KH: Beastly Beauty

by AngelStar89

After years of being away from his mother and childhood friend, Riku returns a grown man with a broken heart. One that he slowly starts to mend, but with the person that he least expect it from. Ursa has always been sheltered and kept away from others, but as she gets older she wishes (demands) her freedom. Gains, it but with Riku's return it changes her world once more.

11. Chapter 10

Chapter Ten

'Amistad,' Namine greeted the older woman cheerfully, 'it's so good to see you again.'

'Namine, what an unexpected surprise,' Amistad looked over at her son in question.

'She wanted to come and visit with you,' Riku told her.

'Don't be mad at him,' she noticed the look Amistad was giving him. 'I was the one that begged him non-stop to bring me here.'

'I see,' she still didn't like the fact that she was there, 'it's just that if I knew you were coming I would have cleaned.'

'Nonsense,' she looked about the tidy living room, 'it looks spotless and I must say you have a very beautiful home.'

'Thank you,' she mumbled and tried to think of a way to warn Ursa about the sudden visitor. 'How about I go and get us some drinks.'

'That would be nice,' Namine beamed as she looked for a place to sit.

Amistad forced a smile, 'Why don't you two head out back to the garden and enjoy the roses before fall rolls over and winter arrives.'

'Right,' Riku agreed with his mother, 'I am sure you'll like it out there.'

'Okay,' Namine took the hand that he offered and followed him out.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

Ursa was tired of looking for grammar and spelling mistakes, as well as inconsistencies for the first half of her novel. However, she couldn't find anything else to do because the last chapters and her protagonist's happy ending wasn't coming to her. On top of that, the deadline for her manuscript was almost upon her and soon she'd be getting a call from her editor. 'Ursa,' she heard a knock on her door, 'may I come in?'

'Coming,' she got up from her desk and walked over to unlock her door. As she let Amistad in, she thanked the heavens for the distraction.

'I came to warn you that Riku has returned,' she announced as she walked inside.

'Oh, no need to worry. I still have work to do and plan to take a nap afterwards,' Ursa told her.

'It's not only that,' Amistad mumbled, 'he also brought a guest with him.'

'If you're worried about me, I'll stay in and it's no problem. He deserves some freedom to bring a guest over, he should just warn us ahead of time.'

'That's not the problem,' Amistad walked over to the window that looked out into the backyard, so that she could look down at the garden down below.

'What is it, did he bring Xemnas,' her hopes were a little up, so she walked over to join Amistad. Only to have her spirits crushed as she saw his guest down below. 'Oh.'

'I know, I can't believe that he brought her here,' Amistad fumed.

Ursa pulled away from the window and looked at the older woman in confusion. 'Isn't it a good thing that he's beginning to move on? I mean this is progress, it's been six months since his fiancé passed and he's been doing a great job at regaining normalcy.'

'That's not it,' Amistad felt disturbed as she watched Namine and Riku interact down below.

'I don't see what the problem is, she seems like a very lovely and charming young lady,' Ursa peeked out again.

Amistad wondered if she would feel the same way if she knew the truth about Namine's mother. She knew that Namine wasn't to blame for the things that Rose did, but she looked so much like her mother it was hard not to compare her. Her mother had been capable of something so evil and that was all she saw when she looked at Namine. 'If she were any other girl, I wouldn't mind.'

'Do you know her?'

'Yes and I am sure that she's not just here to visit with me,' she turned away from the couple down below.

'Oh, are you afraid that she's here to take your little boy away by asking you for his hand in marriage,' she teased.

Amistad shook her head, 'I feel like she's also here to see you.'

'Me, why would she want to see me?'

'Because she's your cousin.'

'That's,' Ursa began to remember the times she had glimpsed her cousin from the bedroom window. She would run around the garden freely with a smile upon her rose pink lips. Her brothers chased after her in a game of tag or some sort similar game. Sometimes she would see her crying and her Aunt would go out to consul and hold her like a mother should. Other times there would be a family gathering and she would be the center of attention with her golden locks and beautiful appearance.

There was a point in time where she hated her, because she was jealous of all that she had. A family that loved and cared for her. Nevertheless, as she grew older she realized that it wasn't Namine's fault she was cursed. So she released the feelings of hate and jealousy towards her cousin. Her circumstances were just unfortunate and she had to accept her reality of always being being a hideous monster that her own mother couldn't accept. Sadly, she recalled seeing Namine and her mother outside in the rose garden interacting with each other like mother and daughter. Many times she had hoped that the smile and hug her mother gave Namine were hers. Instead she realized that she would always just be a burden to her and her punishment for something that she had done wrong in the past.

'Ursa,' Amistad called out to her as she was lost in thought.

