1This chapter sucks! That's all I can say about it. I was going to add more interesting stuff, but it turned out being sooooooo long and I didn't want to set anyone's hopes high that my chapters will get longer...cause I don't think they will be. I really hope this chapter doesn't bore you to death; I know it nearly killed me to type it up. Anyways, I promise to make the next chapter much better, that means it'll be a while until the chapter goes up, but you'd rather wait and have a really good chapter than rush me and have a repeat of this one, right? I'll understand if you flame me over this one, I don't think some of the characters are OOC, but that could just be me. I must thank the reviewers! So RikuRox(Glomps just because the sexyman's name is in her username) Thank you! And also, I have to acknowledge Kuramasgirl13 again because she always reads my chapters before I put them up and I know it must be hard to read my chicken scratch handwriting(though this chapter was typed) and for helping me with the title so, thank you so much! Now, try not to fall asleep while reading and maybe you'll enjoy it! Please review the crappiness and I'm sorry that it is so crappy.


Chapter 4: Understanding

Everyone was finally in Cid's shop now. And with everyone meaning Riku as well, Sora could sit grinning happily while listening to everyone scold him over his rash actions knowing Riku was sitting safely next to him, tuning every word out.

"So, what do we do now?" Donald's voice reached Sora's ears and he turned to the duck, cocking his head in a questioning fashion.

"What do you mean, we still have to find Kairi and King Mickey." Was Sora's isn't-it-obvious reply. They had come so close to getting Kairi back, they couldn't stop now.

"Yeah, but where are we going to start? We haven't found any signs of the King and I doubt Kairi will be at Hollow Bastion, not after what happened last time we were there."

"You're wrong." Riku was finally listening to the conversation and decided to put in his two cents, "There's no one left to take her out of there now, since Maleficent's gone; and she can't go anywhere without her heart." Sora stared at Riku, taking in all that he had said. So Kairi was at Hollow Bastion. Then they had to go.

"To Hollow Bastion then." Sora announced in a commanding voice. He stood up and looked around at his companions with a let's-get-goin', yet if-that's-alright-with-you expression. He wanted to make sure everyone agreed before he stormed through the accessory shop doors again.

Donald and Goofy both jumped up as well and gave shouts of agreement. Riku just smirked, nodding his head slightly. He couldn't be all too enthusiastic about this; he felt that Kairi had caused most of this to happen in the first place. Before, she was his living proof that there were other worlds and that only strengthened his urge to leave the islands. She had come between him and Sora, causing them to slowly separate. She had turned into the object of Sora's search and that had only made Maleficent's words seem more sensible, because of that Riku had actually believed that Sora didn't care about him any more. And in the end, she had caused him to accept the darkness. In spite of this, Riku still couldn't hate her, or even dislike her; it was all done indirectly, she wouldn't have wanted any of this to happen, he knew.

Sora grinned, content with everyone's answer, and turned to the door. But Aerith and Yuffie were standing in the way, looking quite innocent, which gave the impression that they were up to something.

"I know your friends mean a lot to yo all, and I can understand why you'll say no at first, but-" Aerith now took over. It was all too coordinated, like they had been planning this for weeks, "We think you might need to take a break. You've been searching so hard and for so long, and your wounds haven't had time to heal completely, that last battle not helping in the least certainly. Maybe you should rest for a while, somewhere you won't have to fight or worry, just relax." She sounded like an annoyingly irresistible salesgirl, but her charm wasn't going to work on Sora. Now that he knew Kairi had to be a Hollow Bastion he wasn't going to waste time and nothing was going to stop him from going

"No way! I'm not going to stop until I get Kairi and her heart back. Besides, all the worlds have been connected, there isn't a single place that doesn't have Heartless, not even the ones I've sealed."

"We know that. Besides, we were thinking that Merlin could do something. You know, use his magic to send you somewhere, or in the least create a place you can go. It might not be real, but maybe he could even send you back to your islands." Yuffie said, both her and Aerith giving pleading looks. Sora had to admit, the thought of seeing Destiny Islands again was almost overwhelming, but still...Kairi. Before he could make up his mind, which was almost set form the start, Riku stood up and walked up next to him.

"I think it's a good idea." He stated, giving Sora a reassuring smirk, "Kairi won't be going anywhere." He had a point, but Sora still wasn't completely convinced and his brows knitted together with concern. Riku shook his head and threw an arm around the other boy's neck, flicking him in the head, "Don't worry so much, why pass up this chance. I know you want to see home again." He could tell Sora missed the islands and knew that the rest would do him good. Though, he himself didn't really want to go back, not after he had wanted so badly and tried so hard to get away. That's not to say he wouldn't gladly trade the events that had occurred after leaving so everything could return to normal again. That way he wouldn't have caused Sora so much pain; that way he wouldn't be in so much pain.

"I guess...you're right, there isn't really any danger for her to get into now." His words came a little hesitantly, but he gave a smile that said he finally agreed and Aerith and Yuffie quietly cheered at their success.

"Great, we can use the door to the Third District, Merlin's house is close to there and we'll be able to avoid and Heartless pretty easily." Yuffie said, slipping out the door and holding it open for everyone. Cid and Leon were the only ones to stay back; it wasn't their idea so they weren't going to get involved.

