Disclamer: We do not own Kingdom Hearts only the ideas.
Warnings: Mentions of sexual situations and language.

Gift of the Heart

Chapter Four
Radiant Garden

Roxas began to pull himself together once Riku and the others became more visible. He dropped his head and hunched his posture in an attempt to hide his crying eyes. He knew Sora all too well. He knew that the boy would try to stay for him, but Roxas wasn't about to let him. He shoved his hands in his pockets and walked slowly behind the others.

"Roxas? Are you alright?" Namine chimed when she watched the boy appear amongst them. He only nodded.

"Are you sure?" Kairi chimed in. He nodded again. The girls were sure that this was one of those 'don't pick at it times' and dropped the topic.

Riku said nothing when Roxas caught up with them, nor did he say anything when Sora caught up with them and slipped one of his hands into the blonde's pocket to twine his fingers with the hand hidden there.

If Kida had noticed anything going on she didn't comment on it either as she led them up to the platform that the heart of Atlantis floated above. Resting there was the little ship that detached from the gummy ship and allowed them to go down to the planet. Luckily they had been in that when they had crash landed. Their gummy ship was much larger and would have been much harder to get off the world. Once on top of the platform Kida turned to them smiling. "My people found this and brought it here. It is yours?" she asked them kindly.

"Sure is." Kairi smiled.

"That would be what Sora crashed us in." Namine giggled smiling at the white haired woman. Roxas said nothing and only kept his head down. He felt Sora's hand slid into his pocket and did nothing. The boy was so warm, so kind, so gentle. He was going to lose this all again and this time Roxas knew it wasn't just some dream conjured up for him. His posture stayed hunched as he refused to look up. Before too long, Roxas lost his composer again and was a mess of tears.

When Sora's normal retort of denial at crashing didn't come Riku looked to the teen. He found blue eyes fixed intently on the form of the blond before they rose and locked with green. There was a understanding that passed between them and Riku understood what Sora's plans were. No matter how much had happened or how much time they had spent apart they were still best friends and still some how able to understand each other. Riku nodded his acceptance and Sora opened his mouth as if he was going to say something.

He was cut off as Kida stepped forward and began speaking. Being Sora he was too polite to interrupt her. "I assume you will be leaving then?" She asked and then continued without waiting for an answer. "Then I will give you these," she pulled out two of the crystal necklaces identical to what she wore. "They are a piece of the heart of Atlantis for you to take with you. As long as you wear them what the heart has done cannot be undone." Kida stepped forward and slipped first one over Namine's head and then the other over Roxas.

The boy's eyes went wide as he felt the small thin string rest on his neck. "W-What?" He stammered out his voice full of tears. His fingers came from his pocket and wrapped around the small blue jewel. The boy lifted his head, tear stained eyes for all too see as he locked his gaze on the small blue rock. "You mean this little thing will keep me like this? Forever?" he chimed, his voice sounding dumbstruck and full of awe. It couldn't possibly be that easy. So as long as it was around his neck he would be able to be with Sora forever?

The tears started up again, this time filled with an unfounded joy. A look came to the boy's face that he quite frankly didn't care if the others saw. Quickly Roxas grasped Kida's hands within his own and locked gazes with her overjoyed. "Thank you. Thank you so much. You have no idea what you've done for me. I don't know what to say. "

Sora was much less calm about the entire ordeal. He released a whoop and jumped at Kida. He wrapped her up in his arms muttering "Thank you," over and over. As quickly as he had hugged her he let go, turned and swept Roxas into his arms. He didn't care that his friends were five feet away or that anyone could be watching. It didn't stop him from pressing his lips eagerly to the blonde's for a quick moment before pulling back and composing himself minimally.

Kida laughed at the entire display. "It will keep you like that for as long as you wear it," she told Roxas. Then she smiled at them all, "You are welcome here at any time."

Riku simply thanked her and shook his head. If this was any indication of how eventful this trip was going to be he didn't think he would survive it. One could only keep up with the entity that was Sora for so long and they had just added two more members to their little troop. Riku would have been lying if he said he hadn't felt left out.

Namine played with the jewel around her neck and she too felt one stray tear roll down her cheek. Before she knew it Kairi hugged her nobody tightly smiled brightly. "Namine! Isn't that great?! You can stay with us now! You can Roxas can be with us now! That's so cool!" she announced happily as the blond girl returned the hug.

Roxas wrapped his arms around Sora as soon as Sora did him. He couldn't stop smiling, and he couldn't stop crying either. "Sora, Sora Sora I can be with you forever now. I can be with you forever!" he said the words jumbled and filled with excitement. "Sora I can be yours forever!!" the blond teen shouted his voice filled with an unmatched joy as he embraced his other tightly burying his face into the boy's shoulder.

Kairi smiled at Riku, excited that her other friends could be with them and soon hugged the sliver haired teen out of excitement. She watched the keybearer's display and couldn't help but be happy for them. "Riku isn't this great?!"

Riku smiled and hugged her back. "Of course it is." He really did want them all to be happy. He wouldn't mind the addition of two more altogether that much, but he knew he needed to get this show on the road or they would never leave this world.

"You already were!" Sora exclaimed in response to Roxas statements laughing out his joy with his other. He was going to say something further when Riku's voice cut through.

"Say your goodbyes we need to get on our way," the silver haired teen stated evenly as he pulled out of Kairi's embrace and moved over to the ship.

