Sapphire was glad the subject was dropped, but Nero's look made her nervous. However, what made her more anxious was the appearance of Caramel. She... She shouldn't be here. She couldn't. But, then again, her mother shouldn't have been there either. But... She watched Caramel die.

She took a step back, staying in the ship for the time being, a cautious hand creeping up her back to grab hold of the handle of her Keyblade. Just in case.

"Turns out when Herato "killed" me he just removed my heart from my body." Caramel said. "I ended up here somehow and Miss Aqua has been seeing over my recovery. Turns out I can use something called the Keyblade."

"That's awesome!" Niko said happily. "So can Sapphire and I."

Relaxing significantly, Sapphire's hand fell away from her Keyblade with a breath.

"Are you alright, then?" she asked, taking a few steps forward, exiting the ship, tilting her head to the side to observe Caramel.

"I'm fine Sapphire." Caramel said. "I'm glad you guys are okay too. I can take you to see Miss Aqua. She has been searching the sky for your Gummi Ship. Come on!"

Caramel took Niko by the hand and yanked him along.

"Aagh!" Niko shouted. "Caramel!"

Softly, Sapphire chuckled as Caramel dragged Niko along. She shook her head with a smile as she followed after the two. The two of them were awfully close, and it was nice seeing a friendship like that. As they approached, Aqua smiled softly. She had heard about Niko from Caramel and felt almost honored to see him. She barely noticed her pupil, a young hedgehog named Andrew run by her and point his Keyblade at Niko.

"Andrew!" Aqua called out. "He and his friend are our guests!"

As soon as the Keyblade was pointed at Niko, Sapphire stepped forward, drew hers, and pointed at the one called Andrew. Her movements were incredibly quick. She was behind Niko one moment and by his side in the next. She narrowed her eyes at Andrew's defensive nature. She dared not move an inch, but she remained silent, a demand to lower his weapon. Andrew sighed heavily and dispelled his Keyblade. He looked to Sapphire and glared at her. Walking back to Aqua, he nodded and went back in the castle.

"You must excuse Andrew...he's very protective." Aqua said. "Caramel told me about the both of you. It's nice to meet you. I'm Aqua."

Sapphire met Andrew's glare with her own. She slowly slid her own Keyblade back onto her back once he had withdrawn his. Her eyes turned to the girl who introduced herself as Aqua. She bowed her head slightly.

"Sapphire," she introduced.

qua thought for a moment. Where did she hear that name? Her eyes widened.

"I remember now!" Aqua said. "Your mother spoke of you when she visited."

"Her spirit still lives here." Caramel said smiling.

"Yes." Aqua replied. "Seeing as I'm a Keyblade master, I was asked by Riku to teach you two a few things. Things that you need to know going forward."

"What else is there to teach us?" Niko asked.

"Quite a lot, if you're up to it?" Aqua said.

"She's a really good teacher!" Caramel said.

"There were a few thing that Allison never knew about." Aqua said. "I taught her how to use a Keyblade. It was her who passed it on to you Sapphire. They Keyblade you use was hers."

She just kept talking about her. Sapphire felt herself tense, and the Keyblade on her back suddenly felt very heavy. She narrowed her eyes at Aqua, restraining herself from letting her anger take over.

"I have a memory of my mother," she started slowly, "and I'd rather not have that memory be altered. If you could refrain from talking about her, that'd be great." Her voice was very cool, but it was evident that she was keeping herself in order.

"Of course." Aqua said. She could sense that Sapphire that Sapphire wanted to not speak of her mother. Looking to Niko she nodded.

"So." Niko said. "Shall we head inside?"

"Right. Follow me." Aqua said.

As she often had on this little adventure, Sapphire found herself to be doubtful. Not only doubtful though, but... Tired. They hadn't really rested at all, and she could've gone for some sleep. She had no idea what time it was, though, so she just kept moving along, following Aqua as she had instructed.

"I know you two are tired." Aqua said. "So Caramel could you please lead Niko and Sapphire to their rooms?"

Sapphire let out a very brief sigh of relief. "Thank you," she told Aqua, expressing her gratitude, feeling her weariness flood completely throughout her body. She was eager to get some rest, and to have a little bit of time to just talk to Niko a little and see how he was doing. Later that night, when they were settled in their room, Niko sat on the bed next to Sapphire. He felt so tired and weary that he would've passed out. But he needed to stay awake, for he knew something was up with Sapphire.

The room provided was nice, comfortable. Sapphire sat on the bed, legs folded, eyes looking down at the blanket. She ran her fingers along it slowly, enjoying the softness of it. She looked up at Niko as he sat down next to her on the bed, and she felt a weary smile cross onto her face.

"You holding up alright?" she asked softly, pulling her hand back from the blanket.

