Day 20

Kuro's hands carefully unloaded the currently unsleeved music disc from his messenger bag, the last few days of searching through the unoccupied town yielding no more food but a few treasures that he was sure to grab. If he couldn't eat, the least he could do is entertain himself.

The first of these was finding a chess set that he had recently been learning how to play alongside Dusk whenever there was a dull moment. Of which there were many.

Granted, they were learning to play without the instructions which were missing from the box. Their only form of reference being the placement of the pieces being shown on the box cover. Their intense, if one could call what they were doing, games were more a random guessing game than a legitimately test of strategy.

Kuro's strategy to send out the pawns first was not so viable on repeated plays, since Dusk uses their knight's special move to knock down all the pawns in a single strike leaving Kuro defenseless. Allowing Dusk's tower to teleport and take his queen piece. Kuro was sure Dusk was cheating even if he had no rules to back it up, but hearing Dusk giggle in victory every time made it not so important for him to figure out how to win.

The next were the bountiful amount of candles located in a once locked supply closet at the cafe, a find that Kuro was grateful for as it allowed him to set up multiple light sources in the cottage and allow him to read inside the house rather than outside beside the huge bonfire. Dusk's flickers of fire are useful for lighting those candles. Their fire spells got better with each practice. Soon, Kuro was sure their spells could rival small torches eventually.

Then there was the intact silver bangle that he had found hidden away underneath the large four post bed in the hotel. The bangle rested along Kuro's right hand, hanging loose on his wrist. The piece of jewelry must've been magically enhanced for defense, Kuro realized it after a night spent gathering and breaking down kindling for the bonfire.

Kuro had found he was not getting any of the typical scrapes and scratches he would typically get from the busting up and breaking down of chairs and tables to help feed the fire he had been building in the Third District. He noticed any would be splinters, instead of embedding themselves in his hands as they had done previously, instead snapped and broke when pressed against his skin. The bangle protected him, even a tiny bit, from harm.

And lastly, hidden in a lockbox safe in one of the homes was this pristine music disc as well as four pouches full of munny. Kuro's break apart of the box by repeated smashing of the hinges with the sword paid off. He was close to just cleaving it in two until it finally broke off. The real find inside was of course the record. The small spheres of currency were all useless to him now, as he couldn't eat them and attempting to use them for fire kindling resulted in blistering hot orbs of metal if they didn't melt into puddles and flat discs of technicolor alloy if they did melt. They made for fun discs to throw, which have been lost when tossed out into the Third District Plaza.

Kuro exchanged the disc with the it's older sister that held the rainbow song Kuro had listened to at least a hundred times by now, lovingly placing the disc on the bed against a flat pillow. Evening patting it gently, thanking it for its service. Kuro realized immediately he needed a proper disc holder to ensure that nothing happened to his music. If it wasn't for the songs, he wouldn't have heard a real voice in nearly three weeks.

Kuro grabbed hold of the crank and began to twist it. Excitedly winding up the machine to play.

"What music will it play? Another song about rainbows, perhaps?" Dusk inquired, their eyes squinted as they heard the music box begin to spin its new record and the small huffs of air escape Kuro's lips on every rotation. This mild exercise is tiresome for Kuro. But it didn't matter. He had a new song to listen to. This huge grin spread across his face at the endless possibilities.

"Haven't a clue. But, I figured you would be getting bored of Rainbow Connection and I want to know what this one will play. Maybe a song about rain? Maybe a song about laughter?" Kuro grumbled as he cranked, eventually reaching the proper point to stop and ever so slowly lowered the needle onto the record. "Let's find out together…"

"I like the song well enough, friend. We just hear it all the time." Dusk informed Kuro with a tender tone, just before the needle found the groove and the horn bellowed out its jittering wail. The initial screech and scratch was annoying and off-putting, even Dusk cringed at the sound despite it being a repeated noise. However, Kuro had replayed the previous disc numerous times now and had gotten so accustomed to the noise it didn't bother him anymore. The need to hear this new song overpowers any ear piercing sound.

The pitched tone of a bass guitar was followed by a pensive piano keys and the low hum of the trumpet introduced the song, Kuro's hands up in the air as he carefully took a step back. Letting the machine play the song so beautifully without further intervention.