Sora knew Riku was right but he had already slipped into his exuberant bouncy mode. True to form he bounded back to Kida. "Thanks so much for everything! If you need anything or heartless ever show up call us right away!" he declared hugging her tightly again. She nodded her agreement and Sora released her to turn and look at his group. His eyes fell on the other blond and it was as if he had just realized she existed. "Namine!" He exclaimed bouncing over to her and pulling her into his arms before she could do anything about it. He spun her in a circle beaming. "You get to come with us too! I'm so glad!"

Namine laughed brightly as Sora spun her around. "Sora! Stop that I'm going to get dizzy." she giggled, and smiled at the boy when he sat her down. Roxas ran to Namine, taking her hands into his and pulled her quickly from Sora and to him, as the tears of joy continued to fall. He was so happy he wanted to share it with everyone.

"Namine! We're real now! We're real!" he shouted excited as he scooped the girl into his arms grinning like crazy. He beamed at his other and then looked to Kairi. "Come on guys and let's get this show on the road! We've got places to go and world's to explore!!" the nobody shouted sounding a little too much like Sora when he did.

Kairi giggled running up behind Roxas and she smiled. "You sound like Sora. I'm so happy for you Roxas!" she shouted before she ran over to Sora giving him a tight hug. "And you too Sora! I'm so happy for you both!"

Riku gazed at his four overly exuberant friends and sighed while rubbing his temples. It wasn't that he wasn't happy for them, he was. It was just that instead of two slightly energetic teens to travel with, the number had just doubled. Worse, it seemed that they all feed off each other so when one was excited the other three were bound to get excited.

"Thanks again," he told Kida before opening the ship and climbing inside. He settled into the main pilot seat, there was no way he would let one of the hyper teens pilot, and began to start up the little craft.

Sora hugged Kairi back and thought about initiating a happy group hug but that thought was stilled by the sound of the craft humming to life. "We'd better go," he told the happy little group. He wouldn't put it past Riku to take off without them. The brunette snagged Roxas hand and pulled him towards the craft. "There are only three seats so you'll have to sit on my lap. He declared with a grin as he climbed into the craft tugging the blond after him.

The blond clumsily fell into Sora's lap as he sat down and Roxas grinned wrapping his arms around the boy's neck for support. "Sora" was the only thing he could get out before the doors closed and Kairi sat down, tugging Namine into her lap in the same fashion.

The young Princess turned her head to her side. "Sora, we should go visit some place to fix up the gummi ship so it's ready for more people. Do you know anyone who could do that?" She asked the brunette with a curious look in her eyes before turned to playfully glare at her other. "Namine, do you have to doodle now? I mean... "

"Kairi, Sora and Roxas are the perfect picture right now and I absolutely cannot pass that up." she explained with a smile.

Absently the brunette answered Kairi. "Yeah we gotta go to Radiant Garden and see Cid," he declared without turning his attention from the blond in his lap.

Riku noticed them all from the corner of his eye and sighed. It really was going to be a long trip. As he worried about safely raising the small craft off the ground and maneuvering back into space to dock with their slightly larger gummi ship he found it a bit easier to ignore every one.

Sora found himself torn between expressing intense excitement at the prospect of taking Roxas everywhere and expressing his deep joy that he could have the boy with him always. As always his excitement won out. "Just think of all the things I can show you and we can do now! You can met Leon and Cid and Cloud and all my other friends! We can have friendly spars with Leon and Cloud and I bet we'll win hands down! Then we can go to other worlds and see all the other people I met! I can't wait to see what you look like in Atlantica, or the Pride Lands, or even Halloween Town! It's going to be so cool!"

Kairi and Namine giggled at the boy as he started his normal cheer-filled bursts of energy. Roxas however sighed resting his hands on the other boy's shoulders. "Sora." he said firmly, as he had regained his composer once they had left the world and rejoined with the gummi ship. "Take a deep breath and calm down. It's ok." he said still trying to unjumble the words the spiky haired teen had just slurred out.

"One step at a time Sora. Take a deep breath." he spoke again shifting his gave to Riku. "Riku? Where to? You guys have a mission to do for the king, so why don't you just fly us there, and I'll keep Sora quiet?" he suggested the plan to the older boy assuming he would appreciate the sanity.

Riku just rolled his eyes and was the first to hop out of the smaller craft and into what appeared to be the hanger of the bigger one. "Kairi is right, we are going to need a bigger gummy ship," he said calmly. "I'll fly us to Radiant Garden like Sora suggested and we'll talk to his friend Cid there. Sora why don't you show Roxas the ship?" Riku suggested eager to have the exceedingly hyper teen out of his way for a while.

"Alright!" Sora agreed as he shifted Roxas off his lap and leapt from the small craft. "Come on Roxas! I'll show you the whole ship!"

"Everything but the main cockpit," Riku said sternly not wanting the brunette to get in his way. Sora stuck out his tongue at his best friend but relented anyway.

Roxas smiled at his other as he laced their fingers together. He couldn't help but smile, the boy always had so much energy when he got excited. His gaze shifted from Sora to the two girls and then to Riku. "Don't worry I'll keep him busy, you just get us there in one piece." he teased before he shifted his attention back to his other. "Alright Sora, I'm all yours lead the way. It should be different finding my way around, myself."

