Disclaimer: not mine

Chapter 38

Aqua held Ventus, feeling him rub his cheek against her shoulder. Having him cling to her, hearing him stammer out her name…she held him close, hearing…was he trying to purr? "I'm here Ven," she whispered. Her eyes widened as she felt him sucking at her neck but there were no teeth involved and he didn't have fangs anyway, so she let him.

She heard Sora snicker but then he was kneeling in front of her, hand stroking Ventus' hair. "You're going to have a hickey," he told her even as Ven pressed back into his touch.

Aqua managed a shaky smile at Sora. "Is he okay?"

"Yeah," Sora's eyes were sad. "He's a lot more aware than I was, I…I was basically an animal but he managed to speak, he recognised you."

As Sora spoke, Ven turned to face him, reaching for him, and it hurt but she let him go, Sora holding him gently. Ventus curled into him, making soft noises, staring at Sora with wide eyes, something childlike in his expression.

"Hey Ven," Sora murmured, gently stroking his cheek, and Ventus pressed into his hand. "Can you understand me?" he asked.

It hurt to have him so focused on Sora, but whatever Ven needed to be okay, he would get.

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Sora held Ventus and it felt…natural, not odd like he thought it would. He was just glad everyone else was keeping their distance, he didn't want Ventus to snap or anything. Although with how thoroughly Kairi and Riku carried his scent, Ven should accept them. Yes he'd spoken, but he was still acting very…young. Ven whined, pressing even closer, and Sora gently ran his hand up and down his back, leaning in to nuzzle at him, feeling him settle.

"Sssire," Ventus said, and Sora hummed softly. He couldn't say no, he didn't want to confuse Ven and better he see Sora in that role than Sora's own Sire. He whined, nuzzling at Sora's throat and Sora pulled an emergency pack out, using his own fangs to open it before pressing it to Ventus' lips, watching him latch on to suckle at it, not the greedy sucking of earlier at least.

"Sora?" Riku murmured, and Ven reacted, hissing as best human vocal chords could but then he paused, sniffing the air.

"Come closer slowly, you should smell enough like me that he'll let you," Sora told him, hearing Riku begin to move closer. He kept a secure but loose grip on Ventus, just in case he lunged. He may not have fangs or claws but he was stronger and could do damage. Sora kept gently stroking Ven's back as he sniffed at the approaching Riku. He definitely had an enhanced sense of smell, he seemed to be relying on it.

Riku made it to his side and held his hand out to Ventus, moving slowly. "Hi Ventus," he murmured, keeping his voice quiet which was good but…Sora got the feeling Ven's hearing wouldn't be a problem, he hadn't seemed to be following the noise earlier so maybe not all his senses were better than human normal. They'd have to test that carefully later.

Ven cautiously leant forward, sniffing the offered limb, a look of confusion on his face. He looked from Riku and then to Sora, head titled curiously to the side. He could definitely smell Sora on Riku but didn't seem to realise why. Was Ventus that sheltered or was he just not understanding that at the moment? He leant forward more and Sora let go, letting Ventus basically crawl into Riku's lap, the other teen looking a little awkward. Riku had never been good with showing affection or anything outside of him and Kairi, but he hesitantly ran his fingers through Ven's hair. Sora smiled when Ventus went limp against Riku, rubbing his cheek against him like he had Aqua.

"Is he understanding anything?" Aqua asked quietly.

Sora shrugged slightly. "His name, if you mean speech," he offered, smiling at Ven when he looked up at the sound of his voice. "Instinct is really hard to control at first, you saw the recording of me," he told her. "He's acting a lot calmer than I was, less wild. Ven's still alive, still at partially human, so it shouldn't take anywhere near as long for him to get passed this." He hoped anyway. Would Ventus still age at a normal human rate? If he did then they couldn't use the time spells on him to speed things up, then again, he hadn't aged in the last decade. Because his Heart had been with Sora?

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Ienzo observed their interactions, fascinated by how Ventus was reacting. He was still quite human and yet his reactions were more like a very young vampire. He had not expected so much to imprint on his Heart from Sora, even though the spells meant it had been several years, no one was sure exactly.