It was an easy walk to Merlin's beat up little shack, they never caught sight of even one Heartless. The only problems occurred when they actually reached the cave and they had to cross those constantly moving rocks. Goofy hit the water twice before finally making it across and Sora nearly fell in himself; thankfully, Riku was there to catch his wrist and pull him back on balance. Sora noticed that Riku had been sticking right next to him ever since they left the accessory shop and he was just a little curious as to why. Usually Riku

would be up in the front leading the way or, if he didn't know where they were going, he'd be the last one. But here he was, standing next to him in the middle of it all. Maybe Riku was more serious about his promise than Sora had originally thought. Inside the house it was empty of like, but all of Merlin's furniture and what-not was there so he had to be nearby.

"Well, guess we'll just have to make ourselves at home until Merlin gets here." Yuffie plopped herself into the chair sitting on the raised platform in the center of the one-room house and kicked her feet up onto the table in front of it. Aerith sat down on the bed and Riku and Sora took their places on the stairs.

Might as well pass the time with a little conversation, Riku decided, leaning back and propping himself up on one of the higher steps behind him with his arms, "So, you know this Merlin guy?" Sora, being a couple steps below Riku, rolled back against the steps to see the other boy better; though it was a rather uncomfortable spot since one of the stairs' edge was digging into his back.

"Yeah," He replied with a short nod, "He's a wizard, from another world I think. He can be a little absent-minded some times and it looks like his magic's out of control, but there's nothing to worry about." He flashed Riku a grin and the other just shook his head with an amused smirk.

"Well, that makes me feel a whole lot better about this. I just might have to go now." Sora sat up and spun around, trying to sit cross-legged without falling over on the narrow step.

"What do you mean? You're the one who wanted to go. You'd better not be losing your nerve." Sora gave his friend a serious, yet at the same time comical-looking pout and folded his arms across his chest, "You are coming with me, right?"

Riku stood and patted Sora's spiky head,which ended up getting him shoved off the stairs, "Yeah, don't worry, I'm going. Why should I pass up this opportunity to see home again?" He could have answered his own question with a number of responses, but the one reason he had for going outweighed all the ones for not' if it made Sora happy for

him to be there, he'd be there.

"So, where's this wizard anyways? I don't plan on waiting all day." And as if in response a loud explosion thundered above them and a panel in the ceiling slowly descended to the floor, the blue-robedstanding on it with splintered pieces of wood scattered around him.

"Chairs..." he grumbled, rolling up his long, flared sleeves and pulling out a skinny stick, which he pointed at the splinters, "don't know why they have to get an attitude." The wood began to glow and the put itself back into a couple of chairs. Merlin sighed and walked over to his chair on the platform with hopes of collapsing into it. Of course he didn't notice the half asleep ninja already occupying it. He sat down right on top of Yuffie and she let out a yelp, jumping and throwing the unsuspecting wizard to the floor. She looked down at Merlin, a little surprised to find it was him on the floor, but nonetheless glared at him.

"What's the big idea old man? You trying to squish me?" Merlin stood up and brushed himself off, glancing around his tiny house to find a grinning Sora and some other boy looking at him with a raised brow and somewhat amused expression.

"Well, youngster," He directed his direction back to Yuffie, "If I'm not mistaken, you were sitting in my chair, and you are in my house, therefore I would have a right to sit on you if I wished, I suppose." He calmly walked back over to his chair, which was now Yuffie-free, and sat down.

"I don't think so!" Yuffie snapped, her foot stomping on the floor and a balled fist threatening to do an uppercut right to the wizard's chin. Merlin shook his head and, when Yuffie's mouth opened to make a retort, his hand shot up, silencing her before she started.

"I can see you're here for a more important reason than bickering so out with it then." His eyes fell on Sora and the boy looked around confusedly for someone behind him. When it was clear the old man's gaze was on him, he laughed nervously, scratching the back of his head nervously while mumbling inaudibly. He was finding it hard to word this request the right way and, for some reason, it felt weird asking for it. Maybe because he still wasn't sure about going through with this; he just couldn't stop worrying about Kairi. Riku and Yuffie simultaneously rolled their eyes and shook their heads, releasing a sigh at Sora's antics.

"What he's trying to say," Yuffie muttered, still a little angered about being sat on, "Is that he's been pushing himself too hard and now he needs a Heartless-free place to take a break. Think you can manage it, old man?" Merlin crossed his arms and his eyes closed, running through all the magic he knew that might help. Everyone was staring in anticipation, which he could feel and it was slowly chipping away at his concentration. He growled softly as he found it harder and harder to think of spells. Then his eyes popped open, nearly sending everyone through the roof, so transfixed on him that the sudden movement startled them.

"Well," Their hearts stopped fluttering like crazed birds and they stared intently at Merlin again, "there is something that I can do to help you with what you want. You won't actually be sent anywhere, at least physically anyways, but, more like your spirit will. It will essentially be like a dream; your body will remain here in a dormant state while your mind will be where ever it is you go. And unlike a dream, you'll have complete control over your actions."

"That's perfect." Yuffie chimed, looking to Aerith, "What do you think?" She smiled broadly and nodded in agreement, "It'll give his body time to recover while he can still have fun." Aerith said, hoping it would satisfy Sora. The boy looked from Aerith to Yuffie to Merlin then Riku, who simply shrugged and muttered, "It doesn't matter to me." Sora smiled at his friend's carefree response and returned his gaze to the wizard.

"Well, since everyone likes the idea, we'll go with that one." Merlin stood up from his oh-so-comfy chair a little reluctantly and once again rolled up his sleeves.

"Then let's begin."