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Kingdom Hearts FanFic

Kingdom Hearts FanFic Artwork - Wonderful Artwork from our Artists [Theblondphantom][Caffiene]!

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Iris shook him, "Riku! Wake up!"

Riku slowly came to "...what..what's going on? Iris?"

Iris sighed in relief and hugged him, "Don't do that to me! You gave me a scare!"

"..heeheh..sorry.." he smiled "..are you alright now?"

Iris smiled, "Thanks to you yes."

Riku held one of his hand to the side of her face gently "That's..good..to know.." he smiled.

Iris rested her head on his shoulder, still hugging him.

"Where are the others?" Riku inquired.

Sora smiled. "Right here, love birds." He was grinning from ear to ear.

Axel, several feet behind Sora, was looking a little dejected and sad.

"Well it's good to know that all of you are safe." Riku replied he looked over to Axel "..Are you okay, Axel?"

Iris walked over and put a concrened hand on Axel's shoulder, "Axel, what's wrong?"

Riku got up and walked over to Axel trying not to stumble then sat down beside him. "..Axel.." knowing what Axel was upset about "..this is about Iris, isn't it?"

Axel looked at Riku, then down to his stomach. "Yo, buddy, you gotta have that checked out. You're gonna pass out." He looked over at Sora. "Come on, help me with him. Let's get him back to his room."

Sora nodded and helped Riku to his feet.

Iris sighed. Axel...

Riku suddenly felt weak and began to fall to the ground grabbing his stomach as if in pain. "..ugh.."

"Riku!" Sora and Iris said in unsion as they both cought him.

"Wh-what's..going..on?.." Riku responded as he slowly blacked out again.

Iris shook Riku, "Riku, you have to stay awake!" She fought back tears, "Riku!"

Later that day in Riku's room....

After hours of being knocked out Riku kept muttering a name repeatedly unknowing to him that he was saying it though, "..Iris.."

Iris was sitting by Riku's side. She refused to go anywhere else or do anything until he wakes up, "Riku..."

"..Iris, I must protect her..IRIS!" Riku suddenly woke himself up when he yelled out her name. "..Wh-what's..wrong with me?.." he said as he sat up.

"Smoke did somthing to you, but we don't know what." Iris said with a sad sigh.

"Somehow..I don't think it was anything good.." Riku said with an exhausted laugh.

Iris smiled slightly before hugging him, "Will you PLEASE stop blacking out me? I thought you were a goner!"

Riku looked at Iris with a smile "..I..can't control it..I didn't even know I had blacked out..before.." he then said with a bigger smile "..I'll try to stay concience.."

Iris smiled as well, "Yeah, you better!"

Riku laughed again and hugged Iris "..Thank you for..watching me..while I was out.."

She hugged him once again, "It's the least I could do after what you did for me."

"I just wanted to protect..you." Riku replied in a soft voice.

"And I thank you for that." She gave him a kiss on the cheeck.

"..No..problem.." he smiled and hugged her "..but..where is everyone else..I don't see them anywhere.."

"They're on the look out incase Smoke of Pai comes back."

"I..see..well, I'm..glad you're safe..."

Iris nodded then asked, "Are you well enough to get up?"

Riku began to get up and almost tumbled to the floor but sat back down before he actually did fall. "It..seems..not..my stomach..feels wierd..for some reason.."

Iris sighed, "Well at least you're still alive."

"I'm..thankful for that.." he smiled.

Sora peeked in. "Oh, Riku, you're awake. Man, you scared us. You okay?"

Riku slowly nodded. "Yeah, I'll be okay...Any sign of Pai or Smoke?"

Sora shook his head. "They got what they wanted...for now. But, it's starting to rain outside."

Iris looked at Sora, "Is Axel still outside?"

Sora nodded. "He kept watch on one end of the island, I did the other. Tidus and Wakka stayed around the beach area to clean up the damage we did in our fight with Saix."

"I'm gonna go talk to Axel." Iris said. She smiled at Riku, "I'll be back in a bit." and went outside.

Sora grinned at Riku.

Riku blinked. "What?"

Axel was sitting on the railing of one of the houses, looking around cautiously. Suddenly, it began to rain, and Axel looked up. "Great..." he muttered. He stood up and walked to other side of the house, looking around again. There was still no sign of the Organization.

Iris tapped him on the shoulder, "Hey."

Axel jumped a bit and turned around. "Oh, hey." He leaned back against the railing. "So, how's lover boy doing?" he asked.

"He's awake. But he still dosn't feel too great." Iris said. She then looked at Axel, "Can I ask you somthing?"

Axel nodded. "Sure, go ahead. Ask away."

"Why were you so sad awhile back?" Iris asked, "Was it because of me?"

