Song of the chapter: Scratch- Kendall Payne

A/N: So...SORRY THIS TOOK SO LONG. I'm alive...not that it matters...lol. So, I got KHFM 1.5 earlier than the release, so I was playing it! And I got a call back for Big Brother! AHHHH But yeah, this chapter is kind of a filler, just a warning, so I'm sorry about that. The next chapter (Which will be up in a day or two hopefully) is gonna be good I think! I hope you guys like it!

Also, I've decided NO LEMONS. I didn't really want to do it, but my friend suggested it. Not really a good idea for this story IMO.

BoxAuthor88: First off, I'm so sorry I kept you waiting! :'( But I hope you continue to love the story! And yes, lemons just aren't right for this story. Anyways, I'm glad you've stuck by me through all my shenanigans! Also, one review (with a request) from way back when of yours is going to come true in the next chapter :3 stay tuned. xoxoxoox

loyalty-and-devotion: Hehe I like torturing Sora ;) makes life interesting! And I agree with you, lemons are too mush detail for this story!

bec1895: hahha you're funny! Thank you :)

Shadow Shoveler Productions: So, I would like to take your comments into consideration to help this story, as I do with every review. However, seeing as this is your first review to the story, and it's already 24 chapters in, I cannot trust that you have read the entire story up to this point. Many other reviewers that have been reading since the beginning have said the characters seem to be pretty accurate when the story is ready from beginning up to this point. As for Riku and Yuffie, this new chapter shows how it was right out of nowhere; that was the whole point.

awesomefanficlova: I'm glad you found it funny! I tried to make it super funny! Sorry it wasn't soon, but here it is! :)

Celebi the Mew of Time Travel: Sorry, what? ._.

Angelic Warrior: OMG ME TOO I WISH! :3

NoXIIISokaiFan: This is the eeeeeend of the innocence. ;3

Guest: Sorry T-T

JourneyofShadows: OMG wisdom teeth hurts! I'm with ya! Why thank you, but I wouldn't call myself a genius :3

Oblivion16: Here it is! :)

Riku calmly released the wooden chair from his grasp as he was confident enough that no one else could hear the words he was about to speak. He sighed before turning to his mortified, twitchy best friend.

"Okay, look, this wasn't anything I planned, I just-"

"I should have knocked. I'm going back to the dining room. Please excuse me while I go find my mental scrub brush," Sora's voice was similar to a robot.

"Hey, but I still have to explain to you-"

"No, you really don't," Sora stood up, looking past Riku as he headed for the dining room.

"Wait!" Riku grabbed Sora's wrist, "Don't bring it up to anyone in there. Don't tell them."

"I won't."

"Promise?" Riku's grip loosened.

"Yeah," Sora still faced the door.

"Okay," Riku sighed, letting Sora's wrist go.

Sora headed back to the dining room, while Riku knew he had other means to attend to back upstairs. He sighed, making his way up the staircase to Yuffie's room. Riku breathed quickly before knocking on her door,

"It's me, can I come in?"

"…Door's open," Yuffie's voice was very quiet.

When Riku opened the door, he found Yuffie's top back on, and her form curled up on her bed; she appeared to be reading a book of some sort. Riku slowly approached the side of her bed, staring at her as if mentally asking if he could sit. When their eyes locked, Yuffie sighed, sat up, and motioned him to sit beside her.

"Listen, I was out of line. It was wrong, and not like me. I shouldn't have done it. And I'm sorry," Riku's gaze fell to the floor, his face wearing pure shame.

"Thanks, but can we not talk about this right now? I want to go down and eat. We'll talk later."

"Okay," Riku stood, and headed for the door, "Are you coming?" He asked as he noticed her not moving from her position.

"You don't have to apologize for it," Yuffie suddenly blurted out.

"Huh?"

"The kiss…You don't…It was…I liked it," She admitted.

Before Riku could respond, the phone in Yuffie's room began to ring; Yuffie clicked the speaker phone.

"Yuffie, dinner's ready," Aerith's voice rang through the phone.

"Okay, I'm coming," Yuffie looked to Riku, "You go, I'll be down in a minute."

Riku closed the door behind him, still slightly stunned at Yuffie's truthful words. Shaking his head, he proceeded once again down the stairs, heading for the dining room for what he expected to be a very long, awkward dinner.

Sora silently entered the room, all eyes immediately falling on his as he dragged his chair back to his spot.

"Sora…Is everything okay?" Aqua questioned.

"Yeah, everything's great…I uhh…just…got into a fight…with Riku…" Sora lied, hoping his twitching was going unnoticed.

