Chapter CXIV: Into the depths of Atlantis Part XIV

It was now later in the evening and everyone had gathered together into a meeting house of some kind, inside there were many coloured cushions strewn about as everyone sat upon them and indulged themselves in the banquet that had been prepared for them all. The meal was definitely not your average dinner menu, it consisted of a few exotic delicacies which could be best described as something similar to pasta which was coloured green and some of kind of... mashed potato?

For as Nozomi looked at her bowl that was the only thing she could think of, but clearly as she put her odd swirly utensil into it, it clearly wasn't as it was not exactly as soft or gooey making her wonder all the more what it was? Turning her head up for a moment she knew she couldn't ask any questions to Cait sith as at this moment he had settled down for another nap upon her warm head and hair, though of course not for an extra long one like last time. Seeing that she wouldn't get a word out of him Nozomi watched as the others all ate away at their own dishes.

Looking to her right she saw that even Riku was struggling as he looked uncertain as he had a spoon of the mashed potato like stuff in it, but looking to the king he saw then that he was eating heartily. So seeing that Riku asked him a question as the mouse king looked to him and nodded happily and energetically. So seeing this the white haired keyblader gulped for a moment and closed his eyes and finally but hesitantly he put the spoon into his mouth.

Nozomi watched as he chewed away still wavering but then his eyes opened as the taste of the food finally clicked with his tastebuds and with that gulping down his first mouthful he took his spoon and dug into it again.

Seeing him do this Nozomi was surprised as she asked, "does it taste good?"

To which Riku stopped and looked at her as he told her, "well it surprised me but... yeah it is!" To which he continued to eat away again truly enjoying himself.

Looking at him as he ate Nozomi couldn't help but be amused but then with the horrible slop they'd been given from Cookie it was probably immensely relieving, so seeing at least it was edible she took her odd utensil and took a bit and put it into her mouth.

In moments Nozomi's eyes opened as it really was good! The taste was almost like chilli con carne but yet with the mushiness of the meal there was almost a texture of mashed potato. Though this would probably be a disgusting mixture in other circumstances she continued to eat away as this really was a delicious meal.

As she continued to eat away Nozomi remembered about the rest of the day as she thought about what had happened after that awe inspiring sight at the top of the City of Atlantis. They had all spent the day exploring together seeing the city and its many market stalls and houses, with the many white haired people enjoying and working hard in life. This made her consider Atlantis a city of snowballs as she wished internally that she had white hair too.

Milo and Kida in that time had been discussing between each other as the linguist tried hard to describe what his outside world was like and about who his team members were.

This had led onto a debate about their medic Sweet and because his name is such a common adjective it confused Kida how it could be used as a name to which Milo had been trying to say why this was. This had just made the discussions between them both to everyone else all the more amusing.

But now at least there seemed to be some kind of an agreement of sorts between them as Nozomi heard Milo and Kida discuss amongst themselves beside her on her left. The princess began to state out what she'd concluded on the basis of what she understood, "cookies are sweet but yours is not, Sweet is kindly but that is not his name, Audrey is sweet but she is not your doctor and the little digging animal called Mole, he is your pet?"

Hearing this swallowing her mouthful Nozomi couldn't help but giggle as that made perfect sense to her and Milo just as amused replied back to her after finally swallowing his own portion, "close enough."

Smiling at them Nozomi turned her attentions to the rest of her fellow crew members who also were busy eating away. Clearly they enjoyed it too just as much as everyone else did but then looking to Vinny, Mole and Sweet there was something in particular that made Nozomi stop almost with a jolt as she saw their bomb expert and medic hold something green, wriggly and alive in their hands which also had a large section of boogley eyes. It wasn't just this though that bothered Nozomi it was when suddenly Sweet chomped off the head of the creature showing he was willing to eat something alien and raw!

Sweet then said something to Vinny who was utterly unnerved as Nozomi was, looking down at her bowl which was now practically empty she felt her appetite quickly fleeing as she gulped a bit... then looking back to the odd trio she was confronted with the sight of Mole making a large belch and with that she said, "well that's me done..."

Sighing at this she put her bowl down on the floor in front of her as she looked around herself again, it was then she spied something in the doorway they'd all entered from one of Meixeng's monkeys, the green eyed one Fuma.

