Author's Note: I'd like to thank my friend, Chi, for helping me with

 this. If it weren't for her and a few others who keep asking when the

 next chapter would come out, I'd never finish. ^-^ She helped write

 one of the scenes in this, so I appreciate that greatly. ^-^ Thank

 you, Chi. ^-^ *hugs* And thanks to everyone who's kept Prism Hearts

 going. ^-^ This was going to be a one shot story, but you all helped

 push it forward into a series. I don't want it to end now. ^^;; I'm

 considering making a sequel series to it. ^-^;; I guess we'll see

 what happens. ^-^ Thanks again!

 

 

 Prism Hearts 

 Chapter 10

 Treasure Chest of My Heart

 by Amazoness Duo

 amazonessduo@hotmail.com

 

 

 "Her Highness wishes to see you now."

 

 Highness? Who? Kairi's mind spun dizzily, her thoughts far too

 slippery to hold onto. Where was she? That thought alone felt far too

 familiar. She shouldn't always be wondering where she was. She just

 wanted to be back home on her islands with Riku and Sora. A boot

 prodded her shoulder, demanding her attention. Apparently the soldier

 didn't intent to let Kairi rest. The brunette blinked, trying to

 focus on the blurry world around her. Ever so slowly, it began to

 take shape once more. The castle, Relm, Yuffie, the princess... It

 all slowly came back to her. 

 

 "Now," the soldier insisted, her eyes narrowing. "The Queen doesn't

 like to be kept waiting."

 

 Getting up on wobbly legs, Kairi followed the pretty knight quietly.

 It seemed that most of the knights here were women. Come to think of

 it, had she seen any boys at all since coming there? She shook the

 thought off. They had to be around somewhere. 

 

 Brushing some hair away from her eyes, Kairi let her eyes wander

 across the expansive hallway they were walking down. Gleaming suits

 of armor and magnificent paintings lined the walls. This kingdom

 obviously had a lot of wealth to throw around. A knight hefting a

 large painting into place caught her eye as they approached wide,

 ornate double doors. That painting... She couldn't recognize the

 woman in it, but it looked so real. Relm. It had to be. So she was

 still around somewhere. Despite the nervousness that spiralled in her

 stomach, she could feel a bit of hope blossoming up at the thought

 that she wasn't alone in this place. That meant Relm wasn't

 imprisoned. Maybe she knew what was going on. Even if she didn't, it

 would be so nice to have someone to be near again. She couldn't stand

 being alone for much longer. The loneliness was eating at her heart.

 

 'That's why you killed yourself in the first place,' a familiar

 voice whispered in Kairi's head. 

 

 Closing her eyes tightly, the princess ignored the voice. 'I didn't

 kill myself. I'm right here. I'm alive. This isn't a dream. I won't

 let it be.' When she opened her eyes, they were in front of the

 double doors. She sighed, breathing deeply in an attempt to wash away

 her nervousness. Maybe she could explain things to the queen and see

 if she knew anything. Or maybe she had seen Riku or Sora. Or... She'd

 never know unless she tried. And, as she'd heard, the Queen wasn't a

 patient woman. Steeling herself, she entered the large chamber. 

 

 The knight bowed deeply after entering. Kairi only stared. The Queen

 was a huge woman, taking up all of the huge throne that she sat in.

 It took her a moment to realize the pretty, silver haired woman next

 to her was actually a man. But what astonished her the most was the

 presence of a harlequin in the large chamber. One with a particular

 smirk on her lips. "Harle!" Whatever else she might have said became

 a squeak as the knight's hand at the small of her back forced her

 into a tripping kneel. What was Harle doing here with these people?

 Whatever hope she'd had began to deflate as the Queen and her

 entourage continued to study her. They were staring at her as if she

 were some sort of thing, human only in form. It made her uneasy how

 they sized her up, making her feel vulnerable. This might have been a

 bad idea after all.

 

 "So this is the one?" The queen asked curiously, not addressing

 Kairi in the least.

 

 The silver haired man nodded, smiling faintly. "I believe so, your

 majesty. She certainly appears to be. If she's the girl we've been

 looking for, then the tragedies to your kingdom will soon cease. She

 will lock away the Heartless spreading through your kingdom." Walking

 slowly to Kairi, he watched the small girl in front of him. Reaching

 out, he took her jaw, tilting her face up. "We've finally found you."

 

 A chill ran down Kairi's spine at his words. She slapped his hand

 away, taking a step back, but she already heard the knight behind

 her. "Don't touch me." She tried to put as much menace into her voice

 as she could muster, but she was suddenly feeling very, very alone.

