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: Whoa…I think I fell off the face of the earth for a while. It has been a super long time but I have been very busy trying to get over this horribly bad writer's block and so…well, obviously, it took me a helluva long time to get this one out. I think this chapter is weird, truthfully and if you think so to, tell me. And ff you straight out don't like, it is fine to tell me so, ok? I understand if some people don't. Anyway, please R&R if you can and aren't too lazy to sign in (some of you peoples out there), aight? IF you son't want to, then don't. Enjoy the fic as much as you possibly can!

Word Coding:

Everything else

'Thoughts'

"speaking"

Thoughts of Zephyr

"What time is it?" Aerith rubbed her sleepy eyes as she gazed out the window next to the stoic man. "Have we arrived yet?"

"No, but I believe we are almost there. Are you tired or something?" Leon tried to sound uncaring but only succeeded in causing Aerith to smile.

"Not really, I'm just worried, that's all," she replied truthfully, gripping the silver handrails within her pale fingers.

"Well, I'll tell you when we get there," Leon said, motioning for her to return to her slumber. "Hurry or Yuffie might wake up and give us all migraines."

"Sure. I am going back to the bunker now." She gave him one last smile before disappearing through entrance of piloting hatch. She was crossing the catwalk to the bunker rooms when she saw a figure sitting at the high balcony near the roof of the ship. She knew who it was; appearance was unmistakable. Not wanting to return just yet, she stopped and watched the young woman for a moment, wondering if she was intruding on personal space. But from so far below, how could she? From the way the young girl stood, she looked perturbed but mostly, Kairi looked positively lost. Not wanting to face the reality of the girl's situation, or theirs for that matter, Aerith continued walking towards the bunker room. Once inside, she did barely but sat upon her bed when Cloud grabbed her arm. She chuckled. "Calm down, it's only me."

"What are you doing up so late?" Cloud's face was hidden in the darkness but she could hear his concern. "Is anyone else up or are you the only one?"

"Leon, and, of course, Kairi. Leon is piloting and Kairi is…well, out somewhere on the deck doing something." She tried to sound nonchalant about the Princess's appearance but wasn't quite sure she was managing. She chanced a quick look at Cloud to see if he was actually paying attention; he wasn't. "Are you listening?"

"Of course," Cloud answered seriously, followed by a loud yawn and the sound of a body hitting the bed. "Are you coming to bed soon or not? It's not really warm under here."

Aerith smiled at his subtle hinting before climbing back into bed. "Cloud Strife, you are not good at hiding your intentions. Besides…it's way too cold out there. Move over." After he did, she found him almost soundly asleep. With a small grin, she kissed his temple lightly as she settled herself underneath the covers as well. "Good night Cloud."

-------@------

Cyra rolled her eyes for what seemed to be the hundredth time in one hour. Riku was still walking around in anger, his steps pronounced with a distinct stomp as he mumbled under his breath obscenities that only she could understand. "She's gone. Can't you accept that?"

"No!" His shout echoed throughout the forest treetops. "I will not! She was here! I could feel it! She could not have gotten very far!" He continued fuming. "She is a necessity to opening the keyhole once more!"

"Perhaps not, unless Kairi made it before we did." Cyra stated this in a matter-o-fact manner, which caused Riku to lash out at her in a malicious way, trying desperately to grab some part of her. "Would you quit it?" She easily dodged him and dusted herself off. " Honestly, you're acting rather childish. Besides, we are just wasting time, my Prince. The worlds will not be ours if we do not hurry. The Princess of Light is nearing Nebula and she will destroy the colony, you fool! Now, stop your rubbish!" Suddenly she slapped her hand over her mouth, frightened at her last statement. It had been a voice she'd not recognized, one she was afraid would erupt from inside her. "I…I mean…we have plenty of time! Do not rush!"

"Fool…" Riku muttered with triumph as he grabbed her arm roughly, dragging her from where she stood. An evil glint entered his eyes as he pulled her close, breathing softly in her ear as he began speaking. "You are changing, my dear. I agree with you, my Princess. We shall depart. Never mind the Princess that dwelled here. With your power to see, I have no need to waste time."

"I was lying!" Cyra tried in vain to correct her mistake but it was too late. Riku had dragged almost completely back to the village, only stopping once, but never letting go, while he retrieved his sword by the water's edge. She struggled as the neared the village in hopes that he would release her, but it seemed he planned on doing anything but that. "Let me go!"

