Chapter 10

Author's Note: From this point forward, the events in this fanfic correspond with events that occur during or around the time of Kingdom Hearts III.

Larxene jumped at the opportunity to lose her heart, lose the pain, and become a Nobody again. Apparently, she was a candidate to join the real Organization XIII. Although, she also discovered that being a Nobody meant her heart could always come back. This was too complicated. Summoning a dark portal, she appeared in the Keyblade Graveyard, a world that left an unsettling feeling inside, to look for the rest of the Organization members.

Larxene's breath stopped as soon as she saw Demyx, talking with Xigbar. Wait, she no longer had a heart. She shouldn't be feeling this! Did it come back that quickly? If it did, she must be feeling hatred for him. That had to be it. That must be why she lost her breath, because of her rage. What else could it possibly be?

Xigbar glanced over at her entrance. "If it isn't number XII…"

"Put a pipe in it, old man," Larxene said, crossing her arms.

She was intensely aware of Demyx staring at her, seemingly at a loss for words. She tried to think of something cruel and biting to say to the musician, but felt her mind grasping at straws. She turned and met his gaze, her heart skipping a beat. Ugh, he was so hot, she couldn't even form a sentence around him.

Wait, what? Before she could process her last thought, Demyx weakly smiled at her.

"Hey, Larxene."

That was enough to snap her back. "Don't you dare associate with me, you idiot!"

She whipped around and began walking away, not bothering to see his reaction, although sure she heard Xigbar chuckle. The old man's voice sounded behind her, "Hold your horses, missy."

Larxene huffed, allowing Xigbar to catch up. She saw Demyx out of her peripheral vision as he spoke.

"I heard you're not sold on the real Organization XIII yet. If you become a vessel, you'll become a keyblade wielder and have the ability to summon Kingdom Hearts. It's a win-win. I think I sold Marly on joining. He's your buddy, right?"

Larxene turned her full attention to Xigbar. "Marluxia joined?"

"Absolutely. He couldn't pass up the opportunity for power. Besides, your heart is strong. We could use you. Think about it."

"My mind's made up," Larxene said.

"Well?"

Larxene glanced past him at Demyx, briefly meeting the sitar player's gaze for a second as he quickly looked away. She looked back at Xigbar. "I'm in."

"Welcome aboard, then," Xigbar said with a smile.

He returned to Demyx as Larxene turned around. Why did she just agree to be one of Xehanort's vessels? Ew, that was so not her style. Surely it was because Marluxia, her old comrade, had joined. Now that she had a heart, or was growing one or whatever, she cared about that graceful man, right?

Her mind jumped back to the thought that had escaped into the words of her mental narration. The one about Demyx was h...no! She couldn't bring herself to say it again. Yet, that would explain the intense feelings she had whenever she saw him. No, love was weakness. Whoa, why did she just jump to love? No, she needed hate. That would be the only reason her heart came back. Hate and rage were her strength.

Having a heart was just so complicated.