Kingdom Hearts III: Xehanort's Ambitions

Chapter 10

Whispers of the Night

Greetings! I definitely have to say this is a first, I have never released two chapters back to back as I have just now. My advice, don't get to comfortable with this idea. I wish I was lucky enough to have enough time to do this more frequently because then this story would have been finished four years ago….

But enough of my fraternizing. Thank you for your continued support and Happy Reading!

In the aftermath of Organization XIII's invasion on Disney Castle, King Mickey summoned the wise and honorable Yen Sid. He instructed his former pupil to dismiss the remaining potential princesses Jane, Elizabeth, Esmerelda, Rapunzel, Megan, and Wendy to their home worlds. After they safely departed the hero's escorted Sora to one of the many palaces bedrooms to recover while Yen Sid observed his condition. There, Yen Sid learned of Namiri, Maleficent's newly obtained power, the information discovered at Radiant Garden, and of the puppet that Riku had found lurking in the deepest depths of the castle. After spending hours listening to their stories Mickey advised that everyone spend the night at the castle. They all agreed and Minnie escorted them to their rooms, leaving the King and Yen Sid alone to discuss matters of great importance.

"We have gotten ourselves into quite the situation, haven't we my liege?" Said Yen Sid as he stroked his silver beard.

"Oh golly, I just don't know what to do. Every time we seem to take a step forward in this war, Xehanort is already two steps ahead of us." Moaned Mickey. The two of them were conversing in ornate red chairs in the Kings office, perched in front of a roaring fire. Mickey sighed as he buried his face in his hands.

"Now there noble King, we mustn't give in to despair. That will only make it much easier for this wicked man to have his way with fate of the worlds." Remarked Yen Sid.

Mickey then looked up at him briefly, then stared off into the flames that licked the edges of the stone chimney. "I know, but it's so difficult. Sora is suffering greatly now, it seems that Ven's Keyblade is no longer enough to fight it off."

Yen Sid paused for moment as he closed his eyes and drifted into deep thought. "The darkness in his heart has indeed grown stronger, it is most worrisome. But we mustn't dwell on this matter alone, there are other things that have occurred that trouble my mind greatly."

"Such as?" Asked Mickey.

"That young lass, Namiri." Answered the elderly man.

"Why? She's an innocent woman that found herself being hunted by the Organization, if Sora hadn't saved her who knows what might have happened." Said Mickey.

"Unless the Organization wanted us to find her." Interjected Yen Sid.

Mickey gasped. "Why would they do that?"

"Who knows? The only thing I am certain of us that she is no ordinary Keyblade wielder. There is something very peculiar about the heart that lies within her. Her resemblance to Kairi and her abilities is uncanny." Stated Yen Sid.

"It doesn't make any sense to me why the organization would want us to gain an ally in this war?" Said Mickey. His furrowed eyebrows suggested that he didn't like what his master was accusing her of.

Yen Sid then opened his eyes and stood up. He walked over to the fire and held out his hands before it, the fire began to form a burning silhouette of Namiri in its depths. "That 'ally' as you put it may be acting as double agent. She may be relaying all information that we obtain to Xehanort right at this very moment, allowing him to plot around our knowledge in this battle. It would be wise to keep a close watch over her my pupil. We cannot afford any slip ups when it comes to gaining the upper hand over our enemy." He then snapped his fingers to destroy the illusion and turned back to the King.

Mickey sat in his chair in silence. It felt as if the room had been robbed of all warmth, he knew deep down that his master could very well be correct. "Alright, I will see to it. Where do you suggest we carry on our search for the Key that Returns Hearts next? We found nothing about it at Radiant Garden."

"I would suggest exploring Ansem the Wise's second laboratory in Twilight Town, he might have tried researching the subject himself while seeking revenge on his former colleague." Suggested Yen Sid.

Mickey hopped off of his chair and headed towards the door. "Well, I'm going to turn in for the night then. It sounds like we have another hectic day ahead of us tomorrow." Just as the door handle was within his grasp, Yen Sid interrupted.

"If Sora's condition grows any worse, or if Namiri does any suspicious, I want to be informed right away." Ordered Yen Sid.

Mickey nodded. "Yes sir, good night." As he closed the door behind him.

