Tying Knots

[Rikugurl]

Riku shivered in bed. He always had a hard time staying asleep during the night on Destiny. He had never lived on the mainland before... and not use to not hearing the waves against the shore. Not use to no hearing the tropical crickets under the tree house. These small noises always put him right back to sleep... and he never even noticed until they moved.

Sleep didn't come very well for the past few weeks... Sora was up every night, having horrible nightmares. Riku did all he could calm the other... but his heart was restless. There was something wrong with Sora... something... bad. After falling, he had an easier time understanding things... but this... he couldn't understand why Sora wouldn't give up these nightmares.

It was really putting a damper on their relationship. The honeymoon had god great. Swimming as a shark, jumping on vines like a monkey, learning how to sing and dance. Meeting an even more hotter sun than Destiny. Sailing seas with pirates... and even meeting Santa!
And the best was having a ravished school boy to end it all.

He supposed that night would last them for all the lack they would have after it.

Sora was becoming sick from being over tired. He even got some phone calls from the new school asking if everything was alright with him. Kairi stopped by a few times, making sure Sora was ok. That he had looked bad in the teacher lounge.

Riku had tried everything from soups to warm liquids before bed. Nothing pushed the nightmares away. Even cuddling on the couch was no good. Sora would fall right to sleep... and awake with nightmares.

He twisted in bed, shivering from the lack of his lover by his side. Then he heard it. A barking.
His eyes snapped opened and sat up in bed. Even his once bright and beautiful aquamarine eyes had red at the corners due to the lack of sleep. Barking?
Invidia.

He looked to his side, seeing that Sora was missing. Something... something was wrong.
He pushed the covers away and got up, walking out to the livingroom. He blinked when he saw Sora on the floor.
"Sora...?"

He frowned, walking to the other slowly. He leaned down and picked up the younger lovingly, holding him close. He looked down at their carbuncle and smiled. "It's ok... he's just tired." He assured the pet as he moved back to the bedroom. He was sure Sora would awake soon enough with a nightmare anyway.

He laid the other back down in the bed and got up there with him. He looked at Sora sleep.... and frowned. The more he looked at him, the more... he felt like something was wrong.
He... he didn't want to wake him though.... what if he wasn't having a nightmare? It would be the only time he could sleep.

He sighed as he felt the bags under his eyes as he leaned over. "Sora...?" He nudged the other one quietly.


Yes, Axel was an old fart now... but hey! He was still.... awesome. At least that's what he made himself think.
He was glad that they were writing letters again and glad that their gift was being a great pet!

As for Xio's pups... well... they all found a home. They were getting too big and Axel and Roxas weren't going to move into another house. They were tired with eventful things and loved the house they lived in. It seemed that every room except for the bathroom had a fireplace, and that made Axel very happy. Roxas was very happy too that their place was close to the Sea-salt ice cream shop.

Like Axel had said, the momma bird has to see their babies fly away some day. They made sure all of Xio's pups all went to good homes anyway... and Xio got use to them not being there.

He laid on the couch, hearing the fire crackle. Xio slept to his side. He was sad to hear that Sora was hardly getting any sleep and both he and Roxas could tell by random lines that Sora had fallen asleep while writing.

His exotic eyes were slowly closing, enjoying the sound of the fire. It kept them extra toasty in the winter months... they had a lot of snow outside. Who would of thought December 1st was the pyro's birthday?
Well... he wasn't exactly sure if it was his birthday... but he had a feeling.

As he was about to slip into slumber before Roxas came home from Town Hall, he suddenly felt something. His eyes opened and blinked as he saw a weird wisping around his hand. He pulled it up and gasped, sitting up only to hear a very squeaky and funny cry coming from below. He looked down, seeing that he had stepped on Xio's tail. He sounded like a cub again!

"Sorry~~~~" He pulled his foot away and looked back at his hand. The wisping revealed a sign. A Nobody sign. He put his other hand to his chest, feeling his heartbeat. What...?
He blinked when he heard the front door open. A cold breeze came through but stopped when it was closed. He looked back and smiled softly. "Hey HONEY!"


'It hurt Ven. It hurt a lot. Pain and love 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.'

Ventus frowned as he kept reading the sentence over and over again. "Worth it he says.... he's still full of sh--"

"Reading?"

Blue eyes blinked as his large chair moved. He obviously knew who it was but looked up at the silverette anyway. What was she up for? "Yea..." He said softly, looking down at the letter. It was weird having her around... but Terra thought it was ok... and he was the leader after all.

Her one word talk bothered the shit out of him though. He turned away and read it again, hearing Fuu got back into Aqua's room and closed the door.
Terra hadn't come out yet to drag him to bed...
With a sigh, he crumpled the paper up and threw it in the trash before putting the computers on standby.

[Reno]

Invidia quieted at Riku's reassurance, hurrying after the two, taking her place on the bed once more, watching the two worriedly.

The brunette stirred almost instantly, his weary mind not even having time to conjure up soemthing new. He hardly ever slept deeply, subconciously afraid too. His eyes opened slowly and he was a little freaked out to find himself back in bed. His mind, disoriented, looking around half-panicked. no one could really blame him. His was physically exhausted and mentally drained - even his nearly endless energy had worn short. At times he ever had trouble defining dreams from realty.

Hadn;t he just been in the window seat? He looked up at Riku baffled. How had he gotten here? He bit his tongue, the instant pain telling him he was quite awake. "Riku...?" he asked softly, blinking blearily. He must have carried him here... that or that was a dream.

Sora looked up at Riku's eyes, frowning sadly. Though Riku's eyes didn't look as bad as his which were bloodshot and almost gray they still had lost a lot of their luster. He was doing this to him...

He felt almost like he was tearing them apart. He couldn't sleep and it was torturing Riku who was a light sleeper to start with.


Roxas, who had just delivered his space mail back to Sora and finished his work up at the Town Hall, was walking down the sidewlak in the brisk weather. he was bundled up in a big fluffy blue coat, a soft beige scarf around his neck.

