Disclaimer- I do not own Kingdom Hearts

Heartlessness

Chapter 1

Hydrangea

He was always busy. Working and studying under his master, Ansem. Knowledge was power in his Master's mind and one day the young apprentice wanted to succeed his master. Of course, that was the goal of every apprentice. Yet, at the young age of thirteen Xehanort was drowning himself in his studies, whether he realized it or not. Many of the residents of Radiant Garden found him to be a workaholic. Many of the boys and girls his age were having fun (asides going to school, which not many children found fun). Fun; however to Xehanort is what he considered a waste of time.

No, the apprentice of the Great Ansem the Wise did not have time for fun. He needed to work and learn like his master, a great scholar. Ansem was considered one of the greatest men in Radiant Garden. He was after all its current ruler. He was well versed in all types of sciences, exceeded well in creating new technology, and a famed researcher.

Xehanort came to Radiant Garden with no prior knowledge of his past. However, he was exceptionally perceptive and clever which gained the attention of Ansem the Wise. In turn, Ansem allowed Xehanort to study as one of his apprentices. His master taught him all the things he knew and the young boy had to admit that at times his master was truly a great scholar. Even if he did not agree with how his master executed his ideas.

Xehanort shifted his eyes away from the textbook on his desk. He brushed back his wild silver hair from his face and looked around his tiny study, which his Master provided him. He kept his study in tiptop shape. Never a book out of place on his bookshelf (he always put it back where it belonged when he took one out) nor was there ever a loose sheet of paper scattered across his desk and left at the end of the day. He rubbed his eyes trying to remove the weariness. He had been studying since early in the morning just after breakfast now it was late afternoon.

Must keep going He thought. No, there was never time for anything else but work and study. After all, he wanted to succeed his master. Not just succeed but also become better than him.

Suddenly, a knock on the door disrupted his thoughts. He looked up to see the door open. Entering the room was an older looking man with long blonde hair slicked back. His eyes were a piercing blue. He wore red robes and looked every bit of a ruler, as one would imagine.

"You are still studying, my young apprentice?" Ansem asked a slight chuckle in his voice. "It is a beautiful day out. Why not enjoy it?"

"I'm busy studying, master," Was the young apprentice's curt reply. How can you take a day off? He added that part mentally.

It annoyed Xehanort that his master was not as studious as he was. Even though when his master was working on some project, he went with it, full force but still found time to enjoy life outside this castle.

Ansem approached his apprentice's desk and flipped the book he was reading closed. Xehanort looked appalled. The older man simply smiled.

"It will be good for you," Ansem stated. "Now, get some fresh air. Being cooped up in here will make the other children think you do not like them."

Maybe I don't was the young boy's thoughts. Even though he wanted to argue that studying was more important than idle chatter with those who were not on the same level as him intellectually, he knew better than to argue. After all, Ansem was not asking him, he was more or less telling him to go outside and mingle.

Grudgingly, he got up from his desk and walked the hallways. Once he came outside, he found himself greeted by a beautiful blue sky and bright yellow sun. The weather was simply perfect and comfortable. However, Xehanort found his study much better. He was going to take a brisk walk that was all. He would take one lap around the nearby town and then go back to his studies before dinner. If he was quiet enough, he could study in his room until later to make up for his master's intrusion.

He walked down the streets of the city, his head held high as if he were better than everyone else was. Of course, he believed it. He passed by the peddlers' shops seeing them sell things like ice cream, some magic potions, some jewelries, and other lame items that he saw no use for.

As he walked, he saw a group of children playing. They were slightly younger than he was. He looked at them with disgust. Children were quite loud and annoying. If he were to talk to them, none of them would understand such simple (in his mind anyway) mathematic equations for physics. He quickly walked past them, wanting to get back to his studies. He hurried around a corner, already sick of this place. Yet, in his rush, he found himself tripping over something.

The silver haired boy landed hard on the ground. He let out a groan, his hands burned when they scraped across the ground. How did he trip, was it misplaced rock or a crack in the ground?

"Are you hurt?"

Xehanort looked up to see a small hand reaching down to him. His brown eyes traveled up to find a pair of deep emerald orbs looking down at him in concern. He ignored the waiting hand and stood up. He brushed off the dirt from his clothes and sneered at the girl before him. She was shorter than he was but close to the same age. Her hair was long and tied back in a tight braid with a pink bow securing it in place. Xehanort thought she looked quite childish in her pink bow.

"I'm sorry," she apologized as he began to walk away. "I didn't think putting my basket there would be a problem."

The apprentice looked back and saw a brown basket lying turned over on the ground. He snorted and began to walk hastily away. How annoying could some stupid little girl be? As he walked down the path back to the castle, he noticed the sun was setting which greatly annoyed him. Precious time was lost to him for this brief walk. Just then, he noticed out of the corner of his eye a shadow was following him. Turning around he saw the little girl he brushed off minutes earlier.

"What are you doing following me?" he demanded angrily.

"You're bleeding," she said.

"I'm what…" he touched his chin, which he had not noticed was stinging him. He looked down at his fingertips and found blood on them. Now he was even more annoyed.

"GO AWAY!" Xehanort ordered before continuing his way back home.

However, a minute or two later he could hear her footsteps behind him. Frustrated, he began to hurry in his pace. Yet, when he hurried, she hurried as well. He began to jog but when she continued to follow, he began to run break neck.

