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It was late in the evening when there was a knock at his door, "Roxas?" Xion's voice was quiet.

He got up with a concerned frown as he opened the door to let her in. He moved aside and watched her, worried at how timid she seemed, "Are you okay?"

Xion nodded, her hands clasped in front of her waist as she shifted awkwardly in the middle of his room, "Y-yeah. I'm alright."

Roxas observed her for a long moment before gently taking her hand and pulling her over to his bed, helping her settle onto the side of it as he sat down beside her. He gently asked, "What's up?"

She fiddled with her fingers for a long contemplative moment before taking a deep breath and sighing. She stretched her arms and back slightly before speaking softly, "So… you know how Even called Terra and I aside earlier?"

The blond nodded, "Yeah."

She made a few faces as she tried to figure out how to word the information she was given, "I guess I'm a lot more complicated then we realized." Roxas raised an eyebrow and motioned for her to continue. "Terra's my father."

Roxas blinked nonplussed for a moment before his eyes widened in confusion, "Wait, what?"

Xion had an odd smile on her face as she rubbed her forearm, feeling awkward and similarly baffled, "I guess when Vexen was trying to complete me… Xemnas gave him some blood to help stabilize my body. It turns out it was Terra's blood… so at least in pure biology, he's my father."

Roxas searched her face for a moment before carefully taking her by the hand and squeezing it, "Does that bother you?"

Xion thought about it for a few breaths, "No, not really. It's… a little hard to really decide how either of us should feel. I know Even was really guilty about it towards Terra, but… he doesn't regret that I was able to exist. Terra also wasn't upset that I'm here. It was just… unexpected, and confusing." She leaned against him, feeling tired. "It's just so confusing. I was made to copy your powers and to become Sora. Yet, I've always seen myself as a girl, and now I really am a girl. So… to be told that I have a biological father, and that it's somehow not connected to Sora at all. It's a lot to take in, honestly. It almost feels like it changes something about me, even though it was always there."

Roxas slowly nodded, understanding the feeling of confusion and struggle of identity just as much as she did, "Yeah."

Xion squeezed his hand, "Because of Sora's Memories, we both kind of started to feel like Aeros was our father, maybe not by blood, but by happenstance. I know this doesn't change that, but… I don't want to disregard Terra either."

Roxas hummed, "What did he have to say about it?"

Xion stayed silent for a long moment, "I don't think I should really approach him about that just yet." He turned to her in concern as she continued, "It's not that he doesn't accept that his blood was used in my creation. It's just… he isn't really that much older than us. I think it's a bit much…. It would kind of be like you saying Sora was your father and should take responsibility for you."

Roxas made a harsh face at that thought, "Oh. I get it."

It was difficult to decide what to do. They'd simply come to be as they were, and had only really existed for two years. Terra hadn't even had the chance to live his own life for the past ten years, it was hard to imagine what that was even like when they hadn't even lived the full two they could account for.

Roxas shifted his arm and wrapped it loosely around her to pull her in close, "Are you going to be okay?"

She nodded with a hum, "Yeah. Do you… do you think I should tell Aeros?"

Roxas contemplated that for a while, "I mean. That's really up to you. I don't think it'll change the way you see him, or how he's come to care about us. It just means our family's gotten a bit more complicated, I guess?"

Xion smiled, "Yeah. I agree." She leaned her head against his and closed her eyes. "Thank you, Roxas. I feel a lot better now."

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A couple of days passed as Aqua, Terra, and Ventus reacclimated to regular life in the Light. Aqua and Kairi discussed what she had learned previously with Lea to also help fill in the blanks as they made an initial outline of what to cover. Aqua immediately started her on morning meditation and a specific set of kata to help retrain her muscles from her near year of Stasis, while Naminé observed and tentatively joined in.

Terra had taken to looking through specific archives with Isa's help after looking over the catalogue the man had pieced together. He was impressed with Isa's work, though Ventus had already started working with him to recategorize, or to generally clarify certain studies of focus.

