Disclaimer: not mine

So I'm replaying KH3 in proud mode and it got me thinking. At the beginning they complain Sora's lost all his power….so how come he can suddenly run up sheer cliffs? Never could do that before or use flowmotion in the waking world and yet here he is in Thebes doing both.

Chapter 8

Sora wriggled against Riku who clung to him, nuzzling at his throat, managing to get his shorts off rather than have to deal with Riku trying soon. He could feel Riku's need as if it was almost his own. He got his shirt off and then bit his lip at the feel of Riku pressed against him, skin against skin, able to feel sections of scales as well, it felt so different to when they'd sit together in the water or on the beach. It felt so good… he ran his hands up and down Riku's back, hearing familiar noises from him but also a funny feeling, like he was making noises beyond Sora's hearing range. He could feel more…could feel what little mental strength Riku had being used to hold them separate, grateful that even now Riku was trying to protect him.

He reached blindly for the beside table, searching. He didn't know how male Sirens worked or if whatever would let him get pregnant would help, but he knew his body was not meant for what was coming without some help. Riku was too far gone to try and get him to do it either, which meant he needed to keep Riku occupied. He nudged his head up before kissing him, glad to find more human teeth than normal as he deepened it, hoping it would feel good for Riku now.

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Roxas kept his hand resting gently against Axel's ever expanding mid-section, still awed by the idea that his pups were growing in there. He nuzzled at Axel who grinned at him, twining their fingers together.

"Okay?" Axel asked him.

"I…I don't want Sora to be gone," he admitted, relaxing when Axel's free hand moved to run through his hair. "I think maybe…."

"You share a parent?" Axel suggested, and Roxas' head snapped up in surprise. "Riku told me, Sora's male parent was killed by Siren's before he was born, but it's possible he didn't actually die."

That would make them siblings in a way, even if they were two very different species. Would that make Sora happy or sad? He might never know now. Unless somehow Riku could hold back but that wasn't possible, was it?

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Sora gasped, clinging to Riku, legs wrapped around him. He hated the unfocused look in cyan eyes, he wanted Riku to see him, he wanted…he felt a tear slip down his face. It was getting harder to focus, to think…he could feel it, Riku was losing what little hold he had over the connection. It felt so good…

"Ri…ku," he gasped, body practically shaking as Riku's teeth grazed his throat. Everything was becoming hazy…he couldn't fight it…didn't want to… "Lllo…" he struggled, he had to tell him. He could feel his limbs becoming numb…not his…his vision swimming. "Llloove…yu…" he slurred as everything faded away.

Sora's body went limp, limbs slipping away from Riku's body, glassy eyes locked onto Riku's face, a soft, adoring smile on his lips. Riku didn't react to the change and Sora moved limply beneath him as he continued to move inside of him. After a while, Sora moved, hands caressing Riku's body, but his expression never changed.

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Riku blinked dazedly, mind sluggish, feeling things he'd never felt before but for the moment his head was clearish. He felt a warm body beneath him and nuzzled at Sora's throat, recognising him instantly, but Sora didn't react when usually he'd laugh about Riku's hair tickling. He forced himself to lift his head only to stare into glassy blue eyes, realising Sora was lying utterly still beneath him, Sora was never so still…

"Sora?" he called to his mind, only to find he didn't need to reach, he was already in Sora's mind…it was empty; no thoughts, emotions, nothing.

He buried his head against Sora's shoulder, pleading with him to wake up but there was no response and he could feel his own body's need growing again. Shakily he reached for the nearby bottle, carefully tipping the water into Sora's mouth which he obediently swallowed, before drinking some himself. It was temporary…it had to be temporary.

He clung to Sora, apologising over and over, before kissing him but Sora didn't respond since Riku wasn't making him. He kissed him again, body starting to feel too hot and then he was nuzzling at him, clutching Sora even closer, instinct taking over again.

