Kingdom Hearts: River of Shadows

by darkcrushblade

This is a story of someone who has stolen, betrayed, killed. A person who has saved, loved, protected. This is my story. I am the demon, the angel, the unknown.

5. Dark Side of the Moon

I thank everyone for the comments and criticisms I've received lately. Here is the next chapter of the story. Enjoy.

"Peace is but a shadow of death,
Desesperate to forget its painful past...
Though we hope for promising years.
After shedding a thousand tears,
Yesterday's sorrow constantly nears.
And while the moon still shines blue,
By dawn, it will turn to scarlet hue."
-Kuja,Final Fantasy 9

Chapter Five: Dark Side of the Moon

"Did you enjoy the ride?"

This was asked by Axel, who was waiting by the black portal that we emerged from. It seemed like he was never serious, with that big grin on his face. Most people would think he was an idiot, with that stupid smile, but I knew better.

"It was pretty smooth," I answered, looking around. The room we were in was dark, so dark I couldn't see anything. I could only see the doorway leading out, which was lit with candles. Larxene was already walking toward it, her quick footsteps echoing in the room.

Axel followed, waving for us to follow. "Come on. It's time you met the other members." Riku followed behind him, but the kid hung back, walking next to me.

"I don't really like this," he whispered through gritted teeth.

"You don't like anything," I replied, rolling my eyes. "You always have a bad feeling, or you don't like it, or something isn't right. Just relax."

"Fine," he huffed, turning his head. "Just don't blame me when it hits the fan."

I smirked, walking out into the hall. Riku was waiting for us, tapping his foot impatiently. My smile widened. He kind of looked like an exasperated mom, trying to get her kids indoors.

"Hurry up," he hissed, turning around. "There's no time to chit-chat." He began walking down the hall.

"Who does that kid think he is?" the kid demanded, walking next to me.

"A keyblade master," I answered, staring at the back of his head. The boy must have something up his sleeve, if he planned to take down the Organization himself.

"What!" the kid exclaimed, a little loudly. I shushed him appropriately and continued.

"Yeah, he's the guy Sora had to fight for the keyblade," I told him as we wlaked.

"How do you know?" the kid asked, doubtful.

"Because I've been alive longer than you," I retorted, walking through a door that Riku just entered. Inside, the room was dimly lit with a chandelier of candles that hung in the middle of the ceiling. In the middle of the room was a huge black table, and it was already occupied. Three figures were sitting there, talking quietly. Larxene and Riku sat down at their chairs, but me and the kid didn't know where to sit. At least, I didn't anyway.

"Sit right here," Axel said, motioning toward a chair next to Larxene. "And you sit over there," he said to the kid, motioning toward a chair next to Riku. We each sat where we were suppposed to and waited. As I sat, I glanced at Larxene and she gave me a sly wink. I smiled in response, not knowing what else to do.

One of the figures got up, and his face was revealed by the candle-light. He had wild, bluish hair and a thin, refined face. His eyes were a deep, dark purple, and he wore a thin, confident smile.

"I am Zexion," he introduced himself, bowing slightly. He gestured toward another man, this one with long pale blonde hair, and almost femine features. "This is Vexen." He gestured toward, a big hulk of a guy, who had red hair that was slicked back. "That's Lexaeus."

"And I'm Marluxia," a man with wild, long brown hair stood up, glancing at Zexion with a sneer. "Sorry, but I don't need to be introduced b anyone but myself."

"As you wish," Zexion smiled, sitting back down. " He whispered something to Vexen, who nodded gravely in response.

I couldn't help but smile. By the look of things, they were all ready to take themselves down. Maybe my work wouldn't be so hard after all.

"First of all, I'd like to welcome our two newest members, Develyn and Andrew," Zexion said, nodding at the kid and I. We nodded back.

"First, we already know that you're planning to destroy us with Kuja," Zexion said, leaning back into his chair smugly.

