I should have the next chap up this Friday or Saturday, or hopefully sooner ^^

They don't really go anywhere in this, but this chapter is pretty important though

Disclaimer:(Look in first chapter)

A Tailing Tail

After my silly talk was over, I bought the clothes I picked out to wear to replace my old attire. But I also wanted a pair of cool fingerless gloves to match them; Axel bought those for me, which was great of him to do, but now I have to find a way to repay him back for getting me the stuff he got for me today, even though he didn't ask. When we were done with my shopping, all three of us went back to Kale's house, but not before Axel could get another Sea-salt ice cream, acting like it was such a delicacy to find in this puny town.

The sun was moving steadily towards the west horizon, lowering the temperature to a not-too-hot sensation that was left clothed on your skin, contrast to how it felt earlier today. When we made it to the house, all of us landed on top of something that we felt was a need to our drained bodies; the couches and the floor, falling our butts on them like bullets on a target.

"Uh…" I muttered, my eyes blinking shut from staring at the fading ceiling, my body vaguely weak in its different parts. "Soo…tired…"

"Mmm…" Axel moaned, his booted-feet up on the arm of the other end of the couch, as he lied down, sucking on his Popsicle in few smacks.

"Man what a day…" Kale began, his voice sounding dreary, yet with a pitch of bliss in his voice, "can't wait to tell my folks what we did today." He then huffed a chuckle. "Can't wait to see Keeshes face when I tell him…" The corners of my mouth formed a slight smile as I thought with him, wondering indeed what Kizuka would think.

"Heh, I bet he would be like 'Ah, why would I care huh?'" Axel snickered, his voice mimicking a deep stupid voice he came up with that sounded nothing like Kizuka's. Both Kale and Axel laughed while I just giggled to myself. My body turned sideways, finally lying on my left side to see Kale's relaxed head bent back on the edge of Axel's couch in a relaxing manner and Axel's hand dangling an empty Popsicle stick off his couch, his face gawking up at the ceiling. As I lied there, glancing at the closet across from me, the rabbit cage and the staircase, I began to think about putting on the clothes I bought. Might as well since I bought them and to show off right? With that, I reluctantly sat back up, grabbed my bag and the shopping bag, and headed towards the sloped stairs to ascend to.

"Hey where you going?" Axel asked. "Hmm what you think, to put these on genius," I answered, looking back as I rattled the shopping bag in the air at him. He just grinned, turning his head back at the ceiling in comfort with his hands behind his head. I then went up the stairs to go in the bathroom and change. When I came out, my body felt fresh, like I just slipped out of the old and in with the new; maybe it was because I was now eighteen, but what did that have to do with me changing my clothes?

'Perhaps its like a new age and new attire thing?' I thought.

"Heh, that's funny Deonna…" I mumbled to myself, walking down the silent four-door hallway toward the beginning of the staircase. When I made it into hearing range on the stairs, it came to me that Axel and Kale were talking about something; Kale was trying to make Axel admit something while Axel was denying it.

"Yes you do!" Kale said. "No I don't!" Axel opposed. I lined my body up with the wall to listen to what they were talking about, blending in with the shadows of the gloomy hallway as if to make myself invincible. "Well I do!" Kale said. My brows arched in thought.

'Do what?'

"Oh do you?" Axel asked as if to be surprised.

"Huh," I sighed, "what are those guys talking about…" I mumbled. 'Hmmm, it probably isn't even important or interesting…I'll just ask them than act like a ear leech.'

With that, my feet pressed onto the stairs, their heads turning my way when I saw them in clear view. "Hey guy's, whaddya talkin' about now?" I asked, letting go of the rail on the last step, showing how interested I was in their little chat with a grin. Axel was sitting upright by now, his arms spread on the back edges of the couch with his legs sprawled out in a relaxed state, while Kale was on his knees, his head turned at me, nervousness in his features. 'What the heck were they talking about?'

Axel waved his hand, brushing it off saying, "Oh, nothing but guy talk that you wouldn't understand…"

"Hmph!" I whipped my nose at him, steadily walking towards my couch to sit on, setting my bags on the ground. "Well, I bet it was stupid stuff I don't want to know about anyway," I said with a smirk, lying on the couch with my leg overlapping the other with my hand propping my head up. Kale then spoke up.

"Yeah its so bad that you don't even want to imag-"

"Kale that's enough alright…" Axel interrupted, his appalling green eyes sharp in seriousness as he leaned forward at him.

"Pfft…was it that dumb? You guys are so weird," I sneered with a laugh. They didn't say anything, having me feel awkward in the strange sudden silence. "Ooohkay?" I said, shuffling up to lean back on the couch, while Axel leaned back on his couch to look at me, as if waiting to hear me speak. "Well anyway…" I began, "how long are we staying here Axel?"

Kale then looked at me and then at Axel. Before replying, he lied back on his back with his fingers tugged together in interlaces on his stomach, his head tilted to the side as he answered in a tired voice. "I was thinking that we would leave today…"

"Really?" Kale asked in shock. "Yeah, but I've reconsidered it 'cause I'm too tired shoot…" I tittered at the last part of his sentence as Kale crawled up to me looking sad. "Huh? What's wrong Kale?" I asked. He pursed his lips before speaking. "You remember that I would help find your sister today?" He traced his finger along my couch, his downcast eyes following it. "Forgot all about that, sorry…"

I smiled kindly at his sensitiveness, placing my hand on his fluffy head like Axel always do to me. "It's alright Kale don't worry about it…" Axel said, his face looking up at the ceiling, not even realizing he was listening in the first place. "Yeah, besides, Axel and me already searched for her yesterday," I replied. Kale then looked up at me with uncertainty. "And as small as this town is and not even spotting her, she probably isn't even here…" Axel finished.

