CHAPTER 8: YOU'RE NOT EMPTY

As the morning sun rises to greet the people of Mitakahira City, Kairi stirs from her sleep. Kairi lifts her upper body, stretching her arms. She turns on the sofa, bringing her feet to the ground. Kairi wipes the last bit of sleep off her eyes. She looks up seeing Mami next to the front door putting on her shoes. "Hey," Kairi softly says getting Mami's attention.

"Oh, Kairi," she responds softly as well.

"I'm sorry that I didn't tell you," Kairi said with a regretful expression before turning to the side. "When I found out about it myself, I thought of telling you, but Homura warned me that if you knew the truth, things would never be the same. So, I decided not to tell you," she turns her head towards Mami's direction, still looking down, "I hope you can forgive me.

Nothing is said for a few seconds. Kairi waits for Mami to tell her off for keeping the truth of a Magical Girl's soul away from her. "It's okay, I understand." Kairi's eyes widen before looking back up at Mami, who is giving her a graceful smile, "You were thinking about my well being the whole time. So, I guess I could thank you for not telling me."

Kairi smiles slightly, still containing a hint of sadness and regret. "Are you okay about it? I mean now that you know?"

"I admit it was a shock. But I'm over it now." Mami turns her body towards the red-head. "When I think about it, I can't help but feel that I am just taking an extended lease on life,"

"What do you mean?"

"You see, just before I met Kyubey, my family and I got into a terrible car accident. I got hit pretty hard, and I could feel my life slipping away. That was when Kyubey appeared before me. I remember reaching out for him, begging that I can still live, to connect with others. Kyubey granted my wish, and I became a Magical Girl. However, my parents died almost immediately after that. That was when I started to regret my wish. I could have asked Kyubey to save all of us, but instead I only cared about myself. If I didn't make that wish, then I too would be dead." Kairi simply stares at Mami, letting her story sink in. "So, I decided to live the life of a Magical Girl, protect people from Witches. That's the least I can do for this extended life."

"I see, I can see why you have gotten over it by now. You reasoned that since your living a life you shouldn't be living, you can make up for it by protecting those that still have a life." Mami slightly nods. "I wonder how Sayaka is taking it?"

"I'm sure it must be pretty hard on her. She just made a wish to help that boy, granting him the miracle that allows him to play again. But now, she must be wondering if it was truly worth her soul."

"It shouldn't," Kairi mutters. Mami looks up Kairi, "Our souls are too important to be considered mere objects that can be easily traded. They're just as important as our hearts. They help define the people we are and the people we wish to become. Personally, I think Kyubey doesn't understand that. Not that I would try to make him understand. For some reason, I just simply can't trust him." Kairi places a hand on her heart, "It's like, like I'm talking to someone that isn't even there." Kairi looks up with a smile, "Oh, just listen to me rattle on, I don't why I'm saying this."

Mami smiles, "I think it's important for you to say what's on your mind. As long as you are truthful to yourself, I'm sure you can believe in yourself."

"You're right," Kairi stands up, "Maybe I'll go check in on Sayaka, I'm pretty sure she can use a friend right now."

Mami nods her head, "I think she would truly appreciate it."

Kairi nods back with a smile, "Say hi to Madoka and Homura for me, please." Mami nods her head before opening the door. After passing through, she closes it behind her. Kairi looks at the door. Looks like Mami's going to be just fine. I should check on Sayaka and make sure she's okay.

Kairi stands in front of Sayaka's apartment building. After entering the building, she walks up to the front desk. After requesting which room belongs to Sayaka, Kairi finds her way to the door of her room. Kairi stands in front of the door for a few seconds before knocking on it. There is no response from the other side, "Are you there, Sayaka?" Still no response. Kairi sighs before turning to her right but stops when she hears something inside. She hears the door knob turning and the door creeks open.

Sayaka peeks through the door, "What do you want?" she asks in a tired voice.

