The Chasers: Darkness' Fold

[Rikugurl]

Olette stuck her tongue out at Seifer but grinned as she saw the happy face on Terra. He really looked amazing ever since the engagement... which was a bonus seeing that Fuu had such a long face.

She grinned even more as she leaned in more. "Sooooooo, will it be Ventus Tellus or Terra Holani??"

Ven blinked, a little bit of blush running over his face. He looked down and reached for Terra's hand, holding it tightly. His blue eyes brightened as she smiled proudly at her.
"Ventus Tellus."

Olette giggled and nodded happily, ignoring Seifer's comment about Terra obviously topping.


Fuu nodded, a bit embarrassed. "I know... I'm just so use to bottling everything up." Aqua knew that. It took quite awhile for them to get her to say more than one thing at a time. She reached down and took Aqua's hands, swinging them gently. "I'm really excited... It will be nice to see Dragoon without having to defend it this time."

[Reno]

Terra blinked as he ehard the question tilting his head. That was one thing the Atterian and human ceremonies did share - the giving of a last name over to another. He never thought about it before now though -

However his smiled widened as he felt Ven's hand encasing his, and his heart thrummed happily as he heard the announcement. At least someone had given it thought. He smiled rasing the blonde's hand, kissing the back of it softly. "Sounds good." Heh, and it rhymed. It was cute - but he doubted Ven wanted that term ever applied to him.

"Tch, well that figures considering who's jumping who all the time." Seifer grumbled - and he AGAIN went ignored. Lovebirds!


Aqua heard the other and sighed somewhat. Yeah she knew that was Fuujin's way of dealing with things - and when she got her to address one prboblem she didn't figure out until a week later that their was a second one that she hadn't dealt with.

The woman laughed softly at the other's words. Shew as finding out how unnerving it was, doing everything without any sight. "Yeah..." She couldn't count how many times she had to go back there just to make sure everyone was safe.

"Fuu..." she asked softly, her voice still a little worried. She didn't want to walk out that door and start feeling the same feelings all over again. she HAD to make sure. "... I there anything else that's been bugging you?"

[Rikugurl]

Ven actually did give it a lot of thought one day in the shower. For the longest time Ven didn't know what his last name was. Terra and Aqua did... and that made him a bit sad. How would he ever find his family if he didn't know his family's name?

Terra was the first person who he really became friends with. Sure, he helped a lot of people and became their friends... but Terra was different... and then there was Aqua.

If it wasn't for Terra though... he might of still be lonely.
It only felt right to take his name...
And... he hated to say it but... he was the 'female' of the relationship it seemed. Terra was a dominate male. Then again, maybe all Atterians were like that. But he was definitely <i>Terra's</i> mate.

He was about to say something rather nasty to Seifer when he heard footsteps coming down the stairs. He looked back, seeing Gunnar and Lucina.

"TERRA! VENNY! DAD! MOM! We got the invitations out!"


Fuu nodded softly and looked down but blinked when Aqua asked the question. The silverette bit her lip and pulled away, rubbing her arm a bit.
"Well.... actually... I've been... getting kind of home sick." She admitted embarrassedly. "I was wondering... if... maybe we could spend our honeymoon on... Twilight Town?"

[Reno]

Terra looked up as well, hearing the rapid footsteps. he saw the ecstatic look on Luci's face - Huh he wondered what had happened to make her so happy? - nd took in gunnar's words. Invitions - oh right!

Heh, hopefully they were still having it... He glanced towards the door, wondering how long the two were gonna take.

Seifer smiled brightly as the two hurried over. He reached down, ruffling both of their hair. "Great job Princess, Tiger." Yeah he never let go of the nicknames - and probably never would.

Lucina smiled proudly. "And and I won! I typed faster!"


Aqua chuckled at the simple request. "Yes of course." It was only fair - besides she liked Twilight town. It was... real romantic. "And we can have picnics on sunset hill and go down to the beach and do all the little things we used to do before you became a chaser." she said with a soft laugh. she had loved those simple, simple dates...

[Rikugurl]

Gunnar smiled as his head was rubbed. Even now that he was a little bit older, he didn't mind being called 'Tiger'.

Fuu smiled every time Aqua went on about what they could do. It reminded her of those simple dates they went on when she had off from her patrol. Seifer was busy with Olette at the time, and Rajin never gave himself breaks.

It was nice... and loving...



Streamers were tacked onto wooden beams that overlooked Regole's ocean. The small ledge on the plateau was bustling with people getting ready.

The place where Axel and Aqua had their fight was where the wedding was going to take place. It was cold and damp... but it seemed to be Aqua's favorite spot.
The 'teeth' were decorated in beautiful shells and streamers that acted like scales of the dragon.

Chimes gave song through the area as tables were set up. No, it wasn't as big as the other two weddings... but it WAS bigger than Olette's and Seifer's wedding, that was for sure.

Blue hair floated in the breeze as he tacked another banner onto a 'tooth'. His golden eyes were soft but he sighed when he finished and got down from the ladder. That was the last of it.
Tomorrow... was his little sister's wedding.
He wasn't sure if he was ready to see her get married off. He still had a feeling that he needed to protect her in some way.

Demyx reassured him that everything was going to be fine.
"Now I KNOW you wanna be up there on that alter with her but you can't!"
He would joke... though Saix didn't find it funny...

Gunnar and his sister found the preparations boring and headed off to the beach. They heard an earful from Aqua not to disturb the water so they just sat down and watched the dragon from afar, debating what it would be like to ride her.

Olette was happily singing to herself as she added some more sea shells to the alter. Minnie would be down tomorrow so she could wed yet ANOTHER same sex marriage... but she knew the little queen was more than happy. She had inquired about Ven and Terra's ceremony, but they both insisted that they didn't need her. Their 'markings' were enough to seal their love.

She looked up and out between the teeth, seeing the village not too far away. Aqua would be staying the night at the temple and Fujin on the ship. Ever since that little talk, their faces seemed to look much better! She just hoped that Seifer was doing alright with Fuu seeing that he was assigned to her for the night.

"Wow... you MADE that?"
A chipper voice filled the small room in the temple. It was just a small parlor that was made in case some guest stumbled onto it and needed a place for the night. There seemed to be more travelers now that all eight regions had a stable dragon and guardian.
Even some of the guardians said that they would like to attend the wedding of Regole's guardian's sister.