When Axel said that, it still sort of sucked, knowing that I wasn't going to find her here in this nice, pretty place of a world.

"Well, it still stinks that your sister isn't here though," Kale said. I grinned, rubbing his head. "It's fine Kale, you don't have to worry about me." His cheeks blushed, turning his head away from me at the wall. 'Aw that's cute…'

"Well anyway," Axel said in a loud voice, his body turning towards the inward part of the couch, "I'm going to take a nap now, so you guys don't be too loud alright?"

"Nap?" I asked in surprise, "nap now?"

"What? You're not going to?"

"Naw, not in the middle of the afternoon like this." I then leaned my body towards Kale, wrapping my arm around his head. "I'm going to stay up 'till its dark with Kale, right Kale?" I then gave him a nuggy. I laughed as he tried to squirm out of my grasp.

"Ah stop! That hurts!"

I let my arm off of him, laughing at his embarrassed expression that showed redness on his tanned skin as he rubbed his head "What? Toughen up boy!" I teased. "You kids be quiet sheesh…" Axel complained. "Ha! Kids?" I said, standing up on my feet. "You're the biggest kid of all!"

Axel chuckled. "Who says?"

I crossed my arms at his back with a smirk. "This coming from the guy who eats Sea-salt ice cream like a ten year old?"

"Pfft shut up…"

"Huh fine then, while you take your precious little nap, Kale and me will be outside in the backyard just chillin!" I stepped past Kale who was still sitting on the floor. "Let's go Kale."

"Man what is with you?" I heard Axel mumble, referring to me as Kale followed me out into the kitchen, tittering to myself.

When we made it outside, Kale and me sat on the steps of the porch, gazing at the puffy giant clouds that rolled about in the sea blue sky and the crops of the Dean's family that seemed fixed to some extent of non-ruination. "Mmm what a day…" Kale said, breathing a relaxed moan. "You can say that again…" I replied, lifting my head up to feel a cool breeze rushing pass us.

"But I thought you were tired Deonna," Kale said, having me eye him slightly. "I wasn't expecting you to act so funny in there and stuff, you are fun…"

"Yeah? Well, when I'm in the mood, I have a playful, fun side…a side that you and Axel's only seen…"

"Wow Really?" Kale asked as if to be serious about what I just said. I turned away, laughing at how naïve Kale can be. "Kale I was just kidding."

"Oh."

"But yeah, I'm still tired though, but sitting on the couch for those few minutes helped. But Axel, I think he just likes to sleep…"

"Ha how boring is that?"

"But Axel's cool though. Napping isn't a bad thing," I then turned to him, having his tanned face look attentively at me. "I mean, be in Axel's shoes and imagine what fighting heartless can do to your scrawny tall body…"

Kale then giggled, saying, "I'll rather not imagine." He then turned away, a smile still on his face. I looked with him at the scenery before us; tall pale mountains far in the distance, patterning up with each other in different sizes with the clouds above them, casting shadows from the sun's light in the atmosphere.

It sure was a pretty scene…but could it compare with islands landscape? To find that answer, you would only know with the experiences you have at the time for comparison. It's hard to choose, but it's still good to have a change of scenery, just like Axel said before.

My right hand reached into the pocket of my new pants, pulling out that silver design chain that I've found. My eyes observed it intently in my palm, seeing how the chain reminded me of the chain on my Keyblade. 'Wait a sec…chain…?'

My skin tingled as my eyes went wide, countering that epiphany. "Oh crap!" I shouted, having Kale jump beside me. "What? What?" Kale asked excitedly in my ear. I didn't look at him, but instead, reached my left hand out to feel the sensation of my Keyblade coming forth. The dark, purple-pinkish Keyblade came, bringing both my arm up to see the resemblance of the two different chains. "Hey wait a second," Kale began, "that jewel thing you found must be yours because it looks like that." He pointed at the hanging heart chain, then at the chain in my hand.

My face was contorted, confused at this realization. "W-Well I don't know how I got this," I sputtered, looking down at the outline of a diamond in my hand.

"Well who cares, switch them already!"

"Stop doing that Kale!" I yelled, referring to how loud he was in my almost now dead right ear. He muttered a "sorry" as I replaced the chains to see what would happen. My hand clutched the heart chain, seeing how my Keyblade turned into a sharp silver sword, the fuller growing big towards the other end in a sliced wide arch. Kale jumped up to his feet at its transformation, almost tripping backward at the top step. "Man!" Kale said in awe. "Yeah, I can't believe this either," I agreed.

'Just wait till Axel sees this!'

"Deonna do you know what this means?" Kale asked, placing his shaken hand on my shoulder as I looked into his wide hazel eyes. "If you find more of these, your weapon will be able to change and stuff!"

"Yeah, I sorta already figured that out…" I said with a smile. I then got up, swinging the new blade at invincible objects to see how it felt; it wasn't heavy in my hands, and it was easy to swing unlike my first one, which was sweet. "Hmmm…" my eyes squinted, rising my silver Keyblade in the air. "Alright, this will do just fine." I lowered my blade to the ground, calling it off in sparks. I turned around, seeing Kale giving me a goofy grin as he leaned on the fence of his porch. "Hey lets go tell Axel!" Kale offered. I went up to the steps, stopping as soon as I reached the screen door as I faced Kale.

"No not yet since he's probably sleep." Kale then looked a bit disappointed. "What? I'll just surprise him okay?"

"Mmm, alright then…" Kale said, still thwarted as he followed me in to the house.

