So, the title of this chapter should tell you something about what will go down soon.

Enjoy the chapter!

Kingdom Hearts © to Disney and Square Enix!

Liv and my OCs © to me!

Saraswati © to me and NJoy!

Other OCs © to their respective owners!

Chapter 24: In the Eye of the Storm

Yozora's pencil scratched across the paper. He sat in the hospital bed, unable to do anything but sit there.

"What are you drawing?" Kairi walked over, glancing at the drawing. "That's really good. Is it who I think it is?"

"Yeah…"

The picture of a young woman adorned the page, but with a blank face. Her hair fell around her shoulders. "Are you trying to remember her face?"

"Yeah."

Magia leaned over, looking at the drawing. "Maybe focus on one feature at a time. Like start with her lips or nose."

Kairi looked around the bed at crumpled pieces of paper all around. But, these weren't drawings of the maiden. These looked like tech schematics.

But, why would Yozora be working on schematics while in bed?

"Alright." Atlas stormed in. "I'm tired of you three hanging around like wet laundry. Yozora will be out tomorrow, and I want you out today!"

"Oh, come on doc."

"Don't 'come on doc' me, Magia. Out!"

Aegis sighed. "Come on you two, we can wait in the waiting room."

"No." Aiko stepped into the doorway. "You three have sat in this room, ate in this room, and even slept in this room for three days straight. Get off base. Get some air. Actually, I order you three to go off base today. Now get."

"Whatever…" Magia shoved his hands in his pocket.

Kairi followed the two boys out of the room, hearing the voices behind her.

"Why did you make them leave?" Yozora questioned.

"Well, they hadn't left at all and Atlas was tired of them, for one." Aiko replied. "And two, it probably isn't best for Kairi to be cooped up here after what happened with her a few days ago. Cat suggested we have her leave base for a while."

"I guess that makes sense."

So that's why.

Kairi hung behind the two boys till they made it to the exit. "So, should we go do something together?"

"You can. I have somewhere else to go." Aegis pushed up his glasses, not making eye contact with either of them. With that, he walked away.

Magia sighed. "He always does this. On our days off like this he runs off by himself. Tells Yozora and I to stay away."

"Well, then what should you and I do?"

The young man pushed his fedora up, eyes sparkling. "You know what? We should follow him. Find out what this secret place he visits is! What do you say?"

"Um, well…"

"Come on, Kairi! It'll be fun! And you can see some new parts of the city!"

"I guess."

"Great! Let's go."

Riku's head felt cold as it lay against the metal of the computer terminal. The whirring of gears behind the monitors was almost calming, lulling most people on computer-duty to sleep within minutes.

Riku had been there for a day at least.

"That's it." A hand grabbed the back of the boy's shirt, pulling him off the chair. Riku staggered, his head spinning. "I'll take care of the computer. Get out of here."

"Wha?" Riku blinked, Isa's face coming into view moments later.

"You heard me. All you do is sulk around the computer. I know you're worried, but you can't stay here." The blue-haired man sat down, his dog running up beside him as he did so. "There's a festival in town this whole week. Go enjoy it."

"What about you?"

"I don't do festivals. Never have. Too many people. Go."

Riku rubbed his foggy eyes as he trudged out of the lab.

Maybe he was sulking, but whatever. He still felt bad about having to tell Kairi about her parents.

He didn't have time for a festival.

"Riku!" Mickey smiled as he came into the main hall. "We're all going to the first night of the festival. What about you?"

"Should we really be going to festival right now?"

Goofy smiled. "We talked about it, and we think it's a good idea."

"Yeah!" Donald added. "And Sora would do the same. He always liked to take some time to relax when we could." The duck glanced at Goofy. "Remember in Corona when he danced in the square with Rapunzel and all the others?"

"Hyuck, sure do! That was such a fun day!"

Looking at the two smiling, Riku couldn't help but smile himself. These two… they were trying to channel Sora as much as possible to keep the spirits of everyone up. "I guess you're right. Are the others already there?"

"Lea took them to go help set up. Apparently the whole town gets involved in this."

"Hey, are you guys coming?" Roxas opened the front door, poking his head in. "The festival is about to start."

"We're coming."

They walked out into the setting sun and down the path to town. "Roxas," Riku asked, "do you know what the festival is for?"

"They talked about it in school. It's called the Harvest Nights festival. All the farms and vineyards outside of town start harvesting their crops about this time, and this is the only week in the year that the sun actually sets all the way(1). Each day of the week, the sun sets further and further. On the last day it completely goes down. Each day, something different is done to celebrate. Tonight is a big dance and talent showcase."

Well, that sounded fun.

Roxas opened the entrance to town.