Looking at him Nozomi remembered that Meixeng had declined to eat with them saying that she never had the parlour for Atlantian cuisine, however when she Nozomi had entered the hut she felt that this wasn't the whole truth and looking at Fuma she decided on something.

Riku in the mean time beside her was now taking a drink from a brown painted ceramic cup which was filled with a sweet red juice of some kind. Beside him he felt Nozomi move, turning he watched as she quietly took Cait sith off of her head and getting up she laid him on the cushion gently. As she released her hands from him the small black and white crowned cat rolled over comfortably as he snuggled into the cushion.

Smiling as he did this Nozomi turned and moved to go towards the doorway and as she did Riku asked her, "where are you going?"

Hearing him Nozomi told him with a smile on her face, "just for a breath of fresh air, I'll be back in a bit."

At this answer he was about to ask more when he was suddenly distracted by Mickey who had begun to ask him something, not hearing what it was though Nozomi quickly made her way past them and made it to the doorway where Fuma had now fled from. Making her way quickly after him she lost sight of the small little white monkey, as she looked around she wondered where he'd gone, but then a thought occurred to her as she called out to her, "Meixeng? Are you out here?"

However as she walked a little more forwards there was no reply at all... after a few more moments there was nothing and so seeing this Nozomi bowed her head and supposed she wasn't there at all and so with that she made her way to go back to the Atlantian banquet.

However before she even properly began to turn around she suddenly heard a familiar sound of eeking and something landing quickly on her head which surprised her in seconds as she started to speak out, "huh wha-"

But suddenly on cue a hand clasped over her mouth as another familiar tone whispered into her ear, "lookin' for me are you?"

It was Meixeng! Realising this Nozomi relaxed and calmed down in seconds as she waited quietly as finally the monkey mistress released her hold on the female keyblader as she simply moved to one side and said, "well looks like I can't surprise you so easily now huh?"

Nozomi in the meantime shook her head making the male monkey Fuma leave and jump off in moments as he went straight to his mistress' shoulder again where his sister Uma already was, seeing this happen she asked, "do you always have to sneak up on people like that?"

To which still as smug as ever Meixeng replied, "well of course? Its my calling card y'know, besides handshakes and all that just ain't as much fun for me."

Seeing this Nozomi had rolled her eyes at this unusual pride of hers as she could see how this person could be grating but then she had to ask her the thing that had been on her mind for a long while now, "Meixeng?"

Hearing her name being called once again she responded whilst playing with one of her small monkeys, "hm?"

With that Nozomi then told her, "there's something that I've noticed about you."

At these words the female nobody stopped for a moment making the monkey she was playing with Uma be still as well as she sensed his mistresses' tension but quickly covering it up she began to walk forwards towards Nozomi as her pet and friend ran up onto her shoulder again, "oh really what it might be?"

Nozomi watched though quietly as Meixeng walked past her acting all coy and arrogantly, "that I'm beautiful? Graceful? Cunning as the devil himself or-"

However Nozomi breathed out the one word that she had observed, "blind..."

It was finally Meixeng stopped as someone else had figured her out, silent for a moment she didn't reply but then she turned around still maintaining her image, "oh well thank you very much for stating the obvious! That was the one thing I forgot to mention."

Silent Nozomi felt bad for saying it but... she couldn't help but mention it as she said while Meixeng laid her back against the wall, "... I'm sorry, I just-"

However dropping the demeanour Meixeng told her waving her right hand up and down as though it was nothing serious, "don't worry about it? 'Sides it's not somethin' to get that down about, I've been like this all my life so... its nothing, don't dwell on it."

Nozomi was silent again as she still felt bad and Meixeng seeing this really didn't want the conversation to get pessimistic so she asked her, "so how'd you manage to figure me out?"

With that looking at her again quietly for a moment still feeling bad she told her her observations, "well its just that as we battled, you were really quick and amazing at hand to hand combat you almost knew everything I was going to do but... when it came to the energy attacks you didn't react well, like you couldn't see them and finally it was when we talked on the cliff edge when I quiet and didn't move you couldn't sense me at all could you?"

