Here's a little recommended reading. Endless Hurt from Arichos, featuring a whole different side to Kairi's story on why she washed up on shore on the Islands. Granted it's not that far yet but I think you'll like it.

Disclaimer: Read the first few chaps. I'm not doing it anymore.

A/N: I couldn't think of a really good way to do the first chap so I just decided to jump from the middle to the beginning until they overlap. I know it's confusing but I hope I marked it well enough so you can understand it. And Aurora, I'm hope you remember something about what I put in here!

Chapter 8: The World of Water

Kinno's POV

In atmosphere, this was the calmest place I had been since the Islands had been destroyed. However, that masked how hard it was to fight. Currently back in my heartless form again and fighting for my heart fragments, I couldn't help but think back to what had lead us up to this. Me fighting the sea witch Ursula who was using every tactic she could to throw me off and Sora fighting the eels so I only had to focus on my fight.

Flashback

It had to have been one of the ugliest worlds I had been to so far. We had stopped in Agrabah after resting in Traverse for a while. Coming upon the world, I was told what I most feared. It was a desert world, which meant high heat. It brought back delirious memories but also sent me down a path of terror. I wasn't cut out for this place…And that became apparent as soon as we stepped out of the ship. A blast of hot air hit me and immediately took my breathe away. There was no way I would survive this without transforming again and as we walk a little ways from the safety of the ship, I find myself thinking I would be glad to transform just to survive the blistering heat. I throw out my senses though, letting my fragmented heart call out to this world but remarkably I get nothing back in response. There was nothing for us here which meant we could leave, so we do. I had to rest though…Being in the heat had zapped my strength and had broken down part of the barrier inside of me. During the time I was phasing in and out a bit, Aurora and Sora started talking to one another, I would say conspiring against me to pull a prank, but I knew the situation was too serious for that. I was down and out for a while and we still had a war to win.

End Flashback

It was quite a shock to finally find out what they were planning. And it turned out to be the best experience for me thus far…Up until now. Ursula's taunts were starting to get to me; to the point I cry out in anger and stab my claws into her shoulder. A sharp pain went through me in the same moment and I look down a little to find she had stabbed her claws into my shoulder as well but lower. I cough, looking pained as I felt my pierced lung scream in pain. The puncture was small, but it hurt like Hell as blood began to slowly fill my lung. Ursula throws me away from her and I fly back, hitting a wall. I slump to the floor and phase out slightly again, remembering more of this adventurous place.

Flashback

We had finally arrived at this wondrous world, called Alantica I think…If I heard Aurora right. A water world, the perfect place to finally get that deep ache to swim out of my system. But I wasn't sure how to get in. Should I jump in or push someone first than jump in? That was answered when I get pushed into the water from someone. After surfacing, I cough and turn to see both Aurora and Sora laughing but the touch to my back had been smooth, not rough. But I figured, what the Hell? I splashed water on both of them and smirk to hear them both yelp in shock. I laugh more, almost falling back under the surface when Aurora pushes Sora in than jumps in herself to splash both of us. I was having so much fun playing around that I didn't noticed the most important detail of coming to this world until Aurora points it out after I dunk her.

"Hey Kinno, look at your legs." She comments offhandedly.

I blink in surprise than move my legs up. Shock quickly goes across my face as I see a bright silver mermaid tail fin. I gently stroke over the scales in surprise before looking up. Aurora's tail fin is purple and she's flipping the tail a bit before looking to Sora.

"Sora! Put a shirt on!" She yelps and Sora blushes in embarrassment, going under the water.

I dive under the follow, blinking to see Sora's tail fin is blue. Now came the fun part. Learning to swim with our new limbs and not bump into anything. That was a lot easier said than done believe me. By the time we were done, each of us sported a few cuts from running into the walls.

End Flashback

I finally wake up fully to see Ursula swimming down near me. I was close to hating this witch as much as Malificent, for trying to turn me against my friends again after I had so soon found they still cared for me despite my form. But at the moment I couldn't fight, nor attack. My heart was pounding, my breathing heavy and pained as my one lung continued to fill with my vital fluid, choking me and causing fire to shoot through my chest. I see the witch smirk before I phase out a little again; falling into a daze as I remember more of what happened leading up to this fight.