"I just want to talk. Is it okay if I come in?" Sayaka slightly looks down for a few seconds before looking up and fully opening up the door. Kairi nods before walking in. Kairi looks around the room. "You have a good place here, Sayaka."

"You didn't come here just to look at my room, right?" Sayaka says in a near monotone voice, looking at Kairi with little interest.

"Like I said I want to talk. When someone is down, it's always best to talk with a friend. So, anything you want to talk about?"

"Not really. I just don't feel like talking."

"I can't blame you. All you wanted is to help Kyosuke, and Kyubey took advantage of that."

"Now I know why you don't trust him at all. I feel like an idiot. When I asked Kyubey why he didn't tell us about ripping our souls out, he just casually replied by saying I never asked him about it."

"That was what Homura's warning was all about." Kairi said. "She told me that no one believed in her. So she stopped believing in others all together. Instead she decides to simply warn potential girls from meeting that same fate by warning them of the dangers and they won't be able to enjoy what it truly means to live." Kairi's makes a small smile, "I believe the reason she's helping us now, is because she's starting to believe again. And I think you should start believing her as well. After all she did try to stop you from walking this path."

"But that doesn't matter anymore," Sayaka raises her hand, staring at the palm, "it's already too late. I'm now a Magical Girl, whose purpose is to protect people from Witches."

Don't tell me you actually believe that? A voice echoes in Kairi's and Sayaka's heads. They recognize the owner of that voice. Sayaka turns to her window, which is covered by a curtain. She opens the curtain, looks down through the window. Sure enough, Kyoko is seen. Next to her is a bag of apples. She takes an apple from the bag bites into it, before looking up. Why don't the two of you come down here so we can talk?

Sayaka's eyes narrow, "What is she up to?"

"I say we meet her," Kairi says.

Sayaka's eyes widen before she turns around, "Are you crazy?"

"Just give her a chance. I have a feeling that she wants to help you."

Sayaka stares at Kairi, "Fine, I'll go along with it."

The sun begins to set as Kyoko leads the two. Along the way, Kyoko looks back. She can easily tell that Sayaka has not gotten over the truth yet. Kairi is a harder, though. She can't tell what Kairi is thinking except that Kairi is just slightly curious, yet on guard. Kyoko couldn't blame her, but she can tell that the soul transfer deal isn't a big deal for Kairi. "Kairi, right?" Kairi shifts her gaze to the other red-head. "I can tell that this trade your soul for a wish thing isn't really getting to you. So you really don't need to come."

"True, but I would like to know what this is all about. Besides, I just can't leave Sayaka here, now that we came this far."

Kyoko shrugs her shoulders before looking forward, "Suit yourself." She takes them to an abandoned church. Kyoko kicks on the door several times before the doors fall down onto the church's floor. The girls walk forward. Kairi observes everything around her, including the stained glass windows broken and shattered, pieces of wood littering the floor, and the roof is practically gone except for a few pieces of wood protruding from the top of the walls. Kyoko walks up to the altar.

"Why did you bring us here?" Sayaka asks with the near monotone voice.

Kyoko simply stood there, "This is how it began…" she says quietly before turning around. "It's a long story, so bear with me," Kyoko picks out an apple from the bag, "Here have one." She tosses an apple to Sayaka. Sayaka looks at it before tossing it to the floor. Kyoko's eyes widen before charging at Sayaka, taking Kairi by surprise. Kyoko grabs Sayaka by her shirt collar and raises her up. Kairi is about to interfere but she hears Kyoko saying something about not wasting food. After a few seconds, Kyoko's immediate anger disappears and drops Sayaka before walking to the apple Sayaka threw away and picks it up. Kyoko rubs the apple on her shirt before walking up to the altar. She sits on it after turning around to face the other girls. "This is my dad's church," she says solemnly.

