If Our Hearts Unite

Author's Note: I meant to work on some of my other fics, but being so close to completion I felt I should just punch this out while the ending was still fresh in my mind. I may have gone a little bit overboard with some wild out of context ideas but… hopefully you'll like them.

Please Enjoy

Chapter 35: Destiny Awaits

Fenrir scarcely remembered the days before coming to Destiny Islands. For a time he believed that outside worlds, the battle of light and darkness, and magical weapons were all just a big fantastical dream. His grandparents had been the ones to raise him, and any mention of his real parents always ended with asking questions and gaining no answers.

It wasn't until he was twelve, and he'd summoned a keyblade for the first time, that he realized none of it had been a dream. His parents were keyblade masters, and had passed the power down to him…

… but he didn't want it.

Why would he ever want to venture away from all that he loved and cared about? Why break his grandparents' hearts? Why abandon all his friends? Why suffer in the gritty darkness when he could stay here in the light, and be at peace?

So he abandoned his gift. He finished school, married his high school sweetheart, and had a son. He was a businessman, and was dedicated to earning munny and keeping a roof over his family's head. He taught his son how to fish, and hunt, and made sure he kept up with his studies.

The boy ran a little wild for his taste, but he seemed happy enough… or so he thought.

"Riku…" Fenrir knocked on the door watching his son packing. "You're leaving again?"

"Yeah…" Riku replied, zipping up his duffle. "I'm sorry… I know you don't like me venturing to other worlds, but-"

"You're right, I don't." Fenrir stepped in, shoving his hands in his pockets. "It's because you left in the first place that all of this happened. You, Sora, Kairi all disappeared, leaving me, your mother, and Sora's parents to worry and wonder where the hell you've gone. I don't understand, son, help me understand why you're so desperate to leave home?"

"I had my reasons, dad." Riku looked up at his father… a tall thickly built man with tanned skin and unkempt silver hair kept tied back in a short tail. His eyes, a honey brown, looked at him with both confusion and disapproval. "I still do."

It wasn't that he hated his father… no, far from it… but the two of them could never seem to get on the same page. His father was content being at home, working a standard job, living a simple life… but Riku always knew he wanted more. Sora had wanted more to… she craved it. Despite having nightmares, and being afraid of a lot of things, she was never afraid to face her fears and run headlong into danger. Riku knew that if he wanted to protect Sora, and keep her from getting hurt he had to get stronger. He needed to find the strength and courage to run right alongside her… and there was no way he'd find that kind of strength staying at home.

"How long will you be gone this time?" Fenrir held his hands up in defeat. "Should I even bother keeping your room here?"

"I guess that depends on you, but…" he shouldered his bag. "I may be gone a lot longer this time. I don't want to come back home, to this place, to that island without Sora by my side. I just can't do it, Dad. This place just doesn't feel like home without her."

"Riku… son…" he lay his hands on his shoulders. "I know you care about her… but you said it yourself, Sora is gone. She may never come back."

"She will!" Riku gripped the ring around his neck. "I know she will, because I haven't forgotten her. No one has! She's out there, somewhere, fighting to get back to me, I just know it!"

Fenrir looked into his son's eyes, and saw that there was no talking him out of leaving. He sighed heavily and pulled him in for a hug. Riku tensed up, not used to the father/son affection.

"I should have known you'd inherit it too…" he whispered to him and shut his eyes. "I'd hoped if I ignored it, it would just go away… but that was foolish of me."

He pulled back and took a firm step back.

"I have something to show you… just don't tell your mother. I don't want her thinking I'll abandon her too."

"What is it?" Riku set his bag down, watching his father with confusion and keen interest. Then with absolute shock, watched as his father summoned forth a keyblade. "DAD! You're a-"

"No… I'm not. I suppose I was meant to be at one time… but I've chosen not to accept that responsibility." He held the keyblade out, admiring its silhouette. Intricate spirals of orange, rouge and blues formed the blade. The colors continued to gradient down the staff and went black as midnight at the hilt. The shape of the hilt was rectangular, with a firm leather grip strap and the charm that dangled from it was a pendant in the shape of a sunset. "It's called Chosen Destiny… and I want you to have it, son."

