The Sapphire Sorceress

Disclaimer: The rights to Kingdom Hearts belong to Disney and Square Enix.

Act 44: Lazy Afternoons

"People are ignorant. They'll feel better as long as someone is punished."

Destiny Islands: Mainland (Kairi's POV )

- Day 171- Love

Alright, Kairi. Focus and get yourself together. Having to meet with President Rufus isn't going to kill you or anything. Then again having to confront this man under any circumstances wasn't usually a good thing for any student in this academy. Then why am I trembling at the idea of merely turning the doorknob to open the doorway into his personal office? It could be for any reason that I've been summoned here by this powerful man, but even so, I was trying to will myself into walking into his office. Although, another reason I had to consider for my hesitation: the warning Zidane gave me a few months ago on this man.

'Don't let him take advantage of you, Kairi. Being someone special for any reason is something a person like Rufus uses to his advantage, but not for anyone else.' That can only mean if he knows that I'm a keyblade warrior he will try manipulating me for his own ends. That is something I couldn't allow him to do for the sake of the universe I'm supposed to protect, so no matter what happens I will remain strong in the face of such authority. Opening the doorway into my meeting with the president I noticed Quistis was sitting in a chair next to Rufus.

"Kairi, the guest of the hour please come have a seat!" She was unsure if there wasn't a piece of gum on it, the last time she was offered a seat that is what was put there by Lightning, which everyone laughed at making her feel like such a fool for trusting her like that. For a moment I believed she was actually trying to be nice to me for real...

"This isn't about a school-related subject despite one of my teachers being in this private meeting. I suppose we should stop beating around the bush on who you are, Kairi. Actually. What. You. Are. Instead." I should have known I couldn't avoid this issue for much longer, the fact I've been spending less time in the actual school environment was a big sign of my "special" activities that were likely noticed by the president. On a whim, someone must have explained to him my duties as a keyblade wielder meaning it was either Squall/Leon or Quistis. Then again I couldn't fathom either of them ratting me out to this man, so I had to figure it was someone else instead.

"Before you get any ideas she didn't tell me the truth I've been able to figure it out with my brain alone, but herself and that man with the Gunblade helped put the pieces together for me. In short, you've been doing more than attending classes, playing around with your classmates, and just being an ordinary girl "looking for boys". You are in fact something rare around here: a keyblade wielder. Which is interesting, really, as no one else living on this island can use such a weapon besides one who's been given the right to hold it like you have been, Kairi."

How did you figure this out-is what I wanted to say to him while he smirked at my worried expression, the man was clever. There were many things I could ask him like does he know about Sora, Organization XIII, heartless, and other important details that I've learned since the start of my training process. Then, when I opened my mouth to speak Quistis actually spoke out for me.

"Don't tell me you've let anyone else know about this! We can't let Kairi get swarmed by everyone, the questions they would pester her with, and she is still a student of this school under my watch even if she is a chosen user of the keyblade!" She didn't hold back; she made it clear that no matter what she wanted to remain a guardian of everyone going to this school despite yelling this in front of the man in charge of this place.

"I love this school and I love Kairi despite her flaws in her classes, the grades she gets during tests not exactly being up to standards, and even when she causes or gets involved with trouble in this academy. No matter what she will be a student that I will protect along with everyone else!" Quistis...I don't know what to feel or even say...

"A rousing speech Miss Quistis. That is precisely why I've hired you in the first place to keep everyone in line with your intellect and words. That being said might I suggest you calm yourself down before you say anything that you might regret later..." She must have realized he was making a subtle threat, and she went back into her chair with a glare evident on her face of anger.

"I have no intention of keeping you from a good education, the issue is your "training" as Quistis put it to me, Kairi. I would hate to see yourself get hurt and be unable to complete your duties in this academy. Therefore, the best thing I could do is keep you from traveling around to other worlds for the foreseeable future." Was this man crazy? How could I complete my training or stop the heartless if I was stuck on this island?

"In fact, you would be better off avoiding those teachers of yours as well. You must remain a student in this school, and to have the role of a "hero" would interfere with that role you have, Kairi."

'Are you asking me to give up becoming a keyblade wielder?' There was no way I could accept such a ludicrous premise! He wasn't getting in my way to become stronger, and he certainly won't stop me from getting back with Sora and Riku again. What possible reason could this man have for trying to sabotage my duty in becoming a keyblade master?

"The heartless haven't been around for quite a while, so I'm sure you won't mind becoming a normal girl again with no worries about fighting darkness and other silly things the younger students believe in."

