The Chasers: The Key to Memories Past

[Rikugurl]

The memory faded and the gem stopped glowing. The memory that seemed to last a life time was finally over...and everyone had seen only snippets of the horror that the Chaser's had gone through. How the Darkness in their hearts started out like and how it made the old Chasers what they were.

And why...it was such a struggle for them to see the light to open their hearts.
It was also confirmed that Ventus had indeed died...and was reborn through Darkness. Terra really was his last string to life and---

Light hit the gem once more and the viewers caught their breath, eyes still full of tears when the screen showed nothing but Darkness.


Small cracks of light could be seen around the dim, dreary area that seemed to be like a swamp. A figure sloshed around as glass and broken furniture was laying around in the muddied water. A chill ran down the viewers, noting that the broken furniture was that of what they saw in the twins bedroom in Akbar.

Claws raked down the cracks of lights, the mud on his hands covering it up like a patch as yellow bright eyes seem to dim in sadness.

And echo could be heard suddenly as the figure looked around.

"Terra...?"
"Paopu..."
There was a pause and the figure tilted his head as he looked around.
"You want to resort to fruit and legends to make sure you and me never get separated?"
Another pause.
"Do i really mean that much to you?"
"I mean what I say, Terra...I'll find another way... to get rid of my keyblade."
"Ven..."

A scoff and choked back noises could be heard as the figure stepped around slowly, as if trying to figure out where these voices were coming from.
"Damn... emotions."
A chuckle.
"Well if your going to find another way I guess I'll have no choice but to help you. Who knows what your brash ass will come up with. But first... let's share this."
"I wouldn't want it any other way..."
There was another pause but suddenly the yellow eyes widened as the whole world started to shake and the water started to drain.

"Is it just me or is the best damn thing we ever ate?!.......................................Thank you."

The hole in which the mud was draining through started to get bigger and bigger, making it drain faster and fast until there was nothing left. The figure blinked, looking around as the world continued to shake and suddenly, it opened is mouth as if to scream voicelessly as a huge wave of the sludge came from nowhere and hit him hard, knocking him down.

The mud was violent and tore towards the hole, bringing the figure with it. Strangely, the figure seemed to melt into the sludge as it started to pour down into a lab like place. The hole started to get smaller and smaller, a light at the end of the tunnel.
However, there was nothing left to the muck as it stuck to tunnel, only leaving the light from the figures eyes to fall out and into.......a large field with tall grass and a few shady trees.

The light from the figure suddenly started to react as it laid in the cold dirt of the new world and started to grow, forming an outline of an animal.
A wolf.
A howl suddenly broke the light and revealed a Tibetan wolf. Handsome, yet small, his golden fur shifting in the soft breeze. It seemed rather confused, bright blue eyes looking around curiously before there was a yip of some sort.

The wolf slowly looked back, seeing a rather familiar, more beastly looking wolf walking towards him. Instead of backing away or running off, the golden wolf seemed to smile...and ran towards the other.

[Reno]

The wolf side of Terra's tail wagged, tongue lolling as the slighter ran for him. He jumped up on his front paws just as Ven pounced, the slighter pouncing right onto them, there bodies rolled but they didn't seem too mind, barking and nuzzling each other fondly.

It was the start of something.


A blue light hit the gem so quick the scene was overtaken.


The town was beautiful, the sky shadowed in orange like a permanent sunset. A woman with blue hair was walking down the brick road, the look on her face uncomfortable and nervous as her eyes sought the many evening shoppers spread on the streets.

"My, my you do have to tell me your name." The words echoed into the memory, displaced from it.

She paused when she caught sight of a flash of silver. "Ah!" She ran her hands through her hair nervously, obviously trying to fix it up nice as she cut through the crowd, hesitating at the edge of the walk barely twenty feet from the other, clearly her throat nervously.

The figure who seemed to be studying the crowd intensely slowly turned, a red eye peering out of liquid gray strands. At the sight of the other her gaze softened... and a smile appeared.

"Fuujin."

Aqua smiled shyly, finger twisting around the strands of her bangs as walked forth until she was a respectable distance away.

"Mine's Aqua."

"H-Hey there Fuujin." The woman said, obviously unsure of herself. "Wanna um... go get some coffee?"

There was no verbal answer, the woman merely smiled more and nodded. This seemed to surprise the elder and a happy grin appeared. "Ah- great! Let's go then!"

The camera pulled away from them, climbing higher and higher until it was seeing Twilight town from a bird's eye view, the blue sea illuminated in the ocean sun, the trains moving along there tracks with soft whistles, birds flying through the air, ants of people bustling about their business.

The view dived quickly, everything coming into focus until the specks of people became more defined, hair color and clothes style and the variety of expressions easily seen. The sight whirled slowly until it zeroed in on a cafe. It zoomed in, until the two sitting inside the building in front of the window could be easily seen. Though soundless, the blue-haired woman and silverette were laughing joyously about something, each cradling in their hands a heavy mug full of some sort of drink.

The older woman stopped laughing first but a smile was still in place as she looked at the other, her eyes having a light that hadn't been there before. Her lips moved, her expression gentle as she spoke. The silverette's laughter cut off and a blush graced her cheek looking away from the other, but there was something content in the smile that twitched the edges of her lips up. She uttered something, only one word. 'Me?'

Aqua nodded, uttering only one word back. 'You.'

Her arm stretched across the table, hand delicately laying atop a paler one. Fingers curled around the other's, squeezing lightly in a telltale way.

A start of something new.

[Rikugurl]

Tears started to dry as they watched the loves that they all knew now...and how they started. Why had the memories taken such a sharp turn in events?

Some understood. Even after something so horrifying... they all made it out alive...and found happiness.

Olette wiped away some tears as she sniffed, smiling as she watched the wolves play across the vast field that seemed never ending and the two young women in the coffee shop.

Roxel slowly pulled his face from his knees, looking at his uncles play...and his aunts talking together for the first time. He swallowed, and smiled softly, he too wiping some tears before glancing at Tensai to see if he was ok.

Axel let out a shaky sigh, watching the memories lighten. He was hoping it would stay on this track for awhile.

Gunnar shook Lunina, making her finally look up from his arm and at the new memories. A soft smile ran on his face as he saw his sister smile. Even if she was his big sister and knew it was hard for her to cry in front of him... it was always better to see her smile because she means it.

The smile on her face though, would only grow as a black light was the next one to hit the gem.


It was always nighttime in the cute little world that held such a variety of people and creatures of all shapes and sizes.
The street lamps made the dark town glow, giving it a warm feeling to those in passing.

Shoes patted on the brick streets as a figure with a cape and hood walked down some stairs and turned a corner.
Purple eyes glowed from under the hood and the figure looked up, revealing a face to be that of a young Sammy.

The camera moved to show exactly what the boy was looking at. A ship... and some people going aboard.
The boy suddenly rushed to it and stopped in front of a man who seemed to be the captain.
"Where are you going?"
The man seemed to ignore the boy's question as he nodded to someone who was going inside the ship. The rough blonde jumped as he noticed the boy.

"Dammit! You scared me, kid!" The man sighed as he rubbed his forehead before shaking his head. "You coming along too?"
"...........Where are you going?" The boy asked again but the man only frowned and tapped his foot. "Don't just look at me, kid! You coming or what?"
Sammy frowned and looked down.

The man sighed again and growled a bit. "Look, just get on. I'm sure the place I'm going will be a bit more helpful than this place. So, get in there!"
Sammy's eyes widened but he nodded, quickly boarding the ship.
The rough blinked spat out his toothpick before getting on as well, the hatch closing before the engine started up...and the ship was up and blasting towards the stars.

The scene faded, only showing the twinkling of the stars before a glow appeared, showing that dawn was coming. The camera slowly moved down back to the ground, but it was no longer Traverse Town.... but a familiar Radiant Garden.

"Can you see Roxel anywhere?"
"Why are you asking me!? You're the one who can see over everyone's heads!" A frustrated and yet worried blonde sighed as he looked up at his worried brunette of a lover who was looking over the crowd for his son.

"Ugh... why was I stuck following you guys..." A blonde man rolled his eyes as he looked around, his two children at his side and his old partner ahead of him.
Mako eyes looked up to see something rather interesting. "What's with all those cats?"
He pointed, the camera following to show a figure at the edge of an ally, hunched over as cats pawed at it.

Ven stopped and looked over, tilting his head. "That's... odd..."
"They look rather tasty..." Terra grinned as he licked his lips but he was smacked over the head by a certain silverette before she walked over. The cats, after seeing her approach, started to scatter and the figure looked up, his purple eyes shinning as he slowly stood, a little bird with an injured wing in his hands.

