Disclaimer: Kingdom Hearts and all related characters do not belong to me. They belong to Square and Disney.

Half a Heart – Destiny's Story

Destiny's Point Of View

Part Nine– Belle

Author's notes: Sorry, guys... another somewhat short chapter... it's the end of the school year and I just want to get these last few chapters re-written so I can continue writing the story. So please bare with me and review!

Oxoxoxoxoxo

When I woke up after falling asleep, I found Sachiel sleeping at the end of the bed. He was on the floor, back pressed against the white, wire frame. His head was against his chest and the bruises had become much more pronounced.

Slowly and quietly, I crawled out of the bed and moved beside Sachiel, bending to look him over. Almost instantly, the boy's head snapped up and his golden eyes were locked onto me.

"Oh, it's you..." He murmured, relaxing. "Hey, how are you feeling?"

"Saaachiel, what are you doing in here?" I whined, still on my hands and knees, gazing at him. He shook his head and gave his eyes a slight roll.

"I wanted to come check on you. I decided to stay in here to make sure Ansem didn't come in here. Then I fell asleep, I guess..."

"I wouldn't have minded if you got in my bed...it's big enough for the both of us..." I giggled when both of us blushed.

He shook his head. "You don't understand, that's not proper, Destiny..."

I pouted. "Fine, whatever...how are you feeling?" I looked him over. He really was bruised and battered, much worse than me. All of his bruises had turned a deep blue or black. It looked bad.

"Fine. I should have known better." He murmured. I reached up to touch his neck and he jerked away instantly. "Don't touch me."

"You're not fine! Sachiel, what if he damaged your trachea or something?"

"...do you even know what a trachea is, Des'?" He cocked an eyebrow.

"...no, but I know it's in your throat... what if he hurt something, Sachiel?"

"Then I'd know it. I'm fine." He crossed his arms and rolled his eyes.

"But you wouldn't admit it.. Sachiel, come on..." I pouted softly.

"Destiny, I'm fine." Sachiel vociferated, looking away. I sighed, shaking my head. He was too stubborn. He stayed silent for a few minutes. "...I'm going to go get in the shower..." He murmured, standing up slowly. "You be careful, Destiny. I'll be back later." With that, Sachiel limped out of my room and I sighed.

"Sachiel can take care of himself." I told myself, giving a nod, but I couldn't make myself stop worrying...

Oxoxoxoxoxo

By the time Ansem needed us, -- about a week later-- most of the bruises had disappeared on me, but were still faint on Sachiel and he still had a slight limp. We had been spending most of our time together. He insisted on "protecting" me. I wanted to argue with him, but I knew there was no way I could take on Ansem.

We were kneeling in front of him, both eyes on the ground. I don't know about Sachiel, but I was certainly afraid to defy him again anytime soon...

He laced his long fingers together, looking the both of us over. "You two will be sent on one last mission. Lets see if you can do it right this time." He smirked.

I glanced up and glared before dropping my eyes back down, deciding that really wasn't the smartest thing to do. Sachiel said and did nothing, staying still and staring at the tiled floor.

Ansem continued, "You will be going to a castle and you will be looking for a young woman named Belle. You are to report back here as soon as possible with her unharmed."

"Yes, Lord Ansem." Sachiel murmured but I stayed silent, wanting to make as little direct contact with the 'seeker of darkness' as possible.

We left the room as quickly as possible, Sachiel ushering me to go first. We stayed silent until we were on our way down to the Rising Falls, where the gummy ship was kept.

"...our last mission." Sachiel murmured. He seemed upset, but I stayed silent, listening to him. "I've done these things for the longest time... it's not fair, that pretty boy Riku comes in, and Ansem is all over him..."

I raised an eyebrow, glancing over but I shook my head as Sachiel continued. "It's just not fair, I've been here longest..."

"How long, Sachiel?"

He frowned, counting on his fingers before answering. "About ten years..." He gave a nod. "Yeah, that sounds right...nine or ten years."

"Wow, really?" I frowned. I couldn't even try to think of being in Hollow Bastion for ten years. The darkness and gloominess would drive me crazy, much less with only Ansem... I shivered.

"Yeah... I've pretty much been alone with Ansem for a while. At least the last five years."

"Wow, really? Who was here before?"

"I don't want to talk about it." Sachiel looked away, his blonde locks falling into his face and hiding his eyes from view.

I sighed. "Okay..." I ran a hand through my hair softly as we got to the lift stop. We both stepped on and it started with a lurch. I moved closer to Sachiel. I never liked these things. They always made me think I was just going to fall off the edge.

I stumbled onto the ice, trying to hold my balance and not fall. My boots didn't have the best traction.

Sachiel grabbed my hand and led me down, which made me blush. He was like my guardian angel...

Oxoxoxoxoxo

My eyes widened when we arrived at our destination. The castle had to be almost as tall as Hollow Bastion. An elaborate rose garden lined the walls of the castle, only thinning where the entrance was. I looked to Sachiel, hesitating before following him down the path to the door.

He entered before me, as usual and told me to wait, which I did. I watched as he looked around.

