Day 149
Xurik stood in the center of the dark courtyard. He hadn't heard anything from the Beast's Castle in a couple of weeks, but now there were reports of a gigantic Heartless spotted in the forests nearby. If that was the case, it'd probably be coming from the bridge leading to the castle, meaning -
A fierce roar suddenly shook the clearing. Xurik turned in time to see something soaring through the air - then hitting the stones before him with a sickening thud. He stared at it in horror: it was the Beast, now lying motionless on the ground. A quick inspection made it clear that he was still alive, simply unconcious. Still, though... what could have done this to him?
Xurik summoned the Keyblade, staring at the gate nervously. He might have bitten off more than he could chew on this mission.
"I should be able to do something to help," Belle murmured quietly. She placed a hand on her heart. "I can't just let Beast risk his life all alone... what if the Heartless proves to be too much for him?"
"Oh, pish posh," Mrs. Potts said kindly. "The Master might be a bit brash at times, but you know he means well. He's protected us so far."
"Mais oui," Lumiere said. He hopped up onto the bedside table. "The offensive cannot hold up much longer. How many of ze foul creatures can keep coming?"
Belle shook her head. None of the castle's servants seemed to remember when darkness destroyed their world nearly a year ago... it was as if time stopped for all but her and the Beast. Yes, the worlds had been restored - she didn't remember how, that wasn't important - but she couldn't bear to go through the pain of almost losing all of her loved ones.
"I have the power of light, don't I?" she said quietly. "Maybe I could fight back."
"I wouldn't attempt it, Princess," a voice said from outside of the bedroom. The door suddenly dissolved as if nothing were there - behind it stood Maleficent and Pete. "The power of darkness conquers all!"
"You!" Belle said, standing up from the bed in shock. Her memories of Hollow Bastion were hazy, but she remembered Maleficent quite clearly. "What are you doing here?"
"Not to worry, milady!" Cogsworth said angrily. He pulled a poker from the small fireplace at the side of the room and began to charge at Maleficent. The sorceress merely flicked her wrist and created a magical forcefield, sending the clock tumbling backwards.
"Please, don't!" the girl pleaded, backing up against the wall as Maleficent and Pete approached. Pete just smirked down at the small items of furniture trying to defend her.
"Ain't that cute. A bunch of teacups and clocks tryin' ta stop us from - YOW!" Pete hopped up and down in pain; while he had been talking, Lumiere had crept behind him and set the seat of his pants ablaze.
Maleficent just smiled wickedly. "How about a little fire, candle?" Her orbed staff began to glow, and Lumiere's wicks began to burn with green flame. The others watched in horror as the candlewax began to melt at an excellerated pace, leaving only a lifeless golden candlestick lying in a pool of wax. At the same time, Cogsworth caught on fire as well - he screamed in excruciating pain as the polished wood from his body crackled from the flames.
"Blizzard!"
Maleficent whirled around as the fires were suddenly extinguished - before she could react, the cloaked boy was already in the room.
"You again? Pete, what in the blazes are you waiting for?"
"Cure!" Sora shouted; Lumiere was magically restored to his un-melted self, and the charred wood in Cogsworth's side vanished. Pete glared at him.
"Oh no you don't!" he shouted, making a run for Sora, arms outstretched.
The boy lifted the glowing sword in the air - the small room filled with light, blinding everyone within. Pete stumbled backwards into Maleficent; the two collapsed in a heap on the ground. Belle was rubbing her eyes in painful frustration, still unable to see from the flash of light.
"Come on," Sora whispered, taking her hand and leading her toward the balcony. In his other arm he was cradling Lumiere, Cogsworth, and Mrs. Potts with some difficulty.
"Stop him!" Maleficent hissed, recovering. She waved her hand - a dark wall appeared, blocking the balcony. Sora slashed through it without hesitation, the light from his weapon dissolving the darkness like smoke. He reached the small balcony outside of Belle's window - then, making sure that he had a firm hold on Belle and the others, jumped.
"Not again!" Maleficent howled fiercely. She ran to the edge of the balcony and looked down, but the cloaked boy had vanished among the spires and rooftops of the castle. "How does this keep happening? Who is that? I'll destroy him for his insolence!"
"Shit," Xurik said breathlessly, barely dodging the battering ram in time. This Heartless was gigantic - the Beast was certainly no pushover, but even he had been easily defeated by it. Xurik jumped backwards as an enormous hammer came out of the Infernal Engine's mouth, smashing into the ground before him. He frowned, peering up at the creature. Its defenses were too strong, and it seemed to have an endless array of weapons hidden within. If only he could find a weak point...