"Here..." Fuu offered her hand as she took the bird from the boy and carefully put him in a gutter. "He should be ok up there." She smiled down at the boy, looking back to see Terra walking over. "We don't have time for this, Fuu. Let's get going. The faster we find him, the faster I can eat my muffins at home."
"Hold on." Fuu frowned as she glared at Terra. The boy was all by himself...what if he was....an orphan?
A red eye peered behind her leader, seeing Ven, Seifer, Lucina and Gunnar still looking around before she looked back at the boy.

"Where are your parents?" Fuu asked softly, a smile on her face.
"I.....don't understand your language.... but my father...he spoke it!" The boy smiled but it seemed like the two didn't hear him as the woman asked another question.
"Do you know where they went?"
The boy frowned and shook his head. "I don't understand...."
The tall brunette sighed and rolled his eyes, shifting his weight. Terra rolled his eyes. "We'll where did they go shopping?"
The boy could only shake his head again.
"Where do you live?"
Another shake...
"Do you understand what we're saying?"

The boy sighed, looking rather ashamed before shaking his head again.
"Ugh, come on Fuu....let's just go."
"Terra, what if---"
"We can't take in every orphan and you know it. I'm sure his parents are around here and we might just bump into them if they don't.... know what the fuck we're saying either. Let's go. That's an order." He grumbled, his stomach mimicking as he walked away.
Fuu only sighed and crossed her arms. "Why does he get so grumpy...with or without muffins in his stomach."

Slowly she looked back at the boy and gave him a weak smile. "I hope we find your parents... Be careful ok?" Slowly she headed off with Terra, the leader leading the way. Seifer and Gunnar followed after, not realizing that Lucina had caught her eyes on some pretty ribbons at a stand.
Seifer looked over and grinned, seeing his daughter's excitement. "We're come back and you can get one but let's go, Princess"

Purple eyes widened as a word he understood caught his ears and his mouth gaped.
Charnette looked up as her eyes started to water, placing her hands on the boy's shoulder. "When you find a princess... follow her and you will find pure happiness."
The boy suddenly got up and rushed to the elder teen who was walking towards the group.

He suddenly slammed into her, catching her off guard as she stumbled a bit, feeling arm wrap around her. The boy buried his face in her arm, tears falling down his cheek slowly.
"I found you..."


The scene faded, a very large blush on the young man's face as he ran a hand through his semi long hair and looked away.

Before a word was spoken though, the gem suddenly lit up like it never had before becoming so bright it seemed blinding.
Sammy's mouth gaped as the field around him suddenly started to glow brightly until he couldn't see anything but light.
A brighter light appeared before him in the shape of a gem, his purple eyes reflecting it.

What was....happening....?


"Once you are allowed to unlock it, you must go through trials of your own memories and find the single light of your past to give you the power to go on.....You will know where the light is and when you see it, reach out and take it.

"The light of my life....was........meeting Lucina...?"

His eyes widened even more as he saw a reflection of her in the light, smiling happily.
A soft smile ran over his lips before he slowly reached out and cupped the light, bringing it close to his chest. Eyes lidded as purple orbs calmed, feeling a warmth that felt familiar....but it didn't last long as a cold whisper ran by his ear.
"Do you wish to continue... to find out more about your parents...?"

The warmth seemed to be sucked right out of the area he was standing in and he swallowed. His parents... he always...wanted to know...
"Once you have found your light, don't go any further into your memories. There will always be an evil eye watching you...
"No.... my trial is done." The said strongly and the light suddenly faded, the element around him being no longer and he could see the room and people once more.

The light in his hand disappeared...but a glow appeared on the back wall. A dim outlining of a keyhole.
Everyone turned to look before the steps to the platform glowed and Sammy got the idea. Slowly he moved to them...and started to walk down them.

[Reno]

The last of the memories from the three Chasers finally faded, giving everyone a chance to breathe, finally.


Seifer rubbed his wife’s back, feeling her calming as everything started to wind down. He himself, though he did his best to hide it behind his old emotionless mask, felt his heart ease as the section ended. He just hoped… no other demons like these were hiding in the eight’s memories.

Of course… there was still Kadaj.


Speaking of who, the silverette ‘s Mako eyes had darkened considerably, finding some of them hard to face. It was… almost like reliving his own first years. He never realized how… similar they were – or had been in Terra and Vents’ case. He dealt with it by not even thinking of it at all. But they had figured out a different method.

They used that emotion called love. And yet… he still had not even an inkling of what it even is.


Roxas sighed from where he was, lifting his head as the tone changed – like his son he hadn’t been able to bear the memories. Guilt was wrapping around his heart in a way he didn’t understand – he knew it wasn’t his fault that his former team mates had treated his later brother and friends like that but… he had technically been so close. He had existed during that timeline – he could have done something!

The only thing he was slightly consoled by… was the fact Sora wasn’t here to see this. It would have broken him.


Tensai lowered his fingers, rubbing away the snot and tears from his face quickly with the edge of his shirt. His dads… his mom! How did this…? He could hardly get his thoughts together before he felt like he was being watched. He turned his head, staring into a duel-colored pair. He swallowed, than hesitantly smiled, trying to let his friend know he was going to be fine.

He just… hoped Roxel was too.


Aqua swallowed as the memories passed through her eyes, finding it a struggle to keep herself composed. These were the darkest times of their lives… was that how this memory trial was to work? To bring them to their lowest moments before showing them their lightest? At the ending memory though, just like that moment had them she felt it again. That skip in her heart, that flutter of her soul, that happiness as the darkness surrounding her entire being was penetrated by a ray of light.

So, even if it was strange, she couldn’t help but smile as she glanced her wife’s way.


Lucina was hiding as she cried. She was ashamed of it, of how weak she was when all she had to do was watch – she didn’t have to endure it. It was no wonder how dead set Aqua, Terra and Ven were to get rid of the darkness… they truly knew what it was and knew… that if they didn’t try and stop it, it could happen to someone else. When she felt Gunnar’s hand on her arm, it shook her from her thoughts, looking up slowly. It was easier to watch the happier memories, they even made her smile a little…

… still nothing made her cheer up than when Sammy’s turn came around.


But by the end, her eyes were wide with shock. ”-princess... follow her”
“I found you...”
”Oh… my god” Luci whispered her heart skipping a beat.
"You don't really even have to ask. There's jealousy... and then there is a wanting to be with this person at all times. A smile that's given when nothing is really even funny going on. Just being in the same room, even if nothing is sad and putting that person ahead of everyone else. I've already seen Sammy do many of these things around you so I really have no doubt that he like-likes you."


There was suddenly a bright light that overtook the room, forcing everyone to squint and shut their eyes. “Sammy!” It died down moments later though and heads turned towards were the light had emitted from. Sammy’s pedestal.

He had done it. He was the first to complete his trial. The blonde haired teen blinked as the light around him dispersed, the black fog wavered out of existence and the stairs glowed behind him. He turned and started to walk down them.


Lucina’s eyes widened. S-She…? She... was his…?

In an ironic twist of the last memory, Lucina went dashing away from the rest of Chasers’, her eyes set on only one thing. A boy she had cared about for years… that was now a man that she loved.

“Samael!” This time it was she who crashed into him, arms locking around him in a tight hug. It was now… or never. She swallowed hard, her nerves making her stomach quiver and her doubts making her heart shy back.

But she was Lucina Almasy! And an Almasy NEVER ran away!

She felt arms embracing her in turn… and it was the last kick she needed. She moved her head back, looking up into purple eyes and it all started to spill out. “Sammy, I know this isn’t the right time or the right place but I’ve been meaning to tell you this for days. There’s a reason why I’ve been dressing in the bathroom when we get ready for bed and why I’ve been having trouble meeting your eyes and why when we’re in the same room together I make e-ve-ry excuse possible to leave. It’s because… because whenever I am blessed enough to hear your voice, it makes my knees shake. When I see your eyes… my heart jumps. And when you smile at me… I swear I could faint. What I’m trying to say is…” She hesitated, swallowing hard as her cheeks turned redder with each word, the heat almost making her feel as if she had a fever.


Every Chaser around was watching with bated breath as the silence stretched out, a myriad of emotions going through them.
Kadaj crossed his arms, resisting the urge to look back at Gunnar as familiarity washed over him. Did all humans ‘open up’ like this or was it just this family?
Roxas and Aqua both had smile on their faces – finally another new beginning was happening. No wonder Olette had seemed so much cheerier lately.
Tensai’s eyes widened as he watched his leader – who was like a wall seriously! – finally let down her shield. It was like Hallmark!
Seifer looked anything but happy – Olette holding him back by his arm. That was his princess!


Yet whether they disagreed or not, there was no stopping the feelings destined to be said between those two.


“I’m falling in love with you.”


There she said it.


…Oh god she said it!!

[Rikugurl]

Roxel smiled as he saw Tensai look his way, sniffing some more as he wiped more tears away and slowly stood. No one had warned him about what kind of memories they would have to go through... and yes, the memories of Terra, Ven and Aqua were horrible but....it felt more horrible when...he saw Tensai hurting so much....and there was nothing he could do.