When we went in, I saw Mrs. Dean at the table with ingredients cluttered together, food you would make for a meal of people or a whole party of guest. She stopped moving a tray of eggs from the counter when she spotted us observing the Kitchen. "Oh, hey you two. I had no idea you guys were back there," she said, setting the eggs on the table next to a pile of tomatoes with a greeting smile. She was wearing a blue flowery dress this time that could easily get spotted if she wasn't careful with the food.

"Hi Mrs. Dean," I said, waving as I walked up to the edge of the table. "Hey mom what ya doin?" Kale asked, stepping to my side. "Oh, you don't have to ask that question Kale. I'm preparing for the festival tomorrow," she said, saying like it wasn't such a big deal to Kale. "Wow really?" Kale asked in astonishment. "Yeah really, it seems like we will be able to do it this year after all," she said as she placed her arm across her chest while the other overlapped it with her finger to her chin.

"From all the talk from town it seems we got ourselves some mighty heroes hmm?" she said, eyeing me with a sneaky smile. And when she said heroes, she meant Axel and me. "Uh…" I sputtered, feeling my heart beat as I looked away in a shy smile. "Heroin? I…" I began, but was interrupted by Mrs. Dean's approach to me. "Please hun, how 'bout helping me with the food hmm?" I looked at her curiously. "You do know how to cook right?"

"Uh, yeah sure I can," I said, unsure was that the right answer. I did know how to cook somewhat, but baking was what I was good at, but with cooking, I did okay, but making breakfast is easy, but for a dinner? I did fine when reading the directions for a dinner meal though.

"Alright then, let's start cooking dear," she said, walking past me to the close the screen door, reaching for two aprons for both of us that hung from the wall. "Alright thanks…" I said with a smile as I grabbed the white apron, pulling it overhead to tie the strings in the back.

I went to clean my hands over the sink with soap, hearing Kale behind me say, "Better not burn anything," a smirking smile in his voice. "Heh, believe me I don't burn stuff," I said, turning the warm tap water off, "you should go and tell Axel that incase he burns something in that room while he's asleep," I said, turning around in a sly smile to see Kale's horrific face. He then ran in the living room.

'Heh, that boy is soo funny.'

After that, Mrs. Dean and me got busy; we were fixing candy yams, apple pies, vegetable soup, and even two cakes. I couldn't believe that I was helping her with all this; she was a pro and I was not, I was just a novice, but still, I learned a lot of stuff while helping her out in the kitchen that dealt with the preparation of food, stuff I should have learned with my mom when she urged me to help her make dinners. It made me sad, thinking of that while I was boiling the hot water for the soup. Of course I did help her, but I wasn't that into it like I am now. That was just her way of preparing me for my future, and she did all she could before she went away. I'm glad that I'm cooking with Mrs. Dean, but boy, do I wish it were my mom I was cooking with right now… A tear rushed down my face as I chopped an apple up in pieces.

"Deonna, what's wrong?" Mrs. Dean asked seated across from me, stopping her knife from slicing a long carrot, making me look at her. My head shook, rubbing my eyes with my arm with a fake smile on my damp, teary face. "Oh, it's nothing Mrs. Dean, just the onions…" I said, laying my arm back on the table, about to grab the knife to chop some more. "But dear, the onions aren't even open," she said, eyeing the onions that sat inches away from us on my left, partly wrapped in a green plastic bag. "Oh, maybe I'm just really tired that I'm getting teary or something…" I said, trying to cover my little sad fest I was having with myself. "You tired hun, you can stop if you wan-"

"No, it's okay, but thanks." I then smiled at her to not make her worry, sniffling as I continued on to the next apple.

We were done in what felt like hours because I saw that it was dark outside when we were done. I haven't even spotted Kale since he left the kitchen from earlier, or even Axel or Kizuka. Mr. Dean did come in at a few times to taste our tasty unprepared dishes.

I went in the living-room, hoping Axel was there on his couch, but almost bumped against his chest when he turned a corner at me, making me stand back in a tiny shriek. "Whoa watch out there, wouldn't want to crash down on your butt from this tall guy right here," Axel said, smiling in mischief as he put in hands in the air like to separate our distances.

"Heh, yeah, you're a barbarian alright…" I said, making it sound like an ambiguous meaning as I crossed my arms. Axel then placed his hands in the air in a gesture. "What? I thought you liked tall guys." He then put his hands on his hips, waiting for me to reply. But I hardly couldn't, since that was true.

My body heated up, my throat feeling strained as I stammered. "Uhm, I…how-"

"Heh, you don't need to answer that, it's not even my business anyway, but you could still tell me if you want," he said, placing his ear towards my face, open for me to continue.

"Hmph! It is 'none' of your business," I said, ignoring him as I went around him towards my couch. "Ha! Oh, its alright, because I think I already know the answer," he said, making me halt my steps as I turned my head back around, peering at him nervously. His arms were across his chest, slyly smirking at me as he gave me a wink. I knew my blood pressure rose because my face was burning. "Heh, you need some water? Because you don't look to good…" Axel asked, taking a step towards me.

I turned away, trying to avoid how tense I was by Axel at the moment. "No, just tired that's all…" I progressed my approach and sat on the couch, sitting in a way where I didn't have to look at Axel directly. 'Can't believe he got me like this…so irritating. I know he did that on purpose…'

"Hmm, well, I told ja you shoulda just takin a nap…but nooo, you had to act all silly and hyper just like another little puppy I know…" He then sat down on his couch, having my eyes peer in his direction. "But that was a different you, didn't even know you could act in such a silly way like that."

"Hmph, surprising isn't it?" I said with a grin, not feeling that much anxious anymore. "I'm sure there are some mysterious traits I've never seen you display yet, am I right?" I asked, leaning forward with a menacing expression on my face while he just appeared almost blank. He then gave me a smirk replying, "Hmm, guess we got to wait until those moments come don't we?"

