A/N: Yay! Finally got time to write another chapter. :) Oh, I found out the other day that the new Tales game for PS3 is releasing on 8/6. O.o How crazy is that? If only it was KH HD 1.5... Oh well. The Tales series is good too.

So yes, more Ienzo! For now... Oh does the plot thicken. *evil grin* Also, Rama is actually a really good SciFi novel series. Its bit strange but I enjoyed it. And yes, Vexen creeps me out as much as everyone else.

Oh and WindWisp: a little taste of something a bit zesty. :P

Not really too lemony or at least really descriptive, but be aware that there is sexual content in this chapter. You have been warned... Although if you've gotten this far I doubt a warning needs to be said... Anyways, enjoy!


29

It was raining. Thunder did not lull but the slow patter fell upon the glass window. Ienzo closed the door to his room, sighing as he leaned against the wood. He was not really sure if he cared for the rain. It reminded him of so long ago when there was much pain and loss. Thankfully it did not rain much, or for very long, in Radiant Garden. The falling water droplets also washed away old scents to be replaced with nothing. It had been far too long since he had smelled the mixture that made his heart beat deeply.

He undid the purple ascot and set it on the dresser, the white lab coat and boots to follow. Slowly and carefully Ienzo undressed for the night. The only light was faded from the downpour. Sitting on the edge of his bed the young scientist concentrated. It had taken well over a year to be able to get to a state of complete serenity. One hand ghosted over his thigh and the other gripped the bed.

"Well hey there, Ienzo." The silky voice made him gasp. His hold tightened around himself and he flung his eyes open. The voice chuckled, Ienzo could almost feel the soft warmth on his neck and left ear. "Don't stop. You know how much I enjoy watching such a sexy show."

Ienzo groaned, letting his body warm up again. The other sighed deeply and slid off the bed to be able to lean over him him. He decided he did hate the rain. It dulled the colors of the sun, hiding its brilliant wonder. Emerald glass that should shine did nothing in such low lights. But he knew what they looked like and could imagine their intensity. The smell of deep spice and the sight of fresh spring grass, those where the things that he had locked away in his memory. "Lea..." Closing his eyes he remembered how the red locks felt on his face.

A low groan passed over his ear. "I've always wondered what your voice sounded like." Ienzo bit his lip at the husky sound. "And the first thing you say is my name. God you know how to turn a guy on."

His breath hitched, leaning forward to try and make contact. "Please..." The sound of mellow patter of raindrops made his mind feel numb. He wanted to cry out, beg the sun to burst from the clouds and carry away the darkness. "Lea, please... I..." Ienzo wanted to ask to be touched. Sapphires shot open. "Oh..." He gasped. It was like he could almost feel the soft warmth on his skin. Yet it was so far away.

"I know," The shadowed red floated across his vision. "I need you too."

He wanted to drown in the ocean of green. There was a need to inhale the scent of musk and cinnamon. It was his oxygen. The smell of sweat only intensified the desires growing inside his chest. The ghost of passion floated just above his lips. Was it so bad he wanted a taste? Or perhaps he only wished to know how the thin lips felt. Throwing his head back, Ienzo choked back a cry. Shuttering, the world around him shattered. The image faded and he tried to hold onto it, to not forget the half lidded emeralds that never left his and the slightly parted lips that followed his ever movement.

Ienzo reached over to grab the discarded towel from his morning shower. Shaking slightly, he crawled into bed without even putting on a pair of pajamas. The rain fell as if nothing had happened and the young scientist sighed while he watched the droplets streak his window. Even if those few moments of illusion were just that, it was all he had to remind himself of the growing desires inside him. If only he could see the sun before he fell asleep just one time. "Lea," He nuzzled his face into his pillow, indigo locks hiding him from the world. "I wish I knew you." Even more so, he wished the brilliant sun would come and shine away the darkness around him.


The wind plays and the sun dances. Ienzo sat under a tree close to the wall reading. Tiny specks of light and shadow flirt across his book. It was rare that he had moments like this. Ansem seemed to be a bit more lax after he started working on the older man's research. Truth be told, it really was not that bad. But when there was spare time, Ienzo found that indulging in his classic pass time was the best. It kept his mind from wondering during the daytime.

"Hey," The drawled word surprised him. Looking up, the sun framed the face like a crown. The grin mischievous yet the wild hair and eyes was what he was really looking at. He opened his mouth to ask how the redhead had gotten up there. But it was obvious that the old tree had started to lean against the stone wall. Lea slid down from the branch and landed softly next to him. Ienzo blinked at the sudden movement, momentarily forgetting his shyness around the bright red sun. "Whatcha reading?"

