Disclaimer: Characters/Locations are property of Square and/or Disney. I own nothing.

Break The Chains That Bind Us

Chapter Five

Kaze rested his head against the cool glass surface of the window as the train returned to Twilight Town. He'd gone over everything Namine had told him repeatedly since leaving, each time becoming more painful than the last. He wasn't even meant to exist, that's what she'd said, that he was just a part of someone else. What had he been expecting? Whatever it was, it sure hadn't been anything like that. He'd known right from arriving in that other world, that something hadn't been right, but to be told that it was because he wasn't supposed to exist…

Still, that wasn't Sora's fault. In fact, he was grateful to Sora. It was because of him that he did exist. When he could finally find him, he'd make sure to help Sora in any way possible. If he wasn't meant to be here, then there was nothing he could do to change that, but couldn't he at least make the most of it?

But first, he would have to go through whatever this 'Awakening' was and from what he'd understood; he didn't seem to have much choice in it. It didn't sound like something that was going to be very much fun…

Sighing, he drew his head away from the windowpane as the train pulled up into the station. At least for now he was able to come back home. He'd even managed to arrive back the same morning he'd left. No one had probably noticed that he had gone missing in the night. Would he finally be able to explain things to his friends now? He'd had a hard enough time understanding everything himself…

Seeing the empty streets beyond the window, Kaze smiled as he stood up and moved towards the doors. Explaining might be the easy part, but what about getting them to believe him in the first place?

The doors parted, allowing him to step outside. As his feet touched the solid ground of the street, he felt his heart skip a beat, his breath catching in his throat.

The world he stood in wasn't his Twilight Town.

"Utter silence…"

He still knew this place. The skyscrapers, the pitch-black darkness that the streets were plunged into…

…It was that same world he had first found himself in.

"No… Not here. Please not here…"

Why had he stepped out into this world? He had seen his Twilight Town, his home when he'd just looked outside the window.

Taking in a deep mouthful of the cold air, Kaze warily began moving through the desolate streets. He'd left this place before; he could do it again. There was no need to panic; all he needed to do was find one of those doorways…

The entire city felt surreal. It had been unsettling when he had last been there, but there was something different now. Something that only served to make him feel more anxious than he already was.

He emerged into a large plaza, overlooked by a towering building that felt disturbingly familiar. A flat screen lay across the top of it, flickering with fuzzy images that he could barely make out.

A girl, a beach, flashes of silver hair and cloudless blue sky…

His gaze drifted downwards, to the steps at the foot of it. He recognized the person who stood at the top of them. Their back was to him, but there was no mistaking those clothes, the hair…

He couldn't be here. Namine had said he wouldn't wake up for a while yet, so why was he here, in this world? Why was he standing there?

"Sora?"

The boy turned slowly to look at him with glazed, blank eyes, his face expressionless. Pushing aside the little voice at the back of his mind that was screaming at him to leave, Kaze started to approach him, only stopping when he was close enough to notice that Sora didn't appear to be looking at him; it felt more like he was looking into him. A glassy stare that pierced into his very soul.

"Something so simple…"

A bitter chill crept down Kaze's back. "Sora…"

Shadows moved to his sides. Spinning around, Kaze found himself surrounded by brightly glowing amber eyes and small black forms; their limbs coiled, ready to leap. He looked back to the building to locate Sora, but he was no longer standing at the foot of it.

There was no sign of him at all.

Before Kaze could call out, the creatures sprang at him. Bringing an arm up to cover his face, he cringed, expecting to feel their clawed hands tear into him, but the only feeling was one of sudden glowing warmth on his flesh. He gingerly pulled his arm away.

"The memory beyond…"

Radiant sunlight almost blinded him. Blinking a few times, Kaze shielded his eyes as he stared out at the landscape before him. An endless cyan coloured ocean, the sound of faint waves crashing against the golden sand beneath his feet…

A beach, he was standing on a beach. He knew from the images in his dreams that this was Sora's home. So serene and tranquil, yet there was a nagging feeling of unease. This wasn't right, none of it was right. How could he be there?

The peaceful scene swiftly shifted. The world around him melted, the surrounding sandy floor dissolving, as dark purple clouds swallowed the sky and sea. The ground he was standing on disappeared as it too was devoured, leaving him to fall backwards and plunge into the darkness that had replaced everything.

"Distant hearts…"

His fall slowed as the blackness around him was joined by something else. A brightly coloured circle of decorated glass below.

