Disclaimer: I own nothing Kingdom Hearts, Shadow Hearts or anything from anything mentioned. The five OC's however, are mine. Mine I say!

Sorry for taking so long. Getting ready for college. Woo! Go me.

Chapter 21

The rest of the day was pretty much a blur. After lunch, Nick and John went with their respective teachers and we didn't meet up until dinner. Most of my thoughts were dwelling on what John told us, and it made my concentration worse than it normally was. During sword drills with Squall he kicked my ass worse than usual. Squall really bit into me about my lack of concentration. I managed to convince him that I was just tired, unused to such rough training. I think he bought it.

Cid joined us for dinner and updated us on the status of the Gummi ship. Lucky for us, he said that it would be ready in about two weeks! John, Nick and I exchanged a discreet look that none of the others noticed when Cid told Squall that he had a smaller ship already ready which had good shielding and weapons in case any of them needed to go off world. Naturally I assume he wasn't talking about Nick, John or me.

Its midnight right about now. The others are sound asleep while John, Nick and I are still awake in Cid's room. We waited until we had privacy to talk about John's vision. I'm still a little confused as to why he didn't tell Aerith anything. Why do we have to go alone? What is John hiding? "Okay John," I whisper. "Spill your guts. You said Dwayne was on Tarzan's world?"

John nods. "Yeah, I remember seeing the movie a few years back and I recognized the characters I saw. I'm positive that is where he is." His fingers twitch. Crap. Whenever John's fingers twitch it always means that there is something bad following whatever good news he just delivered.

Nick huffs. "Great. What's the bad news?"

John leans back against the headboard of the bed. Nick is on the side, leaning on the wall and I am crouched at the foot. "John, you said before that according to your vision we have to do this alone. Why? Is it because of the damn prophecy or what?"

John shakes his head. "No, it was in my vision. Honestly, guys, I'm with you on this whole prophecy thing."

Nick and I stare at John with open mouths. Okay, that is really freaking weird. I expected that from David and Nick, even Dwayne maybe. But John? Vision Guy? This just got a whole lot weirder. I know I don't completely agree with this, especially since there is a chance I'll end up in the hands of that silver bastard and that is not an option for me. Nick and David are stubborn hard heads, and don't like to be bossed around by anyone. Dwayne might be adverse to this, who knows? He's a lone wolf kind of type. You know, now that I think about it, is he really? One of those questions that may never be answered.

John snickers a bit at our shock and continues speaking. "I know the guy with the visions is disagreeing with a written one. But you know this whole thing never struck with me in the first place. I have quite a few questions and not enough answers. But, my vision did tell me that if they go with us like we planned, then they are going to die."

If I was shocked before, I'm dumbstruck now. Nick looks positively horrified. "Die? What the hell are you talking about Johnny boy?"

John runs a hand through his blonde curls. His chocolate eyes are dim and sad as he recounts his vision. "If they go with us in the ship that Cid is building now, there is going to be a problem. When we land, we get split up by Heartless. The ship is damaged and Cid dies. Aerith and Sam end up finding Dwayne. Squall and Nick end up running into a pack of leopards. You defeat them, but Squall is badly hurt. Your magic isn't enough and Aerith is too far away. He ends up dying just as they meet up with me and Yuffie."

Nick and I pay close attention to the vision despite our mounting horror. We learned to pay attention to John's visions. "Heartless surround us and we fight them off. Nick is injured and Yuffie dies. Sam, you, Aerith and Dwayne wind up finding Tarzan and his friends. Aerith finds out that Clayton is planning to hunt the gorillas and she goes after him along with Jane. Clayton kills Aerith and takes Jane hostage. We end up saving the day, but the others die. We have to go by ourselves on this."

I swallow the lump forming in my throat. I can't believe this. Squall and the others die? Dear God. I don't even want to think about it. I knew that being with us, fighting the Heartless, would put them at risk. Death just never really crossed my mind. A quick glance at Nick tells me that he was thinking the same thing. But in all honesty, John was also voicing a thought I kept hidden until now.

