A/N: Hello everyone and here is the 6th chapter of Elegy of Darkness I just want to thank all those who reviewed so far especially NinjaSheik as they are my first reviewer and have reviewed each chapter after they reviewed. On to the disclaimer!

Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts or xxxholic. That is all.

Chapter 6: The Price of a Wish

After brief greetings all around, the three keywielders decided to retire to an encampment near the outside of the city. Now that the Heartless had gone Mulan and her friends were slowly beginning to clean the mess that the Heartless had caused. The sun begun to set casting that world in revelry of gold and crimson and the shadows lengthened as the trio sparked a fire to life and lazed around it. Riku sat with his legs splayed out in front of him as Kairi gently replaced Roxas's bandaged side. "There, that should do it for now. Sorry we can't heal it right away."

Roxas gave an appreciative smile to Kairi, who smiled gently back as she tucked a strand of red hair behind her ear. "Now I think it's time for you to tell us where you've been all this time."

Roxas sighed as he leaned forward, clasping his hands together and staring into the fire to gather his thoughts. He then began to tell the other two keywielders his tale, of how he awoke in The World That Never Was, to his fight with Cretos and Kaoru, and finally to his being saved by Chishiki and obtaining the navigation gummi for the next planet. At this point Kairi interjected, "You're sure the man's name was Chishiki?"

Roxas was startled out of his recounting, but answered Kairi's question with a nod as he rummaged in his pocket to pull out the navigation gummi. "He said that a person on this planet might be able to help us out."

Kairi nodded as Riku walked over to Roxas and took the gummi, "At least we have some form of lead."

Roxas sighed again, he seemed to want to compete with Riku for most sighs. "Do you think what he said was true?"

Riku shrugged, "We have no better leads at this point, and I have a feeling that that Chishiki guy is very good with information."

Kairi gave a wry grin to this statement, "If anything, he's certainly interesting, I'm sure he himself has actually already talked to Sora, but that guy only thinks about money."

Roxas put his hand to his face, "I don't know about that, after all saving me didn't really give him any profit."

Riku smirked at the Nobody's statement, "Munny wise you mean."

Roxas got up from the log he was sitting on, the sun had long ago descended from the heavens and now the stars flecked the night sky along with the moon. "I'm going to sleep, I think you guys should as well, it's going to be a long day tomorrow and we don't know what will happen once we get to that planet."

Riku nodded his good night to Roxas and Kairi barely stifled a yawn as she murmured a good night as well. Roxas then walked away from the fire and into one of the tents to sleep, his side was aching slightly as he laid down, but not too bad considering he had been punched there and the wound had reopened. He gratefully let the dreams of a natural sleep overtake him after he closed his eyes.

By the fire the two friends were quiet, each thinking about Roxas's story. It was Riku who decided to break the silence, "At least we know for sure that Sora is alive."

Kairi sighed as she hugged her knees to her chest, "Yeah, but we still have no idea where he is, what happens if we don't find him in time, I keep thinking about what that cat said in Wonderland."

Riku let a playful smirk grace his lips, "Which part, the one from Roxas's story or ours?"

Kairi glared at her friend before her expression softened. "A bit of both really," she admitted.

She gazed into the dancing flames that threw the shadows around. "To gain is to loose and to loose is to gain, he really likes to play with words, but I don't like the sound of these. Does that mean now that we've found Roxas, we might loose Sora? I'm just confused."

Riku sighed as he too gazed into the flames, "Don't take what that cat said to heart too much Kairi, after all, I think he likes using mind games to see people squirm. I might give him some sadistic pleasure."

Kairi nodded as she began to doze off as well; soon she was also sleeping leaving the eldest keywielder present to continue to stoke the fire deep in thought. His most pressing thought at the moment, was that he could feel the Darkness within him beginning to stir once more.