Axel looked away from her for a moment, then sighed. "Look, Iris, I've risked a lot, A LOT, to save you. I betrayed the Organization, scoured hundreds of worlds to find you and convince you to come back with me to a safer world. And you come here....and someone else does it for you in a day. How am I supposed to feel?"

Iris looked away. She felt horrible, "...I'm sorry..."

Axel put his hand under her chin and lifted her face so she was looking at him. "No, I should be sorry. I took you away from your home and friends without your permission. I just....I got carried away in worrying. I should've realized that you could take care of yourself whether I was there or not." Axel smiled. "And even when fighting Smoke, you definitely could take care of yourself." He took his hand away from her chin. "Don't be sorry because of my mistakes."

"Yeah but you were just trying to help. And I was being stubbern." Iris sighed, "And if it wasn't for you I would be still on that fake world, and maybe even dead....so thank you." she smiled slightly.

Axel smiled as well. "Hey, you better get back inside. You're getting wet. Besides, he's probably waiting for you. Let Sora and I keep a look out. You and Riku did the most work, and you haven't slept."

"Okay. Just don't hurt yourself...again." Iris said with a grin.

Axel grinned and nudged her arm. "Hey, be nice." Then he grew serious again. "Iris...if you ever see Smoke again...run. Run and don't look back. That guy can kill anyone."

Iris nodded, "Okay, I will."

Axel nodded. "Good. Go on inside, now....you're getting soaked."

"Do come in later though okay?" Iris said before running back inside.

Axel nodded. "I will, just make sure Ro...Sora doesn't stay out long either!"

"Okay!" Iris called back then went inside. She entered Riku's room, "I'm back."

Riku looked up and smiled. "Hey. You want something to eat? Sora's starving, so he ran off to get something for himself. The way that kid eats....he's a bottomless pit."

Iris laughed then smiled, "Sure. Hey feeling any better at all?"

Riku pushed some of his hair out of his eyes. "Yeah, a bit better, thanks to you."

"Are you well enough to stand up now?"

Riku slowly stood on his feet. "Well...let's find out." He seemed able to stand fine on his own, but when he took a step forward, he stumbled. He caught himself on the bedside table. "Heh....guess all of my strength hasn't returned just yet."

Iris sighed and sat beside him, "Well I'm not going anywhere until you're back to 100%"

Riku sat back down on the bed. "I'll be okay after a night's sleep....and some food, if SORA EVER GETS BACK HERE!!!"

Sora poked his head into the room a few minutes later. "Geez, Riku, I could hear you over by the kitchen."

Riku looked at him. "That was the point."

Iris held back a laugh.

Sora put a plate down on Riku's bedside table. "I grabbed a snack, then brought you guys sandwiches and drinks. Uhm....by the way....we need to go shopping for more food."

"After you went in there... it dosn't surpirse me." Iris half joked.

Sora smiled and ducked out.

Riku took a sandwich and handed it to Iris. "Here."

Iris sat back down beside and took the sandwich, "Thanks."

Riku nodded, grabbing his own sandwich and biting into it. "The kid isn't a great cook, but these aren't bad."

Iris bit into hers and nodded in agreement.

Riku finished his sandwich and laid back on the bed. "Ugh...that guy can really pack a punch.."

When Iris finished hers, she sighed, "At least he's gone.... for now."

Riku looked at Iris. "If he comes back...I'll protect you. We'll fight him together."

"And have him nearly kill you again or worse? I don't think so!" She hugged him tightly, "Do you have any idea how worried I was you blacked out twice on me?"

Riku blinked. "You....you were really that worried?" he asked, stunned.

Iris looked at him, "Ofcourse I was worried! Why wouldn't I be?"

Riku smiled. "Sora and Kairi are the only ones who have worried about me....then King Mickey, but we worked together. It's just...different."

Iris gave him a funny look, "Who's King Mickey?"

Riku reached over to his bedside table and took out a picture of King Mickey in his royal clothes, standing beside Queen Minnie. "That's him and Queen Minnie."

Iris looked at the pictue, "I think I met him before.... but I don't remeber where..."

Riku shrugged. "Well, he and I worked together to stop Xemnas, so he worried about me a lot."

Suddenly Iris held her head in pain. More memories began to pour in.

Riku looked at her. "Iris...you okay?" He saw that she didn't quite hear him. "Iris? Sora, Axel!! Get over here, Iris is in pain!!"

Iris groaned before blacking out.

Flashback...

"Axel... why am I not surpirsed...?" Iris smirked.

"Looks like we have another traitor..."

Iris whirled around and her eyes widen, "Saix!"

"Do you know the penelty for helping a traitor!?" Saix said in a dark tone.

"Sai--"before Iris could speak Saix sturck her down. She flew a feet back and hit the ground. She groan and held her forehead... there was blood. She started to get up, "...Damn bastard..."

