This story contains some language. So umn, yeah.

Chapter 1- The beginning and the end

The morning air was brisk, but thankfully there was no wind. It made mornings like these a bit more manageable. Xion yawned and embraced herself. It wasn't that she was cold, on the contrary she was very resistant to cold weather. However, having only three hours of shut eye, the slightest upset in anything made her extremely uncomfortable. She didn't want to be up. She wanted to be back home under her covers where there was no sunlight or cold air to bother her. Even the happy chirps from the birds made her want to shudder. It's too cold, too noisy, and too bright. She didn't have the energy to walk to school, and she made no attempt to converse with her friend who was walking beside her. Well…at first.

"You don't look too good Xion, maybe you should've stayed home." Kairi expressed concerned. She received an intelligible grumble in reply and sighed. "You know…maybe if you went to bed on time, you wouldn't look so bad."

Kairi always made sure she looked her best wherever she went. It was a matter of principle for her. She wasn't vain, rather she believed having a clean state of appearance promoted a clean state of mind. Of course, as well as a healthy diet and exercise. She couldn't afford anything that could potentially slow her down. Today she wore her auburn hair neatly brushed and left down where it just barely met her upper-back, her white school shirt and plaid skirt were carefully ironed the night before. She wrapped herself in the softest scarf she owned and wore her winter jacket since it began to get colder as winter approached. Her socks were also ironed and her shoes looked practically as new, just like they do every morning. Xion usually was much less anal about those types of things. While she looked presentable on most days, days like today; which were slowly becoming more and more frequent, she looked like an utter mess. Her shirt was unevenly buttoned, and her bow wasn't even tied right. One of her knee socks was falling down and her sweater clung to her shoulders unbuttoned, and hanging on for dear life. The poor girl still had bed head and dark circles under her eyes that looked even more contrasting and noticeable on her pale skin. She had a glazed look in her eye and concentrated on the ground as she walked, almost walking into a gate if Kairi hadn't redirected her.

Kairi stopped her and straightened her out the best she could. Xion gave no contest.

"It wasn't that…" Xion trailed off quietly, it sounded as more of a mumble. Kairi fixed her shirt and her bow and readjusted her sweater.

"More and more days you seem so exhausted. I'm starting to get really worried about you. Is there…something I should know about?" Kairi probed. She ran her fingers through Xion's hair in attempt to smooth it out the best she could.

"Just…more dreams and stuff." Xion spoke a little more coherently as she continued. She also began to get an eerie look in her eye. "Nightmares actually. More and more of them. All about the same thing." She squinted one of her eyes, focused on the ground.

"Same thing you say?" Kairi knew what she meant, but didn't want to hear about it anymore. She attempted to gloss over the subject quickly. "Well Dreams and Nightmares are always weird. Those movies about people getting dreams that pertain exactly to their lives is just stupid movie stuff. I mean, yesterday I dreamed I walked into a Japanese's style room with spider webs everywhere. Though, instead of spiders, there were LOBSTERS on the webs. Can you believe that? Anyway I doubt you had breakfast. Let's get to school quicker so you'll have time to eat breakfast there, come on." Kairi stood up from fixing Xion's sock, grabbed her wrist, and pulled her along.

"N-No it wasn't like that. They're all coherent and very…vivid." Xion continued.

"So was mine, I could feel the Lobsters sharp claws poking at my head. Now enough of this we need to get you some energy if you're going to be able to function at all today." Kairi continued to dance around the subject to avoid Xion elaborating about her dreams. After a few minutes however, Xion stopped in her tracks and prevented Kairi from pulling her any further.

"Wa-wait…isn't this the route Vanitas takes in the mornings?" Xion was much more alert now, and yet not at the same time. She looked deathly exhausted, like she could pass out at any moment. Yet, she stood unnaturally erect even though having slouched the whole walk. She was akin to someone thriving on coffee rather than sleep for handful of days and her words were a bit frantic.