The morning dawned with the sweet sound of cicadas filling the air. A kiss of light shone through Kairi's tent and stirred her from her slumber. She slowly opened her ocean blue eyes to the sunlight glistening off of the dew on the grass in her tent. Letting out a jaw cracking yawn and stretching she walked out of the tent to the dazzling light of a sunrise.

The encampment was already bustling with activity and she noticed that Mulan's three friends were busy running about attending to business. Kairi was more interested in finding Mulan herself than Mulan's friends. She gazed throughout the entire encampment and spotted her talking to Shang near a makeshift guard tower, it looked as though the emperor was back and Shang returned safely.

Kairi paused for a moment as she watched with slight amusement as something Shang said made both of them blush. Eventually Mulan waved Shang away and Kairi took the opportunity to walk over to her friend. "You two make a good couple."

Mulan jumped a little at Kairi's voice before processing what she had said and turning an interesting shade of crimson. "We aren't at that stage yet."

Kairi let Mulan see a knowing smile, "Yet."

Mulan blushed an even deeper shade of crimson before shrugging and letting out a small laugh with Kairi joining in. The two fell into a comfortable silence which only companions can know. "You're leaving."

Kairi heard the hint of emotion in Mulan's voice as she said that. She herself felt a little saddened as she watched the sun's rising and observed the beautiful blending of red and gold and orange to create it. A regretful smile lit her expression, their journey had just begun after all. "Yes, but that doesn't mean we'll forget each other or never see each other again. There are many worlds, but they all share the same sky. One sky- one destiny."

By the time Kairi had finished speaking, Mulan also had a smile as she watched the sunrise. "We will meet again."

Kairi giggled slightly at Mulan's boldness and nodded. "Hopefully next time it won't be because of an immanent threat to your world."

A slight breeze then rustled the two's hair and clothes, cooling their faces from the sun's rays. Mulan turned to Kairi and bowed low. "Thank you for all you've done."

Mulan was surprised when Kairi rushed over to her and gripped her in a tight embrace. "We're friends, no need to be so formal."

Mulan smiled as she returned Kairi's hug and the two stepped away from each other, Kairi wearing a goofy grin that Mulan was almost certain she had picked up from Sora. "See ya!"

And with that Kairi walked back to the boy's tent to awaken them so they could begin their journey once more. Mulan smiled and bowed once more to her friend's retreating back.

Kairi, Riku, and Roxas were all on the Highwind II with Riku installing the new navigation gummi and Kairi and Roxas waiting patiently. Roxas looked much better after a good night's sleep, not to mention the elixer Riku had managed to obtain from an undisclosed source. If he had to guess, he would say that eighty percent of his strength had returned to him. Riku glanced in Roxas's direction, "Don't get too comfortable, that's Sora's seat."

Roxas glared at the silver haired keywielder. "You know what? I really don't like you."

Riku smirked as he flipped a few switches and began to get the ship moving. "I know."

Kairi rolled her eyes at the two's banter, this was going to be a long trip.

Kairi felt her eyebrow twitch in annoyance, those two had been arguing the entire trip, and were now vehemently opposed as to which shade was cooler.

"Black!"

"How could you say black!? White's the way to go!"

"What's so great about white!?"

"It's the color of purity! What's black got!?"

"Black looks cooler, didn't your Organization all wear black cloaks!?"

"They're not my Organization, and I didn't design the outfits!"

This comment made Kairi wonder who did design those outfits, she had a suspicion that she might never know. Kairi?

Kairi was jolted out of her contemplation as the voice that was not her own once again echoed throughout her head. She decided to ignore the two idiots and focus on listening to her other. Namine?

Yes! I'm finally able to communicate with you again, for some reason I haven't been able to lately.

Kairi smiled, she enjoyed talking to what was essentially the other her. We were able to find Roxas.

Kairi's last statement was met with silence. She waited a moment before tentatively asking, Namine?

It's good that you found him, I'm just not sure what that means.

Kairi seemed a bit taken aback by that statement, What do you mean?

