Tying Knots

[Reno]

Roxas was up against Axel's side, his eyes red. He had been hysterical when he heard the news. Acel had barely been able to keep him calm. Roxas, like Ven, was connected to Sora in very deep ways. He was Sora's former soul - but ever since the split, little by little he and Sora had become more seperated, not feeling each other like they used to. When they first split they reacted to almost every stronger emotion the other felt...

And now he could barely feel Sora slipping away.

It seemed so unreal, even as he listened to Sora's labored breathes - the noise proving to him that the brunette was struggling to live, his survival not only depending on himself but Riku as well. the brunette hadn't woken up at all.

His broken charm, like his broken heart, lay on a table near-by. Most likely unfixable.

"I... I can't say how long..." Mickey murmured. "A week at best." His ears lowered, a sad, forlorn look on his face. the mouse was really hurting, like the rest of them.


Aqua, like Axel, was asleep, leaning against Fuujin tiredly. They had used so much energy, not only in the fight... but transporting the injured. It was so unreal...


Terra shut his eyes. Ven... He murmured in his head, wishing he could reach the other, but not having the energy to get to him. Fuck... just three fucking monthes ago...

They had all seen Riku and Sora happy. so. fucking. happy. Like their lifes had finally hit the peak of perfection.

And now they were going to die. It was frustratingly tragic. Heartbreakingly painful.

It hurt so bad... knowing he was going to lose two more people in his life - two he'd barely felt like he had been given enough time to know. "god it's so unfair." Terra's voice cracked as he spoke, weak. "Why the fuck is it always them?"

It seemed as if all trajedies related to those two in some way. Ansem. the Organization. Maleficent. The Chasers. and now Hatori. the keyblades were more then dark powers but a fucking curse too.


Roxas looked across the room, towards Terra. Only he, himself and Fuu were awake at this point. Donald and Goofy were in their own chambers, sleeping soundly hopefully. Invidia was laying on a little bed, out cold. "Sora just always attracted bad luck." He mumbled slowly. "And Riku was born without any. probably why they made such a good couple."



H was floating.

Floating....

in a sky of white. In a sea of clouds. In a world of dreams.

Blue eyes opened, the pseudo- sun warming his cheeks. He knew it was fake. Just as he instinively knew the sky shouldn't be purple above him, that the clouds shouldn't be silver and knew the grass he lay upon shouldn't be blue.

Looks like his mind was still creative, even after all that mental stress from the nightmares.

Sora sat up, stretching his arms high. "Dreaming." He told himself, nodding. Well... no he was aware of it so he couldn't be dreaming persay. He stood, looking around. It was... like paradise. Trees far away had crimson colored trunks and beautiful blue leaves. Before him lay a lake of pure gold. He gasped in surprise. It was that beautiful.

"I love my mind. he chuckled jokingly, then looked around. and caught sight of something even more perfect then a purple sky with silver clouds, blue grass and a golden lake combined. Riku.

"Riku!" Sora said, running over to the male who seemed to be dozing. He leaned over, poking the boy in the ribs. "Wake up sleepy head.

The minute he touched him, a shock went through him. this wasn;t a dream... or maybe it was... but... this wasn't a 'dream' Riku of his. Riku's conciousness was in his dream... or maybe he was in Riku's... or maybe a perverse form of both.

As he waited for Riku to respond, he looked around. At the edges, far on the horizon he could see blackness. It was creeping... ever so slowly closer. and instinively he knew what it meant. the minute it took over this 'dream' world... he would be dead. He and Riku would both be dead.

Hatori had taken everything from him. He had lost all his energy and now it was only a matter of time before he died.

"guess thats why we're here together." Sora mumbled. They;d still get to spend their last hours together.

[Rikugurl]

Green eyes fluttered open at Roxas' voice. He always had a hard time sleeping when he knew Roxas was awake. That meant he should be too. Ever since Mickey had stated that Riku and Sora were likely... going to die... Axel wanted to spend every waking moment with Roxas... He already knew how precious it was to have the blonde... but now... it was stronger than ever.