Everything looked different. Lights and streamers hung from every window and over every street. Banners depicting a sunset against a deep blue background lined the streets.

"Wow!"

"People started setup at six this morning. We get the whole week off from school too."

Cheers rang out from near the bistro. The group ran over to see Terra smiling as people clapped.

"Hey, there you guys are." Olette jogged over.

"What's going on?"

The girl giggled. "Terra just smoked my dad in a push-up contest."

"Hey! I didn't lose by that much!" A man with short, spiked black hair, held back by a red bandana ruffled the girl's hair. He grinned at them, a toothpick sticking out from between his teeth. "Name's Biggs(2). By what Olette's told me, I bet I could guess who you guys are."

A woman with soft brown hair in a ponytail poked out from behind Biggs. "Yeah. Donald, Goofy, Mickey, and Riku right? Oh, name's Jessie, I'm Lettie's mom."

"Mom! I've told you not to call me Lettie! I'm not five anymore."

Jessie laughed. "Sorry, can't help it."

"Well," Biggs grinned, "I need to go. We're on patrol tonight." He flashed a police badge. "Don't want anything to ruin the party."

"Talk like that and you might jinx it." Another man walked over, a red bandana over his black hair, Pence followed behind him.

"Hey guys!"

Riku smiled. "So, is this your dad, Pence?"

The man grinned. "Yep, I'm Wedge. Pence has told me all about you guys. Now, I'd love to chat, but if someone, Zell(3) is going to throw a fit about you slacking."

"I get it! I get it!" Biggs let out a long sigh. "Have fun, Olette."

"I will Dad!"

Jessie patted her daughter's head as her husband walked off with Wedge. "I've gotta go too. I'm helping Saraswati set up some performances for tonight. Enjoy your day." She left as well.

"Where are the others?"

"All over." Olette smiled. "Terra, do you know where the others went?"

"Xion had rehersal. Apparently, she and some of the others in her play are performing tonight. Aqua and Ven are helping set up in the sandlot. As for Axel… no clue."

"So, where do you think Aegis goes?" Magia tapped his chin. "I wonder if he has a secret girlfriend."

Kairi smiled. "Maybe."

"If he does have a secret girlfriend, what would she be like?"

The girl ran a hand through her hair. "Not sure. But she would have to be patient. He's got a very abrasive personality. But it could be something different, something like a secret training ground."

"Maybe. He does like to train. Or maybe he goes to some all you can eat buffet. He could count how many plates he ate."

The two walked through Shinjuku, following in the crowd. Out of sight from Aegis, who gave no sign that he realized he'd been followed.

"Why haven't you followed him before?"

"Yozora wouldn't let me."

Well, that made sense. Kairi felt kind of bad for spying on her friend, but maybe… maybe something good could come of it. Honestly, she could use something good.

Aegis turned a corner and walked into a building.

They found it.

"Wait… this is it? This is his secret place!?"

A spa?

"A spa!? Really!? How boring!"

A spa sounded really nice. Kairi patted her pockets; she should have enough gil for a spa day. The last few days seemed so wild and stressful, they were more like a bad dream. "I'm going in. You can leave if you want."

"Hold on!" The young man followed her inside.

Kairi looked around at the soft mint-green walls lined with ivy. A woman with long black hair and glasses smiled at them from behind a counter. "Welcome to Lakshmi's Bliss(4). My name is Liv. How may I he-" She cocked her head to the side. "Wait, are you in the military?"

"Yes. My name is Kairi, and this is Magia."

Liv gasped. "Oh my goodness! Finally!" She clapped her hands. "You two get in free!"

"Huh?"

"I told Aegis that if he ever brought friends I'd let them in free because he never brings friends!" She grabbed Kairi's hand, shaking it. "Aegis is my cousin, and I've been so concerned! I thought he had no friends! Come!" She dragged Kairi back into the spa, Magia laughing as he followed.

They walked into a room where they found Aegis laying back in a chair, eyes closed, and his glasses resting on a nearby table. He opened one eye and-

"You followed me!?" He shot up, squinting at them.

Kairi wondered how bad his vision was without glasses, but it probably wasn't hard to identify them even with blurry vision.

"Magia's idea."

"Hey!"

Aegis grabbed his glasses, sliding them onto his face. "Of course it was." He groaned. "Ok, fine. You know now."

"Why keep this a secret?" Magia asked. "We could've all come."

"Because I wanted to."

Or because he was embarrassed. But Kairi wasn't about to say that out loud.

"Aegis, you're just embarrassed." Never mind. Liv said it. "So, what are your names?"

"I'm Magia, and this is Kairi."

Liv grinned. "Magia. Kairi. You two are always welcome here, and consider today a free trial to try anything you like here."

