Tying Knots

[Rikugurl]

Fran smiled again as she got the cheery voice in her head. She told Hatori the power of love was the strongest in the universe. He was the fool...

When Sora's eyes opened, she slowly backed up with the rest. Her long ears twitched, feeling a bit... well... out of place. He amber eyes moved to look back at the silverette whose eyes were now open too.


Fujin smile and nodded at the brunette. They had done it. She too looked back to see if Riku was alright and moved out of the way so he could have a clear view of Sora.


Axel pulled on his doofy smile and wrapped his arms tightly around Roxas, hearing Xio yip in the back. "HORAY! We're hero! Again!"


Goofy laughed and jumped a bit, happy to see Sora was ok!


When Ven pulled his hand away, being the last to do so, be blinked. "Uh..." The crown necklace... was mended whole again... like it had never been broken. Blue eyes shined down on his brother and he held onto his hand. "Welcome back big brother."


Aquamarine eyes looked over to the bed beside him, seeing Sora in the opening. A soft smile ran over his lips. He was still weak... but with rest... they could make it.
This gave a new meaning to 'the power of friendship'.

[Reno]

Roxas laughed, hugging onto Axel. "We did!!"

Donald wiped away a tear. sora was okay. Just a few hours ago the king was announcing his upcoming detah but now....

Mickey smiled turning and grinning at riku. He looked good too. the color had returned to his cheeks. This was good!

Sora smield up at all of them, raising his hand to curl around his crown pendant. It was all better now! He... He was all better now. "It;s good to be back." He murmured up at Ven, smiling. He turned his head, blue eyes meeting aquamarine and he smiled lvoely. "Hey Ri..."

Terra sighed, retreating back to his bed, heavy sitting upon it. He felt draiend for unknown reasons - okay will not unknown but... but Ven had done it so easily. Why did he feel like he was the only tired one?

There was a long pause as everyone basked into happiness - and then Aqua asked. "So now what?"

"Isn;t it obvious?" Roxas answered venmously. "We find Hatori and castrate him!"

Sora laughed faintly, but it was hollow. They still needed to take him out, didn;t they?

"Yeah well, I dunno if you noticed but that was a big failure." Donald grumbled.

"Then we just need to try harder!" Aqua demanded.

"no... it's not the matter of trying harder." Mickey spoke out. "It's a matter of knowing our enemy better." There was a long pause, then most heads turned towards Fran.

However Mickey knew that Fran probably knew little to nothing truly about Hatori if his guess was right. someone with intimate secrets would not be left behind - especally not alive - in the hands of an enemy. This Hatori fellow was more cunning - cunning enough to take out four keyblades at once.

So his, and Fuujin's gazes, landed on Terra who had seperated himself to rest. The brunette, noticing the gazes, had tensed, staring blankly back. What did they want from him?!

[Rikugurl]

Riku only smiled more before his eyes lowered back into sleep. He was exhausted. He had used a lot of power in that battle... and didn't get to rest like the others.


Axel silently screamed as he heard the castration part. He reached down and made sure that his own was intact and comfy. "Couldn't we... just.... beat him up real good?"


Ven looked up, raising a brow when Aqua said they needed to try harder. Oh yea... like they weren't already giving that nut everything they had. He was about to chew out at the blue haired when Mickey butted in.
"Yea... knowing the enemy better and maybe getting some more help."


When some people looked at Fran, she put her hand on her hip. "As a Sky Pirate... I am a bit ashamed that I was actually... kidnapped." She wasn't kidnapped... but there was no way that she was going to say she got on her knees and begged for him to spare her life. That would make her even less of a pirate!

"Unfortunately... I don't know much about him except that he steals people's lives to gain their power and abilities, there majick and so forth. He's very skilled in the ancient arts... and is picky when it come to sleeping in a perfect bed." She rolled her eyes and shook her head. "That... and I believe he said he was an Atterian.... and boasted a lot about it."


Ven eyes widened as he slowly looked at Terra. Terra was an Atterian too... Slowly his grip on Sora's hand fell as he faced the brunette.


Fujin looked over at Terra as well. When she talked briefly with Mickey, he had said something about Terra being a key to this. But why?

[Reno]

Roxas hit Axel over the head. "Baby!"


Sora could hear something brewing between the group... A discussion. His curiosity wanted him to listen and he struggled to sit up. He didn't want to miss it! Even if Riku was gonna sleep he sure wasn't!

Aqua's eyes also widened at Fran's words. "No fucking way." She looked towards Terra as well.

Roxas, Axel, Donald and Goofy, seeing that the others were looking towards the land keybladers, turned their heads for him as well, curious.

Terra shook a bit, seeing all eyes suddenly on him. He bristled. "WHAT?!" He snapped furiously - because he was angry. And he was terrified, because it was all piecing together so terrifyingly quickly. This wasn't... no this wasn't fucking happening.

"Terra he's of your race." Mickey started calmly, seeing the brunette was on the verge of a breakdown. "Can't you tell us anything? About the spells or the life-draining or-"

"NO OKAY?!" Terra raged, standing up. "Damn it no! This is some sick fucking joke!" He slammed his fist on the table. "What you guys are asking of me... is to tell you a fucking fairytale. a legend! LEGENDS AREN'T TRUE!"

"The paopu fruit was." Roxas pointed out, surprised to see how worked up Terra was about this.

The brunette, speechless, let his shoulders slump, then he fell back to his bed. "Fine you want to hear it?! You want to know so fucking bad?! Fine I’ll tell you." He growled, before yelling it out, as loud as he could. "WE'RE ONE OF THE REASONS THE GATEWAYS WERE CLOSED!"

Silence. No one knew how to answer. They knew, long, long ago, the worlds had not always been shut off - the gateways had been open. Travel had been free and easy - until disruption by a force so dark it was universally destructive had shown itself. That was when the first keyblade was made, cutting off all worlds with its locking power and shutting out the darkness within every planet's (and persons') hearts, dispersing it evenly to create the balance of dark and light. Everyone had formerly assumed that they had been talking about the Heartless... most if not almost all of them (the King aside).... hadn't even fathomed that there had been anything else.

"N-No way." Sora stuttered. "The heartless did that - didn't they?"

Terra looked away, knowing he was caught. "Yes. But they weren't the only force.... In... in Atterian ancient texts... There was a legend." He couldn’t look at them. Because as he revealed this... he revealed a secret fear that had bubbled in his stomach ever since he had first read this story.