I froze for a second, my hand twitching a bit. I glanced at the kid and saw that his eyes were as wide as saucers.

"I must say, it's a brilliant plan," Zexion continued, smiling. "Gain his trust, and then destroy him. Show him that the Organization is nothing to be trifled with."

I saw the kid let out a breath, visibly relieved.

"It seemed like the only thing to do," I shrugged, acting along with the play. "We don't get opportunities like that everyday."

"But, what if they really do plan to betray us?" This came from the blonde guy, Vexen. His face was serious, and he rested his chin on folded hands. "Maybe they're playing us right now."

All eyes were on the the kid and I, but mostly me as I was assumed leader of the little group. I couldn't think of anything to say. I was speechless.

"He's not an idiot," Axel came to my defense, grinning confidently. "Who would you side with? Us, or Kuja?"

"That's true!" Lexaeus laughed, pounding the table. "Kuja's power is nothing compared to ours."

As they all talked, I watched everyone else. Larxene was staring at her nails boredly. Riku was staring at the table, his arms folded. Axel was leaned back into his chair, his hands behind his head.

But the most disconcerting person was Marluxia. The only thing he was doing was staring at me, his dark, brown eyes feeling me out coldly. It almost felt like he was reading my every move.

"Where is your coat?" he asked suddenly, his eyes narrowed.

"What?" I replied, off guard. For some reason, the guy looked really pissed.

"I said, where is your coat?" he repeated. "You are an Unknown, not some street punk. Have some pride."

Something in his tone angered me, as if he were better than me. I stood up, my hand on my sword. "If you have a problem with the way I dress," I said, drawing my sword halfway from its scabbard. "Then why don't we go outside and talk about it?"

Marluxia stood up quickly, a wicked smile on his face.

"Whoa, whoa," Axel held his hands up, standing up. "Both of you, chill out. The last thing we need is to crumble from the inside out."

"Maybe later then?" I asked, sheathing my sword. I sat down.

"Anytime," he smirked, also taking his seat.

The kid raised an eyebrow, probably signaling that I should cool it. But I didn't want to.

Larxene sighed. "Are we done?"

"No, we aren't," Vexen snapped. "I swear sometimes you are a child. Just sit there and be quiet."

Larxend frowned for a moment before leaning back into her chair, and returning to her nails.

"Now," Zexion continued, "the question is, when should we kill Kuja?"

"I say, as soon as possible," Lexaeus growled. "We don't want him to build a little group of warriors to try and take us out. Get him while he's still in the planning stages, that's my take on it."

I immediately thought about my ten million dols, and I got a mental picture of it being flushed down a toilet. I spoke up.

"I think we should leave him for now," I said. Everyone looked at me.

"Why do you think that?" Zexion inquired, his eyes curious. "Lexaeus makes a good point."

"Yeah, he does," I said, nodding. "But, if we wait, he'll let his guard down little by little, until there's nothing left. Right now, he's keyed up and on guard, but get him comfortable, to where he thinks he can win. Until he's nice and cocky. Then, we strike."

No one said anything for a while, and I sat back into my chair. Hopefully, they'd see things my way, because if they wanted to kill Kuja, I wouldn't get my money.

"That sounds reasonable enough," Vexen said, nodding slowly. It looked like he was thinking deeply about the situation. "Man's ego is his Achille's heel."

"Kuja is a smug bastard," Lexaeus agreed. "Maybe he'll get careless as time goes on. Not a bad idea."

"What do you all think?" Zexion asked of the rest of them. Riku shrugged, and so did Axel. Larxene continued looking at her nails, ignoring the entire thing. Marluxia, the only person I didn't want to talk, spoke up.

"Kuja is a cold, calculating man. He's also smart enough not to get careless when he's close to his goals. What makes you think he'll slip up as time wears on?"

I gritted my teeth, holding back the stream of curse words begging to be let loose. "Because, like you said, he's a man. And you know that whenever people think things are going their way, they begin to get fearless and careless. At least, you should know. You're not an idiot."

