Kingdom Hearts [II-II]-- Keybearer of Love

[Emorene]

''I'd like to see you try.'' That was Lerane's reply before she charged towards him once more, but this time Emorene saw it coming. By now, his arm was no longer numb, and the pain in his leg had lessened to a much more tolerable amount. Holding his sword with both hands in a defensive position, he stepped forward, hoping to block her next attack with his sword. Two Nobodies then formed behind Lerane, one being a Berserker, the other a Dusk. The two Nobodies then merged into one being, a Nobody with the combined strength and speed of a Dusk and a Berserker. It appeared much like a much larger and more muscular Dusk, its face that of a Berserker only with a white hood over it. Upon the forming of that one Nobody, four identical Nobodies appeared. "Nobodies, attack!" Shouted Emorene as the five Nobodies moved towards Lerane. If Lerane attacked Emorene, not only would her attack be most likely blocked, but it would leave her at the mercy of the Nobodies. If she turned around and attacked the Nobodies, she would be allowing Emorene a perfect time to attack. Emorene was confident, perhaps too confident, that this strategy of his would work.

[Namimaru]

Sakura's grin faded to a thoughtful smile. "So, I'm guessing you already know?" She heard Derick ask as he embraced her, aswell.
"Not until you tell me," She responded, not looking at him. She knew what he had meant. His emotions for her, and her to him. But she wanted to hear it herself, to comfirm what her heart was beating so quickly for. And also, she just wanted to see Derick blush as he made her do. Her face was flustered and she could feel it growing in color.
"At least the Heartless is gone. . . for now. Thank you, Sakura, for everything. . . I still can't believe I came so close to hurting you." Derick managed to say quietly. She opened her eyes quickly. She couldn't believe it, either. The look in Derick's eyes as he came at her with the keyblade told her that he didn't want to harm her. She knew that he cared about her. In response she only lightly and gentilly stroked his shoulder.

"Don't worry about that, Derick. As long as you're back with us then that's all that matters. It's funny. . . seeing you two together reminds me, well, reminds me of Kairi and I." Sora said from behind her. Her face turned completely red as she looked back at her friend. Was he watching the whole time? Even when they had kissed? She turned redder than red and used her hands to cover her face. She than noticed he was in pain from his wound, so she turned around completely to face him.

Suddenly, she had a spell come to mind. She held her hand over his wound and a light yellow light came from it, sealing the wound slowly but surely. "Feel better?" She asked, her voice gentil but worried.

[Shadows Fall]

"Ah, it's just a small scratch." Sora said with a slight chuckle. "I've gone through worse. I've gone through being hit with sabers, lasers, and even having a large chunk of a skyscraper thrown at me courtesy of Xemnas." he added after being healed. He looked over Sakura's shoulder and saw Derick, winking over at him. "But. . . enough about me. I think you should listen to what Derick has to say.

Derick was a little taken back. He figured that the kiss would have exposed everything but apparently words meant more than actions. By looking at her face, he could see how flustered it had become while she caressed his shoulder lovingly and gently. He simply smiled while keeping his arms wrapped around her waist lightly, wanting to look into her eyes but couldn't considering she looked away out of embarrassment, or so he thought.

"It's true," Derick started off with. "I know it might sound a little awkward but despite how long ago we have met each other, it feels like I've known you for years already. Just the way you are, so caring and all of that, I guess that what attracted me. You see. . . I was always alone back on Destiny Islands. I chose to isolate myself from the others even when they were looking for me just to simple see how I was. I never really knew that they were all being a true friend by watching out for me. Then that's when you came in. The connection that we now shared managed to show me that I shouldn't push my loved ones away. Which in this case. . . that loved one being you." the boy explained.

[Namimaru]

_Sakura's heart beated fasted than ever as Derick explained himself. She knew she should calm down, but she couldn't. He was cute, he was caring, and he loved her. She managed to look up at him, trying to hide the blush in her cheeks but looking at Derick's expresson showed her she ahd failed with that.

_It's true. I know it might sound a little awkward but despite how long ago we have met each other, it feels like I've known you for years already. Just the way you are, so caring and all of that, I guess that what attracted me. You see. . . I was always alone back on Destiny Islands. I chose to isolate myself from the others even when they were looking for me just to simple see how I was. I never really knew that they were all being a true friend by watching out for me. Then that's when you came in. The connection that we now shared managed to show me that I shouldn't push my loved ones away. Which in this case. . . that loved one being you." Derick explained, looking into her eyes as he said it all.

_Sakura smiled, and couldn't stop. She was the same way. She was exactly the same. Keeping her distance from everyone because she felt like an outside. She felt like she didn't belong because she was never originally from Destiny Islands.
"Derick..." Was all she managed.

