The Sapphire Sorceress

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

Act 50: Missing You

"Is it that I'm not supposed to exist?"

Castle Oblivion ( Aqua's POV )

- Day 296 - Confessions

Looking at the personal calendar in my secondary room I realized that time really didn't seem that long in the lifespan of a nobody. Without changing in age, appearance, and body a year nearly going by was hard to accept for beings like us. Once again I looked at my body to find those blue lines still extending all around my body and limbs proof that nothing about me will change anymore. A walking corpse that will never age, supposedly die, and even suffer the problems a somebody deals with on a regular basis.

I wanted that back so badly along with my life. I couldn't say for sure if Xion was feeling the same way anymore since I haven't found her no matter how much I explored the different floors in this place, which both made me proud I honored Eraqus and his last request but also upset that I wouldn't be there for her if she was expression depression right now. The one thing I suppose is good about her ditching the organization is that gave me another purpose in being here, the leader of all nobodies told Axel that I would have to be the one to find her in this place while he returned to duty.

Finding her would be easier said than done considering how long it took me to find the Chamber of Waking in the many different pathways I constructed in this castle, the idea being to confuse and cause those who wander into this place to end up lost to the certain doom of this labyrinth-like building. That didn't mean I had no idea of where could be since I knew her intention was to learn more about something she muttered when she first arrived, the comment about being here before and not remembering why.

'She would likely want to find a place where she can look up data, so Vexen's area is somewhere she will be visiting in her personal quest.' Along with other places like Marluxia's main room, the security monitors in that higher section of the castle, and likely where Namine was once being kept since there was some connection with herself and Kairi. There were many things I had to juggle now between regaining my true weapon, finding Xion, and eventually overcoming that lifeless armor keeping me from my friend. Also, the big goal of restoring my humanity through Kingdom Hearts along with the other members still technically alive.

'I wonder how she must be feeling considering she is all alone in this place.' Without anyone to support her she was now in the same position that Namine was before Marluxia uncovered her in this castle, the fear of isolation was possible for Xion, especially with those memories she's been uncovering that, are bothering her lately. While I decided on letting her have independence with her pursuit I knew that eventually, we would need to go back to Xemnas and the organization or suffer the consequences of such a betrayal.

"I can't afford to lose my semblance of self, and neither can Xion because of a small amount of selfishness on our parts." Looking at the black uniform on the bed I knew that today would be when I would begin my hunt for Xion since I had progressed as much as possible in training, and without my keyblade, I stood no chance against my master's old armor. Wondering through these empty halls I questioned if anyone unfortunate soul met his end in this castle, no one around to find him/her, the exit likely unable to be found by the stranger, and without any source of food or water around them to keep themselves alive. I suppose if that wasn't how their lives came to an end it would be those heartless that consumed their souls...

"Alright time to rescue my frie-"

Before I could say more my body sudden began to collapse onto the bed, the strength in my body suddenly felt like it was being sapped away. Just like before when I fell into sleep; this time, however, I would remain away no matter what is sucking my energy away from me. My eyes closed as I put all of the power left within to keep myself up and awake from this invisible force trying to weaken me- a will of my own that wasn't strong enough to keep the darkness away but would ensure that no matter what I would survive.

Slowly, but surely I was able to stand on my own two feet as I struggled to get a balance by using the bed near me. Whatever that was isn't harming me now, so I should take advantage of this moment to find Xion and get back to Axel with an update on her condition. With a lot of ground to cover in this place, time was of the essence.

'Okay if I were Xion where am I going to be if I wanted to hide or look for some information?' Vexen's lab would be somewhere I would check next if I couldn't find her in the upper levels of the castle. Thankfully I had help in the security systems put into place, the lights were designed to alert the whole castle about possible intruders lurking around, but so far they hadn't detected much besides stray heartless and Sora when he arrived in this place. Damn it. I hoped that by looking through the monitors would help make things easier, so far I've been having no kind of good luck in finding any kind of activity from Xion.

"Well, if she has been looking at the files on Vexen's computer then that log in activity would be shown in the search history." That was at least a sign of what she has been up to lately. Then, I got a sight that I didn't expect to find...the whole lab was destroyed even worse than usual. All of the files, beakers, and monitors except the huge one were broken beyond repair. This kind of destruction looked much different from an attack by heartless, while I observed the scar marks on the monitors I could tell only a weapon could cause this kind of damage.