Kairi heard Namine sigh, I just don't know whether to be happy or sad, after all since he's not a part of Sora anymore I can't interact with him, but I'm glad he has the ability to move around now.

Kairi could see the dilemma that her Nobody was facing. She was about to respond, but Namine continued, And the worst part is, I don't know what might happen to him if we find Sora, what if he can't merge and I've lost contact with him forever?

Kairi watched as Roxas continued to argue with Riku, and felt as the presence of Namine manifested itself to almost taking over her consciousness. Kairi could feel the remorse that Namine felt at not being able to communicate with the one you deeply cared for, she herself was feeling it too. Don't worry Namine, you're hearts are connected, just like Sora's and mine, even if you're worlds apart you can still feel him, I know in my heart Sora is alive, and he knows I am as well.

Kairi felt her lips tug into a small smile and knew it was Namine's doing, But Nobody's aren't supposed to have hearts.

But I think you and Roxas do, after all you're not just anyone's Nobody, you're my Nobody, now stop being so pessimistic.

Kairi felt Namine retreat and noticed Roxas staring at her, it seemed the two had decided to call a truce and Riku was now piloting silently. Roxas clasped his hands in front of his legs and slouched over a little. "You know for a second I thought you might have been Namine."

Kairi smiled softly, "For a second I was."

Roxas eyes widened and he looked up at Kairi. "How do you know it was her?"

"Because silly, you're two hearts are one, she's happy to have found you, but scared you can't communicate like before."

Roxas let out nervous chuckle, "Yeah, I'm sad about that too, maybe someday we'll be able to talk to one another face to face."

Kairi never let the smile leave her face, "I think one day you will."

Roxas smiled as well. "Yeah."

Riku grinned at his friends' conversation, although Roxas and him bickered like an old married couple a lot, he still considered him his friend, after all he was technically a part of Sora. He hoped Roxas would be able to find happiness.

The three fell into a comfortable silence as Riku cruised the space between worlds.

The two males of the group were silent as they flew through space, once they had in fact stopped arguing the Princess had, of course, fallen asleep. Roxas was looking at her with an expression that clearly expressed that he felt the longing to somehow talk to Namine. He sighed and ruffled his dirty blonde hair making it even more rumpled as he leaned back in his chair and stared up at the ceiling. "How do I get Namine out of Kairi?"

Riku raised an eyebrow at this, "She's not supposed to come out."

"But I could feel her right beneath the surface of Kairi for a second, and I'm not supposed to be separated from Sora either, yet here I am."

Riku smirked at that, "Well that is true, I suppose its possible, why not ask this Witch of the Dimensions?"

Roxas sighed dejectedly, "I want to, but I don't know how this process works, besides it's not up to me, but Namine."

Riku sighed, why could none of his friends ever realize that their feelings were almost always mutual? "Trust me, she wants that as much as you do."

Roxas blue orbs widen at this and after a moment his expression settles into a more tranquil one. "Yeah, maybe she does."

Riku rolled his eyes and continued to watch the navigation for the ship.

The gummi navigator beeped and Riku realized that they were approaching a world. He turned and punched Roxas on the bicep. "Wake up, we're here."

Roxas stirred and his sea blue eyes opened as he stretched and let out a jaw cracking yawn. "Man that was a long trip."

Riku nodded as he brought the gummi to bear. "Yeah this world is on the outer reaches of the universe, it took a long time to get here."

Just then a certain red-haired princess began to stir and her own blue eyes slowly opened to take in the scene around her. Riku smirked as he said, "God morning princess, we're here."

Kairi's eyes snapped open at this and she seemed more alert than before. "Finally, man that took forever."

Riku's smirk never left his face, "That's exactly what Roxas said."

Riku fiddled around with the instruments on the gummi for a moment before the trio beamed down in a white light.

The world was not what they had expected, huge buildings the size of those in The World That Never Was came to greet them as soon as they landed. It was a little overwhelming, Roxas gazed around, afraid that something might be hiding in the dark reaches of the buildings that surrounded them. "I don't like this place very much."