The redhead grinned as he looked the dress over, his son sitting at close by, looking into the small pool.
"So... how do you feel?"
Why Axel and Terra were to watch over Aqua... no one knew.

Aerith was also done with her part on decorating... and was found in the medical building of the village, picking up some knowledge on what the people of Regole used.

Everyone else was on the ship.... except for one.


Way up above in the region of Freybrand stood a man in dark clothing. His blonde hair blew in the wind as he watched the dragon fly amongst the clouds.
He smiled and looked up at the sky, knowing the Kongol, Damia and Zieg were up there.

He looked out at another direction after looking at his compass on his watch. The direction of Connection 4.
He took a deep breath and Transcendent Oath suddenly appeared in his hand. He took the handle with both hands and pointed it out. Under his feet a blue symbol of wind glowed and pushed power up into him.

Would the keyblade summon the world?

He closed his eyes and tried to remember what the would looked like. That beautiful tree and the floating bits of light. The crescent moon and a sky full of galaxy. The blue stones and white glowing rocks... and of course... the water phoenix.

A sudden ray of light shot out towards the direction he was pointing it at and a sound of something unlocking rang in his ears...

[Reno]

Roxas hummed, hanging up the wind chimes. He knew they were symbolic for Fuujin though - and they sounded really pretty. Especially since this side of the region seemed similar to Akbar - a place were the wind never seemed completely gone. Something had to move the waves.

He remembered, not long after the 'decorating committee' had been appointed, he thought it very odd that they would be decorating an outside area.

"Wouldn't it be funny if their was a huge storm tonight?" Roxas had said, an evil grin in place.
"Ack! Knock on wood!" Sora said, and which a glance around, finding no wood he tapped himself. Tensai found this hilarious and giggled behind his hands. "Geez you're gonna bring more bad luck to this wedding then the tide."
Roxas had the modesty to blush sheepishly. "Sorry."

The sound of the wedding march strummed through the air and he rolled his eyes laughing, "Demyx!!" He called. "Enough! If you practice much more you'll fingers will break!"

Demyx, who had been excited that not only Aqua but Fuujin agreed that he could do the song (he had a feeling Sai dropped them a hint or two) hadn't been able to stop practicing. "But it has to be perfect!" He was playing almost as obsessively as he did whenever he played Saix's song. But Aqua was Sai's sister and a fellow water-user and he didn't want to let her down!


"I bet it would be like riding a dolphin." Lucina said, remembering the dolphins she had seen on the blue, blue waters of Costa De Sol. Her mom and dad rented a boat and tgether the small family had all gone out onto the ocean just to look around. when they had gotten farther out something amazing happened and the dolphins began to swim alongside the boat.

Lucina had thought they were beautiful - and when they got back, she practically tackled Aqua, estatically telling her about the strange water creatures - after all the woman LOVED water stuff.

"They jump the same way." Lucina said, seeing the dragon jumping from the water once more in a wide, circular arc before crashing back down. She had been well 'Sai' had said she was something termed 'restless' but Aqua had called her excited.


On the ship little hands were curled in brunette spikes as Sora wandered about the ship, giving his son a ride, hands securly on the boy's legs.

Tensai giggled, enjoying very much at being tall. "Daddy's a pony."

Sora chuckled. Well... he'd been everything from a teacher to a cat - he could be a pony today. He made a soft neighing noise laughing. "Thaaaaat's right cowboy. where would you liiike to go?"

"Um... to daddy!"

Sora laughed but nodded. "Gotcha." He trotted down the hallways, taking the long way back. "We have to cross over the laaaarge mountains." He would say. "Then oveeer the river... and throught the wooooods...."

"And to daddy we are - Riku!" Sora chastised, seeing the silverette sticking a finger in the bowl of frosting he had brought home.

After all, Aqua and Fuujin still wanted him to bake the cake. So they had all gotten to Dragoon extra early, and Sora had gone to the bakers and led the chef's about. He knew nothing about designing - except flowers - but he knew his cakes and his frosting mixtures to a T. He had to thank Carina for making him so skilled in the arts of baking. So he had definitely helped - then he told the bakers what to design - accordance to both Fuujin and Aqua's wishes. The bakers, glad for the new recipes, taight sora a few things about decorating. By the time it was all done it was late in the noontime and the cake was put away to be eaten for another day. And then he was on his way - both the bakers and himself a little wiser.

He grinned 'tsking'. "No sweets before dinner sweetheart."

"I wanna some!" Their son said suddenly, a grabby hand reaching out towards Riku.


Seifer sighed, watching the woman wander about the room. she had been like a sister to him for years. and now like a good brother he was watching her get married off. "So, nervous?" he grinned. He rmembered how nervous he had been the night before - he barely slept! - and then... the day of the wedding itself he couldn't stop making his hands sweat or stop pacing.

It had been the most nerve-wracking day of his life. But when it was over... he still looked upon it as one of his best.

He was happy to see it finally happening to one of his life-long friends.


Aqua just shrugged at the pyro's comment, blushing faintly. Yeah she made it big whoop.

No one seemed to understand why she had chosen Axel - but the fiery red head was one of her best friends. Ven of course had been invited as well but he declined, saying their was a wedding HE had to get ready for as well.

She had to really thank Axel... if it hadn't been for him all those years ago... she never would have tried to break away from that vicious cycle she and Ven and Terra had created for themseleves.

And then... the day before they all left from the Castle to continue on with their lifes - right after Riku showed up once more, Axel had told her that she should go searching for love too. That even if it was sometimes painful... it was worth it in the end. And that encouraged her.

So she kept wandering back to Twilight Town (much to Terra and Ven's intial confusion) asking to spend time with a certain silverette. So she kept making these little get togethers that seemed like two friends hanging out but made her blush at the idea that they were dates. and sharing their first kiss on the train - sharing their first night together in her room... - sharing their lives together on the ship... - sharing their souls with the paopu...

and now... the day was nearly here. the day of vow sharing!

"I'm nervous." she admitted, walking over and taking a seat next to the redhead.

Across the pool, one hand dipped in the water and swirly it about lazily was Terra. He had his eye on little Roxel, a bit worried of him falling in. He wondered idly if he had the water-phobia Axel had.

