Hey everybody I'm back! (Oh. No.) Sorry this chapter took longer than expected to update, my week was waaay busier than I'd thought, and this chapter ended up going a few pages longer than planned. Thanks for all the reviews I've gotten already, and for my Is This What It's Like To Live? fans I'll probably be getting back to work on that story soon! I've got quite the chapter planned for you guys. Well, back to the story at hand, it starts out with a dream just so nobody gets confused. I don't think this story will exceed ten chapters, but we'll just have to see! Enjoy the chapter!

Oh and before I forget, I've decided to add Fury into the story! Okay go read the chapter!

One last thing, this isn't mentioned it the story, but the name of the company Namine, Lauren, and Kairi work for is called Kingdom Hearts. Okay that's all…really.

The sound of the door closing was actually what woke me up. I blinked awake, squinting at the sunlight that poured into my room. The week had gone by in a blur, and it was the first Saturday I would spend at the Academy. I didn't quite have any new friends yet, but I had seen plenty of a mysterious blonde girl all but stalking Riku, and since he and I had first and last period together, I had come to notice she met up with him at the beginning and end of each day.

Rolling out of bed, I gave a huge yawn and stretched my arms out far.

"So he has a girlfriend, why do you care?" I asked myself, my voice a bit croaky and dry from sleep. I still felt a little fuzzy, and not quite ready to stand up and well, get ready. So, I regarded my dream from the previous night.

Another dinner at the big table, I thought as I took another over-sized bite of mashed potatoes, struggling not to mix it into my hair.

"Mommy, I don't like my hair! I want it shorter" I whined to my mother, who was sitting to the right of me.

"It looks gorgeous sweetie, at least wear it long like that until after Christmas" my mom told me, sipping at her wine glass.

"But whyyyy? I want it cut now!" My tiny eight year old arms crossed themselves over my flat chest.

"There'll be pictures Ren, and we don't want anybody to mistake you for a little boy!" My dad said, using the nickname that I only let him call me.

"I'm not a boy!"

"Not yet, but short hair might turn you into one!" He told me, shaking a finger at me playfully. I gasped my eyes wide.

"I don't ever ever ever want to be a boy!" I exclaimed, causing my parents both to laugh. My mom came over and stood behind me, taking my blond hair and wrapping a small blue hair tie around it.

"There, now you can eat in peace" she told me, gliding smoothly back to her seat.

"Take that you stupid hair" I muttered to myself. I took a victorious, hair-free, bite of mashed potatoes. Then, suddenly, there was a huge bang coming from the front of the house, a sound like a window shattering into a million pieces, and then the sound of a door being kicked in.

My parents immediately flew from their chairs

"How did they….?" My mom gasped in a scared voice.

"Take Lauren, I'll handle this"

"Zack…" My mom grabbed my daddy's hand.

"It'll be ok love, just take Lauren and go. I'll meet up with you" my parents looked at each other one last time before my mom grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the stairs, and daddy ran towards the front.

"Go on up sweetie, and be quick and quiet" my mother's words were short, like she had something else on her mind. I quickly ran up the stairs and my mom steered me into her room…into her and daddy's closet…through a small door behind all of daddy's suits?

"Now, this is very important and I need you to listen carefully" my mom said, kneeled before my short frame. Hot tears ran down my cheeks

"Where's daddy? Why did he run off?" I sobbed, and my mom pulled me into an embrace.

"It's…like a game honey. A game of hide-and-seek, so we need to stay hidden here, and stay quiet so daddy can't find us. He went off to count, and now we have to wait until he finds us. But first you need to know the best ways to hide"

I took a deep breath, a game, ok, that sounded fun. After all, daddy had just gone to count, and he was very good at this game, so he would find us soon, and then we could all have some dessert.

"Mommy and Daddy may be leaving for a while, very soon, so you need to remember to trust Kingdom Hearts, but never the Organization. Can you remember that?"

"Mommy I don't understand, how can you hide in a Kingdom of Hearts?" My mother ignored me and continued

"They may try to trick you, but tonight something is going to happen and you can't forget it. They'll make it hard for you to stay away from them, and make it hard to believe in yourself, but you must always remember who your enemy is, even if it's hard."

"Mommy…is the bad people here?" This was not a very fun game.

"Yes my love, they came for you, but I'm going to keep you safe, and later tonight, if things are ok, maybe…we can go out for some ice cream" My mother smiled, and even though I was scared, I saw tears in her eyes and smiled back, for her sake.

