Hello, readers! See the bottom of this chapter for some notes from the author!

It was still dark. The television was on mute. Roxas was fully dressed in yesterday's attire. The room was filled with the grating sounds of Demyx snoring and Hayner mumbling in his sleep. His right arm was completely numb, save for the pins and needles sensation in his fingers, and when his eyes had adjusted to the darkness, he quickly learned why. Hayner was practically lying on top of him, snuggled uncomfortably close and drooling onto his shoulder. Repulsed, Roxas tried to shove his head off of him, but it was so heavy that it just rolled back into place, and the smell of his roommate's breath was enough to keep him from trying it again.

The pain in his joints was becoming too much, and Roxas tried to maneuver his way out from under Hayner's sleeping body, only to find that he was tangled up with Demyx and Luxord as well. His legs were pinned beneath the musician, who sat draped across his lap and wrapped up in Luxord's unnaturally strong arms. The four were a tangled knot, and it was going to take some delicate acrobatics to crawl out from under them. Carefully, Roxas peeled Hayner off of him limb by limb and rested him on Demyx's chest. He slinked out of Luxord's grasp and, with his arms finally free, scooted himself backwards until his legs were released. At last, he had made it out, and he took several moments to catch his breath and regain the feeling in his extremities. He climbed to his feet and quietly tiptoed away from his sleeping friends, failing in his stealth when he tripped over the cord to one of Hayner's controllers and stepped on an empty pizza box with a loud crunch. Roxas froze, praying he hadn't woke anyone up. He glanced back at the pile of boys on the ground — still out cold. He peeked at the sofa — Axel and Isa were cuddled beneath a blanket hand-knit by Pence's grandmother, motionless and silent. With a relieved sigh, Roxas gathered some of the trash left strewn about the room the previous night. At the very least, he didn't want anyone else to suffer the rude awakening of Olette chewing them out for leaving such a mess behind. When his arms were full, he carried the garbage to the kitchen to be dealt with later.

He caught a glimpse of the clock and discovered that it was still quite early. The sun hadn't even risen. Since he was the only one awake and he wouldn't be going back to bed at this point, Roxas figured he ought to seize the opportunity to take a shower while he had the chance. He ducked into his room to grab a change of clothes and shut himself in the bathroom before anyone else could intercept. While waiting for the water to heat up, he stripped everything off and examined his reflection in the mirror. He thought Demyx was joking when he said that Roxas appeared taller, but as he saw himself now, he wondered if perhaps there was some merit to the observation. He thought his clothes had simply shrunk from improper washing, or that his feet had swollen from such long shifts at work. He noticed that he could reach a bit higher on the shelves in the kitchen, supposing maybe the cupboards were sinking under the weight of their contents. Or, maybe Demyx and Axel were right. Maybe he really was taller.

He leaned in to inspect his face. His chin felt more rough than it did yesterday. Another red bump had appeared on his cheek. He wrinkled his nose. Hayner and Pence had explained most of this, but it still it made little sense to Roxas. He missed his smooth skin. He missed wearing clothes that fit. He missed being able to finish a meal without feeling hungry, or making it through a normal work day without being exhausted. He missed being able to look at Xion without his stomach doing a somersault and to talk to her without choking on his own tongue. He sighed, questioning how he could ever help her adjust to humanity if he was struggling with it himself.

Now he couldn't get her out of his head. Xion had looked so nice in that new dress. She was always pretty, but last night was something different entirely. She was stunning. And it wasn't just the dress, either. How stupid he must have sounded, barely stammering a bashful greeting when she appeared in the hallway. She must have thought he was a big doofus, standing there staring at his own feet, totally lost for words. He remembered stepping closer, taking her hand. He didn't know what he was doing but it just seemed right. He was so tense. His skin was unbearably warm and he worried she'd notice his sweaty palms. He thought he was going to explode. The memory was so vivid that he was sure he'd been transported back to that very moment, experiencing it all over again. He could still feel the heat, the static, the tightness…

His housemates were going to let him have it when they found out how long he'd been in the shower. His thoughts had wandered a bit too far and he'd gotten carried away. He abruptly shut off the faucet and hopped out of the shower, letting himself just stand there, shivering from the sudden shock of icy, dry air on his wet skin and scolding himself for getting so wrapped up in all the awkwardness from yesterday. He didn't have time for thoughts like that. He was a guardian of light, and he had an apocalypse to prevent. His duty was to protect Xion, and that was as far as he would let that go.

Roxas avoided the mirror as he dressed. The shirt still fit, but the jeans were a bit short. He hadn't the time or munny to buy new clothes, so his only hope would be to stretch them out and force them to last a little longer. He vigorously ruffled his hair in the hopes that it might look decent enough later when it dried, hung his towel and made his way out. Although the sun had just barely begun to break the horizon, he hadn't been expecting to see anyone else awake yet and nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw Isa sitting at the dining room table, quietly staring out the window.

