Real Adventurers Don't Need Hot Showers

L.A.: Sorry everyone! I am so late updating this. I've just been busy with school. I do plan to finish this story though. I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts. If I did then I wouldn't have to do homework...

Malificent drummed her fingers in annoyance. The meeting was running longer than usual and she was starting to wish she hadn't joined with these idiots.

The others were staring intently at her crystal ball in the middle of the room. It projected the Keyblade master and his comrades celebrating their win over the heartless.

"What drew the Heartless to that world?" Jafar asked as he stroked his chin.

"The hunter lured them there." Malificent said. "It was his lust for power that was the bait. But it seems the bait was too tasty for his own good."

Oogie Boogie laughed. "Yeah, he got chomped instead!"

Jafar brought his hands together. "A weak-hearted fool like him stood no chance against the Heartless. But the boy is a problem. He found one of the Keyholes."

Maleficent's crow hopped toward her. She reached out and stroked the crow. "Fear not. It will take him ages to find the rest." She motioned to the crystal ball. "Besides, he remains blissfully unaware of our other plan."

Oogie Boogie grinned evily. "Yes, the princesses..."

"They are falling into our hands, one by one." Malifcent turned toward the door as Wolf entered with a scared young blonde hair girl trailing behind.

Malificent smiled. "Speaking of which..."

Rin yawned as she stretched her back. "Ah, it's so good to be out of that ship. I can't wait until I can take a nice long shower and sleep in a comfy bed."

"Not yet," Donald said. "We still have to talk with Leon."

"What," Rin said, "No hot shower?"

"Later," Sora said. "Besides, don't you want to know about the gummy block?"

"Not really," Rin grumbled.

"Why don'tcha go back to the hotel room and wait for us there?" Goofy asked.

"No, now I feel bad," Rin said. "Let's just go."

It took them awhile, but they were finally able to find Leon. He and Aerith were in the Secret Waterway in the Second District.

"I didn't even know this place existed," Rin said as she marveled at the spacious room.

Leon leaned against his sword. "I heard you found the Keyhole."

Sora nodded. "Yeah, the Keyblade locked it automatically."

"That's good to hear," Aerith said.

"Every world among the stars has a Keyhole," Leon said. "And each one leads to the heart of that world. There must be one in this town as well."

"What makes you say that?" Sora asked.

It was in Ansem's report," Aerith said.

"Ansem?" Rin asked.

"He's that fella who studied the heartless," Goofy said. "You remember, Aerith told us."

"They weren't there, you big palooka," Donald grumbled. "It was just us."

"Anyway," Leon said, "the Heartless enter through the Keyhole and attack the world's core."

"What happens to the world?" Sora asked

Aerith bowed his head. "In the end, it disappears."

"What" Goofy, Donald, Sora, and Rin said in disbelief.

"That's why your key is so important," Leon said.

"Please lock the Keyholes," Aerith added. "You're the only one who can."

Sora nodded. "Don't worry, we will." Sora held up the gummi block. "Hey Leon, this gummi block's different from the others. Do you know what it's for?"

Leon shrugged.

Ask Cid," Aerith said, "he should know."

"Thanks," Sora said as he waved. "See you around."

"What've you got there?" Cid asked.

They were back in Cid's Accessory Shop. Regardless of the fact that the heartless had invaded all the other districts, his shop looked as if nothing had happened.

Sora held up the gummy block.

Cid grinned. "A gummi block."

"What's this one for?" Goofy asked.

Cid raised his eyebrows. "You're kidding me. You're flying a gummi ship and you don't know about navigation gummis?"

"There's a lot we don't know," Sora said, " but we have to use the gummi ship to go to other worlds. We don't have a choice."

"Well, I guess could lend you a hand, then," Cid said.

"That would be great," Rin said.

Cid cleared his throat as he attempted to sound more gruff. "Basically, with navigation gummis, you can go to new places. You want one on your ship, right?"

Donald and Goofy nodded.

"I'll install it for you," Cid said, "but I got this thing I gotta go deliver first."

"What do you need to deliver?" Sora asked.

"Just this book. It's real old." Cid said as he held up a book. It was leatherbound with gold leathers.

"A book?" Rin said as her eyes lit up.

Everyone looked at her funny.

"What," Rin said. "I like books."

Cid set the book on the counter. "When the guy brought it in, it was practically falling apart. Too beat up to restore it to the way it was. But overall, I did a decent job putting it back together. Anyway, you mind delivering it for me? It's the old house past the Third District. Look for a big fire sign."

"Sure we don't mind," Sora said. He reached for it, but Rin beat him to it. "Really?"

"I'll take care of it," Rin said. "You've got a lot to do anyway."

"Right," Sora said, "And along the way you're going to read it."

"Maybe…" Rin said.

"Just be careful with it," Cid said. "I don't want to fix it again."

Everyone jumped when the ground shook followed by a bell ringing.

Wh-What was that?" Sora asked.

"That's strange," Cid said. "The bell at the gizmo shop is ringing. Go check it out if you want." He pointed to the book. "But deliver that book for me first. When you're done, stop by the house in the Third District. I'll be there."

The Third District was quiet. They weren't sure why the heartless weren't wandering about but they did enjoy the reprieve.

"How's the book?" Goofy asked.

Rin sighed as she closed the book. "Confusing. The words are all jumbled up and some pages are even blank." She paused as her eyes drifted toward the alley off to her right. In there, she had started this journey. In there, she had met a heartless that didn't make any sense. A heartless was supposed to hurt people not help them. Why did he help me? She thought.

A hand on her shoulder startled her thoughts. Sora was standing next to her, concerned.

"You okay?"

"Yeah," Rin nodded. "Sorry just spacing out."

"Come on," Donald said as he tapped his foot impatiently. "Let's get going, already." He walked away with Goofy right behind him.

"He's in a bad mood," Sora said.

"I think he needs that hot shower more than me," Rin said.

They both laughed as they quickly followed Goofy and Donald.

Up on the rooftops, Riku and Wolf watched the quartet down below. Even though he attempted to hide it, he couldn't help but smile slightly at the sight of Rin laughing. He immediately became alert though when he felt Riku stiffen beside him.

"Something on your mind?" Wolf asked.

"Sora seems to be doing well," Riku said, his arms crossed and his expression neutral.

"You jealous?" Wolf asked.

"No," Riku said. "I just thought they'd be more worried."

"You should go talk to them," Wolf said.

Riku's eyes narrowed. "What's the catch?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"You and Malificent. You help me and want nothing in return?"

Wolf turned away from him. "Malificent just wants what's best for you."

Rin glanced back at the now empty district. "Then thanks... I guess." He turned to look at Wolf but the heartless was already gone.

L.A.: Short, I know, but I thought it was better to put out something than nothing at all. I'll try to update sooner. Anyway, you know what to do. READ and REVIEW!