Enamis09: I'm glad that you're able to relax and unwind a little while reading my stories! Hope all goes well with your studies.

I actually did do a drawing of Meli in her elf costume which you can see on my deviantart page. This website doesn't let you post full links to other sites, so it's a little complicated to get there, but if you copy and paste the link below, change where it says (dotcom) to the real thing, and take out all the spaces, you'll be able to see it. Or you can just go to deviantart and search for actress4Him, and it should take you to my page to see all the drawings I've posted so far.

deviantart (dotcom)/ actress4him/ art/Christmas-Town-782415687

TheCesar09: Haha yep, pretty much!

Coolmegan123: Glad you enjoyed it! Yep, you should know by now that I love me some angst, but it's always nice to have some just for fun moments, too!

Hope you guys enjoyed the lighthearted break last week, because we're back to dark, creepy, and angsty for the next few weeks haha.

This short oneshot I think I originally wrote to give you guys a little peek at what Saix and Xemnas were actually up to in the other universe, since Meli never did really find out in Sorrow's Promise. Then I ended up editing the chapter (SPOILERS for the end of SP) where Aiden reappears to give a little more of a hint at what had been going on, mainly because I had refined the idea for myself while writing the sequel. I then edited this oneshot to reflect those changes. So now in this chapter you're getting a tiny bit more clarification about what they were doing, as well as a tiny bit of foreshadowing for Inferno's Edge (oooooooohh)!

This takes place sometime during the middle of Meli's stay at The Castle That Never Was, probably close to the end.

Chapter 41.5

(Falls in the middle of chapter 41)

Saix's Perspective

"You wanted to see me?" Saix wasted no time as he stepped out onto the rooftop from his dark corridor. He had plenty of other things that he could be doing right now, but of course no one could ignore a summons from the Superior.

Xemnas didn't turn to face him, but continue gazing up at Kingdom Hearts as he so often did. "Every day she grows bigger and more beautiful," he sighed. "The Keyblade bearer is doing his job well." As if on cue, tiny pink hearts appeared from the horizon, floating up to join with the giant glowing heart in the sky. "Yes, Kingdom Hearts, feast! Our time is nearly at hand!"

Saix cleared his throat lightly, trying not to sound too impatient, but unsure if Xemnas still remembered that he was standing there. The Superior's gaze lingered for just a moment longer, then he finally turned to address Saix. "How is your search coming along?"

"Nothing new to report," Saix admitted reluctantly. "I have revisited the doppelgangers of myself and Numbers VIII, IX, and XII, but they still refuse to listen to me. They seem to have no interest in coming to this universe at all, no matter how enticing I make it out to be. And other than those, I have not been able to locate any other doppelgangers." The whole thing was quite frustrating, if he was honest. It felt like a hopeless endeavor, but Xemnas had been very insistent that this path be taken, even though he wouldn't share his exact reasons. Only that it had something to do with a backup plan, which didn't make any sense to Saix. Kingdom Hearts was nearly complete, which meant they should all be getting their hearts back soon. Why would they need more members at this point, especially fully human doppelgangers of the members they already had?

"Keep searching," Xemnas returned. "The universe may be vast, but it is not infinite. And keep revisiting the ones you have found, as well. Sooner or later I believe that they will give in."

Saix clenched his teeth, biting back a sigh. "Yes, of course." At least he had that stupid, insolent girl that he could take his disdain for this task out on.

"How is the portal-maker?" Xemnas asked, as if reading his mind. "Does she continue to obey well?"

"Without question," Saix nodded, a smirk of satisfaction crossing his lips. "Vexen's tools have worked quite well." He paused, frowning again. "There is the issue, however, of her meals..."

"What kind of an issue?"

"She's been giving the majority of her food to the other prisoner," Saix explained. "I have not yet confronted her about it, so I do not know her reasoning. What would you suggest I do?"

Xemnas waved a hand dismissively. "As long as she remains alive and able to open portals, it is of no concern to me whether or not she starves herself. Until she can no longer perform her duties, leave her be."

"Very well." Saix gave a slight bow, then glanced back up at Xemnas. "Was that all?"

"Yes. Go, and report back to me if you find anything of interest."

"Of course." Opening another dark corridor, Saix exited quickly and made his way back to the laboratory. Apparently he had some more searching to do, so he might as well start right now.

Please let me know what you thought in a review, and if you have any special requests, shoot them my way! Ideas for scenes can be as vague or specific as you want. I'll try my best to do whatever I receive!