My smile then turned into a frown, my body stiffened from his creepy answer. 'Okay that was just too mysterious…'

My ears then heard foot steps coming from the stairs; down came Kale in blue pajamas with yellow stars embedded on the soft looking cloth. "Ohh, nice pj's," I said with smile. He ignored me as to brush it off, clearing his throat as he opened the closet door, which I realized was not a closet at all when I saw he went inside; it was a room, but the darkness of the room crossed my vision that I couldn't see what was inside. He came out with a small gate and put it in the doorway of the kitchen, as to block something from entering in or out of the living room. 'What is he doing?'

"What cha doing their Kale?" Axel asked, his arms spread out on the edges of the couch. Kale then went to the rabbit cage next to the door where he came out of; bending over to mess with the fence where the black rabbit automatically gave his attention to him. "Just letting Silver out…" Kale answered, the rabbit running out when Kale stood up, watching Silver run from him to the couches where Axel and me sat on.

I smiled as Silver went to Axel's couch in a curious manner, his head up as to sniff him. Axel had a tender look in his eyes, bending over to reach his hand out for the rabbit. "Hey there Silver…" Axel cooed, petting Silver's head for a moment and then letting Silver run around in a circle to make a jump.

"Wow Axel that was soo cute!" I chirped, having Axel stare at me in embarrassment; his face was a little pink now, turning his head towards the ground. "So, was that one of your mysterious features that I was bound to see later on?" I asked, leaning on the arm of my couch in a prying manner. "Shut up…" Axel said in a low voice, looking back up at me with a small shy grin. I smiled at Axel's shyness as I crossed my legs.

"Hey Deonna, I think Silver likes you to," Kale said as he came up to me with a smile. "Hmm?" My eyes darted down at the floor to see Silver trying to get on my couch, sniffing at me with his black paws on the couch like a little puppy. I smiled, placing my hand on his head as he dropped to the ground, bowing his head as I stroked his soft fur back. "Hey Silver…you like that?" I whispered as I continued to pet his head, finally sliding off the couch to sit next to Silver.

"Hmm, I sense favoritism here…" Axel said, who was leaning forward above his knees, observing my friendly moment with Silver. "Aww don't be jealous Axel…" I teased, eyeing him with a smirk. "Hmph, who says I was jealous…" He then got off the couch to sit on the floor on his knees, trying to move my hand away to pet Silver. "Hey wait tills your turn," I grunted, spanking his hand away. "Hey…" Axel groaned, his eyes narrowing at me. I released a giggle, replying, "Yeah, you are soo not childish."

"Hmph, whatever…" I then moved my hand to rest it on my lap, letting Axel get a turn to pet the rabbit. Axel smiled, finally petting the rabbit that acted like he was chewing on something. "Hey guys," Kale began, landing on my couch in an anxious manner, "wanna here a story?"

"I dunno, stories sorta makes me doze off so don't expect much from me…" Axel said casually, still looking at the rabbit. I elbowed his arm from his rudeness. He whimpered, grinning faintly at me.

"Oh no it won't be boring, you'll see when I tell it, seriously!" Kale said with eagerness, trying to win Axel over. Axel chuckled, saying, "Alright alright kay? I was just kidding…" Axel then turned to me, his brows stitched together in annoyance. "And you, stop beating me up!" I smirked at him as my arms crossed each other. "Hmph, it's not my fault you're a skinny weakling." I then pinched his arm to hear him yelp.

"Ow man!"

"Ah ha ha!" I laughed as he rubbed his aching spot. "I didn't even pinch that hard Axel you big baby!" I tittered. "Hmm, you think you know a person…" Axel sneered at me, a grin replacing it as his face softened.

"So Kale, you going to tell them that story?" a voice said behind Axel and me that had me jump, making Silver's head come up curiously. Both Axel and me spun our heads around to see Kizuka with his arms crossed, still wearing that black turtleneck and blue jeans on his lean body, appearing emotionless in his pale face who stood a few inches away from us.

Axel spoke to Kizuka saying," You know you shouldn't do that or one would think you were a ghost." Kizuka didn't bother a reply to Axel as he stepped forward towards us. He looked down at me, his gaze giving off negative vibes, making me feel bare and small. "Hmm, I like your clothes…" Kizuka said, complimenting me. I was flabbergasted by his praise as my eyes went big, sputtering, "Uh, t-thanks…" I looked at Axel at the corner of my left eye to see his expression; he seemed surprised and confused at the same time with his brows raised. Axel and I were probably thinking the same thing. 'So he can be nice?'

Kizuka cleared his throat, looking away from me and towards Kale. "Well, tell them…" I turned back at Kale, wondering what this story was about since Kizuka appeared interested in it. Kale smiled with an "Ahem," with his hands on his lap. "Alright, this is something that my great-grandfather used to tell me and Keesh when we were little."

Axel chuckled, having our heads turn to him. "I think you're still pretty small shrimp," Axel mocked while I giggled to myself. Kale frowned as his head lowered, mumbling "I'm not that small…anyway," he continued, bringing his head back up in a solemn manner, "there was an enemy that used to be able to take over the worlds with its almighty darkness and power, messing up the worlds and taking peoples hearts and stuff," he paused, as if to give the story a suspenseful effect. "They were called 'The Improbus'…"

My lips formed a grin, moving my fingers in the air with creepiness. "Ohhh~" both Axel and me cooed in fake astonishment. Kale smiled after that, like what he was saying was the truth and he was surprising us with our interest.

"Yeah, and the leader's name was Attrox, but he was not human, he was a heartless with a human body!"

