The Chasers: The Key to Memories Past

[Reno]

She could not help but wonder, when gazing at the team like this, if she or Terra or Ven ever envisioned a future like this. She knew the answer - of course they hadn't. They had never believed it possible to rid the world of all keyblades. She wondered... how much would have been different if Tensai had done so sooner.

She supposed there was little point in wondering about it. They were thoughts that would lead to nothing but painful accusations.

And at a time like this, when so many things seem to be going so well, there just was not time for that!

She glanced at her wife who was catching Olette's attention away and they started to talk about something that in a million years she never thought she'd see. Party plans. She caught the words hot chocolate before glancing over their heads towards Seifer, wondering if her second in command was about to blow a gasket. Certainly there was a lot to celebrate but that did not mean he liked it anymore than any other crazy time.

But his attention was off of his wife and she knew why when she followed his line of vision - to his son and daughter.

Lucina was completely engrossed with her fiance, excitedly talking about flowers and their meanings and what would be the perfect bouquet. The other was no doubt responding whenever their were pauses in her speech but no one could hear what he was saying. All that could be seen was the happy smiles they both wore.

And Gunnar - well she was pretty sure she hadn't seen him smile so much since he was a kid. And Kadaj probably had never smiled so much in his entire fucking lifetime. They were... every bit two crazy kids in love.

She wondered how long it would take for Seifer to just admit his children are happy and let it go.

As for the two that were previously a part of Olette's attention, they reminded her of an old manuscript Terra had once told her he was reading. A 'play' called Romeo and Juliet ("What the fuck do they have to do with keyblades?!"). They were called... star-crossed lovers or something. Though she couldn't rmember the context meaning, she supposed it was accurate - they had crossed MANY stars before falling in love.

In fact, the only one upset... was the teen who should probably be the happiest out of them all. She looked at Roxel silently, seeing his downtrodden expression, the weariness in his shoulders, the hopeless aura that crowded his soul. It was amazing his negativity did not reach the others though few of them were able to keep a conversation up with him for more than five seconds before being driven away.

Sometimes she wondered if maybe Roxas was not the only one who felt the foreshadows of his death... Only about two years ago he had plainly stated he would not allow Roxas on any missions without him. Terra had respected this demand and allowed for it - especially considering he hardly did any without Ven.

And just a little before Christmas... she remembered a short conversation she and the pyro had had.

"Maybe me and Rox should retire." The man groaned as he rubbed his back. "I'm getting too old for work like this."
Aqua chuckled. "You could."
"Roxas probably won't agree with me."
The bluette shrugged noncommittally. "I dunno Axel. I think the main reason he wanted to join was to be close to Ven. And now well..." She trailed off before starting again. "It couldn't hurt to ask."
"Yeah, guess so. Well I'm off to bed." The red-head said as he headed towards the doorway, but hesitated. "Hey... Aqua?"
"Mmm?"
"I know I shouldn't think about things like this but you've always been a great friend and I trust you so..." Green eyed peered at her, "If anything were to happen to me and Rox, I could count on you to look after Roxel right?"

For his efforts he got socked in the shoulder and yelled at for being depressing. Though she never answer, she never needed to. Axel knew she would.

She sighed and turned her eyes away. She would deal with it after breakfast, when she could speak to him in private.

The end of it did not take long. Everyone was in such a good mood no one singularly took the job of dish-washing that morning, they all cleaned their own plates and were in a hurry to get away.
"Come on Sammy! Let's start looking at catering options!"

"Gunnar, we got off track last night. Let us gather the notes from the library to figure out where we shall take shelter."


"I think I saw some leftover party favors in the storage closet when we were looking for the water! Ooooh Seifer, give us a hand!"
"Ugh, you woman are going to murder my back."

"M-Miss Namine, what is there to show me in the boiler ro-aah!" Aqua rose an eyebrow as she watched the strawberry-blonde drag Sanyi away with her, a mysterious grin on her face - but it was no secret what they were going to be doing. Ugh, 'teenagers'. But at least now the kitchen was clear.

She stood, walking into the kitchen and leaning against the wall, watching Roxel as he stared blankly down at his cereal bowl, the stream of the faucet filling it to the brink so that it overflowed and swirled into the drain. The boy made no movements to clean it however, just continued to watch his most hated element do its work. "Hey, Roxel?" She called. The rockstars fingers twitched though he neither turned or truly acknowledged her - neither were important for she knew he was at least listening.

"You know, you remind me of Fuu." The teen did not turn to her, did not move. "For so long she battled with this low self-esteem. No matter how good she did on a mission she always felt she could do better. The bigger battles were worse; she always came out feeling like she had failed us in some way no matter what we said to argue with her. You... You've got that same problem Roxel especially since you lost the keyblade and your fire. It's partially your father's faults since their creation of you as part of them made you feel like you aren't your own individual, yet if you really think about it, you probably could conclude you really are."

The water was turned off but the other made no move to leave. Aqua sighed. "I know what low self esteem can do. It effects your whole being. Your belief, your faith, your hope, your dreams, your happiness, even your strength of will. Nothing is left untouched... Nothing." She smiled fondly, but sadly. "In fact I think there were even a few times when Fuu... doubted my love. After I proposed to her she was so happy at first... but then as the months moved on she got so depressed. She was disgusted of herself and kept knocking herself down. Eventually, I started to fear my decision and was even willing to call it all off if she had asked."

She chuckled. "And then Terra got fed up with it all, blindfolded me and forced me into a room with her while she was trying on her wedding dress just so we could 'talk it out'. And it's really amazing how easily we all get caught up in our own emotions that we forget that the person connected to us can feel it too. Sometimes we get so clouded, we stop feeling them. And sometimes... they get dragged down with us."

She walked over, placing her hands on the other's shoulders. "Roxel, no matter how far away he is, he can feel what you do. As long as he lives and breaths he is connected to you and your love is with him as his is with you. But so is your belief... that we won't find him."

