Chapter Fifteen: Response

"Look at you. New clothes and a sword? Don't you look ready to go on an adventure?" Despite the blonde woman's compliment, Naminé was hardly put at ease. She moved behind Ventus as the new arrival advanced on them. "Well, what are you waiting for Naminé? Introduce us."

Shakily, Naminé muttered, "Larxene...Why are you here?"

"Really, that's your introduction? After all our time together?" She shook her head at the spiritless girl.

She began to grip onto Ventus' unarmored shoulder. "You kept me locked in Castle Oblivion. And hurt me when I tried to run..."

"Oh, don't look at me like that. Sometimes you need to have a firm hand when disciplining unruly brats." She began to reach over Ventus's head towards Naminé "I'm sure we ca-"

*SLAP* Only to have it swatted away by him. A second later, Larxene stepped back to avoid the large shuriken aimed at her head. She turned towards a scowling Yuffie, "You know, the more I hear about your Organization, the more it sounds like you're just going around causing trouble for fun."

"Fun?" Larxene shrugged, shaking her head, "Well. I can't deny that I'm finding some satisfaction in this. But I'll make this clear. I have no heart to understand 'fun'."

"You enjoyed hurting me." Naminé murmured, unwilling to look Larxene in the eye.

"Well misery builds character. And it helped keep you in line for our plan. Though..." Larxene began to leer at the hiding Namine, "If your 'knight in shining armor' here knew what you really were-"

"She's nothing like you, or Axel." Ventus pointed his keyblade at Larxene.

Her only reaction was a disgusted groan. "Ugh, so you told him. Way to steal my thunder." However, as she spotted Yuffie's confusion, Larxene's smirk returned, "Oooh, but you haven't told her!" Naminé cringed at the accusation. "Do you want to tell her? Or should I?"

With a sigh Naminé explained, "What Larxene's talking about. How she doesn't have a heart. She's a Nobody, created from someone with enough will that lost their heart, like to the Heartless. And I'm one-"

"WRONG!" Larxene shouted as he pointed at Naminé. "That's not what you are Naminé! You remember don't you? The will animates the body right? And where's your body?" After a moment of exaggerated thinking, Larxene snapped her fingers, "Oh that's right! It's still alive and kicking. So you're even less than noth-"

"SHUT UP!" An outraged Ventus threw his keyblade to silence the taunts. In a flash, Larxene took out thin knives between her fingers, and used a blast of lighting to knock the keyblade away.

"Oh right. Ventus." Larxene narrowed her eyes as she stared him down. "The one who ruined our plan." He had recalled his keyblade and held it ready. Watching Larxene as electricity gathered around her. "We had it all mapped out to perfection, and you waltz on in and take the one thing that makes it possible!" And then, she sighed. "But. We hadn't started it yet, so while we didn't get to try it, at least we haven't wasted time." And with that, the energy dissipated around her, though Ventus was no less on guard. "And besides, it gave me a chance to learn something important about our leader, Xemnas." Confusion grew on Ven's face "He knows you Ventus."

He shook his head in exasperation, "What? Why does it matter if he knows me?"

"Well that's the big question isn't it? If I were you, I'd hurry up and figure that out before he decides to deal with you personally."

"Why does it matter to you if Ventus knows about your leader?" Yuffie crossed her arms, though she still held a kunai in each hand.

"Just making sure he knows that some prestigious individuals have an eye on him." Larxene shrugged, "But if he wants to waste his time protecting it, then he can go right ahead."

"She's not an it!" Ventus shouted back.

"Aw. Well aren't you a knight in shining armor?" Larxene waved her hand dismissively. "Throwing away your life to protect a freak? Spilling secrets you're trying to keep safe?"

Ventus was taken aback, "Huh?"

Walking towards Maleficent's old throne, Larxene continued. "I mean, maybe it's just me, but it sounded like Maleficent had no idea what χ-Blade was. And now she knows about how important it is? Oh, who could have told her?" She sat on the chair and looked at the three, Ventus growing horrified at his mistake, Yuffie who still seemed to be processing everything, and finally, "Naminé," who flinched at the mention of her name, "are you sure you really want to trust an idiot like him?"

A mumble "...not…"

Larxene raised a hand to her ear, "Excuse me?"

"He's not an idiot." For the first time, Naminé looked Larxene in the eye "So what if he's made mistakes? What's dumb about wanting to save someone who needs help?"

Sighing, Larxene was utterly unmoved, "Because people are liars Naminé. And all helping people does is give them an opening."

At that point, Yuffie spoke up, "So swooping in like this, tearing them down after they've done their best to try and help is supposed to make you trustworthy?"

"What?" Laxene shrugged at the rebuttal,"I'm just telling the truth."

Shaking her head, Yuffie shifted with her kunai held ready, "You may be telling the truth, but not all of it. There's no way Naminé would hurt us." Naminé's eyes widened at the words.

"There's no way Terra would hurt somebody like that!"

Larxene rolled her eyes, "Whatever. If you want to keep playing hero, be my guest." Darkness surrounded Larxene as she sat on the throne, "Just try and figure out how Xemnas knows you. Or you won't be heroes for much longer." With that threat she vanished, leaving behind an empty chair.

Yuffie relaxed and stowed her Kunai away. "Listen, you've already proven we can trust you with helping us out here and in Hollow Bastion." she turned towards the boy who seemed to be still mired in his guilt, "Hey, Ven. Don't beat yourself up. Accidents happen."

He shook his head, "I...just wish I didn't make so many."

Reaching over, Yuffie patted him on the shoulder, "Well. Take it as a chance to learn."

Looking up, Ventus nodded, "I'll...I'll try."