It was while Terra was looking over some particularly ancient books that he stopped and finally allowed himself to process the information Even had dropped on him and Xion. She had done her best to act as usual, which he supposed wasn't particularly hard, but the thought kept intrusively distracting him every time they were together for a long enough length of time, 'She's my daughter.'

It was frustrating. It wasn't like when the Master had taken him in, a helpless seven year old who'd just narrowly escaped being used to pay off his mother's lingering debts.

No, Xion was terribly young, but she was already physically and mentally a teenager, and it seemed that Lea had already taken to covering most of the bases someone who could be called a "parent" would. Even Riku's mother and Aeros had covered extended aspects of "mother and father" for her.

Still, he couldn't help but feel a deep sense of responsibility, even if she didn't ask it of him.

His inheritance was also, by blood and right, hers to know. (Even if he was still wrapping his mind around it all himself.)

He contemplated for a long while before carefully removing from his inventory the capsule that held his family tree. It might've been foolish to carry it around with him the way he had, but it felt right for now. He'd had to come to accept his own parentage rather late, even if it wasn't particularly new news to him. It was an odd comfort after everything that had happened.

Carefully he set the ornate white and gold capsule down before he carefully pulled out the parchment, staring at his father's familiar writing of his and his mother's name. He couldn't help but study it for a long while before he looked through the desk he was occupying for a writing utensil. It took some panicked searching for a few minutes to find a working pen, but once he did he stared at his own name and carefully added Xion to his lineage.

He used the best handwriting that he could, staring at the final stroke as the reality truly sunk in for him. He was full of nerves, yet he knew he had done the right thing.

This was right.

He set the pen down carefully before slumping back in his seat as he sighed heavily to force out the tension in his body.

Truly, allowing Darkness into his Heart, even if he hadn't really known how to fix whatever it had been that had allowed it in the first place, had repaid his karma in spades

His mother was at the edge of his vision, watching him with an approving look as she placed a comforting hand on his head. He could barely feel her wispy presence run her hand comfortingly through his hair, 'You did the right thing.'

He looked at her pleased and sad expression. "It's… weird."

She nodded, 'I'm sure Eraqus felt the same… though this situation is quite different. At least you know how to cook.'

Terra couldn't help the grin that came to his face as he chuckled, "Yeah, he really did suck at eating when I first arrived."

'He was terrible at eating when he was with me as well. It's no wonder he ended up passed out in my flowers.'

Terra grinned as he sat properly again, carefully checking that the ink had dried before cautiously putting the parchment back into its protective casing. He then returned it to his inventory and put away the pen he'd used.

'Even if she doesn't ask it of you, you'll still be a good father for her. You've already mentored her before.'

Thea was right of course. He had been helping her and the others learn just fine before they knew about any of this.

Slowly Terra nodded as he realized nothing was really different about that. "Is it really that simple?"

Thea patted his hand, 'Parenting is never simple, but she didn't ask for you to act like her father. Just continue to guide and teach her, if she asks a question, answer. If you don't know, discover the answer together. Being there when she needs you will be a large step in the correct direction.'

Terra nodded as he took in his mother's advice. "Right… thanks."

Thea smiled at him warmly as she pulled away from his focus.

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A week and a half passed when Xion popped up during their dinner, "Guys! Let's all go to Destiny Islands!"

The group blinked as they mulled that over. For some time Naminé, Riku, Roxas, and Xion had begun to live in Departure more often than not. Riku may have left in search for Sora, but Kairi was finally awake and had yet to visit her adopted parents.

Lea and Isa watched the Departure Trio, only to look at one another in silent communication before Lea cleared his throat with a bit of a wink and a lazy wave, "Isa and I can take care of things here. Besides, Ventus never really got to visit with Aeros the way the other kids did."

Ventus straightened as he remembered his lingering feelings of affection for his not-father. He brightened up and looked at Aqua and Terra, "Let's do it!"

Aqua hummed in contemplation as Terra chuckled and roughly ruffled Ventus's hair, "You just wanna check out their Library."