"John is right." Both boys look at me strangely. "For a while now I've been thinking about Squall and the others. I appreciate this so much, them helping us and everything. All the help they are giving us is great and wonderful and I appreciate this so much. But I've also been thinking that although we may not agree with the damn book," I gesture toward the book, which is lying on a table next to my jacket. "Others may not think like we do, especially Ansem. So we are pretty much a universal target. These guys are in hot enough water as it is and being with us is making it worse."

Nick frowns. "What are you saying? That we should just high tail it out of here? Without them?"

"Yes. Before Cid finishes with his ship. I would say, if not immediately, then within the next few days. It will cut short our training but I think it needs to be done. Apparently so do you John."

John nods slowly, regretfully. I know he regrets this and so do I. Squall and the others have been so great to us and this would be like a slap in the face.

Nick leans back against the wall. "Crap. This really sucks." Then he shrugs. "At least I know I wasn't the only one. Now I don't feel so much like a jerk."

It should surprise me, but it doesn't. I don't think many things surprise me anymore. "Squall and the others won't understand, I think, at first. But we have to do this. It is for their sake mostly. We need all the help we can get and that doesn't just mean training. We need a lot of warriors fighting the Heartless and these guys are amongst the best, and I would know. So, I guess the only question left, is when are we going to leave?"

John shakes his head. "Two days. We need to leave in two days." Nick looks at him questioningly and John shrugs in answer. That's enough for all of us. He can't explain everything in his visions. There are just some things we need to go with. We're used to it.

"So, two days? I suggest we leave during the night. We can take the smaller ship Cid has. Tomorrow I'll ask Cid if I can get a look at it. I'm good with mechanics so I think I can pick it up pretty quick. Tomorrow night I'll report back and we can finalize things."

John and I nod, agreeing with Nick's plan. "Meanwhile we can get in as much training as we can. I really do feel bad about this but it has to be done. Right?"

Then why the hell do I feel so bad? This sucks but John's visions are pretty much never wrong. If we can avoid their deaths, then we do what we have to do. Man, this really sucks.

But you are right. This must be done. Squall and the others will try to stop you if they know. (Ferai)

Yeah, I know. But I feel as if I'm betraying them. They've done so much for us already. I don't want them to die because of us.

But they might anyway. They are associated with you and Ansem knows this. They may be targeted anyway. Then they would be without your protection. (Wraith)

They don't need it in the first place. They are warriors and are way more experienced than we are. They can take care of themselves. They don't need to die just yet. They are important.

This is a wise choice of actions, despite your reasons. (Djinn)

Whoa, since when do you agree with me?

Since I believe that you should not waste allies that would benefit you in the future. (Djinn)

Great, thanks.

"What's up Sam?" Nick asks. They both are staring at me intently. Why do they always do that? That is so annoying.

"Nothing. But the demons are backing us up on this. They agree. Surprisingly, all of them do. Even the Djinn and the Wraith are agreeing with me. Weird."

Nick snorts. "Weird? Our lives have become the very definition f weird? I swear our pictures must be in the dictionary next to the word by now."

Boy, isn't that the understatement of the millennium? "Let's get some sleep guys. We'll need it for tomorrow. And remember, not a word to Squall or the others."

Nick and John nod and hop off the bed. After today's beating from Squall they both decide that I should have the bed. Despite the fact that Nick healed me more than once (his magic is getting really good. Even Aerith says that he is progressing well) they both feel the need to coddle me. As endearing as it is, it is also annoying. At least Nick isn't so adverse to learning magic anymore. Actually, he is really enjoying it. Aside from healing, he can do pretty much any basic spell in all elements and Aerith says that he shows aptitude for Fire magic especially. Not that it surprised John or me. But Aerith is saying that he is progressing faster than anyone she knows. She says it is because of the prophecy but I chose not to think about that.