~ We were waltzin' together to a dreamy melody ~

~ When they called out change partners ~

~ And you waltzed away from me ~

"What's waltzin'? Some kind of fighting style?" Dusk asked, Kuro raising a hand towards the Shadow in a silent moment, the word of waltz sounding so familiar. He read it somewhere. He was sure of it. Kuro squinted his eyes in response, shaking his hand in vague remembrance.

"It's a kind of dance, I think. Hold on. Hold on." Kuro mumbled aloud as he glanced at his bedside. Kuro rushed over to a stack of already read books beside the post on his side of the bed, tossing aside copies of fairy tales and history books. There he found it.

The thin booklet with a picture of a couple interlocked together, the larger person's hands on the smaller person's hips, their hands on the other's shoulders. The cover was worn and peeling, but the cover sleeve was clearly legible. "Here we go."

Beginner's Guide to Dance. Kuro opened it quickly, flicking through it until he found the Waltz section. A section he previously passed over due to a lack of interest, thinking the hobby of dancing not taking precedence over finding an enjoyable story to distract from his constant hunger and dark, hopeless thoughts that had made residence in his loathsome mind.

The initial pose was one that required a pair of would-be dancers. The pair of partners on the page were holding each other tenderly, their bodies close together as their opposite hands were interlocked together. The smaller body's left hand rested along the bicep of the larger partner, with their right hand resting along the hip of their smaller dance companion. Keeping them close and tight together. Kuro looked at the gramophone as it spun and played, then went back to the booklet to read while he listened.

~ Now my arms feel so empty ~

~ As I gaze around the floor ~

~ And I'll keep on changing partners ~

~ Till I hold you once more ~

Kuro quickly reviewed the step sequence of the dance. The rhythm was a simple box step, with a single step forward with the leader's left foot, followed by a right foot making a step sideways towards the right. The instructions then told the dancer to bring the left foot next to the right foot. Then the rhythm of the dance is reversed, with a step back with the right foot, followed by a step back sideways with the left foot. The last step being to bring one's right foot next to the left foot. The process is then repeated as long as the song continues. Kuro placed the open faced book on the table, moved a chair aside and cleared the floor around him of any debris that would impede his movement.

"What are you doing?" Dusk asked, their right eye squinting as their paws dug into the bedding and grabbed a handful of sheets and comforter. Giving it a few curious kneads as Kuro glanced over at them, a silent shrug and short chuckle rolling out of his chest as he locked his feet into position. Trying to wait for the right beat to begin dancing on, he let out an anxious breath.

"What does it look like?" Kuro asked with a shake of his hands and a roll of his head. Ready to begin. "I'm waltzing."

~ Though we danced for one moment ~

~ And too soon we had to part ~

~ In that wonderful moment somethin' happened to my heart ~

Kuro made an improper first left step, the tip of his boot dragging against the floorboard, his heel skipping across the ground as he swung his right foot out and nearly stumbled. The side of his boot knocking against an empty tin can and kicking it under the bed. Kuro's back step was used with the left leg instead of the right, a mistake that nearly tripped him up as he tried to cross the right leg across the left back to position one.

Dusk's laughter echoes in the room watching Kuro's bumbling form in the candle-lit room. So uncoordinated and haphazard, Dusk couldn't stop laughing at the sight. Watching his arms shootout to balance himself so that he doesn't fall nearly as badly as he could have. Dusk doubles over in laughter. Kuro's lips curled in a bashful smile, not ready to call it quits quite yet. He got back into first position, going for another rotation.

This time, he held his left arm crooked and bent in front of him, the other arm outstretched and cupping nothing. Hoping the movement of this imaginary partner would give him an idea of where his feet should go and the rhythm he should be moving in. One, two, three. There were no no issues with the front end of the box. One, two and three. No issues on the back end, a huge improvement. He listened intently to the music, soon finding the groove and dancing with his invisible partner. Who he imagined with flowing hair and blue eyes.

~ So I'll keep changing partners ~

~ Till you're in my arms and then ~

~ Oh, my darlin' I will never change partners again ~

"I think I got the hang of it." Kuro noted with a sense of pride and glee. The melody carried as he moved, his eyes shooting to Dusk with a proud glint in his orange eyes. Dusk watched him with a bobbing head and a sway to their neck. Dancing ever so slightly to the music on their own accord.

"I bet it's more fun with an actual partner." Dusk stated, only for Kuro's eyes to furrow for a brief moment. His arms dropping slightly, despite his efforts to pretend, he was still dancing alone. Then, Kuro broke into a huge grin.

