Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts, or this picture that I'm currently using.

I kinda see them as teenagers at this point, 14-15, which is a personal preference, and the ages I'm going to stick around for a while.

Anyway, please Enjoy!

~ Ch 1.

Clang!

Terra leapt back from his inanimate opponent, eyeing his target warily, searching for the next best strike. He falls into an attack stance, just as taught, as the golden training ring in front of him swung erratically from its chain. His eyes narrow dangerously, locking in hard on the shimmering loop, as it rapidly swings back towards his head. He deftly sidesteps away and it misses just inches from his chest.

He gives a small huff of exertion, the midday heat catching up with him already as he slides into its path. Cracking a slightly cocky smile as he tightens his grip on Earthshaker. The yellow band whirls about again, and he sprints to meet it in the middle. Heat or no heat, he was ending this now. He raises his weapon over his shoulder for the final strike and...

"Gotcha!" C-CLANG! Was the satisfying response he got as he connected with the top of his rival. He crouches low at the end of his swing, as the hoop continued to swing haphazardly around him. Watching his sweat patter to the ground, he grinned satisfied. The tingling running up his keyblade, and the quiet ringing of his "training partner" told him his hit was more than successful.

He dismissed Earthshaker and heaving a sigh of exhaustion rolled back to lay on the rough ground. He had been training, since after breakfast, without stopping, once. He took a swipe at the warm liquid on his forehead, pushing up a stray spike of hair. I wonder if
the Master was watching me. He gave a huff of indignation; there's a laugh and dare to leave the Queen's side for more then five minute? Perish the thought.

He turned over to his side and started messing with the well cut lawn. It wasn't that he hated her, the truth being he had wanted to help her, when she arrived she had seemed so tiny and weak. She'd just been laying there, so still when he tried to talk to her.
Even after she'd opened her eyes it was trouble to get her to say anything to them. Aqua, I wonder... He felt his eyebrows draw together as a small bead of sweat trickled between them.

Where did you come from?

He ripped a tender shoot of green in half, straight down the center of the stalk.

Not that he would know anything about anything, that had been almost a week ago. He had asked her a couple of questions, but then Master Eraqus shooed him off. Telling him there were better times for that and that she was too frail. Eraqus had then whispered a few words to her which she must have agreed to. Then he had lifted her up and disappeared into one of the several rooms of the castle, a few doors away from his own. After that he hadn't seen her again; only saw the Master when he had to and then only briefly.

Which meant no training which meant almost nothing to do except review what he already knew and that was already getting old. He needed to confront the Master about this, or at least find out what was going on with her. His eyes practically rolled into his head at the thought of the many recent excuses of the Master's. He would probably tell him to read a book, work on his magic. He glared darkly at the nearest clump of dandelions. Yeah right, the only reason I'd learn any magic would be to burn the stupid-

"Hey, Terra." At the sound of that voice, he was fairly certain he jumped about three feet in the air without using his legs. He flipped over quickly to face her and scramble together some dignity. Instead he saw someone that made the snappy comeback on his lips, something about sneaking up on people and how they don't appreciate it, quickly vanish. An almost completely different girl standing where Aqua should have been.

The first thing he noticed were her clothes, she didn't wear the same rags she'd shown up in these were much nicer, more appropriate, he guessed, for around the Land of Departure. Most of it was black, sleeveless, and it hugged her close with equally dark stockings reaching toward tight black training shorts. About the only thing it looked like she had had a say in were a couple of blue sashes dangling from her hips, nothing too fancy, he decided. Still compared to a while ago this was, different.

Not only that she seemed healthier too, a slight tinge of pink to her cheeks, azure hair neatly swept to the side, and her eyes they were brighter and alive, not dull like before. He was starting to think her smile was getting bigger as he stared, that was nice too. He tried to mask his surprise quickly by staring at more grass, he didn't want to offend someone he'd know for about five minutes. Plus if the Master had seen him gawking like that he'd have gotten a tongue-lashing, and probably a hundred push ups.

Say something you idiot, she looks nice! Girls like hearing that. He found himself inwardly agreeing and opened his mouth when he saw her shoulders start shaking.

"Are you okay?" The shaking only got worse, and she was making little gasping sounds too. He started to stand, getting nervous, but she waved him off.

