Jazzerman here, I do not own any of these characters, they are owned by their respected companies, as many as there are. You've heard this crap before. I DO own the OCs. If you'd like to use them in a fic, just tell me.

Am I Heartless?

Part 8

The first thing Yuffie did as they disembarked from the Highwind outside of Disney castle was run over to a bush and vomit. She had groaned and complained the whole trip about how space sick she was and now she was showing just how much she meant it. Everyone else was just thrilled that she had held it in the whole way.

Out of pity Orin rubbed her back in attempt to help her nausea pass all the while making sure his hand stayed on the back of her vest and not touch her skin. Yuffie disliked the fact that Orin was touching her but she could feel her nausea vanishing slowly.

"Thanks..." Yuffie said as she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. She felt a little bad about they got off on the wrong foot and really did want to make up for it. Even though Orin looked so... strange.

They approached the castle gates and as if he had done it a thousand times (and he very well could have) Donald knocked on the gates and they opened inward. But as they walked in Orin was knocked back a good thirty feet by an unseen force.

"What happened?" Sora asked as he and Kairi rushed over to Orin's side.

Orin staggered to his to feet and rubbed his backside, his landing had not been soft. "I dunno I was just walking into the castle like you were and suddenly it felt like something hit me like a fist and sent me flying."

"You okay?" Riku asked, having no clue what had just happened.

"I'm fine just a little dazed." Orin said, shaking his head to try to throw off the impact he felt from... whatever it was that hit him. "You guys go on ahead. I'll stay out here and uh... make sure nothing gets inside."

"You think it may be because of the Cornerstone?" Goofy asked as he turned to Donald, who in turn just shrugged his answer.

"The Cornerstone?" Riku repeated.

"The Cornerstone of Light." Sora explained as he turned back to Riku and Kairi who had never heard of the artifact. "It's a giant crystal underneath the castle that kept all the Heartless and Nobodies from getting inside during our last adventure. It even kept Maleficent from getting in."

Riku was more than a little surprised, he didn't think there was anything that could keep the Heartless out of anyplace they didn't want to go much less fend off Maleficent.

"This doesn't necessarily mean that you're a Heartless Orin, the Cornerstone of Light keeps everyone with power from the Realm of Darkness out." Donald quacked giving the young man a friendly smile.

"You guys go on inside and meet the king. I'll stay out here and keep an eye on Orin." Yuffie said with a self satisfied smirk on her face as he looked over at Orin.

Orin snorted and turned away from the ninja. "I don't need a baby sitter Yuffie. I can take care of myself."

Yuffie sighed in mock defeat and slung her shuriken behind her. "Well if the Heartless who up in two or three dozen you may change your mind."

That shut Orin up real quick, he sighed in defeat and rolled his yellow eyes. "Fine... You win Yuffie."

Yuffie only wished she had a tape recorder because she never got tired of people saying that to her.

Sora nodded. "Okay, you two take care. This shouldn't take long."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah..." Orin muttered as he sat down on the grass in front of the castle.

Not wanting to waste anymore time Sora, Riku, and the rest of the gang entered Disney castle through the main gate leaving Orin alone with the ninja girl.

---

Once the gang was inside and the gates were closed behind them they were instantly greeted by two chipmunks in overalls.

"Sora! Donald! Goofy!" Chip grinned widely.

"Nice to see you all again!" Dale said as he hopped up and down, glad to see them all again so soon.

"Hiya guys, what's new?" Sora asked, bending down slightly to get a better look at Chip and Dale.

"Not that much. The King said he wants to see you in the throne room ASAP." Chip said.

The gang thanked the chipmunks and went on their way. Donald and Goofy lead the way to the throne room. On the way Riku and Kairi gave curious looks to the animated brooms that were either cleaning the floors or carrying water buckets. All they got out of Sora was an innocent shrug meaning he knew about as much as he did. They soon stopped in front of the large doors that lead to the throne room.

Kairi nearly fell backwards looking at the huge doors that stood in front of them. However when Donald opened a normal door sized section of the larger door she face vaulted.

"Same thing happened to me when I saw it Kairi." Sora reassured her as he helped her up.

Kairi grumbled a little but she quickly dusted herself off and hurried after her friends who had already entered the throne room.

---

Yuffie sat down on the grass next to Orin. "Hey... Uh... Orin?"

Orin blinked in curiosity at Yuffie nervous tone of voice, after their first meeting Orin had no idea what to expect from the ninja.

"I'm sorry we got off to such a bad start." Yuffie stood up straight and extended her hand. "Friends?"

Orin coughed. "Um... Little problem with that Yuffie..."

Yuffie flinched as she remembered Orin couldn't touch her without going crazy or so Sora had told her. "Oh yeah right... Sorry about that. We're still cool right?"

Orin took a second to think before he answered. Yuffie hadn't been exactly on his side since they met nor had she been the best company. His antennas felt sore just remembering how hard she had flicked them back at Radiant garden. On the other hand she had just proved that she could act like a normal person once in a while and not like the rude girl she often came off as. Heck if Riku could go from wanting to vanquish him to a friend (hopeful thinking anyway) then maybe he should give Yuffie a chance too. "We can be friends as long as you don't hit my antennas again. It's like being hit in the eye or some other sensitive area."

