I OWN NOTHING

While I may as well call myself a lunatic for writing so many fics with so little time on my hands, I can't stop it.

-0-

ENJOY

THE

POWER

YOU

EARNED

FROM

YOUR

VICTORIES

"Do you think it's wise to celebrate?"

Demona didn't believe she'd ask such a thing, but she was back at Opar with a mug of something the leopard man handed her. La had a large smile on her face as the blond boy sat in his throne, chugging the stuff. Sabor rested by her master's throne, purring happily just being at his side. Meanwhile, the leopard men started to make a feast for the king and his warriors off-screen. It was a silent but enjoyable evening.

"Any conquest that surpasses the previous one is worth celebrating." She told the gargoyle, "Besides, he has two worlds baring his mark. It's only a matter of time before many more fall to him."

"I don't know what I'm drinking, but it's a juice better than any tea I've ever had home!" Naruto grinned with rosy cheeks.

La grinned, "It's wine, My Liege. Freshly made from grapes around the city and-"

Demona's eyes snapped wide open as she interrupted the sorceress by grabbing her by her panther top, nearly ripping it off, "You made a child drink alcohol!?"

La scoffed, "Don't tell me you're a sticker for rules now."

Demona huffed and took the mug from the boy, "He has no tolerance to alcohol, what would happen if he got drunk?" La looked away, and Demona understood her plans with a snarl, "You wanted him drunk. Your lust is truly as overwhelming as it is repulsive."

La growled, "Try to stay in a jungle for many years without a proper male to be your equal, then start complaining!"

Demona snapped, "You have no idea-"

They were interrupted when Naruto's Keyblade was thrown and nailed between them, the boy speaking rather soberly, "Do not fight, this is a moment we should enjoy. After all, it means we have to find a larger and better world out there to conquer. Hmm... or maybe we should stick to small worlds and see what happens."

Demona stared at him, puzzled, "When did you become so eloquent…? Is it the wine or- Are you asleep?"

As she had said, the boy's head had fallen on his chest and he was snoring lightly, forcing La to stifle a giggle, "Pfft… it seems our lord has… hehehe… a peculiar endurance to alcohol… It makes him quite adorable."

Demona looked at her own mug and dropped the liquid on the floor, "We've had enough fun for a night. Tell your servants to cancel the feast and make it a breakfast, and tomorrow we will find a new world."

"Understood." La said, though sparks flew between her and the gargoyle's eyes.

Ignoring the sorceress' animosity towards the fiery redhead, Sabor curled around her master's feet and slept next to him. Even her tail was curled around her while he snored softly. However, dreams weren't quite easy when you held someone's heart. Upon entering his own dream world, Naruto was face to face with a familiar redhead who had a small if shy smile.

"Listen... How about we properly introduce ourselves? I'm Kairi." She told him softly.

"Naruto Uzumaki." He said with a light bow of the head.

Putting her hands behind her back, she circled the blond with curious eyes, "What you did back then, using that power, I felt it. That darkness, and the rush. It was as amazing as it was, well, frightening." He opened his mouth to speak, but she put her fingertips on his lips to shush him, "I also know why you did that. Frankly, I'm amazed you didn't let your anger make you..."

"Kill Clayton?" he finished for her after removing her hand. "As good as the idea sounded, I wanted him to pay properly. If I'm going to be a proper King of Darkness, I will be better than him."

"Why do you even want to be king?" she asked concerned, "You should know what darkness itself means. All those negative feelings like anger, sorrow, madness... You'd have to use that."

"Fine by me, I got plenty of it." He summoned his incomplete Keyblade, staring at it, "With this blade, I'll make sure those who take away the lights from those who can't fight back regret those actions. That is what I promise you, Kairi."

"Even if you have to fight Sora?" she asked seriously.

"To be honest, I don't know..." he sighed, "He seems...like the kind of guy I wouldn't have minded as a friend."

"Then stop following this path, stop using darkness. I've heard stories of former men who tried to be its king, and they all failed." She stared him in the eye, "Please, you seem like a good guy at heart. If you can just think about it, why not try to bring light to those who need it?"

Patting his chest, he glared into nothingness, "I tried once, which is why I'm here." Balling his hand on the spot where he had been stabbed, he continued, "To make someone so consumed by their selfish revenge see reason, I gave everything I had. And he tried to kill me, take my light to fuel his own power regardless of who he hurt."

"I..." she gasped, clutching her chest, "What's this...pain? Is this what you...felt when he betrayed everyone?"

