Disclaimer: not mine

BTW like I usually have them, Sora and co are older than in the game. He and Kairi are 16

Chapter 2

Goofy, Donald, and Pluto walked through town until something in the sky caught Goofy's attention and he stopped, gazing upward. Donald turned around as Goofy pointed up, Donald followed his gaze and gasped.

"Look, a star's goin' out!" Goofy told him as a bright star in the night sky twinkled and blinked out of existence.

Donald's face turned serious. "Come on. Let's hurry." Before more stars could go out.

Goofy nodded and they walked through the centre of the main district towards a flight of steps. The neon letters of the various shops blinked in the night air while a few townsfolk inhabited the picturesque town square. Pluto ran ahead of the two, exploring.

"Where's that key..." Donald grumbled.

"Hey, ya know, maybe we ought to go find Leon," Goofy suggested

They reached the top of the steps in front of an accessory shop and were about to enter when Pluto wandered off, sniffing around a dark alleyway.

Goofy noticed Pluto and stopped. "Uh, Donald. Ya know, I betcha that..."

"Aw, what do you know, you big palooka?" Donald snapped, walking on.

"What do I know? Hmm..." He pondered it for a second before following Donald. "Come on, Pluto."

The dog whined but then turned and followed the, confused by the scents in the alley.

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She groaned, shifting, feeling something beneath her that moved…breathing. She forced her eyes open, blinking until she realised she was seeing a familiar t-shirt. Sora! She could feel his body beneath her and shifted carefully, moving off of him. He sat slumped against a wall, head flopped to the side and it terrified her, but his chest was moving, he was breathing.

Kairi shivered and looked around, eyes widening as she took in what she could see…nothing like home. Were they really…in another World? She swallowed and turned back to Sora. If he was hurt then waking him could be dangerous, he could wake up fighting, but she had nothing on her to try and heal him. He had to wake up.

"Sora? Sora wake up," she called softly. She reached out and carefully stroked his throat, her touch light and gentle, humming softly. She couldn't imitate the noises they could make naturally so she had hummed to them for years, it had been Riku's idea, something they would recognise even when hurt or confused. The touch was to help him recognise that he was on land, if he was in the water she would touch his face. But it didn't work, Sora remained unconscious.

"Sora! Wake up, please," she begged, he was too heavy for her to carry.

He might not be as tall or as muscular as Riku, but his bones and muscles were still denser than a pure humans. She shook his shoulder, and Sora's head flopped, was this…was this because they'd left the Islands? What if Sora and Riku couldn't survive away from their home? No! He was fine, he would be fine. She looked around but it was quiet…

"HELP! SOMEONE HELP US!" she screamed, hoping whoever heard her would not be an enemy.

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Yuffie paused, frowning in concentration. Had she heard…. "Leon!" She called, taking off running. That had definitely been a cry for help, not something they dared to ignore, even in the supposedly safe First District. She landed on the edge of the roof and looked down to see a girl in the alley…no, a boy too, his body limp as the girl tried to move him. She glanced at Leon as he peered over the edge beside her. He nodded and she dropped over the edge, landing on a barrel before stepping down.

"Are you hurt?" she called, and the girl spun to face her, clutching the boy close. There was no sign of blood and he was breathing which was good. She held her hands up to show she was unarmed. "Easy, my name's Yuffie, that's Leon over there. We just wanna help. Are you new here?" she didn't recognise them so she figured they were, she knew all the kids in town, they kept them in the First District for safety.

"I…I'm Kairi, this is Sora. He won't wake up," the girl answered, looking between them. "We were on the Island and this strange storm hit, it tore the island apart…something took Riku." She held her arm up to reveal they were literally tied together, clever, and it had worked.

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Leon moved closer slowly, he could look rather intimidating to people who didn't know him. He crouched down just out of reach, looking them over. "We need to get you both inside where it's warm and we can look him over, alright?" he asked, and Kairi stared at him before nodding slowly. He reached out and untied the cord from Sora's wrist before lifting him, surprised by the weight to him, he wasn't an overly large teen and yet he was a lot heavier than he looked.