Fenrir place the blade in his son's hands. Riku accepted it, admiring the blade with as much bewilderment as he did awe.

"Dad I-"

"I know you have a blade of your own, and that it's special to you… but I can't help but feel like this one was meant to be yours." He lay a hand on his shoulder. "When I was a boy, I'd have dreams about keyblade warriors. There was excitement and adventure in their lives, yes, but I also saw darkness, despair, and agony. It frightened me, and I wasn't brave enough to step outside my comfort zone. I wasn't brave enough or strong enough to seek out the answers to my questions. So I let the dreams fade away. I cut off that part of myself because I feared losing what I had, in exchange for something I may never find… but you're not that kind of man, Riku. I know that whatever answers you're seek or the person you're searching for… you won't stop until you find them."

Riku gripped the blade tight in his hand and he stepped back, giving it a testing swing. The blade was surprisingly light, yet durable. It felt right in the palm of his hand, like it was meant just for him.

"Thanks dad… I'll use it well."

"I know you will…" he pulled Riku back into his arms, and spoke the words he recalled from his dreams. "May your heart be your guiding key."

~Sora~

Where was she?

Why was it so dark?

Riku?

Where was Riku?

The last thing Sora remembered was holding onto him, begging him not to let go. She couldn't feel his warmth, or see his light… she couldn't feel or see anything.

"I don't like it here… I don't wanna be here… help me, somebody help me!"

"Where are you?" She heard a voice speak, and it made her stir.

"I don't know…" She called back. "I don't know where I am. Please!"

"Stay there, I'm coming to find you."

"Who are you?" Sora finally saw a light, and she felt herself running towards it. "Riku? Is that you Riku?"

She tripped, the world seemed to tumble and shift around her. She screamed and flailed, the familiar sensation of falling causing her heart to leap to her throat.

"RIKU!"

"SORA! Wake up, Sora!"

Suddenly she stopped falling, the light erupted around her, and Sora gasped for air shooting straight up in bed. Her eyes darted around as she desperately tried to catch her breath. She knew these walls, she thought… She knew the room, the furniture, and the decor.

"Home?" She whispered and looked down at her hands. They were solid and whole and she touched her face. "Am I dreaming? Did I die? Who was that voice that called out to me?"

"Sora!"

"GAH!" Sora jolted at the sudden call of her name and rolled right off the bed.

"Sora! Wake up! It's time for breakfast!"

"Breakfast? Wait a minute, was that..." Sora stumbled to her feet and to her bedroom door. She came down the steps like a hurricane, rumbling with loud thumping steps and nearly sliding across the hardwood floors to get to the kitchen. She paused in the doorway, taking in the sight of a middle-aged couple. The woman was serving pancakes, a petite brunette wearing a baker's apron and strolled around in her bare feet. The man, lighter brown hair that spiked every which way, was reading the paper and had a mug of steaming hot coffee to the right of his breakfast plate.

"There you are sleepy head." The woman smiled and motioned her over with a spatula. "Sit down and eat, I made your favorite."

"MOM!" Sora nearly burst into tears at the sight of her. The small woman gave her a stern look she was all too familiar with and had the tear spilling over.

"No shouting at the table- GOODNESS!" Sora's mom nearly toppled over as her daughter raced to envelope her in a big hug. "Is everything okay, sweetie? What's wrong?"

"You're here. You're really here! Oh and Dad!" She let go of her mom to grab hold of her father and hug him. "You're here too! It's so good to see you both."

"Watch it, Sora!" The older man pulled the paper out of reach. "You're crumpling the business section."

"You're reading the paper, and having pancakes! Am I dreaming? Is this real? I really didn't disappear?" Sora did a little jig in her PJs, not noticing the horrified look on her mother's face.

