Author's Note: Y'know, I was feeling a bit out of it today for reasons unknown and I was gonna take it out on you, my poor defenseless readers, by waiting until Monday to update, but after reading a particularly uplifting review (you know who you are), it inspired me to not be a total asshat. So instead, I'm gonna update all weekend as planned, whether I get a review or not, because truth be told, I worked pretty damn hard on this fanfic. My true inspiration for this storywas the fact that many people on this website can't write for shit. I know that sounds harsh, but it's true. Call me a condescending, arogant bastard all you want, but I aspired to make this fanfic the best written, most realistic (in context of the game), engaging story I could think of. And thanks to that review, I'd like to think I've done a pretty good job so far. Damn, I really hope I've kept it up, because like I said before, this story is pre-written. But enough of this shitty block text, on with the chapter!

Disclaimer: Kindom Hearts is not mine (but I really do seem to make it my own, huh?). Vanessa, however, is mine, contrary to popular belief (my goodness, I'm getting such a swelled head! someone stop me!).

Chapter 12: Quaint Acquaintance

"And then I totally kicked his sorry ass!" bragged Vanessa to Naminé as the Nobody drew. "He didn't have nothing on me!" Naminé giggled.

"Sounds like you had fun." she said. Vanessa nodded.

"Lots." she said. "I was gonna have some ice cream with Hayner and the rest, but some jerk bought the last two before we got there. I guess it doesn't matter. Even if that didn't happen, two out of four isn't too good anyway." She shrugged. "Oh well, them's the breaks."

"I'm glad you had a good time." said Naminé. "Are you going back out tomorrow?" Vanessa crossed her arms ponderingly.

"I don't think I should push my luck but…" she said. "…I promised that I'd hang out with them tomorrow." She sighed. "I don't know. What do you think?"

"I think you should be careful." said Naminé. "The Organization could have spies everywhere." Vanessa stuck out her tongue in annoyance.

"Of course." she said. She sat down and put her head in her arms on the table. "Naminé?"

"Yes Vanessa?" replied Naminé.

"Do you think I'll ever get back home?" Vanessa asked out of the blue.

"I'm not sure." said Naminé. "Maybe when Sora wakes up, he can take you back to your world." Vanessa sat up.

"Really?" she asked. "He would do that?" Naminé nodded.

"I believe that he would." she said truthfully. "He's that kind of person." Vanessa smiled.

"Sounds like a real standup guy." she said. She looked at a random drawing of Sora. "I can't wait to meet him. He sounds like one helluva good person. Which reminds me, how's your work coming along?"

"Slowly…" said Naminé. "…but problem-free. It's taking a long time, but it's going steadily." Vanessa nodded.

"That's good." she said. "Hey Naminé?"

"Yes?"

"How did Sora become a Heartless?"

"Kairi's heart was locked inside of him, so he pierced himself with the Keyblade to unlock it. As a result, he unlocked his own heart as well."

"Wait, he stabbed himself with his own Keyblade? God damn, he sure is ballsy if not utterly stupid. Kairi must be pretty darn special if he was willing to commit virtual suicide."

"He cares about her very much."

"I'd put my life-savings on that. And you said the Light in her heart turned him back to normal?"

"Yes. She was so willing to protect Sora, even though he was now a Heartless, that she was able to save him. It's complicated at best."

"You're telling me. But, that's kinda cool. Where's Kairi now?"

"Back on Destiny Island, their home."

"Destiny Island? Sounds sexy." Naminé faltered. Vanessa just laughed. "I got you didn't I?" Naminé shook her head.

"You're very strange Vanessa." she remarked. The dark-skinned Keyblade wielder smirked.

"I am what I is." she said simply.

"May I ask you a question?" asked Naminé.

"Shoot." said Vanessa.

"What is your home world like?"

"Well, it's a big city. There're always a lot of people doing a lot of different things. I knew almost everyone if my area, and almost everyone knew me."

"How come?"

"Well, I'm a track star at my school, and I compete in a lot of citywide races. I win most of the time."

"You're a runner?"

"Yeah. I used to like to race, but now everyone takes it too seriously and puts too much pressure on me. I still like to run, but I hate to race."

"Oh. I'm sorry." Vanessa grinned.

"Don't sweat the small stuff." she said. "It's not a big deal." Suddenly, Riku appeared in the room.

"Naminé, DiZ wants to see you downstairs." he said.

"Since when did knocking become passé?" Vanessa joked after Naminé exited the room. Riku smirked.

"Hey Vanessa." he said. "How was your day?"

"Depends." said Vanessa. "Will you freak out if I tell you the truth?"

"I already know you went out." he said. Vanessa faltered.

"H-How?" she exclaimed. "How could you possibly know that, unless you followed me?" Riku shook his head.

"I didn't follow you…" he said. "…I just took a guess, and you confirmed it." Vanessa's mouth gaped open with shock.

"You conniving little…!" she cried, trailing off. She thrust her hands upon her hips. "That's just wrong Riku!"

"Don't worry." he said. "I won't tell. But you really shouldn't go back out anymore Vanessa; it's way too dangerous." Vanessa sighed.

"I know…" she said. "…but it gets so boring in here by my self! Naminé's always working, and you're never even here half the time! Where do you go anyway?"

"Out." said Riku.

"What did I say about that Riku?" she said coolly. "You don't have to deflect the question, just straight up say, 'None of your god damn business Vanessa; butt out'." Riku shook his head.

"I'd never say that to you." he said. "That's mean." Vanessa rolled her eyes.

"Your chivalry is overwhelming me." she said sarcastically. "Shoot, I'd rather you be mean then lead me on."

"Fine." said Riku. "I'll just be honest from now on; none of your business Vanessa." Vanessa smiled and gave Riku a playful shove.

"See, was that so difficult?" she asked. "It's your own decision whether or not to tell me; I know what it means to have secrets that are completely irrelevant to me. I'm nosy, but I know when to back off."

"You're very weird." said Riku. Vanessa laughed.

"And why do you say that?" she asked.

"You do the exact opposite of what I'd normally expect from someone else."

"Like how?"

"Well, I clearly insulted you, and you laughed. I refuse to tell you my secrets, and instead of getting mad at me for that, you're mad that I just won't say outright that I'm not telling you my secret. You're just...weird."

"You're not exactly a picture of normality yourself Riku, but I'm sure you don't need me to tell you that. But hey, I am who I am. Call me weird, call me crazy, call me whatever; I am who I am. Besides…" She placed her hand on Riku's shoulder. "…you'll tell me when you feel like it. Until then, I'll be waiting." Riku placed his hand over Vanessa's.

"You'd really wait for me?" he asked.

"Sure." said Vanessa. "That's what friends do right, wait for each other? Friendship is a waiting game, one I've failed at so many times that I'm now officially an expert, so says me." She slipped her hand from underneath Riku's and lightly poked his chest. "But that's a secret, so don't tell nobody, ai'ight?" Riku smiled.

"I won't." he promised. Vanessa smiled as well.

"Alrighty then." she said. "I believe you." She yawned. "Well, that's all I gotta say about that." She went to leave.

"Vanessa." Riku called. She stopped and turned to face him.

"Yeah?" she replied. Riku removed his blindfold and smiled at her.

"Don't ever change ok?" he said. "You're weird, but I like you just as you are." Vanessa grinned.

"You bet your sweet ass I won't." she said. "I promise."