"I'm f-fine," a small laugh escaped her lips and she quickly pressed the back of her hand against them. His eyebrows raised and he
blew out a sigh; she was only laughing. Good, you're not having a panic attack, right? He shook his head, her giggling starting to seep a smile out of him, regardless of it being an inside joke.

"Okay, what's so funny?" Her laughter grew even louder, and she stopped trying to stifle it. He also noticed she was trying even harder not to look at him. Then it made sense, she was laughing at him.

Very quickly his smile faded, and was quite rapidly replaced with annoyance. He stood up completely now and folded his arms over his chest, trying to glare her into silence again. This hardly fazed her, she caught a glimpse of his scowl and it only caused her to double over, snickering slightly with her hands on her knees. She started looking at her feet, but that's when he caught her grinning with unbound satisfaction on her face.

"It wasn't that funny!" He snapped at her, already kicking himself for not listening to the Master's lesson of thinking more of his surroundings. Did this lesson happen to include freaky blue-haired teenage girls, Master? He looked down, kicking the dandelions this time.

"I-I'm sorry, Terra," she choked out but the laughter in her voice was still there.

"You just seem so-" She searched for the proper word as he glances up from his weed killing, but suddenly a look of urgency came over her face.

"Terra!"

"What?" Her tone wasn't joking anymore and he starts turning to where she'd been looking over his shoulder.

"Ter-" Clang! "-ra."

He's pretty sure the noise he made afterwards was hardly quiet or dignified.

He clutches the right side of his head where the ring had landed. His free hand snatched the metal loop from its swaying and he tightened his grip to stay standing. He winces as it throbs against his finger tips already feeling a large bump. How could he have forgotten about the ring? He must have hit it so hard it kept swinging, it'd still had enough power to give him this lump? He moans, letting go of the golden hoop and sinking to the ground. He'll have to be impressed with himself later.

He realized that Aqua's come next to him in all this, looking very concerned.

"Terra, I'm so sorry! I should have said something sooner, I-" She goes quiet when she sees him shaking his head. He doesn't notice her biting her lip guiltily. Instead he watches her hand wander over the training ring that hit him and her brow knitting in a quiet thought.

"Did you do that?" She murmured almost inaudibly, that or his head was still ringing.

Without looking, he knows what she means and nods, resulting in Aqua gazing at the gleaming loop in disbelief. Her hands stretch up to top of the ring and her fingers run across where its only fault lies. A descent sized, crooked dent from his earlier hit. She heaved a small sigh of sadness? Something he couldn't really recognize and she bends down on her knees next to him.

He watches her stretch out a delicate hand towards him slowly. He narrows his eyes and turns away from her. He had put a dent in that thing, he could lick his own wounds. It felt small but he was still mad at what had happened.

"Terra," she extended her hand a little closer. "Let me see."

He touches the tender spot again, sees those bright blue eyes and can't hold back the angry, pain-induced reply.

"I think you've helped me enough for today, thank you!" He turned to her sharply, wincing even if his hand cupped the side of his head. He watched her flinch and pull away, yet her hurt expression didn't stop him.

"You came up here to mess with me, right? Well, then, great job!" He stood up, and refused to be dizzy in front of her; to show any more chinks in his armor. Half of him really couldn't understand why he was so mad at her, but the other half just got nailed in the side of the head and was too ticked off to care. He watched her shocked expression change into a defensive one as she stands up next to him.

"I didn't come here to mess with you!" She could barely keep from snarling, which earned her a distrustful look.

She only shakes her head in frustration. "You think I wanted this to happen to you, Terra?" He sees her slim shoulders deflate softly, and he feels his anger go with them, a little.

Her next words were barely whispered. "I just wanted to be friends."

He turns away, trying not to soften to her voice, why had he completely blown up about this? It had hurt, but that wasn't her fault really.

He felt his heart throb slightly inside his chest, he knew why, he had know this whole time and now he was trying not think about it. Because I know you can't stay. He notices she's still watching him, and his pained look deepens. Because I know we can never be real friends, when you'll just have to leave. He closed his eyes tiredly, he couldn't believe he had figured it out so late. The Master had probably even tried to stop this from happening by keeping her away from him, is that what it had been?

