Chapter 7

Meanwhile in town, Vanitas and Zack were conversing with the asylum owner, Xehanort. The old man sat with them in a candlelit booth with root beer in front of them. Vanitas told Xehanort his plan to get Gaia to marry him or take her father away.

"I don't usually leave the asylum in the middle of the night," said Xehanort, "but he said you'd make it worth my while."

Vanitas tossed a bag of munny over to Xehanort in response.

"Ah," said Xehanort with a grin. "I'm listening."

"It's like this," said Vanitas, "I've got my heart set on marrying Gaia, but she needs a little persuasion.

Zack began snickering at a memory. "Turned him down flat." He then went back to drinking his root beer but Vanitas elbowed him and his mouth got stuck in the mug.

"Everyone knows her father is a lunatic," continued Vanitas. "He was here tonight raving about a beast in a castle."

"Ansem is harmless," said Xehanort gravely.

"The point is," said Vanitas, slamming his fist on the table in frustration, "Gaia would do anything to keep him from being locked up."

Zack got the mug off his mouth and said, "Yeah, even marry him." He shutted up when Vanitas gave him a deadly look.

"So, you want me to throw her father into the asylum," said Xehanort, "unless she agrees to marry you?"

Vanitas and Zack smirked and nodded in agreement.

"It's so despicable," said Xehanort, smirking. "I love it!"

…..

Later that night, Vanitas, Zack, and Xehanort pulled up to Gaia's house in the asylum wagon. Vanitas and Zack went inside to look for the two owners but saw no one.

"Gaia!" called Vanitas. "Ansem!"

"Oh, well," said Zack, heading out the door, "guess it won't work after all."

Vanitas grabbed Zack by the shirt scruff and said, "They have to come back sometime and when they do we'll be waiting. Zack!" He tossed Zack into a pile of snow. "Don't move from that spot until Gaia and her father get home." Vanitas jumped on the back of the wagon and drove off with Ansem.

"Ah, nuts," said Zack, hitting a wooden piece and snow fell on him.

….

One snowy morning, Gaia was walking out in the yard with Phillip at her side. He nosed her in the back and she hugged him around the nose. Suddenly, Angel came plowing through the snow, barking friendly at her. She jumped up and got caught up in Gaia's arms. Gaia caught her, laughing as her hood fell off.

Xemnas stared at her from his balcony and then touched the scar on his arm. "I've never felt this way about anyone," he said, for once loss about how he felt. "I want to do something special for her. But what?" He looked at Saix and Axel for help.

"Well, there's the usual thing," said Saix. "Flowers, chocolates, promises you don't intend to keep."

"No, no," said Axel. "It has to be something special. Something that sparks an interest. Wait a minute."

…..

Later, Xemnas led Gaia to a room at the end of a hall and took her hand in his. He looked at her and took in the sight of her. He memorized the way her brown hair was tied up in a ponytail and how the scent of it enamored him. Her pretty crisp pink dress was beautiful and showed off every inch of her lovely curves. Her pretty clear skin was flushed with joy and the cool air of the snow.

"Gaia?" said Xemnas. "There's something I want to show you. But first, you have to close your eyes." He loved the suspicious smile and eyebrow arch he got until he spoke. "It's a surprise."

Gaia's smile softened and she closed her eyes. Xemnas waved a hand in front of her and then took both of her hands in his. He opened the door and started leading her in. She kept her eyes closed until Xemnas slowed her to a stop and stepped to the curtain.

"Can I open them yet?" she asked.

"No, no," said Xemnas, "not yet." He went over and opened the curtain.

"Now can I open them?" she asked again when the sunlight shone in.

"All right," said Xemnas. "Now."

Gaia opened her eyes and her face immediately alit with joy when she saw all of the books in the library. A slow smile spread on her face and happy tears filled her eyes. "I can't believe it," she gasped. "I've never seen so many books in my life."

"You…you like it?" asked Xemnas hesitantly.

"It's wonderful," she said joyfully.

"Then it's yours," said Xemnas, smiling widely.

"Thank you so much," she said, falling into his arms and giving him a tight hug.

Xemnas was immediately taken aback by her display of affection but hugged back tightly. He immediately thought back to the time they butted heads but now they were best of friends.

….

"Would you look at that?" gasped Axel, smiling.

"I knew it would work," said Saix proudly.

"What?" asked Ven. "What works?"

All the adults there laughed at his innocent question but didn't respond.

"It's very encouraging," said Saix, hopping away.

"Isn't this exciting?" asked Larxene happily as she walked after them.

"I didn't see anything," said Ven unhappily.

"Come along, Ven," said Aqua, and they began to leave, "there's chores to be done in the kitchen."

"But what were they talking about?" asked Ven. "What's going on? Come on, Mom."

Aqua didn't answer him but gave him a sweet smile that told him something was good.

….

Later, the two sat down and began eating soup. Gaia ate it diligently but Xemnas ate it like a caveman. Gaia laughed smiled a little with a chuckle but then showed him the proper way to eat it. Xemnas got the fork gestured to by Aqua and he took it. He tried to eat with the spoon but it didn't work out so the two took their bowls and began slurping out of them.

….

The two walked in the yard with the snow slushing around their feet. Gaia fed the birds with some breadcrumbs and watched as the birds devoured it. She placed some in Xemnas's hands and let him feed the birds.

"There's something sweet,

And almost kind,

But he was mean,

And he was coarse and undefined,

And now he's dear and so unsure,

I wonder why I didn't see it there before."

Gaia knelt down next to Xemnas, who was trying to feed the birds, and showed him how to do it. The birds jumped into his hands and fed from there. He smiled at her like an excited child who did something unexpected. He finally let his feelings out in song.

"She glanced this way,

I thought I saw,

And when we touched,

She didn't shudder at my hand,

No, it can't be,

I'll just ignore,

But then she's never looked at me this way before."

Gaia went behind a tree and placed her hand on her fast-beating heart. These feelings were totally new and different to her and she liked it. She pulled her hood down and let the cool air ruffle her hair.

"New and a bit alarming,

Who'd have ever thought,

That this could be,

True, that he's no Prince Charming,

But there's something in him,

That I simply didn't see."

Gaia threw a snowball at him and it hit him in the face. The two engaged in a snowball fight that was being observed by the servants

….

Axel began singing.

"Well, who'd have thought?"

"Well, bless my soul," sang Aqua with a smile.

Saix joined in. "Well, who'd have known?"

"Well, who, indeed?" sang Aqua.

Axel began singing again.

"And who'd have guessed they'd come together on their own?"

"It's so peculiar. Wait and see.

We'll wait and see,

A few days more,

There may be something there that wasn't there before,

You know,

There may be something there that wasn't there before,

There may be something there that wasn't there before."

"What's there, Mama?" asked Ven innocently.

"Shh," she murmured gently. "I'll tell you when you're older." She gave him a kiss on the rim and they left the couple be.

A/N: Yes, I didn't add the deleted song in this chapter but I'll add it in the next chapter. Read and review! Disclaimer: I don't own KH or Beauty and the Beast. They belong to Disney!