Roxas was worried about his brother. At times, when he knew it got at it;s worst, he felt it. Felt the exhasution creeping up through his system, making his body ache and his eyes water and his mind and heart slow. ven his stomach felt naueous at times. It only lasted for a brief moment but he knew it was what Sora was feeling. And Sora had hitned he was afraid it would tear him and riku apart. thats be a way to end a marriage. But why was he ever having trouble in the first place?

roxas shook his head, changing his track of mind.

He had been sad to see Xio;s pups go. He knew they didn;t have room to provide for them and it was the the better and he didnl;t want to move but... still Xio had been so down about it. At least they had gotten them good homes, and nothign was stopping Xio from visiting. Axel had accepted it too.

Roxas wlaked down the drive to his house, reaching for the door. Speaking of Axel he wodnered how the pyro was doing. He was probably lazing around in front of the fire aga-

A soft tickling, prickly feeling drew his eyes to his hand - where... it was wisping? he rasing it up, the wisps taking form and his narrowed. "Nobody..." He mumbled.

He walked inside, shutting the door and was hyperly greeted by his lover. He laughed. "Hey." He walked over, mindful of Xio and he leaned over to kiss the other.


The door to Terra and Ven;s room was open however, just enough so that Terra could ehar what Ven and fuujin said to each other. he was flipping through a book, the nightstand light on but not really paying attention to the words.

Things seemed to of gotten strained around here - and he didn;t think it had anything to do with Fuujin. He wondered if this was what it felt like to be on the urge of a major arguement. Sure, He and Ven fought constantly, but they never fought to such an extent that there was a possiblity that they wouldn;t talk to each other for days or weeks or... whatever it is they might do.

He heard what Ven said about Sora's letter and frowned. He had a feeling he knew exactly what Sora was trying to convince the other of. It was the same thing they;d been avoiding for too long.

[Rikugurl]

Riku smiled as Sora calmed down. He was use to that too. He leaned over and gave Sora a light kiss on the cheek before softly toughing it.

Yes, Riku was over tired as well. Construction had gotten slow due to his lack of sleep. Tidus was getting worried. Houses were slowly becoming more and more of a tire for the silverette man who always had such high energy.
Kilika District was already taking shape... this was no time to stop working on it.

The only time Riku could sleep was if he went home early... and took a nap... but even then, he could feel the pain in Sora's heart at school. He was even becoming too tired to cook anymore, and usually just gave Sora some munny to pick up something on the way to and from work.

But... the break between their marriage was the last thing on his mind. Riku loved Sora... and sleep deprive wasn't going to stop his love for the other. They could go make it through this... like they could make through anything else.

"It's ok Sora... I'm here for you...always."


Axel smiled as he leaned up and took the kiss happily. He blinked a bit when he saw Roxas pull away. There was a wisping with him too? He frowned took the other's hand, studying the mark. What could this mean? They hadn't been Nobodies... for so long... why was their mark finding them?

Green eyes looked up into the blue, a bit concerned. He then looked away, a weird feeling around the symbol made him think.
The organization came up with the symbol... so...
Riku had destroyed a group of Nobodies, making more hearts than souls... he wondered...


Once the computers went into standby, the same old picture of Kingdom Hearts glowed. Ven sighed as he stood and turned off the lights of the main room.

He frowned as he noticed that the doorway to their bedroom was opened a tick. He opened it, seeing Terra reading on his side.

"Wh-hat!? I have to sleep with.... HIM!?" A blonde pointed at the taller man.
"Hey! No way! That's.... weird!"
"Well, There's two guys and one girl... and neither of you are sleeping in my room."
"Come on Aqua! Lemme sleep with you! I won't do anything.... weird!"
"Nope, you two are both guys so you're sleeping together."
"UGH!" Came from the two men as they were... oddly outnumbered in a way.

That little squabble happened a loooong time ago. Sleeping together at first was akward... but it started to get better as they got closer. They would poke each other in the ribs and wrestle on the bed. Aqua even found them one day having a pillow fight... or jumping on the bed.

Now... now it was just... another stab in his heart. Terra considered it more towards love... and Ventus...
He walked in quietly and looked at the other. "Whatcha reading?" He asked, not wanting to make thing any more painful than they already were. He sat down on his side, yawning and waiting for a reply.

[Reno]

"Riku..." Sora breathed again. Uusually Riku's words would fill him with joy but for some reason it only hurt him worse. He had been dreaming such horrible things about the other. He knew he couldn;t control what his mind conjured up but it still sickened him to know his subconcious could think of his lover like that!

"I'm sorry Riku..." the brunette suddenly breathed, throwing an arm across his eyes, tears of frustration marking their way down his cheeks. "I want to sleep I really do. I don;t know why i can;t! It;s so... frustrating when I'm this fucking tired and yet my mind won;t leave me alone!" He really didn;t even have the energy to cry, the tears stopping moments later.

His whole body was aching like crazy. His eyes were overly sensitive to the light and his stomach hurt too. there was a point in which his lack of sleep caused him to hallucinate - he thought he saw heartless and started to swing. He ended up killing a plant but at least it hadn;t happened in class. He was just lucky Riku had been there.

"Maybe we should try the medication." Sora finally whispered heartbrokenly. He wasn;t an insomniac but when he went to the doctor he offered the pills stating it would help him fall into a deeper sleep where the dreams couldn;t reach it. It;s too bad he was highly against using them. He didn;t meant to resort to drugs to solve matters of his heart or mind. It didn;t solve ANYTHING.


Roxas sat down next to Axel, noticing that he was ebaring the symbol as well. "what do you think it means?" he asked, tugging the scarf around his neck off, throwing it on the arm rest. his coat soon followed. Teh temperature was comforting here.

He nuzzled up against Axel;s side, raising his hand to palce their hands tgoether, the twin symbols glaring up at them. "Think it;s a bad sign?"


Terra turned on his back as Ven joined him. He looked up over at the other, shrugging carelessly. "Just something Aqua found. A journal from some gardener named Nello who lived on a planet call Picerco" He shrugged again, shutting it. It seemed wrong to read people's journals but often times they led to where other keyblades were heading or even to the wielder themseleves. He found a lot of stuff in his books that Ven couldn;t detext on his computer - thats why they made a good team.

