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Precious Treasure

Absolutely everything about Aqua's body language said she didn't want to be here. Her face was pinched, sullen almost, like a child caught pilfering another's toy. But while that defiance was expressed in her eyes, the rest of her spoke of fear. Her body was hunched, as if hiding a precious treasure, while her eyes burned a hole in Eraqus's desk. She seemed so stiff that he had to wonder if she could speak.

Master Eraqus sighed, and sat across from her. Elbows on the desk, fingers entwined, he tried to radiate as pleasant an aura as possible.

He spoke. "Aqua, I have tried to allow you to come to terms with events on your own. At this point, however, I think it is time we acknowledge that is not working."

He paused, waiting for her response. She remained silent and picked at the desk, clearly hoping he would keep talking. When he didn't, however, she exhaled and said, "So, what now?"

"Let's discuss these seizures first." He figured that was a good choice, as it wasn't a direct reference to what Xehanort had done. "Have you received any injuries lately?"

"No," she said. "I haven't. I don't know why these are happening."

"No injuries?" he repeated. "Have you hit your head or spine at any point?"

As awful as it sounded, he wanted a yes. That way, at least they had a cause, and they could take measures to cure her. But if it wasn't so, there was little they could do.

Naturally, she said, "No."

"Very well." He studied her for a moment. He hated what they had to talk about next, but it had to be done. "Then I think it is time for you to tell me what really happened between you and Xehanort."

She looked at him sharply, then remembered she was supposed to be avoiding her eyes. Hugging her knees to her chest, she muttered, "There's nothing to talk about."

"Aqua, you need to tell me," he said. "You're hurting, and I can't do anything to help you if I do not know what the problem is."

"Then don't," she said easily. "I'll take care of myself."

He struggled not to raise his voice. "You have had three seizures in the past two days. That is not taking care of yourself."

She had no argument.

He stood. "Aqua, it is time. You must tell me what happened!"

"I don't need to tell you anything!" she spat.

He blinked. That attitude, he'd expect it from a ten-year old Terra, perhaps. But not Aqua. Never Aqua.

Light, what happened to you? he wondered.

"Aqua," he said, "I am not giving you a choice. Tell me."

"Or what?" Now, she was on her feet. "You going to make me, old man?"

She stopped. Stared down at the hand that had a fistful of his shirt. Then, she backed up, but it was too late. He'd already sensed it.

Darkness.

Now, he understood.

Xehanort had unlocked her darkness.

Oh Eraqus, so close, yet so far.

To answer that question called "What the heck happened last chapter?", Aqua's seizures are being caused by Vanitas's attempts to take physical control. So far, he's mostly been unsuccessful.