Author's Note: For those who didn't get who that last person was who attacked Sora, it was Leon. This is the second bloody chapter before it kicks off into drama/action. This chapter is pretty lengthy, because I wanted to get some stuff in before I patched in the bit of violence. The next chapter may have a little action, but I'm not sure yet. Lastly, I want to know how I'm doing with the story over all. I know this is a little different from Twilight Existence in the fact that there isn't as much bloody action going on. I wanted to make Twilight Emergence focus more on the characters feelings, but at the same time I wanted to stay true to the plot.

That reminds me. There is a plot twist coming at the end of the chapter. I almost forgot about it. Oh, and there's one extremely random moment and the first time that Kairi really goes Anti.

Enjoy.

Chapter 11

Hallow Bastion—Merlin's House

Kairi:

Sora was still very out of it by the time we made it to Merlin's house. He barely talked except for short sentences mentally. I wasn't sure if the wounds inflicted earlier were causing this or not. I took a deep breath before walking into the room with him in tow. Everyone except for Axel, Daisy and Riku gasped, though I could see tension in Riku's expression. He still wasn't comfortable with the fact that I was supporting Sora. We took a seat next to Axel.

Sora made a small sound and placed his head on my lap. I resisted the urge to blush. For some odd reason, this just felt right.

"Let's get this meeting to order," Axel suggested.

"Why is he here?" Aerth asked.

"Believe it or not, he's key to our plans," Riku replied.

"Sora was attacked today by Yuffie and Leon's Nobodies," Axel said softly.

"Maybe he deserved it," Aerth snapped.

"That's not being fair," I snapped back.

Aerth and Cid gave me a bitter glare. I glared back.

"You didn't have people killed that you cared about!" Cid hissed.

"And what does that make me?" I asked, daring him to keep going.

"Enough!" Axel shouted, effectively stopping an argument from brewing.

I was still more than annoyed at Cid's outburst, but I let it go…for now.

"Listen, we believe that Mickey or someone else is raising an army of Nobodies. We don't know how that would affect you or anyone else in the city," Riku muttered.

"They are probably here for Sora," Aerth muttered.

A growl escaped from my lips, which resulted in the entire table staring at me.

"You know, I actually hope Tifa or Cloud's Nobody comes to tear you apart in your sleep! Maybe I should do it myself. After all, I am connected to the person you secretly fear the most," I said in a low and deadly voice.

I decided that I wanted nothing to do with this meeting and teleported Sora and myself to the room in the inn. With a blink of an eye, I was back in my own hotel room right on top of the bed. I touched the top of Sora's head gently and sighed.

"I'm not afraid to be like you if it means that we can stay together," I whispered.

Sora stirred somewhat, then lay still. Did I really mean what I said? Yes, yes I did. Now there was going to be even more discord amongst the group. Axel would agree with me with nearly everything, but Riku…

"Kairi!"

…was probably going to rip my head off with words. I made sure that Sora was fully on the bed and got up. I crossed the room and opened the door. I stepped out and closed the door behind me just as Riku walked around the corner.

"So…what was with that outburst?" He asked.

"I said what I wanted to say."

"Are you out of your mind? Months ago, you were against him and now you practically defend him."

"Why are you questioning me?"

Riku seemed to falter at my question.

"Kairi…"

Now I knew why he was acting this way. Riku had feelings for me.

"You have feelings for me, don't you?" I asked.

"What does it matter? You have Sora."

"Don't act like that! Please…"

Riku turned and walked down the hallway. Part of my heart cried out for him. The other half…

I needed air…

Two Hours Later

Sora:

I woke up finally in a hotel room. Kairi was not around, but I could sense her…a little. I sat up and stretched gently. She saved me from death with her own magic…when she could have let me die with Leon's sword stuck in my chest. It seemed that she was truly growing closer, embracing my power and hers. I got up and walked to the door. I opened it and came face to face with Riku. I really wasn't in the mood to see him right now. Temporary truce or not, I would rip him a new asshole if he rubbed me the wrong way.

"So, you're finally up," Riku muttered.

"Yeah, no thanks to you."

"I stopped Leon from buring you alive with the effects of that sword. I think you could show me a little gratitude," He snapped.

He wanted a fight, eh?

"Oh please, Riku, you want my thanks?"

"I swear I'll kill you…"

"You've made that threat before!"

Riku snarled and drew his keyblade. I flexed my hand and pulled from my newly refilled magical 'store'. I released it and watched Riku fly down the hallway and into the wall. I walked past him with a wide smile on my face.

"Release your magic, Sora!"

I'd say I had adjusted well to the connection the paopu fruit made. Kairi's magic was truly a great thing. (Granted that I almost died because of it.) I found her sitting on a bench outside.