He didn't want to move Districts when the kid could have bad internal injuries so he headed for the Accessory shop. He shoved the door open and Cid looked up in surprise but saw the kid and cleared off the counter top. Leon carefully lay the boy down and they began examining him. Leon lifted a limp head and Cid carefully fed him an Elixir to be safe, travel between Worlds could have drained whatever natural magic the boy had after all. Thankfully, his colour improved as Cid massaged his throat to make him swallow. The kid suddenly choked and gasped, thrashing against them, and Leon found himself sprawled on the ground. He blinked and found the boy crouched, staring around with wild eyes.

"Sora!" the girl called his name. She began to hum softly as she approached him. "It's okay, I'm here."

Sora made a noise that didn't sound right, back pressed to the wall, but he didn't try to attack them. Leon got up slowly and looked at Yuffie to make sure she'd stay back, not wanting to scare either of the kids.

"It's okay Sora," she whispered, and blue eyes focused on her…were they glowing? No, a trick of the light. She reached out, stroking his throat, and that seemed to calm him. "That's it, I'm here," she pressed her body against his, resting her head on his shoulder, still humming, and he slowly relaxed, arms lifting to wrap around her, even nuzzling at her gently.

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"Kairi?" Sora mumbled, able to smell her, feel her body pressed against him. He nuzzled at her, feeling confused. Home…nothing smelt like home. He felt her arms tighten around him, smelt the salt of her tears, and moved one hand from her waist to coax her head up. "Kairi?"

"I... I thought I was going to lose you," she whispered, and he rubbed his cheek against hers, trilling ever so softly, knowing they weren't alone.

He could smell three others, two male and one girl…all human. He pulled back to look around, not recognising anything, still holding her close. "Where are we?" he asked, a hand rubbing up and down her back, feeling she was cold, and the girl moved to the fireplace to light it, warming the room.

"Traverse Town," the younger of the two men answered.

"This is Leon and Cid, I'm Yuffie."

Traverse Town…another World? Riku… "Is Riku here?" he asked.

"Riku?" the older man…Cid asked.

"Yeah…this pool of darkness swallowed him, I tried to get to him but I…" he shuddered and Kairi kissed the side of his throat, offering comfort. "Do you think he's here too?"

"What's he look like, we can organise a search," Yuffie offered.

Sora gave a basic description, Riku's hair colour made him very distinctive among humans after all, so did his eye colour actually. Anyone who saw him would recognise him, surely. Sora's Mum thought it was good that he had inherited her colouring and not his Dad's, it made him curious since he'd never seen any pictures of the merman. Would he have been as exotic as Riku if he'd taken after his Dad?

"Let's get you two settled," Cid said, watching Kairi, and Sora could feel her flagging so he nodded.

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As soon as the door shut, Kairi was plastered against him, and he buried his face in her hair, letting out his grief, blaming himself for not getting to Riku in time. Kairi moved them over to the bed, stripping him off and then they fell onto the mattress. They curled together, limbs entangled, Kairi caressing his back and sides, just letting him get it out, even if most of the noises he was making were outside of her hearing range.

Yuffie had just grinned at her when she'd asked about a bath tub, obviously assuming it was for her, but it was the only way she could think of to give Sora some kind of ability to soak in water. She didn't know how long he could go without and didn't want to find out, they'd never even thought to test his tolerance. And if Riku wasn't here…what if he couldn't get access to enough water to even partially submerge? He was full blooded, she knew what would happen if he went too long; he'd become weaker and weaker and in the end…it could kill him.

"Kairi," he whimpered, and she wrapped herself tighter around him. "It…it wasn't him, something was controlling him," he half sobbed. "He sounded like he hadn't spoken in weeks and his eyes…they were glassy, unfocused, but he was manic, going on about leaving and maybe never going home again. He…he didn't respond to anything but human speech. That's not him!"

She nuzzled at him, stroking what skin she could reach, trying to sooth him. Oh Riku…"We'll find him, somehow," she swore and then gasped as Sora kissed her, one hand tangling in her hair. She kissed back but then pulled away to catch her breath, searching his eyes for any sign…

"It's not…" he shook his head. "Promise." His eyes were clear and focused, proving what he was saying, this wasn't what their parents worried about, though not as much with him as Riku. He leant in again and she kissed him, hands moving into his hair.

