I need help so desperately. If anyone knows ANYTHING about how to publish a novel, please message me. I finally finished writing my novel… and I have no clue what to do next. PLEASE HELP!

Okay, here we go!

(WARNING: EMO DRAMA AND SAPPY ROMANCE WILL ENSUE)

… in the aftermath, the so called "haunted mansion" near the Tram Common was burned to the ground, only moments after the young boy Roxas and our own General Vanguard exchanged heated words…

… many still regard Roxas as the hero of Twilight Town, and others yet wonder what secret the boy holds…

… In other news…

He pushed the remote and turned the television off. Riku glared at him. Roxas didn't care; so what if Riku was pissed? He was, too.

The remote sat between them, and it was an unsaid rule that no one moved it. Riku reached up and pushed the television back on again. Roxas glared.

"… We are investigating the issue thoroughly…"

Roxas turned it off again without hesitation. Riku snarled and pushed it back on.

"… We will seek justice…"

Kairi stomped into the room and turned the television off at the screen, and stood in front of it, glaring down the boys.

"Get dressed." She demanded. Then she stomped off. The two boys looked at each other and made a silent agreement.

Riku turned the television on and changed the channel.

Kairi growled as the screen door snapped shut behind her.

"Are they still sulking?" Namine asked, looking up from her drawing. Kairi sat down beside her on the back porch steps. Head in her hands, the girl moaned. There were dark circles under her eyes.

Namine eyed her with pity.

"So, how's he getting off the island?" Kairi asked, sitting back up.

"I took off gem's connection to him so that he wouldn't go back once the summon was over. So, he can't leave without the gummi ship." Namine explained.

"Which leaves us stranded." Kairi moaned. "Just great."

Namine shrugged. "It could always be worse." She muttered.

Failed to mention was the rain, and the still ensuing storm. Namine was able to draw not only because it was light rain, but she also held a wide umbrella over her head. The sun was peeking out from behind the clouds, and a rainbow reflected in the water. Kairi mumbled to herself.

"I wonder how the others are…"

Yuffie knocked three times.

"Ariel? Are you there?" She asked quietly. No response. Yuffie sighed and turned, walking down the hall.

It was raining in Radiant Garden. Locked away in her room, Ariel stood by the window, her forehead against the glass as the rain slowly fell down. One hand was tracing the rain drops on the window and the other was caressing her stomach.

No tears came down her face, but she wanted to cry. "It would be so much easier to live through this, Vexen… if you were here with me."

Yuffie stepped into the kitchen. She half expected to see Leon there, sitting at the window, sipping coffee. Instead, Aerith was watching the rain fall and had a magazine in her lap.

"Hey", Yuffie greeted. Aerith turned and smiled.

"Hello." She replied. An awkward silence fell on them.

"Where's Cloud?" Yuffie broke the silence nervously. Aerith sighed.

"He's off… brooding again, I guess." Yuffie looked Aerith over; that comment was unlike her.

"Okay." Yuffie told her. "I'll see you later."

"Okay…" Aerith nodded, her breath caressing the window.

Outside, it was cold in the rain. Soaked to the bone, Yuffie ignored the stabbing pain and sauntered through the empty city, not quite sure why she was doing so.

Shivering, the ninja walked out into the Maw. Immediately, heartless leapt at her, and Yuffie had prepared her enormous ninja stars.

Her mind was numb to the battle around her.

Demyx made a choice.

Slash. Hack. Kill. Another appears. Kill him, too.

So did Vexen. He chose to fight it.

Spin, release energy, leap, dive, kill. Spin, release, leap, kill.

Demyx doesn't want to risk it. And Ariel accepts her fate with a somber mind.

A large one slashed Yuffie's back, and with a scream, the girl turned and threw her stars at it, hacking it in half.

But what do I want to do? Darkness and light… the boundaries are so wide…

Rain pelting her, her hair clinging to her eyes, Yuffie ran across the cliff side, hacking and slashing at anything that got in her way. Off in the distance, lightning struck and thunder rumbled deeply. The ninja's troubled mind did not catch it.

But are the boundaries between Demyx and me that wide? Can we not reach one another?

Somehow, dozens of heartless surrounded the angry, confused ninja in the thunderstorm. Snarling at them, staring them down with the fury of a curled rattlesnake, warning its naïve trespasser to back off, Yuffie stood at full height and flexed her muscles as she hefted the two weapons above her head, each flickering with a blue light.