"Sora, you're awake!" She exclaimed.

"Yeah, I am."

"I'm glad you've recovered. You had me worried."

I blinked.

"I did?"

Kairi nodded.

"Yeah. I don't want to lose you, Sora."

Her words caught me completely off-guard. This is what I wanted to get back from her…and now I had it. Now I didn't know what to do.

"I…I don't want to lose you, either," I replied softly.

And I meant it.

Kairi stood up and embraced me. I settled into her embrace and rested my head on her shoulder. Nothing could ruin this moment. Kairi stiffened up and began to hiss threateningly.

On second thought, I may have jinxed myself.

She pushed me away from her and ran past me. I turned so that I could see where she was going and saw…Tifa in standard Nobody attire. Nevermind the fact that Kairi sensed her before I did, but Tifa was going to rip me a new one as soon as she got a hold of me. This couldn't get any better. That is…until Kairi and Tifa started fighting each other.

Only one thing registered in my mind at the moment: Girl Fight.

Kairi:

I easily ducked under Tifa's punch and tackled her down to the ground. She tossed me off into the wall and got back onto her feet.

"You're mine, Sora!" Tifa shouted.

Like I'm supposed to let you tear him apart.

I got back onto my feet and started for her again. This time I purposefully dug my nails into the side of her neck while attempting to bring her down. Tifa reached around and sent me flying across the street for the second time.

Wow…she was strong. There's no way I could take her down without using magic or…

'Use the Anti-form.'

Sora's voice echoed around in my mind. Anti-form? Tifa started towards Sora with new determination. I let out a burst of energy towards her, which knocked her off of her feet.

'Anti-form?' I asked mentally.

'Draw energy from me and will yourself to transform,' came the answer.

I focused on the link and pulled energy away from it. It washed over my body, bathing me in its ethereal dark beauty. Black vapor began to ooze out of my skin. My nails lengthened in front of my eyes and I felt two pinpricks against my lips.

Fangs?

The power…

Tifa turned to face me, lips curled up in a snarl. I dashed towards her and tackled her to the floor. She caught the side of my mouth with a punch. I barely flinched and dug my claws into the side of her face. She screamed and threw another punch at my face. This time, I caught her fist and twisted savagely. A satifying crack sounded, followed by a scream. A smile eased across my face.

Finally, the little witch was getting what she deserved. But alas, I was bored. With a laugh, I snapped her neck and got up. I turned around, only to see Riku, Sora and Axel sitting on the bench eating popcorn. The dark energy left me, leaving me relatively normal. Riku and Axel got up and walked back into the inn. Before Sora could move, I was sitting in his lap.

Evening

Sora:

"Sora? Sora!"

Kairi's teary face appeared before me.

What's wrong? Why are you crying?

"Come back to me!"

I am next to you! What are you talking about?

Another image came into view. It was of a man holding Kairi by the throat.

…It…it was me.

I woke up suddenly in the dark, breathing heavily. That dream was so vivid. But why would I hurt Kairi? She and I were connected by the paopu fruit no, so that would be essentially like killing myself. Still…that dream was scary. My gaze fell on a sleeping Kairi who was lying to me. I didn't dare wake her up. After all, she brought me back from death and went Anti-form for the first time. That was very exhausting.

I needed a walk.

I went over to the edge of the bed and stood up. After pulling some clothes on, I walked out of the room. I rounded the corner and walked outside. It was slightly cool and cloudy. Nothing seemed wrong. I walked out into the middle of the street. The Nobody smell hit me full force.

Not now.

I drew my keyblade and turned slightly to the right. A man in a black coat was standing a few yards down the street. His aura felt really familiar…then it hit me.

"Mickey," I hissed.

The mouse/man laughed.

"About time I caught up with you, Sora."

As much as I wanted to fight him, now was not the time. I turned towards the inn and I found my way blocked by other beings in coats.

"What do you want, Mickey?" I asked softly.

"You, of course. More specifically your body and your heart."

I lifted my arm, preparing to weave a spell. Mickey lifted his arm and snapped his fingers. Pain radiated through my body, dropping me down to my knees. I couldn't breathe all of a sudden. The keyblade fell out of my grasp and clattered to the ground. I couldn't scream. I couldn't make a sound…

'Kairi…'

Kairi:

'Kairi…'

Sora's voice echoed through my head, startling me. I sat up and glanced at the spot Sora could have been in. He wasn't there. I got up from the bed and slipped a robe on before exiting the room. I rounded the corner quickly and emerged outside just in time to see Sora collapse to the floor and vanish along with a dozen people in black coats.

"Sora!" I screamed.

Oh god…where did he go? Who took him?