Riku nodded his consent and Kairi just stayed on guard. The three continued to walk down the street when they eventually passed a plot of land that was magnificently different from the others around them. It had an old wooden fence surrounding it and inside seemed to be an old cottage. Riku stopped in front of this place and turned to the other two. "You know it feels like this place is calling out to me."

Roxas glanced in Riku's direction then back to the house, "Me too."

Kairi was the last to say, "That makes three of us."

Riku nodded as he confidently stepped forward and into the threshold that felt like another dimension. Soon the other two were standing by his side and they began to walk up the path towards the house.

Just then one of the doors slid open and a boy around Riku's age stepped out. He seemed to be dressed for cleaning although under his apron he wore a student's attire. In his hand was a dustpan and broom and his eyes were two colors, one gold and one blue, framed by glasses. When he saw the trio in front of him his eyes widened and he looked back into the house and shouted, "Yuuko-san! Customers!"

When the boy said this the door slid open more and one of the most breathtaking woman Riku had ever seen walked through the door. She was taller than the boy, and wore a kimono with flower patterns on it that seemed to be moving across the cloth. Her long, wavy, jet-black hair was pulled up so that her deep crimson eyes could pierce anyone she gazed upon.

A soft aloof smile graced her lips as she took in the trio. "Welcome."

Riku noticed that her voice was fairly soft spoken, but he heard every word as if entranced. The woman, who could only be Yuuko-san continued, "This is a shop that grants wishes."

Kairi was the first to snap out of the trance for a change and questioned, "Any wish?"

Yuuko nodded her approval of Kairi's question. "For a price. The fact that you three were able to find this shop means that you have a wish to be granted. I already know what those are so let me now tell you what the price is."

The boy who had originally called for Yuuko was standing slightly behind her to the right, clearly he was an assistant of some kind. Yuuko turned to the boy then, "Watanuki, prepare some refreshments for our guests, after all they have come a very long way."

Watunuki nodded and hurried inside the shop. Yuuko kept smiling as her gaze pierced Riku. "What you wish can be granted, but the price may be steep."

Riku swallowed nervously before he spoke, "I want the Darkness in me to be gone forever."

Kairi heard these words and realized with a pang of guilt that her friend had been suffering from the Darkness still, and she hadn't really noticed. The comforting voice of Namine rose from the back of her mind, Don't worry it's not your fault, there've been a lot of things happening lately.

Kairi nodded as Yuuko scrutinized Riku. Finally Yuuko spoke, "Your wish can be granted, at the price of your Keyblade."

The trio were shocked for a moment, how could this person take away a keyblade? Yuuko smiled as she held out her hand and Way to Dawn flashed into existence. "Your power comes from the Darkness Riku, if you give it up, this keyblade becomes mine."

Yuuko then banished the keyblade and gently touched Riku's cheek. "I'll give you some time to thin about it."

Yuuko then turned to Roxas, "Your wish can also be granted, to become a Somebody."

Roxas's eyes widened at this statement and hope filled his features. "Can you really do that?"

Yuuko nodded gently and lifted Roxas's chin so that his eyes met hers. "At the price of all the memories you've ever had when you were a Nobody."

Roxas's expression filled with shock, but he nodded in content. "I'll think about it."

Yuuko then turned to Kairi and a sad expression crossed her features. "I'm sorry Princess, but you can not pay the price for what you wish most."

Kairi felt tears begin to well up behind her blue eyes, why, why did her wish have to be the one that couldn't be granted? It wasn't fair! Her voice shook slightly from trying to hold back her grief, "But, why?"

Yuuko seemed generally saddened that she couldn't grant Kairi's wish and she gently caressed Kairi's cheek. "Some wishes are just too big for one person to be able to pay the price, and those two have their own wishes to consider. But don't worry, the threads of fate are interwoven, I think the reason you can not pay is because you do not need to pay."

Kairi looked slightly more hopeful at this, "Does that mean that I'll eventually get Sora back?"

