I heard Sora running behind me, but he had been silent since my little outburst. I seriously needed to watch my tongue around this kid, because I knew he took it to heart. And although there was some truth behind what I was saying, I didn't mean for it to be so harsh. I was just freaking for the baby and, call it motherly instinct, but I couldn't back down from my post. Until this Organization member was gone, I had to be strong.

I could see the waterfall in the distance, and I was pretty sure we had beaten the bad guys there. We stopped when we were at the bottom of a cliff.

"Alright listen," I said to the boys. "I think we beat the bad guy here. So, I propose we set up a plan. I'll stay down here and keep guard. If the bad guy comes then I'll signal Sora and we'll take care of whatever the problem is. If it's something small, I've got it. I want the two of you to take care of Jane and the professor. I don't want to hear any protests, just go."

Tarzan nodded and was already climbing the cliff. Sora just gave me a sad look and nodded. I felt my heart break a little as he did this, but I shook my head and turned away. I couldn't feel bad. Not yet.

Once the two were out of sight I looked around for any sign of, well, anything. It was green as far as the eye could see. God, this place would be beautiful if there were no snakes, killer cats, elephants who wanted to step on you, or poachers. I think this explains why I'm more of a resort person. I decided that although the green sight was pretty, I should probably get above the trees to see if anything was coming from above. I would still have a view of the ground just in case as well. So, I climbed a nearby tree. And, although I'll never admit it, it hurt like a bitch. My shoulder was in fire, and I just wanted to chop it off.

'Shoulda just let Sora heal me. God, I'm such a butthead. I shouldn't have been so mean to the kid. But he treats me even more like a baby than Riku did. Like okay, I get it, I'm a girl. But I can handle myself! Have I not proven that to the kid? Ugh...stupid guilt trip. I'll apologize to him later. Right now, I need to get to the top of this damn tree so I can relax my shoulder.'

By the time I finished my thoughts I was at the top of the tree. I pulled myself up and sat on the branches, admiring the view. I turned around to look at the waterfall.

"Wow..." I whispered.

It was beautiful. The water was a shimmering bright blue and it was cascading from endless heights. It reminded me of home; being on the small island and sitting on the roof of the hut next to the waterfall. When we were done on our mission, I was going to camp out there. It was already decided. A rustling noise broke me out of my thoughts and I looked around. There was nothing happening in the tree tops, so I looked down and saw something moving. I watched it for a bit longer and I noticed it was an Organization member. I was getting ready for a sneak attack, when the person seemed to have noticed me and jumped up into the trees, emerging from a tree close to me. I drew my blade.

"Who are you and what do you want?" I asked.

"Well, it seems you've forgotten me already."

The figure removed their hood and I saw spiky locks of red burst out.

"AXEL!" I said, recalling my blade and running over to him. "I should have known it was you by your way too tall and skinny figure."

I hugged him and he returned the gesture.

"Thanks kiddo. I really appreciate it."

I broke the contact and smiled up at his form.

"So, what can I do for yeah?" I asked.

Axel looked down at me and scratched his head.

"Well, it's sort of about Roxas..."

"Uhm, okay? What about him?"

Axel sighed.

"I don't even know how I'm asking, or why really, but have you seen him? Or any sign of him in Sora?"

I was confused.

"No, I can't say I have. What's this about?"

"Never mind. I'll save my questions for a different time. Right now you need to get to Sora. He needs you."

I scrunched up my face to show how lost I was.

"Axel," I said slowly. "If Sora was in trouble and he needed me, I would feel it. That's how it works, right?"

"He doesn't want you to be mad that he messed up, so he wants to try and handle this all on his own. He's up there right now fighting so that you don't have to worry and you think he can do this. So go help him."

My face fell and I grumbled," Well why didn't you start the conversation with this!"

Axel laughed.

"Well if I didn't ask you my questions first, I know I wouldn't have gotten any answers."

"Hey," I said, smiling at him. "You can always come to me and ask me anything. I'm here for you, and I'll keep an eye out for our boy, okay? Right now I have to go save his counter part's ass."

He nodded and made a black portal appear.

"I'll try and get some info for you Yumi. Until then, take care of yourself. Sora and Xigbar are fighting over there, near the opening of the cave behind the waterfall. Good luck."