He turned to Roxas with a slightly apologetic look. "Good morning," he greeted politely. "Did I startle you?"

Roxas cleared his throat, fidgeting through his recovery. "M-Morning…" he stuttered. "Sorry, I was, uh… lost in thought. Did you sleep okay?"

Isa shook his head, smirking. "Not really. But that's not out of the ordinary for me," he shrugged. "And you? You looked quite… comfortable in that dogpile on the floor."

Roxas laughed. "Well, I ache all over, but I guess it could be worse."

As he'd feared it would, the conversation came to a screeching halt. Roxas considered himself to be reasonably outgoing, but still just wasn't sure how to talk to Isa. It never felt like the right time to ask the man about himself, his life, his interests. Small talk wouldn't do, either. Isa seemed the type to only engage in intelligent conversation. Idle chatter was likely beneath him. Roxas was left with few remaining options — what else did people talk about?

"You, uh… Can I get you anything? Xion's been buying this weird tea, if you want to try it…"

Isa raised an eyebrow. "How weird are we talking?"

"All tea is weird to me," he groused. "It's like… hot plant water. And it's so bitter."

Isa chuckled softly. "You know, I was about to take a walk. Perhaps you'd like to join me?"

Roxas blinked. "Uh, sure. Okay. Let's go."

He scurried to the front door to squeeze into his shoes before Isa could catch him struggling to make them fit. When he finally had them tied, his toes were numb in seconds. They crept outside and Roxas gently tugged the door closed behind them, leading the way down the street toward the Tram Common.

"There's a coffee shop in town that's open," he suggested. "Maybe we can bring some back for everyone."

"Sounds like a good idea," Isa agreed. "I know Lea would appreciate that."

It was still so early that they hardly encountered any people along their journey. Roxas could just barely catch the first scents of food cooking in restaurant kitchens. Shopkeepers were only just unlocking their doors, street merchants were setting up their kiosks, and the morning rush was still a long way off. The quiet atmosphere made for a refreshing walk, and without the noise of busy townsfolk, Roxas found that he could focus more easily on the sharp morning breeze on his face and the new orientation of shadows cast over the ground. The droplets of dew resting on the nearby shrubs were evaporating into little fog clouds hovering around their ankles. Birds were chattering back and forth from their nests overhead. In a way, Roxas could admit that Twilight Town was just as nice in the morning as it was in the evening. The sun still hung low to the horizon. The sky was still marbled with red, pink, and orange hues. As far as he could tell, there was very little difference between dusk and dawn.

"So, uh… How are things?" Roxas asked, looking to break the awkward silence. "How's… life?"

Isa seemed almost amused as he politely engaged. "Things are good, and life is fine. I quite enjoyed the play last night, and the subsequent conversation with Xion was rewarding."

"Sh-She's really something, huh?"

"Indeed, she is," Isa nodded with what Roxas could have sworn was a smirk on his face. "I'm pleased that she has taken an interest in Shakespeare."

"Yeah, um… She said she wanted to learn everything there is to learn about humanity. She wants to go to school, get an education and all that. She says it'll help her adjust."

"That's admirable. You ought to join her."

Roxas cringed, quickly searching for a way to change the subject. "Maybe someday…"

Isa's tone lowered, as if he were delivering a warning. "I dropped out of school when I was younger than you are, Roxas. That decision ranks high on my list of regrets."

"But you're so smart anyway. Seems like you didn't really need it."

Warmth pooled in Isa's cheeks and he averted his eyes with an airy snort. Roxas had never complimented him before, and although this one was woefully misguided, it was both jarring and oddly gratifying to hear. His throat was too tight to express his appreciation, so he thanked the boy with only a smile.

With the topic successfully derailed, he let the matter drop and set his sights on their objective. The coffee shop was on the other side of town, requiring a ride on the tram. The longer they traveled together, the more obvious it was that Roxas' mind was preoccupied with something that was deeply troubling him. It was likely that the boy was still uncomfortable around him, and Isa could accept that if it were the case, but just a passing glance at Roxas' expression seemed to lay it all out in the open. Isa could see the tension in his brow, his jaw, his neck, and his shoulders. His stare was intense and unblinking as it pierced into the ground beneath him.

"Roxas," Isa inquired, more curious than concerned. "How is the adjustment going for you? Are you adapting to humanity well?"

Roxas fidgeted slightly, hesitating with his response. "Uh, y-yeah. It's been great. Smooth as butter."

Isa smiled warmly. He knew Roxas would be the type to shrug it off and avoid the subject, and confronting him over something like this would be tricky, to say the least. "That's good to hear. I know that if I were in your shoes," he shot him a knowing glance. "I would probably be feeling a little odd at times."

