When I was


a young boy,


my father


took me into the city


to see a marching band.


He said,


"Son when


you grow up,


would you be


the savior of the broken,


the beaten and the damned?"

Saix was in hell.

He had been in what he thought was hell before, during his time as a nobody, and the times before, and some parts of the time after. But he had never been through true hell. True, unabashed hell was standing before him in a green sweat suit.

Saix could hear the voice of a stranger approaching, and his sister's soft, timid voice mixed in with it.

Strangely enough, a really annoying voiced person arrived first.

"MERIIKURISUMASU!"

The freak wore a blue and yellow suit, with a headband around his head of crazy yellow hair. The boy actually had… whiskers. Waves of demonic energy rolled off the freaky little boy, but it wasn't his… there was a demon inside of him.

Freak looked around. "Where's Lee?"

Lee, otherwise known as Green Junior to Saix, was a boy who had a bowl hair cut and wore green sweats, just like his sensei, which he seemed to be a clone of. As soon as Freak mentioned Green Jr. the boy swooped down into the room dramatically, also calling out "Merry Christmas" in Japanese.

As soon as student and teacher saw each other, each grew sentimental and threw their arms out to each other.

"Gai-sensei!"

"Lee!"

"Gai-sensei!"

"Lee!"

Saix blinked at the odd, climatic sunset that seemed to have appeared in the background suddenly. The door opened and more strangers followed after Freak.

One was tall and wore a mask, with silken silver hair. Beside him were two children, one a girl with pink hair and a large forehead, and one with dark hair, a dark complexion, and a dark look; he screamed ZEXION CLONE, BEWARE.

Stepping in behind them was Mitsuka, who Saix was overjoyed to see. To his surprise, she carried a huge amount of bags and gifts in her hand.

"Hey, big brother!" She smiled. Zexion clone, girl, and mask man all looked at him.

"He's your brother?" Zexion clone asked. Saix sat up and nodded.

"Come to rescue me from hell?" He chuckled. Mitsuka giggled and moved over to him, setting all the boxes by his bed.

"No, but I bring tidings from it." She smiled.

"The castle is hell?"

"Well, it's at least chaos right now. Lexaeus just knocked two of the Dark City skyscrapers down and Xaldin put a hole in the roof." Mitsuka laughed. "They were playing baseball."

"So, who is this fine young lady?" Gai grinned, bowing to the girl and kissing her knuckles. Mitsuka looked surprised, and Saix began growling. He went to grab the man's hand, but he leapt out of the way; at least he was an efficient ninja.

Smiling, Mitsuka looked to the group. "Saix this Kakashi sensei and his students Sasuke-san, Sakura-san, and Naruto-san. I think you know Gai sensei and Lee-san."

Saix grunted in response.

"This is Saix, my brother. Here!" Mitsuka turned to her sibling. "All of these are from the others."

"And I was sure my reputation was intact." Mitsuka blinked. Saix chuckled. "Don't they hate me?"

Laughing, Mitsuka shook her head and began passing gifts up.

"Hey! Christmas is tomorrow!" Naruto cried in protest. Sasuke kicked his face.

"Silence, dobe" He insulted. Naruto jumped up angrily, and the two began fighting.

Saix shook his head and began unwrapping the first box. It had a card addressed, (in rather sloppy hand writing), From everybody!

"Want me to read it out loud?" Mitsuka asked. She began doing so.

Hey!

It's us! (everybody) and I'm sure you can guess who's doing the writing. It's me, Demyx! I hope you're having a good Christmas! We almost had a crisis, when I remembered there's no chimney in the castle! But, luckily, Lexaeus fixed the problem, so Santa won't have any when he arrives! Yay!

Anyway, we've been having a lot of fun! I'm sure Mitsuka's told you about the baseball game; Lexaeus blew a hole in the wall! Xigbar almost got his head blasted off. And a big piece of wood smashed right into my face! Lucky I'm a nobody, or I'd be… well, dead.

All the bags Mitsuka has are from us. And don't worry; Xemnas forced Larxene to remove the arsenic laced cookies from her gift. That girl has an odd sense of humor! Not to mention, she's scary…

Well, everybody has something to say! Me first!

