Cracks mapped in skin

Empty binder files mocked Justice from the floor.

Boxes of legal books and folders lined neatly against the wall, Phoenix brought down more books from his shelf and after a customary glance through the materials, placed them on the desk where Apollo tersely stacked them in boxes.

A breeze whistled through the broken window, the curtain snagged against the jagged ends of broken glass and tore.

"Why do you have files on us?" Apollo asked through gritted teeth. "Mr. Wright, I understand why you would keep our data." No, he did not understand, didn't Phoenix trust his employees? "Why do you have a file on Trucy?"

The two adopted a facade of camaraderie when Trucy poked her head and announced scones and tea for breakfast.

A thick, leather bound legal book thumped on the table. Phoenix's dark blue irises focused on dusty files inherited from his mentor. He flipped through them, noting the scraps of information on her mother, on Bluecorp, on Dahlia Hawthorne.

"Mr. Wright?"

"I think we should take a break," Phoenix brusquely announced and snapped the folder shut. "I'm starving, aren't you?"

Fingers tightening on a book, Apollo hurled it into a box. "No, I'm not hungry. I want to know why you have files on us. US!" he exploded, the words festering in his mind now erupting in a poisonous tide. "And it's not just basic data, you have everything, my cases, Athena's past, Trucy..." he broke off. "Does she know? Does she know her father is dead? What about me and Thena? You knew about her didn't you?"

The bracelet clamped tighter as Phoenix seized, a telltale sign he hid something.

"You know everything and kept us uninformed. Is it fine for us to falter and constantly question ourselves?" Apollo scathed, his loud voice rattling the windows, at this point, he hardly cared if anyone heard. "Do you find it fun to watch?" he demanded. "You remind me of Mr. Gavin... you," Justice faltered when a flash of disbelief surfaced in Phoenix's eyes. "I don't understand you Mr. Wright..."

"I'm sorry." Wright taped the cardboard box shut under Justice's despondent glare.

"Sorry?" the younger man shrieked. "You are not sorry." The rookie scuttled past the door like a frightened mouse, tips of his spiky hair disappearing near the boardroom. "What are you going to do now? Your files are stolen. The information in there is stolen, there will be a bunch of other people learning secrets I never knew I had!" Anger clawed Apollo's throat, he tried to swallow and choked. "I'm taking an extended leave," he aggressively proclaimed, "don't contact me under any circumstances."

Hands balled into tight fists, Apollo stormed out of Wright's office.

Phoenix collapsed in the leather chair and despite the heat, zipped his tracksuit till his neck.

08:40 a.m.

City Center

Bluecorp building

The argument in the agency drained Sora's energy.

Senior Apollo screamed about files and secrets and when Sora scurried past Mr. Wright's office, he heard a muted apology. Apology for what? Sora did not understand why Apollo was so worked up about their boss having information on them, they were employees, wasn't it normal?

Bluecorp stood apart from other skyscrapers by a shiny new, iron wrought gate enclosing it from all sides. A bored guard lazily waved them through and Sora tucked his chin into a woolen scarf when a camera followed his movements. They were here on an unofficial visit, to check the infamous CEO for themselves and determine how Bluecorp fared under the new executive officer.

"Why is Mr. Justice so angry?" Sora mumbled as he and Maya traversed a road lined with recently planted flowers. Rows of stones edged the garden and he wondered what sort of aesthetic the organization aimed to deliver; right now, it was a curious mix of nauseatingly extravagant, with the company's name in bold, gold lettering on top of the building, and rustic, with iron benches and old fashioned lamps.

Deciding Maya never heard him, Sora started to repeat his question.

The sliding doors drowned his words, a genial receptionist greeted them warmly and people buzzed in the lobby, entering, leaving and talking to transmitters clipped to their ears. Hints of aftershave and perfume lingered in the foyer.

In the elevator, Maya replied, "I don't know much about Polly." Their distorted images reflected from the elevator's steel doors. "He joined after I resumed my duties to the clan. After the disbarment, Nick has a habit of being over prepared."