Marluxia's jaw twitched. "You're right," he nodded, staring at me coldly as he sat down. "I'm not an idiot."

"Well, that's all we need to talk about today," Zexion said, standing up. "Tomorrow, same time. Here once again." With that, he walked out.

"I welcome both of you to the Unknown," Lexaeus said, as he walked out the door. "Hopefully, you two will be strong assets to us."

Marluxia stood up, gave me a glare, and walked out. I guess he had something else to do that was more important than welcome the new guys. Like read up on ways to be the best bastard he could be.

Vexen also walked out, saying nothing to no one, only stroking his chin in thought. Only Riku, Larxene, Axel, the kid, and I remained in the dark room.

"Well, I'm off," Larxene chirped, getting to the door before looking back and winking. "Nice meeting you Develyn." Then, as if remembering, she glanced at the kid, "You too, uh..."

"Andrew," the kid muttered, shaking his head.

"Yeah, I knew that," Larxene said, smiling. "Well, bye anyway." With that, she walked out the door.

"So, what happens right now?" I asked Axel. I really didn't know what to do next, and I was hoping the red-head would have some kind of clue.

Instead, he shrugged. "I dunno. There's really nothing to do right now. Just keep tabs on Kuja, I guess. See what he's up to and report back to us." With that, he whipped out his weapons and sliced the air, creating another portal. He stepped through it without a backward look and it closed behind him.

Now it was just me, Andrew, and Riku. I turned to the latter, full of questions.

"Could you come with us so we could talk?" I asked, deciding to use the newly acquired gift of teleportation. I concentrated and a dark portal opened up.

Riku frowned, his head bowed in thought. Finally, he nodded. "Yeah, why not? I have some questions of my own." With that, he stepped through the portal.

The kid stood there for a moment, and I asked, "What are you waiting for?"

He shook his head. "I really don't know what's going on right now. I feel like I've just been dragged into some huge mess."

It almost sounded like he was building a case, so that he could back out of this. It was fine with me, and it meant more money for myself.

"So does that mean you don't want three million dols?" I inquired, an eyebrow raised.

"Hell no," the kid replied, shaking his head. "I just...need to get my bearings is all." He stepped into the portal and disappeared into the darkness.

I sighed. The last thing I needed was the kid not taking this seriously and getting hurt or possibly killed. I didn't want to have to deal with that situation.

I stepped into the portal, and for a brief second, I felt weightless. Like I was hanging in the air, held up by invisible hands. It ended quickly, however, and I found myself back outside of Kuja's mansion. The portal closed behind me.

"So, where do you wanna go?" Riku asked, folding his arms. "I don't have all night."

"How about to the abandoned church?" I suggested, ignoring the boy's tone and walking toward my motorcycle. It was still parked outside of Kuja's huge rusty gates.

"Yeah, I'm sure no one's there right now," the kid said, glancing at the clock tower. It was the biggest building in the city, and it was visible from any place in it.

"Alright, let's go," I said, hopping onto my bike. I revved the engine.

"How about I just teleport there?" Riku said, and without waiting for a response, he disappeared into a portal.

"He's kind of a bastard," the kid said reflectively as he climbed onto his motorcycle.

"Yeah," I agreed, before I drove off into the road. I put the petal to the metal, wanting to get there as soon as possible. I had a lot of questions.

We arrived at the church in record time, and we both headed toward the front entrance after getting off our bikes. The church in front of us was neglected now, dirty and dilapidated. Ever since there was a new, better church built in the middle of the city, people just pretty much forgot about this one.

I pushed open the front door and it creaked loudly, echoing throughout the dark, main hall of the church. I walked in, my footsteps loud and cold on the hollow wooden floor. As we walked past the broken pews and statues and deeper into the church, the darkness was left behind and cold, pale light slowly emerged.

In the middle of the light was Riku, sitting down, his eyes closed. Waiting. There was a hole in the roof, and the full moon bathed the boy in its cold, soft embrace.