Roxas gulped as his face turned slightly pink. Isa continued his observation as if able to read his mind like a book. "A new body, new home, new job, new friends, new responsibilities—"

"Okay, okay!" Roxas cut him off with a huff. "It's been kind of hard."

The tram had stopped to let them off, and they exited in tense silence. For a moment, Isa worried that he'd taken it too far, but when he bent to see Roxas' face, he saw no anger, but confusion, anxiety, and pain. The boy was frozen in his tracks, just standing on the platform and staring at his feet with his hands curled into fists. To Isa's surprise, he wasn't entirely sure how to respond to it. He was used to seeing Roxas angry. Furious, even. He was no stranger to Roxas' depression. But he hadn't seen Roxas looking quite so nervous before. He cautiously reached for him, clasping his shoulder and guiding him to a nearby bench. Once they were seated, it was a few minutes before he finally decided to talk.

"Isa, do you ever just worry a lot?"

"Certainly," Isa nodded. "Everybody does at one time or another."

Roxas took a long breath, collecting his thoughts and gathering the strength to spill them all out. "Axel didn't tell us what this mission is," he kept his eyes down as he spoke. "But it sounds serious."

"He didn't elaborate because there is still so much that we don't know," Isa explained. "But you're right. It is serious."

Roxas faced him with a pleading look, as if he were hoping the whole thing was an elaborate hoax. "Luxord said that Xigbar might be trying to revive Xehanort."

"He might be. We don't know for certain."

His face fell with a defeated sigh. "We're doomed."

"What makes you say that?"

Roxas lowered his voice to a near whisper. "If he comes back… how are we gonna beat him without Sora?"

No one really understood what made Sora so unique and special compared to other keyblade wielders — why his heart stood out among the rest. From what anybody knew, the boy had his destiny thrust upon him in the middle of a crisis, suddenly burdened with the responsibility of saving all the worlds from destruction. In his altruism, he could only take it in stride, bearing a weapon he'd never seen and traveling to places he'd never been, doing his damndest to hold the universe together, and he was successful nearly every time. With him missing, all eyes would land on Roxas, his Nobody, and as capable a fighter as he was, he knew he'd never measure up to Sora. With so much on the line, he couldn't afford to fail.

"I know what you're about to say," Roxas added before Isa could come up with a response. "But I'm not Sora. I'll never be Sora. There's a reason he's the keyblade hero and not me."

"Roxas," Isa rested a hand on the boy's shoulder, genuinely surprised by his lack of confidence and persistent self-doubt. "You don't have to be Sora. We have seven keyblade heroes, and you are counted among them."

It was hard not to still be surprised by Isa's genuine kindness and compassion. For the first time since leaving the apartment, Roxas managed a weak but sincere smile, appreciative of the effort to lift his spirits. "You know, Isa," he pondered aloud. "I bet with the right training, you could summon a keyblade yourself."

Isa was so startled by the suggestion that he was momentarily speechless. He'd never once considered himself worthy of a keyblade. But, the more he thought on it, the more he warmed up to the fantasy. "That may be," he answered. "But for now, I'm content with my role as it is."

Roxas shrugged. "Well, even if you're not a keyblade wielder, I still consider you a Guardian of Light."

Isa was stunned yet again, so touched by the declaration that he hadn't a clue how to respond. Saïx was a Seeker of Darkness, and Isa had assumed that that decision sealed his fate. All along, he figured he'd never have a place on the other side even if he managed to survive, yet here it was, waiting for him. Here they all were, welcoming him with arms wide open. Not as his comrades, but his friends.

All smiles again, they resumed their quest for coffee. They were quick to complete the purchase and return to the tram, eager to get back to the apartment before everyone wondered where they were. Roxas peered out the window as they rode through town, catching sight of the clock tower in the distance. It had been so long since they'd been up there, all three of them. Those moments were where Roxas learned about friendship. He learned what it was like to have fun and be happy. He made memories that he would treasure for the rest of his life. Those days were stolen from him once. Those memories had been tainted in the past. But never again. He would do everything in his power to prevent Xehanort's return. He would fight for those days, for those memories, with all that he had.

"Isa," he quietly confessed. "I'm still nervous."

Isa patted him on the back. "There's a lot at stake. The obligation to protect all the worlds and their inhabitants from the darkness is a tremendous responsibility. Anyone would be nervous."

"But that's just it. I'm not thinking about all mankind and all the other worlds," Roxas replied insistently. He hesitated before going on, not entirely entirely sure how to continue with the rest. Try as he did, he couldn't think of a way to make it sound respectable no matter what words he used. "All I can think about is Xion. I have to protect Xion. That matters more than anything else," he dropped his eyes, appearing to make calculations in his head, putting together a puzzle that Isa couldn't see. "But that's wrong, isn't it? Isn't that selfish?"

