Disclaimer: not mine

Chapter 33

Sora rolled to his feet, Keyblade in hand, even as he swore softly.

"Sora!" Kairi chided as she scrambled up, but she was smirking at him. "Wait, is this…"

"The Realm of Darkness." He dug his coat out and tossed it to her. "We really need to get more of those things," he grumbled. He looked over at Riku to see him utterly tense and he moved away from Kairi, reaching out to grab his hand. "It's okay Riku, we're here," he promised and Riku looked down at him, eyes wider than normal. "Come on, let's get out of here."

"Back to Merlin's?" Kairi asked, and Sora nearly said yes before shaking his head.

"I think we could use a break after that fight." He gripped Riku's hand tight, squeezing it. He held his other out, opening a Corridor, before offering it to Kairi who grinned and took it, the three of them stepping through together.

They stepped out and Riku flinched slightly, but Sora kept a hold of his hand as they stepped onto the island.

"This is….Neverland," Riku whispered, and Sora nodded.

"Hook hasn't been seen since then," Sora assured him, moving them towards the beach. Not that the pirate Captain would be much of a threat to the three of them together.

"Neverland, is this the world where people can learn to fly?" Kairi asked.

"Yeah," Sora agreed and then grinned. "Not that I need it. Peter Pan…he offered me a place here," he admitted. "No one grows up in Neverland."

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Kairi stripped out of the black coat, giving it back to Sora for the moment to run across the sand towards the crystal clear water. For now, she ignored his comment on Peter Pan, it was something that had crossed her mind before, that Sora would outlive them all and be left alone. There had to be something they could do about it but they had to beat the Organisation first.

"Come on you two!" she called. It wasn't their beach but it was still a beach with no one else in sight. She kicked her shoes off and stepped into the waves, enjoying the warm water.

Sora was ready to join her, but Riku was hesitating at the tree line. Once he would have raced Sora to the water and it hurt so much that he was holding back. She smiled and held her hand out to him.

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Riku stared at them on the sand, in the sunlight. He found he was scared to join them and he knew it was ridiculous. It wasn't like the sunlight would harm him, he knew it wouldn't, he had been outside in Hollow Bastion, on a sunny day. So why couldn't he make himself move?

He saw Kairi standing in the surf, the sun bright behind her, making her look….radiant. She held her hand out towards him, saw Sora turn around and grin at him, and he found himself moving towards them. If Sora could stand there in the bright sun then so could he. He stepped out onto the beach, walking towards them, taking Kairi's hand. She tugged him to lean down, and then she was kissing him.

"I'm so proud of you," she whispered.

He felt Sora move in behind him, knew he was flying because his hands were on Riku's shoulders without being stretched upwards. Cold lips pressed to his throat and Riku closed his eyes, he still struggled to believe they truly wanted him the way he was.

"Let's go for a swim and relax," Sora offered.

"We don't have any swim gear," Riku pointed out.

"I'm game if you are," Kairi grinned, and then to his shock, she stripped off her clothing, leaving just her underwear and Riku found himself staring at the revealed skin. Her underclothes were a lot more revealing than anything he'd ever seen her in before.

He glanced back to find Sora stripping off too, leaving hm in his boxers. Sora had never been shy, and Riku had caught him in various stages of dress back at Merlin's, although he still preferred to change in the bathroom himself. He took off his jacket but then hesitantly reached for the hem of his shirt. He looked between them and then pulled it off. He felt sharp claws ghost over his back and then a cold hand rested against his skin before moving to the waistband of his pants, just resting there.

He looked up at Kairi to find her smiling softly, so he managed a nod, feeling Sora's hands move to pull his trousers down. Kairi reached out and pressed a hand to his chest, making him shiver at the warmth. Her hand looked so small against his skin, her head didn't even reach his shoulder, Sora's barely did. He kicked his boots off as Sora pushed his clothing down, leaving him in his boxers too, and then they were dragging him off and into the water.

They splashed each other, chasing and playing as if nothing had changed. In the end, they ended up sprawled together in the sand, Riku half buried under them but he didn't mind being used as almost a pillow, it felt…good, the contrast in their body temperatures odd but he got used to it, the sun and their bodies were warming Sora's as they lay there.

