Jessica's Point of View

There was something about not going on a mission that made me want to get up early. I supposed it was because I didn't have to dread getting out of bed and going to work. I headed to the Gray Area. Saix was the only one there. "You're up early," Saix commented. The way he said it was so casual that it caught me off guard.

"I guess so. Aren't you mad at me?" I wondered.

"Not really. For one, I can't be mad. You know that. Even if I could be mad... I don't think I would be. Just disappointed," Saix replied.

I plopped down on a couch. "Yeah. I'm sure the others have loads to say to me."

"Most of us are just concerned for you. Especially those who have been here from the start," Saix mentioned.

All I could think about was how I missed my chance to get away from the Organization. It was a stretch, but I hoped someone might help me. I wouldn't dare ask when anyone else was around, but I figured Saix was as good a place to start as any. "Saix, I need to get out of here."

"In case you've forgotten, you're grounded," Saix reminds.

"Not like that. I've stayed here too long, Saix. Don't you see that? I'm not a Nobody. My family is dead. I need to find a new home. I've needed to for a long time. Please help me," I begged.

"Unbelievable," Saix scoffed. I stiffened, fearful that he would tell Xemnas what I asked of him. He walked over to me. "Jessica, you are home. This always will be your home. Why can't you see that? We're all trying to look out for you in our own way. But sometimes, you cross boundaries that even you can't get away with without consequences."

Xaldin came into the room. "What's going on here?"

"Good. You're here. You talk to her," Saix demanded before returning to where he usually stood in the center of the room.

Xaldin took a seat next to me. "Do you want to tell me what's going on, or should I ask Saix?" He inquired.

I knew if I didn't tell Xaldin, Saix would. I felt bad because Xaldin had done so much for me, but there wasn't anything I could do once it was out in the open. "I want to leave. For good. I've been thinking about it for a while, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. Now that Xemnas has taken away every way for me to do that, I don't know what to do. Not having the option of leaving scares me. You don't want me to leave either, do you?"

Xaldin sighed in a way that usually meant he was going to try to explain something in a way I could understand. "Of course no one wants you to leave. Who else would keep us on our toes? Sometimes things don't work out like you want them to. I've known you've been wanting to leave for a while."

"You have?" I asked.

"I've suspected, at least. I knew you wouldn't want to stay from the moment I heard Vexen and Zexion were eliminated. I'm surprised you stayed this long even. I'm glad you did, though. If it weren't for you, I would forget what I'm fighting for," Xaldin commented.

"And what's that?" I wondered.

"I never told you this, but I had an idea I had been pushing around, and I decided on it once Kingdom Hearts became visible. Jessica, I know the deaths of Zexion, Vexen, and Lexaeus have been hard on you, and things will never be like they used to be, but once the Organization finishes Kingdom Hearts and this is over, I would like you to move into a place with me," Xaldin requested.

"What?" I gasped.

"Your father had asked Lexaeus to care for you if he were to die. We weren't expecting them to die one after the other, so I'm the next logical choice. Unless you would rather ask Xigbar," Xaldin explained.

"You want to take care of me when the Organization is over," I realized. I knew I couldn't. I had to find the Sailor Guardians. "We'll see where we're at when the time comes."

"Fair enough. I hoped it might give you something to look forward to," Xaldin mentioned.

"It does," I assured him.

"Good. Then you'll stay with us so that this can come to pass one day," Xaldin stated.

"I- yes?" It took me a moment to realize that Xaldin had tricked me into saying I would stay with the Organization until they reached their goal. Unfortunately for Xaldin, that didn't make me want to leave any less, but I realized that I wasn't getting anywhere with him or Saix, so I let him think he convinced me. He wrapped his arm around my shoulder, and I leaned into him, momentarily comforted by the safety of Xaldin's arms.

Axel entered the room and acted as if nothing had happened. "Hey, Jess," He greeted cheerily. I couldn't just pretend that he didn't see me get grounded by Xemnas. I waved to him and gave him a sideways look, and that was that.

Xion came into the room, and Roxas came shortly after. Once they greeted each other, Saix approached them. I listened in, intrigued by what Saix could possibly want from them enough that he couldn't wait for them to come to him. "Xion, Roxas. I need you on separate missions today," Saix began.

I was so caught off guard that I couldn't keep a look of shock off my face, but I quickly rectified it before anyone could notice. "What? Why?" Xion asked.

"Two major Heartless targets have surfaced in two separate worlds. Roxas, you take Beast's Castle. Xion, you go to Agrabah," Saix instructed.

"But how can- Never mind," Xion mumbled.

