YAYYYY early chapter! :D

Hope you enjoy~ This is probably not what anyone's actually expecting here for Roxas and Kurix meeting Sora and Riku but…

Oh, you'll see :B

Enjoy~

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Darkness or Dawn

Things had all happened so fast.

In one moment, it had been just the four of them- Sora and Kairi sprawled out on the grass, staring up at the sky and Naminé and Riku nearby; Naminé drawing flowers, of course, and Riku half asleep with his head on her shoulder. The moment had seemed perfect, the weather was clear and warm and Kairi could feel the heat of Sora's body lying next her traveling through the grass. Birds chirped in the lush cages of bushes and, as a butterfly flittered overhead, wings an impossible shade of red, Kairi reached her hand up in its wake. She had turned her head and smiled at Sora and he had smiled back.

Then there was that sound- that low warping of air and darkness pushing against each other as the familiar black oval formed. The four of them were up and ready in an instant but no one was prepared to see Ansem stumble out, clearly tired and weak, and Roxas and Kurix follow after.

Kairi and Naminé had no time to react, as soon as the portal closed Riku and Sora had been on the attack.

Sora had lunged at Roxas, Oathkeeper held high. Roxas scrambled out of the way, not summoning his own, he glanced at Kurix, who was dodging as many of Riku's attacks as he could. "Kurix!"

Kurix shook his head, parrying an attack as he did, "Listen, we're not-" Riku swept his feet out from under him and Kurix was forced to roll to his right or be speared by the oncoming Keyblade.

Way to the Dawn sunk a good inch and a half into the dirt and grass and Riku glared at him, "Get out of here."

Roxas watched as Riku pulled out his weapon and prepared to do the attack again, Kurix scooting back on his hands as he did but unable to get up in time. Roxas turned, ducking out of Sora's way, and plowed his shoulder into Riku's side. The two of them toppled over, landing in a nearby flower bed.

"Boys!" Naminé stood at the edge of the battle, her sketchbook clutched to her chest. She glanced at Kairi, who had run to Ansem's side the second she had seen it was him.

There was something wrong, here, with this battle. Sora and Riku were the only ones attacking, Kurix and whoever that blond were weren't even really defending themselves, they were just kind of…dodging.

Sora grabbed Roxas by his ankle, dragging him back as Riku pushed himself up, raising Way to the Dawn as he lunged at Kurix again. Kurix turned his sword on its side and caught the attack, shoving back hard enough to make the both of them stumble. He tried again, "We aren't here to-" Riku's Keyblade whizzed past his face, a bare inch free from his nose, "Listen to me!"

Behind them, Roxas had kicked Sora with his free leg, twisted and stood, jumping away from him to keep his distance. They were circling each other like sharks, Sora with Oathkeeper pulled back and Roxas summoning his Keyblade, having it drag in the ground behind him. He was about to speak when Sora sprinted across the small distance between them, slashing down from the right with Oathkeeper. Roxas took a step back, raising his weapon to meet Sora's. The two Keyblades clanged against each other, sending vibrations down the blades and handles and through their skin, little white sparks in the air. Both stopped then, faltering for a moment.

Sora pulled Oathkeeper back again and swung, Roxas blocked and as he did, the silver blade of his weapon turned black and gray, intricate, a silver chain in its center, the golden handle black to match and a small, purple diamond where it met the blade. A keychain in the shape of a black crown danced in the air. As Sora pulled away, brow knit together in confusion, Roxas's Keyblade went back to its original form.

Sora took a step back, "What is this?" he pulled Oathkeeper back again, wary in his next attack, "Who are you?"

Roxas mimicked his stance, "Roxas. Vexen made me after you, he said."

Sora stared, taking what Roxas said in, "You're a fake me?"

Roxas nodded, "Kurix and I, we're here to-"

Sora put his hand up; his eyes had narrowed and darkened the way the sky would before a storm, "Enough."

Kurix twisted out of the way of another of Riku's attacks, trying to avoid tripping over flowers as Way to the Dawn left streaks of black and white and purple in the air, a smooth overlay of strength. Riku growled, missing again as Kurix shuffled back and hopped out of the flowers they'd been wading in.

"Come on!"

Kurix shook his head, "Only if you listen to me."

Riku laughed, "Fine, after I kill you."

