If I could do it again

Summary: Ven couldn't remember much before she came to study with Master Eraqa, the images of her childhood were all shaded by black and loneliness, until she awoke to the sound of voices, Aqua's… and Terra's.

Chapter 1: Unbreakable Connection

In the beginning everything was a shadowy ocean, pitch black and constantly moving. Ven felt herself drowning there. She wondered if she'd died, or if she was about to be born again… or, maybe all this was ever gonna be and she simply didn't exist at all.

It was so lonely in the black, and it hurt, god the pain held her like a tight fist around the throat, choking, releasing, choking, releasing, over and over again until she couldn't even tell if she was breathing. She couldn't take it anymore, she cried.

"Someone, someone please help me!"

"Hey, Where am I?"

The voice caught Ven off guard, and light warmed her face the choke gone, the pain gone… but she still didn't quite feel alive. Now she was coasting… floating down the black and into the light. Her eyes slowly opened and she looked around, The Dark still surrounded her, but she stood upon a pedestal of light, one that was rapidly fading.

"I'm a brand-new heart."

The voice spoke again, echoing. Her blank eyes search for the source, but she was still the only one around. A new heart, she thought… her new heart? Why was it here? Was hers broken? She saw the broken pedestal she stood upon. Oh, yes it was.

"But this is my heart… why are you here?"

"I saw a light in the distance, and I followed it here.

"Yeah…" Ven touched her chest looking down at the simple white slip she wore, and her bare feet. "That was my light, but my heart is fractured. Now the little of what I have left is slipping away."

She gasped as the broken fragments start to sparkle with light, and little by little the heart filled til Ven clutched her chest feeling it beat and warm.

"Now our hearts have touched, nothing else will slip away. One day you'll be strong enough to win back the part of you that already did."

"Right…" Ven sighed with relief and closed her eyes again. "Thanks."

"It's time to wake up now. All we need to do now is…"

"Open the Door"

"Open the door" They spoke in sync with each other, the light cascading off her heart, forming shapes and pieces of herself she'd forgotten had been there. She stretched out her hand, and her heart forming there in the shape of a keyblade.

~Land of Departure~

It had been some time since Ven had given any thought to that day. She had awakened from that dreamlike state lying on the ground and staring up at the portal she'd created, her keyblade glittering in hand, curved and short with five jutting spikes at the end forming a half crescent shape, like half a heart.

After that day, Master Xehanort who apparently had been her teacher, brought her here, to Master Eraqa's school in The Land of Departure. Everything about her life had been blurred and sketchy, before her heart had been fractured she couldn't remember anything. She couldn't remember where she'd come from, who her parents were, family, friends, or even why she could wield a keyblade.

She followed Master Xehanort like a lost lamb with its shepherd, hoping he'd guide her to the right path. The place he'd taken her to was like a palace, standing strong and intimidating all on it's own with the surrounding lands structured for training purposes. There was a long winding road leading from the school to a course and a lookout that let you see the stretch of the beautiful sky whether it was covered by endless blue and clouds, or the glitter of stars at night.

Master Eraqa… now she was an intimidating woman. She was a strong mature woman, with salt and pepper hair that cascaded down her back pin straight. The first time Ven had seen her the woman had that hair bundled atop her head with two stick stabbed into the twist to keep it steady.

"Master Xehanort…" Eraqa narrowed her eyes at the man giving Ven a brief glance. "Why are you here?"

"Eraqa, I need your help. Come, let us talk alone. Ven, stay where you are." Xehanort ordered with a firm stare. Ven numbly nodded and stayed still as a statue in her spot, unaware that she was being watched from above.

"Who's that girl? Do you think she's okay?" Aqua spoke to her friend and fellow pupil Terra. She leaned over the banister watching the girl with avid interest. Five minutes had passed and the girl hadn't moved an inch.

