Well here is the next chapter of Absolution of Darkness. This is turning into a very very long venture. I can't say how long at this point but I've barely scratched the surface so far of where I want to take this story. Please tell me what you think. - DHT

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Riku sat up and looked around. He'd been here for hours now, but he didn't have the will to move. After everything that had happened, all he had done to save Sora, it was all a failure. Now his friend was paying a horrible price for the mistakes Riku had made. Getting Roxas back was suppose to fix everything but apparently that had not been enough.

He didn't know what to do everything he had ever done had been because of Sora. There was something else deeper too. A long time ago, he had found out what it was about Sora that drove him so hard. He was in love with the keyblade master. His hair his eyes, the way his whole face lit up when he smiled. The way he could make Riku feel so much lighter just by being there, but most of all Riku loved his inner light and his ability to live by his emotions. That's what made Sora special. What made him who he was. Riku had seen the darkness in Sora's eyes and the cold lack of emotions. He nearly died right then. He had to help Sora but he didn't know how.

He stood and brushed off his pants. Sitting here in his sorrow wouldn't save Sora. He climbed up over a rock face and then sucked his breath in. He'd been here before. This was Hallow Bastion. He would never forget that castle. Why had Sora sent him here? He turned tears in his eyes. Was it to remind him of what he had done wrong in the past? To show him how much of a failure he had been?

He closed his eyes and started walking. If the castle was over there then the town should be to his right.

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Kairi sat in Merlin's house. Donald and Goofy had agreed to leave her there and go to aid the King. She didn't blame them those three were as close a her Riku and Sora had been. She held a cup of tea in her hands. Leon and Aerith were currently searching the castle. Kairi could bring up the courage to head in there. She had a feeling it held answers to questions she wasn't ready to ask. She hadn't seen Cloud yet since his last confrontation, but Yuffie assured her that this was normal for Cloud behavior.

Yuffie it seemed had a never ending supply of energy and Kairi could help but smile at the Ninja girl's attempts to cheer her up. It had been agreed right now the best way to help Sora was to find out just how the heartless originated and find a way to reverse it. Those answers lay with in the castle walls. Or so Leon thought. Kairi only had hope.

Yuffie while glancing out the window just squealed and threw the door open. Kairi was rather started till the girl came dragging in a rather startled silver haired boy.

"Riku!" Kairi exclaimed

"I knew I recognized him!" Yuffie said doing a victory poss.

Kairi idly wondered if this was how Yuffie treated all strangers. And then decided it was a question best left unanswered.

Riku, who had fallen on his knees just looked up at Kairi he wasn't expecting to see her here, but a part of him was glad. She was whole and complete.

Kairi lifted him up of the ground and set him on the couch. He was so worn out that he didn't resist much.

"Riku what happened?" She asked him. And his eyes fell further, hair hiding his face.

"I found-" He hesitated, was the thing he found really Sora? Kairi deserved to know. After all she was the one Sora loved. "I found Sora" He started again "Or at least something that looked like Sora. But he was so dead, emotionless. It was like-"

"He didn't have a heart" Kairi finished clutching her necklaces closing her eyes.

Riku looked at her. "Yes, he said that he was just borrowing yours, that his heart was still out there somewhere"

Kairi started crying and threw here arms around Riku. "It's all my fault. I should have known better. Back at the castle I wanted Sora to have his heart back so much. I couldn't stand to see him like that. I wanted to be in love with Sora like he was with me. I though I could fix him like he fixed me. But something didn't feel right. But Sora seemed fine so I wrote it off as paranoia. I thought he was happy and whole again." She continued to sob. "I wanted to love him but I didn't. My heart wasn't good enough. I wanted it to be very much I did care for him."

Riku hugged the girl. He understood, she blamed herself, as he himself did. But something she said caused his heart to twist.

"You don't love him?" he asked her. Her head was tilted down and she didn't speak. Her answer came in the form of a shake of the head back and forth.

How could Kairi not love his precious Sora? He didn't understand it. He suddenly felt for Sora, he knew was it was like to love someone who didn't love you.

"He was so lost when I saw him. He said that only the other nobodies could help him find his heart. But I don't believe that we can help him. We have too." Riku said holding her hand.

Kairi just looked up at him tears in her eyes. "No Riku, I can't help him find his heart." She said offering him a small smile.

Riku was confused and slightly angry how could she deny helping him after all he had done for her? "Why not" he said with more frustration in his voice.

"Because" she said placing a hand were Riku's heart should be "Only you can do that Riku"

Riku's eyes widen did Kairi meant what he thought she did.

"I know you love him Riku. Really love him, more then I ever could. Poor Sora was to blind to ever see it. I can't help him because I don't love him the way he needs. I'll do more good here helping them up at the castle. Maybe that way we can figure out how to fix everyone." She said

He looked away he didn't want to believe what she was saying. Sora wouldn't have it though. He loved Kairi, not Riku. However he would do anything to help Sora.

"Then I guess it's my turn to find him." Riku said with a small smile.