He's never met anyone other than the Master here, he should have know there was a reason he was alone, even going to an occasional World had meant lying low. She wasn't a Keyblader she couldn't understand their world, and the Master wouldn't keep someone from their home, just so he wouldn't feel like an outcast.

I can't have friends, I've always been alone in this. He didn't turn around, he didn't apologize to her, instead his hands tightened into fists.

You don't understand everything but you have to know, it can't be any other way.

"It doesn't matter what you wanted." He sees her look up at him in confusion and he locks hold of her eyes.

"You can't stay." His fists release the tension in them. He steps so close to her that he can see how bright and clear her eyes are.

"And I'm not your friend." His voice was full of such venom he surprised himself. Her eyes widen, flickering back and forth searching for some sort of sympathy but she wouldn't find any.

You can't have friends, it's one stupid girl! She'll leave and things will go back the way they were. You need to train, you need to become a Master. She'll only weaken you, distract you, get in the way. You're better off. You don't need friends.
His head swirled and his heart throbbed in his chest, both seemed to be on a different page about this.

Her eyes are even wider now, understanding kicking in and she backs away softly. He watches her, a muscle fidgeting under the clench in his jaw. You don't need friends, Terra. She stops and stands stock still a few feet away from him, he swallowed hard. This is why you're with the Master, alone. Her chin drops quickly to her chest but not before he sees that distressed look again. Did the Master not show you this? That look nearly makes him crumble anyway but he knows he can't take it back anymore.

"Ah, there you are." He jumped at his Master's voice, what was it with people today? And he bows low at the waist, right fist pressing into his left shoulder. He tried to think he did it with respect in mind but it felt almost remorseful.

There's a deep chuckle. "Looks as if someone's found his manners. Really, Terra, there is no need." He rightens quickly a small smile forced onto his face. The Master nods casually and looks to Aqua. Terra noticed how quickly his Master knew something was off with her.

"Aqua? Are you-" Her head shot up, and she interrupted him.

"Fine, Master, and you?" Her eyes were bright again; she did fake cheery well but the Master still looked thoughtful. He watched the two of them closely, steel eyes slightly narrowed.

"Well?" He asked slowly, Terra felt like he'd missed something.

"Well, what, Master?" The Master part came on a little later than he wanted but only because a thousand questions rattled in the back of his head. Was he taking her now? Is she even supposed to be out here? Is she staying? He begged to...anyone that that last one wasn't a yes, after what just happened it couldn't be possible. The older man looked between the two of them again, this time more lightly, before shaking his head in surprise.

"I figured you'd be more excited, Terra. Aqua certainly was." He shot her a quick look, she ignored him just as quickly.
He felt his head whirling again, he was definitely missing something.
Master Eraqus, seemed to know this and smiled, his gaze falling on Aqua with a knowing nod. She returned it slowly, then held out her right hand so that it was even with her shoulders.

Terra hardly kept control of his jaw at the sight of delicate rose petals, and a quick flash of light then there it was. A mixture of blue, grey, and silver with a crown shaped tip, in the very familiar form of a large lock-opener, lay Aqua's Keyblade.

"I would like you to meet our newest student." Aqua and Terra stayed incredibly quiet.

"Don't worry, Terra, in time I'm sure she'll become better at sparring than your old training partners." Master Eraqus gestured to the training rings and chuckled but both teens were still silent.

Him thinking about all he had said to her and her about what she would do with her new "training partner".

Thanks for reading! (or skipping to the end :P) Man, I really didn't want to wait so long with an update, Hmm. My gift for waiting on me is an extra long chapter, seriously look at that sucker.

As for my tardiness?
Blame it on being sick and vacationing, you don't want to read anything I write under the influence of a 105 fever, bleh. VERY special thanks goes to Masterboy9 and The Trio Of Twilight, for reviewing and favoriting.

I'm so Flattered! Had to do that at least once, for you, TTOT. :D

And a small thank you to those of you who stalked, but didn't Review...Yes, I can see you too.

Editing: I came here to fix a couple of 'their's' to 'there's' (thanks for catching that by the way :-/), And ended up messing around with almost the whole story, yeah oops. Darn you perfectionism! Well maybe Terra seems a little less jerky and a little more lonely, y'know hopefully. Thanks again!