Wow...two years since I've updated last! I'm so sorry! I just kind fell behind on writing for awhile. Still not completely sure I'm ready to start writing again, but hey, I think you all deserve an update! If anyone's still following this, that is. ^^; Well, here's to hoping! And without further ado:

Chapter 8:

Ven's POV

I couldn't help fidgeting under that intense stare of Sephiroth's. He eyed Terra and I, his sharp, pale green eyes not missing a detail. Of course, he wasn't the only one watching us, and that didn't help my nerves! Angeal stood to the side, leaning against the wall, keeping quiet, but still watching us with some interest. And then, Genesis, the one who had brought us here was sitting on Sephiroth's desk, humming softly, which I was silently thankful for. At least there was some kind of noise in the room. But the real comfort for me was Zack, who stood next to Angeal, moving from foot to foot with his usual boundless energy. It actually made me smile a little.

"Come on Seph!" Zack whined, finally dropping down to the nearby sofa. "We've waited long enough! Just say what you want to say already!" I laughed nervously at Zack's antics. I didn't think Sephiroth was one to push like that...

But to my surprise, Sephiroth glanced at Zack, seeming almost amused. "I see Angeal has yet to teach you patience..."

"You can't teach the impossible." I heard Angeal mutter under his breath. Zack whined in response and I laughed again, feeling myself relax more. After everything that had happened today, it felt really good to laugh. But it was short lived as I glanced at Terra and noticed the seriousness on his face that wasn't there before. It'd made me...nervous? Scared?

"I don't mean to be so blunt, but please...I need to know what is going on. These images, these...memories. Is that what they are? Are they real? Do you...know?" Terra looked Sephiroth right in the eye, his eyes slightly narrowed, his fists clenched. Sephiroth stared back, leaning back in his chair.

"I don't claim to know everything," Sephiroth started, watching Terra carefully. "But we will share what we believe and our theories on the matter."

Genesis hopped off of Sephiroth's desk, looking at Terra. "To start, we do believe these memories are real. From what we gather by connection our own memories with others with our...gift...they are indeed memories of our past lives. In the past, there were many battles waged between warriors of light and agents of darkness. Some of us here, as I'm sure you know, sadly fought for the darkness...but things are different this time around," Genesis hummed softly, walking over to Terra. "You and I are a lot alike...whether we wished it or not, we were controlled by agents of darkness against our will. But as I said, things are different. We don't have the same influences as before and we can right the wrongs of the past."

I saw Terra's eyes widen slightly, a frown coming to his face. His eyes flickered to me, but only for a second, before they were back on Genesis. "Who are you exactly? I mean...what do you do here?"

"We believe there's a reason we were reborn and a reason we have regained our past memories," Angeal started, standing straight and crossing his arms. "So, we created a sort of organization to try and find that reason, and to fight the darkness. Heartless, like the creatures that attacked earlier are our main foe. The darkness in hearts released...that is what creates those monsters."

"So you fight the darkness," Terra murmured thoughtfully, his fists clenching. "What if I wanted to join? Wanted to help?"

"You have an understandable hatred of the darkness..." Genesis mumbled. "But don't let that make you repeat the same mistakes of the past, Terra." Terra looked at Genesis, his body tensing slightly. "I don't say it to sound distrusting. So please, don't mistake my intent. We always need the help."

I stared at Terra, my body frozen. I felt so...scared all of a sudden. Scared for Terra. This sense of dread, like I knew something might happen...or something that had happened...or...

"Don't."

The words left me before I could even think about what I was saying. Everyone looked at me, there expressions curious and worried. It was only then that I noticed the tears running down my face. I covered my face quickly, trying to wipe the tears away before anyone noticed, but I knew it was too late for that. I felt hands on my shoulders and reluctantly looked up to meet Terra's gaze.

"Don't what, Ven?" he asked softly, his eyes softening as he stared at me.

"I don't know. I just...something..." I couldn't find the words to explain what I had meant. I didn't even really know what I had meant! I felt dizzy...I felt sick...