"Come on," she stood, tugging at his hand and he followed her into the bathroom, seeing the bathtub.

Kairi turned the taps on, filling the tub, and Sora stepped in, laying down in the bottom, sighing in pleasure as he shed his human form. It was cramped, his tail too long for the tub, but it was obvious Sora didn't care. She let the tub fill as far as was safe and then slipped into the lukewarm water with him, lying half on top of him, and he wrapped his arms around her. She stroked his sides and chest, hearing the soft noises he made, gradually fully relaxing as her hand ran over flesh and the occasional scale. He didn't have the patterning Riku and the others had on his upper body, just a random scattering of small scales here and there. She ran her hand through wild spikes and he pressed into her hand, seeking more affection than was normal even between them, but she understood. She kissed him and he pulled her more firmly on top of himself, careful not to scrape her skin on his scales.

They'd never said anything about what was between the three of them, it had just always existed. They had never kissed before but she needed it as bad as he did, the assurance they still had each other, that they'd find Riku and bring him home. Kissing was more a human thing too, but Sora seemed very eager and she'd seen Riku watching Selphie and Wakka before, not disgusted but curious. She loved them both and she would not let anything separate them. She knew if they ever moved beyond cuddling that she would need to be careful with Riku, she knew he had iron control but she didn't want to risk breaking that. She knew Riku would never forgive himself if he hurt her or Sora.

"Love you, love you both," she whispered, hearing the high pitched whistle Sora let out at that, bright blue, glowing, eyes widening before he smiled softly, pressing his hand gently to her Heart. His smile was wide enough to reveal his sharper back teeth and then he mouthed the words back at her before nuzzling at her, hands caressing her sides.

Eventually she had to get out, drying off before kissing him softly. "Stay in Sora, there's no telling how often you'll get the chance," she told him, and he nodded, holding her hand in his, the very shallow webbing between his fingers almost tickling her skin.

She went back to the bed and crawled in, closing her eyes to try and sleep. She knew Leon hadn't liked the idea of them sharing, what with them being teenagers, but nothing like that was going to happen, not when it was just the two of them. They couldn't risk it turning to a mating bond without Riku there, they would never do that to him.

She barely stirred hours later when the bed dipped and Sora joined her, wrapping around her.

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Riku woke on a cold stone platform, completely disorientated. His fingers twitched and he opened his eyes, able to smell crisp fresh water all around, blinking in confusion when he saw a large waterfall and crystalline rock platforms floating in the air…except the water was somehow flowing upwards instead of down. The sounds of the Rising Falls filled his ears, and he slowly got to his feet.

"Where...am I?" he pressed a hand to his head, he felt so strange, what had happened? The mist in the air was helping clear his head and he was beginning to feel sick. Sora…he remembered Sora yelling at him to wake up, had he been talking? But it wasn't him…then blackness. "Sora! Kairi!" he yelled, looking around, where were they? They had to be here! He let out a call, knowing Sora would respond…but there was nothing.

He crumpled to his knees, what was he meant to do now? He took in a shaky breath and then his head snapped up as he sensed someone approaching. Riku got back to his feet, staring at the tall female figure, a staff in one hand, clothed in black. Something about her put him on edge and he glanced around for an exit.

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She stared at the child before her, was this the one Ansem had said he would send to her? She smirked slightly, well, young he may be, but he was most definitely not human. "Welcome to my home young one, are you lost?" she asked, fingers stroking over the orb on her staff, tiny tendrils of magic reaching through the air between them.

His last message had been clear, the boy had resisted every subtle attempt to lead him into the Darkness. They needed him, he could not be allowed to say no, and she would use whatever means necessary to ensure his cooperation. He looked exhausted already which would make things easier.

"Where am I?" he asked warily.

"The World known as Hollow Bastion. Come, you look exhausted. Some food, healing, and then sleep will do you a world of good."