She looked at Amistad with sad and tired black hues, 'You know, I think that I am going to go and take my nap now. I think that I am more tired than I thought.'

'Ursa?'

'You should go back to your guest and son, because I don't think that she has an interest in me,' she told her. 'If you don't mind, I would like to get some rest.'

'Of course,' she nodded and walked with her to the door where she opened it for her. 'If you need anything just send Everafter.'

'Thank you, now if you'll excuse me,' she ushered her out and softly closed the door behind her. Once she locked the door, Ursa went and crawled underneath her blanket so that she could curl up into a ball and forget all her sad and horrible memories. It seemed that trying wasn't hard enough because she began to cry.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

'Mom,' Riku had come in search of her and found her as she was stepping off the last step of the staircase. 'Is something wrong?'

'Nothing,' she lied remembering Ursa's downcast expression.

'By the sound of your voice, I don't think that it's nothing,' he could read her like an open book.

'Let's go and get the drinks, so that we can get back to your friend,' she told him.

Riku nodded and wondered if the pain in his side had anything to do with his mother's sudden unhappiness. His mother tried to hide it as she walked out into the garden with a smile on her face. They were getting along fine, until Namine began to ask about Ursa. His mother got tense and began to get defensive when she answered the questions that Namine asked. It made him wonder what the story was between them.

'I heard that Ursa was living here,' Namine asked.

'That is correct, this is her home.'

'Do you think she'd mind meeting me?'

'She's a very busy person,' Amistad shot her down in a polite tone, but also didn't give her any wiggle room. 'I don't think that she'll have time to come and visit with you.'

'I could come back when she has time,' Namine offered.

'It will be a while before she is available, I am sorry to inform you.'

Riku looked over at his mother, the Princess was usually stuck inside her room and he's never seen or heard her going out and doing any. However, if he voiced his observation his mother would have his head later. On the other hand, the prospect of annoying the Princess was tempting. 'Oh,' Namine was dejected by his mother's stance in not letting her meet Ursa.

'Don't worry about meeting her now. I am sure you'll get a chance in the future,' Riku tried to reassure her. 'After all she can't be busy all the time.'

Namine looked over at him and nodded before she brightened up again. 'You're right, I am sure that I'll get a chance to see her in the future.'

'That's the spirit, plus she's not all that great to tell you the truth. She's a bit annoying, if I am being honest,' he quieted and groaned as he leaned forward and rubbed his right shin. His mother had kicked him hard under the table for his comment about the Princess.

'Are you alright,' Namine asked as she noticed his twisted expression.

'Yeah,' he tried to smile, just a muscle cramp. 'Before I get anymore maybe it's time for us to get going.'

'But,' she wanted to protest, but hearing him cry out as another cramp hit startled her. 'Maybe stretching it out would be a good idea.'

'Right,' Riku stood up and slightly glared at his mother, who looked unfazed and uncaring about having kicked him twice. 'Plus, you have a shoot later and if you're late, they'll get mad at me for keeping you away too long.'

Namine nodded, 'You should listen to Riku, from here to the city is a long drive,' his mother's voice became more sweet and docile, seeing as she was getting her off the estate.

'With that said, we should really get going. If you're late your mother will have my head.' He helped her up and placed his hand on the small of her back to that he could help guide her.

'I—-'

'It was a pleasure meeting you once again, Dear,' Amistad lied as she bid her farewell.

Namine pouted after they got in the car and drove off, 'Your mMother doesn't like me, does she?'

'It's not like that, it's just that she's very protective of Ursa. Give her time to warm up to you,' Riku tried to save face.

'But she seemed so unhappy to see me and interact with me.'

'No, she was just unhappy that I brought a guest unannounced.'

'She got extremely defensive when I asked about Ursa.'

He was going to kill that woman when he saw her, 'Ursa's a special case, she doesn't like that many visitors.'

'I am her cousin.'

How was he to tell her that Ursa didn't want anything to do with her family, even her brothers had it rough. She only visited with them once every two weeks for a few hours and he only got to see her once every a week to fill her in on what was happening with the company. 'She's a little shy. I'll talk to her and see if she'll meet with you next time.'

'You'd do that?' She looked over at him with huge puppy dog eyes.