"This is the main street Xion, almost everyone that walks comes this way." Kairi tried to urge her forward but Xion stayed rooted in her spot.

"H-He's the one causing everything. The r-reason why I'm l-like this.."

Kairi rolled her eyes. "No, you're like this because you're tired Xion. You can't think straight right now and you're delirious."

"No! I-I mean the nightmares. He's always in them…doing horrible things to me…or watching horrible things h-happen to me with those big…d-demon eyes that he has!" Xion's eyes were wide but still refused to focus on anything particular.

Not this again. Kairi thought. She put on a fake smile and said as soothingly as possible; "Well if you're so afraid of him then why don't you break up with him?"

"B-Because he wouldn't let me!" Xion was looking at her friend now. She looked strained and paranoid. Kairi couldn't help but feel sympathetic for her. "E-Everytime I try to talk about anything serious he just…glares at me and i-it feels like if I say something that will upset him he'll hurt me. I get too scared to t-talk to him at all b-because he acts like everyone is s-such a hindrance to his existence."

Kairi put a hand on Xion's shoulder and held her gaze steadily. "It's alright Xion you're just exhausted. You can't think straight. I assure you Vanitas does like you. Why would he ask you to date him if he didn't? Also, he doesn't act like you're a hindrance to him." She gently pet Xion's head in attempt to calm her.

"N-No..maybe he doesn't go o-out of his way to make me feel worthless like with everyo-one else but he ignores my presence most of the time anyway." Xion argued, she began to stress herself out. Her stomach turned in knots whenever she made eye-contact with him. She always felt like she was walking on the most fragile of eggshells in a bear cave when he was around.

"So he ends up haunting your dreams because you think he's rude?" Kairi raised an eyebrow almost annoyed it seemed. It was too early for this for her. She let go of Xion.

"N-No…not just that. There's something very e-evil about him, I feel it deep in my stomach. It makes me shudder every time I think of him. I can't explain i-it too much but so many alarms go off in me when he's near. I-I mean he IS creepy. For one his eyes glow, l-like literally."

"I think it's kind of cool. It just looks that way because his eyes are a light color." Kairi shrugged.

"His name…Vanitas…it feels like I'm sinning every time I say it."

"Now that's just over reacting Xion." Kairi put her hands on her hips.

"W-What about how d-discreet he is? N-No one knows anything about him. H-He could be a serial killer f-for all I know. I-I bet, I bet that I-I'm his next victim!"

Kairi just stared incredulously at her.

"W-Why are you defending him?! Y-You're supposed to be my friend and you're just ignoring me! I'm telling you how much he frightens me and you just don't care!"

Kairi sighed. "I do Xion. But I also know you are exhausted, delirious, and you're yelling like a crazy person early in the morning. I think maybe you're just being a little irrational right now. You've told me before how you feel like he's forcing you to date him. But I assure you, he's just awkward."

"Y-Yeah if your definition of awkward is the same as my d-definition of Satan." Xion countered.

Kairi readjusted her bag, and gave another look like she was over it and completely done with this conversation. "You're overreacting again."

"S-stop it I'm not!" Xion was irritated even more. She repeating Xion was just exhausted. Why wouldn't she just listen? Xion wasn't crazy. She didn't understand why Kairi always ignored this subject. It hurt Xion a lot that her supposed best friend wouldn't listen to her feelings. "He's m-mean, arrogant, a-and dangerous! I HATE him K-Kairi! I'm telling you how this is affecting me and you just t-take his side! The side of an-" Xion stopped. She noticed Kairi focused on something very distinct behind her. Then, Xion stiffened. She knew that feeling. That feeling of being stared down so hard that it felt like it was actually causing bodily harm to her. He had caught up with them because Xion refused to move when Kairi wanted her to.

"Go on…" He said in a low voice. It was calm, yet somehow had a menacing undertone. "I don't mean to interrupt you're little tirade. You hate me and I'm a what?"