She quieted as a Bluecorp employee entered and Sora shrunk behind her, facing the box's cold walls. More people filtered in and Maya struck an amiable conversation with them. Digging out his phone, Sora recorded their statements; they discussed the Chief Executive Officer, Jean Keeble.

"He finds it difficult to trust people," the spiritual medium explained when the elevator emptied and steadily climbed the floors. "Polly's first boss was found to be a murder in his first trial; he also has little memories about his parents..." The lift stopped at the top floor and opened to a luxurious corridor glowing in the light from ornate lamps. "I think he is mainly disappointed, because Nick knows more about him, than he himself."

Maya's voice grew softer as they approached a door oozing importance.

Lucy Keats beckoned them in with a sour frown and Sora clutched his stomach.

A disgustingly designed table gleamed in the center of the office and behind it, hair lathered in an entire tub of gel, grinned Jean. An assortment of rings winked on his fingers. Maya sunk into a plush seat and clasped her hands regally while Sora inwardly debated and with a resigned grunt, sat adjacent to her.

The seat poofed under him and he ignored the flamboyant man for a giant painting hung in a gold gilt frame.

"Welcome to Bluecorp!" Jean boomed in an announcer-esque voice and flashed his set of pearly whites, "to what honor do I owe this visit today?" He nodded to his secretary and after bowing stiffly, she closed the door. "I have received news of the tragedy befalling the Wright and Co. Law offices," a signet ring flashed in his index finger, "and bear in mind I have nothing to do with this." He beamed.

Liar.

"I understand Mr. Wright clashed with this organization before," Keeble continued when Maya eagerly leaned forward, "but that is past history." He placed his arms on the polished desk, empty save for a sleek laptop, a bust and a penholder. "The former CEO, Redd White, besmirched the company's good name. We are an information gathering organization," Jean stressed and fixed his gemstone cufflinks, "and we do not condone practices such as blackmailing; Mr. White got what came for him."

The silver suit pressed neatly on Keeble's body shone with a pearly luster of its own, rivaling the opulence in the office.

"The Wright and Co. Law offices are a prestigious firm," the CEO prattled and Sora wondered if he would ever shut up. "In the event I run into any legal trouble, I decided to turn to Mr. Wright." Jean flourished a card from the desk drawer, it showed a clown, advertising the Law agency. "I know the agency prides in finding the truth above all other things and inspired by it, I too have decided to shift our company's modus operandi," his mouth danced around the words, "to search for the truth and nothing but the truth."

Growing increasingly tired at the waves of words constantly crashing over him, Sora cleared his throat. "...Mr Keeble-"

"And now," Keeble gestured grandly to his sparkling office, "I saved this company from the brink of bankruptcy and continue investigations on other organizations and people of interest." He grinned; light from an overhead chandelier in hues of red and gold, reflected off his chemically whitened teeth. "Oh I apologize," he raised his hand to his forehead, an expensive chronometer watch dangled snugly on his wrist, "you must have a lot of questions for me."

If Vanitas were here, he would've shoved his boot in your mouth.

"Mr. Keeble-" Sora tried again.

"My goodness how rude of me!" Keeble flapped his hand; an emerald glinted on his little finger. Grabbing the office phone, he fired an order. "Coffee for the guests!" he barked and smiled saccharine at Maya, "with lots of cream." Slamming the phone back in the receiver he steepled his fingers and finally glanced at Sora. "Hmm, I didn't notice you young man, who are you again?"

10:30 a.m.

District Court

Courtroom no. 5

What a waste of time.

Sora took his position behind the defenses bench and tried to keep Miles Edgeworth out of his mind. The prosecutor edged closer to the front of the seating gallery and if Sora raised his head, he could see the lace cravat, fluttering in what little breeze passed in the courtroom.

Strangling his pastel blue scarf, the attorney laid his documents; the morning's incident played like a reel in his mind. Keeble contributed absolutely nothing to the investigation and the visit to Bluecorp, with its uppity employees and snide smiles, left Sora's head spinning.

