Don't say anything. I know.


Namine looked out the small window, staring out into the dark, black sky as she patiently waited for a visitor to come by.

The past few days had been rather dull, seeing that hardly anybody had visited her. And what few she got were quick and tended to be silent, with the Nobodies hardly saying a word to her. Even Demyx had ceased his social activity, choosing to be a bit more silent and speak less while he came up with to provide her with paper, crayons, or food. Everyone seemed to be in a hurry, and would stay for as long as they needed to be before rushing out the door without a word. Although this could be considered a good thing, especially in the case of Marluxia or Larxene visiting her, Namine felt a bit lonely and wanted some sort of social contact with the outside world. The secretive life of the Nobodies also had her a bit worried as well. She did not consider them to be good people, and with them hardly uttering a sentence around her, she couldn't help but hypothesize what might be going about on this world, or the worlds around them.

She was very sure that Xemnas still needed her and that she still had use for the organization, otherwise they would have simply rid of her, rather than keep her trapped without a thing to do. Even if she had lost her value, and Xemnas was keeping her locked away simply so that her powers could be contained and kept away from others, she would still have something sent over to amuse her.

Namine let her hand hang and sway in the cold breeze as she continued to stare out into the dark, black sky. She could make out the movements of the dark figures below in the city, appearing as a thick wave of darkness. Over the past few days the amount of darkness in the world had drastically decreased. Namine could still spot out the dark circles grouped about in the city though, growing slowly as the Heartless tried to take over the world.

This world was becoming dangerous. It was never meant to hold true life, and now it appeared that it was falling apart. The Heartless would never give up. It would be very difficult to retain a low enough population within the World That Never Was. Just one heart caused a Heartless to appear, two to create a population boom, and with more forming there was sure to be future catastrophe. Even with Roxas around, Namine doubted Xemnas would be able to handle this situation. Nothingness could never have complete control over dankness, even with help from light.

Namine removed herself from the window and walked over to the chair and small table set in the middle of the room. She sat herself down, a hand already reaching for the black colored pencil as she envisioned her next drawing.

It would be a test of some sorts. As long as no more hearts appear, the numbers will not increase. They'll reach a certain point, but will have to stop at a certain point. If Xemnas can figure this out on his won then he'll be one step closer to finding a permanent solution. As well, if the number of hearts decreases, then so will the number of Heartless, not that anyone in this castle would dare consider such a thing. If he couldn't, however, then only chaos will be brought out. Rest assures, there will be some blood spilt…

Strangely enough, Namine was not nervous. She knew her bleak existence would very much come to an end should there be an outbreak of Heartless, but she reminded herself that the end of her life would not mean the end of her. She would continue onward, through the life of her other, and she would never have to worry about fading from existence.

Or maybe it was because she was a Nobody, and she truly could not rationalize fear.

Whatever the case, Namine would wait patiently for the day to come. And from her tower, she would watch the world, her prison, her home either fight back or fall apart.

Namine sighed as she stared down at the several small bodies she had drawn on her white sheet of sketch paper. Even without the yellow, their soulless eyes seemed to blare at her.

An attack was imminent.


-Month Three-

The Calm

Day 51;

I'm becoming jealous.

I can't stand that others appear to be happy with one another. I suppose I ought to be thankful for what I have, what I own, but I can't. It's hard looking at him, knowing that he may not ever have what the others will give to their children.

It just bothers me.

I want him to have the best.

As usual.

Day 52;

Everything seems safe now.

Hopefully it will be safe enough. I can't help but feel a though there are still too many Heartless. Xemnas said the population should be low enough now, but I'm not so sure.

But if it isn't, then we're to blame. I shouldn't have listened to Axel. I should have just kept fighting instead of taking that break. What if something goes wrong?

Maybe I should have a talk with Namine?


"This is becoming distressing," I muttered worryingly to Number IV. "He seems to have problems sleeping."

"And you believe this may be related to his refusal to eat?" Number IV asked me in a stoic tone.

"As well as his unusual behavior," I added, ignoring the other's tone.

Number IV and VI turned to each other and gave one another strange looks. I waited patiently as Vixell squirmed around in my arms.

Just as things were beginning to look less grim, I find myself back in the hole, only this time I can't seem to find my way out.

Vixell usually had problems sleeping only during full moons. For the past few days the child would constantly wake up throughout the night and do whatever he could to gather my attention. It wasn't too hard. Of course, I wasn't too worried. At first. Why should I have been?

