Hey-lo! Haji here. And I've decided to do a DeadShut-esque introduction. *Ahem*

In today's society, were are bombarded by every obsticle, and are sometimes forced to make sacrifices. In today's society, our bravery is measured by how much we are willing to sacrifice to get what we want. Our strength is measured by how much we are willing to sacrifice to get what we need. Our wants and needs are never exactly the same. Which begs the question...would you rather be brave? Or strong?

Strength could also be measured by how much you would be willing to put up with your ever weakening circumstances. Wether you would give yourself to someone whose desires may not be as pure as you wished they were. Sometimes, leverage is all you really need.

Enjoy.

Riku sat across from Mick, fingers interlaced, chin resting on tired hands. Mick stared back at him in the same fashion. They were in a restaurant, but they sat several tables apart. Sora sat next to him, holding a cell phone under the table.

"There's something we need to clear up before we continue, Mick," Riku whispered solemnly.

"I'm listening," Mick said just as softly.

Riku shifted. "I was offered a job."

"And?"

"Riku sighed. "I took it…or I want to take it. But, I'm not sure how wise that would be."

Mick shuffled the cell phone and placed it on the table. "Okay, I understand. That's your call, Riku. Just let me know when you make a decision."

Riku smiled. "I'm gonna have to do some bad shit. Don't hate me for it."

Mick chuckled. "That's the way life is. You do what you need to. Now I have something for you."

Riku nodded. "Go ahead."

Kairi sat down beside him, just as a waitress placed four plates of food in front of him.

Riku looked up at her. "Excuse me, we only have a party of three."

The waitress glanced down. "Yeah, but a guy named Terra called and said he had a reservation with you. He said, the table with the thug, the doughy brown haired one, and a bitch with red hair. You're the only ones who fit that description." She paused. "Though I'm sure you're nice people."

Riku growled softly. "Motherfucker."

"Is everything okay?"

The waitress left the table. Riku clenched his fists. "Not anymore. But, go. Quickly before he comes."

Mick coughed. "I was looking into some old documents about an incident that happened in Roswell, New Mexico. I found a couple of inconsistencies in the documentation. I need you to get the original documents and study them."

Riku, who had been drinking, spit out the contents onto the table. "What? Mick!" He looked around and lowered his voice. "Mick, how the hell are we supposed to do that? We don't even have that kind of authority. And I don't have those kinds of contacts."

Mick was quiet for a long time. "I'm sure you can figure something out. I can't be caught asking for those documents. It would be catastrophic for my career. Understand?"

Riku laughed hollowly. "Yeah, but…I don't know where it is."

"Underneath the Library of Congress."

Sora had been sitting next to Riku. He was constantly fidgeting, not entirely sure if he should say anything about what had happened at Club Heartless. He glanced at Kairi, who nodded.

"Hey, Riku?"

Riku groaned. Terra had just walked into the restaurant and was surveying the tables. His eyes were narrowed. "What? Make it quick."

Sora thought for just a second. "I killed someone at Club Heartless."

Riku's eyes widened, and his face churned with new concerns. "What?"

But he said no more, for Terra had spotted them and was making his way to their table, but not without pinching the waitress. His narrowed eyes seemed much more relaxed and he had an air of arrogance about him. Even more so than when they had first met. He sat down.

"Hello, Riku and…friends." He smirked. "What are you doing here?"

Riku grit his teeth, but forced his calm composure. He really didn't have time for Terra right now. "I should ask you the same thing, Terra."

Terra frowned, but smiled quickly. It was almost as if he had been a salesman in a previous life. "Hey, I said to enjoy D.C."

"We are!" Sora blurted. Terra looked at him. Sora could vaguely see that his fingers were twitching.

"Look," Riku said, interrupting Terra's targeting. "We just want to sit and eat. We will go and see whatever you want. Please, just get the fuck outta here."

"Cheeky, Riku." Terra murmured. "Real classy."

Riku leaned away. "You're one to talk."

Terra leaned across the table. He wanted to grab Riku, but he knew better than to cause any kind of commotion. Instead, he dropped a coin on a napkin and pushed it across to Riku, who accepted it cautiously.

