{ghost in glamour}

"Who…?" Aqua's hand flew out to the flower wall, but her fingers closed around the thorny vines, and she recoiled. "Who are you? Start what?" It hadn't occurred to her that Vanitas had referred to her as a female, and she was honestly too panicked to take notice.

The roar of the water muddled her thoughts and she stared at Vanitas as he stood up, his head tilting. "Start your training," he said. "You wanted to know why I wanted you on the ship, right?"

"I…" Her eyes moved to the old man's face, and she shuddered at his crazed, power hungry expression. "Training. What are you training me for? I already know how to use a sword."

"Duh!" Vanitas sounded irritated. "Magic training, you idiot! Master Xehanort is going to push you to your full potential."

Aqua blinked, and for a moment she was completely stunned. Then she laughed, clapping her hand over her mouth to stifle the giggles. Neither of them moved to suggest they were angry with her reaction, though Vanitas's shoulders tense.

"Do you honestly think I could manage magic?" she laughed, brushing her hair from her eyes. "That's not my thing. I'm no magician, or mage, or fae."

"Yeah, okay." Vanitas laughed as well, though his was harsh and condescending. "We'll see about that, girly."

"Girly?" Aqua scowled as he stepped toward her, his hand grasping her wrist. "I never fooled you, did I?"

"Nope."

She sighed, and let him lead her onto the platform. She didn't have much of a choice in this, and so she decided she would play along. She turned to the old man, Master Xehanort, and she managed to bow curtly. He watched her with his eerie golden eyes, and Aqua felt her skin crawl beneath the heat of his gaze.

"You can try to teach me if you'd like," Aqua said, folding her arms across her chest. "But don't be disappointed if—"

She cried out as a sphere of Dark matter came spiraling through the air, and she spun away from it, yanking her wrist from Vanitas's grasp. The dark ball followed her, and she let out a strangled scream as it smacked into her abdomen, sending her stumbling at the edge of the platform. She blinked through the pain, her feet pushing forward, and she breathed carefully. Her balance was kept, and she looked around, her body moving before the next sphere could reach her.

She tore her sword from its scabbard and ducked under the sphere, sliding the blade upward and cutting through it swiftly. She hissed as the Darkness splashed against her skin, black and thick and burning like fire. It was also sticky, and inconsistent, oozing and spreading around her fingers.

"What is this?" she spat, bending over the river and sticking her burnt arm in the water. The Darkness crackled, and fell apart. Aqua blinked at the river, wondering if the sun was catching the glimmering water.

"What does it look like?" Vanitas was amused, but as Aqua cradled her arm, she was in no joking mood. She looked at him, her anger growing and growing the more she thought about her situation.

"If you want to try and teach me magic, fine!" She dropped her arm to her side. "But throwing this stuff at me won't do anything!"

"It did." The sound of Master Xehanort's voice made her shudder, and she glanced at him. He stood, hunched over as he was. His smile was nasty, and it only made Aqua's discomfort grow.

"I'm sorry?" Aqua stepped back, jumping when her shoulder bumped against Vanitas's. She glared at him when he grabbed her wounded arm, shoving it toward her face.

"Magic is always there," he said. "You just don't notice it."

Aqua frowned, glancing at her arm. The burns appeared to be lighter than she'd originally thought, but that meant nothing. It still ached, and she was still angry, and she really did not understand what was going on. "If you're going to teach me, teach me!" she said, tugging her arm away. "But don't throw flaming balls of Darkness at me, alright?"

"No promises there," Vanitas chuckled pushing her toward the center of the platform.

Then the real training began.

When she woke up that morning she launched into the questions. He answered as best he could, but Naminé knew he was uncomfortable telling her a lot of it. She found out that as children, Ven and Roxas had been cursed by a faerie, and that was why Roxas turned into a wolf at night. They'd joined the crew after that, and grew up on the ship. At fifteen they'd joined the crew for good, and… well, Ven had chosen not to speak much else about that.

"How can you fly?" she asked as he led her up the side of a hill, his hand in hers. "Was that part of the curse?"

He laughed, and he looked up at the sky. The island was very pretty, prettier than anything Naminé had ever seen. The trees were all wider than her entire body, with hollow insides, and speckled black trunks. The branches were skinny, and winding, leaves hanging low and thick. The paths were pale stone, and it glittered in the morning sunlight. Ven was stepping lightly, almost as if the path would collapse beneath him.

