A/N: This chapter pretty much sets up everything for the action! I know, this story took some time to shape up, but starting next chapter, the romance and drama shall begin! :) Thank you so much for the wonderful reviews, what-a-wannabe, Scarlet-95. They made my day. For those wondering when on earth I'm going to update Saving a Heart...oh look! A peacock! *runs away*

Chapter 3

Kairi slowed the camel to a walk. She had sighted the small village Aerith had told her about. Last night, half an hour after she had returned to her brother's side, the herbalist entered the tent with a basket filled with freshly gathered herbs hoisted on her hip. Kairi quickly sat up. Aerith acknowledged Kairi with a nod and pointed to her little brother with the radish in her left hand.

"The kid's much better than before. He'll be fine."

Kairi looked down at her hands. "I..I don't know how to thank you enough…"

The older woman waved it away.

"It's my job. Don't worry about it."

Kairi smiled in gratitude.

Setting the basket down on the table, Aerith began handling the herbs. Keeping her eyes on the job she said, "So, you saw the commander?"

"Yes."

"Ah, you didn't get caught…hmm. Our commander is denser than I thought."

Kairi froze. "E..excuse me?"

Aerith looked up. "He's dense. Slow. A dimwit." She started grinding the first two batches of plants into fine powder.

"He..seemed very smart to me," said Kairi cautiously.

"If he thinks you're a boy, he's an idiot. The face, the body structure…that horrible voice."

Kairi couldn't think of anything to say. Was it over for her?

As if the woman didn't notice the inner turmoil her words had wrought on the girl, she nonchalantly mixed the powder with water and created a thick juice.

Kairi asked with her normal voice. "When did you find out?"

"When you first entered the tent with that Riku."

"…Will you tell?" Kairi's voice dropped to a whisper.

"Depends on what you tell me. The commander might be stupid, but I still have my loyalties."

Kairi glanced back at her brother. He was sound asleep. She looked back at Aerith. She was looking expectantly back at her. Kairi took a deep breath. "My real name is Kairi…"

While Kairi was telling Aerith her story, the woman didn't speak a word. When she had finished, Aerith's expression was unfathomably sorrowful. "So the poor child was you…" The woman stroked the girl's cheek. "The Goddess has given you a hard path to take." Aerith was silent for a while. "If the Goddess has sent you to me for me to help you, so be it.

Kairi held her breath. "Does that mean you won't tell?"

"If you want to be a boy, who am I to say you aren't? Out here, being a boy is far safer than being a girl."

"…Thank you."

Aerith poured the brew into a medium sized bottle. She gave the bottle to Kairi. "This is your brother's medicine. Make sure he takes five sips every day."

Taking the bottle with both hands, Kairi caught a whiff of the unappetizing mess.

"..Is it safe to drink?"

Aerith threw her head back and laughed. "For sure, it tastes horrible, but it'll save your brother."

"I'll be sure he drinks it."

"Good, now listen up. You might have realized this by now, but this is no traveling band of townsfolk. This camp belongs to the first unit of the Red Warriors."

Kairi's eyes widened in surprise. "The First Unit? Then the blonde commander was the Sora of Traverse? And the silver-haired man was…"

"the Demon Riku or whatever cheesy name they gave him. Yes. That's not the point. They're planning to attack the Vandits a few hours away from here tomorrow."

Kairi cocked her head. She didn't understand what Aerith was trying to say.

"But that won't be the end. These men are the Khan's "pioneers". They'll spend their days with blood, pain, and death at their wake. They won't stop killing until their Khan unifies this land, or they die trying. Everyone you see here on this camp already have their ends written out for them. As tragedies."

Kairi shook her head. "If you're telling me to run away… I can't. It won't be right"

Aerith sighed in frustration. "Foolish girl, I'm just telling you what's in store for the days ahead if you stay. Right now, you haven't a clue what these men go through. What not only you, but also that poor child will soon go through." Aerith looked back at the sleeping child.

Kairi bit her lip, but didn't say anything.

