Rapunzel stared up at the stars from the window of Yen Sid's tower, resisting the urge of climbing up to the roof again. What. A. Day. If her mother heard of all of her adventures, she would be so, so dead.

"Hey."

She turned around only to find Kairi walking to her. The blonde smiled back. "Hey"

The redhead stood next to her, looking far into the endless stars. "Things went so different from planned, huh?" She giggled a little.

"I know." Rapunzel sighed. "Did Yen Sid say anything else?"

"He's still talking to the others, but basically we just have to focus on the mission to find out more things. Not much left to do other than that." Kairi looked at her and tilted her head. "You sound worried. Thought you were happy about your first mission. Are you okay?"

Rapunzel put a strand of hair behind her ear. "Yes, of course, I'm fine. It's just… well, maybe I am a little worried. I do believe Sora and the rest, if we're together we can accomplish anything, but..."

"I know what you mean." Kairi breathed. "Tomorrow's the big day in that new world, we don't know what's going on with you and the Heartless, what's wrong with the worlds, and we couldn't help Elizabeth nor Will, but I've been thinking and… it's completely useless to worry. It's not helpful at all! My heart tells me we'll find a way if we keep moving forward together. There's always a way. I might as well enjoy my time with all of you, while that happens."

Rapunzel's lips curved upwards. "You're right. Five heads together have to be able to come up with something useful. Six, counting Yen Sid."

"Well said!" Kairi grinned and Rapunzel's smile faltered. "Hey, what's wrong?"

Rapunzel hid her lips "I… I still feel guilty about what happened at the island. With Riku and the monkey."

Kairi laughed heartily. "That made my day. Honestly." She said stifling her laugh, failing a couple of times but trying to regain her composure. "Riku's still mad at Sora for making way too much fun of him." Seeing Rapunzel's face, she explained. "Don't worry, this happens all the time, it's not real anger." She giggled some more. "But, c'mon! I mean, how were we supposed not to laugh at that?"

"Well… I guess it is kind of funny." Rapunzel chuckled.

"Of course it is!"

They both began laughing together and Rapunzel felt whatever worries she still had melt away. Then a voice interrupted them.

"I'm glad you enjoy other people's disgraces."

Rapunzel stopped laughing and Kairi smiled sheepishly.

"Oh, c'mon. We're just having a little fun here. We had a tough day. Lighten up, Riku!" Kairi lightly elbowed him twice, earning a chuckle from Rapunzel.

"Hm, easy for you two to say."

"Sorry. Couldn't help it" Rapunzel lifted her shoulders and rubbed her arm, smiling apologetically.

"Nah, I think I'm over it." He shrugged. "After having Sora and Lea rubbing it to my face all day I don't think what you say bothers me anymore"

"Heh heh, speaking of, where are they?" Kairi asked

"Doing what they're best at."

"So sleeping, huh? After today, I feel like giving them some competition." Kairi said, with a yawn. "Good night, guys."

"Good night, Kairi." Rapunzel smiled

"Night. Remember this is your last chance to get comfy before we're in for a serious work."

"I know, I know" She held up a hand dismissively to Riku, before dragging her feet out of the room.

Riku turned to the blonde, taking the redhead's place. "So? Had a good time making fun of me too?"

Rapunzel repressed a chortle. "Hey, I didn't mean to, really, it just… happened?" She said it with a smile that betrayed her words.

"Yeah, right." Riku smirked. "In that case, I just happen to laugh at how you looked bathed in fruit juice."

"Hah!" She yanked her head back. "You had way more juice on you than I had! And… and…" Rapunzel couldn't speak anymore as laughter got in the way, caused by the mental picture of Riku in his ragged attire, covered in sticky fruit juice.

"You're picturing me aren't you?" This only caused Rapunzel to laugh even more. Riku felt his own lips struggling to curve upwards. He was about to say something but Rapunzel cut him off.

"You got attacked by a monkey… and you were the most affected victim of a fruit war… in the same day." Rapunzel failed to stifle her giggles.

He crossed his arms in mock offense, the hint of a smirk in his lips. So she's making fun of me openly now, huh? "And whose fault is that?"

