Disclaimer - I do not own Kingdom Hearts. This is made by a fan for fans. No money is being made.

Author's Note - And now we shall experience a slight scene change. ((evil laughter)) Yes, you probably want to know more about Riku's murder record, eh? Well, tough luck, my friends. Not in this chappie. Instead, this chapter has the answer many of you have been asking for. Where's Kairi? And after ten chapters and that summary, it's about time I give it to you.

No commoner was ever allowed to see Kairi. The rumors of her great beauty spread far and wide throughout the galaxy with such catching vigor and detail that many had made the journy to see the famed princess. An angel, the rumors said, the most beautiful maiden on the planet, no, in the entire galaxy, even. The Rose of Destiny Islands.

It was also rumored that the princess was terribly shy. Traveler after disappointed traveler was turned away. The commoners came in such numbers that they were immediately, but politely, turned away at the gate, while even the richer nobles and royalty were sometimes turned back. Though, of course, those with noble and royal blood were more often than not visiting the island for other, more pressing matters than to just look at a princess. Although the gate was open to such as they, Kairi herself rarely held an audience with any of them, and stayed hidden away in some distant part of the castle. Even the great King Mickey had never seen the princess.

But those who did, men of high standing and honor, swore on her enchanting beauty. No one doubted its reality.

Why, then, did this feeling of dread pervade his thoughts, the air, the very carpet and tapestries in the corridor? Dark blue eyes took in all around him. It was normal to be this nervous before a job, he reminded himself. Perfectly normal. Still, he found himself double checking the tapestries, which draped down at intervals to serve as curtains for the large windows.

Thanks to his disguise, he looked nothing more than a servant cleaning to the casual passerbyes on the streets far below. And people did look up, often, trying to catch a glimpse of the elusive princess. Seeing a lowly servant, they quickly returned their gazes to the cobblestone streets, continueing their business, whatever it was.

One gaze, however, stared at him longer than the others. He saw the man speak into his hand. Probably a microphone. Shit.

The decision to abandon his quest came quickly. He was wandering too close to the royal chambers, and though he was a servant, or at least looked like one, it was apparant that more of a disguise would be needed to get what he desired. That and the damn curtains would need to be closed.

He would wait for night.

Not bothering to be silent, he left the corridor the way he'd come. Through the door. He did, however, close it behind him carefully. A slammed door would draw much unwanted attention, and the doors in this castle had a serious problem with slamming shut if not closed slowly. He wasn't sure if this was purposeful or just bad management.

"Well, if it isn't the Cloaked Schemer."

He turned his attention from the door. Now he was sure. It was intentional. Quite ingenious, actually. It caused him to spend his time tending to it instead of making sure he was alone in this new room. He mentally berated himself for an idiot. Not only did he see this trap, he had also told himself to avoid it, and then walked straight into it. Hmph.

But more important matters pressed now. He already recognized the voice, so he wasn't surprised to see the face. Facing her squarly, he crossed his arms across his chest and answered, "If it isn't the Savage Nymph."

The blond female gave him a seductive grin, "I always liked that nickname."

He was stoic, face passive, not moving from his possition. He wasn't exactly glaring at her, but even simply looking at her, one eye hidden behind his bangs, seemed to unnerve her. Just like old times. He could probably get the woman to melt with a few select words if he wanted to. Flash her a mysterious smile and the broad would do anything for him. Well, she would, if not for one problem. He would never do a thing like that.

Why?

He detested the woman.

And she detested him. Only he really detested her, completely and without room for debate, whereas she hinted, at every opportunity, that she'd like nothing more than a taste of the forbidden fruit. Even as she looked at him now, a mixture between hatred and longing played in her eyes.

He thanked a god he didn't believe in that he hadn't seen his blond haired nemesis in years.

The thoughts must have shown the disgust on his face, for she laughed. Scowling, he brushed past her. She grabbed his arm to stop him, which he did with a death glare that she took more delight in than feared. He tried to shrug free, but the woman was surprisingly strong.

"You're trespassing," she winked.

He was suddenly aware of a presence behind him. He was knocked unconcious before he could react.

