Kingdom Hearts: Rebirth

Chapter One: Prelude

By: Karma's Slave

Disclaimer: I don't own the kingdom hearts franchise.

Warning: Birth by Sleep Spoilers

--

"Terra!" she screamed as Aqua could only stand by and watch as her friend, fought for control over his own body, stabbing himself with the dark key-blade.

Aqua gasping as she awoken from her realistic nightmare, "Oh thank goodness, you're awake" spoke a kind and gentle voice. Aqua confused as to where she currently was but from what she could tell was that she was in a bed, and in clothes that weren't her own. Aqua felt wet and hot all over her skin, her hands clammy and weak. She sat up trying to register, just where she was.

"My dear, you must lie back down" the gentle voice spoke again. Aqua lifted her head up, to see a woman in front of her, with dark light brown hair and blue eyes, staring at her. As the woman put her hands on Aqua's shoulders softly pushing Aqua back down on the mattress.

"You have to rest now, dear, you literally just broken out of your fever, caused from the hypothermia" the woman explained to her, Aqua tried to speak as she could barely make out a sentence "who?"

"Dear, I'm a doctor, my young son and his friend found you out on the island while they were playing, luckily my husband was still there at the time, to bring you here to me" Aqua nodded towards the woman as she explained some more of her medical situation. "You have some bruising and cuts somewhere light where others as like the one by your chest were deep. Fortunately you weren't in the water long enough for that type of infection." She said, "Now rest up, we'll talk more in the morning after you've a shower and a decent meal" the woman added

Again Aqua could only nod her head at this point her throat felt very sore on the inside, Aqua laying her head into the pillow she could feel herself start to drift off to sleep.

-- -- -- --- ----

The smell of meat cooking, made her nose twitch bringing Aqua out of her slumber, she slowly opened her eyes as she began to move, the difference from her last attempts was that she could actually move at her own pace and not because she was in pain or sick. Moving to sit upwards, bring a hand to her head to smooth out her hair which hadn't panned out since she could feel a huge knot in her hair. But soon that hand moved down to her face, with gentle rubbing her face to wake herself up more.

She felt rested and tired at the same time, Aqua couldn't really remember the last time she slept properly and not because she was completely exhausted after a battle and then she would pass out. But that's when she reminded herself, Terra; she had to find him and see if he was alright; to see if that...bastard was trying to resurface through Terra. But Aqua couldn't pick up a feeling from him, not even a weak trace to go on. It was like how he managed to contact her with his heart, just after she securely had hidden Ven away, to keep him safe.

He asked her to destroy him but she couldn't do it, even with that traitor inside of him. To Aqua, it was still Terra.

"I'm sorry, Terra" she whispered, "I failed you, not just as a master but as a friend" she added. Seeing the charm she made on the night table next to her; reaching for it. Lowering her blue eyes on it "I'll find my way to you, Terra and somehow find a way to bring you back and then we'll defeat that bastard Xehanort, afterword's we can go wake up Ven and we'll all be together again like how it should be right now. Aqua vowing to herself and to the non-existent Terra, bringing her hand over hand her heart.

"Losing Ven and Master Eraqus was hard enough, but I can't lose you too Terra, not again. You're just too important to me and if I did lose you, I couldn't bare it" Aqua said as silent tears ran down her face.

Elsewhere

Where as a young man with amber gold eyes and white silver hair, laid unconscious in a medical bed, being watched over by two figures, one and older gentleman with blonde hair and facial hair, wearing a lab coat with a red scarf draping over his shoulders; The other figure, a youngish, looking man with black hair and eye patch covering one of his eyes.

"I won't lose you again"

"You're too important to me"

"Couldn't bare it"

The sleeping man could feel his heart tugging, as these words from out of nowhere, where touching his heart with their emotion filled confession.

-- --

"Pathetic isn't it, that silly girl thinks she can still reach your heart" spoke the non-corporal form of Master Xehanort.

The non-corporal Terra just stayed silent as he took in Aqua's words, taking them into his heart, if he could find a way to respond back to her he would, but since he sealed Xehanort and Himself, right now it just wasn't possible or safe.

