Disclaimer: Kingdom Hearts/Final Fantasy/Characters © Square Enix.

OC Characters © xWhitexWindx.

Warning: Alternate Universe. Contains swearing, suggestive themes, heterosexual & homosexual pairings, and violence.

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~Dark Desires~

-III-

"Git! Go on! Little rodents!"

Ven and Rayne gave mutual groans of pain, having been tossed into the Central Square by the guard Dilan - who took his duties so seriously he didn't mind wasting his time on a couple of teenagers. Ven sat up and rubbed the back of his head, glancing up at the twilight sky as it began to darken, night approaching rapidly. Rayne sighed and rubbed her bottom, before she glanced over at the cheerful blond - it took a lot to rain on his parade, apparently.

"Well, infiltration was unsuccessful. We should head to my brother's before it gets any later."

"Right."

Rayne stood up and held out her hand to Ven, who quickly took it despite the fact he didn't need help up. Once they were both upright, Rayne began to lead the way toward the residence district of the Castle Town, with Ven trailing close behind her and keeping an eye out for enemies or shady adults. Rayne didn't seem the least bit on edge - which was strange, considering she seemed that way in the halls of Garden and around the other students. Yet, surrounded by complete strangers, she appeared to be completely at ease.

Perhaps it was because of the fact she knew nothing about them - there wasn't any expectations involved from either party, unlike with what happened around people one knew. Others expected one to act a certain way around them. It placed a lot of pressure on a person subconsciously.

This was one of the few environments in which Rayne felt like she didn't have to hide.

"Hey, we're by the inn. I'll run in and inform Master Terra where we will be staying tonight. Do you want to come with?"

Ven quickly shook his head, "I don't mind waiting. Just be careful."

She simply unsheathed her blade and raised a brow as if to question his words before she sheathed her weapon once more before darting down the cobblestone road and into the local inn. Ven strolled along, propping himself on a few empty crates that had been stacked beside the entrance, waiting for her. He withdrew his Wayfinder, gazing at it lovingly as he gently brushed his thumb against the emerald panes.

It was his most cherished possession, besides Wayward Wind.

The door opened, with the raven actually smiling as she turned to see Ven waiting for her. "He's fine with it. Says he doesn't have to bed-share now with two guys. The inn was overbooked so we lost the second room."

"Well, that's good at least!" Ven chirped, before he went to return his Wayfinder back to the safety of his pocket.

Slate eyes locked on it, "What's that?"

"Oh, it's a good luck charm Aqua made me! She made one for Terra and herself too. She worked a little magic into it so we'll always find our way back to each other - nothing will drive us apart!"

If only I could completely believe that myself… I sound so sure, but deep down, I know I'm faltering. The threads between us are straining, threatening to snap at any given moment…

"Sounds like you really idolize her."

"Of course I do. She's kind and beautiful, inside and out. She's always looking out for others and she's strong. She was the first of us to be named a Master and she's always done whatever it takes to keep Terra and me safe. I love her!"

Her eyes flickered a bit, "I see. Well, we should head toward Zack's."

Ven nodded, but he had the feeling that Rayne misunderstood his feelings toward Aqua - they were feelings of love, but of familial and respect. He hadn't really had any romantic feelings for anyone before.

He was starting to believe that they were beginning to develop, but it was too early to tell.

Rayne cleared her throat, falling back into the demeanor she had developed around Ven - she was at least opening up to him and smiling, much like he had seen her do with Naminé. It made him happy that she was starting to show a little bit of trust in him - she had relied on him to have her back during their earlier battle.

They were comrades and stuck together until the mission was solved anyway. Ven would use the time spent alone with her to befriend her further and get to know her - in more than one aspect, if given the opportunity.

The mission came first. Missing children made the hairs on the back of his neck stand and made an uneasiness run through his veins. He only hoped that they found the children quickly - and alive.

Shaking those foreboding thoughts from his mind, Ven quickened his pace to catch up with Rayne, who had abruptly turned down an alleyway. He had just managed to catch up to her and ask where she was going, only to have all of his thoughts scatter at once. Rayne broke into a sprint, hurrying to the other end of the alley. She only had a second to glance back at him and signal for him to follow, before she disappeared from sight.