His eyes were heavy but he pushed them open anyway. He looked down at Xio who was sleeping contently then at Roxas whose face was very sad. The pyro leaned over softly, nuzzling his lover's neck to give him some comfort. If those two went... after everything they've been through... all the hardships... all the love... all the trust and bonding... just for someone... to come and steal it away... like it was nothing... No one... would ever be the same again.


Fuu shivered as she heard Terra's words... and then Roxas's reply. No... they couldn't die... there had to be a way...
She suddenly stood, making sure Aqua was well balanced before she did so. She looked at Terra and then at the other two. She wasn't going to sit around and wait for them to die...

Slowly she walked away from the beds and towards the door before stopping, looking back at Ventus. She sighed softly and walked to her bed, leaning down and carefully pulling him into her arms. She was use to carrying people in her old job... so it was quite easy for her to do... he was pretty light... but he was of the wind element anyway.

She walked towards Terra... and slowly laid Ven where Terra had been laying. She knew they made some silly agreement about this love thing. That they wouldn't do anything together romantically until Ven said the three words... Whenever that would be... no one knew. When Ven was ready to open his heart...
But... Terra needed Ven in this time... and she was sure Ven needed Terra when he eventually woke.

"I'm going to look for King Mickey... he has to have some answers..." She said softly before she turned and left, walking down the hallway. She didn't know where the King would be in this huge castle... but she headed towards the first place that came to mind. The throne room.

She slowly walked down the hallway and stopped when she looked inside a room, seeing the rabbit woman looking out the window. Her red eye darkened. "Monsters..."

A rabbit ear twitched... knowing Fuu was coming down the hallway before she shopped. Her own amber eyes narrowed... but she didn't look at Fuu... just continued looking out the window.
Fujin frowned and continued to the throne.


He felt a jab in his ribs. A soft moan arose from his soft parted lips. Aquamarine eyes slowly opened, looking up at the purple sky. Where.... where am I? He slowly sat up and looked down at the grass. It was blue and the lake.... gold. His silver hair blew ahead of him a bit as he stood, looking around slightly at the odd yet oddly beautiful scenery.

He blinked slowly as he looked out at the horizon. His eyes became soft as he tilted his head a bit, letting the light breeze tickle his hair. "This isn't a dream.... is it....?" He whispered softly.
No... he could feel the wind...he could hear the sound of the water... the wind in the grass and leaves above him. Everything was so real and fake at the same time.

The Darkness and Light in him were calm... much more calmer than they had ever been in his whole life. He was.... calm... not afraid of the darkness that was swallowing this world... their last world... that they would ever be on.

"You know Sora... I had always... wondered what I'd do... if you ever died. I could never... fathom how I could go on without you... even before we were lovers. But... I guess now... I don't have to worry about that." He spoke softly and calmly as he looked down at Sora. "Because... well... I'll be coming with you."

A pinky reached out at took the other's, holding it tightly.
"Minnie never said 'til death do you part'.... I guess because she didn't have to."

[Reno]

Roxas blinked, before hugging the other, nuzzling the other. "Axel..." He ran his hands through the other;'s hair. "Get some sleep." he murmured. He knew he was the one keeping the other up though. He just couldn;t help it though. The idea that Sora was going to die... that Riku was going to go with him...

He suppsoed it was kinder that they died together. He remembered that horrible week after Riku's death, watching Sora's whole life fall apart. It was hard to watch - even harder to imagine him living on like that, a former shell of the happy, bright brother he had grown to love.

And Sora had a strong heart. imagining Riku in that position instead... that was terrifying. The silverette probably would kill himself.

Roxas watched fuujin leave without comment, frowning.


Aqua stirred a bit as Fuujin moved but didnlt wake up. She might not of been connected to her friends as intimately as Terra and Ven ltierally were, but seeing them so weak made her feel the effects too. Or maybe just sympathizing effects.