"… when rejoined as one…"

The picture that was displayed was easy for him to make out. As Kaze gently landed on a far side of it, he backed away, looking down at the stain-glass image of a boy.

"… may find the light within."

An image of Sora.

He spun around to look at his surroundings, but there was nothing to take in. Apart from the platform he stood on, there were only deep shadows around him. Kaze cautiously walked forward.

"Take out your weapon, Keyblade Master."

His weapon? Kaze frowned. He didn't have a weapon. His panic grew as white creatures began to rise from the surface of the glass, oozing forms taking shape as their bodies manifested. Bladed arms hung at their sides, their tear-shaped faces parted to reveal rows of needle sharp teeth.

"Your hearts are connected. Take out your weapon."

He didn't need to be told twice. Closing his eyes, Kaze focused on re-calling Sora's memories. A Key shaped weapon that used many forms… Was that what he was supposed to be looking for? Then how could he use it?

Two images stood out more clearly than the others. A sleek black and a solid white one, each with similar wing shaped handles. The names came to him with ease – Oblivion and Oathkeeper.

Kaze yelped in surprise as he opened his eyes to see the weapons forming, one in each hand.

So, that was a Keyblade…

The creatures took their chance to lunge. He swung both Keyblades wildly, cutting down one of the white forms. Oathkeeper connected with another of the entities as it surged forward. He spun around, slamming Oblivion into a third.

Cracks began running through the platform.

"Light, dark…"

Kaze scrambled backwards, slashing at the silver beings, as they pressed closer towards him.

"… and In-between."

The platform shattered sending him plummeting into the black depths.

"You are of the third."

Another circle formed of the same colourful glass came into view beneath him. This one wasn't just adorned with an image of Sora. Small portraits of people from Sora's memories lined the edges, while one of his other half with a golden Keyblade in hand filled the centre. Kaze didn't have time to look at any of them in detail, as he felt himself hit the surface; this time the landing wasn't quite so gentle.

"As are they."

Kaze picked himself up tentatively. 'They'? He glanced around, confused.

"Find the boy, once he awakens…"

He froze as he felt a shadow fall over him. He turned, gripping both Keyblades tightly.

Behind him, something rose up at the edge of the platform. Something big. Kaze backed away, as it continued to stretch up and loom over him. Its silver head leaned to the side like it was staring down at him, though it had no visible eyes. Long, sturdy arms were held loosely at its side. One curled backwards, as it reached up, its hand forming into a fist…

Kaze braced himself, holding each Keyblade at the ready. He had to fight that?

The hand crashed down into the glass that he stood on, causing it to shake violently. The other arm sweeped towards him, aiming to knock him off the side while he tried to regain his balance. Recovering in time to see the attack coming, Kaze dodged aside, swinging Oathkeeper to try and catch the arm as it was pulled back. The weapon bounced off the armoured limb. Realizing he wasn't going to get anywhere that way, he ran forward, throwing himself onto it as the hand was retracted.

Running along its length, he jumped across to the creatures shoulder, praying he wouldn't tumble off the side, and drove Oblivion into the side of its skull. The head was thrown backwards, in what Kaze took as a sign of pain. As it pitched forward again, he felt himself loosing his footing. Half falling and half rolling, he landed back on the edge of the surface below.

Without anytime to catch his breath back, he moved out the way again to avoid been squashed as the creature pounded the glass again. Scurrying to the opposite side, where he hoped he was out of its range, Kaze drew his arm back to throw Oathkeeper in a desperate attempt to do some damage from a distance. The move was something he had never performed himself, yet he was confident he could pull it off. He could see it perfectly in his mind.

The weapon stuck flesh and as the giant form reared back once more, Kaze raced towards it, bringing Oblivion back, ready to swing it with as much effort as he could. Side stepping as a hand was swung blindly towards him, Kaze plunged his weapon into the creature's exposed chest. Retrieving Oathkeeper, he stumbled away as it fell from view, disappearing beyond the side of the platform.

"… Your destinies are intertwined."

Kaze sank to his knees, allowing the weapons he held to fade away. The floor gave way beneath him one last time. He squeezed his eyes shut tightly, feeling himself falling.

When he opened them again, he found himself sat alongside a window, back on the same train that he had taken earlier. The vehicle was parked in Twilight Town's station.

"Not again…"

Pushing himself off the seat, he moved over to the doors. This time they parted to reveal the streets of his home. Empty, but it was still the early hours of the morning, no one would be around yet. Still, Kaze wasn't convinced.

