SUMMARY SO FAR: After Sora splits apart into Ventus and Vanitas, confusion follows. While it would be great to get Ventus' memories back, Vanitas is firm that he doesn't want Vanitas'. The two go into Tron's world in order to retrieve case files about Ventus' former life and come into contact with a "infected" Data-Naminé. Vanitas is pushed into the Realm of Sleep, and Ventus faces off against Data-Naminé. Ventus "fixes" Data-Namine and retrieves some of his memories. She assures him that Vanitas was healed, and Ventus returns to the real world. Vanitas still sleeps, so the gang takes him back to Merlin's to eat dinner and let him rest. Meanwhile, Roxas and Xion have no idea what is happening but wish Sora the best.

AN: Hey hey! Long time no see! I had this uploaded on AO3 but not here because of beta reasons. I decided not to have my lovely betas read this chapter because I just wanted to get it out! I would like to thank Miano, regardless. At least Vanitas is back? Many people missed him lol.

True to their word, the food was still warm. Yuffie had seen them from the window and quickly ran outside to greet them.

"Hey, guys!" Her smile fell as she saw Vanitas slouched over Riku's shoulders."Is he still not awake yet?"

"No," Riku said. It was hard to shake his head with Vanitas' unconscious face right beside his own.

"Well, he'll rest up and be back on his two feet in no time," Yuffie said. "Come on in. We just set the table."

Everybody shuffled inside, most of them taking the time to leave their shoes at the door. The sun was beginning to set outside, the horizon a bright line of light underneath the buildings.

"It smells good in here. What're we having?" Ventus said taking a moment to absorb the scene. It was warm and busy, Merlin's once potion filled table cleared and lined with dishes and cutlery. There were different beeps and soft clangs of work coming from the kitchen off to the side in another room.

"Is there any place I can lay him down first?" Riku asked, grunting as he adjusted the log on his back.

"Oh wait, yeah! One second." Yuffie said, holding up a single finger. She jogged over to the kitchen and brought the door open to see inside.

"Hey Merlin, you need to do the thing!" Yuffie said. A pause.

"What thing?" Merlin responded. Yuffie began bouncing in spot, eyelids pressed shut.

"The uuhhh, oh my gosh, I can't remember," She stopped moving and put her hands on her temples. "The thing you made me get all that wood an' stuff for!"

"Yes, certainly! You managed to get everything?" Merlin hobbled out of the kitchen, wiping his hands on a towel. Yuffie skipped behind him as they stood in front of a large supply of construction materials.

"Of course I did! They don't call me 'Super Go-Getter Yuffie Extraordinaire' for nothin'!" Yuffie beamed, hands on her waist and chest out proud.

"Yeah, and who exactly are 'they'? Not anyone I've heard of, that's for sure." Leon said dismissively. Yuffie sent him a pointed glare and a hum of annoyance. Kairi couldn't help chuckling.

"Leon, that's not nice," Kairi said, even if she was still smiling. The two kind of acted like siblings, something she always enjoyed seeing when Sora and Riku interacted. Sora would get overconfident with something or other and Riku'd laugh at him when he ultimately ended up falling on his face.

Riku would always be there to help him up in the end.

"I need to concentrate on this certain spell, so if you would save your squabble for another occasion…" Merlin spoke, stuffing his towel into a robe pocket. Yuffie crossed her arms and huffed, half tempted to flick her tongue Leon's way. He didn't need further validation to treat her like a kid.

Merlin held his staff in his hand and began to wave his wand like a conductor of an orchestra. The materials began to come to life as swirls of Magic moved them into place. Stairs were formed by planks of wood laid down and nails plunking in one step at a time. Ventus could hear furniture and the like moving upstairs above him.

Wait.

Did this building have an upstairs?

Merlin lowered his hand as all the materials settled into place.

"There, now we have plenty of rooms for our new guests. Feel free to quickly settle in before dinner." Merlin said. Ventus bounced into action, racing up the staircase; Kairi following suit.

"Hey c'mon! Hold on a second." Riku jogged as fast he could while still securing Vanitas on his back.

When Ventus reached the top of the staircase, it wasn't anything special: a long hallway with doors along it, a single window at the end letting in the skylight. The fact that it existed now when it didn't a few moments before was the main wow factor.

"Do we each have our own rooms?" Ventus asked. He traced his hand on the blue painted wall, feeling the wooden doors as he walked down. Each door had a different symbol on it. A Mickey Mouse head for the king himself, a flower; assumedly for Kairi, and a crown carved into the frame. Ventus paused and looked at the other 3 doors.