Merry Christmas, I hope you feel better, and I really hope you like my gift. Well, here's Axel!

Hey, number seven. Merry Christmas, whatever you call it… Well, at least I remembered to get you something. So, yeah, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays and Get Better and all that stuff. Here's Xigbar.

Hey, there, scary man. Merry whatever the hell you celebrate, and I hope you like my gift; I worked so long and so hard! Okay, no work involved. But, it's the money that counts, right? Okay, so I stole it. Don't tell Xemnas.

Merry Christmas, Number Seven. It's Lexaeus; I hope you're having a good time, and I wish you luck with the strangers you meet; you don't always enjoy us, your family, so I'm sure complete strangers don't have much of a chance! Good wishes to you; here's Xaldin.

I am not a sissy bitch, and neither are you. Happy what the fuck. Here's Zexion.

No comment.

I was going to say something, but both Larxene and I (this is Marluxia) are only allowed to say that we aren't allowed to say anything, because Lord Xemnas doesn't trust us. Ah well.

Hey, number seven! Luxord here to wish you Happy Christmas and I hope you get better soon. Until then, maybe my gift can keep you entertained. The Superior would like to say something.

Come home soon.

Okay, well, that was everybody, cept Roxas, but if he were here I'm sure I know what he'd say.

"Merry Christmas". That's probably all you'd get. But you wouldn't care anyway huh? Okay, well, enjoy your gifts!

From the Illustrious Organization XIII

Signed Numbers I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII.

Everyone was silent for a moment.

"Wow", Naruto laughed.

WITH KAIRI

Hey, Kairi, I hope you're having a good Christmas, and I hope you like your gift. I'm sorry we can't all be with you, but I'm glad you're with your family. The necklace is supposed to represent Kingdom Hearts; it's a good luck charm, and a "ward against evil", according to Rikku.

We've known each other for a long time, Kairi, and we've been through a lot. There's still a lot more coming. And I know it might not end well. But forget that. Just remember, I promised I'd always come back to you. I will, no matter what happens; keep this with you, so you'll always remember.

You know, this is the first time the three of us haven't had Christmas together. Other than the year I was asleep and you couldn't remember (which REALLY doesn't count), you, me, and Riku have always been together. Don't let that get you down. we'll be back together soon, on a journey to finally finish this! The battle might not be over, but the fun isn't either, I promise you that!

Well, I'm gonna pass this to your siblings so they can hang on to it; I wanted this to be a surprise! Cloud's calling me over..

Remember, Kairi, I'll always come back to you.

YUUCHOU SORA

PS: I talked to Donald and Goofy over the phone, and they say Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukah! So does everybody else! (me, too by the way)

Kairi looked from the note in her hand to the jewel she held in the other. Eagerly, her siblings looked up to her.

"You like it?" They asked. With tears, she nodded.

"I really love it" She smiled. "I love it. I love it so much"

(every body, one two three….. AWWWW!)

RADIANT GARDEN

The world was blanketed in white. For Sora, it could've been black.

The boy was slumped over a railing, staring dumbly and sadly at the stars. He was trying to count them; he never got past seven, and always had to begin again. Each star seemed to move and leap away as if mocking him, saying you can't count me, foolish little key bearer! When Sora lost count at Polaris again, seething, he picked up a rock, and chucked it at the sky. What goes up must come down, and Sora cursed when his rock didn't go even as far as the clouds. It did hit Cloud, though. He didn't seem to appreciate the irony.

Sora wished he could burn the stars. But, they were already on fire. Why was he so angry at the stars? Okay, so he wasn't really mad at the stars. He was just mad.

Sighing, Sora hit his head lightly against the banister. He looked back up to the stars. Before, he had been concentrating on the individual stars; this time, he saw a constellation, himself, and Donald and Goofy. Sora found it in himself to smile at the memories. Not to mention he felt the tiniest little touch of smug pride.

Yawning, Sora stretched and looked over the balcony. The town was having a lovely little get together. But, Sora sighed he thought he needed to go somewhere else. Looking back, Sora summoned his keyblade and held it out.