The words were so familiar to Isa, having heard them in his own head countless times before. He thought of Lea, and of those times where he knew in his heart that Lea was all that mattered. He remembered that very first night, ready to teach Jono a lesson for picking on the red-headed new kid with the cheery face. The sudden compulsion to protect the stranger kicked on like an instinct and it never went away. Every decision he made from that point forward was based on his desire to keep Lea around, safe and happy. That desire became Isa's sole purpose, and though he may have lost sight of it many times, it never changed. Warmed by the memories and nostalgia, he smiled down at Roxas and shook his head, speaking from a place of understanding. "Not at all. It's human."

They had finally reached the apartment and Roxas paused just outside the door, oddly apprehensive about entering. All the flutters in his chest were back. The churning in his stomach had returned full force. His mind was racing once more, spinning all around the same subject until it made him dizzy. He turned to Isa one final time, staring at the patient man who had accompanied him, listened to him babble about his fears and passed no judgment over his unusual behavior. There wasn't an easy way to ask questions like this. In fact, Axel might have been the better man to answer them, but Roxas was convinced that he simply wouldn't be able to coax himself through that door without voicing his concerns now while they were so loud and relentless.

"Is—" he paused, choking on the words as the nerves got the better of him. Mercifully, Isa didn't interrupt or press him. He took a long breath and then another before trying again. "Is all of it human?"

It didn't take long for Isa to guess just what Roxas meant. It was plainly obvious just by looking at him that he truly was no longer a boy. He was taller and had a more mature look about him. His attire was ill-fitting and his gait was slightly uneven and clumsy. For the moment, he wasn't sure if he should offer a congratulatory smile or a sympathetic cringe.

"Oh yes," he answered with a knowing grin. "Every bit of it."

At last, there was visible relief in the teen's face. Roxas returned his smile, looking so overwhelmingly grateful that it took Isa's breath away. In that moment, as they stood beside each other with eyes locked, forming a silent, man-to-man bond, it was clear that Isa had earned his trust. Roxas had been on the receiving end of Saïx's abuse far too many times, but with one silent nod, he had now put it all behind him. Isa had finally proven himself. A concerted effort was required to keep from breaking down on the spot. The two could not contain their gleaming smiles as they opened the door and entered the apartment at last.

"Roxas! Isa!" Lea was first to bounce toward the door, far more upbeat than he ever was at such an early hour. "Where did you go? What's got you so cheerful?"

With a rapidly blushing face, Roxas made his quick escape, leaving Isa chortling alongside a very confused Lea. "Just happy to see you. We've come bearing gifts."

Coffee was distributed, along with a variety of breakfast items. Hayner was reciting the enormously complicated plot of his favorite video game series, gushing wildly in anticipation of the long-awaited upcoming installment. Demyx and Roxas listened intently, seeming altogether too lost to interject with any questions. Olette, Pence, and Xion conversed about the Shakespeare play, analyzing a particular scene line by line. Axel, Isa, and Luxord murmured quietly about the town — how it had changed, the new shops, the mild weather, the people. They discussed the mission, their theories, and their plans. They observed their younger friends babbling excitedly together like the universe wasn't on the verge of another war.

Far too soon, it was time to leave, and bags were quickly packed and loaded into the Gummi ship. Roxas, Demyx and Hayner were already making plans for the next visit and Xion was wrapped in a long embrace with Olette.

"You'll take good care of Crescent for me?"

"Of course! I'll even send pictures."

The two parted and Olette shot her a supportive smile. "I know you can do this. Good luck. Call me if you need anything, okay?"

"Thanks, Olette. I'll see you soon."

Demyx and Luxord were the first to climb into the ship. "All aboard, heroes!"

The group crowded the door, scanning the interior with apprehensive looks. Demyx counted the seats, stroking his chin. "You know, I'm not sure we'll all fit in here."

Lea piped up with a solution. "It's okay, I'll sit on Isa's lap!"

"Pardon?" Isa balked. "I didn't consent to this arrangement."

"Do you object to it?"

Isa narrowed his eyes. "You eat a lot of ice cream," he followed with a playful smirk. "You're heavy."

"You guys see what I have to deal with?" Lea gestured dramatically. "Hope you don't have any friends like him."

They shared a laugh, roughhousing as the rest of the group boarded the ship, but ultimately, there was no escape for Isa, and they were soon in their seats, uncomfortably snug and far too warm. He would rather have sat in the cargo hold with the suitcases than be stuck beneath Lea, fighting to maintain his composure as the ship tilted and rocked in just the wrong way. Lea perched on his knees, as far away from Isa as possible, yet still too close. Just one bump of turbulence would send him flying backward into Isa's chest. Or it might fling him forward and Isa would have to reach out and catch him. Any other day, Isa might have been most concerned about vomiting all over him, but at this rate, motion sickness would be the least of his problems.

