Before I begin, yes, I am doing NaNoWriMo, and yes, I will be including the author notes in my word count. :)

This is the fourth chapter in my pride and joy, the Reluctant Father series, my official 358/2 Days AU. This series hasn't had much in the way of plot development since Invader in February. That will not do! So, I am writing this to remedy the situation, posting as I go along.

Note for newcomers: This is a major AU, where Saix is nice, Xion has a title and more. It is highly recommended that you read at least Invader before proceeding if this story is to make a lick of sense to you. Don't worry, I'll wait.

With that out of the way, we shall start with something never before seen in the RF universe. We will start with a reference to the day number. Enjoy!

DISCLAIMER: Kingdom Hearts belongs to Disney and Square Enix. I do not stand to profit from this work in any way. And yes, I'm including the disclaimer in the word count, too. We don't want it to sit around being the useless hunk of words it really is, now do we? :)

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The Longest Night

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In our memories lie the light.

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Chapter I

Broken Glass

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Day 212

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The lights of the Round Room bored down on Saix, as hot as any desert sun. The monthly meeting wouldn't be for another few hours, but Lord Xemnas had called him here. This usually meant that he wanted something, which was a big deal because Xemnas never wanted something. In general, he let events take their course, not meddling in the whims of destiny and the mighty Kingdom Hearts. So calling the Luna Diviner to a closed-doors meeting was an unprecedented move.

As it turned out, Xemnas did want something. And Saix knew that a certain trio would not like it.

"We have found the True Keybearer," Xemnas said in that almighty tone that said clearly I rule all. "His wanderings have finally led him to Castle Oblivion, or at least, they will very soon."

Saix leaned back, stroking his chin. "Then it should be easy enough to ambush and kill him."

"Ah, but you miss the true potential of this." Xemnas looked up, as if basking in light. "If we kill him, we eliminate a threat. But if we use him…then we turn the threat against itself."

"You're suggesting we capture him?"

Xemnas shook his head, as if disappointed at Saix for repeatedly missing the point. "In the end, that would only result in the same consequences as killing. The threat is gone, but no further benefit is gained. What we must do…is manipulate the True Keybearer."

Saix sighed. He should have guessed. "Superior, with all due respect, I do believe that it would be simpler to just kill him."

"The simplest plan is not always the best one, Number VII."

"Neither is the most complex. Empires have fallen because their emperors favored an overly intricate road, thinking the simple solution was 'too obvious'."

More headshaking from Xemnas. "Is there any particular reason you are so opposed to this plan? Have Number VIII and the children made you soft?"

For the slightest fraction of a second, Saix tensed. But it faded as quickly as it had come. "Ridiculous. I merely have concerns about the merits of attempting to manipulate Sora, who we know from our own experience is dangerous."

"Ah, but that is the greatest beauty of all. The True Keybearer will be dangerous. He is not such at this point in time. If we strike now, we can use that potential…we can craft him into the most powerful weapon ever created."

Saix considered this. "…Fair enough. What do you want me to do?"

"A nine-man team should be enough. You may send whoever you wish, with one caveat…" Xemnas leaned forward. "There are four people who must be on this assignment."

Saix nodded. "And those are?"

"Number XI, as he is the one who found Sora, and…" Xemnas paused, as if considering his decision one more time. "…Axel, Roxas and Xion."

Saix blinked. "Sir…I can understand Axel, but sending our Keybearers would halt heart collection entirely…to say nothing of what may happen should they discover the Replica Program."

Xemnas leaned back again, surveying the room. "Number VII…we are attempting to ensnare a new Keybearer, and we are sending his spawn on a dangerous mission to do it. Surely, you understand what I am hinting at."

Saix never gasped. Ever. The only mark of shock he showed was a slight tilting of his left eyebrow. "Sir…they are still of use to us."

"Our plans were already falling apart when 'it' became 'she'. But as you have just noted, they were still of use to us, collecting hearts. When Roxas developed impossible feelings for the Replica, my concern grew, but again, they still had purpose. But if our plan succeeds, they will be rendered obsolete."

Saix stared straight at the Superior. "And if it fails, we will be left with nothing."

"Do you really think I was so idiotic as to not have more replica wielders in reserve for just such an occasion?" Xemnas stared into empty space. "Our current wielders are as broken glass. No matter how much you may love a glass, no matter how many drinks it may have given you, when it develops the slightest crack, it must be thrown away and a new one acquired, for if you were to drink out of it…you would cut yourself."

Saix was losing control of the situation, even as he kept his cool. "Perhaps we could use all three, and—"

"Number VII."

Xemnas putting on a harsh tone was the fastest way to shut any member of the Organization up, including Saix.

After a long silence, Xemnas spoke again, in his usual cool tone. "Why does your trust for me continue to deteriorate?"

Saix shook his head. "My trust in your word has never wavered."

"Then why do you not follow my orders without question?"

"Because I still see a use in Roxas and Xion."

Xemnas narrowed his eyes. For a moment that felt like forever, Saix was certain that his time was almost over.

"…Number VII. You will carry out my orders or you will be terminated, to be replaced with someone more useful. That is final."

