Heartlessness

Chapter 6

Rhododendron

She never said anything because no one came to punish him for his awful deeds. He knew she would be too embarrassed to speak of it. Perhaps somewhere in her mind she enjoyed it just as much as he did. Feeling her against him quelled his desires for a time but soon he felt those desires grow in him. The way he felt when he thought of her, tasting her, having her his way was enough to send his body up in flames.

There was little he could do to hold off his desires and he had to because he was in the middle of important research with his master and the other apprentices. It was what he had been working on for quite some time. He needed to know more about how the heart operates, the power it held. However, in his room alone all he could think of as his carnal desire.

How he wanted her in his room right now as he lay on his bed with his research carelessly tossed onto the floor which was unlike him. The throbbing, burning, and gnawing feelings would make anyone insane. He wanted to hear her beg for him, desiring him just as much as he desired her. He wanted to see her face as he fulfilled his needs and hers.

Xehanort felt hot again. The window in his room cracked open to allow the cool air in. If only he had not been rude to her so long ago she probably would still be here in his master's castle working in the gardens. He would have found a way to get her into his room easier that way. He sighed. If only.

The young apprentice headed for her own personal shower and ran it long and lukewarm. He allowed the water to drench, hoping it would calm the tingling sensation within him.

After his shower he buried himself in his work. His work as he now noticed but should have noticed sooner was suffering. He was so close to completing his work. He would unlock the secrets of the heart. The only problem his mind lingered too much on the girl. Xehanort cursed. He needed to finish. He needed to prove to his master he was far superior than the others in the castle, that he was far superior than him. Perhaps in a way it prove to Aerith that he was far superior than she gave him credit for.

However, he could not relieve his desires for her. He needed her here in this castle, in his room. Once he was satisfied he could begin his work again. The only problem was how to get her here.

Xehanort pondered until he found himself pacing. She would not easily forgive him for his past action would she? Could she truly be that naive? Would she allow him to escort her back here alone? Not under normal circumstances he was sure.

However, under a false pretense... maybe.

Aerith had returned to her home late afternoon before any of her friends returned to the cottage they shared. She placed her basket, nearly empty of all the flowers onto her wooden table and began to gather all the munny she earned. It was still a meager sum, nothing compared to what the others earned but ever bit helped and even if she did not pull her weight in earnings what she made up was housework and she as ready to prepare dinner.

Aerith took out a large pot, filling it with water and chopped vegetables to create a stew. She hung it over the fireplace. She added wood and lit the fire. Before the aroma of a hearty meal could begin to fill the room there was a knock on the door. Curiously, Aerith opened the door wondering who it could be.

Floating in front of her was a Moogle carrying a messenger bag at his side. He was a soft peach color with a large red nose, purple wings, and a red pompom on his head. He bowed to her, his little red ball on his head bobbing.

"Miss Gainsborough?," he asked.

"Yes?" she answered.

The little Moogle opened his bag and pulled out a envelope. He then handed it to her.

"A letter for you Miss, Kupo!"

Aerith took the letter and smiled. "Thank you."

"All in a days work, Kupo!" the Moogle bowed again and then flew away off to deliver more letters.

Aerith closed the door and turned the envelope over to see who sent her letter. There was no return address on it, only hers. She leaned against her table, near her basket. She slid her finger to peel the envelope open and pulled out a piece of paper. She unfolded the paper and began to read the neatly written letter. The more she read the more her eyes began to narrow the more she felt uneasy. When she finished she gripped the letter tightly, crinkling it.

She dropped the letter onto the table, accidentally knocking her basket and whatever flowers over. She began to pace and ponder. She placed hand on her forehead and then ran it through her began, pushing them back but the merely fell back into place.

Somewhere in the pit of her stomach, in the back of mind, and against better judgment, Aerith placed on a red jacket and quickly left her house. She left the stew to cook, assuming she would be back in time to finish it, back before her friends.

On the table, the letter as left with a bunch of rhododendron. If only her gut instincts were stronger than her resolve to finally end her ties with Xehanort once and for all. If only she could see the clue before her: Rhododendron- caution, beware.

It was not long after when someone else entered the cottage. He sniffed the air, his stomach growling hunger for stew when his eyes found the scattered flowers and the note on the table. He felt a pit in his stomach grow and the feeling of dread overwhelmed him.

Aerith arrived at the castle and sure enough Xehanort was outside the doors waiting. She cautiously approached him. She kept a good distance away. After the moment in the alley she feared being near him. Yet, she was determined to not let this horrible person ruin her anymore.

Xehanort was delighted to see her, even more so that she actually came. Did she truly believe what he wrote? Regardless, here she was.

