I appreciate all those who are reading this story, and though I haven't got many reviews at all, but I'll take all the story alerts and favorite story alerts that I've got that people are enjoying this story. So, thank you all! And even bigger thanks to those who reviewed! It really encourages me! ^_^

Edit: Some of you may think this is an update, but I was replacing the chapter because I noticed that the site messed up some of the italics while the 'voice' is talking...I will have the next update soon though!

Chapter 3:

Sora's POV

I felt ridiculous. We had company over, and I was slaving over the stove like some housewife! A frilly, navy blue apron was tied around my waist, which just added insult to injury. Now, don't laugh at me! I always wore this apron when I cooked, just for Ven. He had gotten it for me last Christmas and had seen nothing wrong with the frills on the edges. At first, I had figured it was just a prank, but when I saw the large, happy smile on his face when he saw me open it, I just smiled and thanked him as if I actually enjoyed it.

Our guests, my brothers, and I were able to agree on a simple dinner of spaghetti and garlic bread. So I was stuck cooking while everyone else played video games in the living room. I let out an exasperated sigh at the thought that I was being left out. Oh well. At least everyone was getting along.

I looked down at the apron with a quick scowl. If nothing else, it made for a good hand towel and kept my clothes clean. I already had splotches of spaghetti sauce staining the apron, among other things, so I supposed I should be grateful.

"It doesn't look so bad on you." I turned quickly, half scared, and met aquamarine colored eyes. Riku. "It could be so much worse. You know, it could be pink."

I looked down at the apron once more and nodded. That was true. Ven could have chosen a pink one, covered in red hearts, or something girly like that. I shuddered at the very thought of wearing such a girlish item in front of our current guest. Not that the apron I had on was completely manish, but still!

"I guess you're right," I mumbled, turning back to stir the sauce that had started to splatter onto the stove. Even more of a mess I would be stuck cleaning after dinner while my younger brothers wandered away with our visitors to play more video games. Man, life was cruel sometimes.

Arms suddenly wrapped around my waist. I nearly screamed and raised my hands to shove Riku away, but I froze when I saw the look of pure sadness on his face.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, though he still didn't let go. "You remind me of someone I knew a long time ago. But he's gone now."

"Oh," I mumbled, relaxing slightly, unknowingly leaning against the older boy. He must have cared about this other boy a lot. "Were you two close friends?"

"Yeah. I always wished we were more than that, but he loved someone else." I gasped when I was pulled tighter against the body behind me. Okay, this was getting awkward! But I didn't have the heart to pull away…

I let out a sudden whine; my head was starting to throb and the room was spinning! Riku was holding me up, his grip tightening even more. Then everything just stopped. The room was fading into nothingness. I couldn't hear anything anymore. Even the arms holding me up seemed to disappear.

"Don't fight it Sora. These are things you need to remember. The worlds are in trouble again. The worlds need you; need us."

My head tilted towards the voice slowly. I could see his eyes, Riku's eyes. But that was it. My eyes slipped close and I gave into the unconsciousness that had been calling to me.

* * *

I woke up in an unfamiliar place. Scratch that. This place was just weird! I was standing on a pillar in the middle of a big, dark abyss. The pillar's top was covered in stained glass, decorated in blues and greens. In the center were three, blank circles. But the outside edges of the decorative glass are what caught my eye.

Ven, Roxas, and I were painted around the edges, our hands loosely connected. We seemed to be asleep, if our closed eyes and peaceful expressions gave anything away.

"How strange," I mumbled, walking closer to my picture on the glass. I had to admit, it looked just like me. The clothes were kind of weird. At least Ven and Roxas' clothes were normal, even though they were practically dressed the same.

Some of you may be wondering how I was bale to tell Roxas and Ven apart, seeing as they were almost perfect copies of one another. Well, in the picture, one was smiling slightly while the other was frowning. Obviously the smiling one was Ven. He almost never frowned! Roxas on the other hand…

Wait a minute! This wasn't the time to get all distracted! I was in an unfamiliar place, standing on a lonely pillar with no escape, in a dark abyss, and with no one to help me or keep me company!

Maybe this was all a dream? I did recall passing out in Riku's arms, the I heard him talking to me…how cliché was that?

"It's been a long time since you were last here. Do you remember?" Despite the booming voice coming from seemingly nowhere, I felt no fear. Strange, huh? "It would seem you have long forgotten you time here. Your previous life came and went as all do. The time is drawing near yet again for you to awaken. Are you ready?"

"Ready for what?" I called out. I was so confused. Was I supposed to do something special?

"Hmm…it would seem you're not quite ready to move forward. Look at the glass." I listened. One of the three, blank circles began to glow, revealing a blurry, twisted image that I couldn't make out. "This person is the key to your memory. He is the key to your past, present, and future."

"The picture's too blurry. I can't tell who it is!" I looked back to the image, turning my head this way and that, but there was still nothing I recognized.

"Who do you think it is?" I huffed and crossed my arms. Did I not just say I didn't know? "Look into your heart; think of who would affect your life the most."

"My brothers?" I asked immediately. My brothers had always influenced me, so why not?