Speaking of which, my eyes stray to the book on the table. So far it has remained blank except for that first page with the prophecy on it. We don't know what else it is supposed to contain. As much as I hate the gold lettering, I think I should take it with us. I can just slip it into the huge pocket on the inside of my jacket and we're out of here. I'm not entirely sure why, but I think it will be important later on. Maybe it will fill up again with information we can use later? Hopefully it will be info on worlds or villains that we night need like it used to be. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

The next morning, we sit around the table, enjoying breakfast. Cid is actually with us this time. He is going over plans with Squall. Aerith and John are in deep discussion about visions while Yuffie is out again. Lightly I nudge Nick under the table. He nudges me back.

He leans over toward Cid. "Hey, Cid, can you show me how to work all of this stuff?"

Squall and Cid look up, Squall in surprise, Cid in delight. "You like this kind of stuff Nick?" The gruff blonde asks.

Nick grins. "Hell yeah. I love mechanics. At home, I have at least two cars in our town's garage that I work on exclusively. I also work there. They're my babies."

Cid's grin grows wider as the two of them discuss different mechanics. Squall shakes his head with a smile and leaves the two alone. He pats me on the shoulder as he walks by and goes into his room. John and I exchange a smile as Nick and Cid head into the garage below. This is going well. John goes back into conversation with Aerith and I go back to my breakfast.

"This is good that Nick found a common bond with Cid. It certainly helps him with this situation." Aerith says.

John nods. "Yeah. If there is anything Nick can bond over, its mechanics."

Squall comes out of his room with his gunblade, giving me his trademark smirk. I groan and stand from the table. I have to go through more sparring. How is it that John and Nick picked up this sword fighting stuff so quickly and I still look like a moron? Is it me? At least it's just swords and not demons. Yesterday I fought with the Djinn and the Wraith after lunch. Let me tell you, it was creepy. The Wraith was like a creepy, slimy kind of thing. But I did have fun with the time-manipulation powers. The Djinn though I hated with a passion. I felt that sadistic, cruel anger and it was not fun. I think that if I wasn't fighting so hard to stay in control, I would have killed Squall.

"Yeah, yeah, I know Squall. Don't say anything. Let's just go." Squall smirks and leads the way toward the Second District.

I bring up my keyblade to block his stack and use my momentum to push him back several steps. I charge at him and bring my blade forward. We parry and strike for several moments. Eventually we come to a stand still and he calls a halt. I collapse onto the ground and my keyblade turns back into my bracelet. Squall sits down next to me, offering a bottle of water. Both of us are sweaty and tired. But nonetheless Squall smiles at me. "You're getting better Sam. You just need to put all of your concentration into it."

I huff. "Great, just fantastic. This is so not fair."

Squall cocks his head. "What?"

I wave my arms dramatically. "Nick and John are able to pick this up and I'm falling on my ass like a white house intern while you stick it to me."

I giggle hysterically at his blank expression. "Never mind." Then I pause. I know that this will probably give us away, but I have to say something. "Squall, I really do appreciate this you know."

Squall smiles and pats me on the shoulder. "That's what friends are for. Now come on, lets practice a little more then we can be done for the day."

The rest of the day passed without incident. Squall and the others showed no sign of knowing about our plan. John and I trained as usual while Nick learned all he could about Gummi ships. Though Yuffie did give me a set of throwing knives for my improvement of swordsmanship. I was excited. They now hang on my belt, four on each side. I also have an extra in each boot and Yuffie outfitted a sheath in one of my jacket sleeves for me.

Once everyone else had gone to bed, the three of us once more convened to discuss tomorrow night.

"He showed me the smaller ship. The controls are easy. I should be able to pilot it no problem. I didn't want to ask him if I could try because I didn't want to risk giving anything away."

John nods approvingly. "Good job. That was a good idea. How will you pilot it out of here?"

Nick smiles. "There is a tunnel in the garage that is for Gummi transport. It leads off world. Cid showed me pretty much everything before giving me a crash course on maintenance and started showing me how parts work. It's actually pretty easy."

"So tomorrow you should have no issues getting us out of here?" I ask.