…

(Meanwhile, In Sora and Kairi's room)

Kairi laid beside her beloved, caringly stroking his face while he rested. On his bare chest over his heart, a sigil of the heartless emblem was forming. The reddened skin looked inflamed, she hoped that it wasn't causing him pain as it continued to darken.

"Sora, why didn't you tell me all about this sooner…If I would have known…I…I…I have no idea how to accept this! I could lose you to this and you said nothing to me! I don't know whether to be angry, or terrified, or sad! I just…feel so…helpless." She thought to herself, hot tears welling up in her sapphire eyes. They began to roll off her cream skinned face on to his chest. She sobbed softly as she embraced him in her arms.

"K-Kairi?" Murmured Sora. She quickly looked up at his face and dried her tears.

"Yes Sora? I'm right here." She spoke soothingly. His eyes began to flicker, adjusting his pupils to dim light barely being drawn in from the sunset out of the windows.

"Where am I? The last thing I remember is being in the throne room with Xehanort." He spoke softly as he attempted to sit up. He gasped in agony and clutched his heart before Kairi motioned him to lay back down.

"Just keep resting, the King and Queen invited all of us to stay overnight and gave us all our own rooms, except the two of us of course." She said the last bit with a soft giggle.

"What's so funny?" He asked with a soft smile. She removed herself from his embrace and sat on top of his lower stomach. She then leaned in close, allowing her ruby toned hair to brush over his face before planting a gentle kiss on his lips.

"Despite the fact that I'm upset with you for not informing me sooner about this darkness situation. I just realized that we haven't spent a night alone together in an elegant room like this before." She whispered. Sora's face flushed brightly.

"Yeah about that, I'm sorry, I just didn't want you to worry about me." He said as he gently cupped her face in the palm of his right hand. Kairi leaned in and kissed his lips once more, taking her time with this one.

"I forgive you. Just don't ever keep a secret like that from me again." She then began slowly planting kisses up along his neck and back to lips. Sora's breathing grew heavier as he tenderly slipped his hands up her knee length rose red night gown. Pausing them just beneath her chest.

"No more secrets, I promise." He agreed. Kairi beamed a pleasant smile and worked her way up further, playfully nipping at his right ear lobe. Sora moaned in his approval, revealing in the amount of pleasure he was experiencing. He then allowed his hands to venture further to her breasts, he gave them a firm supple squeeze that made Kairi gasp.

"You little- "She was cut off by Sora reaching his head up and kissing her with a renewed feverish passion. She allowed this to continue for nearly a minute before rolling over and allowing him sit on top. He chuckled as he continued run his hands along her body, Kairi began to draw in deeper and deeper breaths as he began to kiss her neck.

"Easy now, you know how easily I bruise." She remarked. Sora paused and chuckled before planting a kiss on her lips.

"I know, I'm no better, remember?" He said with a smile. Kairi giggled as she ran her own hands along his chest. He shuddered a little at her touch. "Boy your hands are cold."

"My apologies, do I need to heat things up?" She said coyly as she undid the button and zipper on his black shorts and slid them down to his knees, revealing his loose hanging grey toned boxers. Sora smirked and leaned against her body as he made out with her. Kairi began to moan softly.

"This is amazing; I can't believe how much I have fallen for her." Thought Sora. Kairi embraced him tightly as she rolled him over so that she was now sitting upon his waist. She then lifted the hinge of her gown up and over her head, revealing a white lacey bra and thong. Kairi then leaned forward and continued the make out session. She teasingly played with the waistband of his boxers, snapping it against his hip.

"Oh Kairi…" He moaned. She then started to slide her hand underneath, gently brushing his inner thigh.

"Kairi- "He continued. She moved in even closer, trying to tease him for as long as possible. Sora's breathing began to grow even deeper. Sora's fantasy was interrupted however by a familiar voice.

"Oh Namiri, please do it. Let your gleaming silver hair tickle my face as you kiss me and have your way."

Sora grabbed Kairi's hand and slowly removed it from his nether region. "Let's not go that far tonight, I think I need to rest more." He spoke calmly, a stoic expression had now been casted over his face. Kairi slightly frowned and bit her lower lip at first, but she then quickly pecked him on the lips.

"It's alright, I understand." She said as she stood herself up on the wooden floor and threw her night gown back on over her head. Sora sat up and grabbed her hand.

"Kairi, I'm sorr- "but she interrupted him by placing a finger over his lips.