"You may have us sealed away in your body Terra, but don't forget, you're going to disappear, along with your memories and anyone with a recollection of you, especially Aqua and Ventus." mocked the dark key-blade master.

Terra glaring at the old master, "As will you Xehanort, but let me remind you of something; you seem to keep forgetting that I have more control over this body, then you'll admit. Even if you do manage to absorb me, I will always control this body!" Terra said as he stared down the old key-blade master.

"Good Morning, Aqua" said the good doctor as she entered the bedroom.

"I don't remember telling you my name." she stated. "Actually my son, Sora told me your name, he mentioned that the two of you met before" answered the doctor.

"Have I?" Aqua thought to herself; her mind quickly flashing back to a little boy with strange brown spiky hair and blue eyes, on the beach during a sunset. "I suppose we have" she said under her breathe.

"Here, I brought you some fresh clean towels to use and there is a bathroom, right behind this door" pointed out the doctor as she opened the door to the bathroom. Moving the blanket and sheets aside with a nice and slow movement, Aqua rose out from the bed, without having to lose balance from the lack of use of her legs.

Standing facing the doctor "Thank you, for all of you help and hospitality" she told the woman as she tried to bend down in respect but her muscles were all still all sore and stiff. "You're Welcome, my dear, it's not every day we are blessed to be in a company of a Key-blade master." She said with a respectful bow of her own.

"How... Did you know?" Aqua was flabbergasted.

"Well you told me, not intentionally I assure you; it was all while you were in the middle of your fever" the doctor explained, as she started too moved towards the exit of the bedroom. "You were screaming as if you were in a battle and before I could even register what was going on, with a jerk from your arm your key-blade just appeared out of nowhere." Explained the female, "I remember stories people would tell about Key-bladders from when I was a child, In fact there was once a resident here on the island, quite like yourself but he left the island so many years ago" she added

Aqua couldn't explain it, but she felt her heart go heavy with the mention of this unnamed wielder.

"now, I'll go and leave you with some privacy, once your all showered and ready, you can joins down stairs, for lunch if you like" the doctor as she now left the bedroom closing the door behind her. Aqua headed into the bathroom, heading right to the shower and turning it on. She turned around, lifting her head up and facing her own reflection; she looked battered and bruised discovering more bruises as she was taking off the borrowed clothes. She saw the bandaged on her chest, from where Terra...Xehanort grabbed her by the straps of her clothing, and where he tried to use Terra's fingers to dig into her skin, as barbaric way of getting her heart.

Running her fingers over the bandaged, logically she knew it was Xehanort behind this mark, but a part of her mind wouldn't let her forget it was Terra's hand.

"Damn It" Aqua muttered to herself.

Aqua had come down the stairs, heading to the kitchen; she just followed the smell of the cooked food. Entering the room, where she was surprised with a hug to her legs from a small boy. "Sora" his mother scolded, for a moment, the child acted like 'Sora' wasn't even his name.

And there it was again, that same light feeling, she had gotten from the boy, the moment she met him; that reminded her so much of Ventus, it was like he was right there with her. "Nice to see you again, Sora" Aqua said with a smile as well letting a small laugh out and a small blush of embarrassment.

"That's my boy" said Sora's father. Which was followed after by the sound of a hand slapping up sided the head.

Sora let go of his loose hold on Aqua, "Aqua, me and Riku were very worried about you" sound the young boy. "We're glad that your okay now, especially him" said Sora. A little confused by the statement, was he speaking of his friend Riku, or someone else. Was there more to this boy then anyone was realizing.

Bending down to be eye level with Sora, despite how much it hurt. "Well, thank you for your concern, yours and Riku's" she said so modestly. "Perhaps, you and Riku would like to show me around, once I'm all better." She said with a smile.

Sora, just let out a laugh and his arms, behind his head, 'just like Ven' she thought.

"Okay! I'm going to go play with Riku now, Bye" Sora said as he happily walked out of the room.

Aqua quickly got up and moved to sit down in a chair at the table; "Again, thank you for such kindness, but there is something I do wish to speak with you about, and I'm not sure how to tell it" she said to the doctor and her husband.

