Heartlessness

Chapter 4

Snapdragon

She has been working there for months now, in the garden of his master. Xehanort watched as she watered those pathetic flowers, flowers that he wanted to rip out of the ground. Her special way of one upping him was annoying. She probably thought she was a clever little girl, thinking she outsmarted a genius. It also annoyed him how his master sided with her and even snapped at his own apprentice when he came out somewhat rude to her. His kindhearted master should not be worrying about some common, stupid girl.

Xehanort watched her chatting with them, her flowers, and muttered remarks to her sanity under his breath. He griped about it before moving onto something else that annoyed him. One of things, which he constantly reminded himself, was how stupid that pink bow was. He wanted to rip it out of her hair and let her long chestnut hair flow free.

Interestingly enough, he never did see her hair flow freely from her childish braid. He wondered how much longer it was undone, and how would she look. She probably looked more mature, ribbons were so childish!

He snorted and moved from the window where he had been sitting and staring at her. His studies were waiting for him. He was still far ahead of any other student his age. Of course, he was a chapter or two behind (which was still far ahead of anyone else) because of that silly little girl and her bothersome activities.

Aerith smiled at her flowers. Ever since she worked here Master Ansem said the flowers looked beautiful more so than before. Yet, despite Ansem's kindness, Aerith felt animosity towards her coming from his apprentice. She had no idea why he was so angry towards her. She did not do anything that was cruel, unlike him by insulting her friends and such. However, she did not let that distract her from her job. She continued happily tending to the flowers.

However, she stopped when the owner of the fabulous garden entered. Ansem the Wise looked down at the girl kindly, and she smiled back. Ansem looked very regal in his robes, which he normally wore during his lectures.

"How are you today?" he asked gently.

"Very well, thank you." She replied bowing politely. "The flowers are doing well too."

"Yes, they are." He noted. "However, I was wondering if you would be kind enough to make arrangements for me. I'm having a small gathering with some of my colleagues at the end of the week and I would be grateful for some colorful decoration."

Aerith nodded, smiling, "No problem!"

"Oh, and if you wouldn't mind make one for my apprentice's study. It gets rather dreary in there and I think the color would make him less irritable."

Aerith chuckled but covered her mouth to keep herself from being rude. She agreed and began collecting flowers for Xehanort's study. She collected several of yellow and white snapdragons, since they were growing well. She washed off the dirt from the stems in a sink. After, she tied the flowers together with a ribbon, making a bow. She placed the flowers in a vase full of water. She wondered if the apprentice would like these.

Aerith knew where Xehanort's study was. After working here for a while, she did travel around the castle with Master Ansem. One of those walks she ran into Xehanort who was in the midst of studying when Ansem asked him to take a break, which annoyed the apprentice.

She followed her way up the steps and through a long corridor. The castle was well furnished, in a classy way. Aerith admired the artwork on the walls as she walked. She often found herself glancing at the portraits on her way to the gardens. She stopped walking when she realized she was at the study. The door was shut, so she politely knocked. There was no answer. Aerith knocked again.

After several seconds, she knocked again but there was still no reply. Aerith was about to go back but she stopped herself. She wondered if he was inside absorbed in his studies to answer. Aerith did not feel like carrying the vase of flowers back down. She grabbed hold of the bronze door handle and opened the door.

Poking her head inside, she found a neatly kept room, aside form the book and paper covered desk. What surprised her though was the sleeping boy at the desk. His head was lying on the desk using a book as a pillow. His silver hair covered his eyes. She quietly slipped into the room, setting the flowers near the window. She tiptoed to the door but she heard a soft sigh come from Xehanort.

She turned to him, thinking he awoke but he was still asleep. Curiously, she approached him. He looked so peaceful sleeping. His face showed no arrogance or anger. It even looked more childlike. She wondered how long he was studying to have to become so tired to fall asleep. Carefully she moved the hair away from his face, placing it behind his ear. He breathed but did nothing more.

Even thought he was sleeping peacefully, Aerith felt that she should wake him. If he kept sleeping like that, Xehanort would definitely wake up feeling sore. She knew he had some animosity toward her and it made her hesitant. Yet, wanting to be the better person, she gently shook his shoulder.

"Hey, wake up," she whispered gently. "If you sleep like that you'll be sore."

Xehanort's eyes fluttered opened, meeting the gaze of someone's deep emerald green orbs. He blinked and picked his head from his desk. He looked around, almost confused to where he was. Upon realizing, he was in his study and that Aerith was here, his eyes became cold as he glared at her.

"What are you doing in my study?" He snapped.

Aerith backed away, "Delivering flowers to you."

Xehanort looked up and saw the snapdragons by the window. He sneered and glared back at her.

"I don't want that trash messing up my study!"

"Master Ansem asked me to bring them." Aerith said which caused Xehanort to roll his eyes.

Aerith sighed, "I didn't know waking you up would cause you to be so grouchy. If you sleep like that it would make your back sore."

"I was NOT sleeping… I was just…"

"Resting your eyes?" she finished his sentence.

