How've y'all been? You miss me yet? Lol, had a wonderful vacation this past week but it's nice to be home. Did manage to write ahead some more though! Anyways, enjoy! ~KB
Disclaimer: KH is Nomura's

Ch 7: Return

Just like Master Xehanort told her, Manami took the last day off. There wasn't much she could do anyway. Not with her Keyblade gone.

This sucks, she thought solemnly. She couldn't travel anywhere because Master Eraqus had the Gummi Ship and she didn't want to walk around the tower in case she encountered another Heartless. Knowing Master Xehanort could retrieve them at will unsettled her. Manami would be completely defenseless if she came across a stray Shadow. So, she confined herself to her room for the day and if she was honest with herself, she was sulking.

She laid on her bed and stared at envelop lying on her desk. Manami had finally managed to calm herself down enough last night to write the letter. Now it was mocking her from where it laid innocently on her desk.

Manami rolled over on her back and sighed. What to do, what to do?

Manami stared at the books packed on her shelf. Every spine she looked at reminded her of the world bound in those pages. Many reminded her of the worlds she often visited. All of the adventures she went on, the places she seen. It always amazed her at how different yet how similar the cultures could be. There was always a story to be told, one just had to be willing to hear it.

She knew the stories inside and out, so rereading one for the umph-tienth time was not the most appealing. But there were her clothes that needed repairing; Manami hadn't had a chance to repair all the Scratch holes yet.

Yes, she thought, that's a good idea. It's productive and relaxing. Thank goodness Mom taught me how before I left home.

So Manami set to work on sewing up the torn bits of clothing, starting with her pants. They had the most holes. As she sewed, Manami absent mindedly began to hum. It was a soft, sad tune that she had heard on a mission one day. The tune matched her feelings toward the future. Without the Keyblade, Manami would have to reconsider everything. It had been her dream, her ambition for so many years to become a Keyblade Master. She would've been able to travel to many different worlds and help out where ever and whenever she was needed.

And all of that disappeared when her Keyblade shattered in her hands.

Manami had stopped humming and set her pants on her lap. A small frown had edged onto her lips and tears began rolling down her cheeks once more. Out of the corner of her misty eyes, Manami caught the white of the envelop that sat on her desk containing the letter. She cried even harder as it mocked her. The contents burning in her heart.

It's all over now, she thought grabbing the letter. Manami walked out of her room and down the hall, her steps heavy with dread. Reaching her destination, Manami slipped inside and dropped off the letter.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

Master Eraqus had finally arrived late that evening. Things were worse than he imagined. The meeting with the King was more than he bargained for this time around.

He rubbed a hand down his face in exhaustion; he was getting to old for this.

Master Eraqus entered his office and sat down at his desk, turning on the small desk lamp. It was far too late to ponder what happened at the meeting. He would have to discuss it with Xehanort in the morning. Things were about to get interesting.

Before Eraqus could turn off the light, something white caught his eye. It peaked out from a stack of paper collected during his departure. It looked like it had been shoved in the midst of the stack, almost as if someone were trying to be inconspicuous about it.

He reached over and wiggled it out of the stack. There was no name or anything; it wasn't even addressed to him! Master Erqaus flipped the envelop over. Nothing. Curiosity got the better of him and Eraqus went ahead and opened the envelop.

Inside was a single sheet of paper. He pulled out the sheet and unfolded it to reveal a letter.

Eraqus' eyes widened at the contents and his jaw dropped slightly in disbelief. This couldn't be happening. With everything that's been happening and now this?!

Looks like my meeting with Xehanort will have to be postponed, he thought.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

The following morning, Manami jumped when she heard a knock at her door. She didn't realize that she was so intent on continuing her sewing repair that she tuned everything out!

Opening her door, Manami saw one of the tower servants. There weren't too many of them, just a few for cleaning and cooking but they were paid well by Master Eraqus and Master Xehanort.

"Ma'am," he began, "Master Eraqus requests an audience with you. Immediately."

Manami's eyes widened ever so slightly. What could he possibly want? she thought. No, he couldn't have- could he?

"Thank you." Manami replied, giving a slight bow. And she bolted down the corridor.

FIN

Ooooooooooo, what's in the letter? What is so urgent that M. Eraqus postponed his meeting with Xehanort?! Stay tuned to find out! Leave a review and let me know what you think! ~KB