Again, Kurix shook his head. He opened his mouth to speak when a cry cut through the air; the voice was familiar and soaking in fear. Glancing to the side, Kurix saw Sora had beaten Roxas back into one of the bushes in the center of the garden, a gash on the inside of Roxas's leg had him leaning farther and farther into the leaves, his balance off and his Keyblade turned black as shaking arms staved off Sora's attacks. Sora swept up with Oathkeeper, knocking Oblivion out of Roxas's grasp, and brought it back up over his shoulder for one final swing.

Kurix side stepped Riku as he lunged and all but tackled Sora, a sharp pain in his arm telling him that Sora's attack hadn't completely missed. They sprawled across the grass, Kurix trapped beneath Sora and the Keyblade that stuck through his left forearm. Sora pushed himself off, ripping his Keyblade out as he did; Kurix screamed, half rolling onto his side and cradling his arm to his chest.

Kurix could only stare as Sora towered over him, both hands around the hilt of his Keyblade, tip angled straight down. All he had to do was shove down and Kurix's world would be over.

A mass of blond and white collided with Sora, somewhere behind them, Riku's voice called out, "Naminé!"

It took a moment for Sora to realize what had happened, as he was knocked over for the second time. He blinked rapidly, staring at Naminé. She had landed on him and she hurriedly pushed herself up, brushing dirt off her clothes. She glanced back at Kurix, who was staring at her with unbelieving eyes, and at Roxas, whose expression was much the same.

Riku stalked over to her as Sora stood, "What the hell are you doing?"

Naminé crossed her arms, "Look at them." Both boys shared a glance before turning back to the mess they'd made. Roxas was sitting on the grass, hands clamped around his bleeding leg, and Kurix was inching over to him, a damaged arm in his lap. Heaps of dirt littered the grass and flowers had been reduced to nothing but stems and leaves. Turning back to Naminé, she continued, "They have something to say. They aren't even fighting and besides, they brought Ansem with them."

"They saved me, actually." The three turned and Ansem was stumbling over, Kairi holding him up.

She smiled apologetically at Sora, "It kind of seems like…"

"We left the Organization." Kurix panted, his eyes had grown hazy and he'd pulled off his coat, showing the blood that covered his skin and shirt. He felt a sudden weight on his shoulder and glanced down; shaking his head as he realized Roxas had passed out.

Naminé gently pushed past Riku, tilting her head, she knelt next to Kurix, "Are you saying you're good now?"

Kurix raised his eyes to hers, "Yeah."

Naminé glanced at Roxas, smiling a little, "Is he okay?"

Kurix nodded, gave a small smirk, "He's a little new."

"So…You were…a prisoner?" they were words Kairi had never in her life thought she'd say, least of all to her former psychiatrist.

Ansem sighed, lifting his head, "Yes."

Kairi sat down heavily in her chair opposite Ansem. He noticed the change of emotion in her eyes, one of bleak curiosity and horror, "Are you hurt?"

He laughed, shaking his head and grabbing a glass of cool water from the table, it hovered before his lips as he said, "No more hurt than I am now, Kairi." He took a quick sip and continued, "Do you believe Kurix and Roxas?"

Kairi shrugged, casting a sideways glance past the food that had been set out on the table for Ansem, and out the floor to ceiling windows. They were in the dining hall, a place she rarely visited. It was far too fancy for her taste; huge slabs of marble covered the floor, high strung red drapes hung over and across the ceiling level windows, dark wood tables stretching across the expanse of the room. It was beautiful, breathtaking, and made her homesick.

Just an hour before, Kurix and Roxas had shown up and nearly all hell had broken loose. The second after things had finally calmed down (thanks to Naminé), Leon, Cloud and Tifa had rushed in, followed closely by Vincent and Cid. Explaining the entire situation had been tedious, and although no one actually trusted the two newcomers, The King had generously given them two rooms to stay in. After seeing what had been done to his precious Garden, he could only usher them out, saying something about having the brooms clean the mess up.

Sora had been given the task of showing their new comrades to their rooms, along with Leon and Cloud, as no one really trusted them, and Riku had since grabbed Naminé and pulled her someplace private- no doubt to yell at her about flinging herself into battle the way she had.