Tucking away her weapons, Yuffie began to walk towards the exit "Alright. We better get out of here and let everyone know how things are going. At the very least Maleficent won't be making progress now that we've chased her away from here." Yuffie began to grin. "Not to mention we got a summoning stone out of the deal!"

"But the Organization has the other one." One that faded as Ventus pointed out the other half of the situation.

At that Yuffie asked him, "That boy with your face, did you know him?"

Ventus emphatically shook his head, "I wish I knew who he was. Why he had my face."

In response, Yuffie nodded, "Yeah, talk about freaky. Well, maybe Merlin's made his way back by now, he's usually good with this magical weirdness."

"You know Merlin? It'll be great to see...Naminé?" Yuffie turned at the tone of concern in Ventus' voice, and saw the girl rubbing her head, grimacing in discomfort.

"Aaah...the truth can be most cruel, even amongst the closest of friends. After all, one never knows the secrets of another's heart. I'm sure you'll agree...Ventus...Aqua. "

"Ven...Let's go home…"

"It's just...I have to find him before it's too late!"

"Naminé?"

At the touch of Ventus' hand at her shoulder, she snapped out of her haze. "Huh?" she shook her head, "Sorry just...I thought…I'll explain when we're at Merlin's place. I think...It has to do with...what their plans were." Naminé held a hand to her chest, eyes downcast "Yuffie...I'm sorry. I meant to tell you soon, I just…"

Yuffie nodded, waving her hand, "It's okay. Things have been busy. We'll fill in everyone when we get back." she looked to Naminé who seemed somewhat concerned with the prospect.

Ventus smiled, hand still on her shoulder, "Don't worry. I'll be with you."

At that, Naminé relaxed, and smiled back, "Thank you, Ven."

Larxene watched from the Castle tower as the trio made their way back through the forest, satisfied that her message was delivered.

A familiar voice spoke behind her, "Well, looks like they made it out alive." and Axel walked over besides her.

She shrugged, "Could be better, could be worse."

Axel opened a dark portal next to them, "Then let's get back to the castle for our report."

Moments later, in The World That Never Was, the two were walking up the path to their meeting room. As they made their way up the walkway, they came across two familiar comrades waiting by the doors, "Marluxia, Zexion, looks like you've gotten a break in work."

"After the fiasco with Naminé's escape, we are monitoring the castle in shifts. Vexen and Lexeaus are watching the castle while Zexion and I are here." Marluxia opened the door, motioning for them to enter inside. As Axel and Zexion walked in he gently held Larxene back by the shoulder and whispered. "Have you found the connection?"

A shake of the head, "Nothing, he didn't know the name."

"He might need more."

Larxene nodded, "I'll give them something. Trust me." Having finished their surruptuous conversation, they walked in.

The room was the same brilliant white as always, only black robes on the thrones breaking up the brilliant void. The exception being Erxart, standing nearby the lowest throne in the circle. On it, Roxas was finishing his report on all that transpired. "After I defeated Ifrit, I met up with Xigbar and we came back here for the report."

A moment of silence passed as Xemnas genuflected on Roxas' account, "I see. While the exposure of your existence is unfortunate, it was necessary to protect the Keybearers. More concerning is Maleficent's knowledge of the χ-Blade." He calmly closed his eyes and explained, "We are aware of this blade. Were it to fall into the wrong hands, it would undo all we have sought to achieve. Furthermore, Maleficent's knowledge of the arcane and prior experience with the Keyblade give her an undeniable advantage in seeking the χ-Blade out." Xemnas then opened his eyes and intoned, "Therefore, as Superior of the Organization, I render this judgement. Maleficent and Pete are to be terminated on sight, I shall provide a most substantial reward to any who fulfill this order." The clarity in his voice made it clear negotiation was not an option.

From his seat, Luxord held a Queen of Clubs card in his fingers, "Well then, it seems Maleficent's time left in this game for Kingdom Hearts is marked." with a flourish, it vanished, "It will be interesting seeing this all unfold between all the players."

Demyx whistled "Man, glad I didn't get stuck with that job" stretching in his seat, he reclined, "In comparison, the Agrabah recon went off without a hitch."

"No thanks to you." Erxart grumbled from the ground floor.

Holding his hands out placatingly, Demyx whined, "Hey, I kept an eye out. Made sure things were fine while you did your keybladey thing."

"Marluxia, Zexion." Xemnas spoke over and silenced their chatter, "What news from Castle Oblivion."

From his seat, Marluxia spoke, "We are using Zexion's illusions to unbalance the Keyblade wielder, hopefully to get him to a point where we can persuade him to work with us."

"However, things have escalated dramatically." Zexion continued "Riku has resurfaced in the depths of the castle, and is making his way upstairs. He and Sora are not set to intersect, but that is not the only intruder."

Xigbar rolled his eye, "Another one? Getting kinda lax with the security aren't you?"

"It is the princess of heart close to Sora and Riku. Kairi. She appeared in the castle not long after Riku...Furthermore, she has a keyblade."

This news caused the council to murmur, but it was Xaldin who spoke up, incredulous, "A keyblade? How could she have acquired one in such a short period of time?"

"More to the point," Saïx asked, "is she even worth developing as a wielder?"

Zexion answered "Lexeaus tested her strength, and found it satisfactory." At this, the discontent in the room quieted down, though Roxas and Erxart still seemed uncomfortable.

Xemnas nodded, "You are wise to bring this to my attention, Zexion. Marluxia, if it pleases you, I would like to discuss this with him privately. Given that his power will be instrumental in maintaining control of the situation."

The Master of the Castle nodded in agreement, "As you wish, my superior."

"Dismissed." And with a pair of dark portals, Zexion vanished with Xemnas.