Here's another chapter! Whew, so relieved that chapter 4 has passed. I was sure that something bad was going to happen... Anyway, I hopethis story'llgo further than what it now, but no promises. I really do suck at romances though; it's a proven fact, unfortunately.

By the way, hopefully none of you reading this are sticklers for detail and accuracy, because then I'm sure you'll find loopholes in the time frame, concepts...etc.The whole business ofthe memory alteration has had me confused for ages! xx

Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts/ Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories. Resemblance to any other fanfic is purely coincidental. So no one try to sue me or anything of the sort!

Day 8- Later

"Have you been here before, Naminé?" I asked, as we stood admiring the large chamber. Shelf upon shelf of books covered the walls, leaving no inch bare. The master of the castle must have really loved to read. Either that or a huge library was a must-have in a sinister castle.

In any case, it was certainly an impressive sight. The library was quite unlike in design as the rest of the castle, giving its guest a more cozy feeling with its rich autumn colors of dull red and wood brown. It was a good relief from the glaring white that always made me feel as though someone was watching whatever I did.

Naminé stepped forward lightly, as if she were gliding. I could sense her happiness, and was glad that there was something that I could do for her after all. "Yes," she replied, flitting over to take a book from one of the lower shelves. "Once or twice... But not recently."

When I looked at her again, she was already absorbed in the story that she was reading. Leaving her in her own private world, I wandered alone into the labyrinth, quite amazed to find myself surrounded by so much knowledge.

Encyclopedias, fiction, nonfiction, astronomy, geography... And those only were a small portion of the volumes that the library held! In case you haven't already guessed, I enjoyed reading a lot, especially if doing so could increase my knowledge of the world around me, and of another worlds beyond.

It was because of my desire to leave the small world that I had always lived on that I pored through several thick books, searching for my answers. The research of others was fascinating, and I found myself pulled entirely into their quest to discover what I was trying to find.

Unfortunately, I found nothing that could help. The authors were also searching, and like me, they hadn't succeeded in finding all the secrets that lay beyond the world borders. With a sigh I wondered if the answers could ever be found.

There was also nothing on the location of the ever-mysterious Castle Oblivion and how to get out.

Discouraged, I hefted the last heavy volume back into its rightful place. As I peered through the hole that appeared when I removed it, I noticed the window that was on the wall behind. My step was quick and hurried as I made my way there for a closer look.

"What...?" I whispered, letting the air slowly escape from my lungs in a single breath. I stood straight, with my nose practically touching the clear glass. This stained glass window was done elaborately, full of color, unlike the rest of Castle Oblivion. It reached far above my head, reminding me of the fancy windows in a cathedral that I had once seen in a book.

It was rather awe-inspiring for someone who had never seen something quite like it. But it wasn't the window that caught my full attention; it was what lay beyond. A low whistle escaped my lips.

I was separated from the outside world by a mere single fragile surface. I placed a hand to the panel, the glass cool to my touch. If I had wanted to smash it, which I could have, would that have truly opened the exit from this prison?

I looked long and hard, but all I could see was darkness. There were endless layers of clouds and mist, but there were no stars and no moon to light the sky. I was filled with a sense of alarm, realizing what this meant. Just where was I?

I think it was then that I understood why Castle Oblivion had so few windows.

It was because looking outside... there wasn't much to see at all, not to mention that it made a rather depressing scene. If that gloomy sky was truly the reality of this particular place, I would much prefer Castle Oblivion's many false but interesting worlds.

Within the castle's walls, I lost track of time, not being exposed to the natural cycles of night and day. Even the worlds that Sora traveled to were only figments of his memory. In truth, he had never left Castle Oblivion since he had set foot in it.

We were all trapped. Confined, and there was no way out. It was disturbing to think of myself as a rat in a laboratory cage. There was something that I wasn't being told... But before I had time to think about it further, I heard a loud thump.

Naminé! I had gone several steps before I glanced back at the window where I had gotten a glimpse at the world outside. It was still there, waiting for me.