Xehanort ignored her and turned from her. Aerith sighed again and went to leave the room. Xehanort stared at the snapdragons. They were the brightest things in the room, next to the sunlight. Yet, curiosity and somewhat bitterness made him wonder something. He heard the door closing when he called out to her.

"What do these flowers mean?" he asked, not looking at her.

Aerith thought for a moment. "Snapdragons mean… graciousness."

With that, she took her leave. Xehanort looked at the flowers. Yet, instead of anger or annoyance, he let out a smirk. Maybe she was not as bad as he thought. She was simply being courteous to him. She was indeed an interesting person, by far the most interesting in her age group.

Xehanort leaned back in his chair and stared at the flowers. An idea began to formulate in his head. He plucked a snapdragon from the vase and fingered the waxy petals. A small grin graced his lips and quickly vanished.

X, X, X,

Aerith sighed, wiping her brow with the back of her hand. She had been working hard and now it was becoming late. Her family would be expecting her home soon. She quickly gathered all the tools she used in her basket and dropped her soiled garden gloves in after them. She looked down at her dress and began brushing off the grass and dust from the skirt. It was hard not get a bit dirty while working with dirt. She went over to the outdoor sink to wash up.

She hummed softly as she washed her hands and arms up to her elbow. When they were cleansed from all the dirt, she took a handful and splashed it on her warm face. The cool liquid dripped down her face and soaked the tips of her bangs and the stray hairs that cradled her face. After such a long hot day, Aerith enjoyed the cool liquid on her. Feeling refreshed, she turned off the faucet. Her hand blindly searched for a towel or something to dry herself.

Luckily, she felt a soft towel lying near the sink. She grabbed it and began to take it when she felt that it was stuck. She tugged it but found it would not budge. Aerith turned to see what the deal was when she saw a hand lying on top of her towel. She followed the hand to the arm, to the shoulder, to the neck, and then the face of the person. Aerith gasped, stepping back at the sight of Xehanort.

"What was that gasp for?" he asked, his face twitching slightly.

He picked up the towel, but his eyes never left Aerith's face. He watched as the droplets slid down her smooth white skin. He held out the towel to her and she took it. She carefully dabbed the water off her.

"You surprised me," came her reply.

She lowered her eyes as she wiped off the water from her arms. She did not catch Xehanort's eyes rolling. Aerith finished wiping herself and hung the towel back up neatly. She looked back at the young apprentice and smiled.

"Well… um goodbye." She said moving past him.

"Thank you," he said gruffly.

Aerith stopped. She turned her head slightly. Xehanort did not look back at her.

"For what…" She questioned softly.

"For waking me up." He turned to her now. "If Master Ansem saw me sleeping he would scold me for being up to late studying."

"You study a lot," Aerith noted.

"Because I/you like to study," The two said in union.

The two looked at each other. Aerith giggled, covering her mouth to be polite. Xehanort's mouth twitched slightly, which was the only thing he could manage as a laugh. Yet, it suited him, as Aerith's giggles suited her. Xehanort moved his hand to her, pulling a stray strand of hair away from her mouth. The young girl blushed slightly, stepping back from him.

The two remained silent and the young girl stared at the apprentice. Then she turned around feeling silly for blushing.

"I have to go home now or my mother will worry." She insisted.

"Can I… walk… you home?" came a tense question. It was late. No one would see him walking with her. It would not tarnish is reputation.

Aerith turned to him, shocked. Yet, once she got over it, a smile crept on her lips. She nodded. Together, the two walked off.

X, X, X,

Aerith worked hard on the arrangements Master Ansem wanted for the party. Yet, for the entire week, she found it quite difficult to finish once she started. She would find herself working alone for a long while when someone would come to her.

Xehanort would come to the garden claiming it was nicer to study out here. However, Aerith found herself enjoying his company. She would talk to him and find that the anger he felt towards her was dissolving. She never did ask him why he treated her like that. She just assumed it was a boy thing.

Xehanort seemed to take more breaks from his studies than he initially did. Well, before hand he never took breaks unless his master ordered otherwise. Yet, he found coming to this garden somewhat tolerable nowadays. Xehanort watched as Aerith carefully finished a beautiful arrangement. She wiped the sweat from her brow.

He made sure at any given time he was around her that no one else was. How could he be seen with her? People would start talking; possibly even say they were in a relationship! The disgrace he would feel. Yet, in Aerith's mind she believed he was actually her friend now. He seemed less agitated in her presence.

"Working hard," Xehanort said, uninterested in what she was actually doing.

"Yes," Aerith replied, "Taking a break?"

"I was getting lunch," he confirmed. "If you want to come…"

Aerith smiled, pulling off her gloves. "Sure, I'd like to come."

She followed Xehanort to the kitchens. Already the cooks had food waiting for them because Xehanort always ate a specific time. He ate while studying. He always kept to his schedule so he could get the max amount of work done, well except recently. He was lucky none of the cooks were here now. He would hate to hear their cooing at him as he hung around the flower girl. It was actually quite stupid and childish. He would have thought adults would have more brains but I guess not everyone was lucky as him. So, he made sure no one would ever see him with her.