But Axel was already up. "Leave her alone!" he yelled, trying to bring his disks out. They wouldn't come. "Damn...just when I need them, I don't have enough strength." He turned to Saix. "Pick on someone your own size!"

Iris took out her daggers, "Axel get out of here! I'll take care of Saix!"

"I won't leave you to fight alone!" Axel said.

Iris ripped open a portal, "Axel just go!" We'll meet up later! I promise!"

Axel looked at her, and realized how useless he was at the moment. "Fine. But I'll hold you to the promise, Iris. I'll be back for you!" he called, running into the portal.

Iris closed the portal behind him and glared at Saix.

Saix looked at her calmly. "So, now that he's gone, it's just you and me, traitor."

"Oh shut it, you bastard." Iris sneered as she readied her daggers.

Saix smiled, his weapon reappearing at his side. "I'll teach you what it means to be a traitor!"

"Bring it."

Saix jumped into the air, bringing his weapon down directly where she stands.

Iris rolled out of the way and attacked his side.

Saix blocked her attack, striking back at her.

Iris ducked and kicked his legs out from under him.

Saix hit the ground, but rolled backwards.

"ENOUGH!" A portal opened, and Xemnas stepped out.

Iris backed away slightly, "Xemnas...."

Xemnas looked at Saix. "I told you to deal with the girl that the keyblade wielder was with, NOT the traitor." He turned to Iris. "You've brought back that traitor Axel."

"Yes I have." Iris said boldly, "Is that a problem?"

Xemnas glared at her. "You tell me." He waved his hand and threw her backwards with his darkness.

Iris grunted and doubled over in pain, "Oh bite me..." she said as she got up weakly.

Xemnas sighed. "You always liked doing things the hard way," he said. This time, he flung several tiny strands of shredded darkness at her.

"What the hell...!?" Iris backed away as quickly as possible.

Xemnas glared at her. "I told you NOT to interfere with Axel, and that he would meet his fate. And he did, so you brought him back!"

Iris made a portal and ran thourgh.

Xemnas almost followed her, but stopped. "No....I think I'll let the Nobodies find her. After all...she can't stop all of them, and the only ones who can help her are here to fight me." He paused. "Oh...and Axel...but he's useless and vulnerable. I think I'll kill two birds with one stone." He smiled and disappeared.

Iris came to the dark beach. She looked around weakly, "...Axel...?" Please be here...

Axel looked over. "Iris!" he called, rushing over to her. "What happened? Are you okay?"

"Xemnas came... and let's just say I pissed him off." Iris said with a weak smile.

Axel put his hands on her shoulders gently. "Are you hurt? What can I do?"

"We should get out of here... I think... Xemnas followed me...but.... I'm not sure." Iris managed to say.

Several Nobodies appeared. Axel looked at them, then Iris. "Yeah, we gotta run. Here, hold onto me." He picked her up into his arms, bridal-style. He ran off down the beach while the Nobodies began to follow.

End of Flashblack

Iris screamed and woke up. She looked around, breathing heavily.

Riku looked down at her. "Are you alright?"

"Y-y-yeah... I think..." Iris said after calming down, "How long was I out?"

Riku sighed. "A little over an hour. You scared the life out of Axel when I called him in. We were all worried, but Axel assured us that you'd be fine, and that this has happened before."

Iris said, "I was having flashbacks again..."

Riku looked confused. "Flashbacks?"

"Remeber those dreams I get that I told you about? Well supposenly they're memories of my past..."

Riku put an arm around her. "Are you alright? Do you want to talk to me about it, or is it too early?" he asked.

"Once I feel alittle beeter, I'll tell. I promise." Iris said with a sad smile.

Riku nodded. "I understand. Take your time. I know how hard it is to tell people the truth about things that have happened."

"Thanks Riku..."

Riku smiled. "Don't worry about it."

Iris smiled, then blushed slightly. He's so cute when he smiles...

Riku saw her blush and blushed himself. He stood up and made it look like he was fixing something to hide the redness of his face. Then he remembered. "Oh!" he said, turning back to her. "It stopped raining, and there's been no sign of Pai or Smoke."

"That's good... Hey you're stading and walking now!" Iris said happily.

Riku looked down at his legs and smiled. "Yeah...when you blacked out, I quickly got up and caught you. You certainly work miracles," he said with a wink.

Iris laughed slightly, and blushed even more.

Riku grabbed her hand. "Come on, let's go find Axel and Sora." He helped her off the bed and then took her outside. "Hey, SORA!!!" Riku looked around, then saw him by the beach. "There he is," he said, walking with Iris down to the beach where Sora sat.

But it wasn't Sora that Iris saw. It was....... Roxas, "Wha... Roxas?" She said quietly.