A wayfinder for Ventus, a mark of Mastery symbol for Riku, and lastly, an Unversed symbol for Vanitas. Glancing over at Vanitas and Riku, neither of them knew what that symbol meant.

He sighed and looked back at the door in front of him. He traced the crown's outline in the wood slowly with a single finger. His sight was going fuzzy.

A crown for Sora.

A wayfinder for Ventus.

"It looks like someone will have to wait here for him to wake up," Riku said from the unconscious boy's room at the end of the hall. Ventus blinked and snapped out of his trance, looking in that direction.

"Gosh, I didn't think about that. I'll do it, Riku." Mickey said. He approached the room to see Vanitas lying down on the bed, Riku standing over him. Ventus came over as well, entering the door frame just in time for Riku to turn around and look at them.

"I was… volunteering. I can do it," Riku said.

"No, you need to eat and rest. Leave it to me." Mickey dismissed. Riku seemed to curl into himself for a moment before standing tall once again.

"It's fine your majesty, I just, need some time alone to think that's all," Riku reassured him. Mickey became filled with concern.

"Riku, are you alright? Remember your friends are right here for ya! No more with that majesty stuff." Mickey said. Riku glanced at Ventus before looking at the king and smiling.

Ventus, filled with an unknown skepticism, pressed his eyebrows together.

"I know. Thank you, Mickey. Please bring food up for me when you have the chance." Riku requested. Mickey seemed placated with Riku's friendly disposition but Ventus could smell something was fishy. And not in the good way after a day at the beach having a fishing contest.

He didn't know what to say.

"I'll, I'll see you later then." The words came out halfway between a question and a statement. Unsure and yet sprinkled with finality.

"Yeah." Riku nodded. Ventus did nothing to stop the closing of the door between them, slow and soundless seeing as it had just been created less than 5 (was it 2?) minutes ago. Closing. Closing. The soft press of the latch into the slot.

Clck.

"Hey, Ventus!" Kairi grabbed ahold of Ventus' wrist. "I've called your name a few times now. Dinner's ready."

"Oh right, didn't hear ya' sorry." Ventus shook his head and mustered up a small smile.

"It's okay. C'mon." She said, smiling.

Kairi led him downstairs and everyone was mostly seated. Merlin flicked his wrist to set the surrounding floating candles a flame and Cid was shuffling in with a huge hotpot.

"Careful there, it's hot," Cid warned, setting the large pot in the middle of the table and lifted his oven mitts off. Ventus was so overwhelmed with the delicious smell of cut mushrooms, sliced carrots and peeled potatoes that he almost didn't notice the pink apron Cid was wearing. The back of it had a neat bow tying it together behind him Ventus got a full view of as he waddled back into the kitchen for something or other.

"What's it called?" Ventus asked.

"Veggie Medley Stew. Secret recipe." Aerith chimed. Leon rose an eyebrow from where he was standing, ladle in hand.

"Not quite a secret if the ingredients are right here before my eyes." Leon scooped up some of the stew into the ladle and saw a few vegetables floating in the broth.

"I was only kidding. It's still made with lots of love!" Aerith said.

"Whatever," Leon mumbled, focused on moving the stew in a way so it wouldn't spill. He raised it and nodded at Ventus.

Leon paused as Ventus didn't make any movements.

"Ventus," Kairi said softly. "I think it's your turn." Ventus lifted his head and held it up soundlessly, Leon pouring the stew in. Afterwards, Kairi was next and proudly presented her bowl.

"Thank you," Kairi said, withdrawing her bowl when it was full. Ventus looked from hers down to his own portion. Leeves and leaks alike, it was less like actual food and just a bunch of green and orange and colours and unfocused mess. Swirling, swirling, without purpose, without thought. Different voices became the sound of a television playing in another room and silverware echoed like far off ghosts when moved. Everything was there, and everything. Was. Nothing.

It felt numb in his hands.

"You can take it upstairs, alright?" Leon said. Ventus blinked.

"Take what, where?" Ventus asked. Leon sighed.

"Upstairs to Riku, the soup. How many times will I have to go over this?" Leon replied. Ventus followed his direction when Leon nodded to the staircase behind him. Ventus turned back around and looked past Leon at the table. Dinner was over? Why was everyone putting everything away? What?