Ven quickly took off after her, reaching the end of the alley and quickly turning in the same direction she had, only able to barely catch a glimpse of her raven and cerulean locks. He pushed himself to run faster, a bad feeling clenching at his heart. He felt frightened as well, but he pushed the fear back and used it to fuel his adrenaline, managing to sprint even faster.

He came to a three way intersection, skidding to a stop and breathing heavily, turning around and looking in all directions for a sign of his comrade.

"Rayne!"

The only response he received was the rumbling of thunder and then the sound of rain hitting the stone beneath him. It picked up, coming down and creating a cold aria. He listened, feeling his heart hammering in his chest, trembling from the droplets that pierced his skin like needles. He was also terrified - desperately taking off in an attempt to find her.

The first path was a dead-end, with the blond quickly whirling, his soles sliding against the wet stone and nearly pitching him forward. He caught his balance and then ran through the puddles, turning down another path. His honey spikes were clinging to his forehead and skin, water getting in his eyes as he blinked rapidly, trying to see through the storm. He rushed passed a dumpster behind a local shop.

"RAYNE!"

That's when the lightning flashed and he caught glimpse of something out of his peripheral vision. Ven staggered, slipping and hitting the ground hard, gasping as pain shot up his knee and through his palms. Ignoring the scrapes and the broken skin, Ven got to his feet and turned.

Rayne was lying unconscious on the cobblestones, barely hidden from view beside the dumpster. The murky puddle she lay in had red swirling in it, it soaking through the side of her shirt. Ven gave an alarmed cry and quickly ran to her side, kneeling down and hastily checking her pulse. She was alive, but she was injured. Her blade lay feet away, shattered. Pieces of the blade lay all around her, like broken shards of a mirror, reflecting the lightning.

"Ray, open your eyes! C'mon, you hafta wake up! Don't leave me!" Ven cried, panicked as he pulled her limp frame into his arms, gently shaking her.

Her eyelids moved and she gave a moan, before slowly her eyes fluttered open. She gazed around, disoriented, with the world barely coming into focus. She felt cold, yet her side was on fire. She clutched at it, only to hiss and withdraw her hand, lifting it up to her blurred vision. Panic rose as her vision cleared, revealing the blood coating her hand. She tried to sit up, only to gasp and fall back. Instead of hitting cold stone, she felt warmth. She leaned her head back, surprised to find Ventus holding her. His eyes were wide, relief and fear etched in the azure shade.

He looks…just like Naminé…

The thought comforting, she started to close her eyes once more.

"Rayne, c'mon! Stay awake! Just tell me where your brother is! I promise, everything's going to be okay! Just give me the name of the street!"

"….Sakura…Road…."

Then, she went limp once more, passing out from the pain.

Ven did the only thing he could, lifting her up into his arms and carrying her down the alleyway. He had to hurry. He didn't have the knowledge of healing magic like Aqua did - he wasn't even skilled in magic!

If I don't do something, she'll die!

The thought of anyone dying terrified him. He had nearly lost Naminé once - he wasn't about to lose anyone.

Even if it was the last thing he did.

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"How is she…?"

"Still out."

Ven stepped into the small candle-lit bedroom, his bandaged hand pressing against the doorframe, his nails biting into the wood as he watched Zack stand up. He ran his fingers through his raven spikes, shaking his head before looking down at the wounded girl in bed. Sky blue eyes were tormented as he took her cold hand in his, pressing it to his scarred cheek, quietly pleading with her to wake up.

It had been two days since that night, where Ventus had shown up on their doorstep, carrying his bloodied sister in his arms and on the verge of tears, desperately crying out in a hoarse voice to save her. If it hadn't been for his wife, Rayne would've gone back to the earth. Zack was eternally grateful to both of them for saving his only sibling. One of them had remained by her side, not daring to leave her alone out of fear.

