Chappy-san: Okay, so there's some sort of my own twist on this story, so it isn't exactly like Kingdom Hearts, Kingdom Hearts II, or 358/2, so be warned!

Disclaimer: I really would not like to be sued please. ω

One week. One week it's been since I first joined the Organization, and I don't remember a thing from before, a thing from my "past life". They all say that it doesn't matter if I remember or not, because all that matters now is that I work for the Organization now. But why did they need me for this job anyway? Was it because of some special reason? Was it because of....of this damn keyblade? I just want someone to understand, but I haven't talked since the day I've joined. Will someone hear my silent cry for help?

XIII

Chapter One: The beginning

"Roxas! Roxas wake up!"

The spiky haired blonde shot out of bed, not because of the loud voice next to him, but because he had another one of those dreams. He was drenched in a light sweat, and his breathing was irregular. He couldn't feel it, but he knew that it was fear, and a mixture of some other unknown emotion that he hadn't yet studied...

The man next to him seemed proud, in a sense. "Good, you're up! Now come on, you've got your first mission today!" The red-headed, spiky haired tall man slapped the back of Roxas, and a grin spread over his face. "Exciting, right?"

Roxas didn't say a word, still choked up on that bizarre dream, and still slightly scared of the hyperactive man. He just had this aura around him that made you want to vomit; it was happy, and sarcastic, and a narcissist was in there somewhere. A horrid mix.

Axel was his name. He was the first person that Roxas ever really met in the Organization. Then again, he really did stand out with his fire-engine red hair that was long, and slicked back into dagger-like spikes. And those weird triangle tattoos under his eyes...

Roxas shook himself out of his thoughts, a faint innocent blush crossing his face. He didn't work...that way, but simply thinking of himself scrutinizing this skinny tall man before him, just made him feel like that.

"-And so we get another newbie this week." Axel shook his head, digging through Roxas' closet, getting out their signature black leather cloak. "I can't believe how many kids we're scouting, it's unbelievable," He ducked his head further into the closet, looking deeper for the dark object in the pure white room. "How many people do we really need to create Kingdom Hearts?"

Roxas hadn't been paying any attention to his complaining, nor did he really care at this moment in time. Actually, he was starting to get slightly annoyed with Axel's presence. Couldn't this guy see that all he wanted to do was sleep? If anything, just get his few hours of rest away from this week of horridness?

"Ah! Here it is!" Axel exclaimed, taking out (the much shorter than his) black cloak that Roxas had hung the night before, after a long day of trying to get used to the Castle. Again.

The place truly was huge, and it hung in the never-light sky, bound to the edge, almost as if it was going to fall. But it never would, and above it all, was that giant moon in the shape of a heart. Roxas would sometimes stare at, wondering the most random of things. Why was it there? Was it forced to be there, or did it have a choice? Did it have the same problems and confusions as he did?

In a lot of ways, Roxas kind of looked up to the moon (in the literal and exceptive way). The first day he came, he felt that the moon was truly the only thing that understood him.

"Aye, catch."

Shloom!

Roxas took off the article of clothing from atop his head "H-"Roxas was about to yell, but was cut off by the intercom over head:

Number XIII and Number VIII, please report to the main hall immediately, I repeat, Number XIII and Number VIII, please report to the main hall immediately.

Roxas could hear Axel grunt in response to the intercom. "Me too? Ugh, don't tell me I'm stuck with this newbie mission too?!" He threw his arms into the air animatedly and let out a huge grunting sigh. "Maaan, I hate babysitting!"

Roxas stayed silent, instead just letting Axel blow off some steam, which was ironic considering the man was a pyro. He played with the cold material of the leather, waiting for him to quit mumbling profanity and over all just leave his room.

"Damn. This sucks." He let out a sigh and rubbed to back of his head, looking down at Roxas with one eye closed. "I guess I'll see you around." He gave a wave as the sliding white door censored him, and whipped open. He gave a wave, not bothering to look back. "See ya."