Meixeng was quiet herself a serious expression on her face... but after a moment she replied, "bingo... you hit the nail on the head, I can sense things around me by sound and through a clicking technique and with Uma and Fuma communications to me... but anything silent or too fast for my senses I can do nothing about... so in your case I definetley wouldn't be a match."

Seeing that she was right though didn't make Nozomi happier especially when this girl had revealed her whole fighting style to her, instead she wanted to know more and understand who she was as she asked, "so you've always been this way? Even before you became nobody?"

At this single word Meixeng repeated it, "nobody?" Silent as Nozomi heard her say the word again questioningly she wondered why? But before she could wonder anymore the female trickster continued, " you know that was the first I had ever heard of that word coming from your mouth... my entire life that I know of has never seen the light of day that I remember, I had always been the same, there was no difference as far as I was aware... except for this place." With that she looked around herself only able to imagine the greenery and shrubbery that was Atlantis.

Hearing this Nozomi was quiet again but then she decided to ask, "do you know what I meant when I said it? Do you know what it means?"

Turning her head to Nozomi's direction again Meixeng told her, "no... I have my guesses though, I suppose you're going to enlighten me now huh?"

With that said Nozomi nodded and then with another word from Meixeng for her to continue she did just that as she described to the monkey mistress about what a nobody was, a being with no heart created when a heartless takes a heart leaving the body with nothing leaving it concious and fprever searching for its former self. She then got into what she knew having heard the information from Riku and the king about Organization XIII and what had occurred in the past.

As she finished relaying her information Meixeng was quiet and somewhat surprised at what she said as she replied, "wow! That certainly is a huge hulla baloo story... wonder how I missed it all."

Hearing her say this Nozomi then concerned asked her, "does that upset you knowing now?"

However the concern she heard in Nozomi's voice was the thing that really surprised her, she this keyblader was worrying about her? But amused by this she smiled as she shook her head, "well not really... it just kinda makes more sense about myself now, I guess I knew but just not consciously... and again its probably good I missed out on all that stuff... otherwise I might not be standing here right now."

Hearing this sent a chill down Nozomi's back making her feel more bad but then she wanted to make the conversation more upbeat as she told her, "but its not all bad though! I've made some other friends who are nobodies too! Odyeux, Araxne, Saria and Ori! They all live in this place called Twilight town, they're trying to make a refuge there for nobodies and..."

Hearing this info definitely perked up Meixeng's ears as even her two small companions Uma and Fuma sensed it as well as they too pricked their ears up, her curiosity aroused Meixeng asked, "and?"
Nozomi quiet after a moment trying to find the right words told her, "and I... whenever I can find someone like you I let them know in case they might be interested in meeting them."

Meixeng was quiet as she heard this... her leave this place? Leave Atlantis? Nozomi though hadn't noticed the monkey master's change of expression as she was still busy explaining away, "we have a way to get there through Cait sith, its really easy and-"

However Meixeng interrupted her, "and you think I would wanna go?"

Quiet again Nozomi was silent as she looked to her again and wondered if she had said something wrong but then Meixeng told her otherwise, "well that's very darling of you to suggest I must admit but... I can't give you an answer to that right now."

Hearing this Nozomi thinking she had said something wrong told her, "please don't think I'm trying to make you go! Its just that I-"

However quickly Meixeng calmed the worried girl down as she told her, "yeah I know! I know! Don't get all flustered, I know you're not forcing me, otherwise I'd be at knife point or something." With that Meixeng looked in Nozomi's direction of where she could sense her and she could still feel some sad worry from her. Shrugging her shoulders annoyed she walked over to Nozomi where she could sense her and put her hand on her shoulder as she told her, "look I just need time to make a decision, okay? So don't worry your little head off about it, I'm glad that you were honest with me... thank you."

At this reassurance Nozomi then told her finally feeling her relief overcome her as she replied back, "its no problem... I'm glad I was able to let you know, but I do apologise again if I did offend you at all."

With these words said Meixeng moved her hand off her shoulder and then walked past her as she told her, "you know for a rather impulsive kid, you worry way too much about others for your own good."

Hearing these words Nozomi wasn't sure if she was being complimented or criticized but then before she asked anymore suddenly from behind her she heard a familiar voice, "Nozomi?"

