Hey everyone,
I want to thank everyone who actually went through the story and pointed out the chapters that had Axel and Roxas featured in them or even just so much as mentioned. It really helped me before I decided to revise this story and I'll be sure to give a special shout-out to all of you in the AN of the next chapter, the February update.
Also, I apologize, but I'm going to be skipping Aladdin and the first Cup's part to February. I would put it in this one, but I just can't get myself to write that bit. I think it's the hype that comes from the fact that KH III will release within 24 hours of me posting this. But don't worry, I have something very special and heartfelt planned for our beloved four instead.
Hope you enjoy,

Venquine1990


Chapter 48
Love In All Forms

31st of January 1996
Destiny's Haven
Jessica's POV

"Damn sis, are you trying to make us regret being related to you or something?" Sora asks, shocking me as I actually thought that I had done my best to look my best with help from Cho. But then Riku hits him over the back of his head and says: "What this doofus here means is that you look incredible, Jessica. Good enough to turn any gay man straight.
Though I do wonder why you keep putting in so much effort. You know you don't need to look that good for us, right?" I smile at him and giggle as I say: "First of all, I never know when Lea might show up, so I want to be sure that I am at my best every time he does." This makes my father snort and the other two boys share an amused look, but I don't care and just press on:
"Second, the Dursleys only ever cared when I looked miserable, you like seeing me look happy and dressing like this makes me happy. Third, I guess it's just one of the things that changed when I became Jessica. Though I guess the one thing that changed the most was – well, my willingness to be open about myself and others, really." The others tilt their heads and I say:
"I don't know what it is, really. My changed gender, the fact that I have family here who accepts me, faults and all, or the fact that I have Lady Destiny on my side or maybe even all of the above, but – for some reason I'm just no longer feeling that old fear that, if I speak up too much or show off sides of me that others might not expect of me, it will turn them away from me."

"Surely I never made you feel like that, sweetheart?" Dad asks concerned and I shake my head, but say: "No. Well, not in the same way that the others did. With you it was more that, because your role in my life meant so much to me, I was afraid if I did the wrong thing, I would either disappoint you or – as of late – inspire you into doing something that could see you hurt or arrested.
I just – I guess I let my fear of the fact that you were hunted by both the Ministry and Voldemort get to me and dictate my every move when I was around you. I just – I didn't dare confide in you as much as I should have because, like the others, I was stupid and thought it would make you do something reckless, even though I know just fine how much you care about being a part of my life."
The man sighs and walks over to me, softly lying a hand on my shoulder as he asks: "Is that why you never opened that gift I handed you before you went back to Hogwarts?" And I turn red as I actually completely forgot about that after I put it in my trunk the same night. I nod and whisper: "I didn't want you taking on Snape when I could handle him myself just fine."
The man sighs and says: "Even if I would have done that, kiddo, I would have done it during an Order meeting, at London. I wouldn't have needed to even leave to get that done." And I turn even more red as I mutter: "I – didn't think about that." But the man hugs me close and says: "It's my fault too, I gave you the wrong impression when I gave you that thing.

Here, let me show you what it was." And he guides me over to the breakfast table, where I see two frames standing on the table, one showing a picture of Sora and me and the other showing a small hand-mirror on a stand. The man sets me in front of the mirror and then loudly states: "James Potter." And to my and my brother's shock does the image on the glass change, turning from my own face to showing that of my mum.
I gasp in shock and the man's eyes widen as well as he says: "Wow, sweetie, you look great. Love that dress." Making me smile widely as Cho inspired me to put on my favorite of Mulan's dresses and the girl even helped me apply some traditional Chinese make-up and did my hair up in a very stylish bun with only a single lock curled in front of my forehead, hiding my scar from sight.
"Hey love, just thought I'd show our little one our Two-way mirrors and how they work. I had given one to her when she was still Harry and heading for Hogwarts at the end of the Christmas holidays, but she hadn't been using them, because she thought telling me about her concerns at school would make me leave my ahem, safe-haven." The man says, sneering at the end.

I turn to the man at this, but then mum says: "Sweetie, I'm sure you know this as well as I do, but safety is never truly guaranteed by just the environment alone. And besides, how can you claim someone to be really, truly safe, when you know they want to escape the place as much as you want them to stay there. A bit contradicting, don't you think?"
At this I sigh as I know that the man is right and that I have been feeling the same way about the Muggles ever since I found out about the Magical world and I mutter: "I do agree, mum. I just don't know any place safer, bar perhaps Campbrina and Destiny Islands. But until we all came here, I didn't even know those places existed.""Fair enough." Both my parents concede.

