Thought I'd get out one more chapter before Christmas. Merry Christmas to all of my Christian readers. To my Jewish readers, Happy Belated Hannukah! To those who celebrate Kwanza, Happy Kwanza. And while I'm at it (sorry if it sounds cheap by now) to my Muslim readers, Happy belated Ramadan.

Namine: "Oh, I love this time of year!"

Cheery all of a sudden, huh?As my gift to you, you can do the disclaimer for the cheesiest chapter I've ever written."

Namine: "Oh happy day! DarthKingdom doesn't own Kingdom Hearts, Disney, Square Enix, or any songs featured in this chapter."

!

Chapter 87: Concert of Two Worlds

"So, you're pregnant?" Sora asked a little while after Triton had come back to his senses. The off-worlders, Triton, and Sebastian, (Flounder had gone to Atlantica to inform the people that everyone was safe) were on the deck of Eric's ship.

The merpeople had fled back to Atlantica, and most of Eric's servants were below deck.

"Well, yes." Ariel was blushing lightly.

"Well, didn't take you too long, did it, man?" Axel ribbed Eric in the shoulder, smirking. The prince looked a bit uncomfortable, as Triton hadn't said a word since he had regained consciousness.

"Daddy?" Ariel looked at Triton, who was 'sitting' against the railing of the ship. "Are you alright?"

"I just didn't expect..." He put his hand to his forehead. "So soon."

Ariel walked over to her father, and gently took his hand off his head. Then, she took the other one that was gripping the railing into her hand as well. She tilted his head up to look her in the face.

For a few moments, no one said anything. But a few unspoken words passed between father and daughter in those silent seconds.

At last, Triton smiled. He embraced his daughter, and she gladly returned it.

"You have my blessing."

"Wonderful!" Sebastian exclaimed, clapping his claws together. "Now, we can get back to business!"

"Right, the Brotherhood." Mickey said, he began to say something else, but then Sebastion sent him a look that suggested he had just sprouted a second head.

"What!" He gawked at him. "No! The concert!"

"How did I see this coming?" Nehrut muttered to himself, though nobody could hear him.

"What concert?" Sora asked.

"I arranged a special musical for the princess's return." Sebastion explained. "But this is a particularly special one! I will be entertaining humans for the first time in my career!"

"You mean the performers will be entertaining humans for the first time in their career." Kairi corrected.

"No, some of them are humans, as well. But that's beside the point." He waved it off. "Hundreds of humans will be journeying to Atlantica later this afternoon for a show –after being transformed, of course- and will see the show of a lifetime!"

"We'd love for you to come, guys." Eric invited.

"Huddle." Riku said.

The group of ten moved close together, and conversed in hushed tones for a few quick minutes. There were a few chuckles, some muffled complaints, and arguments, but they finally resurfaced. Most of them were smiling.

"We'd like to ask a favor..." Sora requested, grinning.

"Yes...?" Triton asked, looking slightly nervous.

"We'd like parts in the show." Kairi answered.

"I'll take Sora." Sebastian said immediately, despite the fact that Triton hadn't given his answer, yet. "I know that he, at least can sing."

"Ahem!" Donald quaked, arms folded across his chest.

Sebastian looked at him, and then back to the group in general. "Like I said, I know that Sora can sing."

"HEY!" Donald screamed, incredulous.

"It's a hard truth, Donald." Riku said. "Live with it."

"I believe that I could use a few of you though..." Sebastian said, putting a claw to his chin in a rather human gesture. "If you can sing..."

"Count me out of this one." Yuffie said. "Trust me, you don't want to hear my singing."

"And I'm not a singer." Axel said. "Don't expect me to get up there."

"You'd be smart to listen to him." Roxas said, appearing from Sora like he had a few days before at the castle (fully human). Namine appeared just seconds later. "He's got a singing voice that makes you want to punch a baby."

"Isn't that a little harsh?" Namine asked.