Sora grinned at the implication that 'all yours' carried. He burst through the door leading to the rest of the gummie ship pulling the blond along behind him.

Riku shook his head at them and headed off the other direction. "You guys can join me if you like or Kairi can show you around Namine," he told the girls before he headed out of the room towards the cockpit. He slipped into the room and took the main pilots chair. His fingers flew over the familiar console as he entered the coordinates of Radiant Garden.

"I'll show you around when it's not flying Namine. I want you to see the stars!" Kairi said dragging her Nobody to follow Riku. "I've got my sketchbook ready Kairi, I'm sure there's a picture that needs to be drawn." Kairi giggled at the blond girl.

o o o o

"This is the hallway," Sora said excitedly as he pulled the boy down it. "And this," he said opening a door. "Is my room." Sora pulled his other half inside the room. The room itself was simple with just a bed and a large dresser. Sora's clothing were scattered all over the room. Although it was simplistic it was defiantly the room of Sora.

Roxas visibility twitched at the mess - not that he was ever much better. "No Sora." he said as his eyes scanned around the room, and ended when they met with matching blue. He wrapped his arms around the boy's waist and pulled him close. "This is our room." he grinned smugly, moving forward to kiss the boy quickly. "They better make it bigger, cause it's awful small for two people." He stated looking around again, letting Sora go and moving over to set down with an ungraceful plop on the bed. "I just really don't think it's big enough." he smirked at his other.

"Defiantly not," Sora agreed with a grin before he pounced on his other half. His momentum pushed the blond back onto his back and Sora straddled the blonde's hips triumphantly. "The first thing they are going to make bigger is this bed," he stated with a grin before leaning down to capture the blonds lips.

Any plans he had for them were foiled by Riku's voice coming over the speaker system. "We're going to warp and will be there in approximately 15 minutes. Be ready to disembark then." Sora knew that was the silver teen's way to say 'keep your clothes on boys' and he groaned into the kiss.

"So Sora?" the blond chimed looking up at his other as he broke the kiss Sora had caught him in. "Any plans on how you're going to explain me to your friends?" he started giving the boy a shove gently to show he needed to set up. "I just have a feeling that telling them I'm your nobody and lover is not a good idea." Roxas paused again. "Seeing as you just fought so hard with their help defeat the Organization, I don't think telling your friends you're fucking the thirteenth member is a good plan."

Sora rolled off the blond to sprawl on the bed beside him while he thought about it. "I don't know Roxas. I mean you're the other half of my heart. Cloud at least has to know what that means. At least I think he does. He always said he was looking for his light. I think he would be happy to know I found mine." The brunette settled his hand over Roxas as he tried to come up with a good excuse for why Roxas was there.

Roxas heaved out a sigh and remained lying on his back for only a moment before he sat up. "It's more complicated than you thought it would be huh?" he sighed, eyes drifting down and pale finger playing with the small blue jewel around his neck. "Maybe that's what he always meant when he said I 'didn't have the right to be'?" the boy paused and looked over his shoulder to the boy to his side.

"I mean you could always tell them I'm just another friend you always hung out with on Destiny Islands, or met in Twilight Town, but once I draw a weapon that's shot. They're going to get suspicious quick when I start using keyblades." Roxas heaved another sigh and paused to think, dropping his eyes to the floor. Soon a stray thought crossed his mind and he grinned, looking back at Sora. "I mean Sora, they're going to wanna know why I handle those weapons better than you!" he teased the boy playfully grinning.

Sora didn't give into the teasing. He wrapped his fingers around Roxas hand that was playing with the jewel. "You have just as much right to exist as I do. I'm not going to lie to them. I'll tell them you are my nobody and that you are on our side now. They are my friends. They'll understand." At times Sora had an almost childlike trust that he placed in his friends, one of those times was now. He really did believe that his friends would believe him and even accept Roxas.

Roxas smiled at the boy and his eyes shone with a sense of Trust Sora would understand more than anyone. "Alright Sora. But I have one stipulation if you want to tell them the truth." the blond started, his voice firm but trusting. "I'll do it. I should be the one to tell them what I am," he said consciously using the word 'what' instead of 'who'. He had gotten very used to being treated as nothing more than a thing without and identity and there was a fear in the pit of his stomach that it was going to happen all over again.

o o o o

Kairi grinned as her nobody scribbled pictures down quickly until she finally dropped the sketchpad to the floor and was clung to the window of the cockpit. "Kairi it's so pretty! What's that?! " she asked excited like a small child.

Kairi stood and walked behind the blond girl and smiled. "That would be our destination Namine."

Riku smiled at the young women as he pressed the intercom button to Sora's room again. "We have arrived and will be heading down planet side," he informed them before releasing the button. He keyed in a few different strokes before the screen in front of him showed that he had open communications with the world below. "This is the Keyblade Express," Riku started wincing at the name Sora had come up with for their gummie ship. "Requesting permission to dock."

"Sora?" came the answering gentle female voice.

"No this is Riku but Sora is on board." He wanted to add the obvious 'what was your first clue this is Sora's ship' but he refrained.

There seemed to be a scramble of noise and voices before the voice of a calm male came over the speaker. "You have permission to dock in dock three. We will meet you there," the voice sounded as if it was speaking more to the people in the room with him since there came the sound of movement shortly after.