Turning she then saw that it was Riku surprising her she asked, "snowball?" But turning around again she saw that like the wind Meixeng had vanished, however the thing Nozomi puzzled over at that moment wasn't where she'd gone but what she was going to decide on.

Riku however not hearing a word of the conversation that had occurred between the two girls he was confused as Nozomi was looking seemingly puzzled herself, enquiring he asked, "are you okay what're you doing here?"

Seeing that he'd not heard anything that had happened she decided to tease him as she said with a smile, "just a little girl talk, thats all."

Confused further still he decided he wasn't going to peek anymore into it as he said, "oh?" With that silence came between the two of them.

Nozomi seeing this with a smile put her hands behind her back as she looked at the dark night blue sky as she said, "its a beautiful night tonight isn't it?"

It was then Riku looked at the scenery himself as he saw the twinkling of the fireflies that were around and the shimmering of the blue waters as the plants waved to and throw as the gentle wind blew around them. Seeing it all Riku smiled as well as a calm serene feeling entered him as he replied, "yeah it is."

The smile still on her face Nozomi spoke again, "you know its amazing we found all of this, I mean when we were journeying here, I didn't think that we'd ever find anything like this at all... definitely nothing living."

Riku nodded as he told her, "yeah I know... but then in all the worlds there's always something in each you'd never suspect, for in each theres always something living."
Nozomi nodded, "that's good to know..." This made her think of all the other worlds she, him Mickey and Cait sith had been to so far and this then brought on a single question which she thought would lead to an interesting conversation, "what do you think is the biggest surprise you've seen so far?"

Hearing her ask this question Riku decided to be a little playful himself, "that's a tough one... but if I had to choose." It was then he was silent again as he pretended to think putting s hand to his chin.

Intrigued Nozomi asked, "yeah... what would you choose?"

It was then Riku decided to give it to her, "I'd say when you emerged that was really surprising."

Nozomi hearing this was amused herself as she shook her head and said, "oh yeah! That sure would be the most shocking-" However she stopped as her mind picked up on one particular word 'emerged' for in the beginning when she'd met him, he was the one who was lying there in the snow! Why would he say that?

Riku still amused however stopped as he saw Nozomi looked at him perplexed and as he became silent Nozomi asked, "Riku... why did you say that?"

He blinked as he said, "what?"

Nozomi then told him, "emerged? I didn't emerge! I kicked you! When we met in that place with that wolf, I mean, I..." but asking this question triggered something inside herself... as she felt that it wasn't. That wasn't the first place she'd met him? But why couldn't she remember it? Where had they met before?

Riku was quiet as he saw Nozomi was pondering over this particular thought and he wondered to himself... was it now that he should tell her?

Nozomi then coming up with a blank looked to Riku again as she asked him, "Riku... I don't remember, but I'm sure inside now... I did meet you before then didn't I? Before that snow world with that wolf... where was it? Can you tell me? I don't have any memory of it at all?"

Hearing her ask this question Riku was hesitant for if he revealed when and how they'd met, it meant he'd also have to reveal why it happened... but since she'd asked now, he couldn't run from it.

Nozomi standing still her curiosity at its peak watched as Riku began to speak as he said "I do know yes... but" with that he moved over to her and then silently and quietly he moved his hand to her hair as he took the single strand that held her hair clip in place, lifting it he moved his fingers over it gently. Nozomi feeling his touch on her hair couldn't help but feel her heart beat greatly as her cheeks were beginning to blush.

Riku holding her hair looked at her with a serous gaze on his face as he continued to speak to her as he asked her, "if I reveal this to you? Do you think you'd be able to handle it? Would you be able to take the pain of the knowledge?"

Nozomi quiet as she heard these words wondered why he'd say that? But then she thought back to Hercules's world and realised that whatever he had to say had to do with that too and seeing the serious intent in his eyes Nozomi began to answer, "I-"

"Oi lass! Lad!"

Breaking them apart in moments as though someone had stung them both with a cattle prod as they looked to the doorway to see Cait sith standing there with his arms folded clearly impatient as he spoke out, "c'mon! We gotta go that princess Kida wants to take us lot somewhere!"

