Disclaimer- I do not own Kingdom Hearts

Captivity

Chapter 9

The darkness was daunting. Yet, Cloud was able to push through. His mind was trying purely to focus on finding Aerith. How would he know where she was? Would he even end up on the correct world? Would he be too late? The questions lingered in the back of his mind yet Cloud was not concerned with them. Somehow, deep down inside him he knew he would find her, no matter what.

His black wing flapped as he floated on through the massive darkness. One would think that there was no exit. Yet, there was always a door to the light. He only hoped that the light at the end would be Aerith's light.

Cloud flinched at the thought of Aerith seeing him like this. Would she even accept him in this form? What made him any different from the heartless or the nobodies? He let the darkness consume him. He was trying to manipulate it again. Cloud lowered his eyes as he stared at his buster sword clutched in his hand. The last time he tried to manipulate the darkness, he was nearly swallowed by it had it not been for Sora.

Yet back then, he said something to Sora. Something that was very wise.

"I fell into darkness and I couldn't find the light."

"You'll find it. I'm searching, too!"

"For your light? Never lose sight of it. "

Cloud clutched his sword tighter. Maybe he should listen to his own advice.

X, X, X,

Aerith sat on Demyx's bed stringing flowers together, lacing one to another making a crown. The Melodious Nocturne had brought her more flowers. He brought her a mixture of random flowers, which he also stole but neglected to mention. She had not done something like this since she was a child but since she had nothing to do while in his room, she did the only thing she could think of. Demyx had gone to the kitchens to get food. After everything that had gone on between them, Aerith had finally realized how hungry she was.

Demyx returned as Aerith finished her flower crown. He was carrying a large tray of food because he forgot to ask Aerith what she wanted to eat. Therefore, he raided the entire kitchen for a bit of everything. He dumped it on the bed, almost crushing her crown in the process.

"Well I got a bit of everything so eat up!" Demyx said sitting on the edge next to her.

He noticed her pretty crown. "What is that?"

Aerith smirked and placed it on his head, "A crown."

Demyx looked silly with the multi-color flower crown on his head. Aerith stifled a chuckle as Demyx tore it off his head.

"It looks so girly!" he complained. "You should wear it."

Aerith laughed as she noticed Demyx's horrified face. Demyx blinked and found himself grinning. When Aerith noticed the expression, she stopped.

"Why are you smiling." She asked.

"Your smile… I haven't seen you smile for a long time. It makes me happy." It reminded him of old times.

Aerith turned away, putting her attention on the food. Compliments like that were rare for her. Yet, he spewed them out and each time they caught her off guard. She glanced at the tray and picked up a piece of fruit. She was not going to blush in front of him again.

Before she could even bring the fruit to her lips, she felt his fingertips slide down her spine. Aerith gasped at the light touch. She looked up at Demyx who was still grinning. He leaned forward and placed a kiss on her forehead, something he liked doing. Aerith looked down at the fruit in her hand. Her fingers rubbed the skin of the smooth red fruit. Demyx took the fruit from her and with his hand split the fruit in half. He offered it to her but she turned away.

"Why are you acting like this?" Aerith asked.

"Because, you are my friend." He said. "And I want you to always smile."

Aerith looked down. She had to try as futile as it was.

"Can I go home?" she asked.

"Not this again!" Demyx said getting up from the bed. "Look, you are not in danger here. You'll be perfectly fine. I'm going to protect you. You have NOTHING to worry about."

Aerith looked at Demyx who was stubbornly crossing his arms. Her home seemed so far away. She wondered how her friends were. She could picture Cid at his computer, typing away while arguing with Merlin. She could see Yuffie running around, energetic as always, and possibly annoying Leon to bits. Cloud, Cloud would be quiet as always. Lingering a little away from everyone and keeping to himself. Yet, when she would make eye contact with him, he would turn obviously away because of his shyness.

Home, she missed her home terribly. It was something that lingered in her head every time she awoke from her sleep. It remained in her head when she talked or tried to run away. Even when Demyx and she shared a kiss, her mind was wishing he would allow her back home to her friends, her family.

"Honestly, is this place really that bad?" he asked. "Am I really that unreliable?"