This is going to be a long ride.

The lab was an absolute mess. Papers were scattered haphazardly all around the room, scientific instruments were resting atop consoles, pencils were stuck inside keyboards, waste baskets overflowed onto the floor around them. It was as if the scientists lived there. It wasn't like Ienzo was the only one to blame, but he certainly was a major contributor, and he was positive that if Master Ansem came to see his research laboratory now, he'd be furious at the state it had been left in. Ienzo darted around to every surface, gathering papers he should have filed away days ago. He flipped through them, affording each one a quick glance before just leaving them in a tall, wobbly stack at the corner of the desk, promising himself he'd sort through them later. You always say that. The papers were the worst of it — surely the rest of this would go much more smoothly. He collected clipboards and notepads, quickly shoving them into a drawer and hoping he'd remember where he'd put them. Books lay open all over the place, and he dashed from workstation to workstation, piling them into his arms and stumbling to the shelf to return them. They were out of order, some were upside-down, others were backwards, but he had no time to worry about aesthetics. He wheeled around to scan the lab for more clutter, wiping sweat from his forehead as he rushed between consoles, throwing writing implements into an aluminum can. It was looking better already. Progress was being made.

"Ienzo?" a deep, authoritative voice startled him from the doorway. "What has you so frantic at this hour?"

He gasped, whirling to face his master with a respectful bow. "Master Ansem, sir! I, uh…" he cleared his throat. "I'm sorry, sir. I had left the lab in a state of disarray and was attempting to straighten it up before everyone got back."

Heavy footsteps were approaching him. His chin was lifted, tilting his head up to meet his master's eyes. "I think this little mess is more than just your doing."

Ienzo blushed, taking a step back. "Perhaps, sir, but… Well, I've got to clean it up before the others arrive."

With a short nod, Ienzo hurried back to his work. He picked up stray devices that had been left out of their resting place, returning them to their bin one by one. Chairs were put in their proper positions under desks, consoles that had been left powered on were shut down, and labcoats that had been flung over the furniture were hung by the door where they belonged. Ienzo happened to pass by a mirror, catching a glimpse of his reflection as he was draping the white coats over the hooks on the wall. His own coat was wrinkled and dirty. His hair was disheveled and obviously hadn't been washed in a day or two. His complexion was pale, almost sickly looking, except for the dark patches beneath his eyes. But there was no time for this now, he had to finish organizing the lab.

"Perhaps I can help you, my boy?"

Ienzo never stopped moving as he insistently refused the man's assistance. "Oh, no, sir. I can take care of it."

He was listing the remaining steps in his mind as he collected the empty coffee mugs strewn about the room. Most of them belonged to him — the young apprentice who insisted on staying up all night working and feigning bafflement at his own insomnia. He was trying to fit just one last cup in the crook of his elbow so that he could carry them all to the sink at once. He had nearly made it there when that ceramic mug slipped out of his grasp and fell to the floor with a loud crash, shattering into pieces at his feet.

"Oh, no!" Ienzo quickly dropped the rest of the cups in the sink and knelt in front of the new mess he'd made. "Damn it…!" He hastily gathered the broken shards, sparing not a thought for whether any of them would be sharp enough to cut him. He tried to sweep the tiny bits up with his bare hands, but they only embedded in his skin, some jagged enough to draw blood. Perfect. This is just perfect.

He hadn't noticed that Master Ansem had stepped away for a moment until he was back with a small broom and dustpan, lowering to his knees and laying the cleaning tools on the floor. The young apprentice was so absorbed in his panic, he was floating away into the spirals of his own anxious thoughts, only to be grounded by the Master's hands gently laid on his shoulders.

"Ienzo," he muttered sternly. "Relax."

Ienzo's shaking body froze instantly. He couldn't look up at him. He couldn't let him see his eyes well up over something so insignificant, so small and so stupid. "I'm sorry, Master Ansem…"

"I have about a hundred of these, Ienzo," Ansem smiled as he spoke. "And I'm sure I've broken well over a dozen myself."

He released Ienzo and swept the pieces into the dustpan, leaving the young apprentice there on the floor as he dumped them into an already-full trash bin. Ienzo stared into the tile beneath him, deep in thought. How silly it was to get so upset over a coffee mug. How foolish, to get so nervous about everyone returning to the castle. They'd been gone for only two days. They were his friends. Sure, they were expecting him to help them track down Xigbar and the others, restore Demyx's memories, uncover the mysteries of his and Luxord's identities, figure out how to reconstruct Naminé, discover the whereabouts of Sora and draw up a plan for getting him back, and help to protect the entire known universe from yet another apocalypse, but they were his friends. They wouldn't care how messy the laboratory was. What an idiot he'd been for getting so worked up over nothing.