The silver haired boy looked back and was shocked to see the girl running after him not only that, she was able to keep up with his speed. This even more annoyed Xehanort. Why could she not take a hint and leave him alone? When he finally got back to his home, the home of his master, he was trying hard to catch his breath while glaring at the little girl who was sitting on the ground catching her own breath.

"I thought (gasp)… I told you (gasp)… to go away (gasp)!"

"You can't run well can you?" she asked completely ignoring him.

"Go home you stupid little-"

"Xehanort that is no way to speak to someone," Ansem scolded cutting him off.

Xehanort looked up to see Ansem the Wise glaring at him. He came down the front steps and looked at his apprentice, noticing the blood on his chin. He then looked at the little girl.

"What happened?" he gently asked.

"He tripped over my basket," she said holding up her crushed basket. "I have a bandage but he wouldn't let me talk. He kept running away. Yuffie always gets scrapes so I have to carry these around."

Ansem smiled at the little girl with her fistful of bandages. She smiled back. Xehanort could have gagged had his master not been in front of him. Ansem helped the little girl up. She thanked him politely before approaching Xehanort. She handed him a bandage, which he snatched rudely away.

"I said I was sorry," she said sadly.

"Apologize to her Xehanort," Ansem ordered.

"Why should I apologize?" Xehanort gaped, appalled by the thought.

"Xehanort!" Ansem snapped. Ansem knew his apprentice knew what he was talking about, crushing the girl's basket and being overly rude to her.

Xehanort clenched his fists before saying a very strenuous, "Sorry."

"Now take her home," Ansem ordered walking up the steps.

"WHAT? Why should I? She came here by herself!"

"It is dangerous for a little girl to be out alone and she was worried for you."

Ansem was not going to take a no for answer. He walked back into his home leaving Xehanort and the girl outside. This was not something he wanted to do. Yet, ff he wanted to get back to his studies, he knew he had to. Letting out a exasperating growl he turned to the girl, jamming his hands in his pockets, and began to walk.

"COME ON!" he barked.

The girl followed, walking next to him.

The two walked down the path back to the town. The girl was carrying her basket in both hands, since when Xehanort tripped over it he broke her handle.

"How come you never come out to play?" she asked, disrupting the silence that Xehanort preferred.

He did not reply.

"Are you shy? Everyone is really nice." She probed further.

Xehanort ignored her, wishing she would simply shut up.

"Is it because you are bad at running or that you don't know how to play games?"

"I DON'T PLAY GAMES BECAUSE THEY ARE A WASTE OF TIME NOW SHUT UP!" Xehanort exploded.

The girl looked startled causing a silence between them. Xehanort was seething, expecting her to start crying. That would really set him off. Instead, she laughed at him. Instead of bawling like a baby, she was laughing at him. Why was she laughing at him? This annoyed the young apprentice even more so than he already was, if that was even possible!

"But games are fun," she giggled.

"Not to me! I said they are a waste of time. There is nothing fun about playing childish games!"

"So what do you do then for fun?" she asked.

"I don't do anything for fun. I study and work hard!"

"Don't you have friends?"

"Why would I have friends? What I like is studying and learning new things. I don't need friends to do that."

"Doesn't it get boring?" she wondered, placing her hand under her chin in a thoughtful manner.

"No, it's very satisfying!" he countered. "I like science and technology. I like mathematics and physics. I rather talk to someone on my intellectual level than play some brainless games with someone who does not even know the Mass-energy equivalence. Tell me little girl do you know what the Mass-energy equivalence is?"

She shook her head.

"Then that means… I DO NOT WANT TO TALK TO YOU!"

She did not say anything. Xehanort expected her to cry this time, now that he clearly made his point across. Instead, she stood there looking at him. What was this girl, dumb? Suddenly she plunged her hand in this basket and pulled out something. It was a flower. She held onto the stem while the blue flower petals grew in panicles on the end.

"Do you know what this is then?" she asked.

"A flower," Xehanort sighed miserably. Still she had to continue to talk.

"It's a hydrangea." She said.

"It's still a flower," he muttered.

"It grows in the spring and until fall." She continued ignoring his comment. "They grow all over Radiant Garden and I didn't study to know that. I learned because I play out in the gardens. In the language of flowers, it means Thank-you for understanding, frigidity, and heartlessness! "

The little girl shoved the flower in his hand and glared up at him with her emerald orbs. Those eyes had such a fire behind them that it took Xehanort by surprise. He even got the impression that she was calling him heartless.

Xehanort looked mildly impressed. A small grin appeared across his face. He never thought such a young girl would attempt to put him in his place.

"What's your name?" he curiously asked.

"Aerith," she said with her arms crossed.

She then stormed off toward a corner cottage. She opened the door and walked inside. Before she closed it she looked out and him. Xehanort arched an eyebrow, wondering what she was looking at, even expecting her to talk. Instead, she shut the door behind her, leaving the apprentice alone. He looked down at the flower and smirked.

X, X, X,

Author Note- O.K. I have to be crazy because I am writing a Xehanort (aka Xemnes, Ansem) and Aerith fanfic? Well I guess if I can write one about Marluxia/Aerith and Demyx/Aerith ... I can write about anyone (with Aerith).

Just for the record, this is going to be snippets. I'll assume Aerith is ten years old or younger in this fanfic and Xehanort is 3-4 years older than her. This will not a long story all (at least I hope not... my stories sometimes do last pretty long which causes hiatuses a lot... oops?).

Also, I have no editor and I tried to edit this and believe me I probably STILL missed something. Anyway, thanks for reading and please leave a review.