[Shadows Fall]

"Derick. . ." was all Sakura managed to say, staring up into Derick's eyes. After explaining his true feelings for her, all he could really do is simply smile.

Sora backed away in order to give the two their alone time, glancing over where Donald and Goofy laid. Apparently they had remained in the same spot, Donald laying on top of Goofy after being tackled by Sora when he had been thrown. He approached his comrades and knelt down in front of them, letting out a small laugh. "Whenever you two are ready, want to help out Emorene and Mic for a bit? You know. . . just to hold off their opponents for the time being." he suggested, looking back over at Derick and Sakura. "You two head back over to Merlin's Study. Check in to see if a man named Cid is there and ask for a Gummi Ship. He'll know what you're talking about."

"Right." the boy responded with before taking Sakura's hand into his own while standing up slowly, helping her to stand as well. "Come on. Let's go."

[Namimaru]

Sakura was sort of taken by surprise as Derick took her hand and led her away. She didn't understand; what was the point of leaving? Sora was in much worst shape- shouldn't HE have to come? She sighed and finally managed to keep up to him. "What's going on? Why are we getting a gummi ship?" She asked, confusion and tired-ness plastered on her face. Than she looked into Derick's smoldering hazel eyes and she didn't care. She just wanted to stay with him. Forever.

[Sorry for the shortness! I'm blocked! >_<]

[Shadows Fall]

"I'm guessing Sora wants us to get a Gummi Ship prepared and ready so we can travel to other worlds." Derick said, leading the way towards Merlin's Study. It didn't take the two too long to arrive there, the boy opening the door and closing it once they entered. When he looked over at the computer he noticed that there was a man who appeared to be in his early-to-late thirties sitting in front of the large screen, entering several keystrokes here and there. From where they stood, all Derick could really see is the man having a bright blond shade of color to his hair while donning a white t-shirt with dark blue pants as well as a pair of black boots.

"So, ya'll are with Sora now, am I right?" the man questioned, breaking the silence.

"Um. . . yeah but -"

"But how'd I know, eh? Well, it was easy after seeing the Heartless beginning to show up around here. Figured Sora would come back to deal with the problem." the man said after butting in. "The name's Cid, I'm a first-rate pilot. So, I reckon you two came for a Gummi ship, correct?"

[kingdomkeylight]

As the others left Mic was still in battle with Sleif "So Sleif think tranforming will give you the edge" Mic pulled up a weird looking card with a strange mirror like symbol "out of all people you should know what this belongs to sleif the other side KingdomHearts" said Mic throwing the card at Sleif the moment it hit all of Sleif energy had been absorbed straight into the card as the card came back to Mic Sleifs guardian and summoing power were gone "Sorry togive ya the bad new but you lose for now" Mic ran straight at Sleif delievering a powerful kick to sleif in the stomach sending Sleif through a portal mic created "Hm well thats that for now" Mic then ran to the others hiding the peice of the door he had just usedf "So Derick and Sakura bac together how nice" then Mic lookedat Cid "Yep they came for a ship" he said looking at cid "Arent ya dead yet Mic "said Cid to Mic "Nope living the best I can to help the cause" said Mic giving Sakura another strange look wondering when would be the best time to tell her what he knew "So Derick I still pledge my loyalty to you" said Mic bowing to Derick

[sephiroth2]

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Sleif had a slight face of confusion, as Mic used that card on him, before sending him into a dark portal. Upon entering the portal, Sleif made it so he was floating in the endless abyss of the dark realm. Just floating around in complete silence, Sleif suddenly started to laugh, uncontrollable. "Perfect! Absolutely perfect!" Sleif said to himself, laughing all the while, as he raised his right hand, and snapped his fingers.

At that moment, back in Radiant Garden, the large mirror which he summoned at the very beginning, slowly sunk back into the darkness. The jewel at the top of the frame now glowing a very bright blue, as it complete submerged into the shadows. Sensing that the mirror was now complete gone, Sleif positioned himself, so he was now standing fully up, as he stretched his hand forward creating a tear through the darkness.

Stepping through this opening, Sleif found himself back in the location of the dark realm, were he had the mirrors. Smiling as he turned around to each, two of the five were now lit. One a red glow, the other a blue glow. Moving towards the newly coloured one, Sleif instantly found it replaying a lot of the battles that were going on, all in quick unison.

"This is greatly more then enough!" Sleif said to himself, turning away from the mirror now, and looking at the large green orb in the middle of the room. Placing his hands back onto it, Sleif suddenly went into another trance as the blue coloured mirror continued to play the images.

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(Haven't heard from Maleficent in a while)

"So, you want me to help you, again!" Hades said to Maleficent as he sat upon his throne in the Underworld. "And why exactly would I do that?" asked Hades, a small snicker coming from him at the end of the sentence. "Because, you want to rule Olympus, and I can make that happen for you!" replied Maleficent. "Really now. And how do you plan to do that?" Hades asked her.