"It's pretty boring actually. All agricultural. who the fuck cares what time of season is best for growing wheat?" he rolled his eyes, "He did mention something about a magician though that gave water to his crops so I think someone magical passed by on this land at one point. Too bad the bastard didn't date it."

He set the book aside and sat up looking at the other. "We need to talk."

[Rikugurl]

Riku frowned as Sora when off in frustration. He was about to embrace the other.... but he knew it wouldn't help. He had do that so many times... and the nightmares still came.

He didn't like the idea of medication either. He was an islander and herbs was more of his thing. His mother never gave him medication in her life... always found old natural ones and they did as good if not even better.

He looked down and sighed. "No... come on..." He said softly as he took Sora and carried him to the bathroom. He place him down inside and started up the hot water, pushing the drain down. He turned and opened the cabinet and pulled out a bottle of bath oil, pouring it in.

He then turned back to Sora and started to undress him slowly, kissing away the little bit of tears. He kissed his neck softly and his upper chest as his pants fell to the floor. When the water reached high enough, he stopped it and smiled, picking up his lover again and placed him in the bath.

He got in behind him and pulled him in between his legs. Leaning his chin on Sora's shoulder, he looked down at the crown necklace. Sora never took that thing off...
He grabbed a wash cloth and pushed it under the water, making it nice and hot.

In the steam of the room, Riku undid the small clasp and pulled the necklace off, placing it ontop of their clothes. The cloth was then pulled up and the hot water was massaged into Sora's neck.


Axel frowned as he looked down at the symbol. Nobodies were not in the nature of being bad. They were just lost souls looking for a heart and only violent with Heartless. But it was the Organization that was evil...

"I don't know... but the only people who really know us still as Nobdies... are long gone... This can't be a good thing." He looked at Roxas with serious eyes. "Do you think.... they're coming back?"


Pretty much every word that Terra said went through one ear and out the other. He really didn't care what Terra was reading. Many times Terra would tell him a story or two out of these diaries and all Ven could respond with was 'So, anything about a keyblade?'

He laid down and wrapped the covers over him. He slowly closed his eyes but stopped as he felt Terra shift in bed.
"We need to talk."
Ven sigh... already ready for this.
"Talking is for women Terra..."


Talking about women, Fujin sighed as he closed the door to Aqua's room. It was dark inside as she made her way to a side of the bed. She sat down and pulled her shirt over her head, revealing her thin body and silver bra over perfect breast. She pulled her eye patch away and was going to put it on the nightstand before something caught her eye.

A stone... A blue stone sat there... and it was shinning. "Aqua... what's this?"

[Reno]

Sora made a weak noise of surprise as he was lifted up. He laid his head against the other;s shoulders, lossely swinging his arms around the other's neck.

Invidia watched the two intently, before she walked over to their pillows, curling up on the fluffyness, yawning before nuzzlign down for a quick nap.

Sora blinked up at his lover as he was set down on the toilet. He watch Riku prepare a bath and smiled softly. He was a lot more resourceful then him self. Riku had found thousands of different remedies for his problem - sadly none of them had worked but Riku hadn;t given up yet.

His brain was still trying to figure out how he was coming up with them all.

He shut his eyes, enjoying the soft kisses and the slow undressing. there was nothing sexual in the act, just kind. "Ri..." He bretahed and was suddenly lifted and placed into warm abth water. He groaned appreciateively the temperature doing wonders for his hurting muscles.

He wasnl;t surprise when the other soon joined him, leaning back easily. his eyes slid shut.

He heard his necklace clinking as it came undone. His blue eyes shot open, watching Riku set it aside. His figners twitched in protest but otherwise he didn;t nothing, too tired and contented to care.

He made another noise of approval at the massaging. "god Riku I lvoe you." He murmured, letting riku work out all the tension that hadnl;t had a chance to leave hos poor sleep-deprivaed body.


Roxas' eyes narrowed. "Well if they are... then we have a hell of a problem." He looked at the floor, thinking about that. "But... how could they be given that chance though? The hearts from the lost nobodies?" There HAD been 12 - still left one extra.

The blonde tilted his head. "If thats true then would they stuill be evil?" Nobodies had problems differentied between what was morally right and wrong. With a heart maybe...


Terra bristled at the other;s words. He was about to retort with 'Yeah and gay guys with fucking pricks for boyfriends' but stopped himself.

He conceded. He suddenly threw off the blanket, grabbed Ven's arms and pinned him to the bed. He growled, straddling the other. "alright, i'll fucking show you!"


Aqua who was curling up for sleep, merely waiting for Fuu to join her, turned her head at the other woman;s question. Fuujin seemed to talk in more complete sentences around her then anyone else.

She glanced towards the indication, and sat up. She blinked, then picked it up. "It;s... a dragoon stone. One for Regole... it appeared in my room randomly a couple weeks ago... i think it;s the same one I left with my brother."

[Rikugurl]

Riku smiled has he heard Sora's calm voice. He seemed to just melt in the warm water and steam around. "Shhhh.... just sleep...." He said softly as he kissed the other's ear. The warm cloth was dipped again and brought back up, the hot water running down Sora's chest.

It was very peaceful like this... and hopefully Sora could sleep without nightmares. If this didn't work... he did know what would...


Axel frowned and shrugged. "I guess we'll find out." He shook his head and smiled. "But let's not worry about it huh?" He laughed as he leaned in and gave Roxas a passionate kiss. Their lives had already been turned upside down a billion times now... he didn't want to think about it.

Of course, he was sure something was going to come up... because they had been living in peace for a bit tooooo long. He closed his eyes and leaned the blonde down and right before he could get on top of him, there was a knock on the door.

"AUGH!" Axel pouted as he pulled away from the kiss and got up. Xio had already beaten him to the door and was sniffing to see who it might be. His head cocked though when the scent didn't smell familiar.

"Come on, move it." Axel pushed the moomba out of the way, ready to open the door and see someone outside asking for something. When the Town Hall closed, it was their house people went to if they needed anything.