"It's perfectly fine Sora. You need your rest. You've been through a lately. It should only be expected." She spoke softly, trying her hardest to not sound hurt. By now the sunlight had vanished and the stars were sparkling in the night sky. Kairi reached over to the one lamp that had been illuminating the room and shut it off. She then kissed Sora once more before pulling up the cream toned satin sheets and sliding underneath.

"Goodnight Sora." She bid him. Sora sat up watching her close her eyes and then turn her back on him to drift off to sleep.

"Goodnight Kairi." He whispered. He then pulled his shorts back on and slipped under the covers beside her. He closed his eyes tightly, wishing desperately that sleep would come back and claim him swiftly.

…

Riku walked through the empty desolate halls of Disney castle and peered out of the ceiling high windows into the courtyard. The moonlight illuminated the tops of trees and buildings, obscuring everything else that was covered up below that level. Riku sighed as he pondered on how this would all turn out.

"Will we actually be able to defeat Xehanort? Its seven against thirteen, how is that remotely even fair? And if Sora's condition doesn't improve, we might lose him...no one could ever take his place." He wondered. He was so consumed in his thoughts, that he hadn't even heard the approaching footsteps behind him.

"Can't sleep?" Asked Terra. Riku jumped slightly, alarmed that he actually had company at this hour. He then looked off to the side as Terra came up to the railing he had been leaning against.

"No not really, I don't do that to much these days." Riku chuckled softly. Terra nodded his head.

"I understand; I haven't done too much of that since I came back either." He said with a sigh. He then turned to Riku and asked, "So what do you want to know?"

Riku raised his eyebrows quizzically and turned to face him. "What do you mean, what do I want to know?" He asked.

Terra stifled a laugh. "You can't tell me you're not the slightest bit curious as to how I know you and how much we have in common."

Riku smirked. "Of course I am, I'm just not like Sora. I don't pester people to tell me things, I just let them come to me when they are ready to talk."

"Ah I see. Ven was always the same way growing up." Terra remarked.

"Yeah?" Said Riku.

Terra nodded then went into detail about his story. "Xehanort was Keyblade master that was trained along with mine, Master Eraqus. One day we had an examination, that was the day Xehanort began to enact his plan. By the time he was through, he had utilized me as a host for his heart and had turned my friend Ven into the X-blade that he had desired. Leaving my friend Aqua all alone. Apparently she Ven managed to break free of his darker half, Vanitas, and broke the X-blade, casting his heart into a deep slumber as it had been damaged. She then tried to save me from Xehanort's possession by fighting us in Radiant Garden, but it was too late. Aqua fell into the Realm of Darkness in an attempt to save me from falling in. But when I awoke, I had no memory of who I was."

"So you've been possessed by him too you say.?" Said Riku.

"Yep." Said Terra, struggling on whether or not to reveal what happened next. Fortunately, Riku changed the subject.

"So how do you know me then?" He asked.

Terra smiled softly. "I encountered the Destiny Islands by accident before my last battle with Xehanort. While I was strolling around on the beach I saw two young boys playing along the shore. One of them was you." He answered.

Riku's eyes widened as a faint memory slowly began to trickle through his mind. "I think I remember that, you then let me grab your Keyblade for some reason."

"You would be correct, and because of that event I passed along the ability for you to wield the Keyblade." Stated Terra.

Riku fell silent, absorbing this bit of information. "So that explains that… so if the ability to wield the Keyblade has to be passed along from one wielder to the next…then how did Sora and Kairi get the ability to wield it as well.?" He asked, brimming with curiosity.

Terra stretched his arms behind his head. "Well, I have no idea how Aqua ended up giving the ability to Kairi, but she did. As for Sora, his ability stems from the fact that Ven resides in his heart."

"That's right. Of course, how could I forget that." Said Riku as he face palmed himself.

Terra chuckled. "So know about Ven then?"

Riku nodded. "I've met his true self once when I had to dive into Sora's heart to save him. The rest of my encounters were through his alter ego- "

"Roxas." Terra interrupted quietly. Riku was now immensely intrigued. He noted that Terra was now avoiding his gaze and staring blankly out the window.

"How do you know Roxas? Come to think of it, you never explained what happened after you lost your memory. Asked Riku.

Terra sighed deeply. "I'm sorry."

"Sorry for what?" Said Riku, wondering why his tone suddenly grew darker.