Xion refused to turn around. She got so scared that it felt like her heart was rapidly beating and had completely stopped all together all at one time. Her throat constricted and she couldn't speak. She felt instantly nauseous. She looked at Kairi who gave a look of indifference. Vanitas looked at Kairi.

"You can leave, I'm walking her the rest of the way." He said in the same tone. Kairi then left, just like that. Xion begged with her eyes for her not to go but she didn't even notice. There was a moment of deafening silence while Xion stood as stiff as a board. Thoughts racing through her mind about what he could have heard. What he would do now that he knows how she feels.

Finally, he scoffed. "Wow…you're such a coward. You can't even insult me to my face." He remarked with blatant disgust. He walked in front of her and stared her down. She wanted to blurt out insults and retorts but her mind warned against it.

"Heh…" He smirked, then roughly squished her cheeks together with one of his hands and effortlessly pulled her close to him. She gasped, forced to stand on her toes. He looked into her eyes. "You're lucky I think you're pretty."

Xion breathed a little hard as Vanitas's eyes lingered on her lips too long for her liking, he looked less disgusted and more slightly captivated. H-He's not going to kiss me is he? Not again! P-Please God no! She thought. He licked his bottom lip slightly then looked into her eyes again. His look of intrigue also became one of indifference and he dropped her.

"Now hurry up and let's go." He ordered, and began walking away.

Xion's rigidness faded to tolerable levels and she regained her composure. She glared at his back and immediately looked away when he turned to face her.

"Well? What? Do you need to be carried?" He looked annoyed. He went back over and grabbed her hand, pulling her along. She wanted to pull away but his grip remained so firm that she could barely wriggle her fingers. He didn't even give her time to start walking before he decided she was too incapable. Xion gazed at the increasing number of students that she saw walking once it came closer to school time. They were all off in their own little worlds, not even seeing what transpired. Surely some of them must have heard her raving? It was obvious she wasn't in any real danger right now, but it didn't feel that way. She never felt safe with him. Everything about him was just rude and cruel. She stared at him, even though he held her hand he was still guiding her as if she were a lost dog. How could someone that had seemingly such a lazy appearance be so much of a hardass?

Vanitas's Jet black hair was constantly a mess, spikes pointing in all different directions. Xion likened it to a rats nest. He wore his school blazer with the sleeves rolled up, no doubt wrinkling his shirt's sleeves underneath. Not like that would make any difference though, his shirt wasn't even buttoned all the way up to his collar; rather, stopping short where his tie hung loosely around his neck. Why did he even wear it anyway if he refused to wear it right? He never tucked in his shirt, Xion often wondered quietly to herself that if he even knew HOW to dress somewhat presentable and professional. Though, not like he'd ever get a job. Xion couldn't imagine anyone wanting to work with him. He wore standard sneakers rather than the school shoes, not that that they were necessarily reprimanded for that. Many people at school wore different shoes, but Vanitas wore the same pair of shoes daily and they didn't even look all that taken care of.

His hand became sweaty but his grip did not loosen. Xion felt even more uncomfortable than before. Today had such a dreadful start.

She woke up periodically throughout the night in cold sweats. Her nightmares became more and more detailed as time passed. The sensation of torn flesh and the smell of smoke was more real to her than the feeling of the carpet beneath her feet when she got out of bed. He was always there somehow. All of them tended to be different, but always ended in flames. He really is the devil, and he's dragging me to hell. She'd muse begrudgingly to herself, in a feeble attempt to make light of all the fear and hatred that welled up inside of her. It's his fault. All his fault. She felt miserable and bothered by the littlest thing because of her fatigue. She didn't eat at all despite her dad's protests because the idea of her actually getting a bowl or silverware and physically chewing felt like the most strenuous activity she's ever been asked to do in that moment. She walked outside and barely said any words to Kairi when she greeted her at her houses gate, until that whole fiasco that is.

