Author's Note: Crap on a crap cracker. It's been a while. Vegas sure put me through a lot other than story-writing.like how to make people think about how disgusting smoking was. (If you care to know just how I did that, feel free to ask.) Anyway, in order to get the chapters coming faster, I think a few encouraging reviews might help. Ahem, I seem to be having trouble with my HTML tags. Could someone please help me out with it? Prepare for a lot of dialogue this chapter.

Disclaimer: Is this really necessary? Everyone knows a person posting fanfiction here at FFN doesn't own anything they're writing about. The story's mine, though. Don't take it. I have a rabid sister on standby.

Anthem's Report: Chapter Three

By Deus Magi

It was around noon by the time Ansem awoke from his slumber. His studies had kept him intrigued through the wee hours of the morning; he had fallen asleep just after eating a big breakfast. At this point, the servants and early-risers weren't too curious. Even after only three days, they had become accustomed to his newly acquired strange behavior.

The castle master yawned once more, a loud, groaning yawn. Hopefully he wouldn't run into anyone, lest his secret be discovered. But of course, a certain mistress of misfortune just happened to stumble across his silent prayer.

At the end of the corridor, Ansem heard light, quick footsteps. Judging by their form - Ansem halted in his own pace - they were those of a child.

Ansem did not duck into the shadows, although there were numerous (more than he recalled from the previous night). Instead, he squinted to see who was coming. The figure did not look familiar, and distance apart was not counted as a factor in his vision.

She was, indeed, a child. Her amber locks, straight and drooping just past her ears, flew behind her. Apparently she was in a hurry, offering no concern as to where she was going. Due to this, Ansem intercepted her path, allowing her to plow into him.

"Eek!" screeched the girl, watching this man tumble to the floor at the same time she herself did. "Whoa! I'm sorry about that, I wasn't watching where I-" She stopped her swift apology to look closer at this man.

"No, it's my fault," he assured her. Ansem waved a book before her eyes, the parcel containing the records from his experiments, indicating obvious reason for not paying attention. The girl glanced casually the book, not serving much of a care.

"Sir, forgive me for asking, but have we met before?" She looked especially thoughtful and Ansem tucked his records away.

"I don't believe so. Unless you've been through this hall," Ansem admonished gesturing toward a large framed painting conveniently just a few feet away. "One receives much recognition as master of the castle." He smiled warmly, standing and dusting off his coat.

She leaped to her feet. "Master Ansem! Wow, it's you! I never thought I'd run into like this - no pun intended." She scratched the back of her head, blushing rather fiercely.

Ansem raised his eyebrows, glancing at something on the floor. He bent down to pick it up. "By the by, what's your name?"

"Um.Kairi," she said, noticing the item she had dropped. "Erm, that's."

"Yours?" Ansem straightened up, jingling the small accessory. "Strange novelty. A flower with two faces." He turned it over and over. One side was blue, the other pink. "Here you go." Kairi blinked and let it fall into her fingers.

"Uh, thanks." Ansem nodded and walked past her, whistling. What a nervous child, he thought. Hasty, though.

"Wait!" Kairi ran up next to him, falling in step. "Do you think I could come with you?" Ansem's whistling came to an abrupt stop, and he coughed. He clutched the pocket where his notebook was concealed, as if she had grabbed at it. Ansem glanced composedly at the girl.

"Well, Kairi," he said, taste-testing her name, "don't you - erm - have somewhere to be during the middle of the day?"

Kairi frowned, gnawing on the tips of her fingers. "I-I suppose. But I, well, kind of." The child seemed genuinely distraught from Ansem's perspective. He thought for a moment, looked down at her.

"Do you know where the library is?" he asked.

Kairi nodded. "Off-limits, though, right?"

Ansem shook his head. He leaned down closer to whisper in her ear. "Find Aerith - she'll let you inside." Kairi looked up at him in blissful shock.

"Really? Y-you mean it?" She spun around, her hands clasped. Without thinking, Kairi wrapped her arms around Ansem's waist, triggering a sweatdrop from the castle master. "ThankyoumasterAnsemyouhavenoideahowhappythismakes-"

"You're quite welcome, I'm sure!" chuckled Ansem. "Just make sure no one follows you." Kairi bobbed her head like a bird, leaned in a bow, took off down the hall. Ansem's smile faded as he watched after her. She stopped near the end and turned.

"Um, Master Ansem? Do you suppose I could bring my grandmother along? She really likes books and stories. It's been a while since she's visited."

Ansem waved a hand in mid-turn. "Absolutely, Kairi. You and your grandmother may visit any time you wish." Kairi's grin spread even further and she rounded the corner when finally she was out of sight. He sighed. Ansem had not seen a child in months. It seemed the younger population was growing thin.

Sighing once more, he quickly headed to the place he had concealed his failed experiments: below the castle. On the way, he yawned at least twelve times.

"The shadows that crawl beneath the castle... Are they the people who lost their hearts, or incarnations of darkness? Or something entirely beyond my imagination?

"All my knowledge has provided no answer. One thing I am sure of is that they are entirely devoid of emotion. Perhaps further study will unlock the mysteries of the heart. Fortunately, there is no shortage of test samples.

"They are multiplying underground even as I write this report. They still need a name.

"Those who lack hearts... I will call them the Heartless."