Chapter 9

Riku silently sat in the booth Hinata had led him to. He watched from behind his hood as she scurried around the busy dining room, delivering orders and greeting new guests. She had a smile on her face but Riku sensed that something was off. Her golden eyes didn't match the cheeriness in her voice. He was shaken out of his thoughts when she approached his table with a foamy yellow drink in her hands.

"Here you are," She chimed, placing the drink on the table. "Are you ready to order some food?"

He looked warily at the beverage before opening the large menu in front of him. All the names of the entrees were things he had never heard of before and the descriptions of the foods didn't do much to entice him.

"It can be a little overwhelming if you aren't from around here." Hinata told him, causing him to glance up at her as she leaned over so she could get a better look at the menu. Pointing to the bottom right corner of the menu, she explained. "Basically this is outlined by alien species and what they like to eat. You'll want to make sure you stay away from ordering Dextro foods; if you're human like me, then it will tear your stomach apart." She laughed, before continuing, "But here is a small list of well-known human food; like burgers and stuff." She glanced over at Riku, backing up when she realized she was only inches apart from him. Clearing her throat, she straightened her apron and asked, "Would you like one of those?"

Riku nodded and Hinata jotted down the order. The bell by the Inn's entrance rang and Hinata quickly looked behind her to see James walking in. Riku noticed a genuine smile appear on Hinata's face as James approached her.

Placing his hand on Hinata's shoulder, James greeted. "Hey Hinata, you're busy today, huh?"

"Hey you," Hinata replied, removing his hand. "I was wondering if you were going to come in today."

"I come in every day." James told her, sitting in a booth behind Riku.

"Well I know," Hinata started, walking over to his table. "But I wasn't sure if you would show since its Jim's goodbye party all day today."

James shrugged, "He's over at the shop everyday anyways. This way I can see you and keep an eye on him at the same time."

Hinata chuckled and reached into her apron to pull out a pen and paper, "Well alright then. Do you want the usual?"

"You know me so well." James smiled as Hinata took down his usual order. "Hey, are you going on break soon?"

"If Michele ever gets here." Hinata sighed. "She was supposed to be here a half-an-hour ago."

"She's not usually late is she?" James asked.

"No, this is a first." Hinata admitted, "I hope she's safe and all, but I wish she could've picked a different day to be late." She put her pad of paper back in her apron. "If she gets here then I should be able to go on break… why?"

James rubbed the back of his neck, "Oh, it's nothing. I was just thinking we could eat together."

Riku turned in his seat and leaned against the wall so he could have a view of James and Hinata talking. Eyeing James and trying to figure the guy out, he picked up the drink Hinata had gotten for him and brought it to his lips. His stomach churned the moment the liquid hit his tongue and in a gut reaction he immediately spit it out with a coughing fit.

Hinata was immediately at his side roughly patting his back and failing to hold back her laughter. "You know, I was wondering if you knew what drink you were ordering." She told him, trying to keep from doubling over in laughter. "I had a similar reaction the first time I tried it."

As Riku regained his breath, he was thankful he had the hood concealing his face as his cheeks were deeply flushed. He pushed the drink across the table as Hinata recovered from her laughing fit and she began lightly rubbing his back.

"Are you alright?" She asked him, getting a reluctant nod in response. Moving her hand from his back to his shoulder, she offered him. "I can get you something else if you would like. I apologize for not warning you about the drink. For all I knew you might have found it delicious." She smiled at him and without thinking, rubbed her thumb along his shoulder.

"Um… is there something I should know?" James spoke up, motioning his head towards Hinata's hand when she gave him a confused look.

"What?" She asked as she looked down at her hand. With a gasp, she quickly retracted her touch and blushed. "Oh, I'm so sorry!" She stammered to Riku. "I don't know what I was thinking. It just sort of happened… not that that's any good excuse." Clasping her hands behind her back uncomfortably, she told him. "Um, I'll go get you a different drink…" She glanced over at James before scurrying away.

James looked at Riku and then back at Hinata, before quickly getting up from his seat to hurry after Hinata as she pushed into the kitchen. The kitchen was filled with chefs cooking at their stations and steam billowed in the air as James grabbed Hinata's arm, gently pulling her to face him.

"What was that about?" He asked her calmly, "Are you alright?"

Hinata fidgeted her hands in front of her as she admitted, "Did you feel the earthquake this morning?"

James gave her a confused look, "What? Um… yeah I think so. It woke me up. But what's that got to do with anything? Earthquakes are rare, but they still happen."

"What if it wasn't a regular quake though?" She asked.

Realizing what she was referring to, James deeply sighed, "Hinata…"

"James, even Doc thinks this might be it." She interrupted him. "And the same day of the tremors we get this weird guest; one that doesn't want to talk and obviously doesn't know a lot about the food here. I had to help him figure out what food to order."

"Hinata, that doesn't mean anything." He told her. "I'm sorry, but that is too far of a stretch. There are tons of people that need help figuring out what they want to order. And maybe he can't talk."

She shook her head, "No, I think he can. He seems uncomfortable and every time we touch I feel like I know him."

"Don't be ridiculous, Hinata."

"James, please, I'm being serious."

"I know you are and that's what scares me. You've put these romantic notions on this random stranger, thinking that there's a chance he's actually Riku… Hinata, I'm sorry, but there is no way."

"James…" Hinata pleaded.

"No really, just hear me out." He interrupted. "The same day the border supposedly goes down the guy you've been talking about these past few months just happens to show up on this planet in the exact Inn you work at? That doesn't sound a little crazy to you?"

Hinata opened her mouth to object, but closed it with a sigh in defeat. Putting her head down, she mumbled "Maybe you're right… I'm sorry. I don't know what's come over me…"

James lightly tugged on Hinata's arm and she allowed him to pull her into a hug. "It's alright."

"I wish it was Riku…" She whispered; her voice breaking.