Riku sighed. He had only seen Sora's friends from afar and they looked like an interesting bunch. Carefully he guided their ship into the atmosphere of the planet and docked it at the ordered dock without too much trouble. As expected there were people waiting just outside presumably to greet them. Riku sighed. This was going to be a longer trip then he ever could have imagined.

o o o o

Sora nodded solemnly at Roxas words. He didn't mind if Roxas was the one who told his friends as long as his friends were told the truth. At the sound of Riku's voice he leapt off the bed. "Come on Roxas! I can't wait to introduce you to everyone!" With that he sprinted to the door, opened it and dashed down the hall. He figured Roxas would follow at his own pace.

As soon as he felt the ship settle he was the first one out the door and onto the dock outside where he was pleased to see some of his friends gathered. It took more effort than he thought he possessed but he managed to compose himself and walk out normally. However no amount of composure kept the wide grin from his face.

All eyes were on the children that came out of the small craft, but were confused on seeing five teens instead of three. Sora, Riku, Kairi… wait who were the other two? Cloud crossed his arms and smiled at the teenagers as they all piled out of the ship. He said nothing, the look on his face should have been enough. He never was one to be good with words.

Cid was chewing on a toothpick with his arms crossed. "Lighten up Cloud," he said to the spiky haired man, and shifted his attention to Sora. "Sora m'boy. What brin's ya here? There ain't no'probl'm with yer ship is the'r?" he asked the spiky haired teen, not worried about the new comers. He just figured that Sora picked up more friends. The kid had a habit of doing that, although they had strange markings on them.

Yuffie wasn't nearly as subtle as the others were. "Sora!" she shouted gleefully racing over to the boy happily hugging him tightly. "I'm so happy to see you!" she announced happily releasing the teen soon enough and looking the others over. "You're Riku I bet." she smiled looking at the tallest of the five. "And you're Kairi." she smirked at the burgundy haired girl. "I hear Sora likes you." she teased causing the girl to blush.

Namine giggled at the comment and looked to the group. Before the ninja girl could ask who Roxas and Namine were the blond girl spoke. "I'm Namine. Who are you?" she asked kindly holding her sketch pad to her chest. She knew all too well from rearranging Sora's memories, but thought it polite to ask.

"Oh I'm the great Ninja Yuffie!" she declared proudly, receiving a knowing look from Cloud and Cid. "What?!"

"I'm Cid, little missy and the grumpy one back here is.."

"Cloud."

Roxas didn't say a word. He was building up the courage in the pit of his stomach to utter the words. He stood at Sora's side, holding his hand tightly. The other boy was sure to know that Roxas was nervous. They all seemed like such a lively bunch. He had a longing feeling that he needed to be friends with these people, but he figured that was an echo from Sora. The blond stood in silence, much like Cloud, just for a different reason. He waited for Sora, before he was even going to speak.

"I'm Aireth," the female with the gentle voice that had answered Riku's initial call stated. She then gestured to the male and female beside her. "This is Leon and Tifa." Riku nodded his greeting to them all. Sora for his part couldn't hold himself back any longer.

"Naw the ship is perfect Cid. We just kinda need some upgrades! Cause there is more of us now! I'm so excited to see you guys! Has everything been quiet here?" he asked.

Leon nodded his confirmation of Sora's words. "Everything has been quiet lately," even though he was speaking to Sora his eyes were locked on the blond. As far as he was concerned it never boded well when someone wasn't introduced.

Aireth fell immediately into her role as the mother of the group. "Well let's all go have some dinner and we can talk about everything that has happened," she suggested with a smile. She 

looked almost like a mother hen gathering her chicks as she shooed them all back to the base of operations.

The blond felt the eyes lock onto him and he swallowed hard. He clenched on to Sora's hand tightly as he forced the words out. "I'm Roxas." He said planting his feet, pulling back on Sora's hand wanting to get this out of the way now. It was already awkward enough. He felt at least three sets of eyes fall on him. Three more anyways. The one called Leon, had been staring at him the whole time anyways. He felt his stomach twist into an uncomfortable knot and he sighed. "I'm Sora's …." he started choking on the word. He looked to Sora with obvious worry in his eyes. His fingers wrapped around Sora's hand as if the boy was his life line. The boy was his life line.

"Sora's what?" Yuffie sounded looking at the blond boy curiously. "You're awful shy. You kinda remind me of Cloud, kid." she smirked looking over her shoulder at the other blond man. He only shrugged it off and moved to follow Aireth.

Leon narrowed his eyes at the blond. If he was this reluctant to state how he was related then that made him both suspicious and not at the same time. Sora glanced over at Roxas. 'Do you want me to tell them?' he thought towards the blond hoping that their once strong mental connection still held true.

Tifa punched Leon lightly in the arm. "Come on Leon lighten up. Let's go before Aireth comes back for us," she instructed softly. Leon ignored her and continued to fix his gaze on Roxas.

Roxas gulped felling the man's eyes on him. He dropped his eyes and stared at the floor. Maybe if he didn't look at him it would be easier. That man had such a piercing gaze. 'No Sora. I said I would, so I will,' he thought back to the teen, feeling a little more confident just from the sound of Sora's voice- but it didn't help all too much. "I'm Sora's Nobody." the blond blurted out suddenly, quickly spilling out the words to just get it over with. He stood closer to Sora, holding his whole arm tightly almost standing behind him.

