Chapter Four: Plans

Secret Report: Vexen I

Number XIII? Here? What purpose would this serve? Surely they must know the risk presented to Roxas with Naminé's memory manipulations?

The question then becomes if this oversight is incidental or deliberate. While the latter has risks they can be mitigated. In the former, the chances of their plan being modified to accommodate increases.

And with modifications come complications.

No matter. I'm certain that my work can proceed uninterrupted despite Marluxia's management. Or lack thereof.

Dinner at the organization was hardly special. Nothing flavorful or interesting. But it was still filling enough for Roxas' taste, and he had certainly worked up an appetite. Everyone was given their rations, magic preserving the meals perfectly until usage. Often in The World That Never Was, members just came and went with their food, presumably to their rooms.

But in Castle Oblivion the nobodies lingered after grabbing their packages of food. Lexeus, Vexen and Zexion walked up to Marluxia and Larxene. Axel leaned on the wall near the door with a...smile? As Roxas walked over to him, Axel leaned over and whispered, "Free tip, let the bigwigs run their mouths. At the very least it isn't boring watching them argue."

Well, Roxas had plenty of experience with that, it was how he spent most of the big team meetings anyway. Let people talk about what they did, praise others for doing a lot, criticize others for not doing enough. He rarely was called on to talk about his work.

Lexaeus was the first to speak in this scenario, "Riku is inside the castle and has entered the basement."

Larxene began to giggle as she asked pryingly, "Oh? The big brains of the Organization made a mistake?"

Marluxia responded in a terse tone, "Will this be a problem?"

Vexen scoffed and shook his head, "Unlikely. Though he is moving in the direction of Sora, the rate of Riku's ascension should not exceed that of the keybearer."

Zexion nodded, "He also arrived at the bottom level, so even if his pace increases, we have time to respond."

"Besides," Vexen began to grin creepily, "his presence raises interesting possibilities for my research."

"Fat chance we'll see any of it." Axel whispered to Roxas. Though the gesture did not escape Vexen's notice as he shot the duo a quick glare.

But in an instant he resumed smiling at Marluxia, "I believe that I can make use of his data after analysis with my replicas in short order." Silence hung over the group. Vexen's confidence faded as Marluxia remained mute, simply staring back at him. Vexen ventured, "This would be done...with your permission of course."

Eventually however, Vexen got his reply, "Very well, I will leave him to your group."

Lexaeus spoke up soon after, "And what of your efforts with Sora?"

Vexen's smile returned, but with a more biting edge, "Why, yes! I was curious how your plan might proceed given Roxas'...connection."

Roxas knew the rest of this conversation, how he had put his life on the line in a bid to survive. So he turned and began to step towards the door. A hand on his shoulder stopped him however. Looking up, Roxas saw Axel handing over a small bowl and a spoon. "Hey, if you're heading out could you bring this to Naminé?" The container had a clear lid, showing the unappetizing gruel inside.

Was this all they wanted to do for her?

Nevertheless, after a moment of hesitation Roxas nodded. "I'll drop this off and go eat in my room." He walked out the door and out into the hallway.

"Rather strange for him to be so quiet, given the weight of his task."

Only for Zexion's comment to make him pause just past the door. Listening, Roxas could hear Vexen muse, "He is hardly a normal Nobody. If I had more time I could study him." Something inside Roxas felt like it turned to ice. Just a pawn for them to use. A curiosity to study.

"Hey, no dissections of the Organization's keyblade wielder!" Though fortunately Axel spoke up for him with a hint of anger. At least he mattered to someone. At least Roxas had a friend.

"Don't be preposterous!" Vexen sputtered "I'm not going to take him apart yet! But If he becomes an obvious liability, then there's nothing left to do with faulty tools other than take them apart for study."

Why?! Why did Vexen sound so eager for that to happen!? For him to fail?!

Larxene sighed, "For now he's doing fine. I mean, this whole training plan was his idea to begin with, so he's not a total waste of space."

"Nevertheless there would be merit to studying him in a more passive manner." Zexion continued calmly, "If I might be so bold as to make a proposal…"

Roxas didn't bother staying to hear it. The whole talk just made his skin crawl. Being treated like a thing by the rest of the Organization. Was he nothing important till he proved himself with the keyblade? Because he was barely a Nobody?

Well at least Axel believed in him. Still wanted to help him get through this. Looking at the two meals in his hands Roxas began to smile. As he thought of a way to help the other person that wanted to see him again.

"Naminé, I brought you dinner!" Looking at the size of the ration in Roxas' hand, Naminé was a little confused. As he set the meal down, confusion became astonishment. A slice of beef, vegetables, and some bread visible under the clear cover sealed with magic.

She opened up the meal, steam rising as the preserved meal was unsealed. Naminé looked at Roxas with disbelief, "All of this is for me? Are you sure?"

