Day 24

Sora somehow knew he had risen early. Perhaps telling the time here was simply a matter of being here long enough.
He dressed himself, as usual his thoughts turning to the plans for the day. Turning up at Castle Oblivion was out of the question after his appearance there. Axel would no doubt be looking for any chance to find out what he was up to, as he had no idea Sora had hands on both sides of the Organization just to arrange that confrontation with Roxas. If Axel wanted answers, it would have to wait until after his return from the castle.
Without Axel, there seemed little point to the ice cream at the top of the clock tower in Twilight Town either. He didn't mind doing it with Axel, but by himself just didn't feel right.
He decided after his mission for the day, he'd go back to the library and look in more detail at what other members had added to the literature again, to see if he could find out any more interesting insights. After the revelations yielded by the document on the others joining, there was no doubt other intriguing information just waiting to be uncovered.
Rather unexpectedly, as he was thinking of heading to get some breakfast, someone knocked at his door. When Sora invited the knocker in, it turned out to be Saïx, even more unexpected. He raised a finger to his lips, indicating it wasn't safe to talk openly, then started, "I had an unexpected report from Axel yesterday. He claims you were seen in Castle Oblivion, and robbed him of the chance to test the boy they lured there."
"Really? I wonder why he'd think that. I don't think I've ever heard of Castle Oblivion before, and I always find it easier to reach a place if I know it's name."
"So you claim never to have been there at all?"
"Not even once."
"You realise I will have to investigate this when Axel returns from his assignment there."
"I guess it's unavoidable. I stand by my story though."
"As you wish. In the mean time, I want you to take over the tutelage of Xion. It is time for her to learn about her keyblade, and who better to teach her than you? When she arrives in the Grey Area today, I will assign her mission and you will accompany her."
"What's the mission?"
"There has been an outbreak of Fire Plants in Agrabah. Obviously, ice magic will have an enhanced effect on them. Xion has been tutored in magic, so if you see her struggling with her keyblade, instruct her to use magic instead."
"Right. Saïx?"
"Yes?"
"Why doesn't Xion have a throne at Where Nothing Gathers?"
"There are special circumstances regarding her. Xemnas will reveal the details when he believes it is time."
Saïx left him alone at that.
Now he knew exactly what he was going to look for in the library. There had been enough time since Xion's arrival that there was likely something there for him to find out. He recalled that Vexen had seemed especially pleased when Xion had joined, and decided anything written under his name was also worth investigation. Who'd know what he'd find there?

After a short detour to the kitchens for breakfast, Sora returned as usual to the Grey Area, despite it still being fairly early. Only Luxord was already up.
"Morning Sora," he called to him as he entered.
"You're up early."
"Habit," he replied with a short, harsh laugh. "Get up late and you risk missing out on something that happens early on."
"Means going to sleep earlier though, otherwise you miss out on that."
"True, that. What brings you up so early?"
"I just rose early, that's all."
"You know there's a rumour going around about you?"
"What does it say about me?"
"I wouldn't know. I haven't heard it yet."
"It's probably nothing important then."
"Maybe. Are you willing to take that risk?"
"I'll accept whatever happens because of it," he shrugged.
"Brave boy. Man," he corrected himself after seeing Sora's flat gaze.
Sora took the seat opposite him, shaking his head.
"Something up?" Luxord asked curiously.
"I'm just wondering if I'm really making a difference."
"How so?"
"I gather Hearts, right? But I've yet to see the effect of it."
"These things take time. Kingdom Hearts will take a lot longer to form than this, even if you go out there and gather as many Hearts as you can in a day. Once Xion picks up her own keyblade, it'll progress much faster with the two of you on the job."
"I think I liked it better when I was the only one," Sora replied. "Kinda made me feel important."
"There's nothing to say you're not still important."
"I know. Still, you gotta wonder – a week after I come in, and Xemnas finds another like me who can wield the keyblade..."
Luxord almost answered, but stopped when Demyx joined them.
"Anyone seen old x-face yet today?"
"I saw him on my way up here," Sora told him.
"Shame. I was hoping someone would have abducted him. What I wouldn't give for a day off work."
"You're lazy," Luxord accused.
"I'm just not cut out for half the stuff he keeps sending me on," Demyx protested. "Can't a guy just kick back and play music?"
"How are you meant to come up with stuff to play if you don't have a Heart?" Sora asked him.
"You're mean. I should be getting praise for making any hits without one."
"Hits?" Luxord shook his head. "You call those hits?"
"Well... they would be if I had an audience that could really feel the music."
"Good luck finding one." After a short silence, he seemed to brighten and asked, "Anyone for a game of poker?"
"Not with your cards," Demyx snorted. "I swear you've trained them to stack in your favour."
"Luck of the draw," Luxord smirked back. "Sora?"
"Not for me. I wouldn't know how to play in the first place."
"Simple as anything to learn."
"Maybe if things turn quiet for a time."
"Suit self. Morning Saïx."
Saïx nodded to him, but said nothing, taking up his accustomed place as usual.
"Does he ever stand anywhere else?" Sora murmured. "Or even leave the castle?"
"I've known him to go down into Dark City once in a while," Luxord supplied.
"He's checked up on me once or twice during a mission," Demyx added. "But mostly I reckon he stays here. Wonder what he gets up to?"
"Who know? I doubt he'd tell any of us if we asked."
Xion came in next almost warily. She still had her hood raised, and aside from a single glance at him, she avoided them entirely. Saïx spoke with her briefly, then with obvious reluctance she joined them.
"I'm... working with you Sora," she murmured in a strangely familiar voice, yet he could have sworn he'd never heard it before.
"I know," he answered. "Ready to go?"
"Yeah."
"Well, looks like it's time I'm off," he told the others. "Don't go slacking."
"Are you kidding? That's what Demyx does best!"
Sora smiled, though Demyx looked hurt for a moment before sighing, "No one understands me."
Xion only waited, watching him, so he created the corridor to take them to Agrabah. The Fire Plants were waiting for them – along with the blistering desert heat.

