A fully restored Ven, emerged from the ruins of the castle of the also newly restored Land of Departure, with an unconscious Sora in his arms as he walked down the stairs towards Aqua.

"Ven." Aqua said as Ven grinned at her like Sora would, causing her heart to melt.

"Aqua." Ven said as Ansem approached and took Sora from his arms, carrying the unconscious apprentice back towards the ruined courtyard. Aqua and Ven stood staring at each other for what seemed like an eternity before finally rushing into each other, in a deep hug, Aqua surprising him by kissing him on the lips. Ansem watched the scene with a small smile of amusement.

"Hmm…together again, at last." Ansem said as he continued to tend to Sora. Finally Aqua and Ven separated, Ven a little surprised by the kiss.

"Aqua…that was…" Ven said, a little surprised as Aqua blushed a little.

"Ven, it feels like it's been so long! After all that has happened to us and our world and Terra, I almost lost hope of seeing you again." Aqua said as Ven smiled.

"But you didn't. You didn't lose hope. We're together again, just like old times. And we owe it all to Sora." Ven said as a horrified expression swept Aqua's face.

"Oh no, Sora! Is he alright?" She asked as Ven laughed and held her back.

"Relax Aqua. He'll be fine. He just needs some time to regain his strength. It really kinda overwhelmed him to carry almost two hearts inside of him at one time you know. He'll be back to his giddy and naïve self in no time." Ven said as Aqua giggled in response.

"I should still check on him, I am his master after all." Aqua said as Ven nodded and followed after her.

"Is he alright?" Aqua asked as Ansem turned and nodded.

"He will recover. Like the young Ventus said, he only needs time to recover. I've already used what healing power I have on him." Ansem replied as Aqua arched an eyebrow.

"I thought you were a scientist. When did you start using magic?" Aqua asked as Ansem chuckled.

"I had to do something while monitoring Sora's restoration rate for over a year. Learning magic was the best and most constructive recourse I could think of." Ansem answered.

"Well, at least he's in good hands. I owe him my life." Ven said as Aqua nodded.

"What about you and I go see what we can salvage." Aqua said as Ven looked up at her before nodding.

"I shall remain here and keep an eye on Sora." Ansem said as Aqua gave him an appreciative nod.

"Thank you Ansem." Aqua said before she and Ven headed inside the castle.

…

"What a mess." Aqua said softly as she picked up a piece of broken pottery off the floor before dropping it again with a crash.

"This is what happens to worlds that fall into darkness?" Ven asked sadly as he pushed on a door, only for it to break off its hinges and crash to the floor.

"Not always. If the darkness completely consumes a world, then if they're restored, then everything that was consumed is restored. Our world was only partially consumed, so the ruined part that didn't get destroyed remains." Aqua replied as Ven opened what used to be a closet, only to find it stark empty with part of it dropping off into an endless abyss.

"Aww, all of our old toys were in here." Ven sighed.

"But they're in a good place." Aqua said with a smile as Ven nodded.

"Yeah. I remember." Ven said as Aqua looked at him curiously.

"What do you remember exactly?" Aqua asked as Ven shrugged.

"I remember you telling Sora that you called me your boyfriend once." Ven said as Aqua blushed nervously.

"Um, Ven I-…I didn't mean to-…-I-I-just-…" Aqua stammered until Ven walked up to her, pulled her down to his level and kissed her on the lips.

"Aqua…" he said as they parted, "…it's okay. I feel the same way."

"Ven." Aqua said softly with a smile on her face.

"When Sora first saw you in the Realm of Darkness, I was asleep until that very moment. Then as Sora grew stronger, I started waking up. I would have brief moment where I would be awake, such as the time in Magician's Bayou before Sora got his and my heart taken. Sora stuck with you, despite that moment when he learned the truth about Xehanort possessing Terra. He was mad, sure, I would be too, but he was beginning to change his mind. Do you know why?" Ven asked as Aqua looked puzzled.

"I imagine because of you." Aqua said as Ven shook his head.

"No, it wasn't because of me. When you told Sora about our adventure that got us all separated, his reason for remaining your apprentice changed. He didn't want to grow stronger for the power or the glory. He wanted to grow stronger so that I could be restored, and that the two of us could be together. He loves you Aqua. He loves you so much, that he wanted to do whatever it took to see you happy. That's just the kind of selfless guy he is." Ven explained as Aqua looked touched.