I was tempted to try to get out, at least once to see if it could be done. But I decided that the present was more important than the future, and Naminé was far more important than a few stormy clouds. She might need my rescuing!

Thankfully, Naminé wasn't in any danger at all. Instead, I found her unharmed on the carpeted floor of the library, several books scattered around her. Her hair looked slightly disheveled and I assumed that she had fallen while trying to reach a book on a high shelf.

I went down on one knee beside her, so that we were on the same level. "Are you all right?" I asked, concerned. I was fearful to get too close, in case she might pull away.

But Naminé only shook her head, and when I caught a glimpse of her face, I saw that it was triumphant and glowing with happiness. I followed her gaze to the slim volume that she clutched tightly to herself. Such a firm grip for little hands, I thought, surprised that she only had eyes for it.

"So... What book is that?" I asked, pointing to it since she was holding it in such a way that only the blank back cover could be seen.

"...It's really just a silly story, but I remember reading it when I was little. When I saw it on the shelf, I knew that I had to get it," she explained. I was pleased to note that there was finally more presence in her words, and she wasn't the same dull, meek thing that she had been earlier on.

I smiled as I stood up, "You should've let me get it for you. I can't have you falling down and injuring yourself on my watch." And I really did mean it when I said that I would protect her.

"O-okay," she replied, looking up at me timidly. Maybe it was my own wishful thinking, but maybe the ice between us broke a little and it felt like the old days again. Her shoulders relaxed as she smiled at me, "Thank you."

"No problem." I picked up the fallen storybooks and put them back neatly. "Anyway... Could you tell me what happens in that book?"

Naminé bit her lip nervously, but she said, "Yes. I could read it to you if you'd like."

We sat ourselves at a wooden table, she with the book placed flat in front of her and me sitting on the opposite side. I sat back and listened as she started to read in a quiet and even tone. It was amazing how spellbinding the whole effect was.

"In a land far away, there was a young girl who lived in a very ordinary village. A childless couple became her only family since her parents had disappeared many years ago. They were kind to her but the girl was always very lonely because very few of the other children would talk or play with her. It went on like this for so many years that in time, the girl also began to distance herself from them."

Between the soothing sound of Naminé's voice and the quiet of the library, I felt at peace. But somehow, this sort of peacefulness was not quite like the days of carefree youngsters frolicking on the beach. Leaning back on the soft chair, I closed my eyes.

No. It seemed... as though I had lived a great long time and was resting after a weary day, simply detached from anything else.

"You see, this girl was not quite like everyone else. The villagers suspected that she was one of the mythical Shadow People, the parasitic race said to slowly drain away their host's life energy. It didn't help things that there was another village girl who looked so very similar to her. They were sure that she had chosen that village girl to be her victim. The only reason why the mysterious girl hadn't already been tossed out was because her foster parents refused to do it.

"But even though she was allowed to remain in the village, she was shunned. So, the little girl silently watched from the side, sad that she couldn't laugh and be happy like the other children."

My eyes opened and I observed as Naminé continued her story. Was there a reason why she liked it so much? It sounded like a rather depressing story to me. She didn't notice my eyes on her and was entirely engrossed by the tale that she was reading.

"Then one day, a star fell from the night sky and from the shadows came a boy. He seemed to recognize her and smiled warmly as he said, 'I can tell that you're one of us, the Shadow People, but what are you doing here by yourself?'

"Now, the girl realized that the villagers were right after all. 'I must have gotten lost when I was just a baby, I don't know who my parents are, you see,' she replied, still quite happy to see one of her kind. Maybe he would understand.

" 'Yes, of course, but that's all right. You can come back with me.' Then the boy frowned and he asked her, 'But why are you so lonely? Don't you know that you can use your powers to end it? If you don't absorb that village girl's essence completely, soon you'll become one of the shadows, disappearing forever.'

