Disclaimer: Yes yes, I know I forgot it last time, so I'll make sure to do it double time here… I do not own anything…not Kingdom Hearts, not final fantasy not Square enix…not you…not the world…not the universe… not Demyx … not Zexion …nothing…and that's in order from least to greatest…

Torn in Two

Memories Embraced

It hadn't been but five minutes since they left Halloween Town, and Saix was already yelling. Shouting at Zexion for making him leave; barking of how they failed their mission. Screaming that Xemnas was going to be mad and punish them. The Cloaked Schemer was getting fed up with it really. He felt he was almost deaf now. He turned to the Luna Diver with a frown on his face.

"If you wouldn't mind but to shut that mouth of yours so I may present our findings to the Superior that would be helpful." He said and Saix shut up right away, still angry and fuming, but keeping it inside now. Zexion made his way into Xemnas' office and bowed quickly. "Sir, I want to present my findings of our mission to you. However, I must inform you that Number Seven and I could not complete the mission you assigned to us." He admitted. Xemnas raised an eyebrow.

"Oh? What has caused your set-back?" he asked, seemingly interested.

Zexion nodded and began his explanation. "Well…Sora showed up as we were about to obtain the item you wanted. However, it seems Sora has a new ally. A girl by the name of Rikku. She also impeded our ability to acquire Santa's heart." He explained to his superior. Xemnas thought over this bit of information and nodded. He waved his hand, dismissing Zexion. However, Zexion had one question for him. "Sir…there is something I wanted to ask." Xemnas nodded and awaited the question.

"Do you remember your Somebody's life before you became an apprentice of Ansem the Wise?" he asked. It seemed to take Xemnas off-guard for he looked a bit startled. However, he nodded.

"Yes. Why do you ask, number Six?" he countered. Zexion shook his head, not wanting to tell him everything just yet. He'd rather keep it to himself until he was sure no one could use it against him.

"No reason." He answered, and left. The Cloaked Schemer knew he had to keep the pendant a secret; as well as what happened between him and Rikku. She had done something to him, although what he was not sure. She had smelled so familiar and made his non-existent heart flutter. Why had he been so attracted to the pendant? What was it that intrigued him so? He needed to find out…on his own.

He headed past Saix on his way out and continued down the hall toward his room. However, he was stopped by someone very familiar. The ocean-breeze scent gave him away. "Demyx…why are you waiting at my room?" he asked in a tired voice. He wanted to sleep. The Cloaked Schemer had had a long hard day of doing needless things to be done. Well, that's what he called fighting Sora anyway.

Demyx perked up at hearing Zexion's voice and jogged over to welcome him. "Hey. That was quick, what'd you havta do?" he asked, eager to hear everything. Zexion rolled his eyes, but humored the boy in front of him.

"I had to get some information on some of the people there. Nothing really important." He said and headed past the blonde toward his door. Demyx followed him to the locked door.

"Well, I guess we can hang out again sometime…right?" he asked, leaning against the wall next to the door. He smiled to Zexion sincerely. It seemed Demyx really liked hanging around with the twilight haired male, although he never seemed that nice. Zexion sighed, but smiled to Demyx, nodding. Demyx bounced up. "Yes! Alright, have a good night sleep Zexion!" he said, waving, and skipped off.

Zexion stared after him chuckling. It was weird; Demyx was the only guy Zexion knew that skipped. He finally stepped into his room and looked around. It was clean and neat; just the way he left it. Zexion sighed and headed inside, closing the door after him. He unzipped his cloak , revealing the shirt he had put on that morning. He stripped himself of all his clothing except his black boxers. Yawning, he collapsed onto his soft lavender sheets. He curled up on one side of the queen sized bed and soon fell asleep.

"Welcome…to my castle." Ansem the Wise said as he opened his arms. In front of him was a very astounded Ienzo who stared in awe at the size and luxuriousness of his new home. Ansem smiled, chuckling, and started toward a large spiral staircase. "Come, my new apprentice. Why don't you come meet your new colleagues?" he asked as Ienzo followed him up the stairs.

