Title: Prologue: The Pink Apprentice

Warnings: Some minor Birth by Sleep spoilers, but seeing as it's pre-BBS, there shouldn't be too many. Hey, I can't catch everything. Also, being pre-BBS, like probably two months or so, there may be certain parts that make Ven seem a bit younger.

Special Notes: Thank you so much to Divine Wolfe, even though she may not realize it. Just by reading her Disciples of the Keyblade story I have gotten a lot better at making them not too OOC-ish, in my opinion.

The Land of Departure was home to some of the remaining few Keyblade wielders left in existence. With its radiant gardens, tall mountainous spires, and gold chains connecting it all to the large white castle, it was a truly beautiful world. In this peaceful land a Master and his three apprentices made their living.

Aqua lounged casually on one of the benches in the gardens, gazing up at the few wisps of cloud in the practically clear azure sky. Ventus lay on his back on the ground, arms behind his head-asleep-no doubt; and the eldest of the three, Terra, leaned back while sitting on a low wall.

"I wonder why we don't have a lesson today," Aqua voiced.

"The Master said he had some important business to attend to," Ventus replied. So he wasn't asleep then, Aqua thought.

"Something to do with Keybearers," Terra told them. "I'm not quite sure what, though."

Aqua sat up straight. "Keybearers? As in more than one?"

Terra shook his head. "I'm not sure. Although probably only one. There aren't many left, you know." Many years ago a Keyblade War had raged, with many wielders vying for the ultimate power of Kingdom Hearts. Not all the bearers had joined in, but almost every one that had was now dead. The Keyblade had not chosen many others since then, and most were reluctant to pass on the ability to wield, in case another War was started from it.

Ventus stood up suddenly. "I'm getting kind of hungry," he said. "Can we go back for dinner?"

Aqua ruffled his hair as she got up from her seated position. "Sure Ven. How about I make us something? I found a new recipe in the library I want to try out."

Ven practically jumped for joy. "Yeah!" he cheered.

Terra stood and followed them back towards the castle, chuckling at the youngest apprentice's enthusiasm.

After the three had finished eating, they were about to head back to their rooms to rest when Master Eraqus walked through the entrance to the castle. Noticing his pupils halfway up the stairs, he held out a hand to stop them. "Terra, Aqua, Ventus, come here a moment," he ordered, though in a kind voice.

The apprentices slowly walked over, bowing low at the waist. "Master," they chimed in unison.

Eraqus smiled faintly at his students. "I'd like the three of you to meet Hana," he said. "She will be training with you from now on."

Ventus craned his neck around. A small girl, about the same age as him, perhaps younger, was hiding behind Eraqus, clutching the Master's cloak as she peeked at the others with cerulean blue eyes through her curly white-blonde hair. She was wearing a strapless hot-pink ruffle top, a black pleated skirt, black stockings, metallic silver boots, and pale pink bell sleeves that were split open about halfway down to let them dangle off her arms. Determined to get a better look at her face, seeing as it was covered by her hair, Ven craned his neck even more, so much that he almost fell over, but Aqua grabbed him in time and he was able to regain his balance.

Eraqus nodded encouragingly at Hana, gently propelling her out from behind him and towards his other pupils. "Hana's former Master recently passed away," he told them, "and I have decided to finish her training. She can use a Keyblade, but the trauma has given her temporary amnesia, and she can not remember anything about her past."

Just like Ven, Terra thought.

Aqua bent down to be at the young girl's eye level and brushed Hana's messy bangs out of her eyes. At the mention of her previous master, the newest Keyblade Disciple's eyes teared up slightly.

Eraqus cleared his throat. "Hana will occupy the room next to Ventus'," he commanded. "I ask that you all make her feel at home here, and help keep her from getting lost. We will commence training tomorrow morning. I expect the four of you up bright and early in the Training Room at five o'clock."

Ventus groaned as they walked upstairs. He was not a morning person. After saying goodnight to Terra and Aqua, and watching them go to their rooms for the rest of the night, he stopped between his and Hana's bedroom doors and then turned to her. "So," he mumbled casually, "you apprenticed before? What was your Master's name?"

Hana cast her eyes at the floor. After a seemingly endless silence, which in reality Ven suspected was only a few seconds, she pushed open the door to her room, walked inside, and quietly shut it in his face.

Okay, he thought to himself as he walked into his own bedroom, not much of a talker.

Alright, hope you enjoyed my little teaser!

This is my very first Kingdom Hearts fic, and the very first fic I've made that I'm actually super proud of and will definitely finish/not ditch. So therefore flaming will not be tolerated, appreciated, or put up with. Constructive criticism is welcome, as are suggestions for future chapters. Who knows, I may even put one of your ideas into this.

Please review! That really makes me happy.