"I'm not sure, stay here I'll go talk to her." Terra suggested with a smile and unfolded his arms to take a brisk walk around the steps and down to the girl who still stood at the entrance. He took his time looking her up and down. She wore an outfit similar to Aqua's he saw: a sleeveless tunic of cream with black straps across the chest. She wore shorts of the same color and a ruffling skirt in the back of white and black and arm cuffs of a matching design. In the center of the straps on her chest was a Keyblade Master charm. All of whom wield a keyblade had this charm, but varied in design and size. He figured her a student like himself, but considering how young she looked probably was a beginner.

Changing his gaze to her face his instant reaction was that she was a cute girl, soft and innocent with messy blonde hair that refused to be tamed in the long tail she pulled it back in. Her eyes, blue as cobalt seemed almost lifeless, and he frowned over that. "Hey…" When she looked up at him he fixed a smile on his face. "I'm Terra. What's your name."

After a moment of silence she answered him.

"Ven."

"Whew, you do speak," relieved Terra grinned and glanced up at Aqua who had been watching. "Hey Aqua, come down and meet our new friend."

Aqua smiled and hurried down to join the two. She leaned down studying the girl much the same way Terra had. "Hi, I'm Aqua."

"Terra, Aqua…" Ven looked between the two, standing side by side tall and eager. They were the first people to approach her besides the master, young and close to her age but older, at least by a couple years. In her vague interest she studied the two, wondering why she felt a sudden happiness at their approach.

"Have you come to train with us?" Terra wanted to know. "Where are you from?" He saw her face, mistook the pained expression for shyness and badgered on hoping to get her talking. "Who was the man you were with? Are you good with a keyblade"

Ven couldn't handle the questions, the more she tried to think of his answers the more pain rushed in her head. She held it whimpering at first then screaming as she fell to her knees. Terra was shocked, he went to touch her, but Master Eraqa's voice boomed from behind stiffening his back.

"What did you do?"

"Nothing, I-" he paused as Xehanort brushed past him to cradle the girl who passed out. "I just asked her some stuff."

Eraqa's eyes narrowed on Terra and then on the girl. She sighed and shook her head. "Ven cannot tell you anything, because she cannot remember anything."

Terra's eyes widened when he hears this. He and Aqua share a look of remorse before turning their eyes back to Ven who lay pale and unconscious. They take her upstairs, laying her down in a bed and covering her up so she could rest comfortable. While Aqua stayed with her Terra followed his Master and their guest to the main hall.

"Master Eraqa I truly am sorry. I was just trying to be her friend."

"I know you were, Terra. I hope you will continue to try. Ven will be staying here for now, and once she is feeling better I would like you and Aqua to help with her training. Master Xehanort has decided to pass his pupil to me, he feels it would be best for her to be around others her own age."

"Oh, so you're Master Xehanort?" He quickly bows. "Forgive me, master for upsetting your pupil."

"It's alright, Terra. I imagine it won't be the last time. She's been in an out of sorts ever since the accident, and I doubt she will ever be the way she used to. I'm hoping Eraqa can give her a better life than I can."

"Xehanort, I know we've been at odds, but I can assure you I'll take good care of your pupil." Eraqa said staring at her long time training partner, and former friend.

"I know you will, Eraqa. I was a fool, and I think it's time I went on a solo journey and rethink my methods. You will keep me informed of her progress?"

"Of course, until we meet again, Xehanort." She gave a slight bow of her head, he mimicked it in turn before walking off and out. Eraqa turned to face her own pupil who was watching Xehanort leave. "Terra, I want you to keep a close eye on Ven while you're training with her. Report to me of anything odd or suspicious in her behavior."

"Yes, of course, but…" Terra wondered why he would need to do such a thing. One look at Eraqa's face, however, told him it was better if he didn't know the details. "Never mind, I'll do as you ask."

"Terra! Master! Ven's awake!" Aqua's voice called out from down the hall and the two of them hurried to Ven's room. The girl sat up in bed staring blankly at her hands. Aqua had pulled out Ven's tail and all that hair spiked and curled around her young face.

At that moment Terra thought she looked much like a young princess awakening from a sleeping spell. "Ven, are you alright?"