That scared him more than any memory...

Fuu wiped the tears that fell from her eye and sniffed, trying to dry the snot in the most lady like way that she knew.
However, much like Tensai...only knowing though, she knew someone was looking at her and she could only look back slowly.... at her wife.

Aqua...was always so brave in her eyes. She got so much braver now...and it was an honor to call her her wife. A soft smile was given before the gem started to play again, looking back and remembering that day fairly well.

Namine's eyes widened as she watched the ending. Sammy's mom did tell him to find a princess... Ironically enough...she was the only REAL princess in the Chaser's...and the boy had found out a few months after he joined.
How come he continued to follow Lucina so closely?
A small wave of jealously ran through her but she shook it off. Honestly she wasn't attracted to the blonde...though he was kind of cute.... It would of been flattering to have a guy keep tabs on her.

She smiled happily at the ending but she, like many others, had to blind her eyes from the sudden flash of light. "What's going on!?"
Everyone looked away for the moment and all eyes were quickly on the pillar where Samael was on, unable to see the blonde anymore.

"SAMMY!" Bonnie cried as she slowly started to get up but it was over as fast as it happened, the light was gone...and a faded keyhole was pressed against the wall in the back of the room.

Roxel's eyes widened, much like his redheaded father's. Sammy...was done? His trial was finished and...he was let go? Was it really...that simple?
The teen looked down, frowning some. What was....his light?
Axel thought the same as he looked over towards his husband. He thought meeting Roxas...was the light of his life...

All eyes were on Lucina though as she rushed from her brother's side.
"Ci..." Gunnar called out but didn't stop her. He knew...what was going to happen. Slowly his Mako eyes shifted, looking at the silverette who seemed to be deliberately not looking over. A growl came from the younger Chaser as he crossed his arms and looked away.

"Seifer!" Olette grabbed her husband's arm as he stared to leave her side, going after his daughter. She pulled him back and smiled, rubbing his arm. "Let her go...Don't worry...she'll always be our princess."

No one's eyes widened more than that of purple as he walked around the pillar and was smashed into. He stumbled, much like she had when he had rushed to her those years ago. That warmth though... it was coming back to him. A smile ran over his features as he slowly wrapped his arms around her, easily done seeing that he was only an inch taller than she.

Sammy looked down as Lucina looked up at him, listening to everything she said. Unlike before when he listened to her...something was different with her voice. It reminded him of his mother...and how her voice changed when she was talking to a fellow Thym compared to when she was talking to him. Lucina had always been soft spoken with him...but there was that...love behind it that he had almost forgotten what it sounded like.

Roxel's jaw dropped as he watched the scene. Lucina had FEELINGS!?

"Lucina...?" The blonde slowly pulled an arm away before fingers slowly ran through the blonde hair of the woman before him, a soft smiling running over his face as his purple eyes grew soft and...loving.
"I wish you could hear me..." Some sadness came over his features. Was this how...his mother felt when she met his father? Was there that sadness that he could never hear her voice? There was nothing in this room that he could use to bring them to the real where souls could be heard.

Even without a voice...he hoped she understood him as he leaned closer.
"I'm in love with you too.... princess."


"Specific dates, times, persons, and details are never meant to be."

Lucina wasn't a real princess... but she didn't have to be...to fulfill the last prophecy of his race. She was still....a 'princess' to someone. Her father's. And... he did find pure happiness.

Slowly he leaned down closer until their lips brushed...and suddenly Sammy's lips moved against hers, as if speaking though of course she could only read his lips by the feel.
'I love you'
Then, he closed the distance complete and held her closer, his eyes closing as he felt her warmth.

Roxel's jaw was still dropped, starting to feel sore but...he couldn't believe this!

Olette put her hand on her mouth as she still tugged her husband back, tears of joy coming down her face.

Fuu couldn't help but smile either as she watched. She glanced at Aqua and grinned. "Looks like the future of the Chaser's is sealed."

[Reno]

Lucina swallowed nervously as the other looked down at her - and the minute he smiled she knew. She knew what he was trying to say without having a voice to say it.

Her eyes widened as he leaned closer though, her blush returning full-force feeling the lips brushing hers. Saying something to her.
I... love... you.
Her eyes lidded, and a smile spread against her lips as another pair pressed against them. Wow...

She shut her eyes, leaning up to return to kiss, her heart beating rapidly as she did so. This was... this was really happening.

Seifer couldn't help but growl as he watched, but sniffled behind him made him glance back, seeing his wife in happy tears. ....Damn her. He sighed in defeat, wrapping his arm around her and pulling her close, looking across towards his daughter. She... could of done worse, he supposed.

Aqua chuckled at the cute scene, glancing back at Fuujin and nodded. "Suppose so."

Tensai watched the two kiss... and suddenly started to smile and even clapped. He... was happy for them!

As the two pulled away from the kiss, Luci smiled and nuzzled her face into his shoulder. "Sammy..."

In fact it was hard for anyone not to look at the scene and not feel some level of joy.

It was being accomplished however - by one irate brunette who couldn't forget last night.

And one silverette who was guiltily looking at his shoes as he heard the growl behind him.

Kadaj sighed and shut his eyes, making sure not to keep his eyes upon the new couple of the ship. His blood felt hot in a way he didn't understand. Some emotion of some sort - either anger or envy. Maybe both? Then there was this... odd twisting of his stomach. Nervousness? Shame? Incapability?

He shut his eyes, grinding his teeth as his head started to throb. Why... why was this so DIFFICULT?!

A golden light streamed across the floor and smacked into the gem with an audible twinkle - like the sound of a bell.

The noise made several people jump as the remembered their purpose here. As sweet as Lucina and Samael's new relationship was... they were still in the midst of a mission. No time to pause.

Eyes unwilling started to turn back to the screen as a new memory appeared.


The room was nothing but light gray concrete on every wall and one steel door. It looked very much like a holding - no windows and nothing but a few hanging lights up above. It was disturbingly familiar to another room memories had held not even ten minutes ago.

Leaning against the wall Kadaj was spinning his double-bladed sword in the light, gloved fingers running along the sharp edge with care. He was not the only person in the room... it was bustling with others of a variety of faces and... extra parts. Many of them did not even partially appear human. But this didn't seem to disturb the young man. That was until a shadow fell over him.

"Hello friend!"
The silverette's eyes narrowed as he looked up, inspecting the two standing before him. "Loz." He nodded to the one speaking. "Yazoo." He gave the other a more narrow glare.
"Still angry are we?" The more aloof of the two stated.
"Endless state of being angry." He said again, the words familiar from his previous long memory.
"And even after I gave you the account." The other shook his head. "Inconceivable!"

"Now Yazoo..." Loz walked forward, stepping around the blade with care and leaning up against the wall beside the shorter. "We're comrades, correct?"
"I would not say so."
"But... But Kadaj!" The man's eyes started to water and he looked away. The other two brothers merely sighed, ignoring him. It was obvious a regular occurrence.

"What Loz was getting at brother is this." Yazoo said, slinking forward like a cunning snake out to hypnotize his prey. His fingers laid across the blade of the other's sword lowering it so their green eyes could meet. "We are to enter battle. Loz and I have done so many times - we are aware of what to expect. You are blind to the future. Let us aid you so that you do not perish too soon. You are worth keeping around."
"Are you implying I am... weak?" Kadaj asked slowly, his expression anything but happy.
"Simply ignorant. I am merely trying to increase your statistic of survival. Is that not... friendly?"
"You-" Kadaj started to answer - but a sound of doors opening made them all pause and glance towards there only way out. The others in the room all did as well and stirring like caged lions they all started to get to their feet and squeeze through the door into the open.
"It is beginning." Loz said in a strangely darker tone, having recovered from his spell that made the youngest glance at him curiously before he pushed off from the wall Yazoo quick to step aside from him, heading for the door. The two brothers shared a glance before hurrying after him.

Stepping outside it was like stepping into a whole new world. The land around them rose in jagged peaks of mountains. Trees clung to the sides and dotted the bases of these humongous forms. Paths, some of them appearing naturally cut, led off in many directions. they were deep in the mountain range - their holding cell having been built right against the rock walls. The most disturbing fact, however, was just how silent the world around them was. Not an animal was moving, not a breath of wind was stirring.

And then it just happened. There was a whistle than a explosion of fire at the front of the group. Screams and howls as the surviving specimens started to scatter - all but three.

Kadaj's eyes widened, taking a step back his eyes searching along the field in a mad dance to discover the source.
"Adequate, isn't he?" Yazoo said from beside the panicking smaller. "Muting the senses is not easy for ones such as us." He turned to him slowly. "Are you certain you do not need our aid?"
"...I am able to alter my ideal."

Loz smirked, taking a few steps forward as he fiddled with the machinery on his arm.
Yazoo followed right behind him drawing out his two small gunblades. He glanced back and nodded to the other. "Then... follow us." The two, as one, starting to run down the field.