"Disappear?! What are you saying? Did you hit your head? Maybe you should go lie down for a bit."

"No! Absolutely not. No more sleeping!" Sora waved her arms. "Not ever! I'm not risking it! I'm here, everyone's safe, and happy!" She gasped suddenly as she looked at her hand. "My ring!" She dropped to the floor in search of it. "Oh no! Where's my ring!?"

"Oh my…" Sora's mother held her mouth giving her husband looks of concern. "I've never seen her like this."

"Oh, leave her alone dear. She's probably just excited and nervous about the big day." He took her hand kissing it. "Better to get all the jitters out now."

"I suppose so…"

"I can't believe I lost it!" Sora held her head. "Oh Riku's gonna be so mad at me that I lost his…"

"Honestly, Sora, you'd lose your head if it wasn't attached to your body." A familiar voice spoke from the doorway and Sora stopped crawling on the floor to look up. She spotted Roxas in the doorway carrying a garment bag and a box of shoes.

"Roxas? Is that you? You look… different. It's a good different." She got to her feet and hugged her quickly before grabbing her face, squishing it in her fingers and palms. "Did you get older?"

"Ha, ha, very funny!" She slapped Sora's hands away. "You try looking young when you've got a rambunctious red-head driving you nuts 24/7."

"Oh you mean, Axel? Yeah I can see how a guy like that can drive you nuts." Sora laughed and then went back on all fours to search for her ring. "Hmmm did I drop it upstairs? I'm gonna go check my room!" She hurried to her feet and up the steps.

Roxas watched her leave and shook her head and turned to the parents.

"What the heck is wrong with her?"

"Wedding Day jitters." Sora's dad shrugged. "I wouldn't worry. She'll calm down after the big I do's."

"I don't know, dear. I'm worried. She's been acting odd since she woke up. She kept saying something about a dream where she disappeared." She gave a little shudder.

"I see… well I better go calm her down. If she's like this all day, the groom is bound to bolt." Roxas looked at her watch. "Oh, by the way the rest of the girls should be here in about ten minutes for hair and make up. You might want to put a few more pancakes on the burner. We're gonna have a full house today."

"Sure thing, sweetie." She walked up and kissed her cheeks. "It's good to have you home, Roxas. Things just aren't the same around here ever since you and Axel left the island."

"I know, and I'm sorry about not visiting more often." She hugged her. "Now if you'll excuse me, I gotta go prep my neurotic twin for her big day." She grabbed her things and headed upstairs. She expected Sora's door to be shut tight, but it was wide open. Sora stared at herself in the mirror, running fingers through her hair looking dazed. "I know you've probably heard this a lot today, but are you okay, Sora?"

"My hair… it's not short." she murmured.

"Yeah… we both kinda decided short hair was not our thing." She set the bag and shoes on her desk and walked over rubbing Sora's shoulders. "Hey… you're kinda giving me the creeps… what's going on."

"That's, kinda what I'd like to know." She sat down on her bed. "Something just doesn't feel right. We both look older… and I found my ring but-" She held up the stone admiring it. "It's not the same one Riku gave me before."

"Riku? Okay now I'm really worried." Roxas got on her knees and held her hands. "Sora… you do know who you're marrying today, don't you?"

"I'm… getting married? Today? Since when? When did we set a date, or make any arrangements? How long has it been since we closed Kingdom Hearts?"

"Kingdom Hearts? You mean that fairy tail legend? You're really not making any sense to me right now, Sora… and it's seriously scaring me." Roxas squeezed her hands. "What sort of messed up dream did you have?"

Panic bubbled in her throat and Sora stood up and paced the room. Kingdom Hearts? A fairytale? What kind of alternate universe did she wind up in? What the hell was going on?

"I need to find Riku-" Sora turned towards her door just as it burst open and was flooded with females.

"Surprise! Happy wedding day!" Venus jumped through the door holding up champagne, her hair already done up with elaborate curls and she had a fresh coat of makeup on.

