Ok! We finished birth by sleep, right now Xehanort has lost his memories...or has he? On an island far away, there are new heros that will start their adventure. Shi continues to heal, and so our story begins.

Part II, When heartless awake from the darkness within.

Rated M for future scenes

I do not own KH, Final fantasy, Disney or anything but my OC. Any pairings you want feel free to request! I may do your OC if you want. =)

Onward!

Ifalna is a wonderful woman and mother. Shi could see the love she had for her daughter, Aerith. Aerith loved flowers just like Ifalna did, and often brought a new one each day to Shi. Ienzo had not come back to visit, and Shi could guess why. "He did kinda grope me. He didn't mean to! He didn't even see...I don't think..." She sighed. The last thing she wanted was Ienzo to not be comfortable with her. Ever since Shi felt her heart beating again, it always quickened whenever she thought about him. His touch back there, she was embarrassed to say she liked it. She wanted it, but didn't want him to be weird about it.

"Something on your mind dear?" Ifalna asked as she walked in. This time it was her alone, she gave the flower to Shi anyway. "Aerith just started school today and could not come at this time. She wanted me to give you this though." She smiled.

Shi took it. "Thank you. You don't have to visit everyday you know, I know it must be a burden-"

"Don't you dare say it's a burden! It's not. You were hurt Shi, you are lucky to be alive! I am more than happy to be here to help you. You can't expect all the men here to help you, you don't want that do you?"

"I don't mind. Anyway, I am feeling much better. Can we try walking today?" Shi asked.

"Of course!" Ifalna offered her hands and helped Shi to her feet, then to the walker. "Put your hands here, and see if you can support yourself."

Shi nodded and gripped the bar with both of her hands. Holding tightly, she shakily stood up as straight as she could. "Ah!" She doubled over in pain. She still had an IV in, and Ifalna immediately pulled out a syringe filled with a bright blue liquid. Pulling a tube out, she replaced it with the syringe and slowly pumped the medication in. Within minutes Shi was definitely feeling it. She felt great. The pain was still there, but Shi was able to stand straight and even take a few steps with the walker. "What was that stuff? It's amazing!"

"Pain medicine. You can only have it a few times a day so ask for it sparingly." Ifalna walked with Shi, her arms outstretched just in case she needed the help. She opened the door and the two headed into the hall. Step by step, Ifalna walked Shi down the hall and slowly into the kitchen. She helped Shi sit at the table, and Ifalna looked into the pantry then fridge. "What would you like to eat? Let's try some real food today."

Shi smiled. "Hm...something simple is more than fine for me."

It was that moment that Braig, Even, and Dilian walked in. Briag was making a scene as he talked about Xehanort. Dilian was simply looking for food as Even listened to every word. He spotted Shi.

"Here she is. Took all his memory away." Even remarked.

Shi glared. "And he stabbed me completely through almost making me paralyzed. Not enough pay back if only his memory is gone."

"Eggs! Bacon?" Ifalna pulled both out and began cooking to try and ease the tension.

"I will have some." Dilian said, Braig nodded.

Even sat at the table across from Shi, his hands together under his chin. His right eye was bigger than the left as he examined Shi. She felt uneasy.

"What the hell do you want weirdo." Eyes narrowed, she would be damned if she showed any weakness to this jerk! She hardly knew him, but she knew enough. She didn't trust Even.

"What are you." He didn't really ask more or less demanded an answer.

"None of your business."

"Oh it is my business."

"How so?"

"You live here."

"And you do too. I doubt you own this place. You aren't worth an answer."

Even stood up quickly in anger. "How dare you! You little worthless-!"

"That's enough Even." Ansem the wise, and Ienzo walked in. Ansem had his arms crossed. "She is no experiment she is a guest and will be treated as such." He looked over at the eggs and bacon being made. "Is there more to be made?" He asked kindly.

Ifalna nodded. "Of course! Plenty to go around to those who ask nicely and act proper." She glanced at Even before cracking a few more eggs. Ifalna didn't live there, but as long as Shi was healing she would stay. Aerith was in school at the moment, so she had the time. Evan with a huff, simply left the room. Ienzo sat down across from Shi where Evan had been sitting before. Ansem the wise sat next to Ienzo.

