Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts.

Chapter 9 – Feelings


The day after Prince Caelum's birthday, normal activities for Seaside Haven's citizens proceeded as they would on any other day. Children ran amuck in the streets, women did their shopping or ran after their rambunctious children, shopkeepers minded their stores. Everything seemed normal.

Except it wasn't.

At least not for the two newly announced Keyblade Masters, Terra and Aqua.

Not only had their mastery in their skills as Keyblade wielders been revealed, but the two warriors had also confessed to each other that they were in love with one another.

Aqua thought it over again as she lay in bed. She had woken up just before dawn, awakened by a dream in which she and Terra were alone. She wished the dream could've lasted. In her dream world, her love for Terra could stay safe and unrevealed.

In the waking world, there was Master Eraqus and Caelum to deal with.

The old Master had told Terra and Aqua in their early teenage years that Keyblade wielders were forbidden from falling in love. As Terra had said the previous night, Keyblade Masters, like any person, could grow too attached to their beloved and would put that person above anything else, even their duty as Keyblade Masters.

But they'd broken that law by the unknown laws of the heart.

Keyblade Masters were also supposed to listen to their hearts. And Aqua knew Terra and her were just listening to what their hearts told them.

Terra would probably think that sounded like a girlish theory. But Aqua truly believed it. It would explain why her heart seemed to surge around him.

Ultimately, she decided that she would talk to Terra about it and see what he thought of it. She got up, made her bed, got dressed, and did her hair. Despite its shortness, she still had to groom her hair or else it looked like bed head hair.

Aqua's first stop was Terra's room, but he wasn't there. She tried the kitchen next. Terra wasn't there either, but Aqua grabbed a big juicy apple and continued on her way.

She asked the cook if he'd seen Terra. He only replied that Terra had come in, grabbed a left over turkey leg, started eating it, and left. Ignoring her confusion at Terra's bizarre appetite, Aqua figured there would be only one other place to find him.

She headed for the courtyard where she'd danced with Terra and told him she loved him.

That was exactly where he was.

Terra was sitting on the fountain, twiddling a turkey thighbone, and talking to the little boy from the tailors' room.

"Terra!" she called out. He turned immediately and smiled upon seeing her. The water maiden ran up to the earth knight and into his embrace.

"Sleep well?" he asked.

"Just fine," Aqua replied, smiling at him.

"How'd it go? How'd it go?" the little boy asked, jumping around them.

"Excuse me?"

"I promised Ven here that I'd tell him how last night went," Terra answered. He turned to the little boy. "How do you think it went?"

"It looks like it went really good," Ven answered.

"Very well," Aqua corrected. "It went very well, Ven." She turned to her lover, cupped his cheek, and kissed him sweetly.

"Hey, we've gotta be discrete, remember?" Terra reminded her when they broke the kiss.

"I know," she said, "but I love you."

"I know," Terra replied. "However, we have unexpected watchers to worry about."

"You mean Ven?"

The small boy was still staring up at them, grinning like a troublemaker.

"No, I mean a certain Master and a certain pain in the butt whom you know I can't stand!" Terra hissed.

"Right," Aqua sighed. She knelt down to Ven's eye level. "You can keep this secret, right, Ven?"

"I swear!" The boy held up his right hand, a promise he wouldn't speak a word.

"You'd better not, or I'm gonna take back my promise, should it ever happen," Terra whispered to the boy. Ven's eyes widened.

"I won't! I won't!" the boy squealed.

"Okay, relax, Ven." Terra stood up, smirking. Aqua cocked an eyebrow. Ven scowled, but it turned into a grin just as fast.

"I gotta get back," the boy explained. "Grandma's gonna need me to help her in her workroom." He waved goodbye and trotted for the throne room. Aqua was amazed at his speed.

"What exactly did you promise him?" she asked.

"I promised I would be his Master if he ever shows signs of getting a Keyblade."

"You just get your title two days ago and you already find your potential apprentice? Wow, Terra."

"I trust the kid," the man explained. "And he's probably going to be the only one who it's safe to tell about our… relationship."

"I'll trust your judgment. But only Ven can know."

"I won't give anyone else any hints," Terra responded. "I'm not going to let anything keep me from you." He hugged Aqua again. Her arms wrapped around his neck.

"Then, we have to tune it down," Aqua reminded. "We might be alone, but someone could show up at any second."

"Right, kiss me quick then," he whispered. She obliged happily.

"But… Terra?"

"Yes, Aqua?" Terra asked. He sat down on the fountain's edge and Aqua began pacing around.

"I have some questions to ask you. Concerning our new relationship."

"Fire away."

"Well, how does… your heart… feel when you're around me?" Aqua hesitantly asked.

"My heart? That's an odd question," Terra replied.

"Just answer it!" Aqua turned her blushing face away from him.

"Well, my heart surges with warmth when I see you," Terra said. "Anytime I'm near you or that I've touched you, I've felt that same warmth. My heart… it's telling me to be happy. And to make sure you're happy."

Aqua returned her gaze to him, smiling her sweet smile.

"Now tell me what your heart feels," Terra demanded.

"I feel just the same as you," she whispered. "My heart floods with light. It has told me that something was meant to happen for us. But until yesterday, I could never tell what it was. I now know that it was telling me I'm in love with you. It drove me crazy not knowing what it was."

"Really? I thought you'd figure it out right away," Terra teased.

"Well, I didn't," Aqua stated. "I just thought it felt… natural. Like it was meant to happen."

"Interesting description."

"It's how I felt, all right."

"I get it. I get it. It kinda feels that way to me too." He paused. "So, is there anything else you want to talk about?"

"What if Master Eraqus finds out?" the water maiden asked.

"I think we have more to worry about than Eraqus," the earth knight responded.

"Huh?"

"Caelum," Terra hissed.

"Don't worry," Aqua said. "He can't win me over. Nothing could take my heart from you." She cupped his cheek.

"I know." Terra smirked. "Just be careful because he's not going to give up, Aqua."

"I'll keep my senses open," she promised. "Just remember, my heart is always with you." She stood up and quickly pecked Terra's lips.

"See you later." Aqua turned and walked away, leaving Terra staring after her.

His good mood was ruined two minutes later in the form of Prince Caelum.

"Terra, have you seen Aqua?" he asked.

"Not since last night," Terra coolly lied.

"I'm not convinced," the prince scoffed. "I heard from the cook that she was looking for you."

"Well, she's probably still looking." Terra shrugged. "I haven't seen her yet today." The prince turned away.

"Well, tell Aqua to come find me when you see her," Caelum ordered. "I need to talk to her."

Terra crossed his fingers behind his back. "Will do," he said.

Caelum didn't seem to notice Terra's hidden hand. Sticking his nose in the air, he turned and stalked off.

"Don't even think about trying to take her from me, Prince Loser," Terra snarled at Caelum's disappearing back. "Aqua doesn't even like you. And I'll protect her from you no matter what."


Chapter nine, you're done. Now, I can do chapter 10! And I can get to the later drama. And what I said in chapter one that might cause the rating to change.

The later chapters have more action. I promise that.