Our next world that we came across was much saner than Wonderland had been. And after a short rest on the Gummi ship, we had landed and were talking with a satyr named Phil. The only problem I had with him was that he kept spoon feeding this crap about needing a Hero License in order to be a Hero. I was unimpressed, and thought it was a waste of time, but Sora was eating it up. He instantly assured Phil that he could prove himself. After a short argument, Phil reluctantly consented to putting us up to trial after trial. For me, it was entertaining to watch Sora struggle determinedly through the timed obstacles. After the fifth attempt, however, I started feeling sorry for him.

"Try using Thunder." I suggested during a break.

After that, he sailed through. He was in the middle of thanking me as we walked back to the entrance of the coliseum when a tall blue-haired blue-skinned man appeared from a swirl of shadow. The vibe I got made me instantly distrust him. Trying to not be too noticeable, I positioned myself next to Sora in case he tried something funny. I was surprised and a little suspicious when he extended an invitation for us to join in the preliminary tournament that Phil had previously declined to us.

He disappeared shortly after, making me feel uneasy. Sora still wanted to enter.

"What's the harm? I mean, it's what we came here for!" he said, putting his hands behind his head as we rested in the courtyard outside.

"I still don't trust that guy…" I muttered. There's no way I could dissuade him from going through with it.

Six rounds later, and we stood, glowing with pride and victory. Sora grinned that ridiculous grin of his and flung his arm up over my shoulders and cried, "We did it!"

I plucked his arm from my shoulder and said, "There's still one round left."

"Eh?"

"That guy…"

We both looked in the direction I was pointing and saw a spiky blonde haired guy, leaning arms crossed against the wall adjacent to us.

"He looks tough." Sora said, unable to look away from the mysterious man.

I turned away, stuffing my hands in my pockets, and said, "C'mon…let's rest."

I wasn't going to lie. He definitely looked powerful. But if we were going to have any hope of beating him, we'd need to have all our strength.

And just like I suspected, he was tough; much tougher than us. For a moment, I thought that we were going to lose. The jerk even pinned Sora under the tip of his sword after I was knocked down and said, "You're no match for me." But that's when the unexpected happened. A giant three headed dog caught Cloud around the middle and pinned him violently to the ground. We stood by helplessly as he struggled.

"Quick, get inside!" Hercules shouted, running straight for the black beast. I ushered a shocked Donald and Goofy inside while tugging Sora.

In the safety of the entrance room, I listened to the sound of an intense battle going on outside. Worriedly, I glanced to the others. Sora seemed to be torn. Finally he burst, "We can't just stand here! Herc needs our help!"

Then he just ran right past us and back out into the coliseum.

"Sora!" I called, already following after.

When I reached the edge of the arena, I saw Sora standing in front of Hercules, Keyblade drawn. Cloud was dangling unconscious over the larger of the two's shoulder. As I reached Sora, Herc cried, "I'll leave it to you!"

We were left to deal with the enormous monster. Where did it even come from?

"You take the left head; I'll go for the right!" Sora called.

Our battle was concluded surprisingly easily; no injuries whatsoever. The look on Sora's face could only be described as triumphant. Phil was even impressed. And when Sora attempted to move the boulder that Phil said he had been too puny to move, we all pitched in. Underneath was the Keyhole to the world.

"Ma~n, I'm beat!" Sora gushed as we headed for the exit to the world. "Being awesome sure is tough work!"

I rolled my eyes, choosing not to point out the fact that 1) we helped moving the boulder too and 2) it didn't even matter. He was slowly getting on my nerves again. I was so caught up in my own thoughts that I didn't really notice Sora had stopped in his tracks until I ran into him. That's when I saw Cloud leaning against a pillar ahead of us. His eyes flashed up to us for a moment before he pushed off the column and strode up.

I was expecting him to demand a rematch, but instead he mumbled, "Here…"

The small crystal that he gave Sora was completely foreign. I wasn't sure if it was supposed to have any meaning.

"Your light…don't lose sight of it." He said to everyone, but catching my eye at the last moment. I quickly looked away and wondered what he was talking about. For some reason, I felt embarrassed. Without another word, he walked past us. But as he passed me he paused and ruffled my hair. Under his breath he muttered, "It's alright…"

Now I was more confused than ever. What did he mean? The others looked to me for an answer to Cloud's uncharacteristic kindness towards me, but I just shrugged. I didn't have the faintest idea.

