I've felt so uneasy, ever since everything was said and done. The worlds were at peace, for now anyway, and I'm finally home where I belong. I'm back with Kairi and Riku, safe but changed. And Donald and Goofy are free to travel the castle, serving the King as they had done before. So, why? Why do I feel like there's a part of me that's still so sad? In the end, all I can think about is a land covered in gold light and a train station with a giant clock tower. I would shoot up from my bed, wide awake, confused of the taste that lingered on my tongue. A tango of salt and cold, much like the ice cream flavor Scrouge McDuck tried so hard to create when we visited Hollow Bastion ( or Radiant Garden as its known now). There was only one thing I could think of, one thing that could make sense. Every night since returning, the dream would wake me, filling me with guilt. I think I need to ask someone, but then, what about after? I don't know what I'll be able to do? What can I do?

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The sun was setting, Destiny Islands location was slowly blacking, much like the night everything changed. Riku leaving in darkness, Sora gaining control of the Keyblade, Kairi losing her heart, and traveling the worlds with Donald and Goofy. Experiencing the good and the bad, the beautiful and the ugly situations. Sealing Kingdom Hearts only to wake from a sleeping chamber to do all again, but this time with a new enemy. The Nobodies. Sora's mind was racing, he couldn't relax. It was nice to finally come home after so long, sure, but one year faded much like his memory of Castle Oblivion. Replaced with stress, power, fear, heartbreak and pain; but it also was filled with adventure and freedom, just like Riku, Kairi and he had dreamed of. Sora was restless and found it weird that he had a chance to breathe. Found it insane, but sweet, that everyone in town had welcomed him and Riku back with such fanfare. But even with the welcome, he couldn't help but cry for other reasons. Crying for the end of the journey. Crying that the heartless were few. Crying while his mother hugged him aggressively, threatening him that she would chain him up if he ever ran away again, but still happy he was finally returned. Crying because he was sad, empty.

Sora began wondering, what if Riku felt the same? He hung out with Riku and Kairi at school all the time, but he couldn't bring himself to say anything. Maybe Riku was trying to forget everything, trying to start anew. Maybe he still regretted everything he did, everything he changed. Even though Sora was still feeling that it was his fault as well. But Sora still wanted to talk to him, he knew he would have to eventually. Better now than to wait when the wounds start healing.

"Hey, its getting dark. And the temperature is dropping fast. Don't you think submerging yourself in the ocean is a bit stupid?"

Well, speak of the devil. Sora looked up to a handsome young man, hair freshly cut and still shiny metallic silver like it had always been. Just the person Sora was thinking of.

"Huh," Sora questioned tilting his head back, focusing on Riku's expression in the dark. Water quickly assaulted Sora's nose, burning him with salt and throwing him into a coughing fit as he rolled onto his stomach. While he was laying on the beach lost in thought, the tide had rose, engulfing him whole,

"You idiot, what did you expect? Come on, get out of the water and let's go home."

Sora grabbed onto Riku, "Not yet, I wanna stay a bit longer."

"Ok, fine. But come on, get up." Riku helped Sora out of the wet sand and onto his feet, rolling his eyes in the process.

Sora stuck his tongue out, then plastered a cheeky grin on his face. His cheeks were red from snorting and hacking up water. He was now completely drenched, shivering as a breeze traveled. "So what brings you here, jerk?" They both walked over to the shack and sat against the wall.

"I came looking for you."

"Well, obviously. But why? I'm sure you have more fun things to do."

"Well it was Kairi actually. She said you were acting weird at lunch today. She said you looked listless and you weren't really paying attention in class either. By the way, sorry I couldn't join you guys today. Tidus was being persistent about getting my help on a project."

"That's alright. So is she mad at me now? I know she was talking about something with Sophie, but beyond that. . . "

"Oh, don't worry. She's more worried than angry. We both have kinda noticed that somethings wrong."

"Really? Hee, I guess I suck at hiding things, huh? So, how'd you know where I was?"

Riku scoffed, " Well, first where else is there to go? Second, one of the boat shelter employees said that they saw you take off in this direction and didn't see you come back. I thought I'd come and check on you. Talk with you a bit. I don't know what's completely going on in that mush brain of yours, but I thought 'Who knows maybe he has a secret only another guy would get?' And since I'm a year older, I might understand something's. . ." He trailed off then jumped in fast with the questions, "So, what's up, you finally going through puberty? Having weird urges? Thinking about other girls, come on spill it?!"

Sora retaliated, face puffing up, "Jackass, stop it! I'd never do that to Kairi!"

Riku brought a finger up and roughly poked Sora's cheek before taking the same hand to Sora's nose, wrapping his knuckles around the tip and tugging. "Ow!"

"I know, I'm just teasing. Look, Sora, " Riku took his hand back and looked up at the stars forming in the sky. "If it's something you feel scared to talk about, forget it. Don't worry about my feelings, I was cruel. I was mean to you and Kairi, did terrible things to break you. Used Kairi. If I'd have just ignored the darkness, the urge to run away, none of this would have happened."

"But then I wouldn't have met so many people, seen so many worlds. No matter what, I have to thank you for that."