"A keyblade..." Xion must have been here then, and this kind of chaos must have been done through her for some reason. Running over to the computer that was still functional I noticed there was a 100% completion for the data files that I downloaded earlier, but due to the wreckage in this place the power on the monitor was very low. She must have cut the cords that were charging the computer-what exactly happened here with Xion? Nevermind-I peered through a certain file on the desktop...that was addressed to me under one word.

"Confessions?"

Clicking on the file I began to peer through the information that was written for me to read.

'If you are reading this letter, then you must know that I've come to a realization about myself and who I am. This is why I had to tear this place apart to ensure no one else can stumble across this lab to use their own purposes. No one should have the right to play with life like this considering what...I really am.' Looking at some the details I could see that Xion was bringing up the Replica Program along with the fake Riku designed by Vexen while he was using this facility, though I knew that something must have been bothering her as I continued reading this personal digital letter to me.

'I am not...a nobody...and I don't even have a somebody. Well, that isn't exactly true I am made from someone: Sora the true Keyblade's chosen warrior.'

Sora? How could she be his nobody or born from him? If anything...Roxas would be his nobody! Then, how is she capable of using his keyblade as well? Nothing about this was making sense, so I continued reading to understand more about what she was telling me.

'I am really No.i and not of the Organization. In fact, I'm not really a member of this group since I'm not a genuine nobody like you, Auxaq. The second in the creations of Vexen's replica program ordered by Xemnas himself. Apparently, his goal was to find a way of tapping into Sora's power to use for his own gain to create his own keyblade warrior.' Xemnas knew about that, the superior even signed off on this kind of plan! What purpose could this serve us, even if this plan might be to help us gather hearts I knew that creating life was bigger than merely regaining our hearts...

'I don't know yet what his intentions are, but I want you to know that I won't be here anymore-' Oh, no don't turn off...DAMN IT! Why did she have to cut the charging cables leaving this place without any kind of power?! I had more questions than answers, the one thing I did know for certain is she likely has fled this castle by now. Where she could have gone is another problem entirely, but first and foremost I needed to let Axel know what happened with Xion-mostly since I'm not sure what to think about her not really being a nobody.

She must be going through a rough time with dealing with this revelation about her true origins, and while I had plenty of things I wanted to say to Xemnas all I had to do was find and calm Xion down at this moment considering this kind of destruction was caused when she learned about her "birth" and reasons behind it. Oh, I sure am missing you Terra and Ven. You two would be just the kind of people who could help me reach out and help this poor girl-no matter what she might be Xion is someone who I consider a friend and friends help each other out!

"Xion is a what?!" Axel couldn't believe and quite frankly I still couldn't wrap my head around this fact. After getting in touch with him I left out the details about Xemnas since the main goal was simply finding Xion before something bad could happen to her.

"Yes, I looked at the files and read the letter left to me by Xion herself. Vexen really was an old creeper if that mad scientist was up to creating such things like that, but Xion isn't just a thing to me. No matter her reason for existing she is still a being that I wish to protect you and Roxas."

"There is that caring nature that made you a keyblade master in the first place, Aqua." I guess that would be how I would sound with my heart intact-that didn't mean I didn't honestly care about Xion despite not having a real heart beating in this shell of mine.

"If I were Xion, the best place I would pick to hide is somewhere I've been before in my life. A location that I know well enough that I can blend in without being strange, a setting that would also keep me safe from being discovered by anyone looking for me."

"Castle Oblivion? Kidding I know you told me that she ditched that place already..." That admittedly wasn't a bad place for a hiding spot, however, Xion must have known I would eventually find her in my extended stay here. While I began to pace around the room in thought Axel snapped his fingers giving another suggestion.

"How about Twilight Town?" That-is a good idea! She knows that place, we've explored it plenty of times while she got to eat loads of sea-salt ice cream on that clock tower with Roxas and Axel sitting next to her.

"That is a great place to look. You should contact Roxas abut this and try starting our search there."

"Our search? I thought you were trying to remain out of the business of the organization?" Not anymore, and not when someone I care about is lost and confused about herself.