The voice was a bit closer then anticipated. Ienzo squeaked, dropping the book into his lap. Holy hell he is so close! Thankfully the tome covered any sort of possible awkwardness if it decided to arise. Even if he is staring right at the cover... Oh god! Pink dusted his cheeks.

"Rama...?" The redhead all but whispered over his shoulder. "Never heard of it."

Ienzo rolled his eyes. He did not expect many had. Some science fiction was just not as popular as others. It was bordering on the line of slightly bizarre, at least for someone his age. A long hand suddenly came into view, startling him. Lea fumbled a little as they bumped slightly when Ienzo jumped. Turning his face quickly they locked eyes.

"Oh," Ienzo could no longer breathe their faces were so close. "I'm sorry." Lea's voice carried warmth with a hint of spice over to him. They stayed in the still position for quite some time. "May I?"

He was unsure if he actually nodded. It did not matter because he was getting too gaze into the sparkling emeralds, memorizing every speck of color. There were slivers of gold and brown in the different shades of green. It was mesmerizing. "Ienzo!" A deep voice called out. It shocked him into exhaling and he resumed breathing. Damn it, why am I so jumpy! Closing his eyes, he broke the spell that Lea's eyes had on him. Thankfully he did not seem them when he opened them again.

"Um, hi?" Lea stood up. Ienzo was shocked at how easily the redhead spoke to Xehanort.

Black ignored the fiery red. Instead the strange amber eyes traveled down to rest on him. The young scientist shivered at the frightening gaze. "Ienzo, Ansem has been looking for you for over an hour." He blinked passed the darkness and saw the lie. "Hurry up back inside before he becomes worried."

Ienzo huffed but did as he was told. Glaring at the silver haired man, he picked up his book and stood in a very ungraceful manner. Ansem would disapprove but he honestly did not care. "Whatever..." He growled under his breath as he passed by the cold black. It was so low, Lea more than likely did not hear him but Xehanort did.

"Don't forget to let the guards know you've returned." Xehanort added over his shoulder. He scowled. Although he did glance back and give the redhead a look of forgiveness. Ienzo hated to leave his sun with the darkest of night. After all, the master of deception had yet to make due on his promise. And now there was no doubt that the light was going to be doused out again just like he had many years before.


Zexion sighed sleepily. He was dreaming again. It was slipping away slowly as he tried to hold on. "Zexion! Zexion!" Vexen's voice boomed over him.

The schemer sat upright without a second thought. A piece of paper invaded half his view. With a disdainful look, he pealed the offensive paper that had stuck to his face off. Slamming it to the table he glared at the scientist. "What is it, Vexen?" His voice matched his expression.

"You were mumbling in your sleep." The set of creepy eyes took on a look of scientific interest as one lid closed slightly.

"What are you talking about?" He would have thought Axel would find a way to tease him about such a thing if he did.

"I said," Vexen leaned closer. "You talk in your sleep."

He groaned, closing his eyes to massage the bridge of his nose. "No I don't..." He blinked several times once he opened them again. "Fuck, I'm probably still asleep now."

Two Vexen's placed their hands on their hips and threw their heads back in unison to laugh. Zexion shivered. Oh my god, please wake up! One of the Vexens grinned even bigger. "Good to know my project worked so well!"

Letting out a long sigh, the schemer tried not to scream. "What in the name of Kingdom Hearts are talking about?!"

"Zexion," The Vexen still speaking waved towards the other. "Meet experiment number 43." The second one bowed slightly, causing the hair to move in an odd way.

Zexion stood up from his seat and snatched the blond wig from the Vexen Replica. It gasped in a shocked tone. "Dammit Vexen, please don't tell me you've been copping yourself?"

The real Vexen frowned. "Well, where did you think I got the idea to copy Riku?"

With a groan, he tossed the wig back to the copy with the number '43' stamped on his forehead. "Whatever. Just keep the creepy ass things away from me please."

The two Vexens watched Zexion leave the lab. Quickly the real one snatched at the strands of indigo hair that was left behind from when their owner had fallen asleep. "What are you going to do with that?" Number 43 asked.

Vexen smiled. "Nothing you'll have the chance to find out." Sticking the samples into a plastic bag labeled simply with the number '44', the mad scientist chuckled to himself. Even if he was not going to see the produce of his work, at least he could have fun while he did it. He had long since finished his last research project and now all he had to do was make sure it worked.


Note: In the manga, Vexen made tons of failed replicas of himself. One (number 44) actually confronts Xaldin after his fight with sora and kills the Nobody. Number 44 wears a wig and has his number tattooed to his forehead. Thought I'd share that with anyone who did not know.