Rapunzel squealed in laughter, holding her stomach and Riku couldn't help but join her as they went through their long crazy day. Going into the magical world for the first time, getting their wands, their encounter with Jack the Monkey, the fruit war and each other's messy and sticky looks, the cannibals, Sparrow's lucky vaulting across the chasm and their ridiculously terrified faces as a response, how he looked with the pole on his back and the fruits stung in it, and his conveniently bridge-breaking landing. And of course, the reckless escape in the swamp with Lea. At the time they had been too afraid of Sparrow's sudden decisions, the cannibals' possible actions, and obviously, the Heartless. But now that danger was gone and with stress accumulated, it was too ridiculous for it not to be funny and laugh it all away.

They both looked up to the starry sky.

She wiped a tear from her eye. "I can't believe I'm going to say this, but today…" Rapunzel grinned widely, "it was fun."

Face flushed and stomach aching from laughing so much, Riku chuckled, regaining his composure as well. "I almost feel like denying that." Almost.

The moment passed, both falling into comfortable silence. As serious as Riku was, it was difficult not to feel safe and comfortable around him, in Rapunzel's opinion. There was more to him than he allowed everyone to see, and it was nice to see him so relaxed. To see him laugh. It suited him.

But there was more in the blonde's mind for now.

"Riku, are you… nervous?" She met his gaze. "I know I should sleep, but… I can't top thinking about, well… everything?" She let out a sigh. "Pascal used to be the one who comforted me and helped me feel better. Can't help but wish he's okay. I keep thinking I want to tell him everything I've done."

Riku ignored the strange sensation those last comments caused in him. He hated the idea of losing a person, a friend. He could empathize with that feeling a little too well, and seeing it in Rapunzel… goodness, she didn't deserve it. No one did, actually. Much less her. But then there was this other feeling, that made him wonder what this Pascal guy must be like to be so special to Rapunzel.

"Honestly?" He turned to face her again. "Very nervous." His smile matched his soft tone. "Wanna hear another story? On the roof?"

He found himself genuinely surprised at his own unusual offer. Where did that come from? Did he actually offer to do that? Him, Mr. Responsibility? They needed to rest, to be on their sharpest state for whatever presented itself for their big adventure. This wasn't rational. Maybe a quick story would do, but if they went to the roof, it wouldn't be a short while.

But then the blonde's broad grin was all he needed to make all the weirdness go away.

"Platform... uh, 9 ¾?"

"Sora, that makes zero sense. If you can't read numbers just tell us, 'kay? No shame" Lea laughed, as the light bearers walked around the train station, with rolling suitcases in their hands.

"No! I'm serious, look! Look!" Shoving the paper in Lea's face, Sora frowned as Lea protested and snatched the paper from his hand.

"Man, you're right, what the…?" Puzzled, he showed the paper to Riku, Kairi and Rapunzel. If the blonde was honest, she was a little distracted observing the station and the people moving around. It reminded her slightly of Montresor, but a lot less eccentric. It was charming in its own way.

"Told ya." Sora crossed his arms.

"That's so weird." Kairi and the others glanced around for a sign, but nothing. Three of them had been to Twilight Town, and taken the train before, they weren't new to the process, but Platform 9 ¾? Sure, they'd been warned the entrance to a secret magical world wouldn't be in plain sight, but this went against any logic.

"Maybe it's a code?" Riku suggested, eyes glued to the map.

It was until Rapunzel spotted some unusually dressed kids with their parents, and they caught the word "Hogwarts" in the conversation.

They followed them discreetly, relieved to have found their way, until the older boy, against any better judgement, ran head-first against the brick barrier between platforms 9 and 10.

Just to disappear.

Pleased and proud, the parents walked away.

Rapunzel took a step back in shock, her expression mirrored by all her friends, who exchanged glances after several moments of vacantly staring at were the boy had been seconds ago.

"HAHAH! I'll go first!" Sora volunteered, breaking the silence, and with that, excitement was quick to spread. Lea and Rapunzel asked to go after him in unison, her sudden boldness making Riku smile. Even if she didn't insist, Lea was quick to kindly let her go first.

After crossing the wall, none of them had the time to ponder on the strange logic of this world nor to be relieved at how they were still perfectly safe, as excitement grew even more at the sight of a beautiful steam, scarlet train.

The Hogwarts Express.