Ventus made a number of aborted sounds before scowling and throwing Terra's hand off, "That's not! ….Okay, yeah, but I still wanna spend time with Aeros! I've got so much I wanna talk to him about!" He turned away from them as he looked upwards happily, "I want to see the things Sora did growing up for myself."

Aqua sighed with a smile on her face, "Alright."

Xion cheered happily as she clasped her hands together, "Uncle Aeros will be so happy to see everyone's doing well!"

Naminé tilted her head confused, "Uncle..?" Xion froze as the blonde continued, "I thought you called him father..."

Roxas tried and somewhat failed to hold back his grimace as Xion clamped her mouth shut as she became flush. She held her hands clasped close to her chest, "I..uh…"

Roxas placed a gentle hand on her thigh in solidarity unnoticed as Terra realized they both must have not said anything to anyone.

Though it seemed she'd at least told Roxas by his reaction.

Terra took in a deep breath to speak, but she beat him to the punch.

Clearly, she was braver than he was.

"Terra's my father."

Everyone at the table seemed to blank out as they absorbed that except Roxas and Terra. Isa suddenly straightened as he seemed to realize something. "...So that's how it was."

Lea shifted his focus, but when no answer came from Isa, he prodded, "You gonna share with the class, or what?"

Isa huffed as he closed his eyes, tracing the scar on his face faintly, "Xemnas and Xehanort had absolute control over me due to this scar… But Xemnas was never particularly concerned with Xion's poor behavior. He knew as long as we retrieved her, she would work for us. He also was able to make… adjustments. Clearly, he was a number of steps ahead of the rest of us."

Terra frowned deeply at that while Lea partially slumped, "Okay..? But I read the notes Vexen had multiple times. It didn't mention anything about how he'd gotten ahold of Terra's-" He stopped and thought things over more thoroughly.

Isa huffed, "Apprentice Xehanort allowed a great number of experimental procedures to be done to his body in search of his Memories. Clearly whatever material Xemnas handed over to Vexen was from then."

Xion was minding her fingers with a deep grimace. She hadn't meant to let things get out all because she had decided to change how she spoke about Aeros.

Naminé was also clearly apologetic, her head bowed in guilt.

Aqua searched Terra as Ventus glanced between the two, "Oh."

Aqua gave the blond a dull look, "Oh? Ven."

Ventus chuckled awkwardly as he ruffled his hair. He glanced up at Terra who was frozen with his gaze locked onto the table clearly stressed. He quickly glanced around at everyone before punching his friend hard in the forearm, causing Terra to grunt in annoyance, clearly unphased by his weaker punch. Ventus huffed as he stood, "Well, it's totally weird and stupidly complicated, but hey! It just makes our family all the more special!" He clapped Terra on the back just enough to move him a few inches forward and pull him from his thoughts, "Congrats! She's a teenager."

Half of the table was staring at Ventus in minut horror, until Lea burst out laughing as he covered his face, "Oh sweet embers, Ven." Isa rolled his eyes with a heavy sigh.

Aqua was pouting, "Terra, were you ever going to tell us?"

He squirmed as he tried to work out what to even say when Xion spoke abruptly, "It's not like we've really talked about anything since Even told us! I- I didn't mean for everyone to find out until I got to talk to you more…"

They had sort of dodged the subject since.

Kairi slowly nodded as she patted Naminé's knee to make her feel better. The princess smiled, "Well, now we all found out at once. It might be uncomfortable, but I'm glad it's someone as kind as Terra who's your father."

Terra blinked as he looked at Kairi confused. Sure they'd been around one another a little bit, but that was a pretty big leap in his opinion.

Slowly Xion smiled brightly, "I'm happy that Terra's my father too."

Terra's eyes widened as he stared at her, "-Really?"

Ventus gave him a smug grin in the side of his vision as Xion tilted her head, "Yeah. It's actually comforting to know that I'm not some sort of Sora clone, especially after I literally turned into him…" She shuddered as she rubbed her arms as she recalled the change that had been forced upon her body. It had been beyond dysphoric. "Not only that, it at least proves Roxas and I aren't siblings."

