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K H K H K H: page breaks
Things written like this: memory
'kyukyukyu': thoughts
"nomnomnom": speak
Chapter Five:
Vanitas' Pov
As soon as he arrived the tension welled up within his chest. He took a deep breath and exhaled loudly rubbing a hand down his face. He didn't want to come back here. But that was how life worked he supposed. The way it worked for him anyway.
He quickly placed his mask upon his face and trudged out into the hall located to the right of his 'room' if you could call it that. All it possessed was a small cot like bed and a latrine that was attached. There were no personal objects or any other furniture. Just him and the off-white marble walls.
It wasn't as if he was too worried about it. He never stayed there except to sleep.
The raven haired 'twin' erased the emotions from his face and thoughts. He couldn't show one bit of it in front of Xehanort. It would spell his ruin.
He walked at a leisurely pace. Almost as if he couldn't care less that he was 'late' coming back. Almost as if he didn't care about what was coming.
He rounded the corner and entered into the great hall. The Hall, in an almost deliberate juxtaposition to his room, was a lavish space, filled with warm colors in reds and golds and ebony. Drapery adorned the room, much like the castle in the land of departure he noted dully, and a lone chair resembling a king's throne stood centered within it all. All in all it gave the appearance of a regal yet comfortable castle. A strange combination but given his experience he found the observation ironic. He had never once felt comfortable here.
His mouth twitched as he walked forwards towards the centered throne, upon which rested Xehanort, feeling a rush of anger flow through him. But he allowed himself no emotion as he continued on, clearing his mind of such thoughts.
"Master Xehanort." He said tersely.
When the man before him stayed silent he crossed his arms. His eyes narrowed as he waited for the other to speak. He just wanted to get this over with.
He watched in anticipation as the old man got up slowly and descended the steps to where he stood. It was moments like these that he wished he wasn't towered over by the man. He stayed still as the vulture circled around him and he kept his breathing normal.
"You are injured." he said at long last, coming to stand in front of the dark boy.
"hn..." he mumbled back.
"And what, may I ask, could give my apprentice such critical health?" Vanitas stared at the man before him. He watched as his eyes twitched and smile become strained. Indicators of his building anger.
"The woman was...more interesting than previously thought." he answered, mentally squirming at his hesitation in the middle.
When Master Xehanort didn't respond he continued. " The woman proved herself a most convenient and possibly an applicable candidate in your plans and so I thought it wise to consult you on the matter before eliminating her."
He stood silent as the man scrutinized his wording and appearance, trying to determine the authenticity of his words. Although, it was well known between the two that he could connive an equally evil scheme as his 'creator'. One must be careful where they tread on when walking the darker side afterall.
Seemingly done weighing his words and actions he stepped forwards. "What purpose could she serve me?" he inquired.
"Perhaps if you allowed me access to your full intentions she coul-" he was cut off as a sharp ringing filled his ears. His head had whipped harshly to the side, helmet flying off in the process, and body jerking upwards briefly from the intensity of the blow.
"You are NOT to make decisions!" Xehanort roared at the boy, spit flying in his rage. " No matter what you are to follow MY instructions. I am the Master."
Vanitas inhaled deeply before he turned his aching head back towards the old man. " Yes, Master." he answered as if on autopilot.
He kept his face devoid of emotion and his eyes he kept dull and lifeless. Nothing leaking through 'It doesn't exist. I don't exist. Block it out. Don't scream.' the familiar mantra found it's way to the forefront of his mind.
He watched with a twisted fascination as the old Master continued screaming and gesturing but the words hardly processed through his sound could barely reach him. Why would it? It didn't exist.
"From now on I am the only one to make any sort of judgement. You are to follow orders. That. is. Why. You. Were. Created." he registered the words as Xehanort backhanded him once more although he felt a bit more prepared this time.
"Yes, Master."
"Get to your room and await my call."
Vanitas blinked. That was all? As if the man heard his question, he turned upon his apprentice.
"I have more important matters to attend. I suggest you address these grievances before I return. And when I do, I shall see just how much you have learned."