'Of course,' he smiled at her.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

Ursa strolled out into the rose garden a little after midnight, she needed to let Everafter out and get some fresh air of her own. She smiled as she watched him run around freely and began to sing after a moment. It was something that she rarely did lately because of work and research. However, now every once and while she liked to let her emotions out after they overflowed. Afterwards, she felt liberated and like a weight had been lifted up off her shoulders.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

Riku rubbed his eyes trying to get rid of his sleep as he walked down the stairs and to the kitchen so that he could get a glass of water. Midway down the stairs, he stopped, in the distance he could hear the sound of someone singing. He didn't have to think twice about who was sing such a haunting yet beautiful ballad. Staying within the shadows, he followed the voice coming from the back yard. He stealthily walked into the parlor room in the back, keeping out of sight since the back wall was mainly glass. The first thing he noticed was Everafter running around freely in the backyard chasing after a moth.

He searched for the annoying figure, but no matter where he looked her couldn't find her, yet hercould perfectly hear her. He shifted his stance and stood in front of the door leading out, seating on the grass not far from the doorway was Ursa. Her back was towards him, but without fail she was wearing black attire. Once her song ended, he wanted to go out and surprise her but also give her the praise that she deserved. Nevertheless, there was something off the more he squinted his eyes to focus in the dark the more he noticed that she wasn't wearing her head piece.

Unconsciously he stepped forward to get a better look and when she reached her hand out to beacon Everafter, he saw that she wasn't wearing a long sleeved nightgown. Her long slender arms were covered in black fur and at the end of her fingers she had dark claws. As the wind picked up it lifted her long dark hair and revealed that her back was also covered in fur. Lifting her hand up to fix her hair and get it off her face, she turned her head slightly to the right and he could see her profile. Her face was covered in black fur and at the end of her nose it looked like she had a snout. Her lips were black and the eye that shimmered from the moon lite sky was black like coals. He knew she had a secret to hide, but he never imagined that it was something so vast.

He pulled away back into the shadows, bewildered by what he saw but unable to speak out and confront her. As soon as he was safe from her discovering him, he quickly made a beeline back to his room. Forgetting the water that he had thirsted for or the magical melody that was her voice. He needed to get back to his room and think.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

Amistad was seating at the kitchen table, sipping on a warm cup of tea when her beloved son appeared looking like he had seen better days. 'Had a rough night?'

'I,' he yawned, 'had too much on my mind last night.'

'What? Are you still upset about yesterday?'

'Excuse me,' the first thing that came to mind was the image of Ursa seating in the garden under the moonlight. 'Why would I be mad?'

'Your girlfriend was upset,' she pointed out.

'Oh, that,' he lost his train of thought when he heard the sound of Everafter's paws hitting the wood floor coming towards them. As the little runt appeared, Riku patiently waited for his master to follow close behind. However, she never appeared.

'Riku?' Amistad found it weird that he was staring at the empty doorway as if he was waiting. 'Riku.'

'Huh,' he turned to his mother.

'Are you alright? You seem distracted,' she corked her brow as she looked at him suspiciously.

'I am fine, what is Ursa doing today,' he asked.

Amistad stopped her tea cup in midair as she was about to take a drink. 'You're not planning on sneaking Namine up to see her are you?'

'What? No,' he shook his head. 'I was just wondering what she was up to, is all.'

'I think that the handsome attorney, Xemnas, is coming by to see her,' she answered after she considered whether to trust him or not.

'He's been coming here a lot lately,' he stated.

'He seems to enjoy Ursa's company. He confessed to her the other day that he always wanted to meet her,' Amistad beamed happily as she filled him in on unwanted gossip. 'He said that he once heard the voice of an angel when he went to go visit her grandmother.'

'How can you be so sure it was her he heard and not Namine?'

'Namine might have the appearance of an angel, but she doesn't have the voice to back up her appearance.'

'Have you ever heard her sing to be able to say that,' Riku rebuked.

'No, but I don't think that her voice can compete with Ursa's.'

He didn't want to admit it after hearing her sing last night, but his mother was right. If those two ever competed in a singing competition, Ursa would win hands down. 'Humph, you're just saying that because you dislike Namine.'

'That's not it,' Amistad tried to turn him away from the idea. 'I just know who has a better voice.'

Riku wasn't going to push it any further, 'Humph, it's like comparing me to Xemnas. You and her think that he's so much better than me.'

Amistad couldn't help but hear the sound of displeasure in his voice. 'I don't think that he's better than you. I just think that he's a handsome young man that might be able to make Ursa happy.'

Suddenly that didn't sit well with him, he looked down when he felt Everafter pulling on his left pant leg. 'Don't tell me you agree with her?'

Amistad thought that was a weird question for him to make, 'I think he just wants you to let him out.'

'Oh, right,' he mumbled as he began to walk towards the door with the puppy close behind him.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

Ursa looked down at the invitation to the stockholder's party, 'I was hoping that you would like to come with me.'