Roxas nodded enthusiastically at that while Lea snickered, "I guess that would be a relief, considering how touchy you two have been lately…"

Roxas whipped his attention onto his best friend incensed as he abruptly stood and with a deft hand he whipped a glob of potato salad into his face at his insensitivity.

The table froze at this, Aqua and Isa immediately having the same internal thought, 'Oh hell no.' While Aqua would have preferred to stop anything before it started, she and Isa instead instinctively ducked under the table as Lea wiped the food off his face and gave them all a shit-eating grin. "So that's how you wanna play it, huh Roxy?"

The blond bared his teeth as Ventus followed Aqua's example and practically melted under the table as he tried to keep attention away from himself as Lea stood, "This is War, Roxas." He lifted a pile of food off his plate and immediately flung it at his friend.

Terra was so lost he didn't even know what to do when Kairi got a strangely bright (and insane) gleam to her eyes following suit, "FOOD FIGHT!"

Naminé awkwardly held up her plate as a shield as the three immediately went at it, Xion also awkwardly joining in with a bewildered look on her face.

Terra just sat in his seat frozen confused at how things had devolved into this so abruptly. He then felt a biscuit tap him on the shoulder as he looked at Naminé who shrugged with an awkward smile.

He looked at what was left of the now ruined food, shrugged, and lobbed a particularly offensive glob of brussel sprout coleslaw at Lea.

Master Eraqus never would have allowed such nonsense, yet he couldn't help the grin that eased away his confusion as they all had fun making an absolute wreck of the place.

It was a good fifteen minute run of chaos, and as soon as it was determined the coast was clear, Aqua popped back into the doorway and gave them all a stern look, "You all are cleaning that up."

Lea whined, "But can't we at least shower-"

"No. Clean it now."

Terra laughed lightly, "It'll just be harder if it all dries before we clean up anyway."

Lea slumped, "Dammit…"

Naminé couldn't help but giggle, covered in a gross mishmash of food colors along with the others.

Ventus and Isa were glad they'd bailed as the three went outside to laugh at their friends out of earshot.

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Plans were put into place, and soon enough a month had passed since the Departure Trio's return from the Dark Realm. The group sans Lea and Isa were crammed into the Gummi ship and went to Destiny Islands as planned.

Kairi rubbed her arm, "I'm sorry for not telling you guys about Mickey's mission sooner…"

Ventus hummed as he mulled it over, "I wonder why it was that things ended up that way..?"

Xion was piloting the Gummi Ship as everyone turned their attention to him. Naminé frowned, "What do you mean, Ven?"

The blond placed a contemplative hand under his chin, "It's just… I'm confused on how down the line it was concluded that the Ancient Keyblade Masters ended up on this… 'other side,' in what might be Quadratum. It doesn't make any sense."

Aqua frowned at him in concern as Terra narrowed his eyes and gently asked, "Ven… do you... remember?"

Ventus looked between all of them and hesitated. There was still a lot he was trying to sift through and order in his memories, so he awkwardly shrugged, "I didn't want to say anything just yet… but, yeah. For the most part."

Aqua looked slightly hurt at this while Terra was frowning. She asked quietly, "Why didn't you say anything?"

Ventus felt guilt settle in his stomach but he pushed past it, "I'm still trying to understand a lot of things… Things are still hazy and painful the closer I get to however I ended up" He waved his arms helplessly, "Here."

Terra took a breath, "So you're an ancient Keyblade Wielder." He should have understood that sooner.

Ventus grimaced before forcing an awkward smile, "All these years being teased as the youngest, when I'm actually more than three times Yen Sid's age, haha…"

Everyone grimaced as they realized just how weird the situation was, gaining an understanding on why Ventus hadn't really spoken about anything just yet.

Aqua gasped as she realized, vaguely covering her mouth that it meant he must have, in some form, been witness to the first Keyblade War. She slumped guiltily, "I'm sorry Ven."

He shook his head, "No, I should have at least said something, to give me time instead of just saying quiet."

Terra shrugged, "I can't exactly be mad, myself."