"President Rufus! Are you saying those kids having dreams and hopes about being heroes is wrong? They are better off having something to believe in rather than nothing at all!"

"Kairi, please don't interrupt me like that again. Now, can you really be sure that is the right thing for the student body? If a kid who can't realistically achieve their dreams gets boosted with false optimism, the chances of them crashing down with the weight of a failed goal being accomplish would lead to disaster. Wouldn't it be a better option to let them think about the world in a more reasonable manner? Sure we can have men dress up to be Santa Claus, but there is no real man who rides around on a sleigh, delivering gifts to good children and dropping off coal for the bad seeds. Ah, and speaking of seed..."

Rufus brought out some files with my name being on the top of a folder...this must be the results of my S.E.E.D tests. The folder caused me to become nervous, since if it was a failing grade then Rufus would have a lot more bargaining power to keep me in line, and it could mean that I might not be able to continue with my training after all.

"Here are the results of your first S.E.E.D exams, Kairi. Unlike the other students, I wanted you to find them out from myself personally. I won't be harsh about this...you were able to pass them, but just barely." Oh, thank goodness for that. I couldn't help but sigh in relief about my school life being stable with this announcement. Of course, there would be more in the future, but for the moment I was clear of that danger of getting in deep trouble.

"That being said the next exams will begin in exactly one month's time, so I would figure in your best interest to focus your attention on doing better at that rather than playing around as some "hero" for other people." ...I guess Rufus makes a good point about that, the classes in the next few weeks would help me out with this upcoming exams, but I couldn't shake the feeling there was something more about this man's words told to me. Like he was wondering if I would try and train behind his back despite his suggestion about taking a break.

"This is not a pretending fantasy I'm living in, President Rufus. I am a keyblade wielder! While my school life is important to me along with everyone here," My words came out while I gave a friendly smile to my new favorite person in the room, Quistis. "It doesn't mean I can't bear the role of being a warrior of the light at the same time. If you will excuse me I would like to get back to class just as you wanted, sir."

Sure the last bit was being sarcastic to Rufus but I wanted him to understand he didn't control me as much as he thought before our little chat began. Turning around I could see Quistis give a nod of approval while Rufus was giving off a smile that looked like he was trying to hold back his real feelings towards me. Leaving the room I could see Tidus and Selphie waiting for me down the hall with some cookies from the lunch they had while I was dealing with Rufus. They always seemed to look out for me when I need them.

"There you are, Kairi! I and Tidus were getting worried about you for a second, the second period is about to begin and we knew you might miss lunch during your interrogation with the "Warden" Rufus."

"It wasn't that bad Selphie, but I don't know why someone as wealthy or important as someone from the Shinra family wanted to see me in person." They couldn't get into trouble with my other role since they were close to me, so I had to keep them out of the loop.

"Well, our interviews were rather boring. All he did was ask me a bunch of questions about life before entering this academy with you all. Then again I and Tiddy had to go in separate rooms for our interviews by Rufus." My eyes widen at Selphie's comment, the idea of Rufus getting information out of my friends scared me. They might not know everything, there are still things Rufus could learn about Sora and Riku's life like before they were split apart from me. It would mean he could have leverage against me with more knowledge about my life.

"Relax, Kairi. You look like you're sweating bullets right now. The upcoming exams are something none of us expected since they were supposed to be next month before the break. Guessing he's testing the students to see if anyone of us is slipping through our classes..." More like he wants to keep me on a tight leash in his way of interfering with the on-going training process I was trying to complete. Squall and Yuffie would need to hear about this if they weren't aware of this already, but for now, I had to remain calm since my friends seemed concerned about me.

"I'm going to be fine guys, but the fact you care about me does mean a lot...thank you Selphie and Tidus." The value of friendship is something that made me appreciate being whole, the life of a nobody means they were unable to enjoy this either because of their nature or the words of someone who is making them believe they can't be human. Perhaps if they continue down that path they will become like Lighting; a person with a soul who still picks on people simply because she can...or I'm thinking too hard on this subject. I asked my comrades if they were doing anything after school, clenching the chocolate cookie in my hands.

"How about we get together for some drinks at the store nearby the school? I know Lightning might show up there, but she won't mess with you since we will be there with you!"

"Nah I've got somewhere to be later, but thank you for the offer." Selphie looked at me with a concerned look on her face, the expression looked sincere as she took hold of my hands.