"thank you." Terra whispered to Fuujin gratefully, almost automatically bring Ventus into his arms, laying his chin on the top of his swirly blonde hair. Almost instantly he felt more at ease. Just having the other near him made him realize that theyw ere still here - still alive and they would survive. He knew how fucking lucky they were. Hatori could have easily finished him as well.

He could have taken him so easily... just a few more moments and he would of been dead too. As Fuujin left, he kissed Ven on top of the head. "I'm so glad you're okay." He whispered to Ven, even if he didn;t hear him.


In the throne room, an opening of stairs leading down to a basement like room, a mouse stood, looking at the cornerstone as if looking for guidance. He and Yen Sid had been speaking a lot and he knew... in theory what had happened.

How to fix it... could very well be impossible.

He heard footsteps, and his ears twitched. "Hello Fuujin." He said. He turned, looking at the silver-haired female. "i'm surprised it is you who had first gotten the initiative to come to me." He knew exactly what she wanted. Answers. Answers to questions he;d try to answer.

He truely was surprised it was Fuujin - and so soon too. He wasn;t expecting this encounter until next morning at least. Suppose he should stop trying to predict things.


"Yeah." Sora whispered to Riku's words, his own sense of calm over him. He wasn't scared of death. He always knew held die before his time. He was a hero. Heroes never had normal lives or normal deaths - never did they ever have a fair life. "When I said we'd go together in my vows... anywhere. I meant it applied anywhere." He smiled faintly, kissing their joined pinkies.

"This world... is more mine then yours." He knew it wasn;t a real world. He had created it... and possibly brought Riku here. The world inside his heart. "It's like... my drive forms."

He looked around. "The blue is Wisedom - magic. Donald always told me everyone had a little bit in them. Magic bring hope and life... and balance and change. like grass and leaves. Tree trunks like valor, strong, defensive, brave, protective, unbending. Water like master, flowing with power, ever shifting, always moving. Clouds like Final - completion." Anti didn;t count, because he no longer existed in his heart - not since after Riku died. His anti form had died. Limit form didn't count either - it wasn;t really a form as much as just... fighting as a 13 year old rather then a 15 year old.

"The sky... is you." Sora murmured slowly, then smiled brillantly up at Riku. "You're my sky Riku."

[Rikugurl]

Axel smiled softly as he felt the finger run through his hair. He loved it when Roxas did that. He closed his eyes, nuzzling more into the warmth. Why couldn't they all be happy and have a little warm party at their place... besides Demy being there?

He sighed and shook his head. "Na... I can't sleep anymore." He looked at both Riku and Sora... seeing that they didn't seem like they were doing better... but worse. Sora had become pale... and Riku even paler. Axel sighed and looked down. "They're really gonna die... aren't they?"


Ven shifted as he was pulled to towards Terra. His body calmed slightly at Terra's breath through his blonde hair... and just knowing that Terra was there... and alright.

His lips moved, slowly becoming a smile. "Terra..." A whisper blew through his mouth.


A red eye looked down as the mouse turned to her... but she looked back at him, a bit desperately. "Please..." She asked softly before sighing. "Something...? Anything?" Mickey was there only hope. He had said a week... but they looked like they were going to leave them... much sooner than that.


Riku smiled softly as he listened. Yea.... this was like Sora... this was real... no doubt now. He stopped smiling though... as he heard Sora say that he was his sky.

Water started to build up in his eyes, looking down at Sora's wide smile. He tried to blink them back... but they only fell. They shimmered in the light of the golden water as he shook his head. "No Sora... you're my sky... I'm your land."

He looked out at the darkness creeping up to them even yet. He took a deep breath as things suddenly started to flash through his mind. Guess it was true... life did flash through... so fast...
He could remember things he had long forgotten... the first time he and Sora met... the first time he and Sora played together... the first time they got into an argument... the first time they gave each other the silent treatment. The first time they battled together... the first time they battled against each other... The first time they kissed.... the first time they made love...