"Venus? What are you… VANITA?!" Sora jumped back as the raven haired beauty strolled up behind her and wrapped an arm around Venus.

"What does it look like? We're here to glam you up for your future hubby." She shut the door and held up champagne glasses. "Come on, let's get this party started."

"I… I gotta…" Sora thought she might faint. She slowly lowered herself back down to the bed and put a hand over her face. "Oh man… just what kind of weird paradox is this? A time shift, no kingdom hearts, a wedding I never planned, Vanita in dress?!"

"Hey! I wanted to wear a tux, but Auntie said no." Vanita shrugged it off and took a sip of champagne. "You know for someone who's about to get hitched to a silver haired hottie, you don't look so good."

"Guys we may need to cancel the wedding, I really think there's something wrong with Sora." Roxas sat next to her and rubbed her back. "She's seriously out of it."

"Oh hell no, I did not put on high heels and let Venus slather gunk on my face just for miss prissy britches to get cold feet." She hauled Sora up and started to strip her. With some help from Venus they got Sora out of her pajamas and into a white slip before putting the wedding dress over her head.

All the while Sora remained dazed and limp like a fish. Around her she heard the girls talking of this and that, arguing about whether or not they should even be moving forward with this. Roxas was adamant about putting a halt to the entire thing, but Venus and Vanita were against it.

"Will you just relax. Look at her, she's a vision in white." She shoved the bouquet at Sora who took it and stared down at it numbly. "Sora, tell her. Tell her you're fine."

"I'm not fine…" Sora stared at herself in the mirror. "I'm so confused and thrown off by everything. I keep having these weird thoughts, like is anything I'm feeling and experiencing real or not?"

"Alright, that's it. We're not doing this." Roxas rubbed her shoulders. "I'm taking you to the hospital."

"Oh calm down, Roxas. She'll be fine once she sees the groom, won't you Sora?"

"Riku?" Sora's eyes lit up a little. "I get to see Riku?"

"Oh yeah," Roxas snapped her fingers, laughing at the stunned look on Venus And Roxas' face. "That's another thing… she thinks she's marrying Riku."

"Oh shoo-" Venus held her mouth and Vanita winced.

"Ouch… not good."

"It… it's not Riku?" Sora dropped the bouquet and she held her head as the sounds around her got warped. She heard Roxas say something, but tuned it out. No, this was wrong, it was all wrong!

"Who's gonna tell the groom the wedding is off?" Vanita pointed to her sister. "I vote for Venus."

"Hey! Why do I gotta do it? Sora should do it, she's the one having the mental breakdown." Venus pouted.

"Does it matter who tells him? This is serious. We need to get Sora… Sora?" Roxas looked around for her. She caught the trail of white satin booking it down the hallway and heard the thunder of feet on stairs. "Crap! Runaway bride!"

"Ha! Here I thought today was gonna be boring." Vanita laughed and gave chase with Venus and Roxas behind her.

Sora hefted up the skirts of the wedding dress as she ran out of her house and down the stone pavement towards the docks. She heard the calls and hails of her neighbors and friends, as well as the panicked shouts of Roxas and the girls.

This wasn't real. None of it was real! It was a dream, it had to be!

"Riku…" She sobbed out his name as she jumped into a nearby boat and quickly cast off. She paddled across the water towards the little island. Riku would be there, he had to be. Once she saw him, once they were face to face and in each other's arms again everything would be okay.

She spotted a figure standing out on the parapet. A man wearing a tux, and his silvery hair cut short and framing a face she couldn't quite make out.

Riku, it had to be Riku!

She jumped out the boat, nearly tripping on the skirts of her dress. She ran across the sand, her shoes kicking off leaving her feet bare. She pushed open the door of the shack and took the stairs two at a time. She raced across the wooden board and right for the silver haired man with his eyes on the horizon, and his back to her.

"Riku!" She ran to him, his body starting to turn and she just hugged him burying her face in his chest. "Thank goodness, thank goodness you're here! I've been going crazy!"

"I bet… this place plays tricks on your mind. I told you to stay where you were, and that I'd come to you."