He definitely would if he fell in and nearly drowned. That was after all how he had gotten scared of heights. He had gotten stuck on top of a roof when he was four - and he remembered crying for his mom and dad. his dad had said to keep him up there and learn his lesson - his mom came up and got him. He never liekd them since then.

And Aqua found it incredibly fun to tease him about.

"You know Terra..." Aqua said, her sly tone automatically tipping Terra off. He gave a nervous glance her way.
"What?"
"It's funny your not afraid of this ship."
"Why?"
"Because LOGICALLY if the ship ever failed... we'd fall right of space... and the height of space is infinite - thereofre the fall would be eternal. It would be the height of a lifetime."
Terra gaped at this revelation. "we;d eventually have to hit a planet."
"Exactly." Aqua said, eyes gleaming and the brunette realized he walked right into her trap.
He paled and stood hurrying from the room, calling over his shoulder. "I fucking HATE you Aqua!!!"

It took Ven quite awhile to calm him down after that.

[Rikugurl]

Saix looked over as he heard more faint sounds of the wedding march. He gruffed and pulled the ladder away from the 'tooth'. He just wanted this day to be done and over with.

It wasn't that he wasn't happy for his sister... it was...
"Are you jealous?"
The blonde's voice rang through his head. He frowned as he rubbed his blue hair and passed the others.

"Ah! Saix! Can you come and help me with the chairs!?" He heard a chipper woman call and looked over, seeing Olette bouncing and waving him over. He sighed but headed over to her general direction.
"Ah, what's the pout for? Is ANYONE happy?" She pouted as she saw the face on the Berserker.


Gunnar leaned back and nodded, watching Regole jump up again. "Yea... I wanna do that this year." He said softly as he remembered that day. It seemed the rest of the Chaser's really liked Costa del Sol as a vacation world... like everyone else. He knew Venny liked his balloon rides, Aqua liked her ice cream and his parents liked the ocean.

It was always nice and warm there. Always calm and relaxing. He knew it would be in the Chaser tradition to hang out there at least once a year. He already liked it! The only hassle was changing Munny into Gil. So far, out of all the worlds they visited, only Connection 4 was the one that had the different currency. He wondered why.

He leaned back and sighed, enjoying the slight breeze. "Man, I don't know how Aqua stood it. It's so boring here~"


Riku's aquamarine eyes looked around before he swiped his finger on the side of the bowl catch some frosting. Luckily for him, he knew how to make it look like he didn't have a taste. He stuck it into his mouth and smiled happily. Perfect.

His eyes widened however, the finger still in his mouth as he looked over to see Sora giving Tensai a ride. He smiled as they came closer, enjoying Ten's giggles. He was really going to grow up to be one happy kid.

"I think everyone is too nervous for dinner."
Or at least he was hopping so. Everyone was busy making sure the decorations and things were in order and stayed that way out in the clashing region. He couldn't possibly cook for seventeen or more people all by himself... so he made some small things so if anyone wanted anything, they could come and take it as they pleased. The shops around were also open... and even if Saix and Demyx pulled Regole's region out of poverty, they sure could use the munny.

He laughed softly as he saw his son's grabby hands and gently swiped his fingers across the bowl again. It was a large gob of frosting this time. He playfully wiped some on the corner of Sora's lips and licked it off while sticking the rest in Ten's mouth.
He pulled away and brought his small family closer, giving them a family nuzzle.
He felt Ten grab some of his hair and kissed the boy on the cheek.


In the kids room, a fire lion was licking something green. He purred softly as he nuzzled her. The real think was much better than the plush.


Fuu sighed as she paced the floor. If it was anything but steel, she probably would of wore it out by now. She stopped and looked at Seifer. She was going to snap at him but only smirked as she finally sat down.

"You remember the night before you and Olette got married?"

"God damn Chicken-wussette tricked me into this!"
"You were the one who said 'I do', ya know?"
"Right."
"Hey! Who's side are you on? Mine or those lamers?"
"Well one of those lamers is your girl, ya, know?"
"Right."
"Isn't this ROMANTIC!"
"Calm down... ya love her, ya know."
"Right."
"........Yea, yea.... I guess you're right. Thanks you guys."
"We're always here for ya, ya know?"
"Always."

She chuckled softly and shook her head. "That really was such a sweet wedding. You looked really happy. I don't think I've seen your eyes brighten so much. Plus she got you into some better clothes." She joked and laid down slightly on her bed. "I guess it's my turn huh?"

She laid down fully and looked over at her finished wedding dress. "I wonder what Captain would think..."
Captain... was the Sargent of the Military training school of Twilight Town. He was always rough on Fujin from the start... but in the end, he gave her a lot of credit for not dropping out.
She smiled and shook her head. "Remember everyone in town thought that you and I would end up together...?"


Axel gave her a big smile and wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close. Way back when, he would of NEVER thought that he would be hugging someone that was trying to kill him or poor Xio.
"Ah, I was pretty nervous too... but hey, I managed to do it. If I can get married, anyone can. If TERRA can get married, anyone can." He poked fun at the other who was busy watching the little boy.

He patter her should and smiled. "Don't worry... it will be here and gone before you know it... and then you'll never have to do it again... unless for some bizarre reason you want to renew your vows... which I think is pointless because I didn't think vows had expiration dates... cau---"

Roxel blocked out the blabbering of his father as he looked at himself in the reflection.
He did get his fear of water from Axel... but not as strong. He was ok with baths and wet towels to clean himself off... but as for swimming, NO WAY! He screamed the time Roxas took him to swim on the beach on Destiny.


Ven slowly opened his eyes as the power from under him dimmed and vanished. He looked down at the keyblade closely. Maybe now they could find that world... If not... he didn't know where else they could do the celebration... but deep down, it felt like it had appeared again.

With one last glance at the dragon, he suddenly jumped off the cliff and free fell down through the other regions. The wind around him made him smile. When the bowl with teeth came into view, he flipped in the air, making the wind around him more controlled. He landed gracefully on the tip of a tooth and looked down, seeing Olette, Demyx, Roxas and Saix still working on the decorations.

He dug his toes into the rock and pushed off, making his blast from the bowl towards the village.
He chuckled when he heard 'Show off' in the wind.
He landed on the beach and sighed, slowly walking towards the temple.

[Reno]

OOC: I created more drama >>

Freybrand watched Ven quietly, fluttering about in the wind. He still remembered the little prick from when he came by and practically threw him into his spring only a few years back - even if it did save his life - yet he did appreciate the fact he was a wind user like himself. When the blonde suddenly took off he gave a light chirping roar as a good-bye.