He gave her a simple nod, "It is why I will make him regret how easily he cast away others with something worse than death." Feeling sympathy for the girl whose hurt look said she wasn't handling what he had to carry, he lifted her chin and smiled softly, "But I won't try to make anyone share this feeling. If anything, I'm hoping Sora joins me as a friend... If I can make him see reason."

Looking away from him, she answered in a whisper, "Good luck... He is as stubborn or if not more than you." Sighing, he stepped away from her, but the red-haired cutie kept going, "However, I believe you can do good. I won't doubt that. Sora must see so too, otherwise he wouldn't have trusted my heart to you."

Bluntly, he answered her, "You know, you two are really weird. But...I like people like you."

Once he left, the girl sat down on the void, a hand on her chest, "I am glad, but this darkness if yours isn't good for you or me." she closed her eyes, "That pain wasn't just from the betrayal. When that boy tried to kill him, he made sure it hurt all the way... How can someone be so cruel without becoming a Heartless?"

SPREAD

YOUR

REIGN

OVER

THOSE

BLINDED

BY

LIGHT

"La, Demona, time to find a new world." Naruto told his partners, raising a hand up to open up a Dark Corridor.

"So eager already?" La asked with curiosity and mirth in her voice.

"If I am to claim my own world and make the real monsters in it pay for all the crap they've done, I need to be stronger." the blond clenched his hand into a fist with a determined look on his face, "I will conquer it, and I will make sure they regret everything they've done without a chance to escape that. I promise you two that."

Smirking, Demona nodded, "Ah yes, I can relate to that."

"Sabor, you will watch over this kingdom whenever I don't need you to lend me a hand," the young king told the leopard woman, who bowed her head as a sign of devotion. "La, Demona, let's expand our reach."

"Don't you mean yours, My Liege?" the sorceress asked him with a soft smile.

"I will need your help in ruling them," he told her, then sighed while ruffling his hair. "I mean, I was taught how to run a village as part of the lessons we take in the academy, but you've got the experience. Demona, I also expect you to help me. With you two as my advisors, I should have an easier time putting others under my rule, and then…"

Clutching a hand, he recalled his village, his home, the people who he trusted and the one who tried to kill him, and Demona knew the look on his face, "Revenge on those who wronged you, I assume."

"Not revenge," he said with a glare. Remembering Sasuke and how coldly the boy acted when killing a supposed friend steeled him, "People from my world have, especially the one who tossed me aside, are beyond petty when it comes to vengeance. No, I want actual justice. Like with Clayton, I shall find them a fitting fate which will make them regret their actions."

"Fufufu, I cannot wait for my advice on such a matter, then," Demona told him with a hand to her face.

"Master…" Sabor spoke, bowing to him. "Safe travels. May your hunt grant you greater powers to leap ahead of your opponents."

"Thanks!" he beamed with a childishly excited smile. Then, he thought on his return, "I'll be looking forward to seeing you again and a good banquet. Perhaps a parade… I want to show I am the king."

"We shall hunt for you, then," Sabor told him. "Bring and prepare the greatest beasts for a feast worthy of you."

"Make sure you can eat well," he told her with a grin. "I want you at your best for any battles in the future."

A light blush could be seen under the leopard woman's fur as she looked at him, "I shall wait for your return… We shall keep this world ready to greet you, and… I will also be ready to serve you in any matter you desire. My heart, body and soul are yours, after all."

Despite being young and still inexperienced with women, Naruto nodded with a proud smirk, "It's all I ask for, Sabor. Next time, let's go for another round. I hope to have some fun with you."

La blushed as a pout appeared on her face, nearly getting Demona to laugh at how adorable she looked when jealous. The sorceress looked simultaneously childish and appealing with her blush. She clenched her magical staff tighter. Naruto wasn't aware of her little glare aimed at the leopard woman, but he knew Sabor was his. Internally gulping, he tried not to think about what Sabor could do for him if he asked. A part of him driven by hormones wondered about it, but he did his best not to think too much on it.

"Ahem, My Liege, it is time to go…" La said after composing herself, coughing into her fist.

"Yes, I can't wait to see a new world," the boy said with excitement.

Once he opened the portal and walked in, the boy was greeted with dry heat. The future king and his allies arrived atop a large sand dune which overlooked a bursting market and the city it was part of. Behind him, La – who was more used to the heat of the jungle – had to lift her hand to cover her eyes from an intense sun. Demona herself used her wings to provide herself shade. In front of the trio of dark wanderers was the city, far bigger than Opar. Thankfully, it was far away enough for no one to notice the arrival of the young dark king.