Sora jumped to his feet and turned around. "So, she's awake, huh?"

Riku nodded.

The image of Roxas dissapeared and Iris saw Sora. She shook her head slightly, "Wried..."

Sora suddenly looked to the side and smiled. "Hey, Axel, Iris is up."

"I heard," Axel said, walking up. His Organization jacket was gone, replaced with the outfit he was wearing underneath at Iris' house. "Feeling okay?" he asked Iris.

Iris nodded, but her eyes told a differnt story.

Axel looked at Iris, then to Sora. "Oh," he said. "Want to talk about it?" he asked her.

"Mabey later..." Iris said, she didn't want Riku or Sora to find out...yet.

Riku looked at Iris, then Axel. He raised an eyebrow. They weren't telling them something.

Axel nodded. "Well, Pai and Smoke haven't turned up yet....but there's been no sign of Kairi either."

Iris sighed, "I hope she's alright..."

Axel nodded. "If she can survive with Sora and Riku, she'll be okay. They're probably hoping to use her to get to Sora's compassionate heart."

Sora glared at Axel. "Hey!"

Iris put a hand on Sora's shoulder, "I'm sorry that Kairi got taken away, Sora. I feel that it's my fault... I mean it was me that Pai and Smoke were after in the first place and... I'm sorry."

Axel shook his head. "Pai and Smoke aren't just after you, Iris. They were after me, Roxas...and Sora's heart. They want ANYTHING that will cause them trouble, so it can be destroyed."

"Yeah but if I had just listen to you in the first place..." Iris looked down and sighed.

Axel stepped forward, but Riku made the move first. Riku hugged Iris tightly. "It's okay, Iris," Riku said. "Don't worry, we wouldn't have let them take you anyway. It's not your fault."

"Yes it is..." Iris said, "If I had listen to Axel and not run off on him, none of this would've happen..."

Don't be upset Iris...a voice said to her.

Iris' eyes widen. Wha...what?

I'm still here, the voice said. It was a very familiar voice to Iris. I'm still here. It's okay. I'm still watching over you.

"...Roxas...?" Iris then fell to her knees, holding her head, "Not again..." she mumbled painfuly as more memoires returned to her.

Axel ran forward and grabbed Iris before her head hit the sand. "Iris?" he called. "Iris!"

Flashback

A portal appeared. Axel and Iris came running out and the portal closed behind them. They had just barely managed to lose the nobodies, "That was... too close." Iris mumbled.

"I'll say," Axel said. "Come on, we're almost to the top of the tower. Roxas is there, I know he is!"

Iris nodded but then stopped, "Whoa! Look!" She pointed at what was left of Kingdom Hearts, "Man I bet Xemnas is mad now." She smirked.

Axel laughed. He had to, it was just too funny. "I told him not to use Sora like that....Tsk, tsk."

Iris laughed, but then frowned when the nobodies finally cought up with them, "Augh... great..."

Axel kicked one, having that one fall backwards, like a domino, into the others. "Come on, hurry!" he said, grabbing her hand and running up the stairs with her.

Iris nodded and followed quickly.

Axel came to the top of the tower and looked across. Sora and Kairi were still there, talking. Across from them were Roxas and Naminé.

"Roxas!" Axel yelled.

"Axel wait..." Iris said, "I don't think we sound interfear..."

Axel nearly jumped off of the ledge to get to Roxas, but stopped. He couldn't do it, he wouldn't reach him in time. Roxas was returning to Sora. Axel sighed and went back to Iris.

Iris smiled sadly to Axel, "We both knew it was going to happen sooner or later, Axel..."

Axel moved his head away from her, not wanting her to see his face. He heard a noise and saw the Nobodies about to attack them. "We gotta leave. If Roxas is leaving....then so is Sora. It's not safe here."

Suddenly a blade impaled Iris' shoulder from behind, "Ack!" The blade was a sword and the sword belonged to...Pai.

Axel looked back and saw Pai. "No!" he yelled. He flipped over Iris and kicked Pai's sword out of his friend's shoulder.

Iris fell to her knees, holding her bleeding shoulder.

"You two should've left while you still had time..." Pai said as she cought her sword.

Axel glared at her. "Thanks for the advice," he said, jumping down to Iris and picking her up in his arms. "Do you trust me?"

Iris nodded, "With my life."

"Hold on tight, then," Axel said. He almost literally became fire, but both he and her were unharmed by his blaze. He threw himself off of the platform and they rocketed down to another ledge too far below for anyone to survive. But they did.

Axel landed hard, the ground cracking where his feet hit. He looked at her. "Come on, we gotta get out of here." He winced. "But...my energy's gone."

Suddenly, a blurred image appeared before them. Roxas.