Riku chuckled softly with a somber smile, then went stone faced once more. "But you get what I'm saying? Talk about everything and anything."

Sora turned to Riku, head down. "Riku, I. . . I'm having a hard time adjusting and I didn't know if I should bring it up." He looked to see Riku's gaze, expression blank as Sora spoke. "I'd talk to Kairi about it but, not to be mean, I was traveling around worrying about finding you both and at that time she was basically a zombie. And then this time, she did help with fighting the organization and all but. . . "

"You felt it'd be better to talk to someone who knows the power of the Keyblade. Someone who went through a similar experience. Someone who was always there, always watching, protecting and guiding you, right?"

"Yeah, you could say that. But there's still more to it, and the only other person near me at the moment that may know anything is you."

Sora stood, Riku followed suit. Sora then went through a frenzy of sneezes, leading Riku to cover Sora with his school uniform jacket.

"First, let's get the boats to shore then we'll talk on the walk home, mkay?"

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Sora felt icky. He was dripping in a mixture of salt water and mushed sand. His uniform was so tight on his body it was hard to move, but he pushed through, knowing his home was close by. His socks where soaked and made a nasty slapping, splashing sound as water secreted and reabsorbed in his shoes.

He removed Riku's jacket from his shoulders in an attempt to return it.

"Nah, keep it for now, just get your mom to wash it for me or something. Anyway continue with what you were saying."

'Oh so you don't trust ME with washing your crap, huh?' Sora showed a sour face directed at Riku's comment but straightened up immediately. He told Riku in great detail the dreams and how they affected him even hours after he woke up. The tastes, the smells, the sounds, everything he could recall from the last few nights. Riku just nodded and listened closely, waiting patiently for an opening in Sora's speech before speaking. They arrived to their neighborhood as Sora was finishing up. Silence fell for a moment before Riku stated, "It sounds like you're experiencing memories from Twilight Town, but they aren't yours."

"So you also think they're. . ."

"No doubt about it, they belong to Roxas."

Sora got quiet, making Riku nervous. Sora spoke again but more in a whispered hush tone. "I know Riku. I know something that you've kept from everyone."

"What are you. . . "

"I know you knew about the Nobodies abilities to develop hearts. I know you didn't want us to know. You didn't want me or Kairi to know."

Riku stopped in his tracks, causing Sora to stop as well. He heard Riku sigh heavily and looked back. Riku was scratching his head lightly, slightly getting rougher as his hand glided to his neck. His face was twisted, a mix of anger and disappointment, disgust and confusion. If there were anymore emotions existing at that moment, Sora couldn't pinpoint them. "That's not. . . not necessarily true. I didn't say because I didn't really know for sure."

Sora swallowed before he spoke feeling his throat go dry. "Does the King know? Did Ansem tell you anything?"

Riku shook his head and grunted, "Look that man was a devil, he never shared much. He was okay to work with yes. But secrecy-wise, he was sly. I kinda figured it out from interacting with Namane and Axel. They helped and I learned from them a few things. But it was my theory, it was never proven they had hearts."

"And even if it was, I'm right in saying that you wouldn't tell anyone?"

Riku looked away almost ashamed, as if regretting this conversation, regretting bringing up the Nobodies names. But then he spit back, "Yeah, so what!? So what if I would? You gonna get mad at me over a possible 'what if' scenario?"

Sora walked up to Riku and hugged him, making him go silent. "No, I'd understand. In fact, I'd probably do the same. I wouldn't want my friend to know that they may have killed someone innocent. You want to know if its true don't you?" Riku didn't say anything, he just stood there, hesitant. "This is what I feared, talking to you about something that I know would lead to this. But I'm glad we did. And now I think I know what we can do, what I need to do."

Riku pulled away from Sora, feeling his shirt moisten from Sora's own. He didn't really notice, and Sora didn't think about the state of his clothing when he grabbed Riku. "What are we gonna do then?"

"Do you still have the communication device the King gave you?"

Riku blinked, "Yeah, its at home, why?"

"Thanks for talking with me, I think I've cleared my head a bit, but I think we both need to talk to someone."

"Who," Riku asked with a bit of excitement.

"Yensid, he had a bit of knowledge on the Heartless and Nobodies before, he may know about Nobodies hearts."

"Yensid, King Mickey's master? But even if you can get infomation out of him, how will this help with your dreams?"

Sora looked at Riku nervously before giving a crooked smile.

"I don't like that look Sora. . . " Riku claimed before it finally clicked, Sora was going to attempt something crazy. "Sora, you're not gonna ask him if he can. . . "

"Let's just say, I may do something a bit. . .

. . . crazy. . . "

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"Sora, are you sure you're gonna be okay? I know somethings been bugging you, and I understand if its something you only feel comfortable in discussing with Riku. But you two should really take a break from all of this. You guys only returned a month ago! You should be relaxing, resting. You guys have done enough."

"Kairi I'm ok really, I just need to go talk to one of King Mickey's friends about something."

"I know that's what you're saying but," she sighed, "Is it really something that can't be solved here? I'm sorry if I'm sounding needy or selfish, but I really wish there's more that I can do."

