Authors Notes: Here's the next chapter! Now we're rising to the climax!

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Chapter 21

Near the Edge

Riku wondered if it was possible for a person to die of exasperation.

"For the last time, we can't use fire to cross water Axel." He snapped, hopping over to a tree. Godammit, his leg was really getting on his nerves.

"I know that!" The red-head snapped, currently torching a pile of leaves. "I'm just trying to be imaginative! Plus, maybe one of the ships coming to investigate the wreckage will see."

Riku's head hurt. He heaved a sigh and gingerly lowered himself into the sand, glaring at his leg. He'd long ago forsaken his shirt, and now sat in the thin pants that he'd been wearing when they left the ship. Axel hadn't mentioned his scars since the first day, and he found that he really just didn't care anymore. It was hot, he was hungry, and he wanted to get away from water for the rest of his life.

Axel had taken to burning things for entertainment. It probably took his mind off of his stomach. To get safe drinking water, the two of them had devised a way of getting it from the sea. Axel had made a few rock bowls molded with his flames from the sand, and filled one bowel with water from the ocean. They managed to tie a leaf over the bowel and set it on a fire on the ground. The leaf was large, and set at an angle so that the condensation dripped from it and into another bowel.

They didn't get much water from it, but it kept them from dying. Riku could go for some clean water too. Nice, cool, tasty water that flowed over his tongue and down his throat like silk—

A sharp pain jerked up his leg and he hissed. "Goddamn this fucking leg!" He snarled, setting his hands on it and trying to sooth it. Axel's head swiveled around to blink at him.

Riku frowned as warmth crept up his leg. It felt as if it had been dipped into a vat of warm honey. He blinked and pulled his hands away.

The bruise was gone.

He stared down at the leg is disbelief, then tried to move it. It didn't hurt at all.

"What the hell?" He mumbled, grabbing a nearby tree and standing up. He tentatively set his foot down and put some pressure on it. Nothing. Not even a twinge.

"Axel," He breathed. The red-head was staring too, his mouth slightly open. "I think I just healed my leg."

"Wow…" Axel moved closer, his eyes taking in the sight of the clean skin. "Maybe that's what those tattoos do."

Riku frowned in thought as he continued to test his leg. It still twinged a little, but it was a bearable pain. He turned his hands over and looked at the palms, his eyes following the swirls embedded into them. "Maybe."

Axel grunted and turned around, absently kicking another log into his fire. "You never know with the creeps in the army."

Riku just sighed and sat down again, examining his fingers. "Maybe…"

He shook his head and leaned back, brushing his hair from his eyes as he gazed up at the sky. His thoughts drifted back to Sora, and he imagined what he could be doing. He refused to believe that Sora had gotten caught up in the explosion, and nothing would change his mind. He knew Sora was alive, and probably worried about him.

Don't worry Sora… I'll find a way to get back to you…

The first impression Sora got of Zexion's island wasn't what he'd imagined.

He'd imagined an island with civilization. Maybe a tourist area, because islands were usually used for those specific purposes, and maybe a few miles across. What he found wasn't what he'd expected however.

When he, Roxas and Zexion stepped off of the airship (crewed by Some of Zexion's employee's), they were surrounded by a forest. They stood on a tower that jutted up from the ground—where multiple aircrafts could land and lift off. The wind tore around him, making his hair even messier than usual. Ahead there was a glass encircled walkway leading into the huge building across from him. As he examined the area, he noticed that the island was nothing but a two mile forested dot of land near the southern continent. The walkway connected to what was probably the twelfth floor, and it stretched to about sixty stories. Other smaller buildings surrounded the tower, linked to it by glass walkways on different floors.

He stumbled forward as Roxas tugged on his arm, taking his attention away form the area. Zexion had stepped toward the doors into the walkway swiftly, obviously intending them to follow, and Sora fell into step behind him with Roxas at his side. The glass walkway was very wide, and the floor made of marble, obviously used for things that Zexion intended to load aboard airships. He tried not to look down as they crossed the empty space—he'd already learned that he didn't much like heights from riding in the airships.

