Chapter 12: Growing Confusion

Xion slowly opened her eyes and yelped, finding a mouse like woman staring down at her from a high step stool. "Woah!"

It took her a moment to remember who that was. "Umm... hi Mixenin."

The mouse frowned at her and pointed away. "I was about to get around to beginning my examination, he brought you in a few hours ago."

Xion follow her hand, finding herself in the Organization's infirmary, and sighting Axel leaning against a wall, a tired look on his face. The man stared at her silently for a moment before walking over.

"You have to stop scaring me like this Xion," said Axel, a bit vexed.

"Erm... sorry," said Xion sheepishly, "What happened?"

"You collapsed after we got back, guess I didn't heal you enough or something," he muttered, "Taking a Keyblade to the chest has to hurt."

Xion rubbed where she had been cut. "It does..."

But... was that why she had collapsed?

"Well, since you are awake, you are free to go," said Mixenin, hopping down from her stool.

Xion was distracted from her thoughts. "Oh, um, okay."

Axel offered her a hand and she took it, letting him help her up to her feet. "Anyway, gave Saix my report, he says were good to go, mission complete, no worries."

"Oh, that's good," she murmured.

She reached into her pockets, but came up empty. "Damn... that's right, he has the picture now..."

"Picture?" questioned Axel.

Xion shook her head and brushed passed him. "It's nothing."

You okay Xion?

She paused briefly, surprised to hear the Voice concerned for her. "Yeah, I'm fine, thanks for asking."

"So... Xion, wanna go get ice cream?" asked Axel.

She was tempted to say yes, they had finished a mission, but..., "Maybe later..."

Axel went silent for a moment. "Okay..."

"Sorry, I just... need to try and figure some things out," said Xion.

"Alright, I'll check in with you in a bit then," said Axel.

Xion merely nodded and walked away, thinking. For the time being, she was content to let the mystery of the Voice and who she was drop. She had an earlier question to pick back up now, who was Kairi? Riku had said she used Kairi's Keyblade. Why did she have Kairi's Keyblade? Why did she apparently look and feel like her? She had asked Nothing's Watch before, maybe it was time to ask her comrades. Marluxia wasn't exactly forthcoming, so maybe one of the other's had some knowledge of her.

Xion, why do you want to know who... 'Kairi' is so badly?

"I feel like it's important," answered Xion, "It's like my entire life revolves around the question of who she is. People keep saying I look like her, feel like her, I apparently have her Keyblade. If you hadn't told me I wasn't her, I'd start to think I was."

You're not m... not her... you're Xion.

Xion nodded before teasing, "I'm Xion huh? What, not going to call me a parasite again?"

I'm... sorry...

Xion flinched a little. "Don't worry about it, I was just teasing, you don't have to feel bad. I'm just glad were okay now. We are, right?"

Yeah... I guess...

Xion paused her conversation, spotting Zexion walking down the hall with a book open in his hands. "Oh, Zexion!"

The man paused and turned. "Number Thirteen, up and about I see."

She walked up to him and nodded. "Yep. Umm... can I ask you a question?"

"Ask," replied Zexion.

"Do... you know anything about a girl named Kairi?" asked Xion.

Zexion frowned briefly. "I know of her. She is a keybearer who disappeared at the end of the Heartless Apocalypse, but my familiarity ends there."

"Oh...," said Xion, a little disappointed.

He thought for a moment. "I might... have seen her once as a child, in the castle at Radiant Garden."

"Radiant Garden? Did she live there too?" asked Xion.

"I believe so. Perhaps you should ask one of the others, try Xaldin," said Zexion, focusing down on his book and walking away.

"Okay, thanks!" she called after him before heading off herself.

Xaldin huh?

Can't say he seems familiar...

Xion shrugged. "We'll see."

Xion made for the gray area and took a quick look around. Xaldin and Lexaeus talking quietly near a corner. Luxord and Xigbar sitting at a table playing a card game.