Iris looked over and gasped slightly "Roxas!?"

Roxas nodded. "I'll get you guys out of here." He turned, and a portal opened in front of them. But what was left of his form began to fade away.

"Roxas! Wait don't go!" Iris yelled.

Roxas' form walked towards Iris and Axel. Axel put Iris down on her feet. "You guys....you're my best friends...I'm sorry."

Iris smiled sadly, "It's okay buddy."

Roxas smiled. "Go."

Axel attempted to hug Roxas, and he sort of did, but it didn't work out so well. "Thanks, bro," he whispered, then went to the portal and waited for Iris.

"Thank you, Roxas..." Iris said before joining Axel.

Axel slowly led Iris through the portal with him, looking back at his best friend who was fading away.

"I'll always watch over you two. Remember that," was all that Roxas said before he completely disappeared.

Iris sighed saddly when Roxas dissapeared.

"Iris," Axel called softly. He wasn't looking at her. "Come on....we gotta leave."

"I know..." Iris sighed and followed Axel.

End Flashback

Iris groaned and slowy opened her eyes.

She was back in her new room, with Riku sitting beside her on the bed, but asleep. He was too tired to stay awake for her.

Axel walked into the room. "Oh, you're up. You've been out for almost 4 hours."

"Augh... my head frickin' hurts..." Iris mumbled.

Axel sat down on the bed at her other side. He picked up the discarded cold cloth and put it to her forehead. "Here, it'll make you feel a little better."

"Thanks..."

Axel nodded, standing. "Your boyfriend stayed up as long as he could, but he's still too tired from Smoke. He just nodded off about half an hour ago."

"At least he's doing better." She sat up and looked around, "Where's Ro...Sora?"

Axel pointed to the side of the bed where Riku was. On the floor was Sora, curled up with a pillow. "Food makes him sleepy, as Riku said." He smiled a little. "Same with Roxas too.."

Iris laughed slightly.

Axel was silent for a moment. "You scared your boyfriend half to death, passing out on the sand."

Iris sighed, "I had another flashback..."

Axel nodded. "About what?"

Iris then told him of the two flashbacks she had. She still found it hard to believe that she used to work for the Organization.

Axel nodded. "Well, it all happened - sorry to break it to you, Iris."

Iris just sighed and looked away.

"We never belonged with them," Axel said. "That's what Roxas used to tell me. He said he wanted to find Sora so he could....find himself. I told him that I belonged wherever Roxas was, and he told me to stay with you. None of us belonged with the Organization. It as just another turn on our road."

"I know..." Iris said as she looked at him.

"Stop blaming yourself for things," Axel said. "No one blames you for anything."

"Then who's fualt is it Axel!?" Iris nearly yelled, "All this happened because of me!"

Axel sighed. "Is it Sora's fault that Ansem/Xehanort hunted him down? Is it Riku's fault that his heart was drawn to the darkness?"

Iris just looked away.

Axel nodded and stood up. "That's why it's not your fault either. You can't help being who you are. Besides, if you weren't who you were, Riku, Sora, Roxas and I might not be alive right now."

Iris sighed. She knew he was right.

Axel shrugged. "Look, stop blaming yourself and move on. We've got bigger things to worry about." He looked at her and sighed. "I'm gonna go take watch," he said, heading outside.

Iris wacthed him leave, "I'm sorry..." She murmered. She then looked over at Riku. She knew she would have to tell him about her past. She was just afraid on how he would take it. She reluctantly went over and shook him slightly, "Riku..."

Riku opened his eyes. "Iris?" he asked. He sat up. "Oh, you're up. Sorry I fell asleep."

"It's okay. You needed to rest."

"Are you feeling better?" Riku asked her.

Iris nodded, "Yes."

Riku got off the bed and stretched. "That's good. I was worried about you."

"It was... another flashback..." Iris said.

Riku looked at her with concern. "Is everything okay? Do you want to talk about it?"

Iris nodded, "You desreve to know..."

Riku nodded. "I'm all ears."

Iris then relunticly told him of her past with the Organization and how she left. When she finished she looked away, afaid of how Riku might take what she just told him.

Riku thought for a long while about what she had said, then finally looked at her. "Iris....you've been through so much. But...I can't reject you. You never wanted to stay on the side of the Organization, and I know how it feels to be in the darkness."

Iris hugged him tightly, fighting back tears, "Thank you."

Riku returned the hug. "I care about you, Iris. Your past can't change that."

Iris looked at him, "I care about you too."

Riku smiled and kissed her. He then heard a snore and turned to see Sora still sleeping. "Ugh..."

Iris laughed. She then got up and tuged at Riku's arm, "Lets go somwhere where we can be alone."

Riku smiled. "I know where we can go." He took her by the hand and led her to the secret hole in the tree down by the fountain. He took her to the back where all of the drawings were. "Here's good."

