A young boy with hair a purple-blue tone sat alone in a large library, hugging a worn out old book. 'Silent Hearts' read the title. But today, he didn't feel like reading, which most definitely was a serious cause for concern. In actual fact, there was nothing he felt like doing. Flipping to the back of the book, there was a single sentence etched in pencil, as abandoned as he. 'All love is unrequited.' the last word was one that would prove difficult for any ordinary boy his age, but he was far from average. Still, today was everything but a good day.

The door at the other end of the room crept open, and a dark haired girl a year or two younger, bounded in. "Ansem told daddy. I'm so sorry." There were no words, none were needed. Enveloped in a caring grip, the blunette let the tears fall.

They stayed like this for a short eternity, till wails dried into short sniffs. "Do you want me to read today?" the girl silently asked and got a quiet nod.

"There was a short pause, and Tommy knew something wasn't right. He'd been sitting opposite Mr. Bunny, having tea for the past half hour. Even when they were late, his parent would've been home by now. He huffed in annoyance, twirling the silver spoon round him fingers in the cup. Finally deciding to get up, he ran over to the window, still there was no sign of their car. Slumping down, he looked over at his blue plushie friend "Do you know what's taking mummy and daddy so long?"

Mr. Bunny gave no indication of a reply, just sat there, lifeless like any other stuffed toy. Even the boy's only friend couldn't tell him it'd be alright. The butler walked in with the tea tray, carrying some butter cream biscuits. The little boy scurried over to him, holding onto him tightly. "There there, your parents will be home any moment now." He carefully squeezed the child back."

The girl felt lazy eyes on her, she gazed up to see her blunette watching her intently. "What is it?" she whispered. Instead of answering her directly, the boy took her hand, and spoke straight to her mind without a sound. "Promise me you won't leave me like mum and dad." Turning away, he was about to relinquish his hold on her. The girl clasped tight. "I promise." she gave him a submissive smile for reassurance, then carried on reading, not exchanging any further mental conversation.

A week went by, a month and all the girl did was read and the boy mutely listened. He would cry and she would be there to comfort him. After many months, the blunette gazed over at her again. "Thank you." His shy smile brought a flutter to the younger one's chest. She squeezed him so tight he could barely breath. "Naya..." he huffed, only hugging her closer until both burst out laughing. A moment past, setting in quietly. "Now that you're talking again, I want to take you out." The girl going by the name Naya tugged him to the door, leading away from the library, running as fast as their little legs would carry them. As the children past Ansem, the man's heart warmed to see his adopted son with joy in his soul. His colleague 's daughter had really had and influence on his heart.

The boy's eyes drifted across his beloved friend. Her kindness seemed so unconditional, never wanting or taking. After everything that had happened all he could care about now, was to keep Naya smiling, and his life would be alright.

Zexion breathed in forcefully, gasping before he was pulled back in. It was as silent as drowning, no screams, no cries, no echoes.

Soft shivers sent a little blunette of a boy into shock. He hadn't slept well, even after he'd started to talk again. The shrilling howls made his heart break. In the night there seemed to be no escape, as his mind re-enacted all possible scenarios of his parents' deaths. Tonight was no exception as the child quivered in the sheets, sweat staining his nightgown. The images wouldn't go away, the faces never left him alone. Scampering out of bed, he ran into the hallway. But it wasn't home... there were no memories to comfort him here, just the painted walls of the castle.

Then there in front of him, in his moment of utter hysteria stood Naya. "Ienzo." she whispered, running to sweep the boy into a fragile embrace. Leading him to the familiarity of the library, there they both cuddled into the sofa. The girl, in her little black lace dress, put a frail small hand on the boys racing chest and closed her pale green eyes. An instant passed, and Ienzo fell into a sweet dream, free of nightmares and pain. Naya brushed his tearful cheeks, kissing them lightly to ease their tainted hue. Standing up next to him, she tucked him in and tip toed out. She'd heard his voice cry out at the top of his mind and lungs, all she had to do was answer his desperate plea. Nothing in this life would keep them apart.

The man looked at Xanya doubting what he saw. It couldn't be the truth, could it? Before he had a chance to contemplate the possibilities, his mind blurred over again.

The lab was empty, it had been this way for the whole day, as a lonely stranger gazed out the dirty window. Rain pelted it hard, as if each droplet was a dagger tearing his heart more and more open. It had been seven and a half months since Ansem had told him about Naya's father's death, and that meant seven and a half months since he had seen his dearest friend. Ever since that neglected night in December... she'd turned back around to him as the snow settled in her green-pigmented hair, and her silhouette danced on the pure ground. That smile, those eyes, the beating of her heart, nothing was harder to forget. He was only fooling himself, she'd never be his...he missed her with all he was, and not once had he told her how he felt deep down. He'd hidden in beyond the reach of her mind. But how could she do this to him, didn't she know how important she was, how important she would always be. Tears caressed Ienzo's face, hardly displaying how he was breaking inside.

Even walked in, knowing full well the fragile state the boy was in and taking joy in his misery. He remained silent, just leaving an envelope with a single word engraved on it.

'Ienzo'

The blunette slumped over to the table, a breath of hope in his eyes.

Dear Ienzo,

I'm so sorry that I haven't had a chance to come over in person, and for any worry that I might have put you through. It was all but my intention.
What I need you to know is that we will Never meet again. So please, hold no hope in your heart, I'm not coming back.
A lot of things have changed since I left, a lot of things have changed and I thought you had the right to know of my decision.
Thank you for the memories.

It's heartless of me to do this to you, nobody deserves it...

Naya

A cut out shape dropped from inside the envelope.

It was a paper heart with a thorn X painted over it.