She let that sink in before saying ominously. "If you feel like that, soon enough he'll stop believing we're even looking for him. He'll stop hoping... that he'll ever be found." Logically it was obvious he would come to that conclusion - the last things he had said to them all before he had left were cruel and hurting. He had forsaken them all. Why would he expect them to WANT to find him after that? Especially since he's only indication of these truths... came from his lover. "Have some hope, okay?"

[Rikugurl]

After breakfast was done, the fire head didn't even seemed to be phases as everyone left with their respected counter parts as he picked up his plate and slowly went into the kitchen. Moxely and Jax followed in tow, though their tails were as low as how the tall teen felt. He walked to the sink and placed the bowl down, the water being turned but he hardly even knew what he was doing. It was all mechanical...

He felt so lost...
There was no signs of phantom emotion coming over him... No signs that Tensai was even...

That was when he heard Aqua's voice. His body responded but his mind was a far out there as the thing they were flying through. He listened though, registering her comments and wise words. His eyes closed when he felt her hands on his shoulders, feeling them fall from the weight instead of being strong like they should be. Strong... how could he....?

Tensai could feel his emotion? Then how come he couldn't feel his? Maybe because... he didn't care anymore?
NO! That couldn't....
He shivered, that memory of his lover plunging that keyblade through his chest. No emotion from guilt or...
What if Tensai didn't love him anymore?
That sounded silly but...

Then....he remembered that unfinished picture. The one of him laying in bed... the one that...was Tensai's art.
He swallowed before looking back at the woman before nodding, slowly leaving without a word.
Have hope...

Right....


Hours passed, things getting done and completed such as more wedding plans. Olette had to remind her daughter that the hill wasn't very big! Lucina didn't care. She said if they had to, they'd use the train station as well!
Gunnar and Kadaj were sitting close on the couch, leaning over each other to look at their notes on the best place they could settle down. Destiny came up...a lot and so didn't Radiant Garden, seeing that Kadaj's only brother was there...even if he was very old now.

As for Roxel, he was looking out one of the many windows, watching as the stars went by, wondering if they were passing Tensai without even knowing it. He could be...anywhere. He wished he could of choked more information from the bird. Stupid fucking---
His eyes suddenly widened when something ran through him. A phantom feeling for the first time in what seemed like forever.

The feeling of love.

"TENSAI!" He called, looking to see that they had come to a new connection, new worlds that, like the other connections they went through, looks so weird and different.
A door opened behind the boy, a woman with silver hair looking out. "Roxel?"
"TENSAI'S----- THERE!" He called, pointing out to a world in the back that seemed rather plain and uninhabited.

Fuu walked over, looking out at the world. It was very green... with many trees and a town. Simple...but it seemed like it could definitely be...
She quickly left the boy's side, finding Seifer in the lounge. "SEIFER! WE FOUND TENSAI!"

[Reno]

Lucina hummed as she started to write down the invitation list, finding it was turning out to be rather long - all their traveling let her meet plenty of people! Beside her Sammy was giving suggestions as they went along. And behind her was her mother, complaining about the lack of room they'd have.

"Don't worry mom it'll all work out!" The woman said as she added Mickey and his many castle friends to the list. "But no matter what I'm getting married where you did!"


"Hmmmmm..." Kadaj hummed thoughtfully as he looked from one page to the next. It had been easier to cross of worlds they were objected to then the ones they wanted to live at. Wonderland, Deep Jungle, Pridelands, Atlantica and Agrahbah for example all got cut out in seconds. They had chosen between worlds they had visited often like their checkpoints - being Midgar - Gaia now -, Ivalice and a few others - some that had been particularly striking to them, or ones that Jiminy Cricket made a note of when traveling with Sora.

They had finally narrowed it down. Radiant Garden was one he kept wondering at. Cloud would possibly have a heart attack - they had, when they first saw each other, gotten into such a violent fight Ven and Terra both had to step in and stop them. The blonde could sure move, even when he was older. It turned out to simply be a misunderstanding - of course when he looked near identical to his most hated foe, no one could blame him. They did not particularly get along, though they did not exactly hate one another either. Kadaj was certain it was mostly his looks - and Cloud being anti-social - that possibly caused this problem. Yet he was sure living their would cause little trouble.

And then there was Destiny. Violent storms but a simple lifestyle. The only possible hindrance to this idea was - when they did find Tensai - it was possible that the black-haired boy, and his lover, would want to find home there as well. There... or Delshad. Gunnar might go bald early if that was the case.

"Well," He finally said, leaning back into the cushions. "We at least do not have to worry about profession as we can learn any job quickly. So my suggestion is we choose based upon more simpler means." Mako eyes looked back at him. "Hobbies, entertainment, weather, 'neighbors'. Such things as that. Which ever is most favorable, we may go to. If it does not work out, we can move."


But, before much could be said among the others, new excitement was quickly finding its way through the ship - when they felt it jerk some as it changed coarse.


"That one?" Seifer made sure as he aimed the ship towards the small but very green planet. With Fuu's confirmation, he set the ship to hover over the planet, looking over it closely for a good landing spot.

"What's going on?!" Rapid feet came into the lounge, the tone hopeful and anxious. The silverette was the first to tell her wife the good news but when she did the blue-haired woman laughed with joy. "Seifer call everyone up here!"


"Everyone, report to the lounge. We've got a location on Tensai. I'm not repeating myself so get your asses up here!"


Aqua looked back as there was a chorus of feet pounding into the small room and looking back at her were the many faces of her teammates all in various forms of hope and excitement - even those like Gunnar and Kadaj who were trying to appear like they didn't care at all. Jax and Moxley had even shown up, tails wagging with excitement. Roxel was so overjoyed he was near to tears.

God she hoped she didn't start bawling when they finally found him...

"Alright guys!" She said, unable to contain a smile, "You all know our objective. Roxel, you'll be leading the way." She looked at the surprised rockstar and smiled. "Don't worry, you'll be fine. To sound completely gay at this moment, just follow you heart. It'll lead you right to him."

Before they all got too ahead of themseleves though - "Uh Aqua? We have a small problem."
"Hm?" She walked over to Seifer, seeing the slight frown on the man's face and he was looking at the world.
"We don't have anywhere to land."

That was a small problem.

