I don't own anything associated with Kingdom Hearts. It belongs to Disney/Square Enix
Gateway
The day began so innocently. She woke up, made herself breakfast and headed out to spend another day in town. She had rented her own room near the marketplace (Vanitas disappeared at night, so she wasn't sure where he was staying), so even though the street her door led out to was dim and empty, it was filled with joyful voices.
She was walking down that street, minding her own business, when a black blur leapt out from around the corner. Reflexively, she brought Rainfell up and another person's keyblade locked against hers.
Vanitas chuckled. Aqua did nothing as he unlocked their blades and he stepped back. She did react, however, when he swung at her again. And then they fought earnestly. It was all she could do to keep up with him. Vanitas was strong - her bones rattled whenever their keyblades collided - he was fast, and he had years of remembered fights that she didn't.
This day had begun so innocently, and now she was against a wall with a blade to her throat. Vanitas sure had a strange idea of fun.
"You used to be so much better," he said.
"Before, I couldn't even remember that I had Rainfell," she reminded him, stung.
He continued as if she hadn't spoken. "And yet, you fight better than someone who's forgotten everything."
She rolled her eyes. Lately, Vanitas kept making snide comments like that, as if he expected her to yell 'Surprise!' and regale him with tales of their past.
"Is there any reason you're trying to kill me?" she asked, trying to sound as bored as possible.
"I'm not trying to kill you." He paused. "Not yet."
There was enough space between her neck and his blade that she could safely move away and continue down the street. Vanitas followed her, draping an arm around her shoulders. She frowned, consciously eliminating the tension in her back. While Vanitas' darkness naturally set her on edge, it was more than that. His grip was always too tight, as if he expected her to try to run away.
"You seemed to have recovered," he said, idly examining a gloved hand. "We should be able to use corridors now."
"Corridors?"
"Corridors of darkness. They're," he made a circular motion with his hand, "like gateways to other worlds."
He jerked his chin forwards, pointing to a black hole that opened up in front of her. A dark mist oozed from the opening, bringing goosebumps to her skin, and she could see no signs of another world beyond the void.
"Ladies first," Vanitas said, tightening his grip. Evidently, he sensed her nervousness.
"It's safe?" she asked.
His laugh was low, menacing. "Would I lie to you?"
Yes! screamed the voice in her head, though there was no logical reason for it. Reminding herself that Vanitas was her friend, and that she had probably done this many times before, she swallowed her fear, and walked into the darkness.
Behind his mask, Vanitas grinned wickedly.
