without a fucking nutcase like you."
Ven scoffed. "Damn straight!"
The two took one look at each other and suddenly started to laugh in relief, their eyes slowly receding back to their original colors.

But then suddenly, Ven was looking at him, his figure beginning to disintegrate into sand. He could still hear his voice though. "Terra.... Terra wake up."
"what?" Terra asked, confused and pniakced. Awqua was gone from his back and the dream around him broke.
"wake up!"

Terra stirred, his eyes opening, staring at a pathetic looking blonde at his side. "Ven?" he rasped, his voice sounding choked. His cheeks felt cold. He lifted his hand, rubbing at one, then frowned, feeling the wetness under his hands. Oh HELL no.

Terra sat up, brushing the tears away quickly. What the hell? When was the last time he had ever cried?! When Ven died... He though to himself. That was a good few years ago...

[Rikugurl]

Fuu looked down as she felt the hand on her cheek. Her tears looped around Aqua's fingers... but that was ok. Aqua liked water right?
Her red eye moved up again, looking Aqua straight in the eye, noticing the other was doing the same.

She nodded softly. "I love Twilight Town... and I want to protect it... but... I can't work right if I don't get enough sleep... and these nights have become cold anymore. Besides... if I look at it one way... I'll still be protecting people if I become a Chaser. I know it's much more dangerous... but I've been trained very well."

She smiled softly and shook her head. "I'll still be protecting Twilight Town in a way. But... yes.... I'm absolutely sure. I want to fight with you... and be with you... to protect you."


Ven frowned in the starlight, watching the other sit up. He had.... never seen Terra cry... and... it was effecting him too. He could feel the hurt... but he couldn't tell if it was Terra's hurt.... or his own. Since Ventus was frozen, he couldn't see the black hair man cry...

He swallowed as he watched Terra rub away the tears... not sure what to do. He slowly leaned over and wrapped his arms around the taller's neck.
"Terra...." He whispered softly.

[Reno]

Aqua smiled suddenly, nodding slowly. "okay... okay..." She leaned forward, kissing the other woman slowly. "We'll talk to Ven and Terra in the morning." In a way... Aqua felt excited. "It might actually be fun... fighting together you know?" she murmured with a small smile. "We could both protect each other."

She wrapped her arms around the other, kissing her again, more passionately this time.


Terra's eyes widened at the feeling of the other's arms. He turned his head, looking at the blonde. "Ven...?" he whispered, confused. He looked away slowly, remembering a different Ven, a kinder one, still insulting him but standing by his side as they fought in a cemetary.

Why had he dreamt that? that had never happened... The rest were all memories but that...

He rememebered the true memory clearly.

"mom... can you even hear me wherever you are?" Terra murmured, his hands ghosting over the stone. Hunger gurgled in his stomach and he grimanced, getting to his feet. He needed to find somehting to eat.
He didn;t get too step before the weather suddenly drastically changed. Winds began to whip at his dyed hair, lightning struck across the sky. He shivered unconciously. "well shit!" he cursed, turning around - and screamed when something small and black with ugly eyes pounced at him, It was like... in his dream.
Instinively he snapped his hand out, punching the little shadow to the ground. He shivered, cold striking down his spine from the touch.
He stumbled backwards. He could hear something strange behind him, like an odd scrapping. He turned, eyes widened at the sight. Heartless were swarming over his mother;s tombstone like ants, their claws easily damaging the rock. "H-Hey! stop it!" Terra cried, running forward, knocking a few of them off.
They swiped back, and their claws sliced at his skin. He gave a cry, giving up his futile effort. The creatures were everywhere now, a small army covering the cemetary, all eyes on him. He could ehar screams spreading across town.
His heart pounded in his ears, fear reflected in his blue eyes, and with another yell borne from terror he ran and ran and ran going on pure adrenlin alone. Ignoring the screams of mothers as they their lives, dodging past weeping lovers, dashing over hiding children he ran on.
Until he met the town limit and was rushing into desert that surronded his home. The heartless had given chase - they were after him.
He slipped and fell - right into quicksand. Terra cried out, struggled futiley as the sand caught his legs, dragging him down. The heartless surrdoned the edges, watching emotionlessly as he sank.
I'm gonna die He thought fearfully, just as the sand wrapped around his neck and he was dragged under.

The next time he awoke, he lay at the edge of the ruins of his town, a brownish gold keyblade in his hands.

He had been nothing more than a coward that day. There had been no heroic fights at Ven's side, no soft-hearted words of friendship, no tentative smiles as names were shared.