"Hey, can you… bring me to him, please?" Sora muttered.

A white portal appeared in front of him, and with a serene smile, Sora stepped through.

Down below, Tifa laughed with the others, and danced, and played with the children. She drank, and told jokes, and conversed with everyone. Sometimes, her lips would curve up so slightly in irony, and when she found she didn't like a drink those lips would pout, and her brow would furrow, and she'd spit the drink into the bushes as Aerith laughed friendly. Sometimes, her nose would crinkle when she laughed hard, and when she was dancing her eyes would reflect in the firelight with laughter and happiness. Sometimes, her eyes would scan the crowd, looking for someone.

Her eyes never found him, because no matter where she looked, he would be somewhere else.

Vincent did not belong there with them. But he was content, in his loneliness to watch her lips curve and her nose crinkle, her hips sway and her eyes shine.

So entranced he was, and so engrossed in his task of hiding just out of her reach, Vincent forgot to hide from others. Soon, he was found, but not by whom he thought would seek him out.

"Hey, mister tall, dark and freaky" Cid greeted, leaning against the wall with a beer. Vincent didn't acknowledge him. "How are you?"

"Fine"

"Ah, fine then. Don't talk to me" Cid joked. Vincent did not laugh; he was too busy watching Tifa laugh, as her cheeks flushed with happiness and wine…

"She's a beautiful woman, your girl" Cid murmured honorably. Vincent glanced down at him. "She deserves a strong, handsome man, who will always stand by her" Vincent felt this was a question.

"I will always stand by her" He assured Cid. Laughing, Cid downed all of his drink in one gulp and threw his cup into a trash can twenty feet away. Vincent looked to him in slight fury.

"What's there to laugh at?"

"Nothin" Cid cracked a smirk-smile. "I just think it's kinda weird that you're not standing by her right now."

Cid left Vincent to his thoughts, just after he shook the very foundation of them. Surprised, Vincent smirked and looked back at the crowd. He couldn't find Tifa. He should, he thought, he should go out there and try to dance with her, at least once, if that was all he could do…

"Ahem"

Looking down, Vincent was surprised to see he'd been snuck up on again. He wasn't surprised for long. Standing tall, towering over her, Vincent greeted Tifa.

"I was looking for you" She smiled. Vincent let her take his hand.

"I was looking for you too" He murmured quietly. "All my life"

Across the way, two children were happily pushing a gift into Cloud's hands.

"Here, Cloud!"

"I hope you like it, Cloud!"

As anyone who knows him would know, Cloud only truly smiles around children. He was smiling now, in his own, quiet, Cloud like way, as he kneeled and took the gift into his hands.

"Thank you" he murmured softly.

"Will you open it now?" The boy child pleaded. The girl nudged him, as if to say it was rude, but Cloud nodded.

"All right" Both gasped, grinned and looked eagerly to Cloud.

In the box was a pair of dolls, fashioned to look like Cloud and Leon.

"We wanted to try and make the two coolest guys in the world, but I don't think we did it right" The girl murmured. Leon's scar was back wards and Cloud had purple eyes, and of course, Cloud's hair wasn't anywhere near as spiky as it should've been. LOL

Smiling sincerely, Cloud set the dolls on his knee and rubbed the kid's hair. "Thanks. I'll give Leon his next time I see him."

The kids grinned happily and said good bye.

"Hey, Cloud!"

Yuna, Paine, and Rikku were running toward him. They giggled when they saw the doll, but Cloud didn't really notice.

"We've got someone you might want to greet!" Rikku grinned.

"Beside, he said he wants to talk to you" Yuna told him. A bit confused, Cloud simply nodded, and holding the dolls in his hand, headed towards the Radiant Garden Hangar where he was told whoever it was, was waiting for him.

The streets felt mystic as he walked down them, towards his destination. Cloud felt like a wisp of wind, something floating through that didn't belong, simply drifting through before flying on to his next destination. But he didn't have one. He'd just keep drifting, a wisp on the wind… looking down at his feet, Cloud was slightly surprised that he hadn't disappeared and faded away; but he was still there. Was that a good thing?

