Third Chapter! And the last calm one. After this chapter, the action begins!

*Disclaimer

Me: Hola! Roxas is, um, out of commission, so today we have...

Marluxia: Hi! Omg, I am sooo glad to be here right now!

Me:...I thought I was getting Demyx.

Marluxia: Demyx is at some concert, I dunno, some weird band. He is so weird! It's all music, music, music with that guy! I mean, really, have you seen his hair? It's not his sitar he should be worried about!

Me:....disclaimer....

Marluxia: Right! Natcat5 totally does not own Kingdom Hearts! But she does own this fabulous story!

Me: .....Thank you, now leave. Now.

Can't Take it In

Sora leaned against the bent Papou tree on the Play Island, his eyes closed as the gentle breeze blew through his spiked hair. The waves lapped against the shore, providing a lulling background soundtrack for the beautiful morning.

It had been two weeks since the Keyblade Bearer and his friends had crashed into the dock of the Main Island. Two weeks since they had been practically smothered to death by all of the townspeople, and then taken into the Square for a massive welcome home feast that had left Riku and Sora more bloated then penguins at an all you can eat buffet. Two weeks since Kairi had pulled the boys aside and told them that they couldn't tell anyone where they had been, what they had seen, and what they had done. Sora had been less than enthusiastic about that, but Riku had been relived if anything. Two weeks since Sora's parents had begun to watch his every move, keeping an eye on him every morning, afternoon, evening, and night. Two weeks since Riku's mom had treated him like a prince, excusing him from all past chores and bringing him meals and all his heart's desires. Two weeks since Kairi's adoptive father had welcomed back his little princess with welcoming, forgiving arms wide open. Two weeks since the three teenagers had come home, together, at long last.

Sora smiled as he remembered the times and events of the last fortnight. The constant welcoming, the back-pounding, the suffocating hugs, the barrage of 'Where have you been?' questions, and the tears. Lots and lots of tears from all the Island women. Tidus's mother had smothered him with her large, one-pocket-holds-all apron, and Wakka's mother had berated them for disappearing, while crying and stuffing their faces with homemade bread. Unfortunately, Riku and Sora hadn't been able to understand most of what she said, as she had the same thick accent as Wakka, except much thicker.

Everyone had wanted to know where they had been, and 'I don't remember' was met with disbelieving glares and lots of nagging from friends and family members. The Islanders didn't buy it, didn't believe that the teenagers didn't remember anything. They couldn't have not remembered anything that they had experienced; they were too different. To changed to not have gone through some life-changing event.

Kairi, little Kairi, had always been a little princess, delicate, but strong-willed. Now, she was strong, and sure of herself, with a noble feel to her that gave her the air of a warrior queen. A determined, tough woman who could take care of herself and others, and demanded respect just by the impression she left.

Riku had always been an impulsive, too-cool-for-school, kid with a temper and bully-like tendencies. Now he was silent, stoic, and respectful of others. Gone were the quick flashes of temper, now replaced by an impassive calm and wisdom beyond his years. His carefree attitude had also gone, leaving a darkness in his eyes that haunted those who dared look to deep into them.

Then, there was Sora. Sora had always been a joyful, carefree, exuberant, positive little ray of mischievous sunshine that had run wild among the islands. Now, he was more thoughtful, more careful about things. He, the teenager that never seemed to grow up, took his time with things, and didn't rush into situations. He wasn't as hyper, and in fact, many of the things that had been his trademark, like boasting, picking fights with people much too big for him, and rushing headfirst into events, had ceased all together. Sora had grown up. He was still joyful, and relatively positive, but now, he was also realistic, and calm.

Then of course, there were the cuts, bruises and scars all over Riku and Sora, that both of them swore they had no memory of receiving, and the thick calluses on both their hands.

Nobody believed that the teenagers had really forgotten where they had been, and the suspicious looks and constant wheedling was beginning to drive Sora insane.

So he was on the Play Island, relaxing and rejoicing in the serenity of the place that had been his home away from home the first fourteen years of his life.

I missed this, Sora thought to himself, I missed this so much. How could I have ever left this place? What could compare to this?

Then, Sora felt a pang of nostalgia as he remembered all the beautiful, amazing places he had seen on his travels. All the friends he made, all the things he experienced, all the worlds he had saved....

With a sigh, Sora looked up to the sky.

Are you up there now? He thought as he regarded the blue firmament, with wispy clouds drifting across it. Are you wondering where I am? If I'm okay? Do you remember me? Do you miss me? Do you wish you could see me again?

Do you feel everything I'm feeling right now?

Sora closed his eyes, as he was barraged by memories of his friends.