"Years ago... my race... they weren’t quite human. That's what other worlds spoke of them - called them demons in disguise. They walked like humans and turned into demons without warning. Claws and fangs and… I don’t really know. Grotesque creatures." He shook a bit, unable to believe he was saying this! "My planet had always been heavily centered around using land magic - that was true even in the past but we used it in the worst way possible. The stories are they went from world to world, stealing the energy of the planets themselves, drinking in so much power at times… that the light turned to darkness and they became corrupted. Soon it wasn’t about planets anymore but people too. Complete worlds of people were murdered… and the finally the planet itself. There was no hope of regaining that planet or those people. They were dead, end of fucking story.” Terra bit his tongue, and then sighed. He wasn’t done, was he? This was the fucking part that he hated the most – because it sang so fucking true for him. And he really didn’t want Ven to hear this anymore, but he pressed on.

“They called them Renki.” When he got strange looks, he sighed. “It means unlovable and unable to love. They didn’t believe in it – in fact it wasn’t even common when they were still around in my lifetime. It was there… it was believed to be rare and unimportant – easily something that could be given up in the face of duty. I believe in it though because my mom… she always spoke so highly of it and now I see you fucking love puppies it’s gotta be there.” It didn’t he could feel it though. And that’s what scared him. What if he really… didn’t actually feel anything for Ven? What if it… was just his mind trying to convince himself? He blinked away the tears forming in his eyes and moved on.

“We were so fucked up back then… that we even took out our own. Wounds… wounds like that scar Sora gave Hatori could be cured if you stole the energy of another Atterian. Sometimes scars were reflected… like how I’m now fucking blind in one eye. It leaves its mark.” Sora’s eyes went wide, and he grimanced guiltily, looking towards the bed sheets, but Terra waved off the coming apologizes, just wanting to finish. “Eventually, the dark magic consumed them. They started… looking for more powerful conquests. Kings. Warlocks. Dragons.” He murmured.

“How?” Donald asked, unable to fathom it. Warlocks were not easily taken down!

“…The same… the same way Sora was supposed to be I fathom.” Terra mumbled. “The darkness had consumed them so greatly… mental conquest was just as important as power. They found the center of their power and exploited it. Magical items… like the crown necklace, one that had been introduced and inflicted with much damage both physical and magical… retains the powers of its owner. That was the key. But because the conquests were hard, they… they used their powers to poison the magical items. Whenever nearby it created unending nightmares of one’s greatest fears, until the owner was too exhausted to fight back. They learned… they learned how to read those memories on the items though… and the powers of its owner began theirs. It didn’t happen often, a conquest like that, but when it did the universe knew. “

Mickey was quiet but he nodded, knowing of this. The study was called magicology – where magic was centered, how it was formed, where it went. That’s why most magic was drawn through weapons, using it as a center – because items provided a safe transport of magic from fighter to opponent and were naturally conductible to center and hold onto magic. People forgot – items never did.

“It was worse than murder, now it was thievery too. It was such a fucking power conquest, stars were dropping from the skies like flies. Then the Keyblade came down and executed half of my race and cut off the power to steal energy from the other half’s hearts. It didn’t matter – once the gateways were closed most of them couldn’t have gone anywhere, anyways. I guess some god wanted us to have a fucking second chance though… because our history was wiped clean and no one remembered the Atterian demons – except the Atterians themselves, who had to live with the guilt and pass it on through future generations. It was one fucked up way to live, teaching your children that they could have been murderers and that’s what they would have been had not been for the Keyblade. But eventually it turned from truth to legend in my people’s minds…”

“Atteris… means the planet of land. But in our ancient tongue it meant planet killers. My name, Terra, came directly from that name. Terra back then… meant murderer.” He hissed, the day the heartless had invaded his world whirling in his mind. The day he ran like a coward – acting like his ancestors more then than ever before. Self-preservation had been the only important thing on his mind that day. Not the thousands of voices screaming around him as his people were completely killed out – all except him… and this Hatori bastard.

“Terra…” Aqua stuttered. Now she knew why this was bothering him so much. Why it was so hard to tell. She had had a Berserker for a brother – she knew what living a damned life entailed. “When did you read this?”

“I always knew.” Terra mumbled scornfully. “They were bedtime stories for me. My mother was a wonderful woman but even she couldn’t break the tradition.” He suddenly leant over burying his head into his hands, his breath shuddering, unable to hide the cracking in his voice. “That’s what they WERE to me. They were STORIES. I never thought they were fucking true. But… I even felt it. When that bastard’s fucking claws were in me… our magic fucking MIXED. I knew… I just fucking knew he was like me somehow.” No… he was older… therefore Terra was like him.

“Are you fucking happy now?” Terra snapped, getting to his feet and storming from the room.

There was an ominous silence as Terra left. So basically, they were facing something even worse than a heartless. Hatori had been retaining the magical memories of god knows how many people – and he had just added Sora to that inconceivably long list. No wonder his spells were so powerful. They were ancient spells, of which no one knew how to protect each other against. Except… quite possibly Terra himself. It was his bloodline – maybe he knew some spells he never told anyone about, knew some ways to counter or fight back he didn’t want to reveal.

Sora frowned, wishing he didn’t feel so tired or he’d go after Terra himself. The guy needed a real pick me up.

Aqua watched Terra take his leave, and then followed after him. “Terra!” He shouldn’t be allowed to be left alone after something like that. She knew she probably wouldn’t be the only one following, but hoped others knew it was best to stay back. An emotionally distraught Terra, was an explosive one and only she and Ven knew how to really deal with it. Fuujin would probably have to learn one day though. She had gotten lucky that one day when Terra had decided to run instead. Had they had had both keybladers on their hands it probably would have been a lot harder to give them ‘advice’.

Terra ran for the courtyard, wishing they’d all just leave him the fuck alone. Because he knew something else, something he hadn’t told them at all. One that made him feel physically sick. Hatori. It meant ‘one who poisons’ in the ancient tongue, but that wasn’t what bothered him.

Terra slumped down onto a bench in the courtyard, surprised he had gathered enough energy to travel this far. He buried his head in his hands, curling his legs up to his chest, trying to block his mother’s voice from his mind. He heard footsteps getting close. “Go away.” He pleaded quietly, not caring who they were. “Just leave me alone.”

“Like hell fucktard.” Aqua hissed brazenly.

[Rikugurl]

Axel pouted as he head was hit. That was a great place to hit Axel... he might lose more brain cells!


Fran frowned as a blue haired woman yelled at her. Pirates didn't have to lie... unless they had to. She crossed her arms and blinked as she looked towards Terra.


Axel was a bit drawn back with Goofy, hearing how angry Terra had gotten in the matter of moments.