"Kairi. . . "

Kairi was in deep conversation with Sora, trying to figure out what was going on. She had followed Sora and Riku to Destiny Island after they told her they were leaving early that morning. They told her that she didn't need to come, that the King just wanted them to take care of a small errand. She wasn't buying it, and the boys realized it was a weak story to tell. In the end they dropped it, but they didn't tell her anything else.

Sora stared at her, watching her face switch emotion. She went from self loafing to stern, her eyes hardening as she scolded him. She wasn't giving in.

Sora simply smiled, "I know Kairi, I know. But I'll be gone for a few days. I'm not even sure that anything will come out of this trip. But we have to try."

While the two talked, Riku took it into his own hands to call His Majesty. He was standing on the island farther out, connected by the bridge that led to the top of the shacks stairwell door. Riku sat on the pawpu tree, the same one where he and his friends would rest and talk. Nostalgia filled him as he became reminiscent of the events that happened. He did remember, oddly enough, that Sora was stronger that day. He was defeating Riku every time there was a challenge, which was very rare. Maybe that was the sign, the sign he was meant to be the Keyblade bearer.

Riku realized minutes had gone by while he thought. He looked down at the communicator, still waiting for the frequency wave that would contact the Disney castle. It was then that the communicator caught his attention. He'd had it for a while now, but never really thought to marvel at it.

The communicator was tiny, and it seemed to be made out of the same material as the gummi ships. It wasn't very colorful like the ones Riku saw Sora flying before, and it was more designed like a walky-talky. Other than that it wasn't much. It was kind of amazing though, that such a simple looking tool could have such a signal range.

Riku turned to look down at Kairi. Sora was still trying his best to calm Kairi, but she was getting slightly louder. Riku chuckled as he overheard her voice.

"I'm coming with you, I'm not staying here!"

Kairi was super stubborn, and Riku couldn't help but admire her for that. But he knew that if she kept it up, he'd have to side with Sora. He agreed with Sora, it would be best if she stayed. They were already going to have a fenzy with Donald, Goofy, and the King. Especially once they heard what Sora was wanting to do.

The communicator started crackling with a voice breaking through in segments.

"H. . . He. . .l"

It was Chip from the two chipmunk team that managed the gummi ship.

"Hey Chip, right? The names Riku, you there?"

The crackling cleared, allowing Chips voice to come through clear. Dale was in the background humming softly. "Sorry? Uh, Riku?" There was a quick pause, ". . . Oh you're Sora's friend aren't you? How is Sora?"

"He's good, he's talking to someone at the moment. I need to change the subject, do you think you can get the King on the line? Sora and I, we have a favor to ask. . . "

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The gummi ship arrived a few hours after Riku put in the call. It was now reaching ten in the morning, usually the time that people began coming to the islands to hang out. The ship came in to land, as quietly as the engines could muster. Riku jumped down from the island into the small gathering of water and sand that led to the beach. The gummi ship plopped by the dock, rocking the boats tied down to it. The tide pushed up higher with each wave, leaving the three friends no choice but to move closer to the stone wall further back. Once the waves settled, the top of the gummi opened, allowing Donald, Goofy, and King Mickey to climb out.

Everyone joined on the dock, sharing hugs and simple greetings before getting right into business.

Kairi climbed into her boat slowly, hesitantly. She seemed smaller, tired, worn out. She was trying so hard to go with them, to get more information than she had. But in the end, she knew she would have to give up.

Sora stood beside her, helping her prepare to take off. As he set up her paddles, he couldn't help but feel ashamed. He made her depressed, put her in a more pitiful state. All for the sake of not getting her involved. He promised he wouldn't make her worry again, but here he was doing it. Nothing had changed, he was still useless in his mind. Sora didn't want to hurt anyone anymore, but he had to take care of things. If only he could just tell her too, but. . .

"Kairi, I. . ."

Kairi reached out and grabbed his hand. Sora blinked, shocked by the quick motion. Kairi's face was blushed, eyes glossy as if on the verge of tears. Sora could feel the panic set in, not sure what else he could say, what he was going to say.

Kairi spoke softly, "It's true that I don't like the idea of you leaving and I feel lost at the moment, but do know that no matter what, I trust you. I have always trusted you. Now, I need you to promise me something to put me at ease."

Sora nodded, willing to do anything to make her happy.

Kairi threw her head up, putting a bit of bite into her request. "You better come back to me! You better tell me everything as well while you're at it! You got that you meanie?"

Sora sighed then gently smiled. He squeezed her hand with confidence, "I will, I promise."

"You damn right you promise." She was crying now, drowning in her tears. This wasn't how Sora wanted to see her go. But he knew there was nothing else that could be done.

Kairi jerked her hand away to wipe at her face before staring up at the others. She had a fierce expression. "You all take care of him for me, okay?"

Jumping at her words, Donald, Goofy, and even the King formed a line before saluting. "Yes, ma'am!"

And with that, Kairi was gone. Everyone piled into the ship, ready to venture off to Twight Town. Sora was nervous, but he was prepared. It was time to chat with the great wizard Yensid.