The Tale of Seven

[Reno]

"Well the way I see it," Aqua said, glancing over her shoulder as well. "You can either bitch at him about being fucking immature... or smother him with love whatever you want."


Really it shouldn't have surprised her that he chose the second option.

Because she was chosen for dinner that night, it was only fitting she would chose fish, one of her favorite meals and - better yet - they didn't have to waste many supplies. It wasn't hard to catch Seven large Magickarp - all of them a little too stupid to learn to avoid the fishing lure. Together with Axel they made one hell of dinner.

It was to her surprise however when Axel shooed her away with a mischievous smile and was the one to hand out the plates. That was until... he handed Roxas' his.

Not even saying a word of gratitude (probably pissed she got hers first) the blonde raised his fork... then pause and looked at the plate in silence, mouth gaping a little and a blush on his cheeks. What the fuck did he do? Spell 'fuck me'?
It was to her witness however when Axel came back and got his own dish, that Roxas, smiling shifted close to the red-head giving him a light yet surprisingly bold peck on the cheek. "T-Thanks..." The younger softly said.

Aqua was not the only one to see Roxas' brave move however. Terra had looked up just in time. He chuckled softly. "Well, would you look at that."


Sora continued to travel with Riku, never complaining and never deciding to turn back. With Luxray at his side he wasn't worried either, the large lion easily catching any nearby ghosts and scaring them away with his Intimidation.

In fact it was almost fun, even though they were doing something important. He especially enjoyed reading the names on the tombs with Riku.
"Ahh Spunky! It must of been a fun companion." He would exclaim or, "Hellraiser? Bet Terra and Ven would like that one."
Some of the trainer's names however made him sad. Especially when, more than once, they came across a tomb... with a Gym Leader's name across it that, not long ago, he still remembered battling for badges. It reminded him how very real and close this all was.

It wasn't until, legs tiring from the many stair cases, that they finally found it in the corner of the final room, the tombs all neatly placed in a delicate row and worn some with age but so close together no one could mistake that they were related. They had obviously been there for a long, long time... and it was also obvious no one had visited this spot for years.

Riku spotted it too and hurried over to it, the rest of them following after quietly. The brunette stood close by as the other brushed away the dust, reading the name. When the other stood, his body once taunt and straight with tension, now slumping with misery and realization, made Sora's eyes darkened with grief, realizing they had found what they were looking for.

"Oh Ri..." He said softly at the other's confirmation, walking to his side. "You thought he left you and your mother." He said, not as a question but as a statement. Did Riku never know... his dad?

He turned and tugged the silverette into a hug, the second one that day. But unlike the last one, which was full of enthusiasm and joy, this one was nothing but comfort and support.

[Rikugurl]

Axel hummed happily as the sour glazed fish was delicious to eat and happily swallowed it before grabbing another piece. He stopped though when he felt a kiss on his cheek and blushed, slowly looking over at Roxas. He smiled as he leaned over and slowly kissed Roxas's ear, whispering softly into it.
"You'll never be number two..."

He pulled away softly before slowly eating another piece of fish.

Ven looked over, the fork in his mouth as he saw his brother and Axel by the fire...exchanging...kisses?
He grinned as he poked his fish before leaning into Terra more. "Looks like he's not as much as a tight ass as I thought."

Umbreon's ears fell as he looked up at his master, seeing how much paler his face seemed to of gotten.
He knew what was happening...

"I can't wait till I grow up and start traveling!"
"Vee!!" The happy pup cried as he jumped onto his master's bed after a long day of play.
The boy settled and wrapped his arms around the pup, bringing him close. He looked out the window next to his bed, his happy expression becoming bitter. "And I don't care what mommy says... I'm going to find daddy and yell at him for leaving us on the island by ourselves. He just wanted to get rid of us..."

The Eevee whimpered as he looked up at the angered boy. The ocean eyes turned to look at the pup and smiled. "But don't worry! We'll kick his butt and show him we were good enough!"
"EEE!"