"What kind of curse would flying be?" he asked, looking down at her. "No, it's just… something that happened after I joined the crew. I realized that whenever I think about something that makes me happy, my feet moved farther from the ground."

She'd say that it seemed strange, but she thought about her dreams, and kept quiet. "Whenever you think of something happy?"

He nodded. The path twisted, and the moved uphill. Naminé paused when the sounds of laughter and song hit her ears. "My brothers, or my home, or adventure. I don't know how it works, it just does. But whenever I'm particularly nasty… last night doesn't count, I had good intentions— I have trouble flying. It's like there's a weight inside me whenever I think negatively. I can get away with hating myself sometimes, but… usually it's very difficult to fly under that kind of pressure."

He smiled and tucked his hands into his pockets, jerking his head forward. "Anyway, we're on the Isle of Destiny… it's the closest Isle to the mainland, and it's also home to loads of Free Fae. It's rarer to find a human here than it is to find a monster."

"Is this your home?" She saw that the hill inclined, and she stopped to peer down, her eyes widening at the view. There was a village, the houses cramped together, some of them seeming to meld into one. Naminé thought that it looked quite different from the Heartlands, but strangely prettier…

"No," Ven said. "I just live here."

"Isn't that what home is?"

Ven seemed to struggled for an answer, and he ignored the question altogether. "Come on, there's someone down here you've gotta meet!" he cried, running down the hill. She wondered if he was feeling too unhappy to fly, but after a moment he was in the sky, and she was forced to run after him.

She did not know Ven, but in her heart she had trouble not trusting him. He was just like Roxas, wasn't he? How could she ignore that? And so she followed, and let herself be consumed by the sounds of foreign languages, and the strange sights of creatures she hadn't imagined existed. There was a little girl whose lips were melded into her skin, and small faceless creatures hopped around, their arms outstretched as they tried to find their eyeballs…

"She's a banshee," Ven said, pointing to the little girl. "A baby one, but still. When she wants to scream, the skin peels back from her mouth, and… well, never mind. It's just really terrifying."

Naminé tried to imagine, but she was having trouble seeing the girl as anything other than a small, mouthless child. She quickly sped up her pace, bundling her hair in her arms so it wouldn't drag on to ground, and she tried to think of what else to ask. She wanted to know what he knew about her, why she felt so drawn to the wolf… or Roxas, rather, and why Vanitas hated her. She wanted to know why her dream had taken that turn, and she wanted to know who she was, where she came from.

"This way!" he cried, landing a few feet ahead of her. He looked around wildly for a moment before stopping in front of an inn. Naminé buried her face in her hair, ignoring the queer looks she was getting. They stepped into the inn, and the a few smells hit her at once. Something bitter, but still pleasant wafted from the bar, and a sweet syrupy odor as well. She blinked, her eyes swiveling around the foyer. It seemed that quite a few people were up and about, bustling around and laughing and chatting. Creatures of all kinds flitted between tables, and sat by the hearth, and read in corners.

"So," Ven said, shrugging as he walked up to the bar. "Welcome to the village of outcasts, Naminé."

"Outcasts?" inquired a man who appeared before them, his body lax as he dropped a goblet in front of Ven's face and poured a deep brown, steaming liquid into it. "I wouldn't call us that!"

Ven rose and eyebrow, and he hopped up onto a stool. He held out his hand for Naminé, but she shook her head, and pushed herself onto the barstool on her own. "I'm so sorry," Ven said. "My mistake. Naminé, welcome to the village of fallen angels."

The man barked a laugh, and he turned his gaze to her. He was wearing dark tinted spectacles, his face seeming to mold around them. He was dark haired and pale skinned, his cheeks covered in short stubble. He pushed the glasses over the bridge of his nose to peer at her, and she hugged her hair uncomfortably.

"Not quite true!" He smiled, his eyes flashing away from her. "But, whatever, close enough. So, how've you been, windy? Haven't seen you in a few weeks. Oh, this came for you by the way." The man tossed a neatly folded, sealed piece of parchment onto the bar. Ven glanced at it and pocketed it immediately.

"Busy." Ven took the goblet, and he shrugged. "A lot has happened, and I'm not really sure what to do."

"Well, let me be your friendly barkeep, always willing to spit out advice." The man stuck his hands in his pockets, and she noticed how casually he was dress, a simple white under shirt, a plain black vest, and a dark pair of trousers. "Wanna start with goldilocks over here?"

"Ha," Ven took a sip from the cup, smiling nervously. "See something I didn't, Mr. H?"

"I always do." He grinned, and hunched his shoulders. "Where'd you find her?"