"I know…" James replied, hugging her tighter.

The door to the kitchen swung open and Sarah rushed inside calling, "Hinata, where are…" She slowed to a stop when she saw James and Hinata hugging. "Is something wrong?"

"I think she just needs a break." James spoke up for her.

Sarah looked at Hinata worriedly and nodded her head, "Yes, I agree. It's been very busy today." She walked up to Hinata and waited for her to pull away from James, before telling her. "Michele isn't here yet, but I'll take over for a little bit. Go relax for a little bit alright?"

Hinata reluctantly nodded, "Yeah, sorry about disappearing like that."

With a smile, Sarah told her. "Don't worry, I understand needing a breather. Next time though, make sure to come tell me when you need one."

"Deal." Hinata smiled and was about to follow James out of the kitchen, when she remembered, "Oh yeah, there is a guest in a black coat that needs a new drink. Could you get him limeade with extra ice?"

Sarah nodded, "Of course."

"Oh, and he doesn't like to talk." Hinata told her with a smile. "And he needs help with knowing what to order." She started to laugh, "I learned that the hard way."

James tugged on her arm, "Come on Hinata, I'm sure she can figure it out. He's just another customer."

Reluctantly, Hinata followed James out of the kitchen and went to his booth. She sat down right behind Riku and slumped in her chair.

"Are you going to be gloomy now?" James asked her. "I thought you would like a break."

Hinata shook her head, "I'm not gloomy." When James gave her a look, she sat up and leaned her elbows on the table. "I just… what if the border is down?"

James averted his eyes and sighed. "Hinata… can we not?"

"I'm serious, James." She spoke up, looking at him adamantly. "If it is down then everything is going to change."

Crossing his arms, James gave in and asked. "Alright fine, what are you going to do if it is down? Are you going to go look for Riku?"

Riku perked up as he heard his name and then was pleasantly surprised when Sarah brought him his favorite drink.

Hinata nodded, "I won't just be looking for Riku though. I have a lot of things I need to do."

"Really?" James asked, surprised. "I've only heard you talk endlessly about Riku."

"Okay, first off, I do not talk endlessly about him." Hinata clarified, glancing behind her when she heard a quiet chuckle from Riku. "And yes, I have to look for my younger sister too."

"You have a sister? What's her name?"

"Kairi."

Riku slammed his limeade onto the table with a loud glassy clang and turned around, staring in bewilderment at Hinata; causing her and James to startle.

"Is something wrong?" Hinata asked him, trying to make out his shrouded features from under his hood. The bell from the entrance chimed, catching Hinata's attention and she widened her eyes as two more figures in black coats entered the Inn. She motioned her head towards the men and asked Riku. "Are you part of some Black Coat Club or something?"

Riku gave her a confused look before following Hinata's gaze and seeing the men she was referring to. He quickly shook his head in response and began scanning the area for an escape plan.

"Oh, you're not with them?" She asked, getting another shake of his head in response. She looked back at the men as they looked around the dining room, not seeing Riku as his booth was behind a wall. Sarah approached to greet them but they ignored her. "I wonder what they want…" Hinata commented, about to get up from her seat when Riku grabbed her arm. "What is it?" She asked him.

"Hinata," James spoke up, "I agree with that guy, I don't think you should talk to them. Something seems off..."

"Yeah, but…" Hinata started, pushing Riku's hand off her arm and standing from her seat. "But why are they here?"

Despite the warnings from Riku and James, Hinata walked up to the two dark figures. Once she was in front of them, she got their attention. "Um, hello? Did you want me to help you find a table?"

The men looked at Hinata and immediately stopped walking. The front man outstretched his arms at his sides and exclaimed, "Hey, Princess! Just the girl we were looking for!" Reaching up, he pulled back his hood to reveal an older man's face with a black eye patch over his left eye and a dark scar on his right cheek. His black and grayed hair was pulled into a tight ponytail that fell down his back.

Hinata's eyes widened and she stumbled a couple steps back, stammering. "B-braig?"

The surrounding chatter from the patrons fell silent as Hinata stumbled backwards; averting their stares to the two black hooded men.

The man scoffed, "Braig? As if, the name's Xigbar now." Placing his finger to his head, he commented, "Good to see your memory is intact though."

"What are you doing here?" Hinata asked, clenching her fists.

"Better question is what are you doing in a dump like this?" He avoided her question.

Hinata crossed her arms with a scowl on her face. "This is my home and I don't appreciate you just barging in. Now tell me why you're here!"

Xigbar put his hands up in surrender and laughed, "I see nine years have done nothing to your attitude!"

Hinata glanced at the black hooded man that silently stood behind Xigbar, before asking. "Is Xehanort here with you?"

"Nah, the old man sends his regards though." He replied. "We are actually here with a message from him."

"What is it?" Hinata asked sternly, feeling the stares of her friends as she spoke.

Xigbar crossed his arms and looked at Hinata for a moment, before asking. "How would you like to become a member of the Organization?"

Riku abruptly got up from his seat at the mention of the Organization, but remained hidden behind the wall. James also got up from his seat and came up beside Riku.

"Do you know those guys?" He asked Riku quietly.

Riku nodded his head and then whispered back, "I'm not with them, but I know them. They're bad news."

"Is Hinata in danger?" James asked, getting nervous.

"Not yet." Riku told him.

James looked towards Hinata and was about to respond to Riku when Hinata yelled at Xigbar, "I already told that monster that I didn't want anything to do with his Organization!"

"Well you know, times change." Xigbar shrugged, "It has been nine years since you rejected us. And I've got to say, you're looking great for a girl in her twenties. You barely look a day older than the last I saw you."

Hinata scowled, "What happened to the other members? I thought there was only supposed to be thirteen…"

"I suppose you could say we've had something of a cleaning of house recently in our Oblivion headquarters." He admitted with a shrug. "We're four members short now and Xemnas thought we could offer you another chance. You come with us and we not only get you out of this dump, you get that purpose you've always wanted."

