EDITED 6/23/2010

Author's Comments: Thanks for reading this far!

Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts, its characters, or its story lines (as noted with an *). I own Imani and Aden.

"It's so SIMPLE!"

The words haunt my thoughts as I lie motionless, my eyes sore and my brain muddled. I couldn't care less if Heartless start to flood in.

"WHY ARE YOU GIVING UP ON ME SO QUICKLY?"

Footsteps thud to a stop. I flip my head lazily. Two big dark boots. Another flop of my head to turn upwards. Sapphire eyes set deeply into a chiseled tan face. The tips of wavy brown hair flare out stiffly.

Neither of us utter a word for several minutes before I groan and grumble my way onto my feet. Even after I stand up, though, he doesn't say anything.

Lexaeus, the Silent Hero with an emphasis on "silent," my memories remind me. I sigh, rolling my head around to stretch out the kinks from looking up at the man awkwardly. Maybe it'd have been better if I stayed on the floor.

He leers down at me like a hawk, speechless and wary.

"Zexion still hasn't forgotten what I said, right?" I finally ask tentatively. "I...I really mean what I said...for you, too. For all of you, even for Larxene and Marluxia..."

I pause, just in case he's decided to talk. Instead, he merely shifts a little as if saying "Yes. I know. And?"

I bite my tongue and rack my brain for more things to say. The tense silence in the air weighs uncomfortably on my shoulders. "So...yeah."

Nothing. Not. One. Word.

I'm tempted to roll my shoulders or wave my arms around to dispel the tension. Lexaeus wins for being the most awkward Nobody who's visited me so far.

Oh! His eyebrow twitched!

...Ack. I think I said that out loud.

A nervous, humorless chuckle crawls from my mouth. "I mean...You know, I still don't know how you determine who visits me next. Does Xemnas assign you certain dreams or does he draw names from a hat? Or is it whoever calls dibs?" I scoff at how ridiculous the idea sounds. "No, you must be assigned to come. I can't picture any of you wanting to deal with me of your own will." I arch an eyebrow at him. "You probably didn't want to come here...not after I blew up."

He blinks and turns his head to the side ever so slightly but neither confirms nor denies my assumption.

"I had a reason for blowing up, though. I didn't get a chance to tell Axel..." I sigh again, collapsing to the floor and hugging my legs to my chest. "I was too caught up in the argument...but Larxene was right. I'm a tool...but I have free will, and maybe that's what's frustrating me. If I confine myself to choosing just light or just darkness, I won't be Imani anymore. I'll become an incomplete being who threw away her other half—the half that helped define her."

His coat rustles as I blink exasperatedly at myself. I feel like I'm talking to myself. Lexaeus could be tuning my babbling out for all I know.

I have to say this, though. It'll weigh on my conscience heavier than the awful tension in the air. Aden always said the only way I would get better at expressing myself to others is by sharing without inhibitions.

I breathe in deeply before continuing, "If I choose light, I'll save the worlds from total destruction and protect Sora and everyone else but you and the others won't have a chance at becoming Somebodies according to Xemnas' plans...and I don't want that. I understand why you're doing this. I was a Nobody, too. I felt it, that awful emptiness. I hated it, even if it was only for a little while compared to the rest of you. I wouldn't wish that upon anyone, not even you Organization members, no matter how much trouble you've caused. It makes me sad to think about it—all those years of nothing you've experienced. That's why...because I have the power to do something about it, I really want to try giving you your hearts...or maybe even returning you to your Others if I can." I glance fleetingly at Lexaeus who's sat down beside me. "If that's what you'd prefer."

He only blinks calmly.

"No preference? Well, I can't guarantee anything, anyway, so maybe it's good that you don't get your hopes up."

Without cracking a smile he gives a quiet breathless laugh through his nose and a spark of amusement lights up his eyes. With that spark, the almost-suffocating tension dissipates. I chance a small smile.

"On the other hand, I'd betray Sora and Riku if I choose darkness or wait for the time-bomb to go off in me. I'd betray everyone I've met as a Somebody, and they don't deserve that. They're the last people who deserve something like that." I glance away, guilt oozing over my head. "I can tell they're struggling—Sora and Riku and Donald and Goofy and the king. They don't know what's going to happen, and they know I don't, either, but they trust me all the same, just like I asked them to. I don't have the heart to hurt them. You'll get your hearts, though, if I choose darkness, but Xemnas will take over my being and I won't exist anymore. I'll be nothing but a memory and a discarded tool." I laugh halfheartedly. "Of course, I don't think that would matter to any of you. You'll be happy to be Somebodies and too busy to creating a new utopia to dwell on it."

He says nothing.

"So...I hope you understand my reasons a little more clearly now," I mumble awkwardly, lowering my head to rest on my knees. "I don't blame you for thinking it's self-centered. Axel had a point when he said that..."

"Compromise is not selfish."

His deep voice startles me a little and I have to wonder for a moment if I really ever heard anything at all. I don't dare say anything in case I didn't.

"Compromise is not selfish," he repeats patiently. "While Axel was right in pointing out that you are choosing to risk your friends' lives, he failed to see that you are also risking rejection and distrust from either Sora's side or our side. You are willing to endure the sudden changes you've been put through to fight for the lives of people you met only a few days. You are willing to set aside your own desires to see your brother and escape the responsibility you've been given. You choose to rally rather than settle for the bad hand you've been dealt."

I stare at him and my jaw hangs in awe. I've never heard him say so much at once...and he's the first Nobody to actually support me.

"Compromise is not selfish, Imani," he concludes, proceeding to get up off the floor. "Not the compromise you plan to seek out, despite how foolish it is."

Correction: to somewhat support me.

I manage to nod and hastily stand up as he opens a portal. "I...Thanks."

He pauses, peering over his shoulder expectantly.

"Thanks," I say again, clasping my hands before me. "I...I'll do my best."

Lexaeus blinks and rumbles, "I'd be concerned if you give any less."

I allow a small smile as he disappears. I can't believe how well that went over...

Wait. Did...Did he call me "Imani?"

Author's Afterthought: Please let me know what you think! Thanks for reading!