Not to mention Mr. Wright constantly zoned on something or the other, and ignored his questions.

"The prosecution called Jean to the witness stand," Athena prepped him in the lobby. "You've got him right where you need him." She pumped a fist in the air, "now you just have to knock him unconscious."

"…You're not allowed to smack him," Phoenix laconically muttered from the sofa while Trucy straightened his crooked tie.

The Judge banged his gavel and implored for silence. "Yesterday, the attorney raised the possibility of another suspect in the case, Mr. Debeste your thoughts?"

Sebastian Debeste smoothed the scarlet jacket hanging off his shoulders. The prosecutor's badge gleamed self-importantly on his lapel. "My thoughts remain the same your honor." He whacked his baton on the bench. "The accused is guilty." Debeste shook his head. "Today, I present Jean Keeble as a witness; he will make it clear how no one from Bluecorp could have committed the crime."

"Ugh…it's motor mouth," Maya mocked and despite his anxiety, Sora cracked a smile.

"Witness, state your name and address," Debeste commanded as the CEO climbed the stand.

The chromium chronometer flashed brilliantly on his wrist. "Young man," Jean gasped at the attorney. "Have I seen you somewhere? You are awfully familiar, perhaps you came to my office seeking help?"

I was here this morning you moron, trying to get a fingerprint.

"Witness," Debeste slammed his hand on his desk, "your name and address please."

Coughing into a fist, the witness relented. "Jean Keeble, CEO of Bluecorp, which I inherited after my predecessor went to jail courtesy of Phoenix Wright. Please bear in mind I have steered the company away from its blackmailing-"

"Your testimony on the day of the crime," the words seeped through Sebastian's clenched teeth, "and make it concise."

The gallery twittered in amusement and Debeste clutched his conductor, tiny tears gathering at the edges of his caramel brown eyes.

"Ahem, on the day of the crime, I was at my office, where else could I be?"

"Objection!" Sora pounced before a sea of words spilled from the witness, "do you have anyone to support your claim?"

Jean spread his hands, a diamond ring on his middle finger. "My secretary will testify-"

"Anyone apart from your lying secretary?" Sora vehemently injected, if he cornered Jean, he might press for a fingerprint without much difficulty. Although, the strain of keeping the verbose witness under pressure weighed on Sora's brow.

"Your honor," the prosecutor cut in, "I object to the rough handling of the witness by the lawyer." Sora blanched and clutched his badge. "He is not allowing the witness to testify properly."

The Judge nodded. "Objection sustained. Mr. Clavius, while I commend you for showing this surprising side of yourself, please refrain from pestering the witness unnecessarily, you will be penalized."

Gulping nervously, Sora listened patiently as Jean related his testimony.

"On the morning of the crime, I asked Lucy to investigate the Wright and Co. Law agency," Jean smiled ceremoniously. "I was inspired by the agency's single minded incentive to find the truth behind the cases they handle and thus sent my capable assistant to conduct an interview with the talented attorneys." The Judge sat transfixed by the witness' speech. "Unfortunately, it seemed Lucy arrived too early and was wrongfully accused of theft. After she returned to the office, she related her problems and I considered giving her a raise to compensate for the troubles I put her through."

Keats, in the viewer's gallery, remained stoic faced.

"Through this incident, I was at the office, overseeing new projects and drafting a letter to Organization XIII."

Numerous heartless surged around his legs, popping one after the other. Jean's white slacks stained grey and Sora heroically fought against the rising urge to bolt out of the courtroom.

"Mr. Clavius, your cross-examination, please. Remember unnecessary questions will count against your favor," the Judge advised.

Nodding, Sora read through witness testimony he hastily scrawled on a blank sheet. The chatter of heartless buzzed in his ears. "Mr. Keeble, by 'talented attorneys'... what... who exactly do you mean?"

Brightening, Jean gushed, "Of course I mean Wright, Justice and Athena Psyche..." he trailed off as the court hushed. "And I heard of a magician extraordinaire."