 Even Harle was simply watching her. She was powerless to do anything.

 They had said they wanted her to seal the Heartless, but they didn't

 seem to feel like asking her. She shuddered. It seemed like they

 already had plans for her.

 

 Laughing, the man's girn broadened. "So spirited. Just like the

 princess. This will be fun." The cruel glint in his eye made Kairi

 take another step backwards into the guard. 

 

 "Fun or not, I want you to hurry, Kuja. I've lost too many knights

 to those things. If they attack the castle again..." The Queen

 trailed off. 

 

 Kuja nodded, bowing low. "I am at your service, your majesty. The

 Heartless won't trouble you for much longer." Reaching forward, he

 grabbed Kairi's wrist tightly.The girl struggled, but the frail

 seeming man had a strength that far surpassed his frame. Stepping

 forward, he yanked Kairi along. 

 

 Kairi's worry had now become full blown panic. She was a prisoner

 here, whether or not she'd been in a cage. And she didn't think they

 just meant for her to lock a keyhole. She dug her heels into the

 ground, but the silver haired man easily pulled her stumbling after

 him. "Harle!! Help me!" she cried, nearly twisting her shoulder as

 she tried to get away.

 

 The harlequin smiled enigmatically. "I am only ze court jester,

 Mademoiselle."

 

 The queen sighed heavily. "Entertain me. This droll business tires

 me." She waved her hand halfheartedly. The Harlequin quickly complied

 as Kairi was dragged further and further away from her friends, from

 freedom.   

 

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

 

 Okay, that wasn't too hard. Yuffie ducked around a corner, moving

 quickly and quietly. All she had to do to escape was act like she

 actually wanted to hear what the guard was saying. When the guard was

 close enough to the bars, Yuffie had grabbed one of her hands and

 told her she knew exactly how she felt, mustering all the sympathy

 she could into her eyes, which hadn't been all that difficult with

 how miserable she was feeling about Relm. While the guard was

 distracted to have someone finally listening to her, she'd

 pickpocketed the key to the cell. Thankfully, someone had dropped her

 Sleep Materia and it had rolled into her cell. She used it to keep

 people asleep while she was sneaking around houses in search of

 anything valuable. It worked just as well on the guard and she'd

 hurried to get her things that they'd left in the armory. Now she was

 ready for whatever they threw at her. Even that Beatrix lady. She

 hoped. 

 

 Whatever the case, she was back on track. Her first priority was to

 find the Keyblade Mistress. Guilt welled up inside of her, an angry

 inner voice that argued she could find her later. True. There was

 always treasure to be found and a palace like this should be full of

 valuable trinkets. Again a wave of guilt and sorrow that threatened

 to drown her, even more powerful than the first. 'Sheesh... Fine,

 fine. I'll go find Relm first.' She was pleased to find that she

 actually felt better with that plan of action. Still lousy and

 miserable, but better. Maybe she could apologize. Ick... She wanted

 to apologize? What was wrong with her? She shook her head. This whole

 thing was just getting weirder and weirder. Apologies were not her

 strong point. Neither was feeling guilty, for that matter. But she

 had been a bitch... And Relm had been completely devestated because

 of her. She'd never made a girl cry like that before, especially not

 one who appeared so devoted to her. She didn't like the feeling that

 accompanied it. Sneaking around the corner, she hoped she'd never

 have to feel that again. 

 

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

 

 Dipping her feet in the icy water, Yuna watched her reflection. She

 was away from the others because she couldn't trust herself to smile.

 She couldn't slip on a smile for their sake no matter how much she

 wanted to. The warm waters of the Destiny Islands were growing colder

 and stormier. The hole that Tidus and Wakka had found just kept

 getting bigger. Everything felt so wrong. The adults were afraid,

 whispering to each other around the children. Everyone was worried

 about what might happen next. First Sora and Riku had disappeared and

 now Kairi went missing. Were the rest of them next? Would the Destiny

 Islands simply fade away?

 

 That was exactly why she should be smiling. To give the others hope.

 Sometimes hope was the only thing you had. But Yuna's smile had

 proven elusive. She couldn't get herself to hope. She could only

 muster up fear and dread, feelings that didn't make for a very

 convincing smile. 

 

 Yuna sighed, pulling her feet out of the chilly water. Her image

 rippled in the wind, looking as distorted as she felt. 

 

 "What are you doing, Yunie?" a voice asked from behind the young

 summoner. 