Ven on the other hand was quite use to it. He remember... when he had a strong, open heart... he would alway wonder why Terra exploded so much... and tried to point him at the good things about the situation. Unfortunately, now with the closed heart, it seemed like he was as bad as the land keyblader.

Blue eyes watched the man was he spoke, watching is face and movements. He was really... heated up about this. Terra was their leader... but it seemed like Terra was born to be one. His race was a dominate one. Akbartans were peaceful, simple people with big hearts. He even wondered if other kids from the World of Quite Winds had become keybladers due to the large amount of heart they all had... that is... if they survived.

As for Aqua, she was from Dragoon in Regole's realm. She was born to a peasant family... and mentioned quietly that her brother was born as some kind of guardian. It wouldn't be in her nature to lead.

His eyes darkened as he heart Terra put it bluntly. It was his race that had closed the gateways... that must of been so long ago. This blew out a large theory though... that this Darkness... hadn't been around forever. Had Atterians really... caused this imbalance in the universe? Had they triggered the Darkness to become overpowering to... they sucked the life away from planets... and left the remains for the Darkness to take... to take the planet's heart?

Was this why... the keyblades were made?
The same items... that they were trying to capture?
Ventus had wanted to capture keyblades so they wouldn't destroy any more planets... but... before he met Terra... was he after keyblade to... gain power... and didn't even know why?
So many things Terra hadn't told him came out... they had known each other for so long...

Blue eyes moved to the floor but quickly stopped, widening.
"It means unlovable and unable to love."
Everything from then on was clouded... one ear and out the other.
"I love you Ven."
A frown ran over his face. It.... It was a goddamn lie.
All of those... LIES!?

So... why had he done them? To suck in my own power!? To clean me up dry!?
NO!!
He closed his eyes... his hands were made into fists.

His heart started to get pulled and tugged... every which way. Up down, left, right. Pulling and tugging and... knotted. It was a mixture of his own body fighting itself... and a mixture of Terra's guilt and other negative emotions. And it didn't stop when the brunette left the room.


Axel, Goofy, Fran and Fuu frowned as they watched the man leave. A bleached head shook. What a big baby... like running away would solve his problems.... The bunny woman sighed not wanting to say it out loud. A life of a pirate was tough... and there were certain ways they lived... she couldn't judge how someone else lived. She had to remember that she too use to be very connected with her worlds'... life force. The Mist... it was very powerful... and strong... she couldn't imagine anyone taking it away.


Goofy swallowed, watching the brunette leave. "Gwarsh... this is horrible too." He had never heard of such a story... or an origin of how the Darkness started. He was hoping that none of his friends would be so deeply involved. He didn't want to see what happened to Riku with anyone else.


Axel was just shocked. He never heard anyone swear that much in their life! And... he was shocked form the story too. He sighed as Terra left and looked around the room. "Guess I was right... we'll need more people to join the fight." That meant... DEMYX!? GAH! He was sure the blonde wouldn't like that any bit either... so they could both suffer.


Fujin's eye widened as she saw Terra go off and Aqua following him. She looked back at Ven... who hadn't budged. Ugh... men... She shook her head and quickly followed Aqua out to the courtyard. Her run turned into a trot as she watched the two from afar.


Ven's eyes were still on the floor. He knew... that if he followed Terra... he might make things worse. Ven was brash and random... and pure fuel to the fire. He was the oxygen that kept the fire going... the wind that made the fire spread. Now that there was a personal bit... he knew there was no way he wouldn't blow up...

[Reno]

Donald frowned, looking towards the floor. So this was a lot worse then they imagined - Terra's emotional problems aside.

Mickey wasn't as shocked as everyone else - he'd heard bits and pieces of the 'legend' before hand. It seemed they had to worry about another thing though and that was Terra's emotional state. He wouldn;t be any help in the battle if his heart was all mixed up again. He seemed on the verge of shutting it down again.

Roxas was quiet for quite a few moments then sighed. He glanced at Ven who refused to move, then towards Sora. He didn;t know what to do, so he glanced to Axel. "Heh, Demyx has to pay rent somehow." He joked.

Sora frowned a bit, but he hoped secretively that Aqua and Fuujin knew what to say. Ven could have fixed a lot easier damn it if he just had opened his ehart but nope. Then he gave Ven a real glance seeing how confused he was. He frowned, then reached out, grabbing a wrist and tugging him lightly back. "Ven are you okay?"


Meanwhile...

Aqua was a little ticked off that Ven didn't come. Damn it even if you do make it worse first it would have been better later! She shook her head. she'd punch that idiot for it later! What did Ven think he was gonna think?

Terra laid out on the bench suddenly. "okay fine, let;s here your wonderful advice that will put all my fucking worries to rest and make it all fucking bunnies and rainbows again."

Damn it she hated it when he acted like this - like he thought she was just saying this to ease her own conscience and would leave the minute she felt better. "Okay!" She walked over, sitting down on Terra's stomach.

"Oof! get the fuck off!!" Terra complained, but he didn't push her or move her. Ven and Terra had always been a little kinder to her - a guy thing really. didn;t thing she could take some of the roughhousing but she could sure deal it out.

"nope, gotta make it all fucking bunnies and shitty rainbows again." Aqua leaned back, making the other grunt. "So lets see, what to start with. the fact that you think your a born murdered, that you thin your not human or that you think your unlovable?" Oh yeah, and for a fucking peasant girl she did know how to read between the lines.

"Human is such a relative term." Aqua grunted. "Lets see Terra- i've seen you rant and rage, cry and scream, be fucking happy and skippy. You show emotions."

"Yeah so does Xio."

"You think, you read, you fight and you bleed."

"..."

"So what if, underneath, you can become a demon? Sora could turn into a fucking heartless at will and yet he's human. Riku could turn into that bone dragon yet he's human. Me and Ven we got yellow eyes and became destructive little demons, we're human."

"that was just the by-products of darkness!"

"And so is whatever's in you! Damn Terra you ever thought maybe the dark magic was a big fucking clue into making your kind into demons, rather then you being born it! I mean you;ve never turned have you?"

"... I don;t think so." Terra mumbled.

"And the only person you have seen was that bastard Hatori, right?"

"...Yes."

"Okay then!" She smacked him on the face.

"ow SON OF A BITCH!" This time he did throw her off and she went tumbling to the ground.

Terra sat up, rubbing his face but Aqua got up brushing herself off and turned to face him. "That fear that you aren;t might never go away - but I mean even if you aren;t none of us really care. We made friend with weirder species. I mean, you know we;re fucking friends with ducks, mice dogs and chipmunks. The point is is how you act."