The redhead opened the door and yawned. "May I help yo----" He stopped as he saw greeted with... a familiar blonde. Green eyes rolled to the back of his head as he fainted on the floor.


Ven blinked as covers fluttered over his head and his wrist were suddenly pulled violently. He was pushed on his back and felt weight on his pelvic region. He blinked again but his blue eyes darkened as he growled up at the brunette.

He could already feel the adrenalin brewing in his chest... but for some odd reason... he knew it wasn't violent sex Terra was out after tonight.
"Get the fuck off of me!"


Fujin looked back and watched as Aqua looked at the stone. She cocked her head a bit, listening. "Your brother...?" The one that had died? "Do you thi---" She stopped as she suddenly heard Ven from across the ship.

[Reno]

"Mmmm... gladly." Sora murmured back, leaning back more fully against the other. It didn;t take very much but a few steadying breathes and Sora was out like a light. The warm water and the assurance that Riku was with him comforted him easily.


Roxas groaned as well when he ehard the dopor. "damn it." He knew that the people needed them but jeez he wanted some alone time with his Axel! they had been getting somewhere good too!

He watched the other go and answer the door, blinking curiously.

Suddenly his lvoer was on the floor. "Axel!!" Roxas cried, jumping up and running to the uconcious man;s side.

"Way to greet a friend." The playful voice said and roxas, who hadn;t before ntoiced, looked up with wide and alarmed eyes.

"Demyx...?"

"Yo."

Roxas fainted too.

"Oh come on!!" The blonde punk rocker complained. He grabbed his sitar, strumming a few chords lightly and water materilized from thin air, splashing voer the two lovers faces. "Waaaake up!" he sung.


"nope. not until you understand." Terra said in a commanding voice. Hw was still the leader here! he pinned down Ven;s grip, his hold firm but not bruising. He leaned over the other, his lips ghosting over the other;s chin, then down his neck.


Aqua, looked up at Fuujin who was about to complete her sentence when she was cut off by... none other then Ven yelling. The blue haired girl groaned. Where they gonna go at it again? "welcome to the life of a Chaser." she joked.

[Rikugurl]

Riku smiled softly as he felt Sora's body become limp in sleep. He too could of easily fallen to sleep... but he had to watch over his lover so they wouldn't drown. His eye lids grew heavy and his head bopped back and forth but he shook his head gently, not to bother the sleeper.

He sighed as he leaned back, looking at the ceiling. He yawned and knew he had to occupy his mind with something to stay awake. He leaned over slightly, his hand wondering the clothes for something. When he hit something cold, he pulled it up and looked at it.

He watched the crown twirl around slowly. Sora had worn it ever since he could remember. Sora had never told him the story about it. He let it drop into his palm and looked at it closer. It had some scratches and wore marks on it and...

He blinked, seeing only a flash of something. His eyes narrowed. It was.... something.... Dark.


Xio blinked as he saw both his master and master's lover fall to the floor. He growled, glaring at the blonde in the doorway... with a VERY odd.... thing? He yipped and took stance... only to get water sprayed on him. He blinked and yipped, running away.

Axel was hit with the water and groaned, coughing and sat up. He was... all wet! He shook as he looked around. DAMNIT HE HATED WATER!
That was a horrible dream...

He looked up and.... his jaw almost fell to the floor as he STILL saw Demyx standing there.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!!"


Blue eyes widened as he was commanded. But... that was nothing new.
"Not until you understand".
Understand...? Understand what...?

His mouth opened slightly as Terra came closer, only to breath on his chin and went towards his neck. By now, Ventus was at a low pant, feeling his heartbeat in his pinned wrist. He blinked, the corners of his mouth bending down.

Almost instantly, the blonde knew what was going on. He closed his eyes tight and pulled his wrist away violently, but they wouldn't budge. "Stop it!" He ordered as he tried to pull away again, feeling Terra's breath on his neck. His eyes closed tighter. "Stop it! Stop it!" His body was jerking and twisting but Terra wouldn't give.

"STOP IT!"

A sudden scream came from the man as his fists gave out. Tears started to run down the sides of his head as he panted, looking up at the ceiling.


Fujin frowned as she listened. She looked back at Aqua, a bit puzzled. She never knew how.... Ven and Terra were in bed and really didn't know that they were even together. She was about to continue when she heard a blood curdling scream.

Her eye widened and she suddenly got up, pulling her shirt back over her. "Ven..."

[Reno]

Sora's even breathes filled the bathroom where there was no other sounds other then what the silverwette made when moving in the water. the soft laps only lulled him father into dream world.

The moment Riku saw that soemthing dark flash across the metal Sora flinched, turning his head instively, away from the crown as if it;s close vicinity was hurting him.


Demyx took notice of the little... animal thing that ran off but shrugged, looking back down.

Roxas stirred as well, shiviering as the cold air blew in from the doorwya, making the water almost icy. His blue eyes snapped open when Axel started screaming and he sat up. Hwe looked at Demyx. damn he was still here.

the blonde pouted then grinned. "you're still such a drama queen Axel!! Come on where;s my hug? i haven;t seen you in forever!"


Terra froze at the last scream and he lfited his head, looking down at the blonde. He slowly let go of the other;s wrists. "Ven..." Terra whispered, before wiping away the tears. It was ironic how when he was TRYING to show the other he lvoed him the other reacted so violently, but in the times of fierce sex it didn;t effect him at all.

"Damn it Ven this was your fucking idea you know. this whole, opening your heart thing." He got off of the blonde, looking away. He was beginning to regret ever allowing for this to happen - hell he somehow wished they never even found sora. somehow this was that kid's fault!


Aqua nearly jumped out of her skin. "holy shit!" THAT was not normal. she rushed out of the room, fujin on her heels. she slammed into the room, seeing... Ven on the bed pale and Terra just standing off the the side, looking hurt but mostly angry."what in FUCKS sake is going on here?!"

[Rikugurl]

Riku caught the small act, seeing Sora pulled away. He looked back down at the necklace and frowned. So this... was what was bring him the nightmares.... but how?

He put it back on the floor and frowned. Someone... must of know that Sora always wore that necklace.
If Sora slept for the rest of the night in peace.... his theory would be proven.


