Awakening the Heart

A few things. I know they're starting to get a bit OOC. I'm going to try and reign that in however it does have to happen at least a bit for things to work the course they need to work. I also have altered things from the game a bit, partially due to my own forgetfulness. I was under the impression Xaldin died before Demyx but I've been told otherwise so if I did mix them up I'm sorry. It'll all work out in the end. At least that's the plan. Last note before we delve into (sadly) yet another 'smut free' chapter (I'm sorry ._. So sorry), reviews are awesome things that let me know if I'm royally screwing this up or if you guys like it and maybe even have some suggestions. Please by all means tell me what you think. I'd love to know. Thanks in advance and enjoy. :3


Chapter 3

“The heart has reasons that reason cannot know.” ~ Blaise Pascal


Xemnas' head bowed and he seemed to sigh. "I see Xigbar," he stated solemly, "Was it...?"

"It was him sir," Xigbar replied, his voice taking on a distasteful tone, "That brat with the keyblade killed him in cold blood."

Kairi's gasp brought all their eyes to her as internally her heart cried out, "Sora what have you done?" She fell to her knees there, tears she didn't know the reason for welling in her eyes. She had never met this Xaldin, yet she cried for his fate. She wept for what had happened to him, both in the past and now. As Xigbar turned to Xemnas to ask if she was who he thought she was and why she was crying he saw something in the Superior's eyes that hadn't been there in a long time. Looking at Saix he noticed him almost fidget as if uncomfortable. This was odd, definately odd.

"Hey, girlie," Xigbar said as he made his way up to her, "You gonna be ok? Why're you crying?"

He knelt before her when he reached her and looked at her, tears ran down both her cheeks and the pure look of anguish on her face revealed that it seemed she was crying for the lost friend he couldn't cry for. He couldn't understand why she would cry for someone like them. Didn't everyone hate nobodies? She was the friend of the keyblade wielder he was almost certain so why would she cry over the destruction of one of their ranks. He didn't understand all this, he just hoped it would straighten out soon enough before there was no one left to regain a heart at the rate Sora was going. Helping her stand he guided her back down to Xemnas and Saix who were standing there.

"Saix," Xemnas started as he turned to his second in command, "Take Kairi back to her quarters please. I must see to things in lieu of current 'circumstances.'"

Saix nodded and Xigbar released Kairi who quietly made her way to follow Saix. Tears still dropped from her eyes though she made no noise. It was about halfway back to her cell that she stopped following and merely collapsed to the ground again. Fisting her hands she hit the ground twice in frustration as the tears came stronger. What was Sora doing, why did he have to destroy first and ask questions... well never. Saix stopped and watched her for a moment. Her small frame shook as silent sobs racked her body. It was then, he heard her murmur out, "Sora, why? There had to be another way... why?"

It was then he realized that she wept not for her fate, not for the possibility of her friend getting hurt, but for the fate of one of his own colleagues. A nobody, this girl, this princess of the heart was weeping for the death of a nobody. Something inside him stirred. It confused him as it wasn't something he was familiar with, not the moon, not his berserker nature, something else. Something that warmed him. Hardly in control of his own actions the warmth moved him over to Kairi's form and he knelt next to her and tentatively reached toward her shoulder. In that moment she turned and launched herself at him, her sobs taking on sound as she wept into his chest mumbling over and over about 'how could Sora do this' and 'there must be another way.' Saix froze for a moment, startled by her reaction before he awkwardly gave into the soothing warmth telling him to wrap his arms around her and hold her. His brain was rebelling and working overdrive to figure out how, why, and even what he was doing. Her hands fisted into his cloak without her realizing and she wept out her sadness and frustration at the inability to have prevented this somehow into his muscular chest. They stayed that way for an unknown amount of time. Eventually her sobs quieted and her body shook less and less in his arms as she cried herself to sleep, hands still fisted into his cloak. The whole time he held her like that the warmth circulated and grew in his chest. For a moment the fleeting thought crossed his mind that this was what he recalled having a heart feeling like, but that passed as he knew he still lacked that which he desired so greatly.

Carefully Saix stood, picking Kairi's slumbering form with him and carried her back towards her 'quarters.' He wasn't sure why but he had no desire to wake her after her fit earlier. It still disturbed him greatly that she had felt such emotion for he loss of one of them. He would have to report to Xemnas after he replaced her in her quarters. Though a part of him didn't want to leave her to go make that report. He quickly squashed that idea, unsure of where it came from. Upon reaching the dungeons and entering her cell he attempted to place the girl on her makeshift bed, the dog eyeing him warilly.