She lifted her gaze away from the invitation, towards Xemnas and tried to smile but failed. As kind of a gesture as it was, she didn't think that she should go. Being surrounded by hundreds of people all dressed in beautiful gowns or sharp suits was an overwhelming thought. Especially when she pictured herself in the mist of them and how she would stand out like a sore thumb. 'I would love to, but sadly I must decline.'

His face fell, taking with it his charming smile and going back to its stoic expression, 'You don't want to go with me?'

'No,' she shook her head, 'that's not it. I just don't do well around large crowds and would stand out amongst all the other guest.'

'You shouldn't worry about what others think, but if you feel overwhelmed from being there you can just tell me and we'll come back,' he told her.

Ursa could feel the pull of her heartstrings and the corners of her lips finally pulled back up into a smile. 'An evening with you would be marvelous,' she told him with wishful longing in her tone.

'So you'll go with me?'

'I'll have to think about it,' she told him.

Ursa studied his handsome face and sadden when she pictured herself beside him. She couldn't do that to him, it was easier to imagine him next to… she wanted to banish the thought from her head but she couldn't help ask, 'Why have you never considered Namine?'

He was taken by surprise with the sudden inquiry, 'What about her?'

'She's a very promising individual,' Ursa pointed out, 'whose features are very pleasant.'

'Why are you bring this up all of a sudden?'

'Because with her, you are able to see her inside and out. As for me, you don't know what lays beneath this veil.'

'I know that you are a remarkable person, whom your Grandmother loved to talk about and praise. She also told me what you went through with your family and why you would refuse your inheritance.'

Ursa fell silent as she processed what he had just said and realized that he was a person that could fall for her based on who she was and not what she looked like. Yet there was still that doubt inside of her, because she remembered the face her brother made when he saw her for the first time. If Xemnas were to reject her based on how she appeared she'd have a feeling she wouldn't be able to withstand it. 'What are you guys doing out here?' Riku appeared like out of thin air and intruded on their moment.

'Hey,' he grabbed the invitation out of her hands and since she had no grip because of the fabric he took it easily. 'Give that back to me,' she ordered him.

'The shareholders' party,' he looked at it as if it was an offensive piece of material. 'You're not planning on go are you?'

The way he asked her rubbed her the wrong way and pushed her buttons, 'What if I were?'

'It'd be an eyesore to see you walking about the party,' he coldly stated.

Her body tension at his harsh words, 'That's not something that you should be saying to a lady,' Xemnas got up and reprimanded him.

Riku knew that he was stepping out of bounds with his harsh words, but he was only doing it to keep her safe. He feared that something could happen to her and even though she was a pain most of the time, she had grown on him. So if anything happened to her he would get angry with himself for not being able to protect her. 'I am just stating the obvious.'

Ursa stood up and turned to face Xemnas, while completely ignoring Riku, 'Well it was so nice of you to come and visit me today. I will take your invitation into consideration. However, you'll have to excuse me now. I just remembered that there is something that I need to take care of.'

She didn't wait for him to reply, she just turned and left both males alone. 'What you said was uncalled for,' Xemnas told Riku after she left.

'I did it for her own good.'

'And you think calling her an eyesore is for her own good? Because what she actually needs is to get out and be able to enjoy life beyond this estate.'

What she needs is to be kept inside and away from others, Riku thought. 'She doesn't go out, because she chooses not too. Why are you so eager of having her go?'

'Why shouldn't she go out and see new sights, meet new people and interact with her family?' Xemnas countered.

'She can do it at her own pace, not have them all flock to her at once with strangers around.'

'She needs to be able to interact in all types of social gatherings.'

'Have you forgotten that her mother will also be there and what reaction she'll have once she sees her?'

'I've spoken with her father and he is of the opinion that she should go.'

Of course, because he still wants to see his daughter but for what reasons. The man had confronted him several times and asked for him to get Ursa to meet with him or to at least give him her address. 'Still that doesn't account for her mother and how she will react.'

'You can't keep her hidden here with you forever.'

'I am not keeping her anything, she makes her own choices.'

'I have a feeling that you are just using her and taking her kindness for granted.'

Riku was getting tired of their conversation, 'I think you should leave. After all Ursa has already left and this conversation is going nowhere.'

Xemnas glared at him, 'You're right, I shouldn't be wasting my time with the likes of you.'

Before Riku could offer a rebuttal of his own, Xemnas turned and left. 'Hn, I don't see what they see in you,' Riku muttered in anger after he was left all alone.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

Amistad could feel the tension between Ursa and Riku when they were in the room together. When it came to work Ursa was straight to the point and gone once Riku had filled her in on the companies activities. 'What's going on,' she asked one night as she ate dinner with Riku.

He looked up from his dinner, 'Nothing, just enjoying a lovely meal.'