But after the third day I became stressed. I expected exhaustion to have claimed him, of worst came to worst, but Vixell only seemed to grow more frantic as time wore on. And being tired, he became more finicky and upset towards me, which was odd…and very hard to experience.

"And Number V suggested this was teething," Number IV muttered as he opened up a file and went through the few pages.

"He seems a bit young, doesn't he," Number VI said, crossing his arms and surveying Vixell carefully. "I mean…he's just finally hit four months, right?"

"How's his stool," asked IV, his eyes going through the file.

"Not watery," I answered. "I already know the signs…he's not showing any of them thus far."

"And according to everything here, Vixell's completely healthy," he said, closing the file. Number IV looked at me and gave a small sigh. "It seems you've nothing to worry about."

"What?"

"He's only four months," Number VI said. "He's got a developing personality."

"And children devour attention," Number IV added on. "Chances are; he's just one of those harder to raise babies…or he just becoming, pardon me if this may offend you; spoiled." Number IV let his eyes rest on me for a moment, detecting the obvious annoyance I was developing for him. "However, if you want, you could buy him something for him to chew on…pressure does help ease the pain of teething, and if he is starting to teeth, then he would appreciate the token."

"As long as he isn't losing weight," Number VI said in a cautious tone.

"Yes, and make sure the amount of waste he produces doesn't go under," IV then added.

"You're afraid I'll malnourish him?" I asked in a repulsed tone.

"If he is teething, then he may need a change of diet," Number IV said. "And if he's not eating, then wouldn't it be wise to make sure he's not losing weight?" He groaned. "I know you dislike hearing these things, but remember we're on your side…"

I slowly nod my head, hesitant to accept every little word I'm hearing.

I look down and stare worryingly at Vixell. He's still at it, refusing to settle as he continues to whine and cry in my arms. It pains me to see him in this state; uncomfortable and ignorant of what's going on, and there's no way I could change it.

"No baby is the same," Number IV said as he sat himself down. "The best thing you can do is watch over him as you are now…he'll let you know if there's anything wrong."

"Of course," I mutter disdainfully.

I continue to look down at Vixell. I wish I knew what was going on inside of him. I wish I had the ability to figure out what was wrong with him, if there was anything wrong at all. I want him to go to sleep, relax, eat, smile, and just be himself…

But then, is suppose it ought to be normal for babies to become colicky once in a while. And the first three months of his life, albeit a bit different than most infants, were rather normal of a child his age. Perhaps he was showing more of his personality…and maybe his personality wasn't exactly quiet and calming like I thought it was. I'd seen him in his bad moods, and I've seen the things he's capable of doing when upset enough. In the end, there was nothing stopping him from keeping his emotions under control. Perhaps this was just it?

After all…he wasn't a normal child.

But Vixell wasn't really using his strength against me. Not that he would on any given occasion, but now would seem like an appropriate time, considering how upset he was.

…this makes no sense.

"What do you want," I asked Vixell in a distressed voice.

He just looks up at me and stares.


"Does it seem rather quiet?" Luxord asked Larxene as the two made their way down the hall. "Or is it that I'm not used to being in such long hallways after last week?"

Larxene chuckled at the older Nobody, "You make it sound like you actually worked all seven days."

"Six or seven? Does it really make a difference?" Luxord asked, smiling at Larxene. "And it wasn't like I spent my day wandering the halls. I spent the hours with you, if I do recall."

Larxene smirked at Luxord, "not that you had anything else to do, hmm?"

"I wouldn't spend my time doing anything else," Luxord said, wrapping his arms around Larxene's frame. Larxene gave a small snicker as she let the older Nobody begin to caress her and-

"Don't you dare!"

Both Larxene and Luxord both turned and stared at a very horrified Axel, as well as Xigbar-who wasn't horrified, but taking in the view.

"Seriously, guys," Axel yelled as he passed the two. "You can't just warp to a room or something? Gotta male out in the hall like some high school couple?"

"Aww, let them play honeymoon," Xigbar said with a snort. He looked over at Larxene and snickered; "it's kinda hot…"

Larxene scowled at Xigbar and threw a punch at him. The older Nobody teleported out of the hall, causing her to stumble a bit before Luxord grabbed her and saved her from the fall.

"Sick creep," Larxene yelled into the halls.

"Try to be careful, love," Luxord said in a worried tone. "We can't have you falling down now."

"This is why you ought to be in your rooms," Axel said with a roll of the eyes. "Prevents stupid shit like this." The red head looked down the hall and frowned. "Hmm, wonder where he went off to?"