"Alright, Des'. It's safe." He motioned for me to follow. I sighed, stepping inside and trailing after him. He was so over protective lately, but I liked it. It made me feel loved.

We reached the top of the stairs, and I followed him down a long hallway. It was dark, like most hallways back home. Unlike the corridors back home, the right side had large windows which moonlight filter through, casting eerie shadows off all of the statues and suits of armor.

I moved closer to Sachiel. It was like being in some kind of horror story. Two unarmed teenagers walking around in a huge mansion in the dead of night, the air filled with sounds of creaking floorboards and footsteps...

I laughed, shaking my head, trying to convince myself nothing was going to happen. Sachiel would protect me, right?

When we reached the end of the hallway, I hovered outside the door. I didn't want to know what was on the other side. A princess, most likely, but... what was guarding the princess, if anything?

Sachiel pushed the door open and entered the room, silently. I poked my head in after, peering around. The room wasn't very big, but had beautiful furnishings. The bed was huge and had a beautiful canopy over it -- something that I had always wanted, even when I was a little girl – and the rest of the furniture matched beautifully.

There was a girl by the window, combing her shining, brunette hair. She wore a plain, blue and white dress that didn't flatter her body in the slightest, but... she was still gorgeous.

Sachiel walked forward. "Miss Belle?" He asked quietly. I stayed where I was, shifting my weight from foot to foot. If I had two strangers in my room, it would scare me.

The girl turned to face Sachiel and frowned. She hesitated to speak. "Yes...I'm Belle...who are you and what are you doing in my room?"

"Please forgive us, Princess." Sachiel rubbed his hands together and darkness tendrils shot out from his palms, twining themselves around her legs and arms, finally one snaking around her mouth to keep her quiet.

I whimpered and turned away, biting my lip. I felt terrible. He didn't even care about this girl. He was so cold sometimes.

Sachiel picked up the girl, bridal-style, and started to carry her out of the room. She was squirming against her bonds, trying to get free. Sachiel simply shook his head and continued to move.

"Follow me, Destiny." He walked past me. I complied, starting to follow him before I heard a voice behind me. I turned and looked, frowning, but I was the only one in the room.

I wrapped my arms around myself and shivered. I told myself it was just my nerves and glanced over my shoulder to assure no one was there. I gave a nod and started out the door as fast as I could, my eyes still fixed over my shoulder and my arms tight around myself.

"What are you doing?" came a growl from in front of me. I nearly jumped out of my skin and I gave a loud scream, shutting my eyes and expecting to be attacked by some kind of ghost. Instead, whoever was speaking walked right past me and looked into the girl's room. "Where's Belle?!" He roared and he thrust me to the wall, making me scream again.

I finally forced myself to open my eyes and I was staring into the face of some huge, hairy thing. It resembled some kind of water buffalo standing on two legs with gigantic furry paws. I whimpered and went to choke out an answer.

"I...I don't know..." I half lied. Sachiel had her, but I didn't know where they were. I whimpered, feeling his clawed fingers curl around my neck. I bit my lip hard, shutting my eyes and trying to squirm to get out of his grip. I couldn't breathe. My lungs were burning.

I whimpered and pulled at his furry fingers for what seemed like an eternity before he finally loosened his grip. I kicked out and felt my heel connect with hard bone. He dropped me and I scrambled to my feet, bolting away from him.

I felt the ground shaking as he tossed his head back, letting out a fierce roar. He bolted after me and I whimpered, jumping down the stairs, two at a time. My neck was aching from where he had held me against the wall. Now I knew how Sachiel had felt when he had gone to fight against Ansem.

Sachiel was standing outside of the Gummy Ship when I finally managed to find him again. My entire body was shaking and my eyes were filled with tears.

He looked up, frowning. "Des', I wondered where you got to... are you okay?"

I nodded, pulling my hair over my neck, trying to hide the bruises and cuts from the thing's grip around my neck. Unlucky for me, Sachiel had seen already...

"Destiny, what happened?" he frowned, grabbing a fistful of my hair and moving it so forcefully it actually hurt. I gave a cry and stumbled back, pulling at his fingers.

"Ow! Sachiel, stop!"

He released his hands immediately and pulled me into an embrace. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you. I guess I can be a little rough."

I whimpered, looking up to him. "It's...it's okay..."

"No, it's not. I hurt you, it's not fair." He kissed my forehead gently and I couldn't help a small smile. He looked at my neck, running a hand over my neck. I shivered.

"Careful..."

"Alright...it doesn't look so bad... go ahead and get in the ship..."

I nodded and sat in the gummy ship, pulling my legs to my chest and whimpering. I couldn't cry. Not now. I couldn't let Sachiel see me cry...

I curled up against the door, closing my eyes and feeling the tears run down my cheeks. In moments, I had cried myself to sleep.

Oxoxoxoxoxo

End Part Nine

Author's notes: Not too short, about 2000 words, but shorter than I had hoped for. Poor Destiny. She just keeps getting abused. XD Ah well. I'm sorry about that. Please read and review!