Takiko sat in the fountain square. He was watching the sky with his calm eyes. The clouds passing by were wispy fluffs. They crossed the sun occasionally but didn't block out the light. The sunlight hardly dimmed at all, keeping the square bright. It had been a quiet day. Nothing unusual had happened and no new keyblade wielders had been found. He looked away from the sky to the square around him. To his surprise a Chirithy appeared, running towards him as fast as it could on its short legs.

Takiko stood and went to the Chirithy, meeting it halfway. He knelt down in front of the Chirithy looking at it concerned. Rarely did Chirithy's seem so troubled. Usually, they only acted that way if something terrible had happened.

"What's wrong? Did something happen?" He asked. The Chirithy nodded. It was trying to catch it's breath and speak. Takiko put up his hand. "Just calm down." He said. The Chirithy slowed its breathing with a great deal of effort.

"Lyra needed me to pass on a message." The Chirithy said looking at Takiko with solemn eyes. Takiko frowned. Lyra wasn't one to send her Chirithy to do tasks for her. She usually delivered messages herself.

"What is it?" Takiko asked. The Chirithy looked down ashamed. Takiko's eyes widened almost certain of what had happened. He prayed he was wrong.

"She's sorry." Chirithy said softly. Takiko looked to the ground, his eyes softening as his fears were confirmed.

"Did, did she..." He asked, though he already knew the answer. He couldn't finish the thought. Lyra had been turning out to be extremely talented. Takiko was almost certain she would make it. She must've been skilled at masking the darkness eating away at her heart.

"Yeah, a Heartless got her," Chirithy said. It plopped down onto the ground in front of Takiko. It hid its face in its paws. It was ashamed of itself for failing. Takiko gently placed a hand on the Chirithy's head.

"Thank you for everything you've done, Chirithy." He said. The Chirithy looked up at him.

"I obviously didn't do that great of a job." Chirithy said frowning. Takiko shook his head.

"You did the best you could. Thank you. Without you, I'm sure she would have been lost much sooner." Takiko insisted. The Chirithy nodded, brightening up a little. It rubbed against Takiko's hand like a cat would. Takiko couldn't help but smile at it.

"Yeah." Chirithy agreed. It stood up once more. "Can you pass the message on to her friend. They meet here every day at noon, I don't think I'll make it that long." It said sadly. Takiko nodded, removing his hand from the Chirithy's head.

"Of course. Whatever afterlife you have, may Kingdom Hearts protect your spirit." He said. The Chirithy gave him a grateful look before walking away from him.

"Thank you." Chirithy said before disappearing in a ball of smoke. Takiko stood and returned to his place at the fountain. Judging from the sun noon wasn't too far off. He could wait for the friend Lyra always met.

The fact that the young mint haired girl was gone wasn't settling well with Takiko. She was fairly new, what could unsettle her so much? Most who couldn't handle being a keyblade wielder fell into darkness much sooner. The ones who could handle it usually lasted longer until they started doubting. It was very rare for one to only last a few weeks. Even more strange that in the few weeks she had been in Anguis she had shown great talent. Most of the union members loved her. She was sweet and kind. A true warrior of light. How had she fallen?

Takiko broke out of his thoughts hearing arguing. One voice he recognized immediately. Adiana, from Unicornis. The other was another female voice, but not one Takiko was familiar with. Their arguing was growing more heated by the minute.

"How many times do I have to tell you I don't care?! She's my best friend! Who gives a damn about unions!?" The unidentified voice asked. Takiko smirked, knowing Adiana would not take well to that question.

"Who gives a damn?! Everyone does! Unions exist for a reason and this unsanctioned friendship threatens the entire system!" Adiana yelled back. The two came into the square without glancing up. Next to the blonde lieutenant was a girl with white hair. Part of it was tied off to the side while the rest was left down. Her blue eyes were narrowed at Adiana in anger.

"Well I don't give a damn, and neither does that Vulpes lieutenant, so your guess is a little off." The girl said coldly. Takiko snickered causing both girls to look up at him. Adiana frowned.

"Takiko." She said, her eyes narrowing at him with dislike. "What brings you out here?" Adiana crossed her arms, momentarily ignoring the girl next to her.

"I don't think that's your concern, and this is a public space, so I can go wherever I like without reporting to anyone. Least of all you." Takiko said casually. Adiana smirked at him, acting as if she knew something he didn't. He kept a straight face though, not letting Adiana get to him.

"Are you here to stop the meetings between the one in your union and Annora here?" Adiana asked. The white-haired girl gasped and glared at Takiko like he was a villain. Takiko rolled his eyes.

"That would be hypocritical of me, don't you think?" Takiko asked. "After all, I still meet with my sister despite our separate unions." He said, earning a glare from Adiana. The other girl, Annora, looked relieved.