"What's this?" Riku asked.

"It's a coin, stupid." Terra laughed. "You look like you are looking for something."

Riku looked away and put the coin in his pocket. "It's nothing. I can handle it."

Terra pushed his food away. "I'm sure you can, but I could make it easier for you."

"I don't want any favors…"

"You never want anything, buddy!" Terra said loudly. "No favors, no friends, no sex! I mean, what the fuck is wrong with you? You don't even look at me when I talk to you."

"Because!" Riku flushed and brought his voice down. He whispered, because he knew that if he yelled, Terra would probably kill him. He wasn't in the mood for that. "Because, you are a manipulative, arrogant shithead. I can't stand you. Go fuck yourself."

Sora was completely taken by surprise, but nothing that Riku said phased Terra in the slightest. He didn't even look angry. Not even a little. Suspicion worked its way into his thoughts. And the Keyblade burned in his pocket.

"Reconsider, Riku," Terra said.

Riku stood up and leaned over the table, He looked absolutely haunting. Scarier than Terra could ever be. "Fuck. You."

Terra smiled slyly at him, but kept his mouth closed. "You'll change your mind."

"Yeah, as soon as Hell freezes over."

Riku stormed away, but his mind was running at light speed. Even though he had stood up for himself, he knew Terra wasn't going to take that lying down. He expected Sora and Kairi to follow, but secretly wished that they wouldn't. Sora had told him that he had killed somebody. This added another complication.

Another fucking complication. Riku thought. He milled around at the side of a shallow pond like pool of water. The National Mall had dozens of them. I should have killed him.

"You look stressed."

Riku turned around. Sitting on a small backpack was Aqua. Riku's heart fell into his stomach. "Aqua?"

Aqua stood. She was wearing a costume of some kind. Sashes hugged her chest, and her sleeves were not unlike flowing water. If she hadn't been carrying a backpack, she would have looked like a warrior from a distant land.

Riku grinned. "Your…costume?"

Aqua looked at herself. "Yeah, I was in the middle of something."

"I never took you as a cosplayer." Riku said, trying to stifle his laughter. Suddenly, Terra and everything else didn't matter.

Aqua blushed. "For your information…I was making a…an adult movie."

Riku frowned. "Oh…"

Aqua smiled. "No, I wasn't in it, but the director refused to let anyone on set who wasn't in a costume. And I needed to speak with the producers, and my girls were nervous. It's a whole ordeal. But that doesn't matter. I got a call the other day."

Riku looked at her, and his misery was back. But the flutter of longing was still there. Just buried under a mountain of responsibility. "About?"

"Interestingly…you."

"Oh, really?"

"I heard you needed help making an important decision."

Riku looked away. "Fuck Terra. Fuck D.C. And fuck his offer. I don't want it."

Aqua hugged him. "I'm not trying to convince you to join him. I just want you to get a little taste of what kind of power you would have."

She reached into his pocket and turned the coin in her fingers. Riku seized up, wanted to pull away before his hormones betrayed his tough shell. But, Aqua smiled as she pulled the coin out of his pocket.

"We sure are excited, today." Aqua said teasingly. "Makes me wish you stayed with me in New York."

Riku didn't look at her. "I don't think I get it."

Aqua put the coin in her backpack. "This coin was a test of a sort. The fact that you took it says a lot about you. You know…I'm kinda glad you took it."

Riku glanced at her. "Why?"

Aqua opened her backpack. It had a variety of different garments in it, but she reached her hand in and shuffled the contents for a brief moment. After a while, she pulled out a roll of money. She handed it to him.

Riku didn't move. "I'm not taking that."

Aqua huffed. "Why not? It's your payment. You brought Terra what I needed you to bring to him."

"Those were yours?"

"Of course," Aqua said, laughing. "I'm a Madame. I own a lot of shit. Terra's just my distributor."

Riku opened his mouth and closed it quickly. "So…"

Aqua sighed. "You wouldn't be working for him. You'd be working for me."

Riku swallowed and took the roll of money. He was surprised that it was so heavy. His mind was running again. His thoughts were turning in his mind, and he wasn't entirely sure if he could do what he was being asked.

But then he remembered his promise.