It was then that Mickey came out following the small cat as he spoke out himself, "Cait sith yer sayin' that out too loudly! We're supposed to be makin' this a secret and-"

However as he looked up he saw Nozomi and Riku looking quite flustered at them and it was then the king asked, "oh sorry fella's are we interrupting ya both?"

Both quiet unsure of what to say, it was Nozomi who first regained herself as she said, "uh no, no not at all! You were saying that Kida needs us?"

With that Cait sith nodded not paying any heed to what might have happened as he said, "aye lass she has and we gotta get movin' now! Now c'mon!" With that he launched himself forwards landing once again on Nozomi's head as he said, "now c'mon lets skedaddle!"

Annoyed and wondering what he was being so impatient for Nozomi replied, "all right! All right! I'm going!" With that she walked forwards but then before she left she turned to Riku again as he looked at her, bringing a smile to her face a blush still there she told him, "sorry Riku um? Maybe we can discuss this later? Okay? I'll see you out there." With that she went forwards and through the doorway as she went to go and see what Kida needed.

As she left Riku sighed and Mickey seeing him do this asked him, "Riku were you-?"

However the white keyblader told the mouse king, "yeah... another opportunity missed."

Hearing this becoming depressed himself the king followed Riku out through the doorway but unbeknownst to them hiding in the shrubbery, hearing what had happened from her two small monkeys Meixeng smiled as she said, "what an interesting relationship those two have... and I wonder what it is little Kida wants from them all?"

Meanwhile in another section of the city sounds of clawing and rustling were heard along with the sounds of many hands. As finally the time had come and with their weapons in arms they were all ready and willing to do what was commanded of them.

Rourke assembling his little platoon whispered into a walkie talkie he had as he relaid what the plan of action was until he came to his conclusion, "and you promise you'll have everything ready by the time we get there right?"

To which Uriax on the other end responded in an amused tone, "oh don't you worry! Everything will primed ready and waiting for you, just wait and see."

Then suddenly in the background another voice asked, "hey! Uri! Do ya wanna have 'em put that big thing over there or-"

Annoyed Uriax said annoyed, "yes Pete! Now save that stuff for later!"

Rourke hearing Uriax's tone guessed even he had trouble with his crew but then after hearing the annoyed sigh he listened on as Uriax finally finished saying, "anyway as I've repeated everything will be ready for you! Just make sure you cause as much destruction as you can..." with that the radio tuned out.

However Rourke was more than willing to do so as he said without his supportive agent having to know, "with pleasure..." With that the heartless and gas masked soldiers all began to move eager to rip and sunder all that stood in their way.

Unaware of the danger that was all too soon approaching Nozomi and the others had all set off with Kida to an open clearing with no one around except for some ancient ruined mounds and towers which like the rest of the buildings of Atlantis were in much the same state with mother nature wearing them away by corrosion with her waterfalls and trailings vines and plants.

Continuing to admire the scenery both still as dazzled as they were before Riku and Nozomi were silent but then Mickey spoke up as he said, "wow this place is real amazin' at night!"
Cait sith on Nozomi's head spoke up as he said, "ya got that right there mouse cheeks! "

Milo in the distance playing with one of the fireflies that had landed on his arm said, "yeah it really is beautiful out here!" With that the linguist looked to Kida who was holding a pink lantern by a long pole of wood as she stood next to a single pillar that had collapsed many eons ago.

Seeing her Milo spoke to her as he said, "you know Kida, the most we ever hoped to find was some crumbling buildings, maybe some broken pottery," with that he caught the single firefly as he continued, "and instead we find a living, thriving, society!"

Nozomi smiled as Milo said this and then told him, "yeah, that's funny cause Riku and me were saying something similar like that earlier!" With that she turned to the Atlantian princess as she told her,"but really it is amazing how you're people live like this and-"

However she was interrupted as she told them all making them silent in seconds, "I am afraid that you are wrong on one part when you talk about my people."

Riku curious asked, "why do you say that?What is it we're wrong about?"

To which looking at him Kida then told them all, "thriving, my people do not in this land... it is true we live, but..." with that she opened up the small lantern and as she did Milo walked over as he placed the firefly he had caught into the small pink sphere as the princess continued, "our culture is dying," with that she closed the lid as the lantern glowed just that little more as she spoke on, "we are like a stone the ocean beats against, with each passing year a little more of us is worn away."