This caused the room to shift; most of them believed something happened between Riku and Yuffie, thanks to Lea. They was thrown for a loop at the thought of Sora fighting with a friend, let alone Riku.

"What? You were fighting?" Lea slightly teased.

"Uhh…yeah…I guess."

"About what, Sora?" Mickey asked, concern in his voice.

"Uhh…he uhh…tripped me…and I…fell…so I kicked him."

"Are you okay?" Aqua inquired.

"Oh, yeah. He said he's gonna be down to eat in a second…"

"Okay, well dinner's ready now, so I'm gonna call Yuffie down- do you know if she was in her room?" Aerith wondered.

"Nope. No idea," Sora lied again.

Soon after Aerith called for Yuffie, Riku entered the dining room, sitting right across from Sora.

"So, Riku, are you hurt?" Ven asked innocently.

"What?" Riku raised an eyebrow.

"From Sora…kicking you?"

"Yeah Riku cause you tripped me, so I kicked you," Sora stared wide eyed.

"Ohh, right. Yeah, I'm fine. Sora can't kick that hard anywa-OW!" Riku's leg jolted in pain as he felt Sora's foot come into contact with his knee.

"Oh, dear," Aerith smiled lightly as Yuffie entered the room.

"Has there been any updates or news on Kairi?" Riku tried to change the subject.

"No, she's still sleeping, but you two can go visit her after dinner for a while, if you want," Aerith suggested.

"Okay," Sora nodded.

As the group ate dinner, Riku, Yuffie and Sora sat in pure relief at the fact that the atmosphere wasn't awkward. There were many conversations going on to keep the room flowing. Mid dinner, Sora began to speak of the time when he, Riku and Kairi were building their raft to venture off into unknown and new worlds; where their adventures truly began. It was nice that for at least a moment, they could sit among there friends with a moments peace.

Xehanort was sitting with his head bowed and his eyes closed- clearly in deep thought. Silence filled the room as his new organization members sat patiently. Vanitas stood off to the side, eyeing the new, mysterious clocked figure, wondering who it could be. He was snapped out of his thoughts as his master spoke, cutting the silence.

"A lot has been lost in short time. The princess was taken. I have lost my XIII. I refuse to lose him again. The next time he is within our grasp, he mustn't escape. We have also lost my number VII. Isa will no longer be a part of this organization. And for that reason, I have brought forward a new member," Xehanort gestured to the mysterious figure, "Please, stand by while a plot is created to take back what is ours."

"So, what happened to Isa?" Vanitas asked.

"His heart was weak against the light of the princess," Xehanort explained.

"You mean Kairi?"

"No, he means Sora," Xigbar smirked sarcastically.

"Fuck off. Who asked you?"

"Awe, someone's grumpy without his little friend," Xigbar pushed.

"I said…fuck off," Vanitas stayed abnormally calm, "So who's this?" Vanitas changed the subject, referring to the mysterious clocked figure.

"Ah, don't worry about that for now; Xehanort said he'd be sending you two out together; you're gonna have to use the newbie as a test of Sora's heart."

"What, you mean like bait?"

"Exactly, kiddo."

Vanitas once again eyed the hooded, motionless figure from across the room, sighing at the though of having to work with someone else.

"So, what'll happen to them once we put it in front of Sora?"

"Well, you'll just have to wait and see, I guess."

"You really don't know much, do you?" Vanitas sighed in frustration.

"I guess not," Xigbar smirked.

"Yeah, you do a lot of guessing, too."

"Vanitas," Xehanort called, "I need to you take our new member and leave them in the hands of my XIII. Test his heart. His reaction will either prove the strength it has, or lacks."

"Told you," Xigbar crossed his arms.

"Okay, but what do I have to do?"

"Only that. Leave them there, and let XIII be the one find them. They are currently in Radiant Garden."

"So basically, just drop the new guy off, then come back?"

"Yes. Maleficent and I will need your help in gathering the seven princesses when you return, so do not waste any time. A portal is open for you two depart when you are ready."

"Okay, I'll leave in a sec," Vanitas groaned, approaching the hooded figure, "So are you ready to go?"

The mysterious person said nothing, but turned their head. Vanitas assumed they were looking at him, so he shifted uneasily.

"Uhh, okay…so let's go, then," Vanitas guided the two to the portal to Radiant Garden.

"So, do you think this is gonna phase him?" Xigbar asked the aged master.

"No."

"No?" Xigbar crossed his arms and turned around to face Xehanort, "Then why are you making him take-"

"I have another target in mind…at least for the time being," Xehanort grinned evilly.