He shook his head, eyes seeming to almost reflect the glow of the falls. "I can't…I have to find my friends."

"I am sorry dear boy, but they did not come to this World or else I would have sensed their arrival. Once you have rested, we can speak on how you can travel between Worlds to find them and perhaps some of my companions will have come across them."

She could see his natural suspicion waring with exhaustion and the magic in the air. Her fingers moved over the orb again and he blinked, yawning. "Come and rest, you'll be able to search far easier with a clear mind," she told him, and slowly the boy nodded. She smiled and placed a hand on his shoulder, the two of them vanishing from the Falls to reappear in an empty bedroom. She guided him to the bed and he collapsed on it, barely able to keep his eyes open. "What is your name child?"

"Ri…ku…" his eyes slid shut in sleep, and she smirked.

"Then sleep Riku and listen well. You will serve me child, you will pledge yourself to our cause, and obey my every command," she told him firmly, allowing the magic to fully take hold. Her power lay in sleep, she could not take control of him awake as Ansem had apparently done, but asleep he was vulnerable. It would not take long to turn the suspicious boy into a loyal servant.

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Leon watched the two kids emerge late in the morning and was glad to see they looked a lot better after a night's sleep. He wasn't dressed too badly in longish if loose pants and a t-shirt, but her clothing would need seeing too, she'd freeze and it was obviously his jacket she was wearing. They were hardly the first to show up needing new clothes, it wasn't like anyone got to pack a bag before being flung from their world, well, except Sora did actually have one.

He just hated having to give them bad news, they'd searched all `three Districts with no results. Sora took one look at him and slumped. "I'm sorry," he offered. The kid was either on another World somewhere…or worse.

Kairi nodded, "thank you for trying to find him." she clung to her friends hand, staying close.

"Right, time to eat and then shop!" Yuffie bounced on her heels. "You'll freeze in that here. We'll find you something cute and practical, don't worry."

Leon shook his head as the poor kids were overwhelmed by the hyperactive ninja. Aerith had sent word that someone was looking for him, but he had a duty to make sure these two were safely settled first. So they got them some food and headed out, Kairi being whisked into a store by Yuffie, while Leon guided Sora to another. "Ever used a weapon?" he asked.

"Wooden swords with my friends," he shrugged and then frowned. "Oh, and this thing showed up." He concentrated and Leon stared in shock as he summoned a Keyblade.

He pressed a hand to the bridge of his nose. "Do you know what that is?" he asked, and Sora shook his head. "That, is the Keyblade. But why? Why would it choose a kid like you?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Sora demanded warily.

"Never mind. Well…at least you've used a wooden sword. Can you send it back? You'll start attracting Heartless and this is the only safe District. Thankfully the blade vanished. "I can get you started on the basics but most of it will be learning as you go."

"What do you mean?" he asked as they entered the store, Leon changing his mind and directing him to the clothing meant for people who would be fighting.

He helped the teen pick out several items, waiting for him to try them on until he found something he was comfortable with. "Find a mage and they can add magic to the clothing to help you out. I'd suggest Merlin but who knows where or when he is at the moment." He even paid for the clothing and some accessories to help keep Sora safe, teaching him about the different kinds as well as the various potions and things.

As they walked around he began explaining about the Worlds and Heartless, Sora listening intently.

"So…I have the key?"

"And he Heartless have great fear of the Keyblade. That's why they'll keep coming after you no matter what."

"Well, I didn't ask for this," Sora denied.

"The Keyblade chooses its master. And it chose you, so tough luck," he hated putting a kid into the middle of things but there was no other choice, the Keyblade had made its choice. "Sooner or later, the Heartless will find you. You'd best prepare yourself," he warned.

"Prepare myself?"

"Sora!" Kairi called, and they both turned to see her and Yuffie running over, the girl much more sensibly dressed now, a few simple accessories added as well.

Sora grinned at her and caught her. "You look great."

"You're just saying that to keep out of trouble."

"Well…yeah," the boy shrugged and she laughed at him.

Hmm...was letting them live together really that smart? Teens weren't known for making the best choices and the last thing they needed was for the Keyblade Master to be a Father-to-be anytime soon. He walked over to Yuffie, leaving the kids to it.