Once the door closed, Roxas was engulfed by the sudden quietness in the white bland room. After a few moments, he stood up and proceeded to take off his night shirt, replacing it with the cloak. He continued with his black breaches and boots. As he idly buttoned up his cloak his mind suddenly hurdled back into the dream prior that night. He quickly shook his head, trying to think of anything but that. There was no way that he was going back into that dark depressing dream. Or nightmare, as it was more appropriate to categorize it in.

How did I get mixed up in this mess? This was a frequent question that he asked himself, and the more days that he stayed, the more times he asked himself this.

But how exactly did he get into this? Was it that damn day in Twilight Town, when he got just a little too curious?

XIII

"Ahaha! Roxas, come on! We're going to go and get some ice cream!"

I spun around, grinning brightly at my friends, saying to Olette as she ran with Hayner and Pence, "Yeah, I'm coming! Just give me a second; I have to talk to Mr. Osel about that poster job!"

She nodded and gave me a smile, following the shouting Hayner. I watched after then all with my own smile; a smile of strong content. And with that smile still plastered onto my lips, I started walking up the steep hills of the Market place.

The Market Place was easily the biggest place in Twilight Town, and was sometimes referred as Twilight Town itself. Though this was a small place to live, it made everyone happy. Hell, even Seifer was happy, even if he didn't show it.

To me, Twilight Town is just...the only place I've ever known. Don't get me wrong, I love the place, but I've never known what being happy feels like, what being truly happy feels like. I'm not complaining, but sometimes, when we all sit on top of the Clock Tower near the Central Station, eating sea-salt ice cream, I can't help but feel....sad. When all the colors mesh and collide, and Olette always has to take a gasp of breath at the sight, I just sit there and stare, trying to figure out why exactly that red color always seems to hit me the most, the hardest.

I shake my head, smiling. I would ask why, and Hayner would threaten to push me off the Clock Tower if I mentioned anything that was school related. Of course, Pence and Olette would try to rescue me whenever I asked a school related question around Hayner (he despises school, if you haven't already guessed and gets violent when you mention it on the weekends, and especially around summer vacation) but even they don't know why that red, that one fiery piece of light travels so far out of all the other colors that make up the sunset.

Suddenly, a gust of wind blew and I felt a cold chill. I had left my jacket (if you wanted to call it that) back at the Usual Spot, and so all I was in was the cut-off black zip-up shirt that I usually wore under it. I felt the small goose-bumps rise up on my arms, spreading from one side to the other as I gave a shuddered breath. I should have left sooner, but now it was too late. If I didn't get into a warm place soon, my weak immune system was going to go berserk, and the last thing anyone needs is a sick person.

So, walking down the brick patterned road of the Market Place, I notice that gaping hole in the wall, right behind the moogle shop. If I recalled, it was the place where that haunted house was, right? I had heard Hayner and Seifer go off about it one day, saying that they were going to explore it or something like that. I wasn't paying too much attention to their bickering; I've become so used to ignoring it, like an annoying buzzing sound that just starts to disappear after a while.

I stand in the middle of the crowded walkway, just contemplating whether or not I should go there. I had already forgotten about the cold, and the simple childish thing called curiosity just filled me.

I guess that I stood there too long, and a person ran into me, tumbling to the ground. I caught myself, but the being fell. "I am so sorry," I apologized, holding out my hand naturally, waiting for the person to grasp it.

Then I looked down at what was on the floor: A sketch book. And normally, I wouldn't browse around in other people's business, let alone their things, but this one was a very catchy one, and grabbed my attention immediately.

It wasn't just that it had pure, pure white pages, or that the spiral was the most perfect of curls, or the intricate cover that lay on top of it all, it was the drawing that was being shown: A blonde, spiky haired boy, am even more spiky red-haired man, and what appeared to be a girl with short black hair, all holding hands together, wearing some dark coats.