"Kairi, are you sure that everything is okay? If there is anything you need to tell us..." Believe me Selphy...there is a lot that I should tell you guys. It is the fear of what could happen if you know the truth that is keeping my lips sealed right now. Looking at her face, the smile I had on was meant to be comforting despite the fact it wasn't how I really felt about this situation.

"No I am fine as a matter-of-fact I do feel like hanging out with you guys later! I know it might one of our lazy afternoons, but I do want to spend time with my pals before the upcoming exams." Why shouldn't I enjoy time with my friends from the other island? This didn't even have anything to do with Rufus and his threat, and not having seen either of my "teachers" in a week. This was my life, so deciding to hang out with my friends today would be my choice and no one else's decision. Watching Tidus joke about his teacher acting cocky with a Blitzball, and then getting hit by those balls from all the students in the gym for practice made me laugh.

Everything seemed uneventful for the rest of the day-but I had this strange feeling there was something waiting for me outside of the school. This feeling only worsened as I waiting outside with a soda in hand for my friends to get out of the restrooms. My heart began to increase its beating while I tried to look around through the crowd for the source of my concern. Everyone in the crowd was laughing, eating or drinking food, and nothing seemed out of order with the students that came here now that school was finished for the day.

'Why am I feeling this way...is there something stalking me?' Turning around I could see a few patches of trees that contained a small patch of darkness, which served as a playground for a few kids who liked playing hide-and-seek in these woods. Moving closer I could hear the rustle of moving trees from this place, the sound got louder when I approached the small forest-like area.

'What is that glow?' For a second I thought it was simply a lightning bug glowing in the darkness, but then I could see two yellow orbs of light moving around in the trees. Someone...or rather something was lurking in this place. It's strong; whatever this thing is was and it sending off a bad vibe.

'Che, che, che?' Turning around I knew someone spoke out something, but there was no one standing behind me. Okay, maybe it would be time for me to get back with my friends...

'Che...don't go just yet!' My heart almost stopped, the skin around my body was glistening with sweat, and that time I definitely heard someone speak to me...

'Nice try, Kairi. You won't be able to catch me, you get points for trying.' Then I got a small glimpse of the creature, the thing looked like a heartless with the yellow eyes, but it had horns on its head with a few wings coming out of the back. The hands had sharp-looking claws, and the smile looked crooked and wrong.

'Not...running...yet?' Can it speak? I thought heartless only acted on pure instinct, the fact a being like this could speak or rather talk into my mind is rather disturbing. This behavior was not common among normal heartless, which could only mean this brand was special or possible a Pureblood Heartless that were said to be stronger than most according to Squall.

'Jeez. These heartless are getting more bizarre by the minute.'

'We...aren't bizarre...'

Did it understand me? This creature actually knew what I was thinking to myself, and managed to speak in my mind like that? My keyblade was drawn so that I wouldn't be off-guard if it decides to attack me.

'Che, che, che! Why would...I fight you now? You're a chosen person...like the person I was made from!' What did it mean by that exactly? Shaking my head I tried to grab this thing before it goes away, but it disappeared into a cloud of darkness. Then, I could hear warped laughter ringing through my ears.

'You didn't have a heartless born like she did, the reason is because your heart was always pure.' That is why I was one of the Princesses of Heart, but what does that have to do with this special kind of heartless...

'Chechechechecheche! Do you think you can save her like you did with that other keyblade wielder? Her soul is lost to the darkness!' Her soul? The only people I could think that were female keyblade wielders were Xion...and Auxaq! Was this heartless telling me that it was born from when Aqua lost her heart? So many questions were forming in my mind about what this could mean, but I could only find out the answers from this creature of darkness. The thing simply jumped around through the tree limbs, which made it difficult for me to catch it.

'You monkey! Stop fooling around with me like this!' I was about to cast a fire spell only to realize that would be a very bad idea in this area, which this mocked while it continued swinging around the place.

'Checheche! I am full for now, but I will be coming back for a meal later! Maybe then I'll eat up one of your friends checheche!' You monster! You can't treat men like pieces of meat! I saw it tilt it's head around before speaking...but in a deeper voice almost like a woman's voice.

'The moment man devoured the fruit of knowledge, he sealed his fate. Entrusting his future to the hearts, man clings to a dim hope. Yes, darkness is wait awaits all life in the universe...' Just like Ansem, huh? Believing that humanity is beyond saving well how about I prove you wrong about that you heartless beast!

Pointing my weapon at the beast I tried hitting it with a ray of light however it disappeared once again. If it was going to hold true to its threat against the school, then everyone was in grave danger! They couldn't be here...what can I do to stop this threat! No one can know who I really am, but someone could lose their heart if I don't say anything!