"Ven!" I heard Zack yell, and I felt me falling, but I was still conscious. I felt someone pick me up and sit me on the sofa, but I closed my eyes tightly with a groan as another wave of dizziness hit me. "Hey, just take a deep breath and relax. I think you've had too much of an adventure for one day kiddo." I nodded my head slowly in agreement and forced my eyes opened. Zack gave me a weak grin and ruffled my hair lightly.

"I think the poor boy just needs to get some rest. Puppy, maybe you should take him home." I heard Angeal say. Zack nodded his agreement and lifted me up without a problem.

"But Sora...Roxas..."

"Don't worry about them Ven. We're just gonna keep them here for a bit to run a couple of tests and make sure they're okay. Once that's done, I'll have them home in no time!" Zack grinned at me and I smiled weakly before my eyes shut on their own accord. And just like that, I was out.

I lay in my room, staring at the ceiling, deep in thought. After the whole meeting, my mind felt hazy and distant. And tired. The house was eerily quiet, with me being the only one home. Man, I hoped Zack would've had them home by now! I hated being left alone! I grabbed my big comforter, tugging it over my head and closing my eyes tightly. I felt my eyes getting damp again. I wanted my brothers home with me! I wanted all this weird stuff to be over with already! Especially the monsters...I just wanted the monsters to go away! I sniffed softly, rubbing my blanket against my eyes.

"What are you sniffling about? You sound so weak."

My body stiffened slightly, scared and surprised by the sudden voice. I didn't know anyone was in the room with me! But I knew who it was. I huffed softly, looking out from under my blanket. "Vanitas..." I sat up slowly, clenching my blankets tightly in my hands. His gold eyes locked with my blue ones and a frown took the place of his usual cocky smirk.

"Why were you crying?" he asked.

I let out a heavy sigh. How did I explain this...oh, right. You're all probably wondering who Vanitas is, right? Well, honestly, I'm not entirely sure myself. I met him a long time ago, when I was little. But you know, nobody else has ever been able to see him. They thought I just had an imaginary friend, but I just knew better. He's real. When we were young, Vanitas told me that no one could see him because he didn't want to be seen. The shadows hid him. And I've seen it...the shadows, but...strangely, I've never been afraid of them when he's around. He's been around for years now and we've become good friends, I think.

"Ventus."

Blinking, I looked back to Vanitas, an uneasy smile coming to my face. "S-Sorry. Today's been really...weird." Vanitas stepped closer, sitting on my bed, but not too close. He never got close to anyone. I noticed his questioning looking, and finally, I let spill everything that had happened today. The monsters, the Keyblades, Sephiroth's explanation, all of it. Vanitas just listened, his blank stare watching me.

"The monsters you mentioned are called Heartless."

I frowned, looking at Vanitas warily. He knew that? But I didn't give the name in my story. "Heartless..." I repeated. "Do you know something? Do you know what they want? And why do they keep coming after Sora, Roxas, and me?"

"I know enough. Now listen, and listen good. Heartless collect hearts. The more pure the heart is, the more desperate they become to collect it," he explained, his eyes continuing to watch me. "They're dangerous beings Ventus. You need to stay away from them, at any cost."

I huffed a little at that. "its not like I go looking for them!" I jerked my blanket back over my head, fear gripping at my chest. "I just want this all to be a bad dream! I want it all to go away! I want my brothers to be home and okay!"

I could feel Vanitas' eyes still watching me. "Well, its not going to stop. Sorry to tell you." I felt the bed shift as he stood and pulled to the blankets down again to look at him. "They were stupid for leaving you alone. The Heartless continue to become more restless and its dangerous for anyone to be alone at this point."

"You think...they'll come after me?" I asked meekly. I didn't want anything else to do with those monsters! They were scary and...I just didn't want to even think about it anymore!