She watched as he returned to pushing his asparagus about his plate, 'I don't mean that and you know it,' she stated. 'For the past two weeks you and Ursa have made it a point to avoid each other. The only time you two interact is for your work related meetings and even those are short and to the point.'

'Do you time us or something?'

'No, I just noticed.'

'Well, there is nothing wrong,' he went back to eating, well playing with his food.

'Fine,' she dropped it, but if he wasn't going to tell her anything she'd have to corner Ursa into spilling the beans.

Later on that evening, she prepped a tray of tea and cookies to take upstairs as an excuse to infiltrate Ursa's room. She walked upstairs and to her room, once there she adjusted the tray in one arm and knocked on the door. 'Who is it?'

'Me, Amistad,' she answered as she readjusted the tray.

'Coming,' she called and a minute later the door was opened.

'Hi, I thought you might want to take a break and enjoy some company,' Amistad slightly lifted the tray up and showed her the offering.

'Please,' Ursa took the tray and ushered her in.

Amistad walked in after her and closed the door behind her, she then followed her to the small table by the window. 'Chocolate dipped shortbread cookies, my favorite,' Ursa looked down at the plate of cookies.

'I know,' Amistad grabbed the tea pot and poured them each a cup of tea. She watched Ursa to see her reaction as she took a cookie and ate it, but instead of her cheerful happy go lucky self when eating treats, she looked miserable as she took a bite. 'Is there something wrong with the cookies?'

She looked at the cookie she was eating and then at her, 'No,' she shook her head.

'Lately you've been more quiet than usual.'

'Have I,' she asked with a blank expression. 'I haven't noticed. I've just got a lot of things on my mind.'

'I,' Amistad wanted to believe her, but something told her that it wasn't something simple as being preoccupied. 'Did Riku say or do anything to upset you?'

'That moron? No,' she lied and shook her head, 'it's just that I've had a lot of stuff on my mind.'

'You two have been acting strange for the last couple of weeks, now fess up,' Amistad ordered her.

'There is nothing to confess, I've just had a hard couple of weeks trying to figure out how to end my book. It's the final installment of my trilogy and I have nothing to write for a good ending.'

'So you're worried about your book?'

'Yes,' that wasn't really a lie, she had hit a writers block recently. 'Also I've been worried about the company.'

'What about it?'

'Riku have been getting pressured by my Aunt to allow me to sign over my share of my stocks.'

'Why would she want that,' Amistad shifted in her seat and straightened up.

'For more control of the company and to overthrow the current president,' she guessed.

'Why would she want your Father's place?'

'I don't know, there is another company that wants to merge with Frost Inc., but there really isn't a reason for the other company to invest. It's not even in the entertainment field to say that it wants to grow and flourish in the industry. However, my Aunt is really pushing for the merger and if she gets my control of the stocks she will be able to give the green light.'

'Wouldn't she need the consent of all the stockholders?'

'Not if she were to have control over my shares, because then she'd have over fifty percent of the company and she could do as she wishes.'

'You're not thinking of—'

'No,' she shook her head, 'but Riku says there is talk about me at the company. They believe that I don't care what happens and others believe that I don't exist. I've never presented myself so rumor has it my family, the Veales, somehow are controlling the stocks that belong to me.'

'What are you planning to do?'

'I don't know,' she looked down at the cookie she held in her limp hand that rested on her lap. 'I feel like I am going to have to step forward soon and present myself.'

'But that means…'

'I'll have to become active within the company,' she mumbled unhappily. 'I think I'll also have to make my presence know at the Stockholders' Party.'

'You're…,' Amistad couldn't believe what she was hearing.

'Yes, but I haven't told Riku. I don't think that he would agree to the whole situation.'

'But are you sure?'

'I don't want too, but given the certain circumstances I am going to have too.'

'This is taking a big risk.'

'I know,' she looked over at Amistad, 'will you come with me?'

Amistad didn't have to be asked twice, she would do anything for the girl, 'Of course.'

'Thank you,' Ursa got up and went over to give her a hug, 'I don't know what I'd do without you.'

She smiled at her, 'I don't know, I think that somehow you'd manage just fine.'

Ursa laughed at the thought, because she knew that without Amistad, she'd be lost. 'Just promise that you'll never leave me.'

At her soft and pleading words, Amistad frowned and felt a small pin of sadness. 'For as long as you'll have me.'

'What if it's for the rest of my life?'

'I doubt I could ever live that long, but if I do I'll be right there beside you.'

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

'How do I look,' Riku asked as he walked into the kitchen all dressed up in a black dress tux.

Amistad looked up at him from her tea to study him, 'Handsome.'