"You can't seriously think I'm going to join your group after what you did…" Hinata responded with confusion laced in her voice. "Why are you really here?"

"Hinata, who are these men?" Sarah rushed to Hinata's side.

"You mean you haven't told them about us, Princess?" Xigbar smirked, "And here I was thinking that you wanted to see your friends again."

Hinata whispered to Sarah, "They are people I know from my galaxy. I think the border is down."

"Are they dangerous?" Sarah asked.

"Dangerous?" Xigbar spoke up, "Our Organization is a peaceful group."

Hinata scoffed, "Yeah, make sure to tell that to all the people you tortured and turned into Heartless."

Xigbar shook his head, "Always focusing on the negative."

"Why are you really here?" Hinata asked.

"To offer you a chance to re-join the Organization." Xigbar raised his arms. "I don't know how many times I have to repeat it for you."

"Well I'm not taking it." Hinata crossed her arms. "And you can tell Xehanort that I don't want anything to do with his little group."

"You did once." The man behind Xigbar spoke up. He pulled back his hood to reveal long bright blue hair and an X-shaped scar plain on his face.

Hinata's eyes widened and she took a couple steps forward in disbelief. "Isa?"

"Saix." He corrected her, outstretching his arm. With a bright flash of light, a large Claymore weapon appeared in his hand. "I would suggest reconsidering the offer."

Murmurs and uncomfortable chatter began waving through the dining room when the weapon appeared. Hinata glanced around her at the people and stammered, "Isa, what are you doing? Are you a member too?"

"We were always going to be members, Hinata." Saix told her, with an emotionless tone. "At least, you were supposed to be one before you betrayed us."

"If you think I betrayed you, why do you want me in your Organization?" Hinata asked. "This isn't making sense."

"Desperate times call for desperate measures," Saix told her, seemingly bored as he readjusted his weapon. "Now unless you want some of these creatures to end up as casualties, you might want to reconsider coming with us."

Hinata gasped at Saix's casual tone when referring to killing. Panicked cries and screams erupted from the crowd. They refused to move from their seats in fear of how Saix would react. Instead they all stared at Hinata in anticipation of her answer. She felt the burns of all the stares burrowing into her as the tension in the room steadily rose.

"What happened to you Isa?" Hinata eventually asked.

"Nine years changes people." He responded with an unsettling smile. "Now what's your answer?"

Hinata looked around the room and caught sight of Riku glancing over the side of the wall at her. She locked eyes with him and sighed. Turning back around, she asked. "If I go with you, do you promise to leave everyone else alone?"

"Hinata, no!" Sam spoke up, getting up from her seat and rushing over to her. Linking her arm with Hinata's she defiantly stared at Xigbar and Saix, "You aren't taking her anywhere."

"Sam don't…" Hinata whispered. "You don't know what they are capable of."

"I can't just sit there and do nothing." Sam whispered back.

James was about to move to join his sister, but Riku grabbed his arm. "Don't…" He told James. "You'll only make things worse. I'll take care of it."

Riku pulled James back and then let go of his arm to walk forward. In silence he came up behind Hinata and immediately got the attention of Xigbar and Saix.

Xigbar's eyes lit up, "Oh ho! Seems like the infamous Imposter is here too! Isn't today just our lucky day?"

Hinata quickly glanced up at Riku behind her as he placed his hand on her shoulder, before turning back to Xigbar and Saix. "I'll go with you… just let me grab my things."

"Hinata, don't" Sam told her in a quieted voice, trying to pull her back.

"I have to, Sam." Hinata told her. "I don't want you or anyone else getting hurt."

Xigbar reached forward and grabbed Sam's arm, pulling her back. Jim and James immediately went on edge as Xigbar commented, "If you want to go so badly, why not come along?"

"Leave her alone!" Hinata yelled as Sam tried to wriggle out of Xigbar's grasp, "I told you I would go, so leave her be!"

"Think of her as a security to make sure you won't try anything when we leave." Saix told her.

Hinata was about to object further, but Xigbar told her, "Now go on, get your things so we can leave these people in peace."

With a sigh, Hinata turned around and headed towards the kitchen, feeling every stare and every beat her heart drummed in her ears. Pushing the door open, she was followed by James and Jim. Riku stayed in the dining hall, making sure Saix and Xigbar didn't try anything.

The kitchen was empty as all the chefs were out in the dining room but the strong scent of burnt food wafted through the air. Hinata walked to the back of the kitchen towards a set of metal lockers. Opening one labeled with her name she found her gauntlets. As she put them on, James came up beside her while Jim began searching through the cupboards for something.

"You can't seriously be going with them." James whispered.

Hinata slammed the locker door shut. "What else would you have me do, James?" She asked, her voice rising. Taking a deep breath, she told him calmly. "I already put Sam in danger, I can't risk anyone else."

"What are they going to do to you?" He asked, and when Hinata just looked away from him, he gently grabbed her chin and turned her face towards him. "Hinata…"

"I don't know, James." She admitted, removing his hand from her face. "Last time I saw Braig he tried to kill me. Things will be different this time though."

"Will they though?" He asked her.

Hinata nodded, "Yes, I'll make sure of it." She looked up at him and placed her hand along his arm. "I'm going to bring Sam back safely I promise."

"I know you will." He told her. "I'm just worried about you."

"Hinata," Jim spoke up, rushing over to her.

Hinata pulled away from James and turned towards Jim as he held out a plasma pistol.

"My mom always keeps one in the kitchen for emergencies." He told her before asking. "Do you remember how to use it?"

"Yeah," Hinata nodded, taking the pistol and concealing it underneath her vest. "Amelia has been giving me some shooting lessons."

"I know you have your blades, but you might need something long-range at some point." Jim explained, worry plain on his face. "Make sure Sam is safe."