Aqua crossed her arms. "and as for murdering yeah you are. But all the chasers, sans Fuu, are. We've killed for keyblades. So i mean we're all in the same boat here. Riku killed nobodies permanently, Axel's killed, hell, It happened. And we'll deal with that as it goes, but you know until i see fucking claws and fangs on ya i'm not worried that your start murdering like some crazy sonovabitch. But fuck Terra, you weren;t born to murder - your name doesn;t mean anything in the past. It means land, get the fuck over it. The point is, whatever your past ancesters detonated for you doesn't mean that's what you have to be, You fight fate not go with it. look at Riku, he fought his own darkness and now it;s gone. After all that shit and now everythings good so you will be too."

Terra stayed quiet here too, so she slapped him again. "FUCK QUIT THAT!"

"No." Aqua said. "i'm gonna hit you to beat the sense into ya." The last one was the hardest though. "And love-"

"No" Terra stood, looking furious. "I wanna see what the fuck you have to say for this but I don;t BELIEVE a fucking word of it." He pointed at the empty space besides Fuujin. "But he;s not here." Tears trickled down his face. "I told him I loved him tonight... and he;s not standing here. So he fucking agrees with me. He fucking thinks i don;t love him and he can;t love me and thats fucking THAT." The keyblade snapped into into his hand and he turned slamming it into the bench. It snapped in half. "FUCK!"

He fell to the ground in a sitting position, staring blankly at nothing, silent tears working his way down his face. "My mom always told me... when i was a kid... that love was an unconditional thing between a parent and child. So I musta loved her... She said I always had her love. But with anyone else - it was all relative and unreal."

"And you honestly believe that shit?" Aqua snapped. "Damn it Terra... you love Ven. You didn;t just say those words outta the fucking blue for no reason."

"what if i did?" Terra whispered. "what if i'm just so fucking desperate to make you guys stay with me I'm just lying?"

Aqua stared at him, sighing. "Well Terra then you wouldn;t have added in your story that your race is unloveable. You trusted me... and you trusted him... to believe in you more then something that happened in the past. To believe your words over a story." And Ven's broken your heart twice now. She thought to herself.

[Rikugurl]

Axel blinked but grinned, nodding evilly. "That's true. Now he can't occupy our cuddling couch to play his crappy music without paying a price for it!" Demy wouldn't he happy to hear that!


Goofy turned and looked at the King. "So your majesty... what do ya suggest we do now??


Ven felt the tug on his wrist, making him off balance and was pulled back. His blonde hair shifted softly as his blue eyes still stared at the floor. He could feel tear bottle up in his eyes... half his... and half Terra's.

A sigh as he shook his head escaped. "He said he loved me..." He whispered so softly that only Sora could hear. A frown ran down his face as he closed his eyes, the water seeping down. "And I.... I can' say it back to him. There hearts are opening so quickly... I thought I could do it too.... but my heart is still frozen.... from that day. I was hoping that... that Terra would make it melt.... but... it still hasn't changed. I want to tell him... but... the words... they can't even come out of my mouth."


Axel had elephant ears and blinked as he looked at the two.
"I want to tell him... but... the words... they can't even come out of my mouth."
That sounded familiar...

"Uh... hey..." He moved away from Roxas and on the other side of Sora's bed, looking across at Ven. "When... I was a Nobody... I couldn't tell Roxas how much I loved him... because I didn't have a heart... It hurt real bad. Everytime I wanted to tell him how I felt... nothing would come out. It was like... someone stole the words."

His green eyes widened as he tilted his head.
Stole the words...?
He looked back at Roxas and blinked. "Hey Rox... didn't you tell me one time that a word was stole from you too? Wasn't it... 'camera' or something?"


Fran blinked as she listened to them. "That sounds.... really silly."


Fuu frowned as she watched Aqua do her deeds and couldn't help but muffle a chuckle everytime she saw her lover slap the man. She really had some spunk in her... even if it wasn't suppose to be funny.

She frowned even more as Terra pointed to her side. It was... quite empty. She shook it off and walked over, looking at the broken bench then at Terra. "It will get you no where if bring yourself into your own doom. You cannot be afraid of something that you don't know will happen. You should know that as a Chaser." Her silver hair shifted as she talked.

"You did everything you could to capture keyblades... and even destroyed some keyblade wielders... just because you thought that they would become evil in the future. If you're scared that you think that you'll become a demon in the future... then you would be making the same mistake twice. We learn from our mistakes and try not to repeat them. Even if you do become a demon... your friend will do everything in their power to help you... just like Riku... We're all here for you Terra... even Ven..."

She looked up at the blue sky and smiled. "He already made you a promise that could never be broken. He had given you a paopu fruit... and in Destiny... it's like an engagement. He knew what he was doing that night Terra. He loves you... but he has problems of his own he needs to work out I'm sure. He knows you're already intertwined with him... and you know the same... there's no reason for you to lie. He will never leave your side. Even if he's not here in person... he's with you... always. Feeling your joy... your pain... he's there to share it with you. Not because he has to.... because he wants to."

"Now... he wants to see you better... and the only way he can do that is with your help... and we want to help you too. But... we need you Terra... You might be the only one who has the key to stop Hatori. No one can help you... and you can't help yourself... unless you're willing to try... and put all these things behind you until the job is done. Then maybe... you can get your bunnies and rainbows."

[Reno]

"Welp, Axel's right, we're going to need help. All the help we can get." Mickey said with a nod.

Sora frowned, wiping away a few of Ven's tears. the conversdation then suddenly got very interesting.

"Actually... it was photo." Roxas said, frowning a bit. "It was really... really odd. They had gotten stolen and every time we tried to say it it just... wouldn;t come out. But then we fought the dusks and got them back and suddenly we could say it again."

Sora slumped against the headboard his eyes getting heavy. He yawned. "Okay so... all he has to do is find out whats blocking the words, fight it off and Ven can say it." He laughed. "And then everyone can be happy again." He shut his eyes. looking on the verge of going to sleep.



Terra looked towards fuujin quietly, then towards the floor. A faint smile was on his face. "I might like bunnies and rainbows."

Aqua grinned at her little peacemaker, slapping Terra one final time.

"WHAT THE HELL!" Terra scowled at her.

Aqua laughed, "See? all better!"

"Pff far from it." Terra grumbled, rubbing his abused cheek sulkily. But... but Fuujin was right. they still had a job to do. Hatori had to be stopped and Sora's true energy had to be returned to him. And he was the one who knew Hatori best even if he fought him the least. He'd deal with all his fucking problems afterwards.

"Alright." He stood wiping off his face. He was still the fucking leader of the Chasers - weakness in him was rare and far between. Thats usually why he ran. He didn't want to apepar weak. "Get your asses up. We're going to fucking bed then tommorrow i'm gonna train all ya'all on the ways of Atterian magic so you know what to fucking expect. then we'll take this bastard out! ya hear?!"

