Updated to include more for the chapter.

Three months later…

You attempted to focus on your studies, but kept glaring at the guard beside your desk. Terra had been staring thoughtfully out of the window. However, he turned to you as he felt your gaze burn into his face.

"What?" He asked curiously. Your lips tilted down.

"It's hard to concentrate when you're here," you said.

"Oh, sorry." He pushed himself off of the wall. "I'll wait outside, then. Holler if you need me." When the door closed behind him, you breathed a sigh of relief and pushed your book away. It had been uncomfortable having a boy in your bedroom...especially since you wanted to take a break and change your clothes. You were glad that he was more lenient about his watchdog duties since these past few months; it would allow you some privacy that you desperately needed.

You slipped out of your royal garb and pulled on a simpler dress. It had been your mother's before her passing. The creamy fabric stood out against the other elegant clothes your father had given you over the years. The threading was a bit old and fraying and the blue diamond pattern going down the center of the cloth was old and faded. You could still catch a light whiff of your mother's scent as the long sleeves and skirt fluttered exhaustedly as you walked back to your studies.

The chapter you'd been instructed to read was on the Keyblade War. You must've heard the stories a thousand times from your father, so you didn't feel like you were learning anything now. However, one passage title peaked your interest.

"Kingdom Hearts," you read aloud. That was your favorite subject. The place was so mysterious and intriguing. It was the basis of your father's researched. He said that he wanted to find a way to get to Kingdom Hearts so he could further bring peace to this world. However, it couldn't just be found; it had to be opened with a special key called the "x-blade". You didn't how the Sultan thought he'd accomplish this.

A shudder came from you window. You approached it carefully, looking out over the open space, reflecting on how your entire palace looked glass panes. Nothing caught your eye at first. Suddenly, a creature arose from the ground. You screamed; it was 3 times your size with a large, bouncing belly and a small head that reminded you of a handless teapot. Terra was at your side in an instant, bursting through the door and opening his hand in front of him. A weapon digitized in his fingers, forming a bronze key-like sword with two pick-like points at the bottom. He used it to deflect the black fiend. The monster withdrew ad Terra leaped out after it.

"Wait!" You called after him. This was the first real attempt to abduct you and, god, if anything happened to your companion, you'd never forgive yourself! You rushed downstairs to pursue Terra.

In the inner-courtyard, you caught sight of the boy battling the beast. He was a skilled warrior; although his movements were slow, they packed power into each swing. He occasionally used an earth spell to weaken the attacker until it was deflected back to his chest. He was kneeled over, gasping for air on his knees.

"Terra!" You cried out. You rushed to help him, your feet thinking faster than your mind. You caught the fiend's attention and it turned to come after you.

"Stay back!" Terra warmed, but it was a little too late. You were in the monster's reach. "Run, _!" You obeyed, running between the beasts stubby legs and over to your guard. You were terrified to look at the creature pounding after you. As Terra rose, you flew into his arms. Your mouth emptily begged for safety and protection. You'd never seen a creature of this size before, nor had you truly grasped what it meant to be hunted by one. Father had always said that your home was safe from monsters...but now you saw that he was wrong.

Terra moved you to stand behind him, swiftly prying your fingers off of his shirt. He armed his keyblade again. Something about his aura changed; looking at his prominent back back, you saw black wisps levitated from his pores. Instead of raising his weapon, he pulled up his hand and, with a rageful cry, shot a black mass at the fiend. The beast wailed just before being swallowed by black flames. Terra collapsed the moment that you were safe.

"Hey!" You yelled, bending down to hold his head in your lap. Your fingers brushed his vacant face; he'd passed out from exhaustion. You glanced at his hand to witness the last bit of dark fire fizzled. "Darkness," you breathed in fear. This boy could wield the universe's most dangerous elements….

"Terra! Your Highness!" You looked up to see Aqua and Eraqus heading your way. Swiftly, you grabbed Terra's fingers and washed them with Light; maybe this would disguise his heavy, misty scent.

Your uncle and his female apprentice came before you. Aqua touched a hand to her friend's forehead.