'Who can I tell? What should I do about this? Can anyone keep the students safe except for me?' He wouldn't come alone considering it has some intelligence unlike most heartless, and that could be due to how it was made through who I assume is Aqua considering the voice despite being lower in tone reminded me of her.

"Kairi? Are you okay?" Selphie! Tidus! I have to tell them something...they can't die...not while I can stop it.

"I-I'm fine, but I need to get back to the dorm. There is someone I need to talk to right at this moment." No matter what they couldn't be aware of the danger they were in because of me. I needed to find Squall and Yuffie, so they could help me get a plan in place.

"Are you sure that you can't talk with-"

"I SAID I'M FINE!" Sorry, but I need to be alone for the moment guys. There was no way I could accept myself if you two got involved with my problems. Forgive me, my friends...this is something that you can't be involved in. They were still calling out my name while I ran away leaving the soda they bought me, spilled over the ground where I was standing on before this happened. A sign that the world is not an easy place to live in, but this challenge was something I felt prepared for despite being sure of when this next "test" will occur.

'No one is going to fall into the shadows...not this time!'

Castle Oblivion: ( Aqua's POV )

This is where it happened...the fall of the "Lord of the Castle" Marluxia's final resting place. The room felt hollow and empty, which fit the kind of person who fell in battle here being my former leader during my stay in this fortress of warped memories. Along with his demise came the fall of all the other nobodies, and most of all the only one I considered my...friend here. The Savage Nymph: Larxene. What was once someone who I found sickening to even by standing next to in a room slowly became a nobody who I was able to understand over the time I've spent in Organization XIII.

'I could have ended up like her if she didn't risk her soulless body to save me back then...' She would have likely wanted to have lived a while longer, so I felt it was only right that she along with the other "traitors" get a proper respect paid by me before I would leave this castle despite not agreeing with their methods and actions, the fact is they were still beings like myself...non-humans who once could be considered normal people, now consuming the souls that once belonged to somebodies in order to fill the world that will grant us new hearts.

That goal...isn't the reason what I've been staying here over the past few weeks. No, I had to leave the Organization for a short while once Xion fell into an endless sleep. The sight alone broke my non-existent feelings, but seeing Roxas look at her trying to speak to her made me realize I needed to take care of the business here. He and Axel would be fine without me for a couple of days, the group would survive certainly, but I had to come back with something in order to regain my humanity. Xemnas would accept nothing less than my finally locating Ventus...

"He's waiting for me, and I have to complete my promise to find him again." First, I needed to explore Larxene's room to see if there was anything left behind that belonged to me. Leaving this place in a hurry due to Sora and Riku I never got the chance to get one last look at everything she had in here along with my stuff. Seeing the clothing we both wore, nail polish used up during a night when we felt like having girl time with one another, the memories flowed back in my mind of those days. Everything seemed much simpler when the Organization truly was XIII and whole. I longed for those days, but I never regret ever meeting a nobody like Xion.

"So many people that I've gotten to meet since leaving that purgatory. The Realm of Darkness that covered me like a cold blanket until I found my way out into the light...or rather a twilight considering what I've become..." Looking at the brushes that contained both mine and Larxene's hair I wondered if things would have been different if I met her when she first became a nobody. Like with Xion I began to wonder if she was more human with a soul or she always had a violent streak to herself, but the same could be said for every other nobody like myself.

'Could we still be who we once were, the soul now gone leaves us all seeking a purpose and reason to exist. Is the heart really gone from us...' My questions leave me with no other option besides coming here under the pretense of "completing a mission" however that wasn't a lie. Here, in an ambiguous situation, could I began to question my choices and actions since becoming a nobody in every sense of the world. I could have let Axel know or Roxas, but chances are they would have told Xemnas or Saix. If any of them knew, then the organization would come after me with a punishment likely in store for myself. This was a trip that I needed to take on my own considering it involved someone from my life and past when I was a whole being...

"Don't be so damn gloomy, Auxaq! We need to be strong next to the males in this group, and much better at being nobodies as well. So, keep on fighting because that is what I expect from a Keyblade Master damn it!" Oh, Larxene you really did care about me...

"Maybe I need to stop living in the past and stick with everything I know in the present.'