After five minutes, Kyoko finished her story. Kairi's eyes are filled with sadness. More than that, she now understands Kyoko. A girl whose father decides to preach in a unique way becomes rejected, leaving his family with not much to eat. A girl that wished for people to listen to him. At first everything seems to work. But then after her father discovered the truth, he killed himself and the rest of Kyoko's family. Kairi can't blame Kyoko for living the way she does now, using her power only for herself.

"In the end, miracles aren't free," Kyoko says solemnly before looking up at the two.

"Why did you tell me this?" Sayaka asks. She can tell that the story was more directly for her rather than Kairi. "Since you do things for yourself, why are you trying to help me now?"

Before Kyoko can respond, Kairi softly speaks, "She wants you to know that she did the exact same thing you did." Sayaka looks at Kairi before Kair looks at Kyoko, "Am I right?"

Kyoko nods. "That's why you should stop caring for others and live for yourself. That way you won't be filled with even more regrets later on."

"Like the way you do," Sayaka states after looking back at Kyoko.

"Exactly," Kyoko simply responds.

"I see. I was wrong about you. And for that I apologize. However, I shall not regret making a wish for somebody else's sake."

"What?"

I've decided that I won't make anymore regrets. Depending how we use our power, we can make even more miracles to happen. But what about you?" Sayaka eyes the apple in Kyoko's hand. "How were you able to pay for those apples? Kyoko is a loss for words. She looks down at the apple then back up to Sayaka. "I see. In that case, I won't have any of them." Sayaka says before she starts to walk down the stairs.

"Hold on, Sayaka," Kairi calls out, prompting the bluenette to stop and turns her body to look back up at Kairi. The two look at each other for a few seconds. Kairi breaks contact, walking towards Kyoko. "I'll have one of those apples, if you don't mind," Kairi says with a smile.

#SIS PUELLA MAGICA#

The other two are surprised; Sayaka's is mainly the one of shock. "What are you saying? It's quite obvious she stole them!"

"That may be true," Kairi says solemnly before putting a hand on the apple in Kyoko's hand. "But I don't see this as something that's stolen." A graceful smile slowly takes shape, "To me, it's an offering of friendship." Both girls' eyes widen at Kairi's statement. Kairi takes the apple from Kyoko's loosened grip. "And I'll be more than happy to be your friend." Kyoko stares at Kairi in astonishment.

"Are you crazy? She's a thief for crying out loud!"

Kairi giggles at the comment, making Sayaka feel nervous. "Actually, there are two friends of a friend that are thieves themselves."

"What?" Sayaka says, eyes blinking.

"From what my friend said, they are mostly known as a street rat and a pirate. The pirate does what he wants. Living for everything the world has to offer. As for the other one, he stole only to survive. Despite those traits, my friend could see how good they truly are."

"But that's…" Sayaka starts to say, but she couldn't find any more words.

"Not everything can be seen clearly as right or wrong." Kairi looks at Sayaka, "Just like light and darkness, there is a place where the two mingle." Sayaka looks at Kairi in awe. Kyoko simply looks at Kairi with curiosity. "It's like the two of you. One fights for others, the other fights only for herself. Despite these differences, the two of you have more things in common." Kairi looks at Kyoko, while Sayaka walks back up those steps, "You both made a wish to help someone you truly care about. And because of that, you two paid your souls and are force to fight against Witches. You may have different reasons and goals, but still have a common situation alongside a common enemy." She looks at Sayaka, who is back on the top of the stairs, before turning to Kyoko. "You fight only for yourself because you have no one to protect except for yourself." Kyoko is taken back. Kairi looks back at Sayaka, "You fight to help your friend and to protect others. And in turn you protect him as well."

Sayaka stares at Kairi before looking down, "For all the good it did. How can I face him now?" She rubs her Soul Gem in its ring form, "My body is this thing now. As for my own body, how can I use it show my feelings to Kyousuke? Like Kyubey said, it's just an empty shell."