I notice Sora and Riku sitting down, but also that Riku's eyes widen as he does. "Wait a second." He mumbles before starting to sniff around, confusing us all. "Ehm, I didn't put on any perfume yet." I mutter at him, having not considered that necessary and having told Cho that I'd rather wait until another time as I actually had some trouble with the make-up, even with Cho's help.
"No, that – that's not it. There's a scent missing." Riku mumbles and I instantly realize what he means as I remember him telling us shortly after our first night here that he was able to smell darkness. "It – it might be my scar. I – I didn't pay much attention to it, but – when Lea proved his gratitude for me going with tradition, I felt something. A – a spike of pain that came from my scar."
The three others all look at me and then dad says: "James love, we'll call you back later, okay?" Dad asks and mum nods as he says: "I'll go back to helping Minerva around here. She's getting more and more parents who want to talk about Umbridge and her damned fate and asked me to inform some of them in her stead, so they won't have to wait too long. Keep me posted."
This makes me frown as Cho actually told me about what had happened and I had told her to inform the DA that I expect all of them to convince their parents to accept the transfer to Campbrina and to let Hermione and the Weasleys know that I put them in charge of the meetings until I get back. The girl had nodded at these instructions and my request to inform the girls about Meg's song and given me a warm hug before she was taken back to Hogwarts.

"Let me have another look." Riku mutters, having gotten back out of his seat as the mirror turned back to its regular state and I move my own away from the table to give him better access. The boy walks over, moves the single lock of hair from my forehead and then runs his finger over my scar, a look of deep concentration on his face as he does so. "Incredible." He whispers.
"What? What is it?" Sora asks and Riku answers: "The Darkness. It's completely gone. There was some kind of darkness that looked like it was linking Jess' mind to some kind of dark parasite or something. This place already blocked most of that connection, Jess' change seemed to have weakened it even further and that kiss they shared seems to have shattered what remained of it. There is absolutely nothing left."
"Indeed not." A powerful, majestic voice says and we look up, me asking: "Lady – Destiny?""I've been working on breaking that connection apart ever since you came here, my little one. I was very happy when your transformation weakened the connection as that made the work all that much easier. And I was almost as ecstatic as you were the other day when it broke completely.
I also took the liberty of taking a quick peek at Voldemort and the breaking of the connection caused him intense pain. All the pain that he was trying to send you was returned and two-folded at that. And I don't mean physical pain as he thrives on that; I mean emotional. Just imagine the kind of pain you caused Quirrell back in your first, but then on him directly and in his mind."

This makes me wince as I'm not entirely sure I would wish that kind of pain, even on Voldemort. "That reminds me, I've been thinking of a few things, Jessica and I have to say, I am really proud to be your brother – for more than just the usual older sibling reasons, I mean." I smile at my brother, always happy to hear such things and very glad for the sudden, but pleasant change of topic and Riku asks: "What do you mean?"
"Well, we still have half a movie to go, but seeing how long that will take, I can probably spoil a thing or two and not worry it will make the movie any less exciting, right?" Dad and I nod, me personally preferring for Sora to spoil it a bit as it will make me less worried when the time comes. Sora seems to spot this on me as he smiles before saying:
"Well, I know that Ansem was the one who took the Islands into the Darkness, but, thinking back, there are quite a few differences between your first adventure and mine – and I don't mean just the many worlds or journeys." I giggle at this and Sora shrugs as he says: "Though it's really two differences in particular that make me as proud as I am.

One is our age. Think about it, I was fourteen, but you were only eleven. There was no way I would have thought to build a raft to travel to other worlds at eleven, let alone face a mountain troll or go into a forbidden corridor. The other is the person we faced in the end. And I mean, the results of facing that person, not so much just the fact that we faced them.
Think about it, I faced Ansem, because I knew it would bring the islands back. Jessica only assumed that she – as Harry – might face Voldemort, but even when she did and won, it didn't bring back mum or dad. And still she did it. That's what makes me so proud of her. She did that, more for others, than for herself. And at a much younger age too."
My face is burning at this point and there is a smile the size of the breakfast table on my face as Sora comes to give me a warm hug before he says: "Let me tell you, now that I have done what I did and made the bad guys pay like I did, I'm sure I could go out there and make Voldemort pay for the pain he put you through. But I never would have done that at that age, I would have been too scared to.