Master Ansem was back at his spot on the floor beside him, bending down to his level rather than forcing him to lift his face again. "Little Ienzo," he whispered. "Please, tell me what's the matter."

Sniffling and dragging his sleeve across his face, Ienzo relented. "I just… I can't let them down. They need me, and I can't afford to make any mistakes."

"What makes you think that you haven't already proven yourself?"

Ienzo had no answer for him. His mind swirled with memories he never wanted to see again. Those documents had brought it all back. Seeing Riku forced him to remember. Even his own reflection betrayed him. Just that very morning as he stood naked in front of the mirror, as he saw the evidence plain as day on his skin, he was back in that place again. It was no less than what he deserved. Ienzo was a monster, and every word, every mark only solidified that undeniable truth. There simply was no coming back from that. Unless he could do this. Unless he could fix everything, solve all of the problems, answer all of their questions and save the day. Maybe then they'd be convinced. Maybe then he'd be convinced.

"My dear boy," Ansem continued. "The weight of the world is quite heavy. That is why we are all carrying it together."

Ienzo had all but fallen mute, still lacking any response other than to sigh heavily. Ever a patient man, Master Ansem did not press him further. "Where is Even?"

"Uh… He had an appointment in town. He should be back any minute now…"

"Well, then, why don't we—?"

"My goodness, Ienzo, I'm sorry I'm late," Even strolled briskly through the door, retrieving a lab coat and throwing it on without even glancing at the room's inhabitants. "There was this old religious fellow who went on for hours about how he'd been blessed by the Lord and I thought he'd never—" he turned around and stopped short when he caught sight of Ansem the Wise. "Master Ansem," he bowed respectfully. "Forgive me, sir. I didn't mean to interrupt."

"That's quite alright, Even. I was just helping Ienzo here clean the lab."

"Hmm, yes, I see…" he scanned the room briefly before his concerned eyes fell to the young apprentice. "Ienzo, are you alright? What's wrong?"

When Ienzo kept his head down and said nothing, Even was quickly at his side, coaxing his chin up. "Here, now. Talk to me, boy. What is it?"

Ienzo could not look him in the eye as he made his confession. "I dropped a coffee cup and it shattered. I'm sorry, I know it's a silly thing to get upset over…"

Even paused, genuinely taken aback by such a trivial matter, but his expression softened with sympathy and understanding. "You've been under a lot of stress. It can make you more sensitive to things like this," he patted the young apprentice on the back. "Don't fret. Accidents happen."

Ienzo sniffled again, smiling weakly. "Thanks, Even…"

"Now, before everyone arrives, I suggest you put on a different coat and borrow a comb," he grinned, ruffling the boy's hair. "Unless this is a new style you're trying out."

"I'll be right back," Ienzo turned to Ansem with a nod and a friendly smile. "Thank you, Master Ansem."

He darted out of the room, leaving the two older men alone, chuckling and shaking their heads as they watched him go.

"Such a sweet boy," Ansem sighed fondly.

"Agreed, sir."

"How was your appointment?" he turned to the scientist. "Did you take a turn to speak today?"

Even pulled his coat more tightly around himself, appearing very nervous at the question. "I… N-No, not this time," he stuttered. "But… very soon. I just need to…"

His words trailed off, leaving the Master hanging for the moment. Although quite curious, Ansem no longer had the time to press him further, as the Guardians of Light, now back from their trip, burst into the lab with boisterous greetings.

"Hello, hello!" Lea sang loudly. "I've brought the rugrats, so let's do this!"

"'Rugrats?'" a baffled Roxas and Xion muttered to each other under their breaths.

"Lea, be nice," Isa nudged the man with his elbow. "They'll outgrow you one day."

"Ugh, don't remind me," Lea grumbled. "Okay, now that we're all here, let's— wait, where's Ienzo?"

"Right here, sorry," Ienzo huffed, rushing back into the room almost entirely winded and still tying his ascot around his neck. In his haste, he nearly bumped into Lea and quickly backed away with the wide, frightened eyes of a doe staring down the barrel of a shotgun. "I-I'm sorry, Lea. I didn't mean—"

"It's fine," Lea assured him, a bit bewildered by the look on the young apprentice's face. "Hey, are you okay?"

"What? Oh, I'm alright. I had an… eventful morning," Ienzo stammered through his excuse, still fidgeting with his ascot, trying and failing to tie the knot with his shaking fingers. As Lea gingerly stepped in to help, his only protest was to freeze in place, standing paralyzed as the man adjusted the garment with ease. Ienzo watched his eyes, waiting for the inevitable moment when they would spring open with shock, but thankfully, that moment never came, and the ascot was swiftly tied without incident.