"Didn't we just, didn't we...?" Ventus started to sweat. He avoided eye contact with Leon, searching for answers and finding none.

"It's gonna get cold, take it up," Leon spoke, lifting up the last of the soup to put it in the kitchen. Ventus shifted uncomfortably where he stood. Was this some kind of sick joke?

He shook his head and quickly went up the stairs before anyone could stop him.

Long and outstretched, the silent blue hallway with a moon beaming in from the end was a stark contrast to the loud yellows and reds of the downstairs. When had the sunset? What was happening?

Wh I?

Taking a small step forward of course the floorboards wouldn't creak and new things don't give so easily. Yet, Ventus kinda felt faint and everything was beginning to get fuzzy. "Five." A whisper. Things to see.

Walls coloured with the sea, a brown floor, a moon smiling at him from outside the window, and a wonderful swamp bog of soup in his hands.

Four. Things to touch.

His feet along the panelled wood as he slowly moved, the smoothness of the glazed bowl, the engravings in the end of the spoon and a light bracelet that draped from his wrist that reminded him of summer days.

Three. Things to hear.

The breaths becoming easier, a dulled rustling of a forgotten charm, and a clink as the spoon swerved around the rim. He was halfway there and tried not to let the door with a green symbol bother him.

Two, now, what he could smell.

Fresh paint that has only recently dried, a soup wafting up and waiting to be eaten. Close.

Just one more. Always the hardest, taste.

He'd had his soup, this was for Riku. He was up here to give Riku his dinner.

"Do you feel better, Ven?" A warm female voice.

Ventus whirled around as much as he could without disturbing the soup in his hands.

"Who's there?" Ventus declared, words laced with warning as his eyes frantically searched the empty hallway. No one.

"Ventus? Is that you?" Riku called to him from behind the door. Ventus sighed and stood up straight. He shook his head. Pressing his body to the door, it gave way and opened.

"Yeah. I brought up your dinner." Ventus said, closing the door behind him. Vanitas still lay sleeping soundly, caught within a state of rapid eye movement. Riku must've taken off his helmet to make Vanitas more comfortable. Said master was sitting in a chair, back hunched over a book.

"Here, I'll take it." The book in his hands turned into light before disappearing and he reached out to receive the bowl. He placed it on the table beside him.

"Hold up, wait, you keep a book in your inventory?" Ventus asked. Riku shrugged.

"Never know when you're gonna need it. Life's not just keyblade fighting and world-hopping." Riku said. Ventus paused before clapping his hands together.

"That reminds me! We're going to have so much school stuff to catch up on after this. Kairi told me the other day that there's this thing called a 'quadratic formula'? Honestly, just went right over my head." Ventus said. He reached up his clasped hands so they cupped behind his head.

"Hmm. Did you get normal education alongside your keyblade training on your homeworld?" Riku asked, crossing his arms. Ventus' arms slowly fell from his head to stay stiff at his sides. He frowned.

"I don't remember," Ventus said. Embers in his chest, beginning to warm from the irritation.

"If you don't remember your school, that's okay. I never really made it past grade 9 on Destiny Islands…" Riku said. Ventus' fists tightened, coals stirring together.

"Riku, I–"

"Five more minutes... I don't want to go to school yet."

Vanitas' voice was like a nice cool bucket of water thrown on the fire and taking away all the heat.

"What?" Ventus blinked. "Vanitas you're awake!"

Vanitas moaned and held the blanket over his eyes.

"I will be if you don't leave me alone," Vanitas grumbled. Ventus walked over and pulled off the covers onto the floor. Vanitas curled upon himself.

"Are you alright?" Ventus asked.

"Do I look alright to you?" Vanitas said, getting up on his elbows and rubbing his eyes.

"You have been unconscious for a few hours," Riku said.

"That's right, is Tron okay? Did we manage to take out the heartless?" Vanitas sat up completely at attention, looking at Ventus with desperation. Ventus blanked. Oh right, the heartless that wasn't a heartless. A virus that turned out to be Data-Naminé.

"Yeah, um, we saved Tron and Naminé is virus-free." Ventus nodded, trying to regain composure. Vanitas pressed his eyebrows together.

"Wait what – Naminé was there?!" Vanitas said as he leaned closer.

"A few things happened after you got knocked out," Ventus said.

"A few? " Vanitas said, regarding them with bewilderment. "Did Roxas come back as well?"

"No, you were just out for a while, that's all. We were stuck out of the computer so Ventus was the only one who could bring you out safely." Riku said. "Ienzo tried, believe me."