Once I was alone in the Gummi ship, I curled up on my bottom bunk and questioned his motives. Had I seemed upset? Was that why he looked at me? Was that why he told me it was alright? No…I have the same look on my face all the time. I don't care about anything that much.

For the better part of an hour I chased circles in my mind. Finally I asked myself, why did I keep thinking about it? Was what some stranger said really that important? I huffed and turned over, trying to get in a comfortable position and closed my eyes.

"Stupid…" I whispered, putting my hand over my eyes to block out the light.

My body ran cold. Light…he had meant hope. He was telling me not to give up…that it was alright…

A single tear slid from under my hand. I had been so stupid. This whole time I was thinking that everything was pointless. My world, my home, my mom…everything had disappeared and there was no way I could change that. It wasn't anyone's fault, and I shouldn't hold that over everyone's heads. Sora's optimism and happiness was still there. He still believed that he could see his friends again. He still had his light.

I was such an idiot.

"Faitouru…? You feeling okay?"

I flinched and kept my face hidden as I called out a muffled, "Leave me alone!"

"Eh? Why're you crying?" he asked, rushing in and crouching next to my bedside, his fingertips brushing against my shoulder.

Damn…he saw. I jerked away from his hand and cried, "Don't!"

He froze, unable to think of what to do. I felt horrible. I was so confused. Everything in me told me that I had to tell him, but I couldn't. It was against everything in me. So I merely stayed huddled on my bed, forcing back the tears. After a while, he left me alone.

Somehow I would need to start working myself up to being kind towards him. I needed to make up for letting the darkness win for a while.

Being nice was a lot harder than I thought it would be. Not being nice for most of my life…I guess I was out of practice. But it came so naturally to the spike-haired-idiot (I mean Sora). I resigned myself to studying him. Through the next world, Deep Jungle, I made sure to catch everything.

But in the end, all I could think was that it was impossible for me to be as obliviously kind as him. Somehow, I would just have to show kindness in my own way. Shaking my head, I snuck a glance at Sora a few feet ahead. We were back in Travers Town, now. I suggested we get magic pointers from Merlin and check in with the others. Sora hadn't said anything. Meerly nodded and ducked his head in embarrassment. He must feel bad about trying to comfort me back in the Gummi ship that time.

That made me feel like a jerk all over again. I bit my lip and cursed inwardly.

We made it to Merlin's unscathed and demonstrated how much we knew already (which he was mildly impressed with). I was glad I joined in the training as well. I learned a few new pointers. After our training, Merlin told us that we could find Leon and the others back in the 2nd District.

The stars twinkled merrily as we continued on. It reminded me of Junction. Thoughts of my Mom surfaced slowly and painfully. If only I could turn back time. I would go back to the morning the Heartless came. I would stay home and keep my Mom safe. Then we would go to Travers Town together and maybe started a new life together.

"It took forever to find you, Sora."

"Riku!" Sora exclaimed, stopping in his tracks.

My head snapped up as my body tensed; in front of us stood a boy that looked a little older than me. We were the same height, but something about him told me he was at least fifteen. I stayed back as Sora and the others met and talked with him. I don't know why, but I felt like I couldn't trust him entirely. Something in his eyes…it was like he was looking for one of us to give him a reason to hate us.

But this was Sora's friend.

I noticed the Heartless a second after Sora did. It was rising from the ground directly behind Riku. In a flash, Sora had dashed around and dispensed of the Heartless in one blow. He turned back to us and grinned. Riku seemed to be at a loss for words.

"I've learned a few tricks while looking for you and Kairi, hehe!" Sora said, coming up next to me. "…with the help of these guys!"

"…"he merely stood staring at us. More like glaring, but I'm sure it was just my imagination.

"Okay, so you're coming with us, right? We've got this awesome ship that can take us to any of the worlds! We've already been to some!" Sora continued gleefully. Riku's eyes as Sora spoke became progressively critical. None of the others seemed to catch on to this, oblivious as ever. Piercing, they flashed to me for a moment before focusing on the others once again.

"Don't just decide these things on your own!" Donald cried.

"What? He's my friend!" Sora said, rounding on him. "I'm sure he wants to come with us. Right, Riku…huh…?"

"Where'd he go?" Goofy asked suddenly, his floppy ears swinging wildly as he looked around.

My own eyes scanned the courtyard we stood in. The neon lights glowed brightly in the darkness. He was gone. I glanced to Sora nervously and saw him looking around distressed. We'd just found one of his friends that he was desperately searching for, and now he was missing again.