"Clearly, you've never heard him."

"But are you any better?" Sebastian asked, with an arched brow.

Roxas hiked a thumb at Sora and Kairi. "We're their Nobodies. So, if they're good, we're good. And they are very good."

"Let's see what we can do with you then!" Sebastian said, looking supremely excited. He hopped up onto the railing as best he could. "If it is alright with you, of course, Your Majesty."

"I can't find any reason not to allow them to perform, Sebastian." Triton said, with a small smile. "Work your magic."

"Of course! I shall see you all at the performance!" Sebastian beckoned to the off-worlders. "Come now, we need to rehearse! Time is short!"

He leapt into the water, and the group from off-world dove in after him.

The cool water felt incredible against Sora's skin, and for one brief moment, he was back home, swimming in the ocean before he had even known the word 'Keyblade', and he'd just been an island kid.

Then, he realized that he had a fin, and that there was a half-duck, half-octopus next to him, and he actually laughed.

"This is going to be great" Kairi practically squealed next to him, surprising everyone around her. "I love this place!"

"What's with you lately?" Riku asked, surprised at her hyper activeness. They began swimming after Sebastion to the north, toward Atlantica.

"It's the water."

"Ah."

Nehrut noticed Bariss to his right, looking pale. "Are you alright?"

"I don't think I should sing."

"What?" Sora was surprised. "Why not?"

"You're a great singer, you have a beautiful voice!" Kairi added.

"I can't survive in front of a crowd." She explained, hugging herself as if hoping to protect herself from an unwelcome memory.

"You just sang at Adam's Castle." Mickey pointed out, swimming above them. "Beautifully, I might add."

"That was with Nehrut, and in front of about a dozen friends." She replied.

"What if I sang with you again?" Nehrut offered.

Bariss stopped immediately, and the rest of them stopped to look at her. Her eyes shone. "Would you?" She asked quietly.

"Of course."

She practically jumped on him, and enveloped him in a hug that could have broken his ribs if she had really wanted it to. He returned it after one shocked second where he had his arms held out to the side like an idiot.

"Thank you."

"Keep up, people!" Sebastian called back to them. "Rehearsal, rehearsal, rehearsal!"

!

After nearly seven hours of rehearsal with Sebastian, Sora, Kairi, Riku, Roxas, Namine, Nehrut, and Bariss, were as ready for their performances as they would ever be. It was decided that each of the former five would each have their own singing performances. And Nehrut and Bariss would perform a duet together.

The stage where the concert was set to take place was the same one that Sora, Donald, and Goofy had performed in with Ariel months before. There were very few changes, besides the fact that the band section now contained more modern instruments like guitars, in addition to orchestral instruments.

Merpeople were already flooding into the stands surrounding the round stage on all sides. Some, Sora noticed, looked slightly uncomfortable. He could only assume that they were naturally human, and had been transformed (perhaps by King Triton himself) to see the concert.

Next to him, Riku was breathing deeply, and calmly.

"I didn't think you'd willingly sing in front of people, Riku." He said.

"Why not?"

"Because I've known you all my life, and I've never actually heard you sing before." It was a true statement. He had believed at first that Riku couldn't sing at all. But he had briefly heard him while Sebastian was working with him, and was amazed at what he had heard.

"Well, I've just never wanted to." Riku replied off-handedly.

"And you've decided that you want to now, because...?" Sora pushed.

He was silent for a few seconds, and Sora was starting to think that he wouldn't get an answer, until, "Yuffie likes it when I sing."

Sora didn't move a muscle for a second. Then he let out a little snort.

Riku glared at him.

Sora was still for a few more seconds, trying horribly to keep a straight face. Then, he finally gave up and burst into a loud bout of laughter.

"If you say anything, I'll kill you." Riku muttered.

"Too late!" He shot past him to where the rest of their performing group was congregated, just outside of the stage area, laughing his head off. Riku shot after him.