With that, Axel was walking into his portal and was out of sight. I looked in the direction Axel and pointed at. It was a ways lower from the high tree top I was in and quite a ways away.

'How am I gunna get down there fast enough to help Sora out before he gets hurt?'

I looked at my surroundings and noticed a large tree branch that twisted and turned as it sloped downward. I smiled.

"I may not get to vine swing, but I can definitely tree surf!"

For those of you who don't know what tree surfing is, it's a super awesome way to slide down mossy tree trunks to go somewhere faster. You do exactly what the name suggests: surf on a tree. I ran as fast as I could and jumped on the mossy trunk, beginning my decent to the cave.

"WHOOOOOOP, THIS IS AWESOME!" I yelled as I ducked under a tree branch.

This may not have been the safest route, but it sure was an adventurous one. And I was perfectly okay with that. Although my sliding fiasco didn't last long, I still enjoyed every second of it. The trunk lost all its moss, so I came to a semi abrupt stop at near the bottom. I steadied myself though, and looked around for the cave.

'There! I see it. And from the looks of it, Xigbar was too stupid to put a barrier up. That seems a little off. Maybe Axel had something to do with it?'

"That's right Sora! Let that negative thought overwhelm you," I heard an evil voice say.

'He must be trying to convince Sora that Kairi isn't okay! And we just had this talk before we came to this world, so there is no way he's taking this well.'

I looked at the distance between the cliff that had the cave and where I was standing. There was no way I could jump it.

"Think, think, think..." I mumbled to myself.

I looked around and noticed a long vine. I walked over and pulled on it, checking to make sure it was sturdy.

"What am I doing? Sora said no vine swinging..." I muttered.

'But he's not here...and besides, if you don't swing over there he may get hurt. Would you want to be responsible for Sora getting hurt?'

Well...no, but I'll end up being hurt and he'll be mad at me...

"AHHH!" I heard Sora cry out in pain.

"Oh screw it, I'M COMING SORA, HOLD ON!" I shouted.

I grabbed the vine and took a few steps back, and ran at the edge of the tree branch I was on. I jumped off and held onto the vine for dear life and I soared across the gap between the tree and the cliff.

'OH DEAR MOTHER OF PEARL THIS HUUUUUUUUURTS.'

I couldn't see straight, I couldn't think of anything besides pain as I flew into the cave. I saw a black figure in front of me and I stuck my foot out, kicking him in the back of the head and sending him down on the ground face first. I braced myself as I let go of the vine and tumbled onto the ground. I rolled a few times and eventually came to a stop in front of what I assumed was a person.

"I...I made it," I whispered into the ground.

"Yumi!" I heard Sora's voice.

The person in front of me knelt down and shook me a little.

"Hey are you alright?!"

I knew at that moment it was Sora, so I forced my eyes open.

"Y-yeah. Never better..." I lied.

He stood up and grabbed my right hand, pulling me up. Of course, this was the shoulder that was injured, so it hurt to high heavens. My left hand shot up and squeezed his upper arm.

"Ah...oh my," I whimpered

"Yumi, what's wrong?" he asked.

"I...I heard you scream and I was nervous! Are you okay?" I stumbled out.

"I'm fine, really," he said, blushing.

I loosened my grip on his arm.

"Then why did you scream?"

"Uh...we'll talk about it later. Right now, we have a bad guy to beat!"

I had almost completely forgotten about our foe in the floor. I let go of Sora and turned to face the Organization member. He was still on the ground, so I went over and sat on his back. He tried to sit up, but I just shifted myself on his back.

"Ouf...what...where am I?" Xigbar asked.

"Start talking you stupid hillbilly," I threatened.

He groaned and started flailing.

"Get off of me!" he shouted.

Sora came over and bopped him on the head with his keyblade.

"You better stop that before I knock you unconscious," Sora spoke.

"Sorry, but I ain't going out like this."

Xigbar summoned one of his guns.

"Sora look out!" I screeched.

Sora jumped back, but Xigbar didn't even aim his gun at Sora. Instead, he aimed it at his own head.

"NO!" I shouted.

