A/N: So, I've finally worked out an efficient way of uploading chapters, though it's a pretty confusing process which includes using both Chrome and Internet Explorer, and I thought it didn't work for a minute. Hopefully, the doc thing will be fixed soon, because I don't want to be uploading twenty-odd chapters this way, but I suppose if it comes down to it it'll do.

Anyway, despite my best efforts, this has become a rather short story. Mostly because several chapters have over 2000 words. I managed to split one chapter to make one more, but this means it'll be finished quickly - and possibly before I finished writing part 2. At that point, I'll have to ask your patience.

Anyways, sorry for taking up your time. Onto the story!

'It's called Wayward Wind.'

Ventus opened his eyes, grumbling and turning over as Sora's voice faded. Wayward Wind, huh? Guess that was cool.

He finally pushed himself off the bed, rubbing his eyes as he wandered to the adjoining bathroom to wash his face. Maybe he would wake up then, at least. Splashing cold water on his face, he grabbed the nearby towel and rubbed his face dry.

Walking back into the bedroom, he finally noticed Vanitas was gone. He frowed, looking around and wondering if he'd gone ahead during the night or something. He'd said he would stay with Ventus, but he already said he didn't get emotions, so there was no guarantee that he would stick to his word...

"Morning, sunshine. Finally woke up?" a voice drawled behind him, and he glanced back, giving a little smile as he recognised Vanitas.

"Was I sleeping for too long?" he asked.

Vanitas shrugged. "Not particularly. I just got up early to check if Aqua and Terra had left yet. They haven't, by the way."

"How can they even find you? Is there some sort of spell or something?"

Vanitas shook his head, reaching into his pocket and pulling out an odd, star-shaped talisman. "This is called a Wayfinder. Aqua made them for each of us, and they let us find each other. That's how they're locating me, though it only tells them the world I'm on, not the actual place I'm at."

"They look like the paopu fruit," Ventus noticed, remembering the star-shaped fruit from Destiny Islands.

"Yeah, that's what they're based off. Aqua said something about us always being connected then handed me this, so I figured I may as well keep it."

Ventus smiled. "You do like them really, don't you," he said.

Vanitas shrugged, pocketing it. "Not really. I just figured there's no point wasting good handiwork. I'm not attached to them or anything."

Ventus shook his head with a knowing smile, then yawned. "Do we have any food?" he asked.

"There's a stall selling some food just outside. We can get something there, then move on - unless you're wanting to wait for your brother?"

"No, that's fine. He's not coming back for a while anyway. I talked to him last night, and he says they're all learning how to use the Keyblade with Yen Sid."

Vanitas looked surprised. "That old coot? You'd think he'd have enough trouble with Mickey. Well, they should be safe at least. Let's grab some food then get going."

The two of them headed out, passing the key to their room back before heading onto the street. Vanitas led them to the stall he'd found, quickly buying some food and passing one over to Ventus before going to a less-busy area. They spotted Aqua and Terra wander past their little hiding place a couple of times, and shared a quick grin, continuing to eat.

Finally Vanitas stretched. "Alright, let's move out," he decided, stepping forward.

"Found you."

The two boys blinked before leaping back, turning to face the stooped old man. His amber eyes glowed as he gave a cruel grin, and he gazed at Vanitas possessively.

"Return to me now, Vanitas. There is no need to associate yourself with this rabble," he purred.

Vanitas shook his head. "I think I'll take option two, thanks."

The man blinked, then his expression became angered. "Then you shall die!" he snarled, lifting a hand. Darkness began to gather, and they backed away, staring at it.

"Who is he?!" cried Ventus as the wind whipped around them.

"Master Xehanort! He's the one who found me and took me to the Land of Departure!" Vanitas called back.

"Xehanort?" Ventus mumbled, wondering why the name was familiar. He glanced back at him, trying to place him, and blinked as he suddenly looked at him. Dizziness suddenly swept through him as is amber eyes bored into his own sky blue, memories from before his heart was broken trying to come to the surface. He cried out, grabbing at his head as he fell to his knees, and distantly heard Vanitas shouting before everything went black.