Aqua looked at the statistics the computer had brought up and saw the problem immediately. The town, like Dragoon, relied heavily on agriculture to survive so the majority of the land were fields. There were few bodies of water - only lakes and ponds - so no beaches. Then there were thick forests so no open space and towns were built up high in some places where industrialization was just starting to take over.

"We'll have to go down manually." She announced calmly, though inside she was full of agitation and worry. Agitated because of this little hill; worried because on Dragoon food was sparse. how had Tensai been holding up - especially since he was broke and in an unfamiliar land. She just wanted her boy back so they could stuff him up and never let him out of their sights again. "Olette, could you get one of your transporter watches?" Their was a cheery response and the woman was gone.

[Rikugurl]

Gunnar frowned as Kadaj spoke. Hobbies? Entertainment? Since he was born, he ate, slept, breathed, fucking SHAT Chaser. To be a good Chaser, to be like Ven and Terra...to learn how to fight better and just be better.
Hobbies wasn't something he cared about and either was entertainment. Just as Namine. She still couldn't believe he didn't enjoy SOME of that carnival.

His mouth opened but he jerked, falling into the chair some. "What the hell?"
That was when he heard his father over the intercom.
"Tensai?"
The two lovers looked at each other before getting up, Kadaj closing the book before they rushed out of the library.

Olette perked up when she heard her husband and smiled. "YAY!" She bounced and quickly went into the next room.

Unfortunately, Sammy's thoughts were pushed aside when he looked up, seeing the overly joyous woman bounce out the door. He stood, Lucina in tow before they followed her into the next room.

Roxel was next, his feet pounding, followed by happy animals as he looked at the screen, seeing the world. This was where...Tensai was really from. He wondered...where is Dusk was really from...but that didn't matter now!

The last to get to the room were Namine and Sanyi, huffing and puffing a bit, their faces bright red.

When they heard the news however, all the happy faces turned to pouts but it was Olette that chirped, quickly running to her and Seifer's room. She put in her code and went in, going to her closet and standing on the tips of her toes. She reached about on the top shelf before finding what she was looking for. "HA!" She pulled it down, taking her old watch before quickly leaving and going back to the lounge. "Here!" She called as she handed it to Aqua.

[Reno]

While the bouncy brunette went temporarily missing, Aqua ordered Seifer to do a second search for Charlie Wish's DNA. Being so close, they'd have more accurate coordinates. She was correct and just as Olette was coming back and giving her the watch, the computer was beeping with it's new found information.

The woman placed the watch on her wrist, entering in the exact location that showed on the screen. She held back a grimace, knowing they'd be entering into a cemetery but it was there best bet. Tensai was no doubt close to his original hometown.

Seifer sighed as he flipped some switches and turned down the power on the ship, putting it on standby while grabbing his own watch - one that kept him updated on the ship's status - and put it on. Usually they left two on the ship - but he doubted they could convince anyone to stay back and it was not as if the ship was in any danger now that heartless were taken care of and none were left to attack them in space.

There was really nothing left to say as everyone placed in their communicators - and hardly anyone had the patience most of all their leader herself - to dole out any speeches. It wasn't as if they were going into battle. They were looking for a friend. Hell they weren't even technically Chasers anymore. "Alright, let's go." Aqua said before hitting some buttons and a zap flashing across the open air before swirling and turning into a dark portal. One by one, they entered the portal... until the ship was empty.


Aqua was wrong though.

They did not land in a cemetery, but under a tree no one mistook for any other, even for a second. It was Charlie's favorite painting spot, the place he had first met his love, and the ideal of his last painting... and now his burial spot. The tree was not in bloom but its leaves were full of color, goldens and scarlets and oranges so bright and beautiful it seemed to light up the area. Turning slowly to face the world, it was a shock to see the world in the midst of autumn, the colors powerful in their variance.

From their spot, they could easily see the many rolling hills full of farm lands, and because it was autumn it was harvest season for most crops so they were full of activity as people crowded the areas, picking, plucking and shearing up the various plants needed to pass through the winter. Horses were plowing some mechanics and some machines were being used but it was an obvious luxury. On the near horizon was a town of red bricks, smoke coming from many of the chimneys indicating supper being made. The air was crisp and cool, making some of the Chasers shiver... and worry. Were had Tensai been staying? Was he sleeping outside? Was-

Roxel gave a cry of his lover's name and cut through everyone's thoughts as he suddenly took off an old worn path that winded through some trees of a thin forest but ultimately lead into the fields and town. "Wait up Roxel!" Aqua called before she and the others took flight after him, their hope growing.

As they moved off the path and into the trees though, something ethereal made the most spiritual of them glance back and he hesitated, making his fiance halt as well. He could see something no one else did. A small man with glasses looking around the trunk of the tree, his body awkward and almost clumsy looking. His expression turned downcast as he stepped out of his hiding spot before he turned his head down, a pencil in his graceful hand as he seemed to write on a sketchpad he held. There was no mistaking who he was but-

"Sammy?" Luci called, catching his attention. The violet-eyed teen hesitated for a moment more, but he knew they had to keep moving and reluctantly turned to followed after.

They broke free of the small forest after a short time and the fire-haired teen hesitated, panting hard not from exertion but anticipation. His duel-eyes searched the area like a man possessed, while the other Chasers got a closer look at the strange life that was this world. To Sanyi and Aqua, it was hardly new - but still different.

The men and women working in the fields were not the owners, that was for certain, and they spread for acres and acres per property. Most working in the fields were those of a lower status, if their plainer clothes gave any indication, and their skin colors were a mixture of white and tan and black showing just how varied this world was. Their seemed little discrimination among them however, all of them working together, songs were being swung or some of them, mostly the younger teens, were laughing in distraction and tap dancing secret codes across the rows of corn or wheat or peaches to their friends that was making older siblings or parents roll their eyes and snap at them to get back to work. It was a happier scene then Dragoon was but even those of low status, sunburnt, weary and dirty, were sneaking fruit and vegetables down their dresses and in their pockets.