"Okay."

Aqua smiled. "Okay…"

"I'll do it," Riku said finally. "But, on one condition."

Aqua frowned slightly. "What's the condition?"

Riku pocketed the roll of money. "I am not to be tethered to D.C. Or New York. Or anywhere. I can move when I want, where I want. No strings attached. I want to pursue my own…things."

Aqua thought about it for a second. "What kind of things?"

Riku paused. He didn't want to betray Mick's trust, but he had to do what he had to do. "I'm trying to find the Heartless leader. Sora's parents were kidnapped by a different kind of Heartless. And I want to stop them."

Aqua took his hand. "Okay, then. You can have that. And now, I get to initiate you."

Riku tensed. "It's not going to…"

"Shush." Aqua put her finger to his lip. Riku noted how soft her fingers were, but he snapped out of it without her noticing. "It will hurt, but you need to do it tonight. I have to go back to New York tomorrow."

Riku nodded. "Okay."

Aqua turned around. Riku watched her, wishing she wouldn't move so fast. Oh, how lust clouded his judgment, and interfered with his logic. But, something occurred to him, and reached out for her hand.

Aqua looked at him, batting her eyelashes. "You want something?"

"I…" Riku flushed. Why is it so hard to fucking talk to her?

"Do I make you nervous?"

Riku trembled. "I need a favor."

Aqua smirked. "What kind of favor?"

Riku swallowed. "I need to get under the Library of Congress."

Aqua looked away. She was thinking. "That's a big favor. A tough one." She glanced at the water, looking like she was trying to remember a distant memory. She tapped her chin. "I think I have a girl who works there still. Her name is Amber. Ask for her. She should be able to help, but not without an incentive."

Riku scoffed. "Money?"

Aqua shrugged. "I don't know. But you better be willing to pay. That is, if you want whatever it is you're looking for."

Riku nodded. Aqua threw him a set of keys. He looked at them. "What's this?"

"If you're going to work for me," Aqua said, "you're going to have a car." She turned around. "It's the CTS in the parking lot. The red one. It's yours now."

"But…"

Aqua waved him off. "Just be on time. I may look nice, but I'm one hell of a bitch when it comes to business. Don't be late."

She left. Riku stood there for awhile, trying to figure out exactly what it was he got himself into, when Sora tapped him on his shoulder.

"You okay?" He asked. Kairi stood a little way away.

Riku looked at him. "Yeah. I know how to get into the Library."

While Superior was away, Zexion had asked Saix to have a private meeting. As they stood in Saix's room, Zexion was looking through a leather bound book. He flicked through the pages lazily, waiting for Saix to say something.

Saix groaned, still thinking about Roxas.

"Saix."

"Hmm?"

"I've asked to speak with you privately, because I believe there are traitors in our midst."

Saix arched an eyebrow. "Traitors?"

Zexion nodded. "I've been keeping a log of any suspicious activity that I've seen. I've compiled quite a list, and it concerns me. I think we may be deviating from our original task."

Saix opened his mouth, but closed it without saying a word.

"I'm more concerned with Marluxia." Zexion commented as he stopped flipping the pages. "He has become much more violent and manic, even going so far as to threaten one of our own."

Saix nodded. "I understand your concerns."

Zexion closed his book. "I did want to run this by you before I took it to Superior. I wouldn't want to interrupt him."

Saix leaned back in his chair. "I will talk to Xehanort. I do believe that your concerns are misplaced. However, I appreciate you coming to me first."

Zexion barely moved.

"Marluxia is getting worse," Saix said after a short pause. "I've noticed this as well, but I've been given my missions. It isn't necessary for you to know everything, Zexion. You continue to succeed in the tasks given to you, and all will be well."

Zexion didn't answer. He stared at Saix, not daring to narrow his eyes. He then bowed his head respectively and turned on his heels.

"By the way," Saix muttered. Zexion looked at him. "How did Vexen's test go?"

Zexion looked down, trying not to let his disappointment show. "It failed."

"Shit."

"But Vexen thinks he can fix it."