They finally got to the school the first thing they did was go to Vanitas's locker. Well, not like she had a choice in that. They got to his locker and he retrieved his books. Xion wiped her sweaty palm on her skirt. Even though she had been physically freed Vanitas got upset when she left his side without him allowing her too. So she stood there like the obedient pet that she was. The hallway was loud with students and the noise invaded her ears like a blaring alarm. She began to grow restless waiting for him, wanting desperately to just move somewhere quiet where she could try to get some more rest. She could feel her body beginning to crash again. After Vanitas took the lead and she remained quiet and to herself, this allowed her to calm down and to revert to her weary status. However she was even more agitated that he seemed to be taking longer than usual. She just wanted to be freed already. Without thinking she let out:

"C-Can you hurry it up?" She muttered under her breath. She looked to the side and crossed her arms. Her brows were furrowed in an unsatisfied and almost whiny expression.

Vanitas closed his locker door just enough to where he could see her standing behind it. He raised an eyebrow, not used to her being so outspoken with him like this. But this morning had been filled with all sorts of surprises. "Excuse me?" He asked in disbelief. "I'll take as long as I want. Stop being such a bitch today will you? I haven't done anything." He said accusatory.

Xion widened her eyes a little. How had he heard her? Wait. Her? A bitch? Did he not even comprehend the definition of irony? Xion just stood there silently. He opened a book and began writing in it, and she stood there for a few more minutes.

She felt herself waver slightly, as the urge to close her eyes and never open them again became more and more tantalizing. Maybe it was because of herlow energy and her processing ability becoming more and more halted. Maybe it was truly the last straw and Xion was actually over dealing with him. Maybe it was the fact that they were surrounded by people and he was distracted. But rather then shrivel up like she was doing a short time ago, she turned her heel and walked away.

She blinked slowly as her eyes got heavier and heavier. All sorts of people walked past her and Vanitas's angry calls were drowned out by the accumulation of bright lights and noises around her. She began to wonder if it was possible to fall asleep while walking. She fell asleep while studying before but that was a bit different. This wasn't the first day she was like this, not even close. But this was definitely the worst one so far. Her mind began to drift into incoherent thoughts that she struggled to comprehend, unable to realize they were just random trailing thoughts. She headed in the direction of her first class when she walked right into someone. She stood still for a moment, her face buried into this person's chest. It wasn't exactly her pillow but at least it was a place to support her head for at least a few minutes of sleep. The thought of how weird this was never hit her.

"Xionnnn? Helllllloooooo?" A familiar voice called. Xion looked up and met the gaze of one of her other friends, the one that wasn't currently a traitor in her eyes.

"Whoa.." Roxas commented. "You don't look so good. Are you sick? I saw you walking and I went up to greet you and you just kinda…walked into me."

Xion blinked slowly. "Rox…" She mumbled, then rested her head against him again. He felt her forehead.

"You don't seem warm. Umn, if anything you seem cold. Did you leave your jacket at home or something? I can lend you mine if you need it. Just d-don't get me sick okay? I have set up duty and I need all my strength for that." He chuckled awkwardly when she didn't give any sort of response to his joke.

Roxas was always kind. He was the type of guy who was both over protective and fun-loving at once. He was a cool guy but get on his bad side and you'd be stuck there forever. She felt safe with him. He would take her side on almost any matter and he'd listen to her when she was in destress. She used to think the same of Kairi, but that seemed to no longer be the case.

He held her at arm's length and got a good look at her. His face gave a look of deep concern. "Maybe you should head home Xion, you have zombie eyes and you do not look the least bit like you're well enough to sit through your classes. Do you want me to call your dad and tell him? Do you need me to carry you to the nurse or something? I know you could walk but it doesn't seem like you're really paying attention to where you're going. You'll probably fall on your face."

Xion smiled a bit and yawned. The way he acted so brotherly to her always made her smile.

