I felt someone kiss my forehead and the bed shifted as they got up. I just kept my eyes closed. I didn't want to wake up from this dream. The sound of voices slowly pulled me out if my daze, and I lazily opened one eye. The sunlight from outside caused me to squint, but I saw Akio standing at the window.

Her hair was messy, and she was still wearing my shirt. She turned to meet my gaze, smiling at me. I let my eyes wander down to see that she was only wearing my shirt. She saw me looking and tugged my shirt, covering herself. I smirked at her now red face, relaxing.

"Riku!" Akio suddenly said with a hint of alarm.

Oh, hell no.

I got up and was at the window in a few quick strides. I pulled Akio away from the window so no one could see her and grabbed the top of the open window. Riku's head appeared outside the window, and he came face-to-face with my favorite finger. I slammed the window closed, glaring at him as he dropped back to the ground. I closed the curtains, turning to see Akio smiling at me.

"You didn't have to flip him off," she said, giggling.

"Yeah, I did. While you were passing out, I told them I would take you home, and Riku said he would be here in the morning to check on you. Flipping him off showed him he needed to back up off you," I answered, tired once again. How long were we up last night, anyways?

"So, that's the only reason? You sure you weren't just jealous~?" Akio asked, smirking.

"Shut up or I'll actually do something next time," I muttered, running a hand through my dark hair. Akio laughed, placing her hands on her hips.

"Next time?"

"You thought I was done with you?"

Akio rolled her eyes at me, turning around. I smiled sleepily, falling onto her bed. I watched as she collected her clothes that I had practically thrown everywhere. I wanted crawl back into the bed and hold her again, but I knew that we had business to get to. Akio headed into the bathroom, and I felt a pain in my head.

No.

The pain got worse, but I continued to ignore it.

"Vanitas," a voice said. I opened my eyes and shot up to see a figure staring at me.

"Isa? What are you doing here?" I asked, confused.

"Xehanort wants to see you," he responded, and I felt his icy gaze.

"Uh, okay," I muttered, standing up. I walked towards him, causing him to back up.

"Put on some damn clothes first!" Isa yelled. I looked down to see I was just in my boxers, quickly grabbing my pants. I pulled them on, following him down the dark corridor.

"I meant ALL of your clothes," he muttered, not facing me.

"Sorry, but Akio has my shirt," I said smugly.

"That's enough!" Isa barked. We continued the walk in silence.

•••••••

We arrived in the round room, and I was surprised that I was standing in the dead center. Xehanort was the only one sitting in the room. I guess Isa disappeared without making a sound.

"What's up, boss?" I asked, sticking my hands in my pockets. He stared at me, and I actually felt nervous for once. He didn't seem like the regular old man to me anymore. Instead, he seemed powerful and...and mad.

Very mad. As if his hatred was simmering beneath his blank face.

"What happened?" I asked. Xehanort sighed, and I felt my stomach drop.

"The real question...is what are you going to do to earn my trust," Xehanort said quietly. My eyes widened as the realization dawned on me.

He knew.

"You didn't think I was serious, did you?" I asked, crossing my arms. "I was just going along with her crazy plan so I could protect her. It's important that we keep her on our good side-"

"No, now she's trying to work with those who believe in the Light."

"I can change her mind! She trusts me."

"But I don't. You have forty-eight hours to get your act together, convince her to be the final vessel, and destroy those feckless neophytes. Other wise, you give your mind to me and I control how you act. I'll take extreme measures if I have to."

"I-" I started, but Xehanort silenced me. I tried to open my mouth, but no words would come out.

"Or, I could solve all our problems by just killing her off," Xehanort said, causing me to break out into a cold sweat. I managed to take control of myself for a second.

"Deal," I muttered, forcing the word out of my lips. Xehanort looked at me with suspicion in his eyes.

"So, hearing about her getting harmed fills you with power?" he questioned, narrowing his eyes at me. I watched as my hands slowly went up to neck, grasping my throat. My grip grew stronger, and I stared at Xehanort with wide eyes. My air circulation was cut off, and my lungs started to burn from the lack of oxygen.

"Next time I silence you, stay that way," Xehanort said calmly. He finally let go off me, and my hands dropped down as I took in gulps of air. I looked down at my hands. He could've killed me. I might still be standing here, but what's important is that he could've killed me.

