Wrote part of the chapter with a migraine. Hope you enjoy it, please R&R!

To-xXx-Realize-xXx-This-xXx-Wish

When Vanitas woke up still in control of Sora's body for a third day, he had to take a deep breath and use an incredible amount of self restraint to not destroy the room.

He shouldn't be in control.

It took a solid ten minutes to get himself calm enough to go numb as he contemplated just what had happened for Sora to go that far under.

The Darkling dealt with the usual morning routine before he entered the kitchen to stare at everything wearily.

He could cook, but it was awkward and he definitely didn't entirely trust his methods. Still, he decided for something safe and went for oatmeal since it didn't require controlling his strength.

If Sora could destroy a dozen eggs he didn't wanna know how he'd deal with it.

By the time Aced and Aveia stumbled into the kitchen and noticed the still red coloring of his eye, Aced finally had enough, "What's happened to the Master?"

Vanitas put a bowl of oatmeal down at the teen's spot, looking him in the eyes with a dangerous glare in his eye as he carefully kept his voice level, "That's what I'd like to know." He was practically growling.

Aveia watched between the two of them and shrugged, "He'll be back soon, I think." The two boys looked at her in interest as she continued, "It's what my Heart says."

Vanitas blinked before shrugging, "Sounds good to me."

Aced balked, both apprentices having come to understand how cynical and crude this other part of their Master was. He was far more realistic and didn't have a particularly funny bone in his body (though that probably had far more to do with hiding his nervousness than anything else).

Aveia simply understood that this stranger was just as worried about the Master as they were.

Vanitas sighed lightly as he finished placing bowls for Aveia and himself, sitting straight as he tiredly chewed in a very specific and methodical manner. He thoroughly ignored them as they all ate, Aced making small talk about lesson plans for the day with Aveia as they settled into breakfast. The Darkling had made it clear he would be incapable of teaching them and they were somewhat glad for it, even if he still watched in boredom occasionally.

The way he moved was simply far too different from Sora, and it was distracting.

Just as he was about to take another bite he froze, his eye widening as he stiffened terribly. Aced and Aveia stopped to look at him as Vanitas was thrown out of reality.

Sora blinked, his eye immediately returning to its indigo blue as he breathed out only to stay frozen as panic set in. He looked around in confusion as Aced realized the switch happened, "...Master?"

Sora turned to him abruptly, forcing himself to put down the spoon that had been halfway to his mouth. He Pushed his seat back and stood, "I need a minute." He turned and hastily left the kitchen, looking around everywhere as he tried to keep from hyperventilating.

He'd spent an unknown amount of time reliving a particularly bad Loop after he'd passed out, triggered by his near suffocation and he needed a minute to breath as he reasserted just where and when he was.

He found one of his crafting rooms and hastily flopped down into a dusty chair, clutching his head as he leaned forward with his elbows on his knees. He stared pointedly at the floor as he tried to control his breathing, forcing himself to count as he reacclimated to his current reality.

After several minutes he finally breathed out the tightness in his chest and closed his eye as nerves still ran rampant.

'...Vanitas?'

'You know, it would be nice if you didn't just chuck me into your heart station in the middle of something.'

Sora's heart sunk a little as he slightly curled into himself, 'I'm...sorry.'

Vanitas sighed lightly as he gently coaxed, 'What happened.'

'I relived a Loop from childhood until fourteen when everything fell apart. The Islanders were cruel… and you were my only ally. You were the one to drag Ventus to my Heart, and… he didn't make it. I wasn't even close to Riku and Kairi, and just… it was a mess. My Heart shattered because Aqua, tainted, managed to crawl out of the Dark Realm through the sea and broke me herself.'

Vanitas shivered. He'd had a good time fighting Aqua since she was a great fighter despite Eraqus's teachings, but that also made the aspect of her anti form that much more terrifying. He rubbed his chest, '...Oh.'

Sora slowly sat up and took a deep cleansing breath, 'I feel better, well, physically. What happened while I was under?'