"Wow really, this sure is some story…" Axel said in sarcasm, but Kale didn't even notice. Kale nodded his head. "Yup, and him and his dark team of heartless was trying to get the power of a powerful force so that he can take over the heart of worlds, and make his own worlds with that power."

"Hmm, sounds so real Kale…" I said, "and your great-grandfather told you this?"

"Yeah, this is what my great-grandfather used to tell me before he passed away," he paused, leaning his head forward to get closer to our position on the floor. "And this story is true…" I swallowed, feeling my brows have risen from that last word out Kale's mouth. "True?" Axel asked, his brows twisted out of misunderstanding.

"Yeah it's true," Kizuka said, having me turn to look at him to see him eyeing Axel, his arms still crossed across his chest. "Hmm really…never heard of this story," Axel replied, not really catching on with the flow of the tale. "It's pretty hard to believe…hearing that a heartless having a human body…sounds made up."

"Well it's not," Kizuka said, a sharp tone in his voice. "Finish the story Kale…" Kizuka commanded his brother, leaving Axel a bit bothered in his stiffened face.

"But don't fret," Kale said with brightness, bringing our full attention back to him. "There was a hero that was chosen to defeat the nasty, ugly foe to its demise." He then pointed his finger in the air, standing up on his feet, appearing almighty as he shouted "Duro the conqueror!"

'Duro?'

"Yep it was Duro," Kale said, like he just read my mind. He sat his butt back down on the couch and continued. "Duro had the power to end The Improbus because the powerful force that Attrox was after gave Duro that power. So he was able to defeat it with a Keyblade," he then shrugged with his head tilted to the side, "but I don't even know what that is…" I sighed, shaking my head with a small grin.

'I'll tell him later…'

"But anyway, just because he defeated Attrox and his heartless doesn't mean that he was dead at that time."

"Mmm, what you mean?" Axel asked, now hearing the curiosity in his voice. "Well, by what my great-grandfather said was that every few years, Attrox and The Improbus always come back, but we don't know… how he is able to do it…"

"Wow that's strange…" I said. "So you're saying that when a few years pass, Attrox and his clan of heartless comes back right? Then who defeats them when they appear again?" Axel asked, a question that sounded reasonable of a question to answer.

"Uhm, well…"

"Another person gets picked to defeat them…" Kizuka answered. We both turned to look at him. "Oh…interesting story indeed…" Axel said, turning back away from Kizuka with an unkempt thinking expression on his face. "So, what you guys think?" Kale asked, having me turn back around to see his brows lowered, anxious for our answer.

My hand reached up to rub my nape, thinking of an answer to give him. "Uhm, it was good story Kale, never heard of one like this before," I said with a small grin. "But I do have to say, it is pretty hard to believe, but then again, it could be true-"

"It is…" Kizuka said sternly. I failed to look back at him, but instead turned to stare at Axel, his head facing the ground with his brows furrowed.

"Well, believe it because it is true, and because it is the first time Kizuka and me told this to anyone," Kale said, desperately wanting us to not take it to granted, his hazel eyes big in worry. I gave him a faint smile, wanting to believe him, but wanting to take the realistic approach of things. But then again, something about this tale had me drawn to it.

Axel finally spoke. "Well, it's like a legend right? But is there any proof of those things taking place in the past?" After that, both the brothers were silent, only leaving their rabbit to run around the room with his unclipped fingernails snapping at the floor. "Uh…well my great-grandfather said it was true…and uhm…" Kale said, unsure of what to say, his eyes glancing away in different directions as he thought on the question.

Kizuka spoke up for him though, the sounding of pride in his voice. "Our great-grandfather was no crazy man, he was smart and wise," he began, catching my interest by turning around to observe him. "He didn't make up those stories either, his own father told him that story and his father before…" He then turned around, his long hair whipping his shoulder. "But, of course, believe what you want to believe," he finished, progressing up the stairs in small steps, leaving the room in a cold aura.

Even though he tried to hide it in his unaffected mannerism, I could hear the soundness of hurt, deeply in his voice and by his actions; even Kizuka has belief in this story being true, but when someone thought the opposite, it leaves you discouraged in a sense. I sighed heavily, turning back to Kale to see his head lowered in grief, still as a rock on a soft couch. I reluctantly spoke to him in concern, wanting to end the silence in the room. "Kale? Are you sad?"

He didn't answer right away, but instead shook his head, then nodded, as if not to have a final answer. "Well…maybe a little," he mumbled.

Just then, he got off the couch, his body in a mild shake as he walked pass us into the kitchen; now it was only Axel and me, and Silver who sniffing at the walls collecting dust in the corners. My head dropped to look at my hands, sad at what a story can do when told. "Ugh, now I feel bad and I'm tired," I said, peering at Axel, seeing he was staring at me in a gawking, stoic manner. "Uhm, what is it Axel?" He turned away, sighing with a small upturned grin that faded. "Nothing you have to worry about, but they are really hooked onto that story," he then looked back at me, his green eyes tired as he asked, "you think it's true though?"

My lips pursed, turning away in thought, not really knowing how to answer to that. "Well, I have to think about it and stuff you know, just can't give an answer like that when you've only heard of it once and for your first time." My shoulders rose and fell, standing up on my aching feet to sit on my comfy couch trying to relax, still worried of how Kale feels about us now.

"You worried aren't you?" Axel asked out of the blue. My eyes glanced at him then at the floor, my chest hurting from a painful emotion. "Well don't be 'cause I don't want you up all night thinking of this story and whatnot 'kay?"

