Heyo it is Riku once again! Hika is still lost in a void somewhere... (she is okay don't worry she just hasn't felt posting herself so I gotta manage it still XD)

But anyways I realize we forgot to post this chapter a while ago but let's get to our 40th chapter!

Chapter 40

Riku slowly paced back and forth in the kitchen, moving from the kitchen space to the living room. The thoughts in his head were turning from the previous night, and he was trying to lay out a plan if he could. So much had happened in recent times and so much new information had come about from his brothers. Things he never knew about them in all his years that he knew them. Granted that he knew Saru for the least amount of time compared to Zack and Zexion, but it was still a long enough time that it was amazing that none of this was ever revealed beforehand.

As he continued to pace, he kept on thinking what he could do to help the situation. His brothers meant everything to him, as they were the only family he had that cared for him. Well the only family close by that actually showed compassion that his mother never did. But that was not the point, the real point was his brothers, not himself. He wanted to do whatever he could to help, he just wasn't sure how well everything would go with what he was planning.

Thankfully Saru walked into the room from the hallway. Riku sighed with relief and looked over at him. "Saru, there's something I want to ask you."

"Hmm?" Saru hummed while walking over to the fridge to dig for a snack.

"I've been thinking… what if we took Zexion to the Spirit Sanctuary?"

"We…?" Saru commented, confused. "That would be your call, so why are you asking me?"

"Well… you could be there to be considering," Riku stated. "And you'd get to visit your own mother if you wanted to."

Saru paused what he was doing and turned to face Riku, a spark of unrecognizable emotion in his eyes.

"I'll take that as a yes then?" Riku asked softly.

"If it wouldn't be too much trouble" Saru mumbled in response.

"That's what the Spirit Sanctuary is for," Riku answered. "So it's no trouble. Just not sure how Zexion will respond."

"Maybe you should just ask Zexion if he'd be interested rather than surprising him with," Saru commented.

"You're right, he isn't the biggest guy for surprises. But now it's just waiting until he gets back from work," Rikus sighed. "But you'll come right?"

"If he doesn't mind."

"Well, we'll find out then when he gets back. Hopefully won't be too early in the morning when he returns."

When Zexion did return from his night job, there were still a few hours left of the late night, or early morning or a regular person. He came into the house like he usually did, but he came to a stop seeing Saru and Riku in the kitchen area, both of them on their phones.

"What are you two still doing up? I thought you would be asleep by now," Zexion said as he began taking off his lab coat.

"We were waiting for you," Riku answered. "Something… there was something I wanted to ask."

"And that would be?"

"Would you like to come with me and Saru to the Spirit Sanctuary?"

Zexion gawked, looking in between shocked and annoyed. "The Spirit Sanctuary? That does not exist! That place cannot not exist, not in any mortal plane at least."

"It does though," Riku replied. "You just need to know where to go to find it."

Zexion slowly started to cross his arms. His eyes were locked on to Riku. "And I assume that you will claim to know the way? Even if it is accessible in the mortal plane, it would be highly dangerous."

Riku shook his head lightly. "It's not. Honest. I've been there before, and I even took Saru… for his last birthday."

"Is this true?" Zexion asked as he switched to looking at Saru.

Saru nodded. "It's real."

Zexion hummed, looking far from amused. "I heard that much. But what of the place itself. If you went, then is it what the legends claim to be?"

"I never bothered to learn the legends. What I knew of the Spirit Sanctuary was from fairy tales my mother told me when I was little," Saru answered.

"Legends, fairy tales, myths, they are all the same when it comes to the Spirit Sanctuary. A place of magic of the holy kind said to let mortals walk among the spirits," Zexion replied sharply. "A place to reconcile with those who have passed, and you tell me you've both been there and never spoke a word before?"

"I only took Saru for his birthday, it was just me going before. I didn't think to mention… cause you know I never thought there was any reason to do it," Riku said as he let out a sigh. "But now… well you know with knowing about our pasts, I thought it would be nice."

"Hmm…" Zexion slowly unfolded his arms. "I suppose you do hold a fair point there. So we'll go then?"

"If you want to," Riku said. "Just let us know."

"I'll come," Zexion answered softly. "Let me know when you wish to departe."

"Whoa wait do you think we would leave right now?"

"Wouldn't it be better to leave now rather than later? All we need is to take the medicine and sunscreen for sunlight before we head out," Zexion replied.

"Fine, let's get going then, better to do it sooner than later I guess," Riku commented as he moved to get their medicine for the day.

It was still early morning by the time that they arrived. Riku still was in the lead as he led the other two inside the building. On the way he explained more about the building like he did before but this time to let Zexion know what to be prepared for. Like the last time it was empty but eventually Ansem came along to greet them.

"Ah Riku, I did not expect you back so soon, and I see that you have brought two of your brothers this time. I assume this must be Zexion?"

Riku nodded, but Zexion spoke up next. "Pleasure to meet you, sir. I've heard the stories of this place but I had no idea it was different from the legends."

"Well them," Ansem chuckled cheerfully. "I hope you find it up to your satisfaction. Riku knows the way so I shall leave it to him if that is all right, I have some matters to attend to anyway."

Riku nodded and moved forward to where they had to go next. They headed down the hallway that had the series of doors and soon enough Riku came to a stop and faced the other two. "So um how are we doing this?"

"What do you mean?" Zexion asked.

"I mean like are we splitting up or sticking together or…"

"Do you want us with you when you see your mother again, or would you rather be alone?" Saru attempted to clarify.

"Oh, I see," Zexion replied as his eyes drifted off to the floor. "I wouldn't know exactly. I've never considered this possibility and now that I am here I feel at a loss. It's been 78 years since last I saw my mother, so I have a lot that is on my mind."