"Yeah." Niko replied. "Are you? Now that we are alone, we can continue the conversation we were having on the ship."

Sapphire was glad to hear Niko was okay. If he was, she could be, too. "I'm fine," she replied, bringing her knees up and hugging them to her chest. She sighed. "I don't even remember the conversation we were having on the ship..." It was a half lie and a half truth.

"You're wondering about what we have to face next aren't you?" Niko asked. "Buck up, Sapphire. I know it's been grueling and hard for you, but we have to keep pressing on. I know there's something else you're concerned about. Tell me what it is."

Sapphire laughed a very dry, short, and tired laugh. "I'm not worried about what we'll have to fight. It's rather the opposite, really..." She shook her head, laughing quietly again, only this one was a little more genuine. "I'm sorry. That doesn't make any sense." A single hand went down to the blanket, toying with it once more.

She had something on her mind, sure, but she didn't want to burden Niko with it. Well... Not yet, at least. She'd have to tell him eventually, of course, but she wanted to wait until this was all over to tell him. But, with the persistence he was showing... She wasn't sure if she'd be able to keep it from him that much longer.

"Sapphire?" Niko asked, not even looking at her anymore. "Do you remember how I had always been super honest with you? There's something about this whole thing that is bothering you. I know you well enough to know when you are hiding something. I won't force you to tell me because I love you too much to do so."

Niko then stood up and walked away. He hoped she wouldn't keep secrets from him any longer, but he felt foolish to think so. Walking outside, Niko looked at the night sky. Taking in a deep breath he noticed Aqua walking up behind him in her nightgown.

"Marriage is sacred," Aqua said. "So I've heard. Give her time Niko and she'll open up."

"I know." Niko replied sighing heavily. "I hoped that she wouldn't bottle up her emotions anymore after she saw her mother...but I guess I got my hopes up. Anyway, I hoped now that we are married she'd be...I don't know...more happy. I know she is, but she has too many secrets and she's still holding back her feelings. No matter what she could tell me I'd be happy and understanding."

She watched him go. Sapphire sighed and ran her hands over her face tiredly. She felt awful keeping it from Niko, even though she herself wasn't completely sure. If she told him tonight, would it distract him? Hurt him? How WOULD he react? Would he be angry? Would he leave her? She wasn't sure. But he wanted to know, and she felt as if he needed to know.

Maybe... Maybe she'd just tell him. Get it out of the way.

She stood from the bed and sighed. She wouldn't go after him. She didn't even know where he went. She stepped into the adjoined bathroom to smoke for a quick moment, shutting the door behind her. She wouldn't smoke long; she didn't want to completely taint the room. She just needed a cigarette before she talked to Niko, and before she went to bed.

"Just trust her Niko" Aqua said. "She'll tell you when she's ready."

Niko nodded and walked back into the room, and sat down on the bed. He looked out the window and smiled at the stars. He knew a lot of things about stars, but he never knew each star was a world until Jiminy told him. He laid down on the bed and smiled.

The smoke was exactly what Sapphire needed to calm her nerves. She threw the butt of her cigarette into the trash can, washed her hands, and washed her face. She stepped back into the bedroom, barely seeing Niko in the dull light of the moon and stars. "You back?" she asked, padding quietly back to the bed, voice low.

"Yeah." Niko replied. "You must have really needed that smoke break."

Niko chuckled at this. He was used to seeing Sapphire leaving the room to take a smoke. While he used to find it terrible and a bad habit, he'd grown used to it. Sitting up, he gave Sapphire a quick peck on the lips.

Sapphire's soft, weary smile returned. She sat down next to Niko on the bed, kissing his cheek in return. She rested her head on his shoulder, her eyes suddenly becoming dark and cloudy, and her smile falling.

"I'm sorry I was being so dodgy earlier," she told him, keeping her head on his shoulder. "What I want to talk about is just... Hard to talk about." She bit her lip gently. "Are you okay with discussing something tonight?"

"I'll never not be." Niko said. "What's on your mind?"

Sapphire took a deep breath. Okay, she was going to do this. She was going to tell him. She slowly sat up and faced him, taking his hands in his, looking at Niko, a very nervous light in her eyes.

"A lot has happened since our wedding was crashed. That was both know." Alright, that was as good as a place to start as any. "I hadn't expected to be thrust back into action so quickly after our vacation. It caught me off guard, all of the whimsical things and the intense combat. But, I adjusted, and as much as I couldn't stand how odd it was, I... I fell back in love with the thrill of the fight. And, after seeing my mother and remembering what her dream had been before it was twisted, remembering how I became a fighter, realizing what I should be doing..." she sighed and shook her head, still obviously nervous. She needed to quit beating around the bush.