I shot Donald a look that said, now look what you did.

Sora surprised everyone, however, by saying, "Well, at least we know he's okay!"

I could only gape. How in all the worlds, was he able to rebound from a loss like that? I shook my head and trailed after them as they headed for the safe house Leon and the others were staying in.

Time passed and Sora was able to speak to me again. I made an effort not to snap at him, but I just couldn't cut out the sarcasm.

"This world is great!" he exclaimed, eyes wide with happiness. "It reminds me of Destiny Islands!"

Angrily I muttered, "Yeah…sand…great…"

Sora merely ignored me and led us eagerly through the front gates into Agrabah. In a matter of minutes, the heat and humid air made my curls frizz up. I tried taming it, but quickly realized it was useless. It had a mind of its own. I ended up buying a small turban to hide it under. Sora had a hard time keeping a straight face whenever he looked at me. I glared in response and cursed his hair that had miraculously stayed exactly the same.

Turns out a guy named Jafar was using the Heartless to terrorize the desert world and was hiding out in a place called the Cave of Wonders after kidnapping a Princess named Jasmine. Aladdin, a tall, tan, and dark haired guy, insisted on tagging along for the journey across the desert to save her. I don't think he trusted a couple of kids and two crazy looking creatures to save his girlfriend. I couldn't blame him. If I had been in his…lack of shoes, I wouldn't trust us either.

As soon as we got across the sands to the entrance to the cave of wonders, it was a battle. I was getting worried as we delved deeper and deeper and became increasingly worn. Outside the entrance to the inner chambers where Jafar was, I asked for a breather. Sora didn't even seem to notice the multiple wounds he had sustained until I pointed them out and made him drink a couple potions.

"Thanks…you should have one too. That looks like it hurts." He said, nodding to the gash in my shoulder from knocking him out of the way of a trap.

I didn't want to waste any before a big battle so I merely shrugged (which hurt a lot) and mumbled, "It's nothing…"

Turns out, I was thinking correctly. We used all of our potions, elixirs, and magic against both forms of Jafar. Aladdin near the end of our battle was out cold. I barely had enough magic left to get Sora on his feet again. The air felt heavy. I stood taking in deep shuddering breaths as Sora struck down the evil vizier once and for all.

After we reached the place where we'd told Jasmine to say put, he revived long enough to be devastated by her disappearance. Now the four of us were on the long trip back to Agrabah. Aladdin went on Carpet accompanied by a newly liberated Genie to take care of his injuries. The sun had just gone down, and I could feel the cold begin to creep in, chilling me to the bone. I clutched my useless left arm in an attempt to conserve heat and proceeded to trip over the rippling sand.

I noted dimly that as time passed, and more stars began appearing, that I couldn't keep my mouth under control. At first, they were just rambling sentences that threw everyone for a loop, but then it became increasingly apparent that I was just tired. Words now came out in jumbled messes that I couldn't stop.

My arm was now slung over Sora's shoulder as he half dragged me. Behind us, I could still catch a glimpse of the Cave of Wonders if the sands stilled long enough. I mumbled drowsily into his ear, "Sorry I'm such…a burden…"

At first I was referencing how far we'd managed to get, but then I realized that maybe I meant my attitude as well. He was talking to me again. So did that mean he had forgotten what had happened that time in the Gummi ship? Or was he just being kind to me, like he always was…?

"Not easy…I suppose…" I slurred, referencing to the latter thought.

"It's okay, you're not that heavy." He replied, shifting my weight so I wouldn't topple over.

My voice suddenly grew thick with emotion as I grumbled, "No…I'm sorry…"

He looked up and caught sight of my eyes glimmering with unshed tears. He called out worriedly, "Let's camp here for the night!"

Donald and Goofy didn't even grumble as they started setting up the tent. Sora took me carefully over to a sand dune and put me down. I fell against it wordlessly. I'm glad he picked a spot of sand where it was soft. His hand found my forehead for a moment before he muttered a cure spell. It wasn't very effective, but it was enough to get my wits about me. I wiped at my eyes angrily before blushing and muttering, "Thanks…"

"You're not a burden."

"What…?"

His blue eyes bore into my own when he looked down at me. I felt like he was looking right into the deepest corner of my being.

"You never were a burden." He repeated earnestly.

My mind wouldn't focus. All I could think to do was tell him what I'd been holding onto so tightly deep inside; my mother's spiteful voice telling me she hated me. The fact that I didn't think I really belonged anywhere…I gazed down at my cut hands and watched as a tear slid from the corner of my eye, down the bridge of my nose, and onto my palm where my Keyblade was held.