"I…was part of Xehanort the entire time for these past few years. That heartless that called himself Ansem…was me. Xemnas…the creator of the previous Organization XIII…. that was all my doing. I had no memory of my former self, the only thing I had to go on were orders that I was receiving form a younger version of Xehanort form the past. That was my existence, until you and your friend defeated me on both counts." Terra admitted dreadfully. Guilt was starting to overwhelm him. Riku on the other hand then surprised him by patting him on the back.

"What have you got to feel sorry for? Those two beings, I don't believe were you. Xehanort used you, just like used me against Sora once. I know it's difficult to do at first, but you have to put it behind you and forgive yourself. All that matters is that your here now, and ready to make a difference." Said Riku calmly.

Terra closed his eyes and sighed deeply. "I can't believe I'm taking advice from someone that supposed to be ten years younger than me, but you're right." He admitted sheepishly.

Riku smirked. "Then I think the phrase you are looking for is, 'Thank you.'"

Terra snorted, then busted out into a full on laughing fit. "I suppose that's appropriate." He said. Once he had calmed down he cleared his throat and looked Riku straight in the eye. "Thank you for destroying me so that I could return to my former self."

Riku chuckled. "You're welcome." The two of them continued to stare off into the night sky. Each of them wishing deeply within their hearts that one day they will be able to look up at that same sky, knowing that nothing will ever tear them all apart again.

…

Sora sat up on the edge of his bed, Kairi had fallen asleep hours ago while he on the other hand had continued to stir while he mentally tortured himself. He stood up, knowing that sleep wasn't going to come anytime soon and exited the bedroom into the hallway.

"Why did I fantasize Namiri earlier. I'm not attracted to her, I…like…Kairi!" He asked himself. He was slightly hoping that horrific voice in his head would return so he could challenge it for some answers but it remained silent. He spotted an exit onto a balcony at the end of the hall, figuring he could use some fresh air, he walked outside. He drew in a deep breath, the night air cooled his lungs and made him relax a little more.

"Sora? What are you doing out here?" A woman's heavenly tone asked. Sora turned around and found Namiri standing before him, her knee length silky white nightgown swayed gently in the night breeze and the moonlight seemed to make her platinum toned hair sparkle like the stars in the sky.

"Hi Namiri, I was having trouble sleeping, so I figured I'd relax out her for a while." Sora replied, he leaned against the round stone railing and gazed up at the stars.

Namiri smiled softly. "Oh I see, are you feeling better now?" She asked as she mimicked his stance beside him.

"Sort of, I don't what exactly is going on…but it worries me a little." Sora admitted. Namiri gestured towards the sigil on his chest.

"Does that ever hurt? It sure looks like it does." She asked.

Sora then remembered that he was shirtless in front of her for the first time. "Not really, just…when the voice in my head gets aggressive." He sheepishly replied.

Namiri's eyes widened. "You here a voice in your head during those episodes?"

Sora scratched the back of his head and tried to avoid her gaze. "Yeah…I haven't told many people about that part, not even Kairi. The strange part is…the voice…sounds like my own." He suddenly shuddered as a cool hand ran along the sigil on his chest.

"That doesn't sound strange to me then, but it does concern me a little, I…I like having you around…Sora." She murmured as she stood before him and stared deeply into his eyes. Sora looked down at her and placed his hand over her own.

"Her warm amber eyes…there is something so mesmerizing and soothing about them." He thought.

"Sora…I have a confession to make." She said as she slowly closed the gap between them.

"W-What's that?" He stuttered nervously. He bit his bottom lip and gulped.

"I…still like you…I want to be…. with you." She said as she closed her eyes and tenderly kissed his lips. Sora's eyes widened in shock, but he found himself unable to break it off and resist. He slowly placed his hands around her petite waist and ran them up along her back.

"Every part of her body, matches Kairi's…so why do I have this insatisfiable lust for her?" He questioned his conscience. He knew deep in his heart that there was no explainable reason for this, if he cared deeply about Kairi, then why did he long for this beautiful women that was practically identical to her?

Namiri however had different thoughts rolling through her mind as she abruptly broke off the kiss. "I can't do it, I just can't." She cried out as tears started streaming down her face. Sora held her in his arms as she sobbed into his shoulder.

"Namiri, I don't know what's going between us…but I want you as well." He whispered into her ear as he combed through her smooth glimmering hair.