"Guys!" He called. "You're not going to believe-" but Riku caught up with him, and clapped a hand firmly over his mouth.

"What?" Namine asked. She and Roxas were the only ones in the group that still resembled humans.

But apparently, Roxas was fully aware of everything that Sora had discovered. He smiled, and started to laugh. "Riku likes to sing to Yuffie when they're alone."

They all started to laugh, and Riku groaned, releasing his grip on Sora, who continued to laugh.

"Yeah, sure. Make fun of the singing 'emo' kid." He said, voice dripping with sarcasm.

"No! Riku, it's sweet, really." Kairi consoled. "It's just that it doesn't really seem like you."

"Well, now you know. Can we drop it, now? Please?"

It was then that Triton, Ariel (now a mermaid once more) and Flounder swam up to them, sparing Riku further embarrassment.

"Are you all ready?" Ariel asked. "Sebastian's going to announce you guys soon."

"Cool." Roxas nodded. "Hey, where's Eric?"

"He had some things he needed to take care of on shore, but he said he'd meet us here." She explained. "I'm going to find him. Break a leg!" She swam off, and Flounder (naturally) followed after her.

"We don't have legs..." Sora noted.

Perfectly timed, they heard Sebastian's magnified voice. "Good evening ladies and gentlefish!"

"Have a good show." Triton winked uncharacteristically at them, and swam away in the same direction Ariel had.

"We have a magnificent show planned for you tonight to celebrate Princess Ariel, and Prince Eric's homecoming!"

The place was practically shaking from the applause and cheering. "So, it is time to bring out our first performer! Please welcome young Roxas!"

"Showtime." Roxas dusted himself off (as if he actually had an dust on him) and straightened his clothes. He kissed Namine on the cheek for luck, and swam off. He vanished in a quick burst of blue light, and reappeared center-stage to huge applause.

He rubbed the back of his head, and smiled awkwardly, suddenly not knowing what he was supposed to say. He walked up to the mic stand (Where did that come from?) and spoke into it.

"I have no idea what I'm doing..." He started awkwardly, and the audience laughed good-naturedly. "So, I guess I'll just sing."

Somebody began to play a synthesizer. Just as practiced, he came in after a few seconds. The song started slow.(1)

"I don't know where I'm goin',

But I sure know where I've been.

Hanging on the promises,

And songs of yesterday.

And I've made up my mind.

I ain't wasting no more time.

Here I go again...

Here I go again."

Roxas noticed Axel in the front row facing the stage, with Goofy, Donald, Mickey, and Yuffie on either side of him. He had his thumb sticking up in the air. He was swaying it back and forth to the rhythm, and it was covered in fire.

The guy was trying to imitate a spectator at a rock concert, and Roxas had to smile. He sang stronger this time.

"Though I keep searchin' for an answer,

Never seem to find what I'm looking for.

Oh Lord, I pray,

You give me strength to carry on.

'Cause I know what it means,

To walk along the lonely street of dreams!"

He smiled widely when the song's tempo increased. Someone hammered on the drums.

"And here I go again, on my own.

Goin' down the only road I've ever known!

Like a drifter, I was born to walk alone.

And I've made up my mind.

I ain't wastin' no more time."

He took the mic off the stand, and began to walk around the stage as he sang.

"I'm just another heart in need of rescue,

Waiting on love's sweet charity.

And I'm gonna hold on,

For the rest of my days.

'Cause I know what it means,

To walk along the lonely street of dreams!"

"And here I go again, on my own.

Goin' down the only road I've ever known!

Like a drifter, I was born to walk alone.

And I've made up my mind!

I ain't wastin' no more time!

But here I go again!"

"Here I go again!

Here I go again!

Here I go...!"

As the electric guitar solo began, Roxas beckoned to Namine. She was floating with the rest of the performers a little ways behind the stands.