"So, what do you want to talk about?" Riku asked, opening his eyes. "Besides the fact you're a keyblade master."

The kid's jaw dropped and I would've paid a hundred dols right there to have a picture of his face. I chuckled a bit, not able to hold it back.

"You're a keyblade master?" the kid asked, his eyes wide with shock. "But...how? When...?"

Instead of answering him, I summoned the black keyblade to my hand. It gleamed coldly in the moonlight.

The kid just stared at it, his mouth still open. He was stunned.

"Can we continue please?" Riku asked tersely. "I have things to do, you know?"

"First, where is Sora?" I asked eagerly. "If he was with us, we could take down the Organization with ease."

Riku's eyes shifted at this. "He's...not around right now," he finished lamely.

I knew that I'd get nothing on that, so I went to my next question. "How did you become an Unknown?"

"I was referred to by the Superior," Riku answered. "The Superior is the master of the Organization. He saw something in me that compelled him to make me one."

The Superior. I wanted to know more about him, but I had many other questions to get through.

"Who's Ansem?" I asked, watching him carefully. His face remained composed, however. Not like last time.

"Ansem is, was, a king and scientist. He experimented with the Heartless, and they poisoned his mind with darkness. He was the person we had to fight to stop him from releasing the darkness of Kingdom Hearts."

"Kingdom Hearts?" I repeated, remembering the voice. "What is Kingdom Hearts anyway?"

"Kingdom Hearts is the place of eternal light and darkness. It is the place where the Heartless are born, and where the Heart of all beats."

"The Heart of all?" the kid said, his eyes full of wonder. "The Heart of all what?"

"Of everything," Riku answered, standing up. "Of every living thing, of every planet, of every universe."

"I thought the Heartless' one goal in life was to consume hearts?" I asked, confused. "How could they come from where the Heart of all lies?"

"Because that's where everything came from," Riku explained. "Anything and everything emerged from the Heart, and if the Heartless ever got to it..."

"It's curtains..." I finished for him, nodding.

"Exactly," Riku said. "Which is why I have to take out the Organization before anything happens."

"Why the Organization?" the kid asked. "What can they do?"

"I can't tell you," Riku said, shaking his head. "But just know that I will need your help, both of you."

I laughed at that. "You expect us to just blindly follow you without knowing what we're getting into?" I shook my head. "No, no my friend. Either you tell us what's going on, or you're on your own."

"But, you're supposed to help me," the boy stuttered. "The King said you would."

"The King?" I repeated, astonished. "King Mickey? He said that we would meet up?"

"Yeah," Riku answered, slowly and suspicously. "How do you know King Mickey?"

I guess it was time to fess up.

"Whenever I concentrate with the Keyblade, I can see glimpses of the other keyblade masters," I explained, holding up the keyblade again. "But its only happened once."

"You can...see Sora...?" The boy looked almost pained.

"Only if I want to," I informed him, dismissing the keyblade. "But I don't like to, and I don't want to catch him in the middle of a shower or something."

He didn't even crack a smile, only gave me this blank stare before turning his back. I glanced at the kid, who shrugged indifferently.
I guess the boy just didn't know funny when he heard it.

"Anyway, will you help me take down the Organization or not?" Riku asked, his back stil turned.

I glanced at the kid again, this time raising an eyebrow in question. He shrugged again, and I also shrugged. Why not? I was gonna get paid anyway to kill them, why not act like I'm doing the boy a favor.

"Alright, we'll help you," I told Riku. He turned around, his face solemn. "But," I added, "you have to tell us what power the Organization has that can destroy the Heart."

He thought for a moment before nodding. "Fine, I'll tell you," he said. "King Mickey said not to tell anyone, but I guess I'll have to make an exception."

Who is he...?

The voice in my head, the voice of my worst nightmares and sweetest dreams. The voice I knew but didn't know. I was hearing it once more.