Axel shook as the winter breeze pushed on him. Damnit, he didn't want to get a damn cold again. He quickly stood up and grabbed Demyx by the collar and pulled him inside before slamming the door.

He pulled away and tilted his head. Well... he looked the same. Green eyes blinked a bit as he tilted his head to the other side.
"Uh....." He scratched his head a bit and was about to start with 'I though Sora made you fade'.... but uh... Axel was here to.

"You found a heart?"


When Terra had gotten off of him, the blonde curled up and buried his face into a pillow. His body had paled and he was still panting. He.... didn't know what came over him... but tears kept pushing out of his eyes.

He didn't flinch when he heard the door swing open.


Fujin rushed after Aqua and peeked over her shoulder, looking in at the two. Whatever had happened... it didn't look good. She frowned as she could see Ven's shoulders shake, knowing that he was silently crying.

[Reno]

Sora relaxed again, curling up against riku once more sighing happily.


Roxas got to his feet slowly, brushing himself off.

Demyx yelped as he was pulled in. He grinned at the red-head. "yeah it was real strange actually it just sorta... fell on me!" He laughed, shrugging a bit.

Roxas twitched. "so what your a somebody now?"

Demyx looked at Roxas nodding. "guess so. and hey look at you! your still short!!" He pat roxas on the head causing the blonde to twitch.


Terra just crossed his arms at Aqua's voice, glaring at the floor. He wanted to be able to stop Ven's crying but... well he was proved easily that his affection was unwanted time and time again. His limbs shook as he tried to deny himself the pain of rejection. God damn it THIS WAS ALL VEN;S FAULT.

the keyblade appeared in his hand, "fuck i'm out of here." He couldn;t stay here because he was pretty sure he was on the verge of breaking down too. Ven's pain and his own were mixing thanks to that great and wonderful fucking paopu.

Fine Ven didn;t want to open his ehart causing he was too much of a fucking coward. too worried about how hurt hed get the closer he got. then fine Terra wouldn;t lert him get any closer... or himself.

"what? Terra!" Aqua started but the brunette had already sliced open a portal and jumped through. Well shit. She;d never encountered a problem quite like this. she was at a loss of how to fix it.

[Rikugurl]

Axel rubbed his head again and grinned as he saw Demyx make a good point... then again, him and Axel were pretty tall.
A somebody again...

He frowned as he stood in front of the tall blonde and looked at him in all seriousness. "Do.... do you know if anyone else got a heart?"
Demyx was fine... he hated fighting. He was pretty much there to be annoying and play his guitar... but they had had some fun times.

If anyone else got their heart back... well... that wouldn't be a good thing. Everyone else was pretty much corrupted with power.

There was Xemnas... who obviously no one wanted back.
Xigbar was a gravity pull of doom.
Xaldin was extremely heartless. No pun intended.
Vexen was as cold as Ice. Again, no pun intended.
Lexaeus was a big brute that had more broad than brains.
Zexion was an emo kid and no one likes emo kids.
Saix... well, he would do anything that Xemnas asked for, making him quite dangerous.
Luxord was a crazy mother fucker, that was for sure.
Marluxia... you don't want a guy with a scythe walking around.
Larxene... HAHAHA, he wasn't even going to start with that bitch.

He frowned. No... the harmless ones already gained a heart for their own... maybe... they got their hearts back for not being so... heartless?


When the portal was open and Terra jumped in, it closed quickly after him. Slowly, Ventus sat up, tears running down his face. He looked at where the other had gone... but it was too late to do anything about it.

Fujin frowned, seeing Aqua stay put. She slowly pushed under her lover's arm and walked to the edge of the bed, looking at the blonde.
"What happened?"
It wasn't her place to know... but knowing mostly guys for all her life, she knew better than have them bottle up things.

Ven's eyes darkened as he wiped his tears away. He looked down and took a deep breath, steadying his breathing.
"Awhile ago... when Aqua left for a few weeks..." He sighed, closing his burning eyes. "I shared a paopu fruit with Terra. He was always so sure that anyone he knew would just leave him... and after hearing about his past... I wouldn't blame him."

He took another breath and shook his head, his blonde hair fluttering over his face. "I gave it to him so he would know... that I'd never leave his side. It... I didn't give it to him because.... I loved him... romantically. I... I mean I don't...."
His breath started to grow faster.

"Everyone's forcing it on me. Sora... Kairi... everyone. And... even Terra... he's forcing me. I don't like being forced into something I don't want to do. I... I'm just not ready. I can't open my heart if people want to force it out of me. I'm just.... I'm just not ready..."

Fujin frowned as she took a quick glance at Aqua and then back at the blonde. "Well... the thing you have to ask yourself is.... do you really love him?"

There was a pause, and blue watery eyes looked up at Fuu then back down. "I... I don't know what I feel. I don't know if it's because everyone around me is in love... or this connection the paopu fruit had ma--"

"That's not what I asked." Fuu said sternly.

Ven's breath caught as he was cut off.
He continued to look down in silence.
"I... just want everything to go back to the way it use to be..."

"Living in the past never helped anyone." Again Fuu spoke sternly.

Ventus looked up at her with pathetic looking eyes.

"If you're not ready yet, then just tell him. And if you know, deep down inside that you love him... you'll tell him that you're not ready. This job is stressful and dangerous... you don't want to break down over something this simple. Stop having meaningless sex, start acting like his friend... like 'the way you use to be'. And when you're ready... let him know. Some people have an easier time with their emotions... opening their hearts... some don't. There will be a time in the future when everything will come to you Ventus... and when that times comes... and if Terra really loves you... he'll be by your side... and will enjoy every bit of love you can give him."

She nodded and looked down. "But if you really... don't love him... you need to tell him that too. So that... his own heart won't be crushed... He loves you Ventus... and from what I've seen so far... he loves you a lot. Like you said... you're the only one who had sworn... on your heart that you will never leave him... and he's never felt that kind of love before. He's not forcing you to do anything you don't want to... he just wants to thank you."

Streams of tears fell down Ven's cheeks as he listened to her. He wished.... he wished that Terra was there to wipe them away...