Imagining Athena yelling her head off in the stands, Sora suppressed a grin. "Athena Cykes you mean," he squeaked when Lucy glowered. "Also, Mr. Wright hired a new lawyer, have you heard of him?"

The CEO shook his head. "Unfortunately no, lately, I have lagged behind in the affairs of the world, you see, I have directed my energies towards my company." He smiled appealingly at Debeste.

"I've been at the Wright and Co. Law agency for more than six months," Sora elaborated and Keeble turned pale. "…Jean, do you perhaps want to amend your testimony? If you claim to respect our Law firm, you should at least know the proper names of the lawyers practicing it." Sora forcefully pulled his gaze from the floor and at the sweating witness. A few of the heartless sunk back in the ground, a whirling shadow beneath Jean's feet.

"Ahem," he cleared his throat. "Yes, I asked Lucy to check the agency and I was at my table, drafting a letter to Organization XIII." He raised his wide palms. "I am sure everyone has heard of them? They are a household name, manufacturing everything from electronics to books and perfume. I want to know the secret of their success."

Another shadow escaped from the floor, tangling its knobby arms lovingly around the lying witness.

The picture of the grape juice bottle lay on Sora's bench and Maya nodded encouragingly at him. "The defense requests evidence of this supposed letter." Sebastian uttered a distinctly girlish shriek and bent his baton in gloved palms. "Mr. Prosecutor?" Sora prompted, "I...err... uh… the letter?"

The prosecutor mumbled they did not have such a letter.

Miles Edgeworth's admonishing glare drilled into Sora and he wiped his palms. "Mr. Keeble, your testimony is difficult to uphold-"

"Objection!" Debeste recovered. "If you are accusing the witness, I demand evidence." In the gallery, Edgeworth sighed and rubbed his glasses with a fine cloth.

Silence lay thickly in court.

"I have a fingerprint on this grape juice bottle," Sora whispered in the stifling chamber, "and I request for Jean Keeble's assistance in identifying-"

"Egads!" Jean interjected, "are you accusing me of theft? How... how dare you insinuate-"

The Judge banged his gavel and Sebastian flinched, eyes wide open. The ring of wood on wood shushed the rambling witness. "Mr. Clavius, are you asking the witness to supply a fingerprint?" Sora nodded and stubbornly pushed his muffler under his chin. "What do you hope to prove?"

"His innocence, hopefully," Sora replied and Lucy crumpled from her perfectly rigid pose.

The vending machine mirrored Sora's insecurities as he agonized over purchasing an energy drink, or cold coffee. Trucy solved the problem by spontaneously choosing limeade and he drowned the drink gratefully.

"You were surprisingly awesome today," she chirped.

Surprisingly?

"Senior Apollo?" Sora immediately kicked himself when her bright smile slipped. "I heard him and Mr. Wright… and it made me nervous," he mumbled, eyes trained to the carpet.

Trucy tucked the ends of his muffler inside his suit. "Don't worry about Polly, he'll come back and everything will be normal." She dragged Sora to the lobby as the courtroom doors opened. "Right now you have to focus on getting Pearls the non-guilty verdict, you can do it!" Trucy exuberantly announced and gave him a gentle shove. "I'll give you free tickets to my show if you win the case!" she mock shouted and climbed after her father to the viewer's gallery.

"We have the results of the fingerprint analysis," the Judge announced and twirled his beard.

By the expression in Jean's face, Sora pondered as the witness inhaled angrily, the fingerprint on the juice bottle must be his.

"It belongs to the witness," Sebastian listlessly said. "However, there are several factors which indicate the crime could not have been committed by Mr. Keeble." He obstinately stated and tearfully glowered at Sora.

Maya touched her magatama. "Check in your court record, you have the evidence which will set Pearly free."

…I wish it could wave a red flag. Sora scratched his head as the court impatiently waited for him.