Flashback

I finally got to see my twin again. He had escaped from Malificent again and had come to visit me again. I tackled him immediately on sight and we rolled in the water from my tackle. After we were done rolling, I hugged him tightly; happy to see he didn't have many more marks on him than before.

"Come on." He says and gently pulls on my wrist.

I go willingly with him, flapping my fin to keep up with him so I'm not letting him pull my full weight. We get to a secluded part of the multiple caves of Alantica and Riku turns to me, actually smiling for once. Not a sad one either, but a genuine happy one. It had been so long since I had seen it, I vowed right than and there I would die if I had to just to see that smile on my brother's face again. It pained me greatly to see that he was slowly falling backing into what he was before Sora's arrival, an emotionless protector who only showed his feelings to those he held very close to his heart. I didn't want to see that happen again. Once was bad enough. I push the thoughts out of my mind to focus on my brother as he speaks with a happy tone.

"I was wondering when you would come." He says playfully.

He was teasing me! I should hurt him but I wouldn't dare, not with the bruises he already has. So instead…

"This place is wonderful! I love it!"

Okay…not a great comeback but it succeeded in getting him to smile all the more. He gently puts a hand on my forehead and I flick my tail fin a bit as I look curious.

"I have something for you." He says.

"What is it?"

"A suppressant. I can tell the spell's almost off, I can sense it even now. So this will dampen your heartless instincts."

"So I don't have to worry?" I ask in excitement.

"Only until you leave since your affinity is for water."

I didn't care. I finally didn't have to worry about attacking the others when I transformed, even if it was for one time. I felt thrilled, but it was dampened by the fact Riku had stolen the knowledge to give it to me. As the spell is casted over me, I feel sad. If he was found out, he would be hurt again and where would that get us? I hated seeing him getting hurt because he didn't want to see me hurt. It's a never ending cycle of wishing and pain and I flip my tail, hugging tightly to Riku suddenly.

"Be careful…" I whisper, nuzzling against the side of his head a little.

Though tense at first, probably because I had grabbed onto a few wounds on his back I just noticed, he returns the hug just as tightly, lowering his head a bit.

"I will be. If I get caught this time…I'm really in trouble…" He murmurs than flicks his tail and swims out of my grasp.

I watch him in sorrow as he turns away and vanishes from site.

End Flashback

I woke again to the witch's screeching voice in my ears. I'm shocked she hadn't tried to finish off the job of killing me. But than, she was probably waiting until I drowned in my own blood. I hated her voice though. Without a thought, I flap my tail and swim up, catching her off guard and placing my claws to her throat. Glad to see her shocked look, I mutter something before plunging my claws into her throat, killing her. Watching the heart fragment float in front of me, I know I can't take it…

Flashback

We had finally found a place to stop and rest. The barrier was cracking around my other form and it hurt, more so than normal, enough to where it could be seen I was in pain. Aurora had gone off on her own to explore while Sora stayed with me, lasting out the transformation. Again the pain was no less than what it had been previously, but it was changed because I was a mermaid. My tail fin became more shark-like in a way, with part of what looked like a dorsal fin on it. But no other difference, other than that and the new addition of fangs, was present. Only minutes after, Aurora arrived, bumping into Sora and causing him to jump. As I watch them talk a little, I slump over, exhausted again. Damn, why did this take so much out of me? It drained my about halfway each time. But I have to say, that spell Riku casted on me is working like a charm. That once overpowering urge to take the hearts of those around me is no longer there and I can actually function without thinking about it. I finally shake off the exhaustion as much as I could and look up at Aurora to see her fiddling with her half of the necklace. Knowing what Sora's reaction would be at the moment, I swim near Aurora and as I pass her…

"If you keep messing with it, he'll notice. If you let it hang free, he won't notice." I whisper to her to get her to stop.