Ven looked at her, and she shifted in her chair. "Vanitas's ship, actually. Dunno what she was doing there, but she's probably better off here, right?"

Mr. H laughed again, throwing his head back. "Oh yeah! Boy, that's bad luck, getting stuck with the heartless sucker."

"Heartless?" Naminé said distantly. "He's… he is rather mean, but I don't think heartless is really the term—"

Ven frowned, and took a gulp of his drink to hide it, just as Mr. H cut her off. "No, goldilocks, no. I mean he's actually heartless. Long time going too, the poor kid."

"He…" There was a chilly feeling in the pit of her stomach, and the longer it took to sink in, the more she seemed to feel guilty. "Heartless? As in, his actual— his true, beating heart?"

Ven nodded, setting down his drink. "You didn't know?" He looked at the barkeep, who shrugged. "It's the reason why he's so prickly toward everyone. He doesn't know what to do or how to feel, so he just… goes with his instincts I guess. Axel says he was better when he was human, but I'm not really so sure. I just can't imagine a nice Vanitas."

"Me neither…" she murmured. "So… what happened? To his heart, I mean."

"Got it ripped out." Mr. H's lips twisted, and he seemed to not like this idea. "That was years before either of you were born, but I remember it pretty clear. It was the biggest gossip in the fae world at the time, considering the Unseelie Queen was the one who did the ripping."

Was she the one who cursed him then? Naminé thought about all the dreams, and the confusion, and she wondered if this faerie queen was the one who haunted her subconscious. "I think he blames me for that," she admitted, staring at her hands.

Ven looked surprised. "Why?" He gaped, and looked to Mr. H, who was no longer listening, his gaze on a barmaid in the corner. "You were probably born after the Queen fell! Why would he blame you?"

"I don't know."

"Sounds silly," Mr. H said. "Very Vanitas-like."

"Have you ever met him?" Naminé asked.

He nodded. "Yeah, years and years ago. I think he still had his heart then, but it was a brief meeting, I couldn't be sure."

"Have you ever met the Queen?"

"Oh, yeah." He rounded the bar, his eyes still on the little barmaid. "I've knew her back when she was just a wisp of a faerie, just a little princess who hadn't even grown into her wings yet." He looked at Naminé and grinned. "I think I know why you're asking. You've been having funny dreams about the princess and the monster, right?"

Naminé stayed silent, not sure how to respond. She didn't have to, because Mr. H was already flagging down the barmaid, his voice carrying across the room. "Hey, now! I give you a job, and you repay me by lounging in front of the fire? Gimme a break!"

The girl jumped to her feet, and Naminé peered over at her. She was clutching a piece of paper in her left hand, though her face seemed pleasant. She was spectacled too, though when Naminé squinted she saw that her eyes were beetle black, and when she smiled her teeth were too pointy.

She's a fae too. Ven seemed to notice her staring, and he smiled at her. "That Shiki!" he chirped. "She used to be an Unseelie fae, but since the Queen died she's worked here. She's the fastest faerie here, though, so Mr. Hanekoma uses her as a messenger mostly. For the mainland, and sometimes to the Seelie Court way up in the Wastelands."

"She seems nice," she said quietly. The faerie didn't seem to be frightened by Hanekoma, just nervous. By the way she was moving to hide the paper in her hand, Naminé guessed it was something she didn't want him to see.

"She is."

She hoped to sort out her dreams here, but she wasn't sure how much it would help. She had no idea where she fit into all of it, or why she was given the visions of Vanitas and… she assumed it was the faerie queen. She did know that she enjoyed Ven's company though, and she felt a lot safer than she did on the ship.

Perhaps that was enough for now.

"Rhyme!" Xion cried excitedly, splashing onto the bank of the creek, her smallclothes completely soaked through. Riku looked up from his sword, which he'd been polishing while she played, and he frowned at the girl. Then he sat up abruptly, his eyes going wide.

"Joshua?" He jumped to his feet and grabbed Xion's arm before she could run for them. Xion stopped immediately, her eyes flashing up worriedly to Riku's face.

They'd been together now for about a week or so, and she was really starting to enjoy his company. He tried to be quiet, and keep out of her way, but sometimes the mask would slip, and he'd make goofy comments, and make fun of her. It told her that he trusted her, and that perhaps this was a friendship in the making.

Rhyme was very small beside the ashen haired boy, her head below his shoulder. She was barefoot again, though her dress was not made of thistles. No, it looked to be a baldachin fabric, a dress that wrapped tight around her chest, and just beneath her breast the fabric spilled free around her. It was a pale golden color, lighter than her hair, but darker than sunlight.