"Then why are you here?" Adiana asked. Takiko glared at her. His eyes were so harsh Adiana stepped back in fear, though she did well masking it.

"I believe I told you that wasn't your concern," Takiko said coolly. Adiana turned her back on him, muttering about how stupid he was. Annora watched her go then turned to Takiko with a grateful smile.

"Thanks for dealing with her." Annora said. Takiko brushed it off.

"You'll hear hell from her later about it. She just knows better than to mess with me." He said. "Anyway, I'm Takiko from Anguis. Your name's Annora, right?" He asked. She nodded.

"Yeah, that's me." Annora agreed.

"Is it true you meet Lyra here every day?" Takiko asked curiously. Annora looked at him unsure and nodded slowly. Takiko looked away from her sadly. "I'm afraid I have some bad news for you then." He said.

"What?" Annora asked, fear creeping into her voice. Noticing that herself she shook her head, trying to clear away her negative thoughts.

"I'm sorry, but she's gone." Takiko said simply. Annora looked at him in shock trying to register what he had said. She was silent for some time letting her mind try to wrap around what he had said. Takiko allowed the silence to hang in the air. This was a hard thing to hear for new keyblade wielders.

"What do you mean gone?" Annora finally managed to ask. Takiko sighed and rubbed the back of his head.

"She was taken by the darkness. According to her Chirithy a Heartless got her." Takiko explained. Annora glared at him and shook her head.

"No, that's not possible. You're lying to keep me away from her." Annora said anger filling her voice. Takiko gave her a sympathetic look. He turned away from her and sat down on the edge of the fountain.

"Her Chirithy told me just a few moments ago. It left thinking it wouldn't be able to face you." Takiko said. "I have no reason to lie to you." He looked up at the white-haired girl waiting for her reply.

"I don't believe you! I can't!" Annora said firmly, her voice steadily rising. Takiko could see the tears beginning to fill her blue eyes. She was fighting to hold them back. Takiko sighed looking up at the sky.

"What could I gain from lying to you about this? A wounded heart that allows darkness to creep into it? All that would do is cause another heart to fall into darkness. I've made it clear I care nothing for the union boundary, my own sister is in another union. So tell me, what is it you think I have to gain?" He asked. Annora looked at him in shock. She tried to think of something, anything that could explain why the lieutenant was lying to her. But she couldn't think of one. She fell to her knees and put her face into her hands.

"She can't be gone." Annora said between her sobs. Takiko watched as her small shoulders shook with each sob. He had never been good with crying people. That had always been Kamiko's area of expertise. She could comfort others fairly easily. Takiko was never one to understand emotional distress. There was only one thing he could say, though he knew it would make no difference.

"I'm sorry," Takiko said not moving from his place on the edge of the fountain. "It does no good to apologize for what has happened. But I am sorry none the less." To his surprise, her sobs seemed to recede after his pointless apology. Her breathing slowly steadied, interrupted only by the occasional hiccup.

"Did you know her well?" Annora asked. Takiko shook his head, though she wasn't looking at him.

"I'm afraid not. Not as well as I would have liked to, anyway." He said. "She was known fairly well throughout our union though. She was extremely talented so I heard, and from the little amount of time I spent observing her it seemed to be true." Takiko stood and began pacing around the square. Annora looked up to watch him.

"How could the darkness get her?" Annora asked. Her eyes were red and puffy, but no longer seemed to hold any tears that made her blue eyes seem like crystal. Her eyes reminded Takiko more of broken crystal now, all the spirit they once held lost.

"Something must have been troubling her. Something she couldn't tell anyone or thought she couldn't tell anyone." Takiko answered softly. He knew very well Annora would blame herself. Her type always did. But it was better than lying and just saying things like this happened sometimes for no reason.

"It was our meetings. Our Chirithy's said it was looked down upon. Lyra never wanted any trouble. Then we heard about how the Master of Masters created the unions to stay separate. That must have done it." Annora said bitterly. Takiko sighed, just as expected. Annora stood and brushed off her knees. She looked up and met Takiko's gaze. To his surprise, the look that reminded him of broken glass was gone. Her eyes were back to the crystal he had first seen. "We can't let this happen again." She said.

"You're far more interesting than I originally thought," Takiko said, his eyes filled with curiosity. He tipped his head to the side, looking at Annora with renewed interest rather than the pity that had filled his gaze before. "What do you suggest we do?" He asked.

"I don't know. Something." Annora insisted. Takiko frowned, not impressed by her lack of a plan.

"I can't help you much until you think of a real plan." He said, sounding rather disappointed. "When you have one feel free to come find me. I'll aid you in any way I can." He turned his back on her and left the square. He gave a casual wave over his shoulder as he left. Annora felt inclined to believe he would keep his word. She looked up to the sky in thought.