I don't understand. Why is the darkness and light so far apart? They are two sides of the same coin. Why are they cursed to the fate of misunderstanding and mistrust?

The heartless did not move, and Yuffie closed her eyes, balancing her weapons above her head as they glowed hauntingly in the lightning.

"Yuffie!" The boy yelled, running after her in the night. The ninja turned, curious as to why the boy was chasing her down.

"Sup, Demyx." She greeted with a grin. Demyx blushed.

"Uh, well…" He rubbed the back of his head in nervousness. "How would you like to hang out with me sometime? We're, uh… my friends and I are gonna hang out and play video games this weekend. You could come… if you, well, if it's your sort a thing, I guess…"

Yuffie giggled as Demyx muttered incoherently. Then she shrugged coyly. "Video games have never been my forte, but… I think I'll give em a try!"

Yuffie's eyes were still closed, and she was crying now. Standing tall, and silently crying. Tears formed in her eyes, trailing down wildly, and she sniffled, trying to calm it. His face kept coming to mind, that dorky grin…

The ninja stars flamed with deep blue light growing stronger by the second.

"DAMN IT!" She choked out in sobs, twisting about like a dancing, releasing her relentless attack in a spiral, like a tornado, as the heartless were obliterated in a flash of blue and she fell to her knees, sobbing.

"HAPPY DINNER!"

Demyx was wearing a goofy "Kiss the Cook" apron, a piece of cloth tied around his head like he was a ninja, a huge grin on his face. In either of his hands were platters, which he joyously set on the table.

At the table were Saix, Mitsuka, Luxord, Larxene, Axel, and soon to be Marluxia and Demyx. The latter had both been cooking in the kitchen to celebrate their safe return to the castle and the victory over Bahamut.

Larxene examined her dinner carefully. "Sure this isn't poison?" Marluxia glowered at her.

"The only poison in this room has a feminine form." He growled. Larxene ignored him. Actually, Demyx looked at her. She seemed rather… somber.

Luxord took a bite of his dinner and smirked. "It's delicious! What is it?"

Demyx and Marluxia grinned evilly at one another.

They spoke together to the group. "Fish." They grinned darkly.

Dinner was over, and Larxene was on top of Memory's Skyscraper. It was raining.

"Damn rain…" She cursed. "Damn… flowers…"

Steps were coming from behind her. Larxene didn't turn.

"Just cause you're pissed at me doesn't mean you have to curse the flowers." Marluxia spoke monotone. Larxene chuckled sadly.

Marluxia sat down beside her.

"I apologize." He muttered very quietly. Only Larxene could hear it. "I'm sorry."

Larxene didn't smile. She didn't respond. But she did reach into her pocket.

"I found this. Out in the darkness. I was wandering in my dreams, and I saw a garden. I went there a few days ago. And I found this. It was beautiful. I thought you'd like it." Larxene stumbled with her words, blushing a little, her eyes still sad.

In her hand was a little flower, black and white, with a golden center. It was delicate, and gentle, and innocent.

The opposite of Larxene, Marluxia thought. She's deadly, strong, and tough. And now, I realize… that is what made me fight her for control. I wanted to best her. And instead… I fell for her…

Marluxia took the plant lightly, twirling it in his hands, examining the fragile being. His eyes went wide.

"Do you know what this is?" He murmured. Larxene perked up, and shook her head. "Me neither."

(Anime fall)

"What?" Larxene implored sarcastically.

Marluxia leapt to his feet. "This… this…"

"Remember Vexen's research?" Marluxia grinned, as if the flower was a gift from heaven. Larxene stood and nodded. "This… it, I don't know…"

The two were walking quickly back inside. "Most often, I touch a plant, and immediately know what it is. This one, it's different. So complex… I sense darkness deep as we, but then, there's a light somewhere. A dark being with a womb full of light."

Larxene's eyes went wide with understanding.

"You mean…" Marluxia nodded with a smug grin.

"Yes! This could aid Vexen plenty! Demyx!"

The boy looked up. As Marluxia and Larxene had approached the castle, they found Demyx contently playing music in the rain.

"Demyx. Take this to Vexen as quickly as possible." Marluxia ordered, gently giving Demyx the flower. "Tell him to look at its make up." Confused, Demyx looked the flower over. "Hurry!" Marluxia ushered him, and with a nod, Demyx disappeared through a dark path.

Marluxia turned to Larxene in fervor.