Xehanort opened a dark portal behind me, and I silently backed into it.

•••••

The portal opened to Akio's room, and I grabbed the rest of my clothes. Slipping on my jacket, I opened the window. I've got to do something. Maybe I could at least warn her of what's to come. I jumped down into the Sandlot, taking the back way to the Tram Common. I headed up a ramp, hearing voices. Not wanting to deal with people, I slipped down some steps to stand in a alley. Junk was everywhere, but I didn't let it phase me.

"Hey, Akio," I started off. Ugh. That's stupid. "So, Akio." Even worse. I was pacing and stumbled into a crate full of old computer parts. I kicked it out of the way, grumbling.

"Akio, there's something really important I need to tell you. I thought I was protecting you, but I can't keep you safe anymore. I thought that by sticking together, we could overcome anything. But, being with me puts you in real danger. Xehanort knows that you don't want to be his pawn anymore. It won't be long before he finds us guilty of turning against him. I'm sorry for dragging you into this mess. I'm sorry for being the cause of this. Honestly, I blame you for making me love you..."

I froze when I realized a pair of eyes were on me. I became a shadow as I turned to see Akio staring at the spot where I stood. She seemed to be lost in thought, so she seemed surprised when she did a double take.

"Huh," Akio mumbled. She took a bite of some ice cream in her hand, and I noticed she was holding another one. Was it for me?

"This for me?" a male voice asked. I clenched my fists as the guy with the beanie snatched the spare ice cream from Akio. Three more teens were behind them, watching as Akio got mad.

"Hey! Give that back!" Akio yelled, reaching for the treat. The jerk just held it over his head, smirking.

"How about a trade?" Beanie Boy asked, crossing his arms. "I'll give you this if you give me a kiss." Beanie Boy's gang had left, leaving only them. He had gotten closer to Akio, who looked as if she wanted to beat the shit out of him. Instead, she took a breath, plastering a shy smile on her face.

"Okay, close your eyes," Akio said, batting her eye lashes. He smiled, closing his eyes and leaning towards her.

She wouldn't, would she? All for some ice cream?

Akio suddenly grabbed the ice cream out of his hand, punching him in the face. He fell back and I stifled a laugh. Beanie Boy grabbed his nose, wincing in pain. Blood was on his hand as he stood up.

"Why, you little-!" he growled, but Akio summoned her Keyblade, pointing it at him. He backed up, his eyes wide in surprise.

"Don't try that kind of stuff with me again, or else," Akio said, glaring at him. He walked off, grumbling, and Akio's Keyblade disappeared from her hand. She sat down on the steps, continuing to eat her ice cream. I walked over to her, sitting down. I wanted to appear so she could see me again, but I couldn't.

Xehanort.

That's gonna get old.

Akio sighed, closing her eyes and leaning back. I guess she's thinking about the shit we have to deal with. Why does Xehanort even want to use her as a vessel? She's not important to him anymore. Maybe...maybe it's because she's useful for Sora. Her original plan was to help him remember the people he forgot, wasn't it?

Xehanort is running out of time. That's why he needs a vessel.

"Akio! Akio!" a voice called out. She sat up, looking around. Her eyes landed on me for a second before continuing on. She stood up, brushing herself off as she headed up the stairs. I watched as she almost ran into Sora, and they started talking. Akio looked back at me before nodding her head. She handed Sora the uneaten ice cream, and they headed off.

••••

I appeared in the mysterious tower, in the same hallway from last time. Mickey, Donald, Goofy, Kairi, and Riku were all in the next room, eating cake and drinking tea. They seemed to be happy, and I felt a twang of jealousy. How can they just celebrate when their worlds are going to end?

The door opened, and Akio and Sora poked their heads in the room. He laughed, running into the room straight to Kairi. She was about to eat another piece of cake, but he ate it right off of her fork. Riku stood up with his own plate, walking over to Akio.

They said a few words, and he held out his fork with some cake on it. Akio started to speak, but he put the fork in her mouth anyways. She chewed the cake, smiling and nodding her head. I clenched my fists, looking away.

I know Akio loves me, but it still stings.

My head started pounding, a dark portal opening underneath me. I fell into the dark abyss, the bitter taste of jealousy in my mouth.