Xion walked over to Xaldin. "Umm, excuse me."

Xaldin turned to look at her, frowning. "What is it number thirteen? We're busy."

"Umm... do you, do either of you, know anything about a girl named Kairi?" she asked.

Xaldin frowned. "Kairi. Keybearer, fourteen or fifteen years old by this time. Formerly located within Traverse Town before its fall, afterwords she was rescued and taken to be trained and housed with the Keybearer's at the Land of Departure. We kept loose watch on her during her time with the Keybearers, Vexen I believe was the last to see her before she disappeared."

Xion absorbed the information. "Hmm... and what about before Traverse Town? Zexion said he might have seen her at a castle in Radiant Garden?"

Xaldin's eyebrows furrowed in thought.

"Do you remember Xaldin, ten years ago, about a month or so before our world was swallowed in darkness. An old woman knocked on the castle gates asking for help for an unconscious child and woman?" asked Lexaeus.

Xaldin tilted his head. "Now that you mention it, that faintly rings a bell. If I recall, wasn't that woman the somebody of..."

Laxaeus nodded. "Yes, that's her."

Xion looked back and forth. "Who...?"

Xaldin refocused on Xion. "If I recall, the child's name was Kairi. She and an unknown woman were taken to the palace infirmary to be tended to and to rest. My knowledge of that incident ends there. Begone."

"But...," began Xion.

Xaldin turned away from her.

Xion pouted a bit before turning and leaving. She paused at the door, noting that Xigbar was watching her with his one eye, a smirk on his face. She hesitated briefly before walking over to him.

"Umm...," she began.

"I heard your question kiddo, but first, go ask Vexen, he should be in the Round Room last I checked, afterwords, come and tell me what he said," said Xigbar, his grin spreading.

"Umm, okay?" she said, a little confused.

She walked off and made for the Round Room, pausing when she saw Vexen walking out of it. "Vexen."

He walked over and looked her over, a faint smirk on his face. "Good to see you up number thirteen, I like what you've 'done' with your hair."

She grew confused. "Huh?"

I don't know, maybe you have pillow hair or something?

Xion brushed the comment aside. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Most certainly," said Vexen.

"Who is Kairi?" she asked.

Vexen blinked a few times, a cautious look entering his eyes. "Why do you ask about her?"

"People have been saying I look and feel like her," said Xion.

Vexen shrugged and grew dismissive. "It's most likely a coincidence Xion, pay it no heed."

"I'm not sure it is," said Xion.

"Xion, drop the subject," warned Vexen, "Kairi was a useful tool for the Organization, nothing more. You, will be far her superior when you reach the pinnacle of your power. Forget about her, she's destined to simply fade away."

Grr... he knows, he fucking knows.

"Knows what?" Xion asked.

Don't trust a thing that he says Xion.

Xion was more than aware the Voice had avoided the question, and was a bit miffed by it, but, decided to listen. "Very well."

Vexen seemed pleased with her deference. "If that is all, I'll be on my way."

She made no comment and watched him go, feeling frustrated. It felt like half the people in the Core Organization didn't take her seriously, lied to her, hid things from her, or wanted to use her for something. Axel and Larxene were the only two she felt she could really trust. Luxord, Xigbar, and Mesexn were about the only ones she didn't have an honest feel on. She didn't think Luxord would know anything about Kairi, but... oh right! Xigbar!

She started back towards the Gray Area, only to find Xigbar waiting for her outside. "C'mon kiddo, let's go talk, privately."

She followed him back to his room and waited patiently as he closed the door behind him.

"Well? What did Vexen say?" asked Xigbar.

"He didn't really answer the question, said it was a coincidence and told me to drop it," answered Xion.

Xigbar smirked. "Do you believe him?"

"No," she answered.

"Good answer," he said.

He cracked his neck to the left and then to the right. "Alright then, I think it's about time we start getting things back on track. This train jumped the track about ten years ago, I aim to see it get back on course kiddo, and you're gonna help me do it. After all, I still want what was promised to me."

