A/N: Hello my fellow Keybladers, I'm new to this whole Kingdom Hearts series, but I'm a huge fan; having played Kingdom Hearts, 2, and Re:Chain of Memories. I fell in love with it all and thought it couldn't get better! Boy was I wrong, this new game called "Birth by Sleep" pops into the scene and I'm thinking, 'Great another SorKai couple.' Nope not even close, Terra and Aqua are not clones, they are their own characters and that's what drew me into them, aside from the fact that they're a bit older and I won't feel bad for making them do 'adult' things. *wink wink*

Disclaimer: That's it.

"You both did exceptionally well, but only…Aqua has earned the 'Mark of Mastery'. Terra you were unable to keep the darkness inside you at bay." Master Eraqus walked down the steps, and placed a comforting hand on Terra's shoulder. "Terra, you must know I care for you like my own son, and if it were up to me, I would have you become a Master in a heartbeat."

Terra looked up, thinking maybe there was an exception to the situation. Hoping for hope itself.

"But," Eraqus continued. "Your obsession for power, must be diminished, and I think there is a way for that… Aqua?"

Aqua stood tall, back erect, shoulders square. Showing a great amount of respect.

"You will train alongside Terra to help control the darkness that resides inside him. Since you are a Master, I am sure there is no need for me to go into full detail of what's to be done. You are to update me of his progress twice a week. Is that understood?"

"Yes Sir!" they both replied, Aqua could sense that Terra was ready to get out of there.

Master Eraqus nodded his head. "Fine then, dismissed."

Just before both were going to turn and make an exit, he called Aqua back.

Slightly nervous, she knew something was up. The only time she and The Master spoke, just between the two of them, was when it regarded Terra, "…Yes?"

He leaned forward, almost as if they were under surveillance. "I want you to keep a close eye on Terra especially now, because he has not become a Master. This may give him even more of a reason to choose the path of darkness, but if he sees the light in both you and Ventus, then he should be able to hold it back."

Aqua looked down to the floor, for her greatest fears were becoming a reality. He can't follow the darkness. I must protect him. She thought. "You have my word Master."

"Good. Dismissed." He turned his back to her, wanting to hide the small smile forming onto his lips.

Meanwhile, Terra had wondered off into the woods up North, sparring with a tree, taking out all of his anger and frustration onto the living organism. Earth Shaker was being impaled into the tree with brute force. Terra clenched his jaw, eyes squint. He was exhausted nearly running on E, but The Master's words repeated themselves over and over.

Too obsessed with power . . . follow the darkness.

Those words gave him an extra boost of energy and with the last swing followed by a grueling yell, the tree was cut in half, before the top colliding with the ground with a sharp THUD! Sweat coated his forehead, making the sides of his chocolate hair stick to his face. Suddenly someone was calling his, but he paid them no mind, as he continues on with his assault to the next poor tree.

Emotions practically pouring out of him, along with the darkness. Black and a malevolent purple began to cloud his overall senses. He saw…his mother desperately crying for help. His younger self, unable to do anything, as he watched helplessly, as his father- No! He stopped. Fatigue finally catching up with him. He collapsed right on the spot, knees first, then down into the soft pebbled ground.

"Terra!" was all he heard, until his body drifted off into unconsciousness.

Aqua ran towards him, skidding onto her leather covered knees to stop. She rolled his over, and she heard him groan. "…Aqua?"

She gasped, amazed that he still had a little juice in him to even utter another word, but she listened as he continued.

"I saw…him." She stroked his cheek, marveled by his soft yet rough skin. "Who did you see?" she asked, but it was too late, he had already passed out. Instantly she performed the 'Cure' spell, sadly he only stirred, feeling some relief. He must be really worn out.

"Just hang in there for me Terra."

Terra blinked several times, taking in his surroundings. He was in his room. How did I get here? He sat up, wincing and immediately placed his hand to his forehead, trying to rid the pain, he felt like he had been hit by a ton of bricks, and he was in need of a shower. After 2 failed attempts to get out of his bed, the key barer emitted a deep sigh. His whole body was sore, from preparation for the exams and the results were not even in favor of him.

He was told, he need to learn to be able to control the darkness, that lays locked deep within him, but he thought he was strong enough to. His answer was clear, that just meant he had to become stronger, just not physically, then how? After moments of questions, he decided to get out of his bed, strip and relax himself with a warm shower.

Aqua, was found in her room, after a very long and tiring day. Who knew being a 'Keyblade Master' was such hard work? She shrugged it off, already into her sleeping attire, ready to jump into bed and let sleep take her into a whole other world. Her mind wondered to Terra, she remembers how hurt he looked when only her name was called. They had both wanted so bad to chase their dream. It didn't feel right, her being the only one to have claimed this title, not without his standing beside her.

He does get a second chance, but they need to figure out a way to deal with exactly what it is inside him. Her issue is to create a way for him to control it without having to use his imaginable strength.

Thinking about his strength, gave her thoughts about his masculine body. She has never seen him without a shirt, she could practically tell through that skin tight black shirt. Blush crept to her cheeks, as a very naughty image stained her mind. What would it be like to gently stroke her hands up and down his taut torso… maybe everywhere? But she and Terra's relationship hadn't acclimated into much, they've know each other for more than a decade. Yes, they had trust, stronger than anyone else they have known; perhaps they were both scared to open the door to another step in their friendship. She could picture the two of them being intimate in her mind, but in reality, Terra didn't have a romantic bone in his body.

Aqua sighed, running a petite hand through her hair, her eyebrows raised as a sudden presence came to her. She whirled around, to see Terra, standing on her doorframe. His eyes fixated on the ground, arms crossed, Aqua couldn't help but notice, he was wearing a white tank and some silk black pajama bottoms. He looked so… delicious. This was the first time she has ever seen him like this, same with her. Her battle armor changed into a tank top and some short –shorts. This almost seemed normal, except for the awkward pause. Until Terra's cool deep voice, cut through the thick air, like a skilled samurai sword.

"I wanted to thank you for helping me." He looked up and instantly they locked eyes, Sapphire to Cerulean. "Ven , told me what happened and what you did… thanks." He finished seeking her reply.

"You're welcome," she broke their gaze, wanting to take a step closer, but her feet were glued to her burgundy carpet. "Listen Terra, if you ever want to just talk about anything, I'm here for you." She remembered just before he passed out, his words I saw… him, he never told her who, so if there was any way she could help him she would.

Terra flinched, combing his hand through his slightly damp hair, he too remembered he was about to tell Aqua about that man, but not yet, it was too painful and would just add to more pain he was already going through today. When he was ready to talk, he would, but not today. "Yeah I'll keep that in mind." He nodded to her.

This was really strange? The most intimate they had ever been to each other, yet Aqua could feel the tension (sexual) swimming around them. She just wanted to run up to him and hug or even kiss, let him know that everything would be alright. But it could never happen, Master Eraqus could never approve of it.

"Okay, goodnight."

Terra was already half way out the door. "Night," he said, and then he was gone in the blink of an eye.

Aqua smiled to herself, it was time to turn in, she'd sleep a little less weary, knowing that Terra was alright, and things between them, had not turned for the worst.

A/N: Read & REVIEW! Please.