Ursa, who had decided to assure herself of his departure, looked over at him. He was dressed in a nice tux with a sea green tie that brought out his aquamarine hues, his face was clean shaven, his silver hair slicked back and his smile radiant. She felt like knocking him down a peg or two, 'I think she only thinks that because you're her son.'

'Ha, ha, you're just jealous because you can't have someone as attractive as me,' he held his head high in a pose.

'Please, Xemnas is ten time more attractive than you,' she waved her hand around as if to shoo away all his delusions of him being attractive.

Riku pressed his lips into a straight line and his jaw slightly tightened, 'For your information, he has nothing on me.'

'I am glad he has nothing on stupid,' she pretended to look at something interesting on the back of her gloved hand.

He jaw flexed as it tightened, 'You know you're lucky you're a woman.'

'Right, I don't fight little boys trying to play dress up,' she turned her gaze slowly towards him.

Riku was on the verge of walking over to her and showing her that he wasn't a little boy, when his mother stepped before him. 'Enough, Ursa apologize to him and you simmer down. She's just messing with you.'

'Your Mother's right, I should apologize,' she tried to soften her harsh tone. 'I am sorry, it's not your fault that you can't be as handsome or intelligent as Xemnas.'

'Why,' he was about to lung after her, but his mother stopped him again.

'You're going to be late to pick up Namine.'

He tore his gaze away from the pain in his side and turned to his mother, 'You're right, I shouldn't be here wasting my time.'

When he said that part, he shifted his gaze back towards Ursa. She lifted an apple from the fruit bowl and was about to throw it at him when his mother lifted a hand up to halt her. She placed the apple back in the bowl. 'You two are like little children sometimes.'

Both of them remained silent for a moment until Ursa mumbled, 'Have fun at the party.'

With that stupid veil over her head, he couldn't ever tell if she was sincere or not so he said, 'I plan too.'

'Just remember not to enjoy the open bar too much,' she advised as she strolled out through the exit leading into the dinning room.

'Ursa,' Amistad snapped at her.

'I am leaving,' Riku stated. 'I hope you enjoy a peaceful night in.'

'Thank you and you have fun too,' she told him as she kissed him lightly on the cheek and sent him on his way. Once he was gone and out the door she turned back to go and find Ursa sitting in the living room. 'Don't you think you were a tad too rude?'

'He's the one that provokes me,' she mumbled, 'but now that he's gone, should we go and get ourselves ready?'

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

'Invitation, please,' the woman at the door asked.

'Here,' Amistad handed her the card.

The woman looked it over and then back at the two females. One was older, about in her early fifties and in a beautiful white gown. While her companion was the complete opposite in a full length black gown and she was covered in black material from head to toe. 'Is there a problem,' Ursa asked her after she stared at her intently.

'Um, no,' she shook her head as she heard the beautiful voice. 'Please go right inside and enjoy yourself.'

As they walked in both women felt out of place and Ursa could feel herself about her too hyperventilate. Amistad took her hand and squeezed it. All eyes had turned towards them and she could feel them all directed at her, the woman covered from head to toe in black. Yet the dress wasn't loose and shapeless as usual, for the occasion she had picked something that was tight and form fitted to her. So that could be one of the reasons that most of those stares were from men. 'I wonder who that is with your mother,' Namine asked as she spotted Amistad walk in with a female companion. At least by the curvy hour glass figure it had to be a woman or a male with an attractive female figure.

Riku turned around to see what she was talking about and if his mother was truly there. His mouth went dry, 'Ursa?'

'That's…'

Aqua having recognized the women who had just strolled in, walked over to greet them, 'Amistad, Ursa, what a surprise.'

'Aqua, it's so nice to see you,' Amistad greeted her.

Ursa could feel herself beginning to choke up, 'Would you like to join us,' she offered.

Amistad nodded and pulled Ursa along and as if reading Ursa's thoughts asked, 'Have you by chance seen the handsome Mr. Hearts?'

'Xemnas, I saw him earlier,' Aqua answered. 'I think he stepped outside for a moment.'

'I see,' she could feel Ursa begin to shake.

She took a seat, but quickly got up as soon as she did, 'I think that I need some fresh air.'

Amistad looked up at her, 'Do you want me to go with you,' she asked.

'No,' she stopped her from getting up, 'I'll be fine.'

Ursa hated the feeling of having so many eyes upon her, it was a mistake to come here, stupid idiot had been right. No one made to talk to her, so with an elegant stride and great ease she made it outside. As she felt the cool night air, her body began to relax and breathing became easier. It also helped that the garden was breathe taking, the fall flowers had come in to bloom. She walked down the stairs going further out and away from all the curious eyes.