"And who is this one?"

"This," the Savage Nymph answered, "is Zexion."

"You're rival?" asked one voice. At the same time, anther voice asked, "The thief?"

The blond glared at the first questionare. She looked to the second speaker, someone of lower rank, and no real signifigance whatsoever other than being a good henchman.

"Yes, the thief."

"I hear he's quite good. We should take him to Kairi."

She hmphed. She had other plans for Zexion. It wasn't often she caught her most 'hated' rival so easily. In fact, she was rather surprised he fell for it at all. Spending too much time with the door should've been humiliating enough, but to not even notice another presence in the room? It was unusual for him...

She shrugged it off. Everyone had bad days.

It just so happened that his bad day was her good day.

"I want him in the dungeons...chained." Her smile betrayed what she had in mind.

"Larxene."

She looked up at the mention of her name, annoyed. Her expression quickly changed when she realized who was talking to her.

"Saïx," she said, dipping into a respectful bow.

"Take the prisoner to Kairi," Saïx never was one for the small talk. The large man next to Larxene never changed his expression, but she could tell he was gloating...well, he might be gloating. Maybe not.

She scowled, disappointed enough to voice an objection. Saïx repeated his order with a deadly undertone, and this time Larxene was quick to obey. Her tall companion easily scooped up the unconcious thief and followed her out of the room.

Saïx watched them go. If this Zexion, this Cloaked Schemer, was anywhere near as talented as he was famed to be than they would soon have another powerful ally at their beckoning. Kairi would see to that.

Zexion was awake by the time he was dropped, uncerimoniously, onto the floor in the very room he'd been trying to get inside just moments before. He contimplated acting like he was still knocked out, but discarded the idea on instinct. Larxene was smiling down at him as he struggled to sit up. She bowed toward some area of the room, and retreated through the door. He flipped her the bird as she left.

"Oh! another one!"

Zexion quickly turned his attention toward the voice. God, he just wasn't at his peak today. That was the third time he hadn't noticed somebody's presence. He vowed to not make that same mistake again, taking in the room at a glance and acertaining through other means than sight that there was no one else there besides Kairi.

Kairi!

"Oh, how delightful!"

An angel was on the bed before him, her hands glasped together in glee. She wore a simple night gown. Her eyes were cloudy from just waking up. She had bed hair.

And she was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen.

She swung her legs over the bed and fairly skipped over to him, obviously delighted, though he honestly couldn't tell why. It was the last rational thought he had before her close proximatey drove thought from his brain. His mouth went dry as she scrutinized him, one finger on the side of her face.

"Now," she said, transfering the finger from her face to his, and tracing it along his jaw until it came up under his chin, "what can you do?"

His lips parted to answer, but no words came out. No words could come out. He shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. The effort to just do that was great, but it did shake Kairi's hand away from his face, and he found he could actually manage a few words without her touching him.

"Wha...what," he clenched his jaw shut and shook his head. The hell was wrong with him?

Kairi's curiousity had been awakened. She wanted to know what he had to say. "Ask your question," she commanded, and although it came out affably, it was still a command. Zexion found his voice freed from whatever force had held it back.

"What did you do to me?" he demanded. Even a commoner would consider his tone of voice far from polite.

Kairi smiled, delighted. "You're so much like Roxas!"

Zexion didn't have a clue who she was talking about, but he glared at her anyway. His defiance didn't last long. The anger was quickly fading from his eyes. He tried to shake his head again, but a simple command from Kairi kept him looking at her. Into her eyes...watching her smile.

And suddenly he wasn't struggling at all.

"Zexion...I have an offer for you."

Author's Note - I decided to really step it up a notch. Well, I hope this is stepping it up a notch. It gives more info about this alternate universe at any rate, and should fill in some of the blanks.

Anyway, I don't really know anything about the organization members used in here, having never played CoM, so do be kind and tell me if I'm keeping them in character? Or if I've completely ruined them, or you like the way they're portrayed...and stuff.

Still too short? Any typos? I want to know! I can take critisisim. :D Thanks for reading, guys!