"Come after you? Chances are...you're number one on their list." Vanitas held up his hand, a dark corridor appearing in front of him. He glanced back at me. "Your friends and your brothers are home. If something comes up and you really need me, just call." And he was gone, just like that.

I stared after him, letting his words sink in. "He said...I would be number one on their list...but why?" I asked out loud, my body shaking slightly. Vanitas could be mean sometimes, true, but he was always honest. Painfully so. He wouldn't lie about something like this. And he even offered to help if I was in trouble. I shivered again, throwing my blankets off of me and darting down the stairs.

Just like Vanitas has said, everyone was walking in, much to my relief. As soon as I saw Sora, I threw my arms around him, knocking him to the floor. I couldn't even talk...I was still rattled and completely terrified.

Sora yelped, wrapping his arms around me. "Are you alright Ven?" I shook my head, but still, I couldn't get any words out. "Ven? What's wrong? Did something happen?" I just kept shaking my head. I didn't know what else to do. So I tightened my grip.

"Ven?" I felt someone pulling me away, and looked up to see Terra. All at once, I felt safe.

"S-Sorry...I was...I was worried, is all!" I lied. Well, partially. I was worried. About them and about me...I felt selfish.

"We're okay Ven. They said Roxas will be fine, he just needs some rest. And once he's all rested up, he'll be in great shape." I looked at Sora and nodded slightly, still feeling somewhat numb. Zack walked in, holding Roxas carefully, but to Axel's insistence, he handed by brother off and he was carried upstairs. I looked at Zack, somewhat curiously.

"So, uhm...where's Cloud? How'd he take everything?" Zack looked at me, a pout coming to his face.

"Well, let's just say I'll be staying at Angeal's for awhile." I winced at that, feeling worried for the couple. I had never known Cloud to get upset or angry enough to kick Zack out. "Oh, don't worry kiddo! He's just in a bit of disbelief is all! Who could blame him? It's a pretty wild story for anyone who doesn't have the memories, you know? I'm really surprised you've handled it so well."

"Yeah..." I mumbled, trailing off. He was right, I had been told this crazy story, and not once had I questioned it or not believed it.

"Hey, Ven, I want to talk to you alone, alright?" I looked at Sora and nodded, following my big brother into the living room. This couldn't be good. He never had anything to say to me he couldn't say in front of everyone else. "Look, Ven, they explained their organization to you, right?" I nodded slightly, sitting down on the couch, watching Sora curiously. "Well, you see, they don't just protect this world. They do what they can for every world out there. They travel from world to world in these gateways of light(1) they learned to use. And I want to help them. And I think Roxas will too." My eyes widened slightly and I shook my head quickly.

"No! You don't have to fight these monsters! It has nothing to do with you Sora!" I felt tears stinging in my eyes again. "It's dangerous! What if something happened to you!? Or Roxas!? Or both of you?! What would I do!?" Sora gripped my shoulders tightly, smiling weakly.

"Ven, I know you're scared. I know you're worried about us, but you don't have to be. My memories from before...I did this before. I helped protect all the worlds. And now that I have these memories and the Keyblade again, I think it means I have to help do it again. I don't want to see this world destroyed Ven or see any other world destroyed. And I don't want to see anyone I care about hurt. That's why I have to help. We have to help. Please, you have to understand Ven." I nibbled on my lip nervously, upset and kind of hurt. Again, I was being selfish. But if I lost Sora and Roxas...if I was all alone...

"Promise me you'll be okay. Promise you'll stay safe." My voice was shaky and uneven, and I fought the urge to cry harder. "Promise me Sora." Sora watched me, a more reassuring smile coming to his face as he wiped my tears away.

"I promise Ven. I do. Now try to calm down, okay? I'm going to make some dinner, anything you want." I gave a fake smile, wiping my tears away.

"Mm...can't we just order pizza?" I asked.

"Sounds good to me." Sora ruffled my hair and walked out of the room to make the order. I watched him from the couch, my heart dropping into my stomach.

I was alone. And I had a bad feeling about the days to come.

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