You really are a Lion, sis. You're the very epitome of one." By now I can no longer handle the praise and blurt out: "Is it wrong to say I consider that one of my least dangerous years?" Making Sora gawk at me and I mutter: "I really do. Third was the easiest, then First, then last, then Second and this year's been the hardest. No offense meant, dad." But dad smiles and says:
"If anything I'm glad you consider your Third one of your least. Even with those monsters around." Sora and Riku look at him and I mutter: "Same rules apply as the movie." Dad nods and says: "The guards of Azkaban were guarding Hogwarts because the world believed I was after Jessica here." Yet at this I say: "Jessie." The three look at me and I giggle as I say:
"I know that I gave Lea rights to the nickname Jess, but I like being called a petname by others too. So I guess Jessie can be yours. I don't mind." All three of them smile at me and dad says: "Jessie, it is." I then turn to Sora and ask: "And speaking of the movie, would you mind giving me a few more Keyblade lessons. I could teach you more about spells in return."

"That sounds great!" Sora exclaims and Riku nods as dad says: "Indeed, though I need to mention one thing first. It's something your mum and I were discussing before you guys came down. And I know that we're only a few days away from February (how ironic), but your mum and I couldn't help ourselves, it was something we always envisioned while awaiting the two of you."
We nod at him and he asks: "Holiday locations. We were wondering if there were any specific places you guys would like to see or go to." To this Sora turns to Riku before he says: "Well, there are definitely a few worlds I would love to take you guys to. The Islands, Twilight Town, Agrabah, Paris." Yet at this I ask: "Wait? Pari – oh, right. Some movies are based on countries on earth.
I guess it makes sense that those countries have counterparts as worlds in the other universe." Sora's eyes are wide, but he nods and says: "Yeah, I guess so. Though that does put Paris higher on the list. Because now I want to both take you guys to Quasi's Paris and see Earth's version." I nod at this, having always heard wonderful stories about the romantic city.
"Paris is definitely on the list, Sora, if not just for the family then for the fact that it's called one of the most romantic places on earth. To be honest, I always dreamed of sharing a romantic dinner with your mother on the top of the Eifel Tower.""Yeah, me too – with Lea, I mean. Oh, that'd be so romantic." I sigh, my mind envisioning it as I speak and a large grin growing on my face.

"Stay focused, sweetie." Dad says, making me blush and duck my head down in a slight sense of guilt. "Oh boy, this might cause some problems." Dad says suddenly and this confuses me. "I should have remembered. It's one of the stages of a Kitsune's Bonding. It's the stage where their mind makes them imagine an event transpiring with their mate, regardless of the subject at hand.
Your mum told me that one of his ancestors, who was also a Kitsune, actually had this happen to him during the final stages of a Goblin war, so because of all the death and grieving, his mate took him to this really romantic restaurant close to a graveyard where they had just buried family and had one of their dates there, purely because of that instinct driving the Kitsune in question."
Yet something worries me and Riku states: "You sound concerned." Dad nods and says: "James also told me that that's one of the final stages. Not of the bonding, but of the Kitsune growing into their form. You'll be growing your tails soon, sweetie, and according to James, not even the Draught of Living Death is strong enough to keep a Kitsune from feeling pained during that process."

This makes me wince as I haven't experienced all that much pain – bar the emotional pain caused by Mrs. Weasley when she kept talking down on me that one time – and because I'm really not sure what the change has done to my endurance levels. I take a deep breath and say: "Harry was able to fight on after being under Voldemort's Cruciatus. I can do this, dad. I know I can."
"Besides, she has us. Even if potions might not work, we could at least lessen the pain with a good strong Curaga spell." Sora says and this makes both dad and me nod at him in relief. Yet I also turn to dad and say: "I got to admit one thing though, dad. I know a Kitsune is more like a Fox, but so far – most of my instincts seem more – feline-like. Why is that?"
The man smiles at me and says: "It has to do with that compliment your brother just gave you, though you seem to have forgotten that. Like he said, you have a lot of Gryffindor in you, sweetheart. Let me remind you, the majority of your mother's ancestors were all feline for Animagus and one of them – who was also one of the first to gain the Kitsune heritage – had a bit of an accident in his youth that caused a change to the Kitsune gene.
The looks of most Kitsune Potters, when they first grow their looks, are definitely like that of a fox; tails, fur, ears and all, but the instincts, the need for a pack and the urge to be protective and hunt to provide for your mate will always be more like that of a Lion or other feline. You remember me telling you this now?" And simply because I can't help myself, do I giggle and say: "I do – and I'll try to keep it memorized this time."