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Axel lifted his head, sensing the approach of two people through the cave, feeling Roxas tense, but then they both relaxed as the scent of Siren and human reached them, recognising who it was. Watching as Sora half carried Riku, he felt a glimmer of hope but then they got close enough to see their faces and that hope vanished at the look of devastation on Riku's face and the blank bliss on Sora's.

"No," Roxas murmured sadly.

Sora helped Riku back into the water, Riku's body changing back to his true form and then Riku reached for Sora who obediently got in as well, lying placidly in Riku's embrace.

"He won't wake up," Riku half sobbed.

"Can I see?" Axel asked carefully, knowing Riku's instincts would be going crazy.

The younger Siren looked up at him, and Axel took in the changes that had come with maturity. His upper body was definitely 'taller' and more muscular, face changed a little too. His fins were longer and sharper, as was his tail, though the colouring hadn't changed. With the damage he'd done to Xigbar before, Axel didn't want to risk agitating him…but Axel's own condition should help there. Riku finally managed a curt nod and Axel moved closer, able to feel Roxas tensing behind him.

Axel reached out and gently tipped Sora's head back, Sora trying to look back at Riku before suddenly letting Axel do as he wished, obviously due to Riku. It was obvious Sora didn't see him, didn't recognise him; utterly blank. He was completely under the Sirens spell and this time it seemed he might not be able to wake up at all. He was like those things he'd spotted human pups playing with that looked like miniature humans but had no life to them until made to move by the pup. He honestly didn't know if there was anything anyone could do and at the moment he couldn't exactly go looking for help.

"Keep trying, for now that's all you can do. After," he pressed a hand to his stomach, "there's someone who might know a way, but that's if we can find her and there's no guarantee."

Riku nodded sadly and just held Sora close, the human mostly limp in his arms, Riku obviously not wanting to make him do something.

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Roxas handed Sora a fish and the human ate it, staring off into space since Riku wasn't in the cave. He then scooped up some water and held it to Sora's lips, letting him drink. "That's good Sora, you're okay, you're safe," he told him.

He knew that even aware, Sora wouldn't understand him, but they all talked to him to try and give him something to latch onto. Riku was doing his best to separate Sora from him but so far there'd been no change in the human. It was why Riku was out in the cove with Axel, to try and get Sora aware of his surroundings in any way. He took Sora's hand, gently stroking the warm skin. He gently tugged Sora off the ledge, supporting him until he began kicking. Riku hated making Sora do things but they had all agreed he needed to be able to feed himself and things like that. Axel had helped teach Riku how to make it so that Sora would react automatically to certain things, like fish being put in his hand or being in water so that there'd be no risk of him drowning.

"Please wake up Sora, Riku needs you."

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Axel pressed a hand to his stomach, for the first time feeling movement…oh! Right, it was time. Even having gone through it before, he couldn't help feeling nervous. It was a completely natural process but still…what if something went wrong? None of them were healers or anything after all. He took a deep breath, no, nothing would go wrong; he was young and healthy and he hadn't done anything that would put the pups at risk.

He went to the corner of the cave he'd claimed for the occasion and made himself relax. The movement he was feeling was the pups hatching inside of him, ready to be born, so he still had some time.

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Riku cradled Sora in his arms, gently stroking his hand over his stomach, able to feel the growing bulge there, Sora staring at him adoringly but as blank as always. He'd pulled himself out of the water to give Axel and Roxas privacy for the birth, not sure he wanted to see or hear any of it anyway.

He was losing hope that Sora would ever wake up again, his mind utterly empty. No, his mind, everything that made him Sora, had been completely overwhelmed and it was all his fault. Roxas had suggested trying to switch him again, but that had killed Sora last time and who knew the kind of damage it would do to him if they did that again.

"Please Sora, come back to me," he pleaded into the emptiness. He took Sora's limp hand in his, entwining their fingers.