"I will, I promise." Hinata assured him.

"Hey Princess!" Xigbar called from the dining room, "Any day now would be nice!"

"I'll be right there!" She yelled back. She was about to leave the kitchen, when James grabbed her arm and pulled her towards him.

"Hinata," He started, looking over her face. He opened his mouth to say something but kept closing it again. With a sigh, he finally spoke up. "Just… be careful alright?"

Hinata nodded, "I will…" With that she turned around and headed out of the kitchen. She pushed open the door to the dining room and walked up beside Riku. "I'm ready," She told them.

"Perfect." Xigbar smirked as he held out his free hand and summoned a large dark portal. "We'll be leaving then."

Gasps and murmurs once again waved through the crowd as the portal appeared. Hinata took the moment of chatter and grabbed Riku's hand, while whispering, "I don't know for sure if you are Riku or not, but our first priority is to make sure Sam is safe. Then we can take those guys out, alright?" She looked up at him and he squeezed her hand in response. She smiled at him and released his hand as she walked forward to enter the portal.

Sam stared at the portal wide-eyed, but once she saw Hinata walk into it she took a deep breath and followed. Xigbar had his hand wrapped tight around her arm as she glanced behind her to see Jim and James by the kitchen. They both had worried looks on their faces but the moment Sam stepped through the portal they disappeared. Sam looked at her new surroundings as she found herself in what seemed like a completely different world. Everything around her was pitch-black with a gray smoke wall, creating a round hall with a bright light at the end.

"Where are we?" She asked aloud, her heart racing.

"A Corridor of Darkness, it's a way some people in my galaxy travel quickly from one world to the next." Hinata told her, grabbing her hand as she came up beside her. "Don't worry; everything is going to be fine."

Riku walked a little behind Hinata, remaining silent; while Saix walked behind the entire group to keep an eye on everyone. Hinata squeezed Sam's hand before releasing it and then slowed her pace until she was beside Saix.

"What happened to Lea?" She asked him quietly once she was at his side.

Without looking at her, Saix replied, "Axel is the Ninth Member of the Organization."

"What happened to you guys?" She asked. "Why are all of your names different?"

Saix quickly glanced at Hinata before answering. "After you foolishly gave away our position in the lab all those years ago, Master Xemnas tracked us down and initiated our status in the Organization."

"What does that mean?" Hinata asked, her stomach churning. "When he tried to force me into the group he tried to stab me with that weird weapon… Is that what he did to you guys?" When Saix nodded in response, Hinata whispered, "Isa… I'm sorry."

"Saix," He corrected her. "Isa no longer exists. When you join the Organization your physical body is destroyed and replaced with a new improved form."

"Improved?" Hinata repeated. "You threatened to kill an Inn full of innocent people. You call that improved?"

"They were lesser creatures fulfilling their meaningless ambitions." He responded. "Their deaths wouldn't have meant anything other than creating more Heartless for our precious Kingdom Hearts."

Hinata looked at him in near disbelief. "You aren't anything like I remember… I can't imagine what Lea, or Axel, is like."

Saix glanced at Hinata and noticed her depressed state. With a sigh, he told her. "If you were to reconsider joining the Organization, we could rekindle the bond you, me, and Lea once had. It could potentially be just like old times again."

Hinata glanced up at him to see a small smile on his face. She almost smiled back but looking into his eyes she didn't sense the same warmth. His eyes were the same emotionless cold as before.

Shaking her head, she looked away and told him. "No. I don't know what it is, but something about you isn't right…" Without waiting for him to answer, she quickened her pace and walked up beside Riku.

Sam glanced behind her at Hinata, fear plain in her widened eyes; but seeing the calm serious look in Hinata's, she felt a spurt of confidence go through her. Turning back around, she asked Xigbar, "Where are you taking us?"

"Don't you worry, little missy." He told her, "You just be a good girl and no one will get hurt."

"But where are you taking us?" Hinata spoke up, repeating Sam's question. "What world exactly?"

"The Organization Homeworld." Saix told them. "But the distance between the galaxy you resided in and our world is too great for just one trip in the Corridors. As a result we have to take a small detour on a remote world."

Hinata glanced over at Riku and he nodded shortly to her. She looked ahead of them to see that they were approaching the light and as she entered it, she shielded her eyes. A warm breeze brushed past her before she opened her eyes again, to find that they were on a completely different world. The sky was shrouded in a cloudy overcast and the ground beneath them was black and coarse. Far in the distance were tall mountains with greenery speckled at the top and the sound of ocean waves could be faintly heard over the call of seagulls.

Hinata spun in place, examining their surroundings as the hot wind brushed through her hair. Riku was right beside her while Xigbar and Saix were several feet away from them with Sam still in their custody. Trying to talk quietly despite the high winds, Hinata talked to Riku. "I have a feeling that we shouldn't let them take Sam to their home world. I have an idea, but you have to trust me." She looked up at him and when he nodded in response she half-smiled. "Here goes nothing…" Walking forward, Hinata reached behind her and pulled out her plasma pistol. Flicking a switch along the back she listened to the mechanical whir of it charging up. When it was fully charged she stopped walking and aimed the gun right at Xigbar, before yelling. "Alright, you've had your fun! Let Sam go!"

Xigbar and Saix turned and looked at Hinata; both of them smirking when they saw the gun in Hinata's hand. "As if, Princess!" Xigbar sneered, "I bet you don't even know how to fire that thing!"

Aiming towards the ground, Hinata let out a single burst. Mere inches from Xigbar's feet the yellow laser shot exploded into the ground, causing the black ground to glow a bright hot orange. Sam let out a startled scream as Xigbar scuffled back in surprise.

"I'll say it again!" Hinata yelled, pointing the gun back towards them. "Let Sam go!"

"You don't think we came with our own toys?" Saix called back, summoning his Claymore while Xigbar summoned a large arrow gun.