Rapunzel, Kairi and Sora exchanged eager expressions, pointing at everything around them, until Lea interrupted. It wasn't easy, but Rapunzel managed to hold back from squealing and jumping out of excitement. "Guys, I love this too, but point number one, we're under cover, so we're supposed to be familiarized with all this, remember? And two, if we don't board right now-"

No more encouragement was needed.

As if point number one had never been mentioned, they quickly found an empty compartment, Sora, Kairi and Rapunzel unable to unglue their faces from the window, commenting on every little detail they glimpsed. Giving up, Lea happily joined them.

Riku kept reading a book of magic, not wanting to blow up his own cover. The most important things to him being not lowering his guard, have better ways to protect those he cared about, and also keeping in mind that a better understanding of the world could lead to the dark forces they were seeking. Never forget the mission.

"Hey."

Without moving his head, Riku lifted his gaze to meet Lea's deadpan expression. "We'll be fine, y'know that, right?"

He sighed, lowering his book and leaning back on the seat. "It's not just Xehanort that's there. He's got an ally. A powerful one."

Lea moved his fingers as if it were the mouth of a puppet. "Blah, blah, blah, dangerous, blah, blah blah. C'mon man, we're all together this time, we can manage. Have some fun instead, now that we still can. I dunno, entertain me or something."

Oh, he wants to be entertained? "Fine." Riku half smirked, snapping the book shut. "Sora."

"Shhh, wait a sec, Riku. Whoa, this is amazing!" The Keyblade bearer remained observing the station, as the train hadn't departed yet, with Kairi and Rapunzel.

"Too bad. And here I was thinking this could be a magnificent time to show poor, bored Lea your road trip games."

Sora snapped his head, as if in a horror movie. In his mind Riku pictured him with red eyes. "Oh! That's right! He and Donald hate them for some reason, but I know you'll love 'em Lea! Goofy does. Kairi, Rapunzel, you can play too!"

Catching the girls' attention, Sora continued to explain in detail all the rules, unable to hide his hype. Lea shot Riku a sideways glare, before mouthing him a very sincere You're dead, allowing a very amused silverette to peacefully go back to his book.

"Riku, what are you doing?" Sora lifted an eyebrow. "This game is best played with five players, I thought you'd remember. You're playing too."

Riku's gaze widened, before glaring at Lea who silently mocked him. It was clear he hadn't thought this through.

Shit.

After a long while, the road trip game was over, Lea pretending to be bored, but it was painfully obvious to everyone how much fun he'd had. He won almost every single round.

"We're supposed to change into our uniforms." Kairi reminded them, snickering at Sora's slight snores, exhausted after playing so much. If they were supposed to blend in, it was all ruined now.

"Can't wait!" Rapunzel beamed, before letting out a sigh. "I'll go, then."

Riku and Lea agreed, changing the subject. As Rapunzel and Kairi picked up their things to go get changed, it was impossible not to notice the sudden drop of temperature.

"Wait." Riku was quick to grab Rapunzel's forearm, just in time for her not to fall as the train came to a halt, right in middle of the tracks.

Low whispers and gasps were heard, letting the world travelers know this was far from normal. Lea was quick to close the compartment and Kairi woke Sora up.

"What's going on?" Sitting beside Riku and hugging herself to avoid getting colder, Rapunzel whispered.

"Darkness." Riku replied, staying as still as he could.

"It's them. Those… things." Lea spoke, failing to hide the terror in his eyes. Rapunzel placed a hand on his shoulder. Random voices from the different compartments of the train followed.

"Is it dementors?"

"Be quiet!"

"What if it's… you-know-who?"

"Dementors? Again?!"

"We should go and do something." Drawing out his wand, Sora stood, opening the compartment slightly, much to everyone's distress. Yet they knew he was right, that's why they were there in the first place.

"Right behind you." Riku followed his lead. "You guys, stay." Rapunzel and Kairi nodded, understanding the hidden meaning of his words, which was to take care of Lea.

Right before they were able to go out, a blinding light came out a distant compartment and a group of students burst out laughing.

"You're so stupid, Potter. I can't believe you fell for that cheap trick!"

"You're a git, Malfoy!"

More laughs followed, from the students around, everyone relaxing realizing there was no real danger. It didn't take long for professors to intervene.