Zexion left, leaving Saix to his thoughts. He entered the kitchen, just as Roxas entered, half carrying his violated girlfriend. Zexion let them pass without so much as a sideways glance. Xehanort followed soon after. He surveyed the room, smiling. He still had that warm inviting air about him.

He spread his arms out wide, almost like he was God. "Good evening…"

Axel sat up, "Superior! You're back from your Jerk-Off Convention. How the hell are you?"

"Axel!" cried Marluxia. "You show Superior respect!"

"Fuck you, Flower boy." Axel growled. He fingered his handmade flamethrowers under the table.

Xehanort's smile faltered. "Now, there is no need for such hostility."

Marluxia relaxed. He respected Xehanort for too much to disobey him. He would slit his own throat for him. All he had to do was give the word. "I'm sorry, Superior."

Axel backed off as well. He wasn't really in the mood to defend his ego. He saw Roxas carrying a girl, and instantly wanted to know what had happened. If Superior hadn't come, he would have jumped to his feet, and burned whatever part of the city he had to, to help his friend.

The members at the table grew tense. They had all seen the girl. Zexion sat down and folded his hands, glaring at Marluxia. Marluxia glanced back and wiggled his fingers at him. Zexion turned his head away, slighting him. Larxene, who sat next to Marluxia, motioned to him behind his back. Zexion shook his head.

Larxene huffed softly. She had been denied the chance to stab Marluxia in the back.

Xehanort sat at the head of the table. He was quite handsome. Tanned skin that wore its African-American nationality with pride. He was strong looking, but not unfriendly. It seemed that he could charm even the most hardcore skeptic into believing what ever he told them. Everyone fell silent.

Xehanort clapped his hands together. "Let's eat. Then we shall talk. It's been awhile."

Axel looked at him. "Where's…"

"Roxas will be joining us soon," Xehanort softly. He smiled. "What's on the menu?"

Riku was leaning close to Sora, whispering hurriedly in his ear.

"Just ask for Amber." He instructed. "Tell her Aqua sent you. And that she gave you a car. Red CTS. Then, tell her what you need."

Sora shivered. His nerves were eating at him. Riku hadn't yelled at him about Club Heartless, and that scared him more than anything. Terra had threatened him. It was almost like his day was getting bleaker.

But, there was still that glimmer of light. Kairi told him he looked cool with bed hair. Though, he still brushed it and styled it sloppily.

They were standing in the lobby of the massive building that was the Library of Congress. Hallways and dozens of staircases led in every direction. Sora was overwhelmed by its vastness. He couldn't believe how many books were staring at him.

At the front desk were several women, all typing on computers. Sora approached one of the women. He was shaking. This was his first time doing this.

"Excuse me," Sora said softly.

The woman glanced from her screen. "Welcome to the Library of Congress. How can I help you?"

Sora looked back at Riku. "Uhhh...I need to speak to Amber."

The woman sopped and looked at him. "What for?"

"Uhhh…I need…to talk to her." Sora paused. "It's about…that thing."

"That thing?"

Sora nodded. "Yeah. She'll know what I'm talking about. She told me not to say it out loud."

The woman grinned. "Sure. Hold on."

She picked up a phone that was next to her computer and punched in a number. She was quiet for a long time, looking Sora up and down. It was obvious she didn't believe him. Sora avoided eye contact. He resorted to twiddling his thumbs, and humming softly.

"Hey."

Sora looked up.

"She'll be here in a minute." The woman said. "Please move along."

Sora nodded, almost fainting from his nervousness. He couldn't believe she had given him exactly what he wanted without question. He began to wonder if that was because he did a good job lying, or if it was because he looked like a nerd and just couldn't keep himself together when looking at pretty girls. He guessed the second one. He was a terrible liar.

He stood next to Riku, who was staring at a painting that was hung on beautiful hooks that stuck out from the sides like wings. Two flags hung from these hooks. The American flag, with its red and white stripes, and the stars that represented the fifty states, and the flag for the state of Maryland, a hash of black and yellow shapes and red and white crosses. For some reason, Riku was entranced.

"Hello?"

Sora and Riku turned around. Before them stood a woman wearing a tight skirt suit with a red tag around her neck. She was absolutely severe looking. Both boys opened and closed their mouths without saying anything. Kairi, who had been hanging back, stepped forward.

