I still don't own Kingdom Hearts or its characters.

"You invited them?" Riku asked, looking up from the book he was reading for his studies.

"Well, the guy with a thing for Zexion asked, well… Zexion. And I asked that cute, little Roxas to join." Axel informed. "I also told them that if Sora comes with, you would be happy."

Riku perked up a bit. "Do… do you think he would come to the masquerade?" he asked. "If he came, that would be amazing!"

"Well, one way to find out." Axel stated. "Just, try not to insult him again, accidentally or otherwise."

Riku nodded. "I shall do my best to not let the wrong words slip out." he said. "I just hope he comes. It would be great to be able to dance with him." He smiled as if his mind just went elsewhere. "Imagine if he fell in love with me… I'd bring him to the palace and treat him like royalty. He could have all the treats he could want, the finest jewels… love. I would gladly give him all of my love."

"Calm down, lover boy." Axel teased. "He may not be into you, you know."

"I know, but I need to try." Riku said. "If I just give up, then I won't be taken seriously."

"Well, I wish you luck with him." Axel said. "I also hope he knows how to dance and that he doesn't have two left feet." He chuckled when Riku jokingly punched him in the arm. "Anyway, I have to report to Reno before I crash for the night, so good evening, Riku. And I wish you luck in your pursuit of Sora."

"Good night, Axel." Riku nodded his head before returning to his studies. While trying to study, his mind kept wandering back to Sora and Zexion; Roxas was also on his mind since he was often with them, and his closest friend had feelings for him. He closed his book and sighed, wandering just how things would play out. If Zexion really was the prince, then he would most likely lose Sora before even having a chance. "What can I do?" he asked himself in a whisper.

Riku couldn't help but worry about the situation. There were many questions in his head. Was Zexion really Prince Ienzo? If his father knew and caught him, would he be executed? Would those he was allied with suffer the same consequences? Could he save them? Save Sora?

If Zexion was Ienzo and rose to retake power, what would happen to his father? Would he be banished? Executed? He didn't want to lose his father, but he didn't want people to continue to suffer.

It was this moment that Riku wished for a simpler time and life.

"A masquerade?" Sora asked, looking up at Zexion as he swished his tail side to side. He left Saïx briefly to talk with Zexion and Roxas after they returned.

"Yes. It's a party where everyone wears masks." Zexion said. "I told Axel and Demyx we would try to attend." He smiled. "You can join, too."

"Hmm… that does sound like fun." Sora piped up. He then looked to himself. "But… I don't know what I would wear."

"I'll figure that part out. Until then..." Zexion looked through the bushes and trees to see Saïx just sitting in the lake again, seeming rather content. "What about him? Anything important?"

"Zexion..." Sora looked up to meet Zexion's gaze. "Do you remember anyone named Isa?"

"Isa?" Zexion asked. He then nodded solemnly. "He was my mother's younger brother… my uncle." He smiled at a memory. "He always told me stories when my mother was too tired or too busy; he was there for me when Mother and Father couldn't be; it wasn't easy being king and queen, you know. Why do you ask?" He looked again, taking in the appearance of Saïx's hair. It matched his mother's perfectly.

"He's looking for his nephew… Ienzo." Sora said, getting Zexion's attention again. "He's looking for you."

"I can't go back, though." Zexion said. "I can't..."

"He doesn't seem to be planning on getting you to take back the throne, though." Sora added. "He just wants you safe… and I believe him."

Zexion nodded and thought it over. "I can't meet him here and now..." he said.

"Why not at the masquerade?" Roxas suggested. "At the end every year to mark another year of the kingdom standing tall and strong, they launch fireworks. No one will hear either of you if you meet and let each other know you still exist."

Zexion thought that idea over before nodding. "That does sound good." he said. He then looked to Sora. "Can you relay that to him, then? That I'll meet him at the end of the masquerade?"

Sora nodded. "Sure!" he said. He then pulled himself up a bit to hug Zexion. "And give him a chance. He's a good guy." He then sunk back in the water. "I'll then send him home in the morning; staying out here too long may give him the chills, especially if he falls asleep in my lake again." He then swam off to meet with Saïx again.

Zexion smiled before shaking his head. "I don't know if Sora's just naive or if he really is a kind person." he said. He then looked to Roxas who was grinning. "What?"

"You miss your uncle, huh?" Roxas said, poking Zexion in the cheek. "Don't hide it, I see it in your eyes."

Zexion sighed and nodded. "Isa was my best friend growing up. He was always there for me. Mother and Father didn't even mind me in town so long as he was at my side." he explained. "Now then, we have materials and goods to handle… we should make outfits, including something Sora would approve of for this masquerade."

"Right!" Roxas said. He then chuckled. "Can I make the masks? I think it'd be great and you know Sora would like something fun and in blues and silvers."

"Very well, but nothing too flashy." Zexion said. "Let's get home then so we can start."

Sora had returned to Saïx and explained the plan for him and Zexion to meet at the end of the masquerade when they set off the fireworks. Hearing this, Saïx was definitely hopeful and nodded in agreement.

"We will have to possibly have your help so we can meet; masks will make things difficult." Saïx informed.

"I will be able to catch your scent." Sora admitted. "As you know, I am a siren."

Saïx nodded. "Then I suppose I will be heading home soon to prepare for the masquerade." he stated. "Would my departure at dawn work with you?"

Sora nodded. "I can get fish for breakfast for us, too." he said. He then curled up against Saïx, having been enjoying his company; he could definitely sense something that he liked, one of the things he liked about Zexion. He didn't know what it was, only that he liked it. "Saïx… when you and your nephew meet, are you going to take him away?" He looked a little downcast. "He's been the closest thing I had to family..."

Saïx offered a little smile. "Don't worry. He's all grown up by now, practically a man; it would be wrong of me to force him like some little kid." Sora smiled and snuggled against Saïx, making himself comfortable. "I'm going to miss these moments; it's really fun just relaxing with you."

"You… you can stay." Sora said, looking up. "With us in the forest."

Saïx shook his head. "I can't." he admitted. "Not that I don't want to, or that I don't belong, if anything, I'd ask to build a small cabin out here, but… I have to get home to Xemnas." He smiled. "As much as I care for my nephew, I have also found myself in love with someone else over the years… and I'm sure he misses me and would miss me if I just went to live in the woods. And he can't join out here… the woods isn't his type of life, and he works to try and protect the kingdom from corruption."

Sora looked up at Saïx and made an odd sound that reminded Saïx of purring; the blue haired male nearly chuckled at the fact that fins protruding from Sora's body began to shade. "What?" Saïx asked, wondering what was up with Sora.

"You're in love." Sora pointed out. "I think it's nice." He smiled. "We Sirens pick up on emotions differently than humans… we can tell when someone is honest, dishonest… and yes, in love."

Saïx chuckled. "Well, I guess nothing can be hidden from you." he said. "Maybe one day you can meet Xemnas; I'm sure he wouldn't do anything to hurt you."

"Maybe." Sora said, curling back up. "Maybe..."

"Sora?" Saïx looked down and sighed, seeing just how quickly the siren fell asleep in his lap. "Fine, sleep a while. But if I catch a cold for sitting here in my undergarments too long, I will blame you." he said, his voice slightly teasing, just in case Sora heard him. He gently ran his fingers through Sora's hair and smiled. "Thank you for looking after my nephew and being there for him." he whispered.