"By freeing the ones, who can make it a possibility!" said Maleficent, grinning a little. "You don't mean?" Hades was about to say, but was cut off by Maleficent. "Yes, the very ones! But not now. Only when the time is right, will I do this, but yet only, if you follow me!" Maleficent said. "Hmm, sure, why not!" replied Hades, a large smirk on his face on saying this.

"Very well!" Maleficent said as she turned and started to walk off. "I have more to go and see! Get your affairs in order, as we planned!" she said, just before she erupted in violent green flames.

[Soraslittleangel]

"Nobodies, attack!" Shouted Emorene as the five Nobodies moved towards Lerane. Lerane quickly noticed the 5 Nobodies behind her and continued to run towards Emorene. Emorene was in his defensive position and Lerane took this to her advantage. She ran towards his sword and lept off it which boosted her into the air. In mid air, Lerane turned aroun and withdrew her guns. Shooting many bullets at the 5 Nobodies with percise aim. Lerane placed her guns back in their leather holders and landed in a sqautting position. She stood up to await his next move.

[Emorene]

To his surprise, Lerane had reacted quickly to his strategy and had managed to outsmart him by not only destroying his Nobodies, but managing to avoid Emorene having the chance to attack. "Not bad," said Emorene with a smile, "It has been a while since I've fought such a worthy opponent." Emorene then raised his hand and shouted, "Stopga!" A beam suddenly hit Lerane, before numbers started to form and circle her. When the numbers and the beam faded, she found herself unable to move. This effect wouldn't last long, so Emorene knew he would have to be quick. The stronger the opponent, the less effect the magic would have. Since she was a strong opponent, this Emorene did not deny, he knew this would only last a few seconds. Swining his sword forward, Emorene hoped to land a successfull his before the effect was gone and Lerane could react.

[Shadows Fall]

Derick turned around quickly when hearing the door open, seeing Mic entering Merlin's Study and approaching the man named Cid. As the two conversed it was apparent that they both already knew each other. When they were done talking, Cid flicked the tip of his nose with his thumb and headed over to the door before turning to the group. "All right then. I'll see what I have in stock. Meet me back over at the Market area in a few minutes, I should have a ship up and running for you by then." Cid had told the three before exited the small study home.

Afterwards, Derick turned to Sakura just to see how she was holding up. "How are you feeling?" he asked but that was until Mic suddenly spoke to him.

"So Derick, I still pledge my loyalty to you." said Mic.

Derick was a little surprised by this considering he had thought that Mic would have reconsidered due to his actions. The boy simple smirked, nodding to Mic's offer. "Glad to have you on our side, Mic and, well. . . I apologize for my actions earlier."

[Namimaru]

Sakura caressed Derick's shoulder again, smiling.
"Remember that it wasn't your actions, Derick, it was the corrupted darkness inside of you," She looked at Mic as he soke to Derick, pledging his loyalty to him strangely enough. Everyone seemed to be loyal to one another regardless if they say so or not. She blinked and stepped forwards. "Mic, right?" She asked, straining to remember from when people spoke to him. She had never been there for his introduction. She smiled brightly at him, trying to be friendly

Roxas, Namine and Kairi looked up from their conversation and saw Derick, Sakura and Mic. Kairi was the first to stand and ran over to Derick. She grinned and whispered to him in a very low voice. "Did you tell her?" She asked, a pinch of amusement in her voice.

[Emorene]

Ale looked toward Pete and then Nelera, saying as a corridor of darkness formed behind him, "Go then!
Enter this and you will brought to the place in Radient Gardens where a computer that contains the mechanism that prevents our Heartless from reaching their goals is. Deactivate any way you can, and then report back to me." Ale then walked off, leaving Pete and Nelera standing before the corridor of darkness.

[Shadows Fall]

After Cid had left, Derick noticed that Kairi was heading over to his direction with a rather sly grin etched on her face. He knew exactly what this meant as he looked over at Sakura. "Um. . . excuse me for a second, 'kay?" he told her as he approached his friend.

"Did you tell her?" Kairi asked in a low tone of voice, sounding as if she were amused at the moment. It was clear that she wanted to hear the news that involved both him and Sakura and something told Derick that she kind of knew already just by seeing the two enter the Study.

"Yeah. . . I did. But I guess you've already figured that out, huh?" Derick replied, scratching the back of his head just a bit. The funny thing is that he didn't even feel embarrassed about the whole situation even when he was confronted about it. In fact, he felt ecstatic about telling Kairi rather than being nervous like he had been earlier on. "I feel great now that Sakura knows and you know what else? She feels the same way too." the boy whispered back, a smile coming across his face. "I never thought that this could happen. . ."