"I was going to once we arrived at the village, but I now realize there is no need to return to it. We shall leave form here." Riku sneered at her as she shuddered. "Now stop wiggling or this will be more of a problem than we'd both like."

"I don't want to go," Cyra stated as she continued to attempt to break free of his death grip. "You cannot take me away from here! You're a monster!"

"Is that so? Well, never mind what I am. I'm afraid you have no choice!" With one final tug he had pulled her into a semi-still position, then, they disappeared.

-------@-------

Everything was dark as she made her way through the halls towards the piloting hatch, hoping to find Cid, even at such an ungodly hour of the morning. She decided, midway through her journey, to stop at the kitchen for a small cup of water. Her thirst seemed insatiable. 'I wonder why I've been so thirsty.' Her thoughts were interrupted by a brief cursing that drifted from the pilot's hatch to the kitchen walls, both which were made of strong but rather thin material. 'Perhaps aluminum,' she thought. 'That wouldn't make any sense.' Instead of dwelling on the ships interior decorating, she made way to the area where the noise had originated. Once there, she pushed the door open, slowly, and inched inside as quietly as possible. What she saw surprised her, which was more of an understatement. Bent over the control panels looking quite frustrated-stood Leon, eyebrows furrowed in concentration. She stifled a giggle as she leaned, casually, against the wall opposite him while he continued tinkering with the buttons, not noticing her at all. She could have been happier than she was at that moment, but she did not feel elated to stare long enough. "Working hard, are you?"

If she had startled him he had hid it well. He merely nodded, not once looking up at her from his task. "Where is Cid? He was supposed to be back an hour ago. Something is not right."

"You can say that again. We've stopped moving," she said with a small smile. "Do you need some help? I'm sure Cid is…well, intoxicated somewhere else on this clunker. I know a lot about this ship, too."

Now Yuffie was sure he would be offended by her offer, but whether he was or wasn't, once again he hid it well. He simply nodded and moved out of the way, gesturing for her to get to work. "I don't think we're that much further away from Nebula. It came up on the radar, pretty densely populated, too."

"By heartless, that is," Yuffie muttered from in front of him. "By the way," she glanced up slightly. "Have you seen Aerith? I could have sworn I heard her and Cloud talking earlier, but when I went to check their bunks or bunk rather; I didn't see either of them. And I haven't seen or heard from Kairi since we left the New World a couple days ago. I know she's on the ship, but she's awfully good at hiding lately"

"Aerith stopped by some hours ago," Leon replied. "I haven't seen her since then. And Kairi…I haven't seen her since we boarded the ship back in the New World."

Yuffie shook her head as she noticed a bright orange button flashing menacingly in her face. "That's the problem, right there. It seems we've shot one of the engines. Hm…this is not good at all."

"Can it be fixed?" Leon asked.

"Of course you twit," Yuffie snapped. She raised her finger in thought. "Hm…I'll do it. I don't think Cid will be available for a while. Why don't you come with me? Maybe we'll see Kairi on the way."

Leon followed her, wordlessly, as they traveled lower and lower until they reached the engine floor. Yuffie rummaged through Cid's tool closet before shouting in triumph. "Aha! Here they are. Follow me, Squall." She wasn't sure whether he'd correct her or not, but she resumed her steady pace down the catwalk nonetheless. Leon said nothing as he followed her, silent as she knelt down suddenly and began pulling tools from the aluminum box. He noted how different she looked now, even though the darkness around them was thick like smoke from a burnt pan. With a quick shake of his head, Leon managed to banish his thoughts of the twenty year old, if even for just a little while. At this point, Yuffie was too busy hacking away at the engine's cover door, furiously slamming the bolts with the wrench. She sputtered as oil and grease splashed in her face the minute she opened the metal piece. Somewhat furious but not enough to admit in front of Leon, Yuffie fished in the toolbox for a cloth, preferably a clean one; she should've known better. The best she found was a dampened one already smudged with dirt and oils. Reluctantly, she rubbed the slightly wet material over her face, successively picking up more than 50% of the crud on her pale skin. Leon simply raised an eyebrow at this display.

At that moment, Yuffie decided it best to ignore him or she would end up throwing another fit and looking completely childish in front of him, which she did NOT want to do. After all, she was supposed to be the mature one, the emotional one-not the adolescent. 'Yeah right…like I could ever be more mature than Squall…at least not more than emotionally.' A snort resounded from her, echoing all throughout the hollow chamber, bouncing off the metal walls and creating quite a ruckus. She giggled nervously. "I guess this place just loves to echo." Leon stared at her. She rolled her eyes. "Jeez…some fun you are. Can't you crack a smile or something, at least to show me you are remotely human?"