Kadaj watched them for a moment, before looking down at his sword, twisting it so he could see the reflection of his face in the flat end of the blade. He sighed slowly, before dashing off from his spot, racing after the other two as the sounds of slaughter began.

There was a flash, one pair of large feet was seen running past. Seconds later another pair came into view and suddenly halted. A third, the slightest of the three, continued on running, flecks of red dropping onto the ground in his wake.

The camera pulled away, revealing the three along an outcropping high up in the mountains. Yazoo, the one had stopped, rose his gun and shot three times at what appeared to be a minotaur. One smacked into it's leg, another in it's neck and a third right through the eye. The thing didn't even utter a cry as it went toppling off the ledge.

The camera moved to the other two already far ahead. Loz was racing in the lead of them, Kadaj several paces back, blade swinging beside him as he ran. Yet he was only managing to get farther and farther distanced. The reason for his deceleration was pretty easy to see. Circling his armpit, down his ribs and curling again around his back all the way to the spine in a crescent-like mark was a deep gash caused from some unknown origin. It was a scar known well by a certain brunette however.

There was a flutter in the air, so soft it shouldn't of been noticed at all, but Kadaj's eyes narrowed and he slid to a halt just as a large creature swooped down in-between himself and Loz. It looked like a cross between a phoenix and a dragon, fierce eyes spotting the injured blonde like any good predator would. It opened its mouth, emitting a screeching roar as it's head swiped forward.

Kadaj jumped back just in time to miss the snapping teeth. He landed easily and slashed towards the beast, blade easily slicing into the rough scales of the monster's face. He winced, the move causing his cut to split open even moreso but the dragon reeled back, screeching in pain.

Loz, having doubled back, suddenly jumped in the air, punching the creature in the face so hard it's body went flailing over the edge. It uttered a pained, furious cry trying, spreading it's wings...

Only to have several bullets rain down on him and tear through his wings without mercy. The beast cried and flailed but it had no hope, it's body crashing shortly thereafter with the ground and falling silent.

Kadaj walked to the edge, looking down at the creature, panting softly. He shook his head slowly, hearing his brothers footsteps coming over to him. "That was the one-hundred and thirty-second. The training is over."

"I wouldn't be too sure of that." Loz said, a mechanical whirring started to roll over his ears as the thing on his arm shot out a few inches of his fist, becoming like dagger brass knuckles, throwing his fist out... right for Kadaj.

The silverette's eyes narrowed and he spun quickly, lifting his blade, catching the metal against his blade. "We're comrades, eh?" He spit back, his eyes angry as they stared down each other.
"Please don't be mad brother!" The eldest said. "It is part of the training!"
"I knew I should not have trusted you."

Click.
"Ah, but yes, you should have!" Yazoo said even as he pressed the barrel of his gun to the back of the young man's head. "Because if you hadn't this-" And with the edge of of his blade he pressed against the gash, more blood burbling out. "Would have been fatal. Isn't that right Kadaj?"

The minute the last syllable was uttered, the gunman shot. But the silverette was ready - ducking down while Loz moved his head to the left, the bullet missing both of them. Kadaj crouching low, leveraging his good hand on the ground to help his heels spin in the ground, sword swiping out - both of the elders were ready and jumping back. There was another gunshot Kadaj springing back - but this time he was not so lucky. The bullet skimmed along his shin, making him stumble some but both males paused.

"Kadaj," Yazoo said with a coy smile, "If you pass this last test this is it, you're in."
"You'll finally officially be our brother!" Loz said happily.
"So don't die, okay?" The younger finalized.

Kadaj's eyes narrowed as he slowly took a step back... right off the ledge. The two didn't act surprised or horrified at what appeared an obvious suicide, Yazoo merely pointed his gun at the falling figure and started to shoot.

The silverette spiraled in the air, skidding his feet along the rock and leaping so he flew horizontally, missing the bullets. He twirled, sword glowing green as he sliced it upwards. The energy cracked into the rock with a shattering force, rocks splitting and exploded on the ledge to two stood upon. Kadaj - still falling, slamming his sword the side of the cracking wall, body circling around it 270 degrees until his body was pointed downwards again, exactly level with a tree. He started to fall for it, easily landing on a branch.

"He's pretty good!" Loz called as he chased after the silverette, jumping from rock to falling rock, Yazoo right behind.

There was another flash. Some time had to of passed. Kadaj, more injured than before, and Loz, also sporting his own wounds, were seen in the air, the double-bladed sword swinging and catching the man along his back. Loz gave a cry his body spinning and the younger gave him a vicious kick. The man cried out, his body diving from the sky crashing into a tree trunk so hard his body actually BROKE it, before slamming into a boulder not far behind.

Loz weakly lifted his head, one of his eyes closed as his teeth grit. "Real... good..." His head lolled as fell unconscious.

Kadaj landed on the ground several feet away, his the pupils of his Mako cat eyes narrower than ever before and glowing so brightly they seemed like green embers. His body was shaken, worn out and weakened but he paid no mind. He slowly turned, spotting Yazoo a distance away easily who was lifting his guns.

The younger ground his teeth before charging towards the other, swinging his sword to deflect the bullets in a way that must have seemed unreal. He was upon the other in moments, sword swinging powerfully. It caught one of the gunblades and went flying out of Yazoo's hand. Before he allowed the older to recover he twisted his sword cut along his hip. Yazoo was sent off-balance and he grunted as he smacked into the ground coughing as he tried to catch back his breath.

Kadaj looked down at him, panting hard, eyes wide and wild as his foot came down hard on the other's wrist holding the other blade hard enough the bone could be heard snapping. Yazoo's eyes widened and he gasped in with pain even as Kadaj slammed his other foot on his chest, standing atop the other. With a psychotic expression on his face he yanked his sword up in the air before swinging it down in a large arc, his intention clear.

"Enough!"
Kadaj hesitated, arms shaking with the effort, the blade stopping not even a full inch from Yazoo's neck. His chest heaved his heavy breathes as he lifted his head some, insane eyes looking past silver strands at Hojo who stood not too far away, fingers clasped and a satisfied sort of smile on his face. His lips pulled back, bearing his teeth and uttering a monstrous growl that could shake the very soul of even the toughest of Heartless.
"Yazoo."
The man moved quickly with his good arm, yanking out a syringe and jabbed it into his brother's leg.
"Tch," Kadaj winced and looked down and, as if his head were heavier than another other part of his body, he suddenly toppled over with it, collapsing onto the ground in a dead faint.

The scene faded out.


Some of the Chasers in the room couldn't help but swallow nervously. They had all seen Kadaj fight - dozens of times in fact.

Not once - not one, single time - had he ever appeared like that. Unstable, merciless and blood-thirsty. Was that Sephiroth's influence... or some sort of flaw within his genetic code? Or was that just a side of him... they were just lucky enough to have never seen?

Just exactly who DID they allow join their ranks?

Who WAS Kadaj?

The gem continued to glow.


A new scene came to screen. The young man was sitting on the floor, looking at a television screen with intense interest, legs crossed in a comically childish way. He appeared every bit as innocent as one too - but what he was watching was nothing cute like The Muppet Pals.

No he was watching three men fighting atop a large cannon - Junon's cannon. One they all recognized easily by the distinct long hair and sword - Sephiroth. The other two they recognized from previous memories. The black-haired man with the large blade on his back he never used - Angeal. And the other in red-coat with a red sword - Genesis. Despite being outnumbered, Sephiroth was easily dancing circles around both of them.

Kadaj's mouth stretched in a frown, eyes following him closely. "Like you..."
There was a click and the TV shut off. Kadaj blinked but slowly inclined his head, looking back at a man leaning against the threshold.

No surprise who. Yazoo walked in, setting the controller down on a table idly. His other hand was bond up tightly in a cast so that not even his fingers could twitch. At the sight of it, the younger looked away.
"Yes. You and I and Loz and all of us. We are like him. Please diverge from that fact."
Green eyes looked up towards the black screen. "I did not wish to be..."

Yazoo sighed, falling into a nearby chair, silence falling over them for a few moments. Curious eyes looked back at him, trying to appear harmless.
"How... is Loz?"
"He had still not regained consciousness. You managed to shatter some of his skull and spine."
The man looked away again his eyes darker than before.

Yazoo watched all of this with a faint level of interest. "How do you do that?"
"Do what?" The man spat bitterly.
"Feel."
"...My somatosensory pathway is engaged by nerves in-"
"Not physically touch." Yazoo quickly interrupted. "...Emotionally."

"...What... do you mean?"
"In the holding cell, you had been angry. On the field, when Loz and I began our attack, betrayed. And just now - guilt. You can feel them all - can't you?"
"It is uncertain until I do in fact 'feel' them all." He shook his head. "Can not you as well?"
"Only envy. And Loz can cry and feel fringes of happiness but that is all." Yazoo lent forward, eyes intent on the other. "But you... you're different. You are more complete than us." He leaned back. "You have a true heart."