Roxas laughed a little, hearing Olette's complaint. "I am!!!" He chimed, giving her a wide smile that could almost be Sora's. He was happy though! He knew Fuujin - or at least a virtual side of Fuujin, pretty well and they (unlike him and Seifer) never had problems talking. He and Aqua still... didn't see eye to eye - but she desereved happiness like anyone else.

And another thing was well... it just reminded him so much of his own wedding that had happened only two years before. He still remembered all that nervous energy, the beautiful vows, the delicious cake, the dancing - oh god the DANCING... and then the perfect honeymoon. He didn't think those memories would ever stop bringing smiles to his face.

However something drew him out of his thoughts quickly. The music had stopped. He glanced over seeing a forlorn sitarisat setting it aside as he stood and suddenly walked over to the other blonde. "Need any help?" He asked nonchantledly - and without waiting for an answer he got some wind chimes and started to put them up.

There were two things definitely VERY wrong with that picture: One Demyx NEVER stopped playing when he got excited over getting to play for an audience - and second he NEVER set his sitar down, especally not on the GROUND!!

Roxas blinked, a little confused at first before he glanced at Saix, who had a sour and almost angry look on his face. He had sorta noticed too how unhappy the wedding was making the brother - damn it did EVERYONE forget the paopu effected the second person?!

He walked over to his friend's side, murmuring quietly and concernedly. "Hey you okay?"

"Yeah... I'm fine." Demyx mumbled softly, but his tone betrayed him. He seemed... sad... and surpringly pissed off.

"You're lying aren't you?" Roxas whispered even more quietly then before, making sure it couldn't be heard over the waves. The blonde seemed to tense, his expression turning amazingly more furious, and he nodded, clenching his fingers around the wind chime with surprising force. The structure squealed in protest.

Roxas and Axel, now with the gummi ship, had found time to visit the two dragoonians more often. Demyx had been one of Axel's good friends - how did Axel make friends with water users?! - and Roxas hadn't thought he was so bad either back in their old Org. 13 days. And Saix was well... Axel still thought he was scary but next to Demyx often he looked like a big puppy... and roxas well... he knew he could kick the bluette's ass if it ever came to that.

Yet... Roxas couldn't help but feel - especally AFTER Edmy had come back - little changes in the blonde. He knew Demyx just brushed them off, thinking they were after affects - but Roxas knew they were slices of his true personality coming back to him... Axel had changed to when he became completely seperated from Reno. Not TOO much mind you - Roxas still loved him as dearly as the first time they kissed - but just little things that he found made the other all the more endearing and passionate. More... whole. It was like when you found an old toy in the back of the closet that you didn't know was missing until it was there again.

And those little changes were happening in Demyx too including some longer spurts anger and a little less tolerance for submissive positions. Yet Saix's almost... well Roxas thought Saix was just plain manipulative at times, though that wasn't the nicest way to put it. Oh not knowingly or anything - but it seemed to him sometimes he took Demyx's fragileness to his advantage, without really thinking his actions did it. If Saix wanted him not to talk. Demyx didn't. if Saix didn't want him to play, Demyx didn't - and he didn't really tell him not to in MALICIOUS ways just a simple touch or a soft look of disinterest... but it was cutting into the man's freedom. And... it was stopping those changes from blossoming. And Demyx wasn't trying to fight the other at all.

Roxas didn't think Demyx was a coward - not really. There was nothing wrong with being someone who stuck up for a non-violent position, that hearalded his own strengths. And he still remembered a time back when Regole had been badly hurt, watching Demyx stringing on his sitar even as his fingers bled - protecting the town and trying to calm her. No, he was by no means a coward. But he was... shy. The blonde never wanted to tell Saix anything was wrong IF there was anything wrong - no matter how riled up he got about it.

Demyx meanwhile only had one angry thought going over inside his head again and again as he tyed up the wind chimes with more force them was necessary - making them ring loudly. For some reason he wanted it to catch Saix's attention - he WANTED him to know he was angry... even if by the time the beserker asked 'what's wrong?' Demyx would just tell him everything was fine - and they'd leave it at that.

He was getting real sick of that.

He wanted to bluette to start figuring it out - that asking once wasn't enough. Yet all thet preoccupied his mind these days was his sister. That was all he seemed to TALK about anymore - ever since the proposal that is. Don't get him wrong, he loved Aqua like a sister, could spend hours talking to her - and it wasn't her fault her brother had some freaky incestual feelings for her - but come ON. What happened to HIM?!

"Dem-" Roxas started to say, trying to quell the other - but then a sudden new gust of wind that had all the chimes ringing and the streamers blowing fiercely drew all their atention upwards, seeing a blonde nearly identical to the one talking to the sitarist up above. Ven spared them all a coy glance before he seemed to tip forward and take off like a rocket.

"Show off." Roxas grumbled, shaking his head.

"Yeah but it was kinda cool..." Demyx added, looking completely enthralled by the performance. Heh, in truth he was wondering it maybe HE could make Saix jealous - although he wasn't lying. It was pretty cool that Ven could fly.


"Well Aqua went to school." Lucina said, tilting her head. "and she had to already start doing work and stuff when she was a kid." She looked around. "She said she used to sew and work in the fields and help harvest corn and stuff for munny. And she cooked too. I don't think she got lots of play time like us." Gunnar and Lucina, though they would leave very very difficult lives in their future years, did not know how lucky they were to have the childhood they had. The other adult Chasers, sans Olette, had had it rough in some way.

Terra, jumping from home to home without a real family.
Ven, left all alone, abandonned, with a keyblade and an important destiny at only five.
Aqua, having to work as if she were an adult, not a child and having to endure the loss of her father and the town's and her mother's hate for what her brother was.
Fuujin and Seifer, both orphans who had to live and learn everything with only eachother and Raijin as real companions.
Aerith, who lost her dad and her mom, then lost Zack before she was even an adult, on top of dealing with ShinRa watching her 24/7.

Yeah... they were real lucky.


"No excuse." Sora said with a bright smile that made the sun dim in comparison. He chuckled when he saw Riku give in to Tensai's askance. However the brunette blinked in surprise when some of the frosting was smeared over his lips. Before he got to taste any of it though Riku swiped it all away with a nice, warm tongue. Sora sughed happily at the nuzzle, resting his head in the crook of his husband's neck a soft smile spread across his lips.