[Reno]

Demyx crossed his arms, thinking for a few moments. "You know now that you mention it... Saix was gone." He said, tilting his head. "But everyone else seemed to be there."

He didn’t see what the big deal was personally. Gaining back their hearts wasn’t that what they were doing from the beginning? Roxas and Axel looked great! And he and Saix now had there’s no doubt!

Maybe everyone else could follow and everything would be normal again.


Aqua watched fujin work her magic and smiled slowly. She knew what fujin that none of them could do. she was a peacekeeper. For one who used such little words, she wasted none - she knew exactly what to say.

Once her speech was done and over with Aqua walked over, sitting down next to Ven. She reached up, wiping at the tears. Terra was probably too pissed and confused that even if he had stayed he still wouldn’t have done it himself. "Don’t worry Ven." she reassured. "He'll come back and then you two actually need to talk. You know like GIRLS do." she teased, patting him on the shoulder. "I can't deal with you crazy people anymore."


He paused at the town limit, looking at the ruins that was once a town. His heart hurt slightly, guilt wrapping around him once more. He walked forward, the winds whipping lightly, dusting the town over to no recognition.

He passed a playground, hearing the ghosts of children’s laughter. He walked passed the market, hearing arguing wives and bored fathers. He hurried past the school, remembering bloody fights and furious teachers. He passed a cemetery... remembering a beautiful mother with a kind heart. He paused, glancing in seeing nothing recognizable. The tombstones were all destroyed from erosion and heartless. He didn’t even remember where her body lay...

He took his leave, wandering into the old park. The grass and trees had died, and were now just barren skeletons covered in sand. He laid upon an old rustic bench, turning his back to the wind.

So what now?

I'll go back eventually. He answered himself.

To what?

My friends. My home. I can’t leave the only ones who ever gave a damn. Terra thought.

And Ven?

... Terra shut his eyes. I don't know.

What made you think he liked you that way anyways?

We kissed. We had sex. We shared a fucking fruit that was a legend about LOVE for god's sake! I thought... I thought...

You thought he cared. When are you ever going to learn?

Just because he doesn't want to date me doesn’t mean he doesn't care

Then he's using you?

No! He promised me he cared. He shared... and...Hell I jumped onto him.

I didn't see him resisting. He must have liked it, don’t you think?

"Shut up." Terra snapped allowed. "Just go away."

What’s wrong Terra? You can’t admit it you yourself can you? What your mom didn’t want to tell you was your unlovable. You fucked up your life from the beginning. You didn’t accept what was given when you were a kid and now you don’t know how to give it. You can’t love and you can't be loved. Darkness...

"Fuck..." Terra paused, suddenly sitting up. Who the fuck was he talking to? His eyes caught something, a dark figure on a broken house and his head turned... but he blinked and missed it. The brunette shivered, no longer feeling very safe in the deserted town.

He drew his keyblade, holding it close to himself, vacating the old bench. He needed to find somewhere safer if he wanted to stay here.


~~~

Sora stretched out languidly. He noticed instantly he was naked. Oh yeah... bath... bath... wait a second! He glanced at the time. "Holy shit." It was nine at night... of the NEXT DAY. That was like... seventeen or eighteen fucking hours of sleep!

Sora sat up. He felt great! "Guess what they say is true. One full night of sleep can cure days sand days without any at all." He went about the motions, getting dressed, brushing his teeth, doing his business. He noticed in the mirror his eyes looked a lot better, and the water had helped to greatly ease his aching muscles. His appetite was even back, full force! Sora grinned, feeling more light and airy then he had in weeks! The only thing he was missing was his necklace...

He hurried into the next room, finding Riku at the stove, making a late dinner. "Ri!" his silverette angel glanced back, smiling at him. Riku looked a lot better too. Sleep. They had gotten lots of sleep. He didn’t know when he had been relocated from one room to the next though. He walked over to the other, kissing his cheek.

He remembered something though. "Hey Ri... where's my necklace? Do you know?"

That’s when Sora found out exactly how he had been getting all those terrible nightmares. His necklace had been charmed by something - no someone... who was out to get him.

Sora was the one to suggest sending it off to Mickey. If it got to the Mouse King he could analyze it, have Yen Sid despell it, and have it back to him probably pretty soon! He said all this optimistically of course.

He was just happy he got some sleep!


~~~

Terra didn’t come back for almost three whole days. When he did come back... he was in desperate need of a shower... and a muffin. His hair was covered in sand, almost bleaching the brown locks beige. His clothes were a mess and he just all around looked like shit. Lucky for him he snuck into the shower before anyone saw him. It was early morning. The girls and Ven were asleep. He knew Ven was asleep because he was in that damn computer chair, headphones on but breathing steady.

His shower was quick but through. Even if he was a keyblader of land didn’t mean he liked rolling in it. He toweled off and tiptoed to his and Ven's room getting a clean change of clothes. After all that was said and done, he stepped out and walked over to the slumbering male, taking off the headphones gently.

Blue eyes opened almost automatically, looking up at him.

Terra looked down at him uncomfortably, fingering the device in his hands nervously. "I'm sorry." He finally muttered.

From there... he and Ven had that long and wonderfully drawn out talk Aqua wanted them to have - lots of cussing involved but no shouting and no tears this time.

Mutual agreement. They would be friends. Just friends. No more wild nights of sex that was confusing them both. No more kissing. No more weird gestures or false hopes.

If anything else happened, they'd let time lead them towards it. If nothing happened... then that was okay. Because Ven still promised he’d never leave Terra's side.