Hearing this none of them had realised this at all and in so learning this Nozomi asked, "why? Why is that?"

But then Mickey let her know the reason as he told her already knowing himself, "its because they're cut off from the rest of the worlds Nozomi, they're decaying losing their knowledge every year and because there is no-one left who can record or decipher or help them learn about it... they're left totally in the darkness."

Hearing this accurate deduction the princess acknowledged the kings words as she replied, "exactly and that is why I have brought you all to this place to ask all of you to help me and my kingdom."

At these words becoming pumped Nozomi told her, "don't worry we'll find a way to fix this! Right Milo?"

To which the linguist nodded as he head, "yeah definitely! You came to the right people! So what is it you want us to do first?"

Glad that they were all willing and ready to help, Kida told them, "there is a mural here with writing all around the pictures!"

Milo clicking in his mind told her thinking he knew what it was she was talking about quickly snatched the lantern from her as he told her, "well you came to the right guy!" With that he started to look at the pillar behind them as he started to do his deciphering.

Watching as he got busy Cait sith spoke from Nozomi's head as he said, "well it looks like someone's eager!"

To which she smiled and replied, "yeah well can you blame him, I mean its not like every day you save an ancient civilisation is it?"

Cait sith then replied, "that yer right about lass! That yer right."

Mickey smiling looked to the princess again and suddenly saw something that alarmed him! "Uh princess what're ya doin?"
Hearing him say this wondering what the fuss was about Riku looked to him as he asked, "what's wrong Mickey why're you-" but suddenly he saw what it was as he immeadietley blushed madly red.

Nozomi in the meantime hearing these words wondered what was going on as she turned to look and as she did Milo did as well and quickly the linguist was becoming just as flustered as the other guys as he asked, "uh Kida what are you doing?"

Still not getting it at all Nozomi saw quietly that Kida was removing her sarong revealing her long elegant legs and the blue bikini bottoms she had on underneath, she did seem a little more... dazzling? But she didn't understand why this was enough to get everyone so worked up. She then voiced her thoughts as she asked, "what is wrong with you guys?"

However Cait sith unmoved simply sighed as he said, "its a lad thing lass, its a lad thing."

To which creasing her eyebrows Nozomi replied, "I still don't get it."

The princess as well just as unaware asked them all, "you all do swim yes?"

Milo looking at her started his reply as he said, "oh I swim pretty girl."

Hearing him say this Nozomi asked, "pretty girl?"

But then Milo quickly snapping himself to attention quickly tried to regain himself as he spoke correcting himself, "uh I mean swim good! Good swim! Swim good... pretty good, I swim pretty good."

Nozomi still perplexed just thought, 'man you are acting weird!' However she stopped for a moment and said, "wait? Why do we need to know how to swim?"

At this question Kida told her, "the mural we all need to see is located under the water here," to which she waved her arm over indicating to it.

This made Nozomi stop... this was going to be a big problem as she heard Kida say, "I need you all to see it."

Mickey spoke up himself then, "that'll be fine there Kida we can all swim well, right fella's and we-"

However Riku interrupted the mouse king as he told him, "Mickey you're forgetting someone."

At these words the small keyblader spoke as he said, "who're? Oh?" To which he then looked to Nozomi who looked distressed now herself as she was completley the odd one out.

Kida seeing everyone look at her asked, "so, you do not know how to swim?"

To which Nozomi replied shaking her head nervous, "uh no... I don't, I never learnt how to swim properly, I mean I couldn't there was no big watery expanse for me to where I live in and I! I... Oh I really am making things difficult now aren't I..."

To which Riku told her, "true, its not your fault though, but we just don't have the time for swimming lessons."

Milo then asked, "well what're we supposed to do about this guys..."

There was silence then as no-one knew at all... but suddenly something occurred to Mickey, "hey Nozomi?"

Getting her attention she asked, "yeah?"
The king then asked her, "you know 'Protect' and 'Aero' don't you?"
Hearing the names of these two spells Nozomi responded, "yeah, though I don't use them a lot why?"
Smiling glad at this info Mickey told her, "well we gotta an advantage there! You can combine the two together and create an air bubble! Then we can guide you down and follow Kida!"