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Goofy was relieved when the three returned to Merlin's. They had all been worried about where they may have ended up after that battle. They all looked healthy thankfully and maybe even relaxed, which was good, they'd all been way too stressed since Riku was kidnapped. Even Riku appeared more relaxed, although it was harder to tell with his changed body and face.

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"Sora?"

He looked up from his book and grinned, shifting over to let Riku join him, curling up against him.

"When are you next going to see…her?"

"Why?" he asked curiously.

"I think I need to…" he couldn't say it.

"You want to come?" he asked softly, and Riku nodded. "Okay." He leant up and kissed him. "We can go tonight if you want, get it over with. I think there's something you need to talk about."

"What?" Riku frowned in confusion, and Sora took his hand, squeezing it gently.

"Something it'd be better for the two of you to discuss. I didn't really talk to her about it, it's between you," he explained. "You never know, she might have an idea how to help you too. Even if she can't, if no one can…" he shifted on the couch to face Riku, moving up onto one knee, taking his face between his hands. "You know we love you, right?"

"I don't know how…but you're both very insistent about it," he smiled shakily, "and…I want that, with both of you." Riku surprised him by leaning in for a kiss but it was a happy surprise and he hoped a good sign, that Riku was accepting how his body had changed and no longer seeing it as a barrier.

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Maleficent paused as she felt Sora arrive…and not alone. He had come, good, they had much to speak of. She moved to their normal training room to find them both, Riku looking around, tense, holding tight to Sora's hand. They looked strange, standing side by side, with Riku in that form. He looked at her, wary yet defiant and she was glad to see him restored to himself mentally.

"Welcome Riku," she inclined her head. "We have much to speak of."

She saw him stiffen, the wariness increasing.

"Perhaps Sora could continue his practice and we shall sit by and speak while he attempts to master his latest lessons." She smirked at Sora who rolled his eyes.

"I'll get it," he grumbled but moved to begin.

Riku hesitated but then followed her over to sit by the window.

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Riku's mind was spinning as Sora teleported them right into the bedroom. He felt Sora tugging on his clothes and let him do as he pleased, drifting in and out. He found himself blinking in the low light, tucked under the covers and…naked except for his boxers. He found himself shivering and Sora wrapped himself around him as best he could, hands gently stroking his skin…Sora's hands warm somehow, magic? He pressed closer, clinging to Sora, who kissed him softly.

"It's okay, I'm here," Sora whispered.

"I…I…"

"Shh, it's okay. Just sleep Riku, we can talk later, whenever you're ready," Sora told him.

There was a soft knock on the door and then Riku felt another, warmer, body pressing against his back, lips pressing to his shoulder. Kairi….

"We're here," she whispered, and he felt himself relax, safe.

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Kairi pressed against Riku, feeling him fall asleep between them. "What happened?" she asked.

"He was talking to Maleficent this evening," Sora answered softly. "She had some things to talk to him about."

"What things?" She asked, seeing Sora hesitate. "Sora…"

"I have an idea, from something she said to me a while ago. Kairi…it's not up to me to say something, it's his choice."

"Fine," she huffed, wrapping herself more tightly around Riku, wishing for his normal form so that they could wrap fully around him. "Are you both naked?" she asked as she realised she was feeling a lot of skin.

"We've got underwear on," Sora snickered. "He needed the contact and I used magic to give my skin some heat."

"Just don't set yourself on fire," she giggled softly.

They fell silent, settling down so that she and Riku could sleep, safe in the knowledge that Sora would watch over them.

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Naminé smiled and leant into Dai. She was glad that Sora and Axel had found him in time, that he was safe and had friends now. He would need them when she was gone and she knew she would be. She could not exist permanently as she was. It would hurt him when she re-joined Kairi but they would help him. She felt his arm move up around her and glanced up at him, seeing the small, shy, smile on his lips.

"Want to take a walk?" he asked, and she nodded.

They got up and left the hand, walking about town hand in hand, even if it made his cheeks a little red.

"Good afternoon," a familiar voice called and she looked up to see Zex…Ienzo. She hadn't met him in Castle Oblivion but she knew he'd been there, had been involved in Daichi's…creation. She felt Dai's grip on her hand tighten, tugging her back towards himself. Had he met Zexion there? She knew that he would have known Ienzo was around but seeing him would be different.

"Ienzo," she offered a small smile.