Aurora's answer is that she only messes with it when she's nervous or thinking about something. So naturally I ask her what she's thinking about since she quickly adds she's not nervous. She mentions that she ran into a group of heartless while wandering but they made no move to attack. I'm confused…unless Riku told them to back off of us. But we don't get much time to ponder as Sora gives us the clear and we follow him to Ursula's lair. The witch and her eels come forward and I just freeze. I had never fought a main enemy in my heartless form and I find that hatred…That evil too much to bear in this form for the first time. Sora snaps me out of it and I start fighting Ursula. But she quickly changes tactics…

"You know your friends don't care for you right?" She asks in an offhanded manner.

Confusion as well as a hidden terror runs through me and I freeze again, getting distracted. I'm brought back to reality by the sharp bite of my skin getting slashed open across my face. Ursula had slapped me, using her nails to tear open my cheek.

"They care nothing for you. Their just using you." She taunts, staying near me so she doesn't have to raise her voice.

"They accept me!" I hiss back, growling.

"But what about that girl with you? Where is she when you need her?" Ursula asks.

I turn to look at the entrance to find Aurora has left her spot. Though suddenly hurt a bit, I knew she would get bored and leave. She wasn't a fighter. She had the body for it if she choose to pursue it, but at the moment, she was…Not softhearted…But more…Just not ready for it yet…

End Flashback

Which lead us back to now. After that comment, that's when I had stabbed Ursula through her shoulder and in turn she got me, piercing my lung. Now it had gotten to the point, every single breathe was a hard labor and I was starting to feel slightly faint from lack of air, but it hadn't reached critical again. And I was too stubborn to say anything out loud.

"Kinno! What are you doing!"

That would be Sora, questioning me on why I haven't taken back my heart pieces. But I couldn't. I could still sense one more piece out there and changing back exhausted any and all energy that I had left. Granted it would heal my wound, I couldn't pass up the fourth piece. So I refused to take it. However, I suddenly feel a gentle touch to my mind and blink in surprise. I knew that touch somehow…A gentle prod makes me turn towards Aurora and my surprise grows as I see Riku at the cave entrance, now holding my heart pieces. He smiles faintly and vanishes, leaving us to our own. A feeling of happiness goes through me, only to be quickly replaced with pain as I curl up, holding tightly to my shoulder. Progressively it had been getting worse and now, no longer fighting; it hit me all at once. My heart was racing in fear as I labor to breathe, trying to ignore the feeling of panic.

"Damn witch…That hurt…" I groan in pain, not completely realizing I had spoken that out loud.

It gets Aurora's attention who moves over to me to see my wound. I uncurl at her request, letting her see the damage Ursula did to me. It's gotten so bad; I can't mask just how bad it truly is.

"Sora! Kinno needs help! She needs to be healed or something!" Aurora calls, a hint of panic in her voice.

"It won't work…Not like this…" I say back, already imaging the pain that would be inflicted by Sora's very meager healing magic.

And I didn't want that mental burden on him, so I refuse to even let him try though he keeps insisting. My senses flare and I look up.

"She's ready for us…"

"You better be careful. You better be too Sora, or I'll kill you when you come back." Aurora threatens.

"We will be. When we come back, I'll be healed and back to normal. So have fun."

We wave and swim off, heading to a big clearing in the caves, leaving wide open space for us to fight.

Sora's POV

Kinno's stubbornness has an odd time of showing it's self. Upon getting to the battle field, she immediately told me to stay out, wanting to get retribution herself for what that witch tried to do. I try to convince her otherwise but she refuses. So I let her go…Big mistake. Despite her injury and how it's affected her, she still fights to the best that she can. But having to get so close to successfully attack, she ends up getting more injured. At one point, I swim forward and grab her tail, pulling her back. I knew what happened when your tail is pulled, Aurora did it to me earlier in our trip and Kinno's reaction is the exact same as mine.

"OW! Sora!" She yells in pain, instantly flipping her tail to try and break free.

I hold on, pulling her back until I grab her and swim her away a little ways.

"What are you doing?" She hisses but I take no hurt to her tone of voice.

"You're getting too injured to keep fighting. Let me take over."