Sora opening the front the door, to already, Riku on his front step. "Riku! Guess what, that nice Aqua lady woke up today!" he said excitedly. "That's good, Sora, let's go play now, Tidus and Wakka are waiting." said the other boy, as he started to walk off.

"But the best part Riku, is that she wants us to show her around" yelled Sora as he went to catch up to his friend.

"So your saying that, you were able to sense the potential that these boys, could be the next generation of key-blade wielders" the doctor spoke softly and slow just to be sure of what she heard.

"Yes, I know it must be hard to hear, seeing you are the parents of Sora, and this is a conversation, I would also like to have with Riku's parents as well once I'm up to full health again." Aqua taking a sip from a glass of juice, before continuing "but from my first visit here and when I met the boys they both have this light, which is strong. As children, potential wielders are easier to detect because they're hearts are still so pure. And I say this from my own experience of being founded as a child, myself and a friend of mine."Aqua finished explaining.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't chosen ones, usually go away to be trained for these 'honors'" asked Sora's father. Both parents looked unsure of what Aqua's response could be.

"Yes, however, the situation has changed and I would like to train both boys here, of course with your permission and as well from Riku's parents."

"How as the situation changed?" the doctor asked out of pure curiosity.

"To be honest with you, there has been betrayal among the remaining Key-Blade masters and their apprentices, one of which may or may not come back to finish me off, or possibly even attack any potential who could wield a key-blade. So I ask you again, May I train your son so that he will grow strong to defend himself and the rights of others, and as well to keep balance between the worlds." Aqua finished.

"You may train him, to do what is necessarily to keep him safe and others" said his mother as she tried to mask, the sad emotion.

"Thank You"

A Year Later

A trio, that consisted of a teacher and two students camping out on an island.

"Now, Riku, Sora, which one of you can tell me, why aren't I using my key-blade to make this camp out easier?" Aqua questioning them, the camp fire making cracking noises from the wood it was burning.

"Because you just aren't" said Sora, Riku rolled his eyes at his friend. "Because your showing us, that we can't always rely on a key-blade, otherwise you won't learn anything else." said Riku.

"Very good, that's correct. Because you can't grow stronger if your only sticking to one skill of trade. Now I know you two, want to summon your blades now, but you haven't a reason for them to truly call upon yet." She said. "Which is exactly why, I make you study magic and martial arts along with your fencing."

"Now, trick question. Which one of you remembered to bring supplies for smores" she said. "I did", said Sora, pulling the marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers out from his bag.

But while the boys started to make smores. Aqua turned her attention elsewhere; she felt a dark presence but from one location to another. She stood up, and walked off, 'he could be moving', Aqua thought to herself.

"I know you're here, Xehanort" she said, making the key-blade appear.

As she saw a hooded black cloaked figure, Aqua could tell it was a man, it looked like he had a strong a build. He was tall, like Terra. "Could it be?" She thought to herself.

"Stranger, state your name and your business here."

The figure didn't speak, "Xehanort" She said, Key-blade in hand,

He didn't answer, "Xehanort" She said again and that's when she could finally make out his features, her blue eyes widen.

"Terra?" she questioned but softly, but he still didn't answer, all he did was turn around and exited through the dark corridor. "No Terra Wait!" she screamed but the corridor closed.

"MASTER AQUA" she heard one of the boys scream. "Oh-no" she said, quickly running to them; she made it to them to see, them just fine, "But look" Sora said as he dragged her arm. To where on the coastline, a figure of a child was laying.

Aqua, looked down to the child, she knew this child, she was from Radiant Garden, "Kairi" was all Aqua said as she remember the girl's name. "Okay boys, go and put out the fire and get the boat ready. We have to get help for her and fast. The boys went off, to do as she asked. Aqua picked up Kairi in her arms.

"What if Terra...No he wouldn't, but to get what he truly needed, would he turn to the darkness?" Aqua question as she headed to the dock, with the boys and their unexpected visitor.

--

End Chapter One.

Coming Soon: Chapter Two: Nine Years Later.