*A/N Alright! Here's the next chapter in Blood Brothers1 It's much much shorter than previous chapter, and I apologize for that, but I really liked where it ended and didn't want to overwhelm you guys with info. Don't worry, next chapter will be full of stuff! We're finally heading into the plot of the whole saga, yes saga because I plan on making this at least a trilogy, so I'm just preparing you. I hope this first part of the saga (series, trilogy, whatever the hell you want to call it) will be the building excitement climb of this rollercoaster. Trust me, I never thought I'd be doing something like this. I hope to make it epic and also hope you will stick with me to the end.

Nope. No warnings this time around. At least, no new ones. Sora and Roxas are still pregnant (duh). There's like, one dead deer. Not even graphic. So yea...

Ok, a lot of people like to toss in a bajillion different Final Fantasy characters that never appear in the Kingdom Hearts series and do not call it a crossover. On top of that, they do not ad any of the Disney elements. So, I am attempting to not do that. I will (try) not to add random FF characters and there will be quite a lot of Disney references, especially in my planned 3rd installment to the trilogy (saga, series, BLAH!), but it will start this chapter. Ok, I'll shut up now and let you read. Enjoy the (short) 7th chapter of Blood Brothers! ^_^*

Chapter 7: A Gate and A Pursuit

The rain had finally stopped by the time Xion, Kairi and Naminé got home. They found the note the twins had left on the library door. Xion smiled. She'd always wanted children when she was human, but a fatal accident nearly cost her her life. Had it not been for those roaming vampires, she would have died centuries ago. But now, she had a second chance and she wasn't going to let it go to waste.

"Come on girls! We've got work to do. When the boys get back, we'll go out and fetch them dinner. I'm sure they're playing and will forget to eat." Kairi giggled, knowing the older vampire was probably right. Xion smiled and turned to Naminé. "Ok, so what is on our to-do list?"

Naminé looked thoughtful for a second before replying, "We have two suits, a pair of pajamas, three evening gowns and a medieval lady's smock to go under that wedding dress we did for Lady Edwin last week." Kairi sighed. "Oh yes, we've our work cut out for us this time. Best do it quickly before I find something better to do. Like make these adorable booties for the babies!" The three squealed and giggled, hurrying up the stairs to complete their official work before continuing to make the mass of baby clothes.

Sora awoke to the sound of water dripping on stone. Beside him he could feel his brother, who had yet to regain consciousness. They were both sitting on the ground in a dark cave, propped up against the smooth, slightly damp wall. His body ached slightly and he discovered that his wrists and ankles were bound by some sort of magical handcuffs. He studied the faintly glowing runes that were glowing faintly on them, recognizing them to be a binding spell.

Sora had spent a lot of time studying some of the magic books in the library. He found he could perform some simple spells such as healing minor injuries or making a ball of fire in his hand. He'd set more than one page of a book on fire practicing that. One book had absorbed the flame and shot it back at him tenfold. He never approached that particular book again.

Now he tried to create that small ball in his hand, but the cuffs on his wrist glowed orange and he felt as though all his energy were being drained from his body so he stopped immediately. It seemed these cuffs were made for all kinds of possibilities. A shuffling sound from deeper in the cave he discovered he was in caused Sora to turn his head and look up into the face of his captor.

Zexion, in human form but now wearing a long black cloak, looked down at him with a single blue eye. "You're awake. I'm sure you're hungry as well." Sora didn't want to admit it, but he was. "What do you want from us?" he asked instead. Zexion sighed as if he really found this bothersome; which he did.

"I advice you feed before I give you any explanations, not that I'm obligated to do such a thing. The gate will be opening soon and it would be unwise to go through on an empty stomach. Empty as in food anyway; you're certainly not lacking in extra baggage."

Sora was about to take that as a taunt, but realized the wolf was actually trying to get him to think about the well-being of his child. For a vamp-napper, this Zexion guy didn't seem too bad, but he was still suspicious. Any comeback Sora was thinking of giving never came as the blond beside him stirred and the sound of someone moving in the cave reached their ears.