Kuro, on the right foot swing of his second rotation through the dance, took his right hand and grabbed Dusk up by the arm. Startling them.

Kuro's laughter beating Dusk's mumbled protests in the room as he pulls his elbows together and places his left hand along the back of Dusk to keep them up straight while Kuro shifts their right hand gently. His hands having taken hold of Dusk's paw. Their eyes now at an even level, Dusk's brimmed hat resting along Kuro's forehead as they danced together. A hesitant gold meeting an excited orange.

The small stubby legs of Dusk swing about as Kuro takes his right foot back and swings out his left leg. The tips of their toes knocked into Kuro's abdomen as they were jostled about by the taller, bigger partner.

Dusk's short chortles follow soon after, joining Kuro's own as the two begin to truly dance together. Well, Kuro dancing and Dusk being carried with him. Being swayed and moved to the motion of Kuro's feet.

"Look at you, you're a natural." Kuro mumbled, as Dusk's golden eyes rolled around in their head. Kuro's steps became more in tune, his movements a swift and effortless glide across the wooden floor, having learned the steps and rhythm to ensure a proper Waltz. Kuro's eyes half lidded as he grins at the Heartless. "Are you sure you've never danced before, Dusk?"

"You know I never danced before, Kuro. Heartless don't dance." Dusk stated matter of factly, feeling the gentle way Kuro held them as they moved in their box formation. Dusk getting rocked by the to and the fros, eventually resting their cheek along his shoulder as they relaxed in his hands. For a moment the world stopped being so dark, it was just a quiet moment of serenity.

"I think I just proved you wrong." Kuro rumbled with a breath of satisfaction. Kuro's eyes shut as he got lost in a dreamy melody. He held someone, who held him back. He forgot he was hungry. He forgot he was tired. He forgot about the silence. He forgot about the darkness. For just one moment, he felt happy. He felt complete. "Look at you dancing."

~ Though we danced for one moment ~

~ And too soon we had to part ~

~ In that wonderful moment somethin' happened to my heart ~

~ So I'll keep changing partners ~

~ Till you're in my arms and then ~

~ Oh, my darlin' I will never change partners again ~

Kuro ended the dance with a fanciful dip, Dusk's hat tumbling to the floor and their antenna dangling off of their head.

"Now you can't say you've never danced." Kuro said with a grin. Their joy echoed well into the night as Kuro started the music box once again and asked properly for Dusk's hand for another dance. A dance Dusk happily accepted.

Day 26

Kuro's eyes stared down into the ceramic bowl before him. His left eye twitching under the heightened stress as he poured the first box of Kanine Krunchies into the bowl and held the spoon so tightly in his hand that he started to bend and contort the metal.

Kuro ground his teeth and scooped a spoonful of dog food and began to chew. Chalky, overwhelmingly rank, and very rough texture. Kuro couldn't even swallow, spitting it out onto the floor in a loose splash. Krio couldn't handle attempting a second bite.

He threw the spoon to the floor, bolting up from his spot and walking out of the cottage. Hands raking over his chest several times as he tries to level out his breathing.

"I need a minute." Kuro declared, slamming the door behind him. Dusk cringed at the way he nearly flipped the table, but chose not to pursue. Kuro needed time to process.

He had finished his last can of fruit last night, and now it became obvious the choices were either to starve or begin to chow down on dog food for the remainder of his days. Which, by his guess, would be about two more weeks of rancid dog kibble and then the slow deterioration into a bag of bones thereafter. Which made his options for what to do going forward rather slim and upsetting. With the most logical step the scariest in his eyes.

Kuro's frustration carried him past the currently unlit bonfire, marching down the stairs onto the Third District stair landing and raising his foot and slamming it into the wall in front of him. At full strength, he probably could have dented the wall, instead his foot bounced off and nearly took him off of his feet as he rebounded.

"Come on! Just! Urgh!" Kuro shouted a nonsensical grunt as he nearly stumbled down the last few steps and into the open plaza.

He walked over to the once bubbling water fountain, grabbing a handful of still water from the basin and sipping it sloppily. He let his wet hands comb through his hair to chill his head, his breathing heavy and his thoughts racing. The lukewarm water felt like ice against his face.

"It would be so easy." Kuro thought briefly, shutting his eyes tightly as he felt his fingertips begin to tremble and his heart rapidly thump in his chest.