He nods. "Yeah. Cid has no locks or anything, so we just have to sneak downstairs and hop on board. The start up and take off will be over quickly so they can't stop us."

"Good. Tomorrow night is when we will have to pack and get things ready. What will we need to bring, besides the book?" I gesture toward my jacket, which already held a knife and the book.

John speaks up. "Food. In one of the cupboards there are rations and food for a journey that will fit in my sack." He gestures toward the new leather backpack he had bought in the First District. It was sturdy and would hold our food. It could hold the book too, but we all agreed that it would be safer if it was right with one of us. "We have our weapons and I have plenty of ammunition, both regular and mythril."

I frown in confusion. "Mythril? What is that?"

John smiles deviously. "A gift from Aerith, magic bullets. They are self replenishing and almost never miss."

I smile back. "Cool. So, we have food that we can get tomorrow night; John has ammo, I have my knives and the book. Nick will provide transport. Do you know how to navigate? Find worlds and such?" I ask Nick, who sighs.

"Sort of. Cid gave me a really quick explanation, so I think I'll mostly have to wing it."

John and I nod. That will have to do. "So," I ask. "Anything else?"

No one speaks up. "Okay. Tomorrow, we head to Tarzan's world."

I really hope that we are doing the right thing. I really want to find David and Dwayne. Something in my gut is bugging me though. I don't know what it is, but it is making me very uneasy. I ignore it and crawl onto my pallet. Tomorrow we leave. I hope Squall doesn't take this too hard. The demons are unusually silent. Even if they don't talk to me, I can still feel this sort of buzzing in my ear. Aerith told me that it is just a way for me to know that the demons are still there and ready to be summoned. But even now the buzzing is gone.

I close my eyes and concentrate, summoning up my Graveyard. I open my eyes and the courtyard and the sunset greet me. Still, everything looks the same. The stone is still worn and ancient looking, like a ruin almost. The doors are where they were before. I probe at the double doors, but the shield is still there, ready to repel me. I know that this place is supposed to be timeless and all, but I guess I was hoping for a little change.

When I am here, the buzzing turns into a sort of vibration. It's soothing and a little annoying. Aerith taught me how to push it aside to where it wouldn't bug me. But there is nothing here. The demons are still here. I can feel their presence as I probe each of their doors. Maybe they are just giving me some privacy?

Then something happens. In front of the four doors, the air shimmers and ripples like water. I turn so that my back is to the double doors and all four demon doors are in my sights. The air continues to ripple in front of them. Then the ripples are gone and something else is in their place.

My mouth drops open in surprise and I am gaping like a gold fish. Standing in front of their respective door is me, in demon form. The Djinn, with her bronzed skin, amber eyes and almost molten hair. The Undine, with the smooth pale blue skin, webbed fingers, gills, seaweed hair and calm blue eyes. The Wraith, with shrunken, pale grey skin, claws, dark purple eyes and tangled, wild hair barely restrained in a ponytail. The Ferai, with the horns, cat like eyes, fur and claws. All of them dressed in jeans, a white T-shirt (courtesy of Squall) and boots.

In shock I back up toward the double doors, being only lightly repelled by the shield. The four demons smile, amused by my shock. The Undine steps forward, her hands brought up in a gesture of peace. "We did not mean to alarm you, Samantha."

The speaking sounds so much more direct now that we're actually in my head. "If I'm here and I ever want to talk to you guys is this how it is going to go down?"

Undine shakes her head. "This is merely a one-time thing, except in die emergencies."

I frown. "What exactly constitutes as a dire emergency to you guys? The silence, was that just an attempt at privacy or was it a ploy to get me here?"

The guilty, shifting looks confirm my suspicions. "Okay guys, what is going on? Is it what the guys and I are about to do? Because last night you guys were all for the plan."

Wraith huffs and crosses her arms. "We want to talk to you about the prophecy."

Oh wonderful. Before I can say anything, Ferai jumps in. "Have you given any though as to what you will do after you find David and Dwayne? Ansem and the Heartless will be after you. What will you do about that? Your home world is gone and would you return to it anyway with him on your tail?"