"How do you do Miss Clarabelle!" Came a thick accent from a man further down the trail, his skin as dark as Raijin's and his muscles powerful, waving up to a small horse-drawn carriage. The two horses were beautiful mares of white, bells strapped to them as they walked. The single woman sitting on top ordered the was leaning back in her chair, her dress a mixture of pink and blue and was big and poof much like a Victorian style. Her hair was a curly blonde falling across her back. Held dainty on her shoulder was a parasol of similar colors, covering her sun shade from the afternoon sun.

"Oh Thomas, must we do this every day?" Came a teasing call as the young man jogged after her cart and even to the newcomers it was no secret that, despite the obvious difference in status, they were young lovers.
"For a woman so sweet as you I should ask twice!"

The scene held no interest to them however, especially to Roxel when he felt a fierce tug in his heart that suddenly made him burst into a run - right into the fields. Moxley gave a bark of excitement as well and sped right after him, Jax stumbling after as well. But of course he did not take the easy way - which would be around where the blocks of crops were separated to make sure they did not intermingle, but rather right into the middle of the harvesters, having to duck and dodge around people and endure their shouts and cries of surprise.

"Come on!" Aqua called, and lead the rest of the Chasers down one of the aforementioned paths, knowing that all of them would not be able to get through the thin rows that hardly allowed the harvesters work.

It wasn't too hard to keep track of the fire-haired boy as must crops didn't go higher than his waist until he hit the golden corn crops which towers high over everyone's heads and the Chasers lost sight of him completely.

They missed him when he burst from the corn and took a sharp right into a beautiful grapevine, the trees almost as higher than him and well taken care off as they were all in full bloom, luscious purple grapes hanging from them and being carefully picked where their main purpose would be for wines. Moxley hesitated beside Roxel as they entered the thick grove, whimpering some as the man looked around in confusion, seeming as if he lost his way.

♪------Let Destiny choose♪

But his triangular ears shot up as he heard a tone in the distance, getting further away as if the singer was walking away. It was not missed by the teen beside him either and he was off like a shot into the vineyard. The moombacle barked in excitement, hurrying after.

And the closer they got... so did a song so foreign it stood out in the rest of the chatter as only two people in the universe knew it by heart, lyrics of a new song lost as the next concert had never come to be.

♪--As I go by!
IIII can, hear you breath-ing!
IIII can, see you com-ing,
IIII can, feel the wind
That's Blow-ing... meee around♪

The voice was so close now that it seemed to be coming from the row right beside them... until they came out of the vineyard and into a space that split the grapes from tomatoes and walking down the space his back to them... was a young man with black hair with just the barest hint of red glinting in the sunlight and a basket full of grapes dangling from his arms, body swaying as he sung.

♪Beeeee the sun a-rising
Fiiiire in the sky~
Grrreat-ness thrusts itself into
Ouuuur liiives♪

[Rikugurl]

A frown ran over a man's lips as he looked back even if he was in high pursuit. If it wasn't for his fiance who was pulling him in a mad rush, he probably would of hit one of the many workers in who his future brother-in-law and his lover were easily avoiding. Why had Charlie Wish's soul been wondering the trees? It was rather obvious really. He could not rest without his lover.
His god and mother of his child.
However, she might not ever die...or at least not for thousands...millions of years. He knew how much hardship Eskel and Kuku's souls had gone through...waiting for one another.

He couldn't be certain though...because he hadn't had the chance to ask the soul exactly what was going on.
He finally looked back, picking up his speed so Lucina no longer had to pull him. "It was Mr. Wish!" He called as he ran, seeing Lucina look at him in shock. However, the Chasers ahead of them started to slow down and stop, their heads all going different ways. It was obvious that they lost him.

Even Gunnar and Kadaj were having a hard time where the boy had gone with all the people around him. Though the workers close by stopped, looking at the strange looking people, many were still working around and far off.
"Shit..." Gunnar growled but blinked as he heard a rustle and looked over to see Jax stumble out of a row of corn.
"Jax!" Namine called as she rushed over to him, picking him up with a grunt. BOY! He was getting big! "Did you lose them too?"

The baby moomba could only whimper as he looked around almost as confused as they all were.

All....but one.


"Haaa.......haaaa....." Roxel panted as he emerged from the grape vines and into a new place that had not purple but red grapes.
Er....Tomatoes! DIDN'T MATTER!

He held his chest, his legs weak from the sudden burst of energy they had to deal with but he couldn't stop. He didn't want to lose him again he...he couldn't!
Slowly, his head picked up, his multicolored eyes widened when he saw the back of a boy he knew all too well. A teen who he could spot in the crowd a thousand. No! A billion.

Water welled in his eyes as his lips trembled, hearing that voice and seeing the gentle wind blowing through the black hair. He could hardly see by the time his legs started moving, not even realizing that he was rushing towards the shorter boy. Suddenly, his long arms wrapped around the familiar waist, gripping onto it tightly as if he had to our he would be lost again. A face was buried in a warm neck as hot tears fell onto the skin, feeling the smaller body being pressed onto his.

"Ten-chan... I found you..."
He choked as love exploded from his heart.

[Reno]

The Chasers all hesitated, lost between corn and wheat, as Namine held onto a dazed lion and the others stood around unsure of where to go. You would think, with a boy so colorful, he would be easy to spot even in all this mess. But the things you think are never quite true.

Kadaj frowned, tuning his ears to the sounds around him, trying to catch the sound of Roxel's feet pounding into the ground from his running or maybe Moxley's pads shifting the earth but he was catching neither. That could mean the interference of all the other noises was masking it until it was indistinguishable or the two had stopped. However he was catching one very interesting, but one-side, conversation.

"You mean Tensai's dad?!" Lucina was saying, no one really noticing as they were all focused on the boy in question. Her head had turned looking back towards the tree they had left now in the distance.

Well that was curious.

"I can not detect him." Kadaj said with a shrug, glancing at Gunnar who also reported a negative.

The blue-haired mother sighed some before reaching for her communicator.


A heart beat in hyper drive as arms brought a small teen against a hard planed chest, immobilizing him. There was a soft noise of a wicker basket hitting the dirt, the grapes within spilling all over the place. It seemed to matter not as a soft whisper passed those speechless lips. "......Xel?"