Why would he dream that? Had he really wanted that to happen?

[Rikugurl]

Fujin smiled at the soft kiss, then looked down. "Fun..." She would... miss Seifer and Rajin. They had been the only family she had... but... maybe this would be a good change. He knew how much the two men adored her... in their own way. She knew they would be sad to see her go.

She looked up again when she heard about protecting each other and smiled, nodding slowly. They could be her new family. She'd have to get use to all the cussing... but she was use to Seifer's hard outer cover. It was fading though with Olette now.

She blinked as she felt the more passionate kiss. Slowly she closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around Aqua's neck. She slowly started to return the passionate kiss, pulling Aqua closer.


Ventus frowned as he got a confused reply. He was sure the other one was having a nightmare of some sort. He hated them... then again, no one liked nightmares.

His arms slowly moved away as he got out of their bed. He left the room and pads hit the cold steel as he shuffled to the kitchen. Aqua's room was open... looked like she was visiting Fujin.

He didn't bother turning on the light to the kitchen, he knew it so well by now. He opened a cupboard and pulled out a small package. He opened it up and pulled out a homemade muffin that Ven had made. He put the bag away and walked back to their room.
Sitting back down next to the other man, he handed over the muffin slowly.

[Reno]

Aqua gently guided Fuujin down to the bed not breaking their lip lock for a second. She straddled the woman;s waist, breaking away a bit to breath, their bretah mngling. She grinned down at the other woman, spreading ksises up her jawline and down her neck.


Terra watched Ven silently as he vacated the room. He blinked slowly, before leaning against the headboard, groaning in embaressment and hurt.

Nightmares were bad, but memories were worse. It was always worse knowing what you dreams about had actually happened. Terra shut his eyes, listening to Ven pad around.

The footsteps came near again, so near they were right next to him. The other joined him on the bed again, his warmth comforting. Terra's eyes opened to gaze at the other, and blinked as the sweet smelling baked good was handed to him. He took it, chuckling. "comfort food eh?" He joked. The gesture alone though was incredibly sweet and made his heart flutter.

He wasn;t really hungry, but the temptation of something sweet to drive out the bitterness in his throat led him on. He took a bite. Then another. And another. Crumbs were gonna get all over the bed. Soon enough he was finished with it. nothing elft but the empty baking cup. "Ven...?" He murmured softly, turning to look at the other then, a small smile on his face. "they taste real good. Thanks."

[Rikugurl]

Fujin shifted a bit as she was leaned on, realizing that they were laying down. Her head hit the pillow softly as she continued to wrap her arms around the other. When Aqua pulled away, she shivered. Opening her eyes, she looked up at the woman who was now straddling her. She couldn't help but smile back.

She was so happy she came tonight... even if she felt like Aqua was the one in need.

She whimpered softly as Aqua leaned in, kissing her jaw and neck. She pulled her head away, letting the other take what she wanted. Long fingers reached up and started to run through the blue hair.


"Hai...." Ven spoke softly as Terra took the muffin.

Ventus was forced to learn how to make muffins out of a bet he made over cards. Now Terra couldn't bitch that they didn't have anymore... and when he did, Ven rushed to the kitchen to shut him up by making him more.

The stars shined more into the room, making the things around them glow. The blonde faced the other on the other side of the bed, his feet around where Terra's butt was. He hunched over, resting his chin on his knees. His blue eyes watched as Terra made a mess on the bed... God he was a sloppy eater.

His eyes perked up when he heard Terra again and nodded. "You're welcome..." He stoke again softly before looking down again. They sat there for a few moments in silence before Ven broke it. "What did you dream about?"

[Reno]

Aqua smiled down at the other, sucking at her neck, her hands tentatively tugging her hirt up. the pads of her fingers ghosted over warm stomach muscles, chuckling as they jumped udner her touch.

She had completely forgotten about the stone.


Terra opened his mouth, to deny that it was anything important, but once look at Ven made his throat catch. his story spilled out. He had never told it to Ven in quite so much detail before. He had given him an overview - being basically a foster care child who couldn;t keep a family to save his life...

But Ven didn;t know about why he dyed his hair, or the fights he got into, or being locked in the closets because he was too violent to be free. Ven especally didn;t know he was a fucking coward who ran away when he was supposed to be protecting them most.

Through it all, Terra kept his emotions in check. even when tears filled his eyes he didn't let them fall. By the time the story was over, he was in Ven's arms, half-asleep. Ven had whispered some things to him that night, but he wasn;t sure what. The other;s voice led him to sleep.