All the demons share my disgust of Ansem. "Look, guys. Here is the thing, I don't like this prophecy and I don't even want to think about it until my family is back together. As for Ansem, yeah, I want to kick his ass into oblivion! But my family comes first, always."

Wraith looks disgusted with me, Ferai growls in annoyance and shakes her head, Undine looks at me sympathetically and Djinn looks furious. "Foolish girl! Have you given any thought to the rest of the universe!" The Djinn stalks toward me, her eyes on fire. "Like it or not, you and your friends have a duty to fulfill to save the universe from the threat of darkness. Yes, the prophecy says you have to do it together, but your duty first and foremost is to the universe. If you and your friends do not stop this darkness then it will swallow everything! You don't have the luxury of screwing up! Remember, unless you want to be the next one cast for the Bride of Frankenstein you need to take this seriously!"

I shrink back from her as she gets close to my face. Then I scowl and push her back. "Back off! Last time I checked I didn't ask for your opinion!"

"But she is right, Samantha." I turn in shock toward the Undine. She walks up to me and the Djinn and gently separates us. Then she gently grasps my shoulders. "We have to think about the rest of the universe. Yes, it is important that we find your friends, and not just because of the prophecy. But the five of you do have a responsibility to the universe that you can not just turn your back on. If the prophecy doesn't convince you, which I find hard to believe when one of your friends has visions, then the keyblades you own should. Only those with the keyblade can destroy the darkness."

As much as I hate to admit it, she has a point. Even without the dumb prophecy, Aerith and the others confirm that the keyblade is pretty much the only tool that can effectively destroy the darkness. "How can I willingly put my friends in danger? There is no way I can ask them to give up their lives like this. Besides, who the hell decided that a couple of teenagers can save the universe!"

The Djinn throws up her arms and turns away. She grabs the side of her door like a life line, looking perilously close to banging her head against it. Then she flings herself away and stalks to the front of her door. "I've had enough. You three try to talk some sense into this rock head. Believe it or not, Samantha, I'm trying to make sure you stay alive!" She turns to face her door and vanishes. The Undine sighs and shakes her head. Ferai looks agitated and the Wraith is laughing.

She throws her head back and laughs almost hysterically. "Girl, you are a piece of work. Keeping you relatively safe through out this venture is in my best interests, but I must admit I am more interested in watching you handle this yourself." She backs in front of her door and vanishes through it.

The Ferai growls at the Wraith's departure. "Spineless scum." She turns to me. "Sami, despite their, less than savory attributes, those two are looking out for you. Be careful. Eventually you will have to make decisions that will affect the universe. I just hope you will be able to make them." She pats my shoulder, then turns away to vanish through her door. The Undine gives me a sad gaze, then vanishes.

I jolt awake. John and Nick are still sleeping. What a weird experience. The low buzzing is back. I really hope they don't make a habit of this. I'm trying not to dwell on this destiny thing until we find David and Dwayne. It was our agreement between me, John and Nick. I know I'll eventually have to do something about this, but I stand by what I said before: family comes first. I know it sounds a little conceited, but the universe will just have to deal and so will the demons. They are a part of me, so they should be able to sense this. But they do have a point. The five of us are going to have to confront this.

Now that I think about it, what are the guys going to think once we are all together? What if they decide to go with this? I may be the Soul, but I am not the leader. If anything, David is our leader. But what is he going to think about this? He has always stubbornly believed that he is in control of his destiny. He doesn't believe in fate and I'm pretty sure Dwayne doesn't either. Even John tries to change his visions when he can and Nick…well, I am not going to go into Nick.

I think back to what I said to the Djinn. What right did I have to say that? I don't have any control over my friends. True, I hold them together, but in the sense that I keep the five of us from breaking apart and going crazy. I don't control them, I keep us together mentally and emotionally. If my bad girl phase taught me anything, it was that being away from my boys is not good for any of us.

I sigh. I've said it once, but it bears saying again. It sucks being me.

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