The head turned, to look over his shoulder, revealing exotic eyes. From the motion the skin on his neck bunched up and forced Roxel back so they could look at one another.

"....Roxel?" Came the second whisper. The other teen spoke softly, maybe speaking something reassuring, maybe just saying his name, but it didn't matter because all he needed was that voice before he was turned in the other's arms, throwing his arms around the others neck and bringing him closer still to his now shaking body. "Roxel! Oh... oh Xel! I-I thought--- I... and you!" The teen hiccuped as his own face became wet with tears, sobs breaking past the smaller's lips so fierce he could no longer speak.

A frantic yipping made him gasp however and pull his head up, looking down. The little fox was hopping anxiously for attention beside them, tail wagging. When he saw his master looking at him, he barked happily lifting his paws onto his leg and stretching his body up eagerly. A shaking hand reached down to pet him, a soft whisper breaking the colorful air. "M-Moxley... you too?"

And then there was a crackle as a communicator was turned on - and a familiar voice echoed in the ears of not one but both lovers as the young man with the sunset eyes had dutifully worn his communicator, night and day, just praying for this moment to come.
"Roxel Report! Where the hell are you?"

The black-haired teen's lips trembled and he lifted his hand to his ear, his voice thick as he responded. "Hi mama.... come around the vineyard..."

"Tensai!" There was so much pained happiness in that gasp of his name, an immediate comfort to his hurting heart that she had come for him; that one utterance telling him everything despite the cruel words he had said. She forgave him, she still loved him, and she desperately wanted to see him.

His hand limply came back around his lover before he leaned against him, weak with relief as tears silently fell. There had been so many he wronged that day - but no one more than the very man who was holding him so very desperately. He whispered softly, "You came for me..."

[Rikugurl]

Sammy nodded as he looked down at Lucina, seeing how confused she was before she looked back at the tree. He looked back as well and frowned. If or when they found Roxel...and Tensai, he would have to find out why this soul was unrest...and do his duty as a Thym to calm him and return him to the place he needed to go.

Fuu sighed as she heard Kadaj's answer. They had lost the rest head. She looked over, seeing her wife do something that they should of done the minute they lost him. Of course, she was sure, he was too busy to actually tell him their position while he looked for Tensai. She knew that if she was in the boys large shoes, she would do the same really.

They waiting in silence as Aqua asked for a report...and then there was static...and a voice they were not expecting to hear.
"TENSAI!"
"TEN!"
"TENTEN!"
Happy cries filled the farming land but it was Namine who pouted first. "Where's the vineyard?"


Watery eyes above wet cheeks looked down into the beautiful, exotic sunset eyes, the eyes he thought he'd never see again. At first, he was scared... because he thought that a, Tensai still might be evil or b, he wouldn't remember Roxel for some reason but... oh god....things were as they should be.
His lips trembled as he heard the other before shaking his head, his hands coming up and cupping the sides of his lover's face.

"Of course..." He whispered before leaning down, his wet lets catching Tensai's wet ones before bring him into a love soaked, passionate kiss.

[Reno]

"Ah, now that I can find." The silverette announced, to no one's surprise. If asked, they were sure he could draw a blueprint of where every plant cropping was. He had a temporary photographic memory. It came in handy sometimes.

They let the silverette lead and as they got closer, Sanyi and Aqua both recognized the sweet, acidic smell of grapes in the air even before they turned the corner. The fruit was one of the strongest to scent during the harvesting season, unmistakable due to it's strong qualities which helped to make wine. But it was larger than expected, and taller. The good news about Vineyards were as they were so thickly interwoven, it made for tall walls providing only one path. So they started to travel down the row, looking down each one for the telltale sign of bright red hair that would tell them all they needed to know to find Tensai.


Lips smiled in the kiss before fingers tangled in colorful hair, the lips opening in welcome of that hot tongue that set his body on fire as they kissed expressing everything they had felt over the week. The pain, the anger, the misery and woe, the love and fear. And all together it brought a comfort that said 'I'm here'.

They could have stayed like that forever... if they didn't need air. And voices on the wind didn't draw them apart.

"Haaa....Xel..." God how he missed that. How he missed him! He ran his thumbs under the other's eyes, wiping at some of the tears when another call of his name on the wind made him look over his lover's shoulder just in time to see the Chasers rounding the corner of the vineyard, easily spotting them as well.

His breath caught in shock at the sight of them all. They had really all come for him? God even Gunnar was there! Oh shit, maybe he just tagged along to kick his ass.

He bit his lip trying to shrink down against his lover, remembering more than anyone what had been the last few things he had done that day. His betrayal... even if he had done it with the best intentions in mind he still...

[Rikugurl]

God... how he just wanted to make love to Tensai right in these red grape vines.
TOMATOES!
That was when their kiss broke, his blue and green eye opening slowly, looking down into that beautiful face he never thought he'd see again.
"I love you, Tensai..." He whispered as a hand come up, taking the one that was wiping his tears away.

He was waiting to hear a reply but Tensai oddly seemed to.... duck?

He blinked and looked back, hearing a sudden yip and then--"WHOA!" Namine almost fell over as Jax jumped out of her arms if it wasn't for Sanyi to catch her fall. The baby moomba raced down the row and started to circle the two united loved, yipping happily.
"Tensai!" Fuu called, a warm and happy smile on her lips as she was the first to quickly walk down the row. Roxel hesitantly moved, still not wanting to let go of his lover as she came closer and suddenly wrapped her arms around her adopted son.

"Oh Tensai....you had us all worried..." She said softly before pulling away, him now being able to see the rest of the Chaser heading towards him. "I'm so glad that you're alright..." She whispered as she lent down, kissing Tensai's forehead.

[Reno]

The teen got distracted as Jax came around, yipping up a storm though he seemed happy and godness had he gotten bigger since he last saw him?! What had Roxel been feeding him?! Sea-salt ice cream?!

He was a little dazed at everything when Roxel let him go, instantly feeling the loss, but it was corrected fast when... his gentle mother found him. At he words he swallowed hard, tears welling up in his eyes again. "M-Mom..." He hugged her back suddenly sniffling back his tears. "M'sorry..."