…

"Ah, so you're the new one." A blonde man mumbled. He circled the twilight haired male –who's bangs were hanging in his face somewhat, making it seem like he couldn't see much. The blonde's was shorter than Ienzo's, somewhat parted in the middle so his short bangs angled off to either side. A tall man stood behind him. His hair was almost orange, styled so his bangs came into his face much like Ienzo's. However, it had its own edge to it, making him much different than the twilight haired male. He was well built and looked very strong. However, he didn't talk at all while the blonde did all the talking.

"Young, that's for sure…however, I do not doubt Master Ansem's decisions. You must be very smart to have made it here so young." He said and held out a hand. His somewhat yellow eyes glittering in acceptance. "I'm Even. This one behind me is Elaeus." He said. Elaeus nodded to him simply. Ienzo shook Even's hand a bit stunned by what was going on. "Stick with us and you'll be fine Ienzo." He said. This made Ienzo smile a very small smile. Like a twitch of the lip, but it was defiantly a smile.

…

"Run this to Master Ansem for me, okay?" Braig said and left a big stack of papers on Ienzo's already stuffed desk. Ienzo clutched his pencil tighter, and it was remarkable he didn't break it. Braig looked back once he was in the doorway. "Make it quick." He stated and was gone. Ienzo growled at the stack of paper. Braig's report no doubt. Ienzo stared at it, just wishing it would burst into flame. However, he knew it wouldn't and sighed in defeat. Setting his pencil down he carefully picked up the stack and started out down the hall. It was very heavy and he was worried it would fall from his clutches.

He half wished for Elaeus to be there to help him with it. But both he and Even were gone to do their own research. Ienzo was trying to do some as well, but was sent on errands here and there. Why couldn't the others do it themselves? He didn't know. According to Even, they did this to each new person for a while. Xehenort got it easy since he was the first to become an apprentice. However, it seemed they were dragging it out on him since he was younger. Ienzo wanted to close and lock himself in his room to finish his report and stay there until they agreed to leave him be.

Nonetheless, he had to do it. It was his duty for the time being. He had to run errands, no matter how much he wanted to be apart of the real researching. He didn't want to research some petty little flowers even if it was for the better of society. Everyone already knew which flowers were remedies and which were poisonous, and which did nothing. So why was he just being used as a delivery boy?

…

He had worked so hard. He did all that work, and he was going to be late. But why did it matter? It didn't; he was just a delivery boy for everyone else. They didn't care about him. Why was he there in the first place? Ienzo kept asking himself that; telling himself it wasn't worth it. He looked down at the papers in his hands. He pushed them away, scattering the many pages across the blindingly white floor. He leaned against the wall and hid his face in his hands. He wouldn't cry. But he wasn't about to hold in his anger either. He hit the wall he was leaning on as hard as he could. It wasn't much because he never really worked out. He probably did more damage to himself than the wall. He held his injured hand when he heard a very familiar voice.

"You always seem to astound me, Ienzo." Ansem's voice said as he looked at a few of Ienzo's papers in his hand. Ienzo's eyes shot open as he flew to the floor at Ansem's feet. He started to pick up all his papers.

"I'm so sorry sir. I didn't see you there." He apologized, trying to pick up the strewn papers that seemed to be everywhere. Ansem chuckled and kneeled down, helping his apprentice with a smile.

"You know, I have thought about giving up as well. But you must pursue your dreams, Ienzo. No matter what is thrown in your way, you must continue on strong."

…

"Are you willing to give up your heart and soul to the darkness?" Xehenort asked the twilight haired male. Ienzo nodded, around him were the other apprentices. "Then let us continue this experiment." He continued and looked to the human sized beakers in front of him. There were six of them; one for each of the apprentices. Xehenort was the first to step in, then they followed in the number they became Ansem's apprentices by. Ienzo started in his, a blank look already on his face. He had no worries abut his heart. It was safe with the one he knew would look after it.