Kairi and Namine looked at Roxas and smiled sympathetically. Namine stepped forward and smiled at the group. "I'm Kairi's Nobody as well." the blond girl explained gracefully. She reached a hand down and Kairi took the sign, wrapping her fingers in the other girl's. Perhaps that would help Roxas feel more secure.

Leon simply nodded. "I thought as much," he said simply before turning and heading the way Aireth had gone.

"I think that means welcome," Tifa said with a smile. "Sometimes that man is as difficult to understand as Cloud is, I swear," she muttered to herself.

"Come on," Riku called over his shoulder after them.

"See?" Sora whispered triumphantly and he tugged Roxas along after them. "I told you it would be alright." There was an unmatchable grin spread across the brunette's face.

'But you still have to tell them the whole lover's thing too. Not kissing you just cause I'm afraid of getting caught will suck' Roxas protested. His stomach still felt woozy as he didn't think it could be that easy.

Yuffie grinned at the boys smugly. "So does that mean he uses the Keyblade too?" she asked following after the others walking backwards.

"Yes. I can use keyblades," Roxas answered her, still clenching on to Sora's hand tightly.

"So does that mean you need a few more rooms Sora?" Cid asked the boy grinning at the chance to do more work on the Gummi ship. "Cause if that's all ya need for her, I can fix'er up in no time."

A wide grin spread across Sora's face. Cid had just presented him with the greatest opportunity. "Well Cid we might need one more if Namine wants her own room. I just need my room a bit bigger, maybe another dresser, oh and a much bigger bed would be nice!" He said with a grin. Riku who was only a few strides ahead of them heard that declaration and let out a groan.

Namine giggled knowing where Sora was going with his statement. "Oh that's fine Sora. I don't mind rooming with Kairi. She's pretty much like a sister."

Kairi smiled equally as pleased as her other. "Agreed. Namine can room with me."

Roxas blushed red at Sora's words, and brighter upon Riku's groan. Cid raised an eyebrow at the teen in confusion. "You sure Sora? I think your 'friend' might want a room to himself. I mean I assume he spends an awful lot of time with you, don't you think he wants some time alone?"

"Nope!" Sora declared confidently. "He just told me earlier that my room was our room now! I'm sure!" Sora really wasn't meaning to embarrass his other half. Like most times he was simply speaking before his brain really had a chance to think things through. "We will need other things enlarged though," he said thoughtfully. "Like the dining hall and the cockpit. Oh and the small ship that we take down to the worlds! That needs to be a bit bigger too! And you can always put on anything else that is new and cool!"

"I see. Whatever you want kiddo. We'd best be gittin' to Aireth before she starts throwin' a fit." Cid said looking at the two raising an eyebrow. There was something the boy was leaving out and that wasn't like Sora.

'Sora!! Tact! Tact!! We talked about this before!' Roxas chanted so only his somebody could hear him

'Well I could have told him exactly why I want a bigger bed,' he told the blond as he picked up the pace. 'As a matter of fact maybe I should tell him that I need a big enough area to properly pleasure you on, just to make sure he gets a big enough one,' he mused mentally with a leer.

At the house that had long ago become their base of operations Aireth had already moved inside and was busily moving about the kitchen. She was used to the men wandering in slowly so it didn't really bother her that they were taking their time. However as each one set foot into the house she would know and immediately would snatch them up and put them to work, unless they were a guest. All guests got seated at the table while everyone else worked.

Roxas's face matched his collar in tone. 'Sora! Must you be so blunt?!' he shouted embarrassed at his other. Soon enough he was ushered to a seat with the rest of his comrades as everyone else seemed to be put to work. He sat down next to Sora and Namine smiling, still blushing slightly. Namine was all smiles, as was Kairi.

The Princess turned her attention to the frowning sliver haired teen. "Riku?" she poked him, and looked at him with wide eyes. "Cheer up will you? We've made so many new friends in just one day."

Riku tried to offer her a small smile. He knew she was right after all, it was simply difficult for him to interact normally with people after everything he had done, everything he had put them through.

Sore let his eyes speak for him n response to Roxas, as they flashed with mischief. Aireth commanded her kitchen like any commander would his troops. She had an uncanny way of finding the perfect task for everyone to keep them all busy. They all knew once they finished their tasks they were allowed to sit. Leon had the task of setting the table. Yuffie was given the task of preparing the salad. Cid was put in charge of drinks. Cloud was watching the pasta at the stove. Tifa was making sure that the bread didn't burn. All in all they worked like a well oiled machine. Leon finished setting the table and settled into his seat. At the proper time Tifa pulled the bread out of the oven and set it on the counter to cool a bit. She knew one of the blade wielding men could cut it much better then she could so she left it for them to handle. Aireth hummed happily as she stirred a pot of sauce beside Cloud.

The others had their assigned tasks completed soon enough and carried their dishes to the table. Taking a seat Yuffie looked over the kids and smiled at Roxas and Namine. "You two are just as welcome as the rest! I was wondering why you looked so much like Sora and Kairi but it makes sense now. It's kinda cool." she grinned like a small child at the two. Roxas kept his gaze fixated on Sora, and blushed slightly at her comment. Namine giggled and smiled at Kairi, who smiled as well - mostly at Riku.

"Hey Sora? What's it like? I mean isn't it weird to be setting next to yourself?" the ninja girl asked the brunette setting next to her curiously.