He cried out in pain as an arrow suddenly sliced through his shoulder. Glancing up, he realized that three archer-like Heartless were perched on top of the Infernal Engine. Were they helping to control it somehow?
The machine opened its mouth once more, and huge wheel-like projectiles began rolling towards him. He dodged them as best as he could, then taking careful aim, pointed his hand at the three archers. A powerful dark orb shot out, destroying them.
As he had hoped, the Infernal Engine ceased its attack, confused now that it didn't have the other Heartless to control it. Xurik began to hack away at it with the Keyblade, but it still seemed to do no good - the exterior was nearly impenetrable. In retaliation, the fortress-like monster opened its mouth once more, and crates began to fly out; they burst on contact with the ground, and Soldier Heartless emerged from within them. Xurik sighed - how many tricks did this Heartless have?
Soon the archer Heartless reappeared on top, and Xurik realized with frustration that he was back at square one.
Why do they always send me alone for the strongest Heartless...?
As if reading his thoughts, an odd roar suddenly rang out from behind him. Xurik turned, expecting the Beast to have recovered - but instead saw Xaldin perched atop an odd creature. It was silver and hairy, and had the crest of the Organization on its chest - obviously one of the lesser Nobodies. The parts of its body not covered in thick silver fur were protected by plates of silver armor.
"What the devil is taking so long, Xurik?" Xaldin said in a bored tone.
"This thing is tough," Xurik said, annoyed with Xaldin's condescension. Xaldin merely smirked from his perch astride the Nobody.
"I suppose you're only as powerful as the tools at your disposal. Come," he said, now speaking to the Nobody, "Dispatch of the dark one."
The Nobody snarled, then leapt forward, slashing at the Infernal Engine with steel claws. Xaldin flicked his hand; his own weapons, six lances, began to whirl through the air, propelled by wind as they tore into the monster's side. The Heartless gave a creaking howl as the wood in its front began to tear away, splintering into pieces as its interior became revealed.
Xurik saw his chance, now that the dark depths of the machine were vulnerable. He held his Keyblade as steadily as possible; darkness began to radiate from the weapon, until a thick jet of it exploded forth, smashing into the Infernal Engine's core. It gave a final shudder before breaking down - the darkness comprising it began to dissolve as its heart floated off into the night sky. Within moments the Heartless was no more.
"Thank you," Xurik said reluctantly, glancing up at Xaldin. The man shrugged.
"I wished only to test my tool. I must say I'm impressed with it."
"The Nobody?" Xurik looked at the hairy, panting silver beast. It looked almost familiar - Xurik gasped.
"Is... is that... the Beast?"
"You're sharper than you look."
"But how?" Xurik glanced back at the courtyard - through the tall archway, the Beast was still visible, lying unconcious. "But he hasn't been turned into a Heartless..."
"Not currently, no," Xaldin said, smirking as he stroked the furry Nobody. It was making an odd purring sound. "However, my investigations have suggested that the Beast did become a Heartless at some point in the past, perhaps a year ago or so - but he was saved by the power of light. Somehow this allowed him to return to his original form... but the damage was done. His Nobody had already come into existence, and the two were able to coexist in the universe somehow."
"Is that even possible?"
Xaldin gave an odd smile. He placed a hand on the boy's shoulder. "Apparently so. You should be thankful that it is, Xurik."
Xurik frowned. What was that supposed to mean? Xaldin wasn't telling him something, but at this point he was getting used to being kept in the dark. He glanced behind them once more as he heard footsteps approaching. Xaldin dismissed the Beast's Nobody, and the two men hid behind the archway as they watched.
"No! Oh, no!" Belle dashed across the courtyard, kneeling before the wounded Beast. His eyes wearily blinked open. "What happened? Are you all right?"
"...Belle," he said, with some difficulty. He struggled to get to his feet. "Get back inside... it's too dangerous."
"I'm taking you with me," Belle said firmly.
"No... I have to stop... those things..."
Belle smiled kindly. "But they're gone. You don't have to fight any more."
The Beast looked surprised, then nodded. He relaxed visibly. "Good... that's good. I managed to keep them from... getting in..."
"Please, you must stop doing this," Belle said gently. "It's too much. If something were to happen to you... I don't know what I'd..."
The Beast shook his head. "Belle... I couldn't bear to see you or the others hurt. A master protects his castle... I don't want to lose you."