"How are you feeling Shi?" Ansem asked.

"Better than before. Still a little painful but I will live." She responded.

"That's good. We didn't know if you would survive." He remarked.

"She's strong." Ienzo simply said looking away.

Ansem, still surprised at how much Ienzo was starting to talk now smiled. "Shi, I haven't questioned you yet but I must know who did this."

Shi thought about her answer. "Xehanort did. I am aware he has no memory."

"Why were you two fighting?" Ansem asked.

"If he truly lost his memory...any sins from the past I can't punish him for." She closed her eyes. "But it was very serious."

"Tell me more."

"I can't."

"You are from another world. Xehanort seems to be too. How can you travel?" Ansem asked in awe. Ifalna just then finished the eggs and bacon, then served each a plate. Sitting at the table with them she began to eat, Ienzo began to eat as well but kept his eyes on Shi and Ansem.

"The armor that you may have found with me, it protects me from darkness. Between the worlds is nothing but darkness, if it-" Just then Xehanort walked in along with Braig. Shi immediately stopped talking.

Ifalna had figured others would want something to eat, so she had indeed made enough for almost everyone. Evan was rude so none for him, but regardless both men began making plates. "Don't stop talking on our accounts!" Braig said friendly. Both their backs were to the group at the table.

"...When darkness enters the heart, it has devastating consequences." Shi finished.

The two men sat at the table. "What happens?" Xehanort looked at Shi.

She dropped her fork and was still. She looked back at Xehanort. "What?"

"What are those consequences?" He asked genuinely. He seemed only to be curious.

It threw her off guard. "...To be honest it's just what I've only been told. But I have seen darkness swallow a world. I imagine it might be the same to the heart."

Xehanort nodded, Braig simply smiled. Shi hated that smile, she felt so uneasy around Braig. Xehanort, she didn't know how to feel. He seemed innocent enough, but she still couldn't help feeling her fear when around him. Terra, Aqua, and possibly Ventus were gone because of him. She had no idea what happened to King Mickey, for all she knew Xehanort killed him too. The more she remembered their very quick fight, his keyblade going through her chest, it scared her. She wouldn't admit it, but she had nightmares ever since. She then looked down and ate her breakfast.

Ienzo did notice, but said nothing. As he ate, he continued to observe everyone, but he did focus a little more on Shi. It wasn't long before Ansem, Shi, Ifalna and Ienzo finished eating. They all took their plates to the sink where Ifalna began to wash the dishes. "Shi, when I am done here I will come in and change your bandages."

"Okay, thank you." Shi then left to go to her bedroom. Braig was telling Xehanort about Radiant Garden and what they all did as jobs. Xehanort was most interested in the Science experiments and studies Ansem did with Ienzo. Ansem was teaching Ienzo all he knew, he loved him after all. He saw Ienzo as his son, the child he never had.

"If you want to come to the lab to see we can bring you Xehanort. You seem to have a sharp mind." Ansem smiled.

Xehanort and Braig finished eating and took their plates to the sink. "I would be honored sir." Xehanort bowed slightly. And so Xehanort, Ansem the wise, and Ienzo went to the labs in the basements below.

Shi was upstairs meanwhile, looking in the mirror at her wound. Red, blood still leaking here and there. To see it bleed, made her happy. It was only proof she was actually alive, something she was afraid she was not. Deep down, she had been afraid she wasn't anything anymore. For a while she couldn't even feel anything. She didn't know what was different before, what it was she didn't have. But it felt great to have it again. It wasn't long before Ifalna came up with the dressing changes. She gasped. "Shi! Why did you unwrap without me?"

"To look at it." Shi replied simply.

"It's bleeding dear..." Ifalna immediately began cleaning the wound.

It was painful, Shi loved it. "It proves I'm alive."

Ifalna cleaned away the blood, put antiseptic on and then put a gauze pad across it. Using medical paper tape, she taped it to her chest. Then she wrapped around Shi's torso with two ace bandages. "You are lucky, missed your heart by an inch."

When Ifalna finished, Shi put on her lose clothing again. Ever since she was injured, she didn't wear her regular clothing. But lose purple t-shirt with long black pants. Slippers added to the outfit so her feet didn't get dirty on the floor. "Thank you for everything Ifalna." She hugged her softly.