An awkward couple of minutes passed before the familiar sight of Destiny Islands came into view. Everyone returned their gazes to the outside as they made to land.

Ventus's heart was hammering in his chest in anticipation. He was excited to see Aeros after so long, and finally see Sora's childhood home.

But a strange feeling made the hairs on his neck stand tall.

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It had been a little over a month since he'd begun traversing to Destiny Islands. After Aeros had called him out, forcing him to reveal himself only to find out that the man had information on Ava…

That Ava had even given birth to a son with him over a decade ago

Gula couldn't help but feel a little lost. A small part of him cried as his deep affection for her was buried.

At first things had been tense between the two. They had exchanged information, as Gula was far more open with what had happened during those last weeks leading up to the war and the subsequent event.

Ava had understandably been more devastated by it.

He could still remember the cold pouring rain splashing onto his cheeks and into his eyes as he had stared up at the terrifying magnificence that was Kingdom Hearts, being forced into reality by the vast collection and loss of life.

Of Hearts as they coalesced into its great brightness.

It made his stomach clench painfully as he returned his focus to the book in front of him that he was reading in a corner on the second floor of the Library. He smoothed his hand over the pages, his Leopard mask helping shield some of the bright sun as it filtered in and warmed him. The Foreteller robes were stifling on these Islands, but he wouldn't part with them. Some Islanders were shocked when he would make quick trips into town, clearly recalling Ava over a decade before.

Some gave him cold and suspicious glares.

He was able to believe it when Aeros spoke of the problems that arose when she found out she was pregnant.

His Heart ached for his friend.

Aeros came around a stack and observed him for a moment as he raised an eyebrow, "Is that book actually interesting?"

Gula looked at the older man with a frown before glancing back at the book, "Not particularly."

Aeros smiled, having gotten used to his presence. Honestly, if everything weren't so weird with seventeenish years between them, Gula found he rather enjoyed the man's presence.

He was a lot more comfortable to be around than Ira or Aced.

Luxu especially.

He shook himself with an almost feline grace as he stood and closed the book, "Did you need something?"

Aeros ruffled his hair awkwardly, "I'm closing the Library early because the kids are coming."

Gula processed that for a moment before he remembered.

There were Wielders who convened in a special land. They came back and forth, but had recently started staying there more often to gain understanding of themselves and their Keyblades.

Honestly after being back and forth on the Islands the past month, he could understand wanting to get out of this tiny humid World.

Gula nodded, "Do you want me to leave?"

Aeros gave him a weird look, "No? I mean, if you don't want to meet any of them or have any food I understand, but you're free to come. You're my guest, afterall."

A Guest. How strange, and yet…

His Heart warmed a little at that. A small smile unconsciously came to his lips as he hesitantly nodded, "I'll… come."

Aeros grinned brightly as he motioned him to follow.

The odd duo left the Library after he did his final closing rounds. The older brunette eyed his robes, "You know, if you're going to keep coming by, you could always have a spare set of clothes put aside so you don't have to…" He puzzled for a moment, "Melt."

Gula snorted as the Island's humidity started to sink into his layers, "I'll live."

Though it did have some appeal.

He relented, "Fine. But I don't want others to see my face."

Aeros nodded expecting that, "Sure. Though honestly, I was never able to get a clear understanding on why you all insist on those masks…"

Gula lightly traced the details of his Leopard mask as he contemplated that, "...I can't easily explain it either."

Aeros nodded, "That's alright."

Gula appreciated the way Aeros treated him. Usually when there was this sort of age gap there would be a sort of parental or extended familial aspect spun into it, but they were honestly friendly with one another as if their age gap wasn't entirely there.

He knew that there were some things that Aeros gave him an absolutely odd look over though, but the man clearly didn't want to push buttons and was cautious about his words.

It was nice.

"Would you… like me to help with anything?"

Aeros blinked as he looked at the masked teen in slight surprise, "You know how to cook?"

