Author's Info: Slowly but surely I'm getting back into the world of writing and updating my stories. I really have to thank you guys for being patient. Life has had a sense of humor with me lately, so things have been interesting to say the least. That does not make for good writing time. Even so, I have some good news: I have finally returned to working on my own story after a very long hiatus. I really want to thank you readers, though, for encouraging me, especially Axel's Pyro Girl, DarkFlame Alchemist, and ItalianBreadstick. More comments to you guys at the end!

The "what"s: Listening to Yu-Gi-Oh music, especially Kawaita Sakebi by FIELD OF VIEW and watching season 0 of Yu-Gi-Oh. If you haven't seen it, I recommend it; just don't expect it to be like the other episodes. I've been thinking more about the developments of relationships, mostly for story development purposes, but also because of things that have been going on around me of late.

Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts. The only person I own at this point is Meaxana. Also, for those of you with ideas on how you want to see my stories or something you'd like to see, I created a forum for it. You can use that or message me your ideas. Thanks!

Chapter Two

"Thank you for your graciousness, Marluxia," Meaxana said, bowing. "You have been most kind in showing me where I am lodged, and in providing me with adequate supplies for my stay here. I'm sorry if I seem rude or ungracious, but I must admit I would like to know where I will be working during my time here. From what I understand, the basements are the researchers, while up here is certainly more varied. In which category have I been placed?"

"I have heard you were one with little tolerance for pointless conversation and idle action. I suppose I should not be surprised you wish to start right away. Very well, follow me," he said, chuckling as he turned and motioned for her to follow.

He led her down a series of stairs, which ultimately led her to believe she had been placed in the research segment of Castle Oblivion. She smirked in amusement. Apparently Xemnas trusted her more than she had initially believed. Very few were allowed to know what research was being developed, and if she was being sent there, she was clearly about to assist them in some sort of research. This could prove the exact break she'd needed.

Marluxia stopped outside a door and said, "Your supervisor is in here. I'm sure the two of you won't need introductions. Forgive me for not staying, but there is much to be done, and I am needed elsewhere." With that, he disappeared, leaving her to discern his cryptic message alone. She frowned as she attempted to figure out what he meant. Surely it wasn't someone from the Organization's other hold. They wouldn't have gotten there before her. Still, it made no sense; she had never heard even the names of the people who worked in the research sector, and she highly doubted Xemnas would have made the effort to send someone she already knew. He was not that distrustful of her.

Realizing she would get no answers standing in front of the door and riddling her mind with even more questions, she decided to take the direct approach and find out for herself. She opened the door and entered the room, ready to find answers to the questions flooding her mind.

"Who's there?" she heard someone ask. She was shocked as she realized the voice sounded vaguely familiar. It reminded her of someone she had once known so long ago, before the destruction of her home and her life. She heard footsteps and waited for the person to reveal himself as she contemplated who it would be. She took a step back and gasped as recognition washed across her, enveloping her in memories as she looked upon the face of the man who had spoken to her.

"Ienzo," she breathed as she looked upon the face of her childhood friend. "It's you; it's really you." Her eyes were wide, and she could feel herself shaking from the combination of shock and joy.

"Ame," he murmured, studying her face intently and relaxing visibly. "You've come back at last. My name is no longer Ienzo, however; I am Zexion, a proud member of the Organization."

"It's still you," she said, convinced. "Nobody or human, it's still you." With that, she approached him and gently took his face in her hands. "You're here, in front of me, after all these years. I've finally found you. We're together again."

"Together," he mused, taking her hands from his face gently and keeping them in his own. "Yes, we are together now, aren't we? And this time, I won't let you leave again," he swore, looking at her seriously.

"Why would I want to leave?" she replied, laughing at the ludicrous statement. "I've finally found my best friend! I was willing to spend the rest of my life looking for you once I was finally able to leave that place. Now you're here, and I get to work with you in the research for the Organization. What more could I ask for?"

Zexion smiled as he studied. She had aged greatly since he had last laid eyes on her. They were now close to the same age, no more than a year apart. She had become serious, grim, quiet—traits she had not possessed when he had known her as a child. Her determination and her gentle spirit had not changed, however, which comforted him.

"Now is not the time for catching up," he said. "There is a lot to be done, and I have much to teach you before you'll be ready to do this on your own." He motioned for her to follow him as he led her into a nearby chamber. "This is my latest project. I'm doing more studies on the Heartless and their powers. I think I can artificially develop them, make more varieties with a greater range of powers and abilities."

"What do you want me to do?" she asked, looking at some of his creations with interest before turning and facing him once again.

"Besides testing your skills against the Heartless, I was you to help me develop more types of Heartless. You always were one for creativity and ingenuity."

"Only because I had the best teachers: you and my big brother," she said, smiling at the memories.

"You were young then. I'm sure your style has changed greatly. You've developed an arsenal of skills and tricks of your own."

"Of course. I'm not a copycat," she said, grinning. "That doesn't change the fact I had good teachers, though. In fact, it's because of you two I've learned to adapt my style to fit who I am. I've been able to incorporate the new tricks because I know what I'm capable of and where my physical boundaries lie. Those are skills I learned from you guys."

