YouxZexion Part3

"I really like you," he blurted out almost as if it hurt him saying it. My eyes dropped and my heart sunk. I could never return his feelings because Olette loved him. Not only that, but I could never see Hayner beyond a friend. I shoved down a heavy gulp and gathered up the courage to look up. His eyes fidgeted with mighty anticipation, as he watched me carefully. I tried to speak, but the words refused to leave my mouth. I had come to the utter conclusion that no matter what my choice was, I would be hurting one of my closest friends either way. This wasn't fair. It simply wasn't fair that such a burden lay on my chest.

I knew the right thing to say in this situation, "I'm sorry, but I'd like to stay friends." My voice trembled and was just as scared as I was. His eye's widened and appeared hurt.

"Besides I don't want to break a promise to my friend," I continued on giving him a legitimate explanation. He sat there in silence in a deep train of thought.

"So if there wasn't a promise you'd go out with me?"

"Even if I didn't promise her, I still couldn't do it; I'd feel guilty. Hayner please try to understand!"
Hayner stood up and headed towards the stairs. I had a feeling that the stairway symbolized our friendship we built on each stair was for nothing; because in the end it separated us even further than the beginning. He was at the top of the stairs, and I stood at the bottom, or in this case lay on the couch. The friendship we cherished over the years had vanished in less than a matter of moments, and there was nothing I could do. I tried to roll over onto my side. I heard another crack, and decided it wasn't worth the pain. The pillow was so fluffy that my head was absorbed into it, and it hugged me with sympathy. I managed to grab one of the pillows and I let out a muffled scream.

I cried asking myself, "How could this happen to me?" Nobody heard me and nobody came. Despite the fact of my shattered state, I managed to sit up. The medicine Hayner's mother gave me numbed most of my pain at the time. The rain clapped against the ground ecstatically and busily. I knew in my heart I couldn't stay at Hayner's any longer. It just wouldn't feel right. I managed to stand to my feet. The excruciating pain was minor now, and the wrap really helped. I wobbled at first and tried to keep my balance. I held onto the couch for support; until I felt comfortable to make my way towards the door. My clumsy step almost made a commotion, but I grasped onto the door handle in time. I unlocked the door; before I left, I turned around to watch the slumbering living room. Seeing that no one was going to stop me, I went on and slipped out. My thoughts were irrational and didn't make sense; maybe that was because I lost a lot of blood. I stumbled out onto the sidewalk, and the wet stepping stones relieved me in a way. I wanted to run, but I knew I'd end up tripping. I didn't know where to go. It was dark, cold, raining, and it was the middle of the night. I remembered the abandoned mansion right by the forest where I met Zexion for the second time. I could live in there, that way I could never hurt anyone anymore. I deserved it. My wretched legs managed to jump into a sprint, and they carried me to the mansion as quickly as possible. As I passed the 'Usual Spot, I stopped in my tracks and fell to my knees. The memories hurt me terribly and my heart throbbed.

"I'm sorry," we're the words I managed to wail out into the dismal night. The salty tears stung my wounds on my face, as they rushed down the sides of my face. I stood up and tried not to look in that direction. Something picked me up gently to my feet. I quickly turned around and saw nobody.

"Who's there," my eyes wildly tried to seek the person.

"Don't turn to the darkness _____-chan," a girl manifested beside me and her kind eyes smiled at me.

"The Darkness? Who are you?" Her platinum-blonde hair danced in the strong winds. Her hair was originally parted off to the side; it was long, and healthy. Her outfit was a sea blue nightgown. Her odd eyes studied me.  It fascinated me that she had one blue and one green eye.
She softly giggled, "When people are in despair they turn to the darkness, and I'm you." She resembled me, but there was a link missing that couldn't make her exact. She glowed brightly in the midst of the storm trying to blow her away. She hugged me lovingly.

"Are you the one who protected me?"