"But don't you think it would be more fun to have a fair fight?" Hinata asked with a smirk. "Come on Isa, we haven't had a good spar in years! Would you really like to waste your effort on a girl that can't even defend herself?"

Riku came up beside Hinata and summoned Soul Eater, getting a surprised glance from Hinata as she immediately recognized the weapon. Shaking her head, she went back to the situation in front of her.

"So what will it be?" She asked. "A good fight or a meaningless killing?"

"I don't like this idea, Hinata!" Sam yelled, nearly trembling.

Xigbar glanced at Saix and he nodded his head with a smirk. "Alright Princess, you've got yourself a deal!" Xigbar called back, tossing Sam aside.

Sam fell to the rocky ground in a surprised heap, but quickly got to her feet and stared wide-eyed at Hinata.

"Get out of here, Sam!" Hinata ordered her, "Run behind me and Riku; we'll take care of this!"

Sam nodded and took a shaking breath as she ran without looking behind her. As she passed them, Riku finally spoke up. "How did you know it was me?"

Hinata placed the gun back behind her and activated her gauntlet daggers. "Just a feeling I had. I'll tell you more about it after this fight." She glanced over at him with a sincere smile, "You with me?"

He pulled back his hood, to reveal his face and smirked back, "Always."

Their moment was short lived as Xigbar lifted his arrow gun and shot a string of red arrows towards then. Riku held out his hand and yelled, "Dark Shield!" And the sharp darts hit a shimmering wall that appeared inches from their faces. As the shield dissipated, Saix wrapped both his hands around his oversized Claymore and rushed towards Hinata with a grin plain on his crazed face. Hinata wasted no time and also ran towards Saix, with her bright blue laser daggers at her side. As he raised his weapon above his head to bring it down on top of Hinata, she rolled out of the way and sliced at his legs; but he jumped over her swing. Getting back to their feet, they eyed each other for a moment right before attacking again.

Riku ran towards Xigbar, using Soul Eater and Dark Shield to block most of his arrow shots. Every time he would get close to him, he would swing his sword to slice him, but Xigbar kept teleporting to different areas. Getting fed up, Riku waited for Xigbar to teleport once more, and then he summoned Dark Aura, sending a stream of blue flaming orbs right into his opponent's chest. Xigbar fell to the coarse ground and clenched at his chest as the flames fizzed out. Riku took the moment to rush him and sliced Soul Eater against his back. With a growl, Xigbar vanished and appeared several feet away with a scowl on his face as he was already readying his guns for another round.

Saix swung his Claymore along its side, attempting to hit Hinata's legs. She jumped back and waited for the weapon to pass in front of her. As it did, she lifted her laser daggers and dug them into the metal; causing it to immediately heat up and melt upon impact. With ease, she sliced off the top of Saix's Claymore and smirked as it fell to her feet.

"Looks like you might need a new weapon." Hinata told him with a shrug.

In response, Saix jumped several feet back in a single jump and grinned. "Oh I think I'll be just fine." He told her, lifting his weapon with inhuman strength and immediately throwing it at Hinata as if he were tossing a toy Frisbee.

Hinata gasped in surprise as the weapon plummeted towards her and somersaulted out of the way, just as it swung over her. She looked over her shoulder as it landed harshly on the ground, creating a large cloud of dust. She considered grabbing it for herself; but before she could move for it, it began to glow and disappeared in a flash or light. Hinata looked back at Saix to see a brand new Claymore in his hands. With a sigh, she pushed herself to stand back up and whispered sarcastically, "Well that's fair." Making her daggers disappear, she noted, "Two can play at that game."

Reaching behind her, Hinata pulled out her plasma pistol and charged it up. Before Saix could react, she lifted the gun and fired at the hilt of the Claymore. Shards of sharp metal exploded upon impact, causing Saix to drop the weapon. Before he could fully figure out what had just happened, Hinata put away her gun and ran straight for him. She slid to the ground as she reached him and quickly swept her leg under him, causing him to lose his footing. He fell to the coarse ground and immediately tried to scramble to his feet, but stopped the moment he felt a gun pressed to his head. He looked up to see Hinata pressing the barrel of her pistol against his forehead; both of them breathing heavily as they stared into each other's eyes.

"So this is how it ends?" Saix asked, with a smirk appearing on his face. "You shoot your old friend point blank? Maybe you're more fit for the Organization than you think."

"Shut up." Hinata told him, trying to catch her breath. "I'm nothing like the Organization."

"You say those words, yet you hold the power to end my life in your very hands." Saix replied, almost urging her to take the shot.

"I need to stop you." Hinata told him, tears welling up in her eyes. "I can't just let you go."

"Then why don't you?" He asked; a smile on his face. "You could end this right now. All you need to do is pull the trigger."

Hinata's hand began to tremble and she grabbed the gun with both of her hands in an attempt to steady her grip. After staring at Saix for several seconds she admitted, "… I can't."

"Because you're weak," He told her, standing up and causing Hinata to take a couple steps back.

"No!" Hinata defended, reluctantly putting down the gun. "Because you're one of my best friends," When Saix gave her a surprised look, she explained. "I won't ever kill you Isa… I can't." Wiping away her tears she looked up at him with a scowl, "I'll always be there to stop you, but I am never going to kill you. I'm going to find a way to make this right. I'll find a way to end the Organization and maybe then you and Lea can go back to the way you used to be."

Saix laughed mockingly and reached out his hand, summoning a new Claymore. "You think you speak loyalty, but the only thing I hear is ignorance!" He yelled at her. "You may not have the will to kill me, but I assure you that I do not share the same sentiment!"

"Why are you doing this, Isa?" Hinata asked him, resting her gun at her side. "This isn't you!"

"I'm Saix!" He yelled, "I don't know why this is taking your thick mind so long to comprehend! Isa is gone!"

"No he's not!" Hinata replied, putting her gun away. "I refuse to believe that!"