Now, Kairi had gotten Ansem something to eat- she could hear his stomach growling from the moment before he'd actually stumbled out of the portal. They had taken to catching up, Kairi informing him of absolutely everything he needed to know, explaining the Nobodies and how everyone else had been found, the Heartless named Ansem that she had killed just days before.

In exchange, Ansem told her as much as he could about her parents, the hospital and everything after her and Naminé's disappearance. He told her about the apprentices too, and waking up in the Organization's care.

Kairi sighed and shook her head, rubbing her palms against her face as she said, "I don't know what to believe." She brought her hands down slow and let them fall into her lap, "I mean…They kidnapped Riku to make Kurix, they almost killed him, and then…" she sighed, "Kurix was evil, when he went after Naminé."

Ansem eased back, arms crossed, "He cares very much for Roxas. I believe he's the sole reason for Kurix wanting to escape the Organization in the first place. Their creator…Vexen?" he glanced at Kairi and she nodded, "He was a cruel man."

Kairi looked up at that, brushing hair from her face and resting her elbows on the table edge, "Like…they were abused?"

He looked out at the room, sunlight bleaching marble white and ghost shadows stretching across the floors, "One would think. They killed him before we left, so I could only assume there was a reason for that hatred."

Kairi sat back at that, clearly flustered, she blinked and turned her head to the entrance. The large doors were opened wide and currently, Roxas and Kurix were inching their way in. By the way they seemed to be subconsciously huddling towards each other, both looking around with rather wide eyes; it was obvious that they were intimidated by the luxury.

The thought of two people, however fake they may be in essence, being abused in any way was…sad.

With that in mind, Kairi pushed her seat back and stood to greet their new friends.

Naminé kept her head down, biting her lip. She had taken to staring at her feet, brushed with dirt and spots of green, half hidden under white sweats. Next to her own bare feet were a pair much bigger, wrapped in black boots.

After the battle, Riku had dragged her back to their room, his hand tight around her wrist. He had seated her at the edge of the bed, and while his voice had started in a yell it had gradually gotten softer, the more he glanced at her between words and saw her shoulders first sag, then her head droop and lips tremble. Now, he had sat next to her and took hold of one of her hands, running his fingertips over soft skin.

His voice was gentle the next time he spoke, "Naminé…What were you thinking? Sora could've mistaken you for Roxas, you could have gotten hurt."

Naminé's voice trembled as she spoke, "You were going to kill them."

"Do I really need to remind you of what Kurix did to me? He almost hurt you and I'm still healing." He brushed a stray hair from her cheek and tilted her head up, cradling her chin in his hand, "How do you expect me to keep you safe if this is what you're going to do?"

Naminé pulled out of his grasp and stood, crossing her arms and keeping her back to him, "You're right."

Sighing, he stood and came up behind her, his hands on her shoulders, "Relax. I'm sorry I yelled at you, Naminé. I know you were just trying to help them, and maybe Sora and I jumped at the chance of a fight with them…But," he lowered his face to her ear, arms wrapping around her from behind, exactly as he had held her when she painted in her room on her home world, "You have no idea how close you came to getting hurt." He kissed just above her ear and she sighed, leaning against him.

"I know. But you guys weren't listening." She turned in his arms then, raising her eyes to his, "Are you mad?"

Riku smiled, held her tighter, "Depends." Naminé tilted her head, "Are you going to do that again?" She shook her head, "Are you mad that I yelled at you?" Naminé shook her head again, "Then no."

Smiling now, she leaned up in his arms and kissed his cheek. "Can I go paint now?" she rubbed her palms against his chest, earning a small smile,

"Yeah, but one more thing."

She looked up at him, her eyes wide and impossibly blue, "Yes?"

"I don't want you to be alone with Kurix. Promise me you'll-"

Naminé put a hand up to silence him, pressing her fingers against his lips, "I know. Don't worry about it, okay?" she gave him a reassuring smile, kissed his cheek again, and ran to get her paint set.

"Who are you?" Leon took a slow step back, casting a look to Cloud. Cloud shook his head and followed his steps, backwards and over strips of wood and tile.

They had been on their way to find Tifa; she was supposed to be in the library. Since the Garden had been effectively renovated, thanks to the two boneheads with the Keyblades (Leon's words); they had to go around the Garden rather than through it. Basically? It would take longer to get to the library than usual, and so they had been forced to mosey down a branch of halls they wouldn't normally use.