His red eyes widened as he saw Sora pull his master into a hug...and saw his master wrap his arms around the brunette. He whimpered more, the rings on his body glowing as he felt Riku's pain.

The silverette buried his head into Sora's shoulder, clenching onto him tightly. His black gloves tightened as his fingers did in Sora's clothes and...his shoulders started to shake. Moments later, tears ran down Riku's cheeks...and he started to sob.

[Reno]

Roxas shivered as he felt those lips on his ear, feeling like it was a flame licking close by. At the words however he blushed full force and was unable to stop his enthusiastic smile. He sighed happily leaning against the red-head and started to dig into his food as well, trying to eat around the heart as if he were trying to keep it forever.

Terra chuckled beside the blonde, leaning down to drop a kiss along the other's temple. "You're snarky with everyone aren't you?"

Aqua looked from the blonde and red-head to the brunette and identical blond, rolling her eyes. Ugh where were Riku and Sora? Maybe they could break apart this fucking lover fest!


Luxray's head tilted to the side, but he made a soft sad noise as he heard crying. It was not surprising to him in this environment. Sora had done so many a time when they went to visit Furret. But he knew his master was not the one making the noises this time.

Sora blinked in surprise as he felt Riku hug him back... for the first time. But his happiness at that fact didn't even get a chance to exist as he felt the elder's body quivering against him and soft sobs broke free from the silverette's throat. His own eyes started to water emphatically, hurting because the other was, and his arms tightened around the other just letting him cry. "Oh Riku... It's okay..." He murmured softly, reaching up and running his fingers through the other's hair. "It's okay..."

[Rikugurl]

Axel smiled as he felt Roxas lean up against him. He slowly placed the plate on his legs before wrapping an arm around Roxas's waist, pulling him close before eating once more. The food seemed to taste much better now...

Ven grinned as he looked up at Terra. "Hey~ I don't want anyone to feel left out~" He spat out his tongue before feeding the brunette some of his own fish.


Riku continued to sob, but the fingers through his hair made him sniff. He took some breaths, trying to calm himself down as he felt the tears roll down his face.
This had been the first time he had cried since he left home... though he almost did that day that Metagross might not of made it...

Slowly he pulled away, breathing deeply before looking back at the tombs. "M-my mom said that my dad wanted to move before I was born. That he didn't want me to be raise in a society that was so dangerous. She said that the Teams were a real problem at the time...so... they got on his boat and said that the first island they went too...they would live there together. Then she told me that when they got to Mirage Island... my dad was worried about all the whirlwinds so he went back to the mainland to get some more supplies..."

He closed his eyes, more tears running down his face.
"That was the last time...she saw him. When we went to Mossdeep City... my mom got a message that they were trying to send out to her for years but was worried that it would get lost at sea. She read the letter...and she cried...all night. No matter what I did to cheer her up, she kept crying. In the morning, she told me... that daddy's ship had crashed and he wasn't ever going to come back. His Pokemon drowned too in the storm and were buried at Mt Pyre. I wasn't even born before the crash...and I didn't believe my mom... I felt...abandoned by someone I never even met."

He swallowed before continuing. "I watched kids play at the beach with their dads... wondering...why? When we moved to Lavender Town, I thought I finally understood. When all the kids started to pick on me...I realized that my dad must of known that I was unwanted by everyone...and that is was my fault that he left me and my mom on that island. That night I was going to die... I...I kind of wanted to at first. That my dad was right for leaving us there... After Darkrai saved me though...I realized that if a Legendary wanted me to live... that my theory wasn't right. That I had no idea why my father wanted to leave us. I swore that he wrote that letter himself... Perhaps he found another family he wanted to be with more... or maybe we were tying him down. Maybe he wasn't ready for a child. It drove me crazy not knowing. That day... I went out to become a great trainer, to get back at Team Rocket for hurting Darkrai and... to find my father and to ask him why."

"Breon..." The fox said softly before he nuzzled the gloved hand, feeling it slowly pet him.
"All this time...I never believed what the letter said. My dad was out there...and he left his family."
His eyes started to water again and slowly water dripped from the ocean. "I hated him... all my life..." He choked as his lips quivered. "But... he really did die that day..."

