Xehanort kept Akio in the jail cell in The World that Never Was. He said I could watch over her, but if I pulled anything, my execution would be next.

He can't be serious, though. I've known him for too long, and he trusts me the most out of all the others.

"Why?" Akio asked, gripping the bars. I looked up at her. Her eyes were red from crying. I placed my hand on top of hers. She blushed, looking away from me.

"It's not your fault," I said for the hundredth time. I had stayed by her side after they put her in here. There's something I can do, though. It's not like I'm just gonna let them kill her. I could pretend that she escaped using her dark powers.

But, Xehanort's right. She can't just be let go and know our plans. No matter how much I care for her, she can't know we exist. It's for her own good. Now, how can I erase her memories?

"What are you thinking about?" she asked. I blinked, realizing I was still staring at her.

"Nothing," I answered.

"Then why were you looking at me for so long?"

"What, you're allowed to stare at me, but I'm not allowed to stare at you?"

"Wha- that's not what I meant!"

"So you admit to staring at me?"

"No! I- shut up!" Akio turned away, her face red again.

"Shut can't go up." Akio huffed in annoyance at my joke. Ouch. My bad jokes always make her laugh, so she must be seriously upset about this.

She let go of the bar, but I held onto her hand. I pulled her closer to me so we were face-to-face. Her eyes widened, and I could tell she was holding her breath.

Cute.

"Do you think I would just let him kill you?" I asked seriously.

"N-no?"

"I said, do you think I would just let him kill you?"

"No."

"Good."

"What are you-?"

"I'm gonna get you out of here."

"Are you crazy?!"

"About you?"

"Huh?!" Akio exclaimed, her face redder. I smirked before putting my finger on her lips. Her eyes crossed as they focused on my finger.

"If you're not quiet, they'll know we're up to something," I said, enjoying her reaction. She nodded her head slightly, looking me in the eyes again. I put my finger down and looked both ways before continuing.

"I think I know a way to make it so no one remembers you were even here. You'll forget you were here, too. You'll forget..."

"You?" she asked softly.

"Yeah," I said, sighing. "But, it'll be worth it. You'll be safe from Xehanort."

"But...what about you?" she asked, gripping my hand. "He'll know you did something, and-"

"Not if he doesn't remember meeting you."

"What?"

"Xehanort found your body, and he saved your life. You were so young, and you almost died. I don't know if I can stop him from remembering you, since he found you. If I stopped him from finding you, you wouldn't be here. But, I can make it seem like you escaped before I could bring you back."

"Oh, right! You're time travel powers!"

I nodded my head. I let go of her hand, stepping back. Her eyes followed me.

"Where are you going?" Akio asked, her voice shaking.

"Back in time," I answered. I opened a dark portal behind me and kept walking backwards.

"Wait! I'm not ready to say goodbye!" she shouted, tears welling up in her eyes. Her big, beautiful eyes. I turned around, facing the darkness in front of me.

"Vanitas!"

I looked over my shoulder at her.

"I'm never leaving you."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I felt Akio shift in my arms as I ran through the deserted wasteland. I had grabbed her when she first arrived in Twilight Town, and she was still sound asleep. I had put on some large, white shorts and a large, loose white shirt on her. If what Xehanort had said was true, her mind and soul would stay in her heart, while her body grew.

My plan was to leave her where she was before.

The Keyblade Graveyard.

I hope this works.

I placed her down on the ground in a secluded place. There was plenty of shade and quiet. No one could find her here.

"Don't worry, Akio," I whispered, smoothing back her hair. "I'll find someway to save you." The only problem is that I can't exactly bring her back. Sure, she'll be older, but we'll be right back where we started. Someone from the light needs to rescue her.

"Thank you, Vanitas." I froze at the voice.

"Who's there?" I asked, summoning my Keyblade. I searched the area, but there was no one around. I looked down at Akio. She suddenly sat up, opening her eyes. One was dark as the night, the other bright as day.

"You want to protect her, and we are grateful for that," Akio said, her voice different.

"Kingdom Hearts?" I asked, staring. She nodded her head.

"You have proven that you are different from the others who believe in darkness. You strive to be like those who accept the light."

"But..I'm just the darkness from someone's heart. How can I.."

"You are, aren't you?" Akio asked, tilting her head. "Looks like we'll have to change that." She stood up, placing her small hand on my chest.

"What are you- huh?" I felt something in my chest start to beat. Placing my hand where my heart would've been, I heard it.

Ba dum. Ba dum. Ba dum.

"You deserve some token of appreciation. But, this is also so you can be by her side forever. Just like how Xehanort has done to the others, you shall share her heart. It is temporary, though. You are just the one keeping it for her. Once she is ready to live with her own heart, or we are needed for something bigger than her, you're heart will become hers."

"So, we'll always be connected, even when she gets her own, or, uh, this one?"

"Precisely."

"And, what about Xehanort's heart? You know, the piece of it he gave to me?"

"It's apart of your new one. Therefore, it will stay with you, but some of it may transfer over to her when the time comes," Akio concluded.

"Okay," I said. "I get it..kind of." She smiled at me.

"We will take care of her. Don't worry." Akio winked at me. "We know you care for her dearly."

"Well, what do expect? She kinda grew on me," I confessed, shrugging my shoulders.

"We'll handle everything. You just forget about her."

"I can't just-"

"You'll cross paths again. Someday, in the future. You may keep watch over her, but no more interfering with the past."

"Alright," I said, nodding in agreement.

"Oh, and make sure the mouse finds her once she turns fifteen. That's when her journey will begin."

"Mouse?" I asked, confused. What does a mouse have to do with her? Akio started yawning. She laid back on the ground. I suddenly felt a pain in the back of my head. Wincing, I knew Xehanort was calling me.

"Just tell Xehanort you tried to grab Akio and we took away your power." Akio opened one eye. "Which we did." She flicked her wrist, opening another portal. "See you soon, Vanitas."

I looked back down at Akio, about to walk through the portal when I remembered. I placed down her hammer next to her. Akio grabbed it, gripping the handle. I smiled before running back through the portal to Xehanort.

Goodbye, Akio.

See you soon.