With a smirk, Cloud looked to the dolls in his hands. They were ragged, but adorable. The one that was supposed to be him was rather endearing, if not somewhat desperate.

Cloud stepped into the hangar. He was surprised to see his leader there, sitting on a step, hunched over, eyes distant. Silent as the grave, Cloud approached and joined him.

Leon chuckled, and Cloud remembered the dolls. He tossed the Leon doll to his leader.

"Merry Christmas from the Radiant Garden kids" Cloud chuckled.

Leon gently held the doll, turning it in his hand. With a smile, he looked back up, out the window. Both men were silent. They didn't have much to say. There was no need to break the awesome silence.

"How did you know…" Leon began, thinking back. "How could you bring yourself to let them go?" Cloud turned to look at Leon. "When you fail them; when you fail her. How do you let that go?"

Cloud pondered what Leon was saying. It sounded so much like what he'd been through. Really, it was; the two had been through a lot of the same, but somehow ended up very different people with very different views.

Because Leonhart is stronger than I am

Cloud twiddled with the doll, trying to put his thoughts into words. They words had to come out right if he was to make any sense at all. How could he form into a few sentences what it took him almost a decade to learn?

"You can't… let them go. You feel so… desperate for anything, a pardon, an excuse, a reason to hate yourself for it… you want them to come back, you want to be forgiven, to somehow make up for what you did." Cloud let the doll droop down in his one hand as he looked about, trying to collect his thoughts. Leon was watching his movements, his furrowed brows, his eyes deep in thought. Cloud was cold and distant; but if you knew the signs, you could read him like a book.

"You look everywhere for a way out, when you know you've already barred yourself in, because you can't allow yourself to escape. You feel like you don't deserve that."

"In the end, the only way out, is in."

"You have to listen to the voices that you'd been tuning out. To give others the right to guide you, and you have to shove aside all your thoughts, you drown them out so you can breath. In the end, you'll never forget."

"It's like treading in water; you can spend your life drowning, bobbing up and down dangerously, or you can tread like hell and try to get to shore somehow."

Cloud fell silent. The atmosphere became thick with angst and confusion and thought. There didn't seem to be anything that could break the silence, even though it was as fragile as glass. Cloud's heart raced. Had he said enough? Had he said too much?

Cloud was fascinated with the floor tile, his eyes lost in thought. Curiosity covered Leon's face and his mouth was only slightly open, just seemingly in a daze. Cloud looked to the doll in his hand, and the doll in his comrades.

"Look", He chuckled. "Action figures."

Leon looked in disbelief to his doll, and then back at Cloud, and the two laughed at the inane rabble.


He said


"Will you


Defeat them,


Your demons,


And all the non believers,


The plans that they have made?


Because one day


I'll leave you,


A phantom


To lead you in the summer,


To join the black parade."

Tidu looked around in explicit, blessed wonder. He did not ask why there were flower petals flowing from the sky. He did not question the blue stream stretching across the horizon, speckled yellow and orange and crimson. He did not wonder if it was a dream. The boy already knew it was.

He began to run. He was running through the fields of flowers speckled white and black, and he was looking everywhere, anywhere, for someone. The stream of light sparkled in his eyes with every step he took, and whoever he was looking for, he could not find.

Then he found him. But he was a woman.

She was on the edge of the stream, sitting cradled by a tree. Blood coated her face, and her hair, and clothes. Whoever it was was weak and dying. With a pathetic sob, the woman looked up.

"Tell him I'm sorry" she whispered. Someone ran up behind Tidu.

"No" It was a girl with brown hair, and glasses; a teenager.

"Is he coming?" the dying woman sobbed.

Tidu looked towards the stream of water and light on the horizon. Footsteps were echoing all around them.

A man with blonde hair and a sport like uniform was sauntering, face down, determined and frail, strong, yet bleeding terribly, and he was sauntering towards the dying woman. He came, picked her up, kissed her forehead politely, and then nodded to Tidu and the teen.

"Thank you, Sulhadahne" He smiled. He looked to the woman in his arms. "Thank you, Rinoa" He sighed before taking the woman out with him to the stream. Tidu gazed after him. The words that roared from his mouth would shock him awake.

"My mother's still waiting for you, bastard!