Then, why am I still reliving old memories of being in this castle with people who were in the same position I am still stuck in? Nostalgia is such a strange thing I guess that can't fully understand until you experience it yourself. Laying on the bed that was once ours I began to wonder how I was going to find out the right path to Ven's location. The castle was built to drive those who didn't understand the layout into a horrible fate of being lost, and never being able to escape. While I had the advantage of having the Corridor of Darkness on my side it didn't mean I could find his room like that.

"Think about when I was Aqua...if I wanted to make sure no one could find my friend where would I place him inside of this castle?" It would be somewhere deep in this place, difficult to locate, and most of all somewhere that only I could reach him. It wasn't easy to figure it out considering how long it has been since I last saw him sleep in that chair, but then I remembered my time in the Chamber of Repose with Xemnas. Sitting in that chair I felt connected with him in this place, the fact we were in two different locations didn't matter at that moment. The rooms gave me a new outlook on how I might be able to find Ventus, the first step being to retrace my own steps.

Saying my last goodbye to Larxene by turning out the light in her room, my hands closed the door to give her "spirit" peace despite the fact we might be considered spirits without a soul inside of us. Okay, the time for "sadness" is over now I need to find my friend in this castle.

Shifting through a portal of darkness my next destination was actually Vexen's area since I knew he was also studying this place along with other important details for his twisted form of science. The lab looked in disrepair from the battle that occurred before I left this castle, broken monitors, shatter breakers, and all of the files were scattered across the floor. Not much could be salvaged in terms of research, but perhaps there are some notes left about certain unexplored areas in this castle. Moving my hands through the papers nothing was coming up on such things, the reports mostly were about the Replica project and studies on the heartless.

"Hmm, the computers might have something more helpful..." They were also in bad shape, but if they could still work then it would certainly help me out with my person quest. Logging into his system my hand pumped when the screen showed off a mini Vexen wagging his finger on the functional monitor, my fingers got to work typing down the words on the keyboard only to hear Vexen screech at me from the monitor.

"This computer is off-limits to any non-geniuses in the room including you!" Ugh passwords.

"Get it right in 2 more rounds or the data goes bye-bye!" He set up the data for deletion if I couldn't get the right password in two more attempts. Great, the fact this password wasn't simply his true name like before when I put that in when I first tried accessing this device. What would Vexen put into his device to keep someone like myself out of his business...

'Intellect? Scientist? Ice-Related Puns?' The next two guesses had to be right otherwise all of this data would be lost forever. Looking around I began to suspect it might be a name, but not his rather someone else's identity that he put into this computer.

"Xion" The red light warning along with Mini-Vexen's angry stomping let me know that I was off-base with only just one more chance to get it right otherwise this valuable information would be in the digital trash can. Okay, the next guess has to be correct, so think about what Vexen would use to keep his data files secure from most people that are the name of a person...

'Xemnas? Sora? Riku? Roxas?' There were plenty of guesses I could make on this screen, and chances are most of them would be wrong. There had to be some kind of secret about this password that can help me figure it out. Looking at the files on Namine I decided to make a risky gamble with this last guess, the fingers typed in the last name I could think of putting in. The monitor remained still and unchanging for a long period of time in what was actually a couple of seconds that nearly was 30 seconds long.

"Congratulations. Either you're not a complete baboon or you're in fact myself, the true genius of the organization! Nevertheless, this computer is unlocked along with the treasures inside, though; he is well aware there are those who wish to discover things they weren't meant to know in the first place. To those who wish to learn about such truths this is your only chance to escape. Abandon all hope, ye who enter here!"

Ever the egotistical narcissist even until the end, Vexen. Skimming through the folders on the data drive I noticed a lot were dedicated to Xehanort and Xemnas, the information was long-winded certainly but it seemed clear to me Vexen believed there was a connection between these two people. Clicking on another file I could see a report on Marluxia's scheme of using Sora to control Organization XIII so that he could remain without a heart while plotting to destroy Xemnas for being a "lying" man. Funny, the both of them didn't like each other however they shared a similar opinion on the Superior of the organization.

'What else have you been up to, huh?'

There was another file on here that peaked my interest, and the name alone was surprising to see on this computer since it was the password that unlocked this device.

"The Truth About Namine?" I was unsure if clicking on this file would be a good or bad thing considering it had nothing to do with Ventus, but curiosity got the better of me as my hand moved the mouse to click on the file...

[ Before you ask that line from the Darkling is a Persona 3 line, but I added in the heart bit instead of cards to fit better with this story. This was shorter than usual, but next time things will begin to heat up with Kairi dealing with the new threat against her school. BTW thanks for sticking through with this story since we are beginning to reach the end of the 358/2 Days arc of this story. ]