I tried to reach and grab his arm before he could do anything irrational, but I was too slow. He shot himself. Honestly, as gruesome and it sounds, it wasn't what you were thinking. Yeah, you'd think blood and brains would fly everywhere, but it didn't happen. The noise was there, but that was it. We were all kind of frozen, until Xigbar started to disappear.

"Better thank Sora for your nap later," he said, just before he disappeared.

I fell on my butt when his body was gone, and I was a little dumbfounded.

"Uhm...what the heck was that?" I asked.

Sora just shrugged and just stood there. I kinda of half expected him to help me up, but then it dawned on me that he was probably still upset from earlier. So I stood up and brushed myself off. When I looked at Sora again he had a sad smile on his face as he motioned for me to follow him.

"C'mon, I wanna show you something."

I nodded as he headed off into the cave. He didn't say a word to me as I faithfully and quietly walked behind him. We made it to a wall behind the waterfall that had many different ledges leading upward. Sora jumped to one of the ledges and pulled himself up and turned around to make sure I was still going to follow. I hesitated, but I knew I couldn't stay there forever. No matter how much it was going to hurt, I had to do it. I needed to apologize to Sora and prove that I was there for him. So I took a deep breath and mustered up some strength. I got a little run and jumped to the ledge, grabbing the side and pulling myself up. All I wanted to do was break down and cry, but for Sora's sake I knew I couldn't, so we carried on all the way up the waterfall. This happened all the way up; Sora would go first and I would follow. I was beginning to have a problem keeping my grunts of pain to myself but I could see the end of our upward trip coming. Sora climbed up onto the final edge and disappeared from my sight. I looked at the climb and slumped down on the current ledge I was on. I needed to rest; I had over exerted myself all day and I felt like I was going to pass out.

"Yumi, are you alright?" Sora asked after a few moments.

"O-of course. Just tying my shoe..."

I climbed up and saw Sora facing away from me. I took a minute to hunch over and let my face show how much I hurt. Sora started walking again and I inwardly groaned. We weren't there yet?!

"Don't worry, it's just around the corner," he responded, almost as if he read my mind.

We were about to round a corner when our keyblades appeared.

"Oh, what's this?" I questioned.

Sora backtracked to where I was standing and our keyblades touched. Mine shot out a light that parted the waterfall in a keyhole and Sora's shot out a beam that made a locking sound.

"Was that what you wanted to show me?" I asked.

Sora shook his head and began down his intended path, rounding a corner. I, of course, followed, but I found it very difficult to try and keep up with him. Maybe it was the overwhelming pain that was cascading from my shoulder, maybe I just needed to eat or something, or maybe it was just me realizing how weak I actually was, but I was ready to collapse any minute. But, silly me, I pressed on and tried to keep pace with him.

'Oh dear, my vision is starting to go. Sora...hurry up and let's get where we're going.'

After a few more minutes we stopped in a dark cavern.

"Sora...I don't understand. I can't see anything," I spoke softly.

Had my vision really gone? Oh crap...

"Heh, I know. Give it a few seconds."

We stood in silence; the only sound a few stray water droplets landing in puddles. After a little while though, something lit up on the wall. This was followed by another light, and then another. Eventually the whole wall was lit up with a beautiful baby blue colour, and I realized that the colour was coming from butterflies, that were lighting up!

"No way..." I mumbled.

"Beautiful right? I found this place when I first came here. This is where I locked the first keyhole."

I smiled. It was nice to see Sora talking like his old self.

"I remember wanting so bad to show this place to Kairi. I knew she'd love it. But after getting to know you I thought you'd like it more."

"Thanks...Sora."

Suddenly a wave of exhaustion hit me like nothing else. I guess I had been running on adrenaline this whole time and I had run out or something, because I couldn't even support myself. I knew Sora was saying something, but I couldn't hear him. My vision was getting worse by the second as I felt myself fall down on my knees. Sora turned around and it felt like he took a life time to come over to me. The last thing I remember is trying to tell Sora I was sorry, but I couldn't even tell if I got the words out. All I knew was that I was ready for sleep.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~Sora's POV

"Yumi...I'm sorry, for not living up to the expectation you had for me. I guess...I guess I'm not as strong as you think I am. I just got worried about you today and I needed to make sure you were okay, but you ended up saving me both times. I'm...lucky to be traveling with you."