He hadn't been sure at first when they had spoken of him, but now that he had seen him, he recognised him. It had been Ventus who had saved him that day when he was a child. That must have been very soon to the events that had caused his Heart to seek refuge with Sora as he looked no different to how Ienzo remembered. Would Ventus remember him? They'd only met for a minute or so and he had been too shy and shaken to say anything to him, clinging to Even once he arrived.

Strangely, being back in the place where his Nobody had been killed wasn't affecting him, then again, it was very different to Castle Oblivion now. he had seen Riku's reaction outside and had been prepared to sedate him if he appeared to be getting worse but thankfully it had faded as the Castle righted itself. The true form of the place was marvellous and would have been a nice place to grow up. He wondered if there would be anything left of the labs Zexion and Vexen had used?

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Everything was too much, too overwhelming. He buried his nose in the neck of the one holding him, human, but smelt so much of Sire. Ven…he was Ven? He whined softly, pressing closer, feeling a hand rubbing up and down his back.

"It's okay Ven," the one holding him was talking, and he struggled to understand. His voice was nice… "Can we move him?"

He felt Sire's hand in his hair, claws gently scratching his scalp and it felt sooo good. "He can sleep through it, let Ienzo, Even, and Merlin give him a full check over once we get there too."

Ven twisted, reaching for Sire, but then he saw Aqua and she felt…sad, so he reached for her, and she smiled at him, opening her arms. He crawled into her arms, cuddling in. He closed his eyes, listening to the steady beat of her heart. She smelt really good but Aqua was not food! He stopped trying to listen and understand, just cuddling close to make her happier.

"Ven," Sire called his name, and he opened his eyes, turning his head to look at him. He chirped softly, and Sire smiled, touching his face, and Ven leant into his touch. "Relax Ven, I'm here, it's time to sleep now little one."

Ven yawned, he was tired. He snuggled down more in her arms, head nodding and eyes drooping.

"That's it Ven, you're so tired, it's time to sleep."

His eyes shut and he didn't have the energy to open them, his body heavy…

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Sora smiled as Ventus fell asleep in Aqua's lap. Where was a camera when he wanted one? He looked adorable curled up against her like that. He reached out, carefully lifting Ventus off her lap, standing easily with the other teen limp in his hold. Riku offered Aqua a hand up and she took it.

Kairi moved closer and smiled. "Anyone else wondering why you two look so much alike?" she asked, kissing his cheek.

"No clue," he admitted. He looked at Aqua who was watching Ventus sleep. "Is there anything here you want to get before we leave? Personal belonging for either of you?"

Aqua nodded and left, Mickey going with her to be safe.

Sora looked at Kairi and Riku, not sure what to say, how to explain. Ventus needed him and he felt drawn to him, to look after him, not the same way he was with them though, thankfully. Kairi smiled at him, moving over to kiss his cheek, and Riku nodded. Sora smiled at how easily they could all read each other, even after everything they'd gone through and the time separated.

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Merlin examined the teen lying fast asleep on the examination chair within the Castle. He remembered the child from all those years ago and if he'd known his fate…he would have done more that day to try and help. Various machines were hooked up to his body, monitoring his health and his Heart to ensure it would remain in his body. He was already seeing with magic how Ventus' body was adapting to the changes his Heart had accepted while sleeping within Sora's.

It was amazing to watch as the blood he had already ingested was introduced into his body as his digestive system shifted to be able to use it. Muscle, tissue…every part of his body was becoming stronger, more resistant to damage, illness, and even aging to an extent. He wouldn't be frozen in time like Sora but he would age slower than a full human. Ventus had been more Light than anyone outside of one of the Seven Princesses…now flickers of Darkness were taking root within his Heart, an unavoidable component of vampirism sadly. Still, it was less than even Sora or Riku held so there should be no problems, they could both help Ventus if needed.

Watching Sora pace like an expectant parent was amusing, the bond between the two of them was strong despite Sora not actually having turned Ventus. Hopefully, Ventus would adapt swiftly to the changes he was undergoing. He had some ideas once he had and the two had worked out how to be separated, Aqua's presence would help with that. Sora had adapted quickly to not having his Sire present, but that was likely due to the way she had taken and turned him. If they could save Ventus that stress then it would be better for him. Still, once Riku's own transformation was complete, which should be soon, he had plans to help Sora learn more about vampires, even if not quite his own variety. There would be plenty of learning opportunities for both boys…and perhaps in their journeys they would find a way to share immortality with young Kairi, otherwise that relationship would one day end in tragedy.