"What I'm trying to say is... I want to reenlist in the Insurgents."

"I see." Niko said. "I just can't believe that you would want to. I understand that you were always a fighter. That's why I love you. You're brave and strong. If anything I hoped we'd do our own thing...but if you want to rejoin the Insurgents, I won't stop you. I could go back to going solo like I usually do. Only calling for help if I truly need it."

Niko sighed heavily. He was used to this...the Insurgents were something Sapphire grew up into. If she felt it best to rejoin them, he wasn't going to stop her. So much for that, Niko thought. When all this was over, he had silently hoped he could just leave the Insurgents be and help only when they needed them, but knowing that he was gonna have to be at home waiting for Sapphire like a dog waiting for its master was sorta infuriating, but he knew he'd have to get used to it.

She wanted him to understand. She needed him to understand. A look of dark sadness crossed her face as she looked down, her anxiety clear on her face. She hated doing this to him, but... She knew it was best for her.

"I know you don't like them, but I feel like that's where I belong," she told him, raising her eyes to look at Niko once more. "When my father died, I did everything in my ability to make the Insurgents what my mother had always wanted them to be. And after seeing her... I know it's what I have to do." She paused again, taking a deep breath.

"Awhile ago, a few months before Hotaru woke up, I left them to Garnet. I don't know what changes he's made to it since I've been gone, but maybe there will be a way for me to join and not be so far away from you." She bit her lip, running her tongue along it nervously. "I love you with all my heart, Niko, and I hope you know that, but I also hope you understand." She paused once more. "Are... Are you angry?"

"I admit. I am a bit livid." Niko replied "I hoped you wouldn't go back to them. I hoped we'd do our own thing. You know...the greatest thing about you is your resolve and bravery...I will accept the fact you want to rejoin them. I don't think you should, but I truly mind anymore."

Niko was running out of words to say. He was trying so hard to stay calm about it, but it was really hard. As he stayed silent, a wisp of purple smoke escaped from his body.

"Gimme a second." Niko said leaving again. "I can't deal with this."

Sapphire withdrew her hands, running them through her hair and rubbing her eyes as she let out a heavy sigh. She knew she should've waited to tell him. He was so angry. He was so upset. She hated seeing him like that, especially if she had caused it. She could tell that staying calm was becoming increasingly difficult for him, and once he left, she felt a sharp pain in her chest, and a flicker of fear in her stomach from the appearance of smoke leaving his body. She wanted him to understand, but she didn't know how she could make him.

She loved him to death. Niko was one of the only things that truly made her happy. But, one of the other things that made her happy was fighting with the Insurgents. Up until she had seen her mother again, she too thought they'd do their own thing once this was all over. Do their own thing, and relax. But this whole adventure made her realize that relaxing wasn't her thing. She thrived in the heat of combat. While relaxing was nice, and while she'd still like to do it some, it wasn't for her. Taking it easy had never been in her nature.

Sapphire didn't know whether or not Niko actually was going to come back. Slowly, she maneuvered under the blankets, letting them cover her legs. She continued to sit up, leaning back against the wall, twirling her wedding ring around her finger nervously, nimble fingers moving it rapidly. She loved him so, so much... But would he still love her after what she had decided?

"Well isn't this tragic?" A voice said. Taking off its hood, it's revealed to be Vanitas. "Your hubby is giving in. Relax...I'm not here to fight. I'm here to see what the master's upset about. Now I know. However, you must have noticed that he was a bit...smoky? He was emitting signs of Darkness. It won't be long before he gives in. It's kinda funny actually...he showed signs of light before you dropped that bomb on him."

Vanitas laughed at this. He knew he pissed off Sapphire, but he didn't care. Turning to the window and pointing to one as it blinked out.

"Every world is a star." Vanitas said. "When a star goes out, a world is now gone. Question is...which one?"

Opening a black and purple portal, Vanitas stepped into it and smiled.

"Have fun with that thought Sapphire." Vanitas said laughing.

At that point Niko walked in. He was a bit calmer as he sat down next to Sapphire.

Vanitas's appearance alarmed Sapphire, and she had immediately grow defensive. She felt herself tense as he mentioned Niko turning to Darkness, and she felt herself tense even more when a world went out. She was tempted to race to the window and observe, but she didn't. He was bluffing. He had to be. Bluffing about Niko, bluffing about the star and the world, bluffing about all of it. She convinced herself of this. It had to be a bluff.

She sharply turned her head to face Niko when he came in, caught slightly off guard by his appearance after seeing Vanitas. She relaxed when she saw it was only him, hand falling away from her ring.

"I'm sorry..," she murmured, her voice soft, genuine. "I love you, and I'm sorry."

"It's okay." Niko said. "I got bad news. Mobius's star just went out. Our world went dark."