His fingers locking together in his greasy knotted hair, actively refusing to call forth his blade. The thought of the inevitable becoming more and more probable as he feels the dark walls begin to box him in. Leaving him with no way out. Well, almost no way out. Once again, he refused to call the blade.

He falls to his knees, his forehead rocking forward and knocking against the fountain's now dry metal. His face gently resting against the dent he made from the scrimmage with the stranger. The cool steel is somewhat relieving as he thinks of what would be the best thing to do.

The worst thing Kuro could think of beside the slow death, is the fact he would be leaving Dusk by their lonesome when he goes. Kuro wouldn't admit the worst thing about his demise would be knowing Dusk would be alone. Wandering this place alone in the dark. Of the nightmares Kuro began having, that one was the most frequent.

That's when he hears the gates open behind him, his eyes shooting to the wooden door with an unenthused look. He let out an exhausted sigh, too befuddled to deal with another monster. The Heartless have been thinned to the point of utter scarcity. At this point, he thinks they must've all been destroyed by him at some point.

The last thing he must've killed was a rogue Soldier just three days ago. Taking it by the foot and smashing it into and through one of the few standing cafe tables which helped him make the kindling he needed that night. After that, it was silent. A welcomed kind of silence.

Kuro's eyes then heard the creaking of wood and the bend of metal of the gates. He turned around and focused on the doors as they opened, only to see peeking out between the doors was a meek hooded figure, their blue eyes twinkling in the dark. Kuro's lips fell to an open slack, recognizing the stranger immediately. He was curious as to why the hooded stranger had decided to return. Considering they departed after a fight that Kuro felt surely would have ended with one of them ceasing to exist. Granted, they parted on more of an even turn, the threat felt present.

Kuro crooked his head as he walked towards the hooded stranger, his lips curling to an awkward grin as he approached.

"I would say welcome back, but I don't think you want to hear that from me." Kuro gave a low chuckle at the end, crossing one arm over the other as he stood in the center of the plaza. Giving him a lot of breathing room just in case the stranger decided they wanted to finish the job. "Here for round two?"

A scenario in the moment Kuro felt that might be the best way for things to end for him. Fight to the death, defending his home. Ending life on a high note before the whatever that will surely come after. Maybe it would be quick, all the better.

"No." Her voice came out in a timid way, her head slightly shaking as she walked slowly forward. Kuro's eyes went wide when he heard voice, her tone sounding so gentle and soft. Her voice made his chest shudder, it was such a darling sound. She walked slowly forward, her hands swinging at her sides. "You… you gave me a potion..."

"You remember that, eh?" Kuro shrugged, eyes darting to the floor as he let out a low huff and an uncomfortable chuckle. His eyes glanced over to the dent in the stone where his sword chop aimed to bisect her from top to bottom, and he looked back up at her. "I did give you a potion. You're welcome, by the way."

"You… you didn't have to." She said with a confused tone to her voice, as if that act of mercy and kindness didn't make any sense to her. Kuro nodded, knowing that he didn't have to. But he wanted to.

"I… I wanted to give you the potion." Kuro explained, his eyes glancing to the broken glass bottle of said potion that littered the floor off to the left of him.

"Th…ank you." She said, nodding her gently towards him. He nods, crossing his arms and shrugging nonchalantly. He gives her a warm smile, and walks over to her. "Why?"

"Why?" Kuro repeated, raising his hand and rubbing his chin in thought. He turned his eyes as his voice was brought to a low rumble. He huffed softly, his eyes closing. "Well, you want to know how you looked on my side of things? Panicked and-and wild? I saw that look and those eyes and I just… I was done fighting you. Because it looked like you didn't want to fight me either."

"I see." She said, her fingers tapping together in thought as she mulled over what he said. An act of kindness from someone who was an enemy? It didn't make sense to her. But it happened. He showed her mercy even if she didn't deserve to have it. Eventually, she nodded. "Alright."

The silence that followed between them was awkward. Their breathing was the only thing that could be heard between them. She couldn't stop fidgeting with her fingers in the air of the silent moment and Kuro couldn't bring himself to look back at her to meet those blue eyes of hers.

"Xion." She muttered, her eyes focusing on him. Kuro glanced up, eyes opening slightly as he squinted at her. Seeing the confusion on his face, she elaborated. "My name is Xion."