When I was


A young boy,


My father


Took me into the city


To see a marching band.


He said,


"Son when


You grow up,


Would you be


The saviour of the broken


The beaten and the damned?"

SORA

The light brought him right where he needed to be.

It was odd, whatever it was. It was just this platform, old and made of stone, and it was floating in the clouds. Souls… were everywhere.

"It's called the Farplane."

Sora spun around. There he was, his other, Roxas, one of the people Sora had come to see. He looked just like he had only a little while ago. Sora leapt at him and pulled him into a tight embrace.

"Merry Christmas!" The boy cheered. Roxas laughed.

"Yeah, yeah, you too"

The two stood back, both basking in the glory of being together again. Then, with a serene smile, Sora turned around. Three sleeping bags were on the floor; Namine was in one, and in the other was Riku. The third was of course empty.

"You came to see him?" Roxas asked, looking to his somebody.

"Yup"

"You gonna wake him up?"

"Nope" Sora plopped down on the floor cross legged, like a child, and stared happily at his friends. "I'll just wait until he wakes up."

"He's been a mess." Sora nodded with understanding.

"I know"

Looking up, Sora stood and walked out to the edge of the platform.

"This is the afterlife. The spirits of the dead are here." Roxas told Sora. Nodding in awe, Sora reached out to touch a soul that floated by him. It was so serene and beautiful.

"Know any dead people?" Roxas asked.

Sora shrugged. "Well… not personally, other than Riku's mother." As soon as she was mentioned, the woman appeared before the two of them, standing holding her hands in front of her, smiling just like a mother would. Her pale blonde hair and blue eyes were astounding, and her caring smile was warming.

The two stood in awe of her in her broken glory. "She's really pretty huh?" Sora sighed. "She was a great woman." Roxas nodded half heartedly.

"Yeah"

The two stood in silence. Sora slid down to floor again, once again watching Riku. he sighed bored.

"When do you think they'll wake up?" He mumbled.

"I don't know"

There was silence. It lasted for fifteen seconds.

"They up yet?"

SMACK


A world I'm just a man,


I'm not a hero


Just a boy


Who had to sing this song


I'm just a man,


I'm not a hero


THE WORLD THAT NEVER WAS

Demyx couldn't believe it! His cheeks were red as bricks, his heart was beating hard and fast, and he couldn't get enough. Whispers in the back of his mind reminded him to thank Xigbar for this later.

Above his head was mistletoe. It had been across the room, but when Yuffie and Demyx attempted to enter through the door, Xigbar had seen an opportunity and had taken it. By using his abilities, he easily moved the plant above the two. Yuffie had seen it first.

"Come here, you little dork" She laughed, pulling him to her height.

Sometimes, it was good to be the dorky one!

Xigbar just laughed and downed his eggnog.

"This is the greatest Christmas party we've ever had." Axel laughed. Xigbar slammed his mug on the counter, putting a crack in the linoleum.

"You said it" Xaldin agreed, slamming down his mug next to Xigbar's in an attempt to make a bigger crack. He did; he also splashed the remains of his drink all over the kitchen. The Whirlwind didn't seem to notice.

"Come on, man, I don't need a bath!" Axel growled, rubbing the alcohol off his eyes. Xigbar and Xaldin, oblivious to the mess they made, gave each other devilish grins.

"You sure, there, buddy?" Axel looked up. Both men looked fiendish, and their eyes were focused on him.

"Uh, guys?" Axel looked at them, and began backing up slowly. "Guys? Hey, Demyx!" Demyx didn't seem to hear Axel; Demyx had Yuffie leaning against a wall as he explored her hair. "Demyx, come on, you bastard! Ah!"

Axel continued screaming as Xaldin took his arms, Xigbar his legs, and they lifted him out of the room.

In the Christmas tree room, Vexen, Lexaeus, and Zexion sat in a circle, exchanging gifts.

Zexion sniffed the gift Vexen handed to him. Vexen gave him a look.

"What are you doing?" He asked frankly.

"Making sure it won't kill me" Zexion smirked, ripping parts of the paper off. Vexen rolled his eyes.