"Demyx…"

However, Aerith could not finish her reply, as a black portal opened. In a flash Demyx drew the curtains of his bed to hide Aerith from view. The young girl lowered herself to the bed, clutching the bed sheets tightly. She shut her eyes and in her head, she prayed that whomever it was coming through the portal would not discover her.

Demyx stared at the portal, his eyes narrowing slightly. A figure, obviously draped in a black robe walked out. The person was all too familiar to Demyx. With his long face, beady eyes, and long blonde hair he was instantly recognizable.

"Vexen," Demyx seethed but he changed his tone, "What do you want?"

Vexen stared at Demyx, eyeing him. Aerith knew who Vexen was. Not well enough as Demyx did but enough to know he was not someone to mess with. His voice was creepy and his very presence made the young girl shudder.

Finally the higher-ranking nobody spoke, "I have a mission for you."

"Oh really?" Demyx said, trying to remain cool.

"Yes, the superior has a found a heart that he wants for his… collection and of course since you failed to retrieve any decent hearts recently, I suggested it be you since you are obviously not pulling your weight."

Demyx ignored Vexen's lame insult. Vexen eyed the fruit in Demyx's hand but then turned his attention to the Melodious Nocturne. Demyx cocked his head at Vexen. The higher-ranking member looked past Demyx, at his bed before turning away.

"When you're done slacking around I'll give you the coordinates to the world."

With that, Vexen left the room. Demyx stared at him until the portal was gone. Once it was gone, he opened up the curtains to see Aerith curled up on his bed, clutching his sheets. He sat down touching her head gently.

Aerith lifted her head, her eyes staring sadly at him. Demyx face fell into confusion. What could she possibly be sad about now?

"What is it?" he asked.

"Don't do it." Aerith whispered.

"Do what?"

"Don't go to the world! Don't take that person's heart."

She clasped his hand tightly, tears forming in her eyes. Demyx was taken aback by her plea. She did not even know whom the person he was supposed to be stealing from.

"I have to it's my job." Demyx said.

"How can you do that? How can you just take someone's heart like that without a thought?"

"It's not like I am taking your heart."

Aerith moved away from, standing on the other side of the bed. Demyx got back up confusion building all over his face.

"My heart or their heart, what is the difference?" She snapped. "If you can take someone's heart like that what is stopping you from one day doing that to me? One day you get bored or angry and with a snap of your fingers my heart is gone!"

"I told you before that would never happen!" he defended.

"THEN TELL ME WHY I AM SO DIFFERENT!"

Aerith dropped her head in her hands, sobbing slightly. What did make her so different? She was not any different. Had Demyx met someone else the same way he met her, would he not be doing the same thing? How could she trust him?

Demyx sighed. He approached her, placing his hands on her shoulders. Aerith moved away. He sighed again, rubbing the back of his neck. How could he give her an answer? He just liked having her around. Was there suppose to be logic behind it? It frustrated Demyx because he could not give her an answer, not a plausible one anyway. He could not say he loved her, because he had no heart. She would never believe it anyway.

"Listen," he said after a long minute. "We'll talk when I get back. Promise me you won't leave this room. I won't be long."

He waited for Aerith to respond but she sunk to the floor and into a fit of sobs. Demyx frowned. He wanted to comfort her but duty called. That and he did not want to hear Vexen ranting and whining about him taking so long. Demyx took a bite out of the fruit he was holding. He opened a portal and quickly made an exit. The sooner he left the sooner he would be back.

As he was leaving Aerith turned back to see him go. How could she make him understand? Could she even make him understand? What would even make him understand?

X, X, X,

Cloud ripped through the darkness, finally finding the light to the world he had been searching. At least, he hoped it was the right one. He landed in a long grassy field with nothing what seemed like for miles around. He looked around and found the place almost eerie. It was nighttime and there was no sound coming from anywhere. No crickets, no animals, not even the wind, nothing!

Aerith…

Cloud pictured her in his mind and wondered if she was here. He pictured her in his mind, smiling at him. It only strengthened his determination. He stretched out his wing and began soaring across the grassy field in whatever direction he was going. His eyes scanned the area when he saw something large in the distance. From where he was currently positioned, he could not make it out.