The boy was dressed just as nicely, his doublet a deep silver color, the clasps intricately carved from what appeared to be ivory. It was simple, but everything about the way he presented himself screamed regal, and despite being a princess herself, Xion felt the urge to genuflect.

"Why so surprised?" Joshua glanced at Riku with curiously tinted purple eyes, and he laughed. The giggle was quite high pitched, higher than Xion's voice it seemed. "I'm the one who sent you here. I wanted to check your progress."

"No," Riku said, pulling Xion behind him. "You didn't. What do you want?"

Rhyme looked up at Joshua, her face betrayed her worry. "Joshua, I don't think you—"

"I didn't bring you here to think, Rhyme, though thank you, it's greatly appreciated." Joshua's voice was terse, and it sent Rhyme backwards a step or two as if someone had physically assaulted her. Xion stared at her, pity welling in her heart. It was cruel of Joshua to speak to her in that way. "Riku, I told you to keep her safe, and you did. But now I have need of her."

"You made me vow to protect her," Riku said. He clutched his sword tighter in his hand. Xion blinked, realizing that was why he'd stayed with her so long.

"I did," Joshua said. "Now I want you to give her to me. You can go back to baby sitting humans, or whatever it is you do."

"I'm a knight," he growled, raising his sword. "And I'm going to keep protecting her until I decide she's safe. From her brother… and from you."

Joshua sighed, and he glanced at the tip of the sword as it came dangerously close to his face. "Oh, must we do this? I'm in no mood to squabble."

"Then leave."

"Oh, Riku." Joshua smiled wanly. "You know me better than that, don't you?"

Xion fell back into the creek before she could even register the fight starting. Riku had pushed her, and suddenly the taste of mud filled her mouth, and she pushed herself onto her stomach, spitting and blinking away the water. She looked up, the water rushing over her legs and hands, threatening to sweep her away, and through her sopping wet hair she saw Riku on his knees.

How could the fight be over so quickly? She opened her mouth to call his name, and then she saw who was beside Joshua.

It was not Rhyme. Rhyme was small, and sweet, with short hair and dimples. This was a woman, a fae with a sharp face, and prominent cheekbones, and shoulder length pale hair… paler than Rhyme's, but lighter than Joshua's. She was taller than Joshua, her eyes a startlingly clear blue, and though she wore the same dress as Rhyme, their body shape was nothing alike. This woman looked stunning in the golden fabric, her curves visible even through the weight of the fabric… and oh, she looked regal too, with a crown of flowers atop her head to boot.

"Riku?" she called. Joshua looked at her, and he shrugged. Xion felt herself pushing to get back onto the bank, and when she did she could hear his voice murmuring… something. Apologies and pleas, and… a swear of revenge too. "Riku… she's not here. This is Rhyme. Riku?"

"He can't hear you." Joshua had the strange woman by the arm, and when Xion looked into her eyes, she saw Rhyme's guilt shining through. This was magic, and it was cruel. Rhyme understood this, yet she obeyed for whatever reason. "You see, minds are very tricky things, but they are easily fooled. Manipulate someone's surrounding's just a little, and you can place them in a waking dream. That means poor Riku doesn't have the sense to differentiate a glamoured Rhyme from a dead girl."

"Joshua," Rhyme murmured. "This is the last time I'm helping you with something like this. This… this is awful."

Joshua turned from Rhyme and took Xion by the arm. He said nothing, and did not even look at her when the forest began to fade, and Xion looked back at Riku quickly. She knew she should have thought, but her mind had been muddled and she'd been sort of entranced by both Rhyme and Joshua.

When Rhyme began to play with the bell at her neck, Xion wondered how long she'd be able to keep up the charade, and stay by this ashen haired boy's side.

Wow, I haven't updated in awhile. Oops. I also missed White Knight's second anniversary, I think... yeah, guys, I do plan on finishing it. It's practically done. I just need to reread it, I think (ugh), and then write an epilogue.

did i even reveal anything in this chapter god damn it

OH HANEKOMA.

Okay, I am so sorry I didn't stick to the TWEWY characters who were only in 3D... but Hanekoma is super important to Joshua's character, and also he's just a great person to be the info man. I had to put him in.

Also spoilers for TWEWY with Shiki's appearance. Sorry, guys, I can't write her with Eri's body. =[ It feels weird.

Can I please have some reviews? =]