Still, they didn't know what had happened to her. She had lacerations on her side that looked like they had been caused by electricity, and the stab wound she had was too small to be from a sword or even a dagger. She had been left for dead - that much was for sure.

By whom or for what reason, no one knew.

Aerith's magic had only done so much. She had been preparing special teas mixed with healing potions, but Rayne hadn't roused to drink them. Zack was worried for multiple reasons - obviously about his sister's well-being, but with his wife being pregnant and so close to her due date, he feared the stress would harm Aerith and the baby.

"I can watch over her for a bit. Miss Aerith keeps trying to do laundry and she tried to swat at me with a sock and kept telling me to shoo."

Ven gave an awkward smile - as kind and as sweet as the woman was, she was also scary and hormonal. That sock was a lot deadly than he had played it off to be.

"Crazy woman." Zack sighed and released Rayne's hand. "I can count on you to look after her, Ven. Just holler if you need anything."

Nodding, Ven watched as the soldier quickly left the small room, the door shutting behind him shortly after he heard Zack saying, "Now, sweetie, you really shouldn't - I understand that you're the only one who can sort the clothes properly - and… - I know! I'm not saying you're not capable of doing housework simply because you're pregnant - no! No, honey, you are not fat! You're beautiful! Now please - oh geez…Aerith, stop crying… okay, okay! You can sort the socks! *sigh* I love you too, honey… there, there…"

Ven had the feeling Zack wanted his wife to have the baby already.

Pregnancy sounded frightening.

And deadly.

Crossing the small room, Ven sat down on the edge of the small bed, before taking Rayne's hand, gently holding it. She was breathing a steady breathing, but occasionally she would writhe in pain. Her ribs had been fractured as well, with her torso bandaged tightly for the time being. He reached over to adjust her blanket, blushing a bit as the blanket lifted, revealing her bandaged chest and bare stomach. The bandages were rust colored around her right hip, where she had been struck.

Knowing that they needed changed, but also knowing that interrupting Aerith and her sock sorting would be an even bigger hassle, Ven chewed on his cheek indecisively. It wouldn't hurt to change her bandages and clean her wound - Aerith had left all the medical supplies in the room anyway, for easy access.

The blond got to his feet, heading to the door and opening it just a crack. He could hear the married couple now laughing downstairs, with Zack talking to the baby and Aerith cooing. He smiled a bit - it was nice that they were about to become parents. He always wondered if Terra and Aqua would be great parents - technically they had practice with Naminé and him - so he assumed they would be.

Shutting the door, Ven then turned toward the basin of hot water that Aerith had brought up shortly before their tug-a-war with the socks. He carried it over to the small bedside table, before opening the drawer and removing the medical scissors, the bandages, and the special ointment that Aerith had created. She had said proudly that all of her friends used it on their wounds and they healed not only faster, but with less chance of scarring.

Ven turned to look at Rayne, seeing that she was still sleeping. He gripped the hem of the blanket before lifting it, pulling it away from her frame. He blushed again - this was the closest he had ever seen a girl naked. It was embarrassing to say the least - well, not as embarrassing as the time he accidentally walked in on Aqua and his sister changing… but still.

"Here goes…"

Ven took a deep breath, before taking the scissors. He began to cut slowly up the middle of the bandages, hesitating upon reaching the valley between her exposed breasts. If he cut any further, then nothing would be covering her…

The bandages needed changed though, otherwise the wound would never heal properly. Besides, it wasn't as if she was conscious and he wasn't going to cop a feel. He had way too much respect to do something like that.

Blue eyes screwed shut before he gave the final snip. He blindly tried to pull the bandages away from her body, but they clung and he kept accidentally brushing against the one area he was attempting to avoid.

Dammit, my face feels like it's on fire! Ugh. Okay, Ventus, just stop screwing around and open your eyes. Otherwise you're never going to get them changed. The faster you get this done, the faster you can save whatever dignity as a gentleman you have left!

Very slowly, he opened one eye, before he swallowed hard. His entire mouth went dry as he stared at her exposed breasts. They weren't very large, but they were still nice. He chewed on his lip as he quickly tore his eyes away from them, quickly removing the old bandages. He then took the cloth and dipped it into the hot water, wincing as the water lightly burned his skin, before he wrung it out and began to mop up the blood and slight puss from her wound. The blood-stained skin soon was as pristine and white as before.