"I'll introduce you to Kadaj and Yazoo," Zexion told them, breaking the silence. "Loz isn't often here. He works directly under Xemnas."

Sora frowned. "Loz?"

Zexion looked at him over his shoulder. "Loz is Yazoo and Kadaj's oldest brother. Riku probably didn't mention him; he's only really met him once."

Sora nodded and bowed his head. Roxas had been quiet, but then again, Roxas had always been quiet. It was making him worried though; Roxas was being a little too quiet. He stopped and looked up when Zexion did, in front of a large metal door that matched the one behind them. He lifted his arm and placed his hand on a small red screen in the middle, and the door unlocked, allowing them entrance. Zexion strode purposefully down the hallway, making Sora hurry to keep up.

The inside of the building wasn't anything special, contrary to his idea. It looked just like a regular office building—with large windows to the left and business departments to the right. Zexion led them to an elevator, pressed the top floor, and stood back as they rose upwards.

"I take it Riku's mentioned Kadaj and Yazoo?" Yazoo said, turning to Sora. The brunet nodded.

"Yeah. He told me a lot about them."

"Hn." Zexion looked away. "Don't take Kadaj too seriously."

Sora nodded. "I know… Riku said he was a little… uh… different."

The silver-haired businessman snorted. "You don't know the half of it."

The elevator arrived with a signaling 'ding!', and Zexion stepped out, striding down the hall once again. Sora had to trot to keep up, and cursed tall people and their long legs. Roxas was almost in the same predicament, since the two of them were pretty much the same size, but his expression gave nothing away.

This hallway was a little different from the rest. It didn't look worn and office-y like the previous floor, and the windows were floor-to-ceiling. Zexion led them to a room in the middle of the hall, and opened the door.

Immediately the silence was destroyed.

"Kadaj shut up and move your fucking leg! I can't work with it on my shoulder!"

"I'd consider that a weakness brother," The voice tutted in displeasure. "What kind of business leader can't multitask?"

"Most business leaders don't have their brothers feet in their faces while their on the computer!"

There came the sound of flesh slapping against more flesh, and then a strangled cry came right behind it. "You don't slap the leg of a man!"

"And who said you were a man? I see no proof."

"I'll show you proof—"

"Kadaj, Yazoo." Zexion snapped in a voice full of impending doom. There came silence from the room, and then a silver head poked around the edge of the entrance walkway.

"Hey Zexion!" Kadaj grinned and waved. Sora sucked in a breath when he saw him. He was obviously related to Riku—his silver hair looked just like Riku's—if Riku's hair ever wanted to stay flat. Kadaj blinked at Sora and Roxas when he noticed them. "Who're they?"

"Sora and Roxas," Zexion grunted, entering the room and stepping aside so that the two boys could come in after him. Kadaj's eyes widened as they looked them up and down.

"I knew one of you guys looked familiar." He smirked slightly and stepped around the wall. He stood tall at his full height, probably as tall as Riku. He looked to be eighteen or nineteen, and his eyes had a piercing coolness to them. Another body appeared from beyond the wall, and Sora shifted his gaze.

A small smile stretched Yazoo's lips as he looked at them. "I remember you Sora." He said lightly. When he wasn't snarling at Kadaj, his voice was lighter and gentler than Kadaj's. He was about the same height as Kadaj, but his hair was longer, and he gave off less of a shockwave when Sora met his eyes.

Sora felt himself blush and looked down at the floor. Zexion grunted and cleared his throat. "Well, the one with the shorter hair is Kadaj, and the other Yazoo. I have to talk to a few people downstairs, so they'll show you your rooms. I'm sorry I had to leave so quickly, but I'll be back before dinner." He nodded to the two boys, then turned and closed the door. Sora gulped and stood next to Roxas awkwardly.