Aqua grinned. Now that was the Terra she knew!

[Rikugurl]

Ven frowned a bit as he looked at Sora... making it seem like a whole lot of nothing... but he could see that his brother was tired... and even if he had slept a lot himself... the little bit of energy he gave Sora made him a bit tired himself too.

"Alright... well all go to the Chaser base for now for rest... I'll see if I can find where Hatori has gone to next..."
Aero Maxim appeared in his hand and he slashed into nothing, making the portal wide. He reached down and pulled up his now asleep brother. He walked into the portal with him and disappeared.

Goofy looked down at Donald then at Roxas and Axel. "Welp, looks like be better fallow 'im."

Axel nodded and looked down at Riku. "Ok pretty boy... time to go off with your husband again." He leaned down and pulled up Riku, seeming to have a hard time with it too. "Damn... this guy is heavy." Damn muscles. He dragged the silverette to the portal and walked in, noticing Goofy had run off towards the courtyard.





A few hours later, the Chaser base was crowded... and dark. Fuu and Aqua were sleeping in their own bed, cuddled up close. Riku and Sora were laid down on Terra's and Ven's bed since they needed the extra comfort. Besides.... Terra and Ven had already violated Aqua's bed... they didn't seem to care if Riku and Sora would awake and kiss. They already knew what had happened on Leon's bed...

Talking about Leon, the group made a list on the computer of people who would be good for the fight. Leon happened to be one of those people along with Cloud, Tifa, Yuffie, and some others. However, the list was soon put away. They weren't sure if they wanted to endanger anyone else's life in this battle. That would be horrible...

The computers wree soon put to rest, only two screens on without the glowing Kingdom Hearts. One was still searching for Saix and the other... for Hatori.

Ven was sleeping on his chair again, his face buried in his scared arm and soft blonde hair covering his face.

Axel and Roxas.... and Demy were sleeping on the floor with some blankets. It wasn't all that comfortable but... Axel still had Roxas to cuddle with... and Demy using his stomach as a pillow.

Goofy and Donald had huddled in a corner with a blanket and fell asleep with their heads together. Goofy pointed out that maybe the needed a bigger base....

Fran had made her way in too. They needed to find her home right? And there was now way she'd be able to get back unless they found the route from Hatori. They gave her a list of all the worlds they knew... which was a lot... but she wasn't from any of them. She was on another corner, by a large filer with a blanket for her own.

Tomorrow was training day on Atteris.


Inside of Fuu's and Aqua's room, the blue dragon stone shown brightly.
The computer screen looking for Saix suddenly clicked.
Searching....
Detecting....

A blue and golden aura came off the stone and hovered over the silverette, moving towards Aqua. It pushed inside of her ear... and stirred up a memory in the form of a dream.

A dirt road led to a very poor looking school made of wood and stone. Peasant children walked down the road, some even without shoes to protect their dirty feet from rocks.

"Hey! Stop it! Leave me alone! This is all I have!" A young girl yelled as some older boys tugged at a small bag she carried. It was her lunch bag...

Further down the road, two other teens were talking towards the school. A boy and girl... brother and sister. The girl had bright blue hair and her brother, a darker blue/purple. They walked along until they heard the crying. The older sibling stopped and looked up, light brown eyes widening through the 'X' mark on his face.

"Zarya!" He called, handing his sister a pouch before rushing off towards the fight. He pulled the boy's hand away and stood of the sniffing girl protectively. "Leave her alone!"

The two boys blinked and started to laugh. "Zarya and Sai kissing in a tree~~~" One taunted.
"Stop that! It's my job to protect everyone!"
"Yea...? Like you protected you father?" The other called out.
The boy's face started grow angry as fangs started to grow.

"Haha, how about this... we'll leave Zarya alone if we can spend some quality time with your sister~~" One boy taunted again as he snatched Zarya's bag again.

That was it.

The blue purple hair started to stand up as if it was a defensive cat. The boy's eyes turned bright yellow and claws formed from his dirty hands. Fangs barred as he snarled at the boys. "LEAVE THEM ALONE!" Powerful claws grabbed onto the bag, ripping it from the boy's hand. The strap broke at ease as the two boys trembled. They almost tripped over each other as they started to run away.

The... monster that was once a sweet boy turned to the younger girl and handed the bag over. Zarya trembled as she took the bag and suddenly ran away towards the school. "Get away from me!" She cried as she ran as fast as she could.

Another snarl came from his mouth until he suddenly felt a hand wrap around his wrist. He turned his head, snarling down at the blue haired girl... but all she did was gently touch the 'X' on his face... and he slowly and gently turned back to his normal state. A sad yet thankful look ran over his face as he looked at her. "Thank you Aqua..."


The computer clicked again.
Detection lost....
Searching....

[Reno]

Sora drooled all over the bed, snoring peacefully. Having Riku so close, he could have pretened he was back home, that tommorrow woud be a normal day of running to the mainland, grabbing some coffee on his way to school, and then seeing his happy children as he taught them. Then he;d fly home to Riku's arms, have dinner, have sex and be happy.

Yeah Riku wasn;t the only one who missed their old home. He would have loved staying there - but the mountainsides were just unbuildable.


Mickey had stayed back, informing the other's he would have Yen Sid give him all the information he knew before joining the, He told them he'd see them on Atteris in the morning, bright and early for this training. He had some nightly traveling to do.


Roxas was curled up against Axel, breath ghosting over the redhead's shoulder, one arm lazily thrown over the chest.

Demy, who they had gotten back from home (and left Xio and Invidia there to stay safe and recover respectively), was contently sleeping. He wasn;t thrilled with the red-head's news. About the fighting to come. In fact he was downright terrified. He took one look at Sora and Riku and wanted to run for the fucking hills. The same Sora who had done this to him:

Water was spread all over the ground, and the three warrios before him were soaked and tired. A pressurized stream and water sent the three back with a cry.
"donald! Goofy! Ya ready?!"
"Yeah!"
Sora and Donald stood, leaving Goofy in the middle. "wind!" sora cried.
"Fire!" donald said a second later, and a stream-like tornado shot up, blocking the three from sight.
Demyx merely laughed. What? fire? pff, that was easy enough to take out. And it wasn;t even coming for him!

Inside the warm flames, the three's clothes dried almost instantly. "Ready?" Sora asked, receieveing nods of affimrative. "Give me strength!" Donald and Gofoy disappeared, and yellow energy wrapped around him.