The man walked briskly out into the courtyard which connected to the great hall by two elegant doors carved intricately in a pattern of a commanding dragon.
Vanitas stayed silent and still, face downcast. With the stillness settling over him he began to think back to the girl with the bright blue hair and sincere smile.
V A V A V A VA V A V A V A
Terra's pov.
Terra stormed down the stairs. How could she? How could the master think he was so weak? True he had failed the test and allowed the darkness to take control for a moment but... No.
He took a deep breath and walked at a slower pace, calming himself down. He had been allowing the darkness in more than ever before. Perhaps they did have a reason to not trust him. He thought back briefly to the sleeping woman in the tower. He had lost control there as well and she paid for it.
He just couldn't understand what was wrong with himself lately.
His anger faded and turned into sadness. They may have had a good reason for it...but it still stung none-the-less. Especially Aqua. He just couldn't believe she had taken orders without a thought of how he would feel. No matter what they had always had each others backs before.
Whenever they got in trouble they had always stuck up for each other.
"Aqua! Aqua!" He could practically hear Ventus screaming down the hall even now.
"I messed up!" Terra watched in amusement as the younger boy paced back and forth. Aqua walked up, a smirk of her own upon her face, and grabbed him to hold him still. "Ventus. Calm down." she laughed.
"This isn't funny!" the look on his face was priceless. His eyes were watering slightly and thus looked even bigger and bluer than ever giving him a childish look. The not so subtle pout didn't help his case.
Terra strained to hold in his laughter. "What happened squirt?" he asked as he grabbed the blond's shoulder and ruffled his hair.
"Terra!" he couldn't tell for sure but Ven mumbled something that sounded suspiciously like a 'do you know how much time it takes to get it looking like that!' He chose to ignore it.
"Fine. Fine. Sorry. But you didn't answer my question." Suddenly remembering, the boy opened his mouth to spill out his story. However a loud shout was heard coming from the Great Hall. "VENTUS!"
The boy scuttled behind him. He looked over at the blue haired girl to find her holding her own laughter in.
"Quickly, let's go into the garden here." she said as she led them outside.
"Okay, spill Ven." she added once they were in the garden. "It wasn't my fault...okay it was." Ventus began. "I was training outside the great hall and well..." the blond looked away from them.
The two older Keyblade Masters-in-training glanced at each other. "Well I was practicing that new move Master Eraqus showed me and I was having so much fun..." Terra raised his eyebrow and crossed his arms, still bemused by the situation. "By the time you finish Master will be here." the brunette said.
Ventus' eyebrows shot upwards comically. " I kinda-busted-the-doors-that-lead-into-the-Great-Hall." The words spilled out in a rush and for a moment Terra couldn't understand the language that came out of the boy's mouth.
Both Aqua's and Terra's mouth dropped open in shock at the same time, both apparently translating at the same speed. "What?" they spoke in unison. They glanced at each other and back at the Fidgeting teen.
"Did the Master see you do it?" Aqua asked after a moment. " No. But he knows I was practicing outside." He grabbed his hair ruffly, ignoring the fact he just got on to Terra for messing it up just a minute ago. "Why? Why did I have to practice RIGHT THERE?"
The two elder teens looked at each other a silent conversation passing between the two before they glanced back down at the blond.
"Okay. We'll help you out." Aqua said smiling.
"But your gonna have to owe us someday for this one Ven." Terra winked at Ventus, who seemed confused.
Although he didn't get much time to analyze what they were implying as their Master, Eraqus, walked out into the small patch of garden.
They all turned to face the man noticing that his face was red and fuming. ' is really really gonna owe big time.' the brunette grimaced.
"Does anyone here care to explain to me what happened to the front entrance?" The elder boy had to give his master credit though. He was trying his best not to go on a rampage in the direction of the guilt stricken boy behind him.
"Master Eraqus I-" Ventus however was cut off as I stepped forward " It was my fault Master." I began. I could almost feel the boy's eyes drill into me from behind. "I noticed Ven practicing outside and decided to join him. I ended up goading him into attacking me while my back was turned to the entrance doors."