"So it's Belle that matters to the Beast," Xurik said, his voice barely a whisper. "It's not just the rose..."
"Feh," Xaldin said, waving his hand dismissively. "Cloying nonsense. Love, from a beast? How utterly ridiculous."
"What's... love?" Xurik said, frowning.
"It's an emotion. The one deluding those two as we speak. They think the power of love will save them? That's the stuff of poetry, not practicality."
"The power of love?"
"It's not one you or I will ever grasp. Nor will they, for long." Xaldin gave a bitter smile. "The love between them will wither and die. Love never lasts."
"But don't you need a heart to know about love?"
Xaldin glared at him. "I may not have a heart, but I have eyes, and a brain." He summoned a dark portal. "We have no further business here. Try not to dawdle."
"Wait," Xurik said suddenly, stiffening. He pointed at Belle and the Beast - they were now having a conversation with a third figure. He was wearing the black hooded cloak of the Organization, but was weilding a glowing sword.
"...so I don't think she'll try to capture Belle again, but please be careful. I won't be around to help next time, so keep a close eye on the castle."
"I see... so it's that witch again, is it?" The Beast nodded. "Thank you for saving Belle."
The cloaked boy nodded. then summoned a dark portal. "You two take care." Within moments, he was gone. Belle and the Beast too, retreated to the castle.
"Who was that? Not someone in the Organization...?"
"If they are, they have seriously broken the rules by making their existence known to the natives," Xaldin said harshly. He sighed and pointed at the dark portal. "You need not worry yourself over it. I will discuss it with Xemnas. Whoever it is... I'll see to it that they are punished severely."
Xurik made it to Twilight Town, his body weary from the battle with the Heartless, and his mind racing. Who could the cloaked boy have been? From his stature, it was obvious that it wasn't one of the older members of the Organization... he had only been about as tall as Xurik or Roxas. And that glowing sword... it looked like it was powered by light.
Xurik paled. Surely it couldn't be Roxas? The voice didn't sound like Roxas's, but... who else could it be? He didn't want Roxas to be punished... surely the blond boy wasn't stupid enough to disobey orders so openly.
When he reached the clock tower ledge, he felt relieved to see Xion and Roxas sitting there already.
"Hey Xurik," Roxas said brightly. Xurik gave a weak smile.
"Hey. Um... how were your missions?"
"Good. Roxas and I teamed up again," Xion said. She giggled. "We went to a new world today... Halloweentown, I think? It was spooky, but in a good way."
Xurik relaxed. So Roxas was accounted for... that was good. Who was the cloaked boy, then? Was it even someone in the Organization?
"Well well, looks like I'm just in time," a voice suddenly said from behind them.
"Axel!" Roxas said, his face brightening. Xurik grinned despite himself - about time Axel returned.
"Don't worry, brought my own ice cream," the man said, smirking and waving the light blue popsicle. He sat down next to Roxas. "Miss me, kiddies?"
"As always, grandpa," Xion said teasingly. Axel rubbed the back of his head.
"Ouch. I'm not that old, am I?"
The four laughed, then lapsed into silence, eating their ice cream happily, glad to have their friend back. Xurik smiled. Maybe things would finally start returning to normal.
"Everyone is accounted for, sir," Saix said quietly, after going over everyone's missions for the day. "The description Xaldin has given doesn't match anyone in the Organization, with the exception of younger members Numbers XIII, XIV, and XV... but all are accounted for."
"So it is someone outside of the Organization," Xemnas said, frowning. "A sword of light, you say? I wonder..."
"An impostor?" Demyx looked worried. "What should we do?"
Xemnas thought for a moment, then flicked his hand. "Eliminate him. We have no place for an independent agent at this time, let alone one fighting the Heartless we need for Kingdom Hearts. There is too much at stake, and too much to be risked."
Luxord smirked. "Looks like the cards aren't in his favor."
Day 150
The Keyblade flew through the air, slamming into the ground and coming to rest with the blade stuck between the stones of the bridge. Xion wavered, then collapsed to the ground as her knees gave way. Her hood concealed her face.
Sora turned, dispelling the glowing sword in a flash of light. He frowned. He had seen the members of the Organization lurking around the various worlds - but this particular Nobody seemed bent on his destruction. Had it come specifically for him? Did that mean that the Nobodies had finally noticed him? He grimaced. Perhaps King Mickey had been right after all... he shouldn't have been so careless.
The Nobody lay still on the ground; with the Keyblade no longer in its possession, Sora was in no real danger. He carefully approached the cloaked figure and pulled back the hood.
