"Is something wrong, Vanitas?" a voice asked. I looked up to see a whole new face.

"Hello, Xemnas," I said, sitting up straight in my chair. His orange eyes stared into mine, and he furrowed his eyebrows.

"You seem much more negative than usual," he continued.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but do you even know what negativity feels like? You are a Nobody," I questioned. Why bother explaining something to someone who has no idea how feelings work? He smiled at me.

"I can get a pretty good idea of what it means."

"Just some girl troubles, that's all," I muttered. "Enough about me. What brings you here?"

"Xehanort has said that the time has come for us to gather together and welcome our new vessel."

New vessel?

"Who is it?" I asked, confused. Xehanort never mentioned anything about a new vessel, except for Akio...

"A girl that you have grown feelings for. At least, that is what he has told me," Xemnas said, giving me a sympathetic look. "I'm guessing she's the one causing those girl troubles."

"Well, it's mostly this guy, Riku. I'm sure you've heard of him," I said. Xemnas's eyes hardened.

"I'm well aware of his existence," Xemans said flatly.

"He's been making moves on the girl, causing her to show feelings in return. When, truly, I've been the one to save her during her journey through the worlds." I crossed my arms. "It's pure bullshit."

"Well, I say you end his life," a new voice said.

"Thank you, Ansem," I said, grinning at him. "Exactly what I wanted to do in the beginning." Ansem looked at me with respect. He nodded his head, becoming silent again.

"So, that's your plan?" Braig asked, appearing. Isa soon followed after him. "Wouldn't you rather rub it in his face that you stole his girl? That would really push his buttons."

"Tempting," I said. "I do like that idea. Plus, I wouldn't have to have his blood on my hands."

"So, how will you win over the girl? I'm very curious to know," Isa said. The others nodded their heads.

"Well, I was thinking I would play the 'bad boy' card. Girls can't resist a bad boy, right?" They all murmured in response. "I could be assigned to keep watch over her on some stupid mission, get to know her, charm her, and, well, whatever comes next."

"Well, we could use this to test out her power of seeing others' memories as well," Isa said. "That way, we can collect some information on her. I'm sure she would be very essential to Sora and his group, as she could help them remember the Lost Keyblade Masters."

"Good observation," another voice said. We all looked to see Xehanort, smiling at us. "I found out that was precisely her plan all along, for she has been searching for the boy. Now, everything will change." Xehanort turned to me, his yellow eyes staring straight at me.

To be honest, it was quite unnerving.

"You shall make sure things go according to plan. Make sure she gets on the train after the events unfold, and I will take over the rest. Return here as soon as possible." I nodded my head, opening a dark portal.

What's gonna happen?

••••••••

I watched Akio and Riku walk out of a dark portal, and they both seemed mentally and physically exhausted. I noticed them holding hands as they sat on the steps outside of the mysterious tower. Akio huffed, blowing a strand of hair out of her face. She looked up to see Riku staring at her with a small smile. She rolled her eyes before leaning back, laying her head in his lap.

Riku's face became red, his eyes widening. Akio just smiled, blowed air in his face, and closed her eyes. She kept their fingers intertwined.

I glared daggers at them, suddenly mad at Akio as well. She may not remember me, but she has to know I'm here for her, right? Am I not a forgotten memory? Why hasn't she seen something to remember the time we spent together?

Oh. That's right.

I had to sacrifice those years we had so she could be here, now. But, seeing her now, with this guy, I have to wonder. Was it really worth it, even if she won't know that I've always loved her?

Of course it was. I wouldn't put her life on the line. Her happiness is worth more than mine. Her life is worth more than mine.

And, yes. I did just admit that I loved her. I always have, ever since the first day of training.

{[Flashback]}

"So... I just... swing it?" Akio asked, looking up at me with big eyes. She was holding a wooden sword, but it seemed way too big for her little five-year-old hands. I scratched my head.

"Yep, that's the idea. Maybe we should get you something that's not so big," I said. Akio's grip tightened on the wooden handle.

"No, no! I can do it! I was taught to fight before I came here!" Akio exclaimed. "See?" She tried to pick up the sword, but lost her balance, falling in the sand. I laughed, looking down to see her glare at me. Suddenly, I felt something hard hit me in the head, causing me to stumble.

"Gah!" I yelled as I was knocked to the sand as well. Akio started giggling like crazy, and I noticed that she hadn't moved from her position, so who..?

"I'm sorry, but they don't like for me to get hurt," Akio said after calming down a bit. She crawled over to me, sitting in my lap. "They said sorry, but you shouldn't have laughed."

"I'm sorry, too, but who are you talking about?" I asked. Akio thought for a moment before smiling. She started humming a song, leaning from left to right. I sighed. Guess I wasn't gonna get an answer.

Picking her up, I set her down so I could stand. I left for a second before returning with something in my hand.

"Here," I said, handing her what I found. "This is the perfect weapon for you."

"A stick?" she asked.

"Every great fighter started with a stick. Besides, you can use the wooden sword when you can actually hold it," I said.

"Okay!" Akio exclaimed. She threw the stick, chasing after it. Is she playing fetch? With herself? She returned on all fours, the stick in her mouth. She dropped the stick, sat down, and howled.

"What are you doing?" I asked. She just smiled at me before howling again. Rolling my eyes, I grabbed the stick and threw it. She ran on all fours, almost tripping to get the stick again. Laughing to myself, I realized once again that she was just a child.

I hope that things work out in the end.

{[End Flashback]}

"Ahem!"

I blinked my eyes, putting my focus on Akio. She was sitting up, staring at someone. So was Riku, although his face was a little pink. I moved so I could see that they were both looking at a girl with red hair and a pink dress with a ton of zippers.

No comment.

"Kairi!" Akio yelled, jumping up. She sprinted at Kairi, glomping her. Kairi squealed, almost falling down, but Akio caught her, laughing. They started talking, but Kairi pulled Akio closer and started whispering. Akio glanced back at Riku, but looked away.

Another friend of hers, huh? Someone's been busy.

I saw her eyes look down, and I saw something change. The way she was suddenly sad, the fact that she was ignoring her friend. Something was wrong.

But, what?

She suddenly flinched, as if someone was yelling in her ear. She started to mouth words, tears forming in her eyes. Akio grabbed her heart, breathing hard, before collapsing to the ground.

That's when I suddenly felt empty. Placing a hand on my chest, I realized something had changed. The familiar sound of the thump was gone, the calming sound of the rhythm dead. I felt hollow. I felt like a Nobody.

Kairi gasped, kneeling down. Riku jumped up and ran over to Kairi.

"Don't worry, this happens a lot," Riku said. "She always gets back up. Always."

"She did faint when we saw each other for the first time in, what, ten years?" Kairi said.

Really? This is normal for Akio? We might have to get her a walker, then.

Akio suddenly opened her eyes, sitting up and rubbing her head. A single tear ran down her cheek, and her dull eyes looked around.

Is this what was supposed to happen? I do remember Kingdom Hearts told me that my heart was hers, and that she would get it. So, if my heart is gone, and now inside of Akio, then that means that Kingdom Hearts has left her.

That's the ugly truth.