"Mmm…" I moaned my answer, meaning I was agreeing with him or not as I lied my head on the arm. He got off the ground and stepped up to me, patting my head gently. My heart throbbed, trying to hide how happy I was when he did that, but couldn't as I grinned to myself. "Just don't worry…" Axel said, moving his hand away where I could see his nice smile, his body walking away towards the doorway of the kitchen.

My lips smiled fully when he left my sight, but faded as my mind went back to that story Kale told. Something about it made my heart sad, like when I entered this town yesterday. A type of sorrow that was heart stressing, and no one else would know or understand that feeling but me. Would Axel understand if he tried? Even though he's just a 'nobody' that was never supposed to have emotions in the first place, or even exist?

My tired eyes closed, sighing in a long breath. 'Axel can care, I definitely know that…but can he choose not to feel an emotion if he wanted to?'

Too bad I don't have all the answers…

As I was railing on my train of thought, I didn't notice Mrs. Dean head poking out in the doorway until she spoke in a small voice. "Deonna hun?" she asked, catching my attention as my eyes opened to look at her. "You wanna eat? Dinner's ready?" I gave her a vague smile; sitting up from the couch and getting up to greet her at the doorway. She smiled even more, opening the gate for me to enter the kitchen where Axel and Kale were eating on the right side of the table, eating some of the things Mrs. Dean and me fixed a little earlier.

Seeing Kale's down written face made my posture stiff, walking past him, catching his attention with a small smile and hoping he would smile back. He replied with a partway grin, his big eyes droopy and glossy as he turned back to his plate of food. I patted his head, sitting at the chair where I could peer into the living room if I wanted to. We mostly ate in silence, until Axel tried to start up a conversation with Kale; he spoke back though, but couldn't deny the fact he was still upset about earlier, talking low as a frog.

When we all ate, Mrs. Dean gave me some pink pj's to wear, not wanting me to sleep in my clothes but to clean my old clothes and under garments; I bundled up my old clothes in a ball, hoping no one would see my stuff in the laundry basket that Mrs. Dean held out for me. After that, I went upstairs and changed my garments to put on the new pj's Mrs. Dean bought for me and learned that they fitted almost perfectly on my shapely build; it's just that I didn't wear pink often because it was my least favorite color, but I didn't have a real problem with it though, since she bought them for me.

When I left the bathroom to go downstairs, Axel was on his couch, staring up at the ceiling as usual while I saw that the gate was put away, which meant that Silver was in his cage. The room was dark, as well as the kitchen, leaving the only light to come from the outside window that entered the translucent curtain in a tranquil glow.

My feet were being dragged as I walked to my couch, sitting my bag on the floor that held my new clothes and laying my tired body on the couch, covering myself with the thick blue blanket that Mrs. Dean left for me.

"Axel?" I asked.

"Huh?"

"You sleepy?" He sighed, replying in a groggy voice, "Yeah…" I chuckled. "You're always tired Axel…you remind me of an old man sometimes" I teased. "Shut up and go to sleep…" Axel responded, leaving me in a giggling fit. After that, I lied there in silence, staring at the window that was covered with the curtains, hoping I didn't start worrying again as I tired to sleep.

"Deonna?" Axel asked. Thinking he already went to sleep by now, I answered, "Huh?"

"G'night…"

"Good night Axel…"

The setting was awfully familiar; dark, spacious and quiet. I've only experienced this dramatic scene just a few times; it must be happening again, so I partly covered my eyes for the impact. The death piercing light came from under me, the birds shooting up from the ground to ascend in a distance where I couldn't follow them in the dark sky as I uncovered my eyes. An image of the people I knew and didn't know was on the platform under me, smiling brightly like they knew me since forever. This was not the usual dream I had, but this was the second dream I've had with this same scene and picture of theses people I knew and didn't know. Then that soft-loud voice came up in the bright area, but I was not surprised when it did.

"Hello Deonna, how are you?" It was that voice that my ears were accustomed to, a voice that I could never forget in a dream. "I'm fine Kingdom Hearts…" I answered with a smile.

'Just wondering what I'm doing in this dream, at least it's not that other dream with that old psycho.'

Kingdom Hearts then said something that caught me off guard. "Oh but Deonna, this is not dream, but it is your awakening…for all Keyblade wielders have them and so do you…"

"Ah w-what?" I asked, my voice cracking in disbelief, my heart racing in opposition to that statement as my foot stepped back.

"I know you were never the one to take what the dreams you have seriously, but this is no joke, or one to let slide off your back because it is not one…"

That was true; I never believed the dreams I had for reality, but if this was indeed my awakening, I should not take it for granted and dismiss it for some silly old dream, but still, this is something hard to believe for me. But there were some instances when Kingdom Hearts said that there was going to be some people who will help me on my journey; just have to find them, but it was Axel who found me first.

My head felt a minor dizzy as I swallowed, tightening my fists as I straightened myself up. "Alright, I believe you Kingdom Hearts, because you did say all Keybalde wielders have awakenings, and that I'll be able to find my sister if I find that boy whose name means 'sky'…even though it was my sister I've been searching for this whole time." My head lowered at the illuminated platform, my eyes downcast as I continued, " But how do I do that? Find this boy who could be at the countless worlds that I don't even know of?"

"Find him with the spirit of your heart, you know this, and help is closer than you think…" Confused, I looked back up, my brows furrowed as I tried to understand. "Closer than I think?"

"Yes," Kingdom Hearts replied, "closer than a treat…"

'Great, there goes that poetic talk again…'

"And what you were listening to that lad earlier, the boy Kale is it?"

"Uh…" my mouth dropped, my skin tingling with nervousness. 'Kingdom Hearts knows about that?'