A faint growl comes back from her but it doesn't last. Her chest is heaving, just trying to draw in any air at all and her lips are tinted a very faint blue from lack of air. I instantly swim off to fight Ursula before Kinno died from lack of air. Remarkably I do finish her off quickly and hurriedly bring Kinno's heart piece over to her. She's slumped over, her eyes barely open and I have to gently prod her a few times to get her to respond to me at all. When she finally does, her wings twitch in a familiar, agitated manner as she blinks a few times to focus, looking up at me.

"If I may, I would like to present you with your highly valued heart, my lady." I say to her in a tone of respect, just hoping to gain a smile since I know she can't laugh.

It works and she smiles, as much as she's able around her pain. She straightens and I hold her heart out to her. It instantly sinks into her chest and she lets out a faint sigh as her transformation seems to literally melt off of her, leaving her as the beautiful girl I had come to know as I grew up. But I began to grow alarmed when her breathing didn't ease. In fact it seems to become strangled. She gasps in pain, her piercing eyes narrowing in reaction to it.

"Kinno!" I call out, trying to break her out of it.

She gives one more gasp before slumping forward, laying limp in the water. I grab onto her and turn her over, looking at her worriedly. Now unconscious, she seems peaceful. Her body not fighting its internal struggle now. The shoulder was healed though, so why was it so difficult for her? I swim off, hoping to gain the answers. I go back to Aurora and she looks very worried as I swim up. I explain to her what happened and after agreeing Kinno needs rest, we swim up to the surface. After surfacing, Kinno starts coughing harshly and blood trickles down her cheek, only to land in the water again. Oh…So that explained that. We get her out of the water and gently lay her near the back of the ship so she can rest undisturbed on our way back to Traverse Town.

Chapter 9: Aurora's Kidnapping

Riku's POV

How could I have been so stupid? I took a large risk and got caught. Now I was paying the price. I stand in the lab, in front of the dead portal and glare openly at Malificent who's livid. During one of the few lonely times I had, I had found a book in one of the rooms. Flipping through it, I had found something of interest and didn't hesitate to give it to Kinno. Reflecting, I should have given her the full thing instead of just the first page and upon my return, I had sat down to read the rest. That's when Malificent found me. She had seen the first ripped page and unleashed her wrath. Now I was standing in front of her, trying to stay steady as blood slowly dripped from me. She had taken her staff and tore a deep gash in my arm, matching Kinno's perfectly and had allowed me no chance to heal or bandage it as she told me what she wanted me to do.

"I want you to kidnap the girl."

Confusion crosses my fogged mind. Which girl? I knew if it was Kinno, she'd attack Malificent first chance she got because of all that had happened. If it was Aurora…She'd try to stay with me to comfort me.

"Not your beloved twin." She finally answers.

Awareness quickly strikes through me, breaking the fog that had incased me.

"You want me to kidnap Aurora?" I question.

At her nod, I growl in anger.

"No! I won't try to break them up! Not when there the only thing from keeping my sister from the breaking point!"

My argument wasn't a very good one. Malificent didn't care about what happened to my twin, as long as I stayed working for her. Trying to keep both of us alive and ahead of the game had proved to the witch I was valuable but that didn't stop her from trying to keep me in line in the harshest ways.

"You will or…"

She moves to the side and my heart skips a beat, seeing the half of Kinno's heart that had stayed here. I watch in terrified silence as Malificent moves her staff up and puts the point end to the center of it.

"I will kill your sister."

I instantly stand down. I lower my head in submission and she grins, moving away.

"Kidnap her and bring her here."

I nod and vanish, happy to be away from her. I appear on a rooftop in Traverse near the hotel. The bleeding had finally stopped from my arm, but I was so worn out from blood loss and survival, I was swaying where I crouched. Ever since this all started, I hardly had time to sleep, so afraid was I that Malificent would take back her deal and kill Kinno as I slept. I had to be on guard every minute to make sure my sister, the only official family I had left, stayed alive to see this through. The sound of footsteps shattering the silence draws me out of my musings. I blink once, lifting my gaze as the door to the third district is opened and a now familiar girl walks through. Dark purple hair and ever sad dark red eyes marked this girl as very unique. The dark magic in me stirs angrily just at seeing her, but I take no heed. It did the same when I was around Kinno as well. I wait till she walks up to the railing of the stairs before acting. I teleport down behind her, ignoring the déjà vu I get as I grab Aurora and pull her back, covering her mouth. I teleport both of us away and appear in a random room in Hollow Bastion, or as I liked to call it, the Hollow Prison. Again I'm brought out of my little musings as a sharp pain goes through my hand, right near my thumb. I instantly jump back, shaking my hand as Aurora turns quickly only to look surprised as her eyes land on me.