After that Terra's stomach was grumbled and he had to go eat at least twenty muffins.


~~~


“We have reason to believe it’s possible.” Roxas said slowly, standing in front of the Town Hall, trying his best to ignore all eyes upon him. He shifted uneasily. “The Organization could return.”

The Committee – Leon and Yuffie and all them just looked back silently. Finally Cloud asked, “Well what do you propose we do?”

Roxas shook his head. “I’m unsure.” He nodded towards Demyx, who was only there as solid proof of his claims. “My first plan was to find them and stop it from happening, but there is no conceivable way to reach where they lay.”

“Well then, there’s no fucking way around it.” Cid said crudely. “Gotta update the security system and buff out our knowledge and alliances.”

“But what do we do about the invitation?” Yuffie asked curiously.

“Invitation?” Roxas asked.

“Yes. Phil invited us to the coliseum. A big one-on-one tournament.” Yuffie explained, close to whining. “We really have to miss it?!”

“No.” Cloud said suddenly. “Nothing will happen immediately. They will at most regroup and plan. The tournaments Saturday and would be good for information gathering. Besides, Sora might need help.”

Roxas perked up. “Sora’s on the roster?!”

“Well of course. Yuffie said with a giggle. “Next to Hercules he’s won the most tournaments single-handedly! It wouldn’t be any point in going if he wasn’t!”

Roxas frowned. “Then I’m coming too.” He needed to make sure his brother would be alright.
~~

Sora grinned, excitedly packing some things he would need like elixirs and potions and ethers for tomorrow’s journey. He had been so happy to get the invitation from Phil and Hercules. Of course he was going to the tournament! The ‘Junior Hero’ had to show up! No doubt Donald and Goofy had gotten them as well – probably not to join but at least to come and watch. And even more so he hoped he’d have news about his necklace by now.

He heard Riku milling about in the other room and he spared a glance to the calendar. “Three months already huh?” It was hard to believe. The first week was their honeymoon. The six after that was the hell of spelling he called his ‘Nightmare Phase’. The five after that was just getting caught back up with his life – and continuing contact with his brother’s. Ven and Terra seemed to be at a stalemate sort of agreement. He left that one well enough alone. His brother was an adult and he did agree that he needed to discover his own feelings in his own way.

Roxas’ messages were increasingly interesting and worrisome. Demyx was back – apparently harmless other than his ‘horrendous singing’ and ‘terrible sitar playing’. But Saix was as well and THAT was bad. He passed on the news to Ven, just in case the two identical twins weren’t mailing each other like he had ordered them too. He had already told Ven a lot about the Organization and what they had done to him and Riku and Roxas and Axel – but he still wanted his brother to be cautious.

He also told both of them what had happened with his necklace. It was tragic for him. He loved his necklace! Who dared touch it?! Something else evil was brewing under the surface.

Sora glanced at the table where the names of the other contestants were. Ten people, all one-on-one battles – which meant he’d only get to fight up to maybe four times.

Sora (Of course)
Leon
Cloud
Yuffie
Tifa (luckily these four weren’t together. That had been murder last time)
Hercules (that would be tough)
Cerberus (again?!)
Hades (AGAIN!?)
Pete (fancy that!)
Hatori

The last name was new to him – probably someone who had joined in the tournaments after he went off into Riku La-la land. The last one interested him the most. He wanted to know who this ‘Hatori’ was. He had a tendency to make easy friends – it never hurt to add one! Even if he was going to kick his ass first.

~

Terra yawned tiredly, reading over the words of this journal by a goddess named Iris. Goddesses kept diaries, fancy that. It was Friday night though and he was ready for bed. Ven was practically sleeping on his computer and Aqua and Fuujin were getting a ‘midnight’ snack.

I went to go visit Hercules upon Aphrodite’s request. He practically lives in the coliseum. I flew there quickly, the message being an urgent one. Once delivered, I had all intents on flying off, but as I reached the sky I saw something glimmering on one of the high towers surrounding the stands. I went to inspect it. It was the strangest contraption I ever had seen! A ‘blade’ I’m guessing but it was shaped much like a key. It was impaled in the stone, but when I tried to pull it out it disappeared –

Terra froze, reading over the last few words again. “I found one!” He called. He wasn’t worried about what Iris’ touch had done to the keyblade. It would not leave the world once bound to it. It most likely was just relocated. “There’s one at Olympus!”

Aqua poked her head out, holding back a yawn. “So, should we go get it now? I can go scouting now if you want.”

Terra paused, glancing at his team mates. It had been a long day of research and training. “No, it can wait until tomorrow morning. We need to sleep.” Sometimes searching for dormant keyblades was tougher than finding them with their owners. They would need the light to find it and Olympus was no small world.

~

Long fingers held the invitation delicately, the man making a humming noise every now and then. His eyes, hidden behind locks of black hair, froze on the second to last name.

Sora.

“Excellent.” The male hissed, a wide smirk spreading his face. He lifted his head, red eyes glinting off an unknown source of light as he laughed. This was going too perfectly.

[Rikugurl]

OOC: I wish I could eat that many muffins! xD

Axel's eyes opened wide. "SAIX!?" That was no good... That blue haired man had quite a temper on him... and when he got pissed... he got PISSED! Turned into some wild beast.

But... he personally wasn't a bad guy. A bit too submissive when it came to Xemnas. At least Saix never stopped remember what they were there for... to get their hearts back. He out of any of the 13 wanted their heart back... like it had been wrongfully taken.

"Axel... do you ever wonder who your Somebody was?"
"Na. He was probably some loser anyway who was heartless... probably deserved to lose his heart." The red hand waved his hand in an uncaring manner.
The blue haired man looked down. "I don't think my Somebody was uncaring... I just think he was at the wrong place at the wrong time... I really need to get a heart back for him..."
The redhead blinked, his green eyes becoming simple as he looked at the other member. "Well... I don't need a heart... I already found something close to it." A pat on the back made his blue hair slow as Axel walked away.
"Why.... is he so happy....?"

"For being second in command, he sure is a LUNAtic!" Demyx jabbed Axel in the side as they both started laugh hilariously.
However, they didn't get the reaction they were hoping for. Saix calmly just walked away...

Axel frowned and shook his head. "We need to find him..."


Ventus blinked as Aqua sat down next to him and pushed the tears away. He couldn't help but laugh a little bit. She knew that Ven thought talking was only for girls.

He was so happy that Aqua had come back. He knew that Terra and him would of never made it this far without her... and well... Fujin.... she seemed like she'd make her mark here too.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pale fingers pushed through a small mailbox in the front. There were two letters. One for Sora.... and....one for Sora. Riku sighed as he closed the door. He never got mail.