Kadaj's eyebrows furrowed in confusion, fingers lifting to tap against the beating organ in his chest.
"Not your physical heart." The elder placed his hand in his chin thinking carefully about how to word his next sentence. "Humans use 'heart' as a metaphor for the mental and emotional character of a person. The say this is what the Lifestealers were truly after."
"The ones that tore apart Gaia? But why?"
The man's eyes met the other's, deadly serious as he spoke the words only a Nobody could truly understand. "Because Kadaj, being without a heart is as if you are dead. All this time... you were unaware of this lack because you... you were lucky to never lack it. A clone with a heart. How impossible." He shook his head before standing heading for the door.

"Yazoo."
Yazoo hesitated.
"...I apologize. I did not mean to harm you or Loz."
"It was... our own undoing. You simply acted upon hate - we did not include it as a factor. We miscalculated." He looked back. "You must be careful with your heart Kadaj. You have been given a precious, dangerous thing." His eyes narrowed, a word of warning in his tone. "If you do not control it, it will control you. If that happens you will be as you were yesterday and destroy everything in your path." The man nodded before vacating the area.

Kadaj was left alone in the silent room, his hand placing itself over his true heart once more a troubled, uncertain expression upon his face and turned dark, terrorized eyes onto the black screen.

He reached his hand out, and flicked the power back on just in time to see Sephiroth slicing his sword towards Genesis in reckless abandon, his strikes so powerful it was literally cutting through the cannon itself, the damage causing explosions to destroy the ShinRa military base. The Masamune struck out and caught Genesis' guard. With a cry the slighter man went flying back and smacking into a steel with such force it seemed to collapse around him. Angeal... was nowhere to be seen.

Eyes reflecting the ruthless battle on screen, Kadaj's lips moved slowly as he spoke out the terrible word: "Everything?"

[Rikugurl]

Bonnie only chuckled and shook her head as she watched the two. They had always been close but she would of never guess they would get THIS close. She was happy for Lucina though. She was such a strong person... and she knew she could now share her strength with someone else.

The scene unfortunately was taken over by another and like everyone else, she remembered that they were still on a very serious and important memory.

Mako eyes reacted as that certain brunette watched the screen intently, now alone without his sister by his side. He swallowed, seeing that gash on Kadaj's body.
So.... that was what happened...

The room was dim and quiet, the window by the bed showing the blackness of space sprinkled with millions of stars.
The bed right below it wasn't as 'empty' as space was. Limbs mingled together under sheets as fingers gently ran down pale skin. They reached something scared and mako eyes shifted to look down, pulling the other's arm up to reveal a faded scar.

"What's this?" The brunette asked as his fingers slowly traced the scar to behind the other's back, making the silverette laying next to him shiver.
"It is none of your concern..."

He shook his head from the memory and slowly looked towards the same silverette in which he shares his bed. "Kadaj...?" The other turned to look at him finally but the question that was on the edge of Gunnar's tongue... was bit. He already knew the answer.
Kadaj never told him... because he thought it held no significance to the brunette. There was nothing that could be done about it...so why would one need to know?

That was how... it worked with Kadaj.

Namine looked over, seeing the second in command backing down a bit. Gunnar was bad at...hiding his secret from Gen 1.

Again, there was little time to talk as the gem started to light up again.


Lightning boomed overhead, a weak electrical storm slowly ending. A red eye looked up at the clouds before the sound of a gun going off snapped her back into reality.
Her chakrams came in front of her as a powerful gust of wind blew the bullets off course and this the metal of her weapons.

With a grunt, the sileverette threw her weapons out towards a familiar teen with a blonde bow in her hair.

"YA!" Lucina jumped and twisted just in time as the chakrams flew under her. She landed on the ground and ducked, the weapons flying over her and heading back to Fuu who caught them skillfully.
A smile ran over Fuu's lips as she nodded, placing a chakram on each side of her hip. "Very good, Ci. I see that you've been---"

"FUCK!" A cry came from above and the two women stopped and looked up, seeing a brunette teen smash into a pile of rocks.

There was a grunt as a gunblade slammed into the ground and the brunette pushed himself up. He panted as she shook his head, some blood running down his face.
Another man landed a but away on the uneven ledge and grinned, putting his own gunblade on his shoulders and reached out, taunting the younger with a 'come and get me' motion of his hand.

"Even with his son, he's still the same..." Fuu sighed as a battle cry was called and the brunette shot forward, their blades hitting hard as they continued to dance.

[Reno]

Kadaj frowned at his own memory. Why was it showing him these things again? Was it not punishment enough to live through it once?

His head tilted up as he heard the call of his name and his glowing eyes looked back towards Gunnar, his eyebrow raising in question. Nothing really came from the exchange because the brunette hesitated to say a word - and by then it was too late as another memory played.

This one was fairly short but as it ended it made a few Chasers chuckles - even Luci had to giggle - and Olette gave her husband a jab in the ribs. It didn't look like the experience of raising a child had changed him at all!

Red and white dashed across the ground and met, swirling in the gem like dancers on stage, bringing Roxas and Axel's interest.


The blonde appeared on screen first, slouched in a large white chair in an all-white room as a voice droned on and on. The look of utter boredom on him comparable to any teenager in a classroom who didn't care for what his teacher had to say. He sighed soundlessly, eyes rolling and looking past a few of the empty chairs and up at one of the higher ones a small smile coming to his face.

The camera panned, moving over several several chairs, some empty, some not, before pausing on a red head. He was laying horizontally in his chair as if it were a couch long, lanky legs dangling over the edge. Axel's head arched back and over the arm rest, his eyes roving around like Roxas' had, quickly finding the other staring.

The blonde smiled, hiding his unheard laughter behind his hand. The pyro grinned, his eyes lighting up as he stretched an arms out, little embers no bigger than candle light sparking into his fingers tips. He started to wiggle his fingers and the all the embers jumped and arced to another fingertip - as if Axel was juggling fire. He waggled his bright red eyebrows, looking so much like a clown.

Roxas snorted, body shaking with laughter as little chuckles escaped.
"What is so funny 13? 8?"
The blonde sat up straight, looking guilty as Axel quickly righted himself in his seat so he was sitting naturally once more. "Nothing superior." Both of them iterated in unison, sounding almost like little boys in the face of a patronizing mother.
Golden eyes narrowed upon the two, shaking his head slowly. "It is good you are able to amuse yourselves so well." The two shared a smile. "Maybe you two can share that amusement with the organizations newest member as you have just been elected to watch over her on her first mission."
"Oooooh!" The two groaned. Damn! Why did they always get the worst -

Wait a second.
"New member?" Roxas asked as the words registered, looking up towards the other.
"Superior?" Saix asked questioningly the other members all looking interested as well. It had been awhile since they had a new member...

"It is time you meet her." The man made a hand motion and the door to the room slid open with a glow of light and a slight figure walked into the room, having the curves that definitely implied her gender. She, liked it had been done so many times before, hesitated at the edge of the ring and slowly reached up, tugging off her hood.
"Number fourteen. Xion."

Roxas' eyes widened at the sight of her and he gasped softly. It was no wonder why - she was uncannily identical to Kairi and Namine except her eyes were a dark blue instead of the light periwinkle or crystal blue and her hair a light black instead of red of blonde.

However, this was not at all how Axel took it - having heard Roxas; exclamation. He glanced at the blonde in shock than turned his gaze back to the girl, his eyes narrowing with fury.

The scene faded away only to show a new memory, the two seen walking down a long white hallway.
"You're interested in her!" Axel said, his tone jealous.
Roxas blinked than looked up at the red-head. "What? No I'm not."
The red-head stopped and whirled on him, placing his hands on his bony hips. "Admit it! I saw the way you looked at her."
"Wha- Axel!" The blonde stopped as well, his own eyes sparking. "Stop being an idiot."
"Oh NOW I'm an idiot?!"
"Axel you've ALWAYS been an idiot!" The blonde rolled his eyes. "Except today you're being a super idiot!" He sighed. "Listen! She just... reminded me of someone."
"Oh yeah? Who?" The other asked accusingly.
"....I don't know."
"Oh great argument there Roxas." The other applauded mockingly. "You're the king of keyblades and debaters!"
"Oh shut up!" The blonde huffed. "Come on Ax... I'm not interested in her. Can't you take my word?"
The other seemed to calm slightly, frowning a little. "You promise?"
"I promise."

"Um... guys?" The two turned to look back, seeing Xion standing there. "You're supposed to take me on my first mission?"
Roxas blinked, his head tilting some as his eyebrows furrowed. Who did she remind him o-
"ARGH!" Unfortunately he had stared too long. The outburst from the 8th member made both of them jump unable to do anything but watch as Axel spun around, so furious waves of heat were ghosting off his skin. a portal ripped open and he stomped through leaving the speechless nobodies behind.
"Ah- Axel!" Roxas cried, before groaning and slapping his forehead. "Damn!" He raced for the portal before hesitating and glancing back towards Xion. "Well? Come on!" He turned and jumped through, the new member racing to catch up.

