I just started my Christmas break. I should be able to write a bit more. Also, Merry early Christmas!

Kingdom Hearts © to Disney and Square Enix!

My OCs © to me!


Chapter 9: Pasts

"Ven, wake up." Aqua gently shook him, glancing around.

After a short break, they returned to the Realm of Darkness, to continue the search for Sora. Chirithy stayed behind to watch over the castle in their stead.

Ven stretched, his armor clinking slightly as he pushed himself up. "I hate sleeping in this. It's so uncomfortable."

"You'll get used to it." Terra walked over.

Their plan: take turns napping one at a time while the other two kept watch. No one got a full nights sleep in the Realm of Darkness, but one didn't need to. The cold darkness stopped aging and slowed down the body's functions. Eating wasn't necessary, nor was sleep.

But Aqua figured out fast that it did make her feel better to nap and eat. She didn't have a chance before to eat anything, her hunger disappeared after she stopped thinking about it. And sleep with no one to watch her back was out of the question.

This time felt better.

Much better.

As they began to walk, their game of funny stories continued, bringing a twinkle of laughter and light to the deep darkness.

RING!

The three jumped as Aqua's phone rang.

Grabbing the phone, she answered. "Hello?"

The three watched as Jiminy's face appeared on the screen. "Hello there."

"Hi, Jiminy."

"How are the three of you doing?"

"Fine," Ven smirked, "but your phone call nearly gave us each a heart attack."

The cricket chuckled. "I'm sorry about that. I didn't know where you were or what you were doing." His eyes narrowed as he looked carefully at them, noting their armor and helmets. "Where are you right now?"

Terra glanced around, seeing no Heartless trying to sneak up on them. "The Realm of Darkness."

He nodded. "I thought so. Aqua, how are you feeling?"

"I'm doing alright. We've been taking our time and resting, and Ven came up with a fun game that helps keep our minds off things."

"Wonderful. Actually, that ties into why I'm calling. I'm going to… well, become the counselor for everyone. You three, and many of the others, have endured a lot lately, and I am going to try and help. I'll be checking in on everyone once a week, and Aqua, because you're in the Realm of Darkness a lot, during those times I'll check in on you twice a week. And there might be times I call you three to visit my new office I'm getting."

A counselor.

"That sounds great, Jiminy." Aqua softly smiled under her helmet. "Thank you."

"It's no trouble at all. And if you want to thank anyone, thank Axel. He asked for my help, and it inspired me to take up this position and help you all."

Aqua nodded. "Well, thank you still."

The cricket waved before the call ended.

"That is awesome." Terra looked over at his friends. "We probably need some counseling after everything."

"Counseling? I think we need some serious therapy."

"Honestly, you're probably right."


The next time they stopped to rest, Aqua lay down while Terra and Ven took watch.

"How are you feeling?"

The younger boy sighed, pulling off his helmet just for a few minutes; it would be alright just for a short time. "I'm alright. Just a little confused."

"About?"

"Some stuff Chirithy said. He knows me. And I think he knows me from before Xehanort took me in, but he refuses to say anything. Whenever I ask, he says that he doesn't want to hurt me and that some things are better left forgotten."

Terra took off his own helmet. "Something bad must have happened then."

"I think so." Ven sighed, looking up at the dark cavern overhead, glistening with blue crystals, eerily beautiful in this strange shadowy place. "I can't put my finger on it, but I think it has something to do with some of the dreams I had while I was asleep. I remember dreaming of people that I didn't recognize. I can't really remember them now though."

"How do you feel about them?"

"They feel like friends. But that's all."

Terra put a hand on his head. "It must hurt to not know who they are."

"Yeah," the boy sighed.

"Maybe talking to Jiminy can help with those memories. Or do you really want them back?"

"I don't know."

Did he want to know?

If Chirithy was right, these memories would hurt.

Did he want that pain?

"Maybe the next story you tell us can be a made up story about your old friends." Terra smiled. "It might help you feel closer to them. And maybe you'll accidently say a true story, and a memory will come back. But only if you want to."

Aqua stretched and sat up. "What are you two talking about?"

"The people Ven saw in his dreams that might be from his past."

Ven put his helmet back on. "I wouldn't even know where to start with telling a story about them. I don't even remember their names or what they were like."

"That's ok. Just make something up." Terra put his helmet back on before helping Aqua to her feet.

Aqua looked over at Ven. "Even if it's not close, it might be fun."

"Ok." He sighed, reaching back into his memories for something, anything. "I'll… I'll tell you about the time we went to the beach."


"So, you don't remember anything about them?"

"Not a clue," Ven sighed, glancing over at the napping Terra.

Aqua sighed as Ven fell silent.

"I've been thinking of my past as well." She sighed.

"Really?"

The older girl nodded slowly. "I haven't sent a message to my family just yet. My little sister is probably physically older than me now, and… I just have no idea how to talk to her or my parents."

"I have no idea either, sorry."

"I need to send them a message."

"Terra probably understands better than I do."

True.

She'd have to ask him on their next watch.

But the rest of the watch, Aqua and Ven sat in silence. Watching in the darkness as Heartless skittered about in the distance, leaving them be for the time being.


On the next watch, Terra and Aqua sat, back-to-back, watching for Heartless.

"I'm thinking of contacting my family soon, but I'm not sure what to say."

"I sent a message to my mother." Terra sighed. "I kept it simple, letting her know that I was alive and that I would explain things later when I came to visit. So, if I was you, I'd just keep it simple. Tell them you're alright and you'll come soon."

"Yeah…"


"Hi,

It's me. I just wanted to let you know that I'm alive. I'll come and explain everything soon.

I love you all."

"AQUA! You're alive!"


Oh look, more backstory stuff.