After dinner, the group moved to the living area. Donald, Goofy, Ven, Aqua, and Mickey were all playing a board game, while Yuffie and Riku watched TV. Cid and Leon were having a beer, and Lea sat telling stories to Roxas of times he ad Isa had together. Merlin had shown up to help discuss what their next move would be. Sora and Aerith had left ten minutes after dinner to go and see Kairi again, as expected. They decided that they would discuss and come up with a plan after the two had returned with an updated on the condition of Kairi.

"I think I'm gonna check on Isa again," Lea decided a loud.

"No need," Isa smiled, as he entered the room.

Everyone looked to the door to see Isa smiling slightly at Lea.

"Well I'll be damned," Lea sighed, approaching his friend.

"You look awful," Isa teased.

"Yeah, well I look better than you," Lea smirked.

"I'm sorry."

"I know. And it's okay," Lea looked around, "Guys, can you excuse us for a minute?"

"Yeah, no worries," Yuffie said, eyes still glued on the television.

"Please, do not overuse your strength. You've been asleep for a while, Isa," Merlin warned.

"Don't worry, I got this," Lea assured, "Roxas, come with us."

Roxas immediately became noticeably tense- he never felt very comfortable around Isa. When he was in the Organization, Saix scared Roxas. Whenever Roxas was happy, the sight of Saix made his smile fade fast. Something about him just rubbed Roxas the wrong way.

"It's okay," Lea smiled, holding his hand out.

Slowly, Roxas stood, and followed the two out the door.

"Isa," Lea smiled, "I would like to introduce you to my friend, Roxas. Roxas, Isa."

"Umm…I know who Saix is…Axel…" Roxas whispered, noticeably uncomfortable in the situation his friend had put him in.

"That's just it, Roxas. You knew Saix. Not Isa. Not my friend. Now you two might be able to like each other."

Roxas looked up to Isa. He had to admit that there was something, different about Isa; he didn't seem so dark.

"I'm Isa," Isa held out his hand to Roxas, offering a small, warm smile.

"I'm Roxas," Roxas shook his hand, smiling back.

When Sora and Aerith arrived at the hospital, there was already a plan running through Aerith's mind. She was a good healer, so she knew her magic could heal Kairi's broken bones much faster than any medicine, or time. So, while Aerith sorted Kairi's paperwork, and talked with some doctors, Sora went into Kairi's room, to find her just waking up.

"Hi," Sora whispered.

"Hi…How are you?" Kairi smiled.

"Ahh, enough about me, how are you?" Sora pulled up a chair and took Kairi's hand.

"I'm doing good."

"Good."

There was a long silence. Kairi scanned Sora's face, puzzled by the pensive, tense expression he was wearing.

"Sora…what are you thinking about?"

"Huh?" Sora snapped back to reality, "Oh, nothing…"

"C'mon Sora…you and I both know….you're a terrible liar," Kairi sounded slightly out of breath, "Tell me."

"Well…Riku didn't say I couldn't tell you…" Sora grinned deviously, "Okay, so…you're never gonna believe what happened."

"Try me," Kairi smiled, eyes squinting.

"So we were all getting our rooms assigned back at the HBRC headquarters. We each got our own rooms, so I went to mine and put my stuff down. I then remembered that I gave Yuffie your charm and my items to hold on to while I went in to see you. So I went into her room to get them back."

"Oh god…"

"No, no…She wasn't naked…well, not fully."

"Huh?" Kairi's eyes widened slightly.

"Riku was sucking her face…Yuffie didn't have a shirt on…My eyes died."

"No!" Kairi gasped trying to sit up, "Shut up! That did not happen!"

"I saw it with my own eyes, believe me," Sora trembled at the thought, "I think I might've fallen over, cause I sorta remember scrambling to my feet before dashing out."

"So what did Riku say?" Kairi demanded, completely interested and engaged.

"Well…just not to tell anyone in the dining room…"

"Are they, like together?"

"What, like a couple? They haven't even known each other that long, Kai."

"Yeah, I know…But, was that like the first time?"

"I have no idea, and I'd like to stay in the dark on that."

Kairi smiled slightly with an airy laugh.

"Don't you ever knock, you goof?"

"Well, I sure am going to from now on…seeing as their rooms are right next to each others…and mine…"

There was another pause between the two teens. Kairi felt like there was so much she needed to say, but didn't quite have the proper words yet.

"Hey, Sora?"

"Hey, Kairi?" He mimicked with a smile; Kairi simply rolled her eyes before continuing.

"Do you think we're gonna survive this?"

"Huh?" Sora was caught off guard by her sudden change in mood.

"They Keyblade War- do you think…we'll survive it? All of us? I mean, do you think we'll all get to go home again? And back to normal?"