"What happened?" She asked, concern filling her oceanic eyes as she watched her friend's breathing.

"A shadow creature attacked me," you explained. "Terra saved my life." The boy was roused at the sound of his name. His glazed eyes found Eraqus.

"I'm sorry, Master," he muttered.

"For what, Terra?" Eraqus asked. The young boy looked confused, then saw your hand over his. The Light had vanished, but by the look he gave you, he knew what you had done for him.

"I'm...sorry I didn't ask for help." He returned his eyes to his master. "I shouldn't have tried to take this upon myself."

"It's fine," Eraqus assured him. "You did well, my student."
You gave Terra an encouraging smile. He didn't meet his master's eyes or yours. Your uncle, however, gave you both a weary expression. You wondered if he knew that one of his students had darkness within his veins. It was a taboo among humans to be part of such a devious side. It almost always led to evil. Still...your bodyguard may have been a bit prudish, but he wasn't evil…was he?

… … …

You visited Terra later that day. Eraqus had insisted that he rest in his room for the evening and you'd decided to wander until he healed. When you opened the door after re-exploring your home, you saw him sitting at his windowsill. He looked tired, but otherwise well. You approached him silently. He was staring out into the night sky, his face completely empty.

"Terra?" You announced yourself before taking too big a stride into his space. He turned to you in surprise.

"Hey." He stood up, wobbling just a bit. You took a step to his side, grabbing his arm to support him. "I'm fine, I'm fine." He tried to wave you off, but it was clear that he needed guidance to his bed. You set him down on the covers, settling on the floor before his feet. He chuckled at the child-like pose.

"How are you?" You asked eagerly.

"Good." He replied, rolling a muscle on his shoulder. His face contorted a bit. "As good as I can be."

"Oh." You slowly moved to your knees and inspected his arms. "Maybe I can help…." You touched his sore point, letting Light fill your chest. It was like the sun had started rising in your chest, warming up every crevice in your torso. It took some time to spread throughout the rest of your limbs. When the Light completely took you over, you heard Terra choke once. Your eyes closed and it was like another pair opened. You could see the injuries in body and moved your spirit to consume them. They were dissipated within only a few moments.

"Wow," Terra said. You withdrew your power and heavily sat back against your heels.

"I don't usually do that," you mumbled, rubbing your eye. "It takes a lot out of me." Terra helped you onto his bed. Now you were the wobbly one.

"You didn't have to." He held you up by your shoulders.

"I know. But...I needed to thank you for your help."

He smiled kindly. "Well, thanks. I guess you're not such a spoiled brat." He ruffled your hair. You tried to swat him away, but ended up tipping over into his chest. He laughed and pushed you back up. "Relax, I was joking."

"It wasn't very nice." You pouted, but almost couldn't because of his smile. It was small, but light and filled with its own sunshine. You hadn't really paid much attention to it before; your rivalry seemed to cloud your vision of him. Without another thought, you reached up to push his hair back. It was soft enough to tickle the tips of your fingers. Terra's eyebrows raised a bit, his mouth opening slightly in surprise. You stroked him again, enjoying the reaction. Maybe it was because he was like the brother you never had and you liked bothering him?

Terra turned his head on the third pass, putting himself out of your reach. You realized that you were making him uncomfortable and disengaged.

"You should...probably get to bed," he said, clearing his throat. "You need your rest."

"There was something I wanted to ask you about, though." You did your best to straighten up, feeling your head grow lighter and lighter. Terra returned his gaze to you. "Did you...really use darkness back there?"

"He did." Your father had entered the room. You both jumped. Terra hurried to rise and bow before the Sultan. You attempted the same thing, but nearly collapsed.

"Father," you greeted as Terra caught you.

"I see that you're still being well cared for by your bodyguard," your father commented, coming closer to you.

"Thank you, your Majesty," Terra said. His head bobbed up as he tossed his arm around your waist. "You said that you know...about the darkness…."

"Yes." The Sultan grinned, showing his smooth white teeth. "I know all about your abilities."

"Forgive me, sire. I didn't mean to put your daughter in danger like that."