"Thank you" Lexaeus spoke to Vexen. The blonde turned to see Lexaeus holding up his gift in his hands. It was a set of books, including "War and Peace", "The Iliad", and "Beowulf", and if you are less than twenty years old, you probably haven't even heard of them. Or you might've if you are a very stuffy person.

Zexion puzzled over his gift.

"What is it?"

Lexaeus took the book from his hands and turned it over. Chuckling, he explained.

"It's all the hype nowadays; it's Sudoku. Right up your alley." Lexaeus passed the book back to Zexion, who looked it over curiously.

"Thank you, Vexen" he smiled slightly, and Vexen nodded in response.

"Open one of yours now" Lexaeus chided. Huffing, Vexen picked up a heavy box. When he opened it, Vexen looked it over, and then turned it around; it was a thick, old book.

"Grey's Anatomy?" He asked, chuckling. "Thanks, number five"

"Anytime! There's another gift at your feet" Lexaeus nodded towards the floor, and Vexen looked at the item. Picking it up, he unwrapped it; it was a DVD box set.

"Grey's Anatomy?" Vexen made a funny face.

"It's a great show; I think you'll like it!" Lexaeus smiled innocently. Incredulously, Vexen gave him a look.

"This sissy shit?!" Lexaeus sniffled and pretended to bawl.

"Ah, you've hurt the gentle giant" Zexion laughed.

The laughter of the trio floated through the castle, as Christmas Spirit seem to float about as well. Of course, both were jaggedly broken by the inane screams of a rather distressed number eight.

He was on the Altar of Naught. It seemed the best place to be. Of course, it was a bit lonely, but he'd never admit that. Saix was gone, Xigbar was, well… busy… Xemnas would have to deal with being alone.

The stars were rather bright on that Christmas eve night. Well, it could've been day, and he couldn't have known the difference. Xemnas chuckled and gave the Kingdom Hearts moon a funny look.

Footsteps were coming up the steps, light footsteps, steady and smooth.

"Superior?"

Xemnas turned. He thought he probably would be visited sometime in the night, but he was not met by who he thought. Luxord came up to his leader, bowed, and asked permission to join him. Xemnas didn't say anything; he simply nodded.

Luxord walked up and stood beside Xemnas.

"Nice night" He sighed. Then, with a chuckle, Luxord added, "Could be a nice day" Xemnas gave a half hearted laugh. Luxord looked to him.

"Having a nice Christmas?" he asked. Xemnas nodded.

"It's adequate." Luxord smiled.

"What was Christmas like for you with Ansem the Wise?" That brought an odd look to the Superior's frosty eyes.

He was silent, his head bowed for a moment. All was still, and Luxord wondered if his words had rendered his leader unconscious. Luxord was just about to back away slowly when Xemnas sat back up.

"It was beautiful. Snow every year, and all studies paused until the end of the New Year's Holiday. My friends and fellow students would leave for Christmas break, but each one would return Christmas night to celebrate again, with myself and our teacher. I was surprised they were willing to make such a sacrifice for me. They did it happily every year, for as long as we were there." Xemnas smirked sadly.

"It was actually two weeks to Christmas, the day I opened the door. All my allies were waiting for me, at the city gates, and when the door opened they rushed to me, and we made one, solid pack to stick together and go through the gate. It was then Ansem stood in our way, worried for us and our state of mind."

"We knew he would have to be taken care of if we were to keep our promise. But all of us were reluctant; we each … loved him. but it had to be done, for our sake. As the leader, I stepped up to do it, but I couldn't. My hand trembled as I reached to him, and his eyes trembled with love and sadness. I cringed, hating myself, but then Xigbar stepped in."

"Xigbar?" Luxord didn't seem to care about the digression of topic.

Xemnas nodded. "He was the oldest, who always looked out for us. He loved Ansem more than any of us, but he didn't shed a tear when he opened the portal and shoved Ansem inside. he was being the protector again. I felt so weak. But we made it through the portal, and everything changed. The last thing I saw as a human being… was Squall Leonhart's face."

Luxord seemed surprised. He swallowed, and curiously, listened to see if Xemnas would continue. The man paused, but with a sigh, he brushed the hair from his face and began again.