"Probably screwing Demyx," Larxene said as she situated herself. "If he's into that kind of stuff, it wouldn't surprise me one bit…"

"Must we be so vulgar?" Axel asked with a smirk. He turned to Luxord and chuckled. "Your kids gonna have such a mouth…considering she's hearing all of this talk from Larxene."

"Well…Larxene is halfway through the pregnancy," Luxord said, giving the female nobody a tense look. "Perhaps we ought to consider what the child hears, hmm?"

"Like she knows what we're actually saying," Larxene said. "Really, Luxord, you worry way too much. don't listen to Axel…he doesn't know a thing about babies."'

"And you do?" Axel asked sarcastically.

"Well, I am a woman," Larxene said in an overly soft and dainty voice.

"You are?" Axel feigned a gasp. "Hey Luxord, did you know that?"

"Why you…"

Axel took a few steps back as Luxord grabbed hold of Larxene's shoulder.

"Don't waste your time on him," Luxord said with a weary smile. "Come on dear, you know how Axel is. He's just being playful…don't take his words seriously."

"Let me go," Larxene hissed. "I'll break your arm…"

"You don't mean that," Luxord said with a small pout.

"I don't know," a shrewd voice said from up above. Luxord and Larxene stopped and stared up at the nobody squatting on the ceiling. Larxene's face grew even more enraged as Xigbar smirked at her. "Girl will probably tear it off, with all those crazy hormones and what not."

"Get down and say that to my face," Larxene said in a threatening tone.

"What, and leave Luxord without any tasty, hot, hate sex?" Xigbar laughed. "I think not!"

"You're a true friend," Luxord said weakly as he reached on to his pissed lover. "Though, I doubt even your support will help me at this point." Luxord turned to Larxene and pet her on the head. "Why bother dealing with them, love? You know you're only giving them more reason to continue."

Larxene glanced over at Luxord and sighed.

"You're right."

"I usually tend to be," Luxord said with a smile as he nuzzled Larxene.

"Seriously," Axel said in a serious tone, "that's really gross." He pointed at Xigbar as he continued to watch the two be affectionate to one another. "Not even Xigbar does that in public. And last I checked, you two are not honeymooners!"

"Let Lux have his fun," Xigbar said as he dropped down to the ground. "In a few months he won't have time for any of it."

"Yeah, but the fact that they're so lovey-dovey kinda sickens me," Axel muttered.

"Nothing wrong with fucking during pregnancy," Xigbar said with a chuckle.

Larxene, not looking at the two, raised her hand and flipped Xigbar off.

"I hate to think what you and Demyx do," Axel said without looking over at Xigbar.

"Nothing too out of the ordinary," Xigbar laughed.

Axel rolled his eyes and faked a gagged noise in his throat. He stared at the two other Nobodies, who were now rushing off, and then turned to Xigbar.

"You think we'll have regular missions scheduled today?"

Xigbar half assed a shrug.

"Don't know, don't care," he muttered. "All I know is that, today, Xemnas wasn't in his office." He took a few steps forward and went on. "Xaldin said he would make up a list, but that's all I know."

"You think something's wrong?" Axel asked.

"Naw," Xigbar answered. "Xemnas worried over little things. If it's Kingdom Hearts, Heartless, or parenting; he'll overreact in some way or another." Xigbar chuckled as he summoned a portal. "All I can say is that Saix better steer clear of coming back."

"Saix?" Axel looked down for a few moments to ponder over what Xigbar had said. "Why have him avoid this place?"

"We all played the blame game before," Xigbar said as he made his way through the darkness. "It'll only be a matter of time before we all go back to playing it again, only this time it'll be much worse."

Axel frowned as he watched the older Nobody disappears into darkness, and then fade off completely. He looked up and crossed his arms as he recalled those difficult months where everyone fought over Vixell's stand in the castle, over who the father was, as well as other things. And, of course, he couldn't forget how Saix had acted during that time, and how everyone's actions affected his behavior.

Axel had thought, for only a short time, that it would be better if Saix had left. It, of course, was during the time Saix was charged with aggravated assault to the Superior, but even those feelings faded away as time wore on, and Xemnas explained Saix's side of the story. And even though his and Saix's relationship wasn't the best…he still wanted him to come back. What Xigbar had said worried him. What would happen to Saix if Xigbar was right?

No…this wasn't anything to worry about…at least right now.

Axel continued to walk down the hall, whistling to himself as he walked up the flight of stairs and up o Roxas' room.