"Naminé and Daichi," he smiled at them. "Our research is going well and we hope to have two functional Replica's available soon. One for young Ventus, and one for you Naminé."

"What?" she asked in surprise.

"Kairi was most insistent. You were made from her and Sora under incredible circumstance that unfortunately means your body is unlikely to be stable enough to exist for a normal lifespan," he explained.

She didn't know what to say, she knew how hard they had been working on the program, for Ventus. He had to be freed as quickly as possible to keep his heart from following Sora's into identifying as a vampire. So the idea they were making a second for her…

She felt Dai squeeze her hand in support. "Thank you."

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Axel went to the door as someone knocked. He opened it to find Lexaeus…no Aeleus there. "What is it?"

"It's Even, we found him on the lab floor this morning. Ienzo says he isn't stable and is hoping Merlin can come."

"I'll get him." Axel moved to where he'd last seen the Wizard. Even being recompleted was good, the Replica project would be able to move faster.

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Riku sat on the windowsill, staring out at the rain, leaning against the cool window. He still didn't know what to think about Maleficent's admission. He…he was changing, becoming something other than human. He should have known there'd be side effects to what he had done but at the time he hadn't cared at all, just like he hadn't cared when he'd let Ansem in. He'd been so stupid.

A hand rested on his shoulder but he didn't need to look to know who it was, the touch too warm for Sora, besides he was up at the Castle for more scans.

"Please Riku, talk to me," she pleaded.

He looked at her, seeing the worry in her expression. "I…I've made so many mistakes Kairi."

"Oh Riku," she whispered, pressing her hand to his cheek. "You need to forgive yourself."

He shook his head. "Everything has consequences," he whispered.

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Kairi kept her hand on his cheek. Consequences? "Something from when you were with Maleficent?" she asked softly. It made sense since it had been something she had told him that had left him so upset. He gave a jerky nod, not making eye contact. "Whatever it is, we can deal with it."

He finally looked at her, looking lost. "She said…I'm becoming like her, that I'm…I'm going to be a Faerie. I..."

She gripped his shaking hands in hers. "It's okay Riku, whatever happens, we'll be with you the whole time. Human or not, it doesn't matter. Not like Sora's human anymore and it doesn't matter to me. You don't care either, do you?"

He'd had the least time to come to terms with what Sora had become…was he struggling with it and hiding it to keep from upsetting him?

"No!" Riku denied, shaking his head. "He's still Sora, he could fall into an ocean of Darkness and swim his way out," his lips twitched in a small smile, and she laughed.

"Yeah, he probably could, or fly these days."

She sat down beside him and leant against him, showing him she didn't care at all what he was, she cared who he was. She felt him slowly wrap his arm around her, smiling as she felt him press a kiss to the top of her head.

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Demyx blinked up at…leaves? Then again he hadn't expected to wake up at all. There'd…been a fight, Sora and his lot. Someone else….Axel? Had he imagined him?

"Finally awake?"

Apparently he hadn't, turning his head to see the redhead lounging nearby, looking utterly relaxed but Demyx knew better. He wasn't the Superior's favoured Assassin for a reason after all. Where were they? It didn't look like Hollow Bastion. And….why save him? He was the enemy. Then again, they had accepted Axel as one of them it seemed, he'd been seen with various members of the group fighting on other Worlds. So what did they want with him?

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Sora flopped down in the pilot's seat and Riku reached over to ruffle his hair. "Hey!" he swatted at his hand. They were distracting Riku from what was happening to him by travelling. They'd already seen Mulan, Sora happy to introduce Riku and Kairi to his friends there, and had helped defeat a Heartless dragon. That had been fun, the three of them fighting together.

He thought they might stop in on the Beast, see how he and Belle were getting on. Hopefully Xaldin hadn't been back to bother them, Donald and Goofy had explained what he'd been up to then.

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It had been hard enough meeting Belle again in his own body but to return in Ansem's? he felt sick just thinking about it, but Sora and Kairi were right by his side. Of course one of the Organisation had to turn up, ruining Beast and Belle's party.

"Where's Belle!?" Sora called once the Nobodies were gone.

"Over here!" She called from the balcony, walking back in as quickly as possible in her incredible gown.

"Whew, she's okay," Sora relaxed even as Kairi ran over to greet her fellow Princess.

"Guess Xaldin didn't take anything after all," Riku sighed in relief.