"Oh, Xion." Kuro mumbled, lips curling to a smile as he got to the '-on'portion of her name. It sounded so sweet when he spoke it aloud. "I'm Kuro."

"Kuro." She repeated, nodding her head as she gave him a thin smile. She walked over, her eyes focused on his own as she walked towards him. His arms fall to his sides, his fists moving to rest in his jacket pockets. "What are you doing here, Kuro? This place has been labeled a 'dead zone'."

"I guess I'm trying to keep it alive." Kuro grinned with a short low chuckle, shrugging his shoulders. The short silence that followed was devastating. He clears his throat after hearing or seeing a lack of reaction from her, the joke not landing very well it seemed. "I don't know why I'm here. Since everyone left for home, I guess I decided this was my home. And I've been here since."

"Why don't you just leave?" Xion asked, her hands folding slowly behind her back as she crooked her head to the side. "Why stay?"

"I can't leave. Don't know how." Kuro explained, glancing over at the cottage hidden behind the railing of the stairwell. He thought of Dusk and the pile of empty tin cans. And all the books he's been meaning to read. The music he listened to and the fires he built. This tomb was his home, for better or worse. As grim of a thought it may be. "I was hoping to just camp here until someone found me."

"I see." Xion follows his sight line to the house, her blue eyes shining in the dark. She thought of the Shadow wearing the jacket and hat. "Where's the Heartless? The Shadow I tried to hunt."

"Dusk is probably resting." Kuro said with a raised brow and a head nod. Dusk was probably holding their cow and fast asleep at the moment. "Can I ask why you tried to hurt them?"

"I was told to practice my combat skills here, considering the activity in this world is considered minimal. My superiors saw it best to send me here to learn how to fight against Heartless. I saw the lone Heartless and figured that was what was getting the reading." Xion said before turning her eyes back to Kuro. Her eyes scan him over with a confused look. "Heartless tend to spawn on worlds like this. Have you been clearing the Heartless?"

"Whenever I can." Kuro bragged with a cocky grin. Eyes shut with a shrug, downplaying the fact he probably could have killed a few times in the hopes of impressing her. If that glint in her eye was any indication, it might've worked.

"That's good work." Xion said with a smile. She moved her hands back to the front, interlocking them and holding them against her thighs. Kuro glanced over at the doors, then to her.

"How do you even get here, anyway? I have scoured this town several dozen times and I don't ever seem to find anyone." Kuro asked, glancing around the district and the district gates.

"We use corridors of darkness to go from world to world." Xion explained, before letting out a sigh and turning to head to the gates. She glances over her shoulder as she walks. "I'm not here for your friend. I just… wanted to say thank you for the potion. That was… nice of you. Goodbye."

"Oh." Kuro's smile faltered, shoulders falling and his eyes softening as he sucked on his teeth. The time they spent together was short, and he didn't want her to leave. He watches her back in the dark. He clenched his jaw before quickly rushing to her side. "Hey! Wait! Can I see you again?"

The words came out before he could properly think about what he said. She had just started to reach for the handle when he spoke, stopping her in her tracks. She turns to him, her hand still in the air moving towards the handle.

"You… want to see me again?" She inquired, her eyes half lidded in confusion as she turned to the floor and then to him. "Why?"

"Because you are the first person I've had to talk to in nearly four weeks. Because I think you are able to be kind. Because I think your eyes are as close to starlight as I'll ever reach and I want to see them again." Is what Kuro thought, his hands flexing in his pockets as he glanced over to the left to think of an answer. That's when he saw the remains of the broken glass bottle, the potion she had drank some time ago. He felt his lips curl to a smile, then turned back to her with a reignited fire in his orange eyes.

"You owe me for the potion. I want you to come back and repay me for it." Kuro explained in a hush, his voice strained as he desperately tried to hide the inflection of anxiety in his tone. He then straightened his back, his eyes staring down at her. Giving her a nod. "Yeah, yeah that's it. You're going to pay me back. Fair is fair."

"Fair is fair." Xion repeats, before nodding her head and pulling her hands back together. "Alright then. What would you have me do to make it 'fair'?"

Kuro felt his palms start to sweat, then his eyes grew wide with desperation and he felt his mouth start to salivate. Only one thing on his mind.

"Food." He requested, his breathing coming out in a shudder as he smacks his lips and nods his head. He tightens his fists and tries to hide the rumbling in his stomach. "I would accept food as proper payment."

