Note to Disclaimers: I do not and never will own Kingdom Hearts or anyone else except Cyra so please don't sue me. This is for entertainment only, not profits.

Author's Note: Yay! A short chapter! I'm having a bit of writer's block so bear with me again people! I'm sorry if the chapters are less and less up to par for you peeps, but I am having a hard time here, currently. Please, just keep with me faithful readers and reviewers! Thanks to everyone who has reviewed and hasn't reviewed! Nothing more to say here except that I hope you enjoy the reading!

Word coding:

'Thoughts'

Plaint text

Thoughts of Zephyr

"Would you let me in if I wanted you to?" Yuffie said aloud as she gazed into the purple haze before her, the sunset illuminating the background of blue clouds. "Who am I kidding?" She released a somewhat strangled sigh as she tipped her head to the side, eyes examining the atmosphere. She scarcely saw anyone since Aerith's capture by Sephiroth; not that she worried too much, personally. She knew he wouldn't hurt her or the council would do away with him, even though he was her murderer. Yuffie shrugged nonchalantly as she made her way towards the lift stop leading to the secluded waterway of Hollow Bastion. The only person who ever went there was Leon, and she saw him in the kitchen earlier, sure that he wouldn't be in the waterway. Thinking all was well elsewhere, Yuffie hopped down ice block after ice block until she reached her destination of choice. Dampness engulfed her as she descended the staircase to the various gates blocking her path. She released the electric squares before heading deeper into the depths of the rank smelling place. Yuffie's nose scrunched up at its own accord. She didn't remember the waterway smelling so rancid before and so decided to investigate.

She entered the dungeon carefully, cautiously checking incase any heartless were around. As soon as she entered, her nose met the foulest smell she could fathom. So did her eyes, by sight. In the corner lay the carcass of a heartless, though more human-like, with its dark flesh peeling away from its bones. Alarm washed over her face. 'BONES? Since when do they have bones?' She walked over to get a better glance but was yanked back by a strong hand. Yuffie shrieked. "LET ME GO!"

"Be quiet! Do you want the whole world to hear you?" Leon whispered fiercely in her ear.

"Then maybe you should stop sneaking up on me!" Yuffie hissed in reply as she wretched free of his grasp. She turned her gaze to the dead creature. "Have you known about this?"

"It's been there for a couple weeks." Leon leaned casually against the wall furthest from the creature. "They seem to decay slower than humans do and don't die the way heartless normally do either."

"How do you know all this?" Yuffie questioned as she fingered her conformer in her left hand.

"I've been observing them for a while now." Leon replied calmly.

"You mean to tell me that there have been heartless around here and no one else knew or knows about them?" Yuffie was incredulous.

Leon closed his eyes. "I've been killing them, whenever I say I'm going to train. So has Cloud, well, before he left. But," Leon opened his eyes, catching the faintest hint of fear in Yuffie's. "You aren't to tell anyone, hear? This wasn't supposed to get out to Kairi or Riku or even you for that matter. But you are so nosy that I knew it'd be only a bit before you discovered it."

Yuffie sniffed huffily at him, her smirk wide. "Yes well, what can I say? Being nosy is my middle name."

"Along with many others," Leon mumbled as he led them out of the waterway.

"I heard that." Yuffie snipped as she followed. Leon chuckled to himself as she smacked him.

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Aerith watched as the nothingness around her increased, Sephiroth still holding her roughly by the arm. She didn't seem to notice his grip tighten until her arm fell asleep from lack of circulation; she frowned. She was devastated by the fact that Cloud hadn't come looking for her yet, but somehow she knew she would see him very soon, though not under the best circumstances. Aerith tried to think of anything but her lover, yet for some strange reason, all thoughts refocused to him. Even the fact that her former murderer was carrying her resulted in her scattered thoughts returning to Cloud. He had been her savior; her light as Sora had so delicately put it following their trip, which Aerith thought more a disaster than anything else. Sora had fallen into a coma, Kairi was always missing, everyone else was arguing and she and Cloud were constantly on edge. 'If only things hadn't been so rocky to begin with, I might not be here without Cloud.' Aerith cursed herself mentally as Sephiroth dragged her down the hallways to a room with towering white doors made of the finest marble. She gasped in awe at the magnificent beauty of the design before she was roughly shaken. "What?" Aerith snapped.

"The Council waits." Sephiroth pointed to the door, black gloved hand set as he waited for her to proceed. "Well, are you going in or do I have to push you?"