Saix went to straighten back up only to find her hands still clutched his coat firmly. He tried to remove her small hands but it seemed even in her sleep her grip was tight and firm and it seemed he, the Luna Diviner, was not getting away. With a sigh he ran over his options, make her let go and probably wake her, or remain here though he prayed not in this position. Another attempt to free himself proved useless and he signed again, resigning himself to lay beside her after scooting her over a bit. The dog's eyes seemed to bore into him now and he swore the dog had a smirk on it's face. With a quiet growl to it Saix settled down, hoping she'd release him soon. Pluto meanwhile scampered off to a far corner and laid himself down to keep watch. With a contented sigh Kairi nuzzled unconsciously into Saix's chest, fitting her body against his. It was all innocent of course however the berserker couldn't help but notice the new curves pressing into him as she nuzzled him further in an almost catlike way. With a quiet groan he tried to make himself comfortable and prayed that she would wake soon.

Meanwhile with Xemnas:

Xigbar had relayed the demise of Xaldin to his superior and was now receiving his next orders. As he took them and nodded before portalling out he noticed Xemnas' face was drawn, more so than usual. The man seemed, worried about something or just so deeply lost in thought he wasn't aware of how odd he had behaved. Xigbar put it out of his mind for the moment and after stopping by his quarters portalled out and onto his next mission.

After his departure Xemnas made his way to Xaldin's portal. The gate stood lifeless before him, the red light illuminating the lance design on the ground. With a sigh Xemnas moved his way back up through the room and to his own quarters up the middle walkway. The altar of naught before him he stood there, leaning at the rail surveying Kingdom Hearts. This was not boding well. If Sora continued to wipe out his operatives no one would be left to regain their hearts. This was becoming so bothersome. He sighed and tried to think. What could be done. He would have to speak with Saix, perhaps the diviner had some ideas. It was then he noticed it. Kingdom Hearts was glowing slightly, and resonating with a soft hum more than normal. It seemed to be reacting to something, but what. Surely in all the time it had been here Xemnas had never seen it behave like this. This was new and definately required investigation. He would have to go find Saix and speak with him sooner than later. With another look at the now practically humming Kingdom Hearts he portalled out to Saix's quarters. Xemnas found them empty and thought for a moment. Checking the next best place he portalled down to the dungeon and Kairi's cell. As he came through the portal he immediately met the strangest sight he'd seen in a while. Kairi, nuzzled into Saix's chest, clutching his cloak as if for dear life and Saix himself laid beside her holding her and nuzzling her back. If he didn't know better Xemnas could swear he heard a rumbling purr from the berserker's chest.

Xemnas cleared his throat quietly and Saix turned to look at him as much as he could with Kairi asleep cuddling him.

"Superior sir," Saix said, a nervous look fleeting across his face, "I meant to come report to you after returning her to her room however.... she will not let go."

"Indeed," Xemnas said as he walked over with a nod, taking in the way her small hands fisted into Saix's coat. Saix began to attempt to get out of her grip as Xemnas continued, "Saix, it would seem something is causing a reaction in Kingdom Hearts. Not long ago it was resonating and glowing brighter than it normally does. We need to find out what is causing this. Did you notice anything odd recently?"

Saix thought for a moment as he finally got Kairi to release one hand without waking her. "The only thing Superior," he said as he worked on the other hand, "Is what I was going to report to you. Somehow this girl is causing a strange reaction with me. Earlier on the way back to her room she began crying for the demise of Xaldin. It stirred something in me, a warmth that settled in my chest and led me to act in ways I would not normally do. It was... almost like I had a heart again."

"Hmm," Xemnas murmured as he crossed his arms and mulled this news over. Saix finally extracated himself from Kairi's grip and stood, moving to stand across from Xemnas. "It would seem that she may have some connection directly to Kingdom Hearts. More so than any other 'princess of heart' would have," Xemnas rationalized as he looked to the blue haired nobody, "I think this bodes some time in the library doing research. Perhaps there is another way to meet our goal and preserve the few of us who remain."

"Yes sir," Saix said with a nod as he brushed the few wrinkles in his coat out. Neither of them had noticed Kairi waking behind them to hear the last part of the conversation. Her voice almost startled both of them when it rang out with determination from behind them.

"I want to help. I want to help you get your hearts back and stop any more people from dying."