Taking the bottle of ointment, he squeezed a handful on his hand, before slowly pressing his palm just above the stab wound. She flinched in her sleep - most likely from the cold - but the gel began to work it's magic. It had a numbing quality to it that would give her temporarily relief. Once it was applied, Ven turned to wash his hands in the basin and he grabbed the roll of bandages, turning to re-wrap her torso. Rayne moaned a little in her sleep, but she still hadn't woken.

Embarrassed and a little unsure how to wrap her, Ven squirmed his way onto the bed, his back pressed to the wall while his feet dangled over the edge. He carefully lifted her, trying not to do it too fast in fear of damaging her ribs even more, before he propped her and began to wrap the bandages around her waist, covering the wound first. He made sure they were tight enough to keep her from breaking her ribs, but not too tight to cut off her breathing.

He had just reached the bottoms of her breasts when the atmosphere around them changed. Suddenly, he didn't feel her breathing like before - her breathing was hitched now, and her body was tensed.

"V….Ventus…."

He quickly rolled sideways, hitting the floor and diving in fear of being punched or slapped. Instead, Rayne quickly snatched the roll and turned her back toward him, hastily finishing wrapping the bandages. After, she grabbed the blanket and drew it around her, clearing her throat.

"I-I'm not angry. Just…r-really embarrassed. T-thanks for c-changing them…"

He tried to speak, but his voice had fled him, slowly peering up at the raven-haired girl from the safety of the floor. She was gripping the blanket close and her face was flushed, her eyes avoiding looking at him. He didn't blame her - if their roles had been reversed, he would've been embarrassed too.

"I-I'm really sorry, Rayne! I wasn't doing anything perverted! I swear!"

"I know…"

"I promise you, I'll never invade your personal space again! I'll even run myself through with my own Keyblade if I ever make you feel uncomfortable and - wait, did you just say you know?"

She nodded, her free hand gripping the bed sheets tightly.

"You're…a good person, Ventus. I feel as if…I can trust you. I mean…you saved my life. I don't remember much…but I do remember you finding me… and I think I remember hearing Zack, Aerith, and your voices… I was dreaming."

"Was it a good dream?"

The hell kind of question is that? Ugh, she's going to think you're a weirdo.

"Considering all I usually have are nightmares, it was pleasant. I remember a black wood, with moonflowers growing alongside a stream, and there was a small stone bridge. You were there, in my dream. You stayed by my side and we just talked - about everything and anything. I felt comfortable and safe… warm. I-It was really nice."

Ven turned red at those words, taken aback and unable to speak once more.

"How long have I been out?"

"Almost three days."

"Does Master Terra and Winter know?"

"Yes - they've continued on with the mission. They found some leads, but they all turned up as dead ends. Terra ordered me to stay by your side and protect you. He suspects that you were targeted and attacked because you stumbled upon a lead yourself - one that could've cost whomever is abducting the children a great deal. Do you remember anything from that night?"

She winced, brushing her fingertips to her temple. "It's…fuzzy. I remember a little girl. I saw her and chased after her…then I saw lightning… my sword shattered in my hands… then…the pain…and darkness… then I remember seeing you…and then nothing."

"You should rest. You've been through a lot." Ven said softly, finally getting to his feet, and gently easing her back onto the mattress. "I'll go and get you something to eat. I also need to go tell Zack and Aerith that you're awake."

"Alright. Thanks, Ven."

He hesitated at the doorway.

It's the first time she's ever called me by my nickname…

"I'll be right back. Promise."

Rayne nodded, watching the blond leave the room, before she pressed her palm to her side.

She remembered.

Just not the memories they needed her to recall.

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A/N: I am on a roll! Wahoo! So what do you guys think of the Ray x Ven pairing? It's fun to write! Who do you think attacked Rayne? Let me know your thoughts, comments, or questions in your review! Thanks.

-Win