"There ya go, buddy," Lea said, sounding a bit uneasy himself. "Now, where were we?"

"I hope you weren't planning to start without us."

The new voice belonged to Aqua, leading the way into the room alongside Terra and Ventus. Another round of greetings was initiated, sending a few introverted stragglers to the sidelines and away from the chaos. Having offered his salutations, Ienzo backed out of the mob and activated a nearby computer terminal with Even trailing closely behind him. He couldn't explain it, but there was a peculiar burning sensation at his neck where Lea's fingers had touched him. It could have just been his imagination, but he was almost certain that the ascot was getting tighter every second. He stared vacantly at the screen in front of him. The document he opened was blank, but at least it kept him from seeing himself in the glass. He stood there, completely rigid, just listening to the small talk behind him, so lost in his spiral that he almost missed something being typed into the document.

Breathe, Ienzo.

He didn't even get the chance to look up before he felt warm fingers coaxing his clenched fist open and wrapping around his own. In his surprise, Ienzo couldn't speak, couldn't even gasp. This was so unlike Even. The man was always supportive, just fatherly enough to carry the young apprentice through his childhood, but he was never really affectionate by nature. Ienzo didn't resent him for the emotional distance and never felt neglected or stifled, but he had to admit that he was growing rather fond of the mellower incarnation of Even that had come back from his second stint with Organization XIII. There was a new gentleness to him that wasn't there before, as if he'd been humbled or, heaven forbid, traumatized. Nevertheless, those two words meant the world to Ienzo. As small as it was, that simple gesture put him at ease immediately, and without a word, he obeyed the it to the letter and squeezed those warm fingers in appreciation.

The words were deleted as quickly as they'd appeared, and the chatter was cut short by an announcement from Ansem the Wise. "Why don't we begin our discussion upstairs? I'll put on some tea. Please, follow me at your leisure."

He was the first to go, followed quickly by Aqua and Ventus. The rest slowly filed out, with Terra and Isa taking the rear. Alone for a short pause, Even turned to Ienzo. "Are you alright?"

Ienzo swallowed hard, still seeing the command in his head and following it over and over. "Even, thank you… I needed that."

Even smiled softly. "Truth be told, so did I."

The tension in the scientist's brow had been well-hidden, but Ienzo could see just what the man meant. He took a slow breath as he turned to shut down the console, keeping his eyes low as he spoke. "He makes me nervous, too."

In all the time they'd had since having their humanity restored, the two had never discussed it with each other, with anyone. They ignored the flashbacks and the panic. They averted their eyes from the scars. They kept isolated and buried themselves in work. In their own ways, they avoided the whole subject altogether. For them to share just one brief moment to acknowledge it now was, to their relief, not nearly as painful and frightening as they'd assumed it might be.

When they could stall no longer, the two scientists hurried up the stairs to rejoin the group. At the very least, this meeting was more productive than the last. Theories were presented, solutions were suggested, and duties were distributed. Arguments were scarce and rambling was kept to a minimum. A virtual conversation via Gummi Phone was initiated with Riku and Mickey Mouse, who were coordinating with an old man named Yen Sid to figure out how to get Sora back. There was much to be done and little time to do it, but at last, to most everyone's delight, they were going to do something.

"So you're going back into the Realm of Darkness?" Aqua repeated nervously.

"I'll be going deeper than that. If he was in the Realm of Darkness, I'd have found him by now," Riku answered. "Kairi, too. But there's no sign of her. I can only hope I'll find them in the same place."

Lea tensed in his seat, tugging at his collar and keeping his eyes on the table. "You think she's still…? You know…"

Riku waited for a long pause while Lea's foreboding question sank in for everyone in both rooms. "I guess I don't know for sure," he confessed. "But I've got to try. If there's even a small chance that they're out there and I can reach them, I'm gonna take it."

His determined resolution was met with an eerie silence as a few people shifted in their chairs. They'd all had plenty of chances to consider that Sora and Kairi could very well be dead, yet not one of them was willing to entertain the possibility. Most of them had cheated death, some more than once, and it was difficult not to feel immortal when they'd dodged the grave so many times. To think that someone was gone for good, particularly someone as important to this mission as Sora, was enough to turn their stomachs, and now to think that they might lose Riku and Mickey to the same fate made it all the more frightening.

"O-Okay, Riku," Ienzo gulped. "You keep us posted, and we'll let you know if we find anything in the Keyblade Graveyard."

"Got it," Riku acknowledged with a nod. "And be careful out there. That Xigbar guy is no joke."

"This mission is being placed in the most capable of hands," Master Ansem cut in. "You needn't worry."

"Yes, sir," Riku's voice was raised to address the room. "Good luck, everyone. Let's do our best."