"Huh… now that is a place worth conquering," La told her king when pointing at the gigantic palace behind a bustling city.

People in robes to protect themselves from the heat and sand walked on the dry road. Buildings seemed to be designed to make the streets as busy as possible. Food stalls, clothing shops and jewel displays spread all over the dusty roads. Not a single citizen passed the opportunity to boast about their wares or try to waggle prices. Some people were not as kind, for Naruto could smell the corruption and saw thieves walking and pickpocketing or swiftly taking food or goods. Guards wearing black vests, stylish white turbans and white baggy pants marched around to apprehend them, brandishing large sabers to make them regret it.

Naruto scoffed at the large walls guarding the palace, "Whoever owns the place sure knows how to keep the best spot to himself."

"Either they run it with an iron fist or an advisor with tyrannical intentions does," Demona informed him sagely. "Ruling a country is not easy, child. Trust me, I've seen it firsthand. Keeping everybody happy is not what makes a good ruler, it's a dedication to guide them and keeping order that makes a system work. If you want to be an honest and benevolent ruler, that is."

"You're saying a lot of words that make it sound like homework," he sighed. "Still, I get the picture. However, the way the palace looks and the darkness in this place says there's plenty of greed."

"Possibly our next stop should not be there, My Liege," La told him with a smirk. Waving her hand, she conjured a magical circle which, when touched by her staff, showed a picture of the city, "I present you what I like to call Eyes of the Ruler. A simple spell to oversee what you have around you. Unfortunately, it does not help to locate anything immediately."

"How…?" he started, and La happily took his hand on hers. Placing his palm on the image, she had him slide it to change the view from the streets into the alley, "I need to learn this spell soon."

"I shall make preparations for such a matter," the queen of Opar smiled sultrily.

Of course, Demona narrowed her eyes and took over, "Look for any way we can enter the palace. All streets have their secrets."

"Believe me, I know," he chortled and started to examine the outer walls protecting the white building like a fortress. "I used to dress in bright orange and managed to paint a mountain as a prank despite the people watching over it. And I always found ways to sneak around when putting my mind to it…" And yet, he found another way to get in, and became intrigued, "What is this? A parade?"

Indeed, many people were walking around the streets following a man in a horse. The man exuded arrogance but also oozed wealth. Servants in fine clothing followed him and kept the citizens at bay. Meanwhile, a set of guards protecting displays of treasure which were obvious offerings scowled and pushed back those who got too close. Everything about it spoke of haughtiness. It made Naruto scoff.

"Seems so, My Liege," La told him, but then narrowed her eyes at the supposed noble. "For a suitor, it appears."

Demona, seeing Naruto's knitted eyebrows, explained, "It appears this man attempts to marry someone in the palace. Most likely a princess. Seeing how much money he's throwing around, you can bet he wants a lot more wealth and considers those offerings an investment on gaining this city."

"If the princess has any sense, she should kick him out," Naruto groaned. "Ugh… Then again, I'm no good when it comes to girls… Only one girl I promised something to, and that oath nearly killed me."

"My Liege, if you desire it, I shall make the wench pay," La offered with fire in her eyes.

"No need," he scowled. "I promised to help her reunite with the guy she loved, the same man who nearly killed me and turned me into the new King of Darkness…" he then gave a soft smile followed by a pleased sigh of relief, "Breaking that vow is so much easier now that I've accepted my own darkness."

Giggling in amusement, nearly cackling with the back of her hand to her mouth, Demona commended the young king, "Am I to assume a fate worse than death, like that foolish Clayton?"

"For the bastard to suffer and for her to see," Naruto said as his eyes flashed gold. "If she wants him back, she'll get her wish, alright. I am not making the reunion a happy one."

"Excellently said, my king," La told him, feeling herself shiver in excitement from how magnificently he spoke those words of revenge.

Even Demona felt a jolt of energy, "I now long to see it happen. You may not take pleasure in murder, but you pass judgment quite well, boy."

However, the third unseen lady of the group frowned, "Naruto… If you let revenge take you…"

Shaking his head with a hand on his face, Naruto's eyes stopped glowing, "I'll…judge them justly, make them pay for all they've done… Just like those of us cast in the shadow deserve to be treated fairly, they will be tried by me. However, their crimes are far too heavy for a simple slap on the wrist."