He smirked, much to her satisfaction. "Happy now?" He even spoke!

She chose not to answer but instead to return to repairing the broken engine, her small, lithe fingers hammering away into the late hours of the morning, somehow managing not to awaken anyone who wasn't already browsing through the ships inner walls. Most of the time was spent in silent solitude, save for Yuffie's angry shouts and the engine's cries of protest. Yes, it was a relatively normal atmosphere.

-------@------

Whatever that annoying noise is, I wish it would shut up. For the past hour that I've been up here, all I can hear is that incessant banging of metal against metal. I am assuming someone is fixing something considering we have stopped moving for the past ten hours. I don't even know how I've accomplished staying up so many hours in a row, but whatever the case, I don't care. My head hurts like something horrible and my stomach is growling immensely. I should probably stop by the kitchen but if memory serves me right, Aerith had been staring at me earlier. I don't want to explain myself right now. I cautiously chance a look over the thick balcony railing of the top most floor of the ship, hoping to find no one out. I am successful when all I hear is a shout from whoever is fixing the engines. A sigh relief leaves my throat as I make my way down to the kitchen, intent on having some kind of edible and liquid to fill my grumbling tummy.

Once I am inside, I find myself disappointed at the lack of choices presented to me. I mumble miserably as I select a can of juice and pathetic looking sandwich from the countertop. And when I say pathetic, I definitely mean it. The sandwich bread looks a little soggy and the lettuce is wilting at the edges. There doesn't seem to be any protein in it either; must be veggie. I roll my eyes as I resume my journey back to my previous occupancy, excited that no one has caught me yet. I am almost there when the noises from below stop, abruptly. I stop dead in my tracks as utter silence ensues. 'What is going on?' My question is answered when there is a loud slamming and a shout from a female, though if it is Aerith or Yuffie, I do not know. I find myself creeping closer to the entrance when, suddenly, two figures shoot by me. I stumble back against the wall, bracing myself as my sandwich and juice fall to the floor unnoticed. I wait for one of them to acknowledge me but they head straight for the pilot's hatch. With quivering fingers I retrieve my food and make a hasty retreat back to the balcony, not wanting someone to find me.

Now that I am up here, everything feels so foreign including my reaction to the site of Pocahontas and Mulan chatting beneath me, and the strange looking creature in Pocahontas's arms. With one last grumble from my angry stomach I plunge myself into consuming the food I'd picked up, eager to please the aching in my abdomen since I can't seem to quench anything else in my life as of the present. Of course, the minute I taste the pathetic sandwich, I am disgusted and am quite willing to throw it away; but as I glance at it, I realize that I am too hungry to go around wasting food as though it is a leisure activity. 'At least I haven't lost my mind completely…yet.' As I relax into the metal bars behind me, sliding down until I have collapsed and lie immobile on the floor, I feel myself drifting inward, hiding away. My thoughts are scattered, floating around in a tangled mess like the sheets on my bed back at home, the ones I almost strangled myself with at night, every night. Everything around me is so vague, like figures blurring into the background; I feel fatigued beyond my norm. 'I think I'm getting sick.' My head feels rather heavy and my back aches from lying down on the cold floor of the ship, but I am not sure that is the cause of my ailments. A sudden pulsing shoots through my spine and I convulse heavily, shaking as I fall to the ground, whimpering in pain. 'What was that?' My body is numb for but a moment and then returns to shaking violently, shockwaves of blue electricity running through me. 'The chamber…it's has to be the chamber!' My eyes snap open as a picture of the cold glass flashes in my mind, igniting a fear within me, one I long to forget. My veins feel like ice, like a blizzard has set itself within them and I shiver over and over again. My muscles spasm heavily and I try to cry out, for anything; my mouth does not move.

At this point, I've realized that no one will hear me. Panic washes over me, wave after wave crashing into my body as if I am being stabbed relentlessly and without any mercy. Tears flood my eyelids as my vision becomes fuzzy and stained with red, as though I am crying blood. Somehow, though I am not sure how, my hand lifts itself to my eyes and wipes against them harshly. I pull it back with such force that when I look at it; there is blood all over, running through my fingers and over my arm. Then I feel the tears flow over my eyelids and travel down my cheeks; they are thick and heavy…like blood. I breathe in shaky breaths as I feel, inch by inch, my body lose feeling. When my hand goes limp next to me, I know my head and neck are next. Defeated, I lie back down and wait, for someone, for something…for anything.