The call was ended, and Ienzo set the device on the table with trembling hands. "Th-That settles it, then."

"Indeed," Ansem returned his tea cup to its saucer. "If three days is sufficient, you may all have this time to prepare yourselves. There are many resources here at your disposal, and you are welcome to all that you need."

All heads at the table bowed in affirmation. "Yes, sir."

"Then, you are dismissed. Best of luck to all of you."

He patted Ienzo on the head before collecting his tea cup and heading for the kitchen. The rest of the group rose from their seats one by one, muttering to each other about their roles as they did.

"Alright, Axel," Roxas declared. "We're gonna whip you into shape!"

"Pfft," Lea scoffed, crossing his arms defiantly. "'Additional training.' Was I really that bad?"

Roxas and Xion shared a hesitant look, wearing sheepish expressions on their faces. It was Xion who answered when they turned back to him. "Yes."

"Thanks," Lea sneered, practically jumping out of his chair in a huff. "Tomorrow I'll make you eat those words. Got it memorized?" He turned to Ventus on his way out. "Ventus! Hey, you should join us! You're cooler than these brats anyway."

"Hey!" Roxas and Xion protested, only to be ignored by an increasingly indignant Lea.

Ventus, looking sullen and confused, whipped his head up to face him, taking a few seconds to speak up. "What…? Oh, right. Of course I'll join. I owe you that rematch."

Lea gripped him on the shoulder lightly, smiling. "We'll start tomorrow afternoon. The guards use the training grounds in the mornings," he turned to the rest of the team. "Oh, and don't anybody forget about the meteor shower tonight! It's gonna be awesome, and there won't be another one for a really long time!"

The majority of the group nodded as they mumbled their acceptance of the invitation. The three teens followed Lea out of the room and the remaining occupants gradually dispersed after them. Isa, Aqua, and Terra were quietly discussing their plans for the Keyblade Graveyard, and Luxord quickly hopped out of his seat to join them with Demyx on his tail. Even and Ienzo indulged in a few long sighs before making their exit. The two were casually meandering in the direction of the lab, silent as they traveled and apparently reluctant to make eye contact. As they descended the staircase, it was Even who broke the silence, opening a dialogue while they had the privacy of only each other's company.

"That wasn't so bad."

Ienzo shrugged. "I suppose. I had trouble concentrating…"

After a short pause, Even slipped an arm around his shoulders. "I think you need a break."

"A break?" Ienzo objected. "But there's so much to do! We still have to figure out—"

"All of that can wait," Even interrupted, shaking his head. "I'm rather looking forward to that meteor shower. Come along tonight and we can get a fresh start in the morning."

Ienzo had never seen a meteor shower before, and could admit that he wanted very much to join the group and witness the event for himself. Supposing that one evening of leisure couldn't put him too far off-schedule, he looked up at his fellow apprentice, finally locking eyes for the first time that day. It was an interesting journey to read Even's expression. There was the same trepidation mirrored from Ienzo's own face, colored with glimpses of melancholy and highlighted by a vibrant shade of affection. Perhaps he was still getting used to human emotions, or perhaps he was just getting old, but Ienzo could set those questions aside for now. Even and his out-of-character sentimentality were exactly what he needed.

They had reached the door of the lab, but instead of entering, they turned on their heels and headed back toward the staircase. The work would still be there tomorrow morning. There was a meteor shower coming up, and they weren't about to miss it.

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank ALL of my wonderful readers for sticking with this story for all this time. You have been so kind to me, and I so appreciate your patience as the gap between chapters continues to increase. Life has been... really bad for me lately, so my writing has been slow, but I promise that I have not stopped and will not be taking a hiatus! This past year has been such a journey of change and discovery. I've written over 500,000 words since last January, and I have watched myself grow as a writer all along. I love what I've created and I am so thrilled to know that others do too. A few things I want to mention specifically for this story: Firstly, as I improve, I have definitely noticed my average word count rising, so I hope that these long chapters are okay! I do sit and battle internally over whether I ought to split them or not quite often. I know that the DLC will be coming out in January. Since I have already taken some liberties with canon here, I have decided that I will not be making major changes to the story I have planned unless I feel like the new info is something that I can incorporate smoothly. I like what I have and I don't want to scrap it just because Nomura is doing a Nomura. Lastly, I believe I will need to raise the rating from T to M. I understand this might cause me to lose readers. This is not for smut purposes, but for some other heavy subjects that I think might not necessarily be appropriate for teens. There will be trigger warnings all around when we get to those spots, and they are a long way off, but I wanted to bring it up just so I can keep things transparent for my readers. Thank you all so much for your support. It has made a world of difference for me during one of the hardest years of my life. I can't wait to see where this story goes and am looking forward to the continuation of this journey in 2020! Happy Holidays and Peace and Love -Ostelan