The sound of something scurrying towards them caught their attention. They turned their heads to see a long red creature on four short legs heading straight towards them. Maroon spouts lined its long back and its light orange underbelly was close to the ground. It glared at them with two shiny black eyes as Hinata and Saix took a couple steps back to see what it was.

Hinata activated her blades and asked, "Is that a Heartless?"

The creature stopped when it heard Hinata's voice and turned its head towards Saix. With a growl, the corners of its mouth began to glow a bright orange and the ends of the dark spouts on its back began dripping a hot substance.

"Hinata get away from that thing!" Riku yelled, breaking away temporarily from his fight against Xigbar.

The moment Riku yelled, the creature opened its mouth and shot out a sudden blast of molten lava towards Hinata and Saix. Both of them rolled out of the way in separate directions, barely missing the lava as it blasted into the ground between them. Hinata scrambled to her feet as the creature turned towards Saix to continue its attack. She looked at the small pool of magma it had just created and watched as the black ground beneath it began to melt.

"What type of Heartless shoots lava?" She yelled, turning towards Riku to see that they were dealing with their own monster.

A tall and lanky teal creature stood several feet away from Riku and Xigbar. Its head was like a squid, with long straggly tentacles waving around it, shooting bullet-speed water bursts at them. Its head was perched on top of a slug-like body, sliding easily over the bristly ground.

Hinata stood in the middle of everything, completely ignored by both of the creatures. They treated her as if she were invisible, but relentlessly attacked the others. Deactivating her blades, she asked, "What world are we on?"

Hinata looked out towards the large mountains in the distance and made out what looked to be a hovering car flying straight towards them. The machine was a brilliant red with a white stripe going right through the center. Bright headlights shined in the front as it barreled towards them. In the driver's seat of the car sat a large creature with a couple smaller critters scurrying around the car.

"What?" Hinata whispered in confusion, crossing her arms.

As the car came closer, it swerved to a stop and the larger alien inside started yelling.

"You thought you could come to this world without me knowing it, huh!" He yelled, readjusting his blue shorts that were too tight for his sausage-like legs as he climbed out of the car. He glared at them with his four eyes and exclaimed, "No one messes with Jumba and gets away with it!"

"Jumba?" Hinata repeated, looking the man over. He was a rather round alien with tan skin along his face and belly but the rest of him was a dark purple. He wore a yellow shirt with a bright red floral pattern that was so tight the buttons were barely staying closed.

Behind Jumba, two more creatures climbed out of the red hover-car he had driven there. One of them was a gray-blue color with a small body but a long oversized head with five straggly tentacles coming off the sides of it. The creature walked towards Hinata and outstretched one of its tentacles, touching the tip of it on her hand. Hinata tried her best to stay as still as she could, unsure what the creature would do to her, but flinched as a small current of electricity spiked through her.

After a few moments, the critter removed its tentacle and wiped its hands as it called back to the large man in a nasal voice, "Jumba, this girl is not with them."

"Ah, well don't attack her then." Jumba crossed his arms. "Kill the others."

"Now wait just a second!" Hinata cut in, rubbing the hand the tentacle had touched.

"Oh, and the young man in the black coat is with her." The creature interrupted.

Jumba looked at the three men in black coats and asked, "Which one? They're all wearing the coats."

"Riku," Hinata answered. "The one with the black sash over his eyes and the light-blue hair. Now do you mind telling me what's going on? And how do you know I'm not with those guys?"

Jumba put up one of his thick fingers at Hinata, as if to tell her to be quiet as he ordered the others. "Alright, you heard the little lady. Ignore that Riku guy, but get the other ones."

The creatures in front of him saluted quickly before heading off to attack Xigbar and Saix, who were struggling enough as it was.

As they ran off, Jumba complained under his breath, "Those no-good black-coats thinking they can just waltz in here and steal my prized experiments…" Clenching his fist and shaking it in the air he exclaimed. "Well not this time!"

Hinata gave Jumba a confused look and looked over at Saix as the lava creature continued shooting spouts of magma at him. A new orange creature joined in on the fight. It stood on two stout feet and had a mouth that went all the way to the ground. Every time Saix would take a swing at it, it would open its mouth and chomp down on the Claymore, taking a large bite out of it.

"Good bite, 586!" Jumba cheered him on, he looked over at Hinata and giddily explained, "That is Experiment 586, specializes in eating metal!"

"Eating metal?" Hinata repeated, watching as Saix had to continually summon new Claymores due to the bites 586 was taking out of them. "What about the others?"

Jumba's eyes widened with excitement that someone was interested in his experiments. Motioning towards the teal creature spewing water at Xigbar and still occasionally Riku, he explained. "That is Experiment 501, or Yin, specializes in water blasts. Then Experiment 120, Snafu, specializes in foiling enemy plans."

"How do you specialize in foiling enemy plans?" Hinata asked, watching as Riku bolted out of the way of a water blast.

Riku straightened from the dodge and took a moment to reassess the fight in front of him. Noticing that the creatures were no longer interested in him, but in Xigbar, he dissipated Soul Eater and allowed himself a breather.

Xigbar was quickly getting fed up with the new attackers and made himself teleport towards Saix. "Saix, let's get out of here!" He yelled once they were next to each other.

"We were instructed not to leave without Hinata!" Saix objected, jumping back and hurling his Claymore towards the Experiments attacking them.

"Hey Jumba," Xigbar called, teleporting to be in front of the alien. "We aren't here for your petty experiments, so how about you just take your kids and scurry on home?"

Jumba scowled, "I don't care why you're here! You aren't allowed on Hawaii or any other planet in this quadrant! You have already taken 626 away from me, I won't allow anymore!"

Xigbar rolled his one good eye and looked over at Hinata with a smirk. "Come on Princess, you already promised to come back with us. Why don't we just get going?"