"I don't deserve to have this," I muttered thickly, my weapon materializing in a flash. "I'm nothing compared to who you are…"

His hands clamped down hard on my shoulders, but I couldn't look away from the intricate details of my Keyblade. I didn't want to see his eyes. He asked suddenly sounding very sad, "Is that what you think…?"

I could only turn in shame. I didn't think it…I knew it. I was rude, standoff-ish, and unpleasant. Lately, I didn't even want to be around myself. My mind was ready to turn to even darker thoughts, when Sora shook me gently and said, "Just by how you're thinking, it shows me that you care. You care enough to question yourself. Which you should do every once in a while, but...never doubt yourself. The Keyblade chose you…that has to count for something."

As the words passed his lips, I could feel my spirit lifting. Could it be that he was right? I rubbed at my eyes once again, and tilted my head up, a small smile on my lips. When our eyes met, I could feel the truth in his words. Being the Protector was my destiny. I was chosen to help save the worlds, for whatever reason.

After a moment he smiled and said, "We're friends now, so you're not a burden, okay? Come on, let's go to bed…"

I nodded, and struggled to my unsteady feet with his help. Donald and Goofy were finishing setting up the tent, and were now concentrating on bedding. They had laid mine out first, which I was grateful for. I didn't think I could last much longer. Grunting a soft thank-you, I ducked in through the entrance and slowly lowered myself onto my mat. I turned to my side slightly and gripped Sora's arm before he could leave.

"Thank you, Sora…" I mumbled, wishing I could say more.

The question in his eyes softened as I let go and fell back onto my pillow. Sleep beckoned, and as my eyes closed, I barely heard Sora say back, "You're welcome."

In the morning, we started for Agrabah. Thankfully, our health was back up and we were able to make good time. I was too embarrassed about what I'd said last night, that I didn't really speak very much. But I did manage to give Sora a soft smile as we headed out. Luckily, Carpet came back and picked us up for the last leg of the journey. Over the rushing of the wind, I could hear Sora laughing happily.

Aladdin was also looking a lot better, but he was still distraught over the disappearance of Jasmine. He wanted to journey with us, but Donald explained sadly that it just wasn't possible. Sora stepped towards him as we said our final goodbyes and said earnestly, "We'll bring her back, I promise."

Both Sora and I were resting in the back of the Gummi ship while Donald and Goofy manned the controls. The awkwardness between us this morning had dissipated, leaving companionship. I had opened up to him, and he had shown me kindness. The thought of having a friend had been so foreign to me for so long, that I couldn't help but marvel at how happy I was. I was so grateful. If I had known it was this amazing to feel connected to someone, I would have tried making one a long time ago.

"…and then Wakka said he wanted to have a match, so I said 'sure' and totally kicked his butt! But then Riku wanted one too, and-" Sora rambled cheerily from his top bunk, swinging one of his legs over the side of the bed.

By now, I must know about everyone on his Island home. I chuckled and asked, "He kicked your butt, right?"

Sora poked his head over the side and glared at me upside down, exclaiming indignantly, "What makes you think-?"

He was interrupted by a thunderous groan, which was accompanied by a massive force shaking the entire ship. I fell from my bed onto the floor with a loud thud. A second later, Sora crashed down on top of me. I grunted as the air was knocked from my lungs.

"Sorry, Fai!" he cried rushing to push himself off of me. He scrambled to his feet and held out his hand. I merely shot him a glare and brushed it away. When I was upright, I clutched my bruised side and growled, "Who said you could give me a nickname, idiot?"

He grinned sheepishly and shrugged, brushing by me and out into the main cabin. He asked, "What hit us?"

I followed, looking out the windows to the empty space before us. All I could see were stars. Goofy suddenly pointed, "Look!"

My eyes followed his finger and fell on an object drawing dangerously close. The others cried out just as I recognized what it was. A gigantic whale! My blood ran cold as its mouth opened wide. It planned to swallow us!

"Get down!" I called, snatching Sora and yanking him to the ground.

Just before everything was swallowed in darkness, I managed to pin him beneath me. I held on tightly as we were thrown about the room, many times we crashed into objects, but I kept my arms around Sora, making sure to keep him as safe as possible. But I wasn't prepared for every jolt. The back of my head was slammed against a wall, and for a moment everything turned white before fading to black.