But there wasn't time to talk it over because Fuu was letting him go... and his other mother approached him. She didn't hug him, heck at first she didn't even look at him and Tensai panicked silently, wondering if he had misread the emotion in her voice when he gave a soft 'eep' as he was pulled forward in a strong grip, and held back a squeak as he was hugged near to death. "Your such an idiotic boy..." Came the harsh tone. "You ever do that again I'll... fucking do something." It was a fairly empty threat, and uncreative to for his normally talkative mother, but he forgave her when he felt something wet hit his nose.

She was crying.

He swallowed back his guilt and tried to save her pride by reaching up and rubbing them away. "I promise I won't." He murmured softly. It gained him a second kiss on his brow.

When she finally let him go, the boy swallowed as he saw the rest of the team. Would forgiveness come as easily? He looked down, scuffing his shoe in the dirt. "H-Hey everyone..."

[Rikugurl]

Fuu smiled as she watched her wife. Come now...she knew she could--- her eyes widened when she saw the tears and smiled softly. That was better. Her arms crossed as she looked at Roxel, who seemed like he just wanted to scoop up his lover again. "Good job finding him..." She spoke softly, making Roxel look over and blush a bit.

"TENSAI!" Namine called happily as she wrapped her arms around him and gave him a big hug. "I knew you'd never betray us like that!" She giggled as she kissed him on the cheek and pulled away, the boy obviously seeing some jealousy in his younger brother when he came over to see him as well. Olette was after Sanyi, giving him a big hug as well. "Don't do that again! However you did....that! We were so scared!" She mothered him but gave him a kiss as well.

It was then....Gunnar and Kadaj's turn.
"If you ever make that idiot waste THAT much cereal again... I'll kick her ass, UNDERSTOOD!?" Gunnar frowned before grinning, grabbing Tensai and giving him a lovable noogie.
Then it was Sammy and Lucina last. Sammy pulled Tensai into a hug but unlike the others who had, didn't give him a kiss. When he pulled away, he started to sign to the boy.
'We really missed you.'
After Lucina spoke to him, it was back to Namine again.

"So what...happened....? And what did you do for the week you were here?"

[Reno]

OOC: I worked on this all night and only got the first half of the story done (Go ahead and reply lovely!)

Of course, Namine did not surprise him in the least. Her heart always felt his truly; she had known what he had really been up to because she had felt who he really still was. He could always trust in her, and he hugged her back, thankful for her confidence in him. “Thank you,” He said sincerely and blushed just barely at the kiss. It reminded him, strangely, of when Gunnar would used to tease him by singing the K-I-S-S-I-N-G song – he loved pairing him up with either Namine or Roxel since they were his best friends, though poor Luci had been teased on several occasions when he was feeling vicious. They had been so young…

When he saw Sanyi he felt a little confused at the envious look on his brother’s face that was making his best friend giggle. Eh…? He looked between them wondering silently if what he thought happened while he was gone, happened and gave Namine a look that said ‘Tell me everything!’ before he smiled at his little brother. It relaxed the other and he smiled right back.”I dunno what you did Sir Tensai, but you sure made everyone very happy. No wonder you were given that blade.”
The black-haired boy smiled faintly before throwing his arms around him, feeling the hug returned. “Eh, I didn’t do much… but you did awesome Sanyi!” It was thanks to him they even found a way to defeat Kuku. He had to hold back a laugh when they pulled away and he faintly heard him asking the princess of heart if awesome was a good thing.

He got swept up by his ‘aunt’ next and he took her mothering happily, smiling up at her. She was like his…. fifth mother (gosh he had a lot of parents). Ven was right – when you were in the Chasers, everyone was your family. “I won’t. I think it was a onetime deal.” He said, before he couldn’t help but tease. “So I’m getting a party right?”

“Don’t encourage her.” Came a gruff reprimand, getting scuffed harmlessly on his temple. He never looked at Seifer like his eighth dad – he was definitely an uncle. “Good think your back, I was getting tired of doing your shitty chores.”
“Sorry.” Tensai said trying his best to hide a smile as his hair was ruffled roughly because he didn’t want to correct Seifer by telling him this month he had keyblade inventory as a chore – and well, now they didn’t exist. He supposed he’d just take it as a silent admission that he was missed.

Who really shocked him was Gunnar. The orange eyed boy blinked up at Gunnar with wide eyes as he yelled at him… and then smiled – no, grinned at him. Wha- “Hey, hey!” Tensai laughed as he squirmed in the stronger man’s grip and they looked every bit of an older brother torturing the younger as could be. “I won’t do it again I swear!” Out of everyone it was Gunnar he worried about being reprimanded from the most – it turned out to… he really had nothing to worry about at all.

He was let free to stumble in Kadaj’s path. The silverette quirked a small smile. “I can tell you now with confidence that is his way of missing you.” The two shared a soft laugh glancing at the brunette. “Oh, pertaining to which!” The other said considerately, “I have been watching over the Paopu seeds. I suggest increasing the salt concentration. It will produce twice the fruit later on.”
Tensai looked at him in surprise and with little warning suddenly gratefully hugged the taller yet leaner man. He bet, all worried about him, everyone had forgotten about the little tree – hell, HE forgot about the little tree that, being from a tropical world, was very demanding when it came to water especially salt water as it grew with the tides. Had no one of given it care, even for a week it would of… Tensai smiled faintly as he felt the hesitant pat on his back from the uncertain silverette. “Thank you.”
“No need.”

Shortly after he was pulled in the arms of another man, this one so silent and unique you could only hear his voice on a whole other dimensional plane. He read the signs easily once they stepped away, and Tensai signed right back (He liked to do this because, childishly, he felt like he and Sammy had a secret language like they were part of their own special club – even if everyone could read it).
‘I missed everyone too.’

Lucina shook her head but smiled at the two – Though they could all read them Tensai was the only one who knew how to actually make all the signs besides Sammy, and for some silly reason he found that special – before stepping in and giving him a hug and a kiss. “I’m glad you’re alright. Don’t go wandering off again, alright?”
“I’ll do my best.” The black-haired boy laughed, feeling like he was willing to do that for a long, long time. But he was so happy… everyone was back. That he was back with them.