"So much for modesty," he said teasingly.

"I'm a Nobody. I have no need to be modest," she said teasingly. "Besides, I had a great number of times I had to defend myself against others where I was in hiding. Being modest was not a trait that helped my cause."

"So it's trivial, hmm?" he asked, studying her intently. "Tell me, would you consider all emotions trivial?"

"Are you, the great academic, getting sentimental on me," she asked incredulously, "or is this merely you being philosophical?"

"I'm serious, Ame," he said, looking at her intently, a large frown marking his features.

"First of all, I'm not Ame anymore, just as you are no longer Ienzo. My name is Meaxana. As for your question, I suppose some emotions can be good, useful even. Others can hurt, though, and they are best gotten rid of."

"Like what?"

"Loneliness, sadness, heartache . . ." she said, her voice drifting and eventually fading. She started when she heard him speak right next to her.

"Those things are best forgotten," he agreed, "but wouldn't it be better to forget them because something makes them go away rather than banishing all your emotions?" She stared at him for a moment, noticing the way he was leaning toward her. She felt herself blushing and realized she was attracted to him, and that the attraction might be mutual.

"Zexion, has that apprentice of yours arrived yet?" they heard someone ask, making them break away from each other and look over at the door.

"She's here, Vexen," he said, annoyance in his voice. He had been so close, and that buffoon went and ruined it. "I was showing her what she will be doing for however long she will be staying with us."

"No nonsense as usual, Zexion," he said with amusement. He looked over the new arrival and smirked. "She certainly fits the physical description they've all given her, but I wonder if she has what it really takes to fit in here."

Meaxana smirked at the challenge in his words. "You want to know if I can keep up with your self-proclaimed genius, is that it?" she said mockingly. "How about this: I get one week to prove my skills. After that week, if I'm not deemed satisfactory, you can have me do whatever grunt work you want. If, however, I do prove satisfactory, there will be no more of these derogatory comments. Understood?"

Vexen looked at Zexion and smirked. "She has spirit, that's for sure. This proves promising, although I'm still not entirely convinced." He looked at her with a smug expression. "You have one week. You better not disappoint."

"You needn't worry, Vexen," Zexion said. "I assure you she will suit all the jobs I have for her quite perfectly. I know what she is capable of."

"Oh?" said Vexen as he looked between the two of them with interest. "How is it you've come to know this so quickly? This is the first time any of us have been properly introduced to the girl, after all."

"This girl is the Nobody of Aaname," Zexion said. "She was quite skilled as a child, and I can see her talents have only grown since then. Besides, you've already read her reports."

"So, this is the girl, hmm?" Vexen said, inspecting her once again. "She certainly has grown from that girl in the photo of yours. If she really is that girl, then it's no wonder you're so willing to take her on as your apprentice. No matter, she will have her chance to prove herself soon enough. Don't make things too easy for her, Zexion," he warned teasingly.

"You should know I would be the last person to go easy on her," Zexion said, smirking as he looked over at her. Vexen smirked, looked at the two one last time, and disappeared.

"And just what sort of a challenge were you planning on giving me, Zexion?" she asked coyly. He took one look at her before smirking and walking over to her.

"You have exactly one week to make me hunger for you," he said, his lips at her ear. "Make me lose my self-control and surrender to an irrational need and you win. Fail and suffer the consequences Vexen set for you."

Meaxana's eyes widened. Not only had Ienzo been the most rational person she had ever known, but he had always had amazing self-control. She had only ever seen him lose control of himself once, and that was the day she was leaving.

"Why'd you call me here, Ame? Have you been crying?" he asked as he saw her blood-shot eyes and the way she was unable to look at him. "Ame, what happened? What's wrong?"

"I-Ienzo, it's not fair! I don't want to go! I can't go!" she sobbed into his chest. He may have been her elder by a few years, but he had always been her best friend, the one person she could always turn to.

"Go?" he asked gently. "Ame, I don't understand. Where are you going?"

"I-I don't know!" she said. "Mommy and Daddy just said we have to go! They said it wasn't safe here anymore, and they won't let me stay behind! Ienzo, I can't leave, I can't! I won't leave you and big brother!" She started sobbing again, but started when she felt him tense and inhale sharply.

"They're taking you away?" he asked. "Away from Hollow Bastion?" She nodded, still unable to speak. His grip tightened. "I won't let them take you away, Ame. I promise. I'll find a way to keep you here. I won't let them separate us."

"Y-you mean it, Ienzo?" she stammered, looking up at him. His eyes softened as he wiped away her tears.

"I promise, Ame,: he said gently. "I'll find a way for us to stay together. You're my best friend."

"I'll find a way," she said with a smirk. "You may think you're impenetrable, but I will find your weakness, Zexion. By the end of the week, you'll be burning for me." With that, she turned and exited the room to make the necessary preparations.

Responses to my commentators:

Axel's Pyro Girl: Glad you liked the twist! If you liked that, then you'll definitely like what comes up in chapters four and five!

DarkFlame Alchemist: I went this direction because it was important to later in the plot. Besides, the prologue left it open enough I felt it wasn't a stretch to make the transition. You'll understand more as the story progresses.