That night three couples slept. One on a honeymoon, completely content after a slow lovemaking. Another curled around one another, hopes for a future together on their minds. The third were wrapped together, sharing comfort after bad dreams.


All seemed peaceful.


Red eyes looked down at the happy couple intertwined around each other, only a largekimono draped around their shoulders like a blanket hiding their modesty. The one with silver hair was spooning the shorter. A necklace with the twilight symbol shimmered brightly seeming to have a light all its own. The brunette with spikes was drooling across the wooden floor, his own prized crown necklace laying delicately beside his chin.

He leaned over then, the couple completely unaware. He reached out a clawed hand, impaling it on the crown. The color of the pendant rippled, a green shade poisoning it. He took away his claw and it was as if he never touched it - perfect and unscathed in every way the crown looked harmless enough. He grinned, and in a blink of an eye was gone. everything was set now.

Moments later, Sora shot up, gasping confusedly, looking around the barren room. He shivered. Darkness... he was sure he had felt it. Riku groaned beside him, grumbling something and slowly led the brunette back into a sleeping position. Sora leaned back down, shifting closer to Riku so he didn;t lay down in his own drool.

"G'night Riku." Sora mumbled, shutting his eyes. but his dreams were not going to be happy.

~~~


"Do you Sora take Riku to be your husband? Do you vow to love him, comfort him, honor him, protect him and be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?" Minnie asked.

Sora, grinning with confidence, Riku's hand in his. "I do-n't."

Gasps rang out across the throne room, shocked eyes turning to him. Riku's hand fell away, his eyes hurt beyond words.

Sora blinked, realizing his mistake, He chuckled nervously, waving his arms. "I'm sorry nervous you know? I meant i do...n;t."

His blue eyes widened, beginning to panic. what was he saying!? Why couldn;t he say it?! "I... I don't. I don't. I DON'T!"

"Sora... stop." Riku said and Sora turned to him, gasping in surprise. the other was crying, looking crushed beyond words.

"Riku you don;t understand! I don;t want to marry you!" Sora slapped his hands over his mouth, looking at the other desperately, trying to make him udnerstand. He wasn't saying those words!!

"Stop it!" Riku ordered, the tears spilling faster from yellow eyes.

"Riku! I-"

"Stop it pet." The silverette growled. Sora's mouth shut closed beyond his will. His eyes stared around but they werent in the thone room anymore. They were in Thorning World Throne.

Riku grasped his leash, tugging him forward harshly, eyes furious. "So you don;t want to marry me pet?"

Sora shook his head.

"How dare you defy me!" His elash was yanked, choking the brunette until he sprailed out onto the floor, coughing. "You will obey me!"

This wasn;t Riku! And this wasn;t him self...

"that;s okay. You can fade into darkness." Riku murmured, turning his back to him.

"Riku!" Sora cried as the ground opened up under him. He gripped onto the edges, his claws screeching against the ground, desperately holding on. The darkness curled around his legs, tugging him, bekconing for him. "Riku please!"

The next order pierced his very soul: "Fall."

Sora let go, screaming all the way down.

"Nngh-Ah!" Sora jerked weakly. the cry was soft. His eyes slid open and he groaned tiredly. "god not another one."

Invidia stirred from the foot of their bed. She stretched out, yawning a bit, her blue eyes turned to gaze on her exhasuted master.

The brunette glanced back at Riku who had miraculously stayed asleep. He was so tired thanks to him... Sora sighed, detaching himself slowly from his lover, padding out into the living room. He slumped into the window seat they had built into their new home. He liked it, it was quaint with a good view.

Invidia padded voer to him, silent as ever. She jumped up into his lap, offering any comfort she could.

Sora pet his carbumcle, sighing a bit. "I don;t know what to do anymore." He whispered, his tone frustrated. It had been weeks since his honeymoon and yet... yet soemthing was wrong. ever sicne that first night... nightmares had plagued him. Sure he;d had them before - you didn;t save a universe from darkness, watch people you couldn;t save die, fear for a best friends life and see countless other horrors without SOME scarring.

But never was it this bad. every time he fell asleep, every hour every minute of his sleep was plagued and poisoned. Watching friends die at the hands of ehartless - or even killing them himself. Losing Riku - or like the previous dream where he lsot himself. He was afriad what they were trying to tell him. Was it an adventure he was meant to sought out for that, because he was staying in place, was making his lfie a kliving hell?

Could they really be premonitions? If that was true... then his subconcious was telling him it had been a mistake to marry Riku. and that both scared and infuriated him.