Nothing is said for a few seconds. "You're not empty…" Kairi mutters out, but both girls heard her. They look at Kairi with wide eyes. Kairi says nothing more than that.

"What are you talking about?" Sayaka asks.

Kairi smiles, "It's simple really."

"What do you mean?" Sayaka asks, her left eye starting to twitch as both eyes narrowed in on Kairi.

"You know what I mean."

Sayaka screams with frustration. "Just what are you trying to say?!"

"There, that's it."

Sayaka looks at Kairi, confused, "What?"

*KAIRI'S THEME*

"You just got angry, right?" Sayaka nods, still holding on to her confused expression. "Before you found the truth, you were happy. Happy that your friend can play again. And after you found out what happened to your soul, you became sad." Kairi puts her hands behind her back, "Don't you see, those feelings are proof enough. Proof that you are not empty."

"What are you talking about?" Kyoko asks; interested in what Kairi is saying.

"You may no longer have your souls, but you still have something equally important." Kairi raises a hand, places it on Sayaka's chest, "It's your heart. Those feelings you have is the proof that you have a heart. Without it, you are truly empty." She takes her hand off Sayaka's chest. Sayaka and even Kyoko simply stare at Kairi in amazement. "I know this may sound weird or that I don't care but, the fact that your souls are not in your real bodies doesn't matter. Your souls are still connected to your heart. Therefore, you still have your hearts. If you ever become lost or don't know which way to go, just follow your heart. It is our hearts that guide us to where we need to go," Kairi puts a hand over her own chest as she says that last sentence.

"Kairi…" Sayaka says.

"So, don't let me hear you say you're empty again, otherwise I just might aggravate you again."

Sayaka looks down for a few seconds before looking up at Kairi with sincere eyes, "Thank you, Kairi." Kairi nods.

"Hmph." Kyoko starts off, "Can't say I believe in all that feelings and heart stuff." Kairi and Sayaka look at her, "But, I suppose I can roll along with it for now."

Sayaka walks towards to Kyoko. She stops about a few feet from Kyoko, before offering a hand, "I guess… I wouldn't try out one of those apples, then," Kyoko blinks, before smirking. She takes another apple from the bag and hands it to Sayaka, who accepts it. "Great, now I'm an accomplice," she says in mocked annoyance. Kairi couldn't help but giggle.

Ten minutes later, several apple cores are found around the altar. The three girls standing next to the altar. "Hey, Kyoko," Kairi says getting the said girl's attention, "Just curious; why did you come here in the first place?"

"I guess I wouldn't mind telling you." Kyoko responds. Sayaka and Kairi look at her. "Truth is, I came because someone took out all the Witches in my territory. Not only that; he's pretty strong."

Sayaka's eyes widened, "He? As in a boy?!"

Kyoko nods, "He told me that he got rid of all the Witches there. I tried to take all the Grief Seeds that were supposed to be mine, but he took me down easily."

"Does Kyubey know about him?"

"Apparently not. He is somewhat surprised when I told him about that boy."

"What did he look like?" Sayaka asks with narrow eyes. Taking this seriously, if Kyoko can't stop him then this person must be strong indeed.

"Silver hair, blue eyes, white jacket, blue jeans, gray shoes, that sums up his description. All I know is that he knows there's Witches here. So I'm going to stock up on as many Grief Seeds as I possibly can before he decides to show up and takes them all." Kyoko notices Kairi is looking down, eyes looking at something distant, "Care to tell us what's on your mind?"

Kairi snaps out of her thoughts. "Oh, nothing important." Kairi says with a big smile. "What makes you think he's going to come here?"

"Just a hunch. Anyways, I think you better tell Mami about this. If we were to stand a chance against this boy, then all of us have to work together, much to my distaste."

"Working together," Kairi mutters. An idea sparks in Kairi's head. She claps her hands together. "I have an idea." Sayaka and Kyoko look back at Kairi, who walked a few steps before turning around to face them, "Since technically this my and Sayaka's turn to patrol tonight, why don't the two of you patrol instead?"