Tensai gave a happy noise as he sucked the frosting off his dad's finger - being careful about his teeth. He knew his dad's didn't like it when he bit. He giggled as they were brought closer, his grabby hands reaching out and curling into silver locks, receieveing a kiss that made him smile.

"I love you both so much..." Sora unexpectedly whispered, blue eyes shining.

"Yes, wuv!" Tensaid agreed with a big smile.


Invidia purred with contentment at Xio's attentions, nuzzling right back. She gave a playful bark pushing her head against him lightly and making him fall over.


Seifer inclined his head at Fuujin's odd question. He smiled a bit. "How could I forget?" He had freaked out pretty badly too - he HAD been starting to think it was all a big trick, that the minute he got on the alter olette would laugh at him, Hayner would jump out and smack him with a struggle bat and Pence would take a grand old picture of his greatest defeat. It made him feel kinda bad to not trust Olette like he should... but he understood later that his fear that he could never be loved... kind of got to him in that respect.

"Hey!" Seifer complained when she spoke out against his clothes, but was unable to keep the smile off his face. He really had been happy that day... and he was still happy now.

At her next thought though he laughed. "He'd probably congrdulate you... then tell you to run twenty-one laps." the captain had been incredibly hard on Fuu, he remembered that. He always had this sort of 'one more' policy when it came to her. One more lap then everyone else, one more push-up, one more chore. He and Raijin had spoken out against it at first - but the Captain heard none of it - and eventually Fuujin slapped them both and told them to stay our of her bussines, that she could take care of herself.
Seifer had never doubted that fact, Fuu had always been strong... but it just didn't seem fair... and he had always been really protective over his friends, just like they were with him.

He tilted his head finally at her last statement and chuckled. "Yeah I remember... I guess it's a good thing we didn't." He smirked. "I think we'd of driven each other crazy if we had. what with you and your one word answers."

He tilted his head up towards the cieling, chuckling. "I guess though we ended up with just the right people didn't we?" He never used to believe in fate - until he met Sora actually. The kid was always there whenever he was needed on whateevr world caleld to him - as if destiny was leading him there. And then he thought later that yeah fate was all well and good for the HEROES but what about the good ol' regular folk?

And yet... Olette became his, and Fuujin met Aqua as if it was always meant to happen. And he thought, maybe fate worked for them too.


Aqua smiled some as she was brought into the hug, listening to him quietly. She laughed a little, as he teased her other friend, and Terra just shot Axel a look, sticking out his tongue, before going back to watching Roxel - like a watchful wolf watching his pup. It was odd... to realize soon that that boy... would be his nephew. Tensai would be his nephew too. That was... kinda odd... but it filled him with the same sort of protectiveness he held for Gunnar and Lucina. As odd as that was.

Aqua laughed again as Axel started to blabber and she slowly raised a hand up, placing it over his lips to quiet him. "I get it Axel. It's a one-time deal." she took her hand away and laughed. "I'm sure I'm gonna live - after all if TERRA can do it, I think any of us regular humans can, and probably ten times better too."

Terra rasied an eyebrow. Were they gonna keep teasing him today? "Well your missing one very important fact." He heard footsteps coming up the stairs, knowing someone was coming into the temple. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a very familar blonde appear. "Me and Ven aren't getting married, we're getting blood bonded, which is twenty times cooler then any old wedding - and less nerve-wracking too. It'll probably be the last ever performed in the eternity of the universe. So take that." He smirked teasingly, before glancing towards the blonde as he stood in the doorway, his shadow climbing across the ground.

He tilted his head curiously, unable to see the other's expression since the light behind him pulled his face into shadows. "Did you... find it?" He asked curiously. He had left Ven alone to work on it - the blonde saying something about computers and the watch and what not and the brunette just tuned it out. Ven was the one who was good with computers - he was going to leave it at that. If anyone could find that world again, it was him.

[Rikugurl]

Saix continued to help out with the chairs when he suddenly felt a wave of anger run though him. He growled, his fangs slowly appearing as the anger seemed to boil in his heart. It was that phantom feeling... so he knew it was Demyx.

He looked up, seeing the blonde with the other.
He could see that look on his face. He never saw it before. What was wrong...?
Olette blinked as she looked up, seeing the anger in Saix's face suddenly. "Sai? You ok?"
"Yea." He snapped and continued to help.
She bit her lip and slowly looked over at Demyx and Roxas. The sitarist looked steamed.

That was when they heard the loud banging.
Saix growled more as his fangs and claws started to for. Demyx KNEW he had sensitive ears.
"D---"
He stopped as he heard the sound of something above and strong wind over him. He looked up, seeing Ven fly off to the village.

"Hey... you two were perfectly fine a minute ago!"
Saix looked back at Olette as she put her hands on her hips. He raised his eyebrow and frowned.
"Goodness... not even Gunnar and Lucina was this bad. How can adults be more childish than children?"

Saix gruffed and suddenly left.
"Hey! Where are you going!?"
The blue haired Berserker didn't make a sound as he walked down the man made bridge. It was brand new... it took the villagers quite some time to make it... but it gave them jobs to make munny.


Gunnar nodded as he continued to look up at the evening sky. "Yea, I guess you're right. I bet if she was on the ship, he would of thought it was boring at our age." He closed his eyes and hummed happily as he listened to sound of the waves. He blinked though as he heard something open from behind him and saw Ven walking into the temple.

"I wonder if Venny found that place!"


Riku smiled softly as he nuzzled them both. They really never got this kind of time anymore. When Sora was at school, Riku would bring Tensai to the small island where many trees curved and bended. Yellow, star shaped fruit hung from them, ready to be eaten.

At night they would gather at diner time and get ready for bed. On weekends they would go to the beach or teach Tensai some new things.

But this moment... was priceless.


"I don't know if the small world can handle so many people... especially if it is only made by a keyblade."
"Ah! What a bummer!"
"It's more of a private celebration..."
"I still want to go!"
"We can tell you how it went!"
There was a sigh and the redhead looked down at his faithful pet. "Oh well... if we can't go, I think you and Maxie need a night together! I know it's mating season for you and I know by spring, people will be at our door for pups!"
There was a whimper and a stuck up nose.