"Thanks so much!" Magia immediately removed his button down shirt to reveal the tank top beneath it. "I'm getting a massage!"

Kairi giggled. Her eyes caught a splash of color on her friend's arm. "Magia, I saw this when we did that photoshoot, but you never told me you had a tattoo."

"Huh? I didn't?" He pulled his shirt back a little to reveal a red flower tattooed on his back and part of his arm. "Yeah, it's a chrysanthemum. It symbolizes joy and long life. I want to get a few more. I'm thinking some sakura petals or a lotus flow-"

The young man jumped as his phone began to ring. He pulled it out, eyes widening as he saw the caller ID; Kairi saw it for a moment before her friend answered.

"Pops".

Magia's father?

"Yeah?" Magia listened for a moment. "Yeah. I'll be there." He ended the call with a sigh. "Never mind the massage." He put his button down back on. "Got a family matter that just came up. I've gotta go."

Aegis nodded. "Alright."

"And don-"

"I won't leave Kairi by herself. I know she doesn't know the city. I'll wait here."

Magia grinned. "I'll hold you to that. Later!" And away he ran.

"Well, he can come back another time." Liv grinned. "So, Miss Kairi, are you ready to relax?"

"Oh yes. After the week I've had, I could use it."

Liv cocked her head slightly. "Rough week?"

"Yeah."

"On a scale of 1 to 10 how rough?"

"20."

"Oh gosh!" The woman gasped. "Girl, we are going to get you the full treatment! You need it!"

Kairi took a step back. "There's no need to do that. I'm fine. I'll just do something simple."

"No way! If it's been a 20 kind of week you are going to relax whether you like it our not!" Liv grabbed her arm, dragging her to another room. "And it starts now!"

"HOLD ON! Aegis! How do I stop her!?"

"Give up now. She's as stubborn as me. Maybe worse."

"You're no help!"

"Accept it and relax. You need it. And it's free since… since we're friends."

Friends.

He saw her as a friend.

"Hey!" Naminé waved.

Riku smiled. "Hey Nami. What are you up to?"

"I'm helping Hayner's mom with a mural!" The girl pointed at a partially finished chalk mural on the side of a building. The swirls of color and little dancing figures filled the wall, all done in Naminé's art style. A woman stood on a ladder, writing out what seemed to be lines of a poem with a dark blue piece of chalk.

"It looks great."

"Thank you."

"Of course it does," called a new voice, "your friend is a great artist, and my wife's poetry is phenomenal."

A man with blond hair, the front spiked upwards, blue eyes, and a black tattoo on the left side of his face held the ladder for the woman writing. "Name's Zell. I bet you're Hayner's friends."

Mickey smiled. "We are. You must be his dad."

"That's right. And the lovely lady on the ladder is my wife, Emily(5)."

"Zell," Emily chided gently, "you're shaking the ladder. I really don't want to fall."

"Sorry honey."

Terra looked up at the mural. "Well, you guys are doing a great job."

"Thanks." Naminé clutched her piece of chalk close. "I could use some help really quick to finish the drawing." She pointed to the top. "I'm kinda short, and the ladder is in use."

Riku and Terra glanced at each other. "I think we can help." They both knelt down, side by side. "Sit on our shoulders."

"Oh, I didn't mean that way. You could go find a ladder or-"

"Or you could use two tall people as your ladder."

The girl let out a sigh before sitting on the two boys' shoulders. They stood up, hoisting her into the air. The little blonde girl reached out, finishing up the last few pieces of her drawing.

"Thank you."

Riku reached up, holding her hand as he and Terra knelt back down. "No problem."

"Naminé," Emily looked down, "thank you. The dance should be starting soon, so go have fun."

"Alright. Thanks Mrs. Emily."

From the sandlot, music began to waft down the street. The dance had begun.

When the group entered the sandlot, they heard cheering and laughter. In the center of the sandlot they saw Ven dancing around. He seemed so happy, laughing as he ran over to Aqua. "Your turn!"

"Alright." The two switched places, and Aqua began to gracefully dance. She twirled, and jumped, a smile shining on her face. Donald, Goofy, Mickey, and Terra moved into the crowd to cheer her on.

"Guys," Xion dashed over, "have you seen Axel?"

"No. What's up?"

"Ms. Jessie and Ms. Folia are looking for my theatre teacher. She was last seen talking with him."

Hayner walked over. "No need. Found him." He grinned, his eyes glinting slightly. "You've gotta see this!" He ran out of the sandlot. Down the street he paused outside their gang's usual spot. He held a finger to his lips and pointed inside.

Riku, Naminé, Roxas, Xion, Pence, and Olette all glanced inside.

Axel stood with a woman. A woman almost as tall as him. The woman had warm brown skin and short black hair. She giggled, her cheeks darkening slightly.