"What?" both girls exclaimed.

"Look," Sayaka starts, "just because I'm starting to accept Kyoko, that doesn't mean I'm going to work with her."

"I agree," Kyoko said, "There's no way I'm wasting time hunting down Familiars."

"I actually have a proposal Kyoko," Kairi says with a smile. She walks up to Kyoko, with a hand shuffling in her pocket. After stopping she pulls out a Grief Seed, "I'm willing to give you this Grief Seed; in exchange you'll team up with Sayaka. Even if all you could find is Familiars, you will get a Grief Seed for today." Kairi presents the Grief Seed to Kyoko.

Kyoko takes the Grief Seed, eyeing it before looking at Kairi with a smirk, "What makes you so sure that I won't just leave right now with this thing?"

Kairi continues to smile, "Your right about that. But can't you just try doing a hunt with Sayaka just for once. Besides, you owe me for yesterday."

"Yesterday?" Kyoko said with blinking eyes before they widen. "Oh, you mean that card; you dropped intentionally, didn't you?"

Kairi simply smiles. Sayaka though is blinking, "What card? And does she mean?"

Kairi looks at her, "Let's save that conversation for another time. So are you willing to cooperate with Kyoko."

"Not to be rude or anything, but I just can't stand working with her," she says stubbornly. Kairi continues to look at her. Sayaka starts to get nervous as soon as she sees a sly smile on Kairi's face. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Kairi gives off an 'innocent smile,' "I can't force you to go. But I could always talk to Kyousuke and tell him how much you care for him."

"You wouldn't…" Sayaka says in a threatening voice.

"I wouldn't…or would I?" Kairi said with a defiant smile.

Sayaka stares at Kairi for a few before giving a big sigh, "Fine, I'll work with Kyoko but only for tonight."

"That's fine."

"But what about you?"

"I'll do my own patrol, and if I do find some Grief Seeds, I'll be sure to give them to you."

"Sounds good to me," Kyoko simply says.

"Well, then I'll see you two later." Kairi says before she makes her way out of the desolate church.

Night begins to settle as Mami walks home. She had been in Homura's place at Homura's request. So it's coming here. Mami thought in a dreadful tone in her head. Before she can continue her thoughts she hears a scream nearby, coming from a nearby park. Mami runs in that direction. Depending on the situation, she may have to intervene. Just as she is approaching the park's entrance, a guy rushes out of the area. Mami is quick enough to detect fear in the guy's eyes just as he passes her by. She enters the park and looks around, looking for anything suspicious. A bright light catches her attention to her right on another path. She runs in that direction.

After reaching the clearing, she sees someone standing in the middle. As she walks closer she can hear the person saying something, "Looks like things are starting to get complicated."

"Pardon me," Mami says catching the person's attention, "who are you?" Mami sees the person's silver hair. The person turns his head, looking at Mami with blue eyes.

As stars begin to litter the black sky, Kairi jumps from one building and lands on another. Kairi figured it would be easier to track down Witches this way, instead of walking around with the crowds of people. Kairi makes another successful jump. She runs to the edge, gaining momentum for her next jump, but stops at the middle of the roof. She senses a dark force approaching her, and at that moment the area around her warps and morph. After the space around her stabilized, she finds herself in a makeshift theatre hallway. "Just my luck that I run into a barrier." Kairi sighs, "Oh well might as well take care of it." She says before moving forward.

After five minutes, she still finds herself in the long hallway. "Just how long is this thing anyway?" Kairi continues to run forward. She starts to hear music. So far, Kairi has not encountered any Heartless. Not that she does want to face them, she is confused that there are no Heartless here to bar her way. As the music gets louder she sees a red curtain at the end of the hallway. Just as Kairi approaches the curtain opens, light beaming from the other side. Kairi hastens her movement, charging into the blinding light.