"You won't be alone. Leon is not the best person to leave to research. Tomorrow I'm to start helping Aerith. Leon will go with you as will Yuffie. She has to much energy to be cooped up here anyway. Leon is searching for someone too. You'll be able to help each other I think" Kairi smiled at him.

"How did you set this all up already?" Riku asked confused. She had seemed surprised to see him.

Kairi laughed a bit. "Well Leon and Yuffie were leaving tomorrow anyway. Leon decided that if I was here that was good enough hand to leave to search too and was going to try his hand at finding his lost someone. Yuffie was going with him. I'm sure Leon would go with you. He promised to do anything to help me find Sora and I think this would be the best route."

"Alright Kairi, but why didn't he leave before. Surely the others" Riku trailed off.

Kairi kind of bunched up her skirt a bit in her hands. It was a bit of a touchy subject for her, but she hadn't actually said it out loud. "I can't remember much" she said quietly. "But I think Ansem the Wise was my grandfather."

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It had been nearly a year since all of Organization XII had stood with in the same room. Tension was high and reasonably so. Marluxia and Larxene were seated at one end of the room. They had been the ones to first cause the decent with in the ranks of the organization and were thus left at the bottom. Or this was it was viewed but those who still saw some rank. Sora had dismissed the ranking system. He had his second in command that was the only rank he saw fit for. In the circle Saix sat next to Larxene. He'd never been fond of the girl but she wasn't suicidal enough to attempt speaking to the Luna Diviner. On the other side of Marluxia sat Lexaeus the Silent Hero had attempted to thwart Marluxia's last attempt at rebellion. Sora was certain Marluxia wouldn't try again. But it was best to be careful. That and Lexaeus was one he felt he could trust to /not/ kill Marluxia if the situation arose.

Next to Saix sat Xaldin his temper could be as bad as Saix's at times. But Sora had a way of handling both of them that kept their temper in check. Keeping the two fairly active and allowing Saix to be near Xemnas most of the time didn't hurt either.

Luxord sat next to Lexaeus he had placed his hand on Xemnas before and had to fold, he hoped it wouldn't be the same with this kid. But he was a gambler by nature and he was will to give this a shot.

Next to Xalidn sat the Chilly Academic, Vexen who had proven to be just as vital to Sora's plans as he had been to Xemnas's. He was one of the few allowed into Sora's private chambers if the scientist discovered anything helpful Sora wanted to know immediately.

Across from Vexen and next to Luxord sat Zexion. The only one near Sora's own age, he was intelligent and cunning. Sora understood how his somebody was able to become one of Ansem's assistance at such a young age. He was the only one that hadn't perished as everyone had thought. Axel had not had him killed as it first appeared. Axel had wanted to find Roxas, thus he convinced Zexion to aid him. Axel sent the Riku Replica to kill Zexion and get him out of the hold of the organization.

Zexion with his illusionary abilities managed to trick not only the Riku Replica but his 'grave' in the Proof of Existence. Sora had later discovered him on Destiny Island. The events after that had led them all here. Zexion would have his heart back. There was something very precious he had to recover and he could only do it with his heart.

Xigbar sat next to Vexen. Xigbar at first was rather put off that the 'traitor' was now running the organization. But finding out what the boy knew and his plans he could help but swear his loyalty to him. He was able to offer them all a chance at becoming whole again. He and Xemnas were already half there. It wasn't an insane half baked idea. It was /real/.

Xemnas sat next to Zexion. Some might think he would never have agreed to aid Sora, the one who defeated him. But Xemnas was a driven man. Insane at times but still driven. He had sought out the power of the Keyblade Master before to use it to his own purposes but now that power was leading them and Xemnas would take a back seat if the Key of Destiny could succeed where he had failed. Sora already had a better hold on the organizations members then Xemnas ever had.

Next to Xigbar sat Demyx and another reason why Xigbar was wiling to listen to Sora. Xigbar had been the only one in the organization to see Demyx's true potential. The man understood more about the human heart then any of the original six ever could hope too. He lived with passion. However Demyx's views on things were not popular in the organization's past and so Xigbar found himself protecting the Melodious Nocturne from most of the others.

Sora however valued Demyx's views. He was free to express himself and for that Xigbar was grateful. Don't get him wrong Xigbar wasn't in love with the kid. Demyx just reminded him what it was like to truly live. If anyone could find their heart it would be Demyx and that gave him hope that they all could do it.

Next to Xemnas seat Axel. Sora's second in command. The fire wielder had caused a lot of the strife in the organization. Many had died originally due to his objectives. However Sora trusted him. And with good reason, he and Axel were connected. Not by the heart but by something deeper. Axel would never harm or betray Roxas and Sora was Roxas. Things were different now and while Axel still set most of the others on edge, they could all agree he was not one to be trifled with, especially when it came to Sora.

The last seat, between Demyx and Axel was reserved for Sora himself. The very reason they were all back among the living (if nobodies could even be considered living) all idle chatter stopped as soon as Sora walked through the door. He had a commanding presence that the 16 year old who had save the world could never hope to achieve. He took his seat and then looked up at the circular room.

