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Kingdom Hearts © to Disney and Square Enix!
My OCs © to me!
Chapter 10: The Spirit Land
A few days after their return from the Realm of Darkness, Aqua passed by Terra's room.
He stood by his bed, putting clothes into his bag.
"Going to see your family?"
"I don't want to keep my mother waiting." He smiled, folding up the long coat Master Eraqus used to wear and putting it in the bag too. "Did you message your family yet?"
"I did."
"And?"
"I don't want to go see them yet." Aqua sat on the bed. "I'm a little scared, honestly. Especially considering my younger sister was already upset that I decided to leave home at all."
"I remember that. She kept asking you to come home."
"And then I disappeared."
Terra sat beside her, brushing his shoulder against hers. "It'll be alright. And I can come with you, if you want me to."
The young woman blushed slightly and smiled. "We'll see."
Both of them jumped as her phone went off.
Giggling she opened the call to see the face of Roxas.
"Hi, Aqua."
"Hi there, Roxas." Aqua smiled at the gummi phone. "What's up?"
"Well, there's these kids in town, and I'm teaching one of them to fight a little, and I think I want to teach one of them magic. How do I do that?"
The young woman blinked for a moment in surprise. "Really?"
"Yeah…"
"Well… there's a lot to it." She thought for a moment. "I know! I'll be coming by Twilight Town in a week or two to visit with Jiminy. When I come, I can give some pointers in person. Sound good?"
"Sounds great! Thanks, Aqua."
"And be careful if you're using the Keyblade. That weapon can be passed down to others. So, unless you're ready to have an apprentice, I wouldn't let people touch it."
"Um… some kids did."
Oh no…
She sighed. "When I come, introduce me. I can probably sense if they have the power or not."
"Ok. Thanks, Aqua."
"No problem. See you soon." The call ended, and the shook her head. "We really are the only three with any formal training. They have no idea about how the Keyblade works."
Terra laughed. "We need to host a Keyblade 101 class or something, so that they just know the basics."
"Seriously…" Aqua got up. "Have a good time."
"I will." Terra smiled as he closed up his bag. "I'll say goodbye to Ven and then head out."
"Alright."
Terra arrived outside of a large city. He could hear the bustle from outside.
Everything felt warm… his home. Where he'd lived as a child and grew up.
He still knew every street and the way to his home. His mother assured him that they still lived in the same place.
Walking down the streets, the bustle passed him by until he reached a large house surrounded by an ornate wall.
Knocking on the massive doors, a young woman, her hair tied up behind her head opened the door. "May I help you?"
"Is the lady of the house here?"
"Who may I say is asking for her?"
Terra smiled. "Her son."
The woman stared at him for a moment before her mouth dropped open. "Come in! Come in please!" Pulling the door open, she allowed him to walk in, a smile crossing her face. "She has been waiting for you. Follow me."
Her sandals clopping excitedly as she nearly sprinted into the house.
Terra followed behind, taking in the house he grew up in. Every step was like stepping back into his younger self.
As he came to a hallway, he saw a woman with long dark brown hair, a silky kimono swirling around her as she nearly jumped out of the room. "TERRA!"
"Mother!"
The woman ran into his arms, her tears spilling across his shoulders as his own tears fell on her.
They stood there…
And hugged.
And cried.
When they finally pulled back, his mother placed her hands on his cheeks. "You- you haven't aged a day."
"It's a long story. I'll tell you all about it."
"Please."
"Mother?"
Terra looked past his mother as a young girl came out of a room, her long black hair framing deep brown eyes that curiously studied the young man before her.
"Oh," his mother smiled, holding out an arm to the girl, "Terra, this is your half-sister, Tsukiko. Tsukiko, come meet your oldest brother, Terra."
The girl blinked before a wide smile crossed her face. "Really!?" She ran over, throwing her arms around his waist. "You're here! I'm so happy to meet you!"
Smiling, Terra knelt down to her. "It's nice to meet you too, Tsukiko. How old are you?"