Dad and Sora laugh and Riku mutters: "We are –." But then he seems to realize something and then laughs and says: "No wonder Sora always keeps fighting. He's as much a lion as Jessie is and doesn't like it when the dark invades his territory or threatens his pack. Now it all makes sense." To which I raise my eyebrow at him and ask:
"Excuse me? You're the one that's been showing off the protective streak around here, Riku, not my brother." The boy looks shocked and Sora happily rubs a finger under his nose as he says: "Guess I rubbed off on you, Riku." And dad smirks as he says: "Veela are known for leaving a mark on their mate, usually by sharing some kind of character trait or something of the sort."
Riku smirks at Sora and says: "A mark on my character that further proves my destiny is linked with Sora's and that I'm meant to be his and his alone? Fine by me. I'll take on every one of his character traits if I could.""I'd rather you not! I love you just the way you are, thank you very much." Sora heavily objects to this, only to make me giggle as he fell for it, hook, line and sinker.

Riku smirks at my brother and says: "I know that. I also think your sister and father deserve another preview of what made you fall for me in the first place." And just like the few times before now, while I roll my eyes at the lame excuse he just came up with, does the boy change his looks, creating the black lined outfit with the white skirt made of some kind of silk hairs and the symbol on his chest.
Sora gasps and his face turns red as he sees just how the lines are stretched quite thinly over Riku's chest and arms, which seems to indicate that they have grown in muscle since the first time he wore the outfit. He walks over to my brother, an actual suave trot in his step and softly runs a gloved hand down Sora's cheek as he mumbles: "Oh yeah, I know what you like."
And somehow this makes Sora respond, pulling Riku close and searing his lips with a kiss so full of wanton lust, I actually turn my face away, not just to give them some privacy, but also out of shyness. Yet at the same time I can't help but wonder if the kiss I shared with Lea the other day was like that and this makes my face heat up even more as I can't believe I acted like that in front of friends.

"You're doing it again." Dad whispers and I look at him, glad to have some sort of distraction from Sora and Riku and he whispers: "I know Lady Destiny would rather it be just the four of us, but I don't think your inner Kitsune is going to be accepting that for much longer." And I grimace at him, knowing he's right, but also feeling a twinge of guilt.
Dad seems to notice this and whispers: "I had several wondrous and beautiful years with your mother and still have several decades ahead of me. You two deserve to experience what your mum and I did, so just enjoy it." I nod at him, grateful for his understanding regardless of how badly he must be wanting to be with mum. "Mine, now and forever." Riku mutters, drawing my attention back to them and Sora only moans in reply.
The two hold onto each other and just by looking at them do I feel myself smiling as they are exactly what I want to be when Lea is around. And thanks to the other day, do I feel a little more confident that I am and that my brother and his mate are now embodying a perfect replica of how Lea and I must have been standing the other day.
The two of them are holding each other close, Sora's arms around Riku's waist and Riku's right hand resting on Sora's shoulder while his own left is around my brother's waist as well. Yet it's not the way they are holding each other or the way that Riku has his head resting on Sora's. It's the look of pure, relaxed peace and acceptance is that is on both their faces as they relax in each other's embrace. As they accept each other's love.


Aaaaawwww, how sweet.
And for those of you who might think this a corny ending, sorry, I shrug at you guys. I don't care, I was grinning from ear to ear writing that last part and sighing in bliss as I did. That is the kind of bonds I want to write about, about two people who love each other so much, they are at peace when they are near each other, when just the presence of the other brings them bliss.
Now like I said, Aladdin and Hercules WILL be next chapter, but I do have one question and it will end up on a poll on my account, so please make sure to head there when you finish reading this as it might affect next month's chapter. WHO SHOULD COME WITH LEA WHEN JESSICA'S KITSUNE SIDE MAKES HER UNABLE TO BE WITHOUT HIM?
Let me know,

Venquine1990
PS. You can vote up to four groups.