Aqua opened her eyes to find she was in a dark cell. Jerking up, she spun around wildly, trying to find her sons.

"Mama?" Vanitas whispered.

"Van? Where are you? And where's Ven?" Her voice cracked as she spoke.

"We're right here. We've been waiting for you to wake up." This time it was Ven who spoke. Aqua sagged to the floor in relief. Her sons were her world. If anything happened to them, she didn't know if she would be able to continue.

"I don't suppose you two know how long we've been in here?" She asked the boys. Light was seeping in through a window making them both easier to see.

"One-" Ven began.

"No, two!" Vanitas interrupted.

"Oh yeah! Two days." Ven finished. Aqua, who was beginning to stand up, almost fell back down at this. Two days?!

"Have you two had any food?" She asked in horror.

"Yup! There's a nice guard here who tells us stories and brings us good food. It's not so bad here." Vanitas asked. Pressing her hands to her forehead, Aqua fought off a wave of nausea. Her head was starting to pound from the hit she had taken a couple of days ago. Vaguely, she registered the cell door swinging open.

"Roxas!" Aqua heard Ven yell. She turned her clouded vision to face the guard who stared at her with a mixed expression.

"My master has requested your presence in the great hall. He wishes to speak with you." His voice was stern but kind.

"Thank you," Aqua replied. "But I refuse." Her sons watched with wide eyes. She dared to defy a man with such a huge and weird looking sword?

"I'm afraid you have little choice," Roxas spoke as he grabbed her by the arms. With Roxas pulling her along, Aqua glanced back to see the man in the black cloak pick up a squirming Ven and Vanitas.


Terra sat in his chair by the fire in the great hall. Currently, he was being forced to listen to his steward, Saix, complain about the increase of heartless in the land. A flash of movement by the entryway caught his eye and he sat up straighter. Roxas stood by the door, obviously using a great deal of strength to restrain something or someone. Had the woman with blue hair finally woken up? Dismissing his steward, Terra stood and summoned Roxas to him with a wave of his hand. Sure enough, he came in dragging the woman with blue hair behind him. Axel followed shortly with her boys. When Roxas and Axel left, taking all the remaining servants with them, Terra spoke up.

"Who gave you the right to trespass on my land?" These were the first words that left his mouth.

"No one did, sir, but I thought a woman and her boys could take a shortcut through some woods to find shelter. Apparently, I was wrong." Her voice was hard and cold. She never once looked up from the ground, yet she still managed to snub him.

"What is your name?" Terra asked, barely able to keep his temper in check.

"Aqua, and these are my boys, Ventus and Vanitas." She pointed to each one in turn.

"How old are the boys?" Terra wanted to know so he could find a place to put them. He had other plans for the mother that didn't involve them.

"They are three and I am nineteen and you will let us go!" Her voice rose to a shout with the last word. Finally, she raised her face to him and he froze. Aqua was gorgeous. Sapphire blue hair fell and framed her heart shaped face. Sky blue eyes full of hate pierced into his soul. He let his gaze fall to her mouth that was pressed into a thin line. Terra watched as her expression changed to confusion. Letting her face fall back towards the floor, she backed up a few steps. Terra smirked and turned towards a rope hanging down from the wall. Pulling on it caused a bell to ring. A woman with short, black hair entered the room. She had a kind smile that complemented her youthful face. A long, black dress swept the floor as she rushed along.

"You rang, master?" Her voice was warm and melodious.

"Take the boys to my childhood room, the one I had you prepare. Oh, and Xion, make sure they have supper waiting on them."

"Yes, sir." Xion turned to gather up the boys and leave, but Aqua stepped in her way.

"You will not take my sons. I will go with them." Her words were clipped.

"Sir?" Xion asked timidly.

"Aqua," he warned, watching as she turned to face him. Taking two steps forward, Terra was inches from her face.

"Xion will take them to their room and you will comply. Failure to do so will result in consequences." Aqua's eyes spit fire at him as he watched her walk over to Ven and Vanitas. He couldn't make out what she was saying, but both boys visibly relaxed. It was an odd concept to him - having a mother care so much for her sons. Heavens knew his own mother never did.