Xio was dreading mating with Maxie again. For one, he didn't like her all too well. For two, she was a bad mother to all four of their litters. For three, she didn't seem to care that Axel sold off their pups at the beginning.

Invidia would make a much better mother.
He yipped playfully and fell over, rolling on the floor a bit. He showed off his light orange stomach and batted at her playfully with his large paws.


Fuu chuckled and smiled. Captain probably would. She would never understand why he made her work extra hard. Maybe he was a sexist. Now that she thought about it, she was the only woman who became a senior of the Twilight Town Disciplinary Committee. All the other girls dropped out because training had been to harsh.
During those years, she really did her best... and even snapped at her two only friends to let her do what she needed to.

It was the only way she could prove to herself that she was worth the while.

Like Terra, Seifer and Raijin, she just wanted to fit in.
It made her even more happy that Seifer had joined the Chaser's... just so he didn't have to say good-bye to her.
She had to really thank Olette too for letting him!

She sat up and smiled, nodding as she watched him ponder. She... really was lucky to have him as a friend. And she was glad she always stuck up for him... even if she was unfair to Hayner's gang at times.
She got up and walked over to him. "Yep." She clearly stated and gave him a soft kiss on the cheek before walking to the door.
"Did you want anything from the kitchen?"


Axel blushed as she quieted him down. Lately, he really started to ramble. Actually, that tendency came out after he and Reno split. He grinned though as his blue haired friend hinted at the Atterian too. His eyes wondered to his son, watching him look at the water. Roxel seemed to be fascinated that he could see his reflection in it... and claimed that it was another boy.

Axel thought it was cute but Roxas was a bit concerned, telling him about those times with him and Sora talking through the mirror.
Axel just let it slide. Many mothers in Delshad had said it was normal for toddlers to think their reflection is another kid.

He looked up though when Ven walked in and slowly closed the door behind him.

"I think so." He stated and looked over at Terra with a smile. "I won't know until we get to Connection 4 again... but I have a good feeling."
"Well, if you can't find it, you can always have it on Delshad! Then everyone can come!"

[Reno]

Demyx looked at Olette and Saix from the corner of his eye, seeing the woman berating his lover and friend. The bluette made no comment though, merely scoffed and walked away. he watched the mans retreating back as he crossed the bridge.

Another flash of fury overcame him this one stronger. He'd never felt like this before - so it was completely new to him. He didn't know what to do with it. He gripped the wind chimes harder, hearing them jingle merrily in his hands. The tune made him more angry - how could they be so happy when he wasn't?

"Dem...?"

"Argh!!!" The blonde suddenly yelled out, throwing the chimes to the floor. a few of them broke. He glared daggers out across the bridge where Saix was still walking, wishing he was more articulate because he wanted to yell something - something hurtful. But no words came to his head.

"ARGH!" He cried out again spinning on his heels and stomping over towards the alter and kicked it over - the loud, horrid noise making him feel a little better. The stepped atop it, breaking some of the decorative seashells and continued on his way to the edge of the inlet, standing between two teeth.

Finally he thought of something to say. "DAMN YOU SAI!!" He hit his fist against one of the teeth, and further off in the ocean a few torrents of water shot up, before crashing back down in a whispering spray.

Roxas meanwhile wordlessly watched the display - both on Saix's part and Demyx's. He winced when the alter was thrown over, great now they had to fix that, but what shocked him even more was the torrents of water. He'd never seen Demyx use his magic without his music before...

He glanced at Olette, a little nervous and panicked. What... the hell just happened?


Lucina glanced down the way, seeing Ven as well and smiled. "Maybe... he's been trying real real hard!" However, her attention was quickly drawn to feet on the bridge not to far away. She turned her head, hoping to see her mother, and flinched a bit when she saw who it really was. But he looked a lot scarier now. Saix.

He reminded her of Terra... and that time he looked real scary too. She reached down, grabbing onto her brother's hand.


Sora smiled, his lips brushing up against Riku's chin lovingly, but his eyes were glinting mischeviously. One of his hands had slipped from around Riku and was sneaking further behind him, index finger slipping in the frosting bowl.

Tensai, who was up higher, caught his father at it. He giggled. "Oooooh daaaaaddy!"

"What?" Sora said innocently, quickly sticking his finger in his mouth and blinking innocently, licking up the frosting.


Invidia shook her head at the pat and gave a bark leaning over to lick his face. Her tail was flicking playfully behind her.

She herself had, of course, never had a litter - or even a mate. She never met another carbuncle before - and other then sea creatures there weren't many animals to be had on Destiny. Going into heat was always pure torture.

The idea of Xio being the father of her pups however wasn't such a bad idea. She was ten times the female that Maxie was anyways.


Seifer smiled at the kiss but at her question he shook his head. "Nah I'm fine." He wondered how she could even think about food the day before her wedding - he sure knew he couldn't!

Of course he paid for that in the middle of the night. Maybe she was elarning from his mistakes.


Terra smiled, sitting up, reaching up with his dry hand and tugging the blonde down and into his lap. He kissed his neck. "Well while Aqua and Fuu are on their little 'honeymoon' we can go and check."

He tilted his head, hearing Axel's words suddenly and he chuckled softly. "No thanks Ax. You'd probably outlaw us."

[Rikugurl]

Olette just sighed and turned but gasped when she heard the horrible noise and looked up, seeing Demyx jumping on the altar. "DEMYX!" What the HELL was he doing!? Aerith spent a lot of time on that!

Saix stopped in the middle of the bridge, his ears perking at the sound of something breaking. He gruffed and continued but stopped abruptly as he heard a voice in the wet air.

"DAMN YOU SAI!!"

His golden eyes widened as his hair blew in the wind, feeling the spray of the water that Demyx had called up.
His eyes twitched as his hands came into fist, his own nails making his palms bleed.
Fangs clenched over teeth and a sudden roar came from the silent man.

His blue hair frizzled and his eyes started to glow. The faded 'X' on his face opened out of rage as he berserked.
The water below him became unsettled, his power over the gravity of the moon making a mix.

His glare shot back at the bowl, seeing things broken and shattered.
How dare he ruin his sister's preparations...
Another fierce roar echoed throughout the land, making people in the village stop what they were doing.

Olette's eyes widened as she looked back in horror, seeing the Berserker look right at her.