One thing was for sure, it was a bizarre picture, and another thing was for definite sure, one of the people in that picture was me.

One of the people in that drawing, from this person I had never met, was absolutely m. Stalker? Serial Killer? Mafia member?

"No, it's okay; I should have watched where I was going." Said a quiet voice, and I nearly forgot the person lying on the floor. I felt a small, smooth hand connect with mine and I finally focused on the being underneath me.

It was a girl. She was very petite and small, and had blonde hair just like mine, all pushed to one side. She wore an art dress, that was as white as the pages in her sketch book, but she was wearing a bulky sun hat, and it just seemed to ruin the perfect image of her. Her eyes, where the same light yet deep sea-cerulean blue as mine were. She was indeed very, very pretty.

Returning back to reality, I lift her up from the dirty ground, and immediately sneak a look at her dress (in a non-perverted way, of course) just wanting to make sure that I didn't stain it in anyway. I crouch down and pick up her sketchbook as she dusts off her dress, and fixes her giant hat. I hand her the skinny, yet full book. You could tell it was full, only because the weight of the led was weighing it down. "Here you go. You dropped it."

Once she looked up, ready to thank me, a smile already beaming on her face, she said, "Thank-you, Roxas. If I lost it, Diz would be very angry with me." She gave me a wink and then set off.

I stood there, completely dumfounded. How did that girl know my name? I had never seen her in my entire life! And what's worse, is that I don't even know her name! Serial Killer? I think not, though my suspicions where just rising up on the meter. I had so many questions, and no answers.

Right as I finally shake out of my thoughts, I see that she is already gone. I look around frantically, trying to spot anything of her, maybe particularly that giant sunhat.

But to no avail. I still try though. I jump over the large groups of people shopping around, pushing and shoving, running around like a lost puppy. Finally something catches my eye: that giant sunhat.

I start running to it, locking my eyes so that I wouldn't lose it. But these people kept pushing back on me, probably trying to get to the Tram. I grunt in aggravation and I know I can't lose her, not right now, I was going to get answers.

So, I jump up onto the roof of the moogle shop, some onlookers stopping to watch, I don't care though, I just want to get to Blondie.

I start lightly jogging around the little circle shop, my eyes not paying attention to where I'm walking, but to that damned hat. 'Don't lose her, don't lose her...' I almost lost my balance though, that was for freakin' sure.

She seems to notice me, and turns around to look up directly at me. What are the chances of that? She looks up on the roof of a building to see me there. I can tell she knew I was following, because she smiles and continues on. I keep on. She wants me to follow her...?

I take a giant leap and am on the next roof, running faster because it was wider than the shops roof, and I know I won't fall this time. She still has a smile on as she heads in that crack in the wall. I stop, waiting to see if she was just playing with me.

That's where the haunted house was. Why would she go into the woods where the haunted house was? I started panicking, throwing my face into my hands as I come across some chilling discoveries. What if the girl was a ghost? And she just wanted me to follow her so that she could take my soul away?

I shake my head. What a childish thought, there's no such thing as ghosts. Now, before I take another thought and totally regret even doing this, I run and jump off the second roof, and the third, and then make my way over three electric boxes, to another shop and take my final jump, and I land right in front of the gap in the wall; the forest where the haunted house lay.

XIII

Roxas gave out a sigh. That memory was starting to fade more and more every day, and as much as he wanted it to disappear, he wanted it to last forever. What happened after that memory, Roxas doesn't remember, but it haunts him every night, and personally, it bugs him too.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Roxas jumps upon hearing the raptures of pounds. His door slides open, and he sees Axel standing there, leaning against the door frame, fully pissed.

"Saïx called more than ten minutes ago, what the hell are you doing?! Don't you know never to leave him waiting?!" Before Roxas could make a comeback (not that he was going to say it out loud) Axel grabbed his wrist and started pulling him along, even if Roxas still hadn't buttoned his coat up all the way. "That asshole is going to tear me a new one now...."