Neither of us heard the footsteps, the seekers coming to find us two hiders in this dangerous game.

"They might try to make you different, and you'll have to be strong, but you must never forget who you are Lauren, do you hear me? Never forget your true self." My mother told me

"Mommy what do you-?

A deafening bang sounded through the small space, and my mother gasped before collapsing to the side, her eyes glassy.

"MOMMY?" I shrieked, shaking her, trying to get her to look up at me and smile, saying it was a joke. I was done playing this game. The small door shot open, and a man with long blonde hair stepped in, only his head showing, the rest of his body covered in a dark cloak.

"Help mommy!" I screamed at him, my mom still lying down. He smiled wickedly at me and grabbed the back of my shirt, picking me up and carrying me into my parents' room, dropping me on their bed.

"Is this her?" His voice was high-pitched and curious. Much too curious.

"Yes, that's her" A man's deep voice said, stepping over to me. His head was hidden behind a dark hood, but as he bent closer to me, I could see bright orange eyes. I whimpered

"Get away from me. Where's daddy?" The two men laughed.

"He got what he deserved, now its time for you, the daughter of the two spies who killed our Superior, Xehanort, to get what you deserve. He withdrew a cylinder from his cloak, the shape edged with a long shiny point. I shrank from him, I didn't like needles.

"I don't want to play this game anymore" I told him, my voice trembling. His smile grew, his bright eyes flashed.

"Oh but my dear, we've only just begun" His stuck the needle into my wrist, ejecting a black substance into my arm. I could almost see it spreading through my veins.

"We'll call you…Subject Zero" And with that they were gone. Pain wracked through my body, curling me up tight…until the searching fingers of darkness closed my lids and covered my eyes.

I shuddered, weren't dreams supposed to be made up? Not parts of your memory? I glanced at the marking on the inside of my upper-arm and sighed. A small blood red circle highlighted the point where that damned needle had entered my skin, and strands of the blackest black swirled up my arm to my shoulder where they faded out.

Shaking away the dream as best I could, I stumbled into the bathroom to see a note on my mirror.

Get down the beach right now or else! -Love Nam and Kai.

"Yeah right guys" I snorted before brushing my hair and putting on some deodorant. Since I was going to the beach it wouldn't make sense to out on mascara or straighten my hair, so I just tied up my blonde locks in a high ponytail and swiped on the some lip gloss. Lastly, I pulled on a blue with white polka-dotted string bikini and a pair of dark blue short shorts. I grabbed a pair of blue flip-flops, added a bottle of sunscreen and some sunglasses to an Aeropostale tote bag, and I was out the door.

"Hey guys!" I called out, waving the hand not holding my bag over my head. My friends, Sora, and Roxas turned and waved me over.

"Morning Sleeping Beauty" Kairi greeted sticking her tongue out at me.

"You must be Sora! Kairi told me all about your guys' date tomorrow night!" I beamed overenthusiastically at the spiky-haired brunette. He blinked in confusion and scratched the back of his head while Kairi turned a shade to rival her magenta bikini top and looked like she was going to faint of embarrassment.

"Hahaha teach you to mess with the sleepy one" I teased Kairi, poking her playfully. She ughed and hit my hand away. Sora, having gotten the joke, laughed along with the rest of us…except for Kairi that is.

"Speaking of sleepy ones…" Roxas said, looking past me. I turned and thanked all that was good that my agent training helped me deal with a sudden rush in adrenaline and the overload of emotions. I never said I liked Riku, but I never said I didn't think he had a nice body…

He stood there, looking slightly annoyed, in a pair of navy blue trunks with a white beach towel tucked under one muscular tricep.

"Why exactly did you set my alarm to blast Miley Cyrus at me?" The two other boys roared with laughter.

"It's not like anything else would get you out of bed on a Saturday" Sora pointed out, while Riku just glared at them.

"Sora I am going to mess your face up so bad that-

"Hi Riku!" Namine practically screamed, popping out from behind Kairi, obviously trying to avoid conflict. Riku smiled an odd little boy smile

"Hey Namine, hey Kairi, hey….eww"

"Gee thanks, it's nice to see you too douche" I shot back, rolling my eyes. Roxas chuckled nervously

"You weren't kidding when you said they don't get along" I heard him whisper nervously to Kairi. Riku opened his mouth to reply when Sora pointed his hand past Riku,

"Incoming!" Riku just sighed, closed his eyes, and groaned.