"I'm not getting anything done here no matter how hard I've tried to unlock the remaining power I need to save my friend." It's like an unseen wall is keeping me from breaking through whatever is keeping me from using the keyblade, and I have tried all methods that I can think of to fix this issue within myself. Perhaps it was the time I got out of this shell of Radiant Garden if only for a short period of time. A break might be what I need to get over this hump that I'm stuck on with my own training.

"I'm coming over to Twilight Town, but don't wait up for me before deciding to go look for Xion. She needs someone to be there for her now more than ever..."

"Don't worry we will get her back, but do you mind if me and Roxas head over the first?"

"Why?" The idea of them wanting to visit didn't make much sense to me.

"Roxas wants to investigate over there, so he wanted to see if he could learn anything by looking around the place." I didn't see where they might get him, but it wouldn't hurt our efforts to figure out everything about Xion.

I nodded in agreement to that request and let the feed turn off before going back to pack my belongings up, the peace and tranquility I'd gotten from saying here would now be gone the second I departed from this castle. It was both a good and bad thing for me to remember things I had forgotten since that is what Marluxia wanted this place to serve as for Sora. In a way, I would leave this fortress more enlightened than when I came back for an extended stay...

'Time to save my friend no matter if she is really is a Replica...'

Destiny Islands: Mainland ( Kairi's POV )

- Day 297 - Contract

"We need to talk sometime today."

"Why?"

"Because there is something you need to know, the timing is important about what I need to tell you, Kairi." I wondered if this could be another trick so that I could be ridiculed again for not "paying attention" during my training.

"Did...you apologize to Yuffie for what happened the last time we were in training?" I glared at Squall while waiting for the answer I wanted to hear out of his mouth considering how that whole disaster ended. His usual frown remained on his face, but he did nod his head while admitting that he went overboard with it during our last session.

"Believe me that ninja made me pay for my actions...when she stole some of my clothing along with a few other personal items." Oh, that would be a form of payback...

"Regardless of the matter of which I used you have to understand that my methods are important for you to learn since you've already overcome heartless in a sense." That doesn't mean you can expect me to fight nobodies when I don't even fully comprehend their reasoning for fighting against me besides the notion of getting their hearts back. I've only seen a few so far but compared against the heartless they don't seem that evil in their nature. Still, something about those beings didn't seem right to me.

As classes continued I was surprised to find the small changes in the staff and students once word got out about what I really did besides homework for this academy. At first, I was afraid about my secret life getting uncovered, but it turned out things weren't that bad once the truth was out. Rufus explained that "he always knew and wanted my school life to remain separated from training" in his way of spinning things around to look better, Lighting did know but actually she hasn't treated me as hostile as before during our first meeting, and my friends were shocked but thought I was so cool for being like Sora.

'I'm nothing like Sora the boy who managed to save the entire universe including me and Riku...' His heroic actions made him like a legend in the eyes of most of the students here, so I now had a lot of reputation behind me that everyone expected me to prove with my current level of training. Naturally, the pressure was slowly building on me to succeed with this newly-found expectation in not just fighting heartless, but keeping up with my classes and grades like Quistis expected from me. Balancing both things was still quite hard, however, the difference was everyone knew how important it was that I fulfill my obligations for both lives.

"Alright class as you know the third round of S.E.E.D exams are coming up soon. The second quarter scores tell me that we have a lot of room for important with each one of you in this room." Quistis reminded us while handing out packets with a lot of work that we've done over the past several months. Then, I took notice of Tidus looked at the paper with a groan coming from him.

"Ugh! This is so boring! Why can't we just kick butt against the heartless like Kairi?!"

"Ya! We should be able to fight back against those beasts, ya." Wakka? Oh, this isn't exactly what I expected from today's math session, the students continuing to shower me with compliments while hating the idea of doing more homework.

"Alright enough! I know you all consider our classmate as some kind of celebrity, but even she needs to continue doing well in her classes like the rest of you." She knew that were restless in their boredom ready to start some kind of small-scale rebellion.