Sora's Diary

It's been ages since I wrote in here. So much has happened, I don't know where to begin.
I can't talk about some of it. I don't want to risk someone reading this and finding out about it. It could cause problems if certain members found out about some of my activities.
But I did find out some things I can talk about. Zexion figured out why my memories aren't coming back right.
Somehow I was formed differently to other Nobodies, and my Somebody, Roxas, got to keep on existing at the same time as me. He even got to keep his life and his Hearts along with his memories, leaving me without any of them. That's why I don't like him.
The Organization gives me my life, but without it what'd I do? I'm always working toward gaining my own Heart, but what work did he put in to it? No doubt he just takes it for granted like all the other Somebodies probably do.
He doesn't know about me though, and I want to keep it that way. The less he knows about me, the harder it'll be for him to try to do something about me first. This way, I can meet him on my terms instead, and I'll be ready for him.
I could go on ranting about him, but that'd just make me feel angry at him again... if I even really feel it. Sometimes it seems like I can trick myself into thinking I have real feelings.
Axel found this keychain thing for my keyblade. It makes it change form now and then. I think it's in response to what I'm thinking, but sometimes when I feel angry over Roxas, it changes into a different form, so maybe that affects it too. So long as it keeps doing the job though, I don't really care too much.
Speaking of keyblades, Xion's got one too. She's the newest member to join us, number fourteen, but she doesn't seem to have a throne like the rest of us. Her keyblade matches mine without the new keychain attached, and they both match Roxas'... why does everything keep coming back to him?
Anyway, Saïx got me to teach her about her keyblade same as Xaldin taught me about mine today. We went to Agrabah – horrible place, you're sweating in the heat almost as soon as you get there. But we had easy targets, Fire Plants. I showed Xion how to use the keyblade, and told her if she was having trouble to back it up with some magic. Someone else already got to teach her that. Larxene taught me a while ago. Naturally, ice magic worked best against them.
With six of our members off on an operation at a place called Castle Oblivion though, the rest of us have to work extra hard to make up for the slack left by them. I kind of wish Demyx was assigned to Castle Oblivion – he's a slacker more than anyone else I've ever known. All he wants to do is play and write music, but I can't see how he does it without a Heart.
I found some interesting documents in the library here in our castle too, written by the other members. I can't go into detail on what I discovered though. People might get some ideas, both about my activities recently and what kind of things I might get up to. Maybe my diary is meant to be private, but I wouldn't put it past certain members to come snooping if they thought I was doing anything really suspicious. If I can find somewhere safe in my room to stash things that no one else would ever think of, then maybe I'll write them down, but only if I'm sure. There's a lot at stake.
Maybe too much at stake, but... I've got to protect my interests. If not for Kingdom Hearts and my own Heart, then for getting back at Roxas. Keep your eyes open, Roxas. One day, you and I will meet, and only I will walk away from that meeting.