"The Organization plans to revive something, something that could break down the walls that protect the Heart. I don't know if it's a monster, or a weapon, or what. All I know, is that we can't allow them to revive it." Riku took a deep breath before continuing, "King Mickey said that, in order to truly destroy the Unknowns, we have to take them down here, in reality."

"In reality?" the kid repeated, scratching his head. "Come again?"

"Last time Sora and I tangled with the Unknowns, was in Castle Oblivion. A place where memories were reality, and reality was illusion." He closed his eyes as he thought back. "We couldn't kill them, the Unknowns, because they weren't truly there, in the sense that we're here."

I felt like he was talking in riddles, and I hate riddles. So I responded in the only way I knew how.

"Huh?"

"Castle Oblivion was created from Sora's memories," Riku explained. "Everything he experienced in there had something to do with his memories, even the ones that weren't his. Sora met the Unknowns in Castle Oblivion, and so did I. Even though we destroyed them, it didn't matter. They're just shells."

"What do you mean by shells?" I asked, still not following him. All I got from his explanation was that Sora was building castles with his mind. It was kind of creepy when I thought about it.

"The Unknowns have many abilities," Riku said, folding his arms. "One that they use most often is duplication. Instead of getting their hands dirty, they send duplicates of themselves out to do their work for them."

"So, were those the real guys in there?" the kid asked.

"Yeah," Riku replied with a nod. "They trust us, so they reveal themselves to their own kind."

"So all we have to do is take them down at one of the meetings, right?" I got a mental picture of my hands strangling Marluxia's neck and I smiled.

Riku shook his head. "If it were that simple, it would have already been done."

"Yeah, but it hasn't been tried by us yet," the kid pointed out smugly. "Don't forget that we were the best mercenaries in the Organization."

"And now, you're in the Unknowns, and you're both low on the foodchain," Riku replied coldly. "Don't forget that these are very powerful people you're dealing with. On top of that, they won't hesitate to kill one of their own if they feel threatened."

"So, in conclusion, don't mess with them," I smirked. "Well, if I didn't know any better, I'd think you were afraid."

Riku looked up, his face solemn. "I am."

Before any of us could say something else, the shadows around us began to move. Bright yellow eyes appeared in the dark, staring intently at us.

"Heartless," Riku hissed, summoning a black and red keyblade to his hand. "They're all around us."

He was right. The shadows danced around us like flametongues, and we stood in the middle, our backs to eachother and weapons drawn. I summoned the keblade, simultaneously drawing the Black Requiem. Two keyblade masters and a competent swordsman. I thought we'd be alright.

Until, the shadows merged together. Until they formed one of the biggest Heartless I had ever seen. It had tiny legs, but made up for it with a huge upperbody. In the middle of its stomach was a hole cut in the shape of a heart, and it had what looked like thick strands of hair dangling from its head. It kept growing bigger and bigger, until it rose out of the church, breaking through the roof.

"A Darkside," Riku said, taking a step back. "I wasn't expecting that. I guess that means..."

"So, what do you wanna do?" I asked, backing up with him. "Fight or flight?" The kid also backed away slowly, his eyes filled with what looked like wonder.

"We should fight it," Riku said, stopping. "It could hurt innocent people."

"Well then, what do you know about it?" I asked as it began to stomp toward us. "Does it have any weaknesses?"

Riku nodded, crouching into a swordfighting stance. "Its hands and face. That's what you need to aim for."

I nodded, all ready to charge when I noticed something. The Heartless wasn't even looking at us anymore. Instead, it was staring at the clocktower.

"Hey, what's up with our boy?" the kid wanted to know, gesturing toward the Darkside. "He seems a little preoccupied."

Suddenly, the Darkside began walking toward the clocktower, crushing anything that got in its way.

"We have to stop it!" Riku cried, running after it and out of the huge hole in the wall the Darkside had created. "Before it hurts someone."

Before he could get any further, however, Shadow Heartless began emerging from the darkness. Unlike the Darkside, they attacked us instantly.