"You took him for a full outfitting?" she asked quietly.

"He has the Keyblade," he answered, smirking when her jaw literally dropped.

He looked up at the sound of running. "Heartless in the hotel!" the man yelled, and Leon called his Gunblade.

"Sora! Let's see what you can do with that Keyblade," he called, and the teen shifted nervously before nodding.

"Stay here Kairi," he told her before the Keyblade appeared in his hand and they ran for the Second District.

Leon cut through the Shadows and Soldiers easily, frowning before he realised. "Don't bother with the small fry. Find the leader! Let's go!" he yelled, pausing to check the kid was doing okay, smirking when he saw him destroying the Shadows, thankfully showing that yes, he had had years of practice even if only with a wooden blade against other kids. He ran, heading for the Third District.

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Sora sighed as he lay on the ground, the weight of two bodies pinning him down, he could get up, but not without tossing them rather forcefully and that would be rude when they hadn't attacked him.

"The key!" they both called in delight and Sora shoved up, giving them the hint. They scrambled off him and he stared, okay… but it also had him giddy inside, they were very obviously not human! Surely that meant they could find a World that would accept the three of them!

Of course, that was when the District started to rumble and they looked

around, scrambling up. Large blocks appeared from the ground and covered the exits, Heartless surrounding them as they stood almost back to back, ready to fight.

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Goofy looked at the boy as the Keyblade vanished. He was just a kid, well, not an adult anyway. Still, he'd done a good job against those Heartless and he didn't seem scared of how different they looked to him which was good. They'd found the key just like the King told them too!

"So, you were looking for me?" the boy asked, shifting a little in place.

They both nodded. "Uh-huh!"

"They, too, have been seeking the wielder of the Keyblade," Leon called as he joined them.

"Hey, why don't you come with us? We can go to other worlds on our vessel," Goofy offered.

"I wonder if I could find Riku…but what about Kairi, I can't just leave her," he shook his head.

"We'll look after her Sora, I'm sure Yuffie will be happy to teach her all she wants to know about fighting. And this would be your best chance of finding Riku, he's not here so he's out there somewhere," Leon told the kid.

"Of course you can find him," Donald agreed.

"Are you sure?" he whispered, and Donald shrugged slightly.

"Who knows? But we need him to come with us to help us find the King."

"Sora, go with them. The Heartless will be drawn to the Keyblade which means for now, Kairi will be safer,"

"Without me," he finished softly for Leon, and Goofy felt bad for him. "Yeah, I guess."

"But you can't come along looking like that. Understand?" Donald wagged a finger at him. "No frowning. No sad face. Okay?"

"Yeah, ya gotta look funny, like us!" Goofy nodded.

"This boat runs on happy faces."

"Happy?" Sora looked at Leon, were they for real? How could he be happy when he was leaving Kairi behind for the chance to find Riku? One trait he had definitely gotten from his Dad…their kind did not do well alone and he'd be going with strangers.

"Just fake it," Leon advised.

Great.

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Donald studied the kid as they headed back to the First District, he didn't look like much at all but…he could sense a deep well of magic, maybe a thunder affinity? Well, he'd have to start teaching him, wonderful.

"Sora!" a girl's voice called and then Sora was running towards a redhead, had to be the Kairi he didn't want to leave.

They were hugging very tightly, Sora whispering to her and she shook her head clinging to him. he tapped his foot, impatient to leave, but Goofy frowned and shook his head.

"Who knows when we'll be back Donald," he reminded him.

Sora stroked her hair gently, pressing their faces together until she turned her head for a kiss. Donald turned his back, not wanting to see that. How old were they anyway?!

"Ready," Sora finally said, and they headed out before he could change his mind, Donald seeing him watching the girl over his shoulder as they passed through the gates to where the ship was waiting.

TBC…

While Sora and Kairi are touching a lot, even when naked, they aren't having sex or anything. Mers are very tactile and she's spent the last decade growing up with that. it's normal to them. That was their first kiss, brought on by adrenaline, stress, and the fear of losing each other.