"Take me to this garden." He told her, and taking his hand, she took him there.

Demyx sauntered from Vexen's office happily. The weird scientist had squealed at the mere sight of the flower, and had summoned both Xemnas and Xigbar to his office immediately. They rushed off in a hurry, Xemnas praising number nine, and Xigbar taking the little guy into a bone crushing, fatherly hug. Feeling pleased with himself, Demyx hummed as he walked into the rain and the Maw.

That is, he was pleased until he heard sobbing.

Someone – a girl – was crying. Demyx cringed sadly and ran around the corner to see whoever it was.

It was her.

Half of him wanted to run and take her in his arms, and the other half wanted to run away.

But he knew that running was wrong. But he knew helping her could be dangerous.

The little flower appeared in Demyx's mind. And the boy took a brave step forward.

On purpose, he stepped loudly into a puddle, and the ninja heard, her head snapping up. Her somber, teary eyes saw him, and went wide in amazement.

"Uh, hi." He told her. The ninja sat silent, her tears dry, but old ones still flowing down her cheeks. Sighing, Demyx nervously fidgeted in place. "I've been an ass, and I've been stupid, and…"

Before he knew it, the ninja was in his arms, wrapping her arms around him.

"You were trying to protect me the only way you knew how."

She knew.

The two, both exhausted and tired, stood there, hugging one another. Then Yuffie stood back.

"Why… why don't you come to my place? You look cold. I've got some cocoa back home; the rain can't be good for us." Demyx laughed loudly.

"Rain? Bad for Demyx?" He laughed again. "The rain is never bad for me, and as long as you're with me…" Demyx took Yuffie around the waist, her back to his chest, leaning his head into the crook of her neck. "The rain is good for you."

Yuffie smiled, and snuggled against his face. Demyx smiled. "Still, I could go for some cocoa." Laughing, Yuffie took him by the hand and led him to the castle.

With a smile, Cloud watched, and without a sound, he left.

"Open your eyes."

Doing as he was told, Sora opened them.

He was in the old tree house on the island. Sitting across from him was Namine. And on the floor was the finished work of art. He hadn't been allowed to look the entire time, but now it was done.

"Man, I was so bored! Kairi had better appreciate this!" A laugh came from the doorway.

"I do, Sora." She smiled. You see, the girl had requested a drawing of Sora, and Namine had requested that Sora do a pose.

Kairi looked the drawing of Sora, lying on the wood floor, eyes closed, and smiled. "It's beautiful."

Namine smiled tiredly. She hadn't slept well.

"I'd better go home. I promised that Ansem would be in my care, so I have to check on him." Kairi nodded.

"Hinode's at my house, I have to check her, too." Kairi said, waving to Sora as she left. The lazy boy just waved back, leaning back on the floor and closing his eyes.

The two girls took their raft back to the island. Namine looked at her sketch pad.

"What is it?" Kairi asked. Namine chuckled.

"Look. I drew a bit hard when I drew Sora. And there's an imprint on this page of the drawing… a sort of shadow… look." Kairi leaned over Namine's shoulder.

The same drawing was there again, faint, and yet, this time, it somehow resembled a different boy. Kairi smiled.

"Now, I have one of my boy and you have one of yours." She told Namine.

Namine walked into her room at Kairi's house and saw Ansem looking through all her drawings.

"Are you hungry?" Namine implored, setting her bag down. Ansem did not respond in any way, just sat there, blankly staring at the drawing. Namine looked at what one it was.

It was off Riku, Kairi, and Sora.

"What am I?" Ansem whispered quietly. Namine became sad. "No one will tell me what I am." Sighing, Namine sat on the bed.

"I may not be the best person to tell you that." She told him. Ansem looked at her.

"Give me a name." He told her. Namine looked up in curiosity.

"What do you mean?" She asked.

"When that tiny king, at that castle, was angry at us, he accused me of stealing someone's name. Someone dear to him. So, will you give me a name?" Ansem implored almost desperately. Namine smiled and nodded.

"Your life is hidden to you. You are a being in between, your life lurking beneath a shell inside you. This name doesn't truly suit you… but until you remember your true name, the one you had even before you lost your memory as Xehanort…" Of course, Ansem didn't understand this, but his blank look didn't change. "Until then, I'll call you…"

"… Kai."

(Kai: Japanese: "Being in between"; shell; avail)

Tsuki looked out the window.

"Your brother is powerful. He's a kind person." Aisu nodded.