"If…" Demona was obviously disappointed but could see the child meant it. "If that is how you see it, I shall still aid you."

"Thanks," he said with a cheerful grin, returning to normal. However, he also meant it for the girl whose heart he guarded, who he whispered to, "You too, Kairi."

"You're welcome," the girl told him, unheard by the others. Albeit, her heart couldn't help but worry as she nervously mused to herself, "I…I felt that rush again… I have to help him fight back the darkness before it consumes him. Don't worry, Naruto, I'll keep it balanced for you."

"Hm?" Naruto was more than surprised when seeing the man leading the parade leave the castle and huffing. "Well, what do you know? The girl has standards… and a tiger…" Just like he said, a large Bengal tiger had the man's pants in its maw, glaring and growling at him before returning to the palace. Smirking to himself, he spoke up, "I wish to meet her."

"Are you certain?" La asked more than a little concerned.

"No, he has the right idea," Demona pointed out. "Entering the palace could grant us information about the city's history and, most likely, a way to what we seek."

"Just sneaking in and taking it without anyone seeing should suffice," La argued, feeling herself pout quite childishly.

"What if the information about the Heart is not in books or journals?" the gargoyle asked. "If there's anyone who may have an idea, they must be in that building. Earning their trust by presenting the young king as a suitor will do the work. He is already ruler of your city. We just have to prepare a proper parade."

"Ugh… I… I see the logic, but…" La growled before she turned to Naruto with a determined expression. "If the princess is nothing but a snob unworthy of you, my king, I shall destroy her."

"Let's hope it doesn't come to that," he replied with a sheepish smile. He knew La meant it, "If it makes you feel any better, you can be at my side as my advisor, which you are. I do need you with me at all times."

"Really?!" and La's mood did a complete 180 spin.

Demona scoffed, "I shall stay behind and observe from on high."

"And get roasted?" he retorted before thinking on a plan. "No… I think we can get you in. Heh, seems I am getting a parade sooner than expected."

FLAUNT

YOUR

POWER

FOR

OTHERS

TO

FOLLOW

YOU

Inside the palace, things weren't so happy. Even though by all accounts and reasoning it should be rather joyful. Outside there was a great parade going on to celebrate the newest suitor coming to marry the princess. Only… said young woman wasn't watching. She sat combing her hair with an ornate golden brush, jade and opulent jewels embedded into its teeth and handle. Content instead to sit out in the garden, Princess Jasmine was an astonishingly beautiful woman.

Her radiance was said to be worth the long trip to visit, and indeed she was beautiful of body as well as heart. Princess Jasmine herself possessed dusky skin fitting for the people of the desert world of Agrabah. She had long black hair worn down her back and kept in place through golden rings. A blue jeweled tiara sat upon her head and glimmered in the sun as she hummed to herself. Clad in blue silken pants and a blue bra that couldn't help but show off as much of her body as possible, she only briefly glanced at the walls to listen to the parade.

"Jasmine! Please! You must come and see this!" She only paused her brushing when her father called out for her from a balcony.

Raising her voice but not her body she responded with a slight chuckle at how excited her father sounded, "I have no wish to see this. If it's anything like the past parades, it's going to be rather dull."

"But Jasmine! This one is different! Please, my dear, come and see him!" her father urged her and she couldn't help the sigh she had.

When he got that expectant, he would be inconsolable if she didn't go along. And so, she walked up the steps of the palace and towards the balcony. No rush was made until after she made that last step, when she looked down on the show below her. Her eyes widened and she couldn't help the brief gasp. Swirling like the sands of a hurricane, a great procession marched forward.

The clamor grew as row after row of men, all of them clad in concealing hoods, marched forward. Their features were hidden save for their muscular torsos and black pants without shoes. The first-row juggled swords in the air. A female whose features were hidden by a similar hood directed the march dressed like an alluring Arabian dancer with a silken veil. She wielded a scimitar with grace, blade dancing with skill born from her natural talent, her body flowing from stance to stance without pause. Many husbands were smacked by their wives for staring at her figure for too long.

She was tall, athletic, and powerful to boot. To the onlookers it seemed as if she had her body painted with a bizarre yellow, black-spotted war-paint which didn't make her movements any less alluring. To Jasmine the dancer looked like the apex of beauty with such a proud body. She displayed it well with only silken straps hiding her bosom and exposing her skin. The flash of green eyes from within the shadows of the hood sent shivers through her body. Even from a distance she could witness the green glow of those eyes.