Demyx looked as they flames leared revealing... Sora... in yellow?
"Say goodbye." Sora said, two keyblades in his hands. He shot them down into the water. The only area that was dry... was the circle Sora sat in right now. "THUNDAGA!"
Demyx blinked, and two instances later, the lightning traveled down the water and consumed him. He screamed. "NO!!!"

Yeah he had died. And someone could take out that spunky kid? That seemed almost impossible... not even Xemnas had been able to do that.

So why did he stay? He wasn;t sure. It was more then jsut Axel's threat that he;d be thrown out like a dog if he didn't. Axel and Roxas were... his friends.

Did having a heart make him want to protect them?


Donald, feathered hands clasped over his stomach, slept easily. He'd been in many impossible-seeming battles before. The point was to get used to it and realize that sleep and rest had to comed when time allowed for it - otherwise you really would lose. It had sometimes been difficult for him Sora and Goofy to find any times to rest.

Donald panted, watching the last heartless go. His magic felt drained and unreturnable. He had reached his limit - and they were still in danger. It had been almost two whole weeks since he Sora and Goofy had found any time to sleep for more then a few hours at a time. Duty calls and all that.
He glanxced at Goofy who was wiping his borw, one arm all badaged cause a heartless had got him pretty good.
How'd they get lost in the desert again?
Retching met his ears and he turned to glance at Sora, who was throwing up all over the ground. He frowned, walking over to him, patting him on the back. It was the heat and exhasution. They needed to find shelter. "come on we'll take a break.
"I'm okay." Sora said, his voice high and young. "Heroes can;t be sick." He mumbled.

They had been lucky when Aladdin had found them.


Terra was the only one not sleeping, nearby to his bookcase, flipping through book after book, reading spell itnently, writing them down. He was making a hell of a list of his own. No matter what he complied though he knew thta they wouldn;t know what to expect from Hatori. He had the abilities of possibly thousands inside himself. all Terra could tell them of was the dark magic he knew about - or practiced...

He sighed tiredly, glancing over at Ven who was sleeping on the computer desk. His back was bent at an odd angle - damn that would be painful in the morning.

A beep brought his attention closer. and he set down his research to look at the computer. It was Saix's screen... It had found him!

Moments later though, the signal disappeared. He frowned. Well... Saix was alive. And moving. Great. He carefully looked at the world that Saix had been found at - Dragoon? He already had left it though...

But what did that mean? Was Dragoon in trouble? Aqua would kill him if he didn;t tell her.


Aqua stirred at the memory, grunting a bit.

Aqua smiled at her brother cheerfully. "I'm always ehre for you bro!" She said chipperly. "Ignore them all their jsut dumb." She clasped his hand with his, unafraid of the receding claws, unafraid of her brother. "And don;t lsiten to them about dad. Dad wanted you to protect us."

Aqua stirred, her eyes opening slowly. The stone rolled down her face, stopping on the bed, laying there innocently. She frowned, sntahcing it up. "Why...?"

She heard the doorknob twisting open, seeing a head peek in and she looked up. "what?" The woman growled at Terra.

"Um, you might want to come out here." The other said quietly, before shutting the door, leaving her to her own devices.

Aqua yawned, stretching out and stood, throwing on a robe. She padded outside, being careful to be quiet, minding the others who were asleep. she appeared next to her friend, looking at the screen. "Saix?" She looked at it, seeing he had been detected... but only momentarily.

At Dragoon. At her home.

"It;s your call." Terra mumbled. "If you want to go check it out now and make sure everything;s alright." Even one moment was long enough to spread darkness onto a world.


the blue haired weoman was silent. she walked back to her room. She threw off her bathrobe and put on a shirt over her bra and warm pants. she Fuujin lightly on the temple. "i'll be back." She whispered, before placing the Dragoon stone in her pocket.

Terra looked up when the door opened, Aqua all clad in her her scouting clothes. She walked over, picking up her communication device, and Terra did the same. They both stuck them in their ears. The brunette would wait for her hear, and stay alert just in case she needed him.

"One hour. If your not back by then i'm coming over and dragging you back. got it?" Terra whispered.


The other nodded silently, slashing a path. She walked through it, falling into Regole's realm almost instantly. Waves hitting the beach met her ears almost instantly. She looked around.

"Do you copy?" She heard the earth keyblader.

"Yeah I do." Aqua answered.

"good luck."

"Copy that." Aqua started to walk towards her town.


Terra yawned tiredly, before scooping Ven up in his arms. that position was very uncomfortable. He'd have back cramps in the morning if he stayed like that all night. He walked over to where his books were strewn out around, sitting back against the wall, leaning Ven against him comfortingly. And waited silently for Aqua's return.

[Rikugurl]

Riku missed his old home too. He lived in it for so many years... Even when there were little huts on the beach, he use to play up there when it was much smaller... but it was big to him since he was so small himself.

It was there since who knows when... and quite honestly... no one knew who built it.

He missed the sound of the ocean... and the calling of the morning birds over the tides. It was peaceful was lulled him to sleep easily. He told Sora that when Kilika District was done, they would live there... right on the outside looking over the ocean again.

Destiny was where they belonged... and he was glad that he finally realized that. He'd never want to leave it again if he was stuck there once more... and better yet... Sora was happy there too. He did catch Sora wondering at times what Akbar use to be like... having a hard time remembering what the planet he was born on looked like. Ventus clued him in as much as possible. It sounded nice... but there was no ocean. Just lots and lots of wind.

He mumbled softly as he moved closer to Sora, wrapping his arms around him more.


Axel... of course was the loudest in the room. Snoring and gargling his own spit at times. How Roxas could sleep so soundly next to they guy was unbelievable. It seemed like both of the blonde twin slept silently, only heavenly whispers escaping their mouths as they slept.

Xio was sleeping at Deny's side, figuring he'd need the warmth. It was cold on the steel floor and since he was a water element... me might get chilled more than the normal person. Besides... he really started to like Demy a lot. He actually liked his singing and his spirit really reminded him of his master... they whined about the same amount too!


Goofy snored soundly, but nothing like Axel. Every time he snored, his little green hat would fly up but feather back down before being pushed up again. He too knew how good sleep was... they were going to need it. It was going to be fun to learn new things tomorrow... but he had to remember it was serious training!


Fran was on the other side of Terra's reading spot, keeping herself away from the small light he used to read. She too started to dream easily... now that she wasn't so pressured and scared for her life.

"Hey..."
There was a gently shove.
"Hey... come on dear, time to wake up." There was another soft shove before amber eyes opened slowly. They focused on a man leaning over her. Handsome... with golden locks and bright eyes. A real stunning fellow. She didn't care.... if he was human...