[Rikugurl]

Olette sighed as she crossed her arms and looked away. She always asked Seifer if he was being rough when he was training their children and he always promised that he didn't. THAT was a lie! He must of cleaned up the kids really well before they came home so that she didn't notice.

Before Seifer could explain himself though, a new scene made everyone watch, especially Roxel who was always interested in his parents.....uh..........antics.

Axel tilted his head as the memory ended.

He didn't remember any one by the name of Xion... or a number XIV. He DID however remember that he was jealous because Roxas was SO CRUSHING on someone besides him...and felt like a super idiot about it seeing that he didn't even have a heart.

There was a sudden coldness that came across the room as the memory faded, making everyone shiver. Sammy pulled Lucina closer as he felt her shiver, his purple eyes narrowing as he looked around the room.
Someone...was here...watching them....
Someone.... no longer alive....

The gem was hit again, making the cold viewers shake off their chills and looked at the screen, seeing something more warm.


"Down!" A chubby boy pouted, his orange eyes narrowing as they looked into blue.
"Is that how you ask for things?" The blonde rose an eyebrow.
"Pwease?"
The boy was gently put down and his little legs were wobbly first before he started to walk pass his dad's legs.
"Don't go far..." The blonde warned before turning and sighing at his husband.

"Will you hurry the fuck up?"
The brunette stopped as he slowly looked over, the man across the counter blinking a bit.
"I'm trying to get some fucking supplies, bitch."
"Did you just call me a bitch!?"
"Yea, BITCH."
"Hey! I'm no female dog!"
"Fucking close though...."
"What did you just say!?"

The man behind the desk slowly backed away as the two growled at each other before Terra blinked. "Hey...where's Tensai?"
"Huh? Oh shit!" Ven looked around but the boy was no where in sight. "Tensai!" Ven called as he quickly left the counter and started to look around the shop as he heard Terra in the background. "Get the fuck back here and sell me some shit!"

"Tensai!" Ven called again, looking at some women who were clothes shopping.
"Excuse me, but have you seen a little boy with black hair and orange eyes?" He asked as he walked up to one of the women. The woman blinked and nodded before smiling, pointing to a round rack in the back. "I think he's hiding in there."

Ven nodded and grinned as he made his way towards the rack, hearing some muffled giggling.
Ven started to whistle as he started to browse the rack. "Huh, I wonder where Tensai went..."
Another giggle and Ven chuckled before quickly opening a space in between the clothes, revealing the hiding toddler. Tensai shrilled before laughing, rushing out of the middle and behind another rack. Ventus 'chased' after, laughing as he chased the boy around the store, hearing him laugh as well as his little legs carried him around the store and hid behind things.

At one point, Tensai was on the run again, looking for a place to hide when all of a sudden he turned the corner and was swooped up but strong arms.
"WAAAAAAAAAA!!" He cried into a laugh as the momentum made his shirt flip up and lips were on his belly.
Raspberries were given and the boy continued to laugh and flail in his father's arms before there was a voice behind them.

"What the hell are you two doing?"

[Reno]

Roxas rose an eyebrow as his own memory, smiling at his and Axel's teenager-like antics. Heh, they looked every bit of best friends as good be. Why did he leave again?

It was the sight of her that reminded him. His eyes narrowed unhappily. Unlike Axel HE had not forgotten. Xion. He had definitely NOT been crushing on her! It was because of Sora that he had been 'struck' by her though. She was just so uncannily alike to Kairi.

...It was hard to like a person who nearly killed you however.

The next memory that played however was quick to calm him though. Geez, Tensai had made a huge difference in Ven's life, hadn't he?

Tensai blushed some at the seen - while any parent would find it cute and heart-warming it was rather embarrassing for him. Although, seeing his other father's 'What the fuck?' expression at the end certainly made him laugh.

As the memory slowly passed however his smile turned into a frown as a pang of sadness hit his heart.
He... really missed them...


A soft humming filled the air as soft hands carefully tied dark blue ribbons around long pointed ears, situating them carefully so the bows were easily seen. Nearly was a brush, recently used as the bristles were covered in green fur. Invidia's eyes were shut, her tail wagging faintly at this attention. "Now, don't you look pretty?" Tensai said with a smile.

"Heh, you know Sora used to do the same thing. Only for special occasions though."
The orange eyed boy looked up and smiled at who he saw. "Dad! what are you doing here?"
Ventus smiled before pushing off the wall, walking further into the room. "Just checking up on you~"
"Daaaaad."

"I know I know you're old enough to take care of yourself." The other said, amused before sitting down beside his son. "So, what's up?"
"Well, we had Keyblade practice yesterday." Tensai said, worming his hands under Invidia's paws and lifting them up from making them dance on his thigh. "I didn't do so good."
"Well, you just got it a few weeks ago - you just need more practice." Ven answered confidently.
"I guess..." The boy said, discouraged. There was a pause then the boy glanced at his dad uncertainly. "Dad...?"
"Hmmm?"
"...Do you think... I'm gonna be a good Chaser?"

The blonde blinked slowly a few times and then looked at his son, frowning a little. "What's on your mind Tensai?"
The boy frowned, tugging lightly at the little tufts of fur at the end's of Vi's ears. "Notten... I just... I wanna make you and dad proud."
"Ten... me and Terra ARE proud of you. You don't have to be a Chaser to prove anything to us. You know that, right?"
"But I LIKE being a chaser dad. Well.. sometimes." Tensai said looking up at his dad before smiling faintly. "I really just like... seeing all the keyblades. Like that last one we got uhh... what was it called again?"
"The Lurebreaker?"
"Yeah! I liked that one... it was really neat." Tensai said before sighing. "Even if I didn't want to be a Chaser... I'm a Keyblader now. It's my job."
"What do you want to do though?" The father asked seriously, raising an eyebrow.

Tensai blinked than looked away, his cheeks turning red. "It's... it's stupid..."
Ven blinked before grinning leaning forward. Now he really wanted to know. "Come on~ You can tell me anything."
Ten looked up at his dad. "You promise you won't tell anyone? ESPECIALLY not dad?"
"I promise."
The orange eyed boy pursued his lips before looking away again, blushing more. "I kinda... I really... I like art."
"....That's it?"
"That's IT?!" Tensai cried in return. "Daddy it's so... so girly! And if the others found out they'd all laugh at me!" He crossed his arms and huffed. "They already thing I'm too sensitive as it is."
"Oh come on Tensai. Lots of famous artists - in fact most of them - were men!"
"Yeah, back in the stone age!" Tensai through up his hand and sighed before falling back onto his bed. Invidia whined before crawling on top of the boys chest and nesting down. The boy run his hands through her fur, frowning. "And if dad found out..."
"Oh Terra wouldn't-" Ven cut him self off, as if thinking of something. "Okay, maybe we won't mention it to him quite yet."
"See?!"

Ven laughed. "Terra doesn't count Tensai! He's too much of a rock head to appreciate art." He laid down beside his son, sighing some. "So what? You want to draw?"
"Or... or sculpt." Tensai said, blushing more. "I mean... the Keyblades are really neat - I wish I could create something like that. Each one's... unique you know? They have symbolic names and the world they land on sort of... encompasses some part of a society and their culture. It's... like the heart of the people."
"You know, you'd make a good art critic."
"Yeah if I could write!" Tensai laughed, looking at his dad with a smile. "You... You really don't think it's stupid though?"
Ven chuckled, ruffling his son's hair. "Of course not Ten. But what's really important is how YOU feel about it. If you like it, enough to want to be apart of it, than you should go for it no matter what I, or Terra, or anyone else says."

The boy was quiet for a few moments before he smiled softly. "Thanks dad."
"You're welcome."


The scene slowly faded away.
Tensai blushed heavily and avoided eye contact with everyone in the room, crossing his arms. He hadn't even told Roxel that - or his new parents...

He certainly hadn't told anyone at all about the art paper booklet he had stuffed between his mattress and bed frame back on the ship.

The only two who had known about that were dead. Ven of course... and the man who had given him the booklet in the first place.


A new memory popped up.

"Here."
Tensai looked up from the book he was reading, blinking in confusion as an art book and a black plastic box was held out to him. He blinked than blushed, looking up at Terra. "How'd you know?" He asked as he took them tentatively.

"Ven was still wearing his communicator. And so was I. Don't worry, no one else knows." The brunette explained, plopping down in a chair beside his son, watching him as he flipped through the black pages and opened the box, orange eyes wideneing at the various graphite pencils inside both colors and now and in varying sizes.
"Where'd you get this?"
The man lent back, grinning proudly. "Ivalice."
"So... you're not mad?"
"Of course I'm not." Terra said, rolling his eyes. "I can't believe that bastard said I have no appreciation for art." He waved his hand around the room. "I read!"
"Yeah but dad, you only read that stuff to find Keyblades."
"No... I really don't." The brunette's smile turned guilty. "Most of the stuff I read is for the hell of it - I just get lucky sometimes!"
"Dad!!"