X, X, X,

Aerith sighed staring at the flowers Demyx had given her. She touched the beautiful flowers, sighing softly to herself. Despite the moments Demyx was kind to her, he still did not realize his dark side was overshadowing. It made her afraid that he did not even consider the consequences of his actions.

Aerith hugged her knees to her chest. That was not the only thing on Aerith's mind. Demyx had kissed her, several times. His kisses were lacking feeling. It did not even feel as if she was kissing a friend, it felt as if she was kissing empty space. Yet, Demyx enjoyed it, or pretended to. Aerith kept reminding herself he had no heart but his actions made her want to think otherwise. His brief moments of kindness were touching. Yet, she wondered how different he would be if he had a heart. Perhaps then, he would see the error or his ways. Maybe, even then, he would let her go.

Aerith lifted her head as she heard the familiar echoing noise of a portal ripping through thin air and opening before her. She got up from her spot, expecting to see Demyx. She wanted to talk to him and making him understand. Yet, that thought went out the window when she saw a cloaked figure slowly appearing from the portal. Aerith backed away, becoming uneasy. She was not use to Demyx wearing his hood in front of her.

The figure began to chuckle. A hideous sound erupted from his throat. At that moment, Aerith knew it was not Demyx and ever ounce of courage in her slowly began to seep away.

"Interesting, that such a beautiful heart is here in our midst and is still fully intact."

Aerith swallowed a lump in her throat, slowly moving away from the figure. That voice was like ice, sending tremors of fear down the young girl's spine.

"I don't know why he's been keeping you here… and I don't care…"

The figure slipped his hood off. His long flaxen hair flowed down away from his long angular face. His green eyes squinted as he watched the flower girl. Aerith knew very well who this Nobody was.

"Just surrender, it will make everything so easy," Vexen said, grinning deviously. "He won't be back soon anyway, by the time he realizes he's been tricked you'll be nothing more than an empty shell of your former self."

Aerith's eyes shifted slightly. The door was only a few feet away. It was her only chance. If Vexen did trick Demyx, she had no idea how long it would take for him to return. Vexen catching her look lunged at her. Aerith scrambled out of the way and headed for the door. However, Vexen was well prepared for resistance. With a flick of his wrist, the floor under Aerith became ice. The flower girl found her feet slide out from under her and she landed hard on her front.

The fall knocked the wind out of Aerith and landing on the ice hurt. Vexen was laughing hysterically at her misfortune as he walked toward her in a slow lazy pace. In his head, Vexen knew this girl would try something pathetic as running away. She was weak and no match for him. Now all he had to do was rip her heart out. He almost wished she could put up a fight. At least then, it would have been interesting.

Aerith groaned, trying to pick herself up off the slippery ice. Yet, she felt a hand grab her ankle. She shrieked in terror as Vexen dragged her back toward him. She tried to grab hold of something but there was nothing. Vexen flipped her over, still holding her by the ankle. His beady eyes were staring maliciously at her.

"Your heart belongs to the darkness now." Vexen said, raising his hand.

Aerith shrieked, "NO" just before she used her free foot to kick strait into Vexen's jaw, once, twice and a third time. The kicks came swift and Vexen was unprepared for this resistance from such a delicate girl. Without hesitating Aerith slipped free from Vexen by sliding her foot out of her boot.

Scrambling to her feet, Aerith was determined to get the door. Vexen let out a growl, alerting Aerith. She looked back and saw several large icicles aimed at her. She dropped to the floor and the icicles smashed the door of Demyx's room open. The door splintered to pieces and Aerith rushed over the sharp pieces even with her bare foot. The sharp splinters from the door sliced through her foot, leaving small droplets of blood behind her. Aerith's face winced in pain but she continued to flee.

Vexen stared at the mess he made and simply opened a portal under him. He was not about to walk over that mess when it would be so easy to just use a portal.

Aerith limped down the hall toward the large doors. She looked back several times to see if Vexen was behind her but he was not. Aerith reached the doors, grabbed hold of handles, and yanked them open. She launched herself through the doors but crashed directly into someone. Aerith looked up to see Vexen's beady eyes staring down at her. He reached down to grab her but Aerith swung her hand, slapping him harsh across the face. Next, she stomped as hard as she could on his foot before rushing past him.