His blue eyes widened - he took a step back in horror.
"K...Kairi?" He shook his head; his mind was reeling. No, that was impossible. Kairi was safe on the islands, he knew that. Besides, although nobody had ever said so, he felt fairly certain that Naminé was Kairi's Nobody. Who, then, was this girl who looked identical to his childhood friend - black hair or no?
Xion stirred, then pulled the hood back over her face. Sora peered at her in confusion, trying to understand.
"You... who are you? And why do you have a Keyblade?"
"Who is... Kairi?" Xion wearily pushed up from the ground, managing to sit in a kneeling position. She shook her head. "Tell me first why you're dressed as one of us."
Sora considered this for a moment. DiZ said that the cloak kept the Nobodies from being able to sense his light - was that why the Organization also wore them?
"To keep my best friend safe," he answered finally. "I won't let anyone stand in my way." He turned and walked to the Keyblade - with a forceful tug, he managed to pull it from the stones. He inspected it carefully. It was real, that much was certain - but he had seen Riku's Keyblade enough times to feel the power it held. This Keyblade felt weaker somehow.
"I don't know why you look like Kairi," Sora said quietly. "But this Keyblade isn't doing you much good. It's weaker than the real thing."
"What are you saying?" Xion said quietly. She glared up at him angrily. "My Keyblade is not a sham!"
"I didn't say it was," Sora said, giving a small smile. For some reason he couldn't hate this creature - not with her looking nearly identical to his childhood crush. "But I've seen the real Keyblade, the one weilded by the Keyblade Master... and this one's weaker. I don't know why, but take my word for it. I would know." He tossed it to her; it clattered against the stones loudly as it came to rest before her.
"The real Keyblade...? My Keyblade is real! Unless... you don't mean... Xurik's Keyblade?"
"Who's Xurik?" Sora said, eyes narrowed. Was there another Keyblade weilder he didn't know about? Why were there so many?
"Just... shut up!" Xion shouted, angrily. "My Keyblade is not a sham! What gives you the right to say that?"
Before Sora had a chance to respond, the girl grabbed the Keyblade and sprinted forward, aiming a fierce blow at Sora. He saw it coming and ducked, sidestepping as he moved out of the way. She came again with another attack, but he immediately summoned King Mickey's sword and parried it.
"Stop it," Sora said angrily, their weapons straining against each other. "I don't want to hurt you."
"You already did!"
"You attacked me first."
Xion gritted her teeth. Why was this boy so infuriatingly calm? He was an enemy, he was supposed to want to hurt her. Why was he being so... nice?
"Well - why shouldn't I? You started it by posing as one of us!"
"No, I didn't." He forced her back; she stumbled to regain her balance. He didn't pursue her. "I have this cloak for my own reasons. The Organization is bad news. Trust me. They hurt good people... like they hurt my friend. I just want to make sure he stays safe."
Sora began to walk away, and Xion frowned. A friend? She understood caring about a friend... but the Organization had been the only home she had ever known. Who was this boy to tell her who was right or wrong?
"Why should I believe you?" she said, more bravely than she felt. She got to her feet uneasily; she clutched her side in pain. "You're the real sham!"
Sora said nothing. There would be no convincing her... not now. Obviously not all of the Organization was bad - Axel had helped them to destroy Marluxia in Castle Oblivion, hadn't he? But the Organization had been the ones who tried to use Riku as a tool in the first place. If the Organization had started sending people to hunt him down, it was only a matter of time before more came for his head. And next time, they might not just send a little girl.
"Just remember - I could have destroyed you just now," Sora said quietly. He turned; he looked down at her with regret in his blue eyes. "Just as the Organization would have done to me. But I didn't. That's why I'm not an Organization impostor: I have a heart. Hearts give you compassion... and when has the Organization ever shown compassion?"
"Where's Xion?" Axel asked, sitting down next to Roxas. The other two boys shrugged.
"She hasn't shown up," Xurik said quietly. From the chiming of the clock, he could tell that it was nearly time for them to go home.
Roxas nodded, looking worried. "It's getting late. This isn't like her..."
In her room, Xion sat silently on her bed, her knees hugged tightly to her chest. Her eyes were squeezed shut, trying to keep from crying.
"How could he say that...?" She looked down at the Keyblade, lying at the other end of her bed. "He's wrong. It's not a sham... and neither am I."