Brave, noble Leon, Cloud, and his never-ending mission against Sepiroth, The Great, completely insane, Ninja Yuffie, grumpy old Cid, Tarzan and his family, Phil and his grouchy way, Simba, ruling the pridelands, Peter Pan, never growing old, the Beast, finally together with his beautiful Belle, Jack Skellington, so innocent, and so often led astray, Aladdin, the roguish thief, Jack Sparrow, the perpetually drunk, completely dishonest, yet somehow lovable pirate, Winnie-the-Pooh, innocent, and indescribable, Merlin, wise magician with the heart of a four-year-old, The Princesses of Heart, beautiful girls with a beautiful light that shone from within them all, Donald and Goofy, garrulous, true, and noble companions, with whom Sora had shared countless adventures, trials, tribulations, fierce battles, and amusing banters, and King Mickey, the great mouse King who had helped Sora seal away Kingdom Hearts and had watched over and protected the Keybearer and his friends.

All of these people, and so many more, whom Sora had met, befriended, and then left behind.

Sora felt another, fiercer pang of nostalgia as he thought of his journeys with Donald and Goofy in more detail.

I really miss them, He thought to himself, I really miss Goofy, and the way he knows things others always seem to miss, and I miss Donald, and how he always had my back in battle, even though we argued a lot, and Goofy would have to break it up...

The memories sent a pang of longing through the brunette, and Sora found himself missing his adventures, and missing travelling from world to world with his friends.

He missed his friends.

He missed them a lot.

Stop it, said Sora firmly to himself. You're finally home, you made it! You finally made it back after two years of wandering....you spent six months saving the universe and searching for Riku and Kairi, another six months doing...god knows what, then you wake up, and spend a year saving the universe again! It's time for a break. It's time for a nice, long, permanent vacation. The universe is saved, you're home, and Riku and Kairi are with you. Be happy dammit!

Sora gritted his teeth and clenched his fists together tightly.

I honestly don't think swearing at yourself will make you any happier.

Sora looked up, and glanced around him in confusion. Who had said that?

I did.

Sora let out a yelp as Roxas emerged from his body, transparent and ghost like, just as he had been last time. He still wore his red, black, and white outfit, with the checkered wristband and rings on his left hand. His blonde-hair was still spiked, and seemed to blow in the breeze, despite the fact that the Nobody was intangible, and his blue eyes were sparkling in amusement at Sora's surprised expression.

"R-roxas?" stammered Sora in disbelief, looking at the teenaged boy in wonder.

"The one and only," said Roxas with a smirk. "Well, actually, I guess that's not completely true, because I'm technically you, which means there are two of us," Roxas held up two fingers to accentuate his point.

Sora stared at his nobody in wonder, standing up to face him.

"H-how...how are you here Roxas? And...that voice I've been hearing...that was you? Hey! You insulted my mother!" said Sora indigently, once again clenching his fists.

Roxas laughed and put his hands behind his head, winking roguishly at his brunette counterpart.

"Hey, the woman was smothering me too. And yeah, I'm the little voice in your head, telling you to do evil things in the middle of the night...," an evil look graced Roxas's handsome face, and the blonde laughed again.

Sora raised an eyebrow. He didn't remember his Nobody being quite this...eccentric.

"But, whatever, yeah, Namine was right when she said we wouldn't disappear. We're kind of like, backseat drivers in your mind. You know, observing everything that goes on, making snarky comments where they're really not needed...," explained Roxas, laughing again.

Sora regarded Roxas with confusion. This really wasn't the Roxas he remembered. That Roxas had been pensive, and serious, and not sarcastic and slightly insane...

"Um," said Sora, clearing his throat, "Roxas, uh, there's something...different about you," he said, hesitantly.

Roxas smiled and shrugged. "Yeah, I figured. I guess I've kind of warmed up to you or something. 'Cause, you know, I'm not as serious as people take me for. At first I am, but once you get to know me..." The blonde teenager smiled sadly, "Axel's rubbed off on me way to much,"

A pang of pain went through Sora as he remembered the red haired Pyromaniac that had saved his life. The brunette felt the same pain coming from Roxas, in greater waves.

There was silence between the two boys.

The blonde shook his head and took a deep breath.

"Well, whatever. What's done is done. We've got to focus on the now and the present, and the now and the present is a depressed Keybearer with nothing to do but sit around and mope," said Roxas, the snarky smirk returning to his face as he looked at Sora with contempt.

Sora blushed, remembering the internal tirade he had had earlier, and realizing that Roxas must have heard it.

The blonde laughed and waved his hands in dismissal.

"Oh don't worry your spiky little head, I won't tell anyone about the semi-emo rant you had...well, except Namine, which means Kairi, which is really unfortunate for you," said Roxas, laughing again. "But you've got to get your head out of the clouds Sora. You're home! Finally! Enjoy it! Because seriously, it's not going to last. As weird as I may seem now, I'm still pensive and serious and all that junk, and I'm smarter than you, trust me. I know that it's not over. It'll never be completely over. It may be in a year, or five years, or in a week, but you'll be called back Sora. You're not done saving the universe; you'll never be done. So enjoy this while it lasts, because it won't."

Sora stared at Roxas, his mouth hanging open in surprise. A long winding speech like that was the last thing he had expected from the new, Axel-centric Roxas. And what he had said...

A cold chill filled the Keyblade bearer as what his Nobody had said sunk in.

I'm not finished, he thought to himself in horror, I'm not done. I'll never be done...

