I don't own anything associated with Kingdom Hearts. It belongs to Square Enix/Disney.
Forgotten
Maleficent's spidery fingers curled around the top of her staff as she cackled. "So, the maiden has turned her back on her friends . . ."
Leaning against the wall, Vanitas laughed along. "She's convinced they're out to get her."
The witch's smirks were always sinister, laced with the smugness of a cat. It didn't scare Vanitas, not when his own were much more psychotic and predatory.
"I wonder then," Maleficent said, "if she would be willing to reconsider my offer."
Vanitas rolled his eyes. The answer to that question was a resounding no. But, it may be useful to keep Maleficent thinking otherwise, since he needed a huge favour from her anyways . . .
"I'll see if I can talk her into it," he lied.
Maleficent smiled, pleased. It was almost motherly, but he wasn't fooled for a second.
"I would have used you," she said, "but you, child, are so dark that you would not get within a mile of a pure heart."
"I know." He stood up straight, and walked towards Maleficent, speaking all the while. "But, I'll need one tiny favour in return."
From Xehanort, he knew bargains always interest Maleficent. Indeed, he could read the curiosity on her face.
"And what might that be?"
His tone dropping, he said very seriously, "Don't tell Xehanort."
"No?" A raven flew through the window, perching on Maleficent's shoulder.
"Xehanort will kill her," he said, "and then you'll be out of luck."
The raven croaked as she scratched its chin. "Then, perhaps, this little story is best kept between us."
Vanitas grinned. Xehanort sure had a way of picking allies; he wondered if his Master knew they would all turn on him the second it was to their advantage.
Just when Vanitas thought he was in the clear, Maleficent spoke. "However, I must know, what is your safeguard against the girl?"
He blinked. "Huh?"
"When she tries to abandon you for them, how will you dispose of her?"
Vanitas hid his nervousness with a chuckle. "I'm not sure what you're talking about."
Maleficent smiled, and her smile held traces of the sadistic glee his usually had. "Come now, child. The mind may have forgotten, but the heart has not. In time, her heart will draw her to them, and then you will be the forgotten one."
He felt dizzy. Aqua would leave him? It was something that he had always known, something he remembered every time he thought he felt himself growing too attached, but to hear it said out loud drove it home.
"I know that!" he snapped.
"Do you?"
He avoided the question. "Do we have a deal?"
"We do." A note in Maleficent's voice said that she knew he was hiding something, but he had her agreement.
He left for the empty streets. He knew he should go find Aqua, but the words echoing in his mind held him back.
"In time . . . you will be the forgotten one."
He closed his eyes.