"Bite me." Aerith replied angrily, glaring as she made her way towards the doors. She knew, from the moment she had freed herself of his grasp, that he had been staring at her. And he was staring at her now. She began to push them open but turned around, abruptly. "Sephiroth," He looked up from his intent gazing on her. "Do I have to haul your ass in here with me, or are you going to ogle at my fucking legs more?" Sephiroth was taken aback by the flower girl's usage of fowl language; he managed a slow nod. "Good," She grinned innocently, "Now move your stupid ass so we can get this over with. I WAS busy, mind you." She was surprised he hadn't stabbed her yet, for she knew she was pushing it.

But he never made any move to counter her statements. Instead, Sephiroth walked up to her, pace slow from obvious confusion, though he was trying to hide it. "I think you've been hanging around Strife too long."

Aerith growled, promptly flipped him off and entered the bright ivory doors.

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I stare at the woman before me, her beautifully rich raven hair falling around her shoulders, for she has removed the cloak's hood. Her almond shaped eyes, amethyst in color, sparkle with happiness and sadness. Her skin is pale, creamy, like mine and I see whom I take after in that case. I feel uncertain as she stares at me; lips turned up in a warm smile as she motions to the steps. I follow her as she spins around, suddenly, and makes her way to take a seat, the cloth of her cloak dragging on the floor but picking up no dirt from the filthy floor. She pats the spot next to her and I descend to the cold concrete of the floor, but recoil when I feel cold air hit my arm. I look at her and she frowns slightly before reaching her soft hands to me. I quickly realize why it is cold; she's a ghost. "Mother?"

"Kairi, I can explain." She smiles again, her eyes lighting up. "Please, there is so much to tell you, but so little time, my dear daughter, for he is coming here, very soon, too."

I nod at her to proceed. "How beautiful both you and your sister have grown, especially in your hearts. Kairi, there is something you must know about Cyra and the darkness in her heart."

"I know," I interrupt her. "When our staffs unite, then, Cyra will try to take over the universe against her own will. But don't worry mother, we will set her free from the mind control and everything will be all right." I soothe as I realize that what I'm saying sounds like something out of a comic book. "I've got it covered."

"Is that what they told you?" She looks distressed. "It's not true at all. Didn't Belle tell you the rest of our history? The rest of our truth and our destiny?"

"What do you mean?" I am puzzled. "How do you know Belle?"

"They, the Princesses of Heart have been your mystical guardians since birth. Your father and I made a pact with them." My mother answers. "But Kairi, honey, Cyra IS the darkness!"

"What?" I am flabbergasted.

"She-" my mother never finished her previous thought. "He's here for me. I must go Kairi, but remember-Cyra IS the darkness."

"Wait!" It's too late; she's disappeared.

I inhale deeply, annoyance coursing through my body as I turn away to head to the rooms where Riku had placed Sora. I can only sigh heavily as I trudge my way down towards the general library area, figuring to check the kitchen for some food, for I am hungry; my stomach growls. 'I really need to eat something.'

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"Yuffie, put that down and stop moving. I'm trying to sleep." Leon muttered from beneath the sheets, his arms still crossed firmly over his chest. Yuffie continued to rummage through the chest of things from their world, the items that had been rescued. Leon had resigned to sleeping hours before, but Yuffie's constant movement from the other side of their bunking area caused him distraction. He grunted loudly when Yuffie knocked over a vase, the crashing noise making a particularly loud shattering sound, which caused Leon to throw himself upwards and stalking in the direction of twenty year old. "That's it!"

In the darkness of the bedroom, Yuffie could hear Leon's heavy footfalls as he made his way towards her. Yuffie let out a childish squeak as Leon grabbed her arm, roughly. "Ouch!" Yuffie squealed. "You're hurting me! Let me go! Cut it out!"

"Then quiet down! God Yuffie, I've been trying to sleep here for over three hours now but you're making too much noise." Leon threw her in the general direction of the bed; he was sure she would land somewhere atop its cushioned surface. But he proved to be quite wrong when he heard a loud thump. His head spun so quickly he was sure it would come off, but whimpers kept him in reality. "Yuffie?"

Yuffie cradled her throbbing arm against her stomach, attempting to ignore her aching bottom; but, despite her best efforts, she could not stifle even her smallest whimper. She tried to quiet herself, but it was too late; she heard Leon whisper her name. She pressed herself back into the bedpost as Leon came closer to her form, molding herself against the hardwood. Or was it marble? Yuffie forgot as she slowly stood, ready to make a break for the door. Leon called out to her again as he heard her rubber shoes scuff the waxed floorboards. "Yuffie wait!" Leon reached out quickly before she could get away, barely grabbing her flailing hand before she could escape. She struggled. "Stay still!"

"Let me go!" Yuffie cried out at him as she continued to struggle against his iron grip. "This is too much Squall! You've hurt me too much! Please stop hurting me and let me go already."

Leon released her, suddenly, as he fell back against the wall. "How? I haven't even touched you."