Roxas' eyes opened groggily just as Demyx came into view, dragging a large buck with him. The sandy werewolf looked at the two captives with a relieved smile. "I'm glad you're both awake. Just in time for dinner. But I suggest you hurry; the gate's due to open soon."

"What gate?" Roxas asked, his eyes honing in on the fresh carcass still filled with warm blood. It seemed he was forsaking the situation in favor of his hunger. Sora sighed, shaking his head in disappointment, even though he too was feeling that aching hungry feeling now. Demyx also noticed this, for he dropped the buck in front of them as Zexion answered Roxas' question.

"The gate we are to pass through is that which separates this world from the magical world. It is monitored by the gatekeeper Merlin, a great wizard. I do hope you both know that wizards, witches and warlocks are humans with immense magical abilities that have been granted immortality." Both vampires nodded as best they could with their teeth sunk into the flesh of the deer. It was a bit difficult to keep a firm hold, since their hands were cuffed, but they were managing. "Good. I'm glad vampires take well to their education."

Roxas wanted to snort at that. He may not have been a vampire for long, but he was sure that werewolves were quite the savage, if not outright barbaric type, relying on instinct and brutal strength more than on intellect. Zexion must have sensed his disbelieving amusement or something because he gave the young vampire a frown. "It seems you believe different. No matter. I will not attempt to change your opinion. Now hurry. Merlin will be here soon."

Xion looked out the window again, her needle stalling for the trillionth time. Naminé and Kairi looked at her, then at the window as well. "They have been out for quite a while. Maybe, we should go look for them?" Naminé suggested putting down the half-finished dress she was working on. Kairi looked at her, about to agree when Xion sighed. The two turned to look at the older vampire, wondering what was troubling her.

"I fear something awful has happened to them. I can feel something, but I don't understand what it is. I just know that something isn't right. Come on. We'll have to finish this later. Our boys need us." Leaving their various projects behind, the three female vampires set out to find their missing twins.

Demyx and Zexion carried the two vampires towards the very back of the cave. It still surprised them how strong the wolves were, especially because neither seemed tired after all that carrying. Not to mention these two particular wolves were quite thin and not exactly beefy in the muscle category. The four were only waiting a few minutes when a humming sound began to echo softly through the cave.

The sound grew louder and the cave seemed to grow brighter. Within a minute, a black, wrought-iron archway filled with light formed out of thin air. Silhouetted in the light archway stood a slightly small man wearing a long blue robe and a tall pointed blue hat. He had half-moon spectacles in front of wise, cheerful eyes and a long white beard and mustache. "Four for the gate to the magical realm?" he asked.

Zexion stepped forward and bowed slightly. "That's right Merlin, sir. My name is Zexion. I hope everything we arranged is in order?" The wizard Merlin nodded. The immortal human stepped back and allowed the four to pass through into the light emanating from the archway.

Xion, Kairi and Naminé caught the faint scent of something strange. They'd been following the faint scents of Sora and Roxas until they stumbled upon a clearing, where two unfamiliar scents mingled with the ones they were pursuing.

"Kairi, we've smelled this before," Naminé said, looking at her sister with worry. She remembered the night their parents were killed, months before Xion had discovered them. The smell they picked up was unmistakable now: werewolves.

The three vampires ran swiftly, following the scents until they reached a cave far from their home. The scents had led them there and then suddenly vanished. After several minutes of searching, they found nothing. It was like they'd disappeared into thin air.

Xion screamed, her fangs flashing in anguish. How could this happen? What did the werewolves want with her children? Many questions came rushing through her mind but she shook them off for now. They had to inform Axel and Riku. Screw their convention. Family was top priority.

*So, a bit of character development and teeny smidge of background info in there. Yes, terribly short, but you can't rush a great epic. From here on out, things get a bit sticky. Just gotta keep at it though. See what I meant about the Disney references? Hope they're working. Ok, not sure when the next chapter will be up, but rest assured it won't be this short. Intro to more characters and such, as well as getting a glimpse of the magical realm. Gosh I even planned out family trees and stuff! I'm really into this and hoping you all are too. Any questions, comments, concerns, suggestions and/or critiques may be submitted to me in a review. Until next time darlings! Ta ta! ^_^*