"Mmm, yes, but what he was saying to you, do not take it for some silly old tale," there was a small pause before Kingdom Hearts continued. "The Improbus is indeed real, as well as the its leader 'Attrox'…"

Right there and then, my blood froze, my throat thickened in relation to that statement, still as a manikin with no emotion, except looking in a far off daze. "Deonna, The Improbus is a baleful group of heartless who is run by a leader name Attrox, who wishes to fulfill his pleasures in taking over the worlds by taking control of me and my powers, using it to make worlds of his own by taking their hearts and mine, the heart of all worlds…"

Hearing Kingdom Hearts say these things made my body limp and weak; I fell to the ground, my head drooping at my lap as I continued to listen.

"But don't be afraid, for you have the potential to defeat this enemy of mine…"

"I…I do…?"

"Yes, so don't doubt yourself…"

My chest felt strained, like my breathing was short and brief, but took long breaths to calm myself as my eyes closed. "Man, this is so surreal though…how will I be able to do this? Little 'ole me…against an army of heartless?" I mumbled to myself. My head shook in disbelief, shooting back up at the dark sky. "No this is impossible, how can a girl like me do this sort of feat Kingdom Hearts? Am I really that good of a fighter? A heroin of worlds?" My head dropped again. "This is too much for me…I'm no hero…"

Kingdom Hearts spoke again, a stern gentleness in its voice. "You want to find your sister don't you?" Kingdom Hearts asked. My head nodded, leaving my head towards the ground. "Yes…"

"And how will you be able to find her?"

I moaned, shrugging as I replied, "If I listen to you?"

"Exactly…" I looked back up, my bottom lip in a small pout. "You should know you have more potential than you would have ever dreamed, that I do know, but do you believe that yourself?"

"Mmm…hearing this from you, I guess I should, but not if I'm not convinced…"

"You are very smart and just became an adult…should you have more self-esteem than that?"

Before I could reply, Kingdom Hearts spoke again. "Even the one who cares for you sees it. So trust yourself and follow your heart because the only way to find your sister is to find that boy…"

"But how will I be able to find-"

My sentence was interrupted as my mind was filled with letters that entered my brain. I couldn't speak even if I wanted to; my eyes dead as I stared at nothing, squinting as the letters formed a single word. "S…or," I mumbled, "So…ra…" My eyes blinked, understanding what the word spelled to. "Sora?" I asked.

"Yes, the boy you search for is name Sora…" I gasped, standing up on my feet to search for the brown haired boy with the blue eyes, who lied just a few steps from me up ahead, smiling a goofy cute grin. My eyes widened from this revelation, my nerves tingling a blissful sensation.

"Deonna, the only way to find what you search for is to find this boy, and help each other defeat this foe that is a danger to all before he fully rises again," Kingdom Hearts paused, having me look up at the sky, wanting to see that gorgeous heart that can't be seen. "So is that what you meant before, when you said that there was a darkness on the rise of the worlds?" I asked, only to hear Kingdom Hearts reply a, "Yes…"

"Mmm," I groaned, staring at the darkness ahead of me as I began to think aloud. "So, I have to defeat this Attrox guy…and find this Sora kid to accomplish it and to find my sister…"

"But not only that, but to go to the worlds where your heart tells you to go, and meet the people you are bound to meet to help you on your journey," Kingdom Hearts said. I looked down at the people I was soon to meet; two guys with silver hair and one with brown hair whose name I've learned to be is Sora. I nodded, finally giving myself a smile after all this time, suddenly feeling happy in a sense, where I know what I have to do now to find my sister and be of help to the worlds.

"Alright then," I said with a smile, putting my hands behind my back. "I believe you then…but if I really am going to help this Sora kid out, I need to train more…"

Kingdom Hearts spoke again. "Of course you will need to, for the worlds you journey to will be your training ground…" After that, just like before, the light of the platform went up at me in horrific light as I blanketed my eyes with my arms.

My eyes opened, staring up at the ceiling as I rubbed my eyes quirkily. "Sora…" I moaned, smiling to myself, sitting upright by using my arm to support my weight. "Mmm, gotta find Sora, gotta find Sora…" I mumbled, blinking my eyes to clear my fuzzy vision.

"Axel?" I asked the air, wanting to tell Axel what happened in my sleep as I looked at the blurry couch, but realized that he wasn't on the bed or that the blankets he used last night wasn't there either; the couch was fixed with the pillows on both sides of the couch in an orderly manner, no Axel in sight.

"Ugh, where'd he go now?" I grunted, standing up off the sofa, observing the room for anything weird or out of the blue; the only thing I came up with was that the house was quiet; no brothers quarreling with each other or no Axel saying 'Got it memorized?' to anyone. Silver was eating the food out of his bowel, his big ears perked in my direction like a satellite. I went and poked my head out into the kitchen, seeing how clean the room was compared to last evening when Mrs. Dean and I made all that food for the festival.

When I looked past the clean table, I saw a piece of paper on it; I went to it and picked it up, curiously reading what it said. At the top read 'Mrs. Dean' and below it was a small paragraph for Axel and me to read that read: "Axel and Deonna, me and my husband are going to be at town almost all day, so if you need anything, just ask Keesh because he's going to be in the house for the remainder of the day until the evening where the festival is going to take place. Breakfast is in the fridge, just use the microwave on the counter to warm it up and if you need to shower, just use the white towels I placed in the bathroom for you to use and the soap or shampoo if you need it. Love Mrs. Dean."

I smiled, setting the piece of paper down to open the fridge on my left; there was only one plate covered by a paper plate on the cold top shelf next to a jar of pickles, so I grabbed that one; knowing Axel probably grabbed the other when he woke up. I warmed it up in the microwave and ate it, all the while thinking of where Axel was as well as Kale; they were probably in the town to, but I doubt Axel would want to show his face there again. When I was done with my food, I put the dish in the sink, got my bag and went up stairs to shower, but decided to take a bath instead since my feet felt sore.