"Not really," Sora told her as he filled up his plate with food as the dishes were being passed around the table. "I mean he's Roxas. He's not really me we just share a heart and a soul." The brunette was trying his hardest to make sense of it but he was fair certain he wasn't getting through.

"When Roxas and Sora split, Roxas developed his own being and his own personality. He is Sora but he isn't at the same time," Riku clarified before stabbing his fork into the pasta and taking a bite.

"I see I see." Yuffie said taking food on to her own plate as the sliver haired teen explained it. "So I take it, it's the same for Ms. Namine too then?" she said taking a bite of her food.

"So then you found your light, Sora?" Cloud asked the boy, breaking an awkward silence that normally fell around the blond warrior. There was just something about the other boy that felt familiar to Cloud. The other blond just seemed like someone Cloud understood. He didn't know why but he did.

Roxas smiled at Riku's explanation and Sora's confirmation of his identity. He took food onto his own plate and began eating silently as the others conversed.

Sora smiled up at Cloud and fished for one of Roxas hands under the table. "Yeah I think I did Cloud. When I am with him I feel whole," the smile that wore was brilliant even as he began to shovel food into his mouth.

Aireth smiled at him as well. "We are all very happy for you Sora," she said kindly.

"So what brings you all here?" Tifa asked them.

"We need a bigger ship." Kairi piped up smiling.

"And this goofball is bound and determined to drag me everywhere." Roxas piped up looking up from his plate. 'Sora, when I'm with you, I am who-- Roxas! Stop yourself right ther,' the blond stopped himself quickly in his train of thought. His dangerous train of thought.

"A bigger ship huh? Just came for upgrades. Well I'll git yer ship fix'd up in no'time. Jus' show me what ya' need done." Cid spoke looking at the visitors. "I might need you two to git the job done quickly though'." he finish shifting his attention to Cloud and Leon.

"I''l help! I'll help!" Yuffie piped in happily. She shifted her gaze to Sora with smug grin and mumbled so only he could hear. "Ya know Sora. If that boy wasn't you, I'd say it sounds like you like him. But you have a thing for Kairi don't you?" she teased him.

Leon simply nodded that he would help. He owed Sora that much at least.

"I'll give you a list of everything we'll need after dinner," Riku told Cid.

Sora just gave Yuffie a little smile and said nothing. He knew Roxas didn't really want them all to know just how intimate their relationship was. They wouldn't have minded one bit, of that Sora was sure, but Roxas didn't want him to say it so he wouldn't. If they figured it out on their own that was an entirely different smile. He glanced around the table and saw Airthe's smile at his responds. When their eyes met he knew she knew but he wasn't too surprised. There was very little about her friends that the maternal woman didn't know.

Soon enough the meal was finished and Yuffie and Cloud were picking up the dishes without a complaint as Aireth would have asked them to do so anyways. Roxas let out a contented coo, holding a hand on his stomach as he leaned back in his chair. Namine giggled at him. "Roxas, you're so lazy." she teased him.

He only looked over her contented and stuck out his tongue. "And you doodle all the time. What are you getting at? I work hard at protecting you, I can be lazy." he teased her back contented for the moment for a full stomach and the company of his friends.

Cid grinned at Riku and Sora. "So show me this ship of yer's and what ya want fixed up."

Sora glanced over at his best friend. "Can you Riku? I wanna show Roxas Radiant Garden." Riku nodded at his request. He was a bit grateful to have Sora out from underfoot anyway. The brunette more than likely would have demanded all the newest weapons and equipment and forget the important things, such as the expansions.

"I'll show you what we need Cid," Riku told the mechanic as he rose from the table.

Sora bounded up as well. "Hey Kairi! You and Namine haven't seen Radiant Garden either have you? You wanna come look at it with us?"

"Sure! That sounds like fun!" Kairi said smiling at her childhood friend. "I'll bring my sketchbook." Namine commented with a grin to the lazy teen at her side. Roxas only smiled, and slowly rose from his chair. "I'm coming, Sora. Just don't bounce all over the place, so I can keep up with you ok?"

"Alright alright come on!" He state excitedly as he ran to the door. There wasn't a lot of the city to show them but it was slowly being rebuilt and there were some rather cool things, in Sora's opinion, that they could see.

Roxas followed Sora into the city while Namine followed sketchbook at the ready, with Kairi close behind. "So Sora, tell us about this place!" the princess shouted happily looking around the city.

o o o o

Cid looked to the Sliver haired boy and nodded. "Lead the way." he said following the teenager to the ship, Cloud following without asking. Yuffie too bounded behind them ready to help if she was needed.

Riku nodded and led the way back to their ship. As Cloud had, Leon rose and followed. "Pretty much we need everything expanded to accommodate 5 people. We are going to need a larger version of the craft that we take down to the worlds so that everyone can fit. I guess you can give Sora a bigger bed and it would probably be a waste of your time to make two new rooms so you might as well just make theirs bigger." He paused for a moment as he thought. "Any of the newest weapons would probably be good too. We don't know exactly what we are going to. Of course we had probably better talk about price first to be sure we can afford all of this."

Cid smiled at the sliver haired boy. "Ya know I give you kids a discount right?" he said shifting his gaze to the craft once they arrived to it. Cloud stood in silence waiting for orders to do something. While Cid moved to let himself inside the ship

"Yes I am aware of that," Riku told the man as he followed him into the craft. "I am also aware of just how much we are asking for."