------@------

"I do not see why we didn't just go with them. At least we wouldn't be hungry!"

"You sound like a two year old. When I joined you, there was never anything about your regressive bouts in the job description." Ansem continued leafing through the documents and ignoring the warrior who was seething on a chair not too far away. He was extremely busy trying to find a way to get back his stepdaughter, for he was the one that cursed her to where she was. And since he was still connected to the darkness, like Sephiroth, Cloud and Riku, he could still feel her presence and her slow progression into her true role as the Princess, soon-to-be Queen of Darkness. His sigh did not go unheard.

"Why do YOU have the right to sigh?"

"I am now, from here on, proceeding to ignore you. " Ansem's voice was firm as he leaned back in his chair, eyes close din concentration. "You are lost to me now…aren't you, my daughter? It was…my fault. I sealed your fate just as you did. I…regret it."

"Do you really?" Sephiroth asked this quietly, his eyes blank as he faced his partner. Somewhere, deep down, he was not happy either. "You should save her."

"That is nonsense talking," Ansem replied sharply. "What could we possibly do? We will be taken if we try, just like the Riku boy was. Are you mad or do you want to go back to that horrible state?" Sephiroth didn't reply. Ansem sighed again and slumped in his chair even more than before. "I guess we should get packing then."

-----@-----

"Has anyone seen Kairi since this morning?" Yuffie's tone was questioning as she made her way towards the kitchen table where everyone was seated eating. "Oh come on, you can't tell me that no one noticed she's been missing for DAYS now!"

"I saw her earlier, didn't I tell you?" Aerith's emerald eyes glittered from underneath her mahogany colored bangs. "Or wait…was that Leon?"

"Listen, whatever the case, all I know is that she is missing and not in her bunker either. Where is she?" The young female ninja's voice grew louder until she was practically shouting at them. "I cannot believe no one here has taken initiative to go find her! Hello? Are you that dense? She is in pain, she is hurting! She's not in the healthiest state she could be right now! She's too young for this and us not helping isn't…well, helping!"

"We'll look after breakfast," Leon replied casually.

"No!" Yuffie shouted. "We look now!"

"Back off!" Leon warned. He began to stand up when they heard an earsplitting scream pierce the air around them. Everything fell silent. "Shit!"

No one had time to ask what just happened, for both Yuffie and Aerith had already darted from the kitchen leaving Leon and Cloud to trail behind them. Everything was blurry after that, from Yuffie's horrified shout to Aerith's bloodcurdling screech. Leon didn't know what happened or how they ended up in the emergency bunker but all he saw was blood, all over. He turned to his side to see Cloud with a disturbed expression, eyeing the young Kairi in Leon's arms, red liquid staining his tanned skin and clothing. He didn't seem bothered by the fact that her blood was cloaking him or that Aerith had fainted in Cloud's arms but in reality he was too shocked to respond. Behind him Yuffie was crying furiously, stomping madly around in a circle, clutching her yellow scarf in her hands. After laying the unconscious Princess on the table, he watched apprehensively as Cloud tried to wake their only source of medical aid. Aerith woke immediately, her body trembling and shaking with guilt and fright as she caught sight of the person on the table. She began to turn away but Cloud held her firmly in place.

"You have to heal her Aerith. You have to be the strong one here." Cloud's voice was firm as she stared at him like in deer caught in the headlights of a big rig truck. "You are the only one that can…and you know it."

"But…" Aerith's lips quivered as she placed a gentle hand on Kairi's forehead. "Is it…worth it? Maybe we shouldn't heal her…she's already suffered so much."

Yuffie's eyebrows shot so far up her head that Leon thought they would come off. This didn't surprise him but what she did next almost left him dumbfounded. She reached out a slender arm and brought her palm straight across the back of Aerith's face. The flower girl grabbed her reddening cheek and stared stupidly at the ninja. Yuffie's eyes glared murder at her, every inch of her body shaking with rage. "How dare you try to decide her fate for her, especially when she's hurt! You were all so busy enjoying your own time, you and Cloud, that you forgot how lonely she was!" She pointed an accusing finger at he friends, tears beginning to leak from her eyelids. "And you! If you hadn't been such a tight ass all the time, Squall, you would have noticed something, too! Should anything happen to her, I refuse to take part in it! But nothing is going to happen, right? Because you ARE going to heal her Aerith, aren't you? If you don't, RIGHT NOW, so help me…" Her words trailed off and Leon suddenly grabbed hold of her. She screamed in a feral way, angry and sad at the same time.