"I-I'll be okay Roxas, I'm just tired an-"

"There you are." Came a voice from behind her. Vanitas had caught up with her. Why would he even do that? Maybe he had to yell her some more to fill some sort of 'daily quota'.

"R-Roxas, tell him to go away…I j-just want to sleep." Xion said in varying degrees of volume that were anywhere between quiet and inaudible.

Vanitas glared at Roxas and pulled Xion away from him.

She gave a halfhearted glare, annoyed that she was suddenly separated from what seemed like the first peaceful situation all morning. She just wanted some damned sleep! Was that so hard?

He raised an eyebrow at Vanitas. "What crawled up your ass?"

"Leave." Vanitas told him. Roxas looked over at Xion then back at him.

"Fine, damn. Just give her some peace today alright? Bye Xion." He waved to Xion casually and left.

Wait what? Where is he going? Why did she leave her here with him? She began to sink back into irritation and met Vanitas's jealous glare. This time, she actually kept his gaze.

"Why d-do you always have to ruin everything? Everything is so loud and irritating and it's all your fault." Her thoughts began to flood forward without her being alert enough to stop them. Earlier she was in a heated argument with Kairi and was able to process a bit more what was happening. But right now she just wanted him and everyone else to go away.

"Me?! Wha-How is that my fault?! You're the one who's acting really irritating! What the hell is wrong with you?! Get your shit together because you're REALLY starting to anger me." Vanitas spoke through clenched teeth.

Xion opened her mouth to speak more but he cut her off. He began going off on this tirade about her behavior that she really couldn't care less about right then. His words just became sounds that seemed almost intelligible. She let out yet another yawn.

"Did you listen to any word I just said?!" He yelled. Some people were staring as they walked by.

"Umn..no." She replied.

He sighed angrily and lowered his voice a bit, still keeping his menacing tone. "You're insufferable. Just meet me for lunch on the roof and you better start acting right."

Xion raised her eyebrow. "But…why would I do that? I don't even like you." She said in somewhat slowed speech. Vanitas looked somewhat taken aback. Why? Hadn't he heard her say just that earlier?

His expression became unreadable for a few seconds and then he let her go. "Just do it and stop asking so many fucking questions." Then he left her alone.

Finally. She thought, and she sluggishly walked to her first class, and rested her head on her desk.

Each period blazed by, mostly because Xion slept in all of them. Xion tried her best to stay awake in her more serious classes that required her to pay attention. She didn't think she did such a good job, but she did manage to rest enough to be mostly alert later on in the day.

Xion sat in her language class following along with the notes when it finally occurred to her. She tensed and almost dropped her pen. Through the hazy tired fog that clouded her all morning, she remembered the way she acted to Vanitas. She went against him, told him TO HIS FACE that she didn't like him, and basically disregarded his entire presence since then. Her stomach turned in knots again, and she felt like she was going to throw up. What was she going to do? She was so sloppy this morning that she didn't watch were she was stepping in the cave. Now, she had awoken the bear. She covered her mouth slightly, and her heart begun to race. Though, she had to admit, it felt rather invigorating telling him off like that. She had always been so scared. A smile crept onto her face then immediately faded. What was going to happen next? Would he start getting physical with her? She wouldn't put it past him. Based on how rough he was when he took her first kiss she could only imagine how much harm he'd do to her if he came after her. Maybe she should write a will and hide it somewhere. It would read something like; 'If I die, Vanitas did it. He's the devil incarnate.' She thought about leaving something like that with a friend in case her dad died trying to protect her from Vanitas's possible blood thirsty revenge, and she began to think about Kairi.

She betrayed me. She defended someone that treats me like dirt and she thinks his 'eyes are cool'. And then just abandons me with him! How could she do something like that to me?! Xion scowled. She'd have to call her that night. No. You know what, No! Why do I have to go to her? She left ME. I'll wait until she comes to me first. Xion seemed pretty satisfied with that thought. Then started thinking about Vanitas and once again immediately began to both be proud of herself and panic for herself.