Gula blushed as he immediately regretted his words, "I-uh… not..exactly…"

The brunette chuckled and laid a hand on his head, somehow managing to hold both the hood and mask in such a way that it was as if he were ruffling his hair. Gula was shocked by the action and tripped before smacking the man's wrist with a scowl, "Seriously?!"

Aeros laughed as he entered his home, "Sorry, couldn't help it."

Gula huffed as he shucked off his slate-grey boots at the entry.

His chest felt warm. Was this what it was like to have an older brother?

...He would ignore that thought.

Aeros waved him over, and together they brought out a plethora of foods to grill. His mouth watered in anticipation, knowing the older man could cook quite well the few times he'd lost track of time and stayed too late.

Not that Ruki and Vale didn't make great food, but there was something about how Aeros cooked that was…

Somehow it felt nostalgic, though he couldn't fathom why it made him think of the Master…

He shook his head as he helped organize the food for easier cooking.

The two got into something of a rhythm as Aeros gently instructed him on how to cut some of the fruits and vegetables for grilling. It was… pleasant.

It was after some time, when Gula returned outside after doing a quick cleanup of his hands and a freshening of his clothes that a girl's voice called out as she rounded the house, "Uncle Aeros!"

The brunette perked up and called back just as she turned the corner, "Kairi!" The girl giggled as she came near the older man, "It's been some time, Princess."

Kairi shuffled with a slight blush as she flipped her hair, "Master Aqua's taught me a lot since I woke up!"

Aeros gave her an affectionate look, "That's great."

Two more teens rounded the corner as Gula kept just inside the back door, easily unnoticed to them all.

Somehow Aeros caught him by the eyes and gave him an oddly smug look that let him know he knew exactly why he'd hid.

He wasn't shy, but Gula unintentionally had feline tendencies and it was downright embarrassing that Aeros called him out on it all the time.

A black haired girl and a familiar looking boy rounded the corner at a more sedate pace. Gula had noted their photos around the house, having already told the brunette of his similarities to a young boy in his Union.

Aeros had had an odd look at the time, but he hadn't said anything further than acknowledging his story.

Roxas and Xion greeted him at the same time, "Hey Dad/Hi Uncle Aeros."

Aeros nodded in return, "Welcome home."

Naminé finally came around the corner, "Afternoon Uncle Aeros!" He chuckled as she gave him a short side hug before moving over to Kairi and taking her hand. However, Naminé seemed to be the first to notice Gula in the doorway, going still. Kairi tilted her head as she noted him as well and was shocked.

Gula frowned, vaguely annoyed his cover was blown as he stepped back outside.

Aeros looked back at him, "Why were you standing in the doorway like that, Gula?"

The teen blushed faintly as he shrugged, "Watching."

Aeros hummed, having anticipated this behavior from the Foreteller.

Finally Terra and Aqua rounded the corner as they entered the backyard. Terra greeted him with a nod as Aqua spoke, "Thank you for inviting us, Master Aeros."

Aeros cringed, feeling weird at the title even if it was supposedly true. "Aeros is fine, Master Aqua."

She pouted at him, "Then Aqua is just fine too."

He smiled as he nodded, "Of course."

The thudding of running footfalls echoed between the houses as the final guest rounded the corner with a flailed slip-stop in the grass. A shock from the past with bright eyes and a grin on his face, "Dad!"

Gula was stunned. Same outfit with slight changes, it was uncanny. When he'd first seen Roxas's photo, he had surmised that somehow either Aeros's bloodline was connected to the boy of his Union, or that some other sort of strange scientific manipulation had occurred.

Aeros nodded in greeting as he looked to Gula noting his frozen body language. He then looked at Ventus and was shocked by the expression on his face.

Ventus was pale as a ghost.

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When he had turned the corner, his chest had felt ready to burst. He'd felt today would be an exciting day, getting to finally establish Sora's muzzy Memories from his dreams.

Instead he got bowled over by a different sort of past.

He gasped, shocked as the blood drained straight out of him.

Rain, thunder, lightning, no stop fighting you're best friends! Why, why aren't the Foretellers doing anythi-!