 

 Yuna almost fell into the could water, shocked by the voice nearly

 in her ear. Strong paws grabbed her shoulders, hold her onto the tiny

 pier. "Rikku... You... startled me." She closed her mismatched eyes,

 trying to catch her breath. The catgirl moved like a thief in the

 night, something that Yuna was still getting used to. It was a little

 scary around the house, being snuck up on. Ever since her father had

 died, she had lived alone. Lulu had offered to let her stay with her

 and her parents, but Yuna had always declined. She didn't want Lulu

 to see how hoften she cried. She had to be strong. She couldn't let

 anyone see how weak she truly was. Even this new girl. She forced a

 smile to turn towards Rikku, but it crumbled into dust before she

 could turn around. Desperate, she kept her back to the catgirl. "I

 was just... thinking..." Yuna said at last. That much was true, at

 any rate. 

 

 Rikku nodded, sitting next to the brunette on the dock. She watched

 Yuna carefully. "What about, Yunie?" she asked at last.

 

 “I…” She wasn’t sure if she should say but for some inexplicable

 reason she found she wanted to. It was strange since she didn’t even

 open up to those on the island that she had known so much longer, no

 matter how much she felt her head  and heart were about to burst.

 Maybe… maybe it was because Rikku hadn’t been there long that she

 felt she could talk to her, because she could offer a new view and

 not just the predictable assurances that Lulu, Tidus and the others

 were bound to give her.  She stared into the water some more, she

 couldn’t say anything, could she? Rikku had just gotten here, did she

 really want to scare her with horror stories of bottomless holes and

 the uncertain reflections of a frightened girl?

 

 Rikku quietly watched the other girl, holding back the urge to

 fidget or nudge the girl into saying something or anything. She was

 managing to show an unusual amount of restraint for once. She noticed

 as the other girl clenched and unclenched her slender hands and

 before she could stop herself impulsely lay a paw on top a hand. She

 felt Yuna jump slightly and she just blurted out the first thing on

 her mind. “You can tell me anything, you know… I wouldn’t ever betray

 you…”

 

 “You would never betray me?” Yuna asked, surprised enough to look up

 at Rikku. Plenty of people wouldn’t betray her but still… the way the

 catgirl had said it… she had meant it, but why?

 

 Rikku blinked, surprised herself at what she had said. “I wouldn’t

 betray your secrets, I meant…” She backpedaled.

 

 “Oh…” Yuna looked down again, she couldn’t deny she was disappointed.

 

 Rikku instantly regretted bring that morose look back to her Yuna’s

 face, she was her ‘saviour’ after all. “Hey… but I… well I did mean

 it. You did save me after all, I owe you my life… that little violent

 girl would have pummeled me.”

 

 Yuna slowly smiled,and then she began to giggle. “I don’t think

 Selphie would have really hurt you… well not that much.” She blushed,

 “I don’t think I did that much to save you…”

 

 “No way, if it wasn’t for you I’d be gone…” She grasped Yuna’s hands

 in both her paws. “I swear I won’t leave you until I’ve done

 everything I can to make you, my -savior-’s life happy!”

 

 Yuna blinked back tears, she didn’t know why but that completely

 unexpected, impulsive but passionate declaration hit her hard. Her

 hands pulled away from Rikku’s and she flung herself against a

 surprised kitty, wrapping her arms around a warm furry neck. She

 whispered a quiet ‘thank you’ and later when she calmed down began

 whispering a few more things, just happy to have someone listen.

 

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

 

 "It won't do you any good, princess." Nonetheless, Kuja seemed

 amused by Kairi's struggle with her bonds. He grinned, sipping

 something from a goblet as he watched her. "Yes, I know you're a

 princess. Princess Hikari from the kingdom of Hollow Bastion. I'm

 something of a troubleshooter for monarchs. I offer my services to

 help them in return for a fee. Not that I need the money, but it

 helps in my search. I even helped your father. I... 'acquired' a few

 specimens for his research on the Heartless."

 

 Kairi stopped wrestling with the chains that held her in place and

 turned to look at the silver haired catman. She shivered at his

 predatory gaze. But she had to listen. He knew about her, about who

 she'd been before she woke up with no memories on the Destiny

 Islands. And for once, he wasn't saying she was a suicidal girl who

 had been obsessed with escaping into Squaresoft games and Disney

 movies. In a way, she needed to hear that, to hear that she really

 had been a princess, had been a part of this, that it wasn't all just

 her dying mind's fantasy. Even if she was shackled, even if he was

 about to do horrible things to her, she still needed to know that

 this was real. That Sora and Riku were real. That her journey hadn't

 been for nothing. "Ansem... was my father?" 