"You got my letter?" he asked, although it was obvious but perhaps it would break the tension.

"I did," Aerith crossed her arms. "What did you want to talk about?"

"I thought my letter made it clear." he said. "I'm asking for... forgiveness."

The word left a bitter taste in his mouth. As if he would actually grovel before the likes of her. The stupid girl clad in pink and wearing a childish bow. He be damned.

"You are asking for me to forgive you?" Aerith snapped. "After everything you have done to me? You think you deserve it? You are not even worth my contempt!"

The sharpness in her words struck the apprentice by surprise. Xehanort looked at her with cold cruel eyes. Aerith glared back.

"I'm through with you. I don't want you to ever to contact me again." she bit out. "I don't want to know you even exist."

She turned to leave and Xehanort called after her.

She could not trust him and she did not. The intentions in his eyes were anything but good. Aerith wished she had not come out here alone. She wished she refused his plea to discuss forgiveness because he had no intention on asking for it.

Aerith headed for the gates but it was too late, Xehanort stopped her, grabbing her arm. He threw her against the wall and before the young girl could say anything she found his mouth pressed to hers. Aerith tried to fight free but she found herself pinned and unable to move with his body against hers and the wall behind her. He clamped both her wrists together in one hand, holding them above her head. His lips greedily kissed hers, biting her soft tender lips.

How the young apprentice wanted this moment for so long. To have this young girl all to himself, to touch and to hold, to feel against him. She was so soft and smooth like silk. She tasted sweet and smelled like the flowers he associated her with. His free hand fumbled around, touching her body, roughly touching her in ways she begged him not to.

He tore at her neck, biting and leaving marks that would sure show. Tears poured out of the young girls eyes as she begged him to stop but he did not nor would he until he was satisfied. Aerith sucked in a sharp breath, intended to scream but he devoured her mouth with his, stopping any noise from alerting any passersby from coming to see what the fuss was about.

He used his free hand to undo the top few buttons of her dress, exposing her to him. Aerith had tears pouring from her eyes. She bit down on Xehanort but it invigorated him in a way he could not predict. In his mind, perhaps she was enjoying it. Aerith tried to fight back with every ounce of strength but could not. The tightness of his fingers around her wrist dug into her and her porcelain skin would have fresh bruises all over it. He bit down on her own lip, threatening to draw blood on her. He bit down in several places, marking her skin with his teeth.

Aerith began to pray to someone, anyone to rescue her. One of her friends, Tifa, Squall, Yuffie, or...

Xehanort was torn off Aerith which such force that he went flying. He felt a powerful blow to his gut sucking out all the wind from him and making his world spin. Aerith fell to the ground, landing hard. She looked up gasping, sobbing, with water running down her cheeks and nose. Standing before her was Cloud, looking more menacing than ever.

He had returned home earlier than he anticipated, found the letter, and went to follow Aerith after reading it. He knew Aerith had been acting unlike herself after one night long prior to this. He was glad to have trusted his gut feeling.

Xehanort got up off the ground, his side where he unceremoniously fell hurt a lot. He dusted himself off and straightened his clothing. When he was done he glared at Cloud, knowing very well who he was. The blonde-haired boy knelt down, draping his own coat over the girl, covering her exposed body. Aerith tightened the hold on the coat as if it offered her some protection. Without hesitating, he lifted the girl into his arms with ease.

He walked toward the gates, Aerith in his arms but his eyes remained on Xehanort. Xehanort ignored him and began to walk back inside the castle, as the two passed each other Cloud stopped for a moment. Xehanort continued walking.

"If you ever come near her again," Cloud said, his voice spitting venom. "I will kill you."

Xehanort looked over shoulder and he caught a glimpse of sapphire eyes burning murderously at him. After a moment he continued on. Xehanort spat in anger, loosing his cool composer.

Like hell would he ever see her again and like hell did he want to deal with a that blonde monstrosity again. It was a waste of his precious time. He cursed at himself for given that little harlot the time of day. Damn them all to the farthest reached of darkness. All his time and his work had suffered because of his stupid lustful heart. He cursed again and found himself once again in his room engrossed in his books.

He knew by the next morning his master would be knocking on his door and scolding him to no end. He would probably be thrown out of the castle. He would never again lay eyes on the childish girl in pink nor would he want to. He would however, find the key to ones heart within the coming days and steal the life of many. He hoped and prayed though, that one of the hearts would be hers.

The End

Author Note- For anyone expecting this story to go on longer, sorry to say it was always going to be a short story... just took forever to finish it. I just decided to sit down and write it out. I was tired of having it linger over my head. Regardless, I hope you enjoyed it.

Princess~