"I'm ten!"
"Wow, ten. You're practically grown up then."
She giggled before hugging him again. "I've always wanted to meet you. But where have you been?"
"I'll explain later." He stood up, looking at his mother. "And where are Makio and Misao?"
"Training," his mother smiled, "Misao is working hard to become a soldier like his father."
"That's great."
"Please, come, we want to hear everything."
Tsukiko grabbed her brother's hand and pulled him to a large room with a table on the floor.
"Tsuki, do you mind getting the tea ready?"
"Ok…"
"I can help." Terra followed her. "I assume the pot and everything are still in the same place they used to be."
His mother chuckled. "They are."
As he stood beside his sister, Terra felt his heart soar. He'd missed this. Missed them. And it did pain him a little to know that he missed out on so much. His half-brother was growing up, and he'd never gotten to meet his half-sister until now.
A door opened at the other end of the house.
"Father is home!" Tsukiko looked up at him. "Misao will be excited to see you too."
"I hope so."
As they carried the tea back, two other people stood in the room. A man with graying black hair, dressed in fine clothes, stood beside a teenage boy, just about Ven's age who looked like a smaller version of the man in almost every way.
"Terra!" The man gasped.
Setting down the tea, Terra walked over with a smile. "It's good to see you, Makio."
His stepfather smiled before grasping his arm. "I'm so glad to see you again. We were all worried."
"Is it really you?" The boy asked.
"Yes, Misao. It's me." He smiled down at the boy. "Don't tell me you forgot." He ruffled his hair.
The boy jumped back. "Hey! I'm not five anymore!" But he smiled despite himself.
Makio looked over at his wife. "Reiko, did you know he was coming today?"
"I didn't. It was a wonderful surprise."
They all sat down, Tsukiko pouring them all tea. Her hands shook a little, but it looked like she'd been practicing how to pour tea in a professional and perfect manner.
Terra smiled. "First, I want to hear about all of you. My story is long, so it'll take a while."
Makio nodded and smiled. "I've become a general since you last left. I still wear your father's armor in memory of him as well." Terra smiled warmly.
"I've been training with Father. Next year I'll become a soldier too." Misao straightened up. "I'm going to work hard to become a general and serve next to him."
"That's great." Terra put a hand on the boy's shoulder. The determination in his eyes reminded him of Riku a little.
Maybe that's why he was drawn to Riku.
"I want to be a soldier too." Tsukiko sat down, puffing out her cheeks. "But I can't because I'm a girl."
"I don't quite understand that, honestly. I remember the days of women samurai."
"As do I."
"But they have made a new law. Women aren't to be warriors." Reiko gently placed a hand on her daughter's head. "Even though this one wants to follow in her father and brother's footsteps."
Misao sighed. "Tsuki, you need to give this up. If you keep thinking about it, you'll just get sad and disappointed."
"I can't give it up. I keep dreaming about being a famous soldier like Father."
Terra chuckled. "Misao, I can see you're just trying to help her not get disappointed, but she can dream. And who knows, maybe it will come true. Just keep believing in it."
"Really?"
Terra's eyes shone as he met the gaze of his half-sister. "I met a girl once, her name was Cinderella. Her dreams were powerful, and all she did was believe, and something amazing happened, all because she believed and had hope in those dreams."
His sister's eyes sparkled, and his brother seemed to smile as well.
Terra could see it. Misao cared about his sister and didn't want her dreams to be crushed.
But she could still dream.
"When did you meet this Cinderella?"
Terra took a sip of tea.
Guess it was time.
"I hope you all like really long stories."
And so he told them.
About his failed Mark of Mastery exam. Which made Misao quite upset; as he verbally stated that his brother was 'the strongest'. Terra couldn't help but chuckle a little.
About his journey to find Master Xehanort. He could see Tsukiko's eyes widening, shining even more with every place he told them about.