"Just a prank? Come on, and I thought we'd finally get some action." Exhaling, Sora let himself plop down on the seat. Unlike Riku, who remained where he stood.

"I know what I felt". Lea muttered, loud enough for his friends to hear.

"Me too." Rapunzel added and Riku was about to close the compartment, right when a teacher led a small group of students down the corridor, lecturing them on the prank. For a second, Riku exchanged glances with a blond one, who seemed around his age, and who kept a cruel smirk on his face. He didn't like his presence one bit.

"I think it's safe to say we all did." Kairi added, telling she wasn't wrong by everyone's expressions. Even Rapunzel, who had no experience in matters of Light and Darkness, could tell something real was happening.

But it was gone now.

"Yen Sid and Dumbledore were right. Someone else is behind this. It didn't feel like Heartless." Sora sank further in the seat, while Rapunzel went deep in thought.

"What if it's another student?"

Everyone turned to eye the blonde. That hadn't crossed their minds before. Lea motioned for her to continue.

"If we are hiding among students," she explained further, "what guarantees they can't either? What if they're hiding in plain sight, like that platform to board the train."

Sora sat straight. "A student that serves darkness? That'd be awful. But we'd sense their dark presence, wouldn't we?"

"Maybe in some other world, but here…" Riku sat next to Rapunzel, trailing off.

"Anything's possible in this world. Our senses can be tricked." Kairi finished his sentence. "Rapunzel's right."

"Punz, I'd say you were born for this. You're a natural." Lea winked at her and she grinned. Then her uniform came back to mind, making her grab her things. Riku stood in front of the sliding door.

"I'll be quick, I promise." Rapunzel smiled at Riku, who eyed her cautiously. What made her keep getting more and more persuasive?

"Please, we'll be fine." Kairi interrupted him before he could speak. "Nothing else is gonna happen, they'd risk blowing their cover."

Riku's muscles relaxed. Kairi was right. Was he always this protective or what was with him?

He gulped, suddenly taking note of how close Rapunzel was. Blushing, he simply nodded moving out of the way.

Chatting their worries away, the girls left the compartment, leaving the door behind them, her voices cheerful and friendly, like nothing was wrong.

Well, maybe Riku could relax now, even if only for a bit.

"Guys. I have somethin' to tell ya." Lea leaned forward, as soon as Riku sat down, resting his elbows on his knees and lowering his voice, immediately catching the boys' attention. "Didn't really wanna say it, but the girls are gone and you're my friends now, so I figured I can trust you, so…"

"What is it?" Riku caught himself very intrigued. Lea did this every now and then, only to say something stupid, like, I kicked your ass at Mario Kart, or something of the sort. What was weird is how nervous he actually seemed this time.

"Spill the beans already!" Sora pressed on, in a hushed tone, for once.

"Fine, I'll just say it." He shrugged, gazing down, before lifting his head. "I'm gonna ask Rapunzel out."

Sora was the first to react, jumping to close the door, mouthing a huge "WHAT" with crazy hand motions.

Riku remained on his seat, frozen. Barely able to blink. "For real?" He asked flatly, no judgement included in his tone.

Smirking Lea continued, "Yup, for real. Now, I'm only saying this, 'cause I know you guys too. Sora, you're already in love, so you're outta this, but, you, my friend," He held Riku's gaze, "whoever she chooses, I won't mind. I'll always be your pal. But I'm letting you know I'm gonna make a move."

"What are you talkin' 'bout?" Riku frowned, leaning backwards, heat rising to his face and forcing himself to ignore the way his stomach twisted at Lea's words, whenever he sensed a challenge.

And whenever he felt like accepting it.

"Don't go saying I'm in love like t-that!" Sora complained, trying to peek, without opening the compartment's door. "What if she hears you?"

"So, if I ask her out, you don't mind?" Lea ignored Sora.

"Please, you're my friend." Uncomfortable, Riku averted his gaze, as Rapunzel's smile replayed in his head. Pushing the thoughts out of his mind, he crossed his arms. "I don't have time for that."

Sora pursed his lips and Lea snorted, shaking his head. "If you change your mind, I won't hold it against you. Ahh, she's gorgeous."

Riku leaned back on the seat, closing his eyes, pretending to doze off as his two friends continued to give love advice to each other.

I know that. He replied to Lea in his mind.