Thank you so much for the reviews everybody! Spiritwinned, good to have you back; anonymous, glad to see you're still in touch. I want you guys to know that I definitely take everything you guys say into account, and I'm glad I'm keeping you from getting bored. Believe me, I while I do have plans for where I'm going, nothing is set in stone, so I'm on my toes just as much as you all. Oh, and anonymous, in response to your last review: don't give me any ideas! The only thing I can guarantee is that if something does happen between Ienzo and Tidus…I don't do sex scenes—too boring, I'd rather have earthquakes!

So sorry that it's taken me so long to update...this chapter was especially difficult, if only because it's hard to write Kairi without turning her into a Mary Sue. Also, I'm starting to feel like I'm getting in my usual repetitive rut, writing-style wise, so if you feel that way too, by all means, write in any advice you can on how I can spice up my sentences. Thanks!

And on that note, off we go!

The disaster was wrapped up quickly by all of the authorities involved. Water damage on the outer islands was quickly contained and converted into disaster-relief, injuries contracted on the main islands were treated, and the rebuilding of all the affected buildings was well underway before the sun set on the first day. The residents were lucky—ever since the meteor showers over a decade ago, the mayor had made disaster-preparation a top priority of his administration, and as a result there wasn't a single fatality throughout the entire ordeal. A quick round-about of bureaucratic procedure, followed by a reassuring statement released from the front steps of city hall, and the people of Destiny Islands were in safe hands. They had nothing to worry about.

Ienzo did not have that luxury. When Sora pulled him out of the bubble and brought him back to his senses, he had a lot of explaining to do. It took quite a bit of effort on his part—the innocent half-truths ("What is that substance? I swear it isn't my doing!"), the idle suggestions ("Such a strange material…sturdy substance, highly resistant to pressure, crystalline structure…have you seen the crystals in Radiant Garden?"), the outright lies ("Who could've guessed that my staff contained those crystals, just waiting to be unleashed!")—but as he well knew, Sora was one to doubt his friends. Even Kairi came to accept his explanation over time, especially when the "crystals" retreated back into the staff on their own—solid proof, right? From there, it was only a matter of waking Tidus up, making sure he was awake and back on his feet, and they were set—another adventure taken on and finished off in record time. All the explanations made perfect sense…if only the truth was so clearly cut.

Change in hypothesis: colors may be more unreliable/uncontrollable than previously believed. My established control of the indigo is not absolute.

Case in point: Yesterday, Thursday, the first day of school. Indigo was fully summoned and operable, shaped into the previously-assumed form of a staff. The color's basic shaping/identifying/navigating powers were confirmed as completely intact until approximately 1:45 PM—the beginning of chemistry class.

At that time, the indigo had been rendered into its normal, inert state under the staff façade for the sake of discretion. Said color was left inactive for a period of at least fifteen minutes, until reactivation was attempted in response to a geographical threat.

The indigo did not respond until the absolute last possible moment, when the roof collapsed and the indigo present in the staff emerged to protect myself and my companion at the time, Tidus.

Speculation as to indigo energy's resistance to mental command: Lack of physical contact? Interference from Tidus' proximity? Fear of threat canceling out attempts at indigo? Requires further investigation…

Ienzo stopped writing there, feeling a sudden urge to get very far away from the unknowns in that book. The claustrophobia was kicking in too—the room in the tree house was cozy, but just a little small for someone his age, and he needed to get out and feel the sun on his face. Close the book, put the pen down, jump up, grab staff, get out, get out—there, good. He was outside…

He was on the tree house balcony, on the island where Sora and the others came to play. Ienzo didn't come here often—he always felt like he was intruding on something that wasn't his—but on days like this, when he was alone and wanted to get away, here he came. From here, he could see the waves sliding up and down the shore—see how the sun tinted everything a slightly-white color, even on a cloudy day.

From the hole in the tree that served as the gaping doorway to the tree house, Ienzo rushed up to the railing and stretched his arms as far along it as he could, closing his eyes and breathing deeply over and again to shake off the pressure his research put on him. He wanted to relax—he needed to relax—but he couldn't let himself step away from it for long. It was far too important—this was a force on par with the light and darkness themselves. Someone had to have the information to wield it effectively, for all the worlds' sakes. The worlds needed this research—they needed him, and they depended on him, and he just couldn't leave that feeling behind, and…and…

…and a breeze came in from the sea, brushing the tears out of his face and setting the hairs on his neck on end. He hadn't even realized he'd been crying…he pushed the wet streaks off his cheeks, almost embarrassed in spite of himself. One more deep breath…there, he was alright. That was another thing he liked about the beach—on this world, as he traveled further from the ocean, the humidity seemed to choke all of the free space in his lungs, filling him to the brim with that steaming smog they called fresh air. It was only close to the beach that the air remained somewhat cool, and the cooler temperature always helped to clear his head.

He was alright. The earthquake had been dealt with, his secret was secure…and the rest would be solved in time. There was no pressure…and that thought felt better than anything else. "I have all the time in the world…"

"Time for what?"

At that moment, Kairi climbed up the ladder and crawled onto the wooden deck, giving Ienzo just enough time to cast a quick glance towards the book inside the little hut and merge its image with the wood around it. He wasn't a fool—all the time in the world meant nothing if people began asking too many questions. By the time Kairi was on her feet and level with him, he had positioned himself between her and the tree house's threshold, arms out-stretched, appearing as the picture of innocence and idleness. "Kairi! Good morning! What are you doing here?"

She laughed. "Good morning? More like good afternoon…how long have you been up here?"

Afternoon? Come to think of it, if the sun was already visible on this side of the island, and the winds were as calm as they were…good lord, he'd been out for a while! "I suppose longer than I'd thought…come to see where your lovable little Ienzo's gotten to then?"