"Don't have to tell me twice." She chuckled as she practiced her violin.

Tsuki smiled reverently. "And his friends are strong too. Like Axel."

Aisu's violin stopped abruptly. "Axel." She seethed. Tsuki looked over her shoulder to her guardian.

"You don't like him?" Tsuki smiled. "I spent a lot of time with him, and he's a decent man. A strong one too. He'd make a good husband."

Aisu's eyes grew wide.

"For someone else." She covered her mistake with a frown. Tucking her violin away, Aisu summoned her keyblade. Tsuki smiled.

"You aren't involved with their battle. What will you do with that?" Tsuki asked. The blade was blue, and looked like a musical note. Aisu shrugged.

"I don't really want to fight. I followed my brother that one time to prove to him that I can fight, if I have too. For real, I want to be a musician. Dunno what I'll do with this." Aisu grinned. "Trophy? Naw, not something great like this."

Tsuki placed a hand on it.

"This may not be your battle, but you might have one, one day. So, just hang on to it." Aisu nodded. Tsuki smirked. "Besides, I'm sure Axel wants a fighter."

Aisu fumbled the blade and slid off the bed in surprise and shock. Tsuki laughed.

Marluxia was in darkness. And then, came light.

Larxene was still holding his hand tightly, and she looked back to him.

"Do you see it?" Marluxia blinked, and then looked over her shoulder.

In the middle of the darkness was a garden. The dark just abruptly ended and a small field of flowers was there, all the same kind. Marluxia walked into it, Larxene following him.

Marluxia took a step into the garden.

All of a sudden, the flowers erupted, light swelled from the sky and outward, and the garden grew as winds picked up. Larxene and Marluxia could no longer see darkness, just flowers, and a blue sky wherever they looked. Flowers wafted through the air, and Marluxia caught one.

"What is this place?" Marluxia asked. Larxene put a hand on his shoulder and pointed ahead.

"More like, what is that place?"

Marluxia looked up to see a huge fortress ahead of them, smoke steaming from its metallic pipes. It looked old and dingy, and somehow dark and twisted.

"Whatever it is, I'm going to find out. Come on." He told her, and she nodded. The two rushed to the castle. Marluxia let the flower go.

It fell to the garden floor, mixing in with the thousands of other little plants.

FAR AWAY

Everything was singed, and smoldering. The fire trucks had left and the water pumps were off. The news crews gave up, and the helicopters were gone.

Only one was left.

"Come on, Hayner, let's go home." Pence pleaded, edging towards the forest. Nervously, Olette watched her friend.

Stoically, Hayner looked over the smoldering ruins of the Haunted Mansion. Stepping upon a piece of blackened wood, he walked out into the ruin.

"Hayner!" Olette pleaded. The boy ignored them.

Hayner looked around, taking in everything. Looking down, he saw blackened metal, the tile floor that had once covered the place.

The remains of stairs that were barely standing, just ready to fall towered before them. Hayner didn't dare touch them. Instead, he walked over to the right.

He saw computer equipment scattered here and there, and most everything had hunks of it chopped out, like someone had attacked it with a blade. That must have been what started the fire; Roxas, hacking away at everything in a blind rage.

"Hayner." Olette sighed.

"Don't you see?" He asked, turning to them.

"The thing with the waterfall? The newcomers in town? Roxas and his odd behavior? The mansion?" Hayner swept his arm at the landscape. He began stomping towards his friends. "Something is being kept from us, something is going on, and it is right in front of our eyes, in our blind spot! And I have a feeling it has everything to do with us!"

Pence and Olette looked to each other in surprise. Hayner took something out of his pocket.

"I found this in Roxas' room when the police went in. I snuck in there."

"Hey, Roxas!" Sora called as Roxas turned to leave. The brunette took something out of his pocket.

"Here, this is yours."

What Hayner had in his hands was a picture. It was of the gang standing in front of the gate of the mansion, and Roxas was there in white clothing.

"We were never here with him." Olette whispered.

"Look at the date. It was about two years ago this was taken! When Roxas didn't even live here, and Olette hadn't even known us then!" Olette meekly looked the picture over and Pence looked over her shoulder.

"Whatever that picture is, this Mansion had to do with it. And Roxas destroyed whatever the mansion had. We have to figure this out." Hayner told them, his confidence faltering for once. Olette and Pence looked to their leader.

"Come on." Hayner told them sadly, and the three looked to the mansion.

They began searching.