"Kairi! Perhaps you would like to explain the important of this class for me since my words will fall on deaf ears." Great just pour fuel on the fire if I can't calm down the classroom, the fact I was getting this kind of praise instead of being considered invisible by many of the more popular students in the last couple of months is strange to me. Stepping up in front of them I already felt nervous about what I should say in front of this crowd to soothe their rising feelings of raging against the machine in a soft sense.

"Okay, guys. I know that you all think I'm some kind of superhero right now, but in reality, I'm not really that different from the rest of you. I come to this school to learn, hang out with you all, and try to improve my academic career with the help of the teachers like Quistis. All she is trying to do is her job-"

"I think she should get a better job like being a model for bikes or cars!"

"Snow!"

"Oh, sorry Light. Well, it isn't like she would look prettier than you if you took up that modeling job when you get off this island."

"Well, that is true. Chances are me and my sister will end up become nearly as famous as our resident keyblade wielder who is still second-rate compared to the mighty Sora."

The more things change...

"Quiet! While you're off discussing matters that can wait until you're all older Kairi is still trying to speak about how important schoolwork is to you all. Besides, the chances of becoming a good model would be difficult if you don't know how to perform the proper stances for pictures. Not to mention dealing with trying to remain calm in front of the people wanting good photos isn't that easy just look at Kairi." Why are you pointing that out when that isn't anything I wanted the class to know about, teacher?!

"She is willing to speak up despite her inner turmoil about your feelings on her. Courage is what she is displaying in the face of embarrassment provided by the public's opinion of herself. She will not always be favored by everyone certainly, but she is still one of you nothing more or less even if she is a chosen heir of the keyblade." Everyone at least was no longer trying to throw their paper into the trash or walk out of the classroom, so thank you Quistis even though I'm not sure if I really did that much in helping her out with this small problem.

The rest of the day was rather uneventful except for when Lighting actual called me out during a mid-class period to...give me a hug while thanking me for saving all of the people I could during that last heartless attack. She even had some tears coming down her cheeks while she looked around for anyone to find us.

"Look I'll make this quick thank you for saving my life and Snow's heart. I don't know what else I can do to repay you, Kairi."

"You don't have to give me anything, but I appreciate your thanks." I didn't want any kind of reward for doing my duty, the reason why I refused to accept Rufus and his contract offer to receive a huge payload load of munny after the incident. I suggested he invest that money into the school to pay its staff like Quistis who could really use the munny more than myself.

"You...truly do have the heart of a hero. Listen I know we'll always have our differences, but you should know that no matter what you should continue to fight for what you believe in even if I might still find you annoying in school."

I-I guess that counts for something, Lighting. We will have our problems certainly, but seeing her in this light made me appreciate her more while we spent the remaining years in this school together. She quickly got back into her usual behavior when some of her friends arrived, the bright spot I took out of that conversation is my work to be a new keyblade hero wasn't going without any kind of reaction from the public. As she gave me a bizarre I don't like you-but you're alright with me farewell I decided to meet up with Squall outside of the school when the day was finished.

"Kairi! Can I get your autograph?"

"Oh, can you introduce me to Sora when he comes back?!"

"Have you see Riku around? I hear if he's like Sora, then he must be just as cute as that boy!" A crowd was waiting for me outside, and I saw nothing but a sea of people wanting everything from a picture with them to me writing on their homework or notebooks just to feel special. I wanted to just run out of here, the crowd was so huge it made that seem impossible while Selphie was waved over for me to run to her.

"Um...I really need to meet someone right now, so if you all don't mind-"

"I can't believe she is about to meet a secret boy after school! I wonder if they're gonna kiss..."

"It is nothing like that!" Wasn't I able to stop the blush rising on my face as the girls and boys only got more loud while I tried to think of a way of getting away from this crowd of fanatic fans?

"Hey, why don't you all back away from her!" My "savior" turned out to be Lighting and Snow of all people. I expected them simply to start attacking me, but they were actually talking about their relationship which caught the attention of everyone crowded around me.

"We all have a huge announcement that we've been waiting to say for a while, and this news takes importance for not just us but the entire class here as well!" I took advantage of the momentary distraction offered by those two, my legs running quickly over to my friend so that we could get away from them before they all noticed I was long gone. Huffing out the breath from my lungs as we now were standing outside of the dorm we shared Selphie looked at me with a questioning look.