The man laughed, sharp canine's flashing in the light. "The point IS Tensai..." He looked at his son, smiling. "Even if you are a Chaser, that doesn't mean you can't make time for something you really want to do. Being a Chaser doesn't mean you can;t be yourself too."
Tensai looked down at the book again and he smiled and nodded. "I'll remember that."
"I know you will."

[Rikugurl]

OOC: I don't know where you are honey but I have one hell of a fever. If I'm not on, I've gone to bed.


Roxel blinked as he heard Tensai. He could only swallow...not because he wanted to be an artist. That was kind of cool! What made him look away was... that Charlie, Tensai's real dad, was a painter. Maybe... everyone had a hint of their parents... Like Aqua. Her dad was brave and different, standing up for what was right.

Then there was Terra. Ida showed him how to love and his father was always so mean. It molded his feelings to show both love and hate for Ven in a VERY odd way.

Tensai was no different. He trusted in his heart like his mother and had a drive for art like his father.
Maybe... liking to sing and the heat of fire...and ok for him to like too even if his parents liked the same thing.

Three lights hit the gem and it started to play a new scene.


"Roxas, what are you talking about?"
Green eyes narrowed as he looked over at the door frame to the kitchen as Roxel and Xio were lounging by the fireplace.

"I want to move."
"Why!? There's nothing wrong here." Axel frowned as he crossed his arms, Roxel looking back at his dads.
"Yea there is, Axel. We just can't... do this mayor thing anymore." Roxas sighed as he looked away. "It's getting in the way of raising Roxel together."
"And like being Chaser's isn't going to interrupt it?"
"We'll still be closer together! Besides.... Ven is the only relative I have left besides Bryna... and Ven and Terra just took Tensai with them. Roxel is going to be so lonely if he can only see Tensai at Christmas time."

Axel sighed as he leaned back in the couch. "I like it here, Rox. Everyone knows everyone and its a safe, clean environment for raising kids. Besides, I can't keep tabs on Kingdom Hearts if we're 5 billion, million miles away!"

Roxas frowned more before looking at Roxel. "Hey Roxel....?"
"Yes daddy!?" The smiled happily.
"You wanna go live with Ten-chan?"
"YEA! YEA YEA!" The little boy got up and started to dance around the room. "LIVE WITH TEN-CHAN! YAY! YAY! YAY!"
Blue eyes slowly moved to look into green. "See? Don't make Roxel sad now, Ax."

Axel sighed and got up. "Why do you always win.....I'll go start packing..."

[Reno]

Seifer rose his eyebrow at the next memory and lent over, murmuring to his wife. She was still slightly ticked off that he had lied to her. "See? At least I don't use my children as bargaining chips!" Roxas was a WAY worse father than him!!

Roxas grinned towards Axel as the memory faded, the ex-Nobody crossing his arms and looking none too happy at the remembrance. He chuckled nervously - hey it was two against one!

And he was... glad he had gotten Axel to agree, not really for themseleves - though he wouldn't trade getting to know Ven for the world - but for Roxel. Tensai had really lit up his life.

Another memory quickly popped on screen, this one in a bathroom.


Sora sighed as he leaned over the marble sink, frowning at his reflection. But it wasn't himself he was looking at - it was Roxas. "This is SO messed up!"

Roxas shrugged crossing his arms. "It's not THAT bad Sora."
"I think his eyes are PRETTY Roxas! PRETTY! Seriously, what guy thinks that of another guy?!" The brunette frowned.
The blonde tilted his head. "Ummm..."
"See, you don't even know!" Sora groaned and laid his face in his arms, whining. "Something's wrong with me."

"I don't even know what you see in him. He's so... plain. He spends all his time in that stupid little house of his, bitching and moaning about 'the darkness, the daaaarkness!'" Roxas rolled his eyes. "And he's so... god whats that word your friends keep using? Emo?"
"Yeah... Riku is kinda Emo..." Sora sighed as he lifted his head and glared at the blonde. "And hey! Stop making fun of him!"

Roxas shrugged. "You see that's your problem. you're never gonna get over this... whatever this is if you keep liking him. Maybe you should stop talking to him for awhile."
"Wha? I can't do that!" Sora frowned. "He needs me..."
"Oh please." The blonde rolled his eyes. "You've helped him enough. Let him figure out his own crap."
"You're just saying that cause he kicked your ass."
"It's not my fault you made friends with a jerk." The blonde turned around in the mirror, huffing. "And he cheated."

Before more could be said, they heard a door slamming from downstairs. Sora jumped some and Roxas looked over his shoulder, raising an eyebrow. The brunette glancing back at the blonde before hurrying out of the bathroom, the Nobody's image slowly dissipating into nothingness.

The brunette hesitated on the stairs, hearing his parents voices from downstairs.
"I just saw Kimeko outside Bryna and do you know what he told me?" The voice was sounding of Sirocco sounded rather angry.
"Mmm? And stop slamming doors when you're mad, it's bad for the wood!"
"Sorry dear. Anyways, he told me we have two new islanders. Two young women."
"Oh really - we should go greet them!"
"No - we aren't going anywhere NEAR them Bryna. Kimeko told me that... their having... relations with each other."
"....................."

Sora eyes were seen widening.
"You mean...?"
"Yeah."
"...Couldn't it just be a rumor?"
"I don't think so dear. Palanaka caught them... kissing in his store!" There was a disgusted scoff. "I can't believe this. It's just not natural."

Sora whispered the latter two words soundlessly before shaking his head and suddenly raced down the stairs in a mad dash to get away as fast as possible. He rushed past the living room, grabbing his back off the coat rack. "I'm going to school!"
"Wait Sora!"
The brunette hesitated, hand on the doorknob, then slowly looked back. "Yeah dad?"

The tall man walked over - how he, now Bryna who was also rather tall for a woman, did not manage to pass on this trait to their sons was unseen. "Listen. I know you like meeting new people and all - we just got some new islanders and they aren't... normal."
"Huh uh?" The brunette asked as if he hadn't already known this.
"Their names are Josephine and Samantha. I don't want you going near them, okay?"
Sora looked away, frowning. "Okay dad."
"Sora! I mean it."
The teenager looked up at his dad, eyes sad. "I won't dad."

"Okay get to school now."
The brunette frowned but was quick to leave, hurriedly finding the main road, shouldering his bag. His eyes were sad.
"Sora...?" Came Roxas' worried voice, echoing from an unseen source.
The brunette did not answer his Nobody, looking down the road towards a tall building that had many windows in the brick - the school no doubt. He frowned, hesitating in his step, before suddenly turning and running down a side road.
"Where are you going?!"
"To go meet those girls!"
"But... why?"
"Because my dad's wrong."
"But you were just saying that it wasn't normal too!"
"Yeah but that was because I thought I was the only one!" Sora smiled suddenly. "But there are other people like me... I definitely got to say hi!"

[Rikugurl]

Everyone smiled as they watched Sora running off to a place that none of them knew. It was hard to see the brunette that they loved so much.

The smiles slowly faded when the gem lit up once more, the beginning setting the tone.


Rain splashed into muddy puddles and the sound of some sort of military chanting. Suddenly a face came down into the mud harsh and it was quick to recognize who it was.
Fuu.
"Fairholm! GET UP!"
She winced as she lifted her head up and mud started to drip from the side of her face.

Military boots stomped into the mud next to her as she continued to get up, mud and water dripping from her uniform.
"What's the matter, Private? You've been lagging."
A man with a strict looking face looked down at her as she came to attention.
"Sorry, sir! Just a lot on my mind, sir!"
"Well forget about it, Fairholm! You're bringing your squad down! Now move, move, move!"

The woman nodded before quickly turning. The view moved to a group of men, two being Seifer and Rai. The look on Seifer's face was disapproving but Rai was soft.

The scene faded in the rain but it came back, now inside a military bunker.

The same woman was now clean, yet still wet as if she had just taken a shower. The towel around her neck confirmed it as she leaned over her bed and sighed. Across from her was the tanned man in who was her adopted brother in some light.
"What's on your mind, Fuu? If you don't finish laps like before, you're going to keep us all back, ya know?"
A red eye slowly looked up before the woman nodded. "Know...Worried."
"Worried about what, ya know?"
"Future."
"Oh....that. It will be fine, ya know? We'll get paid real good and Seifer is gonna set up a real office, ya know?"
"Love?"

The bulky man frowned and rubbed the back of his neck. "What do you mean by that?"
"Find?"
"Oh...well....I'm sure you'll find someone."
"Like....parents?"
The man sighed and shook his head, looking away. "I'm sorry Fuu... I know I said that we'll get parents some day....but I'm SURE that you will find someone to date. You're a pretty girl, ya know?"