Roxas let Axel mumble words of profanity once more, just staying silent and letting the spiky-haired man tug him along through the huge white, blank halls of the Castle. Roxas, never really paying much attention to it before, had never realized exactly how big the halls were. They were not only freaking long, but unbelievably tall. Of course, the only real sizing he knew about the Castle was the outside, and when he looked up at that moon.

As Axel took long strides, Roxas tried to keep up. Number VIII was at least three feet taller than Roxas was, and with his skinny compositions, you'd think that as soon as you blow on him, he'll tip over and fall. Roxas knew better than that. If he was an Organization member, there was no way he was weak enough to simply fall over with a single breath.

Clack, clack, clack

Their boots thumped against the white tile, echoing endlessly around them. They were headed to the Grey Area; the one place that Roxas was positive had a couch in it. Roxas hesitantly looked up at Axel, who had seemed to cool off a bit, but his features were still hard with frustration. Roxas shifted his eyes back down to the floor, a little sadly, though it didn't show. Did he really take that long? He couldn't help but feel bad for Axel. Due to his careless reminiscing, he had caused Axel to be angry, and get into a lot of trouble (maybe).

Roxas shook his head. He was starting to sound like a little kid. Axel must've noticed, because he said in a quiet tone, "Hey, don't sweat it, alright? I probably shouldn't have gone off like that anyway."

XIII just stayed silent, but felt relieved. He was glad that he wasn't the source of Axel's problems, whether he was lying or not, just to make the young boy feel better.

Though it felt like forever, they finally hit the Grey Area, and this was the first time that Roxas had ever really been there. The title really did fit the description: A grey area. The place was as bland as the rooms were, and even the furniture was the same, boring color as the walls: A dull grey. Roxas looked around the room a little sickly. Was the whole castle just like this room, and he just never really paid any attention to it?

Axel, still not have letting go of his wrist, dragged him towards an equally tall, white haired man, with a significant scar in the shape of an 'X' right in between his eyes. Immediately the man looked down at Roxas, and Roxas adverted his gaze to the hypnotizing boring floor. His eyes were an ice cold blue, and he couldn't stand the sight of them; it was like shooting daggers through him. It was a very chilling experience.

And I'm going to be stuck with it for.... Roxas stopped, confusion setting in his head, but not on his features. Exactly how long was he staying here? Now that he thought about it, they never said when he was leaving, or exactly what their mission was to complete. They never told him anything...

"- And you must complete it in three days time."

Roxas' head shot up, now trying to focus on the conversation before him that wasn't making the least bit of sense.

Axel, who was giving Saïx a nonchalant look, said, "Sure sure, we've got it memorized, All-Mighty-Leader. Can we go now?"

Saïx, who didn't seem amused by Axel's snootiness, countered hotly, "Remember, Axel, this is Roxas' first mission, his first test. Please don't do it for him, no matter how emotionally attached you have become to him."

Roxas pretended like he didn't hear that last comment, and listened as Axel clenched his jaw and said, "Che, whatever you say, L-E-A-D-E-R. We'll be done with it in a day and a half. Come on Roxas, we've gotta pack and get ready." Still not have letting go of his wrist, Axel pulled Roxas away, heading back to the rooms. Roxas looked up, unfortunately, and met those cold, emotionless eyes, and felt a chill go up his spine. But while he was having a fear attack, a question ran through his mind: Why was Saïx in the Organization?

Wait, what was the mission about? Roxas thought, trying to go back a few moments in his mind and figure out the conversation. All he remembered hearing was something about heartless that were flooding a town.

Roxas, about to ask, looked up and noticed a very distressed looking Axel. He seemed so focused on his walking, and a little bit frustrated. His eyes looked distant, and suddenly, his features shifted to one of....sorrow, it seemed like. It was very slight, and it almost seemed as if his features hadn't changed at all, but Roxas, who had an eye for details, caught it without a second glance.