Xion nodded, reaching for the door and pulling it open. She glances back at him with a flat stare.

"Food it is. I need to report back to base but I'll return tomorrow with food." She said, shutting the door behind her as she leaves.

Kuro stares at the still door for what felt like forever, his eyes slowly shifting up towards the stars and watching the lights twinkle above him in the dark skies. He takes a step back and rests his weight into his back leg, shoulders slouching as he feels his chest tighten and his head begin to swirl. He let out a short huff of joy, a hand moving out of his pocket and resting on his nearly empty stomach. He smiles gently at the thought of real food. He begins to walk up to the cottage, his mind flashing images of black hair and sapphire eyes.

"Xion… huh."

Sleep came easier that night, for some reason.

Day 27

"Thank you so much for this." Kuro grumbled as he took a spear of watermelon and bit hard into the juicy red innards. The juice flowing down his chin before he lets out a low, stifled moan as he shuts his eyes in pure bliss. Shaking out the excess juice off of his fingers as he cheered. The sloshing of the hydrated fruit in his mouth loud and improper. He glances over at Xion, who silently watches him with her own piece of watermelon in her hand.

Dusk sat alongside Kuro with their hands examining the core of an apple. Picking away at the seeds in the center and examining the consumed fruit.

Xion had arrived from her mission out in the field just a short while ago, sharing that she ate some ice cream with a coworker prior to arriving so her appetite was lacking. Regardless, she had brought a watermelon, several apples and a few bunches of grapes in a small knapsack. A courtesy that didn't go unthanked by Kuro. He was shy of singing her praises if he wasn't too busy eating the food she had brought. He had not eaten anything prior to her visit. Not that his only other option was all that difficult to avoid, however. The aftertaste of dog food a horrid memory.

"You're welcome." She muttered between her small bites. Slowly nibbling on it, as if eating was something new for her to do. Tiny bites and all. Kuro tossed his green rind into the unlit bonfire ashes, then he took an apple out of the bag and broke the bright red skin with a harsh bite. The crunch is crisp and loud in the near silent district.

"So, what do you do? Like? Just got to different worlds and just… kill Heartless? Then you get to go home?" Kuro inquired, rolling the fruit in his hand to an untouched portion of the apple and taking another bite. "Sounds like a fun gig."

"That does not sound like a 'fun gig.' Kuro." Dusk muttered with a harsh cadence, getting a wicked smile out of Kuro as he glanced over at Dusk. Seeing his small companion toss the core into the bonfire pit and shaking their paws clean of juice. Their golden eyes glaring at him. "She tried to kill me, if you had so easily forgotten."

"You're not like those other Heartless, Dusk. I can actually hear and talk to you. You have thoughts. Those other ones were like… mindless drones." Kuro said with a nod. "They would have killed me first had I not fought back."

Dusk rolled their golden eyes, jumping up onto the brick wall surrounding the bonfire and walking along it. Their small shoes kicked up loose ashes and soot with every step.

"Well, as Nobody, I don't have heart. And I am sent to different worlds to collect the hearts of Heartless and send them to Kingdom Hearts." Xion explained, finishing her spear of watermelon and tossing the rind into the fire pit as well. "That's my job."

"You're a Nobody and you don't have a heart. Heartless are hearts but don't have a proper body." Kuro squinted his eyes, his mind putting together the logic of the two and letting out a short little chuckle over it. He looks over at Xion as she takes another bite. "That's all a little funny."

Xion giggles with him, grabbing another watermelon spear and taking a bite.

"I am told by Saïx that Kingdom Hearts is made of the hearts that I collect. And eventually, it will have the power to complete us. That Kingdom Hearts will give us hearts." Xion crunched into her fruit, spitting out a loose seed and taking another bite. "That's why I am sent out into the field for collections. I am one of only two people at the Organization who can release hearts."

"I've killed a couple of Heartless, and I don't think I've seen a single one get released." Kuro shrugged, thinking back of the Heartless he's slain and not recalling a single heart. "How do you release the hearts?"

Xion grinned with excitement, taking another bite of her food and standing up. Holding out her right hand, she focuses intently. In a quick flash, it arrives in her hand.