[Reno]

Sora let Riku go as the other moved out of his embrace, looking up at the silverette who was vainly attempting to gather some sort of control over himself. It took a few minutes, but soon the silverette was speaking to him and the brunette was quietly listening, finding it hard to keep his gaze with the other because each time the other started to cry he would too.

When the other was finished Sora was looking at the dirty floor, tears wandering there way down his face as well. He could imagine it... little Riku living on an island all by himself with his mom - not knowing anything of life outside of their existence... until the Eevee coin came and changed everything. To see other people, other children and other families... to notice what was missing in his own life and begin the questions his mother probably found hard to answer. And then the letter that shifted the realty of everything for the small family...

He slowly removed his gloves, stuffing them with little care into his pockets and he looked up at Riku. He reached up, cupping the other's face in his hands, thumbs running under those beautiful eyes and catching the falling tears. Someone so beautiful shouldn't cry...

"Hey... You had every right to be angry with him." He said, voice eerily loud in all the silence. "I know it seems selfish and unreasonable but there's nothing wrong with wanting him there. At home, with you and your mom and to know who he was. To know he loved you. That's nothing to be ashamed about. It's natural to want something you don't have... especially something as important as a dad."

He smiled faintly. "But I do think you're wrong... about saying you hate him. I know, maybe after all those years and all that anger it started to FEEL like hate - it's such an easy word to say - but... if you truly did hate him, you wouldn't be crying right now. I think... you're more sad you'll never get to meet him now."

He lowered his hands slowly, turning and looking at the tombs silently, as if thinking of something. Softly he spoke, "I know a lot of people say, once someone is gone it's too late for anything. But I don't believe that." He glanced at Riku, smiling slightly. "It's never to late to say something. These are his Pokemon... I'm sure the message will reach him too."

[Rikugurl]

Riku flinched slightly as he felt palms on his cheeks and slowly his eyes opened, the watery ocean looking into the sky blue. Sora was crying too... but his eyes lightened as he felt the soft touches that he only could familiarize with his mother.

When Sora broke away, he sighed shakily and slowly looked at the tombs as well. Say...something...?
All these years he had thought of what to say to his father when and if he met him. He had wrote things down, went over them again and again but now... as the light of dusk fell over them and it was finally time to say something...

He didn't know what to say.

He slowly looked at Sora before pulling off his own gloves, having Umbreon hold them before a hand reached out and grabbed Sora's, holding it tightly. He looked back at the tombs and took a deep breath.
"I...I'm sorry...for thinking the things I did about you all. My mom... she loves you all a lot... and I'm sure she thinks about you every day. I know she wants to come here and talk to you... but... he's not ready yet."

He looked down before another sigh admitted. "You...you didn't have to go out again. We...we were fine without the extra supplies but I know... you didn't do that for me to live the life I did. It was hard... but I'm ok. I... I'm a good trainer...and I treat my team was well as you were treated. And...I even have a friend now..." He said softly and he squeezed Sora's hand tightly.
"I'm sure you all were excited for me to be born so you could all play with me..." He started, his voice much more chipper than before as if he was thinking about what that would of been like.'

"I hope you're all resting well and...dad....I took...good care of mom for you. T-thank you for...trying to do the best for us and... I..." His eyes started to water again before he closed them, tears slowly running down once more. "I miss you..."

[Reno]

Sora glanced at Riku from the corner of his eye, waiting for him to do something. He knew this must of be hard... what do you say to a person you never even met but knew that he was supposed to be a vital part to your life... except fate had different ideas? Maybe he wasn't ready to say anything at all - that would be okay too... they could come back some other day.

He was, therefore, very surprised when Riku removed his gloves and he was at a loss when those bare fingers... grabbed his own. He knew this was supposed to be a solemn moment but he couldn't stop the large grin from splitting his lips. It felt nice... he squeezed the other's hand in support as he started to talk, listening to him quietly, knowing that even though his words were, for the most part, directing to the Pokemon, a lot... was also for Farran.

