Authors Note:

Hello people. So this is just something I do whenever I'm not typing my other books. Still trying to work out the system so if things appeared screwed up in the beginning with the chapters bear with me. Just to inform you, characters from places such as Organization XIII along with Roxas and Namine are appearing in the highschool. Kingdom Hearts 2 has passed but if they died in the game, they're probably in here as background characters. Just to let you know, and the lyrics normally have nothing to do with the chapter, just songs I was listening to when I was working on it. Anyways, first chapter.

The heartless threat has passed and now the three heroes are back at Destiny Islands and picking up where they left off, going to school. With them is Roxas and Namine, who have quickly adapted to the life that their friends live and posing as a cousin and half-sister.

When Sage comes into the picture, things start to pick up pace once again. With a past that she had fought for years coming into play, the group finds themselves helping her take on the threat that wishes to see her pay for the mistakes her screw up of a father left behind for her. However, with her attitude of not letting anyone get into her personal life, the gang is finding it hard to help someone who doesn't want it, even if their life could be on the line.

In a world beyond controlling
Are you going to deny the savior
In front of your eyes
Stare into the night
Power beyond containing
Are you going to remain a slave for
The rest of your life
Give into the night

This self discovery
Redemption taking hold of my mind
A serenade of haunting voices
Calling me away
To feast upon the night
The source of my Felicity
Dark maiden taking hold of my hand
Lead me away from hibernation
Strong and unafraid
Never a question why

For saving me from all they've taken
Letting my armor fall again
Giving me the strength to face them
Feeling it taking over now
I'm about to take it away
There can be no better way of knowingIn a world beyond controlling
Are you going to deny the savior
In front of your eyes
Stare into the night
Power beyond containing
Are you going to remain a slave for
The rest of your life
Give into the night.

The school halls were filled with commotion as student rushed to get to their assigned classes. The first day of school tended to do this to everyone, try to get through it, make new friends, and survive the day. The school outfits consisted of light blue and white, boys with pants and pressed shirts with ties, while the girls had skirts and white shirts and ties with girls as well.

Sage was one of the students that was walking through the school. She had black hair that fell to her shoulders and to white stripes that framed her face, also bringing out her piercing cloudy gray eyes. Her body was well toned and she was around 5'7". She walked casually, her backpack thrown over her shoulder, the black and red in contrast with her outfit. To be honest the girl hated skirts, but unfortunately it was a requirement so she worked to ignore it for the hours to come.

The commotion seemed to only pick up, and she was thankful for the iPod that was blasting music by DJ Tiesto. Known for being a music junkie at her old home, she didn't plan on letting this place change that. Shadow was also known for being quiet, but not shy. While she was pretty decent with people, hundreds of friends weren't her priority. Even the three people she actually considered friends had taken a while to consider them even that. She tended to observe and worked behind the scenes, for the few people who had been able to get past her barriers it had taken them years just for her to consider them actual friends. She preferred to keep

"Hiya." Sage turned to look at who had spoken. "My name is Selphie, what's yours?" The girl had light brown hair and a huge smile on her face. Stuck in the same uniform as her, she had a small red band around her left wrist and white backpack resting on her back.

"Sage." She replied calmly, opposite of her ecstatic mood. "Do you know where the AP class for Biology is?"

The girl made a face, and Sage guess she didn't care for the class. "Second floor, if you take the stairs behind you it's the final door on the right." She replied. "So where are you-"

"Thank you for the information." She said before turning around and walking away and taking up the steps.

She made a quick turn around the bar and barely dodged running into another student. "My apologize." She said with a small dip of her head.

"No problem." The cool voice replied. She looked up into bright green eyes. The student was slightly taller than her, with shoulder-length silver-like hair and was fairly built. His backpack was slung over one shoulder, similar to her, and he was heading in the opposite direction of her.

In less that a second they had analyzed each other and nodded before continuing on, Riku hearing as the music came clearly through her headphones.

"Hey." He called over his shoulder, resting on the bottom step while she was at the top of the stairs.

To his slight surprised she actually turned around. "Yeah?"

"New here, right?" In return he received a nod.

"Sage." She said, implying as to her name.

"Riku." He replied. "Good luck."

"Ditto." He smirked and turned away, continuing on while she also had a smirk of her own before heading down the hallway towards where the Biology class was supposed to be, ready to try and survive what the day had in store.

XXXXXX

Lunch, Sage considered it a time to blast music, ignore everyone, and just enjoy the break that was given to them. She also loved the fact off-campus lunch was available, something she planned on applying that option at the moment. There was a small cafe just a block away from the school, so she walked in and was immediately met with the aroma of pastries.

Like it looked on the outside, it was small, but comfortable. Neutral tones of light browns and creams colored the walls and a pattern of forest green leaves surrounded the cafe. It had small metal tables and chairs, while the patio outside underneath the awning provided seating covered with shade.

There was no line as Sage walked up to the counter, and a blond girl, probably fresh out of high school smiled and asked, "Hello, welcome to Calm of the Islands Cafe, how can I help you today?"

"How about a large strawberry protein shake." The girl typed something on the cash register. "Will that be all?" Sage nodded and payed for the drink before waiting, leaning against the other end of the counter where they passed out the drinks.