Saying it aloud made her feel a little better. Yes, the Organization's activities were questionable at times... even she felt uneasy about what they did sometimes. But it was all so that they could complete Kingdom Hearts and get hearts of their own. That was a noble goal in itself, wasn't it?
Besides... all the brown-haired boy had to do was watch her, Roxas, Axel, and Xurik. Then he'd see compassion... even if they didn't have hearts.
Day 151
Xurik entered the Grey Area the next morning, woken by shouting in the next room. He looked around with sleepy confusion, but was stirred to alertness when he realized that the source of the racket was Xion and Saix.
"Just give me another chance!" Xion was saying desperately. Saix shook his head firmly.
"We can't afford to expend any more chances on you." He shot her a fierce glare. "You were a mistake we never should have made."
"Hey!" Xurik said, approaching. A hot feeling was rising in his chest. "Don't talk to her like that!"
"Excuse me?" Saix said, looking down at Xurik, eyes narrowed. "Remember your place, Number XIV. Don't talk to me like that." With that, Saix turned and walked away without another word.
"Xion, are you okay?" Xurik said, taking her arm gently. Xion stepped back, pulling her arm away - then ran off in the other direction, refusing even to look at him. He stared after her, eyes wide.
"Xion...?"
The mission in Halloweentown passed smoothly enough, although Xurik continued making careless mistakes while fighting Heartless. His mind was elsewhere - why would Xion avoid him like that? Weren't they friends? He continued throughout the day with his mind in a fog, even while sitting on the clock tower. He was barely aware of Axel and Roxas's conversation.
"Is there anything you couldn't bear to lose?" Roxas was asking Axel. The man looked surprised.
"What? Where'd that come from?"
Roxas scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "I ran into somebody today, and... well, he had something like that. Something so important to him he couldn't bear to lose it. Why don't I have anything like that?"
Axel shrugged. "Because you don't have a heart."
"I guess... but Demyx doesn't have a heart, and I bet he'd get upset if you took his sitar away."
Axel chuckled. "True, but I don't think that's quite the same." He sighed. "I guess the closest thing we Nobodies have got is our past. You know, memories of the stuff we couldn't bear to lose, back when we couldn't bear to lose it."
Roxas's head drooped. "Too bad I don't remember my past."
Axel watched him for a moment, then smiled. "Well... what about your present? You've got memories from here in the Organization, right?"
Roxas thought about that for a moment, then smiled. "Yeah... I do, don't I? I couldn't bear to lose my memories of you, or Xurik, or Xion."
At hearing his name, Xurik looked up, brought out of his thoughts. He was only vaguely aware of what the others were talking about.
"Well, see?" Axel was saying, giving Roxas a cheerful pat on the back. "There ya go. Everybody's got something they want to hang on to."
"I couldn't bear to lose you guys," Xurik said quietly. Axel and Roxas turned to look at him in surprise, as if they had forgotten he was there. Axel chuckled.
"I think that takes a heart, Xurik. Though I appreciate the gesture."
Xurik frowned. Did it? "But if I lost you guys... it wouldn't just be like losing some munny in the street. You guys... mean a lot to me. Even if I don't have a heart."
Roxas nodded. "It's scary to think I could lose you guys."
Axel gave an odd smile. "Scary? Scary's a feeling, man."
Roxas sighed. "Yeah, I know I can't feel it, but... it's still a scary thought."
"A thought, then. But not a feeling."
Xurik fell silent. Was that true? It was so difficult to determine what was a feeling and what wasn't when you didn't have a heart. He didn't even remember when he did have a heart, so there was nothing to compare it to.
Did Xion feel the same way about losing them? The way she had responded to him earlier... he wasn't so sure.
Day 152
Xurik arrived in Twilight Town - he looked around the Station Plaza listlessly. He had to eliminate a powerful Heartless today, but with Xion still avoiding him, he was having difficulty putting his heart into it.
He smirked bitterly. His heart. What a joke.
Thinking about his conversation with Axel and Roxas the previous day, he glanced up at the clock tower - but was shocked to see a cloaked figure sitting on the ledge. Was that Xion? It was far too early for her to be finished with her missions... the day had barely begun.
In spite of his impending mission, Xurik couldn't resist going up to the clock tower, if only to find out what Xion was doing there. He also wanted to ask her about what had happened... but nerves began to take over him as he approached.
"Xion," he said quietly, coming around the corner of the ledge. Xion's head snapped up - she looked at once relieved, surprised, and nervous upon seeing him.
"Xurik? Don't you have a mission?"
He nodded. "It's in Twilight Town today."
"Really? Mine too..."