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Roxas stared in awe at the two tiny pups that remained, the rest gone to eventually join other pods. They were so small! Perfectly formed but tiny, he could hold both in one hand! They mostly looked like him, though one seemed to have Axel's hair colour. He looked up at Axel who was tired but grinning and he wanted to say something but he didn't know what.

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She swam on and on, following the directions she'd been given. She was so mad at them for leaving her behind! What if something had happened? What if Roxas…no, they'd be okay. They had each other and Axel would never let either of them get hurt. She just hoped the other Siren would accept her presence. He had to be a fierce warrior to have injured Xigbar so badly and that made her nervous. Why would they want to stay with someone like that?

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Kairi look at her phone but then forced herself to put it in her bag, heading out for work. She knew…she just knew that this time…Sora wouldn't be calling again, ever. Whether Riku had harmed him or something else had happened she didn't know and she wasn't sure she wanted the confirmation. It had been two months with no contact; she'd even rung the hospital near his place just in case he'd gotten sick again but there was nothing.

Part of her wanted to take a week and go to Sora's house, to see for herself if he was really gone but if Riku was the cause…then she'd be risking her own life for someone who was either dead or worse. She knew Sora would never want her to do that. And yet she was still tempted.

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Riku watched the two pups in awe, he'd been that small once? He didn't remember that far back, didn't really remember anything before he'd been taken. He didn't dare touch either, not wanting to set off Roxas' protective instincts, but he could watch them without upsetting him. They were working things out, becoming what Axel and Roxas called a pod, if a small one, but they weren't all the way there yet so they still had to be careful.

He wanted to bring Sora down, to show him what they had coming as well…but it wouldn't mean anything to Sora anymore. He'd been scared before, about carrying pups, and now he was but Sora was no longer able to recognise that, to share the wonder and excitement. Sora might never know their pups, any of them they ever had.

He swam back to the surface to find Sora sitting on the ledge like normal, blue eyes instantly locking hazily onto him, and it hurt. He moved to sit beside him, stroking Sora's hair, it was growing longer, the once short spikes a wild mess. He hated making Sora do things, but Sora stood and moved onto the rocks, moving around, exercising his body to keep it fit, Riku didn't want him to wake up and find his body weak or anything. Because he would wake up, he would.

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The crew worked well together, it wasn't the first time they'd targeted the beasts but usually it was to kill them, not capture. They were all looking forward to the thrill of the hunt and capture. A pity their employer wanted a young one, the older ones would make a more challenging job.

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Riku felt warm lips pressed to his, arms wrapped around him, hands running up and down his back, not having to avoid his fins... He slowly opened his eyes, meeting bright blue, and gasped. "Sora?"

"Riku," Sora smiled, and then kissed him again.

Riku clutched him closer and Sora moaned, rocking against him and it felt so good. everything felt warm and…hazy. Sora deepened the kiss, one hand moving up to tangle in his hair, fingers gently scratching his scalp and Riku moaned, fingers digging into Sora's hips before he pulled back, scared he'd hurt him…except his claws were gone…fingers human blunt. "Sss..Sora!" he gasped, staring into Sora's eyes, Sora was awake! Sora really wanted him.

"I'm here," Sora murmured, kissing his throat and Riku let his head fall back. "I love you Riku, remember that, I love you." Sora shifted on top of him and Riku's eyes widened as he felt tight heat around him, shifting, realising he had legs, bracing them as Sora moved. "I'm still here." Sora kissed him again.

It felt so good…it was hard to focus on what Sora was saying, it almost felt like his season again…his hand moved between them, pressing against Sora's flat stomach…flat. Slowly he realised…it wasn't real, he was dreaming, and he sobbed.

"Shh Riku, it's okay," Sora cupped his face. "I'm here, I'm real," Sora pressed their foreheads together. He pressed his hand against the one Riku had on his stomach, smiling shakily. His other hand moved back to Riku's hair, stroking it. "I'm still here Riku, I can hear you."