"This isn't my choice and you know it." I hiss, afraid now that I'm here with her, Malificent will come barging in to take her.

She brings looking around the room, confusion going across her face as I keep explaining.

"I tried to get myself out of it but the threat of killing Kinno still hangs over us. So I had to do it. But she said only to bring you here, nothing else."

"Just be glad it was only a bite mark Riku! You scared me half to death!" Aurora counters and I smirk faintly to hear that fear still lightly present.

Granted, I'm glad she hadn't bitten down harder. If she had, my thumb would be dislocated right now because of where her teeth were placed.

"Sorry…I had to do it while no one was around." I apologize to calm her frazzled nerves.

Aurora just looks at me and sighs before shaking her head and looking around.

"How's Kinno doing?" I ask anxiously, remembering how injured she was when they left Alantica.

"Better. She was sleeping last I heard when I left the hotel." Aurora answers and I breathe a quiet sigh of relief.

Only seconds later I stiffen, hearing footsteps coming down the hallway. Knowing who the only other one is residing in this castle besides me puts me instantly on guard.

"Act like you're asleep and don't make a sound." I hiss quietly to Aurora and run over to the door, going out and meeting up with Malificent just before she opens the door to the room.

"Did you bring her?" She asks, her eyes narrowed in slight suspicion.

"I did but the scare and trip here exhausted her so she's asleep." I reply, unable to help letting a cold tone come to her.

"Well wake her up!"

"I don't think that would be the best idea. She'd be more willing to cooperate if she's fully rested than if she were half asleep."

Truth be told, I didn't know why Malificent wanted Aurora. I thought at first, it was to bring Kinno closer to the breaking point since one of her closest friends isn't near her, but now I'm not so sure.

Malificent doesn't say anything but makes as though to leave. Just before I let down my guard, she turns swiftly and grips my arm, her hold tight. Her claws dig into the side of my ribs a bit and I flinch, glaring hatefully at her.

"As soon as she wakes, bring her to me." She hisses.

"Fine." I answer back as coldly as I can.

She lets me go and leaves after that. I put a hand to my cut side, feeling blood slowly snaking its way down my skin. But it's not a deep gash and no where near anything I need to worry about. The long gash on my arm on the other hand…

"Are you okay?" Aurora's quiet voice asks.

"Yea…I'll be fine. But that's how suspicious she's gotten of me. Making small injuries and questioning everything I say."

But it wouldn't stop just because of a little pain. If I got hurt in order to help Kinno, it would be a small price to pay. Kinno wouldn't think so I'm sure, but in my eyes, she meant everything and everything else was nothing compared to keeping her safe and alive.

Aurora walks back into the room and I follow more slowly, this little cut giving me a lot more problems than I thought it would. Combined with the other one, my body was swiftly running it's self ragged and it left me feeling weak and lightheaded…A couple of feelings I'm not used to feeling…

"Hey it's still here."

Aurora's voice finally snaps me back to reality and I look up. Within minutes, I'm getting my wounds bandaged. Though clumsy, her movements are nonetheless feather light and a very faint blush tints my cheeks as I look away to let her work.

After a while of talking more, Aurora is leading me to the library through a secret passage in the wall. Though dark magic coursed through my veins, I find utter darkness causes shivers to run down my spine. Trying to keep myself aligned to the light, my path is becoming more blurred by the minute, as I creep closer and closer to the darkness. I had read the legend. Two pieces had already fallen into place. But I was trying to fight my part of what was foretold. I was failing fast but I wouldn't give up without a struggle unless someone proposed a better option, which probably wasn't going to happen.