She stared at him, utterly lost. "Huh?"

Xigbar grinned. "Kiddo, summon your Keyblade for a sec."

She did so.

He tapped it. "Do you know whose Keyblade this is?"

"I was told it was Kairi's," she answered.

He raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Already know?"

"Yeah, I was um... attacked by a Keybearer named Riku," she answered.

Xigbar made a tsking sound. "Gotta stay away from them kiddo, they ain't your friends anymore than most of the Organization is."

Xion grew uneasy. "Umm..."

Xigbar knelt down. "Kiddo, listen closely, and listen well. There are a lot of things within the Organization that have gone on behind closed doors. A few of them revolve around you and Kairi, and they ain't good. They're lying straight to your face. If you wanna know more about who Kairi is, and why you have her Keyblade, why don't you go ask Aqua? I've seen you hanging with her when I was on my shift to watch her."

"Aqua? She knows Kairi?" asked Xion.

Xigbar formed a Dark Corridor. "Go find out kiddo."

She nodded and moved to walk through it, pausing briefly when she heard Xigbar chuckle. "Things are about to get interesting..."

Xion walked through the corridor and found herself outside the Twilight Town Mansion. Rather than immediately walk up to it, she brought her hand up to her chin to rub in thought. What was up with Xigbar?

I... don't honestly know. I know nothing about him. I don't know what his angle is, but, he seems set against Vexen, and Xehanort by association, so I'd be more willing to trust him.

Xion nodded and walked up to the door and knocked. It opened a few minutes later, revealing Olette. The girl squeeled in delight and wrapped her in a hug.

"There you are Xion!" said Olette, "I've been worried about you!"

Xion hugged the girl back. "Sorry, um, is Aqua in?"

Olette scowled. "Aww come on, let's talk for a bit! Why were you in bed for so long and..."

"Olette," said Xion sternly, "This is important. I'm not here for ice cream or to chat."

Olette paused before she separated, frowning. "Okay... she's in the side room drinking tea, come."

Xion followed her into the room. Aqua's eyes briefly flickered to her, and then motioned to a chair.

Xion sat down. "Aqua, I have a question for you. It's important."

Aqua set down her tea. "What is it?"

"Do you know a girl named Kairi?" she asked.

Aqua raised an eyebrow. "Do I know you?"

Xion blinked a few times. "Uh... what? I'm Xion, not Kairi."

Aqua studied Xion briefly. "You resemble Kairi, greatly, are you sure you are not her Nobody? I was under that assumption when I first saw you. I figured that you got yourself killed foolishly fighting my Heartless and created a Nobody."

Oh you little... grr...

Xion hesitated, feeling uncertain. "I'm... not sure... I don't remember anything from before I woke up, but... I don't think so... yet..."

"Did you... see the Keyblade Kairi had by chance?" asked Xion.

"I did," answered Aqua.

Xion, don't...

Xion ignored her, summoned Oathkepper, and set it on the table. "Was it this one?"

Aqua stared at it for a moment, a briefly confused look crossing her face. "Yes, but why do you have it?"

Xion shook her head. "I don't know, I'm trying to figure that out."

"Maybe Kairi gave it to you?" suggested Olette.

Xion shook her head. "I've never met her, I just woke up and was able to use it."

Aqua pondered her response. "Strange, but either way, whether you are Kairi or not, you, as a Nobody, should not be able to use a Keyblade."

"Huh? Why not?" asked Xion.

"Because I can't use mine," answered Aqua, "From what I can figure, one needs a heart to summon a Keyblade."

Xion stared at her, dumbstruck. "A... heart?"

Aqua nodded. "From what little I understand and remember, the Keyblade is drawn to the power of one's heart. If you do not have a heart inside of you, or are at least not connected somehow to a heart of someone chosen, you should not be able to use it."