After another long moment, Saix nodded. "Yes, sir. I will handle matters as per your orders."

"Good. And one more thing."

"Yes?"

"Be careful not to cut yourself on the broken glass. If the cut itself doesn't destroy you…I will."

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Xion held Axel's hand tight. "I don't want to go."

Axel was staring out into the Twilight Town sunset. He seemed sad…but he covered it up quickly. "Why not?"

Xion rubbed her hands through her hair. "I have a really, really, really bad feeling about it, okay? What's the name again…"

Roxas bit into his ice cream, looking at Xion with concern. "Castle Oblivion."

Xion grabbed her stomach as it did flips. "Yes!" she shouted. "The name makes me sick!"

Xion felt a hand on her shoulder, and turned to see that Axel had moved so that he was to her left. "Calm down. You'll be fine."

Xion looked back at the sunset. "You don't sound like you mean that…"

Axel's silence was more deafening than any roar. "…I promise that you're going to be okay. I promise."

"If I'm going to be fine, then why does…that stupid name make me feel sick?"

More silence. "…Because you're worrying yourself too much."

Xion stood up and looked Axel in the eye. "You're a horrible liar."

Axel stood up as well, more slowly. "Xion…please…"

Xion felt tears coming to her eyes. "Why are you lying?"

"Xion, I'm telling you, you'll be fine."

"Stop lying."

"Xion, you will be fine."

Xion could feel herself crying more than she ever had in her life, and her voice cracked. "Stop lying!"

Axel grabbed Xion's arms and held her in place. For the first time, he seemed genuinely angry with her. "Xion. If you don't go, they're not going to bother making you a Dusk. They will kill you. Do you understand?"

The silence that followed was the longest of them all.

"…Why," Xion whispered, shaking her head. "Why, why, why…"

Axel kept his grip tight. "Because that's how they do things."

"Why, why, why…" Xion tried to shake Axel's grip. "Why, why, why…"

"You're going to stay here until you calm down."

Xion only struggled harder. "No!"

Axel closed his eyes. "Xion, you have to stop."

"No!"

"Xion—"

Roxas slammed into Axel, making him let go for the split second needed for Xion to step back a few paces. Then he ran over to her and held her tight, cradling her head. "It's okay…it's okay…"

Xion was still staring at Axel over Roxas' shoulder. "Why…why…"

Axel got up, but before he could do anything, Roxas opened a dark corridor, scowling at him. "Friends don't lie," the boy hissed as he walked Xion through.

Axel was left alone. So, he did what he always did when he was alone. He sat down and, having lost his appetite, threw the remains of his ice cream off the tower.

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Roxas sat on the edge of the bed, stroking Xion's hair as she wept into her pillow. Actually, he was crying, too. He felt as though his whole reality, while not shattered, had just received a huge crack, and could break at the slightest pinprick. But he was trying his best to keep his composure for Xion. He had helped her through enough nightmares and storms to know that once she cried herself out, she would either be fine, or else essentially pass out, wake up the next morning and then be fine. He had promised himself he wouldn't truly cry until Xion was out cold.

Xion made a loud sniffle. "Why…"

Roxas just kept stroking her hair. "No tears, just dreams…"

She was quiet for a second. "Why did…why did he lie?"

Roxas faked a cough to cover up his own slow breakdown. "Because he's a jerk."

Xion shivered. "But he isn't…that's the horrible part, I know he isn't a jerk, he's my best friend…why…"

"It doesn't matter."

Xion coughed, as if she had tried to cry more but she had run out of tears. "It does…it does matter, because he's our friend…"

Roxas decided not to say he isn't my friend anymore. Instead, he said, "It doesn't matter right now. Sleep matters right now."

Xion shook her head. "I can't go to Cast…cast…that horrible, horrible place. I just can't, I can't, I can't, I can't…"

Roxas crawled into bed next to Xion and wrapped his arm around her, wiping tears off her face. "I'll be there. And I'll keep you safe. Because I love you."

Xion sniffled again, holding Roxas' arm with both of her own. "Promise?"

"I promise."

Xion took a deep breath. The exhale was shaky. "…Okay."

Roxas wiped Xion's tears off her face and gently closed her eyes, kissing her on the back of the head. "Sweet dreams now…you're going to have really sweet dreams with lots of ice cream…"

Xion gripped Roxas' arm tight. "…Will I…wake up in the morning?"

Roxas nodded. "Of course you will."

"Promise?"

"I promise."

After a second, Xion gave Roxas' arm one more tight squeeze. "Okay."

With that, Xion was out like a light. Her grip loosened, sliding down onto the bed. Roxas was too exhausted to stay awake and register anything else, even the tears that were still streaking down his own face.

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And there we go, a nice, dramatic chapter to kick off the biggest story yet. This should be interesting. Also…I maaaaay have shameless taken lyrics from a Three Days Grace song as inspiration for the chapter title and some of the dialogue. :)

I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Remember, reviews are always appreciated (yes, even with NaNo!). Thanks for reading, and tune in next time for chapter two! If I write well, it might even be today! :D