Ifalna smiled. "It's no problem. You have been through so much, if there is anything you ever wish to talk about I'm here okay? And if you can't find me, you can always find me in the gardens tending to the flowers with Aerith."

"Wow all that work is you two? It's beautiful you've done an amazing job."

"Thank you. Is there anything else you need?" She asked.

Shi shook her head. "Not that I can think of, I'll see you later tonight for my shower?"

"Yes. I will see you then." Ifalna left.

Shi walked over to the window, looking out she sighed. She knew Aqua was most likely dead, and so was Ventus. It hurt to know Terra is dead but in an entirely different way. The King for all she knew was dead too. And worst of all, she had no way to report anything or do a thing about it. Her armor was broken, she could not safely travel between worlds without it. She couldn't report to Master Yen Sid either, the stone was broken during the battle. She could see young children out in the streets, it made her think more. "The unversed have been gone since that day too...I can't ever show my keyblade to Xehanort. What if it triggers his memories? Then I have just doomed all the worlds. Maybe I never need to fight again...wouldn't that be nice?" She sighed happily.

A month passed by, Shi was mostly healed. She was healed enough to walk outside with someone. She would forever be grateful for Ansem saving her life, but she couldn't keep relying on him. She needed to get a job. Ienzo showed her around town, he had definitely in the past month been talking more not just to Shi but to everyone else as well. Pointing out each building as they left the castle courtyard gardens. "To the right is the supermarket where you can find all the food. The left is the Inn. Down the left path is where all the little shops for different things other than food." Shi nodded, taking everything in wondering where to even start to look for a job. As they walked from the center of town and to where more buildings where, Ienzo continued. "That is the school. And this is where you can go out to eat somewhere they bring you your food." Shi looked down an alleyway to a small building at the end. It had a small sign out front saying "HELP WANTED".

"What's that place?" She asked.

"That is a tavern, or bar. Whatever you wish to call it."

She headed to it. Raising an eyebrow but saying nothing, Ienzo followed. Walking inside, there was a young man at the bar with bright blond hair and blue eyes. He was chewing on a wooden stick as he cleaned the glasses. He couldn't have been more than 20 himself. He looked up. "What do you kids want. Shouldn't be here!"

"I need a job." Shi spoke. "I saw the help wanted sign out there and was hoping I could be of assistance." She smiled sweetly.

The man put the glass and rag down. "What's yer name?"

"I'm Shi."

"...You good at waiting tables?"

"Serving food and drinks?" She clarified.

"Yeah! Are you?" he asked.

"Of course!" A lie. She never had waited tables before but figured, how hard could it be?

"Alright you start tonight. My name is Cid." He tossed a apron to her. "Your uniform."

"Thanks Cid!"

The two left the building and began walking back to the castle.

"Why do you want to work Shi?" Ienzo asked raising an eyebrow.

"You are lucky, Ansem sees you as a son. But I am a guest and don't want to overstay my welcome...besides being indoors all day can make anyone go crazy." She replied. Before going home they stopped overlooking a large cliff. The sun was still high in the sky. "Please don't tell anyone I'm working there."

"I won't." Ienzo promised, the two sat down looking out.

"Thanks for walking out with me Ienzo, I was going a little stir crazy."

He simply nodded. "I know what it feels like."

"Not anymore though right? Those monsters are gone."

"You have yet to teach me to defend myself." He remarked with a slight smile.

Shi laughed. "When I heal. Is there any need?" She joked.

"I suppose not."

They fell into their comfortable silence. Most people dislike silence when around someone else, not Shi. That was what impressed Ienzo, she didn't feel the need to fill up the empty void with words. Everyone else he had known was the opposite. He was almost even willing to call her a friend. Almost. An hour passed before Shi stood up. "Let's go back. I want to sleep a bit before I start work tonight."

Ienzo nodded and stood, walking side by side back home.

Now a few chapters of them getting to know each other. Because no relationship starts so sudden.

Next chapter, Shi works at the Bar for the first night.

Xehanort begins working more with Ansem the wise on experiments.

See you next time!