She had summoned her weapon she used to fight the Heartless, this silver casted club, with these fixed teeth at the end and a golden dual sided handle. The grip was black leather straps wrapped around it with a chain that hung off of what would be its pommel. At the end of that chain were these three circles that decorated it like a trinket, with the three made up of a primary circle and two smaller ones along the crown of it.

"It's called a-"

"They'll come at you out of nowhere…" "The Heartless have great fear of the Keyblade."

"they'll keep on coming at you, as long as you continue to wield the Keyblade."

"The Keyblade chooses its master." "He's a real hero chosen by the Keyblade!" "And it chose you."

"Only the Keyblade master can open the secret door…" "A Keyblade that unlocks people's hearts... I wonder…"

"-Keyblade."

Kuro's eyes get misty, his blood begins to run fast in his body, and his palms get slick. The power that hummed from this weapon echoed deep into his chest, the faint sound of screeching and terror radiated off of the blade. It called out to him. Sending a message of fight or flight to him. Kuro could begin to hear his blood pulsing in his skull.

Dusk's antenna darted towards the keyblade, they screeched in horror before they immediately jumped off of the brick short wall, darting into the cottage and shutting the door. Kuro and Xion watched them run, before turning back towards each other. Xion's eyes focused on Kuro's orange glare, and he focused on her weapon.

"I think I might've scared your friend." Xion giggled, the Keyblade being lowered and the tip of the weapon resting against the ground. Hands folded over the bottom of the handle before resting her cheek against her knuckles. She glanced over at Kuro, whose eyes refused to leave the blade. His eyes were wide, his breathing was getting a little heavier and quicker. "Hey, Kuro? Are you ok?"

Her voice was like an echo, it sounded so far away yet carried for miles. Kuro's senses are lost as he continues to stare. The shine of the Keyblade nearly blinded him.

"Yeah…" His voice came out in a squeak, gulping loudly as he shifted uncomfortably in his spot. He points at the weapon with a loose flick of the wrist. "I'm ok. Are… are you… you good with it?"

"I just started using it today. I never really used it before." Xion said, rocking the blade from side to side, digging the tip into the stone beneath her. Kuro let out an anxious breath, before pulling his lips back into an awkward smile and standing up onto his feet. "I was told I am going on real missions now as long as I have a partner to protect me."

"How come?" Kuro asked, her eyes squinting as she turned towards him with a sharp stare.

"My first mission, I came back with a torn jacket covered in ashes." She said, her eyes glancing over to the plaza down the stairwell where the two shared their scrimmage together. Kuro chuckled awkwardly, before letting out a short huff of air and pacing slowly in his spot. He stops mid stride, turning to her. He nods to her. If it was his fault she was saddled with a partner, maybe he can help her become more independent.

"Spar with me." Kuro says with a wide grin, heading over and walking down the stairs. Halfway down, he glances over his shoulder. "Come on!"

"Oh, I can't. Last fight was-" Xion started to say, before Kuro raised his hand and summoned his blade. Letting the cheek of the blue lit sword tap against his thigh as he smiled wickedly.

"It's my fault that you are being chaperoned. Let me make it up to you by helping you learn how to fight." Kuro argued, raising his shoulders and letting them fall. His lips hanging onto that smile of his as he stares up at her. "Let me help you."

"Why would you want to help me?" Xion asked, her eyebrow raised as she took up her weapon and began to walk towards him. Kuro glances around, trying to put what he was feeling into words.

He had been waiting for her to show up all day, eagerly awaiting for her to arrive. Be enjoyed her company as they ate and immediately after she told him he was responsible for her current predicament, he found himself wanting to rectify it. He felt the same urgency from when he saved Dusk from those winged beasts, and from that ferocious Beast.

Then with a confident look in his eyes, he intakes a good breath and releases it.

"Because… you're my friend." Kuro stated plainly and truly, with a nod of satisfaction. "I want to help you because you're my friend."

"Friend…" Xion repeated, stopping mid stride as she glanced over at him with a bewildered expression. "Kuro, are we friends now?"

Kuro smiled in return, swinging his blade up and resting it along his shoulder.

"If you'd like." He said with a dip of the chin, his orange eyes alive with fire and sparks. Xion's smile was gentle and serene, a warm sensation spread through Kuro despite the cold night air. She nodded in acceptance, following him down the stairs Keyblade in hand.

Kuro twirled the blue hued blade around as he made his way to the center of the plaza, letting it cycle and spin in his grasp. Getting readjusted to the weight. Xion followed him, seeing him whirl the weapon of his choice so easily.