The newspaper clippings slid out of a folder. "Your honor, Bluecorp has a motive," he pointed to the articles on the courtroom screen. "Jean claimed he brought the company out of bankruptcy and despite his assertions of not collecting blackmail material, he continues to do so-"

"Where is the evidence?" Sebastian demanded.

"The evidence is the crime itself," Sora replied. "He stole information from the offices of Mr. Wright, which could lead to the agency's ruin. It is revenge against the attorney who brought Bluecorp to their... knees...figuratively speaking." Sora muttered for a moment before continuing. "The fingerprint is decisive evidence-"

"It's not!" Debeste cut in urgently, "the fingerprint could be planted-"

"Enough Sebastian, the witness is guilty of the crimes against him," Miles interrupted from the stand and the attorney nearly fainted when his smooth baritone graced the courtroom. "Your honor, this farce has continued for long, we await your verdict." He dipped his head politely.

Opposite him, Wright wore a victorious smile; his eyes gleamed in savage triumph before fading blankly.

"Err...yes." The Judge recovered from Edgeworth's blunt interruption. "I proclaim the defendant; Not Guilty!"

Cheers erupted in the court; no one noticed a hulking body hitting the floor, Jean frothing at the mouth.

03:00 p.m.

District Court

Courtroom lobby no.5

The courtroom doors parted and Sora exited the chamber, suit jacket draped neatly over his forearm and attended by a grateful Pearl. She bowed to him and stammered her thanks and cheeks flushing, Sora dusted sparkling confetti from his hair.

He stopped speaking when a silver haired individual came forward. Sora's heart rattled in his ribcage, heralding the beginning of doom and when Nox mechanically introduced himself as a mentor, Sora stopped listening completely.

The boy stalked across the school courtyard, hands shoved deep in the pockets of grey, school trousers. Cowering when his searing gaze turned on them, many underclassmen promptly handed over their lunches and munny; the upperclassmen regarded him with snide whispers while Sora meekly nibbled on his cheese sandwich and tried vainly to stop his twin from badmouthing the school's celebrated tyrant. The school girls swooned over his physique and Vanitas chucked empty soda cans at Nox's head whenever the silver haired boy passed by.

"Belle must have informed you." Riku extracted a dog-eared timetable from his journal. "Your case ended today and I thought we could get together and sort out your training schedule. Do you have time?"

"Uh... um...I." Sora's hands grew clammy; he forgot to consult his brother on the problem of the KBWA. His associates retreated to the red velvet sofa, offering a modicum of privacy and he helplessly glanced at Trucy. "The Keyblade never made an appearance again," he breathlessly confirmed.

The courtroom lobby emptied, people trickled through the doors. "The Keyblade, once manifested, won't materialize unless you call upon it," Riku informed. "If you can't make it today I unders-"

"I'm fine!" Sora quickly said. "I...I'll go with you, I'm ready for training today." He tensed with the effort of maintaining eye contact.

Nodding, Nox gestured to the door. Risking a peek backwards, Sora mimed going with the silver haired man and everyone, save for Mr. Wright, waved him goodbye. Not one of them attempted to rescue him from the menacing stranger with teal eyes.

The courtroom doors swept shut and he silently marveled the sleek, smart car parked on the side of the curb. Sora hovered indecisively at the passenger side when Riku unlocked the car and the door swung slowly upwards.

Do I have to sit next to him?

The timid attorney searched for the nonexistent backseats and slowly slid into the car. It smelled of leather and mint candy. The vehicle started with a soft purr and before he knew what was happening, it joined the stream of traffic. Oppressive silence weighed in the car like a lead ball and too afraid to look at anything, Sora kept his eyes straight ahead and piled his scarf in front of his face.

A little ornament bobbed on the dashboard. The mouse king held a miniature Keyblade, mouth upturned into a grin.

Vice-chief Tifa cast curaga on Vanitas' wounds when he encountered her in the dining hall; as usual, Jiminy perched on her shoulder and with his mentor enslaved on a mission, the Black Saint seized the opportunity to continue his investigation of the Keyblade Wielder's Association. The Special Assignment floor, with its central cube room and individual pods, lost all interest after he learnt of Nox's involvement and rumors reached Vanitas' ears of other obscure individuals partaking in the missions.