X, X, X,

Demyx stared at the world around him. The person whose heart he was supposed to take should have been at these exact coordinates. He scratched his head as he scanned the area. Nothing, there was nothing here. There was no sign of life either. Demyx let out a frustrated growl.

Did Vexen give him the wrong coordinates?

Figures Vexen would, was a thought that came through Demyx's mind. Vexen was always a grouch when someone would talk back to him or fail in mission. The last time Demyx felt his wrath, Vexen nearly took his head off. Demyx stopped for a moment and pondered that.

Last time Vexen nearly took him out. Why would he make him waste his time in such a pathetic world? Unless, Vexen was losing his touch he must have sent him on a wild goose chase for a reason. He took a bite of the fruit that he brought with him. He wondered if he should look around more. If he went back, empty-handed Vexen would have a fit. Yet, if he went back, he could see Aerith.

His mind drifted. Aerith seemed so sad when he left. Did it even make a difference whose heart he took? Well of course it did, if he took Aerith's heart he would be heartless, well more so than he already was. In his mind, he did not care whose heart he took as long as Aerith's was safe. He finished the fruit and decided to head back. After all, there was no sign of life here and Vexen could not blame him for that. As he created a portal, he noticed something out of the corner of his eye.

He left the portal open and made his way to a tiny object a little ways from him. On closer inspection he saw was it was. It was that flower. He knelt down and plucked it from the ground. It was not just any flower. The flower was the SAME exact flower he plucked for Aerith before. It was the same flower that her so-called friends incinerated when tried to give it to her. He smiled, remembering how happy she looked when he was about to give it to her. He tucked the flower in his robe. He would give it to her and maybe he would see her smile again.

With that, Demyx turned around and headed for the portal.

X, X, X,

Aerith dropped to the ground as another large icicle came hurtling toward her, smashing into a wall and leaving a large hole in it. Aerith's eyes widened as a several large icicles came crashing down from the ceiling at her. She rolled out of the way as fast as she could but one of the icicles snagged the skirt of dress.

Aerith gasped and tried to rip her dress free but it was too late. Vexen was already standing above her, grinning insanely. Aerith tried to kick him again but this time he was ready for her attack. He caught her foot and crushed it in her hand. He pushed down on her with all his weight, his other hand reaching to grab her throat. Instinctively, Aerith bit down on his hand as hard as he could. Vexen smirked at the feeble attempt since he had a glove on. He ripped his hand away and grabbed her throat. Aerith began crying out as her nails clawed violently at Vexen.

"You made this more difficult than it should have been," He said squeezing her tighter. "Your heart belongs to the darkness now."

He let out a laugh at the sheer terror in Aerith's eyes. Aerith freed one of her legs from under Vexen and jammed it strait in his crotch. Vexen's eyes bulged while also losing the grip around Aerith's throat. Yet, Vexen's eyes darkened even more so than possible. His hands created ice shackles that pinned her hands to the floor.

"DIE!" he screamed.

Aerith let out a cry of sheer terror, screaming out the first name that came to her mind for help.

X, X, X,

Cloud stood before Castle Oblivion in awe. This castle reminded him of Hollow Bastian's castle, only… brighter. It was white while the castle and Hollow Bastian was dark. Yet, this castle did not seem to radiate a warm feeling. He stared up, wondering if anyone was occupying the castle. Would it be rude if he barged in? He had no idea if Aerith was even here.

He walked around the outer perimeter, scoping the area. Nothing, it was quiet. Cloud wondered if he was even at the right world. It made him angry to think that. Yes, he could travel to other worlds to look for Aerith, but he had been so positive she would be here. Had he been tricked by the darkness? Was he now being led around? Cloud growled, feeling his anger grow inside him.

What if he let the darkness corrupt him? What if he already lost Aerith to the darkness? The painful thoughts brought up a dark aura around Cloud. How could he ever be allowed to bask in Aerith's light when he himself was weak and a failure? How could she ever forgive him?

As Cloud felt the sadness burn inside him, he heard a scream.

"CLOUD!"

His blue eyes flashed up. The voice, it was Aerith's voice! Cloud stretched out his wing and launched himself into the air. He burst through a castle window from where the voice came from, sword in hand.