"Well, I hate to say it Kairi, but I don't think things will ever be normal. But I'd like to think that everything, and everyone will be okay after all this. For a while there, I didn't think you were, and that messed me up. So I can't choose to think any other way besides completely positive. If something were to happen, we'll deal with it when it happens. The only thing I'm sure of is that this won't be the last time the Keyblade takes me from home. That's gonna have to keep happening from time to time."

"Yeah…" Kairi sighed, staring at the IV in her arm.

"Is there something bothering you, Kai?"

"No…I just- I don't know. I guess, with everything that's happened up to this point…it all seems too easy. I can't help but shake this feeling that something bad is gonna happen."

"Something bad? Kairi, with the hell you've been through, I don't think anything worse could happen," Sora sighed, offering a sympathetic smile.

"Sora…I know you think death is the worst thing that could happen to a person, but it's not…" Kairi's breath began to shake.

"Kai…"

The door opened, and Aerith entered.

"Am I interrupting?" She asked in a slight whisper.

"Hi, Aerith," Kairi smiled, "Not at all."

"I have some good news. With the help of magic, I think I will be able to heal you up very quickly," Aerith beamed.

"How quickly?" Sora asked.

"Within a couple weeks you will be able to go back into combat if you desire. You won't be one hundred percent, but you'd be close."

"That's great! Thank you so much! When do we start treatment?"

"Tomorrow morning. I need your body to gain a bit more strength, so for now, we'll let you sleep."

"Okay, good night, and say hi to everyone for me."

"Good night, Kai. And don't worry, I will," Sora squeezed Kairi's hand quickly before releasing it and following Aerith out the door, closing it softly behind him.

"Let's head back, shall we?" Aerith smiled before leading the teen back to the rest of the group.

When they got back to the base, Ventus was almost asleep, trying his hardest to keep his eyes opened as Aqua, Mickey, Donald and Goofy continued their game. Riku and Yuffie were still watching the TV, Merlin was reading a book, and Leon and Cid seemed to be on their third beers respectively. Isa and Lea were sitting next to each other, Roxas completely passed out leaning on Lea. Aerith noticed Roxas sleeping and smiled as she whispered.

"Kairi is well. I think I will be able to heal her well within the next week or so."

"You don't have to whisper," Lea chuckled, looking down at his sleeping friend, "This kid could be screamed at and he wouldn't budge."

"Sounds like Sora," Riku got up, "How is she?"

"Kairi's good. She said to say hi."

"Okay, good. I'm glad she's okay," Riku sighed, "Come on, sit down before we go upstairs to sleep."

"Sora, are you okay?" Donald looked up from the game; the question gaining Riku's attention.

Riku looked back to see Sora staring at Isa. Isa was staring at Sora.

"You hurt her…" Sora whispered.

"No, Xehanort hurt her…Xemnas hurt her…I never touched her, I promise. She freed me," Isa pleased.

"You held her hostage," Sora spat back.

"Yeah, and I kidnapped her," Lea interjected, "Look, Sora, as a nobody, as being part of the Organization, back choices were made. I promise you, he's safe. He's my friend."

"…Alright. If he's your friend, then I guess he's my friend too," Sora wore an unsure smile, "So, what's the plan?"

"Well, for now, we sleep. Tomorrow, we'll check all of Radiant Garden for any other Organization members, and then we'll send you guys to different worlds to look for a past Keyblade wielder," Mickey said.

"A past Keyblade wielder?" Aqua asked.

"…Terra."

"Terra?!"

"He might be able to be freed, it's hard to say. There is no reason why he can't be brought back to the light. Tomorrow we'll have a better vantage point."

"Don't tell Ventus," Aqua sighed, looking to the young teen that had fallen asleep, "I don't want you to get his hopes up."

"Okay," Mickey agreed.

"Well, I'm off to bed, see you guys bright and early," Yuffie stretched, heading for the stairs.

"Me too, good night," Donald yawned.

The room thinned out quickly. Lea carried Roxas to his room before he and Isa his their separate rooms. Donald and Goofy followed close behind Yuffie up to their rooms. Merlin used his magic to teleport himself back to his house, while Aerith, Leon and Cid were the last of the HBRC to leave the living room. Aqua carried Ventus, Mickey close behind as they all went to their rooms. That just left Sora and Riku.

"Get some sleep, or you'll be cranky tomorrow," Riku suggested.

"Sure thing, mom," Sora teased with a smile.

"Good night, porcupine."

"You suck."

The two best friends made their way to their rooms. Little did they know, tomorrow would be a trying time for the pair.

Again, I'm sorry it took so long! And I'm sorry it's kind of a filler, but hey, the next chapter's gonna rock! :)