Iris looked around, "Wow."

"Sora and I used to play here as kids," he said. He smiled. "Those were nice times."

Iris then noticed a picture of Sora and Kairi sharing a certain fruit, "Awww how cute."

"Isn't it?" Riku asked. He pointed to a drawing he did long ago of him and Sora playing tag.

Iris smiled, "You're an artist I see."

"Better than Sora," Riku said. "But I'm not the best artist out there. I stick to the keyblade. But trust me, with Sora unconscious, no one will come in here. We can be alone."

"Finally." Iris added as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

Riku lowered his head a little and placed his lips on hers gently, kissing her. 

Iris kissed him back.

Riku stopped kissing her for a moment to look at her. "Iris....when we get Kairi back and eliminate what's left of the Organization...would you like to stay here?"

Iris smiled, "I would love to stay here."

Riku smiled. "Really? Y-You would?!"

"Of course!"

Riku couldn't believe she said yes. He picked her up and spun her about.

Iris laughed and held on to him as he spun her around.

Riku set her back down. "You don't even know how happy you've made me."

Iris smiled and kissed him, "Same to you."

Riku returned the kiss.

Iris wrapped her arms around his neck once again.

Riku smiled. "Things can't get any better...."

Iris sighed in agreement and rested her head against his chest.

Riku looked at her. "How are we gonna stop Pai and get Kairi back?"

Iris thought for a momment, "I'm not sure... I'm sure Axel might know of a way though. Either way we'll figure it out."

"As long as nothing happens to you," Riku said to Iris.

"The same goes for you." Iris replied.

"Don't worry about me," Riku said. "I know how to deal with Organization scum."

Iris nodded and kissed him on the cheeck, "I know."

Riku kissed her on the forehead. "We'll get through this. A lot of stuff has happened to us before, and we came out on top. Until then, we should rest up. Sora's beaten us to that one."

Iris laughed, "That kid sleeps like a rock."

Riku nodded, heading out of their hiding hole. "Yeah, and that's when he doesn't do anything. Think of how he sleeps after a day's work."

"Wow. Must be a pain to wake him up."

Riku nodded. "You bet. Even Kairi has a hard time waking him up."

"Yeah but it can be fun too. You can pull pranks on him then." Then an impish grin appeared on her face, "Let's pull one on him!"

"Like what?" Riku asked. "Put his socks on his ears and tape them so he looks like a smelly donkey?"

Iris laughed, "Sure that will work. Then we can see how long it will take him to notice."

Riku laughed as well, heading back onto the beach and up to his room to see if Sora was still sleeping. He found Sora curled up by a pillow. Riku looked at Iris and whispered. "You take off his shoes and socks, I'll grab the tape." Riku went to his closet and dug around for some tape.

Iris carfuly removed Sora's shoes and socks without waking him up. She held her nose, "Damn, he has stinky feet," she whispered.

Riku nodded, coming over with a roll of tape. He took the socks from her and put them on Sora's ears and taped them carefully. "There....that should be enough to hold them in place."

Iris nodded and grinned.

Riku led her out of the room and to another room. "Come on, we should get some sleep. It's gonna be rough later when Pai decides to come back for us."

"Yeah, you're right." Iris said with a slight yawn.

Riku found a sofa nearby and laid down on it. "You can have the bed. I'm comfy right here."

Iris kissed him, "Good night."

Riku returned the kiss before she went to bed. "G'night." He curled up and dozed off after a bit.

Iris' Dream

Axel and Iris walked out of a portal, which closed behind them. Iris looked around and saw that they were now at Radiant Garden and it was night there. She just sighed and leaned against a wall. They had just escaped from The World that Never Was, thanks to Roxas' help. But both of them were pretty weak from all that had happened, making them vurnable to attacks from Pai and the nobodies.

Axel sighed. "This sucks," he muttered. He looked over at Iris and tried to cheer up. "Hey, c'mon, let's go grab something to eat and a place to stay. We're gonna need all of the help we can get to boost our strength before Pai feels like kicking our butts again."

Iris nodded, "Agreed..."

Axel looked around, scratching his head. "Oh! I see an inn over there. God, I hope they have hot water." He walked towards it and looked up at it. "Hmmm....looks pretty empty," he commented before striding in the door. "Helllooooo? Can we get some service here?" he called.

A man came to the front desk. "Can I help you?"

"Yeah, can we get an adjoining suite with two bedrooms and two baths?" Axel asked. "Oh, and food too."

The man nodded, handing Axel two keys.

"Sweet," Axel said, grinning.

Meanwhile Pai and Saix were wacthing them from atop a near by building, "Well ain't this cute?" Pai smirked.