After turning a sharp corner ('I'm sure this is the right way this time.' 'Right, Cloud.') the two had stopped short, almost piling into a tall figure. His hair was wiry, coppery. Chiseled features and hard set eyes, his mouth a thin set line and in his right hand a tomahawk-shaped monster that looked like it could cut a small building in half.

Lexeaus tilted his head as if he didn't understand and took a step forward for every back-step Cloud and Leon took. His eyes narrowed, "Who are you?"

Cloud shook his head, "Aeleus?"

Lexeaus's head swiveled to Cloud, "Excuse me?"

Leon grabbed Cloud's arm, "We should-"

"What's going on?" Sora rounded the corner, side stepping his two friends. His eyes found Lexeaus, tomahawk rising above his shoulder and a smirk forming on that emotionless face. "What are you doing here?" Sora shuffled back, summoning Oathkeeper while ushering his friends away from the oncoming battle.

"Kurix and Roxas- where are they?"

Sora glanced at Cloud and Leon, "Get Riku." He turned back to Lexeaus, "Like I'd tell you."

As Cloud and Leon sprinted back down the hallway, Lexeaus said, "They've terminated a valuable member of-"

"Save it." Sora shook his head, "You aren't taking them back- they left for a reason."

"Do you even know what that reason is?"

Sora faltered, glanced back down the hall. He was sure he could hear footsteps, but whether they were his retreating friends or not, he just didn't know. He pulled Oathkeeper back, "Does it matter?"

Shaking his head, Lexeaus raised his weapon higher, a vibrant red aura surrounding it like fire, "Thoughtless." Half twisting as he slammed the tomahawk down into the earth, Sora rolled to the left and around Lexeaus. He brought Oathkeeper around himself with as much force as he could muster, a cut that was near to shallow grazing through the leather of his coat. Lexeaus turned as if enraged and Sora danced back.

Lexeaus was stronger than he thought, but if he could hold out just long enough for a little back up, the battle shouldn't be impossible.

The Silent Hero raised the tomahawk high above his head, arms quaking as that red surrounding the weapon filtered down to the rough hide of his coat, permeating through his skin. Lexeaus screamed and the cracks that formed in the wood and tile were like spider webs, erratic and thin- until the red power seeped from Lexeaus to the ground and burst. Shards of splintered wood and shattered tile rained, cracks formed up the walls and before Sora had time to run the blast hit him. He flew back, feet off the ground a good two feet before he landed, bones shaking in his skin and head smacking against the floor. He slid; Oathkeeper fell from his grasp and skittered over pebbles with a tinkering sound, like glass and metal.

He moaned, his legs trembling and his breath shaky. There was a steady trickle of blood from his nose, his legs were bruised and cut and sprinkled with debris. Coughing, Sora pushed himself up onto his elbows, leaning back on them. Lexeaus seemed to only take a few brisk steps before he was hovering over Sora, his weapon raised high again and that red glow pulsating around it.

Everything seemed to slow.

Somewhere down the hall was a rabid yell, Sora wasn't sure if it was himself or someone else. There was a scraping sound, footsteps light and quick.

"Lexeaus!"

Number Five faltered, turned- only to have Oathkeeper (or Oblivion, Sora wasn't sure, the two Keyblades were a blur in the air) slam him in the jaw. The second slashed the opposite way across his face, a gash along his cheek. Roxas kicked hard and high, heel earning a noticeable crunch as it jammed against Lexeaus's face, a second across his chest as Roxas turned and kicked again. Bringing both Keyblades around the same way, their edges dragged harsh against Lexeaus's chest and splashed blood across his face.

The Silent Hero stumbled back, dropping his weapon. His eyes had grown wide with shock, clearly surprised he had been hit at all, let alone hurt. His back hit the wall and without hesitation, Lexeaus summoned a portal and dragged himself away.

There were more footsteps down the hall, but Sora paid them no attention.

Both boys breathing heavy, Sora stared at Roxas and Roxas stared back, Oathkeeper and Oblivion held tight in his hands.

…………………………………….

So….yeah XD

Extremely happy with this chapter~

I've been working on it since the last update, so you better like it! And I've proof read, but if you find mistakes then let me know :)

Next chapter will be on…..Hmmm…Saturday? Okay, weekend, sometime this weekend XD