"Poor Riku." sora murmured suddenly, his eyes burning. he shut them, trying to let them rest. "we'll stay out here. He needs rest." His dreas at the start had caused him to wake up screaming or crying or troubled. After awhile, the constant nightmares began not only to take their toll on Sora... but Riku as well. Neother of them had slept well since they had gotten back. And they hadnlt had sex since their honeymoon.

Seven long wodnerful days - bad dreams and all. the first at the Land of Dragons. the second in Port Royale sailing the seas. The third in Halloween Town/Christmas town - Riku was sexy with fangs. the fourth was spent in Agrahbah - silk clothing and all. The fifth was in the Deep Jungle in which they spent most of their time up in the trees and skating down vines. The sixth was in Atlantica was spending a good day swiming forgoing the sex for one day.

On the seventh they went to Neverland - or more spcifically to London. It was romantic and beautiful at night and flying around the clock tower was fun. But the best part came that night where sora had a wonderful surprise for Riku. that night he dressed up - in a very fmailar uniform that had the silverette's jaw hitting the ground and wide green eyes staring upon him.

He had worn his old black uniform shoes, plaid blue pants, white collared tea-shirt and plaid tie. His old school uniform. He had grown over the years and the shirt was too small, showing his belly button. that was okay though. He had pruposely chosen it for that purpose. He had undone the first few buttons of the shirt, revealing his tanned skin, had undone the tie so it draped around his shoulders, even unbuttoned his pants and messed up his already spiky hair worse.

He rememebred mustering up the best seductive look he had ever managed that night, a slow, tantilizing smirk on glossed up lips. He looked very much like he had just been ravished. "Riku..." He had purred. "come and get me."

"Oh... fuck yeah." Riku had said, puncing. The got little to no sleep that night too but that was because Sora didn't realize the pwoer of the uniform. Riku had been so turned on they had sex at LEAST three times that night.

But after that Sora was unable to hide how tired he really was. He had made sure the honeymoon went perfect - the dreams would go away after time right?

Yeah... right.

He wasn;t the only one having a good time though. He always made sure his brothers kept in constant contact with him now - writing letters regularly.

And Sora, ever thoughtful, made sure to sent out a space mail to Axel when he and Riku got to Port Royale, just so the card would get there in time. He hoped Axel had a good birthday. From what Roxas had sent back it sounded so.

His brother had pratically pampered Axel. Favorite foods for breakfast, lunch and dinner. A massage. A round of watching whatever movies Axel wanted to. And best of all a night where Axel was allowed to tell Roxas to do whatever he wished for him too. That was one way to celebrate a thirtith birthday.

Ven on the other hand was a tad more troubling. It appeared Fuujin had joined them - thatw as a surprise to him. It was creating a bit of disorder among the three - now four - chasers. Ven had said somehting about how he was the computer whix, Terra was the book nerd, and Aqua was the scouter. He didn;t know how Fuujin could ever fit in. But Aqua had threatened to cut Ven to pieces if he said no so what choice did he have?

They seemed to be slowly getting along better now then anything. But Ven had also mentioned something about Terra and how the other had... had bad dreams lately. It seemed he wasnl;t the only one.

Aqua, somehow, had added a little note to the back of the letter without Ven;s noticing. Soemthing about how Ven refused to open his ehart.

Sora had told him 'Maybe his dreams will go away when you can comfort him with all of your heart Ven. Try opening it up. I know it seems scary but it;s worth a shot.' He got an answer back stating this: 'I don;t want to go through what you did when you lost Riku.'

The brunette twin finally responded, 'It hurt Ven. It hurt alot. Pain and lvoe are almost intertwined at times. You'll get hurt, theres no avoiding it. But love... love is what makes all that pain worth it. You need to experience it. I know you guys live a dangerous life and danger is just around the corner - thats why you have to live every moment like it's your last, and love every second and with every beat your heart makes. It's worth it. Trust me.'

He had sent that letter two days ago and had yet to hear a response.

Sora slumped over a bit, his head nodding up and down as his body tried to tug him into some much needed sleep. He finally succumbed, shutting his eyes. Invidia, senseing something was wrong, left his lap and nudged unmoving his hand, but it didn;t faze the brunette. His legs slipped from the seat, his body following the motion.

The carbuncle started to bark as Sora fell. She hardly ever made any noises, quiet as a rabbit typically, and the couple had been shocked the first time she had even made a noise. They soon grew sued to the fact that unless Invidia was feeling terrotoral, hurt or panicked she was silent. she was definitely panicked.