She mimicked the spin, the top heavy weapon slipping out of her hand and crashing into the ground. The clanging of the metal resounding in the district.

"What were you doing?" Kuro turned towards her, seeing her scramble to pick up the weapon. The blunt side of the weapon scraping against the stone as she picks it back up. He flashes her a grin, walking over and standing beside her. Seeing her cheeks flush as he glances over the way she's holding the Keyblade. She shoots her eyes to the floor, avoiding his gaze. Kuro looks at her posture, which was a bit hunched over and her shoulders slouched. Her hands held over one another, towards the bottom of the hilt.

"I was doing whatever it was you were doing." She stated with a huff, leaning up and turning her head towards Kuro. Her eyes in a frustrated squint and her face flat. Kuro bites back his grin, implanting his sword into the ground.

"I was getting a feel for the weight." He explained gently, as he gets beside her hand claps his right hand over her closed hammer fist. Giving her hands a soft tap. "Loosen up the tension in your hand for a moment."

Xion does so, as he leans his hand down and lets his left palm rest underneath the tip of the barrel, his fingertips pressing against the cheek of the teeth.

He feels a shudder in his chest, his left hand feeling this strange humming echo through his hand and up his arm.

So, this is called a Keyblade?

He ignores the hum as best he could, his eye shifting from the bat of the Keyblade to the end of the hilt. The strange echoes of remembrance knocking in his ears. His orange eyes meet her blue for a moment. Their innocence and their determination are a complex mix in her eyes. She looked rigid in her eyes, and wore uncertainty on her face. He breaks the glance to look at the hands.

"Now what?" She asked impatiently, the tone of her whine making him fight back a little smirk.

"Take your hands and level them out." Kuro mutters, seeing her shuffle her hands about. Her right hand is still gripping around her left. He took his hand and gently cupped her right knuckles and slid them up to above her left. She let him move her, watching him pensively. "There. How, you're going to give me a swing."

Kuro stepped back and let her try out an attack. Xion pulled back and chopped, the weight of the Keyblade carrying her slightly with the swing. He raises his hand and catches the blow as it levels to his shoulder. The pulse of energy emanating from the weapon sent a chill down his spine.

Keyblade... Keyblade...

"You are losing your grip as you swing. That means you are throwing too much force into the tip." Kuro mumbles through a short breath. He shuts his eyes as he wills away the echoes. Letting his hand shift down the barrel of the Keyblade. "Your power is going to be coming through at the center of the club. So, you're going to want to close the distance with a weapon like this."

"How did you learn that?" Xion asked, taking the Keyblade and giving it another swing and not trying to throw so much force into the rounded end with the teeth. Kuro shrugs, his hand gently rubbing along his chin as he watches her form.

"Just… just know, I guess." Kuro hears in the recesses of his mind the sound of wood batting against wood. The sound of rubber balls getting spiked by sticks. He shakes the sound out. "I… I just know."

The two of them practiced her swings for the better part of what they assumed was the evening. Her form is getting more consistent and powerful, her confidence growing. Even a proud smirk gracing her face as she manages to chain a series of strikes together into a combo.

Kuro watches with an impressed stare, giving her a few courtesy claps in response. Xion felt her smile break through her serious face. She dismisses the weapon with a shimmering light, giving Kuro a bow.

"Thank you, Kuro. I think I'm getting an understanding of it." She said, her slow gait taking her towards the first district gates. Kuro followed behind, arms folded over his chest.

"I think a couple days of practice and we start really really sparring." Kuro stated, stopping just shy of the edge of the wall, leaning against the corner as Xion opened the large door. She glanced over at him, giving him a warm smile.

"Same time tomorrow?" She asked, seeing him nod in return.

"I'll be here." He replied sweetly, before seeing her hide her grin behind her hood and walk through the doors. Kuro lingered in his spot for what felt like ages, before finding it in himself to ease his mind and his accelerated heart rate and returning to the cottage. Up the stairs, he hesitated on the landing and stared into his hand, giving it a quick flex as he imagined the leather bound hilt of the Keyblade in his hand. The sensation was both terrifying and familiar, a feeling that raised more questions than answers. Questions for a different day, Kuro decided. He retired to bed, thinking of blue eyes and onyx hair. A smile left on his face as he fell to sleep.

Day 28

She didn't come back.