"Hello." She said happily. "Amber?"

The woman nodded.

Kairi nudged Sora, but when he didn't say anything, she cleared her throat. "Uhh…Aqua gave us your name."

"So?"

"She wanted to let you know that she gave us the red CTS. And that we should talk to you if we had any questions."

Amber looked at her. "She told you this?"

"Well, she told my friend here," Kairi motioned to Riku. "But, he can't seem to talk right now. He's scared of your stature."

Amber frowned. "Okay, then. What do you want?"

Riku shook his head. "Roswell, summer of 1947. Original documents."

Amber laughed. It echoed through the lobby, but no one looked at her. It was obvious that she was the boss. "You are asking for quite a bit."

Riku frowned. "I'll give you whatever you want."

Amber turned around. "Sorry, that's just too much."

Riku grabbed her hand, but didn't pull her back around. "Please. I said anything."

Amber looked at him. "Hmm. Anything, huh?"

Riku nodded.

Amber looked at Sora. "How old is he?"

Riku looked at Sora, too, eyes widening. "No, I can't do that. He's off limits."

"You said anything," Amber said, smirking.

"He's still…"

Sora, who had no idea what it was that Amber was asking of him, felt the need to be bold. He wanted to prove to Riku that he wasn't alone. And wasn't the only one who would be willing to make sacrifices. Of course, he did miss every innuendo. He pointed to himself. "I'll do it."

Riku let go of Amber and leaned closer to Sora. "You don't even know what she wants with you, do you?"

Sora shook his head. "No, but you need to do this for Mick. Whatever it is, I'll do it."

Riku sighed. "She's a cougar. You might not…"

"Don't tell me what I can and cannot do," Sora said. "Amber, I'll do it."

Amber smiled devilishly. "Right this way."

Kairi walked beside Sora, and she pushed him angrily.

"What?"

"Why did you agree to do that?" She hissed.

"I was helping Riku." Sora answered defensively. "How bad could it possibly be?"

"She wants to fuck you, you idiot." Kairi hissed again.

Sora stopped. "What?"

"That's what cougars do," Kairi said. "Didn't your parents ever tell you that?"

Sora dropped his shoulders and continued walking. "No, they didn't."

Kairi didn't look at him. "Whatever. I'm sure Riku will get you out of this."

Shit. Sora thought. Now she's mad at me. How on Earth am I going to get out of this one?

Amber led them into an elevator, down at least ten floors, and through various doors with big locks and dead bolts the size of car rims. She opened one of the vast doors, to a room that was completely made out of thick panes of glass.

"You have exactly one hour to look through the documents." Amber said sternly. "After that, you must leave. I can get away with the door being opened for a reference check. But, no more than an hour. Your time starts now."

She shut the door, and it locked. Riku turned to them. "Let's get started. Read everything."

Sora tried to follow Kairi, but she pushed him away. He wanted to plead with her. But, they didn't have that kind of time. He pulled out random files and boxes, and looked through them. They had charts and tiny notes, but nothing that really interested him.

He opened another box. "What are we looking for, Riku?"

Riku flipped through papers quickly, scanning them. "Anything. Just read. If you find charts, keep those."

Sora pocketed a piece of paper. "But, isn't that stealing?"

"No," Riku said. "It's public property."

"But—"

"Read, Sora. This is important."

And the room fell silent. There was nothing but shuffling papers and the hollow sound of panicked breathing. Sora stole glances at Kairi. He wished he could have undone what he did. Kairi ignored him, concentrating on her own stack of papers. Sora looked at the paper in his hand. It had a diagram on it. As he looked closer, he realized that it was an exact depiction of the Keyblade. He pulled it out, hearing the faint humming sound come from it again.

"Hey, guys?"

Well. It took me longer to write this chapter than I had expected. And DeadShut will be working on the next chapter. *Huzzah*

Any questions, please PM me or DeadShut, and we will be more than happy to answer them. Now, I'm off to actually start chapter 32 of Krystahl Kingdom Crossover Saga. I'm so excited, because it's going to be a fucking awesome chapter.

Has a nice day, from the both of us. :)