Kairi now stands in what appears to be a concert stage. She looks behind to see rows of seats. Each one is filled by a paper figure with camera lens for a head. Kairi looks forward before taking a few steps. Kairi's hears some type of laughter. The best way she can describe it is gurgling laughter. Kairi looks up, noticing something and draws her Keyblade.

*THE TUMBLING*

The creature in that hovers in front of her has a large microphone for a head, wearing a white cloak that spans to six meters, ending with frills, and a large red bow on the 'neck.' There are no visible legs. The creature hovers down onto the floor. It gave off its gurgling laughter once more. Based on the amount of darkness Kairi senses, this creature is definitely a Witch.

Kairi makes the first move; firing three Blizzaga spells consecutively. The shards of ice pierce through the target before they immediately zigzag; piercing the Witch. The Witch stretches up and down, like a cartoon, as several types of musical notes propagate from the Witch's head. The notes bounce on the floor before moving in on Kairi. Kairi notices the incoming threat, and decides to eliminate them with a new technique she learned from one of the cards. Kairi plants a foot behind her, brings the Keyblade to bear; waiting to strike. "Light!" she cries out after a few seconds, performing spinning jump as a magical light seal appears below her and several pillars of light spinning around, eliminating the notes, which just got close enough.

Kairi raises the Keyblade with one hand. Streams of light converge and surround Kairi. Kairi spins around once before pointing the Keyblade straight up as she hovers. At that moment five beams of light shoot out below the Witch damaging it (Holy). The Witch bends down before jolting back up, giving out a distorted screen, causing everything around it to distort. Kairi screams as she drops the Keyblade and covers her ears. After the Witch calms down, Kairi bends down, her ears ringing, and her mind in a daze as everything seems to spin around her, though the distortions created by the Witch have stopped. The Witch propagates more musical notes. After landing, notes charge in, knocking down the defenseless Keyblade Wielder like a flag in a tornado. After five seconds of the initial barrage, Kairi is on her knees, hands on the floor, her breathing heavy.

The Witch gives off its gurgling laughter, as it propagates note after note like a manufacturing machine put into overdrive. In seconds, an entire army of notes rain down on the Keyblade wielder. Kairi is able to notice this on time and raises her hands, creating a large barrier. The notes nail down on the barrier, Kairi struggles to keep the barrier strong. Cracking sounds are heard, Kairi looks up. It only took a second for her eyes to widen, as she sees her barrier starting to get filled with cracks. Kairi manages to push herself up with her legs. After crossing her arms, Kairi screams out loud as she swings her arms, creating a large explosion of light; the counterblast from her failing shield. After the light fades, Kairi slumps onto her knees. Weakly, she grasps the Keyblade, before looking back up. She slowly stands up and slumps on her stance as she glares at the Witch, which laughs at her. Kairi bares her teeth before slowly bringing the Keyblade behind her. Before she can do something, her expression shows surprise. At that moment, something slashes through the Witch. The Witch slowly bends forward; giving a gurgling cry as it slowly disintegrates.

After the Witch completely disappears, the concert hall fades away, and Kairi is back on the rooftop. Kairi's eyes are fixated towards the top of the roof entrance. Above it is the Grief Seed hovering before it falls into a hand. The person who caught the Grief Seed tosses it in the air several times. The figure sighs, "How come every time you get in trouble, I'm the one that bails you out?"

Kairi sighs with a smile, closing her eyes, looking down as she dismisses her weapon. She looks back up, the back of her hands on her hips, with a defiant smile. "I had everything under control." She says to the silver-haired boy on top of the roof entrance. "Riku."

Her friend, a Keyblade Master, Riku smiles after he stopped tossing the Grief Seed. He jumps down from his perch and stands next to the wall. "So, what's up?"