"Sora…is in love with me?" Aqua asked as Ven nodded.

"Like he is with everyone that's close to him. He sees you as more than just his master. He sees you as his friend." Ven said as Aqua gave an understanding smile.

"He really is a brave little guy. But there's still one thing missing from all this." Aqua said as she motioned to the room around them. Ven sighed and nodded in agreement.

"Terra. We need to find him." Ven said.

"Then we'll find him, rescue him, and then find ourselves a place to live once this is all over." Aqua said, earning a confused look from Ven.

"What? What about this place? This is our home, isn't it Aqua?" Ven asked as Aqua turned back to him with a somber look.

"Look around you Ven. This was our home. Without Terra or Master Eraqus…it's just…not the same. There are too many ghosts here. This isn't home." Aqua said as she ran a hand over a broken wall as she turned and started walking outside towards the old grass covered area where they used to hang out long ago.

"I know. But then where are we supposed to go?" Ven asked as Aqua sat down on one of the broken old thrones.

"We'll find some place. I know we will." Aqua said as Ven smiled and nodded.

"So what about the Land of Departure? What are we supposed to do with it?" Ven asked.

"I don't know. Maybe we should leave it alone for now." Aqua said as Ven sighed and sat down next to her. They sat together in silence for a while, looking up at the stars.

"Hey, Aqua. Don't you ever wish that none of this had ever happened?" Ven asked as Aqua looked at him and sighed.

"Yeah. But there's no use in wishing for the past to change, Ven." Aqua said as she stood up.

"I know, but, it's still nice to wonder what it would be like if Xehanort hadn't done all of this." Ven said as Aqua sighed again.

"But think of what wouldn't have happened. Sora would probably not be a Keyblade wielder, nor would you be the same Ven that I-…" Aqua said blushing as she let her sentence drop off.

"You're right. You've always been right Aqua. That's what I…well. You know." Ven said as Aqua smiled at him and turned towards the stars again.

"Hey, Aqua…" Ven said, catching her attention again, "…When did you realize that…well…that you loved me?"

Aqua blushed and giggled slightly.

"I realized it a long time ago. Terra knew and he agreed to keep my secret. When Sora rescued me and Yen Sid explained that your heart was in Sora, I first thought it was going to be an impossible task, training Sora to become a master. But then I remembered something that Master Eraqus told me when he found out about my feelings for you." Aqua said as Ven looked curious. (Music Cue: Love will find a way – Disney's Lion King 2 Simba's Pride.)

"What was that?" Ven asked as Aqua smiled and pulled out her lucky charm. She then started singing as she looked at it…

"In a perfect world
one we've never known
we would never need to face the worlds alone."

Aqua sang as she looked up at the stars…

"They can have the world,
we'll create our own."

She sang as she then turned to Ven with a smile…

"I may not be brave or strong or smart
but somewhere in my secret heart"

She sang as Ven walked up next to her…

"I know
love will find a way
anywhere I go
I'm home
if you are there beside me…"

She sang, looking at him and taking a hold of his hand…

"…Like dark turning into day.
Somehow we'll come through
now that I've found you.
Love will find a way."

She then grasped his hand with both hands, her lucky charm dangling from her hands. Then Ven started singing…

"I was so afraid
Now I realize,
love is never wrong
and so it never dies."

He sang, causing Aqua to give him a touched look. He then turned and looked into her eyes…

"There's a perfect world
shining in your eyes."

Then Aqua joined in as they both sang…

"And if only they could feel it too
the happiness I feel with you."

They sang as Ven revealed his own yellow colored lucky charm as they continued, looking into each other's eyes lovingly…

"They'd know
love will find a way.
Anywhere we go
we're home
if we are there together…"

They then noticed their lucky charms had gotten tangled together as they continued singing…

"…like dark turning into day.
Somehow we'll come through
now that I've found you.
Love will find a way."

They both leaned in for a kiss as they finished…

"I know love will find a way."

With that, they kissed once more.

(End music)

Back in the courtyard…

Ansem was sitting Indian style on the ground, writing one of his endless reports in a book in his hand when he noticed Aqua and Ven approaching, holding hands as they did.

"Find anything of value?" Ansem asked as he closed the book and stood up.