Vanitas slouched back and tried to process all of this incoming information.

"Okay, so where are we now? I don't recognize this place." Vanitas said. He took this moment to take in his surroundings, nothing coming up in his memories or Vanitas's.

"Merlin made this place for us to sleep in. We're staying the night on top of the regular Hollow Bastion base." Ventus answered.

"I guess this is better than the gummi ship bunk beds," Vanitas said. He shifted his feet to the floor and stood up. "Is this soup for me or is there food downstairs?"

"It's for me… It's probably cold by now. I have to go downstairs to warm this up so I'll grab your food while I'm down there." Riku said. Vanitas tilted his head.

"It's fine, I can just go get it." Vanitas started to walk towards the door. Riku put his hand on Vanitas to stop him.

"Mickey said that you're not allowed to leave the room," Riku stated.

"But–" Riku interrupted him.

"You also just woke up from being unconscious. I'm not good at the whole first aid thing, but I know healing spells don't fix everything and you should probably be looked at. I'll bring Merlin up to take a look since he also helps me with my cast sometimes." Riku said. Vanitas huffed, although he didn't make any sudden movements. He then tilted his head.

"You have a cast on?" Vanitas asked, searching Riku for the cast in question. Riku twisted the cast lightly with his other arm and nodded.

"I can't believe I never noticed it was a cast, how'd you get it?" Vanitas questioned, inspecting him with pure curiosity. Riku pulled his castaway and decided to walk past Vanitas to pick up the bowl of soup.

"I was fighting someone." Riku took one last look at 'Ventus' and then took his leave out the door to escape further questions.

"O-kay then," Vanitas said. "Do you know what happened?"

Ventus sighed, not really wanting to answer either.

"Roxas gave it to 'im. Back when they fought and stuff. I don't know much either." Ventus said honestly.

"Oh. That sucks, I hope it heals soon... Anyways," Vanitas plopped back down on the bed, not picking up any of the tension between the two other boys. "Can you fill me in on what happened while I was out?"

Ventus sat down on the other end of the bed and went into as much detail as he could without mentioning the Unversed. He needed to keep Naminé's promise, after all. Plus, he was protecting his new friend, he supposed. Vanitas didn't want to see other people get hurt and Unversed were definitely made for battle.

"Naminé was there and I didn't get to see her? Aww man, why'd you go and let me get knocked out." Vanitas whined. Ventus was tempted to smack him in the shoulder, yet then he knew what'd happen. He curled his hand into a fist instead.

"I didn't let you fall unconscious. I tried to make it there in time." Ventus ended up sounding more regretful than angry.

"What about 'no healing' do you understand, idiot? I've got dark firaga, dark splicer, dark spiral, dark this, dark that, yet no health; honestly Vanitas, what the hell?" Vanitas vented staring up at the ceiling, 'cause it's not like he had ever met the guy.

Ventus was about to berate Vanitas for calling him an idiot again but decided to reign himself back in. He put a finger to his temple and took a deep breath to calm himself. Vanitas had been only conscious for a few minutes and they were already getting on each other's nerves again.

"I'm just glad you're okay. Naminé said everything should be fine, so hopefully, Merlin will sign off on that as well." Ventus said.

"Do you have any healing potions?" Vanitas asked, leaning towards him.

"Well yeah, I do, but no offence I kind of want them?" Ventus said. "The Moogle shop is currently out of stock and this is all I've got right now."

"Geez, aren't you greedy. Okay, what if you give me your potions and you can ask Merlin for some more? And, if it makes little Venty Wenty feel better, I'll even give them back if he can't give you any." Vanitas suggested, rolling his eyes. Ventus scrunched his nose at the nickname.

"You can't just ask him yourself?" Ventus asked. It was a very roundabout way of gaining the item. Vanitas was quiet for a moment, ducking his eyes to look at the mattress.

"I don't think he'd give it to me," Vanitas said. Ventus' eyes softened. He mulled it over before sighing.

"Fine." Ventus begrudgingly handed over a few healing potions and the two waited for Merlin and Riku to come in.

"I mean, I could try it again. Could just be a one-time faulty thing," Kairi sighed. Merlin and Riku had returned not long after. Merlin did a general checkup and with no signs of a fever and proper cognitive function, Vanitas was in the clear for now. He was told to rest, but at this time of night, who wouldn't want to go to bed? (AN: I see u reading this at a crazy hour smh go to bed) Currently, there was a small group gathered around Vanitas' door.