"Whoa, you're gonna send Roxas to Beast's Castle? I dunno...," Axel started before walking over to them. "I was just there yesterday for recon, remember? I saw the Heartless you're talking about. You don't want to pit Roxas against that thing. Not by himself."

"If I send them both, who's going to handle the Heartless in Agrabah?" Saix questioned.

I stood up suddenly. "I'll do it!"

"At what risk? Your instructions were clear," Saix growled.

"I will," Axel stated.

Saix turned his attention back to Axel. "You?"

"Sure, I'm a big boy," Axel assured him.

"Except you can't collect hearts," Saix pointed out.

"So what? I'll keep the Heartless out of trouble, then they can hit it another day," Axel replied.

"Is that okay with you, Saix?" Roxas checked.

"Fine. But this is the last day. Starting tomorrow you both work solo," Saix huffed.

"All right," Roxas agreed as Saix walked back to his usual post.

I approached Xion. "What are you going to do?" I whispered. She just shook her head and left with Roxas.

Saix turned to Axel. "Don't think for a minute I believed that."

"Believed what?" Axel asked.

"That reprehensible performance," Saix snapped.

"Uh-huh, well... I'd better get to Agrabah. Oh, but before I do, I was wondering if I could snag Jess away after my mission," Axel requested.

Saix crossed his arms over his chest. "And why would I let her do that? Lord Xemnas's orders were clear."

"I know, I know, but this is different. It's not for a mission. It's just getting some ice cream with friends. You remember what that's like. Jess is still a kid. You get it, don't you? We owe her that much," Axel tried.

Saix turned to me, and I gave a small smile and a wave before he turned his attention back to Axel. "I'll discuss it with Lord Xemnas."

"Great! See ya, Jess," Axel said before leaving.

I waited in the Gray Area for the others to return. Saix had left after he had given all the missions. Xemnas came to the Gray Area in the middle of the day. "I am told you would like to leave this world to spend time with your friends after their mission."

"So?" I questioned.

"How do I know you won't run off the first chance you get?" Xemnas demanded.

"You don't," I remarked.

"Then I'm sure you can understand when I say I cannot allow you to leave. You have become too much of a liability these days," Xemnas stated.

"Thanks for telling me what I already know," I groaned.

I started to walk away. "Not so fast, young lady," Xemnas called after me. I turned back to him. "This isn't permanent. I want you to know that. It's just until you understand that my rules are put into place for a reason, and so you must follow them. If you can show me you are more willing to work with me, we may negotiate what you do. I don't intend to keep you here forever."

"I won't work against you, Xemnas. I just can't work for you anymore," I sighed.

"Then I suppose, since you're either for me or against me, this conversation is over," Xemnas decided.

"Of course you don't care! You're always thinking about what's best for you!" I screamed, losing my temper.

"Go to your room," Xemnas ordered.

"I would've been better off in Atlantica!" I yelled.

"To your room!" Xemnas boomed. I angrily rushed back to my room and stared furiously at the wall.

"This would never have happened if we had left when I said something," Luna remarked.

"Not the time, Luna," I grumbled.

Luna scoffed but didn't taunt me anymore.

That night, Axel, Roxas, and Xion came to my room, and they were unexpectedly smiling. "What's going on?" I wondered. Xion held out her arm and summoned her keyblade. I clapped with joy. Xion would be okay. When she vanished her keyblade, I hugged her. "I'm so happy for you, Xion."

"Thanks. I almost don't believe it. Roxas let me use his keyblade today, and at the end of the mission, I tried again, and it came to me," Xion smiled.

"That's crazy! Wait. Roxas, if she used your keyblade, what did you use?" I asked.

Xion giggled. "He used a stick."

"A stick? Like, as in, a stick?" I snickered.

"I made do. I'd like to see you try it," Roxas smirked.

"I would, but I'm not stupid," I laughed. Axel coughed accusingly. "At least not in that way," I clarified. We laughed together.

"You must be bored here all day. Wanna get in some trouble?" Axel suggested mischievously.

"Aren't I supposed to ask you that question? What did you have in mind?" I wondered.

"Roxas, Xion, Jess, grab your blankets. We're going to build a fort in the Gray Area," Axel declared.

"A fort?" Xion asked.

"What's that?" Roxas added.

Axel and I grinned at each other. When Ienzo and I were children, he and Saix would occasionally help us build a fort in the Gray Area. We would be found in the morning and usually get yelled at for a while, but it was always worth it. "Can they handle it?" I questioned.

"Meh, they're ready," Axel stated.

"Ready for what?" Xion tried.

"A rite of passage amongst us children of the Organization," I answered.

"Just go grab your blankets. We'll show you," Axel said.

The trio left my room to grab supplies for a massive fort. I excitedly brought my blankets and met up with them in the Gray Area.