On the ground, Aerith was struggling to breathe. Vexen, upon hearing the window shattering turned around. The moment Cloud saw the horrific image, his mind shut down and his eyes were blazing with anger. Cloud went berserk as he flew at Vexen with no warning. He slashed at Vexen, throwing him off Aerith.

Aerith looked up at Cloud, frightened and still pinned to the ground. Cloud cut through the icicles pinning her down, setting her free. Cloud stared at the frightened girl. He found her. He FINALLY found her. Now he could take her home where she would safe.

Cloud reached down to pick her up, when an icicle shot out at him, grazing his shoulder. Cloud's eyes snapped to see Vexen with his shield in hand. Cloud passed over Aerith and flew at Vexen who held up his shield to deflect Cloud's attack. The two men's weapons crashed against one another as they fought. Vexen tried to use his ability to manipulate ice to his advantage but Cloud's relentless onslaught proved too much to handle and to use magic simultaneously.

Aerith got up, staring at Cloud. Questions plagued her mind of how exactly did he find her. The flower girl feared for his safety. She tried to stand but found her throbbing foot too much. She let out a whimper, realizing she would need to heal herself. As she began to summon her magic, Vexen who was on the defensive got an idea. He jumped back and summoned his magic to attack Aerith.

Seeing the ice magic flying towards her, Aerith threw her hands in front of her, preparing for the hit but instead Cloud jumped in the way. He used his body to shield the girl, allowing the icicles to slice him up. Blood spurted from his wounds. Blood splattered on the ground and showered Aerith's arms and torso. Cloud's blue eyes stared dangerously at Vexen.

"Cloud…" Aerith cried softly. Her hands trembled from the sight and feel of sticky blood on her. Yet, her eyes stared at the horrific sight of Cloud with such injuries. Cloud could not even feel the pain from his wounds. No, the haze of anger at this Nobody who tried to harm Aerith was enough to make the pain seem like an annoying poke.

Cloud flew at Vexen and sent him flying. Vexen skidded across the ground from the attack. However, he could not recover before Cloud sent a wave of energy at the nobody sending him crashing hard through a wall. Debris fell over Vexen's unconscious body. The blonde spiky haired man turned to Aerith, breathing heavily. His wounds were deep and his body was staggering to remain upright.

He stumbled toward the flower girl. Aerith's emerald eyes filled with tears. She got up and wobbled to him, ignoring the pain her foot. She did not care. Somehow, someway, Cloud had found her. Ever since she had been here, she hoped that she would be able to see him and her friends again. Now she could go home and everything could go back to normal.

Aerith reached out her hand to Cloud as they neared one another. Cloud reached his to take her hand. With fingertips near touching, the two did not see a large wave of water hurtling toward them. The water split the two apart. Aerith and Cloud looked to the side to see Demyx glaring at them.

"You…" Cloud seethed.

"You just don't know when to quit?" Demyx said his sitar already in hand. "I said I would protect her!"

Demyx strummed his sitar, causing a wave to form around him. He went surging toward Cloud, hitting him hard, strait in the chest. Aerith screamed as the spiky blonde haired man hit a wall. Aerith wanted to run to him, but Demyx was standing in front of her now, blocking her path. Cloud got up slowly; the battle with Vexen took its toll on the swordsman.

"Demyx please stop!" Aerith pleaded.

The Melodious Nocturne ignored her pleas and charged at Cloud, sending wave after wave of water at him. Cloud was being tossed every which way by Demyx. Aerith watched in horror, tears pouring out her eyes. After a powerful wave hit Cloud again, Demyx jumped back, landing near Aerith. Blood dripped from nearly ever part of Cloud's body. He choked out blood, throwing it up.

Aerith stared at him as he looked back at her. She was shaking her head, tears flowing nonstop. Demyx was not going to stop until he killed Cloud! It did not matter if she begged or pleaded. She tried to rush past him but he caught her with his arm, forcing her back behind him.

"Please…" she cried. "You'll kill him!"

"I said I would protect you." He said calmly, "Even if it means from him."

Aerith opened her mouth, a single word came out that Demyx could not make out. He turned to her forgetting about Cloud momentarily. What did she say? Aerith knew he was asking that, even without actually saying it. She looked him strait in the eyes, with such angry that it surprised the Melodious Nocturne.