Cid grinned at the boy patting him on the shoulder. The blond man began to navigate around the ship taking note of everything that should be changed. "So if Sora and that Roxas kid are sharing a room, same thing with the girls I need to make sure you have more beds right?" he asked the sliver haired teen when he came to that place on his list of items.

Riku followed Cid as he moved about their ship. At the man's question he cleared his throat nervously. "Well," he began as he attempted to figure out how to best phrase what he was going to say. "Sora and Roxas have sort of an intimate relationship so I am sure they will only ever use one bed. Kairi and Namine are like sisters that like to sleep in the same bed. So I guess just get bigger beds for them." He hoped he had gotten his point across because he didn't really want to elaborate on the fact.

"Oh. I see." Cid said staring at the sliver haired teen for a moment. "Alright then, I'm jus' gunna do as yer requestin', kid." Highwind agreed. He had a slight idea of what the teen meant but didn't' really have too much of a wanting to confirm, and the teen didn't seem too eager to talk about it. He understood.

Riku gave a relived sigh. It would have been hard enough to explain it to Cid who seemed to be fairly open about things, but Cloud and Leon were also in the ship and it would have been nearly impossible to explain it to them. "Just let me know what I can do to help," he told the man.

Cid smiled at the boy, chewing on the toothpick in his mouth more. "Well kiddo, we'll get to work and be done in a few hours. Why don't you go exploring or have some fun? "

"Uh Right," Riku turned and proceeded to exit the ship. Fun wasn't exactly something he had a lot of recently despite being on a journey with his two best friends, so he didn't think that would be happening any time soon. As for exploring he had more than enough memories of this world, most were ones he never wanted to see again and were therefore buried deep within his mind. He knew they were there and that they were awful he simply didn't remember most of what they were. Every now and again he would dream of what he thought were various memories but that was as close as he got. The silver haired teen didn't want to chance triggering the reawakening of some of those memories.

He thought about returning to the house but the thought of being surrounded by people changed his mind. The keyblade wielder found himself perched atop the wall overlooking the small gathering of houses, sometime later. He rested his chin on one of his pulled up knees and simply gaze at what was slowly becoming normal again. It was amazing to him how people could help a world to overcome the darkness that was once in it. He only hoped that people could also truly do that with their hearts and souls as well.

o o o o

"Well let's see," Sora said as he walked nonchalantly with his hands behind his heads. "I guess this used to be a really beautiful world. Then the heartless came and kinda made it their home base and ruined it. Once we defeated Ansem, Leon and Cloud and everyone else were able to come back and start making this place back into what it used to be. Now they take care of the city and keep all heartless and nobodies out. With the exception of you two of course!" He declared with a smile.

Sora climbed up the large flight of steps that allowed them to look out into the surrounding area. "You see that valley down there? One time it was full of heartless. All of us had to fight our way through them to get down the castle and help Tron."

"Really? That's so cool! Do you know anything else Sora?" Kairi chimed looking around as Sora spoke. Namine however said nothing. She simply pulled out her sketchbook and began drawing the scene before her. Roxas however stood at Sora's side staring at the valley below him. He seemed fascinated by the scene.

"There were once beautiful gardens everywhere." the blond shifted his gaze and lifted a hand to point. "There was a river there, and there was once a grand castle atop that cliff." he paused and turned to look at the girls with a smile. "The Seven Princesses of Heart lived in that castle and looked over the land with their purity and power," the boy explained to the girls, not stopping to think about one of the words that came out of his mouth.

Sora listened intently to his other half and could almost imagine what Roxas was describing. Radiant Garden in its original state must have been an amazing site to behold. It took him a moment to realize that the words Roxas had spoken described something even earlier then Sora had experience. The brunette whirled to face his other half with disbelief written over his face. "Roxas," he said reaching to the blond and clutching at his arm. "Roxas how do you know that? This world was ruined by darkness before I even got here."

Roxas turned and looked into matching blue eyes and smiled. He held that expression if for only a moment before a blinked a few times and his expression because dazed and then highly confused. "Sora? What did I say? I dunno where it came from." he said rubbing the side of his head, confusion about his form.

Sora didn't know what to say to clarify it for the blond. "I don't either," he said quietly. Then he plastered a smile on his face. "But at least you have some cool memories of this place! Much cooler than mine!" Although he seemed his normal exuberant self, the smile was fake at best, but it was unlikely if anyone could see through it. Perhaps Roxas could simply because he was Sora's other half. The brunette for some reason didn't like the fact that Roxas had memories that he had no knowledge of.

Roxas smiled back at his other equally as fake. "Think we should go back and check up on the others?" he asked the other teen seeing as they had already covered pretty much the entire town. He really just wanted to cuddle up next to his other and talk about things but he didn't want to do that in front of people. He wasn't about to let people know about the situation. It scared him a little to have memories and not actually remember them.

"Right," Sora agreed curling his fingers around Roxas' hand. "Kairi, Namine, are you guys gonna stay here a bit longer or come with us?" he asked them. Sora wasn't worried about their safety. It was reasonably safe and Kairi had her own keyblade if it came to that.

Kairi smiled at her childhood friend. "You two go on ahead Sora. We'll be fine." the princess told him.

"Indeed, you two go be with each other, we'll be fine." Namine smiled at the two boys with a knowing grin. "I have much scenery that needs to be drawn." she continued taking Kairi's hand.