"Just leave me alone!" Yuffie sniffled quietly, wiping her tears away before they could fall. "Can't you take a hint? I don't want to be the victim of your constipated emotions anymore! I'm sick of loving you! I'm sick of waiting around for you to see the woman I've become, not the girl I was so long ago! I'm tired of it Squall! And most of all, I'm tired of trying to help you stay as Squall. I'm sick of Leon." She turned away quickly, arms hugging her form as she made her way to the door. "But most of all, I'm tired of knowing that I will never be anything more to you, Leon, and perhaps, even to Squall too." She flashed him a fake smile. "But maybe you could say bye to both of them for me. I'll see you around."

Leon watched stupidly as she started to push the door open. "But…what if they don't want you to say goodbye?" Leon offered weakly. Yuffie looked at him questioningly. Leon continued. "What if they were sorry for what they did to you?" Yuffie looked skeptical as Leon resumed his speaking. "I mean, what if they would like to," Leon paused, "apologize?"

"They shouldn't." Yuffie added quickly. She narrowed her eyes. "After all, according to both of them, I was the annoying one so I believe I am the one who owes them an apology." She smirked bitterly. "Sorry for bothering you, for disturbing your sleep. Goodnight." With that, Yuffie fled the room, leaving a stupefied Squall Leonhart standing in the middle of the darkened room.

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Nothing had gone as planned. The council had solved nothing for Sephiroth refused to agree with any of their solutions, not that she had agreed either. But more or less, the councils' wish for them to destroy Ansem had not worked. Sephiroth revealed no information about the whereabouts of his former partner and she had ignored their requests to see the keyblade master. Though her mother was part of the high ruling board, Aerith did not believe in allowing them Sora's power, nor the power of his friends-Kairi, the Purest princess of Heart and Riku, the soon-to-be ruler of the heartless. Aerith released her chestnut hair from its previous braid so that it could fall freely about her shoulders, creating a silken crown around her pale skin. She didn't know, once she returned, how she would tell the young man his fate, his destiny, which he could not change. She was pulling the brush through her hair when the doors to her room swung open. Aerith spun around to come face to face with her murderer. "Sephiroth, What brings you here? I don't recall hearing the council call me nor did I request anything."

"Can I not visit you, Ancient?" He asked as he walked closer to her vanity where she was sitting. "You do have lovely hair." Sephiroth ran a hand through her silky strands; Aerith shivered. "Are you cold?"

"N-No." Aerith answered quickly, pushing the sensation of his hands away. "I feel fatigued. I wish to go to bed now Sephiroth. Excuse me." When he made no move to leave, Aerith frowned at him, her emerald eyes confused. "Are you all right? You seem preoccupied about something."

"What would you say if I asked to kiss you?" Sephiroth grinned.

"What?" Aerith laughed lightly. "You must be tired and delirious, too. I'm going to bed." She started to walk towards her bed but his arm around her waist stopped her. She shivered again when she felt his breath on her neck, his fingers curling around the soft material of her pink dress. Sephiroth lowered his lips to her skin, slowly kissing it for taste. Aerith inhaled sharply. 'Cloud…where are you?' Her mind was racing as his hands settled on her hips, gently sliding the material between his fingertips as she inhaled and exhaled shaky, shallow breaths. "Stop this foolishness Sephiroth. This is forbidden and I cannot allow it."

Sephiroth only chuckled in response. "I want to kiss you Ancient." He cupped her chin in his gloved hand, carefully turning her within his arms. "Let me kiss you." He stared her straight in the eyes; Aerith gasped. In his eyes, she could see the eyes of her true lover, of Cloud. Mako-the same color as Cloud's. Reflected in her murderer's eyes were the same fiery emotions and thoughts as Cloud. She couldn't bring herself to deny him as his lips claimed hers in a searing kiss. Aerith brought her hands to his face, draping her arms over his broad shoulders as his now ungloved hands cradled her head, keeping her in place as he tilted her up for further access to her soft skin. Suddenly Aerith broke away from him and pointed to the door. Sephiroth nodded respectively before bowing to her. "Thank you for the kiss my dear. See you tomorrow."

Aerith tried to think of anything but his gentle touch, but she could feel him, could feel Cloud, through every movement Sephiroth had made. She realized that they were still very much a part of each other and she was caught in the middle. Aerith could only sigh warily as Sephiroth bade her goodnight once more before he disappeared completely through the doorway of the lavish council palace. As she slipped underneath the covers, Aerith gave one last look to the stars. "Wherever you are Cloud, please, know that I still care."

Outside there was heartbreak.

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I stare at my plate in a daze as Riku pushes another sandwich towards the middle of the half-burned tabletop. "Heads or tails?"

