Author's Info: Well, life's finally getting back into a schedule. Now that I've got things figured out, I think I'll have more time for writing. I'm looking forward to it, honestly. Anyway, thanks to all of you who read/commented, especially Axel's Pyro Girl, and NinjaSheik. More after!

The "what"s: Listening to nothing but whatever random noise comes through the door (which there really aren't any) and thinking about the fact I am hopefully FINALLY going to get back into writing. Life has been playing games with me, and I think it's finally decided enough is enough. I've never been so excited to write again.

Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts. I wish I did, but I don't. I'm just someone who loves the games and hasn't played in a while.

Chapter Three

Three days had passed since Zexion's challenge, and Meaxana was biding her time. She knew he was expecting her to do something, but she wasn't about to rush it. Time and opportunity were crucial; she had to ensure it didn't fail. In the meantime, she had other things to do. She walked out of Castle Oblivion, ready for the scouting mission she had been given.

Apparently Xemnas was curious about this boy capable of wielding the Keyblade and his companions. Already weary of simply staying in the dark basement and desperately needing time to think, she agreed to go and gather more information. When Zexion attempted to refuse, she told him it would be helpful in determining what traits the Heartless would require to better stand against the power of the Keyblade.

"Meaxana, do you really intend to go on this mission? You just got here," Zexion said, appearing behind her. She smirked but kept her back turned to him. "You do realize what would happen if you fail to succeed—"

"I am well aware of the consequences, Zexion," she said, feigning boredom. "Besides, this won't take long. I just want to see if I'm right about the Keybearer and his companions. As soon as I've determined that, I'll come back with more than enough information, and plenty of time in which to complete my challenge."

"I never knew you to be one to attempt something at the last minute," he said thoughtfully. Suddenly he smirked. "You'll be far more likely to make a foolish mistake. If you really must insist on going on this mission, however, I guess there's no point in attempting to stop you."

"You're right about one thing, Zexion," she said, allowing her smirk to enter her tone. "See you in a few days." She walked into the portal she created.

He's right about me not being able to wait until the last minute to enact my plans, she though slyly. What he doesn't realize is that he's already walked right into my trap. He's already proven he wants me near him by trying to prevent me from going on this mission. Now, if I'm right, this combination of being gone who knows where for three days and coming across those two will certainly serve to do what I could never have dreamed of accomplishing on my own in Castle Oblivion.

She looked around and smirked at the strange world she found herself in. She didn't seem to mind the frightening look of the inhabitants of the world In fact, the ghouls, vampires, and other strange creatures only made her feel even more at home. She knew she was a strange being herself, even if she wasn't like Zexion and the members of the Organization. This fit her perfectly. Now all she had to do was find the Keybearer.

She made her way through the square to see three strange characters celebrating along with a bunch of the townspeople. She wasn't sure how she knew, but they felt different from the others. That was when she realized she recognized the one in the middle: Sora. She had been right; it was Sora who had the Keyblade. That could only mean his two companions were—

"Sora, cheer up. I'm sure we'll find Riku and Kairi," the one that looked like a dog said. "Gawrsh, I hate seeing you so down."

"He's right, Sora," the other one said. "You gotta cheer up. Remember that promise we made!"

"You're right," she heard Sora say as he grinned and looked at his friends. "Thanks Donad. Thanks Goofy."

Same old Sora, she thought as she turned to leave. Always so cheerful and upbeat. Even if we weren't close on the Islands, he was never a jerk to me. I guess he figured if Kairi considered me a friend I couldn't be all bad. Of course, that didn't stop Riku from always fighting with me . . .

Her thoughts drifted back to when the Islands were destroyed. She had woken up in a strange world with no idea of who she was or how she'd gotten there. She'd wandered for hours in an attempt to find help before someone found her. He was dressed in a red robe and kept his face covered with a cloth of the same color.

"Who are you?" she asked. "Where am I?"

"My name is DiZ. As for where you are, if you don't already know, that will take far too much time to explain. What is your name, child?"

"My name?" she asked in confusion.

"You don't remember anything at all, do you? Come along. Perhaps I can help you regain your memory. Maybe then you can help me."

I wonder where Riku and Kairi are now, she mused. Perhaps it's possibly for me to locate them yet. She opened herself to the darkness and tried to sense Riku's presence. She knew that he had embraced the darkness when he left the Islands, and that would make him the easiest to find. Once she sensed him, she created a portal to take her there.

She arrived in a castle teeming with Heartless. Luckily for her, she had learned to cloak herself using the very shadows around her. She swiftly yet quietly made her way to where she felt Riku.

She found him in a small room with a bookcase and a bed in it. She frowned as she watched him. Riku had changed drastically; he was slowly being overcome by the darkness. She shook her head, knowing it was his foolish hopes for adventure that led him down this path. She would not pity him; she couldn't afford to.

