And we're back with day four. So, this story takes place in my Dream Drop Distance timeline the scenes include will make it into that story, but it will be rewritten into first person. But I think it's time I wrote out how Dakota and Ventus met and the premise of my Birth by Sleep rewrite I planned to post last summer but never got around to it due to a mixture of moving and writers burn out. With that said enjoy the story.


Meeting someone for the first time can be exciting, nerve-wracking, and sometimes lead to much more. The story of how Dakota and Ventus met each other is heartwarming as it was destined. Dakota was eleven years old when she met the sleeping boy, and it kick-started a relationship that would last a lifetime.

Dakota couldn't remember the reason, but Xemnes called all the members of the Organization to Castle Oblivion. It turns out they've been searching for a place called the Chamber of Waking for years. Xigbar explained it was a room in the castle where something slept. It was unexpected for the eleven-year-old and her group, but they decided to tag along to protect whatever the band of fiends found. The gang recently returned from a sleeping world and was exhausted. Dakota didn't realize how draining the worlds would be until they reached the second one. Though she didn't mind it too much, it was nice to return to Travers Town and meet Neku and his friends. She hoped they would meet again someday. But, what she did mind was the constant exhaustion that plagued her body and mind when she returned to the realm of light.

Xigbar patted her head. "Hey there, kiddo, it's alright we'll take things from here. Let your mind get a little shut-eye; Vanitas keep an eye on her, will ya."

"Sure, least I can do." He shrugged simply, not really into taking orders from the second in command.

Dakota was about to protest, but she was so tired it couldn't hurt to close her eyes a little. She rested her back on the wall and closed her eyes. When she did, she felt warmth, a kind of quiet sadness that was calling out to her. Dakota reopened her eyes to see she was alone; against her better judgment, she immediately ran off to find the source. Closing her eyes and letting her Friendship Heart guide her, she soon stopped Infront of a door she didn't see during her last visit.

"I see you found something." A voice said,

Dakota whipped around in fright but soon sighed in relief, seeing it was Vanitas and her friends.

"Sorry, didn't mean to startle you, we got worried seeing you run off like that. So, what did you find?" Vanitas asked,

"I'm not sure. I just felt this presence and followed it here. Do you think we can open it?" Dakota answered,

"Yeah, I think I can." The raven-haired boy nodded, summoning his Keyblade, and unlocked the door. Heading inside, everyone gasped in surprise to see a person who looked identical to Roxas sleeping on a throne.

"Who? Who is that?!" Emily whisper yelled, in fear of disturbing the sleeping boy.

"That would be my brother Ventus," Vanitas spoke up sadly,

"You have a brother?" Dakota questioned,

"Kind of, I'm Ventus's darkness personified. Xehanort ripped me out of his heart in hopes of weaponizing me to create the X-blade. And I fell for it. He manipulated me into helping him and made me jealous of Ven's relationship with Aqua and Terra. Our heart was shattered during our final fight, causing me to disappear and Ventus to fall into. Well… This." He explained, gesturing to the young boy.

"Wow, Vanitas, I didn't know," Dakota said, feeling sorry for him,

"There's a reason I didn't want you to know about my past. Now we should get out of here before the Organization finds us." He said,

"But what about Ventus?" Dakota wondered, not wanting to leave the sleeping boy behind.

The Darkened Boy sadly shook his head. "There's nothing we can do for him for now. Without his heart, Ventus will never wake up."

"Poor Ventus, I wonder if Joshua will know what to do." The eleven-year-old thought out loud,

"Master Yen Sid should have a clearer idea. I bet this is why he sent us on this quest." Amy realized, "To unlock the Power of Waking to save Ventus and his friends."

"Then we should continue unlocking the sleeping worlds and help Ven return to the light." Dakota declared,

The others silently agreed and left, leaving Ventus on his own again. After that day, Dakota would return to keep Ventus company. It made her feel good inside knowing Ven wasn't alone, even if they couldn't talk face to face. Dakota loved telling him about her recent adventure. That was until she started feeling drowsy. Soon Dakota fell asleep on the chamber's floor and lost track of time.

"Hey, are you okay? You've been sleeping for a while." A voice similar to Roxas spoke,

"Oh, I guess I fell asleep thanks for waking me up, Roxas." She replied, eyes still closed.

"I'm glad you're okay, but my name isn't Roxas." He said,

"Wait, what do you mean?" Dakota asked, finally opening her eyes to be faced not with Roxas but with Ventus. "Hey, you're Ventus! Aren't you?"

"I am, and you're the girl who found me. I thought I sensed the heart of a child here." He smiled, kneeling down to her level.

"My name is Dakota Natalie. I'm eleven."

"My name is Ventus. You can call me Ven if you want, but you already know that." He chuckled awkwardly, scratching his head.

"Yeah, I do." She nodded, "But I'm happy to meet you properly."

"I am too. I can't remember the last time I've made a friend. Why don't you tell me more about yourself?"

Dakota nodded and began to tell Ventus about herself and her friends. After that, every time Dakota closed her eyes near him, she would be transported to the Station of Awakening. The two chatted about everything they could think of. Their time together was short yet sweet. Even after Dakota finished her adventure with Sora and Riku, she kept Ven in her thoughts with newfound hope they'll free his heart from Sora's.

Three years later, they would reunite and resume the dream-like chats as if she never left. The young girl, now fourteen, looked forward to seeing Ven every night. It wasn't long before her feelings began to change, and a crush was slowly developing.

The long-forgotten past was about to be reviled. The past selves of Ventus, Aqua, and Terra have traveled to the present. Now it was up to the gang to understand and send them back to their time. Standing in the regal world of the Land of Departure, Dakota felt a familiar presence coming towards her.

"Aqua, Terra, there you are! Master Eraqus and I have been looking everywhere for you!" He beamed, running up to hug them.

"Ven!" They shouted, hugging the young boy, relieved their little brother was safe.

"Oh, I didn't realize you brought guests. Hey, my name is Ventus, but you can call me Ven." He smiled,

Dakota felt her heart melt at the innocent boy's smile.

"Hey Ven, my name is Dakota Natalie. It's nice to meet you." She smiled, feeling something, she hadn't felt in a while romantic love. Thus, kick-starting the love that would last a lifetime.


And now you know how the two love birds met. Next prompt is Dancing this was one of my favorites to write. :)