Chapter 4

"Kairi!"

Kairi opened her eyes to the sound of her name. The boy that had been in the throne, crouched over her.

"Kairi!"

"I'm awake," Kairi mumbled.

"Are you alright?" he asked anxiously.

"Yeah, we better get outta here though," Kairi sat up and climbed to her feet.

He nodded, "I'm Ventus."

"Kairi but you knew that," Kairi smiled. She paused, "Wait a second how did you know that?"

"I'm not entirely certain," Ventus didn't meet her gaze, "I remember darkness and a bright flash of light. It felt like a blink but I open my eyes and I'm here, wherever here is. You were lying on the ground and I thought you were dead."

"Well then," Kairi sighed.

"How did you do that?" Ventus asked as he followed her out of the castle.

"I have no idea," Kairi shrugged.

"It woke me up," Ventus smiled, "Thanks."

"No problem," Kairi nodded, "We need to go to Traverse Town."

"Why?" he asked.

"Because I'm pretty sure that's where my friends will be," Kairi said.

"Are you looking for them?"

"No, I'm helping them even though they don't want me to," Kairi explained.

"So then you want to find them?" he looked confused.

"I'm going to gather information for them," Kairi said, "The fact that you're awake is important information so I'm going to leave them a note."

Ventus nodded, "That makes sense."

"Do you want to help me?" Kairi asked, "We might be able to help your friends too."

He nodded, "I'll help you. You can call me Ven." He smiled, "All my friends call me Ven."

Kairi smiled and nodded, "Ven it is then." She led the way back to the gummi ship, "You wouldn't know how to fly this thing would you?"

Ven shook his head, "No idea. Sorry."

"Well then I guess we'll just have to figure it out, huh?" Kairi laughed, "Oh boy." She pulled out a piece of paper, "You wouldn't happen to have anything to write with would you?"

Ven shook his head. He pointed to the gummi ship, "What about the pencil right there?"

"Thanks," Kairi grabbed the pencil, "When did you get here? I could swear you were not here when I borrowed this thing." She shrugged and wrote a single sentence on the piece of paper. She folded it and put it in her pocket. She placed the pencil behind her ear and turned on the gummi ship.

"You borrowed this?" he asked.

"Um, sort of," Kairi shrugged.

"You stole it?"

"Yeah, basically. They weren't using it and it was a spare so it was available," Kairi said.

Ven laughed, "Okay."

The gummi ship led them straight to Traverse Town. It was a small town with three main districts. The buildings were all the same color in the first two. They were all sandy brown. The third district was the rich district. It had all the color and a big square in the middle. The alleys were small but relatively well lit.

Kairi sighed in relief as this landing was much better than her first. She had landed them in a secluded section of the third district. She frowned at the dent in the side of the gummi ship, "C'mon, let's go into that alley over there." she led the way and placed the note on the ground.

"Wait I want to check something," Kairi recognized Riku by his voice.

"Go!" Kairi shoved Ven out of the alley. They watched from around the corner as Riku and Sora found the note.

"I've found him," Riku read.

Kairi smiled and the two of them ran off. She climbed back into the gummi ship and started it up again, "We're headed to the World That Never Was next."

"Why?"

"Organization HQ," Kairi said, "I plan on doing some infiltrating and information gathering. I know that they still need a thirteenth member so maybe, just maybe, if all goes according to plan then I'll be able to get in."

"What about me?"

"We're posing as Nobodies and if they don't fall for it then we'll just slip in take what we need and then get out," Kairi explained, "We're both Nobodies. You need a name."

"Okay?" Ventus seemed very confused.

"Um," Kairi paused to think. She looked out the windshield, "I don't think we're going the right way but I don't know how to turned this thing around." She sighed. Oh well. Here we go. "I'll come up with your name later," Kairi growled, "Right now, prepare for a very rough landing!" the gummi ship crashed through the trees that lined the sidewalk.

Ventus grabbed onto the front part of the ship and held on tightly. His knuckles turned white.

Kairi sighed when they had finally stopped moving, "I don't think this thing is gonna be usable by the time I returned it."

Ven chuckled, "Oh well. You can always apologize."

Kairi nodded, "Yeah, let's go." She climbed out of the gummi ship.

