Got a couple of reviews! ^^ More than I thought I'd get after so long! So thanks so much! I'm going to do my best to keep up with the reviews (at least until I get a job again... .)!

Sora's POV

No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't get to sleep. Could anyone really blame me after everything that had happened? Today was filled with more questions that answers, but I knew what I wanted to do with everything I had learned. I glanced across the room to Ven who was curled up, sleeping soundly. Something about our discussion earlier had bothered me. Something about him. He was terrified, I knew, but...

Then there was how he had reacted as soon as we had gotten home. What was that all about? He said he was worried about us, but I didn't buy it. Well, I'm sure he was worried about us, don't get me wrong. It was in Ven's nature to worry about everyone else. But I'm pretty sure I was missing something. Something else had terrified him and I felt the urge to slap myself. I shouldn't have let Zack leave him alone like he did. After this whole mess with the Heartless, it was stupid to do. We all needed to stick close together, just in case.

"Mmm...Sora..." I sat up quickly, looking over to Roxas. My brother shifted slowly, sitting up slowly and gripping his head. "Sora..."

I stood quickly, hurrying over to him. "Are you alright? Roxas?" His blue eyes looked up at me, confusion plain on his face. "Are you...there?"

"Where else would I be, dummy?" he asked, a weak grin coming to his face as he batted me on the head. I huffed, rubbing my head, as if it had actually hurt. "What happened? When did we get home?"

Well, heck...I thought for sure it'd take longer for him to get back to normal. Everyone had made it sound like it could take a few days at the very least. But this was my brother, I knew. "Did you...your memories...?"

"Is that why my head's pounding?" he asked, a scowl coming to his face. He gripped his head again. "Is that what they really were? They were so weird...and they sucked." Roxas looked down, his eyes widening slightly. "Back at the beach! The Heartless..." he gripped his chest, as if he wasn't sure his heart was still there. "They almost got me."

"But you're okay, right? Do you feel okay?" Roxas nodded slowly, looking back to me. "Good. You had us all worried. Ven especially." We both looked to our youngest brother. He continued sleeping soundly.

"Well, apparently he's just fine," Roxas muttered, laying back again and looking up at the ceiling. "What happened exactly?"

And so I reiterated everything we had learned while Roxas had been in his zombie-like state. Roxas watched me, listening carefully, his eyebrows furrowing slightly. "I decided I wanted to help them Roxas. I have to help fight the Heartless."

"Are you sure? I mean, we could ignore it this time around. Couldn't we?" I huffed quietly, shaking my head stubbornly. "I had a feeling you wouldn't listen. Fine then, count me in." I grinned slightly, perfectly happy to have my way. "But what about Ven?"

"I told him earlier. He didn't take it too well. He's worried that we'll get hurt. Or we won't come back." I sighed heavily. "I promised him we'd be alright." Roxas snorted softly, sitting up again. "What are you doing?"

"I'm starving. Let's talk downstairs before we wake him up." I nodded in agreement, walking over to Ven and pulling the blankets back over him before following Roxas downstairs. "Besides, I smell pizza."

"Ven's idea for dinner." We walked into the kitchen, Roxas putting a couple of pieces of pizza into the microwave while I grabbed a can of soda. Ah, caffeine was amazing. I hopped up onto the counter, sipping at it slowly. "You know, I'm worried about Ven."

"Why? Something happen?" I nodded slightly. Well, I was only pretty sure something had happened. I just didn't know what.

"Zack brought him home when we were at Sephiroth's and left him here alone. I guess he passed out while they were talking to him and Terra. But when we came home, he ran down practically tackled me. He was crying and all he would say was that he was worried. It just seemed like there was something he wasn't telling me." Roxas shrugged slightly, pulling his plate out of the microwave.

"Monsters and being left alone? We all know Ven scares easily and after everything that happened today, he probably just had a little breakdown. Especially when he woke up here all alone." I sighed heavily. Roxas huffed, starting to devour his first piece of pizza. "Well, it's true! But I wasn't there to see it, so you probably know better than me. So, what do you think was wrong?"

"I don't know! That's the problem!" I grumbled, watching my brother with some amusement. He must have been hungry. "I know how scared he gets. I guess that's why I'm worried. We have these memories and we can fight the Heartless, but Ven can't fight yet. If we don't watch him..."