 

 Yes... She could remember that if she tried hard enough. She had

 been his little princess. He'd loved her, but he'd always been so

 busy with his research, obsessed with where it migh lead him. The

 Heartless... They had consumed Hollow Bastion, stealing the hearts of

 all those who couldn't escape in time. All because of her father's

 research. She remembered seeing the kingdom crumble, but only

 vaguely, like a dim nightmare. How had she escaped? How had she been

 able to get away from that? Nothing. She didn't remember anything

 other than waking up on the Destiny Islands. But she could still

 remember having a mother... Her best friend, the only person who

 cared about her. She shook her head, trying to force the thoughts

 away. Her mother was from the life of a lonely girl who had killed

 herself. Ansem was from this life. But... She didn't want to deny her

 mother's existence, even if it meant validating her own. But it had

 to be one or the other, right? Her life with Riku and Sora or her

 life as a lonely outcast. The answer was obvious. But why couldn't

 she completely deny that lonely life, that room that kept haunting

 her?

 

 Laughing, Kuja nodded. "So you really don't remember that life? No

 wonder Sephiroth has been staying away. And why he's wanted us to

 stay away from you." 

 

 He crossed the room gracefully, his tail swishing behind him,

 reminding Kairi of the kitty she'd had with her for so long. It made

 her wish she was there with her. That anyone was there with her

 besides this madman. Sephiroth? Why did he sound so familiar? And...

 Her eyes widened. He must be in charge. And if he wanted them to stay

 away from her... Her heart froze into a heavy chunk of ice that

 plumetted into her stomach as Kuja got closer. She was suddenly even

 more afraid of what he intended to do with her. "Why aren't you

 listening to him? He... he could hurt you. There's a reason he's in

 charge." She was bluffing, but she didn't care. She didn't know

 enough about Sephiroth or why these people were working with him, but

 she had to hope that Kuja would pause and consider letting her go. Or

 at least not whatever he had on his mind. 

 

 Grinning wickedly, Kuja trailed a finger down her chin. She squirmed

 under his touch, but couldn't do anything more. "Because once I have

 what I want, Sephiroth won't be able to touch me. Nothing will. I

 will never die. That specter of death that chases after all of us

 will never reach me. I will be free of the chains of Fate. Free of

 death and pain. The same freedom that you had before you threw it all

 away."

 

 Kairi jerked about in her chains to no avail, feeling his hand

 trailing down her neck, moving lower. Tears burned in her eyes.

 Anger, fear, frustration, and hopelessness boiled inside of her. "I

 won't let you have the Keyblade! I'm going to save Riku, no matter

 what happens to me," she got out shakily. Yes, no matter what

 happened, she'd save him. She shook as his hand travelled lower,

 finally stopping over her heart.

 

 "It's not the Keyblade that I'm after." Kuja laughed, tilting his

 head back. "That's merely a toy. Let Sephiroth play with it for all I

 care." His deep, scarred eyes met Kairi's and the princess shuddered

 at the desperation in him. "We're all afraid of death. But all of us

 will eventually run out of time. It doesn't have to be that way. I've

 found a way out. Through you."

 

 Kairi's shoulders slumped, her body hanging limply in her bonds. She

 was screwed. There wasn't anything she could do. No one knew where

 she was. She was helpless to stop Kuja from taking something that she

 innately knew was important to her. Something she hadn't even known

 was there. 

 

 Kuja laughed. "Giving up already? You don't deserve it's power. I

 never gave up. I'd rather kill all the universed than die alone.

 That's what makes me worthy of it. I'll use it to it's fullest."

 

 "What the hell are you talking about!?" Kairii cried out at last,

 sick of the feeling of helplessness, of his hand pressed against her

 chest, of the thoughts that she'd never set Riku free. She couldn't,

 wouldn't fail him. But she couldn't see how she would ever get that

 chance. 

 

 "Prism Hearts! The heart through which reality itself is filtered!"

 Stepping back, Kuja gestured grandly. "Kingdom Hearts is the gateway

 to the heart of the universe, to the birthplace of darkness and

 light. But such concepts bore me. Prism Hearts, on the other hand, is

 what shapes that darkness and light into the world around us. It's

 what shapes the reality we live in. The power to reshape reality as

 you see fit. The power of a god. It all lies within Prism Hearts." He

 grinned as if he were sharing a private joke, leaning close enough

 that his nose almost touched Kairi's. "Which lies within you."

 

 Kuja didn't even flinch as Kairi began thrashing in her restraints.