'I had to give Aveia access to your study.' Sora stiffened as Vanitas continued, 'Your body was too weak, so I handed her a new version of Oathkeeper.' The mixed brunette's face twisted into something confused and concerned as the Darkling continued, 'I don't know how you deal with surreal bullshit. Haiiro popped up and switched the Keychain to his charm from Kairi's, making it Wish Keeper. I have a really odd feeling about it all.'

Sora frowned, 'An odd feeling?'

'I don't think you are supposed to give Aveia access to the Keyblade.'

Sora stiffened, 'Why?'

Vanitas seemed to think for a moment, 'I can't easily explain it. My giving her the Keyblade in a rushed Ceremony, even if I stated it wasn't official, feels right? It would have otherwise been.. Paradoxical?'

Sora stared at the wall in front of him, thinking critically, 'But why would you feel that way?'

Vanitas huffed, 'Beats me. It's fuzzy, and at the end of the day… it's done. You know what you need to do now.'

Sora bowed his head as he closed his eye, 'She's only seven though…'

'Her Heart is strong. I understand your reservations, but I think it's for the best now that I gave her access to Wish Keeper. She's also the one who made the Holy Water that's made your body finally start working right again.'

Sora's fingers twitched as he felt a rush of Vanitas's anger over his physical state, having managed to hide it from everyone including the other part of his Heart. He awkwardly rubbed his head, 'Oh. What were we doing wrong?'

He could feel Vanitas's eye roll, 'My Heart tainted yours too heavily to produce such purity.'

Sora smacked his face in annoyance, 'Of course.'

He stood and stretched with a yawn before returning to the kitchen where his apprentices were waiting for him. They stood as he raised a hand to make them wait, "I'm sorry."

Aced frowned and Aveia came up to him and held his hand, "Why Master?" She was concerned for him.

Sora sighed lightly, "Neither of you should have been thrust into that situation. I knew I was going to be sick like that, but didn't warn you. I normally don't make that sort of mess, and then I fell unconscious while panicking. I've never… that's never happened before. How long was I under?" He was a mess.

Aced frowned, "About… three days?"

Sora's eye widened as Aveia squeezed his hand, "The other you was very clear about his actions and had us self-study. Honestly, your body was too weak to do much else, Master."

Sora made a self depreciating face, "Still. I was in the wrong."

Aveia studied him before smiling, "I forgive you, Master." Aced nodded his agreement with her.

Sora closed his eye sadly as he chuckled mournfully, "Thanks, guys." It was more than he deserved.

To-xXx-Realize-xXx-This-xXx-Wish

Sora had placed an extra layer of Sleep on Aced and Aveia both. He didn't need the older teen to wake up if anything were to happen. He bit his lip as he gazed down at the seven year old in his care for a moment, he could feel Vanitas's annoyance with him as he took a deep breath and sighed.

Superbia came to his hand, and just as before he carefully placed the tip of the Dark Keyblade to his chest, only carving out the part of himself that was overrun with Greed. A small orb of purple-dark came forth as he braced against the wave of dizziness that overtook him for a moment. He was more prepared this time, taking a shaky breath as he carefully did the same to Aveia, pulling out a small orb of Light in the same measure.

He took in the small portion of her Light and once it settled within his Heart, he dove into her Heart with the part of himself he'd carved out. Her Station was covered in dark, Asleep as the portion he'd taken in the shape of an 'x' where her image's heart might have been was glowing in wait.

Carefully he coaxed the Dark orb of his Heart into that missing place. Just as it had for Aced it entered and all went dark. He floated upwards as the darkness covering her Station pulled away like rushing water.

The image of a Fox with swirled filigree behind it in hues of yellow and pink greeted his gaze.

Sora took a deep breath and sighed as he reopened his eye in reality.

The next day he performed a more official Keyblade ceremony, bringing forth Vulpes and granting Aveia the name Ava.

To-xXx-Realize-xXx-This-xXx-Wish

Months passed, and soon Aced and Ava were nineteen and eight respectively. It was during a turbulent spring that Sora felt his Heart be pulled far away. He frowned, and with a brisque explanation to his two apprentices he left Daybreak to follow his heart where it led him.

He made short work of the journey, but found himself stuck in the Town observing for two full days trying to catch just where he was being led.

Whoever he was being pulled towards, they were swift to notice him and run off.