I couldn't look at her when I was talking, I was too nervous. I knew I messed up today and this was my way of showing her. When she didn't respond though, it made me nervous. Was she really that upset with me?

"Yumi?" I asked as I turned around.

She was on her knees and her eyes looked far away.

"YUMI!"

I ran over to her side and noticed she was wobbling.

"Sora..." she murmured, "I'm sorry...I'm so sorry..."

I caught her, just before she hit the ground.

"Yumi, Yumi wake up. You have nothing to be sorry for okay? So wake up! God, why didn't you tell me you were tired or something? You're so stupid! Please let me be there for you, I'll take care of you when you aren't well; I'll make sure you're always safe; I will never let you get to this point again as long as you wake up!"

I was panicking. I didn't know what happened or why, but I knew I needed to help her. I brushed some hair out of her face and trailed my hand along her shoulder. However, I had to retract my hand almost immediately. For some reason, it hurt when I touched her shoulder! But...why? I pulled her vest off of her and noticed the scar on her shoulder had gotten bigger and it trailed over to her heart. How did it get so bad? I'd ask her about it later, for now I just acted on impulse. I placed my hand on her shoulder and closed my eyes.

"Cure," I whispered.

A light shone from my hand and lit up her scar. It started shining where I had placed my hand and it worked its way down to...

'I should not be looking there!'

Once the light faded I looked at Yumi again.

"Hey crazy, it's time to wake up," I said softly.

She didn't move.

"Yumi...you gotta get up now so we can go save Riku and Kairi okay? You aren't allowed to sit here and be lazy."

She still didn't move. I didn't know what else to do.

"Who's going to protect me while you're asleep? You gotta get up so I can be safe."

I squeezed my eyes shut and shook my head. I wasn't sure how, but I felt like this was my fault.

"Just wait ten more minutes and I'll save your ass from all the danger okay?" she muttered.

My eyes shot open and I looked down at her. There she was, rubbing her eyes, snuggling close to me, trying to go back to bed. I tried to speak but no words came out. I think that was for the best though; I needed to let her rest. I would just sit here and protect her for once while she got the rest she needed.

Yumi's POV

I snuggled into my pillow as I enjoyed my rest.

'Mmmm, sleep. Is there anything better? In my nice comfy bed with my big comfy covers and my big comfy pillow and...wait, where are my big comfy covers? And why is my bed not big and comfy?'

I tried to remember what happened when I felt someone caressing my face and cradling me.

'What happened to me? Okay...think. I was following Sora and we saw that beautiful wall of butterflies and then I..did I pass out? I had to have. But I heard Sora say something about needing to be saved...OH MY GOSH SORA.'

My eyes shot open and I tried to sit up.

"Sora I'm coming!" I exclaimed.

I felt a pair of arms pull me back down and a slight laugh from beside me.

"I don't know where you were planning on going, but I'm right here," Sora said.

I looked over and realized I had been sleeping in Sora's lap. I had been snuggling up to him and he was holding me while I slept.

"What...what happened?" I asked.

"Dunno. We climbed that wall, sealed the keyhole, and then when I was trying to talk to you, you kind of just passed out."

"I'm sorry...I don't even know what came over me. Are you okay though? I remember you saying something about needing to be saved..."

"Oh, yeah I'm fine. Just trying to get you to wake up."

There was a moment of silence.

"Sora...I'm sorry for earlier. I snapped on you for no reason. I was just really worried about Jane, and I flipped for no reason. I didn't think you'd take it so hard; I need to come to terms with the fact that you aren't as thick skinned as the people I'm used to spending time with. I didn't mean to make you feel like you weren't strong enough to handle things on your own."

"How did you know...never mind. You have nothing to be sorry about, because you're right; I'm not strong enough to handle things on my own. I worry too much about everyone else to think clearly and it blows up in my face."

"Sora," I said, smiling. "That may be true, but things like that are bound to happen when someone has such a big heart as you. You need to realize though, that we'll all be hurt beyond belief if you get hurt. So watch yourself okay? You know I'll always cover your butt, but that means you gotta cover mine too. So when you go somewhere solo you gotta cover your butt to cover mine...if that makes sense..."