Aerith tossed Kairi a map and a small sack. Kairi opened it and found silver coins. She looked up in surprise.

"Do you know how to read maps?"

Kairi nodded.

"There's a small village halfway from here to the Vandits. It's protected by the Gods, so even the most bloodthirsty Khans fear attacking it. It's hard to find, but it's one of the rare peace zones in this age. You make the decision."

Kairi furrowed her brows. "Aerith, but why? Why would you go so far to help me?"

Aerith hesitated a moment before answering. "I knew your mother. She helped me in ways I can't repay even after a thousand years. This is just one thing I can do."

"My mother? How?" Kairi's eyes widened.

"We spent our childhood together." Her tone warned Kairi from asking more. Aerith continued. "If you're going to leave, it'll be best to do so around the time that candle burns out." She pointed to the candle near Kairi's brother.

Aerith rose to leave. "Oh, and I recommend you take the stupid looking camel that sleeps with its tongue sticking out. He's the fastest."

Kairi looked back over her shoulder to check if her brother was alright. "Roxas, we're here."

Her brother was wide-eyed with worry. "Kairi, is this really okay?"

Kairi took a deep breath. "We'll figure it out as we go."

The village was just waking up. Kairi got off the camel and with her brother in hand, walked into a modest looking inn.

"Welcome, my dear." The plump innkeeper gave Kairi a warm and hearty welcome. She gave off an affectionate grandmotherly aura that made Kairi feel at ease immediately. Kairi looked around. The first floor of the hostel was a tavern and a few men were having their morning drinks.

"How can I help you?" The innkeeper looked curiously at the two siblings. For sure, their tattered state of clothes was a curiosity.

Kairi spoke warily. "Excuse me, ma'am, how much does it cost for one night?"

"For one room, it'll be a 200 copper coins, dear. One meal is for 50 coppers."

"How much would a room cost for four years?"

The plump woman looked at Kairi in mild surprise. Taking note of Kairi's serious expression, she didn't ask for details. From all her experience as an innkeeper, she knew this wasn't the time to ask why. She quietly took jotted down some figures in her notepad and said, "It'll cost 292 silver coins."

Kairi took out the sack of silver coins. "There are 300 silver coins in this sack. Could you please take care of my brother for the next four years?"

Roxas looked at Kairi. "What?"

"It…it's probably not enough to cover his food and clothing expenses, but he's a real good kid and great with the chores. He could help around and work to earn his keep."

"Kairi! You're not leaving me, are you?"

Kairi tightened her grip on her brother's hand. "I know it's really sudden, but he has nowhere to go. I'm begging you, please ma'am" She bowed her head.

"Kairi! You promised mom you'd take care of me! You can't leave me by myself!"

The innkeeper was silent. "We could use a little help." She considered the blonde haired boy. "My daughter and son-in-law always wanted a boy. We'll take good care of him."

Kairi felt the tension leave her body. She heaved a great sigh of relief. "Thank you so much." She turned to her bewildered brother and hugged him.

"I'm sorry Roxas, but you at least deserve to live an ordinary life."

"Kairi, I don't care, I can handle it. Just don't leave me," he begged.

Kairi bit her lip. "I'll come visit as frequently as I can. So stay healthy till then, kay?"

"No, no! Let me come with you!" He clung to Kairi's clothes and didn't let go.

"Roxas. Let go."

"No!"

"Let go now."

"Only if you say you won't leave me!"

The tears she had been holding nearly flooded her eyes. "Do you think I don't want to stay with you?" She asked tearfully. "I can't!

"Don't go!"

"…I'm sorry, Roxas. I hope you'll understand one day." Kairi gently pressed the back of her brother's neck. He slid to the floor. She caught him before he fell.

Kairi turned to the innkeeper. "Could you please?"

The innkeeper nodded and took the unconscious boy from Kairi.

"Then…I'll leave him in your care." Kairi turned to leave.

"Dear?"

Kairi stopped.

"You look starved. Before you leave, why don't you have breakfast? My treat."

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