Ten minutes later, Kairi finished her summary of her adventures here in Mitakahira City. Riku, standing with his back on the wall, arms crossed, looking down, and eyes closed as he collects everything that Kairi had said. "Kyubey and the Witches are related…"

Kairi nods, "That's what Master Yen Sid said."

"And according to a Moogle you met, there's a creature here that is from a different world. Based on that information alongside what you gathered from that Magical Girl, it appears Kyubey is an outsider."

"Right."

"If that's the case…" Riku opens his eyes as he looks at Kairi, "There are two possible scenarios. Either he came here because of the Witches."

"Or he may have brought the Witches with him." Kairi finishes, getting Riku's train of thought.

"I'll wager my heart that it's the latter." Riku looks forward, "The question…is how. Also was it intentional or accidental? Either way, ever since Kyubey, or at least a predecessor of his, came here, these Witches have been a plague to this world." Riku hums as he continues to think, eyes closed.

Nothing is said for a half a minute. "Say Riku," Kairi says, catching her friend's attention, "What brings you out here, anyway?"

"I'm actually following a lead, right now."

"A lead?"

"Yeah… I'm heading to a town north of here. Once I get there, I can be sure of my theory."

Kairi notices the tone Riku's using. "Is something wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong." Riku said before uncrossing his arms. He walks forward, Kairi's eyes tracking him. "Though…I hope, for your friends' sake, that my theory is wrong."

"What do you mean?" Kairi asks with a worried expression. Riku turns around and walks to her. He pulls a small book from his pocket and offers it to Kairi. "What's this?" Kairi asks as she takes it.

"That's a copy of my logs so far. I'm sure what I have down in it be enough for you to piece the puzzle together." Kairi nods. "By the way, have you gotten anywhere close to our mystery?"

Kairi shakes her head initially before a thought occurred to her, "Actually, there is something now that I think about it."

"Go on."

"It's that Magical Girl, Homura. Kyubey identifies her as an anomaly. But then again, he considers me an anomaly too because of my ability to wield magic and the Keyblade."

"Is that so?"

Kairi nods, "There's something about Homura. Somehow, I think she is connected to another girl here." Kairi recalls the conversation. It was the night after Sayaka became a Magical Girl. As the girls walked along the main streets, Kairi asked more about Homura. Surprisingly, Madoka mentioned she had a dream of Homura just before she met her. She described how Homura was fighting against a gigantic creature that was destroying the city. Oddly enough Kyubey was also in the dream, telling Madoka she has the power to change fate by making a contract with him. She recalled that Homura cried out to her, but couldn't remember what it was. Kairi was intrigued by this information.

Kairi's mind focuses back on the present. She tells Riku about that conversation. "Huh. Well, you're right about one thing. Those two are definitely connected."

"I think that Homura may hold the key to our problem. But as things stand now, I don't think she's willing to tell me anything about herself."

"Well, just roll along with it. I'm sure you can get her talk."

Kairi looks at Riku with a mocked smile, "It's not an interrogation."

Riku lets out a chuckle, "I didn't mean it like that." Nothing is said for a few seconds. "Kairi," he says to get her attention, "By any chance, have you heard the rumor?"

"You mean, about the dead girls appearing in alleyways?" Riku nods in response. Something then dawned on Kairi, "I saw a picture of you standing over a girl in a newspaper,"

"That's not directly related to the rumor. The details are in the last log. It is also where I found this lead. But back to that rumor, I came across one of those witnesses on my way over here. I haven't written it down, but the person told me that the figure that lead him to one of those dead girls was wearing something mostly black and he couldn't even see his face. Based on that, there is one possibility I can think of,"

Kairi's eyes widen before narrowing, "You mean…they're here?"

Riku nods, "Whatever their plans are for this world, we need to be careful. And just a reminder…"

"Don't worry. I know I'm not strong enough for that," Kairi says assuredly.

Riku smirks. "Well, I better get going. Don't want anyone getting suspicious of us." Riku begins to walk away.

