Kingdom Hearts: Rebirth

Book 1: A Tale of Two Brothers

A/N: I…could not keep this story from becoming a series. It was just too long otherwise. This is going to be five books long; that's right. Five. I am entirely incapable of writing anything that does not turn into a major epic. If you don't think you can get through something this long…well, you won't like most of my work. The first two books are mostly character establishment, and plot development. There are some exciting bits, of course, but some might find it slow in comparison to the later books. Just giving fair warning; however, if you are willing to be patient, you might find yourselves drawn in to this tale.

Technically, this is not an AU story as it is set in the same universe as the games. It is simply in the distant future, long after the many worlds have been combined once more into one. The characters are not their original selves, but instead future incarnations. Therefore, they will not be entirely identical to how they were portrayed in the games. I could have made it an AU story, but I find this approach to be more fun. I hope this little variation is an enjoyable read for more people than just me; I know that I have peculiar tastes. Also I tend to ramble, if you haven't noticed. If I start rambling too much in the story please leave me a review to let me know so I can fix it! I'm not only writing this for my own enjoyment after all. I want other people to enjoy it too, and that is hard to do when there are too many words that make no sense. Like this author's note; it got way too long. Future author's notes will NOT be this bad! I just…had a lot to say this time. Now let's get started with the story, shall we?

Disclaimer: The Kingdom Hearts franchise and the associated characters belong to SquareENIX and Tetsuya Nomura. I am also a college student who lives off of Social Security due to a number of debilitating psychological disorders, so I have no money to speak of in order to purchase the rights. I don't even own my car; my parents do. This means it WILL cost you more to sue me than you will get in return. Consider this story as free advertisement to draw more people to your highly enjoyable game series. I'm just doing this for fun…and to make my imagination shut up for a bit.

Prologue: New Beginnings

Deep within the depths of Darkness there is a Light known as Kingdom Hearts. It is the source of all Hearts and the final destination of those Hearts after their owner's deaths. Since time immemorial it has existed bestowing Hearts upon those newly born, and purifying the Hearts of the newly deceased of their memories upon their return. What many do not know is that Kingdom Hearts is aware of the worlds beyond the Darkness; it has always been aware. It remembers everything, and everyone, that has ever been. It cares for the Hearts that spring from it as though they were its own children, and by extension it cares for those who bear those Hearts. It sorrows when they suffer, and rejoices when they are content. Kingdom Hearts is aware, it remembers, and it feels. Now it wishes to share the story of a unique Heart born long ago that has gone through many incarnations. Would you like to learn the tale? Then read on.

A light flickers as a voice which is not a voice asks, "My child, why do you sorrow?" "It's nothing," comes the response. "You know you cannot lie to me, child," the light flickers again, "Tell me what troubles you." An annoyed sigh, "I told you it's nothing. I'm just a bit bored and…lonely I guess." "Is my companionship not enough for you," the light dims in reproach. "Of course it is," the response this time is indignant, "I just…." The light remains silent as the other presence hesitates before it haltingly continues, "I just miss being alive. It's been a long time since my last incarnation, and…well…I miss having a body…and, you know, friends I can actually touch." The light flickered wildly as the voice which is not a voice laughs, "It has been a while has it not. Are you sure you are up for it, though? You do tend to die a lot." "Ha. Ha. Very funny," the other presence responds sarcastically, "It's not my fault I keep getting drawn into life-threatening situations." "Last time you challenged an evil wizard to a battle after you got fed up with him oppressing your homeland," the light flickered, "You won the fight…but dropped dead of your injuries soon afterwards. No one made you fight him, child. That was all you." The response was sheepish, "Considering my history I can't really pull the 'it was the right thing to do' card… Okay, so I got bored and wanted some action! I can't help it! I love fighting!" The light flickered again, "I am aware, child. You did not answer my question, though. Are you ready to live again?" The response was firm, "I am." "Then go forth, my child," the light brightened to a blinding brilliance, "Go forth and live once more." A fainter bluish-purple orb of light shot away into the darkness as the brighter light faded back into its steady glow. "I hope you find happiness, my child," the voice that was not a voice whispered, "And that you do not return too soon…"

Located on a peninsula in a remote region of the Kingdom of Lux there was a small village; the ground is fertile there, and the forest nearby provided all the lumber the villagers could ever need. It was, and still is, a quiet place whose residents live simply by farming, fishing, hunting, and harvesting wood. Due to its remote location, the sole defense lies with the local Town Watch who were little more than a combination militia and police force; fortunately, members of the Watch spend a tour of service serving with the Regional Guard, so they are generally more than capable of holding their own. There are maybe twenty houses in the village proper, which is surrounded by crude wooden walls, and five more small farms scattered around the fringes. A great man once said that pinning down where a story truly begins can be difficult, and such is the case here. However, it was on one of these farms, in the dead of night, that one of these potential beginnings took place. For out of the house the cries of a woman in labor were ringing. Her husband was there, as was the village healer who was serving as the midwife; it was the young couple's first child and the father was understandably anxious. Night was not considered to be the most auspicious time for a birth in rural Lux, but that is when the baby chose to come. The village healer had presided over many births in her years of service, but the time the mother had spent in labor had been longer for this one than any she had ever experienced. She was growing concerned for the health of both mother and child for both may be compromised if it lasted much longer.

Finally a break; the full throated cry of an infant sounded out through the night. The midwife took the infant into her arms and wrapped him in a blanket. "Why it's a lovely baby boy," the healer hummed thoughtfully, "And such healthy lungs too. You have a healthy son, Mr. Yagami." The new father sighed in relief, "That was utterly nerve-wracking. I'm glad it's a boy, though. We couldn't afford a girl." "You make it sound as though girls are more trouble than boys," his wife panted tiredly, though she had a slight smile on her face to show she was teasing. Of course her husband missed it. "What? No! It's just we'd have to pay a dowry if it were a girl," he stammered, "And she would have been miserable here on the farm with all the work we have to do to make ends meet." "And a boy wouldn't," Mrs. Yagami teased. "I… Uh… Er…," the new father was lost for words, "I…don't…know?" The midwife chuckled and carried the now sleeping infant over to his mother. "He really is a beautiful baby," Mrs. Yagami marveled as she took him into her arms, "He has your hair, Akira." "Well, he has your face, Kyoko," Mr. Yagami responded as he leaned over to look at his son, "And I'll bet he has your ey…" His voice trailed off as the infant yawned and opened his eyes; his brilliant, unearthly golden-yellow eyes. "How…," his mother breathed in shock, "Why are his eyes gold?!" The young couple looked at each other in shock and fear as their first-born son watched them curiously. "How very striking," the midwife mused calmly, "He'll be quite handsome when he gets older by my reckoning. What will you name him?" Mr. Yagami swallowed hard, "Name him? Um…" He looked at his wife helplessly as she sighed in dismay. "I know what we were going to call him," she murmured, "But now…" Her voice trailed off as she uneasily met her son's disconcerting gaze. Suddenly it came to her. "Vanitas," she said firmly, "His name is Vanitas."

A/N: And that is the prologue. It's not that long, but prologues are supposed to be short. The actual chapters should be longer. And yes, I did reference Terry Pratchett in there. I love the Discworld series and I am still horribly depressed that he died. Anyway, that's my introduction into this first book. Did it catch your interest? Leave me a review and let me know what I can do to improve it! Until next time…