Mickey... Diz... Kairi... Tidus... Roxas... Axel... everyone... they all flashed and he closed his eyes finally.
"NO!" He suddenly cried.

He pointed towards the darkness, as if he was ready for his keyblade to appear... but nothing did. More tears ran down his face as his ocean eyes looked at the darkness moving slowly over the land... eating it up.
"I.... I don't want to die..." He choked out.

[Reno]

"I don;t know." Roxas answeered, looking from one to the other. Sora's breath was getting shallower. Would he not even survive the night? Were they going to lose them... here and now?

He shut his eyes, burying his ehad into Axel's neck. "We can;t let them die... not after everything they;ve done..." for us... he silently added,. He owed Sora his... his everything. His very life was because Sora existed. And riku had saved him more times then he could count - directly or indirectly.


Terra smiled, weakly placing his hand in Ven;s hair, shutting his eyes. Having him here... made him realize that... that... oh fuck.

He sighed, leaning down, whispering ever so quietly that it would carry to no one else's ears. "I love you Ven."


Mickey looked up at her. His ears lowered a bit. "There is hope Fuujin. There is always hope." He looked up towards the cornerstone. "A lot depends alone on willpower alone. how much Sora and Riku want to live will determine how long they have, who knows they very well might exceed a week... or they might die in an hour. But as for gaining their lifes back... that lies in finding Hatori and taking him out of the picture completely.However the workings of his spells and of his nature... if we want to have ANY hope of defeating him - I believe that lies in Terra. They are from the same world and theirfore we can be provided insight by him."


"and you call me a sap." Sora murmured softly, smiling at Riku;s loving comment. They looked out at the land watching it come closer and closer. It could be upon them quickly if they let it... just let the tidal wave take them...

Life. His life would be gone. He had still so much to do. He had kids to teach. A marriage to live. He and riku... they still had arguements they needed tog et in to! and Tidus and Kairi's baby... he wanted... to there. To help raise him or her. He wanted... He still had so many worlds to seee. so many stories to share with Ven. so many trips to take so many more ngihts of love to make...

Riku was shaking suddenly and then yell made Sora's heart jump. Literally he was pretty sure his real heart skipped a beat or two.

"alright." Sora whispered. "then we won't. We won;t die." He shut his eyes. It was him who was dying. He was letting it take them. But if Riku didn't want to die, then he'd fight it.

A golden barrier spread out infront of the darkness holding it back. It crashed hard and loud against the barrier, making it shimmer. Sora panted, bowing his head. "I don't know how long I'll be able to hold it back though Ri."

[Rikugurl]

Slender fingers wrapped around Roxas' head as he buried his face. He couldn't think of anything they could do... except destroy the man who did this... who took their lives...


Ven's heart stopped as he heard the whisper. He must of just... it was in his dreams.... right. Slowly his eyes fluttered softly, bright blue slits started to open. The brunette could see his reflection in the blonde's eyes as they slowly opened side. They focused on him, water glazing them.

He... did really say that.
I love you Ven.

He hadn't heard those words since he was back with his family on Akbar. He finally blinked and the small smile arose on his face. "I--"


"Look!"


Ven blinked as he heard Axel cry out. He quickly sat up and looked over at the two. His eyes widened as he saw a dark aura wisping around Riku.... and then Sora. The Darkness...? His eyes darkened as he pushed himself off the bed, stumbling a bit but moved over Sora's bed.

What was... this?


Riku stopped as he saw the barrier. He looked back at Sora, watching him pant. Was... Sora really going to give up... if he didn't mention it? Sora wasn't one to give up.
"I don't know how long I'll be able to hold it back though Ri."

Slowly he walked back to Sora and smiled. "Then I'll help you." He slowly reached for Sora's hand and held onto it tightly. He could only call the pure strength he hand in him. Darkness. It wasn't an evil darkness... just the element itself. All the evil in Riku's body had left him.