Without another word, Aerith moved to the table to do her bidding as Leon held Yuffie from attacking her friend again. Cloud stood silently where he was in wait. Just as she was about to cast her most powerful curaga spell, Kairi's arms shot up and she let out a loud whimper. Cloud grabbed hold of Aerith's arm for security. Suddenly the once unconscious girl began to say something, her voice low as she began to sit up as well, against her will it appeared. She glanced at Aerith, briefly, her eyes, filled with blood, piercing her as she looked away. Yuffie stopped struggling as Kairi slid off the metal table and walked over to Cloud, touching Yuffie's arm lightly as she passed. Leon's eyes widened as Yuffie froze, suddenly going completely limp and still in his grasp. When Kairi reached Cloud she gazed at Aerith before also touching her on the forehead. Aerith mumbled incoherently for a minute before slumping against the closest wall and fainting again. Once Aerith and Yuffie had been dispensed of, Kairi stood in front of Cloud, eyes locked as she looked at him.

"She was going to let me die, wasn't she?" Kairi sounded far away to them.

Cloud was stupefied. "No Kairi…we never…"

"You are going to join them soon. They will be here for you." She pointed towards the doorway. "You will have no choice but to go, and she," Kairi pointed to Aerith's sleeping form. "She will return to the elders where she will remain safe, from you."

"What?" Her cryptic words were beginning to scare him.

"And you, Squall Leonhart, you shall go with them, for it is what I say." Kairi laughed hollowly as she watched the door intently. "She shall die…at your own hands. Yu shall regret it…and you shall join this fool, Cloud Strife."

"Kairi, you aren't well…perhaps you should rest." Cloud tried to advise the almost zombie-like girl.

Her head whipped around to face him, blood stained hands closing around the other man's neck. "You fool…don't you understand? Your Princess is dead. She died a long time ago." Cloud struggled in her surprisingly strong grip. "It would be best if you did not try to get away. I am not who you think I am and you cannot get away." She looked past Leon once again to the doorway. "They are here for you, the cowards. They, too, will share a similar fate to you two."

Leon was about to ask whom she was talking about when he heard two people speaking outside. He was about to cry out for assistance when they entered. Four pairs of eyes grew to the size of saucers at the sigh before them. "Princess!" Ansem shot forward and snatched her arms from Cloud's neck. She struggled angrily; growling and sputtering like a wild animal. "Sephiroth, get the antidote! Get it now!" The former captain of SOLDIER disappeared and returned a moment later, a purple filled vile in his hands. Ansem popped the top off and forced it down Kairi's mouth as Sephiroth held her in place. Cloud continued to stare, not understanding what was happening. It took effect immediately, for Kairi fell limp in a matter of seconds and slumped against Sephiroth, trailing blood down the black leather of his jacket. He snorted as he lifted her. The former Prince of Darkness sighed in relief as he watched Yuffie and Aerith awake abruptly. "I'm glad we came in time, or both your…partners would have perished. I'm afraid this is only the first time this will occur…but it shall happen again."

"That's fine and all," Leon answered through gritted teeth. "But would you care to explain what it is that just happened?"

"Have a seat," Ansem said, waiting as everyone either took a seat or stood. Aerith was still too stunned to say anything while Yuffie's angry glare had returned once she'd awakened. "As you know…Kairi's been a bit off lately, yes?" Everyone nodded. "It's simple, really. The seed, the dark seed in her mind has taken root. It is beginning to blossom with every attempt she makes to stay away from you. She is becoming accustomed to the darkness and it's unusual power over her. Unfortunately, the seed of light within Cyra died a day or so ago…and she and the Prince of Darkness are headed for Nebula where they will begin their plans to destroy everything as we know it."

"What are you saying?" Aerith finally spoke in a shaky voice.

"Basically, I am saying that there is no Entity of Light powerful enough to save us as of now. Unless Kairi is returned to whom she was, then we have failed already. And without eh Key bearer of Light, we have no weapon against the Powers arising on Nebula. You must understand, the Key bearer and the Entity of light fuel each other; they complete each other. When one dies or is injured, the other feels it. Kairi has no one to fuel her soul. She has all the power but no the weapon to fight with; she needs the Key bearer."