Stepping off to assure himself he was really back this time, that the scenery around him wasn't going to melt away and change, he heaved a satisfied sigh.

Some odd dream that was…

Lifting a hand in front of him, Kaze made a half-hearted attempt to summon the weapons that he had wielded only moments ago. They had at least felt real. Everything had felt real.

Including the Keyblades.

His eyes widened as the black shape of Oblivion took form in it. Glancing to his other hand, his shock only grew as Oathkeeper appeared.

Was this what the Organization members and Namine had meant, when they had said that he would 'Awaken'?

Staring at them for a moment longer, he dismissed them and headed for the Clock Tower, his Clock Tower, with an amused grin. So maybe it hadn't been such an odd dream.

At least now he had proof. How could he friends not believe him when he shown them this?

Sora didn't even have chance to question why Number Two was standing there before he moved. He heard Kaze shout his name, he felt the Keyblade taking form in his hand, he saw a blur; black and pulsing crimson, then he was throwing himself to the side, scrambling out of the way.

The NEO spun around, blades flashing, as he came straight for him. Sora threw the Keyblade up to block the attacks, before rolling aside and getting to his feet. One blade was thrust forward, aimed for his back. Dodging out of the way, Sora risked a glance to see where Kaze was. He couldn't see him, but it was easy to tell where he was from the circle of flames that had gathered on the other side of the cave. He was certain he could make out another black-coated figure standing alongside the ring of fire, but he didn't have time to look closer. Another violent flurry of attacks distracted him.

Sora focused his full attention on defending himself, moving the Keyblade to meet each attack and trying to occasionally slip one of his own in, but he was finding keeping up difficult. Alone, he had to keep track of both the deep-red weapon's movements as well as trying to fight back and it was obvious that Number Two was deadly serious this time. He wasn't even bothering toying with him, his intention was perfectly clear.

What had opening that Door done? What about the rest of them? He was certain that Number Two didn't want him to walk away from here and have the chance to find anymore of them, but why? The question made him painfully aware of just how little he knew. He was acting on so little information, he wasn't even entirely sure what he was supposed to be doing. Find his 'Door to the Light', open it, and then what?

The edge of one blade flickered past Sora's face. Jerking his head aside sharply, he struck out with his own weapon.

Wasn't it a little late to be questioning things now? This was his fault. He'd come here, knowing that something wasn't right, and blindly walked into this. When they left here, he was going to make sure that the first thing he did was get a better idea of what he was doing…

The Keyblade clashed with scarlet energy, the two weapons locked against each other for a brief second before Sora felt himself pushed violently away.

…If he left here.

Stumbling, trying to regain his balance, Sora saw the flashing blade cutting a wide arc through the air too late. As he moved to the side to avoid it, the sharp beam caught the side of his arm, causing him to give a startled yelp. He swung the Keyblade with his other arm, even as he was pulling the injured one back.

He drew away, backing up and holding his weapon out in front of him to absorb the oncoming blows from Number Two, while cradling his other arm across his chest. He could see the small patch of blood on it, could feel the dull throbbing. If he didn't do something, there was going to be a lot more of his blood spilled.

The Keyblade twitched fiercely in response to another barrage of blows. The NEO's attacks were relentless. How was he supposed to do anything against that when he was having enough trouble defending himself? The only thing he could do was be patient and wait for an opening.

Like that is going to be easy…

Each string of jarring strikes grew more furious than the last, until finally, they let up as Number Two drew one blade back ready to drive it forward with force. Sora darted aside as it was thrust past. He moved in to make an attack of his own, but a crippling pain that speared through his chest stopped him.

He halted, all thoughts of the battle and his current situation gone for that split second. There was only thing that pain meant.

His other half was hurt.

"Sora!"

Kaze called out a warning as he saw the blur of movement stream forward. Calling his own Keyblade into his hand, he took a step forward, only to be stopped as a fresh wave of flames shot up in front of him. Backing up, he glanced around for another way around them, but the fire was spreading, forming a tight circle around him. Through the flickering 'wall' to his left, he could make out another of the cloaked figures standing alongside him. With his hood down, this one was even easier to recognize.

Axel…

Kaze shook his head. "You're not supposed to be here…"

Axel didn't appear too interested, his attention fixed on watching whatever was going on with Sora ahead, as he replied. "Actually, we were supposed to be here first."

"That wasn't what I meant!" Kaze paused. "Wait, we? You're helping him?" His question was greeted with silence. "Did you happen to forget that little incident where he tried to kill you?"