Ven looked at Riku then at Sora. Ventus was always a great code cracker and puzzle wiz. His... teacher had done a good job at passing down his skills...
Sora didn't possess any Darkness except his own form.... but he couldn't... call on it. This was Riku's Darkness.

"He's.... giving him strength." Hatori had taken out Sora's strength... and life force if you will.... but... maybe if everyone gave Sora a little bit of their strength... If everyone worked together...

He reached over and picked up the two broken pieces of the necklace he had given Sora. Sora had always worn it... It was the link to their past. He held it on both palms... and suddenly a small little wind started to twirl in his palms, wrapping around the two pieces.

They slowly started to come together from the wind and slowly rose into the air. Ventus stepped away as the necklace floated in the air, a small wind keeping it together and afloat. Softly and as gently as possible, he pressed two fingers on the charm and lowered it down to the bed. Down and down, gently and softly until it touched Sora's chest.

The small wind continued to blow around it as the necklace started to glow. "Soran... my strength is yours."

[Reno]

Terra looked at Ven, seeing the eyes looking into his own. Did he... did he hear him? But the moment Ven was about to respond, Axel broke in and Venw as gone from his side.

Terra blinked, confused. He sat up.

Aqua snapped awake at the hell. "Wha?" She looked around confused and disoriented.

Both if the Chasered hobbled from their respective resting places, hobbling over. Terra leaned back agaisnt Riku's bed.


No Sora wasn't a quitter. He never was really. But he was hurt and tired. A very, very tired soldier who would never have a normal life. even if they regained their life back... again they'd be tracked. again they'd have to fight. again it was possible that they could die. Besides... he never would have wanted to if Riku didn't. There was no point going back without him. He;d rather die a million tiems then live one life without riku.

See, here was the downfall of Sora being the only fucking optimist around here.

Sora blinked when Riku offered to help, their hands clasping. He smield fondly. "okay." he murmured. The barrier shimmered, and then a second layer was added. One that was black and purple. Darkness and light, holding back death.


Everyone watched silently, and roxas wodnered idly where Ven was finding the strength to stand. Just minutes ago he wasn;t even awake. Was too weak to stand and now...?

He glanced between Ventus and Terra quietly. Well... maybe the nearness? But sounded... weird.

Terra watched Ven quietly. Then slowly he udnerstood. Mayve Ven didn;t know about magical items but he sure did. even if he never heard Hatori's words about Magical items, he did know about it and agreed.

Sora's necklace... had been with him for so long, it had kept scars and memory of magic and life. It had kept memories of hardships and friendships, love and death, loss and regained. It was the center of which Sora's heart was intimately bound - no one really knew what caused this sort of a reaction between an item and a person, but ones, especally like Sora who wore his heart on hus sleeve, bonded with these items so easily.

And even broken and stolen from... memories most likely completely wiped for the onslaughter, it's purpose to Sora still lay there. "Be careful..." Terra warned Ven as he laid the neckal;ce down. It was still dangerous - one wrong move and Sora's heart and magical core would break apart. It was really fragile.


Roxas watched Ven quietly, then slowly he came to an epiphany. they ALL needed to help Sora. they needed to help him balance himself, fgight against death. He needed energy, well hell Ven shouldn't have to lose all his! he had some too!

The small wind Ven had made was calm, more like a soft breeze on a summer day, healing and refreshing. He wasn't afaraid of that. Roxas reached out, placing his hand over Ven's slowly, a soft white light gathering at his palm. "Me too Sora. We're here for you."


"Soran... my strength is yours."

"Ventus!" Sora cried, looking around. There was a weight on his chest... a comfortable familar one. He looked down, but could only see the shadow outline of a little crown. His necklace...

He looked up, the barrier shimmering again as a third layer, made of wind, was added.

"Me too Sora. We're here for you."

"Roxas..." Sora whispered, and a fourth joined the barriers layer, this one pure white like a nobody's realm.