"I said I was sorry about that..." Yuffie muttered as she rolled her eyes. She really hadn't truthfully apologized for that but as far as she was concerned she had and that was the end of it.

"Huh? Did you say something Yuffie?" Orin asked.

Yuffie shook her head enthusiastically and waved her hands fronting innocence. "It was nothing."

Orin blinked his eyes and twitched his antennas. Yuffie sure was strange compared to the other girls he had met like Kairi or Aerith.

"So what kind of music do you have on those headphones?" Yuffie asked right out of the blue.

Orin took his red headphones off and handed them to Yuffie who instantly placed them on her head and turned it on. Immediately she wished she hadn't as blasting loud music blasted into her keen ninja ears causing her hair to stick out comically. Yuffie tore off the head phones and tossed them at Orin before checking to see if her ears were bleeding, which thankfully weren't.

"Yee gods how can you stand listening to music that loud?" Yuffie screamed as she shot Orin a very irritated look and rubbed her ears.

Orin managed to contain his laughter, knowing that if he didn't he's have a very angry ninja girl to contend with. Orin turned down the volume on his headphones and put them back around his neck. "Sorry Yuffie... You okay?"

Yuffie just grumbled and began to comb her hair with her fingers.

---

The group smiled upon seeing the King who was waiting for them farther down in the throne room. As they drew closer Donald, Goofy and Sora each gave a ridged salute which spurred subdued laughter from Riku and Kairi.

"Nice to see you too your majesty." Riku said with a small smirk adorning his face.

"The same to you Riku." King Mickey said as he hopped off his throne and looked up at the white haired boy.

"Now what's so important that you had to drag us all the way out here?" Sora said in mock annoyance as he crossed his arms and looked down at the king.

King Mickey coughed. "Well... I'd like Donald and Goofy to remain here this time."

"WHAT?" Donald, Goofy, and Sora cried. Of all the things the King had wanted out of them this was the least expected.

"Do you remember what happened last time you came to the castle Sora?" The King asked.

"Yeah, Pete went through that door that led to that weird black and white past where castle was supposed to be and Pete was just a river boat captain." Sora remembered that vividly because he personally never wanted to have to go back there. He liked being in color.

The King nodded. "Right, and Queen Minnie told me that when I left the castle was overrun with Heartless and Maleficent nearly took the place over. Since you have Riku and Kairi this time around you won't be alone."

"Yeah, and we have Orin and Yuffie with us outside." Sora said. "I'm sure we won't have much trouble. I mean it's just Maleficent we need to look out for. She may be powerful but she wasn't as bad as the Organization was."

The King blinked at the mention of Orin and Yuffie. "... Why are they outside?"

"That's kind of the mystery your majesty." Donald said.

"He says he's the son of Ansem the Wise's custodian, but he's these here antennas sticking out of his head." Goofy said mimicking Orin's antennas with his fingers.

"Yeah and he when he tried to come in the castle he got knocked back by some powerful force." Riku added.

"Oh? Tell me about this guy." The King said.

"Well..." Sora, Kairi, and Riku went on to explain everything that had happened after they had met Orin and felt nothing out. Even telling him about how he freaked out when Kairi touched him and when his arm transformed when they were fighting the Heartless.

"Now THAT'S interesting." The King crossed his arms in thought. "Hmm... Well, Ansem the wise had that computer in Twilight town, although it was mostly geared towards waking Sora and keeping Roxas hidden from the Organization. But you never know, there might be some information on your friend."

"Thanks your majesty." Sora said before turning to his friends. "I guess... this means good bye?"

Donald shook his head. "Nah. The King's just worried about Maleficent coming back and wants us to make sure that doesn't happen."

"That's right Donald." Goofy said. "We just have to help the King out for a while. But you have Riku and Orin to help you out this time I'm sure this won't be as bad as when we had to fight Ansem or the Organization. You just be sure to tell us all about your trip when you get back."

Sora wiped a tear from his eye and hugged his friends. "I will, you just be sure to tell me all about what went on here okay?"

Donald and Goofy agreed and hugged Sora back. Kairi and Riku waved goodbye to the King as ushered Sora towards the door as he tried to wave to Donald and Goofy.

"Don't worry you two, Sora's just trying to help someone out. Everything's going to turn out fine." The King said, sounding pretty sure of himself.

Donald and Goofy both nodded and went about to take their posts once again as Court magician and Captain of the knights.

---

Riku, Sora, and Kairi came out to see Yuffie and Orin sitting on the grass talking to each other. Silently they were just glad that Orin hadn't gotten hurt and Yuffie hadn't started something. Riku coughed and Orin and Yuffie jumped up and turned to face Riku, Kairi, and Sora.

"Hey guys!" Yuffie said, quickly wiping her surprised look off her face. "You shouldn't sneak up on people. It's not nice."

Orin just stood there looking rather absent, he obviously had a lot on his mind.

Kairi smiled. "Sorry you two, but where should we go to next? Back to Radiant garden?"

"Nah. We're going to head to Twilight town to check out the computer there. Maybe there's something there about you there Orin." Sora said, looking over to see Orin's attitude pick up a little. "Maybe Cid and Leon will have found some new information on you when we're done there."

Orin nodded. "Thanks Sora."

Yuffie groaned, this meant more traveling in that infernal Gummi ship.

To be continued...

A/N: No reviews make Jazzerman cry.