As she waited the bell over the door rang once again, and she looked from the corner of her eyes to see a girl with shoulder-length red hair, bright blue eyes that reflected off the light, and a kind smile on her lips walk in. With her was another girl, who looked immensely similar to her. This one had almost the same hairstyle while hers was a faded blond in color, same colored eyes and same soft smile as well. Sage immediately assumed twins. Both were in the same school uniform as her.

"Hello you two." The woman behind the counter greeted. "What can I get you?"

"Just the normal Samantha." The red-head said kindly. The woman nodded and immediately went about making their order.

"Miss Sage, your drink is ready." The cold beverage was given to her over the counter and she nodded her thanks before taking her black shade sunglasses and and sliding them on, the frames thin and complimenting her face well.

"Wait." She paused at the exit and turned to see the blond girl had spoken. "I don't believe I've seen you before, and seeing as you are wearing that uniform I take it you go to our school?" She gave a small laugh, and Sage could hear the innocence in it.

"I just moved here." She replied politely, still near the door.

"Oh, well I'm Namine, and this is Kairi."

"Hello." Kairi greeted, smiling. "It's nice to meet you."

"Likewise. I'm Sage." She replied. This time she reached for the door and opened it. "Pleasure." she said, nodding slightly and heading out.

"See you around." Namine said, and Sage held up an arm and gave a half wave, not looking back. "I wonder where she moved from?"

"I don't know." Kairi said. "But doesn't she look familiar?" She commented, walking up to get their drinks that were just finished.

"I don't think so." Namine said slowly.

"Maybe one of the guys will know more. Or Selphie, she's probably already picked her out and would have talked with her." They both giggled as they left the store, heading back to the school.

XXXXXX

Finally, her last period. It also happened to be her least favorite, Algebra, which sucked beyond belief. However, once this was done she had work to do so Sage just wanted to get through it as quickly as possible. The classroom was already filling up as it was five minutes until class started. Sage once again took a seat near the back and by a window. She preferred these, normal students who were shy or had no life sat back here so they didn't talk much, and the more active ones were in the front and didn't really care to come near the back.

She kept her iPod out and switched the music over to something a little darker, going for Korn. She just sat there and let her mind wonder as she looked out the window, before she noticed a presence slide into the seat next to her. "Hiya!" Turning, she saw a boy with spiky brown hair, seeming to go in all directions, and soft light blue eyes. He seemed about her height, and looked like he got plenty of activity in. He also had a an upbeat essence around him. "My name's Sora, who are you?"

"Sage." She replied

"That's a nice name. So you new here?" She nodded and he continued to talk to her with an ecstatic attitude. "So what do you do besides school?"

"I work at a music shop." She replied.

"That's so cool! So you play any instruments?"

But she shook her head. "No, I'm a music junkie, but I don't make it." Just as he was about to ask another question, the teacher came in. "Alright students, let's get to work." two sheets of paper were passed out, one with instructions for the class, the second was their schedule for the year. "So we have a new student this year, Miss Nightstalker, please stand up." Sage gave an inward sigh as she stood up, the entire class looking at her. "Alright now, go ahead, come up." Sage did so and soon stood in front of the classroom, in a relaxed stance but Sora noticed how she didn't care for the attention. And he couldn't blame her, currently all the guys were gawking at her while the girls studied her like she was some type of project. "So tell us about yourself."

"Just moved here. Junior. Music junkie and I hate drama." She smirked. "That about sums it up."

The teacher had slightly wider eyes but nodded. "Alright then. Um, you may proceed back to your seat." She went back up the stairs and to her seat, lowering herself into it while Sora just stared at her.

"Don't really like people?" He asked.

"Some people are fine, others are just morons. I don't care for talking if it's discussing something irrelevant, but I do appreciate the fact when someone can actually hold up their end of the argument." That was probably the most he had ever heard her say.

"Oh." He replied. She smirked some. "Make you uncomfortable?"

"No, it's just, I've never heard anyone talk about it like that." She nodded in an understanding way as the teacher inserted a few words before letting everyone officially free talk for the rest of class.

Sage pulled out her iPod and noticed Sora looking at it. Without saying anything she casually handed it over, startling him for a moment before he took it and started to scroll through the music. "How big is it?"

"64GB." She said, looking through her backpack. "Hey, do you know of any places to buy good food?"

"Oh yeah! There's this place called Clear Waters right next to the beach. Great view and plus they have awesome food." He said, handing the iPod back to her.

"Thanks, maybe I'll check it out later on tonight." she said.

"Hey! A couple of friends of mine are heading over there after this class, want to come?"

"Thanks, but like I said, I have work." She zipped her backpack up and soon the bell rang, signaling their freedom.

Sora looked disappointed by this. "Oh, ok." Then he cheered up. "Maybe another time when you're not so busy?"

"Sounds good." Hell no. She thought, throwing her bag over her shoulder. "I'll talk to you later."

"Yeah, it was nice meeting you." He said, getting up as well. She nodded her farewells then started out the classroom, dodging the other students as she made her down the long corridors.

She saw Riku, a pack of guys was with him as well. One with immensely spiky red hair and what looked like tattoos of tear drops under his eyes grinned and pointed at her, talking to someone else while looking at Sage. She smirked, and he turned his head briefly.

When he looked back, she was gone.