"The girl had always known what she had to do to survive. It was her instinct. Yet, she replied sadly, 'I do know... But I can't sacrifice the girl whose life I wanted to share. It isn't mine for the taking. Even if I erase her from their memory and I take her place, I would be guilty for the rest of my life. It isn't worth it.'

" 'But this is the way our people live.' The boy said, protesting. 'You can't really want to fade away just to spare one girl, can you? To disappear into eternal nothingness, never to see or talk to anyone again. The loneliness with consume you!'

I leaned forward quickly, eager to hear what happened next. Naminé paused for a moment before going on. " The girl turned to him and stared him in the eye and said, - "

Naminé was cut off abruptly by a new voice.

" 'These people have done so much for me that I cannot betray them. Even if that is what I must do to live, I won't, because to me, taking someone else's place isn't really living at all since I can never be me.' "

Strange how the same exact words in the book, while perhaps moving when recited by Naminé, could sound so sarcastic coming from the mouth of this stranger. I swung around to see the speaker with her short and sleek blond hair walking slowly towards us.

Her black cloak was identical to Axel's and Vexen's, the uniform of the Organization members. She moved lazily, reminding me greatly of a large cat, waiting to pounce. Who else?

Reaching us, she said companionably, as if confiding in a close friend, "I always thought that was a stupid story. If I were that girl, I would take the other one's essence in an instant, then wipe everyone's memory clean."

She looked pointedly at Naminé who I was dismayed to find had retreated into her silent self. The newcomer's lips curled maliciously at the ends as she said, "You would do the exact same thing, wouldn't you, little Naminé?"

I sensed trouble and immediately stepped in front of Naminé protectively. The tall and slender woman looked surprised and her eyes widened. Though her hair and eyes were the same color as Naminé's I disliked her instantly. There was cruelty behind those icy blue eyes.

She smiled again and stared haughtily at me. Her previously mocking voice lowered to a dangerously quiet one that sent shivers down my back, "Well, well, well... If it isn't Naminé's bodyguard. I'm so sorry if I spoiled such a precious moment."

I scowled and was about to politely ask her to leave when Naminé said without looking up, "Please don't, Larxene." She was ignored.

"Oh, I know all about you, Riku. Axel told me what a charming young man you are." She peered down at me curiously, "I agree absolutely. It's so sweet how you protect her like that, though you know, she doesn't deserve it at all."

"Don't you dare say things like that about Naminé!"

Larxene only laughed at me. "You only say that because you don't know anything! If you knew the things that Naminé here did, you wouldn't want anything to do with her!" Naminé cowered away from Larxene's words as if they were attacking her.

I growled at the Larxene and ordered, "Get out of here before I make you."

"You make me?" Larxene said incredulously, placing her hands on her hips. "Don't make me laugh. You can't possibly be serious."

"Do I look like I'm joking?" I demanded fiercely. Clearly, I wasn't. "Can't you see that you're scaring Naminé?"

"That's the point. I can't stand the sight of her, because she makes me sick." For a moment, Larxene's carefully crafted mask fell away and I could see clearly the loathing that she kept beneath. The depth of that hatred was startling. "I can't believe you would defend someone so weak and selfish."

Her lip curled. "You have no idea of the things that she does! She's a witch, a crafty sneaky little witch. She tells you pretty little stories and makes you pity her, but I know what she's really like, she's a-"

Larxene had no chance to finish.

The next thing I knew, there was a swish and a blurred semi-circle formed right in front of me as I swung my sword in a fit of rage. I looked down and found that she was sprawled on the floor in a rather undignified way, both hands planted on the carpet to break her fall.

No one said a word.

When she finally turned her face up at me, her eyes were as wide as saucers. I would have been intimidated by the unbridled fury written on it had I not been equally furious. How dare she speak about Naminé like that, and in her presence too! My breath came out in short puffs.

Bringing a slightly shaking hand to touch her right cheek, Larxene stared at the blood that now stained her fingers. Equally shocked, I watched the thin line of blood that was beading on the cut that I had given her in my recklessness.