 "Stay away from me! You're insane! I'm just a girl who wants to find

 her friends." She swallowed, trying to keep her gaze angry. What was

 all this about? It wasn't true. It couldn't be. Parallel visions

 flashed through her head, struggling for dominance. One world where

 she was a princess, searching for the boys she loved. One world where

 she was a lonely suicidal girl who was dying in her bedroom. She

 could feel the shackles on one hand, blood dripping down the other.

 Was she lying on the floor or was she in Kuja's demented torture

 chamber? Which was better? She felt so weak all of the sudden,

 feeling the carpet soaking with blood, her blood, underneath her.

 No... Her thoughts were drowning as she felt herself sinking deeper

 and deeper. So tired... 

 

 Kuja... Where was Kuja? 

 

 "He's far away. He can't hurt you here," the mysterious voice said

 from the other side of the door. 

 

 Kairi struggled to sit up and get to the door, but her body refused

 to listen. Everything felt cold and numb. Her fingers moved dimly in

 an attempt to reassert control of her body, but that was the most

 they could do. Blood stained the floor around her, yet somehow she

 was too drained to do much more than acknowledge it. 

 

 "Just rest, Kairi. It can end here. You can stop struggling so hard.

 You can finally rest. That's what you wanted, isn't it? That's why

 you slit your wrists, right?"

 

 No... She tried to speak, but her lips merely quivered. Her eyelids

 felt so terribly heavy, as if the weight of the world rested on each

 one. Somehow she knew that the voice was right. It could end here.

 She didn't have to go back. Facing Kuja was her choice. And she was

 currently unable to do anything to stop him. And she was so very

 tired... Her eyes began to slip shut as a familiar lullaby began to

 whisper through the door. A lullaby her mother used to sing her. Yes,

 she could finally escape. No one could ever hurt her again. She

 didn't have to keep being the outsider. She didn't have to keep

 playing in a world that never wanted her. All she had to do was

 rest...

 

 But... But she wasn't alone... There were people who needed her.

 Riku. Sora. She couldn't give up. Not until she set Riku free. No

 matter what had brought her to this point, broken and bloody on her

 floor, she couldn't let that stop her. She couldn't leave Riku and

 Sora. Not yet. Her bloody, shaky fingers clenched slowly. It wasn't

 time to rest. There would be time for that later. 'Riku... I won't

 give up on you. Ever.' She wasn't dying. She was searching for her

 friends. This place... it was a nightmare. She had to wake up before

 it consumed her. Or she'd never get back to her friends. With all the

 strength she had, she forced her eyes back open. 

 

 Blinking weakly, the room came back into view. She was still in the

 dark yet elegant dungeon that Kuja had set up especially for the

 maiden he was searching for. Her. She sighed shakily, slumping in her

 chains. She had been about to die. If she'd stayed there... Her heart

 pounded at the thought. What was going on? What was happening to her?

 Blinking quickly, she tried to bury the fear and hopelessness that

 threatened to overwhelm her. What was real? What was her imagination?

 These chains felt so real, but so had the bloodsoaked carpet she'd

 been laying on. She didn't know anymore. She didn't know anything

 anymore. No, she couldn't think like that. There were still Sora and

 Riku. She had to believe in them. She had to. It was all she had left.

 

 Kuja... Where had he gone? Lavender eyes darted around the chamber,

 trying to spot the silver haired man. He didn't seem to be anywhere

 in sight. What she did see didn't exactly put her at ease. The two

 blonde twins she had met earlier watched her from a raised platform,

 resting against each other as if they had just finished playing. They

 both watched her intently, almost as if they were waiting for

 something. Licking her lips, Kairi tried to think of something to

 say. Anything. At least she wasn't alone. She couldn't stand being

 alone. "Where did he go?" she asked at last.

 

 "Away," one replied, the two still watching the princess intently.

 

 Not exactly the response she'd been hoping for, but it was

 something. Before she could think of what to say next, the twins

 interrupted her thoughts.

 

 "You can't let him have Prism Hearts. If you do, he'll tear all of

 this apart. Everything you love, everything you care about, all of it

 will be obliterated and filtered into his own dream world. Everything

 will be reborn as he sees fit. Before it can be reshaped, everything

 must be shattered. Then he can mold it however he wishes. All he

 needs is your heart," Maya explained.

 

 Kairi shuddered. Everything gone, replaced by Kuja's dreams. Her

 hair fell about her face as she shook her head. "No, that's a lie. I

 don't have Prism Hearts. My heart doesn't change anything. If it did,

 I wouldn't be chained up in some dungeon away from the boys I love.

 I'd be on the Destiny Islands with all of my friends. I'd be looking

 out to sea with Riku and Sora. Being fed grapes. And..."