Hinata crossed her arms. "You know, I don't see Sam anywhere so I think I can safely tell you no this time. I'm not going anywhere with you guys. And if you won't leave, I'm sure Jumba wouldn't mind calling his other experiments here." Seeing Riku come up beside her, she added with a smirk, "But it shouldn't have to come to that now should it?"

Placing his hands on his hips, Xigbar chuckled under his breath and sighed. "You really shouldn't have betrayed us." Looking over at Saix and catching his attention, he nodded his head and waited for Saix to nod in return. Smirking back at Hinata, he waved his hand and told her, "You be a good girl now! Until next time!" As soon as the words left his mouth, a dark mist covered his entire body and he immediately disappeared.

Once he was gone, Saix jumped back from his fight and looked up at Hinata, until their eyes met. With an unsettling smile, Saix motioned his head downwards to her before disappearing the same way Xigbar had.

Jumba laughed once both of them were gone and called to the others. "Aha! See, I told you they were no match for my Experiments!"

"How did you know they were here?" Riku asked; smiling as Hinata interlaced her fingers with his.

Crossing his large arms, Jumba proudly explained, "After our last encounter I contacted the United Galactic Federation and they gave me a device that allows me to monitor off-world activity."

"Wow," Hinata replied, "So you can tell when the Organization lands here?"

Jumba nodded triumphantly. "Yes! And as long as I'm here they are not allowed on this world or anywhere near it!"

Hinata smiled and looked up at Riku, who smiled back at her. Tightening her hand around Riku, she told Jumba, "Well, I'm glad you showed up. I don't know how we would have done without you." Then her eyes widened as she remembered, "Can you track other off-world visitors? My friend ran off when we first arrived and I'm not sure where she could be."

Jumba smiled, "For taking on those black-coats with me, anything!" Turning around he whistled and his Experiments instantly scurried back to the red car. "I'll be back in a bit. I need to get to my lab to track your friend." He looked at them for a moment and asked, "You are welcomed to come along."

"No," Riku answered, rubbing his thumb along Hinata's hand, "I think we'll stay here."

"Just to make sure the Organization doesn't come back." Hinata added, her cheeks blushing.

Jumba shrugged as he started up his car, "Suit yourself." With that he was instantly driving away in the distance leaving Hinata and Riku alone.

They watched as Jumba drove away, unsure of what to do next. Standing next to each other, they held hands in silence for several minutes.

After a while, Hinata finally spoke up. "I… don't know what to say." She laughed quietly under her breath.

Riku chuckled in response and admitted, "Me either."

Hinata turned towards Riku and grabbed his other hand, causing him to turn to her. She examined his face, the same familiar features she remembered, but also matured from the past several months they were apart. His hair had grown much longer, falling past his shoulders. She cocked her head to the side when she looked at the black sash covering his eyes and letting go of one of Riku's hands, she slowly reached up and ran her fingers along the side of it.

"Why…" She started to ask, her voice barely over a whisper.

"It… keeps the darkness inside me." He told her, ashamed. "Without it, I'll be overwhelmed by it."

Hinata frowned in response as she moved her hand from the sash, to his cheek. Taking a deep breath, she asked. "Is Xehanort gone?" When Riku didn't respond, she clarified. "I mean… he isn't inside of you anymore? Do I need to worry about him trying to…"

Riku shook his head and reached up to grab Hinata's hand that was resting on his face. "No, he won't ever hurt you again. I promise." He squeezed Hinata's hands and kept his gaze down cast as he stammered. "Hinata… I'm so sorry." He looked up at her, "I didn't intend all of that to happen." He turned his head to gaze at the volcanic ground surrounding them. "I gave into the darkness and did all of those awful things to you… and to others." Letting go of Hinata's hands he finished. "I don't deserve your forgiveness and I'm not asking for it. I just want you to know that I'm sorry and… that I would understand if you went and found someone else."

"Riku…" Hinata stepped forward and re-grabbed Riku's hands. She stared at their grasped hands for a moment as she took a shaking breath. Looking back up at him, she admitted. "I love you."

Riku shot his head up to Hinata when he heard the words come out of her mouth. They stared at each other in silence, until Riku shook his head and let go of Hinata's hands. "How can you say that?" He asked her, taking a couple steps back, "After everything I did and put you through… How can you just turn around and say that?"

"Because it's true," Hinata told him, taking a step towards him.

"You deserve someone better, Hinata." He told her, forcing himself to look away.

"I don't want someone else!" She cried, tears welling up in her eyes. "Riku, there wasn't a day that went by while we were apart that I didn't think about you. I know that you messed up, but I can already tell that you are striving to change. And even more than that; the thing about love, Riku, is that I forgive you. I forgive everything you've done in the past and I already forgive you for everything that is yet to come." She walked forward and reluctantly placed her hand on his cheek to turn his face towards her. Taking her hand away once he was looking at her, she told him. "I don't want to go another day without you in my life. I tried moving on without you… and I just couldn't do it. I want to be there to support you in everything you're striving for and I want to experience everything by your side. You shouldn't have to go through this alone."

They stood in silence as Riku examined Hinata while she waited in anticipation for his response. Her golden eyes were filled with hope but also fear as she lightly bit her lip with worry. Taking a deep breath, he quietly asked, "Do you really mean that?"

Hinata nodded, trying to keep tears from falling down her cheeks. "More than anything."

Riku looked down at his black gloved hands and slowly took off his gloves while Hinata watched him in silence, wondering what he was doing. Once they were off he put them into his coat pocket and took a couple steps forward until he was right in front of Hinata. Then lifting one of his hands, he slid it behind Hinata's neck and laced his fingers into her short hair. Placing his other hand along her waist, he leaned his head down and pressed his lips against hers. Melting in his arms, Hinata leaned into his kiss and placed her hands against his chest; eventually sliding them behind his back and pulling him closer.

Before things got too passionate, Riku reluctantly broke the kiss and leaned his forehead against Hinata's. Catching his breath, he whispered, "I love you too."