The Soul Eater in my hand disappeared as quickly as it had appeared. I had just enough sense to realize that I had made myself a permanent enemy.

Larxene trembled in anger and she slowly pushed herself up. The cut wasn't deep. In fact, it had only grazed her skin just enough to break it, but it was the boldness of my action that resulted in her rage.

I didn't remember it then, but if you recall just before Larxene knocked me out and got Naminé to make me think that I was Riku, she said, and I quote, "Stupid little toy. What made you think you could scratch me?"

Well, I just did. Her pride was probably hurt in some way. Ay, her kind are really hard to understand. They don't think much about betraying or hurting people for personal gain, but to be insulted... That was an entirely different story.

I waited to feel her wrath, and I was more than prepared to do battle if that was what she wanted. But I could tell that she was beyond fighting. Nope, way beyond.

"Fine." She spat out, looking first at me then Naminé and then back at me. "Believe her lies if you please. But in the end, the only one who ends up feeling sorry for himself will be you. See if I care."

She left. I went over to Naminé the instant Larxene was out the door. "Are you all right? She seemed to really want to hurt you." I said, laying a gentle hand on her shoulder. Naminé only looked away, and to my surprise, distanced herself from me mentally.

"Larxene... is right about me." She said and I stepped away from her, confused. "She's absolutely right. I'm just a coward who'll do anything just to help herself. I'm so selfish... More than you could know." There was self-directed anger as her fists clenched in her lap.

"Naminé..."

"I don't want to do all this, But I can't..." She crumbled and covered her hand with her hands, like she was ashamed and torn in two about some decision. "I just can't..."

"What're you talking about, Naminé? Don't let people like Larxene get to you. I'm sure she just likes to hurt people, that's all. You could never be as bad as she said." I coaxed, trying my hardest to cheer her up.

To my dismay, I saw two tears form in her eyes before sliding down her cheeks and finally splattering on her dress. I had always hated it to see Naminé cry, and that much hadn't changed since she left Destiny Islands.

I hovered close to her, quite helpless. Staring down an enemy twice my size was no big deal, but before a crying girl... I was completely cowed. What was I to do anyway? "Please don't cry, Naminé!" I pleaded. "Look, if it'll make you feel better then tell me about it. Tell me what you mean and I promise I'll understand. I may not look like it, but I'm a really good listener."

But Naminé only shook her head again and again. I think that she knew she had already said too much, and it was for the benefit of the both of us that she remained silent. But how much longer could she bear to not tell me the truth? I'm sure that my blissful ignorance caused her conscience to prickle at her constantly, every single second that I was around.

No wonder she never looked glad to see me. How could she, when I was a reminder of the consequences that her messing with memories had brought?

Really, I don't think there was anything I could've done to make Naminé feel better that day. Maybe if Sora was here, or even stupid Riku, they would've been able to do something. But when it was just me... I guess I'm not so good at cheering others up, only hurting them.

Never thought that I would ever feel so bad admitting that giving wounds was the only thing I did well. At any other time, it would've been a good thing.

Neither of us was in any mood to remain in the library, so we departed in silence. The book that Naminé had been so happy to see, the one that she hadn't finished reading to me, was left sitting, still open, on the wooden table.

Funny, I always wonder, especially now, how it all turned out. Back then, I couldn't see the connection between the story and Naminé's situation, but now I can see it perfectly. It's scary how much it reflects hers, and possibly my own, tale.

This would be a story that I never finished. Maybe it was better that way since I didn't like to think that life had already been planned out for us. I guess you could say that I didn't believe in Fate. I had already decided that my life wouldn't be governed by anyone other than me.

That's why I never did try to find out the ending. For me, there wasn't one, at least not yet. What ever happened would be my choice and mine alone. Those were indeed brave words for a 'nobody'.

About the little 'story' in there... You can probably tell it's original since no self-respecting writer would put it up. I know, I know, blame it on the author's lack of creativity. Embarassed... Next chapter, expect to see someone else other than the usual gang! So prepare to be excited... or disappointed, it could go either way.