"But we can't bring him back from the dead, can we?" Yuffie asked her question sarcastically as she watched Ansem closely.

"Not exactly, but we can call upon him."

"Where the hell did you come from?" Sephiroth didn't seem to care whether he offended them or not.

"Watch your mouth," Pocahontas snapped as she entered the room. Perched on the Native woman's shoulder was a raccoon. Yuffie squeaked as the raccoon jumped on her head and began burrowing into her hair. Pocahontas gasped as Yuffie began to flail at her head, trying desperately to get the raccoon out of her hair. "Meeko, stop that right now. You know better than to do that." She carefully extracted the creature from the sputtering mouthed ninja. "Do you have any food? He wants to eat something."

"Sure, check the container over there. We should have biscuits…or something," Leon said, his eyes closed in frustration. "So what you're saying is, we can resurrect Sora's spirit from his grave, yes?"

"Well, we could, yes, at least in a manner of speaking Mr. Leon, is it?" Pocahontas continued rummaging through the container as she spoke. "It is an ancient tradition of my tribe. We used it when we were in dire need of directions and help. We sought to contact our brothers and sister, our ancestors, so that they might guide us down the proper path. It is not a complicated thing to do but the time that your key bearer is here will not last long. Time is always short when doing this and, judging from the way your keyblade master died, it was not exactly natural." She took in a deep breath. "It is very possible that he is not, in truth, dead at all. He might just be…on a journey."

"But…he wasn't in the ship when Kairi…but how?" Aerith was at loss for words.

"Sometimes, things are not what they seem, especially when dealing with what we are dealing with; you should know this as a Cetra, an ancient, Ms. Gainsborough." The Native American woman admonished Aerith slightly fro loosing faith. "But do not speak a word of this. The young Princess is not ready to hear this, nor should she at this point. You understand, don't you?" Everyone nodded. "Very well. Mulan…I believe you and I need to prepare for this ceremony."

-----@-----

Nervous pacing was heard around the hollow chambers of the topmost balcony on the Gummi Ship. Cid had once again passed out in his bed somewhere in the ships walls but no one bothered to find him. Yuffie was walking up and down the length of the ship's floor by the railing, her normally flushed face pale with worry. Aerith was leaning over the opposite railing, hands tightened around a white handkerchief as she stared out the windows. Cloud and Leon both stood rigidly still, leaning on the walls for support but showing no outward sign that they were actually alive, save for breathing. No one was quite sure what to make of the situation; Kairi was in the bunker rooms sleeping in her bunk, especially sleepy from her earlier incident in the kitchen, which Yuffie and Aerith didn't seem to remember clearly at all. Sephiroth and Ansem were exploring the ships perimeter, neither wanting to interfere with the ceremony at hand. Mulan and Pocahontas were nowhere in sight.

It was getting later, they noticed, and there was still no sign of the Princesses of Heart. Not usually the angry one, everyone was quite surprised when Aerith let out a strangled growl of disappointment. She suddenly threw herself off the hand railing and disappeared into the shadows. Leon raised an eyebrow at Cloud who simply shrugged his shoulders. Yuffie blinked continuously for the following five minutes or so before resuming her steady pacing. She was also thoroughly irritated that there had been no word from the princesses. She was just about to go check for herself when a bundle of fur shot up into her arms, some kind of fruit or other delectable edible in its paws. Yuffie promptly caught the animal in her arms and squealed when it shed food crumbs all over her. A small laugh left her constricted throat the raccoon jumped from her arms and disappeared into the shadows like Aerith had moments earlier. "Wait Meeko!" Curiosity got the best of her and she, too, proceeded to follow the mischievous creature.

"Where the hell is she going?" Cloud made a careless gesture in Yuffie's general direction.

"I don't know…and for some strange reason, I don't want to know," Leon's reply was forced as he re-crossed his arms over his chest.

"Perhaps not…but I have the feeling we're going to find out soon." Cloud looked warily at the spot where the two women and raccoon had gone through.

He took his time in reaching a full standing position when he finally heard the screams and shouts echo from below them. Both he and Leon shot to look over the railing, almost gasping at the sight before them. Neither knew what to say as they watched the two people below stare at each other, each one never moving. It seemed they would stay stationary. They only broke from their gaze when Yuffie and Aerith lurched themselves onto the railing as well, aghast at the sight, too. Now none of them four could speak as they all watched the scene unfold before their burdened eyes. All was silent.