"Keep moving!" Riku called back, cutting a swathe through the army of Heartless that had appeared before us. "We have to get to that Darkside!"

"Why are you so frantic about it!" I shouted back, running and dodging to my left as a Shadow Heartless flew toward me. I continued running, slashing at the Heartless that were all around me. I looked back to see the kid jumping through the hole and onto the street we were all in. He began slashing left and right.

"Hurry up!" I looked back toward where the Darkside had went to see that Riku was far ahead. I looked back just in time to see a Heartless slam hard into the kid's back. He fell to his knees.

Now, I had a choice. Either I could keep going and help Riku take down that huge Heartless, or I could turn back and help the kid. Then I remembered that I hated the townspeople.

I ran back, slashing quickly but strongly as Heartless tried to attack. The kid didn't look like he was going to make it. His sword had fallen from his fingers, and his eyes were blank and distant. The Heartless all around him were tearing at him, clawing their way to his heart. But I got there first.

With a few swipes, all of the Heartless around him were gone. I picked up the kid and ran, not really knowing what to do. There were Heartless everywhere and he was injured. How would he survive?

As if reading my mind, the kid said, coughing, "Just leave me here. I'm no use anymore..."

"That's cute," I replied as I ran, my breath short. "Did you get that one from a movie?"

The kid laughed weakly before coughing up dark blood. "Yeah, it was a matinee. Only three dols per movie..."

My arms began to burn after running with the kid for a while, and dodging the Heartless left and right didn't make it any easier. I stopped, looking around for something, someplace, where I could put the kid, who was now unconscious.

Then I remembered and I wanted to hit myself. I put the kid down and attacked the Heartless around us, driving them back a considerable distance. Then, I concentrated, opening a dark gate. I didn't know where I was sending him, only wishing that it would go someplace safe. I lifted him up and sent him through.

When I was sure the portal was closed, I continued by run toward the clocktower. There were more Heartless as I got closer, and they were stronger too. But, there were also people from the town fighting the Heartless. Giving their lives. But I didn't see it as acts of heroism, but more foolish sacrifice.

I finally reached the clocktower, and the Darkside that was standing in front of it, and looked around. Finally, I found him, sitting with his back against the wall of a house, his coat tattered and face bloody.

"I'm guessing your plan didn't work?" I said, standing in front of him.

He breathed hard for a moment, before replying, "What plan?"

I smirked at that, but it was wiped clean when I heard the footsteps of the Darkside behind me. I turned around to find it right there, up close and personal.

"Looks like you got your work cut out for you..." Riku panted. "Good luck."

"Thanks," I replied, darting toward the Darkside. I wanted to hit it before it could even react, but I didn't account on how fast it was. With one swipe of its hand, it sent me back into the wall, next to Riku.

"Heartless, one. Develyn, zero." Riku chuckled to himself before coughing in pain.

I shook my head, trying to clear it. Alright, this time I'll try a different approach. Instead of running directly at the Darkside, who was just waiting for me to attack, I ran away from the clocktower toward one of the streets.

It followed me, as planned, and as soon as it was as close behind me as I would dare, I jumped back and turned, stabbing with my sword. Since it was bent over running, by blade plunged into its face, and it rose up, screaming its pain. I hung on, briefly realizing that a fall from this height could kill me. Then, the Darkside disappeared into a puff of black smoke, and I dropped like a stone back toward good old terra-firma.

In midair, fast thinking I must say, I created a portal and fell into it. Instead of falling to my death, I fell into pain a little humiliation right in front of Riku who was laughing his ass off.

I stood up, brushing the dirt from my jacket. "And that's how you kill a Heartless," I said to the boy, raking a hand through my sweaty hair.

"I could've done that too," he grumbled, standing up. "I just didn't feel like it."

"Yeah, I know." I looked up at the clocktower, wondering why that Heartless had been staring at it so intently. Riku joined me, staring up at it while holding his ribs.