He was taking her sons. The insufferable brute was taking her sons. At least Xion seemed nice. Ven and Van had reluctantly left, leaving her alone with Terra. A man she knew quite well, though not for the reason people would think. Terra held a well-known reputation throughout all the worlds. One of the last powerful land holders, he owned the Land of Departure. He was also the last thing standing between the Rebellion and the crown. King Xehanort was the current ruler, with Sir Xemnas and Sir Ansem by his side as royal viziers. Terra was one of the last lords to support the crown, as many disagreed with the king's cruel and inhumane ways. The Rebellion was a growing group of people who wanted to overthrow the king. Aqua herself among them. The only problem were Terra and his army. They provided the brawn of the crown in exchange for a title and wealth. These reasons - plus a few others that Aqua wasn't willing to think about - made her loathe Terra.

Sighing she pushed her tangled mass of hair back. She must look horrid right now. A prickling at her neck caused her to look up. Terra was staring at her.

"May I help you?" Aqua asked.

"Why do you care so much for your boys?" His tone wasn't openly hostile or bitter like before. Now it was just curious.

"They…" She trailed off, unsure how to continue. Terra nodded his head, willing her to go on. "They are all I have left in this world. My parents are long gone, leaving me with two young boys at a young age. But we manage." Swallowing, she tried to ignore the growing pains of hunger in her stomach.

"And their father?" Now Terra was regarding her with a careful expression, as if gauging her reaction.

"He… He isn't around anymore? Look, I'm barely staying awake on my feet here and I'm starving. Can we just end this discussion?" Aqua tried to appeal to any kindness Terra might have in him. Groaning and rolling his eyes, Terra pulled on the string again, this time bringing in a woman with long, brown hair. Her dress was also a plain black, but Aqua noticed she had a pink bow at the back of her head. Large green eyes traced over Aqua as the stranger appraised her.

"Aerith, tell one of the kitchen maids to bring a plate up to my room, but not to enter. Leave the plate outside, knock, and leave. Do I make myself clear?" Terra's voice had gone back to the gruff, judgemental one from before.

"Crystal, M'lord." She turned and walked out of the room. Terra turned back around and faced Aqua.

"Follow me and I will show you to the room where you will be sleeping." Aqua nodded and began to follow him. Due to terra's long stride, she was almost running to keep up. He led her to a spiral staircase and began to climb. After what seemed like an eternity, they reached a long hallway. At the end of the hallway sat a huge grand staircase. Terra led her up the staircase and to the right.

"What's down that way?" Aqua asked, pointing to the left.

"A place where you can never go. Understood?" Aqua gave a half-hearted nod. The rest of the walk was spent in silence. Upon arriving at a huge oak door, Terra twisted the knob and pulled her in. Aqua gasped.

The room itself was huge, but divided. Upon entering, there was a sitting room full of red and bronze furniture. Black drapes covered a picture window. Through a smaller door she could see a huge four poster bed and another door that Aqua figured led to the bathroom.

"This is where I'll be staying?" She asked in disbelief.

"Yes." Terra's answer was short and clipped. He brushed past her and into the bedroom.

"Woah, woah, woah, what are you doing?" Came Aqua's confused voice as Terra laid down across the bed.

"This is my room too, and I'm tired, so shut your mouth and get comfortable."

"I am not sharing a bed with you. I have standards."

"Relax, it's not like you've never shared a bed before. Your sons are living proof," He spoke in a non-caring tone. And just like that, the dam broke. Aqua threw herself down on the nearest object, which happened to be a plush chair. She cried until her insides hurt. Utterly exhausted, she fell into a deep, restless sleep.


Terra stared at the exhausted girl. She had finally stopped her crying. The servant had come and gone with the food, leaving Terra alone with his thoughts. There was something vaguely familiar about Aqua's blue locks, something he couldn't quite put his finger on. And why wouldn't she talk about the father? Ah, well. There was always tomorrow. He would figure out why she was really here. People didn't just cu through his forest. It was too dark and dangerous, even for a keyblade master like himself. It was possible that Aqua was one too, but he doubted it. With those thoughts, he fell asleep.


Somewhere far away, a man stood in front of his master.

"Are you sure Terra will revive the Rebellion, sir? He seems pretty dedicated to you."

"Do you question me, child?"

"No, sir! It's just… Why stir up more trouble before it even begins? And what about all his loyal guards? Guards that protect you!"

"I have my reasons. Reasons that need not concern you yet. Now, I want you to get into his head. Make him love her and rip her away. You understand what will happen should you fail?"

"Yes. I will not fail you. Terra will break, King Xehanort.'

"Excellent."


Quicker update this time, but slower chapter. Eventually they will pick up, as currently I'm just trying to explain the logistics of the story. Once we meet a few more characters, I'll give you a summary to prevent confusion. Anyway, thank you for taking the time to read my story and happy reading!