"On the contrary…." Your father reached out to pat Terra's shoulder. "I'm grateful. You used your powers to protect my precious daughter. If that monster were to hurt her, I don't know what I'd do." He moved his other hand to stroke your cheek. It stung a bit, since his hand was bare, but it made you feel loved.

"But, sir…" Terra was uncertain about how to respond.

"Don't worry. I won't tell my brother. I know how much he believes in burying such special gifts."

"Father," you interrupted. "What was that monster? How did it get in here?" You'd been wanting to inquire about the beast all day, but hadn't been able to grab your father's attention.

"I'm not completely sure. I have Vanitas investigate it now. What we do know is that it found a way through my barriers."

"Do you think they'll come for the Princess again?" Terra's fingers pressed into you a bit, keeping you closer to his side.

"I don't know. But I'm confident that you will keep _ safe. But my dear boy, you should not fear the power inside of you. It can be wielded and used to change the world."

"My master says that darkness cannot be used for good. It's only purpose is destruction."

"Well, Eraqus has many old ideas." Your father patted the boy's shoulder, but Terra didn't flinch or appear discomforted. "Thank you for using it to protect my daughter." He left and you caught his scientific grin as he disappeared. Terra wouldn't speak to you about it as he attempted to half-carry you back to your room. Finally, he resorted to throwing you in a honey-moon pose, as your legs wouldn't listen to reason. You would've wrapped your arms around his neck to help if they would've responded.

"It's been a while since you used your powers that way, hasn't it?" Terra was resorting to small talk to try and disguise the pondering at his conversation with you father.

"Yes," you replied softly. You'd tried using it on your father a long time ago, but it didn't seem to work. There were some illnesses that couldn't be reversed, as your mother said, without making the ultimate sacrifices. Terra set you down into your bed, pulling the covers over your legs and torso. You felt compelled to say, "I won't tell anyone."

"About what?" He pushed the blankets into what folds he could find to keep you warm.

"The darkness. I promise I'll keep it a secret." Terra stood up, gazing down at you with a look you couldn't quite understand.

"Thank you," he mumbled at last. He had the smallest smile and ruffled your hair. As he left, you wanted to reach out to him with your hand. It limply remained in place, so you tried your voice instead.

"Wait, Terra."

"Your Highness?" Terra turned back to look at you.

"Would you please stay with me until I fall asleep?" Worry swelled your throat, consuming your tone with fear. You cleared it out with a cough and regained your "princess" voice. "I mean, what if I have to go to the bathroom? I can't very well just use my bed."

Terra returned to your bed. He could tell you were lying, but you didn't drop the facade. "Of course, your Majesty." He took a seat in a chair beside you.

"I don't like it when you call me that." You wanted to erase the memories from earlier that afternoon. You attempted to think of other things, and finding things to observe about Terra's behavior seemed the easiest method.

"What? Your Majesty?"

"I don't like any of it. It's so formal...it almost doesn't seem sincere."

"What do you want me to call you then?" Terra was chuckling a bit. "You are royalty, after all."

"Well, when we're alone, couldn't you just call me by my name?" He'd said it earlier when he ordered you to run for your life. No one had ever said it prior, but you were surprised at how real and normal a person it made you feel.

Terra looked uncertain at first, simply due to conditioned formalities. But then, he softly smiled at you. "Alright, _. If you insist."

"I do," you replied, blushing slightly. You could do little to hide it except bury your cheeks in your pillow. "Thanks."

"No problem. I can't disobey the orders of a princess."

You frowned a little. Couldn't there be one moment in your life where someone treated you like an average girl-or better yet, a friend? Friend's didn't call each other by titles, did they? You'd always assumed they didn't, at least….

Terra remained at your side until you fell asleep. You were comforted by the fact that he was more than willing to protect you from lurking shadows, but felt a new thrill fill your chest when you woke up and he was still there. His head was slightly tipped back in the chair as he snoozed and you, for a time, just watched his face. Sometimes it tensed, other times it smiled, and once in a while you heard him mutter the names of Aqua and Ven (though you knew not the identity of the latter). You liked observing him while he wasn't on his guard. It made your life, for a moment, seem less scary and more...normal?