Kingdom Hearts: SfE Part 2 - The Final Keyhole and the Mark of Mastery

Jeffrey could feel his heartbeat becoming quicker. Just a short one, that's all... He could feel his lips touch Valerie's. He didn't know how he looked, but he could bet that his face was bright red.

 

Oh for the love of cupcakes...Valerie realized Jeffrey was being shy, pushing him into a more passionate than needed kiss. Riku saw this display of affection, rolling his eyes. "Better make sure they don't start going too far..."he started off to the island.

 

Eden gazed at the stars, slowly blinking out to escape the light of the massive sun. "Hey Gex? Ever think things will be normal? You go back to Australia as Glen, Val, Jeffery, and I go back to the states where we belong..." she paused, thinking on the last detail. "Sora and Riku never coming back... At least, never in my house. I'd never want to relive all this..."

 

Valerie pulled away just as Riku arrived. "Alright, love birds. Time to get to the docks so we can go to the mainland."He said. "Yes sir..."Valerie tried her best not to laugh.

 

"Things being normal? Doubt it'll happen. I'd welcome the change though...be kinda weird not seeing all of you guys anymore though" he said.

 

Eden shrugged. "I wouldn't mind seeing each other... After months of mental rest." she huddled herself into a ball, yawning. "Never thought I'd be a real insomniac before today... Or anemic. We haven't really eaten much or gotten enough sleep. And we haven't been through all this for an entire year..."

 

"Yeah, gets really tiring alot of the time. My stomach's constantly feeling like it's about to explode, and i hate it. But hey, can't have everything go my way can i?" he asked, slight laugh following the question.

 

Eden laughed lightly. "Of course. 'If a man got half had half his wishes, he'd have double the trouble.'" she yawned loudly, unable to keep her heavy, dark eyes open for long.

 

"Oh, need sleep?" Gexln asked. "I can always sit here and guard you if you want" he offered.

 

"Hmph." Eden almost snorted crudely in laughter. "And how will I trust you to not run away? Or for anyone to take a shot at you while I'm off guard?" she grinned a bit, watching the waves lighten up with the sun.

 

Gexln laughed. "I give my word i won't run away, and as for taking a shot at me..well hey, i can hold my own" he said. He held up Darkness' Sorrow for Eden to see. "This beauty's saved me plenty of times, and i'm sure it'll save me plenty more" he stated.

 

"I know, but if someone did, wake me up. I can be quite scary when I wish to be." Eden nodded some approval, scrunching up in the once perfect sand and breathed herself soundly to sleep.

 

"Not as scary as that heartless, i'm sure" Gexln said quietly. He stood up, standing ready with Darkness' Sorrow in case anyone or anything decided to attack.

 

Eden opened a tired eye at Gexln, bewildered. "Gex, please, you look like my bodyguard, or someone hostile. Relax." she had a calm look about her eye, but stern and steady.

 

"If i relax, i lower my guard. If i lower my guard, it could lead to my death" he said. He then shrugged his shoulders. "Or yours" he added.

 

".... Just stand down for now. I know we'll be fine." Eden closed her eye, sighing and trying to go into a deep sleep.

 

"Have those two really been talking all this time?"Valerie asked as she and Riku passed Eden and Gexln. "Yes... I think it's best to leave a boat. They'll head to the mainland when they're ready."at the docks Riku hopped into a boat, taking the oars. Valerie sat down, her mind starting to wander of what they were doing on the mainland.
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Sora, on the other hand, was very busy. At the main islands residents were clearing up the rubble for people that were still alive and for food that was still good. Houses that were still standing housed refugees, doctors coming from the hospital to tend to the wounded. Sora watched the scenery before him, wondering if the same thing happened when Radiant Garden was attacked so many years ago....

 

"Fine, i'll relax. But it's your fault if we die" Gexln joked. He sat down and stretched his legs. "Haven't relaxed for a while" he said bluntly.

 

"Then shut up and relax." Eden grimly blurted out, trying to keep herself asleep.

 

Gexln mumbled something under his breath, near impossible to make out. He sat there, quietly, yet still scanning the horizon, remembering his other's past.