The blade dancer had become increasingly energetic, using extended movements with daring flips to send her sword flying over her body. The control she had over the weapon was greater than any of the palace soldiers, greater than even the experienced acrobats Jasmine had once seen perform as a child. Each enchanting jump only showed off her flexible body, muscles clenching like taut strings only to loosen as she landed upon the earth. Her dance had reached its climax as with a final leap, she sent her sword into the ground and balanced herself atop it.

Using only one foot to keep herself in place the woman bowed deeply with her hands crossed, "What incredible performance!"

For once, she agreed with her father. The parade moved past the dancer as she stepped off of the sword and marched with the men once more. And yet by the sounds in the back there was more to show.

"Seiiiiya!"

A cry that echoed throughout the streets was hollered out by two cloaked men walking alongside the sword wielding men. These ones seemed smaller than the men who walked alongside them. But it was their voices that issued forth the powerful shouts. Drums carried aloft by hugely muscular cloaked men were vigorously banged upon by two of their kin. Their beats were powerful and echoed throughout the quiet streets, the onlookers simply amazed to watch. A loud cry was the start as the parade continued and the drums were beat. These men were simply the procession for the true show in front.

"SEIIIIYAAAA!"

The two cloaked men disappeared into the crowds just in time as the back of the parade came forward. Atop a mighty dai, held aloof by a full regiment of the cloaked men, was the biggest drum of them all. Two of them were the ones creating the powerful clamor. Grabbing two clubs that were glimmering red and had golden heads, their powerful drumming was like the beat of a heart. Both worked tirelessly as the huge drum was sat on its side, banging against the drum with all their might.

Below the dais was a young man her age for once, waving at the crowd and throwing gold coins out from bags at his side. But what caught her attention was the dark-skinned beauty standing next to him and waving herself. Jasmine looked down on this gorgeous woman, who possessed dark skin like hers and an appearance to match. If she squinted a little the woman almost looked like she was related to…

Walking up to the balcony was the one who that woman reminded her of. His staff was even similar to the one the woman held, but his had a cobra's head instead of a leopard's. Clad in black robes with a matching cape, pointy shoulder-pads and the turban of a man in high places, he looked at the parade with a scowl. His lean and already wrinkling face, sharp goatee and sharper eyes made him someone the princess could never trust. Not to mention the fact he carried himself with arrogance beyond words. One of the many qualities she wasn't looking for in any man.

"Jafar, thank you for joining us!" the sultan told the vizier.

"My, my. What an impressive display of power and noise. It's given me quite a headache." Jafar sibilantly said to the Sultan and Jasmine, the red parrot on his shoulder repeating what he said at the end.

"Headache, headache!" Jafar eyed his companion with a long look before he paid closer attention to the woman standing at the side of Naruto. Looking on, he leaned close to the dark-robed man and whispered in a raspy voice, "Hey, you didn't tell me you had a lost daughter. Good thing she must have taken her mother's-"

A quick backhanded punch shut up the parrot when the other two looked at the boy, "I see he has a vizier, Jafar! Quite young, too! Maybe you should swap notes!"

Giving the energetic short man a perfectly acted smile, Jafar chuckled with forced good humor, "You may be selling me too short, sir. She may be blessed enough to follow that child, but compared to yours truly… Well, you and the princess have the best in this world for a reason."

"Oh, maybe we should have a demonstration, then," Jasmine suggested, hoping to teach the man some humility.

Down on the streets, Naruto smiled while waving at the crowd, "You're enjoying yourself, child."

Looking to his side, he couldn't help but chortle, "It feels good to be loved, even if it's only because of the money and show."

"Make sure they worship you for more than that, then," La suggested while leaning close to him.

"Knock off your advances," Demona scolded the sorceress. "The child must pretend to be interested in the princess of this city. At least until we find answers."

"Can't have the darkness do the job for me, sadly," Naruto sighed before looking at Demona. "How are you holding up?"

Under his feet was his shadow, which had two eyes popping out. Amber dots in the darkness stared at him, from which Demona could see him. Deep in his shadow, the woman crossed her arms in an expansive if barren pocket dimension. Nothing but darkness around her with only a view of the outside world from his shadow. She couldn't help but chuckle at his ability, but the Guardian at her side wasn't good company.

"Impressive as your skills with this Guardian are, I'd prefer not being locked here," she told him. "Do remember I have a human form I could use."