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Kairi curled in Sora's arms, watching as Riku shivered beside them, breathing heavily. they had tried holding him only for him to cry out in pain at their touches. She hated this! She was now glad she hadn't been there for Sora's turning, how much worse would it have been to have been separated by wards as he screamed in agony? At least they could comfort each other while Riku's eyes moved rapidly beneath closed lids. Sora was speaking softly to Riku, giving him something to focus on, beyond whatever was happening to his body. Riku shuddered and went still, panting.

"Riku?" Kairi called nervously.

He groaned, but his eyelids fluttered, eyes opening slightly, a hand shifting on the bed towards them. Kairi crawled out of Sora's embrace to take Riku's hand carefully, ready to pull back if it hurt, but all that happened was his fingers spasming slightly, trying to curl around hers.

"It's okay, we're here," Sora promised. He moved around, gently lifting Riku's head to rest in his lap.

"I thought it wasn't meant to hurt?" Kairi asked, and Sora frowned.

"Maybe because he's only been back to himself for a few days? Or she could have gotten that wrong, who knows when this last happened to someone," Sora offered, stroking sweaty long silver hair back from Riku's face.

Riku stirred more, blinking dazedly up at Sora even as his hand finally moved properly in hers, and she squeezed gently, feeling his fingers tighten in response. "Ssssora?" he slurred.

"Here, you're okay," Sora told him. "Kairi's here too." He picked up a glass of water and supported Riku's head so he could drink a little.

Riku's gaze found hers and she smiled at him, seeing some of the dazedness fading, his eyes focusing more. "Kairi," he whispered, and she was relieved he didn't slur. He tried to sit up and swayed, Sora grabbing him, holding him up.

"Easy, take your time," he chided gently.

"I…I feel strange," Riku muttered, pressing a hand to his head.

Kairi bit her lip, but then shifted closer to him, and he looked at her, reaching out. Kairi went to him, wrapping her arms around him, and Riku slumped against her. She pressed a kiss to his head, holding him tightly, scared. Strange how? They couldn't lose him, they couldn't. "We're here, we love you," she whispered.

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Aqua sat by the bed, holding Ven's limp hand in her own. Sora had said Ventus could hear them, even though he was being kept asleep. It had been two days since they'd brought him back from the Land of Departure. The first day he'd spent asleep in the lab being examined thoroughly. Everyone had agreed that it would be best to let him sleep through the rest of the transformation; to let mind and body adapt slowly.

"I think you'll like it here Ven, this house is very magical. Do you remember meeting Merlin? He remembers you. Well, this is his home and he's letting everyone live here," she told him and for a second she could have sworn his hand tightened slightly in hers.

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Sora watched, worried, as Riku and Kairi clung to each other. He wanted to ask Riku what he meant but by strange but didn't want to push. He hadn't been aware of his own changes as they happened, he'd been unconscious and then dead, even when he'd woken he hadn't truly been aware. By the time he was, his body and even his mind had adapted. Riku was changing more slowly and fully aware of it.

His worry for Riku was helping him give Aqua time with Ventus, he was still asleep but she was sitting with him. Sora had lightened his sleep so that he would be able to hear anyone in the room, everyone hoped it would help him be more aware when he woke up. He was scared he was going to mess something up with Ven, do damage or something.

Riku straightened up, slowly this time and didn't sway which was good, one hand clinging to Kairi's. Sora met his eyes and blinked as he realised the colour had changed. They had always been cyan, halfway between green and blue, but now they were more towards green…with a yellowish tinge. Proof he really was changing from human. And…Sora leant in, pressing his nose to his throat, and he felt Riku's hand come up to his shoulder.

"Sora?" he asked, sounding confused.

Sora breathed in deeply, taking in his scent, nuzzling at the skin, and he felt Riku's hand tighten on his shoulder. He smelt different, still Riku, but with something…he always smelt a little of ash since he favoured fire spells and he still did but…like a hotter fire or something.

"Sora…" he almost moaned, and Sora realised he was lapping at the warm skin.

He pulled back to find them both watching him. "Your scent's changed," he admitted. "You always smell like fire but it's different."

Riku blinked at him. "I smell like fire…but isn't fire dangerous to you? I smell like danger?" he demanded.