As Aurora goes out into the library, I follow and blink in astonishment. I had never ventured down to the bottom level of this prison, wishing to stay up to where I can see the light better, and was amazed by how many books were around.

"Has anyone read them all?" I couldn't help to ask as I slowly walk around, looking around at everything.

In the back of my head, I tell myself I'm acting like Sora but at the moment, I couldn't help it. This was amazing.

"Umm…Leon probably, not sure though." Aurora answers.

I hear her take a book from the shelf and walk over, peeking over her shoulder as she flips the pages.

"So you know of it too?" I ask as she stops on the pages of the legend that was been laid out before us.

"I used to read it every time I came in here." Aurora retorts and I smile faintly.

"You left it in your room. I found it and started reading it. When I found something of interest, I gave the first page to Kinno…Though don't ask why I didn't give her the whole thing. Anyway, Malificent found me while I was looking through it again. She went wild and attacked me. This explains why I'm so out of it." I explain, moving my injured arm slightly to emphasize it.

"You know Kinno wants to get you out of here for good." Aurora says, changing the subject.

"I want to leave. I don't want to keep attacking those I care for."

"You'd get in more trouble if you took me back wouldn't you?"

Damn. She was perceptive. If I took her back, I'd probably be beaten within an inch of my life. And than Kinno would probably suffer too. And I tell her as much…Just not so many words.

"Than I'll stay for your sake."

"You can't! Once Malificent finds out I was lying it's all over anyway! So it's better to get you out of here while I'm still able!" I protest my eyes wide.

"I think I've figured out what she wants, but I only have half of it."

I blink in confusion to that before looking down towards the bottom level of the library as the wooden doors are thrown open, a loud thud resonating throughout the abruptly quiet room.

"Riku!"

"Crap…"

"Might be best if I went back through the tunnel?" Aurora suggests in a whisper.

"Judging by that she's found out so…"

I grab Aurora's hand and teleport away, carrying her to Traverse Town. We land in the middle of the second district and I shiver a bit, my head spinning from lack of energy. I almost burned myself out on that trip and I knew I wouldn't make it back to the castle without fainting.

"But you're going to get in big trouble." Aurora protests as she notices her surroundings.

"I'd rather be hurt myself than see what that witch has in store for you." I retort in a half growl.

"But it's not like she would kill me for it."

My eyes widen to see her pull out a necklace with half of the heartless symbol on it. But I couldn't place any hatred on her. Kinno carried that same necklace, stolen from Sora…As that thought clicks I mentally start at my stupidity. Of course! That was why she wanted Aurora! But that would require both pieces…

"I don't want you getting hurt at all so I'd rather take the punishment myself."

"She needs both pieces but hopefully she doesn't know."

"She doesn't. She didn't ask to bring both you and Kinno."

"How did you know Kinno carried the other piece?" Aurora asks and I smile a bit.

This was the first time in our whole lives we had been separated from each other. I'm sure, one way or another, Kinno has told Aurora of Sora washing up on shore.

"I was there with her the day Sora washed up on shore and I saw her take it from him. Afterwards, she would show it to me and ask if we should show Sora to see if he would regain any of his memory upon seeing it." I answer.

"Wouldn't do much good either way though. You need the person it belongs too…The siblings who lived in the castle had them."

My mind was working at a fast pace to piece this all together. Though Aurora had the necklace, it might still not be her who owned it. And she might not be apart of the siblings she had been talking about. A sense of foreboding touches me and I stop that train of thought, somehow knowing it will be used against me in the near future. So I try to question Aurora on it. But instead of asking, I feel an intense coldness. I turn shivering in fear as Malificent appears. She glares at me, completely ignoring Aurora and moves her staff in my direction. A black light comes from it and hits me, going straight to my heart and constricting it. I fall with a strangled gasp, clutching my heart in pain as I cough.

"I assure you, you weren't the only one to have felt that." Malificent says hatefully.

"No! Kinno!" I gasp, knowing instantly what she means.

With half of Kinno's heart, she could very well make her feel whatever she wanted. The light hits me again and all I see is black as I fly back.