Gunnar suddenly stood with his sister as he saw what was going on. Something was wrong with Saix and Demyx... and his mom and Roxas were caught in the middle. He gripped onto his sister's hand and swallowed.


Riku blinked as Sora started to rub closer on him. He grinned but blinked as Tensai said something. He looked to see Sora stick his finger in his mouth, smelling the sweet frosting. He laughed and looked down at his husband.
He gave a look to Tensai and nodded.
"No sweets before dinner sweetheart!"
The two echoed together playfully.


Xio blinked and gave a smile as his face was licked. He started to lick hers too, wrapping his paw around her neck to bring her closer.


Ven smiled as he was brought down, leaning back and enjoying the kiss. Before he could say anything, he heard a loud roar... and then another.
He quickly stood and looked out the window. "What the---"
His eyes widened though as he saw something blue rush to the bowl where the wedding was going to be... and a tidal wave was forming right behind him.

He shot out the door and his keyblade appeared.
"SHIT!"
He pointed at the bowl and a stream of light shot out. A large barrier of wind wrapped around the bowl, making the waves crash into it.

[Reno]

Roxas jumped at the roar looking over at Saix with wide eyes. "holy shit!" He'd seen Saix get like this only a handful of times before. Against Sora back when he was still his Nobody - and against Terra when they were 'training'.

Still he learned from Aqua that if Saix ever beserked you better get the fuck outta the way right now or else, no matter whow as the target, everyone was in danger. Unfortunetly, Saix was standing on the ONLY way out and Roxas... didn't know how to fly.

Oathkeeper appeared and he raced over to Olette, grabbing her arm and he started to tug her as far away from the Beserker as possible. "Shit we need to get out of here!" Roxas spared Demyx a panicked glance. If... If Saix was after Demyx...

At least if HE and Axel ever physically fought, they'd be on equal ground. Same for Riku and Sora, or Terra and Ven! But Demyx... Demyx stood NO chance at all.

Demyx tensed at the roar and he slowly turned around, eyes wide.


Temsai grinned when he saw his dad;s look, knowing exactly what to say - of course it came out more like, "No seets befow dindin seehewt!"

Sora pouted a little, but couldn't but laugh. "Ah but you guys broke the rules first!"

"No seets no seets!" Tensai chanted patted his dad on the head- the spikes flattened only to bounce back up. "Ooooh~" The boy suddenly said, mesmerized; he giggled, flattening spikes all over just to watch them shoot up again.


Invidia purred her tail brushing against one of his back legs playfully. She gave him a foxy grin, nuzzling him once more.


Aqua looked up, knowing that roar intimately. "Sai!"

Everyone else in the temple heard the roar as well. Terra looked up in panic, his eyes flashing as he remebered that noise. It was kind of hard to forget the beast charging at him over deserted sand - power radiating all around. If it hadn't been for his spells... he would of died.

He grit his teeth jumping up and rushing to Ven's side - just in time to see the tidal wave Ven was blocking. "Holy... fuck." He whispered. Unfortunetly... the barrier wasn't enough to keep Saix out. And inside that bowl... was not only Demyx, but Ven's brother and one of their fellow chasers.

"Sai!!" Another cry came and suddenly Aqua rushed right past Ven and Terra, racing for the bridge.

"Aq- shit!" He snapped knowing she wasn't going to listen. he cursed, rushing forward and past Seifer and Olette's children. "Gun, Luci, get in the temple now!" He ordered.


Roxas flinched as the wave started coming for them. Oh shit they were gonna DIE. He was going to get to know how Axel felt all those years ago...

But then suddenly a bright light shot out and wind whipped around the area. Chimes jinged fiercely and some of the shells fell from their placements, breaking on impact with the rock floor. Some of the streamers snapped apart too - but they were alive and thats what mattered. Unfortuently... not for long. Saix made it through the barrier like it wasn't even there and he was still charging.

Then Roxas saw it. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Demyx picking up his sitar, Demyx, walking forward, DEMYX with an overly confidant look on his face. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" He cried to the blonde in panic.

Saix got closer... and instead of playing it... Demyx swung. The heavy side of the sitar smashed into the beserker and sent him backwards.

Damn maybe he did stand a chance after all...

Even Aqua and Terra, half-way down the bridge, paused in shock. Demyx had... HIT Saix? Not only was it a feat to succeed in doing that to a beserker in the first place - not to mention being able to throw him back so far - but DEMYX did it!?

The water mage himself couldn't believe it either. Parts of the sitar had broken, pieces falling to the rock ground. He stared blankly, glancing down at his hands as if they had betrayed him, then looked up at his lover once more.

[Rikugurl]

Olette froze as massive amounts of water started to head towards the bowl. Her eyes grew bigger and bigger seeing the rage in Saix's face. What the HELL WAS GOING ON!?
"STOOOOOP! YOU'RE GOING TO RUIN EVE---AHHH!!"

She yelped as Roxas grabbed her arm and started to tug her away. Her feet were like lead because she didn't want to budge. She couldn't let Saix ruin everything!
Unfortunately for her... she wasn't in the 'training'. She didn't know how much damage Saix could cause to not only the wedding decorations... but to her herself.


Riku smiled as he watched his son try to flatten his husband's hair. He wondered if Tensai would ever find a way. He hadn't yet... and he knew Sora for a VERY long time. He was about to help hold down the spikes when he heard a piercing sound coming from down the hallway.

His eyes widened and looked back, totally stumped on what that could be. It kinda sounded like... Vi.

Fuu was walking down the hall when the sound rang out, almost making her fall from fright... seeing that she was closer.
She looked at the door, hearing some low grunts.
It clicked.
"Uh...." She blinked and quickly went up the stairs, seeing a worried face on Riku and Sora's face.
"Uh... I think..." She rubbed the back of her neck as she walked over and whispered into Sora's ear which sent a puzzled look on Riku's face.


Axel's eyes widened as he got up after Aqua and rushed to the doors of the temple. He was about to whip around and make sure Roxel was ok when his elbow slammed into something.
".........AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNHAAAAAAAAAAAHAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!"
Axel's eyes widened as he looked down, seeing his son hold onto his forehead, tears streaming down his face.
"AH! I'M SO SORRY ROXEL!" He quickly picked up the boy and bounced him.

He frowned though as the other kids rushed up the stairs and into the temple. He closed the doors shut and smiled nervously. "Don't worry, everything will be ok!"
But deep in his heart, he could feel the fear in Roxas.
"Come on baby...."