"You can still go for it, it would be less of a hassle if it worked this time," Riku said, leaning up against the inside of the door on the opposite side. Vanitas was not having any of this. He had his arms crossed, hovering beside Riku but otherwise, stayed silent.

"C'mon Kairi." Ventus said, trying to put aside a yawn. Kairi sighed and readied her keyblade. Everyone gave her room as she began to glow and a light beamed from her blade into the keyhole. When the light died down, she jostled the doorknob. Satisfied, she took a step back.

"Riku, you first," Merlin said. Riku nodded and made his attempt. When that didn't open it, Vanitas rolled his eyes before coming forward to make his attempt. With a smile, he summoned Kingdom Key, the act not going unnoticed by those that were surrounding him. Riku opened his mouth only to close it.

"What, Riku?" Vanitas asked. He couldn't see Vanitas' face under the mask, but he knew that it bore a smirk. Riku didn't like it one bit.

"How could it be that you can summon a keyblade of the light?" Merlin asked. Vanitas shrugged, turning his attention back to the door.

"Guess I'm just full of surprises," Vanitas said.

It's almost like it's my keyblade or something! Vanitas thought, annoyed. In all honesty, while rare, keyblade wielders could summon the blade of another. It was just generally unconventional and looked down upon. Why use someone else's when yours would usually fare better?

So, he gave it a go. Nope, nada, nothing. Before he dispelled it, Ventus approached him.

"May I?" Ventus asked, hands out. Vanitas looked between his fingers curling expectantly and his blade before making the connection.

"Sure," Vanitas said. Ventus took the blade and walked over to the door. Like opening up any other chest, he gave the knob a simple tap.

It slowly floated open.

Kairi shook her head, a hand rubbing her temple.

"I just–, what–, it doesn't–" Before finally bending over with a defeated groan. "I give up."

"It's alright, Kairi. I mean, if the purpose is to lock up Vanitas then it works fine." Riku said, coming over and patting her on the back. Vanitas pressed his lips together in order to keep himself from speaking.

"In the end, all that matters is if both Kairi and Ventus promise not to open the door. Simple!" Merlin said. "And do you two intend to keep that promise?" Ventus scoffed in his head.

No.

"Yeah," Ventus said with a shrug. He could almost feel Vanitas' eyes dig daggers into his back.

C'mon! I'm trying not to crack here. Ventus thought.

Kairi nodded in agreement.

"Good, then I'm going off to my bed downstairs. Goodnight." Merlin said, before pausing "Oh, wait." He clapped his hands. "There we go."

Everyone watched with bewilderment as he walked down the stairs.

"Okay?" Ventus said. Once the wizard disappeared, they went into their regular rooms. Ventus sat on Vanitas' bed, facing the wall while waiting for him to change. Turns out his odd clapping had been a gift of pyjamas.

"You can look," Vanitas prompted. Ventus turned.

He was still dressed in his black suit, but he had a red t-shirt overtop and a pair of dark purple shorts.

"What's up with your outfit?" Ventus asked. Vanitas groaned.

"I don't know how to take this black suit completely off, it's made of darkness and stuff," Vanitas complained. "So I'm just gonna sleep in it."

"I see," Ventus said.

"How about you? You haven't changed yet?" Vanitas asked. Ventus paused and a frown sunk his lips down. Vanitas joined him on the bed.

"I just… I dunno if it'd be right and all. It's not, it's not my body. It'd be weird." Ventus said, hugging himself. Vanitas raised an eyebrow.

"I haven't gone to sleep in Ventus' body yet." Ventus rested the back of his head up against the wall. Vanitas went quiet for a moment.

"Yeah, but it's probably going to be no different than sleeping like you normally do," Vanitas said.

"You're probably right," Ventus spoke with a soft smile.

They just sat there in the silence, enjoying each other's company. So close, yet so far apart.

"K Vanitas, it's lock up time." Kairi said, sticking her head in. Vanitas noted that she was wearing her pyjamas, a nice pink colour.

Ventus sighed and got off the bed. He held his pyjamas in his hand, having resolved to wear them after all. He'd need to return to his room for that, though.

"O-Kay." Vanitas' voice cracked partway through and it made him sound different. Kairi did a double-take.

"Wow," Kairi said, "that was weird."

"What? It's normal, it's fine!" Vanitas regretted not having his mask to cover up any mortification etching onto his face. He grabbed his pillow and pushed his face into it.