Yuuko smiled gently, "Perhaps, but the future is ever changing and it is ultimately the choices that we make in the present that determines the outcome."

Kairi nodded solemnly. Just then Watanuki slid open the door and whispered into Yuuko's ear. Yuuko nodded and beckoned the trio to come inside her shop. "Come, Watanuki has finished preparing some refreshments."

Everyon went through the door and into the old shop. Kairi's breath was taken away by the exoticness of the place compared to the rest of the world. Deep crimsons and blacks surrounded the shop in a Goth style that seemed unique to Yuuko. Roxas was looking at a cloth that was colored with crimson, black, and white. Riku was taken in by the slight smell of tobacco and cinnamon. To the trio the shop was wonderful compared to other places they had been.

And the best part so far was that there were no Heartless on this world, Riku could feel no malicious intent anywhere near them. So the trio had finally found a slight break in fighting.

They happily ate and talked about their various adventures until it was dark. Yuuko looked to the trio. "I believe it would be best if you stayed here for one night to truly recover yourselves."

Riku nodded in agreement. And the three friends decided to spend the night.

Riku sat on the roof a light breeze trussing his silver hair. "I thought I'd find you here."

Riku turned at the sound of the voice and saw Roxas jump onto the roof with him. Riku turned back to staring at the vast night sky. It was a cloudless night and all the stars could be seen from the roof. "I just keep thinking, do I really need a keyblade to fight? If it's to destroy the Darkness in me then I think it would be alright."

Roxas also sat down next to Riku cross-legged. "I think you should follow what your heart tells you. I'm offered to be a Somebody, but if that means that I have to loose all the memories of all the people I've ever met, I don't think I'd be me anymore. But the wanting is so bad that I don't know if I can refuse."

Riku nodded in understanding, "We sure are an interesting pair you and I. We'll see what happens tomorrow."

The two sat in a comfortable silence as they gazed up into the stars.

Morning dawned bright and early for the keywielders, the three were standing behind Yuuko's shop with Yuuko in front of them. She pierced Roxas and Riku with her gaze. "Have you decided?"

Riku nodded and stepped forward Way to Dawn flashed into his hand. "I will continue to bear the price of Darkness to fight for the Realm of Light."

Yuuko smiled and turned to Roxas. "I will also continue to stay as I am and fight for Light."

Yuuko nodded then turned to Kairi and a smile graced her lips. "And for you Namine?"

Roxas felt his jaw drop as he could feel Namine come to the edge of Kairi's consciousness. "Please grant my wish."

Yuuko nodded and caressed Kairi's face. As her hand moved away another body seemed to be pulled from Kairi and Namine stood facing everyone. Her blue eyes were nervous as she shyly looked to her white sandals. Roxas was dumbfounded for a moment, but a grin spread across his face and he rushed to Namine and subdued her in a giant hug. "It's really you!"

Namine let out a small chuckle and the two pressed their foreheads together overjoyed to have been reunited again at last. Kairi felt a small pang of jealousy for Namine because she had Roxas, but she crushed it down into her very existence. Namine finally let go of Roxas and was now staring at Yuuko.

Yuuko smiled as her hand reached out and touched Namine's forehead. A small ball of light was extracted which Yuuko put in a glass jar that Watanuki had retrieved. "Your price has been paid. Now I will give you this so that you may know where to go next."

Yuuko then lit a long elegant pipe and watched the smoke rise from it. "You're next destination will be Port Royal. You must brave Davy Jones Locker."

A/N: Hello to all my readers of Elegy of Darkness, I know that I haven't been updating as quickly as I have been, I just want you to know that I am going to be writing this story a little slower now. Although I've finally finished up my first year of college I'm also writing a few other things and this story's priority is set back a little, but don't worry if I feel great inspiration I'll pump out a chapter for this story right away. Next chapter is From the Depths, it will be a brief foray into Pirates of the Caribbean. Until next time please review!