His smiled lightened as Riku mentioned him, squeezing back, enjoying the pressure. He felt... proud of the other. For his bravery and strength, even if he was still bitter and hurting. The sight of the graves... made the wounds slash open though, he knew that.

His eyes saddened at the other's final words. He looked up, squeezing the silverette's fingers lightly.

[Rikugurl]

The sounds of shoes coming down onto the soil made the redhead look up from the fire, shifting as Roxas leaned on him as he looked back to see two figures coming down from the mountain towards them. His green eyes narrowed, noticing who they were instantly thanks to the silver hair in the moonlight, the bouncy spikes and the glowing rings.

He yawned before looking over at the two fish that were probably rather cold before looking back at them. Were they........holding hands!?
Maybe Roxas was right...
He shook his head and waved over. "HEY! YOU MISSED DINNER!" He grinned before pulling Roxas close to him again.

As for Ven, he was sleeping soundly against Terra's chest, his arms wrapped around the muscular waist as his legs entangled with the others.

Riku looked out as he walked down, seeing the fire going. He looked down at Sora and smiled before nodding, letting his hand go before pulling on his gloves that Umbreon was still holding for him. "Go on ahead, I have some things I still need to do." And as the brunette started down, the silverette called out. "And Sora..." When the boy look back, Riku smiled happily. "Thank you... for being my friend."

[Reno]

"Mmm...." Roxas complained as Axel moved, also started to doze against the red-head. It had been a long day, and he could feel the slight burns on his face started to stretch his skin in an uncomfortable way, knowing by morning they'd be hurting like a bitch.

He jumped a little when Axel yelled though his eyes popping open and he blinked blearily, seeing the brunette and silverette on the hill. They didn't seem to respond to Axel, lost in their own little world and... holding hands.
....
Holding WHAT now?! He frowned some, trying to figure out what was going on but before he could get into an in-depth trail of thought, he felt Axel pulling him close again. He hummed happily, leaning against the other, enjoying the other's warmth. He was as warm as fire.

Terra didn't respond much to Axel's cry, other than to look down at Ven to make sure he hadn't awoken. When he was certain all was right, he sighed happily laying his cheek back into Ven's hair and squeezing him slightly shutting his eyes, content just being with the blonde.

Aqua was down by the beachside, washing off the dishes carefully. Of course it destroyed the purpose, washing off plates with salt water, but they'd just have to remember to wash them again when they found land and fresh water is all.

Sora continued to walk with Riku hardly aware of anything except for the warm hand clasped in his. The call drew his attention though and he noticed that the fire was still going and that his stomach was rumbling in hunger. Ah man! What a day to miss dinner.

When Riku looked at him he looked right back, and almost whimpered when he felt the loss of the other's hand. No! He'd forfeit a thousand dinners, really! As long as he got to keep Riku's hand!!

He knew it was all over though when the other pulled on his gloves. ah well, it was nice while it lasted. his stomach gurgled again and, after an okay from his friend, he smiled right back and nodded, heading down the hill, feeling saddened Riku wasn't next to him. He barely got ten feet however before a call of his name made him look back curiously only to be shocked by that lovely smile.

"Thank you... for being my friend."
Sora blushed a lot and started to laugh nervously, stuttering all over the place. "I-I, it... o-oh we-well u-um... n-no problem!" He laughed again, this time a little more high-pitched from his embarrassment as he rubbed the back of his neck and looked at the ground. "See you when you get back."

He was still in this frenzied state of euphoria and panic as he managed to get down the hill, his gait quick like he was running but he was bouncing as well, obviously extremely happy and looking like he was attempting the fox trot and failing.
"So....ra?" Roxas asked tentatively, watching the brunette sit down and grab a plate. He just laughed at his brother's call and cut the fish in half, feeding one part to Luxray and starting eating the other half himself. He giggled between bites, completely unaware of everything and anything.
"Did he finally lose a screw in that head of his? Aqua asked, his arms full of plates and utensils, her eyebrow arched high as she looked at the brunette.