"You can go on your own then," Riku replied. "If you feel better than way."

Zexion slowly nodded. "I believe that would be best for this time, yes."

Both Saru and Riku nodded back and then RIku gave the quick run down to Zexion how the place worked before leaving him to head into one of the rooms on his own. He headed off into the first room, taking in the sight of the design as he did. Slowly he closed the door behind him and made his way to the enter and sat down where he was designated to sit.

With a deep breath and closed his eyes. It was still almost unbelievable that he really was there. But it was all real and he was there in the moment. All he had to do now was speak the words he needed. He took in one more deep breath before he exhaled and spoke.

"Aqua Stormfall."

The clear cube before him lights up brightly. The light burst out from it and right before Zexion's eyes he saw something form. His eyes widened at what he saw. "Mother…"

"Zexion," Aqua spoke with a soft, affectionate tone, "My little boy, all grown up."

Zexion could not help the tears that were forming in his eyes. With a small gasp he went to wipe them away quickly. "M-Mother it's really you. This… it's real."

"Of course, my little Zexy. Can you give your mother a hug after so many years," Aqua asked, holding her arms open.

Zexion didn't hesitate and he fell into the embrace of his mother. It felt as real as it did when she was still alive. He sighed with a shaky breath, resting his head on her shoulder. He was going to savor every moment of this.

Aqua hummed softly in his ear, running her hands over his head. "You're such a young man now. So strong, but still my little boy."

"Mother…"

"Let me look at you again," Aqua said before she looked at Zexion. She reached her hand forward and brushed back the hair that covered Zexion's one eye. "You still enjoy covering your handsome little face."

Zexion blushed, tucking his head to his chest. "It's what I prefer."

"Some things never change do they? But how will anyone ever find your little handsome face if you always hide it?"

"Mother…"

"Now tell me Zexion, we have quite a lot to catch up on, don't we? So let's start somewhere, okay?" Aqua asked softly.

"Right… somewhere," Zexion said. "Well I guess I could say that someone has found my face handsome. I know you would be happy to know that."

Aqua smiled brightly. "Oh course my little Zexy. Tell me all about them."

Zexion nodded as he began to tell his mother as much as he could. He went over various topics from the many years, explaining only what he felt was necessary. Part of him wished he could go in detail into every little bit that he felt that had meaning to him, but he knew that they didn't have the time for that. For now he needed to cover what was necessary The entire time Aqua listened, smiled and nodded along all the way until Zexion finally finished.

She grinned once more. "Ah, well I am very thankful you trusted Zack enough to go with him. I wish… I wish I had been able to tell you about him before his arrival."

"I understand, but it's okay. Zack has done well over these years to take care like a good brother should."

"Yes, he is a good brother isn't he?" Aqua added with a slightly bit of sadness in her expression.

"He is. But he also has done a good job at filling… well a parental-like role for the rest of us," Zexion admitted.

Aqua hummed, a small smile crossing her lips. "He would be a good father. He has that kind heart in him."

Moments later Aqua's image started to fade, as their time was up and the magic finally was waning. Zexion signed as he lowered his head. He knew that the time was ending, but he wished it could have gone on longer. With another exhale he lifted his head to meet his mother's gaze.

"We will meet again sometimes, yes?"

"Of course, Zexy. You should visit your mother more often now that you know about this place," Aqua replied with a joyous tone. "I would love to see you again. To talk with you and to meet your brothers. To meet everyone."

"I'll see what I am able to do for next time. I know you would like to meet them of course."

Zexion let his mother hold him once more. "Have a goodnight my little, Zexy. Stay as strong as I've known you always to be."

"Thank you mother. I'll see you next time."

When his mother's image faded and the magic from the room was gone, Zexion got up and headed out. He saw that Saru was leaning against the wall, looking out the window with a distant gaze.

Slowly Zexion approached him. "Has Riku not returned yet from his visit?"

Saru shook his head. "He started his visit last, so I'm not surprised."

"And how was yours?" Zexion asked.

"Shouldn't I be asking you that question?"

"So you wish for me to go first," Zexion sighed. "No matter. I saw my mother. She was happy to hear of my journey since we last were together. I only wish we had more time in a session."

"Well, it's kinda up to Riku if we come back again, no?"

"I would assume he has no reason to deny us from returning," Zexion stated. "He let you back a second time after all."

"You guys can come with me anytime you want," Riku said as he exited from his room. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you two sooner."

"I would say it's better late than never," Zexion replied. "Shall we head out?"

The other two nodded and they made their way out of the Spirit Sanctuary. Once outside they were heading back in the direction of the house, but took a pathway that was more covered in trees. While they had taken their medicine and applied sunscreen beforehand, they had only taken a low dose. They preferred playing it safe with the amount of sun they were putting themselves through.

"Should we maybe stop to get something to eat?" Riku asked. "Since we are crossing by the edge of town."

Saruhiko shrugged. "Might as well."

"I have nothing against it," Zexion added. "Where shall we go?"

"Homra's already closed, so that's out of the question," Saru commented.

"Hm, what about that little pancake house?" Riku asked.

Saru gave a shrug, not caring either way. Zexion on the other hand stopped to give it some thought before coming to his answer. "I suppose that would be a good option. Let's head over there then."

The three brothers continued to move through the pathway, coming closer to the edge of town. As they left the shaded pathway to cross the street actually into the neighborhood, none of them noticed the three slinking shadows that watched from a distance. Even in the daylight their eyes gleamed as they watched the three move along towards their location. Once they were out of sight of the shadowed figure, they turned around and headed deeper into the forest.