Namiri wiped away her tears and looked back up with him. "That's just it, I want you so much, but I don't want to be the other girl. If you want me then you have to choose Sora." She stated bitterly through her sobs. Sora then stroked the side of her face softly.

"I'm sorry Namiri…but If that's the case then I have to choose her." He whispered, a single hot tear ran down his own face. Namiri suddenly let go of him and then continued to heave for a few moments before speaking.

"How could I be so stupid; why can't I remember anything about my past? Why of all things did I wake up alone on that island with only a book in my hands?" She cried out to the shadows of the night.

"What do you mean you can't remember anything?" Sora asked, his own disappointment had been replaced with genuine concern for her wellbeing. Namiri took a few more moments to calm herself down and motioned him to follow her into her bedroom that was beside the balcony. He entered and watched as she walked over to her nightstand and pulled a brown leather bound book of a drawer.

"This." She said as she handed to him and sat down on her bed with her arms crossed. Sora sat down beside her and observed it carefully. On the front, clear as day, was an etched in picture of the Thalassa charm Kairi had given him in gold. He immediately began flipping through the pages of its contents and found that it documented story of his journey, from the fateful night that destiny islands was lost to the darkness to the moment Riku rescued him from his eternal slumber, no detail was missed.

"How…. who wrote this?" Sora asked. Namiri merely shrugged.

"I have no idea, when I woke up on the islands it lying beside me, so after traveling into town, finding a job at the Destina restaurant and a room to rent from this elderly woman, I began to read it. Day by day went by and as I read further into its contents the more I felt like I was…in love with hero. Sora." She sheepishly admitted. She burrowed her face in her hands, feeling ashamed for basing her actions off of a book.

"Namiri, I had no idea…you know that everyone thing in this book actually happened right? Whoever wrote this knows my entire story." Sora said as he wrapped his right arm around her and pulled her in against him. Namiri slowly began to sit up, she grabbed his hand and held on to it.

"So you see, the night I heard your name in that restaurant. I knew it was you, and that I had to meet you….what I didn't realize….is that you had already found someone else." She admitted. Sora embraced her even further.

"I'm so sorry Namiri. I wish I would have known this sooner." Said Sora. He was deeply upset that she had gone through such unfortunate circumstances, and felt guilty for playing right into her wishful thinking.

"It's ok… I think I want to be left alone now." She said as she began to undo his embrace. Sora stood up slowly. He then placed a gentle kiss upon her forward.

"I'm sorry that things played out the way they did, I should have been your friend first and instead I failed you. We'll talk more later, but for now, try to get some sleep." He said as he walked towards her bedroom door.

"Thanks…. good night Sora." She whispered before slipping under her bedsheets.

"Good night Namiri." Sora bid her as he closed the door softly. He then made the journey back to his bedroom at the end of the hall. On his way by he noticed a large mirror with an ornate silver frame wrapped around it on the wall. He looked closely in it, it had been a while since he had seen the sigil on his chest this closely. The menacing voice then chided in a remark.

Why don't you just admit it. You want her, not Kairi.

"No…that would be wrong, I like Kairi. This should have never happened." Sora whispered back at it angrily.

You fail to see my point; I am a part of you now idiot. I'm becoming stronger every day, pretty soon you will belong to me, the darkness.

Sora clenched his teeth at its taunts. "I will never let you do that. I would rather die first." He hissed at it.

Is that a challenge? Very well then.

Sora gasped in pain as his heart began to throb rapidly. He bowed his head as he clutched at his heart. "You bastard." He murmured weakly. The pain suddenly vanished after that remark, he then glanced back up at the mirror and was frightened by the reflection within it. It was face with pitch black hair and gleaming yellow eyes grinning sinisterly. Sora backed against a wall as the illusion reached its arm forward and tried to grab him. When it missed it slowly dissolved away to reveal his true reflection panting heavily as if he had seen a ghost.

What do you call that then? That was just a small sample of what is yet to come my boy. Soon you will see exactly what I am capable of, and when you do, you will be submit and never see the light of day again!

The voice snarled at him wickedly and then laughed as Sora's head began to spin causing him to pass out on the floor. Soon everything had faded to black, giving the voice one last chance to antagonize him.

Sweet dreams, you fool. You're just like him in every way.

Thanks for reading! Please leave any questions, comments, or concerns in the comments section below or send me a message.