She was about to go off and explore and see if she could find Xemnas when she heard a female voice coming from the right. It sounded like it was coming from the other side of the hedges by the stairs. 'I thought you said that you'd bring her here,' the female voice demanded.

'I tried everything in my power to convince her,' Ursa stopped sneaking over when she recognized Xemnas voice.

'You said that she was putty in your hands.'

'If that jerk, Riku, didn't interfered every time I asked her to come, she would be here.'

'This ruins my plans to have her sign me as a proxy for her stocks.'

'Don't worry, you'll get another chance,' Xemnas tried to calm her down.

'Right, at the rate you're going at trying to seduce her,' she scoffed.

'It's not as easy as you think when she's so guarded and there is interference from that buffoon.' Ursa felt the blood drain from her face at the realization that she was being used hit her and her body went rigid.

'That little twerp having one up on you, that's funny. Next thing you'll be telling me is that she's giving up a chance with you for him.'

'Ha, ha,' Xemnas laughed at the audacity, 'there is no way that she would pass up a chance with me.'

Ursa heard a playful laugh from the female, which peaked her curiosity seeing as they suddenly went quiet and weird noises were coming from them. She moved her reluctant body to see what was going on and as she peeked around the hedge, her heart stopped. She stumbled backwards, her eyes widen in fear as she thought she had made a noise and they had heard. Once she realized she was safe she quickly made her way up the stairs back towards the party and Amistad. However, as soon as she was inside the building Ventus caught her. He greeted her and then asked, 'I know that this is strange and sudden, but I need your help.'

She was still reeling from what she had last seen and heard, 'Wha…what do you need?'

'The female singer for tonight is sick and can't perform, do you think that you can cover for her?'

'I…'

'It's just one song, I am sure you know it since you're a Yanni fan. The song is ''Until the Last Moment'' do you know it?'

'I,' she wanted to tell him no. She wanted to go and find Amistad and ask her if they could leave, but the hopeful desperation on his face was enough to stop her from running away. 'I remember it, but—'

'Great,' he grabbed her hand and led her inside. 'I hope you know the Spanish parts too.'

'I,' she never finished, she was just dragged off with him to the back room.

They arrived to the waiting room and she was presented to an attractive male with long wavy golden hair, 'Ursa this is Ender Thomas, Ender this is Ursa Veale. She'll be covering for Chloe.'

Ender eyed the strange woman in black, 'Are you sure that she's going to be able to do this?'

'She has a beautiful voice and she knows the song,' Ventus answered.

'She might now the song, but that's different from knowing the lyrics.'

Finding her voice she said, 'You don't have to worry, I am capable of doing it.'

'Some of the lyrics are in Spanish,' he stated, afraid that she'd mess up then. The veiled woman nodded, 'Fine, let's do this, since I don't see another option.'

Ursa noticed that he was looking at her gloved hand, she looked down and saw that she was trembling. 'Just a little nervous,' she lied.

He got up and placed his hand on her shoulder, 'Don't worry if anything goes wrong, I'll cover for you.'

Ursa nodded, but didn't know if she was going to be able to hold herself together much longer. However, with Ender and Ventus telling her what she needed to do and making triple sure that she was going to be fine. It took ten minutes to physic her up and get her ready to go out, Ender had suggested that she take off her veil but she refused. Moments later they were standing on the side of the stage ready to get on stage. The host was making the announcement and moments later the song began to play and it was her queue to go on stage. During the beautiful love song, she recalled all the moments she shared with Xemnas and thought that it could have been love. That in those small moments that they spent together, he could have actually felt something for her.

It was a miracle that she managed to finish the song without breaking down in the middle of it on the stage. She had thought that she had messed up, when the crowd remained silent but as she turned to make her escape they burst into applause. After they thanked them, Ender helped her off the stage, he was talking to her but she wasn't listening to him. She just excused herself and took off, she needed to leave. Amistad noticed that instead of making her way back to them, Ursa was taking off towards the exit. She trailed after her and close behind her was Jonathan. As they reached the car, Ursa looked up at the man that had stopped and pulled her back, 'Ursa?'

Before she knew it, she began to cry out loud releasing all the sadness and pain trapped inside her. Her father pulled her into an embrace, 'Shh,' he held her in his arms. Ever since she left he's wanted to see her again and connect, but never like this, 'It's alright, I am right here.'

'I just want to go home,' she told him as she cried.

Jonathan looked over at Amistad, whom opened the door to the back seat of a silver BMW Series 7. 'I'll drive,' she told him and he nodded ushering Ursa inside.

