A/N: Hi! Sorry it took so long! My Creative Writing teacher assingned us to write a contest entry worthy story (say that five times fast!) and I'm also writing a different story for my best friend's birthday. But it's up now! Read on!

Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts, or for that matter, Beauty and the Beast. Disney does.

Old Friends

"Ten bucks says it's the creepy road." Riku muttered as he, Kairi and Naminé stood in front of the old wooden sign. "It's always the creepy road."

Kairi and Naminé nodded. They had been walking for a while, the forest closing in around them, and they were eager to find Beast's castle and get out of the cold.

They kept up casual conversation as the walked until suddenly, a howl pierced the cold night air.

"Wolves?" Kairi asked nervously. Riku nodded. However, they soon discovered that wolves were among the least of their problems.

"Oh!" Naminé exclaimed as she tripped on a hidden tree root, dropping her sketchbook. Smiling embarrassedly, she reached down to grab it, only to find the shadow of the tree she stood under writhing with life.

"Heartless!" Naminé cried, grabbing her sketchbook, and running back to Riku and Kairi, both of whom had summoned their Keyblades. Naminé looked around, and finding no large sticks, made due with hitting the Heartless with her sketchbook whenever a Shadow ventured too close. She really needed to find a proper weapon.

"Riku, there are too many!" Kairi called as she swung her Keyblade, sending another heart floating up into the air.

Riku nodded.

"Naminé," he called as more and more Heartless appeared, surrounding them on all sides. "Get behind me!"

They fought, often relying on each other, tag teaming as stronger Heartless began to appear. Riku cried out in pain as a Neoshadow slashed at his stomach.

"Cure!" Kairi called, raising her Keyblade in the air, and Riku stood up. Together, the three friends stood together in the center of a growing circle of Heartless.

"I'm out of magic," Kairi panted, "And potions."

"Me too." Riku nodded.

A solemn look passed over their faces as each one realized that his might be it.

"Wait, what's that?" Naminé asked, pointing off into the distance, between the trees. Towers.

"A castle?" Riku muttered.

"Beast's castle?" Kairi asked hopefully.

"There's only one way to know." Riku replied. Reaching out, he grabbed Naminé's left hand as Kairi grabbed the right. "Ready?" He asked, both girls nodding.

With a deep breath, the charged.

~*~

"Jealous! Of that little twerp? Even if I could be jealous, why would I waste my time being jealous of him?" Axel muttered furiously as he paced around the room. "Even if I could feel jealous, I wouldn't. It's not even worth thinking about. I'm not jealous!"

"You are so jealous."

Axel spun around, glaring at Larxene. The Savage Nymph laughed, leaning against the door frame.

"How long have you been there?"

"Long enough. Judging my your rather amusing ranting, Roxas accused you of being jealous of Sora."

Axel nodded.

"Well, are you?"

"Of course not." Axel scoffed. "I can't be. No heart."

Larxene laughed again.

"I love how insistent you are about that. Almost as if you are trying to convince yourself of it."

Axel gaped, confused.

"What are you…?"

"We do terrible things, Axel." the blonde smiled, placing a hand on Axel's shoulder. "It's almost easier if we convince ourselves that we don't feel bad. Sure, we have no hearts, but the mind also governs emotion. While they are not as strong, they can still be felt. Just look at the proof! I was watching when you killed Vexen. The old fool begged for his life. Why would someone beg unless the felt fear? And you! You're a mine field of unacknowledged emotions."

"And you?" Axel asked, eyeing Larxene's hand suspiciously. "By your theory, you must feel something as well."

"Right now?" Larxene asked, before raising herself up to whisper in Axel's ear. "Right now, I feel lust."

With a sigh, Axel pushed Larxene away from him.

"That's what it always comes down to with you, isn't it?" he hissed, not bothering to hide his disgust.

"Either that, or watching someone's face contort in pain as they experience physical or mental anguish."

Axel shook his head.

"You're a sadist."

"And you are a pathetic fool who can't decide whether he wants a heart or a best friend. We all have problems, Axel."

Axel scowled, turning from Larxene, and storming from the room, her laughter following him out the door.

"I'm not jealous." The Flurry of Dancing Flames muttered strangledly as he walked down the hall. "And I can't feel."

~*~

"Oh dear, who could that be?" Mrs. Potts as someone knocked on the door, "And now of all times too! The Master and Belle being busy and all."

