Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts or its affiliates. If I did, Zexion and Demyx would both have bigger parts. I own Miss Weathers, though I did model her a little after Olivia Benson from Law and Order: SVU.

Chapter Seven: The Social Worker

Deep in the heart of the castle's library sat a little boy reading next to a large stack of books. Today was to be an eventful day for him because today his social worker would be visiting. Ienzo knew all too well what this would entail. First, he would be asked a series of questions about his new abode and family, then the worker would jot down some notes and eventually, would give his or her input on whether he would get to stay at the castle. Ienzo was definitely not looking forward to that, to say the least. The door to the library opened revealing Master Ansem and a woman Ienzo had never seen before.

The woman was of average height and build with shoulder-length chestnut hair and deep brown eyes. Contrary to her young appearance, she radiated a feeling of authority, but also one of concern. Ansem stepped forward.

"Ienzo," he greeted. "This is your social worker, Miss Weathers." The woman looked down at him.

"So you're Ienzo. It's nice to meet you," she said. "Now, let's get down to business, shall we? Lord Ansem, if you would let me speak to Ienzo in private?" Ansem the Wise suddenly remembered something.

"Actually, Miss, could I have a moment with you alone first?" Miss Weathers raised an eye brow, but conceded. She followed Ansem out of the room and into the hallway. Once in the hall, Ansem turned to the woman, a serious look on his face.

"I would like to know about the foster parents who briefly took Ienzo in, if that is alright," the scientist inquired. The social worker nodded before speaking.

"Well," she started, "according to the reports, he was approximately four and a half years old at the time. He was with them for twenty-one days."

"I see," said the man. "What exactly was their reason for sending him back?"

"According to the couple, he fought with the other foster children and made no effort to get along with anybody. He also threw tantrums and was a pathological liar."

This confused Ansem. So far, Ienzo had exhibited none of these behaviors. He got along as well as can be expected with the others and did not tell any lies. He had not even thrown any tantrums and was very obedient. Actually, he was almost too obedient for a boy his age. Ansem led the social worker back into the library.

The woman walked over to a chair across from Ienzo. She took out her clipboard and faced the child.

"Now, shall we begin?" she asked. "Lord Ansem, if you would?" She motioned to the door. Ansem nodded then turned to Ienzo.

"Now Ienzo, you answer this nice lady's questions alright?" Ienzo nodded and Ansem left the room. Ienzo got his sketch book out, ready to answer his worker's questions.

"Now then, I saw your new room. Do you like it?" Ienzo nodded. "And the other people living here," she started cynically, "they are a great deal older than you I've noticed. That must be very uncomfortable for you." Ienzo shook his head and Miss Weathers raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Then tell me, how do you get along with them? Let's start with Even. How does he behave towards you?"

Ienzo thought. From what he had observed, Even was rather impatient when it came to children and usually presented him with a cold shoulder. Still, Ienzo was used to teachers ignoring him. Most teachers tended to dislike it when children were on par with them. Still, he did occasionally take him out into the city. Overall, he was not too bad. Ienzo wrote in his sketch book.

'Mr. Even isn't too bad once you get used to him,' it said.

The social worker nodded. She then asked about his relationship with the three guards.

"Do they pick on you or hurt you at all?"

Ienzo shook his head. He had not had any problems with the guards. In fact, Aeleus and Braig were generally very kind to him. They were much kinder than the foster kids at his last home. They never locked him in closets or called him a baby like the occupants of his previous home. Dilan kept to himself for the most part, but occasionally would speak to Braig during dinner. Ienzo wrote in his sketch book once more.

'The guards are nice to me,' it read. 'I don't know much about Dilan, but Braig and Aeleus are always very kind to me.' He paused before continuing to write, 'Aeleus is my friend.'

Miss Wheathers looked taken aback by that part. She cleared her throat.

"But he's so much… bigger and older than you are. Wouldn't you feel more comfortable in a home with children your own age?"

Ienzo's eyes widened and he quickly shook his head. In his experience, the kids his age always laughed at his mutism and made fun of his height. There were only a handful of children he had met that did not mock him, and they were all in the orphanage still. Besides, the people in this castle were much better at holding intelligent conversations. Ienzo certainly did not want to be taken away from all this. He quickly wrote.

'I like it here!' the note read. Then he continued on to write, 'I don't want to live anywhere else.' The woman raised her eye brows and smiled.

"Well," she began, "you certainly have made your opinion known." Ienzo felt his cheeks heat up. The woman continued. "Still, I have a few more things to go over before I can give you an answer. Now, how has Lord Ansem been treating you?"

Ienzo wrote some stuff down in his sketch book. He held it up for her to see.

'Master Ansem has been very kind to me. He even gave me some books.'

"Is that a fact?" Miss Weathers asked. "What kinds of books?

Ienzo showed her the stack of books that lay on the table between them. It was just a small sample of the boy's vast collection. There was a book on gummi blocks, one on monsters called unversed, and one about the history of the Garden. There was even a book on the Keyblade War. Miss Weathers looked over the vast selection with awe. Most of the books laid out before them were on a much more advanced level than she had expected to see a six year-old reading. She cleared her throat.

"My, that is some impressive reading material. You must really enjoy reading," she commented. Ienzo nodded and wrote something down in his sketch book.

It read, 'Master Ansem said I'm welcome to any of the books here.' He gestured to the book shelves surrounding them. Miss Weathers nodded and slowly stood up.

"Well, Ienzo," she started, "that's about it. I'll make sure to put in a good word, okay?" Ienzo stood up and led her to the library doors.

The lad was very pleased with his social worker's decision to let him stay. It was like a weight had been lifted off of his chest. He knew that the castle and its occupants were not a traditional family and had feared that he would be taken away from his new home.

Opening the door, Ienzo let a slight smile grace his face upon seeing Master Ansem waiting for them in the hallway. He quickly scampered up to the middle-aged man and held his arms up. Knowing instinctively what the child wanted, the blond man let out a laugh and picked him up into his arms.

"Well then, I see the session went well. I take it he gets to stay then, right?" Ansem asked, rubbing the mentally exhausted tot's back. The social worker nodded.

"Well, I have to give my report to my higher-ups, but so far, so good," she replied.

Ansem nodded and led the way out of the castle, Ienzo cradled safely in his arms.