The following morning, Xaldin released Trinity from her cell before departing on his mission. She made her way to the Grey Area to find only Saïx there. She sighed but took a seat on one of the couches anyway.

"Good morning," she greeted him. He only nodded in response. "Everyone out on a mission today?"

"Not everyone," he denied. "VI is around the Castle somewhere."

"Zexion?" she clarified. "Hmm…" She took a moment before deciding she would try to track him down.

"By the way," he stopped her once she stood up, "your official training with him will start tomorrow. VI informed the Superior of how you did the other day and he was, to say the least, impressed with how well you took on his illusions."

She nodded. "Okay."

With that, she left the Grey Area. She then walked around the Castle until she finally bumped into Zexion.

"Trinity," he said simply. "You don't start experimenting with me again until tomorrow," he went on.

"So? Does that mean I can't see you until tomorrow?"

"I guess not."

They fell silent as Trinity let Zexion continue with whatever it was he was doing. She was quite intrigued with how focused he could remain and the consistency of his work.

"Damn, if I was anything like you I'd actually do well in school," she spoke up. "Not that it matters now."

"Because you're here?"

"Right." She paused. "So what are these experiments actually going to show Xemnas?" she then asked. "How are they going to help me prove myself to him?"

"By how fast you learn and whatnot."

"Why me, though?"

"What do you mean?"

"I'm just some eighteen-year-old girl," she explained. "So why does Xemnas want me? What made him choose to keep me alive, of all people? What's so different about me that he decided to take a risk on me?"

He considered these questions for a moment. "It's complicated."

"Except something tells me it's really not."

Now he sighed. "It has to do with our ultimate goal."

"Your ultimate goal?" she repeated.

"Come on Trinity, I know you're smarter than that."

"Kingdom Hearts," she recalled after taking a moment to think on it. "Or just hearts in general. For the emotions you allegedly can't feel."

"Allegedly?"

"Yes, allegedly."

"Why do you say that?"

"If only I could explain myself."

"Why can't you?"

"Xemnas would probably destroy me. And that's only if Saïx doesn't get to me first."

"I see." He paused. "Either way, I hope you're a decently quick learner."

"Wait, why?" she wondered, suddenly getting nervous.

"Because I'll be leaving on an elongated mission very soon and Xemnas wants to see how far you've come before I go."

"What do you mean by that?"

"By what?"

"An elongated mission?"

"A mission that'll last for a good few days," he clarified. "Six members are going. Axel is one of them so I figured he would've told you already."

"He hasn't."

"Oh."

She shook her head. "It's fine. I'm sure he meant to tell me, but he just hasn't gotten the chance to yet."

"Perhaps that's the case. We were just assigned the mission yesterday."

"Who else is going?"

"Vexen, Lexaeus, Marluxia, and Larxene."

"I'm happy about three of those names being gone."

"And I'm sure I could guess the three."

She laughed. "Most likely." She then let out a soft sigh. "Have any idea how long it's been since I got here?"

"No, but it probably hasn't been as long as you think it has been."

"Really? Because it feels like it's been forever."

"Don't even get me started," another male voice cut in. They both turned to see Axel joining them. "I couldn't tell you how long I've been here."

"You have impeccable timing, VIII," Zexion replied. "And don't get me started, either. We have been here for about the same amount of time, after all."

"I know, I—"

"—got it memorised," Trinity finished for him with a smile. "You're oh-so predictable, Axel."

"Shut up."

"Could you two finish this conversation elsewhere?" Zexion asked.

"Of course," Trinity answered.

They left the Cloaked Schemer alone and made their way back through the Castle.

"So I can't even imagine how long it's been for you," Trinity went on as they continued walking.

"Not really a big deal," Axel denied. "Doesn't matter so much anymore."

"Why not?"

"Just doesn't. I mean, after so much time has passed you kinda stop caring."

"I thought you couldn't care to begin with."

He chuckled. "Touché."

She laughed a little as well. "How do you do this?" she then asked. "Or why have you stuck around for so long?"

"Because I have nowhere else to go. None of us do. Besides, they'll destroy me if I try to take off."

"Destroy you?" she repeated. "Isn't that a bit extreme?"

"The Organisation is a bit extreme."

"Some members do seem pretty dramatic. Marluxia and Larxene, for example. And I'm sure Demyx is as well."

"Gotta agree with you on that," he replied.

"Not gonna lie, though, Marluxia doesn't seem like too bad of a guy."

"You don't know him well enough yet."

She nodded, pausing. "How's the new girl?"

"Her missions have pretty much all been with Roxas, for the most part."

"Explains why he was the first member she spoke with."

"He's also the least intimidating."

"Very true," she agreed.

"Speaking of which, let's go meet Roxas and Xion at the clock tower."

"Xion?"

"Yeah, Roxas started inviting her. So now the three of us have been meeting there after our missions."

"Oh, all right." She started for the Grey Area.

"Where are you going?" Axel wondered. "I'm not gonna bother asking Saïx this time around. He let you go the first time so there's no reason for him to not let you go this time."

"I don't want you getting into any sort of trouble because of me, though."

"Don't worry about it," he assured her.

He opened a dark corridor and stepped through. Trinity hesitated before following suit. And when she came out the other side, he was waiting for her.

"See?" He grinned. "It's not so scary."

"Shut up," she said back.

He laughed and they joined Roxas and Xion on the front side of the clock tower. And the four of them sat together, watching the sunset and laughing about random things. Then Axel finally brought up the fact that he would be leaving on an elongated mission. Roxas and Xion voiced their concerns, but Trinity remained quiet. She would speak up once they were alone again. And the next time that happened was when Axel walked her back to her cell once they all returned to the Castle.

"So," he spoke up as they arrived at the cell, "not gonna lie, I'm kinda surprised that you didn't say anything about the mission I'll be going on soon."

"Oh, that's because I had already heard about it through Zexion," she stated.

"Damn it," he mumbled. "I was planning on telling you."

"I believe you," she assured him. "I just can't believe half the Organisation is gonna be gone."

"Well, we're not leaving for another few days."

She nodded. "Too bad I'll be busy experimenting with Zexion for the next few days."

"Damn, I forgot about that." He sighed.

"It's fine. Not a big deal, right?"

He paused. "Right."

They fell silent as they continued standing outside of her cell.

"Maybe I should get in there now," she finally said.

"Oh, yeah." He opened the cell. "Here you go."

"Thanks." She stepped inside and he closed it. "I hate this," she then thought aloud. "I'm allowed to roam free, but I'm still not free."

"Don't worry, once you get some real training done with Zexion I'm sure I'll be able to convince Saïx to let me take you on some missions with me."

"I would love you forever."

"Love me forever?" he repeated. "And that's not extreme?"

She laughed. "Shut up."

He smiled back. "I should get going," he then stated.

"Guess so."

And with that, they bid their silent goodbyes. But Trinity watched Axel as he walked away. One word kept flashing through her mind:

Love.