He offered up the rare, genuine smile, and with anyone else he would have been slapped down as a snide little know-it-all. Kairi wasn't upset by the comment though—she understood he meant well, probably more than anyone else, and after a small chuckle she leaned up against the railing, back to the sea, and relaxed. "No, silly…I just thought it would be nicer out here than back home. Dad's been going crazy trying to run everything, between the press and the construction workers."

"Oh? I..I'm sorry, I suppose it must be quite a burden on him...he's the residing mayor, right?"

"Yeah, he is..." She looked over her shoulder to watch the waves on the shore. Her pink mini-dress's zippers clinked together in the wind as she spoke, and her voice, while as strong as ever, faded to where it competed with their tiny notes. "He's...He's good at hiding it in those press conferences, but he's really stressed out over the earthquake yesterday—apparently the town committee only approved his disaster spending because they never thought they'd need to use it. Now half of the businesses are pulling their money out of the project, and the crews are going to half to work through the weekend to get the school fixed by next Monday…he's turned the entire house into a war room..."

She didn't need to ask—Ienzo was already standing beside her. "Oh, don't worry Ian, I'm—"

But when she looked back, he was…well, his stance a bit more direct, almost comical in its lack of subtlety. He was facing outward: palms planted flat, arms locked straight, and neck hunched over. He couldn't have looked more like a scientist, and the only reason Kairi didn't become concerned was because he had the ridiculous, scrunched-up frown to go with it. "Ienzo…what are you doing?"

In an instant, the frown was gone, and he looked to her with the largest doe-eyes she had ever seen. "Isn't it obvious, Kairi? I'm thinking of a solution." And then he turned away from her in fake-frustration, theatrically scratching his head with both his hands like a madman! "Think think think, must must think…come Kairi, I can't think alone—think with me!"

Was he nuts? He was never this…and then she realized—the little stink was making fun of her! "Oh…Oh shut up Ian!" She had half a mind to slap the back of his head, but she was laughing too hard to try. Ienzo was quick to revert to his normal demeanor, but he still spun back around and hopped to sit on the edge of the railing—just to complete the performance.

"Well I'm sorry Kairi, but personally I believe myself to be serious enough for the both of us. If you start to become depressed…now where does that leave me?"

"Heh, probably nowhere I'd want to go..."

"Exactly!" Had she ever seen little Ian with such a large smile? He looked so different when he smiled…less rigid and reserved. "So, are you feeling better? Less teenaged anxiety and angst in your system?"

"Yes, a lot better! Thanks…" She had to wipe the tears out of her eyes from all the laughing, and while she did so…she noticed Ienzo throwing his legs over the railing so he could face the sea. She saw his wide smile settle into a tiny glimmer of contentment, as he watched the waves lapping at the shore, and suddenly a question popped into her head. "Ienzo…what about you? Are…are you doing ok here?"

She could practically see the shiver run up his spine, into his head and around his face to smother the smile with his usual reserved blankness. "Yes, I'm fine. Well, that is, I'm feeling well-adjusted here, if that's what you mean."

There was her reason for concern—she knew there was a reason for it. He wasn't even good at hiding it—his eyes wouldn't meet hers, only stare forward, beyond even the never-ending ocean. "Are you sure? I mean, I know it's been crazy for you too. I can't imagine how scared you must have been yesterday—"

"I was scared, yes…but I'm not afraid anymore. It was one isolated incident, nothing more. There is no rational reason for me to feel fear."

"Ienzo…" It was discouraging more than anything else—Kairi could help but feel like she was losing him every time he hid behind that scientist psycho-babble. She had to reach him…so she cut to the chase. "…do you remember what you told me and Sora, your first day here? About why you came here?" She took his hand in hers, and while he stiffened at the touch, he did not resist. "You told us that you'd spent years without a heart, and that by coming here, you wanted to be able to feel everything and be happy. Well, here you are—you're not with the Organization anymore, it's ok to let your guard down…Ian?"

He closed his eyes and sat in silence—no tears, but no smiles either. He took a minute to collect himself, his hand still in Kairi's…then finally answered:

"I know this, Kairi, but…I still have…predicaments to solve on my own." He turned his head to look at her calm, attentive face, and to her his eyes seemed to bleed volumes of turmoil, of some inner darkness which he grappled with alone. "I appreciate everything you have done for me, believe me, but there are some things which I must keep to myself. At some point, I may reveal them to you all, but for now…I need to keep them secret."

"I...ok…I understand." She was lying, of course, but she didn't want to lose his trust now. He'd come so far, he was learning to open up—she couldn't shut that down. "It's ok for you to keep some things to yourself every now and then…just don't be afraid to talk about it if you need to, ok?"

"Of course, Kairi."

"Good, 'cause whether you like it or not, you're stuck with me—I'm here if you need me, whenever."

It was a defining moment, she felt—Ian may have had his mysteries, but he seemed to comprehend her loyalty enough not to fall into one of his sullen moods. He simply nodded, gave a slight, warm smile…and pushed himself off the railing towards the tree house.

"Where are you going?"

He quickly ducked in and out of the house, taking just enough time to wipe the spell away from his book and grab it. "I think I'll take a bit of a walk—perhaps seeing whether anyone else is bored enough to come here. Lord knows that if you're here, then Sora at least can't be too far behind…" He extended a pale noodle of an arm to Kairi, the other arm tucked in with his journal. "Care to join me, Kairi? I don't know about you, but secrets or no, I feel like a little adventure."

Yeahhhh...looking back, I'm not sure this chapter's really me at my best. I'm sorry, I'll do better with the next one!

Also, in case you haven't seen yet, I've put up the first chapter to the Roxas/Axel arc! Take a look if you get the chance, I think I've set it up for some interesting directions.