No one heard of them when they went on a special assignment, no one asked questions.

The theatre on Basement floor 5 creaked open and he stomped into the otherwise quiet room. Vanitas did not like silence, unlike his twin who reveled in them. He could barely sleep without some form of background noise, be it Sora memorizing his case notes, or nonsensical chatter leaking from the television mounted on the wall. The cinema boasted a large silver screen and dim lights illuminated rows of velour couches. A faint aroma of buttered popcorn hung in the air and marching to a rectangular panel next to the seats, Vanitas pored over the movie selections.

He snorted at the classics, grimaced at the romantic movies and settled for watching Grave of the Fireflies.

If anyone bothered him, he will acquaint Void Gear to their face.

Light played in the darkened chamber, rippling along the satin curtains draping the walls. The hall filled with music, with voices and he watched, lost in the sea of vivid emotions and absentmindedly picking a scab on his upper arm.

When the door to the cinema opened, it went unnoticed and waddling to the aisles, Donald whacked his jewel topped staff across Vanitas' legs.

"The hell was that for you stupid duck?" he screeched and paused the movie. "I'm busy, are you blind?"

Goofy sat in a couch next to him. "Are your wounds better?" he asked.

"You should be compiling a report." Goofy's concerned question melted in the heat of Donald's command. "And busy?" he pointed a wing at the screen, where a young girl buried fireflies, "you call this busy?"

Vanitas reared in his seat. "Find someone else to pester, I didn't see you healing me when I almost died from my sunburns!" he growled. "Leave me alone, today is my off day."

Despite Donald's quacking, the trio watched the movie together. Vanitas scowled when Goofy sniffed, the dog stemmed the tide of tears leaking from his eyes. Reaching in his pockets, he tossed a pack of tissues and stiffened when Donald clutched his forearm. The duck pursed his bill together, determined not to cry.

"Oh dear, is she going to die?"

Whipping to the new intrusion, Vanitas clenched his jaw when an ash headed teen wiped a faux tear from the edge of his deadpan eyes. Gnarling threats, he summoned Void Gear and threw it at the smirking boy.

Joshua sidestepped and the weapon clanged loudly against the far wall. Void Gear whizzed back, trailing a shadowy stream and grin inching wider, he caught the violently spinning weapon long enough to see the Keyblade wielder's mouth open in surprise, and chucked it back at the Black Saint.

"What do you want brat?" Vanitas sneered. "Can't a man get some peace?"

Grinning like a cat, Joshua perched on the edge of a couch. "I thought you would be interested in what's happening in the training complex." The Black Saint scoffed. "Well... it's just," the teen infuriatingly twirled a lock of thick hair between his fingers, "there is a man in the training complex, who looks awfully like you." His smile cut his face. "And currently, the Grey Knight is beating the life out of him - whoa!" Joshua jumped when Vanitas lashed out of his comfortable seat and rushed to the door. "Give the King my regards!" the teen sang and waved.

I'm going to murder Nox.

The teleportation moogle's fur fluffed in fright when Vanitas appeared on the second underground floor. Dim sounds ricocheted from the never ending complex and blood boiling, he hurtled straight to the where the clashes of metal on metal emanated. Golden irises blazing in wrath, Vanitas blocked a jab from Riku's keyblade and roundhouse kicked the unsuspecting man, grinning in satisfaction when Nox soared backwards and tumbled to the floor with an undignified grunt.

"Vanitas!" Sora crumpled to the floor. His panting echoed in the stark room. "I wanted... I wanted..." he gasped as his brother offered him a dubious, neon green liquid in a fancy crystal bottle. "I wanted to tell you about the KBWA arranging a training schedule." Sora's wrists ached from hefting the Keyblade and while Nox refrained from landing a single hit, his body ached like someone rained punches on him. Scrabbling with his ribbon tie, Sora worked it free and unbuttoned his shirt collar; sweat plastered the fabric to his skin.