Just then, there was a noise coming from the other side of the bridge Roxas looked in that direction, his eyes narrowed.

"Wu-oh, we've got company. Ick, I feel naked when I'm all transparent like this, as if people can see my spleen or something. Hows about we continue this conversation internally?" said the blonde-haired teenager with a smile. Roxas extended his hand and touched Sora's head, then, he disappeared in a flash of blue light.

Hola, me amigo! I am back!

Sora groaned as he heard Roxas's voice in his mind.

I have a feeling, thought the brunette, wincing, that this could be very annoying.

Got that right chica.

Chica?

Bear with me; I've got a craving for something Spanish.

"Sora!"

Sora turned his head to see Kairi and Riku walking down the beach towards him. Kairi was waving energetically, while Riku was impassive, as usual, with his hands in his pockets.

Sora smiled at his two friends, waving back at them.

And look, you've got the girl, and the moody best friend. You found them. Now go spend time with them and have fun. Lots and lots of fun. Hehe, Especially with the red-head.

Sora blushed as images from Roxas popped up in his mind.

Oh god, Roxas! That's disgusting! And besides, I don't even know where to get handcuffs...

"Hey, Sora," said Kairi, walking over to where her brown-headed friend stood.

Outwardly, Sora smiled pleasantly, inwardly he was trying to get the mental images out of his head.

"Hey Kairi, Riku," he said with a nervous chuckle.

There's a topless red-head in the ring! Tra-la-la-la-la!

Shut up!

What? I'm just singing. She spins your head right round, right round, when she goes down, when she goes downtown...

Gah! I hate you!

Kairi regarded Sora with some confusion. He'd gotten this really pained look on his face and his eye was twitching.

"Uh, Sora, you alright?" asked Riku, looking at his best friend with concern.

Sora released a tight, pained smile and nodded.

"Yep! I'm completely fine Riku! Don't you worry about me!" he said with a fake-sounding chuckle. Kairi looked puzzled, while Riku looked supremely unconvinced.

Aw, Riku-chun's all worried about you! Hey, maybe you don't have the hots for Kairi! Maybe you wanna get all kinky with the silver-haired wonder over there...

For God's sake! Would you shut up?! They already think I'm crazy! And I thought you were speaking Spanish, now you're speaking Japanese?

Don't knock it 'til you try it! And as for them thinking you're crazy...well, I'll straighten that up with Kairi right now!

What? What are you going to do?

I'm gonna talk to Namine. We can do that we know, because of your bond with Kairi. If you guys really tried, you could probably communicate telepathically, like Namine and I can.

Really?

Yeah. Hold on a sec.

Sora let out a sigh of relief as Roxas's presence lessened on his consciousness. He smiled at Riku and gave him a thumbs up. Riku looked puzzled, and Kairi laughed at her friends. Then, a puzzled look flashed across the red-head's face, and her pale blue eyes widened. Kairi turned to look at Sora, her eyes like saucers.

Done, and done!

Sora groaned inwardly as Roxas returned.

Oh, that's cold. I don't think I've ever had a more unfriendly welcome.

Yeah, well, I've never had to share my head with a complete pervert before.

Touché.

Kairi giggled, and Sora snapped out of his mental conversation to look at his friend. "Why are you laughing?" he asked, puzzled. Kairi smiled her dazzling smile. "Oh, well, Namine told me some of the things Roxas told you," she said, laughing again.

Riku's eyebrows shot up into his hairline and he whipped his head back and forth between Kairi and an extremely red Sora.

"Wait...what? Wait, Roxas...Namine...what? What? WHAT?" exclaimed the normally stoic silver-haired teenager.

Oh great, we broke Riku. Now who's Sora gonna get all kinky with?

Kairi let out a little snort as Namine relayed Roxas's comment to her. Sora looked at the girl, surprised.

You can talk to Namine that easily?

Practise, buddy-boy. Practise makes perfect. It'll keep getting easier from here.

Riku blinked several times and shook his head.

"Okay, wait. So, you guys can talk to Roxas and Namine?" he said incredulously. Sora and Kairi nodded. "More like they talk to us," muttered Sora.

Don't pretend you don't like it.

Sora winced at Roxas's innuendo laced comment, while Kairi just erupted into laughter again.

Riku looked between his two best friends, feeling very out of the loop.

Oh god, thought Sora, is this what the rest of my 'vacation' is gonna be like? Somebody kill me.

Oh Sora, chuckled Roxas, enjoy it while it lasts.

Hehe, okay, third chapter! And honestly, I think I had the most fun writing this one! Sorry if Roxas seems waaay OOC, but I haven't played 358/2 days, and I wanted to have some fun with him ;p

So, anyways, the next chapter is gonna start the serious stuff. As fun as my fanfic seems now, it's gonna get pretty dark, and the next two chapters are gonna go into that.

So I hope you enjoyed the gaiety while it lasted.

Please review guys, I wanna finish this story, but once I post the next chapter, I may stop. I dunno, it depends on reviews....

Until next time!