*gasp* Sorry...*wheeze* New job... *dying gasp* New stuff... *collapses* Read on, my dear fans...

I don't own Kingdom Hearts and amazing fire-breathing lizard...things.

My heart was pounding, the blood rushing up into my head as panic and fear settled in. Was I being taken to its' nest to be fed to its' carnivorous babies? Or had it decided I was worth eating itself and being taken to the very home of a lone dragon to be devoured? The scenarios became worse with each passing second as the Pearl Blood flew over the sea, effortlessly carrying me in its' clawed feet.

And then I remembered about Riku.

"Oh no…."

Riku was alone on that island, no doubt searching the entire perimeter for me. And when he finally realized what had happened to me, I would be long gone. Unless…would he attempt to rescue me? Find me somehow?

The dragon growled and sped up, wings flapping double time and going higher. My legs kicked air, feeling entirely afraid for my wellbeing. What was I going to do once it landed at its' destination? Would I have time to flee and save myself? I gulped, looking below in hopes of seeing something that could help me. Anything would be nice at this point. But looking about, it was nothing but endless, vast seas; I was doomed.

"Maybe I'll faint at the last second…that'll be better than staying awake while he eats me alive." I muttered.

As if it had heard me, it tightened its' grip on me, now beginning to cut off circulation. I shut my mouth and decided it was best that I don't go and piss it off, lest it get rid of me by simply releasing me from this dangerous height. There was no land in sight and even if I survived the drop, I knew I wouldn't live long in the waves.

So we soared onward.

Night had fallen and I was cold from the constant breeze I was getting as we flew. I was also exhausted. My body was numb and I wanted nothing more than to go and curl up next to the fire, talking with Riku and not worrying for my very life.

I yawned, my eyelids flickering. I could doze off for a little bit, right? I needed to rest at some point if I was going to have the energy to escape.

But the moment my eyes were shut, the Pearl Blood rustled its' wings and dived, waking me in a flash. I couldn't see anything in this darkness, but the night was quiet, with only the ocean waves crashing into each other. Had we finally arrived?

Before I had time to try and get my eyes to adjust, I felt its' claws let go of me. My hands scrambled the air to find something to hold onto, but my fingers touched nothing. I fell, expecting to meet my fate and die then and there, wishing I had had more time to get closer to Riku. He was such a good friend…

"I gotcha, I gotcha!"

"No, move aside, moron. I've got it."

"Ugh…boys…"

I heard the words, but they weren't registering in my brain like I knew they should. All I knew is that I was falling and I couldn't see anything and it was cold.

"Here he comes!"

I wanted to scream. Was I screaming?

"Aqua, go. We'll take care of him."

"Terra, pay attention!"

"Wha-whoa!"

My eyes were temporally blinded as a light came into existence out of the dark. Instinct forced me to shut my eyes…and then I was on the ground, laying on my back like I hadn't just fallen a couple thousand feet.

"Is he…?"

"No, he's fine. Just a little shaken up, I suppose."

"Allow me."

Warmth brushed against my forehead and I instantly felt my body relax and my heart slow down to a normal rate.

"How is he?"

"Fine. Let's wake him up now."

I could feel a hand shaking me gently, but I didn't want to open my eyes. Who were these people?

"Hey. Open your eyes. You're safe."

"…are you sure…?" I dared to ask.

"Yes. Can you get up?"

My eyes opened, but I could barely see anything besides three dimly lit shadows standing over me, one holding a lantern that was almost burnt out.

"Who…are you?"

"Are you hurt anywhere?" a female voice asked.

"N...no."

A hand was held out to me, which I hesitated before taking, allowing myself to be pulled to my feet. Two of the three were taller than me, but the third was about my height, if not exactly.

"Who are you?" I pressed for an answer. "What happened to that dragon? Why am I still alive? Where am I?"

"Whoa, calm down with the questions there." A large hand lay on my shoulder and briefly squeezed it. "You'll get answers soon enough…" He then murmured, probably intending for me not to hear. "Hopefully."

I frowned. "Can you at least not look so creepy in the dark?"

"Oh! Sorry about that!" The lantern burned brighter immediately, shedding light on all four of us. "Better?"

I squinted, my eyes unused to the sudden light. As I adjusted, I took in the three profiles before me, slightly surprised.

The one who held the lantern was the female, one with short, blue hair and pale skin, dressed in a blue kimono of sorts, a white obi tied around her waist. She smiled and gave a slight bow.

"I'm Aqua. Pleased to finally meet you."

The tall male stood in a black shirt and tan hakama, his strangely spiked hair falling over his eyes as he looked down at me. I couldn't help but feel a bit nervous. He nodded his head at me.

"Terra." A hint of a smile crossed his features. "Don't look so scared."

The third member of the group was blond, spiked upward in an even weirder fashion than his companion. Wearing only a silver kimono of his own, he looked about my age. He smiled brightly and gave a deep bow at the waist before stepping closer to me.

"We're so glad to finally meet you, Sora!"

Yep. That just happened. Right there. Yep.

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Until the next chapter!