The Beast seemed to realise something and raced out of the Ballroom.

"What's wrong?" Sora asked, even as Belle quickly ran after him. "Belle? What's with them?"

"Maybe Belle isn't the only thing precious to the Beast," Riku suggested, worried now.

"C'mon!" Kairi ran passed them and they took off after her for the West Wing.

They found the Beast pacing around the room. He roared and slammed the floor.

"What's wrong?" Belle was asking as she walked closer. "Please, calm down!"

The Beast swung to face her and she held up her hands. "Calm down!?" he roared. "You just had to have a party, didn't you? Don't you see what's happened?"

"Hey. What's with you?" Sora demanded, voice dropping to a near growl.

"The rose... My rose..." Beast snarled.

"What, that? He took it?" Riku asked in confusion, looking over to see the table was empty.

"But surely, you can find another rose..." Belle began.

"Silence! You don't know anything!" He swiped at her, and Sora lunged between them, baring his fangs to any who could see beyond the illusion.

"That's not fair, Beast. Don't take it out on Belle. It's not like she stole it!"

The Beast held a hand to his forehead.

"I'm sorry," Belle whispered.

"You don't have to apologize," Kairi consoled her, drawing her a bit further away.

"But..."

The Beast looked away. "Belle... Sora... I want you to leave the castle."

Belle obviously didn't know what to say, staring at him in dismay.

"Look at me. Look. This is what I am. When you first got here, I tried to change." He looked at his hands. "But I was only fooling myself. I can't be any different. I'll always be a beast. So, I should live like a beast. With no one, alone. Goodbye, Belle."

"You can't mean that..." She denied but he remained silent. She reached out a hand to him.

"I think his mind's made up," Kairi glared at the Beast.

"Yeah," Sora huffed, as Belle turned away. "Look, Belle. Leave this to us. If we can get the Beast's rose back, he'll calm down," Sora promised her, and Belle smiled sadly at him.

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Kairi laughed and cheered as Belle stole the rose right out of Xaldin's arms and ran over, smiling at them.

"Go Belle," Sora cheered even as they readied for the fight.

Xaldin controlled the winds themselves but Sora was no slouch in that area either. She figured being able to fly helped there, he had to be able to read the wind to stay aloft. She stayed back, throwing water and fire spells, not wanting to risk sending wind at a wind master. It was a hard fight but in the end, they beat him.

"Is this the end?" Xaldin staggered back, his six staves firmly embedded in the ground. They disappeared in shafts of white light as Xaldin screamed in agony, fading away.

"Everyone alright?" Riku asked.

Kairi nodded even as Sora gulped down a blood pack. They made their way back to the castle where the staff was gathering.

Belle handed the rose to the Beast. "Here. It's yours again."

The Beast took it. "Belle..."

"I know. You want me to leave the castle," she looked down at the ground.

"What matters is... You weren't hurt by Xaldin... You're safe. And... I'm very grateful to you...for bringing the rose back to me. Thank you."

Kairi smiled at hearing him say that.

Belle smiled too. "It's the least I could do. You've been good to me. And you didn't have to be."

The Beast placed the rose on the ground. "Listen, Belle..."

"Yes?"

The Beast was having a hard time forming words, and he glanced at the group.

"Say it!" Sora encouraged, and Riku nodded.

"Go on!" Lumiere cheered.

"C'mon!" Kairi grinned.

"You can do it!" Mrs Potts agreed.

"We have confidence," Cogsworth told his Master.

The Beast looked back at Belle. "Belle, I'd like you to stay... With me... Please?"

Belle smiled and held her hand out. The Beast understood and placed a hand on her waist and around her hand. "I will."

The Beast smiled and they went back inside towards the ballroom.

"Maestro-music!" Lumiere called as the lights lowered.

They started to dance as the music plays, the Beast twirling her.

"Hey, did you see the look on Belle's face when she grabbed that rose?" Sora grinned, taking Kairi's hand.

"Yep," she smirked.

"She is rather unique, isn't she?" Riku asked, standing behind them.

"Dance with me?" She asked him and Riku froze.

"Go on," Sora grinned at them.

Kairi held her hand out to him and smiled when Riku took it, moving onto the dance floor even as Sora began chatting with the others. When the next dance began she pulled Sora out to dance with him, and then made them dance together too.

TBC…