Hello everyone! This is me giving my recent string of KH one-shots a proper place to all home; a full-on story. They connect to each other anyway, so why not flesh each chapter out a wee bit and put them in a spot where people don't have to follow/favorite each thing? They are still going to come out bi-daily regardless of this minor shift in format, so hope you enjoy! This is going to be a brand new piece of the story though, a proper introduction instead of just Kairi and Riku going to the Pirates World.

Kairi froze, the warm sunset coating her somber features as Sora's touch vanished like fine dust. "S-Sora?" Kairi said aloud, hoping that this was just some sick dream or maybe Riku putting a bit too much sugar in her coffee resulted in her mind going bonkers. But no, she reached out with her free hand, only feeling the summer breeze gently hovering by. Her face grew wet tears, her free hand now a fist and slamming the log she was sitting on. As if picking up her distress, Riku dashed past Namine and put a hand on Kairi's shoulder. "Sora... He's gone."

"He was just right here though... How could he have..." Riku said slowly, his breath uneasy. But what baffled the two of them... Was that their friends didn't even react. Thinking it's a sick joke, Riku turned to everyone and screamed. "You guys just going to stand there with blank faces?! Sora's gone!" Mickey turned to Donald and Goofy, both of them having confused looks. Aqua just held Terra's hand, unsure why Riku is so angry. However, three figures rushed toward Riku. Xion, Roxas and Ventus looked where Sora was sitting mere moments ago, trying to figure out why he vanished. Xion covered her mouth, nearly crying herself but Roxas holding her calmed the girl down somewhat. Ven just put a hand on the log, as if trying to feel Sora, but frowned harshly.

"I saw him... But I can't feel him anymore..." He looked to Roxas and Xion, both sharing equally devastated looks that said their unified thought; they couldn't feel him anymore either. "Riku, what just happened?"

Mickey picking up on what was going on pulled Riku and Kairi aside. "I knew Sora shouldn't have rushed after you like that..." He muttered, with Riku raising an eyebrow. Noticing Kairi's hostile expression, he coughed, clearing his throat. "Sora's power of waking can restore hearts, but if you use it too much..."

"You have to give yourself up to use it." Kairi finished, wiping her face and looking absolutely livid. "All because I couldn't defend myself properly, Sora had to give himself up." She threw up her hood and took a deep breath. "I... I'm fine, Mickey. You should take our friends home, I'm sure Donald and Goofy are devastated too." Riku put a hand on Kairi's shoulder, the girl's breath hitching before tears threatened to fall once more. The duck and goof walked up to the three, giving Riku and Kairi a hug.

"If you need help finding our half-pint, let us know." Donald said in a very oddly clear voice, which made Goofy nearly did a double take. But the knight just let go and looked right at Riku.

"We both know Sora is a tough one, but he gets into a lot of trouble..." Riku bit his lip, agreeing with his friend. The sadness in Donald and Goofy's eyes were even more tragic than Kairi's, making the girl's heartbreak. More than it's already been. But she frowned, feeling stupid not realizing how next to herself and Riku, Donald and Goofy were Sora's closest friends too. She knelt down and gave them a smile, or at least tried too. "He really loves you Kairi, please don't blame yourself." Donald nodded in agreement, with the two saying their goodbyes. Mickey gave Riku a look, with the boy sending a smirk toward the mouse. Mickey wanted to say something else, but simply sighed, as if they silently discussed a bold idea without her knowledge.

Ven, Xion, and Roxas walked up to Riku, the three having a firm conviction in their eyes. "Sora is why we are here right now," Xion said for the three of them, holding Roxas' hand tightly. "If you two need any help looking for him, please let us know." Kairi walked up to them, with the girl giving Kairi a warm hug. "I... I'm sorry... I don't know how..."

"I'll manage." Kairl let Xion go, with both of them wiping away tears. Ventus just held out his fist, with Riku bumping it. Kairi turned to the boy, still confused why him and Roxas' look like twins, but that humourous thought didn't last long before he put a hand on Kairi's shoulder. She just nodded, as if telling the boy she will be fine. He let go, his blue eyes, looking so much like Sora's, not fully believing her. The three went back to their teammates, with Kairi walking toward Aqua and pulling her aside for a moment.

"I need to get stronger." She said firmly, with conviction and a touch of anger leaking into her voice. Not even hesitating, Aqua smiled, though part of her winced seeing her past self so much in Kairi.

"I wish you didn't need to go through what I went through..." She said aloud, with Kairl tilting her head. Not answering her question, Aqua kelt down and smiled. "I will be teaching you a lot as my student, so be ready. I need some time to relax, but call me tomorrow and we can work something out." Kairi nodded, hugging the keyblade master. "You are a strong warrior, don't let your losses today define you." Kairi nodded once more, Aqua's voice soothing her troubled soul.