Carefully arranging the damp scarf over Sora's neck, Vanitas glared at Riku from the corner of his eye. "You can go home," he told his brother, "I'll sort things out with the KBWA-"

"He needs to be trained." Leon intruded from the shadows, griever pendant winking in the light. "Nox has an excellent handle on the Keyblade, he makes for an ideal trainer-"

"No!" Vanitas swore. "I'm not pitting my brother with him. Nox is a notorious bully. He's one of those people who pushed Sora around at high school."

Riku's grip on Way to Dawn slackened.

"He didn't bully me," Sora piped from the floor and fanned himself.

"Of course he didn't," Vanitas agreed unashamedly, "I'd rework his pretty face if he did."

Leon rubbed his forehead, fingers briefly brushing across his scar. "Riku has gone through an extensive rehabilitation plan," he stated, "and is more than capable in handling a fledgling Keyblade wielder." Vanitas opened his mouth to protest and Squall held a hand for silence. "You cannot train your brother, you are under training yourself, we are pressed for time, this world is pressed for time and I have a responsibility to prepare those who can restore order to this imbalance."

Strangling the chain dangling from his jeans, Vanitas resisted the urge to throttle his superior; Leon's sense of nonchalance aggravated him. It reminded him of Zack.

"I understand you want to train Sora," he controlled his fraying temper, "but maybe you can consider another mentor? Because psychological scarring isn't gonna help my brother in the long run."

He'd make for a half decent lawyer, Sora beamed proudly at Vanitas arguing his head off, he deflated when Riku soundlessly approached him.

"Get away from him you freak!" Vanitas forcibly wedged himself between the two. "And stay away," he brandished his weapon. "I'll ask Zack to," he stiffened slightly when Sora squeezed his shoulders.

"It's okay," he mumbled.

What?!

"I'm okay with Nox training me," Sora spoke to the ground, wondering if he perhaps lost his mind. Something in the man's soulless stare prompted him to agree to the arrangement.

Hunched shoulders, hair falling across his face. Wherever he went, people gave him a wide berth.

"If my brother gets as much as a scratch on his skinny self, I'm going to rip each and every hair out of your head!" Vanitas stood on tiptoes trying to tower over Nox while Sora moaned about not antagonizing his trainer. "I'll be watching you," the golden eyed man threatened, "the day Sora complains about you, is the day the KBWA will hold a funeral for you. Pray God grants you mercy because I won't."

Observing the interaction with a bored sigh, Leon perked when a hint of a smile graced Riku's face.

Since King Mickey's leave, the Grey Knight drifted like an untethered ghost in the Association hallways, now, a determined glint shone in his teal irises as he patiently endured Vanitas' ear peeling insults.

Loyalty

Mid-afternoon

Organization XIII headquarters

"There is a traitor amongst us."

Axel wondered why Saix glanced at him when he delivered that statement.

The members gathered in the grey area meeting room for the monthly review and before Xigbar announced his report, Saix declared the possibility of a traitor. The fashion model observed his co-workers from beneath hooded eyelids; adjacent sitting members peeped stealthily at each other, only Saix stared at him.

"Do you have anyone in mind?" Axel asked. "Enlighten us then." He spread his hands.

At the far end of the table, Roxas gripped his review sheet and paled while Larxene regarded him viciously. Xion trembled and obsessively smoothed her ruffled skirt; she kept her head low, avoiding any stares which might come her way.

I'm not a traitor, Axel toyed with his pen. I'm a loyal member of this organization. The pen missed his fingers and skidded across the table to Zexion. The flame haired man stole a peek at Roxas and Xion and silently memorized the despair on their faces.

A/N: We all need a bobbing, Mickey Mouse with a Keyblade dashboard ornament. I watched Grave of the Fireflies with my darling Mindy and I sobbed my eyes out. Studio Ghibli movies will forever have a place in my heart.

Please read and review, comments are much appreciated.