Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep

Before The Typhoon

Chapter One: Calming Waves

Smooth and soothing wind continued to blow ever since I lay in my usual spot. I didn't really care about what people said about me being lazy; this spot was definitely the best one in all of headquarters. I decided to take a nap here after training with Terra and Aqua; they really gave me a workout. I however, for some reason, couldn't take Aqua out of my mind. It was definitely a usual day of training save that Aqua as usual would beat me and Terra but for some reason, I found myself staring at her way more. There's just something about her that…draws me in, like a bed invites a sleepy person to.

She looks so…graceful, so elegant…oh what the heck am I saying to myself? I don't know anything about girls at all. Sure…I know I have a crush on her but to tell her that? I'd probably faint before I can even think of the words in her presence. My eyes drooped down and sleep took hold of me for a little while.

Then…as if by fate, Aqua appeared above me when I opened my eyes. I jumped to my feet and she started laughing at me.

"You're so lazy Ven, is sleep your favorite past time?" she asked.

I childishly made a mocking face and imitated her words, making her laugh again.

"I was just thinking about some stuff," I replied.
"What kind of stuff?"
"You know, life and stuff like that,"

She sat down beside me and we overlooked the center of headquarters.

"Ven, is something bothering you?" she asked.
"Huh? What'd make you say that?"
"Well, you've been spending a lot of time out here by yourself,"

I smiled to myself; typical Aqua, always looking out for me and Terra.

"I'm fine Aqua, promise,"
"That's a relief,"

She took a slightly deep breath and looked out towards the horizon. The sunlight made her look like she just fell out of heaven and landed in my presence. Her blue hair blowing in the slight breeze, her gentle smile, her always flawless skin and her soothing voice, as well as her big sister like attitude towards me made me feel safe and also special; it took a lot for Aqua to care very deeply about someone. I gathered my courage.

"Aqua…have you ever had something you wanted to tell someone and you just couldn't tell them because you'd be afraid to see how they'd react?" I asked.

She paused for a moment before she turned to me and smiled.

"Well...once," she replied.
"Did you ever tell the person what you wanted to tell him or her?"
"No, I still haven't done it but someday soon, I'll make sure I will,"
"I see,"

She turned to me, her beautiful blue eyes laying on mine. She then smiled at me again. I once again gathered my courage.

"Uhh…Aqua…there's," I began.
"What're you two up to out here?"

I turned around to see Terra leaning against a doorframe. Great way to kill the mood Terra…

"What's up?" she asked.
"Looked all over for you two, we got sparring to do," he replied.

I looked at the clock on the tower and realized that we were late. Aqua immediately summoned her keyblade and began to walk over to the sparring grounds. I sighed loudly and Terra heard me. He raised an eyebrow.

"Did I interrupt something important?" he asked.

His question startled me.

"No, nothing at all," I replied.
"Don't try to lie to me Ven, you know I can read you like an open book,"

I grew nervous and Terra smiled at me. He obviously saw me blushing cause I knew I was.

"Oh? Is this a crush I sense Ventus?" he asked.
"Shut up Terra…" I said turning away.

He chuckled.

"You know, it's perfectly fine, she's a great girl,"
"I don't need you to tell me that,"
"Well, if you had let me know, I wouldn't have interrupted,"
"Why?"
"Cause I want to see you happy, you're a good kid Ven, you're just too lazy,"

I sighed.

"Do you really think she'd like me back?"
"I don't see why not, she likes you better than me anyways, she doesn't hang out with me anywhere near as much as she does with you,"

I looked at him in shock. I didn't see how she would pick me, the younger person over Terra, who's practically Mr. Awesome. I looked at Aqua as she walked away.

"Go for it Ven, the worst thing she can tell you is no,"
"I'll try after dinner tonight…I hate that I let you coax me into this stuff,"
"That's what best buds do!"

Terra gave me a pat on the head. To this day he was still much taller and larger than me but he never once looked down on me. He always tried to help me when I'm in a jam, just like a big brother would. Once again, my typical best friends. We left to do our sparring session.

Aqua as usual beat Terra but for some reason, Terra put up a much better fight. When it was Aqua's turn to fight against me, she was visibly tired. For the very first time, Aqua was having trouble beating me in a sparring session. She fired off a watera spell at me and I was clumsy enough to get hit by it, soaking and knocking me to the ground. I jumped back to my feet and used Aero, causing her jump back. I ran forward and I managed to get her to subdue by pointing my keyblade at her forehead. There was nothing she could do.

"Good job Ven…you finally got me," she said.
"I got lucky, Terra gave you a big workout," I said humbly.
"No, I shouldn't have tried so hard to beat him, it was my mistake,"

I moved the blade and it vanished from my hand before I held out a hand to her. She looked at it and smiled at me before she took it and I pulled her to her feet. I could tell that Terra was laughing his head off on the inside as he looked at me. I turned around and saw that Terra was walking away. He winked and held up a thumb to me which Aqua didn't see luckily for me. One thing about Terra that I always hated is that he makes me do things way earlier than I plan to.

"Umm…Ven, are you going to let go of my hand?"

I looked back at Aqua to see her looking at me with a curious yet happy look. I immediately released her hand and nervously scratched the back of my head. She giggled softly at me and nuzzled my hair.

"Shall we go to dinner?"
"Yeah, I'm starving too but Aqua…can I tell you something?"
"Sure, what's on your mind Ven?"
"It's…kinda important," I whispered.
"If it's important then tell me Ven…I won't get mad or anything,"

I swallowed air and stretched my collar out slightly.

"Well…uhh…" I began.

The clock tower dinged loudly.

"Damn it,"

"We'd better go, can we talk about this a bit later Ven?" she asked.
"Sure, I can wait," I replied.

She gave me a hug to my surprise. My face turned into a tomato.

"You can talk to me about anything Ven, I hope you know that," she said.
"I know…I intend to," I replied.
"Great, after dinner,"

We walked inside and my brain went completely crazy; how am I was going to tell her what was within my heart…