"We have to watch him." We stared back at one another and I nodded. "We won't let anything happen to Ven or each other. Right? And Axel, Terra, and Riku are here too. And Zack. And whoever else is out there. We'll all be fine, so long as we stick together."

"You're right, I know." I crushed the can in my hand and tossed it away. "Still, it kind of bothers me that Ven might be hiding something from us. It's not like him."

"Which probably means it's something small. I doubt we have to worry Sora."

"I hope you're right," I muttered softly.

I yawned widely. The light coming in from the window was just too bright and it was too early for me to be awake! I heard Roxas groan at my movements and opened my eyes quickly. Apparently we had fallen asleep on the couch while we were talking last night.

"Well, it's about time you woke up." My eyes widened slightly and I looked up to meet those aqua green eyes I recognized so well. I felt my face get slightly warm and I shoved Roxas off of me. Thankfully, he only groaned and curled up on the other side of the couch instead of waking to smack me. I rolled onto the floor quickly, grumbling softly and rubbing my back. Riku laughed and grabbed my hand, tugging me up off the floor. "Sleep well?"

"Not really," I grumbled, glancing at Roxas. "He snapped out of his episode last night and we stayed up talking. I guess we just dozed off."

"I guess so. It's already after noon. We tried to keep it down so we didn't wake you up. Axel and Terra decided to go over to Sephiroth's to learn more on that organization, but I figured I'd wait up to see if you wanted to go." I crossed my arms behind my head, nodding slightly.

"Sounds good." I frowned suddenly, looking around. "Uh, where's Ven at? Is he awake yet?" Riku nodded, walking into the kitchen. I followed behind him, looking around for my youngest brother.

"Yeah, he woke up a lot earlier. He said he was going to see Cloud and then get some groceries for the house. I told him I'd pass the message along."

I hurried over to the phone, not even bothering to listen to everything Riku had said. I had a bad feeling about all of this. I grabbed the phone and dialed Cloud's number, waiting impatiently for Cloud to answer. Thankfully, I didn't have to wait too long.

"Hello?" I heard Cloud's voice come over the speaker, which bothered me a bit more.

"Hey, Cloud, have you seen Ven? I mean, did he stop by earlier?" I asked, chewing on my bottom lip. If Cloud was home and Ven wasn't with him, then that meant my youngest brother was out there alone and the Heartless could find him!

"He came by earlier. I gave him some money to get groceries. Everything okay?" I heard him snort softly. "Or are you worried about all this monster bull that Zack's feeding you?" I groaned loudly, rubbing my face.

"Cloud, please...you've got to believe Zack! He's telling the truth!" Cloud grumbled quietly, obviously not having any of it. "You saw the monsters too. Twice, right?"

"Yeah, yeah," he muttered. I could hear him pacing around his kitchen. "Ven went out alone, as far as I know. Maybe you should go find him."

"I'll have to, thanks Cloud. And you forgive Zack, alright? He was telling you the truth after all." I heard Cloud mutter something under his breath before hanging up without another word. I rolled my eyes and looked at Riku. "Sorry Riku. I have to go find Ven. I don't want him out there all alone. It's too dangerous."

"Its alright, I get it. Maybe we should get Roxas up and I'll go with you two to find him." I nodded and hurried into the living room and shook Roxas awake. We'd have to hurry. Besides, my stomach just kept churning. Something big was about to happen, I knew it.

? POV

"It will be time soon my boy. Are you ready to fulfill your role to the darkness?"

I stared at my master blankly, eyes narrowing slightly. "Yes...my master." My master's cruel grin made my stomach twist slightly. "What is it you wish me to do?"

"The Destiny Islands...the Heartless are running rampant and soon, that world will disappear. But I can't risk that the Pure-Hearted One makes it off that island once the Heartless destroy it. So, in the midst of the chaos...kill him. I'll find a way to shape one that I can use and control. We won't need him. Do you understand boy?" I nodded my understanding. "Good. Make sure it is done." He turned away from me and walked out of the room, leaving me alone.

The Pure-Hearted One. I knew him well. But could I actually do what my master asked of me? Kill him...? He was my only...dare I call him, my friend? My master didn't know though. But it looked like I was coming to a point where I'd have to make my choice. Follow in my past self's footsteps or make my own path. I already knew what I'd have to do...

So what do you all think, hm? Too short? Good, bad, moving too fast? Let me know!