"Heads," I answer.

He flips the coin. "Tails," He grabs the sandwich. "Looks like I win. The sandwich is officially mine."

I jump at him. "But I am still s hungry!" I make a grab for it, but he stands up, holding it high in the air. Since I am shorter, I can only hop up to try and take it. "No fair Riku," I fake sob. "I still want some!"

"I won fair and square!" Riku laughs menacingly. "Maybe if you do something for me…"

"Anything!" I shout frantically. "What is it?"

"How about you…do my chores for a week?" He grins.

"I am NOT repairing the kitchen! I don't know how!" I give him a distressed look.

"Either that or no sandwich!" He laughs again.

"DEAL," I shout and snatch the food from his hands. I shove it in my mouth similar to the way Sora usually eats, and pat my stomach happily. "One happy tummy! Food is so yummy!"

We have been on Hollow Bastion for a month now and there is still no sign of any heartless or Aerith or Cloud. I stop a minute, my chewing slowing while I begin to ponder where everyone has disappeared to. Riku leans back on his chair, fingering his keyblade idly, eyes closed in rest. I know he's tired, as am I, but we never seem to rest though there is ample time for such a leisure but necessary action. I smile lethargically as Riku drops the keyblade to the floor; he's sleeping. I am glad that at least someone can sleep, even if it isn't me, though I wish it were. I pull a chair out and plop down immediately as I see Yuffie walk up. Her face is somewhat tear-stained. I forget my languidness and run to her to inspect how she is doing. She simply shakes her head and breaks down in front of me, sobbing heavily onto my shoulder as her chest heaves under the pressure of her choked breathing. I watch carefully as Riku wakes up, gives us both one look and nods before exiting through the burned down kitchen. I try my best to comfort the woman in front of m, but I feel slightly inexperienced. Once she stops, she thanks me quickly and runs off, vanishing within the darkness of the lift stops where I notice she tends to hang around.

I, myself, stand slowly, wondering if I should go check on Sora or if I should go to the library before I have to start on Riku's chores. I realize, as I walk towards through the hollow, echoing corridors, that everything seems so quiet with Aerith and Cloud gone. 'I haven't even seen Leon in days.' I smirk as I discover the reason why Yuffie was so upset-Leon. 'They must have had another argument, but I will not interfere.' I hesitate before the doors of the library, still unsure whether I should enter or check on Sora, but figure I might as well catch up on some reading that I've missed out on lately. As I enter, I catch a faint glimpse of Riku heading down to the waterway, then, seen Leon say something to him before the both leave in the opposite direction. I sigh in anguish as I retrieve a thick, orange covered book from the dusty shelves, blowing forcefully upon it to rid the dust from its cover. I lean back in a cushioned chair and begin perusing the various articles, the ones Ansem left scattered but Sora collected, according to Aerith. 'There has to be a way to wake you up Sora.' I search frantically for something that could help us wake him-I'm determined. I finally find a page that could prove useful but am distracted when I hear the door creak open. "Is someone there?"

"I'm here." A voice answers.

The book within my hands clatters to the ground creating a heavy smacking noise. I take a step back, almost falling over but managing to steady myself on the chair arm. "Sora? But you can't be here...you're still asleep. You're still in your coma! I'm just delusional!"

"What are you talking about?" Sora asks as he rubs his eyes. "I've been here all along; I was just napping."

I shake my head. "Kairi, stop doing this to yourself. You are going to drive yourself insane!"

I shudder when I feel his fingertips beneath my chin, tilting it up towards him. "Kairi, feel me. I'm real."

"You are," I sob as I fling my arms around him, clinging onto to him for dear life. "But why now? Why are you here now? I've been hearing you, seeing you, all the time! They think I'm crazy!"

"I am as real as you want me to be." Sora whispers soothingly. "I don't need a body to become real Kairi. if you believe I am here, then I am here."

"Then," I pause, "you're not REALLY here, are you?" He smiles. "Before you go, then," I blush a bit, "Can you hold me till I sleep? I don't want to be alone right now. There's so much chaos without you here. So much has happened. Please allow me this last wish before you leave me again."

He grins softly. "As you wish it, my princess."

He scoops me up in his arms, cradling me against his chest as warmth emanates from him. I snuggle further into his embrace as I life down next to him in my bed. Truthfully, I am surprised no one noticed us, but I could careless as he wraps his arms around my waist. At least now I will receive some well-deserved rest, along with the comfort of being in my lover's arms, even if it's for a short while.

^TBC...

(Ok, so that's it for the 10th chappie! And guess what, it's shorter! Well, there ain't much to say here! Please R&R and constructive criticism is welcome but NO flames cause that is rude! Chao!)

+DarkKairi+