10.
Two weeks had passed since they talked – sorta – to each other. Vanitas hadn't seen Ventus since the blond boy left his room without words. Instead Aqua visited him occasionally, sometimes with books to read, as if he needed some companion to keep. Whenever she came, he tended to ignore her, often giving the cold shoulder. She didn't look irritated unlike Ventus, but it didn't matter to him. Nothing ever mattered to him.
During these days, he could not help but thinking of the stories Ventus told over and over. None of those stories should be true, he thought. Believing that made him feel utterly angry and bitter and helpless. But then again, Ventus was not the kind of person who tells a lie to take his own advantage or to mock others.
The dark boy shook his head furiously. He still didn't want to believe any of them. Any. of. Them.
Even so, he could not deny the truth in the corner of his mind.
His master and the plan(that old man's) were all that mattered to him in the past. He had the one purpose, according to that old man. He might think differently, but he agreed anyway. He would do anything for given purpose, even if it might defy his master's orders in some degree.
And now, everything was ripped from him, believe it or not. The old man? Gone forever. With plans about Keyblade War. And so was his purpose. He had nothing else. Nothing.
Besides, Ventus wouldn't take him back ever and/or he could not force his way anymore. They were no longer the same(it was pretty clear from the start), and he didn't feel like being part of the other boy now, even though he was still broken and far from being whole. Back in the past, during those four years, Ventus' piece was grown by the bond he made, while Vanitas' piece was eroded by his ever growing negativity, making them did not fit together anymore in the end. He ignored it, forced the plan anyway. Nevertheless, the forcefully merged heart looked wrong, very wrong(there should be only one). No matter what he thought, it wouldn't work anyway, for neither of them willingly gave up their individuality. And destruction of χ-Blade made things worse. After waking up from the long slumber, he realised he lost not just the place he rightfully belonged, but also his few connections to others(How it was possible, no one could tell).
Anger billowed out. Vanitas gritted his teeth. It was all his – their – fault.
Aqua was watching the boy pacing to and fro. There were not many things to do in this place. He usually spent time with stretching his muscles, Walking around the room, or reading books Aqua brought. But this time, he looked livid, grunting and panting, clenching his fists tightly, stamping his feet. Out of sudden, he grabbed a pillow from the bed, threw it, screaming.
The pillow flew toward her, and she evaded it without too much effort. It hit the wall behind her and fell on the floor. The blue-haired girl picked up the pillow, put it down on the bed.
She was ever patient and in control, unless he cornered her and provoked her too much. Last time he provoked her to the point of blowing her top, it was a sight to see(though he was knocked unconscious at the end of battle), but he was not sure if he could do it again. No matter how he was furious now.
Emotions were still raging. If the Unversed could be spawned, Vanitas would vent his anger on them, although it wouldn't give him a relief. Rather it would worsen his problems. Ignoring the girl's look of concern, he kept walking around, grumbling incoherent rants until his legs were tired out(he was still weak enough to be tired so fast).
Aqua was still watching him, who was now sitting on the edge of the bed, still panting and ranting. She refrained from putting her hands on his shoulders to calm him down like she did to others. Even with slightest touch, the boy went stiff and recoiled. And even though he found out simple touch did not hurt him at all, still he avoided being touched. As she learned that, she stopped doing so. Instead, she taught him a few ways to calm himself, such as taking deep breath while counting numbers. He was reluctant to listen at first, but learned them anyway. She hoped it worked for him.
"Are you feeling better?" She asked softly. The boy was now inhaling and exhaling under the mask, trying to cool off.
"Heck, no." He muttered under his breath. His anger died down, but the emotional disturbance left him unpleasant sensation again. He doubled over, waited until the pain went away.
Seriously, why was she staring at him with such look? He didn't like it. He just wanted her to stop caring. Just leave me alone, he muttered to himself.
"When you feel better, you can tell me what makes you so angry." Like he'd ever tell something to her. He snorted.
The air changed suddenly. It was like someone opening the portal to Lanes Between. Since the room was facing the opposite side from the courtyard, they could not see anyone or anything from the window.
"I'm sure it's Ventus." Aqua said so, then stepped out of the room. Vanitas, now lay down in the bed, trying to ease the ache he was still feeling, without paying attention anything around him.