He felt deep frustration, a rush of anger as he stuffed his face in random taverns as self control came and went.

Vanitas was the one to realize what was happening, 'Sora there's two of them.'

The mixed brunette paused for a moment before continuing to eat. Feeling ill from taking in so much and wondering if he'd end up throwing up this time from it all. 'I want it to stop. I haven't even found them and they're causing this. I don't like it.'

Vanitas sighed, 'I agree. This is incredibly concerning.'

Certain Sins made Vanitas become the gentle form of reason. Sora's Wrath in particular was where they switched roles, since normally the brunette was decently mild-mannered and Vanitas ran hot.

Sora flopped back in his seat as he rubbed his stomach, miserable and missing his two apprentices. 'Why did it have to be two at once? Why?' He was whining, but he'd barely been able to deal with his Greed, let alone Wrath and Gluttony at once.

There were many ways one could be a glutton, food not merely the only one. However, there were so many avenues one could fall down that eating was the only one he knew he could recover from safely.

He did have the urge to punch someone though, which only meant he needed to leave the place he was in presently.

He left the tavern and began to walk once more. If he ran at the moment, he knew he'd toss up all the food he'd eaten and then just want to eat again. He sighed heavily, feeling someone young run full force into his blind side and nearly bowling him over. Sora growled as he snatched the hand in his pocket around his money pouch, twisting the small arm to his chest in a swift movement, "You."

The boy yelled, flailing as he tried to break his tight grip but failing. The boy stopped and glared up at him with teeth bared, poorly kempt rust colored hair and green cold eyes, "Let me go!" Sora realized the kid was skin and bone, clearly not having showered anytime recently as Sora clenched his teeth angrily.

"No."

A teenager ran up in somewhat dirtied clothes, more than likely from a fallen wealthy family as he tried to intervene, "Let Ragule go, sir." He was calm and collected, long spruce blue hair and steady hazel eyes.

Sora glared at the teen, looking between him and the child before huffing and roughly releasing the boy towards him.

Ragule rubbed his wrist as he moved behind the teenager as Sora looked them over, "You two know each other?"

The teen sighed softly, "We look out for one another." Sora realized they both looked as if they'd been beaten up recently, now that he took a moment. "My name is Raiko, I apologize for Ragule's behavior."

Sora frowned, "An apology won't save you from being arrested or worse if you two get caught up in thievery, you know."

Raiko's eyes widened as he bowed his head slightly in response, contrite, "I am well aware, sir."

Sora crossed his arms, "I'm feeling generous today." The two boys looked at him in confusion as he still sounded angry and threatening, "Become my apprentices."

Raiko was confused, "What? Who are you that you could ask that?"

"The Master."

Raiko stiffened as Ragule looked up at the older in confusion as the teen bowed at the waist, "My apologies my Lord!"

Sora blinked at the title but huffed silently, "Well? Do you have anyone you answer to?"

Raiko straightened as he shook his head, "Ragule is a street urchin, and I am… well." He shrugged helplessly, "An orphan I guess."

That was ominous.

"I see, so you are free to come under my wing?"

Raiko frowned, "But why us?" Ragule tightened his grip on the older boy's clothes, thoroughly distrusting Sora.

The mixed brunette smiled stiffly, "You both have potential."

Raiko contemplated for a long moment before slowly nodding, "Alright, Sir. Ragule and I will both come with you." Ragule went to protest but a particular look from the older teen silenced him.

Sora turned, "We leave immediately."

Ragule finally spoke, "But we should tell the others!"

Raiko patted the younger boy's rust colored hair, "We'll send a letter. We can't let this chance pass us." Ragule pouted, tears in his eyes as they followed hand in hand.

Sora placed a hand on his chest and gripped his shirt with a deep grimace.

To-xXx-Realize-xXx-This-xXx-Wish

Two days passed slowly as they traveled by foot through the forest. He couldn't handle the idea of even opening a Corridor to bring them back to Daybreak faster, and it was a good way to start out training them in endurance.

Raiko was clearly not accustomed to such a difficult journey, while Ragule's lack of any weight concerned him,

His Wrath and Gluttony was driving him crazy as he did his best to not snap at them all the time.