"I should have noticed how far we strayed from the training area and kept my vigilance in tact." I said as I turned towards the wincing Ventus, who knew I was speaking directly to him. " I am sorry Ven for not doing so as your elder."
Before Master Eraqus could speak however Aqua joined in. "It's my fault as well Master." she bowed her head in a show of respect before turning to Ventus. " Not only were Terra and I not paying attention as I was watching from the sidelines. But I should have known when they began to get out of hand and started to show off." Again he watched Ventus flinch at the hidden reprimand.
The anger began to melt off the older man's face as he studied his students. He narrowed his eyes down at the youngest waiting for his own admittance.
Ventus rubbed the back of his head and chuckled nervously. "So...um, I'm sorry?"
Terra almost rolled his eyes. 'Ever the astute one, Ventus.'
They all glanced down at the ground as they awaited their punishment. " I am disappointed in all of you. You have been training with me for years now and I expect better attention given to your actions as you train. You have not only hurt yourselves at your lack of judgement but had you been on a mission you would have been a severe detriment to your teammates."
Terra glanced up and waited. "Therefore I want each of you to clean up the mess you made in the Great Hall. That means picking up the broken beams from the door and after that I want the floor scrubbed clean." the man glanced at his grimacing students
"And that means the entire floor of the Great Hall, understood?" he asked
The three spoke as one, sounding properly chastised "Yes, Master."
That being said, their master left right after, letting the three heave a sigh of relief from the impending doom they had felt when he was present.
"Why did you guys do that?" Ventus asked sadly. "Now you're all in trouble too." he huffed.
He chuckled as Aqua answered "Because we're friends stick together when the other is in trouble."
"Especially when there is a fire breathing Master coming at you." Terra added causing the two to laugh.
" I know you haven't exactly been here for some of the 'adventures' Aqua and I have been on so you wouldn't know." The elder boy said " And believe me if we hadn't stuck together we'd probably both be roasted on a spit by now. But we never let petty things come between us. Even if it's the master."
They all laughed before walking inside. Better get started. It wasn't called a Great Hall for nothing.
Terra smiled sadly at the memory. What had changed between them in so short a time? He walked unconciously into a underground portion of the city. He never felt so alone in his life.
"Master Xehanort is the only one I can still count on." he said despondantly.
"You must be Terra."
"huh?"
V A V A V A VA V A V A VA
um...yeah ^_^ Sorry again about the absence. I have been incredibly busy and am going through some rough times. I don't plan on abandoning this fic so no worries there.
Hopefully you liked the chapter. I made sure it was a long one to cover my arse at being such a lame author. xD
As always let me know what you think. I adore your reviews! They make me feel all toasty inside and that means a lot because it is cold here and I am wrapped up in my blanked like a derp.
To my lovely Reviewers:
Arthur-theoriginal13thmember: haha I never thought so either! I am playing this by ear and was quite surprised myself when he turned spy. He's my hero/villian too! o.o and you are completely right! I can't believe I missed that! I will have to call them that in the future!
Quigglypuff: aww thank you :3
Cherry blossom: ashjknedisijie you made me soooo happy! And since you were the only one to do so, you have claimed all the cookies! Congratulations! -plays random music- I am glad you like where it is heading :3 I believe I am gonna keep her new attitude along for the ride. Unfortunately I did not update quickly this time -is embarrassed- but I certainly thank you for wishing my mum better * 3 * You are beautiful! She is still sick but is doing better!
VanitasfanXX: o_O are you for cereal? -squeal- I began to write because of that very reason! No no no Thank you! Hopefully I live up to your expectations!
Tighn Lwerka: aww thanks sweetie! I hope I get more reviews too lol Yours helps! : D
LexaIIIV: kya~ you think I'm creative! Haha no no I just have a highly active imagination. : x you thought the fight was epic? Yay! Hopefully I shall have even better one's in the future! Stay tuned : D