His world soon went dark as the experiment started. He fell into unconsciousness and when he awoken, he found himself in the castle which was now his home. They had apparently died, but their soul lived on. That all he was now; a heartless soul wandering the realm of the living looking for a purpose. Had it been worth it?

Suddenly, the girl's face flashed before his mind's eye. His mood seemed to darken. He had been told he couldn't feel since he didn't have a heart, but something about her made him feel worse.

"Ri-"

Zexion woke up in a cold sweat. His breath was short and ragged, and he had sweat glittering all over his body in the moonlight. He slowed his breathing as he tried to calm down. It worked, but it took some time. He sighed, wondering why he was having those dreams. He knew all of it, but the dreams unsettled him, like something was never finished. Zexion needed to know what, but he didn't know where to begin. Maybe he could start from Radiant garden; his original home. No, his somebody's home, not his at all.

The twilight haired man got up from his bed and strolled over to his mirror. Surely, there had to be something he could find out; something to point him in the right direction on getting answers. He needed a sign…He sighed as he looked into his reflection. His twilight hair a mess from the night –no, the dreams. There were light dark circles under his indigo eye and he started for the bathroom. He needed to shower and clean up. He was going to go to Radiant Garden. He wanted answers.

It didn't take the lavender haired man long to get ready. Since he needed to blend in more than usual, he wasn't going to take his cloak. Instead, he had on a pair of black shorts with three small skull and crossbones on the bottom of each leg. His shirt was black and green striped, a white skull and crossbones on the top left of the shirt. As a replacement for his boots, he had on a pair of black ankle socks and silver and black skater shoes. It wasn't something he had worn for so long. Not since he was an apprentice…or was it before that too? He couldn't remember…as usual.

Zexion made his way out to the blinding halls. Maybe he could get out before anyone noticed he was gone? Well, before they stopped him anyway. The twilight haired male started down the hall to get something to eat first. He was so caught up in his thoughts that he failed to notice that someone was already in there.

"Zexion?" a voice came. Zexion tensed up, realizing he hadn't paid any attention and was not mentally scolding himself for it. A chuckled floated to his ears, and he relaxed a bit, knowing who it was. "I didn't think you'd be up so early after a mission!" the sitarist said as he patted the schemer's shoulder. The twilight haired male looked up to the older nobody and raised an eyebrow. It seemed Demyx was dressed for a day away as well. Considering he had on a bubble blue tee-shirt and ripped up blue jeans. His sitar was in a case on his back, which was weird since he could just summon it whenever he wanted or needed it – why did he need a case? Zexion was snapped out of his thoughts when Demyx placed his arm around him and turned him towards a different hallway.

"So, you seem like you're ready to go out somewhere. I wonder…" he smirked and Zexion knew the sitarist was up to something. What…the schemer had only a vague idea thanks to the clothing comment. Demyx smiled brightly. "Alright then! Well, I think you were going to go out without me, or were coming to surprise me. But anyway, I know you are going out somewhere. So tell me!" he insisted. Zexion rolled his eyes. God was the blonde way off.

"I just wanted to visit Radiant Garden, Demyx. That's all." He answered with a flat voice. He didn't really want to give Demyx a whole tour when there were better things he could be doing. Like…searching around for answers? Yes, that was number one on his list of things to do. Touring Demyx was first on his list of things not to do. Zexion's indigo hue focused back on Demyx as a small pop caught his ears. A dark portal awaited them about three feet in front of the pair. Demyx was still smiling. The twilight haired male sighed – knowing he couldn't get away he might as well take him along. Zexion nodded and started toward the portal. Demyx laughed and skipped in after him.

A second later, they exited into Radiant Garden's marketplace. Demyx hopped through and landed next to a silent Zexion. They both looked around, only Demyx gawked at all the things they had.

