Chapter 1

"Keep him still!"

"Where's his brother?"

"I'm here! What's going-Ventus!"

"Remember what I told you, Vanitias."

"...Right."

Everything hurt. It feels like he's burning and being suffocated by the same air he's trying to breathe. Something was holding him down and he couldn't move. Then the pressure on his chest began to fade. The burning faded away and he began to breath normally again.

"We can't keep this up forever."

"I'm not giving my brother up to that witch!"

"So you plan to keep taking his darkness into yourself?"

"Just a few more years. He's not sixteen yet."

"Years is too much."

"I'm not giving him up. Unless you plan to fight me."

"N-Not at all. I'll inform the others."

"Good choice."

There was a click and some rustling. Someone was saying something, but the boy couldn't hear it. Exhaustion was stronger than his desire to stay awake and Ventus fell asleep. The last thing he remembered was a gloved hand brushing against his face.

Once his brother's breathing became steady, Vanitias allowed himself to relax. He stood and leaned back against the wall next to the bed, letting his eyes close for a second. While part of him knew the ones that had helped him save Ventus would go running to their superior, he doubted they'd do anything. The door creaked open and Vanitias opened his eyes to see who was coming to check on his brother.

"Master Aqua," Vanitias found some enjoyment in watching the blue haired woman freeze. She'd never been comfortable around him. "They sent you to check up on Ventus?"

"Apparently you threatened the others into not wanting to come back." Aqua replied. "Nobody wants to go near Ventus if you're going to be here."

The smirk on Vanitias' face became a little forced. "If they didn't keep telling me to give Ventus up, I wouldn't threaten them."

The blue haired woman's expression softened. "You'll have to soon, Vanitias. When Ventus turns sixteen-"

"I know." The black haired boy snapped. "I know..."

"Have you told him?"

Vanitias looked away. Aqua's expression became one of disappointment. "You haven't told him yet? Vanitias! Ventus is going to be terrified when the envoy of Maleficent comes for him!"

"How can I tell him?" Vanitias shouted. He jumped to his feet and walked over to Aqua. "You tell me. How do I tell my brother that he's destined to be taken away by a servant of Maleficent? How do I bring that up in a conversation? Every time I see that damn mark on his body I- I want to..." Vanitias trailed off.

Aqua stared at him with an unreadable expression. She looked at Ventus, still sleeping on the bed, then back at Vanitias. "I'll convince the higher ups to give you until Ventus is sixteen."

"Thanks."

"Don't thank me. If I do this, you have to tell Ventus about this."

There were lots of things Vanitias wanted to say in that moment, but Aqua had just gotten him the time he needed to try and save his brother. So he held his tongue.

A/N: This story kind of wrote itself. It might end up being a little different from my other ones because if that. I don't really see this as a chapter or a prolouge. It could be either or neither. The first few chapters will have Vanitias, Ventus, and Terra as the center focus.