At this idea it was a stroke of genius as Nozomi smiled brightly, "wow! You're right! That's an amazing idea Mickey!"

Cait sith on her head spoke out too, "yeah! That's a brill idea but I need to do a little somethin'?"

Riku hearing the small cat say this asked him, "do something?"

To which Cait sith nodded as he said, "yep!" With that he went down onto Nozomi's arm as he then told her, "all right lass give me yer hand!"

Perplexed at this weird request Nozomi asked, "huh? What do you need my hand for?"

Cait sith then told her, "you'll see lass now just give it to me!"

Still uncertain Nozomi submitted to the request and lifted her left hand to him and as she did Cait sith took it in both his hands and stroked it gently making everyone look at him strangely when all of a sudden he bit into her!
"OWWW!" She cried out as he suddenly let go and landed on the ground with relaxed grace as he looked up at her as she held her painful bit inflicted hand.

Riku seeing this rushed on over as he said, "Nozomi!" With that taking her painful left hand in his he asked the small assailant, "what did you do that for Cait sith! Why did you-"

Suddenly then Nozomi gasped in amazement, hearing her do this Riku turned and looked himself and saw with amazed eyes that her left hand was glowing with a warm yellow light and as it did briefly pulsing for a moment it faded away. As this dazzling display ended Cait sith told them, "I just gave ya a bit of me power there lass, it'll make that combined spell o' yours last longer and that way ya won't have to be waste'in ethers left and right."

At this info Nozomi looked to Cait sith as she told him annoyed, "well thanks for that but couldn't you have warned me about what you were going to do?"

Cait sith then told her, "nope!"

This annoyed her in moments but then looking back she saw Riku was still holding her hand in both of his and seeing him do this she told him, "um Riku you can let go of me now, I'm okay."

With that quickly retracting his hands from her he told her, "oh right sure sorry."

Nozomi smiled at this glad for his gentleness, Mickey seeing this smiled himself happy at this but then Milo coughed, "well guys we should get goin now don't you think?"

To which Mickey replied to him, "right uh? Let's get goin' fella's!"

With that quickly entering the water himself Mickey went beside Kida as he treaded in the water and with that Riku followed suit as the water dampened his trousers, Nozomi on the shore prepared herself to use the combined spell, "okay lets do this!"

But quickly once again landing on her head Cait sith told her, "oh and lass ya can also take one other person if I'm with ya!"

Nozomi hearing this then asked him, "shouldn't you have told me that earlier?" But then shaking her head thinking this wasn't the time for an arguement sighed as she asked, "Milo do you want to be the second person in this?"

At this question still puzzled a little Milo snapped out of it as he replied, "oh sure okay?" With that he quickly made his way over to Nozomi.

With the linguist standing beside her she summoned the 'Starseeker' and with it she lifted it high and called out, "Protect! Aero!" With that the two spells came together joined by a yellow light as they both encapsulated the keyblader, linguist and small cat together into a protective air tight bubble.

Seeing that it worked with dazzled amazement as she poked its glowing surface she spoke out, "wow! It worked!"

"This is amazing!" Milo breathed out smiling away just as impressed himself.

To which Cait sith replied, "yep! Just shows what can happen with a little helpin' tap from yours truly!"

Seeing this as practically boasting Nozomi replied, "yeah, yeah don't go on about it!" With that she and Milo quickly rolled themselves forwards as they all entered the water and as they did so she told Riku, Mickey and Kida who were now all amazed at this sight, "right lets go guys!"

To which Kida nodded, "all right!" But then turning to the shore again for one last moment, she wondered about Meixeng, what was she doing right now? But knowing that she couldn't follow them since she couldn't swim either, Kida decided she'd let her know later about what she had found. So with that princess, keybladers and the linguist entered the water as they went to discover more of the past and solve the mystery of Atlantis.

Unbeknownst to them on the shore Meixeng emerged once more from the trees as she sat on a rock near the water as she then decided to wait patiently for them all to return. As she did this she once again started to play with Uma and Fuma as she wondered aloud, "Kida... would you be sad if I were gone.."