Sora let out a light laugh.

"Yeah, I think I understand."

I pulled back from Sora, realizing a) we were too close and b) this wouldn't be as serious if I was sprawled all over him.

"Alright, I need to tell you something, and you can't get mad..." I trailed off.

He raised his eyebrow and I took that as a sign he wanted me to continue.

"...I went against you wishes, and I swung on a vine. BUT BEFORE YOU GET MAD, IT WAS TO SAVE YOUR BUTT."

"You went vine swinging with an injured shoulder to save me and you're apologizing?"

"Well...yes, cause you told me not to and I don't want you to be mad..."

"Yumi, I'm not mad. I'm a little upset that you had to hurt yourself to save my butt, but I'm just glad you're okay. Especially after the scar on your shoulder got so big!"

I reached up with my left hand and grabbed by right shoulder.

"It got bigger? Maybe that's why it hurt so much...so then why doesn't it hurt now?" I wondered.

"Well, I healed it...I'm sorry but you were passed out and it was really big! It was all I could think of doing," Sora admitted.

"Why did it get bigger though? I mean it's not like I got injured...maybe it had something to do with what Xigbar said. Like with my 'nap' had something to do with you; maybe this was all connected. Tell me, what happened when you guys were fighting?"

"Hmm...nothing really. He was saying all these things about how you'd get hurt if you came to help me. So when I felt that pull for you to come, I had to block it off. I just thought of you getting hurt and although my heart was aching, I felt the pull stop."

I don't know why, but suddenly everything clicked.

"Sora, promise me you won't do that again. When you don't let me help you, I get hurt. My heart was looking for yours and when you blocked me out it took a strain on me, and that's where all my drive comes from. I guess since I wouldn't stop looking my body was trying to find any means possible to stop me."

Sora just nodded. I think he understood, but who the heck knows with this kid.

As if to break us from our in depth talk, I heard familiar voices echo in the cavern.

"Blasted kids! Running around thinking they own the place. What happened to respecting your elders and staying in one place..."

"Oh daddy, we'll find someone soon."

I stood up, followed by Sora, and we rounded the corner that we came in around.

"Jane! Professor Porter!" I shouted as I ran towards the two.

They turned to me and waved as I ran over.

"Thank the heavens the three of you are alright!" I gushed.

"Three...?" Sora questioned.

Jane and I froze.

"Yes...three...Jane, Tarzan and the professor..."

"But where is Tarzan?" the professor asked.

"You haven't run into him yet? I had just assumed since you two were unharmed that he had come to protect you!"

'Nice save Yumi...really nice.'

As if on cue, Tarzan fell from the ceiling.

"Oh my goodness Tarzan, don't do that! You almost scared the baby right out of me!" Jane said.

I'll admit, I could talk my way out of almost anything. But there was no saving Jane from that comment as everyone in the room's face changed to a shocked look.

"Baby..." Tarzan grunted.

Jane looked like she was about to cry.

"Well...I mean...what I meant to say was...oh, screw it. Tarzan, I'm pregnant."

All of the guys looked like a dear in headlights, but I just smiled. There was the Jane I knew! Bold and not afraid of anything. Time seemed to have stood still as we waited for Tarzan to say something, ANYTHING, to Jane. Eons later, Tarzan walked over and put a hand on her stomach.

"Me be daddy?" he asked her.

She smiled with tears in her eyes.

"Yes, you'll be a daddy."

Tarzan embraced her, and managed to get out, "We have family," before breaking into tears.

Of course, she reciprocated the action, which caused me to tear up. Trying to hide my emotions, I clapped my hands together and squeezed my eyes shut.

"Well, it's time for us to hit the dusty trail. Everything should be okay here, so please, stay happy and we'll be back to see the baby when it comes!"

I ran over and hugged the professor, followed by hugging the embraced duo quickly. Sora just said some awkward goodbyes and the professor smiled at us.

"You two behave now. I'm happy with only one new baby!" he shouted as we walked to the exit.

I laughed as I turned around to give one last wave.

"C'mon blade boy; let's blow this popsicle stand!"