Gunnar shook as they got into the temple and looked out the door. He was worried for his mother.... and everyone else too!


Olette squeaked as gripped onto Roxas. She was going to die!

"ROXAS! OLETTE!" Ven called and watched Aqua zoom pass. He watched her and sighed. "Come on." He suddenly raced after her, his keyblade in his hand. If he still had Aero Maxim... he might of been able to keep Saix at bay.
Damn it.

Rage covered Saix as he rushed back to the bowl, right to Demyx. Where this anger came from... he would never know... and if he was in his right mind, he would never be so violent towards his lover...

He came closer and closer, not caring if he'd rip up whatever got in his way. He was headed right for the sitar player... who happened to have the sitar in his hand.
His rage and power made him blind... that he didn't even see the sitar fly at him... and suddenly... he was in the air.

Ven stopped behind Terra and Aqua though, standing on his toes to look over them to see what had happened. It seemed like his wind did a good job at damaging things as well... but what shocked him more was the scene of Demyx.

The Berserker hit a tooth hard and fell onto the rocky floor. His blue hair was mangled as so was one of his legs. It seemed to hit the ground wrong. He tried to get up but his leg sent a horrible pain through his body, making him whimper.

Olette gasped as she saw the scene... for once, not knowing what to do.

[Reno]

Sora tensed at the noise as well, glancing back. even tensai stopped his play, confused by it.

"what... was that?" Sora asked - but he didn't have to remain curious for long because not too long after Fuujin walked into the room, a disturbed look on her face. "Fuu?"

He blinked as the woman came over and then leaned closer. his eyes suddenly bugged out. "Uhhhhh...." he blushed hotly. "um... i guess... just leave them to it? It's not like... anything came come from it right?" He shook his head then looked up at riku who looked completely out of the loop. he laughed nervously, then leaned up, cupping a hand around his ear and murmured softly, "Xio and Vi are mating."

He pulled away blushing even more. "Um let's keep Ten away from there." However they didn't get much farther in the covnersation, before words from the cockpit met their ears. It sounded like Seifer - but hadn't he been in Fuujin's room?


Lucina whimpered as she looked out the window as well. Tears were filling her eyes. "Mommy!"


Seifer's eyes snapped open suddenly, feeling a disturbing tingle from his lover. Fear... lots of it. He jumped to his feet and suddenly tore from the room - rushing for the cockpit. What had happened? Just as he got there some of it eased - but he was still worried. He typed a few things to her communicator, and murmured quietly through it. "Olette? Olette are you alright?"


Demyx stared at Saix, watching his attempt at getting to his feet fail, and the pain echoed in his own leg. "Oh god..." he whispered, tears rising to his eyes. What did he do?! How... how COULD he?!

He slipped to his knees, both the weight of his guilt and Saix's pain sending him there. His beloved sitar made a horrible noise as he scratching against the ground and it fell from his numb fingers. His arms wrapped around his stomach, which was suddenly knotted up fiercely from shame and hurting terribly and he leant over his damned instrument, the hard strings digging into his forehead and he sobbed. "Oh god... oh god Sai..."

He should of been rushing over to him - making sure he was alright... but he no longer had that right. He didn;t even have the right to play to calm Sai anymore not after that...

Everything was calm once more in the bowl - but a disaster as well.

"Sai!" Aqua cried, suddenly moving once more. she rushed the rest of the way down the bridge. She rushed to her brother's side, grimancing at the sight of his leg. It was definitely broken. She knelt down in front of him, slowly laying him down. "Sai..."

Terra frowned, Aqua's suddenly movement bringing the pause that had gone over the battlefield back to it's regular time. He slowly started forward as well, taking in the scene. everything was destroyed in some way or another - and Saix was hurt - and Demyx was crying - but Roxas and Olette were fine at least.

Roxas breathed in and out. Slowly his heart calmed and the fear started to fade. He looked at olette seeing her still shaking, then towards aqua and her brother, frowning some at the sight. that leg didn't look pretty. Finally his eyes landed on Demyx and he sighed, his blades disappearing as he walked over to the blonde.

[Rikugurl]

Riku's eyes widened as he heard his husband. Mating? How the HELL was that possible? He was a.... lion thing and she was a.... fox thing. He wasn't sure if Axel would be too happy to hear about that... especially once a moomba mated, that was it for the year...

He sighed but blinked, looking around the area. Was that Seifer he was hearing?

Fuu frowned at Seifer's voice and quickly rushed to one of the windows. She looked out, seeing very stormy waters in the ocean. They were too far from being able to see anything in detail. She knew though.... she knew something was terribly wrong.
Aqua was in shock... and pain.

She looked back at Riku and Sora helplessly. She couldn't go out there... it was bad luck to see Aqua...
"Sora... Riku... can you go see what's going on?"
Riku frowned but nodded, gently taking Tensai and handing him to her. He looked down at Sora and nodded, heading for the exit.

Fuu sighed and rocked the little boy as she looked outside. Why was this happening now?


Axel swallowed, not able to think clearly as he felt fear in his heart and the crying of his son in his ear. He also heard the crying of Luci and frowned, walking over and looking out.

Gunnar heard his sister and looked at her. He frowned and wrapped his arms around her. "Don't cry! She's ok!" He didn't know that himself... but their dad told them always to be brave... and their mom always told them to think positive.


Ven sighed as Aqua ran off and joined to Terra's side. What had triggered this? It was like... the balance was off...
He and Terra slowly walked down the rest of the bridge and into the bowl. All their hard work during the day was ruined...

Sai growled lowly as he continued to try and get up. Since he was berserked, all he could think about was getting up and continuing what he was doing... but the guilt of Demyx was settling in... and started to feel his own come up.

At his sister's touch, his eyes went back to normal and his 'X' returned to the closed scar. His fangs and claws disappeared and the real pain of his leg coursed his body.
He looked up at her, pain covering his face but he stopped, hearing something over the waters trying to calm.

Sobbing.

He felt an even worse pain in his heart as he turned and looked back, seeing his lover upside down... and crying.
"Demyx...?"

Olette swallowed but kept her arms around Roxas. Her body was still shaking but blinked when she heard something in her ear piece. Never leave Sigurd without it!
She slowly reached to her mic and pressed the button. "Y-yea... I'm f-fine..."