During the ride home Ursa held on to him and cried her heart out. He had tried to console her, ask her what was wrong but she didn't say anything. She just held on to him and eventually before they reached her house she passed out. He picked her up in his arms and carried her up to her room. Ursa had cried herself to sleep, 'What happened,' he asked as soon as he placed her in bed underneath the covers.

'I don't know,' Amistad answered as she put away Ursa's shoes and head gear.

'Whatever it was effected her to the core.'

'Maybe it was stage fright,' she offered.

'I don't think that stage fright can have such an effect on her,' he looked down at his daughter. 'I want to stay with her tonight.'

'I'll join you.'

Both adults whirled around to see a dark haired brunette standing in the doorway. 'What are you doing here?'

'I asked your son to bring me,' Lily stated as she tried to peer past Amistad, who stood defensively before Ursa's bed.

'Why now,' she snapped.

'I,' she looked over at the defensive woman and realized she was doing the one thing she had been never capable of doing, protecting her daughter. 'I know, I have no right to be here, but I want to start and make it up to her.'

'You've been out of her life for twenty-three years, you refused to let her presence be known to people and kept her away from her own family,' Amistad accused, not wanting to let her near Ursa.

'That's true,' she admitted, 'but—'

Amistad cut her off for her shamefulness, 'Please leave, you have nothing to do here.'

Lily knew she had no right to be there, but maybe it was mother instinct and she felt the need to be there. 'Just allow me to stay the night.'

'Why, where were you when she needed before? When she hid herself away in her pillow fortress scared and unwanted? Or when she finally realized that her mother didn't want her and could never love her?'

Lily crumbled to the ground in self loath and despair, 'I am sorry for the way I acted and treated her, but you have to understand how I felt at the time.'

'What,' Amistad looked down at her, 'ashamed of your own daughter because she wasn't beautiful or at least normal?'

'No,' Lily wanted to deny the truth. 'I felt guilty. I felt that this was all my fault and I couldn't face her. For the first few years of her life, I went through a depression. My copping mechanism later on became the worst cruelty I could bestow upon her. I withdrew myself and believed that she no longer existed, which for that I am ashamed of and know that I can't make up for easily. But I want to try to at least seek forgiveness.'

'No,' Amistad refused.

'Mother,' Riku had arrived to see what was happening. 'Allow her to stay.'

Amistad looked over at her son and frowned before doing as he asked. 'If you do anything to hurt her, I won't stop myself from defending my daughter.'

Without another word, she left the room. Lily hung her head and cried because she deserved that and she was jealous of the relationship she had with Ursa. Amistad had become the mother that she never was for Ursa. 'I was a horrible person and horrendous mother.'

Jonathan had remained silent and just watched the argument unfold, 'We both were.'

He walked over to her and helped her up, 'Ha,' she mocked laughter at his statement, 'at least you acknowledged her existence and didn't. I abandon her.'

'I won't lie when I say that I was ashamed of her too,' he confessed. 'However, it wasn't until she left that I realized how cruel life had been for her locked away within the house. How even though we made sure she had everything she could ask for, we never gave her the one thing that she needed the most and I am forever sorry about that. For abandoning her and never realizing until she was gone what an extraordinary person she was and is. Even when she left, she still hid herself away from the world so that her secret, our secret, would never be exposed. As a parent this is also hard to say, but she never really needed us, we needed her and pushed her away.'

'I…'

'Just know, I felt jealous of Amistad because she was a bigger person than the two of us. She abandoned her own happiness to protect our forsaken child,' he felt the sting in his chest as he said those words.

She nodded, 'I want to see her.'

Jonathan turned and lead her over to Ursa's bedside, the young woman slept without being aware of what was happening around her. Suffering through her own inner turmoil that they feared she might never tell them or push them away. It was the first time since the night of her birth, that Lily had laid eyes on her and stiffened. Until she looked closer and saw the beauty underneath the fur and dark skin, the reason why she had been rejected and hidden away. Slowly she took a seat beside her and took her hand, 'I am sorry.'

Jonathan watched as Lily took the hand up to her lips and kissed it. It was something that she had always done for her children as a way to show them her deepest affection. Ursa might never forgive them for what they did to her, but she would always have them to protect her. He bent down over her to kiss her exposed forehead and also ask for his forgiveness.

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A/N: Wow, chapter ten was a long chapter, there is so much that goes on. Riku finds out about Ursa and in his own misguided and rude way tried to protect her. There is a slight time jump of a few months, but only because I wanted to give Riku a break in-between starting something official with Ursa. If you guys have already guessed, Rose is having an affair with Xemnas. I just didn't want to write their lemon, I am bias to my OTP being the only ones that get a scene/scenes. This weekend I'll update two chapters, so see you in the next!