Sora shook his head. "No, like a comforting, protective, fire." It wasn't easy to explain to someone who couldn't smell things like he did. He pressed closer and Riku wrapped himself around him.

"Is it…bad?" Riku asked shakily.

"No," he nuzzled again, before kissing his throat.

"I think…your eyes have changed colour a bit too," Kairi offered, and Sora was kind of glad he didn't have to.

"Hey, it's okay," Sora whispered. "Maleficent said there'd be changes. You're changing species, Riku."

"Sora's right, we knew there'd be differences," Kairi agreed, but Sora could smell her lingering fear. Sora reached out and took her hand; he knew what she feared and he didn't blame her. She'd had to deal with how he'd changed since he'd been turned after all, the thought of Riku being different too was scary.

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Riku fought back a shudder as they told him how he had begun to change. How different would he be by the time it was done? Something inside him felt different, strange, but he didn't know how to explain it or even truly what had changed. He clung to Sora and the coolness of his body felt really good, Riku's own aches slowly fading. Kairi was scared, he could feel it…of him? He didn't want her to be scared of him.

"Riku, what's wrong?" Sora murmured. Sometimes Sora being able to pick up changes in emotion cause of their scents was annoying…but then Sora kissed him and the annoyance vanished. He loved kissing Sora, the slight hint of danger from four razor sharp fangs just added to it.

A soft hand touched his back and he broke the kiss, looking over his shoulder at Kairi, seeing the worry in her eyes.

"Kairi…please…don't be scared of me," he pleaded, and her eyes widened.

"No…Riku, no, I'm not scared of you," she denied, shaking her head. She moved so that Riku was pressed right between the two of them, wrapping her arms around his waist, just above Sora's. She kissed him and Riku deepened the kiss, Kairi not hesitating to respond. Maybe…she wasn't scared of him? Then why did she feel scared…and how could he even know that? "I love you Riku," she told him and he shuddered, he…he could feel it!

"Riku?" Sora called in alarm.

"I…I can feel it…sense it…" he stammered, overwhelmed. What was happening to him?

"Breath Riku," Kairi encouraged, and he took in gasping breaths.

It was too much! He could sense….

"I'm taking him to the castle," Sora's voice cut through the confusion.

"Sora…"

"It'll be okay Kairi."

Their voices were fading in and out, and then he felt Sora lifting him, cradling him close, and it got a little easier. It wasn't so overwhelming with Sora…because he was a vampire? He felt a flare of power and then he could sense her.

"What has happened?" Maleficent demanded, and Riku surrendered to the blackness of unconsciousness, he was safe with them.

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Maleficent examined Riku carefully, listening to Sora explain everything that had happened. Why was the change causing him pain? She had been sure it wouldn't and yet there was no denying the evidence. His current unconsciousness appeared a simple matter of being overwhelmed before he could adapt to new the new ability.

She had returned to the castle to wait once she had sensed them all vanish from that World, knowing there was no more she could do to help them after thinning the number of Nobodies in the castle there. She had told Pete they were there looking for a new home but she had only gone to provide aid to the boys.

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Daichi looked up at the knock on his door, sitting up in bed, the lamp still on. "Come in?" he called, and the door opened to reveal Naminé. "Is everything alright?" he asked in concern, scanning her with his eyes, but she looked alright. In the morning, they would be transferring her Heart to the Replica, though he wasn't sure how that was meant to work. "Naminé?"

"Can…can I stay here tonight?" she asked nervously.

He blinked, and then blushed, not sure what he was meant to say…then again the other three were all living in the one room now and no one said anything. He had Riku's memories, including a certain class…but he didn't think that was why she had come. He took a deep breath and then pulled back the covers, getting a small smile form her. She shut the door and crossed the room, getting in beside him. Dai hesitated but then turned the lamp off and lay back down. It felt strange to have someone else in the bed too, he'd never shared before, not him, Riku's memories didn't count.

She shifted on her side, moving closer, and he slowly reached out his arm, carefully wrapping it around her. In response she shifted even closer, her body resting against his. She felt real to him, solid and warm, so he didn't understand why she needed a Replica, why everyone was so sure she'd fade away soon and return to Kairi without one.

"I'm scared," she whispered, and he hugged her tighter.

"It'll be okay," he promised. He couldn't imagine not having her there and he would do anything to make sure she'd be okay.

TBC…