The teens pulled back. Xion covered her mouth. "Th-that's Ms. Saraswati, my theatre teacher!"

"Axel's got the hots for your teacher!"

Riku held back a snicker as he leaned back. "Axel! Hey Axel!"

"What are you doing!?" Roxas hissed.

"We were supposed to find them both right?"

"Huh?" Axel stepped out, his eyes full of suspicion. "What are you doing here?"

Pence grinned. "My mom and Ms. Jessie were looking for someone, and she was last seen talking to you."

"Oh, you mean Saraswati?" The teens nodded. "Well, if I see her I'll send her their way. Sound good?"

"Sounds good." Riku smirked. "Come on guys." He led the way back toward the sandlot. "So, that's your teacher? She's pretty."

"And very tall." Naminé added.

"They're both practically trees."

Hayner snickered. "Well those two trees are getting close. Maybe they'll make a forest one day(6)."

"Hayner!"

Roxas, Xion, and Naminé paused. "Make a forest?"

"Don't ask. Hayner is being stupid."

When the group got back, they watched the dancing for a little while until the woman, Ms. Saraswati, came back. She smiled at them. "Hello! Xion, are you ready to perform tonight?"

"I am!"

"Then let's go. Ms. Jessie and Ms. Folia are waiting."

The girl nodded, following her teacher away.

Everyone scattered as the dancing went on. All but Riku and Naminé.

Riku watched as people, specifically couples, moved onto the dance floor. They swirled around and around, dazzling the onlookers.

His eyes focused on the dancers, and for a moment, just for a moment, he saw Sora and Kairi in the middle of them all. He could see them. Smiling. Dressed up like royalty.

They looked so happy.

They were together.

They were happy.

"Riku, what's wrong? You're crying."

He reached up, feeling the water on his face. "N-nothing Nami…"

"It's Sora and Kairi right?"

Why was she so good at figuring out what he felt?

"Yeah. I can almost see them there, dancing. I just want them to be happy. They have something special, always have. But, then people like Xehanort use that against them, to tear them apart. I just…" This time, he felt the tears come down. "I just want them to finally be happy. I want to see them out there, dancing, smiling…"

Her hand reached out, touching his arm. "Well, we… we could… we could dance in their honor."

"What?"

"Maybe not out there but…"

Riku smiled. "Thank you, Naminé." He quietly turned, walking out of the sandlot. He could hear the blonde's boots clicking against the stone as she followed him.

Out of town. Into the woods.

He stopped.

"No one will see us out here." Naminé smiled. "So, may I have this dance?"

"Yeah."

"How is it looking?"

Isa scratched his dog behind the ears as he stared at the screen. "Looks good on my end, Ansem."

"Good. We should be able to create a gateway to wherever Kairi is now. So, as soon as she finds Sora, we can get them back."

"That's good."

Outside the doors. Outside the mansion. Someone in a black coat stood, staring down at a device in his hand. He clicked his teeth. "Well, well. They actually did it." He put the device in his pocket. "But, we can't have the lovebirds getting back here… now can we?"

The calm before the storm is now over, so BUCKLE UP!

Footnotes:

(1) Thanks people of the rarepair server for help with this idea!

(2) Yes, this is Biggs from FF7, specifically using FF7 remake for reference. Same with the other FF7 characters that appear: Wedge, Jessie, and Folia.

(3) This is Zell from FF8.

(4) This is a reference to the primal from FF14 Lakshimi, also known as the Lady of Bliss

(5) In FF8 there's a girl, only known as "library girl with a pigtail" that has a thing for Zell, and she can be seen at dinner with him in at the end of the game. This is that girl. She's been named Emily as a reference to the poet Emily Dickinson.

(6) Valk, I blame you for this joke.

VAs:

Liv- Erin Cottrell (Scarlet, Ouorra, Caetuna, Tilley Anderson, Elisabeth, Mercy)

Biggs Emery- Gideon Emery (Biggs, Seiya, Weasel, Fergus Reid, Orca, Urianger)

Jessie Emery- Erica Lindbeck (Jessie, Futaba Sakura, Blaze the Cat, Celica, Barbie)

Wedge Jones- Matt L. Jones (Wedge, Percy, Erg, Drip, Gunther Magnuson, Kyle)

Folia Jones- Erica Luttrell (Ms. Folia, Sapphire, Mercy Graves, Emily Kaldwin)

Zell Dincht- Todd Haberkorn (Natsu Dragneel, Death the Kid, Sho Minazuki)

Emily Dincht- Cherami Leigh (Makoto Niijima, Lucy Heartfilia, Asuna Yuki)

Saraswati Kaur- Freida Pinto (Queen Shanti, Messua, Vera Stephans, Eva)