"Don't worry Lyra. We'll think of something." She said, hoping her voice would be carried to wherever her friend was. "May our hearts be our guiding key."

*<3*

Jax leaned back against a railing overlooking the water. He closed his eyes with a sigh, running a hand through the hair he left down. It had been another trying day. He had to go through town and gather information for Gula. Gula was much too busy to do it himself, and if he did it would look suspicious to the other foretellers. Sometimes Jax thought keeping up appearances was more trouble than it was worth.

"Hey, Jax!" Jax glanced up to see Kamiko skipping towards him. She was smiling brightly as she came to a stop in front of him. She clasped her hands behind her and rocked back and forth on her toes. Jax knew she was waiting for him to acknowledge her, and a look wouldn't suffice.

"What do you need?" He asked calmly. Kamiko looked up at the sky thinking. It was almost believable she had just come to talk to Jax for no reason. However, Jax still suspected otherwise.

"I was wondering if you knew where Blaine was?" Kamiko asked. Jax frowned, his eyebrows furrowing. He looked at Kamiko in confusion. Blaine was a member of the Leopardus union. It made no sense for Kamiko to be searching for him. He was a strong wielder, one that didn't go against the rules.

"Why are you looking for him?" Jax asked suspiciously. Kamiko sighed heavily.

"One of my union members is claiming the Blaine was messing with them while out collecting lux. I don't really believe it but I have to at least check it out. I want to hear his side of the story." She explained. She looked exhausted while speaking like she had been working all day. It was possible she was telling the truth, but Jax wasn't sure.

"I can talk to him for you." Jax offered.

"No, that's alright. You're super busy as it is, aren't you? I can handle talking to him." Kamiko said a little too quickly for Jax's liking. He nodded slowly.

"Last I saw he was by the lighthouse," Jax said. Kamiko smiled brightly.

"Thanks. I'll get out of your hair now." She said. She turned away from Jax and began walking towards the lighthouse. Jax waited a moment before following her. He knew the story she had told him was a lie. Kamiko was never talented at lying. He would follow her and see what it was she was really after.

Jax found Kamiko speaking to Blaine and the edge of the walkway. Blaine was a young man with dark hair that fell over one eye. He wore a dark jacket over a black shirt. He had on a black hat with a red feather that shielded his eyes from view. He was leaning against the railing while Kamiko stood facing him. Most of her playfulness had been lost and replaced with a serious demeanor. Jax leaned against the lighthouse, listening in on the conversation.

"So I'd live? No war for me?" Jax heard Blaine ask. He heard Kamiko chuckle in response.

"That's right." She confirmed. Jax frowned. What could they be talking about? It sounded as if Kamiko could offer a way out of the war. But that was never brought up by Gula. Was the Vulpes union acting on its own?

"I'm in," Blaine said. "Where do I sign up?"

"I'll send my Chirithy to let you know when the next training session is. Until then, don't tell anyone." Kamiko replied. Jax pulled away from the lighthouse. He slowly paced the path, waiting for Kamiko to pass by. Blaine passed him first, tipping his hat as he walked past. Jax nodded to him in return, not saying a word.

Kamiko walked past next. She smiled cheerfully at him then came to a sudden stop. She lost her smile as she looked at Jax with distrust. Jax didn't speak, only raised his eyebrows. Kamiko sighed and ran her fingers through her short hair.

"You didn't believe anything I said, did you?" She asked. Her brown eyes were hopeful, maybe thinking he would just say he just happened to be passing by.

"No, I didn't," Jax replied calmly. "What were you offering?" He asked. He crossed his arms and leaned back once again. Kamiko frowned watching him.

"Why should I tell you? You'll just go and report it back to Gula like you always do." Kamiko demanded. She crossed her arms and lifted her chin, giving the impression she was looking down on him. Jax smirked, keeping his head tilted down.

"Don't you report everything back to Ava?" He challenged. Kamiko didn't reply but continued to glare. "I report only what I think is important. That usually includes people doing what they shouldn't be. Tell me, are you doing something you shouldn't be?" Jax continued. Kamiko glanced away from him.

"Master Ava has asked me to recruit Blaine into the Dandelions." Kamiko said.

"What are the Dandelions?" Jax asked. Kamiko didn't look him in the eyes. She continued to focus her gaze on something off to the side.

"It's a group of keyblade wielders she's gathering to survive the war. It was her role given to her by the Master of Masters." Kamiko said. Jax uncrossed his arms and stood up straight.

"That's all you had to say. I apologize for getting in your way." He said. He waved over his shoulder as he walked away. "Good luck to you." He said. Kamiko watched him go surprised. She didn't say anything as he vanished from her sight. Maybe him too. She'd have to talk to Ava.