[Rikugurl]

Riku smiled softly as he heard Sora sputter out and nodded, watching him run....ish down the hill. He too walked down, but went to his bag that was at the edge of camp. He opened a small zipper and pulled out a pile of papers and some heavy tape.

Slowly, he circled around the camp, putting the pieces of paper up on rocks and scattered trees as well as the opening of the cove where Terra and Ven were. The brunette seemed to understand what he was doing. When Riku circled completely around and the papers flapped in the wind, he too walked over to the fire and grabbed his dish, feeding some to Umbreon.

"So...what are the papers for?" Axel had to ask.
"They're called Cleanse Tags. It's an ancient symbol that repels ghost from coming close. Coming from Lavender Town, they're rather popular at night when ghost come out and play."

[Reno]

Sora watched Riku work, grinning every now and again as a though played through his head, wishing that hood didn't cover so much. He should hardly see the play of muscles in the others back when he reached up to hang up a sign... not to mention he couldn't see his a--

His cheeks went red and he looked down at his plate, eating his cold fish.

Terra's eyes opened when he heard someone walking around close-by. He noticed Riku but didn't seem to comment, just shut his eyes once more and snuggled closer to Ven. He knew exactly what the other was doing and he was grateful for that but too tired to bother with conversation or thanks. With Ven nearby it was easier to sleep.

Roxas smiled a little when he heard Riku. "So no ghosts will bother us then?" That was good, they needed the sleep.

[Rikugurl]

"That's right." Riku confirmed as he put some more fish in his mouth. He was happy...that a lot of things were now off his chest. Why he dressed this way... people knowing his real name and now... knowing that his father never meant to leave him and his mother.
This journey was becoming almost a eye opener for him... and even if it sounded horrible... he was kind of glad that Forslass had been stolen or he would of never been doing this.

He frowned some as he remembered his ice maiden and sighed.
We're coming...


The next morning, a redhead smiled as he took his first sip of his coffee. Man... now he could start the day! He watched the others feed the Pokemon, seeing that already he was getting low on Pokefood. Hopefully the next town would sell them...or at least a poffin maker! He had plenty of berries...

He looked over, seeing Riku taking down the papers with help from Sora as Terra put some more aloe on Ven's skin to protect him during the day.

That reminded him...

"Hold still~~" He placed his coffee down and put his fingers in the same goop, lathering Roxas's cheeks with it as well softly.

[Reno]

By morning Sora was up and chipper as ever - no caffeine needed. It scared some of them to think of how the brunette would be WITH it. The minute the silverette was taking down papers he was quick to jump in and offer his aid, maybe a little too enthusiastically.

"Here you go!" He said happily, holding out several of the Sutras towards Riku, but his other hand was behind his back, guilty. It took only a tiny tilt though to make Sora show what he was hiding. three Sutras, ripped in half, obviously from his enthusiasm of pulling them. He laughed in embarrassment, "Sorry?" He smiled as wildly and innocently as possible, trying to pull out all the charm so as not to get Riku mad at him.

Terra had awoken to a blanket draped over him and Ven, guessing from the faded yellow color who it had been. Without much prompting, other than a few whines from Ven about the pain, he was quick to snap open a few more leaves, covering the burns more thoroughly and thickly this time.

Roxas meanwhile had just finished packing his things and had no idea what was about to happen... until he heard a snap. He glanced over, sleeping Axel coming close to him and blushed as those fingers ran over his cheeks - which like he had been predicting where burning like hell - the cool aloe making him shiver all over. It felt nice... and even moreso... that Axel had noticed. "Thanks~"

"Ugh you men are all a buncha wimps." Aqua commented, before turning and heading for the water, looking out at the horizon. Her dad would of known if this would be a bad day at sea or not... he was always good at that, predicting the weather.