Riku just leaned on the tree nearby, seeing the aftermath for everyone else. Isa's clear lack of interest pissing off Lea to no end made him snicker despite himself and Terra just giving Riku a firm look of guilt made him sigh. It's not the man's fault he was possessed, Riku could relate on a personal level. Once everyone left the island, the sun was just about to set and Kairi slowly walked past Riku, just stopping inches away from him. "We are finding him, no matter what." Riku nodded but didn't say anything else to his friend, seeing Kairi walk off.

A soft hand holding his, Riku looked at Namine, her gentle face saying everything; she felt Kairi's deep sadness more than anyone on the beach. Holding his girlfriend's hand, Riku and Nanime walked to his hut and went to sleep for the night, trying to figure out the next step. Simply on how to find Sora.

Sora's vision was hazy, feeling wet rain lightly touch his body. "K-Kairi?" He asked aloud, rubbing his throbbing head. Slowly standing up, he was simply rubbing his neck as he looked at his surroundings. A tall building that said '104' got his attention the most, with the semi-futuristic buildings reminding him of his trip to Hiro's world. "So I saved Kairi..." Sora told himself, a warm smile growing on his face. But it quickly turned into a frown, realizing he wasn't on the islands anymore, indicating he failed at saving himself. "Maybe I should ask for directions?"

He looked around, confused why a large city like this was so... Empty. More so considering past world's he's been to lately being filled with people and in the case of Woody's and Mike's home, toys and monsters, to speak too. As if hearing his confusion, a laugh got Sora's attention. He quickly turned around, summoning his Starlight Keyblade. Before Sora was a sight he hated at this point; a man in a black coat. "Is that any way to greet your ruler?"

"What?" Sora asked in complete confusion, the man just walking toward Sora casually. Sora backed away, his grip on the keyblade tightening. "As if, your Organization..." Then Sora paused; he defeated every member. How is one still alive? He personally saw all of them fall on the ground and more or less admit to their sins. Then, he remembers not fully seeing Xibar die, his teeth gritting. "Xigbar!"

"You are sharp on the uptake!" He threw back his hood, revealing said man. "But I was just kidding about being your ruler. The one in charge of this place is someone like you." Sora grit his teeth, feeling a firgra spell itching to blast Xigbar to next week. "I got a name change though kiddo. Call me Luxu. Think of it as, a bit of a nickname I used to have, but want to take back as it were."

"...Why am I here." Sora demanded, his blade ready to send hell right at Luxu. The man froze, only sighing and folding his arms. "I should be home, with Kairi, not here in..."

"My old boss already told you why you're here." Luxu bluntly said, with Sora mouthing 'no'. Memories of Young Xehenort played on loop, angry at the little jerk actually being right about something. Picking up on Sora's frustration, Luxu put a hand on the boy's shoulder, with Sora slapping it away. "Good news! I'm not going to hurt you this time."

"But...?" Sora asked, knowing how Organization members played tricks on him. And I'm sick of it. Sora thought, with Luxu whistling a familiar tune, something Sora heard in his dreams whenever diving into the heart.

"My boss wants to test you. There are seven 'bad guys' roaming this city and this is a bigger world than you're used too." Luxu continued, with Sora narrowing his eyes. "Keep giving me that Roxas glare and I hit you with my keyblade champ." Sora was about to scoff but when Luxu summoned his No Name, Sora's mouth nearly dropped. "Yep, told ya I was worthy. That look on your face made my day here."

Sora simply sighed, folding his arms and flicking his keybalde away. "Fine." Luxu blinked at Sora's blunt tone. No arguments, no call backs, no 'friends are my power' nonsense. Just, right to the chase. "What? I want to go home and if this is how, so be it. Where is the first 'bad guy' Luxu." Sora asked, sorting out his gear. Sora was surprised that all his keychains and spells were accounted for. Even the spare Potions and Eithers he didn't use for his grand battle with Xehenort were still on his person. Luxu saw Sora's blue eyes, having a level of seriousness that made him smirk as if something was going according to plan. Noticing his silence, Sora glared at Luxu, keyblade now at hand. "I'm not helping you if I get no 'hints', okay?"

"Yesh, you are like that Riku kid." Sora winced at his friend's mention, already missing a friendly face. "Head that way." He pointed toward an alleyway, with a castle-like structure popping out in the distance. "Maybe you will find a friend."

"Yeah, sure. Adventure awaits." Sora said dully, walking at an even pace and his face dejected, though deathly serious. Please, give me the strength to push onward Kairi. Somewhat happy thoughts in mind, Sora put on a smile, one a bit strained and went on his latest adventure. Unaware to Sora though, was a young man with miscolored eyes watching him intently, wondering why he was headed to his castle.