After I washed up and changed my clothes, I went back downstairs, but when I made it to that last step, my ears heard a certain flow of music coming from the door that I thought was a closet, right next to Silver's cage. My brows twisted from the gentle harmony. "Huh? What is that?" My body froze from the long sounds of an instrument, hoping the person inside didn't hear my hard steps on the stairs. I held my stomach in to make myself lighter as I tiptoed towards the door along the wall. The door was partly open, so I decided whether to open it or to peer inside the room to see who or what was playing the instrument of a violin. The harmony was really nice and smooth; whoever was playing must have been playing it for years.

'Hmm…who could it be…' I thought as I grasped the side of the opening door, glancing inside to see who was playing. The figure of a tall boy with long black hair was moving his right arm with a bow while his left hand was holding the violin. By the way he was dressed and how he stood, I knew it was non other but Kizuka.

My mouth was unhinged as I stared at his back, totally unaware of my presence in the doorway. 'Wow, his music is beautiful…when did he get down here? When I was upstairs washing up?' I also saw a big black object he was standing in front of. Instead of interrupting him, I stepped inside and stood against the wall with my hands behind my back, just listening to the soft melody that he made with his violin until he was done. What was in front of him was a big black piano standing in the middle of the room and a seat that came with it. I covered my mouth in shock, my brows rising in content. 'Wow, can he play the piano to?' My head drifted with his music until he was finally done within just a few moments. I couldn't help myself of applauding him with minor small claps.

"That was really good Kizuka…" I said, getting his attention by watching him turn around, baffled by my appearance in the room. My grin became vague as I felt uneasy, stopping myself clap when I saw how disturbed he was in his tense facial features and how he clutched the violin in his hand. He appeared mad as he stared at me with his intense cold blue eyes, like he didn't want me to be here. My heart was beating fast as my throat felt kind of itchy, probably meant it was time to exit.

"Uhm…well I'll just go and not watch you now…uh kay?" I stammered, avoiding eye contact as I opened the door to leave. "Wait," Kizuka said, making me stop from leaving out the room in mid-stride. "Uh…yes?" I asked, only turning in profile. He cleared his throat before saying, "So you like music?"

"Mmm, yeah, I do," I agreed, finally turning to look at him to see how interested his eyes were on me. "Hmm, alright," he said, lifting the violin in the air, "you know how to play this?" I shook my head. "No, I don't but I like the music that the instrument can play." The corners of his mouth turned into a small grin. My brows rose in surprise of that emotion he just displayed. 'Wow…' was all I thought.

My eyes glanced around the room until he spoke again, looking emotionless but sympathetic at the same time. "Sorry for looking angry when I saw you clapping," he apologized, scratching his hair that held the bow, "you just surprised me that's all…"

"Oh, it's alright Kizuka," I said with a smile. His face looked relieved as he sighed. I decided to step in towards him, since I knew Kizuka didn't mind my company now. His left eye squinted while the other got wider when I stopped a few inches from him. "So," I began, "you know how to play the piano?"

"Yeah I do," he said with a little pitch in his voice. He turned around and sat down at piano, putting his violin set on the top of the keyboard. I stepped up behind him, watching his fingers press onto the piano keys to give the room a smooth melody of notes to listen to. I smiled, closing my eyes as my ears became relaxed by the harmony of Kizuka's piano playing. Within a moment, he stopped, making my eyes open to peer down at him.

"Can you play?" he asked, looking back up at me from the board of keys. "Uhm…" I pursed my lips, sitting down next to him as I hovered my hands above the elongated board. "A little bit, I know a few jingles to play." I then started to play the song I've learned from that electric keyboard at home that my mom bought for me. I played my favorite one; 'Can You Feel the Love Tonight?' I messed up a few times, here and there in "Oops" while Kizuka only chuckled from my mistakes.

When I was done, I avoided eye contact as he complimented my piano playing. "You did pretty good Deonna," he said. I grinned, this time looking at him as I shrugged. "Thanks, but I haven't played that song in forever so I was a little rusty…" He beamed me a smile, shocking me at how cute his smile actually is. I grinned back saying, "You should smile more y'know…"

His smile dropped into a thin line, turning away to look at the keys of the piano. 'Hmm? Was it wrong to say that?'

"Uhm Kizuka-"

"Call me Keesh…" Kizuka said, interrupting me. My mouth was partly open, mystified by how Kizuka was treating me. "Okay, Keesh…uhm I was wondering…" I started, looking away when I saw the corner of his eye peer at me. "Why were you indifferent to Axel and me before?"

"Mmm…sorry for being that way…I'm just wary of strangers that's all." I looked back at him; he turned aside as he continued. "I'm obliged to protect my family, I'm sure you understand?"

"Yes, I understand that very well…" My eye stared at a key, remembering of what I also wanted to ask him. "Oh, and have you seen Axel?" I shot my head back up, waiting for his answer. He didn't look at me as he spoke. "Hmmm, I think he went to town with Kale…" My left brow lowered at his answer. "Oh…"

"You want to go to town?" he asked, puzzling me with that question without even looking at me. "Uh, yeah sure," I said, standing up from the seat as I stretched my arms up to the ceiling.

"Wonder what that red head's up to anyway." He got off the chair, watching me stretch my limbs out, making me feel strange so I stopped.

"What? Why you looking at me for?" I asked him, feeling violated as I crossed my arms. He shook his head, clearing his throat as he went to the door. "Nothing, let's go…"I stared at the door, and started to walk to it, thinking of what just happened.

'Was that a blush I saw?'