Xion looked down at herself, bringing a hand to her chest and whispered quietly, "Do... I have a heart then?"

"Xion?" questioned Olette quietly, "Are you okay?"

Xion banished her troubled thoughts and refocused, she could deal with THAT implication later. "I'm fine. Aqua, what exactly do you know about Kairi?"

Aqua stared at her, silently, eyes furrowed.

"Aqua?" questioned Xion.

"I know what she and Sora told me, whether it is the truth or not, I do not know," answered Aqua.

"I don't think they were lying," said Olette.

Aqua took another sip of tea before setting it down. "I was told that, as a whole person, I had saved Kairi's life once, nearly dying in the process because of previous damage to my heart. She told me I preformed the Keyblade Inheritance Ceremony on her and then left. Some time before I first met you, Olette came to me yelling about Marluxia attacking people. I went to the woods and discovered Kairi and Sora being attacked by him. I ordered Marluxia to leave, brought the two young Keybearer's here, and questioned them about my Somebody's life."

Xion's eyes went wide. Marluxia had fought Kairi?! Could she even trust him then if he had attacked her?

Probably not, he's a scheming weasel.

"Does that satisfy your question?" asked Aqua.

"No... I mean, kind of? It sort of raises more questions," said Xion sheepishly.

Aqua made a none-committal hum and resumed drinking her tear.

Xion stared down at the table silently for a moment before raising to her feet. "Thanks for answering my question..."

"Gonna go get ice cream now?" teased Olette.

Xion didn't have the heart to answer. "I'm going to go to bed."

"Huh? Why? I wanted to have ice cream with you guys," said Olette, pouting.

"She has been waiting for you, for a week now, you should go with her," added in Aqua, her eyes slightly narrowing.

Xion met her gaze unflinching. "I'm sorry, but I've got a lot to think about."

Aqua blinked a few times, almost appearing surprised she had stood up to her demand. "I see."

"It's okay, can we have ice cream tomorrow then?" asked Olette.

"Sure," said Xion.

Olette held out a pinky. "Make it a promise!"

Oh wow, I haven't done one of those since I was a little girl.

Xion stared at it, confused. "Huh?"

Olette seemed flabbergasted for a moment. "You've never done a pinky promise before?"

"Umm, no?" said Xion sheepishly.

"Hook your pinky around mine, then shake and say 'it's a promise," instructed Olette.

Xion smiled a little, finding it a little fun, and did so. "It's a promise."

"Alright, see you tomorrow!" said Olette.

Xion gave a faint goodbye and took a Dark Corridor right to her room. She stared at her bed silently, raising a hand to her chest.

"Do I... have a heart?" she questioned, "If I do... am I really a Nobody?"

Does it matter? You are who you are. You are Xion.

"It does matter," she said quietly, "It means... if it's true... I've been lied to since day one."

Xion, if there is one thing I cannot press enough, is that you cannot trust Xehanort. He is pure evil. He has ruined so many people's lives.

Xion walked to the window and stared up at Kingdom Hearts silently. "Hmm."

Xion... if... you make me a promise, and follow through with it. I promise I'll tell you everything, okay?

That caught her attention. "What promise?"

Promise to stop Xehanort, whatever he's planning, stop him.

"But... if he's going to use Kingdom Hearts to restore everyone's hearts, then...," she began.

Do you think he's honestly going to use it to help people other than himself?

Xion bit her lip. "I... I don't know."

Think on it Xion. Stop Xehanort, prove to me that your not his puppet, and you'll have my trust.

"You're... asking an awful lot of me Miss Voice," said Xion, "Because if you're wrong, I'll be the one ruining people's lives, not him. If your wrong, then I'll be throwing everything that I have away."

Sleep on it then, think it over.

Xion sighed and laid down on her bed, feeling utterly lost and confused, wondering who she could actually trust in...

Author's Notes:

She's slowly uncovering the truth...

And next chapter...

Is going to be a big one...