The two shared another smile, and around them there was relief, everyone glad their search was over. It was Namine who broached the next topic, one that everyone was still trying to puzzle out. The orange eyed teen looked at his friend. “Well… um…”
There was a muffled yip as Moxley trotted over, a bushel of purple grapes between his teeth like a proud catch. Many of them had fallen from the small stems that held them to the rest, creating a trail all the way to a small straw basket that Xio’s face was buried in, tail wagging as he chomped down.
“I guess it doesn’t matter since I’m so fired! Xio don’t eat those!!”


Not long later the large Chaser group found themselves sitting in the middle of an apple grove, the trees high and providing profuse shade for them all. Most of the trees were now bare, the apple-pickers near the end of the fields. Orange eyes looked down at the wicker basket, a soft sigh pressing through pink lips at the sight. It was mostly broken thanks to heavy paws and stained with purple grape juice that was the bane of every mother’s laundry day. He had been right: at the poor shape of his grapes and the basket, his employer, who happened to be Miss Clarabelle’s father if the familiar carriage sitting in front of the large estate was any indication, had fired him immediately.

A warm arm wrapped around his shoulders and brought him close and Tensai smiled up at his lover. He supposed it didn’t matter; He was leaving soon anyways. A little weight fell into his lap making him look down, seeing his happy pet sitting in front of him and a small string of grapes sitting in his lap from the stolen bushel he had kept in his teeth (and no one had dared take away). The rest of the Chasers, sitting in a circle, had taken their own shares in pairs the strings broken for two. Tensai smiled and pet the other, “Thanks Mox,” Before he pulled off a grape, offering it to Roxel. “Try it, they’re really good.” And he knew they were – he was stealing a far share on his shifts. They were perfectly ripe and juicy and sweet.

It was only a simple prompting from the others though that got Tensai back on track and he sighed settling in a more relaxed position against Roxel. He still had quite a story to tell. “Alright, well, it’s kind of… weird.” He started. “When we were in that fight Xion’s keyblade… it was thrown to me by my daddy Sora wasn’t it?” He glanced at Sammy, getting a confirmation. “I thought so. Well, when I picked it up you see…”


”TAKE IT!” He heard his mother yell and his fingers clasped around the blade, feeling it shimmer out of his hand and into the vault, the name whispering in his ears. ‘Thief’s Honor’.
But there was a second whisper, stronger than that, that told him one word in a voice he could have sworn was his father’s.
“Destiny.”

Tensai’s orange eyes went wide time suddenly freezing around him even though he had not called for the power himself. He looked around, seeing the frozen bodies of his comrades, Xion pinned to the floor, lights coming down upon her. Then a voice unlike any other came to his ears.
”It is time, Keyblader. You are the one who will uncover the past, enlighten the present and foretell the future.”
“Foretell the future…?” Tensai repeated softly and the keyblade in his hand tingled in his hand and suddenly he knew exactly what he needed to do. But he was afraid… because if he did even one thing wrong…

He swallowed hard, before walking towards his frozen lover. “Roxel… if I screw up… I’m so sorry.” He lent forward, giving the fire-haired teen a kiss before stepped away from him, from everyone, and he turned towards the battle. He shut his eyes and lifted his hand to his heart a blue glow shimmering from his fingertips.

“Stop.”

“You did WHAT?!” Aqua called out, her eyes wide. She wasn’t the only one giving the boy incredulous looks.
The teen laughed nervously. “I… stopped my heart?” Before an uproar could start he held up his hands, placating. “Not the whole thing! And not the REAL one; I stopped my uh inner heart.”
“But… why?” Sanyi was the one to finally ask, having gotten used to the idea of the heart from – guess who – Namine.
“I needed to get Xion into Kingdom Hearts. But, Xion’s a Nobody.” Tensai stated the obvious. “On top of that a keyblader. Even if I was the best actor in the UNIVERSE she would have been able to tell I was lying. I needed her to feel true darkness from me… and the only way I could do that was well… by falling. If the darkness overwhelmed me, or I lost control the spell though… I could of killed myself.” He sighed, the memory of the experience making him shudder. Fingers squeezed his own comfortingly, helping him get back on track. “So… I just stopped everything outside and kept the core of my heart intact. It allowed me some control over my actions and sanity and kept Roxel from falling with me… but well, I wasn’t exactly… the nicest person…”

The boy frowned, troubled by this as he looked up. “I’m really sorry… about the things I said I-“ It was his other mother who stopped him this time – they knew and understood. He didn’t need to apologize.

So he kept going. “Her plan was to change the universe so darkness ruled. To do so, she needed to change the heart of the universe which is inside of Kingdom Hearts. All I needed her was to start using that power…”

”Not much of a heart, is it?” Xion commented as she walked up a pillar that was like an awakening skyscraper, the only difference was the ring of stairs that circled it. It probably should not be as surprising as it was since Roxas and Sora’s memories combined showed a similar design. For keybladers, Inside the awakening glass was the inner world of a person, possibly protecting it… or caging it in. So inside Kingdom Hearts, awakening glass protecting the heart of the universe – all worlds.

Or caged them in. Kept them in strict control under the power of the bladers.

Glowing eyes fell to the glass as they stepped on the flat surface of the top, staring intensely at the design. It was a heart where the top curves did not meet but curled in on themselves creating swirls while keeping the overall appearance of a heart. It seemed neither black nor white as when you turned your head, the color seemed to shift from sinister to light, from innocent to dark.

Footsteps rang across the sky with a crystal ping as the Nobody walked to the middle of the large glassy land, Kingdom Key swinging lazily in her hand as she approached the center. “Everything as we know it is about to change.” She said, slamming her blade in the glass. It sunk into it like it was taffy. The air around them, velvet like the night sky, seemed to swirl with even darker clouds, twisting with power as it stated to emit across the land.