"Master Gula?" He was breathless. Ventus tried to keep his breathing under control, but between running to catch up with the others due to getting distracted, his heart was hammering in his chest and making his head pound.

"...Ventus?"

Slowly the blond nodded as he took a few unsteady steps forward, "W-what are you… you're here too?"

He stopped a few paces away from the masked teen, just out of reach. He could feel a strange cold sweat on his body, and he was sure he looked terrified.

Master Gula had treated him well, though. It was just a terrifying shock.

Cautiously the Foreteller nodded, "Somehow."

Ventus knew the others were confused and watching, but it was as if his World had completely narrowed. He vaguely noted two pops as he barely heard the two Chirithy joyfully greet each other before turning their attention to their Wielders.

Hot tears fell down Ventus's face as he touched his cheek in confusion, "It's... you're really here?"

Gula nodded as he observed him, "You've grown a lot since I last checked in on you."

Ventus laughed almost bitterly, "I'm sixteen, almost seventeen now. I-" He grit his teeth, confused at the tumultuous emotions that ran in circles in his chest. He abruptly covered his face with his hands as he strained to find words, "I was so lonely, Master! I failed you all, I should have been stripped of my Keyblade after I kept holding back my mission partners over and over again! I wasn't strong enough!"

He wasn't sure where this all was coming from, but he knew some of why it was as it bled out of him.

If he hadn't been a Wielder, maybe Strelitzia would have lived-

Gula grasped his shoulders tightly, shocking the blond to gasp and look at him. He was breathing erratically, his Memories still strangely jumbled and fresh. He was struggling to get the order of events straight and separate from his time at the Land of Departure.

For some reason it was so difficult, with his saved Memory in the Castle leaving him with even more confusing impressions.

Gula was frowning at him, clearly studying him as he gently spoke, "I'm sorry, Ventus. I was too distracted by my role to realize just what was going on. I had heard some reports that you were being abandoned in the middle of particularly dangerous missions and barely making it back… I wasn't responsible enough."

Ventus gaped at him for a moment before clenching his eyes and teeth and shaking his head sharply, "I… I ended up doing something terrible, all because I was so lonely! That alone should have been enough…"

Gula sighed, still gripping his shoulders, "Many Wielders were succumbing to Darkness at that time. Perhaps it was our mistake for allowing Wielders to build Guilt into their medals… but Ventus. You aren't solely at fault- every member who abandoned you is also equally wrong for abandoning our youngest Wielder on record."

Ventus sniffed, "But-"

Gula gave him a short shake, "I can read your Heart Ventus. You… you've somehow gained a balance that wasn't there before. A lot of Wielders were jealous of your pure Heart of Light. I wasn't mature enough to know how to deal with the problem, so if you did something terrible, then that too is my fault."

Ventus held his breath, shocked by that as he slowly relented. Brain had also not held him entirely accountable for what had occured.

The blond sighed as he slowly nodded, "I never would have met Terra and Aqua if things hadn't happened as they had… and I'd never regret meeting my friends." He'd died trying to protect them, afterall.

Gula slowly nodded as he released his shoulders, a slight tilt to his head, "I am amazed though. I've never seen someone whose Heart has been shattered once, let alone twice and survived such trauma."

Ventus choked, "Uh-"

Gula smiled as he turned towards the others, "I'm glad you were able to find friends and people who love you, Ventus." He turned back to the blond, "I'm glad you're no longer alone."

Ventus sobbed as he nodded while wiping at his eyes, "Yeah. Me too."

There was a lot to explain, but Gula could take it from there as Ventus's Chirithy patted his calf gently.

Ventus felt a weight he hadn't noticed lighten off his shoulders as Aqua came over and pulled him close, tucking his head under her chin as she held him.

He had finally found a Home.

T-a-V-i-L-r-X-n-C-xXx-T-a-V-i-L-r-X-n-C

A/N: Pretty much at the end of what's been planned out for this before returning to Darkness to Sky. I'm hesitant to mark it as complete atm, just in case there's more material/ideas in the future.

Please R&R! Thank you for reading!