He heard Kadaj snicker—because only someone like Kadaj could make it sound evil and nice at the same time (or so Riku said)—and looked up. The silver-haired boy motioned for him to come into the living room, and Sora cautiously obeyed. Roxas followed him, keeping his eyes on Kadaj.

"We'll show you your rooms," Kadaj said as soon as Sora had cleared the hallway. He crossed his arms and gestured behind him with his head. Sora finally turned his attention to the house itself.

It was like a mansion. They stood in what looked like the entrance hall, and to the right was a doorway that showed a small resting room. In front of them was a twisting stairway that lead up to a balcony, with walls that Sora couldn't see. Beyond the stairs on the first floor was another huge hallway, with rooms branching off. At the very end was a huge window, and Sora could see the forest even from here.

"Wow…" He gulped, and looked at the stairs again. "Are our rooms upstairs?"

Kadaj grinned smugly and turned around. "All the bedrooms are upstairs." He stated walking up the stairway. Sora took the hint and followed him, Roxas and Yazoo behind him.

The second floor was another massive hallway, and also at the end was a window. Kadaj took them halfway down the hall and stopped at an oak door. It was polished, and the doorknob was shining brass. "This was Riku's room," He said, and then opened the door.

Sora kicked his heart for tightening as he stepped inside. His eyes took in the white walls and the pale carpet, as well as the windows and closet door. Near a window was where Riku put his bed, up against the wall. It was large, and the sheets and blanket were made, as if no one had touched it in a long time. Next to the bed sat a desk, covered in cups full of pens and pencils. Riku had a lamp overlooking the entire thing, and a few books stuffed into the alcoves. Small trinkets—like board game figurines and quill pens were mixed with the writing utensils. The floor was immaculate, and the dresser held nothing but what looked like a jewelry box and a large mirror.

On the right wall, next to the dresser, were two doors that must have opened into a closet. They were closed now, but Sora could imagine a huge closet full of confining cloths.

"Well, I don't think he'd mind if you used his room." Kadaj broke through the silence. Sora turned and regarded him quietly. Roxas and Yazoo were both watching him, and he smiled.

"I… I'd like it."

Kadaj smirked and nodded, tossing some hair out of his eyes. "The blond will be next door. He motioned for Roxas to follow him. Roxas gave Sora a meaningful look, and the brunet nodded, smiling gently. Roxas closed his eyes and sighed before turning to follow Kadaj. Yazoo gave him a lingering glance before following them.

Sora closed the door and set his bags on the floor. His and Riku's, actually. He looked around the room one more time, and then went over to the desk. He pulled out one of the books that Riku had stuffed into the cubbies and flipped it over to read the cover.

Friends.

It was a children's book. Sora frowned and turned to the first page. The picture showed a little white cat next to a brown one, probably kittens. There were no words, so Sora turned to the next page. There was a spread of the kittens playing together in a field of flowers, with the sun shining. On the next page, the white kitten was suddenly grabbed by the hands of a man who looked like a police officer. The next page showed the brown kitten sitting alone in the field, and it was raining.

Sora frowned and turned the page again. Now the white kitten was back, and they were both full grown. They played in the grass under the sun again. The next page showed the officer come back, only this time he was grabbing for the brown kitten. The white one attacked the officer.

The officer threw the white kitten down and kicked it. Sora frowned, wondering if this really was a children's book as he turned the page. Apparently not. The white kitten was bleeding, and the brown kitten had come over to it.

The last page showed the kittens lying together, next to the rock that the white kitten had fallen against.

Sora closed the book, disturbed. Why would Riku want to read such a sad story? He shook his head and put it back into the desk, deciding that he didn't want to know unless Riku could tell him. There was golden light in the room now, and Sora moved over to the window to look out at the sunset.

Riku loved sunsets. Sora closed his eyes and sighed softly, letting the light of the dipping sun wash over him.