[Rikugurl]

Riku smiled under his hood as he took the pages and placed them in a pile carefully. He blinked though as he counted them. There were three missing. That was when he saw the huge smile and...the ripped papers. He took them slowly before smiling softly. "That's ok... I'm sure the next town has them because of the Mt. Hopefully they'll work as good as these since these are so old."

He put the papers back in his bag and was happy to hear that no ghost bothered any of them... but he had to hear a mouth full from Haunter this morning about keeping those things away from him!

Ven smiled as he felt the last of the liquid being placed on him before he slowly got up, wincing a bit from random pain as he walked out into the sun of the morning. He looked up, shading his eyes from the sun with his hand as he saw the clear sky with Wingulls flying above. Another great day for water travel.

"Alright! We need to get moving so we can try to get to Lilycove City by tonight!" He called before walking down to the ocean, recalling his Empoleon who spread out his wings to stretch.

Axel smiled as he placed the last he could on Roxas before recalling Vaporeon. The mermaid yipped happily as he ran around his master and then out to the sea.

[Reno]

"Don't count your Torchics before they hatch." Aqua said to Ven, her eyes narrowed at the ocean. Sure all seemed calm and fine, but she knew that could all change... very fast and unpredictably. She sighed and reached for her water types, throwing them into the air right over the ocean. There were two pops and one sea serpent and one orange otter went twirling into the water.
"Miiilo!" Came the soft noise as Milotic surfaced her long tail flapping in front of her like a Asian woman would with a fan.

"Bui, Bui!" Cried the sea otter as he jumped over Vaporeon grinning before doing a showy flip as he landed with a splash on his other side. Once his head popped free again he grinned competitively at the fox.

Sora grinned as Riku forgave him, which was good because he really hadn't meant to rip them it just sort of happened. "I'm sure they will!" He glanced towards the ocean though were everyone else, even the reluctant Terra, had lined up close to the ocean. "Guess it's time to get going." He said, his enthusiasm dropping a little as he glanced back towards Mt. Pyre. It was odd to feel sad about LEAVING a graveyard... but something real special had happened there, for Riku and him. He could only hope those continued to happen... "We better go find Gary!" He got a peculiar, well he could only GUESS it was a peculiar look from Riku. "Guess I shouldn't nickname Pokemon that aren't mine huh?" He laughed before walking off, a skip to his step.

"Gyarados!" He called loudly. Moments later further into the sea, a large blue dragon rose from the sea and gave a cry that made almost everyone shiver. There was nothing to be afraid of of course as the dragon swam over, seeming as happy as yesterday.

It wasn't long before the seven were getting onto or holding their respective water Pokemon and off they went back into the sea.


"I told you." Aqua said smugly, holding onto Milotic tightly even though they were in no real danger. The sky above was a dark gray, and a drizzle of rain was falling on them. The ocean was a little rough but nothing Buizel or Vaporeon and the two trains couldn't handle. Unfortunately... it was cold.

"Ugh, just what I needed. Wet on top of wet." Terra grumbled hatefully.
"F-Fuck don't complain." Roxas stuttered, trying to hug the otter for warmth.
Sora sighed burying his head in Riku's back.

The bluette sighed looking at the rippling waves. "My dad would of known... he would of." Axel was of course the one to ask her what she meant. "My father... he was..." she paused, thinking over her words and smiled. "He was obsessed with water. Anything to do with water I guarantee you he's done it. Sailing, fishing, training water types... everything. That's why Aqua is my name, he gave it to me. I guess that's why I love it too... because he did."

She sighed. "Well anyways, my dad had this sort of intuition about the sea. I don't know how to explain it but... he just seemed to just... know whenever a storm was coming over the ocean. He always knew how bad it would be too, maybe just a drizzle like this or maybe something rough and crazy like the storms you hear about only in stories. He told me he used to love those days... the storm days. He said before I was born he'd always go out to challenge it, to prove he was better or something dumb like that. A guy thing. But then... I came around and he stopped. He told me he loved me too much to go risking his neck in some silly conquest." She smiled though it was bitter. "Ironic, since he died anyways."