Roxas... Roxas heard his own name whispered in his ehad, enarly making him jump away. Holy crap! "Sora...?!" He could... hear him!? Yeah... it's me. It was weird hearing his voice in his head again... after all these years. He wodnered... could Ven hear him too?

[Rikugurl]

Ven heard Terra's warning... but he knew what he was doing. This was his brother... and if anything... he'd be more than careful.

"Ventus!"

His name rang through his ears and was a bit shocked too... but he knew it was Sora... they were right... they were doing the right thing.
He continued to focus his energy as he felt another bit of pressure on his hand.

Axel...

Tattoos glowed under green eyes as he pressed his hand over Roxas'. A red light started to glow and warmth poured from his hand, going all the way down to the crown. "And mine too... got that memorized?"


Fujin blinked as she heard a cry from down the hallway. "Sora...?" He frowned and quickly left the room and rushed up the stairs and down the hallway. She turned and started back to the medic room. She burst in, seeing everyone hover over Sora. Did he...?

She walked closer, looking to see what was going on.


Riku blinked as he saw the layers of help start to grow, pushing death further and further away.

[Reno]

"And mine too... got that memorized?"
He heard, and the familar phrase made his grin widen. Fire was the next natural barrier, crackling warmly. "Hey thanks Axel me and Ri can roast marshmellows now!" He said teasingly, beginning to sound more and more like himself.

Had Hatori really stolen so much?


Terra was the next to place his hand atop them, carefully. He offered what little he could give without dying. "Stop getting in trouble so much." Terra mumbled.

Sand burst forth, glimmering in the light of the other barriers, seeming almost like the beaches of Destiny in Sora's eyes.

sorry. That's not a demand I can meet. Was the cheeky, even more cheerful response.


Mickey, who was by her side, heard the cry as well, running in step with Fuujin. He stopped in the doorway, seeing the collboration around Sora, and his eyes widened in udnerstanding. They were giving them their energy...


"We're giving Sora strength." Aqua answeered fuujin with a smile, before slowly, placing her hand on top of Terra's, the energy flowing down. "I hope it's enough." She spoke to the brunette.

Sroa watched water shoot up, complimenting the sand like the ocean. He smiled fondly. "Wow... it's looking a lot like home. I've got the beautful breeze, the sand, the ocean, the days and the nights... and..." He tilted his head at Roxas' barrier, unsure of what it reminded him of until- "And seashells!" He stood in his pseudo word, hand clasping Riku's tightly.

This went to all the keybladers minds, and some of them laughed fondly back.

[Rikugurl]

Ven blinked, hearing Sora's voice in his head. He smiled fondly. If they were still younger... Ven would be ecstatic. Sora was his older brother by a few minutes... and he still looked up to him as a model... things hadn't changed.

Blue eyes moved to Fujin and smiled. "He can use all the help he can get."


Fujin blinked at Aqua's and Ven's words. She smiled faintly as she walked closer. She smiled and slowly put her hand down. They... wanted her to join them... maybe... she wasn't a hold back after all. Her soft hands touched the back of Aquas' and another blue glow appeared.
"Strength."


Riku watched as a small fire lit around the 'ocean and seashells'. It did remind him of home. He held onto Sora's hand tighter as he felt a push in the wind, some leaves blowing out towards the barrier. More wind...

Every one was putting in a piece of them... to keep them alive. His ocean eyes looked down at Sora and smiled softly. "We have one hell of a great group of friends..."

[Reno]

Aqua smiled at Fuujin as she joined in.


Sora grinned up at Riku. "Yeah. the best. But hey this is what friends do for each other. we'd do the same for them!" His heart felt so warm... he saw Fuujin's added barrier. "Fuujin... Hey one can be the breezes another can be for the storms."


A new chuckled. And we're not done yet. a new voice said, one he recognized well. Anything to help you two out.