Riku would come back. He knew he would.

After standing there for a few moments, Sora moved over to the bed and sat down. With a grunt he flopped onto his stomach, wiggling around to get comfortable. His nose nuzzled against the pillow and he took a deep breath. It smells like Riku…

He squeezed his eyes shut and pulled the pillow from under his head and hugged it to his chest, curling around it. Riku's entire bed smelled like him. "Riku…"

Quietly, Yazoo closed the door to Sora's room and turned away. I'll get him when dinner's ready.

Leon sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. They'd been talking for hours now, and he'd had such an overload of info that he had to start taking notes. Cloud of course retained information like a computer, so he had no need for a pencil and paper. They'd been discussing plans for the past six hours, and he was sure it was at least midnight, if not passed.

"But there is still the problem of knowing from which direction to strike," Saix was saying, his hand gesturing with his words. "All we know of the area is a vague description from word of mouth. We have no idea weather it even has a river nearby."

Luxord nodded slowly. "We'll have to send someone to investigate. It would be easy if we only know the area."

"They suspect nothing," That was Saix again. "We have a good chance."

Cloud leaned over to Leon as the discussion continued and groaned. "I'm tired of these circles…"

Leon nodded. "It's a miracle that they've gotten anything done."

The group had been debating for hours upon hours, and they'd only just gotten through the basics. They planned to destroy the three major bases of the army, but they were discussing which to hit first. Now they were arguing over weather the one they chose should be the one they chose.

"I'm tired." Cloud sighed, and rubbed his eyes. Leon rolled his, but leaned a little closer to Cloud. The blond smirked at him.

Suddenly the small door in the back of the room burst open, startling everyone in the meeting. Red XIII ran into the room, and it was the first time Leon had seen him so frantic.

"Lord Luxord sir," he said in a rush, sliding to a stop at the council's feet. He dipped his head, panting. "I have urgent news."

Luxord frowned. "News of what?"

The cat took a deep breath, and his tail lashed through the air like mad. "Our sources in the army are saying that more than half of the forces—the huge grouping we though were suspicious being gathered in the Southwest, that we thought was just a training base because of confident sources, is moving out."

He had everyone's attention now. Leon's brow furrowed. "Where are they going?"

"We don't know," The big cat's tail lashed again. "There is nothing but ocean in that direction."

"That's where Zexion's island is."

Everyone turned to Demyx, who looked surprised at his own voice. "Uh, I went there a few weeks ago. Right across from where they are in a few miles is Zexion's island."

Luxord frowned. "They couldn't be heading for Shinra corp. for anything important."

"Maybe information was leaked." Larxene said, baring her teeth.

"All I know is that they are moving out, and Lord Zexion is in danger," Red said.

"A change of plans then," Luxord murmured. He motioned to Larxene. "Contact Lord Xemnas and tell him that the revolution starts. We'll gather our forces on Zexion's island and lure army's forces into a confrontation on the shores."

Larxene stood and dipped her head at once. Then she turned and walked swiftly from the hall. Luxord smirked.

"I suppose out old plans are insufficient. Contact Cid, and tell him of this change. It will take at least two days for the army to reach Zexion's island from their position. We'll collect our troops there." He nodded to them all.

Leon dropped his pencil and leaned back with a heavy sigh, wondering why they couldn't make plans like this all the time.

Someone was shaking him awake, and Riku almost lashed out and slapped Axel in the face as he woke suddenly. "What?" He snapped, staring blearily up into Axel's cheerful green eyes.

"Look what I found!" He said happily, and pointed behind him. Riku frowned and sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

Standing there, staring at him, were five men with suntanned skin. All of them bore tattoos just like his. He stared for a moment, and wondered if these men had been experimented on too. Then he recalled a conversation with Leon he'd had long, long ago.

These were the bandits that called themselves Dreamers.

Disclaimer: Wheeeeeeeeeeee.