"I know what I'm doing."

That particular response only served to increase Kaze's frustration. "He's going to kill Sora! Let me help him."

This time, Axel turned to look at him, smirking. "No."

Feeling his anger growing, Kaze averted his attention. He'd just have to find a way to get to Sora himself. His eyes scanned the 'wall' around him, searching for any point he might be able to get past. A sharp stab of pain exploded in his chest, driving him to his knees.

"I wonder which of you that hurt the most. Him? Or you?"

He could feel Axel watching him. He could hear the sickening curiosity in his voice. If Axel hadn't been safely on the other side of the flames, Kaze would have gladly took a swing at him for that comment. He was just standing there and watching.

Picking himself up, Kaze faced the wall of fire in front that was between him and Sora. There was really only one way to get past it…

"Personally, I don't see what the problem is. It's not like Sora would have ever found the stupid door anyway."

Hesitating, he glanced back at Axel. He didn't care how or why Axel was there, but there was something in his words that made him stop; it sounded like he was offering an invitation to share a secret. "…What?"

"His own little island would have been the last place he'd have thought of looking for it."

"His island?" Kaze stared at him. Had he just heard him right? "It's on his island?"

"Did I just say that out loud?" Axel gave him a dangerous grin. "Oops."

Kaze wasn't quite sure why he'd just shared that piece of information, but it was clear that it was done on purpose. Whatever Axel was doing, he didn't want to get involved. Right now, what he needed was to get to Sora.

Backing up as far as he could Kaze threw both his arms up to cover his face.

"You don't want to do that."

Hearing Axel's amused voice, Kaze shot him a defiant glare.

Yes, I do…

Satisfied his head was shielded as much as possible, he started to run forward. If he couldn't get around the flames, he'd go through them.

Searing heat washed over him as he hit the blazing wave. For the few seconds he was encased in it, he could feel the intense pain as the flames licked his flesh. Emerging on the other side, he dropped to the ground, rolling to try and put out whatever parts of his clothing may have caught fire. He could feel his arms stinging, but he wasn't going to stop what he was doing just to check how badly burnt they may be. Gritting his teeth, Kaze climbed to his feet.

Turning, he found Axel standing behind him, his own weapons now in each hand. "Couldn't you have just sat still?"

Noting he didn't sound too happy, Kaze swung his Keyblade. As Axel blocked the attack, he ducked past him; he didn't have time to waste on him. He shot a quick look over his shoulder to check if Axel was making a move to follow him, but was confused when he saw the NEO had moved off to stand to the side. Why wasn't he making any attempt to do anything? Then again, it was Axel… As long as he wasn't interfering, Kaze decided to leave him to his own devices. For now…

Sora was ahead, doubled over, holding his arm at an awkward angle. Even from a distance, Kaze could tell that Sora was hurt. Number Two was drawing one blade back ready to impale the boy with, and Sora wasn't making a move to stop him. Kaze cursed himself silently, he hadn't even considered it before, but his pain from going through the fire would have hurt Sora too.

Kaze ran at the hooded figure, aiming to strike him from behind. One of the black-cloaked arms moved swiftly, knocking him aside. Landing heavily, he carefully stood up again. He wasn't about to give up quite that easily. His effort, as futile as it may have been, had at least given Sora the chance to recover.

Ignoring the aching throb that was running down each of his arms, Kaze made another attempt to land a hit on Number Two. One arm twisted to the side, bringing up a blade to connect with his weapon. The other swept towards his feet. Springing backwards to avoid it, Kaze had no time to react to the follow up attack from the first blade. Sora stepped in to assist, blocking the blow with his Keyblade.

Both of them took the opportunity to withdraw slightly, but giving Number Two some room was a mistake. Kaze froze as he saw the faint white hexagonal pattern forming in front of them.

Things were about to turn nasty.

Note's: Naughty cliffhangers! Naughty!

Hm, I think this was the longest chapter yet and I still didn't quite cover everything I wanted to. I chose to end it at that point because I find writing long fight scenes hard. There was already a little one in the flashback on top of the main one too, so I decided to break this up a bit. In fact, this was the chapter I've had the most difficulties in writing yet, so hopefully it doesn't show.

Another lengthy flashback section, but that will probably be the last. I'm still toying with ideas for more, but I doubt any of them will be quite as long as the previous two have been. And I have no idea where that trippy little "dream" sequence came from. I was looking at that tiny sample screenshot of KHII Sora in FMV and then ended up writing that…My mind works in weird ways.