"He was only a boy. A child. And he had been chosen, as a boy, to become the next leader of our world. And we had shoved the duty into his arms much too soon. The little girl ninja, Yuffie, was even younger, clutching to his knee. His eyes were wide with disbelief and confusion, his face without scar. And when I mouthed, to him, I'm sorry; I think he cursed at me. He looked so lost. The girl had to drag him away as he tried to run after me, but I saw he was afraid too. I don't think he was ready to be a leader yet."

"I guess that's how he ended up at Balamb Garden, hmm?" Luxord commented.

"I guess" Xemnas nodded. Both fell silent, the only sound being silence itself. It had a drab, disgusting squeak of a sound.

Xemnas laughed all the sudden. "How'd we get to talking about that?" Luxord shrugged. "I didn't know it would be so easy to speak of."

"Sometimes we make a lot out of our memories." Luxord sighed. "I know."

Xemnas looked to him.

"You are very easy to speak too. I don't see why I didn't see it before." Then Xemnas chuckled. "Maybe it was because of those damn card games."

The two shared a laugh.

Far down below, in the garden, sat two; Marluxia, and Larxene.

They were silent together, the blonde leaning on her partner and ally, twirling a flower in her hand. It was very tranquil. The two didn't even mind the excruciatingly painful sounding screams from down the hallway; but then, Marluxia and Larxene were always very sadistic.

Marluxia leaned down and kissed Larxene's forehead gently. Larxene placed the flower in his hair behind his ear. She kissed his cheek.

Axel's screams reached an amazing octave.

"I HATE WATER!"


We'll carry on,


We'll carry on


And though you're dead and gone believe me


Your memory will carry on


We'll carry on


And in my heart I can't contain it


The underworld is waiting

SOMEPLACE DARK AND CREEPY VERY, VERY, VERY FAR AWAY

(and I mean VERY FAR)

He was choking on his own blood. It coated his raspy throat, his bruised lips, dripped down his chin. The blood was dried in his hair, under his nails, his eyes only barely able to make out the amount of blood on the floor. It was mixed together with saliva and oil and yesterday's dinner.

When he made to move, he realized his arm elbow was out of the socket. With a grimace, he knew he had to put it back. Lying on the blood soaked floor, with agonizingly slow movements he took hold of his elbow and began moving its. His screams reverberated across the cells and around the basement.

They were heard by a woman's ears. Blood was on her lips as well, her leg broken, her eyes half open. She was bone thin.

A sound broke out between the screams, as a child poked her head into the basement. Her own eyes were bruised, and a bandage covered her cheek. When she stepped into the room, it was visible that she was limping, and she carried two trays of food. At the sound of the screams, she set the trays down and ran to the man.

"Oh, you idiot" She sobbed, bending down to help him. she snapped the bone back in place. Standing, she ran back and grabbed the trays, sliding one into the woman's cell, and one into the man's. he reached out to grab it, and knocked the water over.

"No" the girl sobbed, picking it up. She sat next to him, letting him lean against her, and began feeding him.

The woman in the other cell began feeding herself, leaning against the bars of the cell. She was devouring it, but it had no taste to her. If anything, it tasted of blood.

The girl sobbed as she watched the man eat, barely alive.

"What have I done?" Sulhadahne whispered.

Do or die


You'll never make me


because the world


Will never take my heart


You can try


You'll never break me


We want it all


We want to play this part

Hey guys!

It's me, Sulhadahne. I was watching Final Fantasy Advent Children today. YAY VINCENT! Anyway, this will be my last chapter for about… two weeks. I have to work on my novel now, but it won't take forever, trust me.

By the by, I put up a Final Fantasy VII Advent Children AMV on youtube today. It is the best I've ever made! The song I used in this fic is the same one on the AMV. Its very nice. Go check it out!

Well, I gots to go. Message me sometime, I'm lonely.

SULHADAHNE

(By the by, Moonshine's Guide; DON'T KILL ME FOR HURTING ORPHEUS!)

next time:

THE SECRETS ARE REVEALED: Sulhadahne's Birth and Orpheus' Reason for Living! See you then!