Hey everyone!

Here's the next chapter! This one will reveal exactly what world Vanitas is on.

Kingdom Hearts © to Disney and Square Enix!

All my OCs © to me!

Chapter 4: Town

Vanitas wrapped himself in a black cloak to conceal his strange clothing as he and his female companion walked through the trees.

Alya lived far out of town and deep in the woods. There was no road, only a beaten path where she had walked nearly every day.

He pulled the cloak closer about himself as they came out of the woods and to the road. He didn't want that to give him away; there was a chance of meeting the two Keybearers Terra and Aqua in town since Terra's parents and sister lived there.

"Vanitas…" Alya's sweet voice cut into his thoughts. "I've been wondering, what is your full name?"

The man looked over at her, thinking of the fake name he made up for himself. "Vanitas Clayton Ater. What about yours?"

"Alya Diane Fein…" her smiled faded slightly.

"What is it?"

She didn't speak until the came to a point in the road where a stone pathway intersected with it. There, she stopped. "Just some bad memories…"

"Do you… want to talk about it?"

Alya looked downward, her eyes beginning to water, slightly. "It's just… my mother's name was Diane… and she… she's been gone for years." Her eyes traveled down that side road to a menacing stone building. "That place is called the Slave House; the name says it all… when I was thirteen, my mother was taken there. Going there means that you are either sold into slavery or worked to death."

"Your mother was taken there?" Vanitas gave her a look of pity.

"My father went after her and he never returned." Her eyes closed as a tear slipped out. "I've been on my own since then, avoiding the slavers so as to not be taken."

She jumped a little as Vanitas slipped his hand into hers. "Hey… I said I would protect you right… so, that means from them as well. They won't take you, not while I'm here…"

Her face became red. "Thank you, Vanitas…"

As they two came into the town, they could see the royal palace, mostly concealed by rocky clefts. The town was organized so the richer the people, the closer they lived to the palace; in the middle of town stood the market. Vanitas avoided the richer part of town, to make sure that they didn't run into Terra and Aqua. The town was peaceful and small groups of people bustled about the market streets in the crisp autumn air.

Alya led Vanitas into a small shop, where a blonde woman sat. She looked up as they came in. "Oh! Alya! It's good to see you!"

"Hello to you too, Jana."

Jana's green eyes then came to rest on Vanitas. "Who is this?"

The man bowed his head, slightly. "My name is Vanitas…"

"Vanitas… well…" She turned her attention back to Alya. "So, how may I help you?"

The blue-haired woman looked at her dark companion. "You owe me a favor, Jana, and I'm claiming it. My friend needs some new clothes."

"I see…" Jana stood up. "Move the cape, please." Vanitas took it off, revealing his suit. The woman walked around him a few times, looking him over. "I think I have just the thing?"

Vanitas narrowed his eyes, slightly. "It better be dark colored…"

"Ok Mr. Gloom," she brought out a pair of dark blue pants; hand them to him, she held up her hand. "Wait here." Running behind her counter, she grabbed a dark-red shirt. "My husband's a cobbler and I have some boots here that should work." She grabbed a pair of black ones. "Try these on."

The man took the clothes and went behind a curtain to change. Jana walked over to Alya and whispered. "Who is this man?"

"He's a stranger I met yesterday. I offered to let him stay in my home since he had nowhere to go. You won't believe it… he rescued me from the soldiers last night and he's offered to stay and protect me!"

Her friend looked concerned. "Alya, you know what those men usually want…"

"He doesn't. He only wants a place to stay."

"How do you know he isn't lying," Jana narrowed her eyes.

Alya wrung her hands. "It's… complicated…"

"The pants and boots fit fine." Vanitas said as he came out from behind the curtain. Both women couldn't help but blush; he wore the pants and boots however, he was shirtless. He was very muscular and looked rather handsome. "What do you think…?"

"I…It looks good…" Alya covered her, slightly, red cheek. "Why don't you try on the shirt as well?"

The man nodded and pulled the red shirt over his head; it was sleeveless and the neckline cut down to reveal part of his chest. "How does it look?"

"Wonderful!" Jana grinned before whispering to the other woman. "I want one…"

Alya shook her head. "Come on, Vanitas." She handed him the black cloak, which he draped over his shoulders. "We should get back home before it gets too hot."

"It's autumn! It doesn't get that hot!" Jana protested.

However, Vanitas and Alya were already out the door. The man smiled at his companion. "That was kind of cold, Alya."

"She was going to try and get your attention… we would've been there for hours."

Her dark-clad companion smirked. "Wow…" He froze as he stared down the crowded street; throwing the hood up, he turned around.

"What is it?"

"See that man with the brown hair and the woman with blue hair…? They're old enemies of mine, back when I did evil… Is there another road out of here?"

She shook her head. "But, there is another way to reach the main road, by going around the back of the shops." Vanitas dashed through an alley and was gone.

Alya looked at the two people her friend was hiding from; they looked nice enough. She quickly noticed the little girl holding the man's hand. Now, she understood. If those two had seen Vanitas, and they really were old enemies, they might think he was after their daughter. They might have attacked him… now she understood why he ran.

Vanitas looked up as his friend came out of the town. Alya looked slightly concerned. "Who were those people…?"

"Their names are Terra and Aqua. They're two heroes… revered and loved by all. While I have to slink in the shadows…" The woman could hear the bite in his voice.

She touched his arm, lightly. "Can we just go home?"

"Sure," he gave her a small nod as they began the trek towards the small cottage in the woods.

These chapters are short, I know.

Now you know, he lives on Hazy Hamlet, Terra and Aqua's homeworld.

I'm just slowing the story down by making the chapters shorter.

The next one will be a little longer.

Please review!

Deuteronomy 31:6

"So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you."