"Terra…" She said it blankly and stared at him, a single tear fell down her cheek and he crossed to her gently wiping it away.

"Don't… don't try and force it out. It'll come to you one day. Then when you're ready you can tell me everything." He smiled and sat at the edge of her bed. "We're gonna be friends now, you, me and Aqua. We'll train together, eat together, and have fun together. You'll see."

"Fun?" Ven blinked slowly those shaded eyes looking so lost that all Terra wanted to do was cradle her much as the master had. The sudden urge made him fluster a little and he rubbed the back of his head.

"Yeah, fun… don't worry we'll show you how." He patted Aqua's arm gesturing to the two of them. When they both smiled Ven continued to stare, her lips twitching before a soft smile appeared.

"Okay."

Time passed and Ven learned and grew. She treasured each day with her new friends. It was like learning to walk the way they patiently took her through the steps of life at the school. At first she wasn't allowed to use her keyblade, instead they gave her a wooden sword, one that soon became covered in dents and knicks.

"Each one of them is a sign you're learning." Aqua had once said, cheering her on and giving her courage and determination.

And Terra…

"Being a keyblade master is all I've ever dreamed about!"

Terra was everything she now aspired to be. He was kind, and strong, and so determined to fulfill his dream.

"You, me, and Ven, we all share the same dream." She remembered his face when he said this, she hadn't been so sure of the words, but when he knelt beside her and held out the keyblade he'd made himself from wood and leather she took it, and treasured it as much as her own.

Terra believed in her, believed that they would all one day become masters. She didn't want to let him down. So she trained mind and body, getting better with her keyblade, and finding new memories to treasure in her heart. The dullness in her eyes began to fade and inside her awoke a new Ven, stronger, happier than the last she was sure.

Soon it would be time for the Mark of Mastery exam. She was still young, not quite ready to take on the challenge, but she would be there to see her best friends become masters. She couldn't wait because she knew the two of them deserved the title.

Aqua, so patient and wise, those kind blue eyes looking at her as she imagined a big sister would. She liked it when she and Aqua sat in her room, Aqua brushing out the made tangles from her hair after a long day, the two of them talking about the pros and cons of what had happened.

She imagined, in time, Aqua would gain the respect and admiration that the master had.

As for Terra, she imagined him as a great hero. A brave knight facing against the darkness and the evils of the worlds. She could see him, keyblade in hand, rushing across great valleys, scaling mountains and swimming rivers. She imagined herself beside him, always having his back as he rode off into adventure and danger.

She wished she could be just a year older, just one year so that she could take the test with her friends, so that they could reach their goals together. She lay on her bed, night time covering the sky and stars glittering. She slowly sat up on her bed sighing, longing.

A quick glint caught her eyes and she glanced out the window, excitement thrilled as she saw stars zipping across the sky. "A meteor shower!"

She jumped out of bed, rushing out of the castle and down onto the training grounds so she could get to the lookout and watch the shower. Her heart beat rapidly, she spotted the course, grinning she whipped out her blade giving a quick little dance with it to send the targets spinning before continuing her run up the hill.

She reached the lookout her breath panting out and she smiled watching the stars fall and shoot around in a beautiful dance. She lay on the grass, eyes staring at the sky unable to look away. The sight of them sent her mind drifting… "Why does it seem so… familiar?"

Her vision blurred and went to black, she drifted asleep again, and dreamed of hearing the ocean, waves lapping at her bare feet, her slip waving around her knees as she stared up at the stars.

When she awoke she found herself right back where she'd been. Sleepy she gave a long yawn and fell back to rest again, and jolted when she spotted Aqua.

"Ven, you hopeless sleepyhead. You know you could have at least brought a blanket." Aqua, always the big sister, lecture to her. Ven got to her knees fists resting on them as she pouted, her hair tossed about carelessly as usual.

"Did I dream that place up? It felt like I had really been there, looking up at the stars."

"Yeah, except you've always lived her with us." Aqua reminded her.