"No, no, sorry, not that. You sounded a lot like Sora." Kairi shook her head. Vanitas poked his head up.

"Is that supposed to be an insult or a compliment? That I sound like myself?" Vanitas asked. Kairi looked at him funny.

"What do you mean? You sound like you, Vanitas." Kairi questioned back.

"I personally don't hear it. Me and you sound nothing alike," Ventus said. Vanitas was about to retort before Ventus looked at him incredulously "You know what I meant, obviously not like this," He gestured to his general appearance.

Kairi looked between the two before yawning.

"Okay, okay, I need some rest. C'mon, Ven," Kairi said.

Ventus stopped in his tracks.

"Ven? Since when do you call me Ven?" Ventus asked. Kairi paused, eyes widening.

"I'm sorry, how familiar of me! I just assumed- Uh, nevermind, I shouldn't've called you that." Kairi said. Ventus shook his head.

"I mean, I'm not offended, well, more offended than usual – I'm barely used to responding to Ventus, let alone Ven. We'll see later, okay?" Ventus said with a smile. Kairi nodded.

"Yes, my apologies, Ventus," Kairi corrected herself. Ventus nodded before regarding Vanitas one last time.

"Good night, Vanitas," Ventus said.

"Night nerd, night Kai," Vanitas responded. Ventus made a face while Kairi waved and the two left the room. Vanitas could hear the door lock and he got up to turn off the lights. He plopped back down into bed and laid down to rest.

? Years Ago...

"Almost got me there!" Riku found himself sparring with his friend on the beaches of destiny isles. Keyblades brandished, it was fun to slip and slide along the sand.

The two were having fun laughing and encouraging the other on.

"I'll get you next time!" Sora declared. His attacks increased in speed, managing to slice Riku across the chest.

Sora smiled as Riku stumbled back, his opponent momentarily allowing pain to show on his face. He then dawned a grin, rearing his keyblade back.

"Come on, is that all you've got?" Riku challenged, Way to Dawn ready to go. He put a newfound gusto in his step, surging forward.

"Oh yeah? Look who is winning!" The world around him fizzled as he was right in the middle of the air. Sora was replaced by Roxas and the World That Never Was surrounded him.

"What?!" Riku gasped, caught off guard by the two keyblades penetrating his defences. He regained composure and blocked the next swing.

"Roxas! Why are we fighting?" Riku asked. He held up two hands underneath his blade, holding the position as Roxas swung down both blades, hit after hit unrelenting. Finally, when Riku managed to parry and jump away, did Roxas give pause.

"Whoever said anything about him?" Riku looked up and there his world changed yet again. Standing before him in the laboratory of Hollow Bastion was Ventus.

"What did you just call me?" Ventus asked, tightening his fists. Riku blinked, totally blanking. His keyblade had disappeared.

Those blue eyes demanded answers.

"Ventus, I'm sorry, I didn't mean-" Riku pleaded.

"Didn't mean what, Riku?" Sora asked, having suddenly changed back in a flurry of static. He slowly paced towards Riku on the sand, anger building inside.

"I-" Riku fumbled, knocking a coffee off the desk behind him as he was forced against the table by Ventus.

"I, I, I, what?" Roxas' voice was poison off his tongue as he stammered out the letter. "Who am I to you?"

Riku blinked as Ventus stood above him heaving, waves lapping up on the shore beside them. He could feel sand collapsing underneath his body as he fell further into it. He was slipping, slipping all-consuming. The boy in front of him changed identities like going through a flipbook.

"Answer me!" They yelled out. Riku was gasping, face about to go under. His hand was caught by black-tipped fingers. A hooded figure in an organization coat. Maybe he was Roxas, but with his hood up. His smile held untold stories. He was an untold story.

"Who am I ?" He asked. A beach breeze jostled his hood.

"What?" Riku gasped. The figure laughed and he let go of Riku. The breath was knocked from him as he fell through the sand into all-consuming darkness. Sinking, sinking –

Nothing.

Then, he was sitting upright in bed, panting. He squeezed his bedsheets tighter and tried not to tremble. What was wrong with him, letting all this guilt stew inside him? He wished he could apologize to the right face, right person, rather.

Meanwhile, Ventus slept soundlessly in the room beside him, probably having better dreams inside his head.

AN: OwO. I hope that the grounding exercise is clear enough. I always appreciate comments and questions about the story, so feel free to type away~ Stay safe out there, kiddos!