An amazingly short installment. Woot.

I'm updating to get out the message - as of today, this collection, "The Lost Archives," will have been up on FF for a whole year. A year. That's a short long time and this story has come so far. I'm overjoyed, I'm elated... never thought this would all happen, and in just a year too! I'm so happy. I'm at a loss for words, despite those I just said.

Ah, anyways. This one was inspired by the fact that I despise papercuts. And who's the last person you'd expect to get one? Zexion, that's who. Takes place somewhere between the start of 358/2 Days and the start of CoM.

Also. I intended for this to be a different, longer, Sora-and-Riku-centric installment... but I was short on time and inspiration. I couldn't finish it. Maybe it'll be the next one. And that request... still getting to that. TT_TT

Disclaimer:

Me: Okay, now you can have your little wars. I'm in a good mood.

Riku: Finally! I've got quite a few things to say - TTY7, Nomura couldn't kill me off. He wouldn't dare. I have too many fans. Killing me off would be like... like killing off Sora. Except worse.

Me: Narcissist...

Riku: As for you, Shade, what manly chapter? The closest thing I've gotten to "manly" was that stupid sexy-or-whatever song, and that was nowhere near my true manliness. Besides, I was tied down when she turned my hair into a rainbow afro. Do you know how long it took to get my hair back to normal?

Me: It wasn't that bad...

Riku: And finally, my long-time rival, Kyla. I know it all because I'm just that awesome. And yes, they are hits. You're guilty of most of them. And why would I need to be careful around Electro? She can't touch this!

Me: We'll see about that... Anyways, before I forget, and before Riku gets too involved, I don't own KH.

Riku: You just...! You cut into my rant with the disclaimer!

Me: Yeah... besides, you've ranted long enough. Your rant is probably longer than the actual installment... thanks. A lot.

Riku: Don't be sarcastic...

It was a simple thing. For once, Zexion had decided that he would read his favorite novel again, without his gloves on. It was all a simple thing.

Simply, pick up the book, open it, and begin reading.

He had done just that.

So what could have gone wrong?

It was that searing pain in his index finger, an embarrassingly shallow cut he barely noticed. It was that horrid thing that his gloves protected him from, the thing he had only heard of and never experienced... That terrible, searing pain.

The pain of a papercut.

And never again did Zexion read without his gloves on. Never again would he go through that terrible pain.

It had started as a simple thing – as simple as picking up a book and turning the page the wrong way – but it had turned into a life lesson for him.

Never again.

Poor Zexion. Papercuts are deadly.

A little side note, just now - I took off the beginning note, so this will show up as chapter 25 instead of 26. And to those of you who reviewed for "Pouts" when it was still chapter 25... can't review for this one, 'cause FF only allows one review per chapter. It's kinda stupid, but you know... So yup, just getting the word out in case there was any confusion.

I hope you enjoyed! Review, 'cause it's been a year of humor! :D