The silverette looked away and sighed before laying down. "No."

[Reno]

Aqua sighed softly at the memory her eyes dark. Well it was a good thing that didn't come true...

A blue light hit the gem - the story no happier as it began with yelling.


"Aqua, this nonsense has to stop!" The mother of two growled out as she stood over her teen-aged daughter. "I heard you were carrying a money wallet! You know that's forbidden! Only men are allowed that privilege!"

The girl crossed her arms, stamping her foot loudly that it almost seemed in time with the small rainstorm outside, sky black. "That's stupid! If I want to buy something than I damn well will!"
"No matter if you wear pants and ties or not Aqua, you can't disguise what you are and it's despicable to do so! How can you shame our name like this?"
"WHAT NAME?!" The girl screeched in fury. "Dad's dead! People THROW things at Sai! And you're just... a sheep among sheep! I'm not going to bother saving something that NEVER EXISTED."
"How dare you! It's comments like that that ensure no man will EVER want you! You're a disgusting, awful little girl! "

Aqua scowled, though she seemed stung by the comment as she was starting to blink away tears. "Maybe I don't want a man mother." She hissed through gritted teeth.
"What nonsense are you talking? Ever woman wants a man!"
The blue-haired girl scoffed in disgust. "To what? Make babies with? Get kicked around and disrespected? Have to do all the chores and have no rights at all? I'm not interested."
"You don't have the choice to be interested!"
"WELL TOO BAD I NEVER WAS!" She threw out her arms. "You want to know what I'm interested in?!"
"Don't you dare-"
"What's wrong mother?" Aqua placed her hands on her hips, hissing out, "Can't accept you're little girl likes girls?"

SLAP!

Aqua reeled back, her eyes wide with surprise as she lifted her hand to her cheek and looked across at her mother, eyes full of fire.
"Get out." The elder woman hissed. "I have no daughter. You filthy creature. Leave now and never come back!"
Aqua's blue eyes narrowed, the look on her face on of pure hate. "I hope you rot in hell." And then she turned and went for the door, slamming it on the way out.

There was a flash and Aqua was seen running across the natural land bridge submerged only by inches under the ocean that lead to the spiked bowl. The rain was coming down harder now, so fierce it seemed painful to be hit by. "Whoa!" Aqua yelped as her foot slipped under her and her hands reached out to catch herself as she fell. She winced and pulled her hand from the sea and raised looked at her right hand, watching blood well up and smear in the liquid on her hand. "Da-" She started to say when a flash of light and a large BOOM made her flinch. Her blue eyes widened and she looked up, watching lightning streaking across the sky above jumping from cloud to cloud.

Her face paled and she swallowed, looking towards the bowl than back towards land. The bowl was closer... and with the tall structures surrounding it she would be safer. Breath fast and panicked, she jumped to her feet and started to run, fighting against the wind whipping her back, feet splashing loudly in the water. Flashes of light continued to illuminated her above unnaturally. As the weather seemed to grow worse by the minute the waves of the ocean grew harsher, making the teenager slip and get knocked over many times.

Just as she fell once more something even more terrible happened. One that made Axel and Roxel both shudder in horror - watching a large wave seemed to form right behind the bowl, the water curling over it towards the girl on the other side.

Aqua raised her head her eyes wide with horror. She screamed and bowed over herself, fingers holding onto the bridge as the water came down. The watchers flinched as the wave crashed making a loudly noise... and as it was swept down by the currents it revealed the bridge... empty. The storm continued to rage above.

Slowly the screen seemed to turn black - yet like the darkness of heartless they had seen many times before, this darkness seemed to be shifting and moving. Slowly it started to light up like Zieg had been in his cave, revealing it was water.

And in the middle of it all, body being thrown around like a rag doll though she didn't seem to be fighting it - she knew better - was Aqua. As the current started to subside, her frantic eyes started to search around the area trying to look for the surface - but it was all darkness in every direction. Before she had time to even think about choosing a direction however something in the water caught her eye - something glowing and yellow.

It was swimming towards her fast, the gleaming of the gleam of a blue trident visible as it got closer the face of the green emblem heartless becoming clear. And it had friends. Lots of them. Aqua opened her mouth and cried out, bubbles framing her face. There was no way to escape...

Then suddenly something large swooped right past her face, large jaws with rows of sharp, unmerciful teeth snapping down audibly on the heartless, killing it instantly. The new creature was large and it's body long as it circled in the in the water several times, body slamming into the heartless and teeth slicing through the rest with all the speed and ferocity as a viper. Even though she was in the blackest of waters, the blue scales seemed to shine and there was no mistaking Aqua's savior.

The young woman watched the fight end as quick as it began with awe, unable to look away even as Regole turned on her. Appeased however, she swam close, a purr seeming to emit from the dragon's throat even under water. Even the water had calmed it seemed. Aqua opened her mouth as if it say something then her eyes widened, hand clapping over her mouth as her body started to kick and flail. Air! She needed air!

Regole's head swept down towards the girl's form and a bright blue light overtook the screen, obscuring everything was sight.

The light slowly turned white and chirping was heard. The seen started to fade back in revealing Aqua laying in some grass, a small green dragon sniffing her hair. In one of her limp hands was a familiar keyblade.
"Nnngh..." The girl groaned as she started to come to.
The dragon gave a surprised chirp and a snake-like tongue licked across her cheek.

"Nnn stop that..." Aqua mumbled as her unfocused eyes slowly opened. She moved her head and looked up, and as soon as her eyes seemed a little more aware, her eyes wiped and she yelped, her body shooting up.

The dragon chirped in fright and jumped back, wings fluttered before he landed on a tree.
The woman gasped softly, eyes wide as she looked at the dragon before shakily stuttered. "F-Freybrand?"
An answering chirp, the dragon's tail flicking happily.
"That...h-how?" She shook her head slowly in denial... before she noticed something she had not before looking down at her hand. "...What the hell is this?" She whispered as she lifted the blade slowly. It seemed to glow softly in her hand and she blinked. "Tsunami...?" Her eyes widened in sudden remembrance. "The storm!" She jumped to her feet and looked away.

But which was... was home?

[Rikugurl]

Everyone watched in awe as they saw the last of home that the young Aqua knew. The night that the storm came and took Sai away and killed many of the people who lived in Regole's region. It came obvious that all the dragons seemed to trust and even like the blue haired woman, despite her dirty mouth.

Roxel sighed as he watched Aqua's mom. How could a woman act like that towards her own daughter? It was hard... to realize that he really had great parents... that not all parents were like Terra and Ven or Riku and Sora, Roxas and Axel, Fuu and Aqua, Seifer and Olette... that some parents out there really...didn't....care for their children.


"And a one, and a two! Oooo! OO! OO! LA TE DA! Oooo! OO! OO! LA TE DA!" A redhead with spiky hair sang as he put his arms in the air and was shaking his butt. By his side, oddly enough was a moomba on his hind legs...doing the same thing.

"Oooo! OO! OO! WA DE BA! Oooo! OO! OO! WA DE BA!" Sang back a chorus of giggling toddlers as they danced in front of the man. Two chubby little boys with wide eyes and wide smiles. Some festive song was playing in the background as they continued doing a Simon says kind of dance, making funny faces and doing silly dances.

The front door opened and a blonde stopped, blinking a few times as he saw the four dancing.
Green eyes glanced up for a moment as he continued to dance. "Hey Roxie baby! Wanna join!?"
One of the little boys looked back, his eyes wide with hope as he looked at the new person coming in and giggled. "DADDY! That's not my daddy! That's Tenten's daddy!"

Axel stopped dead in his silly dance and slowly looked back at the blonde who was rolling his eyes.
"OH! VEN! Heh...uh....coming to pick up Tensai?"
Ven closed the door and walked into the living room and nodded. "Yep!"
"Noooo daddy....wanna stay!" Tensai pouted as he clung onto Roxel.
Ven sighed as he reached down for his son but an evil grin seemed to appear. "Actually... Roxel can come stay with us if it's ok with his daddies."

The boys gasped and looked up at Axel who seemed to smile.... "I don't know if Roxas..." then REALLY smiled. "Actually...I think Roxas and I need some....time alone together."
"Settles that. Come on!" Ven reached down and picked up Tensai, holding him on his hip as he reached down and took Roxel's little hand. "See you in a month!"

The scene faded but sounds of boots coming up a steel bridge could be heard.
"WHAT!? Are you fucking kidding me!? Does this look like a fucking daycare to you, bitch?"
"But Terra, aren't bitches suppose to have lots of kids? Besides you said you'd bring me and Tensai on a hot air balloon ride this weekend aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand I thought Roxel would like to come."
"................You're just looking for a way out of sex, aren't you?"
"I don't think I have any more skin for you to bite...."