Saix nodded. "Indeed....it's a shame, though, that we have to spoil their fun," he said sarcastically. "I just hate to break the couple apart."

Iris could've sworen that she and Axel were being watched. She looked around but saw no one, "Must be my nerves..." She muttered as she followed Axel.

Axel went upstairs to their room and looked in. His mouth dropped open. "Damn, we didn't have this nice of a place even at the Organization!" he said. He went over to his room and jumped on the bed, relaxing. "Whew....finally...a break and my own room."

Iris sighed and ploped onto her bed, "Augh...."

"Hello there..." Pai's voice said.

Iris went wide eyed and jumped off her bed, "Pai!?"

"Hush... You wouldn't want Axel to hear.... otherwise we would be forced to kill him."

"W-we?"

Pai smirked, "Look behind you..."

Iris did so, "Sai--!!" she was cut short when Pai put a hand over her mouth.

"I said shut up..." Pai sneered.

Axel looked up when he heard Iris almost yell. He sat up on his bed. "Iris? Hey, did you say something?" he called.

Pai rolled her eyes, "Great..." She then shoved Iris to Saix, "Hold her down while I take care of her little freind."

Saix grabbed Iris and twisted her arms behind her back with one hand and keeping his other hand over her mouth.

When Iris didn't respond, Axel stood up. "Hey, Iris? You there?" he asked. He walked to his bedroom door.

Pai appeared behind Axel. She put one of her swords at his neck, "Don't move or say a word. Otherwise you can kiss little Iris goodbye..."

Iris struggled with all her might, trying to escape Saix's grip.

Axel froze, not moving as he felt Pai's swords on his skin. He glared angrily, but didn't make a sound.

Saix let go of her mouth with his hand to hold tighter to her arms. He twisted her arms again. "Quit struggling."

Pai smirked, "Good boy."

"Let me go!" Iris yelled, still struggling.

Saix sighed theatrically. "I guess if you want to struggle, Axel can lose his head."

Iris quickly stopped, and looked down at the ground in defeat.

Saix smirked. "Good girl."

Axel glared angrily at Saix.

"I suggest you say goodbye to your little girlfreind, Axel. Because this will be the last time you'll ever see her." Pai said with an evil grin.

Axel's trademark fire suddenly blazed around him, shooting back into Pai. His anger at those words fueled his strength. "I won't let you!"

Pai yelped as she hit a wall, but she caught herself with her hands. She jump kicked Axel in the face, "Don't even try it."

Axel stumbled backwards, but his chakrams appeared by his hands and he ran to Iris and Saix, throwing them. The chakrams went behind Iris and Saix and came back to slash Saix's back.

Saix yelled in pain, letting Iris go involuntarily.

Iris kneed Saix in the gut, "Bastard!" her eyes were glowing blue.

Axel grabbed Iris' arm. "Let's go!" he yelled, running with her out of the room.

Pai growled and took out her two swords and blocked their path.

"Move or we'll make you move!" Iris yelled taking out her daggers.

Pai smirked, "Bring it."

Axel took out his chakrams. "Iris, use your lightning on the floor around you and me. Let's drop a few floors. Now." Axel threw one chakram at Pai, the other at Saix.

Iris gave a quick nod, then her eyes glowed dark blue. Then out of nowhere lighting struck the ground around them, causing the floor to crack and break.

Axel retrieved his chakrams in enough time for the floor to break and for he and Iris to crash onto the ground floor. He got up and grabbed her arm, pulling her outside with him. "Hey, do you think you could be wonderful and cause a storm bad enough for them to lose us?" he asked her.

Iris nodded, "It will take all my concentration though, so wacth my back." She then closed her eyes gathering energy.

Axel nodded, pulling her in the direction of the town square.

Black clouds covered the sky, and the wind began to pick up. Soon, thunder crackled, and flashes of blue lighting filled the sky.

Axel looked up, then pulled Iris into an alleyway. He pulled his jacket hood up over his head so his red hair was hidden, and he stood in front of Iris to make them almost invisible in the alleyway. "Keep going, Iris, you're doing great."

Iris' response was a very slight nod. The storm got stronger, and it began to pour down rain...alot of rain.

Axel began to be drenched in water, and he put his arms around Iris, shielding her from her own downpour. "That's great. We're good now, Iris."

"Let's hope so..." Iris said as she opened her eyes.

Axel nodded. "Yeah, we'll be okay. Come on...we'd better find someplace to get out of the rain."

Iris nodded and followed Axel.

"That clever little brat..." Pai sneered, seeing the sudden weather change.

Saix nodded. "Unfortunately....this is going to slow our plans down."

"Then we'll just have to force them out of hidding." Pai snapped her fingers and a hundred or so nobodies appeared, "Find the traitors." she ordered. The nobodies did as they were told.