He glanced at Xion, but after a moment looked away. He was vaguely aware that Xion kept glancing at him as well - but they never seemed to be able to keep eye contact. Why were things suddenly so awkward between them?
Finally, the girl took a deep breath. "Xurik... I'm sorry. I shouldn't have run off like that yesterday."
Xurik was surprised at the sudden apology. He shrugged. "It's not... I mean... that's okay. I don't care." That was a lie. Why was he lying to Xion? Weren't they supposed to be truthful with one another? Hadn't that been their promise?
"I was upset," Xion said quietly. "I messed up a mission really bad. I don't suppose you heard about the guy pretending to be one of us? The Organization imposter?"
"Yeah. Xaldin and I were the ones who saw him."
"Oh, that's right. Well anyway... I was ordered to take him out, but I couldn't beat him. Saix was so mad, he called me a 'mistake'."
"I heard that part," Xurik said, finally looking at her. "I'm really sorry..."
Xion shrugged - her face looked hardened and resentful. "Don't be. That jerk can say whatever he wants. I can take it."
"I don't think you're a mistake, if it's any consolation," Xurik said, giving a small smile. He nudged her playfully. "I'd take you over Saix any day. I think pretty much everyone would."
Xion giggled. Her expression softened - relief seemed to wash over her. "Xurik... thank you."
"I've got an idea," he said, standing up. "Let's do our missions together today."
Xion looked shocked. "Huh? How?"
"We're both here in Twilight Town. Let's just team up and take care of the work twice as fast. It'll be fun, and maybe it'll take your mind off of things."
"Well... okay." Xion smiled. "Maybe we'll finish early and have more time for ice cream."
As predicted, their joint missions - eliminating the Heartless and collecting Organization emblems - took almost no time at all when they were able to work on them together. They arrived on the clock tower far before either Axel or Roxas were able to get there.
"I guess we work a little too well together," Xurik said jokingly. "Axel and Roxas are nowhere in sight... we must be early."
Xion said nothing - she seemed to be lost in thought, almost in a daze. Xurik peered at her closely. "Xion? Hello?"
"Huh?" she said suddenly, snapping out of her reverie. "What is it?"
Xurik shook his head. "Are you okay? You've seemed off all day."
"Sorry. My mind's on other things." She fell silent for a moment, then looked Xurik in the eyes. "Xurik, why are we doing all this? Working for the Organization?"
Xurik frowned. "I mean... it's so that we can get hearts, right? So that we can be complete."
Xion shook her head forcefully. "Why? What do we need hearts for?"
The steel-haired boy looked at her, startled at her intensity. "I don't know... but everyone else seems to make a big deal out of it. We don't remember what it was like to have hearts... so maybe we just don't know what we're missing out on, and everyone else does."
"Maybe," Xion said quietly. "I just wish I knew what I was doing here. How I got here..." She looked up at Xurik, sadness in her eyes. "I started having the strangest dreams. I can never remember what they're about. I just feeling like..." Her hands dropped to her lap. "Like something is really wrong."
Xurik frowned. He didn't know what Xion meant by something being wrong... but he certainly knew what she meant about having dreams. He had continued having odd flashbacks of the silver-haired boy at least once a week, sometimes as often as several days in a row. He wanted to tell Xion about them... but what if she thought he was crazy? Flashbacks weren't the same as dreams.
"I'm sorry," he finally said, somewhat lamely. What was he supposed to say in this situation? "Maybe... maybe it's just because we're different from everyone else. We're already the only ones in the Organization without memories, along with Roxas. And both of us are Keyblade weilders. Xigbar told me that you and I were special... 'exceptional'."
Xion glanced at him bitterly. "Special just means different. Because I'm a mistake."
Xurik shook his head forcefully. "I already told you, you're not a mistake. I don't care what Saix says."
Xion stood up. She looked down at him coldly. "Well, we may both be exceptional, Xurik. But I don't think we're the same." With that, she turned and began to walk away.
"Xion, wait - Xion!"
For a moment he expected her to come back, but when she didn't return he realized that she had actually left. He stood and began to rush after her, but at that moment Axel and Roxas rounded the corner, laughing and holding ice cream.
"Xurik!" Roxas said cheerfully. "Where are you going?"
"Uh..." He glanced behind them, then shook his head. He managed to fake a smile. "Nowhere. I was just about to see if you guys were on your way yet."
Xion... what's up with you? You're keeping something from me. His eyes narrowed. Something's changed... what happened between you and that impostor?