“A-Ah!” Tensai grit his teeth, a hand curling around his heart as he bent over, the pounding organ hurting so bad it felt like it was going to explode. “D-Despell!” The spell shattered and his eyes turned from yellow to orange. The pressure of the darkness was still there, sending him trembling to his knees, a hand reaching out to catch him. “Ugh…”

“What’s wrong?!” Xion called, not sounding concerned but rather enraptured, still unaware of the trick that had befallen her. “Is it too much for you? Embrace it!” She tilted her head back, smirking. “Pretty soon this will be all there is!”

“No… you’re wrong…” The teen panted as he lifted his hand, Faber Horologia appearing in his hand for the last time. He slammed it into the glass and it started to crack around him, golden light spilling from them. “…Forward.”

The golden light exploded all around them and the glass broke with a deafening shatter.

And they started to fall.

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!”

They fell and fell through an endless universe, space all around them, stars twinkling in a million different spots. There was another ear-splitting roar as golden light swept around the two falling forms until they could see nothing at all.

“I moved time forward to make all the Keyblades and Kingdom Hearts disappear but I also… cut out my only exit. Well… our only exit.”
“Our?”
“Yeah… me and Oni.”
This piece of information seemed to make everything clear - except for Roxel who just had to ask (and sounded oddly possessive and jealous) who Oni was.
His lover just chuckled, rubbing the other's knuckles tenderly. "She's Xion, Xel. Oni is Xion's Somebody."

[Rikugurl]

Namine laughed as she got the question. "Yea, awesome is VERY good. It's right under 'Incredible'!" Sanyi seemed to be happy about that before they looked back and watched the rest.

Olette could only grin when she heard the boy's question. "You know it! CELEBRATION for sure!"

When all was done, everyone had to look over, seeing the pets having a grand ol' time with the fallen fruit. "JAX!" Roxel cried as he pulled the lion out of the mess, the baby moomba licking his chops, all stained with purple.


Warm arms wrapped about his lover as his legs wrapped around each side, having Tensai sit between his legs as he leaned against an apple tree. Jax was wondering around, sniffing for any traces of fruit that someone might of left or forgotten. It seemed like he liked fruit...a lot! Multicolor eyes blinked when he saw the purple fruit handed to him, opening his mouth and letting his lover feed it to him. An eye closed as he bit down, tasting how different it was compared to the ones found in the grocery store that his dad use to buy.

"So...what happened?" Gunnar asked as he tilted his head, leaning back on his hands. Tensai was brought back to reality and the story started.
They listened in awe and suspense but it was Aqua who called out first. Namine seemed a bit shocked when she heard that Tensai had stopped his heart...well... not his heart heart but.... That was a very dangerous all the same.

Roxel blinked, a bit confused. Wouldn't he feel this sort of thing!? He frowned but it turned into a smile as he saw those beautiful orange eyes look up at him and his words---
"Enough. There is no need to apologies. We all have to do things that we don't want to...and we understand." Fuu broke in, making everyone look down. They all understood. So Tensai continued.

“I moved time forward to make all the Keyblades and Kingdom Hearts disappear."

It was that sentence that hit them the hardest. Especially Gunnar. So it was true. The keyblades had all disappeared. As Roxel and Tensai were talking about this 'Oni' girl, his mako eyes darkened, looking down at the ground and his feelings weren't hard to share. Some felt the same way but Gunnar looked up when he felt a hand on his shoulder, seeing a smile in his lovers face. It was true...it was over... and it would be hard to change your whole way of life. Hard...of you didn't have someone you loved to help you through it.

"ONI!? Who's that!?" Roxel snapped, his face becoming red with jealousy but Tensai quickly explained. He pouted some and looked away. "Then what happened?"

[Reno]

The clone smiled at his lover when he called some. Change was scary for humans, he understood that. He did not particularly enjoy it either when he first joined the ship. There was constant company, hardly any time to one's self for long periods of time. Then there was eating. Sexual desire. Such things as that. Now they were going back to what he and Yazoo had had - a 'normal' life. Except this time he would not be acting with an ulterior motive in mind.

He would just be living... with Gunnar. He doubted they'd be seeing any action beyond fighting over who got the last cupcake or something for the rest of their lives.

But who knew. He doubted Kingdom Hearts was gone for good. History had a tendency to repeat itself. And he bet, if the keyblades had been needed once, one day they will be needed again. But that would not be for many, many years.

Tensai sighed softly at Roxel's question, then he shrugged. "I... I'm not really sure." He frowned. "We were blind and almost deaf. It was so silent except for when we spoke to each other. And when I searched for her it was like... I didn't even have a body anymore. I couldn't walk at all. I don't know how long we stayed there it seemed like days... but I can't really say because Time to me... in that place didn't feel like it existed. It's hard to explain I just.... I couldn't feel it passing. then suddenly... there was a blue light and it drew us in and suddenly we were here."

He looked around and smiled. "We've been here about five days. Oni says we were lucky we can during harvest season because it got us a job, some steady food and a small place to sleep in. It was just Mr. Jaggers stable - and really crowded and uncomfortable - but sleeping on hay is actually rather nice. So basically I've spent my time, dawn to dusk, in the groves and vineyard and stuff just helping bring in the harvest. And Oni has been taking care of the chickens - the Azazel apparently are livestock... farmers? Something like that - anyways! That's probably what she is doing now, collecting eggs or...... chopping." The boy shuddered, but smiled. "Aaaaand, that's basically it."

The others were quiet as they took this information in. Lucina spoke first, softly, "So, you don't know how you got here at all?"

"Weeeeell....." He fiddled with his thumbs looking at the grass. "I think this sounds completely insane but... I want to say it was my mother who got us out of there. It's the only think I can think of that makes sense. If I was really 'out of time', then the only person strong enough to make a path out of that would be well... a Goddess." He looked around. "And because it's this world... Who else would bring me here?" He hesitated then said softly. "And right under that tree too..."

"The tree?" Seifer raised an eyebrow, having a sneaking suspicion he knew what that meant.

"Yeah, my dad's painting tree." The teen clarified with a smile. "I've visited every night now after my shift actually! Just to... say Hi. I didn't know where else to go, since I was told the old cemetery was built over years ago."