"I know you're probably all wondering why I called you back here. And forced you into the presences of one another yet again" Sora said voice cool and even. "I or rather Vexen has some interesting news I'm sure you are all dying to here" Sora motioned for Vexen to stand and take the center of the room.

The Chilly Academic did as instructed and took a small device out of his pocket. "This-' He began" Is a tracker. It can sink with the user and align itself with their energy."

He turned so he could meet the eyes of everyone in the room "I'm sure that means nothing to most of you right now. But I will remind you that we have the same energy signal as our Heartless due. One part of what makes us whole. I've tested it. And I can tell you it works"

"You've found your heartless!" exclaimed Larxene. The Chilly Academic just smiled "Yes yes I have." The room burst out with conversation but was quickly halted with the raising of Sora's hand.

"At this point Vexen has managed to make Five of them." Sora said. "Axel, Demyx, Saix, Xigbar, and Xaldin, I expect you to be back with your heartless by morning. Vexen will explain to you how to use them. The rest of you will have your turn tomorrow"

"Xemnas I have a few things to discuss with you" Sora said standing "As this does not concern you please follow me" he then turned at walked out.

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"I knew I always liked him" Said Larxene crossing her arms, talking to Marluxia they were really the only two who would openly talk to each other. However they didn't realize they weren't alone.

"That's why you had Axel kill him isn't it?" said a smooth voice.

"Zexion" Marluxia acknowledged. He refused to be ashamed of what he did or fearful to the others. In the end he was right. Xemnas wasn't the one who could lead them to their hearts.

"What do you want?" Larxene snapped. Something about Zexion never sat well with her.

"Well I could say I'm here to spy on you for Sora. But there is no real reason for that. He's certain you two have 'learned your lesson' I would call it foolish if I wasn't sure myself.

"What makes you so sure we wouldn't turn again?" Marluxia asked trying to act coy, but honestly curious.

"I can smell it. I had a feeling you two were up to no good last time. This time your to intrigued at the idea of getting your hearts back that you're willing to quietly follow Sora. Everyone is." Zexion said, leaning against the wall.

"You still haven't said what you wanted." Larxene said.

"I wanted to ask you somethings, about Sora." Zexion stated. "And you're the only ones I can ask. It's not safe to ask anyone else, because they might go to Sora. If say anything, well no one will believe you anyway"

Larxene was mad but Marluxia was intrigued "Go on"

"Have you noticed anything odd about him? I think he may be falling further then anyone may have thought." Zexion said looking at the wall next to him.

"What do you mean falling?" Marluxia asked.

"We are all tied to the darkness, but we don't want to be so we push away. I'm not so sure Sora's pushing. He may have accepted it and stopped trying to get away. Have you seen his eyes? His Iris's are starting to turn black." Zexion stated.

"Can't say I have, but I haven't been looking either, we were across the room. I will though. If he hits the bottom like Xemnas we may fail again. Don't worry I wont say anything" Marluxia stated.

"Hey what about me. I haven't agreed to anything" Larxene snarled.

"No but your curious and concerned too, so you wont" With that Zexion turned and portaled off to another part of the castle.

Larxene growled. "God I hate him"

"Don't worry about that. Him coming to us with this is a good thing." Marluxia said leaning against the wall crossing his arms.

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"Your what?" Riku said eyes going wide.

Kairi averted her eyes "My grandfather. I remember living in the castle, with my parents and I remember him kind of. Most of it is like a dream. I remember Xehanort kind of. And being kind of afraid of him, I remember some other people too but no faces or names. I didn't put two and two together at first or really think about it until I got back here again. But Ansem was the ruler of this world. And I was the princess. I remember living in the castle. It's the only thing that makes sense and I think deep down I always kind of knew." Kairi confessed.

Riku just leaned back and looked up at the ceiling of the house. "Nothing is ever simple with us is it?"

"Nope I don't think it is" Kairi sighed and leaned into Riku.

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"What did you wish to speak to me about?" Came Xemnas's silky voice.

"The last step we have to take." Sora said facing the window. "We've been in theses forms the longest. Soon the others will have adapted similar forms, half heartless half nobody but still not whole. I'm afraid no machine that Vexen could ever hope to build can find our hearts. When he gets back I want you to take Axel to Hallow Bastion."

Sora turned to face Xemnas. "Your old research is there and I have a feeling it will be more valuable that you remember. Ansem nor none of you as you use to be may have truly understood the human heart but your research did lead us here. There must be something there that can fix this."

Xemnas nodded in respect to acknowledge Sora's request in a fashion to the way Xehanort had shown respect to Ansem. Sora turned back to the window and Xemnas took this as his sign to leave. In the morning he would be heading back to Hallow Bastion.

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There you go, and please no flames for making Ansem and Kairi related . I haven't really seen this before but I find very possible. I was originally going to go with Father until a friend of mine pointed out that grandfather was more feasible.