"your majesty!" Sora said in surprise. The last barrier was added, a purple barrier of royalty, a keyhold symbol in it's center. "wow, i think that one counts as shelter." Sora joked.


Donald and Goofy, who had been unable to sleep, heard the commotion that was happening in the room and took a peek in as well.

"whats going on?" Donald asked curiously, wrapped up like a mini-mummy.

"We're giving Sora our strength." Roxas answered. "Join in."

Donald blinked but walked forward with Goofy, and he placed his feathered hand on the pile. "Sora?"

[Rikugurl]

"Mickey!" Riku called, knowing that the last barrier was his old friend. His eyes started to brighten as he watched the darkness push further and further away... hopefully soon it would disappear... and they could have the strength to finally awake from this world.

He blinked though, suddenly seeing white feathers get blown in the wind softly around them. It was beautiful... Ocean eyes looked through his silver hair down at Sora, the feather passing by.


"Gwarsh!" Goofy leaned over as well, only leaving enough space for maybe another person or two. His gloved hand pressed against Donalds'.


A protective shield appeared over the keyhole on top of Mickey's shield, like a knight protecting his king. That must of been Goofy.


Rabbit ears twitched as she heard all the commotion in the next room. She stood, her amber eyes shifting a bit but she left the room. An odd glow was coming from the room next door. She blinked and slowly walked to the frame, looking in to see a huge group surrounding a bed. What was all this?

She quietly walked in more, peering over top them. Everyone was touching Sora's heart. She frowned. This was a kind of majick she never saw before... and she had seen a lot of majick thanks to Hatori.

Slowly walked walked to them and pushed through the small space that was left. Goofy blinked as he moved a bit and looked up. His eyes widened as he was met with the dark skinned woman. What was she going to do!? He was about to protect when he saw her lay her long nailed fingers onto of his.

"Here you go little guy..." A bronze light glowed from her hand.


Riku blinked as he looked up, seeing some odd symbols that looked ancient making a shield over Goofys'... and then... a pirate flag!? He blinked, seeing it wave in the distance. But .... it pushed the darkness further as well.

[Reno]

Sora grinned excitedly, seeing Donald and Goofy's additions. "wow..." He couldn't even come up with anything anymore. "Guys..."

Terra watched the bunny woman quietly. Soemthing about her... told him she hadn't been willingly following that man.

Roxas' eyes narrowed at her, but when she added her hand, his eyes widened. She was... helping?!


Sora grinned and laughed. "Arg, i'm a pirate!!!" He smiled. He recognized the voice though, more then anything. Hatori's agent. Unwilling agent.

"i knew it... i knew your heart wasn't with him." Sora spoke quietly, his voice going straight into the woman's mind, not invading just kind and curious. "I never did learn your name though."

[Rikugurl]

Ven too blinked as he saw the woman push in. He frowned but his eyes widened as she added her strength. Was she just doing to play an act... or...?

Fujin watched the dark skin lay down on the white glove. Her red eye looked her up and down. She knew it... this woman was not evil...


As Sora's voice pushed through her mind softly and made her smile. He really did remind her of someone...
Her amber eyes lightened a bit. "The name is Fran." She spoke softly.


Behind everyone, Riku's eyes started to open slowly, a blured vision of the ceiling in front of him.

In the 'dream world' Riku was slowly fading. He smiled down at Sora and smiled. "Come on Sora... we have other places to go."

[Reno]

"Fran eh?" Sora asked, smiling brightly. "Hi Fran I'm Sora!" He knew he'd make a new friend at the tournament!

Riku started to fade from his side, and he looked at him. He nodded at the silverette's words and smiled. "See you on the other side." he joked.


Sora stirred under the combined weight of the hands, his eyes fluttered open. He looked up at the sea of faces, grinning. "thanks guys. it's enough." He murmured, all his gratitude and love falling over each and every one of them. He owed his life to all of them. He couldn;t of asked for better friends.

Slowly, one by one, people took their hands away.