He put the mail in the cardholder for Sora when he came back from school... but couldn't help but notice the one that looked really... interesting.

"Olympus...?" He cocked his head and sat down at the table. He took the letter opener and opened it up. He hoped Sora wouldn't get angry that he opened up his mail. As long as he still got it right?
He pulled out a brown piece of paper and opened it.
It was a whole bunch of announcements in an odd style hand writing.

To the Junior Hero:
He was guessing that would be Sora. A tournament at the Colosseum? He tilted his head again and smiled. Sounded like fun.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Falling.... falling.... into darkness.
His feet finally landed and a sudden flock of doves rose above him. Their wings making a soothing sound in his ear.
Above and around was nothing but darkness, but below, a light came from below.

It was a stained glass floor but unlike the usual princesses, it was... him? And Aqua... and Terra.... and a new.... Fujin? His blue eyes blinked as he looked around the floor but suddenly Aero Maxim appeared and he looked back, seeing a small army of Neoshadows appearing.

He growled as he dashed towards them, his keyblade slicing through them like butter as he raced up the white stairs. He blinked as he saw a white door up ahead. He continued to race up, slicing through appearing Heartless when all of a sudden... a man appeared in front of him.

His blue eyes widened as he stopped. "Terra!?"
"Ventus... how could you play with my heart like that? Because of you, I've become a Heartless!"
The blonde went into shock. Terra slowly started moving away and he quickly followed, only for the brunette to turn around and point his palm out at the other.

Ice wrapped around him and he suddenly froze in a running stance. His eyes looked sad as they crystallized. Quicksand appeared in Terra's hand and suddenly it smashed into the blonde, making him explode into a million shards of ice.

"AAHH!!" The blonde sat up in bed. Beads of sweat ran down his face and bare, palpitating chest. His blonde spikes were flattened on his head from sweat and he slowly looked to his side, seeing an empty space where Terra always slept.

"Terra...?" He whispered softly, fingering the area that was empty. He had been gone for three days... it would be the third night that he wouldn't sleep well. He sighed as he got up and pulled on one of his light hoodies. It had been ripped and teared here and there, but it was still loose and comfortable.

He walked out to the main room and straight to his black chair. He sat down in it and pulled his feet up. Grabbing the headphones, he pulled them under the hood and flicked on a switch. Loud death metal filled his ears as he just sat there.

When the CD finished, he was already asleep on the computer table, fast asleep, hoping that he would awake in his bed... like always. However, he wasn't expecting his headphone coming off that night.
The shift in his spiky hair awoke him softly and those big blue eyes looked up at the taller man.

"I'm sorry..."
Ironically, Ven wondered if he was sorry about running away... or smashing him into little bits and pieces.
"I... I'm sorry too..." For hurting you.... or turning you into a Heartless...

They did talk... not very much like girls though. They cussed like sailors... but nothing got too loud. The friend agreement... yes, he liked the sound of it. Ventus still had a hard time explaining himself... but Terra seemed to understand.

As long as Ventus continued his strong devotion to stay with Terra to the very end... he knew Terra would always be grateful. They made better friends that lovers... that was for sure. And Ven... well... he would try to realized what was deep inside his heart... at his own pace.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Yea... yea..." A red haired man nodded as he got big puppy dog eyes. Ever since Demyx.... landed on their front doorway... they couldn't seem to... get rid of him.

"PLEASE O PLEASE O PLEASE PLEASE!?"
Did this guy have to sing EVERYTHING!?
Axel covered his ears and closed an eye. "ALRIGHT! You can stay!"

He pouted and slouched over as the tall blonde hugged him. "Just keep your water to yourself."

"Gotcha!"

"You can sleep in our guest room... and I guess.... make yourself at home." Delshad was always growing thanks to the never ending battle with Heartless and Nobodies. When a Nobody regained a heart, Delshad was their next home.
Apartments were starting to get full and some has-been Nobodies had to move to Radiant.

There was really no place for Demyx to go.
"Oh! And when Roxas and I are...." He shifted his eyes, making sure the shorter blonde wasn't around, he made a circle with his fingers on one hand and pushed his index from his other hand through it... back and forth... "Don't jump in and bother us." He then pointed his index at Demyx and frowned. "Got that?"

".............. Are you pointing your penis at me?"

Green eyes widened as he looked at his index finger, his mouth gapping but nothing came out.

There was no way he was going to correct Demyx by saying that it was most likely Roxas'.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Riku smiled as he walked over to Sora who was looking at the list of names. Pale arms wrapped around the brunette's waist as his eyes looked down at the paper. It was good to have Sora back to his old self... and all over something that had happened to his necklace.

There was still no word on it yet and Sora was almost jumping out of his skin about not having it around his neck. Ventus too was steamed that someone would taint his gift to his brother.

He sighed happily and nuzzled the other's neck.
"I'm so glad that you still stuck by Sora's side."
"Mom, some little nightmare episode isn't going to break me and Sora apart. Geez..."

"You must be excited... maybe I can even get a match here and there." Riku started to talk on the other's neck, rubbing Sora's stomach softly. Riku was one hell of a fighter thanks to the Darkness in him... but this was Sora's event and just wanted to watch what the little guy had in him. He knew if they fought together... no one would stand a chance.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ventus blinked and shot up from the computer as he heard a close yell. He yawned and leaned back, looking up at the computer screen. Since they ONLY had five computers, they could only search for five Organization members at a time.

The blonde had gotten his letter from Sora and put out a search to see if the other ones indeed had regained their hearts.
Axel, Roxas and Demyx were the three that had been confirmed alive and the rest... were undetected. The search was almost done when he looked up. There was one member left.
Saix.

Searching.....
Searching.....

The blonde side as he swiveled in his chair and watched the two talk. Olympus huh? Wasn't that where Sora was going for a tournament? Looks like they get to see his brother do a fight or two.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From the shadows, a tall woman came and walked next to the black haired man.

Her amber eyes looked down at the paper he was reading, ignoring the laugh completely.
Sora

Her head tilted as her long ears twitched. "Do you really think this will work...?"