After lying on my bed for almost an hour, I've finally achieved what I had begun to consider an impossibility; lull Vixell into sleep.

Carefully, I pull away from the small, fragile body, and inch my way into a sitting position. I need to keep him asleep. If I can fix his sleeping patterns, then I might be able to fix his eating patterns as well.

I give a silent sigh of relief as I stand up, turning and facing the still sleeping boy.

My boy.

It's still such a strange thought, even now. I worry over him, dote over him, and yet calling him my own still makes me feel so strange.

Is this what all new parents go through? Or am I a special case? I know I didn't have him properly, and that obviously affects certains aspects, but I'm sure four months after the fact these illusions would make more sense to me.

How long did it take others to truly understand that they cared for me? Or could I not make the comparison?

I lowered my hand, letting it hover above Vixell's head and slowly let it rest on his small head. He stirred only a little, though it was enough to remind me to be more careful, unless I wanted to start all over again with trying to have him rest.

"You busy?"

I glanced up at the hooded figure hovering above me.

"The day's almost halfway through," Xigbar chuckled. "No one has been sent out on a mission yet."

I leer at him.

"Right, right," he said in a whisper. "He's asleep…"

"And since when did you care about getting things done in an orderly matter?" I asked him, my finger pointing down.

He jumped down from the ceiling and landed on his feet, managing to not make a sound as he did. I wasn't the least bit impressed by it.

"Well, I did promise to become more active in our job," he said. "Though, I am willing to go back on it, if you don't mind."

Of all people to remind me I had a job to do, why did it have to be him?

"Has Xaldin readied up anything," I asked, ignoring his comment.

"Haven't checked with him yet." Xigbar looked over at Vixell and then back to me. "I take it you're not going anywhere today, right?"

"I will," I mutter. "Have Number IX look after him while I'm out."

Xigbar smirked.

"Right away, Superior."


Roxas stared at the few new pictures that decorated the wall, taking note that most of them had little to do with the outside world. He could see a few pictures of the Organization, most of them huddled in groups, probably taking to one another. It was hard to tell what was going on, no one had an expression on their faces…some hardly had faces at all.

Roxas admitted he felt a bit of guilt for not visiting her as often as he once did. It wasn't that he was too busy, he just sometimes forgot about her. It was rather easy forgetting which corridor to turn to, which stairs to climb, and which door lead to her all white prison.

"Axel's on his way to see you," Namine muttered as she continued to color her pictures.

"He can wait," Roxas said as he turned around and walked over to Namine. He pulled a chair and sat himself at the table, smiling casually at the girl, though deep inside he felt a growing worry. He felt as though it wasn't his place to ask her, being that he didn't deserve all the answers she would provide for him, but he went ahead and asked. "Namine?"

"Yes?" the girl responded, her blue eyes looking up and meeting with Roxas'.

"I…feel as though something terrible will happen," Roxas said, lowering his gaze as he held on to himself. He frowned miserably as he tried to settle himself. "I think something awful is going to happen, and I think it's our fault that it's going to happen."

"Our?" Namine asked.

"We were supposed to fight all week long," Roxas confessed. "But we took breaks…without Xemnas knowing about it. And I feel terrible because I knew better than to go behind his back." Roxas picked up a few colored pencils and sighed. "What if the population isn't low enough?"

"It isn't," Namine said, dropping her pencil and letting her hand rest on Roxas'. "It's not low enough…there are still too many Heartless occupying this world."

"I see," Roxas said with a sad sigh. He shook his head and burst up fro his seat. "I have to tell someone!"

Namine smiled.

"You can do that," she said, "but, Roxas…be careful."

Roxas looked down and nod his head. He lowered himself and grabbed Namine's hand, his face full of determination. "I need to fix the mess we made…so no one get's hurt."

Namine's smile faded, and she pulled her hand away from Roxas.

"Namine?"

"Roxas," she muttered, shaking her head. "Some one will get hurt…"

"What?" Roxas questioned. "Who? Axel? Xion? Demyx?" Roxas leaned forward and stared intensely at the small witch. "Tell me who, Namine."

Namine slowly closed her eyes.

"Not a Nobody…" she whispered.

Day 53;

I recognize this place.

...

I'm almost there.


Ok, let's see where we are. There may be some XemSai coming up, there will definitely be some arguing and/or fighting coming up as well. I'm looking for a name for Larxene's daughter, and figured that any name (that's feminine) with an "X" can be considered, so be sure to inform me on that. I'm still looking through the names I have.

Thanks for the wait.