 

 Blushing faintly, the other little girl interrupted before Kairi

 could get further. "It doesn't work that way. It's subconscious. Your

 heart molds reality, not your mind. This is happening because you're

 in conflict. Things aren't happy and perfect because part of you

 won't accept this reality. Part of you is still clinging to the old

 reality. So that dark reality has intruded."

 

 "The Heartless..." Kairi whispered. That's when everything had

 started to go wrong. Everything was perfect before the Heartless had

 spread throughout the worlds. 

 

 Aya nodded. "Exactly. There is darkness and light in every heart.

 But this was all a refuge from the darkness. But because you couldn't

 fully close the doorway to the old world, the darkness began to leak

 in. Ansem found it and began researching it, but he was never its

 cause. He was used by it and his own curiosity."

 

 "You're the one who allowed the Heartless here. You're the one who

 left the door open for them. The Heartless in this reality were born

 inside of Kingdom Hearts because you brought the darkness over from

 the other reality."

 

 "I wouldn't do that!! I wouldn't risk losing any of this! I

 couldn't! I just want to be with them.." Kairi's voice broke, her

 throat tightening. Why would she allow the Heartless here? How could

 she be the cause of all this pain and suffering? The reason behind

 why she'd lost both Riku and Sora?

 

 "You wouldn't?" Maya raised a blonde eyebrow. "You can't give up

 your mother, can you, Kairi? You won't completely turn your back on

 the other reality. So the door is still open through your heart,

 Prism Hearts. You refuse to filter out all of that reality. The

 darkness is part of that reality. If you won't filter it all out, it

 will spill over here."

 

 "Sacrifices have to be made. If you want to live in this world, you

 have to give up on that one. Completely. Entirely. You have to forget

 that life. You must offer up your memories of it as a sacrifice to

 save this reality," Aya insisted. 

 

 "But..." Kairi's head spun. It couldn't be... She couldn't have

 brought about the Heartless. That other world, it couldn't be out

 there. And yet... "Which... Which one is real?" Her voice was weak,

 begging, pleading. She needed to know, even if she didn't want to.

 

 The twins were silent for a long moment before they answered in

 unison. "Which one do you want to be real?"

 

 "It doesn't work that way!" Kairi argued, frustrated that there

 never seemed to be any clear cut answers for her.

 

 Aya turned and looked at Maya. "You'd be surprised," she whispered. 

 

 Maya continued looking at the princess. "Give up on the other

 reality. It's the only way to save this one."

 

 Swallowing back the pain, Kairi raised her eyes to look at the

 twins. "How do I do that?" She had to. For Riku. For Sora. They had

 both done so much to save her. She had to save them this time. She

 wouldn't let anything bad happen to them. All of her friends...

 Selphie, Yuffie, Relm, even her cute little kitten... She couldn't

 let them go.

 

 "You have to confront yourself. Your own dark side. The part of you

 that won't give up on the other reality. Only after you get rid of

 her, when you can give up on that reality entirely, can this one be

 saved." The two girls turned to leave. 

 

 "Wait! How am I supposed to confront myself? What do I do?"

 Watching, Kairi pulled ineffectively at her chains. "Please don't

 go..." she whispered. Not alone. Not again...

 

 Aya stopped while Maya kept walking. She turned to look over her

 shoulder at Kairi, her eyes soft and understanding. "I know it's

 hard, Kairi. But everything demands a sacrifice. It's this reality or

 the other reality. You have to decide for yourself which is real. But

 some sacrifices are worth it." She turned to see Maya waiting for

 her. "I made my choice a long time ago and I've never looked back."

 She smiled faintly and waved to her waiting sister. "Whatever you

 choose, give it your all and don't ever regret your decision." With

 that, she ran to catch up to the identical girl, fading into mist. 

 

 A slight breeze entered the vast chamber, swirling the mist about

 into nothingness. Something caught in the sudden wind fluttered over

 to Kairi, landing lightly at her feet. It was a child's drawing.

 'Mama and Maya' was written at the top in crayon. Even in a child's

 artwork, it was unmistakeble. There had been a car crash. Plenty of

 red crayon showed the aftermath. A blonde woman and a blonde girl

 watched it all from above with angel wings. The same woman and girl

 were in the car as well. Kairi's head jerked up, hoping to catch a

 last glimpse of the little girl, her words suddenly coming back to

 haunt the princess. 

 

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

 

 "I heard Lady Beatrix has been seeing someone lately," a knight with

 blonde hair mentioned conversationally.