"Nothing makes sense anymore," he commented, before fainting to the ground. I looked at him for a while before sighing, with a little cursing, and picking him up. I opened another portal, this time with more ease than the last, and stepped into it. There was only one person I felt like taking him to, but I knew he wouldn't be happy.

When the darkness cleared, he was standing right in front of me, his violet eyes cold and uncaring.

"Throw him in the bathroom or something," he said, running a hand through his white hair. "He's getting blood all over my rug." With that, Kuja turned and walked away, leaving me to take care of myself, and the boy. I sighed and cursed again.

You can't hold it back for too long...

...hold what back...?

The Darkness in your heart. It'll consume you, mind body and soul.

Well then, thanks for the warning...

Ha...funny. You always were funny.

Yeah...that's what they all say...

And who's they? All your friends, I suppose?

Oh right, I'm sorry. I forgot. You have no friends.

...if this is some kind of attempt to break me, then you're doing a terrible job...

Why would I want to break you, Develyn? You and I are the same.

If we were the same...then I'd like you...

You're impossible, you know that? And I'd love to keep chatting with you, but you have some business to take care of.

...business...?

I awoke with one of the worst headaches I'd ever experienced, so bad that I couldn't even see straight. I breathed deeply, trying not to think about the pain, and soon it calmed to a dull thud. I looked around, not recognizing the dark room I was in. It was dimly lit with candles, but other than that, a table with a pitcher of water and glasses on it, and the bed, the room was empty.

Wasn't it?

I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched, and my suspicions were confirmed when a figure stepped from the shadows. I tensed, ready to summon the keyblade and cut the figure's head off with one smooth move. But it was only Xanthe.

"What the hell are you doing creeping around in the dark like that?" I demanded, lying back down.

He shrugged. "Sorry, but Kuja suggested I check up on you and the boy. You both got beat up pretty badly, according to him."

"You would've too, if you were there," I said in defense. "There were more Heartless there than stars in the sky."

"Yes, I know," the dark man replied. "I was taking a leisurely stroll through the city when they started appearing."

"And?"

"I killed them," he finished, shrugging. "All of them around me. Gone."

I believed him too. There was no point in even questioning his credibility there, because I knew he was a strong bastard.

"Anyway, I mainly came up here to tell you that you have a visitor," Xanthe said with a smirk. He opened the door to reveal Sonia, in all her traitorous glory.

"Well well," I said. "Look what the jackal dragged in."

"I'll leave you two alone," Xanthe said, that smirk still on his face. He walked out, closing the door quietly behind him.

"Are you all right?" Sonia asked, walking slowly toward me. Her face was concerned, but I wasn't going to fall for that again.

"Yeah," I replied coldly. "How are you?"

"Develyn, I'm sorry I betrayed you," she whispered, her head down. "But I had to get my friends from Kuja. He's insane."

"Well, as long as it was a fair trade," I said, my voice still icy. So icy that even I shivered. "Then everyone wins."

"At least you're gonna get money out of it, huh?" she joked lightly, a half smile on her face.

She did have a point.

"Yeah, I guess when you put it that way," I nodded, returning her smile. "Money is man's best friend."

She poured a glass of water from a pitcher that stood on the table and handed it to me. I gulped it down, not realizing how thirsty I was until the cold water touched my lips. Once my thirst was slaked, my stomach growled loudly and I raised an eyebrow.

Sonia laughed. "When was the last time you ate, Develyn?"

"To tell you the truth, I don't remember," I said, shaking my head. "It's a damn shame when I think about it."

"Well, don't worry," she said, standing up. "I'll bring you some food. After all, I do owe you for that whole betrayal thing."

"Yeah, but I guess we can put that behind us as long as you keep serving me," I replied with a grin. She smile sweetly and walked out the door.

I sighed and lay back down, relaxing. I was comfortoble, my wounds were clean, beautiful women were serving me food. And most of all, I was alive. Maybe things wouldn't be as bad as I thought they would.