Namine lifted her gaze from the floor to face Leon, her eyes expressing tension.
"When Sora became a heartless for a short time a year or so ago, his heart was strong enough to create a nobody...," she began slowly.
Leon's vision turned to Roxas.
"Why dressed like a member of Organization XIII?" he interrogated stiffly.
Namine paused, searching her mind for an appropriate response.
"Because I was," Roxas cut in, his tone reluctant.
Leon's eyes narrowed distinctly, becoming a fixed glare.
"I left them," Roxas added, his voice lacking change.
Roxas decided it not essential Leon know his reasons were of little nobility.
Leon's eyes loosened, and turned expectantly back to Namine.
"Sora became a heartless... to free the heart of someone important to him... Her heart was strong as well. A nobody was born of it, also," she continued, choosing her wording carefully.
"Kairi," Leon remarked.
"Yes. However, I... The way I came into...," she stopped here, trying to think of the right word. "...consciousness was different than the way most nobodies would. I didn't have Kairi's memories because of it."
"Why did you want Ansem's research," Leon asked with suspicion.
"Well, you see... We had merged with Kairi and Sora. We had been separate for so long prior, though... We possessed the ability to think, and our thoughts and feelings became mixed with those of our counterparts... Without meaning to, we were slowly overtaking them...," Namine's way of speaking was with such mourning.
Leon's eyes widened, showing surprisingly considerable shock.
"Eventually... we did. Their hearts became ours," Namine finished finally.
The expression residing within Leon's eyes shifted through various emotions before settling on a look of suspecting anger.
"What happened?" he stated, trying to maintain composure, though fury seeped through.
Namine appeared startled, though a part of her had expected such a reaction. She would admit she wasn't perfect. She felt selfish sorrow that her very existence stirred despair and rage. Her eyes were becoming glossy... Emotion was such a difficult thing to control...
"Their hearts... left their bodies and became ours... We retook our nobody forms, though now with emotions... We... We never meant for it happen... We want to return what's rightfully theirs...," Namine felt tears brim at her eyes as she spoke, wishing for their motives to be understood.
Leon's features softened, remaining somewhat distressed. He could see her words were sincere, though he was hesitant to trust them completely.
"You want Ansem's research for that?" he said in a neutral way.
"Yes... Please...," Namine begged desperately.
Leon sighed in puzzlement.
"Fine, then... Though I can't guarantee it'll be of much use," he gave in, feeling he was becoming far too soft.
"Thank you," Namine replied honestly.
"By the way...," Leon said quietly.
"Yes?" Namine answered.
"What happens when you return their hearts? To you, I mean...," he asked in a way that almost made concern evident.
Both children turned to the floor, their eyes becoming dismal.
Leon tensed briefly, a bit sorry for treating them in such a rough way formerly. He glanced at the children once more, feeling perhaps Yuffie had been correct in her assumptions of their having pure intentions.