She vanished in a flash of gold light, and appeared right by his side. He took one of her hands in his, and they went directly into a semi-improvised dance.

"'Cause I know what it means,

To walk along the lonely street of dreams!"

"And here I go again, on my own!

Goin' down the only road I've ever known.

Like a drifter, I was born to walk alone.

And I've made up my mind,

I ain't wastin' no more time!"

"And here I go again, on my own.

Goin' down the only road, I've ever known.

Like a drifter, I was born to walk alone.

'Cause I know what it means,

To walk along the lonely street of dreams!"

The music slowed, and he looked into Namine's eyes, smiling.

"But here I go again..."

The guitar slowly stopped, and faded gradually into silence, as the applause of the crowd swelled.

Roxas and Namine closed the small amount of space between them, and kissed softly, to the great delight of the crowd.

When they parted, Namine giggled a little bit. But to her embarrassment, it was directly into the mic. She jumped, and blushed. But this only increased the crowd's excitement.

Roxas moved the mic away from his mouth, and gently placed it in her hand. He whispered to her. "Good luck."

He vanished, leaving her in the center of the stage with the mic. She walked back to the stand, and placed it back in it. Sebastian announced her.

"Ladies and gentlefish: Lady Namine."

The crowd applauded as they had with Roxas. Still looking a bit embarrassed, Namine gave them a little wave.

A guitar began to play softly, and her singing was just as soft.(2)

"He looks at me,

I fake a smile so he won't see.

What I want, I need.

And everything that we should be."

"I'll bet she's beautiful,

That girl he talks about.

And she's got everything,

That I have to live without."

Namine felt she related to this song in a huge way. She thought, as she sang, that it accurately described her early life in Castle Oblivion, with Marluxia and Larxene keeping her locked away; denying her what she wanted most.

Like Sora.

"He talks to me,

I laugh 'cause it's just so funny.

And I can't even see,

Anyone when he's with me."

"He says he's so in love,

He's finally got it right.

I wonder if he knows,

He's all I think about at night?"

But, as she began the chorus, and a certain someone's voice softly joined her, she smiled. Now she had somebody that completely blew Sora out the window.

"He's the reason for the teardrops on my guitar,

The only reason I keep wishing on a wishing star.

He's the song in the car I keep singing,

Don't know why I do."

Roxas winked at her from the band section.

"He walks by me.

Can he tell that I can't breathe?

And there he goes, so perfectly,

The kind of flawless I wish I could be."

"She better hold him tight.

Give him all her love.

Look in those beautiful eyes,

And know she's lucky 'cause."

"He's the reason for the teardrops on my guitar,

The only reason I keep wishing on a wishing star.

He's the song in the car I keep singing,

Don't know why I do."

She gripped the mic stand with both hands, and swayed back and forth during the gentle guitar solo.

"So I drive home alone.

As I turn out the light,

I'll put his picture down,

And maybe get some sleep tonight!"

"'Cause he's the reason for the teardrops on my guitar,

The only one who's got enough of me to break my heart.

He's the song in the car I keep singing,

Don't know why I do..."

"He's the time taken up, but there's never enough.

And he's all I need to fall into."

Namine looked down at Roxas, and smiled. One little emotional tear fell from her eye.

"He walks by me...

I fake a smile so he won't see..."

The crowd went crazy. Some were actually crying.

"Thank you." Namine said softly into the mic. She jumped lightly off the stage, and directly into Roxas's arms. She kissed him briefly.

"You're better than 'him', though." She whispered, eliciting a small chuckle from him.

!

Yeah, cheesy. Just like I said. Anywho, Merry Christmas!

1) 'Here I Go Again' by Whitesnake. This was chosen mainly because I wanted a rock ballad kind of song in here. It may not have been my best choice for Roxas, but here it is.

2) 'Teardrops on my Guitar' by Taylor Swift. Edited slightly to make it more ambiguous who she's talking about. I thought it worked quite well for Namine.

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