Sora gasped, partially rising as the overwhelming pain and fear rushed through him, before it dimmed and he paused. He knelt for a moment, taking shaky breaths as he tried to figure out what was wrong, before slowly sitting again.

"Sora? What's the matter?" asked Riku, and he glanced at them.

"Nothing, just...I think Ven's in trouble or something. Some...old man with amber eyes."

Yen Sid's eyes narrowed as Mickey blinked. "Master Xehanort!"

"Yeah...that's what I heard, I think. Ven knew him, ages ago. At least from what I can pick up."

"Is he alright?" asked Kairi hesitantly.

Sora closed his eyes, quiet for a minute, before nodding. "It's really hard to pick up on, but...I think a boy with him helped him? They're on a different world now, at least. It's all pretty vague."

"I am not fully aware of Xehanort's agendas, but if he is after your friend, he should be wary. Xehanort is not someone to be trifled with," Yen Sid said slowly.

"I think they're trying to avoid him anyway. The boy with him seems to think it'd be better if they kept moving now."

"Very well. Do you feel he is any immediate danger, or can we return to our lesson?"

Sora blinked then coloured. "Sorry," he mumbled.

Yen Sid shook his head. "It is of no matter. Your connection is unique one; I would expect extremely distressing events to be relayed to the other as well. Just do not allow it to distract you from what you are doing at the time; it could be the main factor between winning or losing in a fight."

"Okay."

Yen Sid nodded, then cleared his throat. "Very well. Heartless have many forms; these are a few of the ones recorded."

Ventus opened his eyes slowly, glancing around in confusion before pushing himself up. He was lying in a wood, the tall trees around them blocking out most of the light.

"You took your time," Vanitas said, and he glanced at the other boy.

"What happened?" he asked, shuffling over to where he was sat infront of a fire.

"I dunno. You just freaked then passed out or something. I got us out of there, but this better not become a habit 'cause I'm not lugging you around if it happens again."

"Sorry," Ventus mumbled, gaze troubled.

Vanitas shrugged. "Not like it matters at the minute anyway. Just rest up a bit, then we'll move on. He probably found us because we were in one world for so long."

"What happened to your friends?" asked Ventus, glancing at him.

"Dunno. Didn't stay for too long after you collapsed. Plus, I didn't really want to hang around where that old coot was."

"Who was he, anyway?"

"Xehanort. Him and Master Eraqus used to be good friends when they were younger, then Xehanort got all weird about darkness - at least, that's what Aqua told me. Why?"

"I feel like I know him...but I can't think where from. Before I lost my memories, at least."

Vanitas considered this. "Well, I don't know much about him. He found me, though he never mentioned where, and then he took me to be looked after by Eraqus and learn how to use the Keyblade. I've only talked with him a couple of times, but last time he said something about me being 'nearly ready'."

"Ready for what?" asked Ventus.

"I don't know. Aqua and Terra don't know either, but I never asked Eraqus. Figured he probably wouldn't tell me," Vanitas shrugged.

"Do you really dislike them all so much?"

"Whaddya mean?"

"Well...You give across that you really don't care about them, but every time you talk about them, you seem really...gentle."

Vanitas raised an eyebrow. "First of all, I don't even know how to care for them. Second, how the hell do I seem 'gentle'?"

Ventus shrugged. "I dunno...I just get that type of feeling."

Vanitas eyed him for a minute, then waved it off. "Whatever. Anyway, I don't have any particular feelings for them. We're not particularly close, at least."

"You're probably closer than you think," Ventus mumbled.

"I really don't need you telling me how I think, thanks," Vanitas growled.

"Sorry. I'm just saying."

"Well, you can stop."

The two of them went quiet, Vanitas pointedly ignoring Ventus. The blond sighed, lowering his head into his arms and gazing at the flames blankly. Where had he met Xehanort? How could he know the old man, when he didn't even know he could use the Keyblade until a couple of days ago?

There were too many questions, and no answers, and it was getting on Ventus' nerves.

A/N: We've got a bit of tension building between Vani and Ven...but I suppose that's to be expected at some point.

Review?