A soft moan escaped her as she sat up, her long nails wrapping around the silk shimmering sheets. The room was large and made of wood. Soft cranks could be hear in the background as the sun shown through lace curtains. The room was beautiful... near empty but full of beautiful things that were silver and gold. Total elegance... and if it were a room of the royalty.

They were far from being royal... and every item in the room was far from being rightfully theirs. All treasure... and 'borrowed' items they all were.

"Come on sweetie, rise and shine." The man spoke again, now his English accent better heard in her long ears. She smiled and nodded, reaching a hand out and cupping it around his cheek. She leaned up as he leaned in and their lips met for a morning kiss.

She shivered in her sleep and pulled the blanket closer.


Ven was phased by the beep. He usually heard random beeps in his dreams so never really awoke after waking a few times to realize it was nothing... Of course he would get Terra up by that too... so he just would stay asleep.

Fujin shifted a bit as Aqua left her arms and buried her face more into the pillow, smelling Aqua's hair shampoo. When Aqua had come back and kissed her on the temple, she shifted again and breathed out softly. "Love...." whispered out.

The clatter of the two Chasers didn't awake Ven either... but when he felt his body being pulled up, a slight smile ran over his face, thinking that Terra was bringing him back to bed... like always. He wouldn't know the difference. When he was placed against Terra, he slid down to the floor and shifted to his side, using Terra's thigh for a pillow.



It was dark on Dragoon... silent except the constant flow of the water. Those who lived there were all asleep. Only a few windows glowing with light for the night howls.

At the foot of the town where Aqua was heading... was a single book on the ground. It was old... very old... and very dirty. As the soft wind blew, the book opened from its weakness and the pages started to flip through. Many of the pages had been ripped or torn at... from poor use and other things that time did to things.

It was a school book. A book that the school no longer used since quite a few new volumes had come out since that time. When it was done flipping from the breeze, it stopped at a page before the beginning, showing the chapters it taught. Underneath that... was a small little stamp. It was blue and faded... but it could be read as:

This book is property of:
Sai

Back at the Chasers' base, the screen with Saix's information beeped again.
Searching....
Detecting....

Far of beyond the town rose high cliffs over the ocean. Like 'teeth'. Atop one of the cliffs overlooking the town... stood a figure. The moon was large over it... and casted a shadow around it. It was turned away from the town and overlooked the waters instead.
Golden eyes watched the waves hit the bottom and foam, long blue hair flowed softly from the breeze.

A black coat also blew in the wind, coming his pasty skin color. And right smack in the middle of his was... was an 'X'.

[Reno]

Terra smiled down at Ven, running his fingers through the other'sa hair silently. He picked up another book, more to keep his exhasuted mind and body occupied then anything. He was done with his lsit for now. He'd mostly be winging it tommorrow at training and his ears were lsitening intently for any sign or word from Aqua.

From what Sora had told them he knew this one's power came with the moon. He wielded a big heavy weapon called a claymore and was very fast and firece. He wasn;t too worried though. Aqua was too. The woman didn;t lose fights too often and out of the three of them she probably got hurt the least too.

He didn't know how the hell she managed that.


Aqua, unaffected from the chill of her land, walked forward. she reached the town limti when she saw a book upon the ground. It was torn and worn from age and abuse. She picked it up, walking back down toweards the beach so that the shadows of her town would go away.

The light of the thin moon shimmered down on the faded words. And she gasped.

Property of... Sai...

she flipped through the book, a memory hitting her mind, unbidden.

"Let's go to the beach instead!" Aqua said, tugging her brother along. It wasn;t a beach for swimming of course - it was always so cold and it was Regole;s home. It would be rude to play on her front doorstep.

"but Aqua, school!"

"School's boring!" Aqua said as her feet met sand. she took his book, flinging it aside. "Come on! Let's take a walk!"

She looked up silently, unsure of what was leading her to do it. It awhile off, the little inlet - but even from this distance, the moon was clear and bright, and a figure stood atop on of the teeth, right in front of the rising moon. He was easily seeable.

She held the book close, and started to run, across the sand, the water lapping at her legs, submerging her ankles. Even still she didn;t lose her balance. She kept running.

Surronded by teeth, the shadows of the teeth hiding her features, She looked up. "HEY!" No normal eprso clibmed atop there. That must be him. "Are you Saix?!" The keyblade was in her hand defensively, ready for the other to strike if he decided too. the man high above her was covered in shadows but she couldn;t see him well enough to get a good look of his face.

[Rikugurl]

Ven shifted softly as he felt something in his hair. Slowly, blue eyes opened and a brief moan came from him. Slowly he said up, rubbing his neck from a distant sore he felt. He was on the floor? That never happened.

He looked over at the computer, seeing that the computers were still hard at work. Hie blue eyes focused on one of them. The one looking for Saix. Detecting...? Finally.

He slowly looked up at Terra. "Any news?"


The water crashed on the teeth again after Aqua had called the question.

The moon seemed to shine brighter as the man shifted in his spot. It glew to a point that it was almost blinding to look at... and once the blue eyes turned away... the moon was back to it's original glow... but the figure was gone.


Ven blinked as he heard the computer again.
Detection lost...
Searching....
Detecting....
He tilted his head. What was going on?
He squinted, trying to see the location from across the room. "Dragoon....?" What was he doing at Aqua's hometown?


From the shadows behind Aqua came bright golden eyes. Not normal eyes. The full eye was glowing yellow and nothing but. The owner stepped into the moonlight towards Aqua. It was revealed to her now on how the man looked. He stood tall with long blue hair... matching hers.

He had pointed ears and his hair was fizzled like a scared cat. Fangs barred as he snarled at her, claws at his side. Pasty skin was highly contrasted to his black jacket. What was very noticeable was the large... open 'X' in the middle of his face. The look of and old scar.

His claymore was nowhere to be seen... but he suddenly launched at her... but not a scrap. The book in her hand however was snatched away by powerful claws. He pulled away from the distanced of her keyblade and looked down at the book. Claws opened it to the first page. Another snarled bellowed from the depths of his heart and he pressed a claw to the end of the name Sai.... and slowly.... carved a 'x' at the end of it in the paper. It now read Saix.


Another beep came from the computer and the black screen looking for Saix suddenly started to fill.
Saix, the Luna Diviner, is number VII in the Organization and the last of Xemnas's companions to fall to Sora, as well as the apparent second-in-command. He derives power from the Moon, utilizes a claymore in battle, and controls the Berserker Nobodies.

Sora's Journal Entry:
"Organization XIII's Number VII."
He was in pursuit of the renegade Axel, but for some reason seemed more concerned about Sora's well-being.