The door swung open, and three exhausted teenagers practically fell in.

"Oh my! You poor things!" Mrs. Potts exclaimed, hopping to their sides, "What happened? Wolves?"

"Heartless." The boy panted, helping the girls to their feet.

"Oh, those vermin!" the teapot exclaimed, "They're worse than the wolves. At least they aren't in the castle this time though." It was then that the old housekeeper remembered her manners. "Well, the Master is busy, but if you'll give me your names, I will have Cogsworth announce you when the moment is right."

"I'm Riku," the boy replied, "And this is Kairi and Naminé."

Recognition flashed in Mrs. Potts' eyes.

"Riku and Kairi. You're Sora's friends! I see he found you all right and breathing. How's the dear boy doing?"

The three teens paused.

"That's actually why we're here." Kairi replied. "We need the Beast's help."

Mrs. Potts nodded understandingly.

"I'll see what I can do."

The sound of a door closing, followed by rushed footsteps echoed through the halls as Belle appeared at the top of the west stairs.

"Kairi! Riku!" She exclaimed, running down the stairs, her golden ball gown flying behind her. She hugged Kairi, then Riku, who looked surprised. He had expected a slightly colder welcome from the girl he had kidnapped. But, then again, she was a Princess of Heart. Likely, Beast would not be so kind.

"The Beast said I could go home!" Belle exclaimed happily to Kairi. "Papa is somewhere in the forest, sick and Beast said I could go to him and take him home."

"That's wonderful!" Kairi exclaimed, hugging Belle, "But won't you miss this place?"

Belle nodded, sadly.

"I'll come back, once Papa is better."

"We didn't see anyone in the woods on the way here, and there are Heartless." Riku inserted.

"Belle's expression turned grim.

"Then I need to hurry." She said, "I know he's out there somewhere." She turned, running up the stairs to her room to get ready.

"Ahem." a voice twittered. Kairi, Naminé and Riku turned to see a small clock approaching. "Mrs. Potts says you wish to see the Master?" They nodded. "Then follow me."

They followed the clock, who had introduced himself as Cogsworth, up the west stairs and down a darkened hallway.

"The Master and Belle have had a beautiful evening together," he trilled. "And with any luck, he will be in a wonderful mood." They reached a large door, and with an impeccably polite knock, Cogsworth called through the door.

"Master, you have visitors."

"Enter if you must." a gruff voice replied.

"He doesn't sound like he's in a very good mood." Naminé whispered. Kairi nodded as the door swung open.

"Master, might I introduce Riku, Kairi, and Naminé. They are friends of Sora. Also, I would like to congratulate you on the wonderful night. I knew you had it in you."

"I let her go." the Beast sighed.

If clocks could go pale, Cogsworth would have.

"Y-you what?" he gasped, "But, why?"

"Because," the Beast paused, "I love her."

"Of course you do, sire." the clock sighed.

"Beast," Riku said, stepping through the open door, "We could help."

Even though he had never mentioned it, Kairi knew how nervous Riku was about talking to the Beast, giving their less then friendly past, and she was proud of him for not letting it show.

"Yeah!" she continued for him, "The forest is full of Heartless. Naminé and I could go along with Belle to keep her safe." Naminé nodded in agreement.

"Do what you wish." the Beast sighed. "I don't care."

Kairi and Naminé nodded at Riku before leaving the room. As they left, Riku took a deep breath.

"Beast, we need your help." he said, stepping forward, "Sora is in trouble."

The Beast looked slightly worried at this news, but turned away as if he couldn't be bothered to move.

"I can't help you." he sighed, "I can't even help myself."

"But-"

"Please Riku, just leave me alone."

Riku nodded, moving toward the door. He paused.

"She'll come back. She told me so herself."

The Beast shook his head.

"She'll forget me."

"The heart never forgets." Riku replied, surprised to realize that he believed every word of it, but the Beast just grunted and Riku left, hoping the Beast would listen tomorrow. As he walked past one of the castle's many windows, he could see Belle, Kairi, and Naminé ride through the gates.

"Good luck." He whispered as the Beast's mournful roar filled the castle halls.

A/N: Hi again! Naminé kept disappearing from the scenes! Hopefully I can keep a better eye on her next chapter! Review please! Thanks!