"Heartless… you have no heart…"

Demyx stared at her, stunned that after everything he had done she could say that. The words cut him like a knife. He rounded on her, angry.

"I said I would protect you and I have!"

Cloud let out a pathetic laugh. "You almost let her die."

Cloud was slowly getting up, using his buster sword for support. He was using his sword as a crutch and the wall to guide him toward them. Demyx glared him. Without thinking, he let out a stream of water hitting Cloud in the shoulder. Cloud slumped to the ground but found the strength somewhere within to get back up.

"Your friend over there," Cloud hissed, referring to Vexen, "Nearly killed her. How can you protect someone…"

Another wave of water hit Cloud, this time in the arm. Blood sprayed the floor. Yet, he continued moving toward them.

"When you have no idea what it means to care for someone? You have no heart and you're just fooling yourself… into believing that you do."

Demyx eyes narrowed and he twitched his hand. Seven Dancer Nobodies appeared out of nowhere. Aerith pushed passed Demyx, this time making it past him, just as the Dancer nobodies rushed Cloud. Aerith's hand stretched out and a yellow light flashed above Cloud just as the dancer Nobodies threw themselves at him. The Nobodies onslaught made Cloud crash backwards through another window, shattering the glass as he went through with the Nobodies following.

Aerith screamed out for Cloud as she rushed toward the window. She looked out the window to see Cloud fall down the side of the castle. Demyx stared, dumbfounded as he watched Aerith run from him to see if her friend was all right. Demyx stared at her, not sure what to say or do in fact. That is until he heard the sound of something breaking. He looked up and saw a large piece of the ceiling breaking apart… right above Aerith. All the fighting between Cloud and Vexen and Cloud and Demyx caused much damage.

"LOOK OUT!" Demyx shouted.

Aerith looked up in confusion just as the ceiling collapsed. Aerith let out a horrified scream. Demyx rushed forward in blinding speed. He knocked Aerith out of the way and together the two landed hard on the ground as the ceiling broke, smashing against the floor. After the loud crash, Demyx looked up. His body was covering Aerith, protecting her from harm. He let out a laugh as he saw the destruction around him.

"See Aerith, I did protect you. See Aerith… Aerith?"

Demyx looked down to see Aerith, eyes closed, and her head lying on the side. Demyx got up a bit and shook her by the shoulder, thinking that maybe she was in shock.

"Aerith, you're safe…" he said shaking her harder.

However, the girl did not respond. Demyx took her head into his hands, when one of his gloved hands touched something… wet and sticky. He lifted that hand and stared down to see blood on his fingertips. Demyx swallowed hard and gently turned the young girl's head slightly to the side. His stomach churned as he saw a large gash on the side of her head.

She was hurt. She was hurt! No, she could not be hurt. He was going to protect her. He did protect her!

Demyx tried to wake Aerith up but it was futile. She was breathing, barely. She was injured gravely and there was NOTHING he could do. He did not have healing powers and neither did anyone he knew. Even if he brought her to one of the other members they would not save her, they would kill her. Demyx clutched her closely, pressing his head to her head. He kissed her softly, wishing it would save her.

Suddenly, a shadow loomed over Demyx. He looked up and in his panicked state, forgot all about Cloud. Cloud kicked Demyx hard off Aerith. He then slashed at him, hitting him hard. Demyx stumbled back into a pile of debris. He looked up to see Cloud fully healed. Aerith had healed him before the fall, giving him strength back.

"I'm taking her," Cloud said in a threatening voice, "If you ever come near her again I swear I'll kill you."

Demyx watched as Cloud carefully gathered the girl in his arms. Cloud kept his eyes on Demyx as a portal of his own opened behind him. He stepped inside the portal with Aerith, lying limp in his arms. Demyx watched as Cloud and Aerith disappeared in the portal. He stared at the beautiful flower girl. He lowered his head, fists clenching tightly.

As he crouched there in the debris, his hand instinctively went to into the folds of his robe, finding the object hidden inside. He pulled out the zinnia flower he plucked earlier. He stared at it before he places his other hand over the petals and crushed them. When he let go the petals scattered to the floor. Staring at the petals he let out a growl. He had no choice. He had to let her go.

X, X, X,

Author Note- This chapter was long but there is one more left. Thanks for reading.