By the third night no remorse was in his heart as he placed a double layer of Sleep on the two of them and extracted the boiling over pieces of his Heart and taking an equal portion of their light in exchange.

Just like with Aced and Ava, their Stations had revealed 'x' shapes for his Heart piece to be placed into. Once settled, the darkness had bled away and revealed images to him.

For Raiko, it was the image of a Unicorn on a red hued background with fancy waves behind.

For Ragule, it was the image of a Leopard on a dark olive hued background with streaks of what might be curved bands of light.

Sora sighed in relief as the stress was finally gone and he fell into a calm sleep for the first time in a handful of days.

By the time they made it back to Daybreak after a few more days, Sora had been able to slowly warm up to the two of them and ease their misgivings as he carefully adjusted his personality to his normal one.

He knew they were still weary of him, but hopefully Aced and Ava could help with that.

He turned to the two boys with a smile, "Starting tomorrow you'll be joining Aced, Ava, and I for training by observing." Raiko was amazed by the Tower as he nodded absently, Ragule also amazed but holding back under the guise of pouting anger. Sora shrugged, "You may feel free to call me Vara."

The two looked at him as he continued, "This Tower is now your home. I can't allow you everywhere within just yet, but once you gain your Keyblades no room will be kept from you."

The two nodded as they followed him in, Sora immediately going into one of the larger bathing rooms as he turned to them, "I'll leave you two to clean up. While you do that I'll grab you new clothes, alright?"

Raiko nodded as he placed a hand on Ragule's shoulder, "Yes, Vara Sir."

Sora nodded as he left them, the soap and such in clear view for their use.

After looking thoroughly through his available clothing, he found good starter clothes for the two of them and dropped it off at the door with a simple knock and explanation. Once done he went to his personal bath and scrubbed himself down thoroughly before putting on a newly made red tunic top with blue fractal patterns, a yellow sash of the same patterning, and black pants.

He snickered as Vanitas groaned from within, still absolutely hating his favored outfit as he stretched.

He felt good.

He breathed out lightly and went to the kitchen to make a quick meal, Raiko and Ragule following their noses to the kitchen where he was and standing awkwardly in the doorway.

Sora turned to them, "I'll warn you now to avoid being on my right side since I'm blind there."

Ragule pouted, "But you caught me!"

Sora rolled his eye, "Because you ran into me. I knew exactly what you were up to." He snorted, "Horrible form, really."

Raiko tilted his head and asked just as Aced and Ava came in from another doorway, "What happened to your eye?"

Aced balked as the four took note of one another, Ava smiled brightly as she ran over to Ragule and snatched his hands, "You're a kid just like me!" She enthusiastically shook the shocked boy's hands as she giggled joyously, "I'm Ava! What's your name!?"

The rust haired boy was flustered, "R-ragule…"

Ava's ice blue eyes widened, "How old are you!?"

"E-eight.."

Ava beamed, "Me too!"

Sora quickly adjusted his food quantities as Aced frowned, looking the spruce haired teen over, "You know, it's rude to ask someone about their injuries like that."

Raiko flushed lightly, "I-my apologies."

Sora chuckled, "Aced, it's fine." He pointed between the two, "Raiko, this is Aced. Aced, that's Raiko. Aced's nineteen, but I never did catch your age…"

Raiko bowed his head, "Yes, I'm fifteen. My apologies."

Sora hummed as Aced sighed, "Master, you're far too lenient."

Sora raised a brow as Ava bounced over to him and grabbed onto his yellow sash as she observed him on his right side. Clearly, it was allowable to be in his blind spot if they were touching him in some form, "But what did happen to your eye, Vara? I've kinda always wondered…" Ava's eyes were pure and clear and Sora smirked.

"My eye was ripped out by someone."

She looked up at him stricken as the three boys looked ill, "Oh.. I'm sorry, Master…" She bowed her head slightly as he gently placed his hand on her black hair, "It's alright, Ava. It hurt a lot, but I never considered myself traumatized by it. I had to worry more about adapting to the loss of that eye more than anything at first. It was… it was actually kind of a relief."

Ava looked up at him in shock, "Huh? But why would you be relieved to lose your eye?"