Including the ice cream.

Demyx licked his lips in hunger and rubbed his hands together. Yes, he wanted that ice cream. As he was about to run off, Zexion grabbed his collar and instead of running off, Demyx was choked back. He pouted, turning to the soundless schemer. "Zexy! Can't I have some ice cream? I'll share it with you I promise!" he said, clasping his hands in front to beg the twilight haired male. Zexion watched the older male in front of him fall to his knees and beg for ice cream. Ice cream! So pathetic…the younger yet more mature nobody thought. He looked away and let go.

"Fine…but share…" he said in a very small, almost inaudible, voice. Demyx smiled ,pleased the younger one let him go. He stood up and patted the younger's head, ruffling his hair a bit like a little kid. Zexion snarled, swatting the hand away and crossing his arms with a huff. Demyx chuckled and ran off to go get some ice cream. Zexion straightened his hair out once more and gazed around. He needed to find some place to begin his search. But where? The castle was gone now, so he couldn't look there…

Maybe some of the people knew the blonde girl, Rikku. Then he could figure out why he saw her in his dreams all the time. She must have lived here before. Zexion started off, stuffing his hands into his pockets, and heading to one of the stores. He looked at the stock, only the tiniest bit interested in what they had. He was running low on some potions, maybe he could pick up some more…What made him close his eyes and stand straight, to smell the air, was the smell of…lilies. Zexion's eyes widened as he realized who smelt like that. He reeled around to face the opponent with a scowl on all their faces as well.

"You!" Rikku yelled surprised. She, Sora, and Donald and Goofy all pointed at the twilight haired male in front of them. Zexion glowered at the new problem in front of him. He took a defensive stance, as did the team in front of him. Sora summoned his keyblade, and the duck and dog got out their weapons – a wand and a shield. It really made no sense, supposedly the heartless were only hurt by the keyblade and yet they were hurt by a shield and a stick? Zexion wondered what was going on with the worlds.

The Cloaked Schemer caught sight of the blonde. She didn't have the witch costume on anymore. Instead, it was a very…skimpy outfit. A long orange scarf was around her neck; reaching just past her knees the end was yellow and somewhat shredded. She had on a yellow-orange bikini top and probably a thong by the look of things. Her skirt was barely a foot in length, and hung off her hips. If it wasn't so tight, it would have fallen off. The skirt was an army green and a yellow belt hung around it. On were two pouches which held who knows what. Other than the skirt and a pair of blue and white shoes, her legs were completely bare. Her arms were covered, though, by off-white sleeves with four big bows on the side. Her hands were covered by brown fingerless gloves. The girl's hair was pulled up into a bunch of braids and possibly a ponytail at the top of her head. Zexion couldn't tell what it was so crazy. A blue bandana was around her head though, and then he caught sight of her eyes.

The stunning emerald green and the pupils were…swirled. Zexion shook his head. No, there was nothing about her that made him unsettled. No, he couldn't hide from it. There was something about her. He must have known her at some point. But when…and what was she to him back then? His indigo hue trailed down her neck to a silver chain which he followed to the small charm that had captivated him. He stared at it watching it in stunned silence. He lost all consciousness around him as he just stared at the charm. He didn't notice anything else, or hear anything else. The only thing he saw was the charm…the only thing he heard was a small note ringing off in the distance.

Haha, cliff hanger. Love me cause you know you like it. It's not the best. I didn't want to break from my 'Third Person Limited' POV kay? I like it. Even though I do better in first person POV, still. Yes, love it!!

Anyway, please R && R!!!

Next time:

Zexion wakes up and finds himself with the people of the restoration Committee. Funny thing is, they just locked him up. Sora hasn't killed him yet and won't because the girl named Rikku won't let him. Zexion feels happiness for not being killed, yet suspicion for the reason why. Wait…he's feeling?