"No. There's nothing left." Aqua said as Ansem gave an apologetic nod.

"I understand." Ansem said. They then heard a yawn, and saw Sora sit up and stretch for a moment before lying back down with his hands behind his head. When he did though, he opened his eyes to see Aqua and Ven staring at him upside down.

"Whoa!" Sora yelped as he sat up and crawled onto his feet, eliciting a laugh from Ven and Aqua.

"Give me a break, Aqua." Sora said, crossing his arms.

"Sora, you useless sleepyhead." Aqua said.

"You should've at least brought a blanket." Ven added.

"Oh great, now Ven's fussing at me." Sora said before he realized what he had just said.

"Ven? VEN!" Sora exclaimed as he leapt onto his feet in surprise.

"Are introductions necessary or do I have to remind you who the two of you are to each other?" Aqua asked as the two shook their heads.

"Nah. It's good to finally get to meet you in person though, Ven." Sora said as he and Ven shook hands.

"Same here, though I owe you a lot of thanks for what you've done for me Sora. If it wasn't for you, I probably be wouldn't be here." Ven said as Sora waved off the compliment.

"Not at all. It was my honor to do so." Sora said as Ven smiled. They then heard Ansem clear his throat.

"I do not mean to be a problem, but perhaps we could leave this dead world behind us now. I much long to see my homeworld of Radiant Garden again." Ansem said as the three looked at each other.

"Sure, let's go." Aqua said as Ansem pulled out a small orb from his pocket and tossed it towards the castle. Instantly a Corridor of Darkness opened for them.

"This will lead us back to Radiant Garden?" Sora asked as Ansem nodded.

"It will indeed." Ansem replied.

"Then what are we waiting for. Let's go." Aqua said as they headed for the Corridor. Ansem and Ven passed through first, but Aqua paused in front of it, with Sora behind her.

"Sora…" Aqua said as she turned towards him, "…I just want to say, thanks for everything. Ven told me what your reason for becoming a master was. It means a lot to me."

"It's still not over yet. We've still got to help Terra and I don't want to quit until he's back to his old self." Sora said as Aqua smiled at him

"You really are a good friend." Aqua said before they passed through the Corridor together. However when they emerged from the other side into the castle postern, they hadn't expected to see what lay before them. Radiant Garden was in shambles, Heartless and Nobodies everywhere, the security system was in overdrive. Ven and Ansem had leapt into action, Ven using his Keyblade and Ansem using his magic prowess to strike down Heartless and Nobodies. He was remarkably good. Sora and Aqua wasted no time, jumping into action.

"What's going on here?" Sora asked.

"I don't know!" Ven replied. All of a sudden they saw an axe fly in, cutting through a row of heartless before boomeranging back into the hands of its wielder.

"Firion!" Sora exclaimed as he saw the Weapon Master appear.

"Sora! Aqua! Boy, am I glad to see you guys!" Firion said before knocking an arrow into his bow and destroying a Large Body heartless.

"How long have these guys been attacking?" Aqua asked as she used Bubble Blast to obliterate a small swarm of Heartless and Nobodies.

"Not sure! They had just started attacking when Tina, Stitch, and I arrived! We've been fighting ever since! There are too many of them for the security system to handle!" Firion explained.

"What about Leon and the others?" Sora asked.

"They're still out there as far as I know!" Firion replied. Just then they saw a shield fly in and cut through a few Heartless. It was Goofy and Donald but following Riku.

"Riku!" Sora exclaimed.

"Sora! Where have you been?" Riku asked as he used Dark Firaga to blast a Dancer Nobody.

"Long story! What's going on?" Sora replied.

"Maleficent is attacking with hers and Xehanort's full force!" Riku explained.

"It makes no sense! What do they hope to gain by attacking Radiant Garden?" Aqua asked.

"The Heartless Factory perhaps?" Ansem asked, scorching an approaching Soldier Heartless with a Firaga.

"No, we know what they're after! They got what they came for and these guys are just here to keep us occupied!" Riku said, cutting through a Dusk before turning to Sora with a look of dread.

"Sora, they've got Kairi."

End Chapter 35.

The end is in sight folks. We're on the countdown to the final chapter of this story.

The song above was a slightly altered version of "Love Will Find a Way" from Disney's Lion King II – Simba's Pride.