"No. You and your brothers are connected, heart and mind, make no mistake. However, the person you seek is an outside force; one that you knew for a lifetime, yet you know nothing of him now." Oh yeah, that simplified things for me.

"Giving up already? Come on, Sora. I thought you were stronger than that."

What was that!? That voice did sound familiar…yes! It was the same voice that had whispered to me before I came here, Riku's voice!

The once blurry picture began to twist and morph, until Riku's face was revealed, lining up across from my figure.

"Riku? But I've only known him for a day. Besides, he's leaving tomorrow!" This dream was starting to give me a headache. It made no sense to me! This talk of other lifetimes and stuff…

"Do you know about the Heartless?" the voice suddenly asked. So much for Riku.

"I've heard of them in school, I think. They were created from shadows, but then some guy came around and destroyed them all. Right?" The voice let out a sigh.

"Not quite. The Heartless were created from the darkness in people's hearts. As you should know, there is darkness in every heart. So, when a person loses their heart, they become a Heartless." I let out and "Oh," and nodded slowly. They never taught us about that in school. "The hero, a young boy chosen by the Keyblade, fought the Heartless among other enemies. He did so to save his two, closest friends. And save them, he did."

"Okay," I crossed my arms, nodding in understanding. "So, what's a Keyblade?"

"The Keyblade is a weapon that chooses its master. Only one with a strong heart can wield it; it's the key that connects everything." I was so lost. None of this made any sense. I just wanted to wake up!

"SORA!!" I winced as Roxas and Ven's voices cut into my mind. They sounded worried, not that I could blame them. After this dream, I was worrying myself.

"Go on. You will have your awakening soon, but not now." My eyes widened slightly. I'd have to come back here!? No way!!

I suddenly felt myself sinking as if the once glass pillar had turned to water. I struggled, of course, but it was no use. I was pulled under, left staring up at the stained glass. Before my eyed slipped closed, I swore I saw my picture's eyes open very slightly…

* * *

"Come on Sora! Wake up!" My eyes snapped open. "Thank goodness…don't you ever scare us like that again!" I felt someone punch my arm roughly. Ah yes, awake to face Roxas' wrath.

"Don't be so heartless Roxas! What if he's hurt or sick? Awe, now I felt bad. Ven sounded horrified or like he was going to cry, and it was all my fault! But then again, when he said 'heartless'…I shook my head. It was just a dream.

"I'm fine. My head kind of hurts though." Ven clung to me, not letting go, even as I tried to push him away.

"Riku said you just passed out. No more cooking spaghetti for you!" I gave Ven a blank look and Roxas rolled his eyes. As if it were the spaghetti's fault? "So what happened? Why did you just pass out like that?"

I began to think. Why had I passed out? Honestly, I didn't remember anymore. Even the dream was beginning to fade from my mind. "I can't remember. I was stirring the spaghetti and I just…fainted, I guess?" Roxas sighed. I could see he was getting worried about the whole situation. It wasn't exactly normal to just pass out like that. He set his hand against my forehead.

"You're kind of warm. We should have Cloud take you to the doctor tomorrow." My eyes widened and I shook my head quickly. "Sora, you have to. If you're getting sick and randomly passing out, we need to find out if it's serious!"

"I passed out once! No big deal!" Ven looked at me with his wide, innocent eyes. "Don't you start…" His eyes widened more and began to water. "No, Ven!"

"P-Please…?" He added a sniffle for more effect. Damn him and his adorable personality. It was so hard to resist him!

"Okay. I'll go to the doctor, but no hospitals, no matter what's wrong with me!" Ven smiled widely, all trace of tears gone.

"It depends how serious it is. If you're going to die or you need some special treatment to get better, it's straight off to the hospital," Roxas said firmly. There was no fighting him. He had me beat.

"Okay, okay." I gave in, but only reluctantly.

"Hey, the spaghetti's done." I looked up at Riku, blushing lightly. I didn't remember much about passing out, but I did vaguely remember him holding me. His eyes flickered over to look at me and he smiled slightly. "You're awake. I'm glad you're okay then."

"Y-Yeah," I mumbled, looking away slowly. My face was getting even warmer. Was he worried about me? It was almost as if I could still feel his arms around my waist, holding me against him tightly. "Roxas is gonna have Cloud take me to the doctor tomorrow, but I think I'm okay. Maybe I was just tired."

"Or maybe you needed to get out of that kitchen. It's awfully hot in there." Axel walked in with a smirk. It made me worry for our kitchen. "But anyway, maybe you should stay in here and relax. I'm sure Riku wouldn't mind getting your dinner for you." His voice was playful, but Riku sent him a weak glare.

"He's right Sora. Just stay down, okay?" Was Roxas actually agreeing with someone? He never agreed with a person. He was way too argumentative!

"Whatever. Whaaaatever." I lay back on the couch and sighed as everyone left to get their plates. As they did, I looked back towards Riku, smiling when I caught another glimpse of those lovely eyes.

That was the next chapter! I must say though, if it feels I'm moving fast with this story, it's because if I slow it down, I'll get bored, and if I get bored, I'll stop updating! Don't want that, do we? Well, I hope you enjoyed!