About how Master Xehanort tricked him into doing many things, including killing Master Eraqus. And this upset his mother and stepfather greatly. But they weren't angry at him. Reiko sobbed and Makio ground his teeth in anger, muttering about how 'disgraceful' a man such as Xehanort could be.
And when Terra came to the part in the story where Xehanort possessed him, his entire family fell quiet in shock.
Gently he recalled some of the things he remembered from that time, though there weren't many.
Then he recalled his rescue. How his friends and a boy named Sora saved him.
How they defeated Xehanort, and how Eraqus found peace at last.
And how Sora disappeared.
"So, Aqua, Ven, and I go out and search the dark realm at different times to look for him. Since Aqua was stuck there for thirteen years, we don't want to spend too much time there at one time. But the search is going slow…"
His mother's arms wrapped around him. "My poor boy."
"I'm alright now, Mother."
"You're so strong." Misao stiffened, holding back tears in his eyes.
"Not really. I'm strong when I'm with my friends. I am alright on my own, but we're better together."
Makio nodded, putting a hand on his stepson's shoulder. "I have found that to be true in my life as well. And I'm sorry you had to endure all of that."
"Thank you." He let out a long sigh. "Anyways… that's why I disappeared."
Sitting in silence, they all took in the information.
Before Tsukiko broke the silence. "Terra, do you have magic?"
He smiled, happy for the change in topic. "I do. Want to see?"
"Yes."
"Then I'll show you." He stood up, his siblings quickly getting up to follow as his mother and stepfather stayed behind.
He glanced back as they left to see his mother burst into tears and Makio move to comfort her.
She needed a little time.
As they entered the courtyard, Terra picked up a training sword from the pile he saw by some training dummies. "Why don't you both show me what you can do?"
"Me too?"
"You wanted to be a soldier too, right? So, I'm sure you've practiced."
Both kids smiled as they grabbed training swords.
"Watch this." Terra held out his hand and summoned his Keyblade much to their delight. "I won't use it, but you can look at it."
They came closer, admiring the blade.
"What's this?"
"The Keychain?" Terra gently held it. "It gives the Keyblade its appearance. This one was actually my father's."
"Father told us about him." Misao looked at it. "He sounded like a good person."
Terra nodded with a smile as he dismissed the weapon. "Now, show me what you've got."
After a few days, Terra needed to go back home.
But he had one more place left to visit.
He and his mother stood in front of a grave before they both knelt down.
"Terra," Reiko looked over at him, "I think your father would be proud of you."
"You do?"
"I do. I am. You made mistakes, but you worked to fix them and have come out a stronger man for it. I couldn't be prouder." She looked at the grave of Iason. "I know he feels the same."
Terra bowed to the grave. "I hope so too."
"Terra, you're leaving tonight… When will you come back?"
"I'll visit again soon. I want to catch up on so much, and I want to spend more time with Makio. I never did that when I was little, and I want to fix that. I want to help Misao train, and… Mother, I think I can help Tsuki's dream come true."
"What?"
He glanced over at her with a smile. "I am a Keyblade Master, and it's customary to take on an apprentice." His mother gasped. "Not quite yet though, but could you talk to Makio about that possibility?"
"Of course. And I think Tsukiko would love that."
He smiled before pulling his mother into a hug. "I love you."
"I love you too." She smiled warmly. "And next time, bring your friends. Especially that girl, Aqua. The way you talked about her-"
"Mother!"
"What? I have dreams too. And now that the one about you coming home has come true, all the rest of my dreams involve grandchildren." She laughed before hugging him again. "Come back soon."
"I will."
"And this is for you." Reiko handed him a parcel. "This was your father's, and I've waited until you could wear it." He opened it up to reveal some clothes.
"Thank you, Mom."
"You're welcome, my dear."
VAs:
Tsukiko- Ryan Bartley (Ram, Yuna, Komugi, Hikari Yagami, Sage, Makomo, Hanako Kamado)
Misao- AJ Beckles (Yamato Ishida, Hop, Takemitchy, Joco McDonnell, Shiki Tademaru)