Not always, Ven mused silently still frowning. They never talked about it anymore but Ven knew she'd been elsewhere before coming to live with Terra and Aqua… back when she'd forgotten everything about herself, except for her own name. Still she didn't press and gave a careless shrug.

"Yeah, I know…" She watched Aqua walk to the edge of the lookout to sit. Ven followed sitting beside her so the two of them could look together up at the sky. "Hey Aqua, do you ever wonder what stars are… where light comes from?"

"Hmm…" Aqua thought about it a moment. "Well they say-" ready to lecture again Aqua only found it mildly annoying when Terra's voice, rich and poetic spoke before her.

"-that every star up there is another world."

"Terra."

"Yep, hard to believe there are so many worlds out there besides our own." Terra walked forward towards his friends. "The light is their hearts, and it's shining down on us like a million lanterns."

"What?" Confused Ven got to her feet. "I don't get it."

Terra eyed her, a smile in his eyes and curling at his lips as he examined her. She'd changed in the little time they'd been here. No longer a lifeless princess doll but instead a vibrant young woman… girl, he corrected himself. She'd become so full of joy, so eager to learn and to live.

"In other words, they're just like you, Ven."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Ven put her hands on her hips coming toe to toe with him her lips in a full pout when he waved her off.

"You'll find out someday I'm sure."

"But I wanna know now!"

"You're too young to know now."

"Quit treating me like a kid!"

Aqua's laugh cut off the argument, both heads turning to stare. She hadn't been able to help it, watching them brought on all kinds of giddiness. "Sorry, I couldn't help it. You two would make the weirdest siblings."

"Siblings…" Ven and Terra looked at each other. Ven imagining him as a brother, Terra imagining her as a little sister… the image made them both laugh, and the three of them shared it.

They enjoyed the night, and each other's company. They talked of life, laughter, of the possibility of seeing other worlds, and of course training. This reminded Aqua.

"Oh right, Terra you and I have our Mark of Mastery exams tomorrow." she pulled something out of her pouch. "I made us good luck charms."

She tossed one to Terra. Ven eyed the pretty orange star with glee then gasped as she clasped the one Aqua tossed her mid air. "I get one too?"

"Of Course, one for each of us." All three stuck out the hands so the three stars made a circle. Aqua's was blue, naturally, a shimmering sapphire color that was feminine and cool. Terra's was orange and gold, regal and strong. As for Ven's the calm green was highlighted by bright yellow accents. Happy colors, Terra absently thought, suited Ven well.

"Somewhere out there, there's this tree with star-shaped fruit. The fruit represents an unbreakable connection. So as long as you and your friends carry good luck charms shaped like it, nothing can ever drive you apart. You'll always find your way back to each other."

The tale brought on a mist to Ven's eyes and she cradled the charm to her heart smiling. Aqua turned to them, her eyes memorizing each details of their faces. "Technically I think you're supposed to make them with seashells, but I did the best with what I had."

"Oy, sometimes you are such a girl." Terra teased.

"Hey! What do you mean sometimes?" Aqua retorted.

"So…" Ven's saddened voice made the others glance her way. She stared at the charm in her hands holding it like a lifeline. "This isn't a real good luck charm?"

Aqua's annoyance melted and with a smile she strolled to Ven placing her hands on her shoulders.

"Well that's yet to be seen, but I did work a little magic on it."

"Really?" Wide eyed and happy Ven's eyes stared into hers. "Like what?"

"An unbreakable connection." She lifted her blue star up so it meshed with the ones in the sky.

They spent a little time training with each other, before Terra decided it was time they headed back to sleep. Ven raced at his heels laughing when his hand rested atop her head mussing her hair. Aqua watched them leave and stared down at her star again.

"Together… always."

But that would be the last time they ever spent together beneath the same stars.

Wooo first chapter up! Took me forever to finish this first chapter because I had to find some reference points but hey I got it! Hopefully the next couple chapters will be easier. So tell me what you think of the start, and let me know if you've any requests or questions about what's to come!

Next Chapter: Pulling Threads