Thanks for all the reviews! Appreciate them! ^^ I'll try and keep up my updates going! Now, this chapter is going to be in 2 parts. Just to leave a cliffhanger, and just drive everyone nuts! Hehe...sorry, I'm awful that way!

Chapter 6 (part 1):

Sora's POV

There was always something about seeing Ven and Roxas laughing and happy that made me feel thrilled to have them around. It was like I was terrified that something would come and tear them away from me. Maybe I was just paranoid after losing our parents, like I was scared that I'd lose them too. But now wasn't the time to think about that.

I was sitting on the dock, my feet dangling from the side, watching as everyone splashed around and swam in the ocean. It was one big water fight. Ven and Roxas were drenching Axel and Terra, who were trying to get a hold on the two. Zack and Cloud were sitting on the beach, watching them with small, relaxes smiles on their faces, while talking amongst one another. Everyone seemed happy. Even me. Of course, my heart felt pretty heavy.

We had been here a lot since our parents had passed, but I could never bring myself to swim. I always had this memory lingering in the back of my head of my dad carrying me through the water on his shoulders, and holding Ven and Roxas in his arms. My mom would always stay in the shallow part (I guess she couldn't swim), and would take pictures of all of us. I guess it was a fonder memory, and it just didn't seem right to go into the water without them there. That was just me though. Ven and Roxas were pefectly happy, and I wouldn't begrudge them that. Besides, I didn't know if they even remembered those times with our parents. We were so young, and I was surprised I remembered myself...

I blinked slowly when I felt something grab at my ankles, and suddenly I was pulled down into the water. Man, it was cold! I coughed and glared at my 'attacker'. Riku laughed and shook his head at my reaction.

"What are you doing over here all alone? You seemed kind of lonely." I shook my head and looked at Riku evenly. It was weird how well he seemed to read me. We had only known each other for a couple days. But it went both ways. I felt so comfortable around him. I gave a grin, weaker than my usual, I could tell.

"I was just thinkin'," I started, looking down. Why not just come out and say what was on my mind? Maybe it would help..."My parents used to bring me, Ven, and Roxas here all the time. I guess I really miss them being here, and when I come here without them, it just reminds me..." I kept my eyes down, staring into the water, and in my reflection, I could see the tears building in my eyes.

Sure, I had Cloud, Zack, and my brothers. My friends were great, and I had a roof over my head. But not having my parents there anymore...knowing that I'd never see them again...yeah, it still bothered me. I was a kid! I was a kid who had to take care of his brothers, and act like a parent towards them when we were home, instead of acting like an older brother. Sometimes it hurt to think about it! Some times, I hated them so much...hated them for leaving us alone! It wasn't fair!

I sobbed, and I felt Riku trying to dry my eyes, but the tears kept coming. "S-Sorry," I sniffed, trying to pull myself together. "This place always makes me think of them, and then I can't stop thinking on it. I don't mean to drag things down, I just..."

"Hey, calm down. I can't imagine how hard it is, I...envy how strong you are about this. I mean, you and your brothers seem so happy and carefree despite it. And I'm sure your parents are happy that you moved on. But moving on doesn't mean you have to forget them..." I looked up at Riku, and nodded slightly. He was right. He understood completely, summed it all up in that last statement. It wasn't that I hadn't moved on, I just...how could I forget them and all the good times we had while they were here? They were my parents! I loved them, alive or not...

"Y-Yeah," I mumbled, wiping at my face. "You're right, I just need to calm down." I took a deep breath, and though my eyes burned from crying, I smiled dimly up at Riku.

"Better. Now instead of thinking about the good times you had with them here, why don't you make some new memories? Memories with your brothers?" I nodded, and again, I knew he was right. Roxas and Ven...they were the most important things to me now. I grinned.

"Yeah."

"Oi! Sora!" I looked over to see Ven on the beach with all the others, a sandwich in his hand. Apparently they had all left the water and went to get something to eat without me noticing. "Hurry and get something to eat before Zack eats it all!" he laughed, and Zack grumbled something with his mouth full. I grinned more, looking back to Riku who was already pulling himself out of the water. He held his hand out for me, and I took it; he pulled me from the water easily, and it amazed me how strong he was. I felt my cheeks warm up a bit, but the grin never left my face.

"I'll race you!" I laughed, and I was off. He stared after me, but he recovered quickly, and he followed right on my heels.

"Man, that's good...I'm so thirsty," Roxas pulled his head away from the water running down from the spring, and Ven moved in, taking a large gulp of the fresh water, a content sigh escaping him. It was great that the island had a fresh water spring so close by. You'd never taste anything better! The three of us were sitting around the spring while the others packed up their things and got the boat ready to go.

"When do you think we'll make it back here?" Ven suddenly asked, looking between Roxas and me. I could see the eagerness on his face. He loved it here.

"This summer? Maybe sooner," Roxas smiled at Ven, and nodded his head. "We'll get all our friends together, and spend an entire week over here. We'll camp out and have a great time." Ven's eyes brightened.

"Sounds great," I smiled slightly at the two, and nodded in agreement. It sounded great, and after talking with Riku, I really felt like I could stand the trip without thinking too much about the past. Roxas ruffled Ven's hair, and looked down into the water, at his reflection...

I guess...I never could've guessed what happened next. Never could've seen how things would change from there on. The horror, the fear, the anger I felt...I would protect them...protect my brothers! Protect my friends! Protect my heart and theirs! The light inside of me...my resolve, and my determination...it was stronger than ever!

Hehe...wanna read what happens next? Read and Review!