Sora tensed up. This voice… was not Riku's voice. Her head slowly lifted and she looked into a pair of dual colored eyes.

"Who…" she blushed and pulled away but he held her wrists keeping her close. She opened her mouth to retort, but his face finally clicked in her memory. "Wait a minute, I know you."

"You do?" He slowly released her.

"Yeah, you're Yozora right?" She fidgeted a little under his intense stare.

"How do you know that?" He glared at her. "Who are you?"

"I'm Sora, it's nice to finally meet you." Sora laughed a little. "Actually there's something that I'm supposed to-"

"Sora? Did you say Sora?" He stepped closer again and made her fidget backwards.

"Uh, yeah… you're getting a little close there. I mean I'm the one that hugged you but- wait a minute. You know who I am?"

"Yeah, I've heard of you." He scanned her body up and down. So this girl, he thought with a frown, was his supposed Destiny? "You're not at all what I expected."

"I… don't understand. Who told you about me? Was it someone on the island or-"

"No… these things that you're seeing aren't real. They're simulations, images created using your memories. You shouldn't even be able to see my true face… which pegs the question on how you recognized me as Yozora."

"Oh… uh well it's kind of a long story." She jolted a bit as the images around started to flicker. "What's happening?"

"The simulation's broken… we're back on my playing field now."

"Uhh… come again?

"If you are who you say you are… and it was fate who brought us here… then my path is clear." He flexed his hand forming a kind of crossbow weapon and pointing it directly at her. Sora jerked back, the wedding dress disappearing and she was back in her vestments. She was somewhat relieved to be back in something normal, but the tense situation put her on edge.

"Whoa, hold on just a minute! What are you-"

"I accidentally wandered into this place, and I went through some trials." Yozora explained walking towards her and forcing her back further. The platform shifted and rose up, buildings and skyscrapers surrounding them in an unfamiliar scenery. "Then I was told to "Save Sora" and now here we are."

"What? Then what's with the weapon?"

"It's time to end this." taking out a second weapon he unleashed a sword of the same glowing red materials as the crossbow.

"Hey look, can't we just talk about thi-KYA!" Sora took the initial attack across the chest falling down and immediately felt her life force fade away. "Damn it! Fine! I guess we're doing this!" She jerked her hand out, her keyblade unleashing and she got into a defensive stance.

When the next attack came her way she blocked it with her blade, and used the forward movement to pull him into her attack. He was fast, she realized quickly, and powerful. His initial hit still hurt and it made her hard to breathe. She started to reach in her pouch for a potion, but had to quickly dodge roll out of the way as he lit up the platform with a barrage of laser bullets.

"Damn! This guy isn't playing around!" She quickly down the potion in one gulp and then unleashed a flurry of fire spells to give her some cover. She then double jumped the air, using it to glide right to him and exchange blows mid air.

She gave a quick airspin, then let gravity set her downward. She started to prep for another attack, but felt the blade of his sword cut across her back in one swift cut. Sora stumbled forward, her vision blurring immediately.

"W-What just…" she fell forward, and he caught her against him. Sora looked up into Yozora's eyes, her vision blurring. "Why?"

"I'm sorry… but I don't lose." He stroked her face, watching it begin to crystalize. "Forgive me," He kissed her forehead. "...but it's the only way to keep you safe."

"Riku?" Sora whispered, and felt a tear drip down her cheek and stay there as her entire body crystalized into a heartbreakingly beautiful statue.

"Sorry, I'm not Riku but…" He lay his hand over hers, and looked up at her with stern determination. "I will save you."

After all… you are my destiny.

THE END

~Ask Briry~

Bri: I hope you guys have enjoyed the ride. I may actually add an additional chapter covering Riku, Roxas, and the others as well as some Vanita side-story, but I'm thinking of holding off on those details as they may link into the next game. So for the moment I'm content with what I've offered, and I await your responses. Thanks for reading this and all your support! Until next time!

~Love Briry~