"Mind telling me what was up with that crowd of groupies back there, friend?"

"How am I supposed to know, Selphie? They just swarmed me the second I got out of there out of the blue. I didn't know they would be waiting for me like that." My answer didn't make my friend's frown disappear from her face.

"I hope you don't let all of this fame get to your head. I certainly don't want to be friends with another Lighting..."

What does she mean by that exactly? I wasn't going to let this new fame inflate my ego if I even have one, so why is Selphie talking to me like this? She looked at me before sighing in sadness.

"Sorry...it is just lately everyone has been bugging me for information since they consider myself, Tidus, and Wakka the keys into getting popular with you." Damn it. I had no idea the truth about my life as a keyblade hero would end up causing this kind of backlash that would affect my friends like this. None of them have anything to do with my ongoing training to master this keyblade, so why pester them about that or better yet why didn't my friend come forward about this earlier.

"I wanted to tell you before, but I knew that you were hard to speak with due to the loss of Zidane, dealing with school, and your training sessions to improve your skills. I couldn't just interfere with your progress-" No you can don't worry about that my dear friend of mine, go away with the idea that all of that overrides the friendship we've had since growing up on the other island with the boys.

"Come to me whenever you need to talk with me, Selphie. Don't let anything that happens with everyone else make you hesitate about speaking up, and that is whenever you want to come speak to me about whatever you want my friend." She looked surprised when I told her this, but I truly meant what I told her at this moment. As we continued speaking on a bench area I could see Yuffie chatting with some of the boys from my other classes, the sure sign that my other mentor was likely looking around for me.

"That girl again? Kairi, do you think she really is a student at this academy like she claims?"

"Not really, but would you believe me if I told you she is actually a ninja that can use all sorts of ninja tricks instead?" Well, she wanted to know the truth about one of my mentors who's been teaching me how to get better in this role of being a hero.

"Let me guess you have gone off on another session today? I figured that is why you were off in a hurry, but you actually took out some time to speak with me. That means you are being honest about this and for that...thank you, my friend!" She offered up a hand for me to shake and I accepted the offer to strengthen our bond. Running off to Yuffie while waving goodbye I saw Squall was, in fact, waiting for me next to her likely to discuss what is to come next for me, get the next phase of my training started, and or something else entirely.

'Let's just get this over with already...' Looking at the mentor that wields his gunblade in battle something felt different about him today.

"Kairi...I saw you speak with your friend over there and I'm glad that you did such a thing," He sounded less cold than usual, the expression on his face also looked more sad than usual which is something I never saw out of him before today. "I need to apologize to the both of us. Not just for what I did to you and Yuffie the last time we've been working with each other but how I've been acting lately, it's why I felt like you could use some time alone..." I was grateful about that since with everyone being aware of my role now I could use some time as being a normal student again if only for a couple of days.

"I'm certain you've been practicing your lessons on your own since you have come so far from when this all began for us. Your loss is something that must still hurt you...believe me I understand what it feels like to be powerless while someone your care about is taken away."

"Zell?" That's right Zidane wasn't the only victim of the heartless, a number of people who lost themselves to the darkness were countless by now. That is why I'm working so hard to ensure that number becomes less over the next couple of years as finding a way to truly stop the heartless seems impossible. Even now I'm still missing you, Zidane.

"That could be why I've been making you push yourself further in training. To ensure that neither of us goes through more pain by losing those we're growing to care about over these months or in my case years. There is a reason for that however...I've spoken with someone who knows a lot about these nobodies."

"Who exactly?"

"He didn't give his name, but I do know he likes the color red and wears lots of belts. The point is these nobodies are going to make their move soon...and we need to be ready."

[ AAAAAAnd cliffhanger again. Although it does make sense we are near the end of the 358/2 Days arc in this series. I wonder how you've been feeling about this story anything I can do to fix issues you're having in terms of the writing? I'm more than ready to hear your opinions on this matter. Things are kinda still playing out like in canon, but the changes will become more apparent in the future updates. Before I sign off let me know if you've checked out my other stories that have worse grammar, however, I do have a new Spider-Man story that has just been finished so if you enjoy comic books go check out the story. Thanks, everyone and look out if you become a keyblade wielder those fans will come a knocking. XD ]