Soon the bell rang and it was lunch time. Xion would usually grabbed her lunch from her locker and sit with her friends-or Vanitas if he demanded away her attention-and would eat with them. However, Xion forgot to retrieve her lunch this morning and went to the cafeteria instead. She felt disappointed because she made herself a fruit salad the night before and knew she would have to eat some tasteless chicken or something. Though, if that was the most difficult of her problems right now she'd gladly be satisfied with that.

While in line, Xion spotted Roxas and Kairi happily eating together. It was almost like it didn't matter if she were there or not. This made her really upset. She longed so much to be with her friends, to not be angry Kairi, and for her issue with Vanitas to just disappear. And maybe if things were better, then a part of her wouldn't even mind giving Vanitas an actual shot. That would only happen of course if Vanitas was much more sympathetic and didn't give her such a vile gut feeling. What was she thinking? Vanitas would never be redeemable in her eyes. And, as it stood now everything seemed to be too much to handle. When she got to the front of the line she paid for her lunch, took it, and left the cafeteria. She felt their eyes on her, but she did not meet them. Instead she headed up the schools stairs to the rooftop.

The roof top was a generally nice place, people went up there to eat sometimes and there was a small gardening club held up there so people could view the little flower pots and growing vegetables if they wanted to. It was supposed to be a nice place but…Xion stopped moving. She was almost at the door exiting onto the roof. Everything, well, just about everything was out on the table now right? I may have been tired…but..I wasn't wrong. I don't like Vanitas and he knows that now. So why pretend any longer that I hold any sort of positive regard for him? Why still play the part? I'm still scared of what he'll do but…She looked up at the door. The door that led to him. The one that caused all of this. I…No…This whole morning I've said no to him. I won't let him have power over me any longer. She cringed at the flashbacks of dreams she had, his eyes glowing through the smoke as ashes rained down upon her. It was almost like a warning from her subconscious about what he'll do to her. It took a lot of her courage to walk back downstairs, she constantly looked behind her back to see if he'd randomly appear. He didn't. As she finally took her last step and was back on the ground floor she felt like a big weight was lifted off of her somewhat. Her stomach was still in knots and she was pretty sure he'd come for her tomorrow if not that same day after school. Regardless, she felt confident in herself. That he'd no longer be able to boss her around like he did before, and that his influence over her and hopefully he himself, would slowly fade away.

She took her lunch to the library, and there she spent her whole lunch period enjoying her own company in peace. She thought about going back to her friends for a moment, seeing how she was only upset with Kairi, but if Vanitas had decided to look for her that would be where he would look first. She might've felt stronger but she didn't want to see him just yet, and she certainly didn't want to see Kairi either. She thought for a moment about when Roxas left her that morning and she frowned. He knew how she felt, the topic of Vanitas wasn't a new thing between her and her friends. Did he really think she would've been okay with him? And why did he listen to someone that treated him so rudely. Roxas was one of the most stubborn people she knew. Then she shut it all out. It's lunch time Xion, after this then one more class and you can go home. Save this for later…She calmed herself and blocked out all of her ideas about her friend's betrayal. She continued to eat in silence.

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Fin

EEEEYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

I'm back! And this is the first chapter of the NEW AND IMPROVED version of Children of the moon. For those of you that are new, welcome! And for those who are returning thanks for waiting this long, it's much appreciated and it warmed my heart so much to see how much attention this little story got after I posted saying I was picking it up again. You guys make me so excited to continue and finally finish this story. SO no spoilers for those of you that already know, and I look forward to finally bringing this to a conclusion.

Also, I know I'm not the best writer so feel free to drop by some tips.

XD

Also, repost on my birthday total coincidence.

-Rovan

(I don't own kh, this will be my disclaimer for the rest of my story)