The sidewalk that they had just destroyed turned around a corner. Flower gardens lined the sidewalk on either side. The trees were spaced at regular intervals and trimmed very neatly, those trees that hadn't been knocked over at least. The sky was a bright blue and there was not a cloud to be seen. People walked on the sidewalks and talked happily.

"Nice landing."

Kairi turned. Her eyes widened. Uh-oh. If we get into a fight with this guy I'm not sure we'll make it out okay.

A man with somewhat long brown hair, blue eyes and an obvious scar leaned against a tree behind them.

She swallowed, "You are?"

Ven looked at him curiously, "I'm Ven and this is Kairi."

"Leon," he stood up straight and walked up to them. He stopped in front of Kairi, "Someone's looking for you."

"I know," Kairi's eyes narrowed, "They'll be okay for a while longer. I haven't done what I came out here to do yet."

"Where are we?" Ventus asked.

"I'm not entirely sure," Leon shrugged.

"Sh," Kairi hissed. Her gaze was trained on Saix. He was walking through the streets, looking at all of the shops that were on this street, "Now's our chance. C'mon!" she darted past the large blue haired nobody. God he's huge.

"And what would two nobody's such as yourselves be doing running around this place?" Saix asked.

Well that was…too easy. I didn't have to tell him anything. If they can sense other nobodies then he must know we aren't. I'm gonna have to be careful. Kairi looked at him, "Nobody?"

"A being like yourself. You remember your past but without the feelings attached to it," Saix explained.

Leon glanced at her before turning and walking away.

Kairi nodded, "Yeah, I do."

"Come with me," he led them to where he opened a corridor of darkness.

Kairi swallowed. She glanced at Ventus behind her. I'm gonna have to learn how to do that. She followed Saix through it. She stared around her at the World That Never Was. I had forgotten how desolate this place was. I feel like this is a bad idea but it's too late now.

"Saix," Xigbar nodded to him, "What's this?"

"Two nobodies," Saix said, "They both wish to be the thirteenth member. I'm going to take them to speak with Xehanort."

Xigbar nodded, "See you later then."

Kairi stared at the other twelve members. I don't think I've ever seen so many different Xehanorts at the same time. This is bad.

"They both wish to join?" Xehanort grinned. He leaned forward, "Train them to use the Keyblade and then they will fight to the death for the last place."

Saix nodded, "Come with me."

Kairi grabbed Ventus' wrist and pulled slightly to make him follow her, "C'mon."

He followed her out the door.

"Your training will begin now," Saix said. He was accompanied by a different Xehanort, younger than the one that had ordered their training.

Kairi nodded. She summoned her Keyblade.

Saix leaped at her.

This is training?! Kairi leaped backward and blocked a full force blow from his claymore. What have I gotten myself into, other than trouble? She growled and fought back. She was faster and smaller than Saix but he hit hard. He slammed her into a wall. Kairi snapped her mouth shut on a cry of pain. She barely managed to roll out of the way in time as he brought his weapon down towards her head.

Training continued until she managed to beat him. Kairi gasped. She was bruised and bleeding from a few places. Ow, I think I better get used to this because I don't think I'm gonna get a break.

Saix stood and nodded, "Again."

Kairi nodded. What!? Again? He's insane!

Ventus was handling it pretty well, having already beat Xehanort twice.

Kairi sighed.

They didn't stop until Saix was called away for other duties.

Kairi dropped to her knees.

Ventus crouched next to her, "Hey, you okay?"

Kairi nodded, "I'm just exhausted."

He nodded, "Are you sure this was a good idea?"

"It's too late now," Kairi shrugged, "We need to be careful. They might be playing with us. It was too easy getting in."

He nodded.

"Master Xehanort wishes to see you two," Xigbar said dramatically.

Kairi nodded and got to her feet.

Ventus followed her into the main room.

"Here's your new clothes," Xehanort dropped the signature black coat, pants, and shirt in front of them. He placed the boots on the ground next to them, "Welcome to the Organization. Remember, only one of you can have a seat. For now you are just training."

Kairi nodded and Ventus quickly followed suit.

Xehanort nodded and left.

Kairi sighed, "Okay." She took a deep breath and grabbed the clothes.

Ventus disappeared into his assigned room. Kairi's was right next door.

Kairi swallowed audibly, "I'm in trouble. I really need help. Never mind. I got myself into this mess and I will get myself out. I can take care of myself. I'm not helpless anymore." Even as she tried to convince herself she felt fear settle in her heart.