Fluffball Cinnamon Roll is back in that chapter!
"Can we go now? Please? Pleaaaase?"
Ven could not stay put. He was running all over the place, and Aqua sighed as she tried to finish her cup of tea.
"Ventus. I said we would go after breakfast."
"I know! I finished mine an hour ago!"
"Just because you woke up earlier does not mean that I did too. We will go after my breakfast."
"You're almost done, aren't you? Your cup is almost empty! Gulp it down and then we will humpf-"
Ven's words were stopped by Terra's hand on his mouth. "Now, now, Ven, if you annoy her, she won't take you anywhere. So sit down and wait."
"Thank you, Terra."
"At your service. But you're sure you don't need me to come with you guys?"
"That is kind of you, but I'm sure we can manage on our own. The Master said he needed you to stay here for some extra training anyway. We're going to a market, Terra. Not to a battlefield."
He sighed. "I know, but what if... I don't like the idea of Ven outside. That's still dangerous for him."
"As is boredom. Don't you worry, I can keep an eye on him. Did before, and always will."
She winked at them and Terra sighed again. "Fine. Enjoy."
"We will. Okay Ven, I'm done. Let's go!"
She laughed as the boy jumped on his feet and rushed outside. Aqua was taking him to Agrabah, which market was widely renowned for the variety of things that could be found. Tomorrow would be the anniversary of that starry night Vanitas and she started becoming friends, and she wanted to find him something to celebrate. Keeping that reason secret, she offered the Master to take Ven with her – they went out a few times already and nothing ever happened.
"Helmet on, and... Off we go!"
They flew for almost an hour. Agrabah was quite far away. They landed in the Desert, where no one would notice them, and Aqua remembered the day Vanitas took her here. She remembered the stars, the fingers intertwined, the kiss. She mindlessly smiled.
"Aqua? What is it?"
"Nothing. Let's go into town!"
Ven cheerfully skipped all the way to the huge market held into the town.
Aqua was marveled by how big it actually was. There was a stall for everything. Colourful flowers, tasteful spices, everything was beautiful. She stopped in front of a stand selling some leather wristbands, thinking Terra would probably love them. She might as well buy him a souvenir, as an apology for not taking him with them. She glanced over her shoulder, and Ven was drooling over a stand selling some local pastries. She bought the wristband and joined him.
"Here. Some money to spend. You don't have to spend all of it, okay? But if you see something nice you can get it." She winked at him and he flew into her arms.
"You're the best, Aqua! I'm taking this cake, and this one, and this..." Aqua laughed and ruffled his hair. "Take your time, but stay around. Don't leave the market without me. Let's meet up in an hour, okay?"
She left him at his cakes and started looking for a present for Vanitas. She would probably have to get him something to eat as well – anything material would be noticed. She already went too far with the scarf.
She stopped at a delicious looking cake. It was covered with chocolate, whipped cream and cherries. She looked at the merchant.
"Can I have this cake, please?"
"A Black Forest? Excellent choice, miss! This is one of the tastiest cake you'll ever have in your life. The chocolate will melt in your mouth while the cherry will explode, for the sheer pleasure of your tasting buds."
"I can't wait to taste it, then. I guess it's best to keep it somewhere cool?"
"Yes, yes, but don't you worry, our packaging will keep it cool until you can store it in a cold place!"
Aqua paid the merchant and put the box in the bag she had brought.
She looked around for a little time, wandering through the stalls. She bought her Master a notebook with a handpainted cover, and she even allowed a woman to henna her hands, painting some intricate painting on the back of her hands.
Seeing how high the sun was in the sky, she went back to the meeting point. Ven wasn't there. Of course, she anticipated he would be late. But after thirty minutes, she started to worry. She asked the merchants around.
"The young fella who bought so much cake? Yes, he followed someone outside the town! Just go this way. I hope you will find him, it's not safe in the desert at that time of the day!"
She ran towards the door of the city. She had forbidden him to leave. What was he thinking? Who was he following?
There wasn't anyone on the direct outskirts of the city, but she could see from afar what looked like spells. Someone was casting Magic. Which probably meant a fight. She jumped on her glider and flew all the way to that place.
It was what she had feared. Vanitas and Ventus. Fighting. And Ventus was not winning. He was kneeling on the sand, merely protecting himself.
"Ven! No!" She shouted, almost as a reflex. It distracted Ventus. Not Vanitas. The brunette opened a dark corridor and Aqua hoped he would just run away.
Oh, yes, he did.
But not before shoving Ventus through the portal.
And not before waving at her, his helmet reflecting her mortified reflection.
"See you later, Aqua."
Tomorrow would be the first anniversary of their friendship.
I've wrote down a "calendar" to keep track of the weeks in this fic, because I really wanted to make sure I'd reach a full year. A whole year of "peace", before things started to go wrong.
Side useless trivia: I'm pretty sure there are no clocks in Agrabah, and neither Ven or Aqua owns a watch. That "let's meet up in an hour" was a terrible idea from the start, Aqua. We're talking about Ven here remember.
This fic is entering its final arc :)