Kairi looks at her friend before an idea came to her. "Hey, Riku." Her call gathers the boy's attention with a curious hum as he looks back at her. "Could you do me a small favor?" she asks with an 'innocent' smile.

Sayaka and Kyoko walk into a park, both girls in their civilian clothes. "What a waste of time, nothing but Familiars," said an aggravated Kyoko.

"Be quiet, at least you got that Grief Seed from Kairi," Sayaka retorts.

"Hmph. True, but she better hopes she finds a Grief Seed."

"Aren't you being stingy about it?" Sayaka says.

"I meant for you. I mean, don't you have any Grief Seeds left?" Sayaka's eyes widen when she said that. Before she can say, anything Kyoko presents her with a semi-used Grief Seed, the same one that Kairi gave to the red-head. "I just don't want any complaints from Kairi that's all."

Sayaka still looks at her with shock. Her expression turns to a small smile before she takes it. She places the Grief Seed on her Soul Gem, purifying it. "You know, I guess you're not bad at all." Sayaka says. Nothing is said. Sayaka turns her head back, ready to make some type of sarcastic comment, but notices that Kyoko is standing still a few feet away from her. Sayaka stops before she calls out to her, "What is it?"

"It's him…" she mutters. Sayaka notices Kyoko's eyes. A look she didn't normally see in the veteran girl. It wasn't exactly fear, but it is close enough. Sayaka looks forward and knows why Kyoko stopped. In front of them, is the boy that Kyoko described to Sayaka. The same boy that just met Kairi: Riku.

Riku's Log 7

I am now running a new lead I have found. Very recently, I was tracking down a Witch. The odd thing was that this Witch was moving. I followed it to a concert hall, and as soon as I entered the building, the waves of darkness it was giving off multiplied. After navigating my way through the barrier, I came across a strange sight.

The Witch I have been tracking down was there, and based on its appearance, has a thing for music. Right next to it is a girl around a couple years younger than me. What caught my attention that she was lying on the ground and not a single scratch on her. I hurried to her to check her pulse. I confirmed she is no longer alive. I was about to engage the Witch before I recalled the last time I was in this type of situation. If I defeat the Witch, then this barrier as well as the girl will disappear. Though I was reluctant, I decided to withdraw with the girl's body in tow.

After managing to escape the barrier and slip into a nearby alley, I cannot help but feel what had occurred. Is this girl a victim of the Witch who happened to be at the concert hall at the wrong time? Yet, I still sense something from her. Hoping to understand what just occurred; I summoned my Keyblade and tried to open the girl's Dream Gate. Unfortunately the gate did not appear and before I could ponder on this, someone was walking towards us. I managed to elude the witness, and since there was hardly any light in the area, I doubt he saw my face.

Turns out I made the right call. The next day, I found out the body I recovered from the barrier happened to belong to a runner up of a teenage singing idol contest that took place in this city. From what I heard, she was the favorite to win. However, it appears that she fell short of the prize. After it was revealed that she was the runner-up, she just ran away from the stage and that was the last anyone saw her.

This may be the vital clue I have been looking for. Based on the reaction, I wouldn't be surprised that she would hold a grudge against the star of the contest. Perhaps a grudge so strong that she would do anything to get even. If I were to input my alternate Kyubey theory here, she may have made the pact to curse her rival and in turn, the girl transforms into a Witch, leaving her body behind. But what about the darkness I sensed heading towards the concert hall? I can determine that the Witch that entered and the Witch that awakened is the same one. So does this mean that she was already transforming into a Witch?

Before I can determine anything, I will go to this girl's hometown, which lies beyond the other side of Mitakahira City. Perhaps it is best that I make contact with Kairi along the way and compare our notes with one another.

Author's Note: Chapter 8 is finished.

Kairi now has Riku's logs up to this point.
The logs after this chapter are only known to Riku and the readers.

I do not know when I'll bring up the next chapter.

Until then, have a good day.