Saix grinned, watching them leave.

Axel walked with Iris back towards a vacant house that was empty ever since the Heartless stole the hearts of those who lived there. "Here's a spot. Head on in."

Iris went in and plopped onto a sofa, "This just plain sucks..."

Axel nodded, sitting in an armchair. "I'm sooo tired..." he muttered. "Look, we'll head to another world when we catch our breath. Where would you like to go?"

"Anywhere away from Saix and his bitch Pai, is good."

Axel nodded, then stopped. He slowly stood. "Iris...we gotta leave. Now."

Iris was about to ask why, but quickly realized why, "...Dammit to hell..." She muttered.

Axel forced open a dark portal behind Iris, then ran forward, grabbed her arm, and went through the portal with her. He quickly closed it behind them.

The portal opened up once more, letting them out in Twilight Town, down in the woods by the old white manor. Axel came out with Iris, then collapsed onto his knees, energy spent. "We can't....keep running....and doing this..."

Iris looked down at her friend sadly. It killed her to see him like that, "Then..." She started, "...maybe we should split up..."

Axel looked at her, wide-eyed. He stood up. "What? No! No, we shouldn't split up...."

"Axel, we have no choice, neither of us have enough strengh to fight them off." Iris said sadly.

Axel started to protest, then sighed. "You're right....we have to split up to divert their attentions..." He formed a portal. "I'll head to the beach. Okay? We'll meet back here in one week."

Iris nodded and gave him a hug, "Be careful, ok?"

Axel returned the hug. "You be careful too. If anything happened to you...heh, I'd be screwed." He grinned like his usual Axel self, then walked over to the portal. He paused and reached into his shirt and pulled off his silver chain. He threw it to her. "Here, take this. Roxas gave it to me to keep me safe. It'll keep you safe, and it'll be something to remember Roxas and I by, should anything happen." He winked at her. "But you'll be fine. You can kick Pai's ass any day."

Iris caught the chain and smiled, "Just don't get yourself hurt...again."

Axel smiled and nodded. "Sure thing. I'll try." He then turned and went through the portal, closing it behind him.

Iris sighed and headed towards the old white manor.

Axel sighed when he came out at the beach. "I should have stayed...." he muttered. "But...it'll be better this way. Right?" he looked up. "Was it this hard for you too, Roxas, when you left us?" he asked. He shrugged and walked off. He had to prepare before Pai and Saix figured out where he was.

Pai appeared behind Axel, "This is just funny. Here we've been chasing after you two, and you end up going right where we wanted you." She took out her swords.

When Iris entered the manor, the doors closed and locked behind her, "What the... a trap. Augh I should've known..."

Axel whipped around and spotted Pai. He drew his chakrams. "Wonderful. I've always wanted to kick your ass and beat you into a bloody pulp, Pai. Yay for me!" he said with a grin. "Let's get fired up."

Saix appeared in front of Iris, drawing his own weapon. "Nowhere to run."

"Bring it, bastard." Iris took out her daggers.

"Bold words for someone who couldn't even save his own best friend." Pai sneered, refering about Roxas.

Axel yelled, his fire burning around him as he slashed her with his chakrams.

Saxi lunged for Iris, bringing his weapon down onto her.

Iris crossed her daggers infront of her, blocking the attack.

Pai smirked, and blocked his attack with one of her swords, while impaling his right arm with her second, "Face it, Axel, you're usless."

Axel cried out in pain when her sword went through his arm. He kicked her away from him and he stopped for a moment to hold his arm. "Shut up!" he yelled, throwing his chakrams into her.

Saix flipped over Iris and smacked her with his weapon.

Iris yelped in both surpise and pain, and hit the floor, "Dammit!"

Pai laughed and side stepped away from the attack, "Why? Because it's the truth? Because of you, Roxas is gone." Her words were like poison.

Saix snapped his fingers and Nobodies appeared everywhere. "Take her downstairs. I'll deal with her there."

Axel jumped into the air and came down, bringing his chakrams down first to hit her.

Pai Sumersualted onto a boulder, "And you're damn stupied too! Have you not noticed that Saix isn't with me?"

Axel stopped in his attack and slowly looked around. His eyes widened. "Oh no..." he whispered. His chakrams disappeared and he ran off in the other direction. He quickly opened a portal to Twilight Town and ran for it.

Suddenly two hooded figures grabbed his arms. Pai stood infront of him, "Sorry but you're too late."

Iris opened her eyes and found herself in a computer room, "What the hell..."

Saix was at the computer and was quickly typing away at something. He glanced at Iris and smiled. "Too bad. You would have been useful, but we can't afford to leave you like you are." He pressed a button, a bright light surrounded Iris. "Pleasant dreams, traitor."

End of Dream

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