"Hi Riku!" Jeez if I thought I could be preppy, this girl was the cheerleading captain squared. She looked familiar though…

"Hi Rikku" The male one said…at least I think it's a male…

"Didja think about me last night? I know I thought about you!" The blonde cooed, invading Riku's personal bubble like they weren't surrounded by people. While the two of them got…re-acquainted, it finally hit me who she was; she was the girl I kept noticing Riku with before first hour and after eighth! She was probably his girlfriend or something…at least she better be the way she was getting up in his business.

"Nice to you guys, Roxas, Sora" Rikku nodded at them after she had managed to satisfy herself…ick. "And who are you two…three?" She nodded, having to re-count. Just freaking wow.

"I'm Kairi"

"Namine"

"Lauren…pleased to meet you" I said, pasting a big smile on my face like I didn't mind Riku was her boy toy. No, it wasn't because I had feelings for Riku, so get that smirk off your face. It's because I don't think girls should throw themselves all over guys like that and act so dependant on males to get us through life. It's embarrassing. Whatever, if Riku wanted to date the shallow girl just to get a little pleasure out of life then that was his own choice.

"Nice to meet you guys…oh you three are the new girls everyone's been talking about! How's the Academy been for you guys so far?" Rikku asked us, her hand obviously used to holding Riku's butt in public….oooh I don't like her!

"Well actually", Kairi blinked, surprised Rikku was actually interested in something other than Riku, "it's been a little hard to get used to, but i-

"So do you want to go grab something to eat with me? I'm starving but I'd miss you too much" Rikku said to the silver-hared teen, interrupting Kairi completely.

"Ok then biotch" I heard Kairi hiss behind me. I figured if I turned I would see Namine's little hands curled into shaking fists. None of the three of us were big on the way Rikku was draping herself over Riku. I don't know about me, but that boy would be getting some serious shit about this little scene from Kairi and Namine later today…that is if Rikku ever leaves!

"Well as much as I'd love to go grab a bite to eat with you Rikku," he paused; looking into Rikku's smiling face, "!" He snatched my hand before I could even react and dragged me across the beach in record time. Once we made it to the sidewalk parallel the beach Riku stopped his excessive dragging and slowed to a normal human pace, but still kept a grip on my wrist.

"Hey! I want to spend the day with my friends, not helping you avoid your girlfriend…or doing anything involving you as a matter of fact" Riku just glanced down at me and frowned.

"Too bad for you then. Besides, we do need to check on Serah." Serah was the name we had given the lynx. Once Ms. Gracie had returned to the school she was 'impressed by how well the two of us worked together' and told us to remain partners and take care of the injured lynx. Lucky me.

"Fine fine, I'll do it for the lynx's sake" Riku chuckled and steered us towards the pathway behind the school that lead to the Animal Services classroom. "Hey Riku?"

"Hey yeah?"

"I would greatly appreciate having my hand back"

"Well in that case…" He slid his hand from my wrist to my hand, pulled it up to him, and kissed it lightly before bringing our hands back so they were facing the ground. "I'm not giving it back" I glared at him as we walked.

"You did that just to piss me off didn't you?"

"Yes, yes I did"

"I don't like you"

"I'd watch that mouth of yours or I might need to kiss that too." Well that shut me up.

*Riku*

"She seems to be in good shape, her stomach is healing nicely and there are no signs of infection. I can take care of her food if you don't mind going around the main building of the school and filling this bowl up with some fresh water. There's a collection of faucets that jut out from the building." I picked up the water bowl and held it out behind me. Once I felt Lauren's hands around it I let it go. She paid me with a slap on the back of the head.

"You're so bossy! Why don't you go get Serah something to drink?"

"Because I don't want her to suffer anymore by being around you" Another slap on the back of the head. And footsteps heading away from me.

"She's not very nice is she?" I asked Serah. She growled slightly at me, tilting her head sideways. "I know, me getting hurt made me a little angry too" I gently patted her head before closing the cage and pulling out my iPod Touch. The whole island had free Wi-Fi for the students, so I might as well check my e-mail.

Twenty-five fan e-mails and five actual e-mails later, Lauren still wasn't back.

"I'm gonna go be sure the blonde isn't lost, okay?" I tucked my iPod into my back pocket and glanced at Serah. She made a small growling sound, which as I took as an 'okay then'. I jogged down the path until I reach the Academy. Heading around the left side of the building, I heard voices.

"Oh come on baby, just one time, I'll be nice I promise."

