Being about to snap back at what her father had muttered about grampa Xehanort, Sarafina's attention was suddenly drawn to a specific area within the mass gathering of creatures, eyes growing wide with a brow rising high on her forehead, expression twisting into pure confusion as two of the shadows seemed to prance and flail, making odd sounds that gained everyone's focus, the rest of the creatures included.

There was something familiar about the sounds though, the voices they had sounding unlike any Heartless, Nobody or Unversed she'd heard in her lifetime. Falling into a moment of thought, it took her far too long to realize why they were distinct and caught her attention more than the odd dancing and flapping, and truthfully, if she weren't restrained, she'd have face-palmed so hard she'd have broken her own nose.

Lifting her gaze to her father, noting the highly disgruntled and irked stare he gave the two along with the boys' passive one, she watched as the man took a step away towards the creatures, seemingly unaware of what Sarafina had realized. Worry and anxiety sparking in her mind, she'd been about to call out to draw him back, feeling something warm clamp around her mouth before she could, unable to make a sound but not stopping her instant struggle.

"Sarafina," the quiet whisper stopped her writhing, the voice catching her off guard. Her gaze widening, Sara turned her head to stare over her shoulder, heart skipping as she saw Riku crouched close, dressed in the same ridiculous suit that the two idiots were wearing but with his face somewhat uncovered by the mouth of the Shadow costume. She then noticed the other behind him, hidden well within the front row of creatures and wearing the same silly suits. She gave them a flat stare, deadpanned by what she assumed was a plan created by the most mischievous of the group.

Looking close enough, she could see the golden eyes trickster standing between a few monsters, smirking at what he probably deemed the best plan ever…

No words being shared between them, Sarafina returned her gaze back to her father and the boy while the silverette untied her bindings, watching as the man seemed to be lead further into the rows of Shadows, her kidnapper seemingly amused if that very fine smirk meant anything. She was afraid that he'd caught on and simply hadn't said anything, if so, she had no idea what he was thinking or whether she should risk drawing attention to herself by talking to him. He'd kidnapped her for her father after all and he'd even gone as far as to allow the man to treat him as if he were nothing but a toy to be broken.

The moment she felt the restraints loosen and fall from her, she silently discarded them, crouching along with Riku back towards where the group were camouflaged among the mixed creatures, Sarafina being startled by the black smoke that surrounded her as she entered the rows of Shadows, a suit immediately hiding her along with the others.

"Nice work," Terra praised quietly as they all disappeared within the mass of monsters, gradually making their way through towards the outer edge of the sea of darkness.

"We need to get her outta here," just as Roxas' comment left his mouth, her gaze fell to the creatures around them, heads turning towards the team as they appeared to part until they were surrounded in a small clearing, much like they had been while she, the boy and Xander had been in an empty space. Her eyes grew wide, a shudder racing up her spine.

"Leaving so soon?" the boys' voice, close to her ear. Abruptly halting, the group stopping as well, they swiftly turned towards him, Sarafina feeling confliction as she saw what could only be described as an innocent child's face, soft features, young. Younger in appearance compared to the others, but about the same in stature to Vanitas. He was a kid, like the rest of them.

"The fun is just beginning," her father spoke up, grating against her senses and frustrating her further as she glanced towards him, the creatures stepping aside to let him through as if he were some important celebrity. Far in the distance, she could see the shadows being flung aside and knocked away, Keyblades glinting against the dim light from the half cloud covered sun.

"Figured we'd leave the party early, not a big fan of them," Vanitas shrugged from slightly ahead of Sarafina, her jaw clenching with anxiety as she felt as though they were going to be hurt. The feel of a weigh leaving her drew a fraction of her attention, her eyes flickering to the disappearance of the suits that had once hidden them among the creatures, the ravenette having revealed after they were caught.

"That's disappointing," the tone he'd used made her itch, the layers of skin beneath the outer layer buzzing with anger and apprehension, "And here I was hoping to entertain with quite the spectacle. I hear rituals are all the rage," that, she'd heard her grandfather mention something regarding her father wanting to use her in a ritual, but she hadn't understood at the time.

"What were you planning to do with Sarafina?!" Riku snapped, the lilac-haired girl feeling incredible warmth resonating from the boy, along with the rest of the group as they appeared to slowly surround her, Sara finding herself standing in her own circle of safety and reassurance.

"Sarafina," at the calm, unnervingly composed and amused chuckle, she scowled towards him, a coldness clawing up her spine as the single word was repeated, anxiety building as she knew what was coming, "That name, as much of an illusion as your so-called friendship with these children," he began to laugh, the sound originating from deep in his chest, genuinely entertained by it.

"What's so funny?!" Axel shot towards the man from over Sarafina's shoulder, standing between her and the creatures from behind her. Seeing the smirk grow across Xander's features and the horrid glint in his eye, tension laced her veins, her pulse thrumming in her skull. The torture, the pain that throbbed in her mind as she could already hear the name on the tip of the twisted mans' tongue.

"What you have with them isn't a friendship. It's a lie," she internally shook, eyes widening with worry and fear building fast within her heart. She didn't want this. She knew it was coming, the taunting torment she knew her father adored putting her through.

"Stop," she rasped softly, barely audible and unheard by the rest of the group as their focus refused to leave the danger standing ahead of them. The fear grew and thickened, Sarafina finding her mouth drying quickly, her throat closing up.

"That isn't her name," her cruel father informed with a deep tone, foreboding and entertained as his evil gaze landed on her, pinning her to her spot with just that look in his eye. She felt numb, nerves shaking and resolve breaking.

"Sarafina is simply an attempt to cast away her past, to abandon what she came to be before my father's interference," outwardly, she felt her body clench, hatred and panic mingling on her skin and in her skull, "Though as fate would have it, she can't run from what she is," internally pleading, she wanted to leave, wanted to hide away with another name if only to hide the past from herself rather than others. Without really noticing it herself, her pleading gaze had flickered to the boy for a moment, unaware of the change in outward expression before her scared stare returned to her father, "Isn't that right-," please, stop. Don't! "-Xaila?"