"You aren't real are you?" When she asked, her eyes appeared far away as before.

"I would be lying if I sad yes to you, princess," The voice replied.

"Why are you here? Can't you leave? I was doing well without you…I was getting over all of it." Her tone was bitter.

"Why do you lie to me? It pains me more when you lie. It only fuels that which you are striving to avoid."

"Who asked you? Just go away!" She spat at him, turning away from the sight of him as she clutched her arms in despair, tears brimming on her red-rimmed eyelids. "I can take care of myself, of this, of all that's happened."

"I will be leaving. My time here is tried. But you need to listen to me." He reasoned with her.

She shook her head. "No more of you lies…I will not listen to them any more! YOU ARE DEAD!"

His shocked face could be seen clearly from their vantage point. "Judge my being for what you think," he said. She laughed hollowly as he took a reluctant step back, not once caring whether anyone saw her at that moment. She began to turn away when he launched himself at her, wrapping his arms around her. She struggled with him but he did not loosen his grip; he tightened it. "Judge by what you taste," he raised his finger to her lips as her tears spilled over, forcing her to look at him. "Judge by what you hear." He brought her head to the crook between his neck and shoulder. "Judge by what you smell of me." Her body shook violently, a clear indicator that she was sobbing harder than before. He gently tipped her chin up and looked into her eyes. "And lastly, princess, judge by what you feel." She stared at him for a long moment before crumbling into a sobbing hap within his arms as he soothed her, stroking her hair gently.

"You'll just leave me again, won't you?" Her sniffling could be heard as they spoke, not gentle enough to conceal their conversation from the others but low enough as to not startle anyone else. "I know you will…no matter what you say."

"I will not lie to you. Yes, I will leave you again…but you must believe me when I say I have business to attend to."

"What business? You're dead…what business can the dead do?" Her words stung him, she knew; yet she was too tired to deny herself of her emotions. "I'm sorry…that was…uncalled for, I suppose. Will I…ever see you…again?"

He shook his head slowly, allowing it to sink in her head. She sighed as she curled into herself, pulling herself away from him. "Go…please go now…please." He took a step forward but she stuck her hand out, begging him to stop, which he did in an abrupt fashion. Surprise was etched all over his golden face as she started backing up, slowly but surely, away from him. "LEAVE! I DON'T WANT YOU HERE ANYMORE!" He started towards her again but once more she recoiled, turning her back to him and readying to run. The words she spoke sent his blood running cold. "You are dead to me…and you will be forever. Please go now. I don't EVER want to see you again…ever."

His voice caught I his throat as he began to walk away but someone stopped her. "You can't do that."

"I can do as I please," she responded venomously.

Ansem shook his head. "No Kairi, you cannot do that." He looked up at Sora, question written all over his face. "Keyblade Master, we must convene in the kitchen, if you will." Sora nodded. "Well then, it seems we are going to a meeting." He took Kairi by the hand and led her to the room.

"That means all of you too, you eavesdroppers." Sephiroth shouted from below.

Yuffie, Aerith, Leon and Cloud leaned back. "Well, is it just me, or did we just get called eavesdroppers?" Leon stated to no one in particular.

"Isn't that what we were doing?" Aerith asked.

"So?" Yuffie shot back as they descended the balcony to the first floor and to the kitchen.

"Just shut up," Cloud answered as they prepared to enter the kitchen. "You tell which is crazier: the fact that we are about to discuss the future with one nonexistent soulless eighteen year old and two renegade princesses or with two formerly evil princes and one so-called dead Keyblade master?"

"Damn…" Leon trailed as Yuffie leaned on his back, banging her head continuously on his jacket.

Yuffie sighed heavily. "I think I need a break from this saving the world crap."

"I think I need a drink," Cloud and Aerith chimed in.

^TBC…

(Ok, personally, I thought this chapter was weird, cause when I finished reading I was like, "What the hell?!" and all the stuff that follows. I am super, super sorry it took so long, but I lost inspiration and I have been combating writer's block and the new game Chaos Legion. Not to mention other thing so…I got caught up! Well, please R&R to tell me what you think and constructive criticism is welcome but NO flames cause that is rude! Thank you everyone who has and hasn't reviewed! Freakin aye, at least you read it!)

+DarkKairi+