"Don't forget that you're sharing her Seif!"

"Yeah yeah yeah" I recognized the voices as two members of one of the school's nasty gangs. They were the druggies and the alcoholics. They were bad news. I peeked around the corner to see they had some girl backed against the wall, a water bowl in her hand.

"For the last time; get the hell away from me!" Lauren!

"You've got spunk little girl, I like it" Seifer stepped closer and wrapped his arm around her, cupping her butt. Suddenly Lauren's arm lashed out, punching him square in the nose. I could have sworn I heard her mutter "I warned you", but it must've just been my imagination.

Stumbling backwards, Seifer clutched his now-bleeding nose

"You little bitch!" He snarled, drawing his fist back to punch her. Almost calmly, Lauren ducked under Seifer's meaty fist, which collided with the school's brick wall.

"Son of a-

His voice was cut off was Lauren kicked her leg almost straight up, nailing him in the chin, snapping his head up. She kicked him hard right in the face, and he staggered back, falling over sideways. Rai, one of Seifer's two main side-kicks, ran up at Lauren, his hand pulled back for a punch. She dodged right swiftly, spinning on one foot so her back was to him. He charged up behind and she fluidly grabbed his fist from behind and flipping him over her, using his own momentum and weight against him. She clipped him on the side of the head quickly with her shoe before turning to Hayner, Seifer's other follower.

"I'll give you five seconds to run" she spat at him, but Hayner was never one known for smarts. He charged at her and Lauren simply ducked under his punch, knocked her foot into his stomach, which hit the air out of his lungs with an oof! She punched him in the jaw, sending him stumbling backwards, and finished it off with a fast kick to his nose. Hayner collapsed over into the heap of him and his two friends.

"Serves you right" Lauren said, dusting herself off. My jaw simply dropped as I realized Lauren had single-handedly just beaten up three boys who were two years older, two feet taller, and could make it onto a professional football team if they didn't spend so much time drinking and smoking.

Lauren picked up the water dish, filled it up at one of the faucets before turning to head back to where Serah was waiting. She saw me. We both froze.

The water dish clattered to the ground and Lauren was sprinting the opposite direction.

"Hey come back!" I ran after her as fast as I could, wanting to catch her and ask her what the hell that had been all about, and where she had learned that. I rounded the corner of the building and almost slammed into her. I stopped as fast as I could and she glared at me.

"Look. You don't tell anybody about what you saw and I don't throw you off a cliff. Got it?"

"Hey hey just calm it down alright?" I held my hands in front of me in a surrendering motion. "I wasn't planning on telling anybody, I just wanted to ask you where you learned that" She looked at me like I had grown another head.

"My parents paid for lessons when I was younger, that way if someone ever tried to hurt me I could stop them" She said it slowly, like she was trying to taste each word before it came out of her mouth.

I shrugged, "Fair enough, we should probably get out of here so that way when somebody finds those three we won't be nearby"

"Well let me just fill up Serah's water dish and we can just go hang out there. Plus everyone heard you stutter that you and I needed to go check on Serah so we have an alibi right there" I frowned at her
"What?" She asked as we walked over to get Serah her water.

"I didn't stutter!"

"Oh you're right- you slurred"

"Did not!" She just laughed and turned the faucet on, sitting Serah's dish on the ground while water filled it up.

"What happened to your hand?" Lauren looked at the back of her palm where a small red scratch was.

"I'm not sure, let's just say Serah cut me" She told me with a smile. I nodded in agreement. Once the dish was full Lauren twisted the faucet off and I picked up the water bowl for her.

"Can I see your hand?" I asked, holding my free hand out. She cautiously laid her cold hand in my warmer one. I gripped it lightly and kissed it. Lauren gasped slightly

"Hey!" She tugged her hand back away from me

"Hahaha way to fall for that!" I laughed, shoving her lightly.

"I don't like you" She told me unhappily, wiping her hand on the back of her shorts.

"Good."

Woo it's finally done and Lauren got to kick ass! And Riku got to flirt a little, so I guess everyone's happy…except for Rikku but that's ok! Sorry people who like Hayner and/or Rikku, I had to have a few bad characters in the story. I'm not quite sure what to put in the next chapter (nasty writer's block), so if anyone has an idea for just like, a filler chapter or something, I'm all ears! Once I have a good idea I'll update! Please review if you liked it! Oh and before I forget, be sure to remember Lauren's dream! It's important! Bye guys!