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For all that they'd lost, they'd also gained.

Roxas and Xion had returned.

Sora left in search of Kairi.

Terra had returned to them, whole.

They had their final farewells with Master Eraqus's Heart before he'd returned to Kingdom Hearts with Master Xehanort.

Aqua, Terra, and Ven returned home and immediately erected a wreath Memorial in their Master's honor. Yet, as they turned away from the memorial Ventus stopped. Aqua and Terra hadn't noticed at first, thinking he'd been right behind them when he'd heard a faintly familiar squeak.

There had been no thought behind his actions, as that plush-like feline had waffled shyly at his attention.

He'd opened his arms to them, and they'd rushed to him without hesitation, "Ven!"

Ventus smiled as he stood, staring down at the happy creature in his hold.

"Ven?" He looked towards Aqua and Terra as they waited patiently for him.

He jogged over to them and showed off his new friend joyfully, "It's been so long since I last saw them!"

Aqua tilted her head, troubled but patient as she observed them, "You know her?"

Terra raised an eyebrow, "You mean him, right?"

Ventus blinked, "...Their name is Chirithy, and they don't have a gender." He glanced down at the Dream Eater, "Right?"

Chirithy nodded, "Right!" They placed a paw on their chest proudly, "Name's Chirithy! I'm Ven's personal Dream Eater!"

Ventus paused for a moment, "Wait, you mean like those weirdly colorful creatures Sora met in the Sleeping Realm?"

Chirithy tilted their head with a hum, "I… suppose so. Not exactly, but close enough. I think." They'd lost that precious Power when Ventus's Heart had been split.

Terra was silent before he shrugged helplessly, "Well, whatever it is… as long as it has no plans on hurting you, I'm fine with them staying here."

Aqua crossed her arms and gave Terra a lightly judgemental look, "Was that really called for..?"

Ventus began to sweat a little, "Aqua, it's okay-"

"No, he's right, Ven." The three turned to Chirithy as they explained themselves, "I could hurt you… because I'm connected to your past. You…" They slumped a little in sadness, "You lost your Memories, right?"

Ventus nodded slowly, "Yeah. I don't really remember much before Vanitas was split out of my Heart."

Chirithy nodded as they straightened up, "And I get that. I understand because I was with you up until that moment. I was fine with staying in The Final World, helping lost Hearts come to peace before moving on… But Sora wasn't satisfied with that. He thought, when I told him who I was waiting for… He thought you'd hate the thought of me being alone."

Ventus's eyes widened, "Well- of course I'd be upset! Not ever meeting you again, not realizing I knew and missed you- I would've been really upset to know you'd spent my whole life alone!"

Chirithy smiled ruefully before nodding, "I'm glad to be back in your life, and…" They turned their attention to Aqua and Terra, "Well. I'll support the three of you as best I can. You've all been through a lot, and what better use is there for a Dream Eater, than to chase away Nightmares..?"

Terra had an odd look on his face before he smiled and ruffled the fur on their head, "Well. I can't say I get it, but welcome home, Chirithy."

Aqua smiled, "Yes, welcome home."

Ventus grinned as he linked his hand with Aqua on her right while she linked hands with Terra on her left. The four of them made their way back to their Castle with raised spirits and happy Hearts.

Hand in Hand.

They were finally home.

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A/N: Thank you for reading, and please leave a review if you enjoyed my short story!