Saix has no heart, but knows all too well how to injure one. No doubt his poise belies a more savage nature. He also insinuated he knew something about Riku.

Whereabouts Known: Dragoon.
Alive: Confirmed.


The book was slowly handed back to her as another snarl arose again.

[Reno]

Terra blinked as Ven awoke. Both pairs of eyes were automaticlaly drawn to the beeping computer. At Ven;s quesiton he mumbled, "Yeah Saix had bene detected at Dragoon so... so Aqua went down there to make sure everyhting was okay."

He stood, following the blonde. Apparently the computer had lost him again. He hit the button on his coomunicator. "Aqua? Hey Aqua he's there again."

"I know he;s right in front o- shit!"

"what?! whats wrong?!"

"He disappeared!" The bluette cried in his ear, making him wince.


Aqua was panicking, looking around. what the hell?! She ehard sudden growling from behind her and turned around, yelping in fear as she was charged at, only glimpsing the blue hair.. her hand tightened around her keyblade even as the book was taken from her, instinively swinging. she missed. shit he was fast...

"Aqua?!" Terra cried in her ear.

"I'm alright!" she snapped. "He;s fucking fast thats all."

She was looking at the man intently as he backed off, the moonlight showing her his features. the brillnat blue hair... just like hers, the furious golden eyes like a wolf's... and his face...

covered in an X mark.

She stared blankly, her mouth opening and closing soundlessly. No... no way. He couldn't be.

The book was shoved in her hands, and numbly she glanced down, seeing the name change in the moonlight.

Sai.... Saix....


"Most of the time nobodies just take their names, jumble them around and add an X." Roxas said with a shrug. "Liike and Roxas and Sora. or Xemnas and ansem. But I mean, some of them just added an x at the end. Like Demyx did. I guess that shows you how creative a person is."

It all made so much sense now... The comments about the 'animal form' the power from the moon... they were qualities of a berserker. The snarling no longer bothered her - it never had when she knew who it was. She had had to deal with it for so many years, and at times she thought it was cute calling sai her snuggly, cuddly wolf brother. He hated that of course.

The book fell from her hands and she reached forward, tentatively placing her hand against the other;s cheek. Hwer brother;s cheek. "Sai... sai it;s you... oh my god you're alive?" Tears welled up in her eyes. "Sai it;s me... It;s Aqua..."

[Rikugurl]

Ventus blinked as he looked at Terra. "What!?" He had totally forgotten that everyone was asleep. "You let her go by herself to find if an old Nobody was back?? He could be dangerous!"

He looked up at the screen and frowned. He hoped she was ok. His blue eyes turned to Terra as he started talking into the communicator. They widened had he heard Terra becoming frantic and Aqua screaming at the other end.

She could hear Aqua calling inside Terra's ear.
"He's fucking fast thats all."
So he was there.... damnit! Quickly he started to type like a mad man on the keyboard, bring up some information. It was night time in Dragoon, that meant the moon was out. This Saix guy got his power from the moon.


From all the yelling, Axel finally stirred from his deep sleep and opened an eye. It seemed something was troubling Terra and Ven at the computer. Slowly he got up, pushing Roxas and Demy to the side softly before standing. He walked over to them and looked up at the computer.

So they had found Saix.
"Ah... that monotone, emotionless thing." He butted in as he looked at a picture of him in the file. "I could never understand that guy. I figured everyone else out except him. He wanted to please Xemnas but it didn't seem his... er.... well, he didn't seem to have a side. He... really was just in for it for the hearts. He heard he never laid a hand on anyone until he had to fight Sora... and that was when he too disappeared."

He grunted and crossed his arms. "He did tell one hell of a lie about me though... telling Sora I would turn him into a Heartless." He shook his head and sighed. "That would only be true so I could see my Roxy again."

Ventus looked up and frowned at the redhead. "Isn't that a bit selfish?"

Axel looked down at him and shook his head. "I bet you would do it too if making someone a Heartless would bring back Terra." He poked the blonde.

Ven blinked and looked away.

"But in any case... did you let Aqua know? I'd hate to go back there. I drowned!"
"She's already there, checking things out. She found him."
"WHAT!?" Axel's eyes widened. "All by herself!? That guy is crazy!"


Fangs barred at her as she read.

Axel rolled his eyes and bonked Roxas on the head. "No no~~~ Remember, Xemnas named us. He was the one being lazy at times."

Golden eyes watched as the book fell to the ground. When she started to get close, his body twitched in a beastly manner as he snarled at her again. However he didn't happen to chew her hand off.

When she touched his cheek, as if it were majick... the beast started to calm. The claws started to turn into normal hands, his fangs into normal teeth. The 'X' on his face pulled in tighter, going back to it's original healed over smaller scar. His hair calmed to it's normal style and his eyes returned to a golden, calm state.

They focused on Aqua, seeing the water in her eyes.

"I don't understand any of this..." A teenage boy slumped over the kitchen table as he look through his book.
"You need to pay more attention in class."
"It's not me! The damn teacher doesn't teach us anything!" Fangs started to form as his eye started to glow. Clash dug deep into the table and the woman finally left.
"I can't deal with this anymore! AQUA! Get down here and calm your brother NOW!"


"You have to repress your anger son. You won't get anywhere if you berserk at any given time. Your sister can't always be there for you to calm you down. This power is only for protecting people.... understand?"
"Yes father..."


"Where's Aqua?"
"Hell if I should know."
Light brown eyes darkened as he looked at her. "This... This is all your fault! She left because of you! You did this!"
Suddenly there was a crash at the door and people started to scream. He turned, a look of panic on his face. "What the..."

The door suddenly burst open and black creatures started to pour in. His mother screamed at the side, making his hair frizz. He stood in front of her protectively as the monsters came closer. One lunged a them and was swiped away with a claw. A furious roar came from the house, making the monsters back away but only for a moment.

They all jumped on him at once. The grabbed his arms and legs, torso and so on. He cried as he swung his arms powerfully, knocking only a few off. He caught the sight of his mother running away, leaving her son alone. More monsters jumped on his back and pushed him to the ground. He cried out... but she never returned.

Claws reached out, a desperate look on his face. "Aqua..." If only she was here... he would have the power to care... His eyes widened as he felt a claw rip through his back... and wrap around his heart...


A black wisp appeared on the lowest chair inside a white room.
"Meet your newest member. Number VII. Saix."


"Only strong willed people who lose their hearts become a member of the Organization XIII..."


A hand reached up and pressed on top of Aqua's. "I promised to give you the stone back... sister." A deep voice came from the tall man as he looked down at her.