Sora smiled with a strange and bitter sadness, "It's… complicated. I can't really explain it."

Ava watched him for a long moment before slowly nodding, "Okay." She patted his back comfortingly and backed away from him before hopping into her usual chair. She turned to Ragule and motioned him over, "Tell me about yourself!"

The four became background noise as they spoke amongst themselves in comforting murmurs, Aced assisting him as needed.

To-xXx-Realize-xXx-This-xXx-Wish

After lunch on their second day of observation Sora pulled Raiko and Ragule to the side as he focused on them, "Do you feel connected to elements?"

Ragule held in ankles as they sat in a small circle, a frown on his face, "...The wind? Maybe? I'm not sure, since sometimes just being out in the sun feels better."

Sora frowned, trying to make sense of that. 'Maybe he's like Ventus… Wind and Light Magic.' The mixed brunette hummed as he took that into account, "I see. Anything for you, Raiko?"

The hazel eyed teen thought for a long moment, "Lightning storms. They're… comforting."

Sora nodded in thought for a long moment, "Alright. I… think I know what to have you two concentrate on. For now, I'll teach you how to meditate so that you can more clearly hear the voice of your Heart, and the sound of the elements that call to you." He looked towards Ragule, "There's a light breeze today, so you might even be able to hear its songs."

They blinked as Raiko spoke, "The elements talk?"

Sora shrugged, "Kind of, yeah? I hear them in spurts, since I can make use of all of the elements and spells, so sometimes one speaks or sings louder than the others. Most people don't have that wide of a range of Magic available to them."

The two nodded as they thought over his words.

Ava decided to join them, plopping down next to Ragule and startling him as she grinned before going into a waking meditation, picking the flowers around them with tranquility about her as she made flower crowns. Sora smirked as he began to gently talk about the process, lulling them with the even tone of his voice as he seemed to weave a sort of melody into his words.

Soon enough, the two boys had their eyes closed and breathing even as his voice slowly tapered out.

By the time the two boys finally came back to reality, Sora had two flower crowns on his head, one on Ava's, and one on each of theirs. The black haired girl was just finishing up the last one for Aced, who was finally done with his Keyblade drills for the day as he wiped away sweat from his face and head with a nearby towel.

Ava hopped up and ran over to him, presenting the mahogany haired teen with it as he smiled and let her place the crown on his head.

Raiko observed all of this as he gently touched the flowers on his head, "You're much more kind than I initially took you for, Master."

Ragule pouted as Sora barked out in laughter, "Oh, well. You kind of caught me at a bad time, really. Aced is more of an adult than I am at times. He's quite reliable."

Aced bared his teeth as he walked over, "That's a terrible thing to say, Master."

Sora pouted, "But Ac~ed! You know it's true! Just think about my terrible time management!"

Aced made a particular face which told it all as he looked at the two boys pointedly, "If the Master says something will only take a few minutes, trust that it will really take hours. Especially if he says he'll be right back." He rolled his eyes as he flopped down into a rather empty patch of grass and laid his hands over his stomach as he began to meditate, "He's terrible with time."

Raiko and Ragule looked to Ava for confirmation as she grinned and nodded, "The Master's hopeless with time."

Sora whined and waved a hand, "Awe, how could you guys gang up on me in front of the new kids!?"

Ava giggled as she pulled her knees into her chest, "Because it's fun!"

Sora huffed as Aced chuckled deeply, nearly asleep in his meditation.

The lingering reservations Raiko and Ragule had bled away.

To-xXx-Realize-xXx-This-xXx-Wish

Half a year passed as the boys were caught up with Ava and Aced in private lessons. Soon they would be presented with their Keyblades, and the two boys were excited at the prospect of being able to properly channel Magic and go further into the Tower.

It was with that excitement in mind that Raiko was shocked to walk into absolute chaos in the kitchen.

Sora was pouting rather blatantly, even facing away from him, as there was egg splattered everywhere.

The Master yelled as he raised his hands in frustration, letting out his feelings as Raiko jumped from it. Sora dropped his hands abruptly as the energy bled out of him and he looked blankly at the ceiling, "Why is it always eggs!?" He lifted his arms and buried his arms in his arms, being careful of his hands to keep them sort of clean as he was covered in egg matter. He was about ready to cry over this, having already wasted two dozen eggs in the process.

