Disclaimer: I own nothing written about in this story.

Keybearers

AN: Ugh! All the kids demanded to be in this one! I don't know why I do this to myself... This chap was lots of fun though. In fact, this is probably one of my favorite chapters so far. :) Enjoy!

Chapter Fourteen – Omake #4 - Hatchling

"Today's the day!" Xion exclaimed excitedly as she raced away from the training grounds. Eraqus had just dismissed her and her peers for the day and she had only one thing on her mind. Her egg.

"How do you know?" Sora questioned dubiously as he ran along in her wake. Although he was skeptical about her claim, he was too curious about seeing the baby Chocobo emerge from its egg to risk missing the event.

Roxas, Ven and Kairi were right behind him and if Xion didn't know any better, she thought Lea, Vanitas and Riku were trailing behind at a crawling pace, feigning disinterest. Although they walked in the same direction, Lea and Vanitas didn't so much as acknowledge each other, while Riku kept a careful eye on them both. As usual, Naminé brought up the rear with a weary stride; combat training always seemed to tire her out more than it should have...

"The egg has been in my room for a whole week," Xion replied dryly. "I think I'd know when it was about to hatch."

Kairi laughed. "I suppose you know what gender it is too?"

"Well, I think it's a girl," Xion deadpanned and stuck out her tongue in defiance, to which her sister returned.

"What are you gonna name it?" Ven cut in before the sisters could take it any farther. "If it's a girl?"

"Well," the raven haired girl said hesitantly and slowed her pace to a walk. "I have a few ideas, but I thought we should all agree on something together."

Ven shared a look with Roxas and then both in turn looked to Sora and Kairi. They all nodded and smiled in unison, causing her to halt the procession altogether. "You should name it, Xion," Roxas told her. "You've cared for it the most."

"R-really?" Xion blinked at them, feeling a swell of happiness.

"I'll be sure to tell you if it's a dumb name though," Kairi commented with a smirk. The others had caught up by that point, with Vanitas moving to hang at the border of the group, Riku next to Kairi, Lea beside Roxas and Naminé behind them, still puffing.

"Xion," Sora tried to whisper and despite failing miserably at it, continued with a hand cupping his cheek to further his privy message. "Name it Highwind!" He got an elbow in the ribs for his trouble, via Kairi.

Xion giggled when the same thing happened to Riku. "No, Excalibur!"

"Neither of those!" Lea yowled. "Flamberge would be a way better name."

"Oh come on!" Vanitas grumbled at the group. "It'll be grown and running rampant by the time this argument ends." He drew some glares but Roxas, Ven and Kairi stepped forward to agree with him.

Xion grinned and led the way, noting curiously that Eraqus was now trailing them at a much slower speed.

Xion settled herself on the floor as everyone gathered around to peer at the spectacle in her room. She was sure her room never seemed smaller...

The egg lay nestled in a mound of blankets, surrounded overhead by a number of lamps to keep it warm. Every minute or so the yellow oval would rock faintly. "This morning it would only move like that every ten minutes," Xion said, not taking her eyes off the precious object.

"Xion..." Lea sighed worriedly. "You're getting a little too obsessed."

"I woke up early this morning," she replied defensively, though she wisely chose not to add aloud that she also talked to it sometimes... "I just had this feeling that today would be the day."

"Yes, we heard you the first time," Kairi told her in monotone. "But just how much longer?"

"I don't know," Xion said with a shrug. "An hour maybe?"

There was a communal groan from the group and Sora and Lea both threw their hands behind their head as they walked out talking about food. The rest of the retinue followed at a staggered pace. Kairi stormed after the boys, shouting for them to wait up and completely oblivious as she passed her twin in the doorway. The pale-blond girl leaned against the door-frame and Xion turned a look of a concern on her sister. "Naminé? You ok?"

The girl looked like she were about to pass out. "I just feel a little dizzy." Her admission drew the attention of both Roxas and Riku, although the blond male had been casting her wary glances since they had been dismissed from training.

Before either of them could inquire further though, Eraqus swept into the room and placed a gentle hand on the girl's forehead. "No fever," he said with a frown. He turned to the boys. "Roxas, Riku, take her to Aqua and get her opinion. I'll be along shortly."

Roxas gave Xion's shoulder a pat before he moved to obey. "I'll try to be back in time."

She tried to offer a smile to hide her disappointment that everyone was leaving, but knew it didn't reach her eyes when her friend frowned. Roxas hesitated but stepped to his mandate when Eraqus beckoned again; Naminé was looking worse by the minute.

Now all that remained was Eraqus in the doorway and Vanitas, who leaned against one wall, arms crossed and trying to seem disinterested in the whole ordeal. He finally moved closer and examined the egg with a sneer. "No way it could be worth all this trouble."

"It will be," she told him fervently. "You'll see."

"Hm," he grunted dubiously and unraveled his arms to make a charitable gesture. "Well, I'm hungry too. Want me to bring you something?"

Xion shook her head and gave another sad smile, though his offer was sweet and almost made her giggle. Although rare and barricaded, Vanitas' kind nature always shown through when she least expected it. "Thanks, but I'm too nervous to eat. I'll get something later."

He shrugged indifferently and crossed to the doorway without another word, passing the master as he went.

"It's for the best that it sees only you when it hatches," Eraqus said as he drew beside her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "It's you're responsibility now, Xion. Therefore, you should be the one it recognizes as its mother."

"M-mother?" she sputtered, eyes wide as Eraqus chuckled and made his timely exit.

Xion's gaze snapped back to the egg when she heard a resounding crack, followed closely by an odd little chirp.