A/N: So on Tumblr, my Ienzo got a prompt for when he starts speaking again, and another for losing his heart. I decided to post them here as a two part story. Enjoy.

Loss of Silence

Like most days, Ienzo snuck himself out of the castle at the break of dawn. He held the slightly large lab coat close to him as he walked toward the gardens. He liked the town better when it was like this. No one was out, and no one could come bother him. He made his way down the stairs and paused half way down, examining the land he called his 'home'.

No, home was not the right word for this anymore. His home died with his parents. Everything had gone with them; all but his desire to learn and experiment. If anything, living at the castle fed him that desire. It had taken time, but after a few months, Ansem decided Ienzo was mature enough to handle what they were doing in the castle. Needless to say, he had already been aware of the experiments before Ansem told him about them as the other apprentices did not have tight lips. They thought because he did not speak, he could not understand them.

He chose to be mute. He was not dumb as Braig liked to believe. He chose not to speak. Things were much easier that way. That did not mean that the other apprentices or Ansem allowed for him to stay silent without pestering him. They had almost broken him several times, but he would stop himself and just glare, or shake his head and walk away.

He had once thought of talking again, but that's when those monsters came. The blue creatures that Ienzo learned were called 'Unversed'. He had been saved from them, and mere days later the man with silver hair appeared. Xehanort. He did not trust him, not for a moment. There was almost a stench coming off of him, a stench he did not trust. And those eyes… He recognized them, but he wouldn't dare let his memory connect the dots. The sight of the man made him swallow down his voice once more, and he didn't know when he would be able to summon the courage to speak again.

Shaking his head to try and clear his thoughts, he continued on his way. The town was absolutely deserted. Not even the stores were open, and it made Ienzo smile. Seeing the town like this, it was almost as if there was an illusion of peace. The world was a kind one sure, but Ienzo was not blind. There were people here who were cruel, unkind and unjust. Many of them who he lived with very easily fit that description.

He stood in the courtyard for a moment, thinking of the Unversedthat had attacked him, and the blonde boy that had saved him. He wondered what that weapon was that he wielded but after that day, he could never find him again. He was aware that when Xehanort had appeared, there was a suit of armour that held a weapon of similar appearance, but he did not know where it had been placed. One day he would find it and examine it, but for now, all he could do was question it.

A cold breeze snapped him back to reality and he looked to the sky. It was becoming a light shade of pink, and Ienzo knew his time was becoming limited. Holding his coat closer, he began to wish he had worn a longer sleeve shirt under his coat. He finally walked the rest of the way to the garden and smiled. It was a beautiful place, and in this lighting the petals of many of the flowers glowed with the light touch of the sun.

He walked over to the fountain and sat himself down, looking out at the horizon. He knew it was probably silly, to come out in the mornings and watch the spectical. But he found when the sun first touched the garden as it was at this moment the world was at its utmost beauty.

"Ienzo," A calm voice spoke, breaking the silence in Ienzo's peace. He turned his head slightly, and smiled at the owner of the voice. "I thought Even had told you not to leave the castle unattended?" Aeleus asked as he joined Ienzo at the fountain, but did not sit. Ienzo gave a small shrug of his shoulders.

Aeleus was one of the few apprentices he did not mind spending time with. He never pestered Ienzo about talking, as he was normally very quiet himself. The man was strong built, but Ienzo knew he had a soft spot for him.

"It is growing colder, coming out here this early will begin to affect your health, especially with the way you study." He knew that Aeleus was not looking for a response, just merely voicing his opinion on the matter. "I do not wish to see you get in trouble for coming out here." He looked down at him, and Ienzo turned to meet his gaze. For a moment, he thought that perhaps Aeleus was going to tell him that he was not allowed to leave like the rest of the castle had done, and he began to bring his knees up to his chest.

They all saw him as a child, one that they were all beginning to use to their own benefits because they thought that he was too stupid (yet smart enough to complete experiments) to realize what they were doing. He really hated it. His parents had allowed him to go outside if he wanted, as long as he was careful. Then again, he never actually went outside once it was offered.

But when it was taken away, Ienzo realized what a freedom it was, to have that choice. To have any choice. So he found reasons to go outside, the garden at sunrise being an example of that.

His train of thought was broken when Aeleus began to speak again, and Ienzo was aware he was studying his face for a reaction that any other member would surely miss. He and Aeleus were close, enough so that they could easily have a conversation without words. But now, in this instance Ienzo needed to hear him speak.

"If you wish to continue coming out here in the early mornings, I will accompany you. Though I will give you space, if that is what you desire."

For a moment, Ienzo's eyes widened, but a smile took over his face. This was why he liked Aeleus. He was protective, but not over whelming for him. He could treat him like a child, but at the same time not try and parent him.

Getting up from his spot on the fountain, he moved closer to the man and wrapped his arms around his torso. "Thank you, Aeleus." He whispered, before he could stop himself. His voice was shy and broken, but it was there. Now, it was the older man's turn to widen his eyes. A rare smile graced his face as he reached down and put a hand on his head.

"You're welcome, Ienzo."

While his voice was still a fragile thing, he began to use it a bit more, mainly during these instances with Aeleus. Though it was only small words. It took much longer before he started to open up to the other apprentices. The next he spoke to was Even – and nearly gave him a heart attack by doing so.

Even and he had finished working in the lab when Ienzo's stomach gave an unattractive growl, earning a small laugh from the scientist. "Ienzo, you really must take a break once and a while if you are hungry, you mustn't starve yourself. Do you understand?"

He gave a nod, and Even began to turn away, thinking that that was the end of the conversation. "I understand," He muttered, looking up slightly to see the surprise on the man's face.

Afterwards it led to a series of questions and pestering, pushing Ienzo back into his silence. IT did not take him too long to find his voice again. In the laboratory was the only place he would use his voice excessively, feeling bold enough to offer up his opinion in what they were doing with their experiments.

The last person he opened up to was the man that reeked with a scent that Ienzo could not label. A scent that was beginning to spread to the other apprentices. He spoke calmly and rationally, almost cooing Ienzo out of his shell.

"Ienzo, I need you to do me a favour."

Ienzo looked up from his book, looking at the man's face, but he did not meet his eye. He gave a nod to show that he was listening to the request.

"I need you to convince Ansem to build a larger laboratory in the basement. These current labs do not have the needed space or equipment for my desires."

His curiosity hit a new peak at his words. He closed his book, and met the man's eye. He didn't fail to notice the smirk coming onto the man's lips as he opened his mouth to speak. "And what are these desires you seek to be met?"

"Ah, so Even was telling truths when he said you speak." He held a slightly lighter tone, as if to show he was saying it in jest, but Ienzo knew that there was still seriousness in his speech. Xehanort put a hand on Ienzo's head, his eyes never blinking. "If you can convince him to create the lab, I will show you what I wish to find out. Your intelligence is remarkable, Ienzo. But yet, the ruler of this castle sees you foremost as a child, one that he must protect. He wishes to please you to make you feel 'at home'. Use that, and get this laboratory for me, and I will feed that hunger for knowledge you seek"

His voice was laced with a smooth seduction that Ienzo could not seem to fight against. He gave a small nod of his head before placing his book down on the table and standing, barely reaching the man's stomach. "I will do my best to convince Ansem to make you your laboratory."