A smile beamed on Hinata's face before she finally broke down and began to cry. She moved one of her hands from Riku's back to her face, trying to wipe away her tears. After a moment she began to laugh amidst her crying and admitted, "I can't stop crying… I'm so happy."

Riku laughed in response and kissed the top of Hinata's head. Moving one of his hands to her cheek, he lifted her face to look at him and said, "Then don't try to stop. Just kiss me instead." He immediately took her lips into his own, letting it swiftly become passionate as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. They soon became so lost in each other they didn't notice that Jumba returned in his car with Sam inside the passenger seat.

As Jumba stopped the car several feet away he called out to them. "Hey! I happened to find your friend on the way back to my lab! I didn't even have to use the tracker!" When Riku and Hinata didn't stop what they were doing, he turned to Sam and pointed towards the couple. "What are they doing?"

Sam blushed as she glanced over Jumba's shoulder to see Hinata kissing what seemed to be a complete stranger. Clearing her throat, she climbed out of the car and explained. "Ah… it's a human thing. I'll break it up. Thank you for getting me back to them."

Jumba shrugged and replied, "It was nothing! You looked so out of place when I found you, it wasn't hard to figure out you were their friend."

With a scoff, Sam crossed her arms. "Uh, yeah, well still thanks."

Jumba laughed and waved one last time at Sam before turning the car back on and driving away. Sam watched the car disappear in the distance before turning around to see Hinata and Riku still kissing. She uncomfortably rubbed the back of her neck as she approached the couple, unsure of exactly what to say.

Once she was close enough for them to easily hear her, she spoke up, "So, uh, I'm going to assume this is Riku then?"

Hinata widened her eyes and immediately broke the kiss with Riku, her cheeks deeply flushed. She looked over at Sam and cleared her throat while she quickly pushed some of her hair behind her ear, stammering, "Oh, um, yeah." Taking a couple steps back, she motioned forward, "Sam, this is Riku."

Riku's cheeks were also flushed as he rubbed the back of his neck and waved with his other hand as a greeting. Sam smirked as she crossed her arms and watched the flustered couple.

With a laugh, Sam walked forward and outstretched her hand to Riku. When Riku followed suit and took her hand she shook it, while telling him. "It's good to finally meet you. Hinata's told me all about you."

"Really?" Riku asked, glancing over at Hinata as she looked away embarrassed. "Well… um, nice to meet you too." He told Sam, looking back at her with a small smile. "Thank you for taking care of Hinata."

Sam pulled back her hand and smiled. "It was more her taking care of me than anything. Has she told you about the ship I built her?"

Riku looked over at Hinata as he answered, "Uh, no, she hasn't really gotten the chance."

Stifling a laugh, Sam teased, "Well if the way I found you two when I got here was any indication, I don't think there was much talking going on." Hinata and Riku's cheeks flushed again while Sam chuckled. "I'm just teasing; it makes sense you guys would be like that after being apart for so long. I'm just glad you're safe. Hinata was worried about you."

"Safe?" Riku repeated.

"I didn't know what Xehanort did to you after… well you know." Hinata told him, coming up beside him.

Riku grabbed Hinata's hand and squeezed it tightly.

"So… I wanted to thank you both for saving my life." Sam spoke up, changing the subject. She averted her eyes as she continued. "You were right Hinata, I shouldn't have interfered like I did and I only caused more trouble in the end."

Hinata stepped forward and pulled Sam into a short hug. "I'm just glad you're safe, to be honest." Pulling away, she told her. "And I actually really appreciated that you would risk yourself like that for me."

Sam smiled, "Well of course, you're one of my best friends."

"You're one of my best friends too." Hinata replied, looking behind her as Riku placed his hand on her shoulder.

"We should probably get Sam back to her home." Riku spoke up. "What is the planet called?"

"Montressor," Sam told him, rubbing her hands together in front of her. "How are we going to get back?"

Hinata motioned her head towards Riku. "Riku can make one of those Corridors of Darkness that Braig used to get us here."

Sam nodded and then asked, "How do you know those guys, Hinata?"

"I… grew up with them." Hinata admitted, getting a surprised look from Riku. Chuckling uncomfortably, she added, "I guess I have a lot of explaining to do, huh?"

Riku outstretched his hand and summoned a dark portal before reaching over to grab Hinata's hand. "We both have a lot to talk about." He told her, "But let's not rush it. We'll talk about everything later."

Hinata nodded and looked over at Sam. "You ready to go back home?"

"Definitely." Sam smiled, entering the portal.

Squeezing his hand, Hinata looked up at Riku with a smile plain on her face. He leaned down and gave her a quick peck on her lips, before telling her. "I'm glad you're back."

Hinata grinned and replied, "Me too."

With that they walked forward and entered the Corridor to head back to Montressor and to begin their new adventure together.

*** Author's Note: Back together at last!

I had such a fun time writing this chapter. I hope you guys didn't mind the short visit to the Lilo and Stitch world! And yes, all of those experiments are ones Jumba actually made in the Lilo and Stitch lore. If you ever get the chance, just look up a list of the different experiments he made; some of them are really strange and makes you wonder why he made them. Like, there was one that specializes in making people snore… why would you want that? And there was another one that specializes in turning people into babies… lol, my husband really wanted me to bring that experiment into the story, but that just seemed too silly haha!

I was originally going to have the fight be on some random planet but then my husband brought up that there are so many random Disney worlds out there; so why not take advantage of that? And I can't go to a Disney world without at least using some of the characters! So I pulled up the list of Jumba's experiments and chose four. In the later Lilo and Stitch movies, as well as the TV show, the other experiments that Jumba created come to live in Hawaii along with Stitch; so I thought it would be fun to throw them into the fray. We might come back to this world later in the story. Just an FYI haha!

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I really look forward to hearing what you think! Have a great week! ***