"Who's there?" she heard Riku demand, making her tense. She quickly pulled the shadows even closer to mask her energy. The last thing she needed was to be discovered by Riku. It wasn't time for the Organization to be revealed. She watched silently as he looked around for the source before turning.

"Maleficent," he said as another figure entered the room. Meaxana watched as the evil fairy entered and smirked. This was the one who had convinced Riku to destroy the Islands? She was the leader of all of this? He was even more pathetic than she had originally thought.

"It's time, Riku," she said. "I need you to go and gather the Heartless. The fool will need your help against the Keybearer. Meaxana watched as he nodded and followed Maleficent out of the room, just like an obedient dog.

So pathetic, she thought as she conjured a portal, and to think I once thought him honorable.

She arrived at the lab that had become all too familiar before she had been discovered by the Organization. "DiZ," she called. "I'm back, and I've got information for you concerning both the Organization and the Keybearer."

"Good work, Meaxana," DiZ said, appearing in the doorway. "Now, tell me everything."

***

When the third day was almost over, Meaxana found herself once again in Castle Oblivion. As she was delivering her report to Marluxia, she sensed Zexion nearby. She bowed, barely concealing her smirk, before turning and leaving. As soon as she was outside the room she felt someone grab her arm. She turned to see Zexion there, looking more than slightly agitated.

"Are you finished gallivanting off now?" he asked, crossing his arms over his chest. She barely concealed her laughter and smirked.

"Don't tell me you missed me Zexion," she teased. "I've only been gone for three days. Besides, I have a lot of information that could help the Organization. You should be proud of me, not cross."

"You presume much, to know my mind," he said, eyeing her. "I've lost out on three days' worth of research, and there's no guarantee your information will be of use to me."

"Oh it will, I assure you, but let's talk somewhere more . . . private. I am weary of places in which I must take utmost caution when I speak." She stepped through a portal into Zexion's chambers, smirking as she saw him arrive seconds later.

"What information do you have for me, Meaxana?" he asked, approaching her quickly. She could sense his eagerness and she knew that, if she played her cards right, she could turn this to her advantage.

"I didn't tell Marluxia this, as I felt it wasn't his business to know," she said, teasing him and playing with his ego. When she saw she had his full attention and that he was leaning in toward her, she approached him and whispered into his ear, "I know the Keybearers, both of them." She heard his breath catch.

"How?" he breathed, his curiosity piqued. This was incredibly advantageous and would give him insight into the people Xemnas had become so interested in.

"They're two boys from the Destiny Islands, that god-forsaken place my parents took me to when I was forced to leave Hollow Bastion. Their names are Sora and Riku. Sora is the Keybearer closing the Keyholes and is very free spirited. He always follows his heart. Riku, on ther other hand, let his desire for adventure lead him into darkness. A perfect end for that cold, unmoving personality of his, really. Strange that two complete opposites are such good friends."

"How do you know all this?"Zexion demanded suddenly, rounding on her. "Only someone close to them could know so much. You seem especially fond of this Riku. What is so special about him?"

Her lip quirked as she found it increasingly difficult to hide her smirk. He had fallen completely and utterly into her trap. Now all she had to do was go through with the final steps.

"You needn't worry yourself, Zexion," she said reassuringly, placing a hand on his arm. "Sora was my next-door neighbor, and they used to have fake sword fights on the same islands where I liked to read books. I was never one of them. Riku ensured that with all the fights the two of us got into." She allowed her tone to become sad and wistful, as though she wished she could have been accepted among them.

"Why would you want to become part of a group that clearly didn't care about you?" he asked, frowning angrily. "You didn't like Riku, did you?"

"He was cold and rather distant, but he wasn't a horrible person," she admitted. "He could be quite admirable when the inclination struck him, and he was quite popular with the ladies. All of this means nothing to me now, of course. I'm a Nobody now. Even if there was the slightest of chances that I had like him then, it's gone now. No heart, remember?" she said lightly and teasingly. "Besides, I'm with the Organization now, with you."

"You are with me," he agreed, looking her over. She knew exactly what was running through his mind at that moment, and she knew she had won their challenge. What had surprised her, however, was not the fact that she'd won; it was the fact she wanted this to happen.

"Are you sure you want this, Zexion?" she asked. "Once you take this step, there is no going back."

"I'll take my chances," he said before brushing his lips against hers. "You're mine, Meaxana, and you're not going to get away this time." He pressed his lips against hers in a fiery, passionate kiss filled with hunger. Meaxana's eyes closed as she felt herself giving in to his desires.

Responses to my commentators:

Axel's Pyro Girl: I am glad Zexion is staying relatively within character. Granted it's easier due to the fact he isn't there long, but still. I like when they're in character, or there's no point. They're not the person you want them to be by then.

NinjaSheik: Glad you liked it! Hope this one was to your liking as well.