"Why ruin the element of surprise?" La asked next to her lord, waving her hand to the crowd. "Besides, I like this new look of yours better."

"Bite your tongue, wench," Demona scowled.

"Please, don't rain on this parade…" Naruto groaned, then added. "Still, how much gold does Opar have?"

"Mines have provided materials for any tools needed, even accessories," the sorceress gestured to herself.

"I didn't know Sabor could dance so well with a sword, though," he commented, not at all disliking the leopard woman's show.

"Every spell to create leopard men turns them into worthy warriors and servants," La said, then glared at the female feline. "Consider it a display of my magical prowess, My Liege."

"Let's display more than that, then," Naruto told her with a smirk once the palace opened its doors.

Just like he had guessed, the interior was beyond colorful and lively. It was practically an oasis with fountains and flora decorating the immaculately clean interior. Jewels and gold were part of ornaments crafted to make the place such a contrasting sight to the city on the other side that Naruto had trouble believing it was real. Behind him, La scowled at the sight of the guards approaching him with caution. Sabers drawn and ready to skewer the boy should he act in any way they considered suspicious. However, his own army stood forth, ready for action.

"Hmph, yet another suitor," one of the men told his colleagues, a man with muscles over his muscles which made him stand out when compared to his comrades who were all beyond well-fed. "What business do you have here, child? You appear to be too young to attempt to wed our princess."

Chuckles were heard from the guards, but Naruto stopped them once he leapt in front of them, smirking when they backpedaled from shock, "I appear young, but am anything but just another child." He told them with a smirk before raising his hand, "I am Naruto Uzumaki! King of Opar! Belittle me at your own risk!"

"Arrogant little…" the leader of the guards scowled, but then chortled to himself. "Fine, let us escort you to the princess, then."

"La, Sabor," Naruto widened his smirk.

Jumping with dexterity even her leopard men could barely compare to, La hopped next to her king. Every guard felt shivers down their spines when the sorceress narrowed her eyes at them. None dared to fight her, gulping for they knew she was powerful enough to make their swords all but useless toys. However, with a roar of defiance, the captain of the soldiers was ready to draw his saber… and found it gone. It ended on the hands of the sword-dancer, Sabor herself. Seeing the lowly male attempt to harm her master made her living.

"Mock my master at your own peril, furless ape," the leopard woman hissed under her veil, her glare causing the man to gulp.

"Consider that a warning," Naruto told them with his hands behind his head, playfully walking past the guards. Leaning to the side, he gave them a playful smirk, "My advisor will follow me. However, my servant is owed an apology from you for trying to attack me. After all, she wouldn't have taken your weapon if you hadn't insulted me before trying to pull it out."

"Fine…" the man choked slightly.

"Apologize, now," Sabor growled, making him shudder.

"I'm s-sorry, sir! My deepest apologies!" the man cried, getting on his knees.

"Sabor, let him go," Naruto told her before smirking. "And thanks for the parade. It was exactly what I wanted, and in such short notice."

"Request anything of me, Master," the leopard woman told him with a bow. "I shall wait for you at your kingdom with the others."

Looking at the palace, Naruto smiled, ready to take on the challenge, "Let's see if I can woo this princess…"

Of course, La scowled at the idea but forced herself to remain composed. Needless to say, it made Demona snicker from the boy's shadow.

Atop a balcony, Jasmine observed the boy, feeling a strange tug in her chest.

CHARM

THE

LIGHT

INTO

SERVITUDE

-TBC-

And that's my rap!

Whew, I'm glad I could finally get back to this. My deepest apologies for taking so long, but you know my mind goes to places every now and then. I'm sorry this chapter doesn't have anything too exciting happen, but it sets up what will be the next arc for this fic: Agrabah.

Considering that Sora has already sealed the Keyhole to the Heart of Wonderland, Naruto and him are on a race to get to them. Unfortunately for Sora, he is not aware of it yet.

Also, as you've seen, Kairi is now serving as an anchor to Naruto to keep him from succumbing to his darkness. He may have just goals, but we've seen how power corrupts.

Last but not least, a simple question to all of you who are reading this, so make sure to answer before the next chapter's out…

Some of you suggested for La's spell to help Demona remain a Gargoyle under the sun to turn Sora into a girl. Now, some of you know I'm not against gender-bending but I know several people aren't. So, I'm leaving it to a vote for you on my profile which will be closed by the time next chapter pops out, when I'll announce the winning decision. It'll be a blind poll.

Swordslinger out!