He gave an eager nod, "Yeah. I mean, you're doing a lot for us, helping us to try and get Sora on our side, and making memories for me to train. It's only fair that you get a meal like the rest of us."

Naminé's smile began to waver as she shook her head, "Roxas, none of my meals were as nice as this."

Nervously, Roxas explained, "W-Well, I can do what I want with my meal. Like give it to someone who I think ought to have it!" But then after a moment he paused and considered his logic, "Wait...doesn't that mean I'm just taking…?" An embarrassed blush came to his cheeks as he fumbled in his robe to eventually produce a small bowl, stammering, "I...uh...forgot! This is yours too!"

Naminé took the bowl in her hands, and after a moment she let out a small giggle. "Well if this is my meal," She handed the bowl of oatmeal back over to Roxas, "I can give it to someone who I think ought to have it."

Sheepishly, Roxas nodded as he accepted the meal. While his stomach regretted the trade after a day of fighting heartless, something else inside him was content. Seeing Naminé enjoy her dinner helped take the edge off his hunger.

Helped him ignore the words he heard from the other members of the Organization.

Helped him forget how he was less then—

"Are you okay?"

Naminè's words snapped Roxas out of his anxiety. He sighed, "I guess I've got a lot on my mind."

She nibbled at the bread left over from her meal, murmuring, "I'm sorry." Roxas looked at her in earnest confusion, as Naminé could hardly meet his eyes while she confessed, "It's my power that's making you fight for your life like this."

"What? But it's not your fault at all," Naminé looked up to Roxas in surprise as he continued, "It's Marluxia and Larxene's fault for not thinking things through." Roxas muttered as his mind began to settle on the real problem, "Though I don't know if they didn't think about me or never cared about me to begin with."

Naminé's eyes widened in surprise, "But...you've got the keyblade...A power beyond anyone else."

"But I'm not really a body," Roxas began to swirl around the remains of his gruel as he ruminated, "My real one's out there, isn't it? Sora walking around...so what even am I?"

A moment passed before Naminé set the empty tray aside and walked over to him. Sitting next to Roxas, she slowly ventured, "I'm...not sure myself. But I do know you're nice." She gently placed her hand on his, "And I want to see you more."

At the echo of his own words, Roxas gave a slight smile back, "Thanks, Naminé. I'll try to visit you when I can." Slowly, he held her hand too, feeling the warmth of her touch through his glove.

Roxas walked out of Naminé's room, empty food trays in hand and a smile on his face.

"You're spending time with her?"

One that vanished as he heard Axel's voice behind him. Roxas stiffened slightly as he saw Zexion besides his friend, "Why not? I like talking with her."

Zexion rubbed his chin in thought, "Is that so? Does she remind you of anyone?"

Furrowing his brow, Roxas shook his head, "Not really." At the very least, he could be honest about this.

At the very least, Zexion didn't seem upset by the answer. He nodded, answering "Not many Nobodies have likes or dislikes without appropriate memories. Something else to watch as we work together I suppose."

"Work together?"

Axel smirked at Roxas' surprise, "Yeah, book boy here wants to make sure you're in good hands."

Zexion's eyes narrowed as he turned to Axel, "Keep in mind I outrank you number VIII."

Sighing, Axel shrugged, "I guess since you're technically the older Nobody I ought to respect my elders. Well, as long as my pal here gets out alright we'll be fine."

Turning back to Roxas, Zexion offered his hand, "I am certain I can guide you to be a productive member of the organization in your training."

Roxas studied the offered hand before relenting and shaking it, "Alright then. See you tomorrow." Roxas turned to head to his room. His mind churning with an unnerving thought. A productive member of the Organization and a tool were not mutually exclusive.

Axel's words defending him, calling him a friend, were one thing that helped him get to sleep that night.

The other was Naminé's reassurance, and the memory of her hand on his.

Naminé looked at the door Roxas had left through with a small smile. Even though he wore the dark robes of every other organization member, he was a light to her. Helping to guide her through her own fear and doubts. And maybe she could believe that she was something more than a phantom.

More than just a reflection of Kairi.

As she contemplated her other half, her eyes fell on the notebook she was working on. Drawing to visualize new memories for Sora. She turned to the page where the three childhood friends were now four. Looking at the visage of her counterpart, Naminé could not help but remember how Sora had seen Kairi at The End Of The World. The memory burned bright within him of the promise the two shared. But something had nagged at Naminé as she reviewed the memory.

How did Kairi get there in the first place?

Tracing the linked memory back, all Naminé could really see was a door of light appearing before Kairi. A connection that appeared for the Princess of Heart to whisk her elsewhere. One that seemed to resonate…

...the more she thought of Sora?

Naminé began to realize that the question of interference in the Organization's plans had ceased to become "if" and had mutated into "when".

Her only wish right now was that Roxas would make it out alright. If freedom was too much to ask for, she could at least hope for that.