Chapter 31.

Sora was whisked away by a group of healers upon arrival. Nobody from the rest of the small group was allowed to follow him, meaning they were left to wander aimlessly around the mostly deserted corridors. The least severely injured were being tended to right there in the entrance hall of the building. They happened upon Aqua, who was staring at an empty bed near the center of the room with an irritated expression.

"Boy always was impulsive..." they heard her mutter. "I told him not to leave his bed!" She soon became aware she had company, and turned around.

"I'm glad to see you made it here safely..." She said, looking at each of them in turn. "So I'll take it you managed to find Sora?"

Kairi couldn't meet Aqua's eyes, only giving a slight nod. Aqua looked at the girl in concern.

"Did he survive?"

"He's alive, but he was impaled on several Keyblade remnants when we found him. The healers haven't told us anything, but he was only just brought in within the hour. I think Kairi's just scared for him." Lea spoke for her, concern evident in his own voice.

"Master Aqua... what about Riku?" Kairi asked quietly.

Aqua sighed. "He fell into a violent choking fit about an hour ago. It wouldn't stop, so I ran to find a healer. She confirmed my suspicions- his lung had been pierced, he was drowning in his own blood. She ran off and came back with three others, ordering me to leave so they'd have room to work. I'm afraid that's all I know about him at the present. I came out here to see Ven, but as you can see, he's run off. I think he's trying to find Terra, but I have no idea where he's being kept right now, so I have nothing to go on in my search."

"We should spilt up then, maybe one of us will find Ven, Terra, or both of them. Do you have any idea how this place has been set up?" Kairi asked.

"The more severely a person is injured, the closer to the center of the building they are. I don't know how bad Terra's condition was when he was brought here, so Ven could be anywhere."

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Lea wandered along one of many deserted corridors in the makeshift hospital. At first he wondered why the place was so quiet, but he figured most of the healers were too busy tending to the injured. He didn't mind all that much, as it meant he didn't have to face being questioned by everyone he encountered. Two had already stopped him, only to say they had seen no sign of Ventus, and to keep quiet while he resumed his search.

"Lea? I've been looking for you!" The voice caught Lea off guard, and he jumped and turned around in alarm. It seemed that Ventus had in fact been tailing him.

"Ven!" Lea exclaimed in a stern voice. "Aqua told you to stay in bed!"

"I already told her I felt fine!" Ven said in a slightly whiny voice. "But Lea... I ran into Roxas a short time ago. He kept asking for you while I was there..."

Lea's ears perked up. "Roxas? How's he doing right now?" he asked urgently.

"Weak. Sounded like he was in pain too, though he wouldn't tell me if that was the case.. All he kept saying was he wanted to see you."

"Can you take me to him?"

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Aqua and Kairi were searching another section of the building when they too were stopped by a healer. Kairi thought they were going to get rebuked and sent back to the entrance hall, but it turned out to be a different case.

"Master Aqua!" She said, bowing to her in greeting. "We've managed to get the boy's condition stable again. You can go back to him at any time... just keep in mind that he's been sedated, and it'll be a few hours until it wears off."

"Riku? He'll be okay?" Kairi exclaimed.

"It's still to soon to tell..." The healer said grimly. "He'll survive..." She added as Kairi let out a yelp of terror. "But the damage is just so extensive. He was cut so deeply that the arm was nearly severed, and on top of that there was a hole torn in his lung, several shattered bones, and extensive nerve damage. He'll be in for a long recovery- that much is for sure."

"I still can't believe that Sora of all people could inflict that much damage..." Aqua said shortly after the healer gave them leave. "Guess it's lucky that he's our ally. I'd hate to have to meet him in full-blown battle."

"Wait a minute... SORA wounded him? But... why?" Kairi asked in disbelief.

"Yen Sid scanned Riku's memories shortly before he suffered that complication. His kidnappers had convinced him that Sora died... he couldn't believe he was looking at him, alive and well, and voiced that fact. Sora interpreted his behavior as those of a replica and attacked him. Riku hesitated- he didn't want to hurt him- and it cost him in the end."

"Sora... he must have been in so much pain. Riku was in a deathlike state when we found him. Sora must have thought he killed him!"

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It was the first time Ventus had seen Lea cast aside his smug demeanor. He ran to Roxas' side as soon as he saw him, taking his hand and breaking down. Roxas opened his eyes, a weak smile forming on his face when he saw him.

"Lea... I've been... waiting for you." he said softly.

"I'm here Roxas, I'm right here... you just rest, get your strength up." Lea responded, gently kissing the top of the boy's hand.

End of Chapter 31.