Disclaimer: I wish I owned Kingdom Hearts, but unfortunately, I don't. Just this story. :P This 50 Drabble Challenge belongs to Terra ForceXIII.

A/N: And the plot thickens! XD LOL Ah, still leading into the romance. Sorry guys. D: But maybe now you guys can predict what's going to happen next? ;) LOL We shall see! Also, I did use Seifer and the others, but bear in mind that I might not include Vivi in the posse. Why? I…don't know how to write Vivi and writing out Seifer, Rai, and Fuu ONLY is a lot easier for me. I can just base their mannerisms from FF8. I love that game. :3 Oh, and I love Seifer too. He was always one of my favorite characters to write from FF8. XD Also, just reminder there's a poll on my profile. I thought I would get a definite answer yesterday, but it seems two stories are tied. I need that tiebreaker people! XD

Thanks for reading and reviewing! Please enjoy and R&R!

~ Empty Tides ~

The walk home was relatively normal. Sora was jabbering on like usual; it was nothing special.

"…and then Kairi told me that next week's math test is going to be a pain in the butt." Sora sighed, hanging his head. "I don't know what I was thinking when I made that bet with Riku. He's going to rub it in my face if I don't score a ninety percent or higher on that test!"

Vanitas lamely replied for the sake of keeping Sora off his back, "I thought you were good at math."

"I'm good with algebra…not pre-calc." The brunet groaned. "What am I going to do, Vanitas?"

"…Don't ask me. I'm not the one doing some stupid bet," Vanitas retorted before digging his pockets for his phone. It vibrated against his pants and the raven-haired twin used this opportunity to ignore Sora's whining. Flipping it open, he got a message from Xion:

"Hey! So I picked out a destination for our date! Are you up for sushi?"

He really wished Xion wouldn't use the term 'date' so loosely. He texted back:

"Whatever. Sushi's okay. Am I picking you up?"

A response from Xion came back momentarily:

"No. We'll just meet up at a spot or something. I'll text you back with more details 'kay?"

Vanitas shrugged to himself before pocketing his phone again. Noticing Sora's stare, he narrowed his eyes. "What?"

"Are you sure you're not dating, Xion?" Sora asked, tilting his head. "From the way you guys interact, it already looks like you guys are."

Amber eyes were rolled in exasperation and Vanitas quickened his walking pace. "You're always assuming things."

Sora caught up to Vanitas. "No, I'm serious! A lot of people in school think you two are the real deal!"

"First of all, I don't understand why idiots at school are sticking their noses in my relationships. Second of all, why do you care?" Vanitas stopped walking to glare at the brunet. If there was one thing Vanitas hated about his twin, it was how nosy he could be; even though it was sometimes unintentional.

The brunet flinched, rubbing the back of his head and lowering his gaze. "I just…I worry about you, Vanitas. I mean…I know it's hard for you to trust people—"

"Well get it through your thick skull, Sora." Vanitas inhaled deeply to calm himself before he continued walking. "I don't need you or anyone else babying me. So knock it off."

In all honesty, Vanitas didn't mean to explode at Sora when he only wanted to help. It was just…hard for Vanitas to take control of his emotions sometimes. Was he cynical? Perhaps, but Vanitas was betrayed by people before. Of course he wouldn't easily let anyone in; especially Sora.

But with Xion…it was a little different. She was…special. Maybe it was because he liked her, but even then, Vanitas knew that was dangerous thinking.

He was enriched with her presence, but at the same time, it made him that more cynical.

- 04 -
.: Enrichment :.

~ Windy Skies ~

She turned this way! He knew she did!

Gotcha! Ventus quickened his run when he noticed that girl walking towards the school gate. "Wait!" Grabbing her wrist, mild shock (maybe disgust?) painted the girl's face, but Ventus couldn't tell; she was so stoic! Catching his breath, Ventus started. "Y-You…! The string!"

She again stared at him before she pulled her wrist away and frowned. "Weird."

"No, I'm serious! You have a blue thread—!" Ventus stated before his collar was grabbed at and emerald-green eyes were glaring daggers at him.

"Well, well. What idiot did you pick up, Fuu?" the emerald-eyed blond asked, a mocking tone in his voice.

Ventus blinked a few times before realizing who this person was. "Seifer!"

"The one and only." Seifer smirked, pushing Ventus to the right and he ended up colliding into a bigger body. Heavy hands clamped down on his shoulders and Ventus looked up to stare at the face of a tanned youth. Seifer circled around the girl, Fuu, and asked. "So? Who's the chicken-wuss?"

Fuu shrugged, staring at Ventus with a deadpan look. "Stalker."

"What?" Seifer snorted; Ventus's eyes widening in disbelief. Seifer and the bulkier kid started laughing out loud. "Seriously? Oh man, that's fricken hilarious, Fuu! Right, Rai?"

"Oh yeah!" Rai's voice boomed. "Like Fuu has any sex appeal, ya know?" Suddenly Fuu's visible eye narrowed and she quickly walked up to Rai and kicked him behind the knee. Rai toppled over and Ventus was almost crushed! Luckily, he moved away before that could happen. Rai moaned. "Ow…"

"Moron," Fuu spat.

"Hey!" Ventus could see Roxas running up to them. He stood beside his brother before glaring at Seifer. "What are you doing to Ven?"

"What are we doing?" Seifer waved his hand. "Oh, please. He was the one chasing after Fuu and you're blaming us for the mess he got himself into? Tch, dumbass."

Roxas's frown deepened and he pulled Ventus away. "C'mon, Ven. We don't have to waste our breath on them." Ventus merely followed, looking over his shoulder towards Fuu. He caught her eye for a moment before she glanced away. Once they separated from Seifer's gang, Roxas scolded. "What the heck, Ven? Why'd you get caught up with Seifer and his posse?"

"I-I didn't mean to," Ventus muttered. He tried to justify himself. "I just wanted to talk to that girl…"

"Fuu? She's the last girl you want to get involved with!"

Ventus furrowed his eyebrows. "Why? She seems harmless."

"She appears harmless, but there's a reasonwhy she's in Seifer's gang." Roxas sighed. As they closed in on the gate, the older twin continued. "Listen, promise me you won't get yourself mixed up in something stupid, okay? I don't want Naminé worrying about you."

Feeling guilty, Ventus lowered his head and nodded. "Fine…"

…But Ventus couldn't keep away from that girl; he needed to talk with her. She couldn't see the string? Really?

Ventus needed information; he needed to find Terra again.