On a tray for him was a well-balanced nutritious meal. Yes, everything was there grains, fruit, vegetables, protein and dairy. He looked over at Aerith's tray, which the cooks now prepare for her, under Ansem's orders. Aerith modestly brought her own food not wanting to have anyone go to the trouble but Ansem insisted. Her tray only had humble bowl of noodle soup.

Xehanort stared, no wonder she was so thin and tiny. She probably hardly ate at all. Girls what was with them and their figures?

"Is that all you're going to eat?" Xehanort asked.

"No," Aerith responded. "I bring my own lunch actually. My mom makes it for me but Sir Ansem insists I eat here since I work here."

"Oh, how cute your mommy makes lunches for you." He teased.

"Oh, how cute the cooks make lunches for you too." Aerith shot back.

As luck would have it, Ansem walked through the door, for his own meal. He looked at the two and gave his apprentice a look. Xehanort predicted what was coming and he cursed in his head ever word he could think of.

"Stop teasing the girl Xehanort or one might think that you…"

"MASTER!" Xehanort seethed warning him not to finish that sentence.

Ansem chuckled, causing Xehanort to fume at him. Aerith looked between them, confused. Ansem looked down at the little flower girl gently.

"My arrangements looks lovely," he complimented.

Xehanort smirked as he took his tray to the table. Ansem ignored his young apprentice.

"Thank you," Aerith said bowing.

"Of course, with all your hard work I should pay you extra."

"No need, it is my job Sir Ansem."

Xehanort listened to Aerith's modesty and thought how big of an idiot she was. She should have just taken the money and bought a decent looking dress that was NOT pink and possibly find something to put into her hair that was ALSO NOT pink. He took a bite of his food from his plate.

"Then how about you come to my party tonight? I'm sure Xehanort would enjoy your company."

Xehanort choked upon hearing those words. Aerith and Ansem looked over and saw Xehanort chugging down the water he had on his tray. Once he regained his composer and his air, he spun around to see his master walking away with his tray, a twinkle in his eye. Xehanort could have killed him.

"Well," Aerith said softly. "I'll see you at the party. I have to finish the last arrangement if I want to get home in time to wash up."

She waved goodbye and Xehanort lost all his appetite. Why did his master have to invite her? She was joke! She was nowhere near his intellectual level (but not as brainless as other townspeople) or his masters colleagues. No, she was a simpleminded little girl. If he were seen talking to her in public, it would be an embarrassment!

The rest of the afternoon Xehanort spent in his room, pacing. That stupid girl was coming to an important party with highly intellectual people. He cursed his master a million times and then some. If looks could kill Ansem would have been dead. A half-hour before the party, the young apprentice dressed in his finely pressed clothing. He made sure he was well presentable including every lock of his hair was in place. Last thing he wanted to look like was one of those sparring idiot boys in town.

Taking a deep breath, Xehanort walked down the stairs to the ballroom, in the castle. Already several of well-respected intellectuals had arrived. Xehanort noted Aerith's arrangements around the hall, one in the center of buffet table. Yet, she was not here. Maybe he got lucky.

Relaxing, Xehanort began to enjoy the night. He started conversations on biophysics and other such interesting topics. Yet, just when he thought the night would go smoothly, something pink caught his eye. He looked over and saw his Master escorting the young girl.

Aerith smiled, she was dressed in a white spring dress laced in the back with pink ribbons. Her hair was still tied back in her pink bow and in that stupid braid. Her emerald eyes caught Xehanort's and he heard himself curse. She let go of Ansem and walked toward him.

"Hello," Aerith said politely.

Xehanort heard chuckling from behind him. The two people behind him were doing just what he thought they would be doing. Snickering at him because this idiot girl was talking to him!

"Xehanort, is this your girlfriend?" One teased while the other laughed.

"I'm not his girlfriend," Aerith joined in on the laughter.

Xehanort mentally cursed at her. Why could she not see how humiliating this was? Xehanort felt he would die of shame. He had to make things clear. He had to make thing clear to her, to these people, to his master, and anyone else who thought otherwise about their relationship.

"You're right little girl," he sneered.

Aerith stared at him, recognizing that sound in his voice. That same animosity that was there a week before but had disappeared this week.

"We're friends..." Aerith whispered.

"Friends? US? Little girl whatever gave you that idea? You are delusional. I would never associate with pathetic, unintelligent, and childish commoners!"

Aerith stepped back. She felt betrayed. After the kindness he showed her this week she thought he was really her friend. Xehanort turned from her, ignoring her tear filled eyes.

Aerith rushed from the room angry at herself from thinking that Xehanort was a decent person. As she rushed through the room a thought went through her head. Snapdragons meant graciousness in the language of flowers. However, they also meant deception.

X, X, X,

Author Note- Xehanort is not nice and he isn't going to be nice at all in this story especially in an upcoming chapter. I'm glad you read and I'm thankful for the reviews.

Princess~