"Sora?" Riku whispered, and Sora nodded.

"Don't give up Riku, please," he begged before kissing him again, and Riku clung to him.

"I won't, I won't, I'll get you back," he swore, panting for air.

"I love you," Sora whispered. "I can feel them inside me, your pups, and I'm not scared anymore. I want them, I want you. I want to wake up," he promised.

Riku gasped, eyes opening to find he was sleeping under water…alone. He rushed to the surface and onto the ledge, looking to see Sora fast asleep in the bedding… a small smile on his lips. He reached for Sora's mind, finding nothing as always. "I won't give up," he told him.

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"I don't like the idea of leaving the two of you, not with Sora in this condition," Axel admitted.

"But it's because of his condition that you have to," Roxas told him. "We'll be fine. The cove is very obviously claimed territory now, and by a pod, not many will mess with that. If there's any chance of Sora waking up, we need help."

"I'll be back as soon as I can, it might take some time to find them, and…"

"And they might not know anything," Roxas nodded. "Just come back safe."

Axel snickered. "Worried about little old me, careful, don't want Xion to get jealous," he teased, but stopped when he saw Roxas' expression. "Hey, it'll be okay, she'll be here soon." With all his goodbyes said he set off into the open water.

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Barbossa laughed as the thrashing form was hauled aboard, the metallic blindfold and weird contraption to keep the Siren silent quickly attached. The crew were cheering and celebrating a successful hunt even as the boat turned for shore, they had what they'd been paid for, no point risking the wrath of its pod should they realise what had happened.

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Riku paused, the fish he'd been after darting away. He looked around warily and then headed for the cove entry, grabbing the approaching Siren. "Who are you?" he demanded.

The other thrashed against him but was easy to restrain. "Please…" the body against his was trembling, and Riku frowned but loosened his hold a little.

"Who are you?" he asked again, tone a little gentler as he realised they were a pup, then again he'd almost killed another Siren when a pup so he wasn't letting his guard down.

"X…Xion. I'm sorry…I thought…I'm looking for..."

"Roxas?" He asked, her reaction to the name obvious, and Riku let her go. Xion was the one Roxas had planned to spend his season with, maybe even mate. She spun to face him, nervous, and Riku held his hands up. "Easy, I'm sorry, I won't hurt you," he told her. "I'm Riku, I'll take you to Roxas."

She nodded nervously and when he swam off, she followed, keeping some distance between them. He entered the tunnel and glanced back, seeing her hesitating.

"It's okay," Riku told her, managing a smile for her, not that he felt like smiling very often anymore. She swam in and Riku kept going. "Roxas," he called and the blond looked over at him. "Visitor," he nodded and then swam for the surface to check on Sora.

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Visitor? Roxas looked towards the tunnel as a young Siren emerged, short black hair moving in the water, blue eyes wide as she looked around. "Xion!"

She looked at him, eyes widening even further as she looked him over. "Roxas?"

"You're here!" he grinned and swam over, hugging her. He felt her tense but then she relaxed in his arms. "I missed you," he murmured, nuzzling at her, and she nuzzled back.

"I was so scared when they came back without you and Axel."

"Sorry, but we had to stay and try to make things right?"

"What do you mean?" she asked, looking up in confusion. "Roxas, you…" she touched a fin and he nodded. "Who?"

"Axel. He's gone to look for help for Sora."

"Who's Sora?" she asked, and Roxas sighed.

"It's a long story." He smiled and nuzzled her again. "I'm so glad you're here."

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It was strange to travel alone, a little nerve-wracking too. They lived in pods for a reason after all, the seas were dangerous to a lone Siren. Still, Axel was on a mission and nothing was going to stop him. He owed Sora a debt and he would repay it, he would find a way to let those two be happy together, for Sora to wake up.

TBC…

So was that just a dream because Riku really wants Sora back, or was it really Sora somehow communicating with him? I know, but can you guess?