"So we'll come back in a little while. Don't worry about me and Namine, Sora. I can handle it. If anything happens I'll yell for you."

"Okay!" Sora agreed excitedly. He tugged on Roxas hand and pulled them back down towards where they had left their friends. "So Roxas did you wanna go look at anything else around here?" he asked lightly. The brunette was curious mostly as to what else Roxas knew that he had no idea about. Although neither one of them seemed to know where the memories were coming from Sora was fascinated by them. There was no telling what Roxas could know.

Roxas smiled at the boy. "Sora I don't know anything about this place, why would there be places I want to go?" Roxas teased the other boy as he was drug along. "If there's something you want to show me just do it silly."

"Nah not really. You've pretty much seen about all there is to see. I'm sure there are some nice seclude places for private time," he said lightly with a grin. "But I would rather not get rocks in places I don't want them, especially when we have a nice new bed we'll need to try out later!" he declared excitedly as he pulled Roxas along and down to where the town was situated.

The blonde's eyes lit up as he walked through the town, Sora's sarcasm falling on deft ears. His head turned slowly as he took in each and every detail of the small town, as it was still under construction. "It used to be so beautiful here, it's a shame to see it like this now." The boy muttered to himself more than to anyone else. He clenched unto his other's hand tightly and pulled. "Come with me," the blond ordered with a glint in his eyes that wasn't normally there. The teen dragged his other through the small town quickly and into a small alley that no one ever used. He held up his hand and dragged it along the wall that was blocking their path. It appeared that the alley was obviously at a dead end but the nobody suddenly balled a fist and knocked his hand on a brick quickly.

A path opened suddenly and Roxas pulled Sora behind him once again. It was almost as if the blond was in a trance and it was guiding his movements more than anything else. He dragged the other teen through a maze of corridors that Sora probably didn't even know were there, and they ended in the old Hallow Bastion castle basement. In a small secluded section that over looked the vast Lake Sora first landed at on his first journey. Bringing the brunette up to the ledge overlooking the waters, he turned back at him - a different look in his eyes- and smiled before looking back to the scene. "It's beautiful, huh?"

Sora had followed Roxas without complaint and full of curiosity and he was pulled along. He hadn't a clue where they were or where they were going but he trusted his other without question. As soon as the lake came into view Sora smiled. It really was beautiful. The way the sunlight sparkled off of the water. Sora hadn't even known that it had been there. It wasn't as if he had a ton of time for site seeing the last time he had visited radiant gardens, he had been slightly distracted by the organization and the like. "Yeah it is," he said smiling. "How did you know this was here? Where are we Roxas?" he asked curiously not taking his eyes off the water.

Roxas moved behind Sora and wrapped his arms around the boy's waist. He rested his chin on the teen's shoulder and smiled pulling him close. "We're in the castle, up on the hill. We're in its basement, it'd be a long climb if you wanted to go to the top." the blond explained grinning mischievously at his partner avoiding the other one of the boy's questions.

The brunette automatically relaxed into Roxas's hold. When the blond informed him of where he was Sora simply nodded at first. It made sense they would be in the basement of a castle judging by the look of things. The only castle Sora knew of on this world was Hollow Bastion. He tensed slightly at the thought of going up into it again and then almost immediately relaxed, hoping that Roxas hadn't noticed. There was nothing but bad memories surrounding that place, with the exception of being reunited with Kairi. "Naw, I think I am good right here, with you," he said attempting to be nonchalant.

The pale fingers that were wrapped in the other teen's jacket relaxed and released the fabric they were gripping. "Sora?" a voice sounded from the teen sounding confused and awkward. Roxas looked out at the vast span of blue before him and his eyebrows knitted in confusion. The blond took a step back and walked to the edge of the ledge they were on before turning to his other and taking his hand. "Come on. Let's go," he said trying to sound more forceful than confused. He headed back in the direction they came but, this time instead of seeming to know the way without problem, the boy seemed lost. He didn't know how they got where they were but he did want to say anything and scare Sora.

"Yes?" Sora asked in response to Roxas statement of his name. He wasn't sure what was up with Roxas but he had no problems with the thought of leaving. As beautiful as the lake was it was only bring to mind things he didn't wish to remember. When Roxas ordered them to leave he went without question allowing his other to lead them without question. After a bit Sora found himself puzzled. This time it seemed to take a lot longer than it had when they came in. Maybe they were taking a different way. Sora didn't see any reason to say something since Roxas had seemed so assured earlier.

After walking in what felt like Circles Roxas stopped dead in his tracks. He dropped his head and stared at the floor. "Sora..." he chirped out meekly. "I.." he started. Sora would probably panic if he thought something was wrong, but then again Roxas didn't know what was going on either. He had never really wandered the worlds before, so all of this was new. " ...I don't..." he started again still staring at the floor. "...know where...I'm going.. "

A/N's:

Kat: Well that was a special 18 page chapter for you all after our slightly evil cliff hanger. We would never split them like that! ….Well at least not this early in the game… This is pretty much un beta-ed so that is why there are probably so many mistakes. We just wanted to let you all know, so you have an idea of how this gets written, that this is written as an role play by Kira and I. It gets a little crazy trying to control 6 characters at once. Thanks so much to faithful reviews RoxasTheOther, KiraLacus Forever, and BCZ. I try to respond to all your reviews. Please keep them coming!