Raiko cleared his throat, causing Sora to jump and turn as he looked at the teen flustered, "Oh! Morning Raiko! Didn't see you there!" He laughed awkwardly and almost rubbed the back of his head before remembering he had egg goop all of his hands and grimaced.

Raiko went over and looked between the recipe and what he'd gotten into the bowl and stared for a long moment. "Master… I know we were warned about this… but how?"

Sora laughed almost hysterically, "Oh, well. Uhm." He turned away as he made another attempt to crack open one last egg. "Beats me."

Raiko stared as Sora finally managed to safely crack the egg and get it into the bowl with a relieved sigh, "I know Aced warned you about this."

Raiko pursed his lips as he rubbed his head awkwardly, an odd look on his face as he glanced at just how far the splatter damage was, "Yes. I just didn't want to believe him."

Sora chuckled as he started expertly putting together the ingredients for a cake once he'd cleaned his hands of goo.

Raiko sighed lightly as he rolled up his sleeves and went to work, cleaning up the egg splatter from the oddest of places with a slight frown, "I appreciate you making a cake in celebration of our gaining Keyblades later today, but if you have this much trouble cracking eggs, please call one of us to avoid such pointless waste."

Sora chuckled, embarrassed, "I'll try and remember for next time. Thanks for the help, Raiko."

The spruce haired teen hummed. "You're welcome, Master."

While their first impressions had been rather deplorable, once a month had passed, Raiko had been more than glad that he and Ragule had come under the Master's tutelage, as Ragule became deathly ill.

The Master had healed him, figuring out just what was wrong and going through preventative measures with everyone, giving them all smaller doses of the medicines he'd given Ragule.

Raiko hadn't realized how dangerous living on the streets could be, as part of Ragule's inability to keep weight was understood. The boy was now strong and a healthy weight. Ragule trusted the Master inexplicably after he was brought back to health from the brink of death.

Ragule was also a great deal happier, Ava helping to bring him out from his cold shell. Having access to food and shelter truly helped ease the incredible amount of stress they'd been under.

Sora was quick to realize the two of them were incredibly smart despite Ragule's lack of proper schooling. Swiftly the boy was brought from being barely able to read to writing complex mathematical equations that even made the Master scratch his head in wonder.

Raiko sighed lightly as he rinsed out his soiled rag, glancing around as he noted the Master's progress. Now that the wasted eggs were dealt with, it seemed the Master was back to his usual balance of keeping the area clean while putting together his ingredients.

"What made you choose us, Master?"

Sora paused before carefully pouring batter into a specific pan, "My Heart led me."

The hazel eyes teen blinked, "Really?"

Sora nodded, "Mmhmm." He made a few more contemplative noises, "You two kept running away though once I got into Town. I don't know why it was so hard to track you, but that was a large part of why I was so angry at first."

Raiko looked away as he held his arm with a frown, "We didn't realize at first that you couldn't see from your right side. Somehow, I think we knew you were looking for us, but we've had adults mistreat and hurt us before. You were suspicious."

Sora figured as much, "Children on the streets… It took a long time for me to understand such hardship." Raiko looked to him as he continued, "It wasn't like that in my native home… I felt ignorant when I first realized how common of an occurrence it was."

The teen nodded as he finished cleaning up what he could, "I was similarly ignorant. I always ignored it, until I ended up on the streets myself." He shrugged, "It was humbling."

Sora agreed as he perked up, "Well, enough of this depressing talk! What do you and Ragule want for your celebratory dinner?"

Raiko smiled, "Everything you make is wonderful, Master."

Sora pouted comically, "Rai~ko~! That's the worst thing you could tell a chef!"

The teens eyes widened in shock, "Wh-how?"

Sora huffed, "Because It's too vague! C'mon, what do you have a taste for!? Something! It's a day to remember!" Raiko chuckled as he relented and told the man of their favorite dishes.

Sora was more than happy to make them.

Later that day the two boys were granted Unicornis and Leopardus along with the names Ira and Gula.