"Ax-"

"We'll leave as soon as you're ready, so when you're done packing, come and get me. I'll be in my room." And with that, he left.

Roxas hadn't even realized that they had made it to his room, all he was focused on was Axel, and how when he spoke, it also sounded distant. After standing there for a few moments, Roxas stepped into his room and looked around it's blankness with a hint of anger. Shaking his head, he went to his closet and started randomly packing things, not even aware of what he was grabbing.

Then he felt cool metal and he almost flinched back. Slowly, he stuck his hand back into the closet and grasped the giant key-shaped sword, its glistening silver handle, gold-yellow box guard around it, and the smooth metal that ran up, into the shape of the key at the top. Upon hearing the clanking of the crown shaped keychain, his anger rose up.

It was all this damned key's fault.

Throwing it back into the closet with such force that it shook his entire room, he slumped down, lying on the floor, his arms and legs extended. He suddenly felt very hot in the pure black leather cloak, and so he took a deep breath.

His mind went back to how his first mission was about to start in less than an hour. Then his mind went to how he wasn't even paying attention to what his mission even was supposed to be. With what the only information he had, he still didn't have the slightest idea as to what it was. A town? That doesn't really narrow things down.

And Heartless? He remembered the first time he had encountered a heartless, though every time he tried to think about it, his head always got sharp pains, and it the memory itself was as blurry as fog. It was shaky, and you could never make out the people, or the voices, it sounded like everyone was underwater trying to speak to each other.

Roxas let out another heavy sigh. He better finish packing so that they could get a move on, and quickly get his first mission over with, so that he wouldn't have to feel so anxious. He didn't like anxious. He sat back up, and with a new cool head, he finished packing, this time, paying attention to what he was throwing into his small pouch, though he didn't dare to look at the keyblade that loomed in the back of his closet.

Zipping up the bag which wasn't that full, he thought, I hope this isn't too much. He picked up the pouch and swinging it over his shoulder. He made sure that he had all the potions and elixirs him and Axel could share. After all, Axel didn't want to "babysit" on this mission just as much as Roxas didn't even want to do the mission.

Stepping out of the room, he made the short (yet it felt long) walk over to Axel's room, making sure that he kept track of the cracks on the floor, or else he would have been so confused with the repetended look that he would have just been going in circles.

Taking one deep breath, he knocked on the door, and watched it slide open, the tall, red-headed man; look down at him, his arms crossed. He stayed silent, as if waiting for Roxas, who had his head down, to do something.

Looking back up, facing Axel, he said, "I'm ready for my mission."

XIII

Chappy-san: Okay, so this is the first chapter! I didn't know if it was long enough, or was detailed or anything haha ^_^' But I just want to say, I am very, very sorry that this was such a boring chapter! (If you thought it was that is) I also apologize for any misspellings and or grammar errors, I am only human. Oh, and sorry, no flaming please, I am a very sensitive person! ;) Just kidding, BRING IT ON YOU FLAMERS! The next chapter will be his mission, so...I hope you stick around to see it! If you keep reading, you'll get a sneak preview of the next chapter! ;) As an apology present.

SNEAK PREVIEW

"Hello Roxas, it's good to see you again."

Roxas lost his breath at the sight, wanting to shake his head or rub his eyes, but he was frightened that if he did so, the image before him would disappear. It's fake...It's fake...There's no way this is real. But there was no mistaking it; the blonde hair that was tossed over one shoulder, that white art dress that was as white as the pages in that sketch book with that intricate design she was carrying...

Roxas took a sharp breath, almost having not breathing for a minute straight. When Axel told him that they were going to Twilight Town, of course this girl went through his mind, but he never thought that she would still be there, let alone be in that haunted house that he had snuck into so many months ago.

The girl giggled and tilted her head to the side, her hair moving slightly, the shoulder piece to her dress sliding down a little. She smiled at his confused look, almost amused and said, "I don't think I ever got to properly introduce myself, my name is Naminé."

XIII