 

 "Really?" her compatriot asked with a note of disappointment in her

 voice, leaning against the wall. "That's not fair." She crossed her

 arms, pouting.

 

 The other knight laughed, turning to the brunette. "You didn't think

 you had a chance with her, did you?"

 

 "Well... No, not exactly... But..." She whined, trailing off. 

 

 "Don't you want to know who I heard she'd been seeing?" the first

 soldier asked.

 

 "Why would I want to know that? It only crushes all my hopes and

 dreams," the second replied.

 

 Laughing, the blonde shook her head. "You're really stuck on her,

 aren't you? I heard she's been going out with some airship pilot from

 Lindblum. I think her name's Erin, but I'm not sure."

 

 The brunette sighed, sliding down the wall. "I should've been an

 airship pilot..." Lost in her thoughts, she didn't see the shadow

 darting behind the two of them.

 

 'Ha! That was too easy. These knights might be good fighters, but

 they obviously haven't dealt with a world-class thief before.'

 Grinning to herself, Yuffie hurried down the hallway. With the

 expansive palace to search, it was taking her longer than she'd

 wanted to find the artist girl. But the knights didn't seem to mind

 gossiping, so she'd managed to overhear them talking about the

 sorceress who could bring paintings to life. Apparently she was in

 this part of the palace. Somewhere. She could go room by room, but

 somehow she doubted it would only result in embarrassment. The

 knights wouldn't take a hearty 'Sorry, ma'am' if she burst in on

 someone.

 

 Now where could Relm be? What was she looking for, anyway? A big

 neon sign that announced she'd found Relm's room? There had to be an

 easier (and less dangerous) way to go about this than going door to

 door. More importantly, what did she say to the artist when she met

 up with her? Would Relm even want to talk to her? After what a bitch

 she'd been, she'd be surprised if the little blonde girl even wanted

 to continue travelling with her. That thought scared her more than

 she wanted to admit. She'd apologize. That would have to be enough.

 She hoped. 

 

 A sound down the hallway broke her train of thought. Ducking back

 behind a large potted plant, the ninja waited silently. One of the

 heavy doors had opened and someone had stepped out into the hallway.

 There were at least two people, and they were talking about

 something. Yuffie strained to hear what they were saying.

 

 "... wanted to thank you again. It's absolutely gorgeous. I finally

 have a portrait that I'm not ashamed to show my parents."

 

 A soft giggle. "It was fun. It was nice to have such a willing

 subject. Some people make painting them so difficult because they

 don't really want you to. I think it turned out really well."

 

 "Not that you needed me there. It's much more beautiful than I could

 ever be," the first voice said with a sigh.

 

 "That's not true. I don't paint lies. The beauty was there, you just

 have to look for it. Someday someone will see you just like in the

 picture."

 

 A happy squeal of delight filled the hallway. "I can't wait. Thank

 you very much, Sorceress Relm. I'll always remember this."

 

 Relm! Yuffie's eyes widened. She'd found her. Now she just had to

 get to her. And try not to stumble over her apology. 

 

 "Anytime. I'm happy to get the chance to paint. I want to paint

 things from all over different worlds."

 

 "I'll pray for your safe journey. I'd love to see a gallery of

 different worlds rendered in your gorgeous artwork."

 

 Flattered, it took Relm a second to reply. "I'll make sure I send

 you an invitation when I finally get it all together."

 

 "Thanks so much again, Sorceress Relm." The knight began down the

 hallway.

 

 Yuffie pressed into the wall, trying to will herself to disappear.

 There wasn't a lot of cover in these hallways. The plant was large,

 but if the knight stopped to look, she'd be caught. Her only hope was

 that the guard was distracted enough not to be paying attention. The

 other two knights were right down the hallway. If she made any noise,

 they'd be there in moments. And she didn't feel like facing down

 three knights if she could help it. Not that she doubted her

 abilities. Just that... three knights would be an inconvenience.

 Yeah, that was it. An inconvenience. 

 

 The knight came and went, passing by without a second glance. Yuffie

 let out a breath she hadn't known she'd been holding and crept

 towards the door the knight had exited from. Her heart pounded as she

 neared the door. Her mind tried desperately to piece together a

 suitable apology so she wouldn't just say the first stupid thing that

 came to mind. 'Hi, Relm. Sorry about earlier. Hey, lets go find Kairi

 now.' She sighed. She wasn't good with apologies. But she couldn't

 stall forever. She had a bad feeling that Kairi needed her. Soon.

 

 Taking the last few silent steps to the door, Yuffie gently took the

 doorknob. Her heart pounded anxiously in her chest. Relm was just on

 the other side of the door. So why was she so scared? 'Because this

 time it might not be you doing the rejection.' The thought sprang to

 mind, but she instantly shot it down. 'And what the hell is that

 supposed to mean?' No answer. She swallowed and summoned all of her

 courage. It was silly, summoning all of her courage to face a girl a

 full head shorter than her. But she somehow felt that she'd need it.

 Achingly slowly, the door pushed open.

 

 Her mouth open, Yuffie paused before she could say something. There

 were already voices in the spacious room. Frowning, she glimpsed

 inside and tried to spot their sources. There, on the bed. She could

 spot Relm's intricate red and gold bandana near their feet. The

 artist was sitting on the bed with an older blonde woman who looked

 vaguely familiar. The older woman was running fingers through Relm's

 hair as they sat close to each other. Yuffie's hand clenched tightly

 on the doorknob. What was going on? Who was that lady?

 

 "You did a beautiful job, Relm," the elegant woman said. 

 

 "Thanks, Celeste. I'm so glad you think so," Relm said softly,

 resting against the taller woman, not seeming concerned with the

 fingers sliding through her hair. She closed her eyes, sighing

 softly. 

 

 Taking Relm's chin with one hand, she turned the younger girl's gaze

 up to her. "Of course I think so. I always think so, Relm. I love

 you." Leaning down, she kissed Relm softly.

 

 It was all Yuffie could do to keep the doorknob from shaking in her

 grasp. Her gaze remained locked on the two women on the bed. It was

 unreal. Her mind wouldn't accept it for a long moment. It wasn't

 happening. Relm was not kissing another woman. Relm wasn't making

 soft sounds as the blonde woman's fingers continued to caress through

 her hair. It... wasn't... real... She closed her eyes tightly, but

 the image remained when she opened them again, albeit blurrier this

 time. Her eyes stung painfully as she watched the image before her

 helplessly. 

 

 "Celeste..." Relm whispered softly, resting her head on the other

 woman's shoulder. Her arms wrapped around Celeste tightly. 

 

 Slam. Relm jumped at the sudden sound. She turned, but no one was at

 her door. She let out a shaky sigh and held on tighter.

 

 Yuffie ran back down the hallway. Get away. Escape. Leave. It all

 swirled about her. Damn it. That wasn't supposed to happen. She

 didn't want that. Relm had found someone else? But how? Part of her

 had thought Relm would always be there, always following, always

 devoted to her. Logically she knew that wasn't likely, but she hadn't

 given it any thought. She'd taken Relm's presence for granted. And

 now she was in another woman's arms... 'She wasn't yours to begin

 with,' she told herself. 'Shut up! Shut up!' Her eyes burned, images

 bleeding into wet messes of color in front of her. 'Jealous?' that

 sarcastic voice inside of herself asked. She muffled a sob as she

 held her head tightly. She'd lost her chance. Relm hadn't waited for

 her to make up her mind. And why should she have? Yuffie had all but

 told her to get lost. There was no reason for her to wait around for

 something that probably never would have happened. But somehow that

 knowledge just made Yuffie feel worse. 

 

 In her current state, Yuffie barely managed to stop before barelling

 into a figure in front of her. Her instincts told her to grab her

 shuriken, but she was too weak to bother with it. Escape the guards

 and then what? Was Relm even coming with them anymore? She had to

 save Kairi. The Keyblade Mistress was her responsibility. But she

 felt so weak. Everything seemed so far away. Except for that icy,

 ragged feeling inside of her. She couldn't seem to escape that.

 Thankfully, she realized that the figure was too small to be a guard.

 She blinked rapidly, noting that the girl was a little shorter than

 Relm. She have lavender hair and a small horn jutting out of her

 forehead. A Caller?

 

 "So you're just gonna run off?" the summoner asked, her hands on her

 hips. "You'd rather go cry than try and get her back?" Her voice was

 angry, obviously not pleased with Yuffie's choice. 

 

 "I'm not crying!" Yuffie swiped at her eyes with the back of her

 glove, disappointed to see it come away tear-soaked. She didn't cry.

 She was stronger than that. She'd learned a long time ago that she

 was the only one she could count on. This just reinforced that point.

 She had to trust in herself. Everything else would fail you. 

 

 "If she means anything at all to you, then you'll go back in there

 and talk to her. Take her back. Don't just give up," Eiko insisted,

 standing her ground in front of the taller ninja. 

 

 "You don't understand... I... I can't..." Yuffie let a small object

 drop from her fingers. The smoke bomb burst when it hit the floor,

 surrounding her with the thick cloud. When it disappeared, she was

 gone.