"My you have a lot of questions for a somebody. No your heart is what protects you silly. You have the most vulnerable heart; however, your heart set up a barrier to protect you. The only way to break that barrier is for you to allow it. Please don't give into the darkness and never give up," she started to fade away in the strong winds.

"Wait; don't go! What is your name?"

"Serena," she whispered; accordingly she finally disappeared into the night. My mental state was more rational now than earlier. I decided I was probably hallucinating, and I trudged on to the old mansion. By now my clothes clung on to me precariously, and like a child tightly grasping onto their mother's hand. I felt so strange wearing Hayner's crisp white shirt and light blue boxers for pajamas. The thought didn't cross my mind until this moment. The shirt was loose and made me feel naked. I looked down and realized it was nearly see through in the rain. I wrapped my arms around me and hoped nobody saw. Mixed emotions entered my heart and made me feel uneasy. Finally, I entered the thick forest. The hovering trees allowed the ground beneath it to take a drink but not too much. The pain returned and stung my body. My eyes lit up when I caught view of the mansion. I hobbled and awkwardly made my way towards it. When I reached the gates, I tried my hardest to pull them open.

"What do you think you're doing," the faint voice asked me innocently. She appeared beside me.

"I honestly don't know. I just need to get away, so I can't hurt anyone else."
Her eyes appeared hurt, "You want to see him again don't you?"

"What," how did she know what I want!?

"I never thought this would never happen _____-chan. I'm sorry."

"What are you talking about!? Give me answers Serena!"

"I didn't want you to find out this way," she sighed.

"Serena," I screamed in the storm.

"You're my reincarnation. I'm a selfish girl. That's all you need to know for now. NOW GO! GET AWAY FROM THIS PLACE! IT'S FOR YOUR OWN GOOD _____-CHAN!"
I was so frustrated I grabbed her shoulders. What!? I was able to touch her!?

"I have to know!"

"You must forget Zexion," a deep blush spread across her face.

"What!? Why!?"

"I've already said too much  _____-chan please listen to me. You HAVE to leave now. If you collapse here the heartless will hurt you!" As the words left Serena's lips, it became difficult to see. The rain pelted me harshly now. I felt numb and strange; similar to the moment I had hit the cement from my fall. Everything was now dark.

~Dream (Serena's P.O.V)

"Come on Ienzo! Ya Know I can't wait for you forever," I chimed, as I stood outside the building impatiently. I fidgeted and rocked back and forth on my heels.

"Sorry I've been really interested in this 'Heartless Research', but you got to keep it a secret. Xehanort might retaliate. Okay," he delicately placed an index finger on my lips. He was always a shy boy, but it was nice to see his effort. He was like the shy turtle that finally came out of his shell. The research consumed most of his time, but it was nice to see him when I could.

"I made you lunch," I revealed the lunch from my grey tout bag. He sheepishly took the lunch from me.

"Don't be long, I told Ansem you were in the bathroom," Braig called out with teasing warning.

"I won't be long. I promise," Ienzo reassured the older apprentice. I took his hand and guided him to my favorite spot under the oak tree. He squinted at the bright light outside. The fluffy cumulous clouds shrouded the sky and hugged it. The tree's leaves soaked up the sun's rays almost bathing in it. A gentle breeze ruffled through his untamed hair and made my hair frolic and twirl.

"You need to be outside more," I playfully teased.

"How are you," he smirked and purposely diverted his attention away to what I said.

"I'm," I wasn't doing well.

"What," he tilted his head in confusion previous to taking a bite into the sandwich I made for him.

"How well do you get along with Xehanort? He seems pretty scary."
Ienzo cleared his throat, "He's alright I guess. Hey wait a minute; You never answered my question!"

"Oh, I'm fine I guess," I averted his gaze. Ienzo finished his sandwich and chugged down his water.

"Serena-chan if my research starts to get dangerous. I want you to forget me."

"I could never forget you. There's always a place in my heart for you Ienzo," I warmly smiled at him.
I blush spread across his face, "I suppose that's alright. I'll never forget you either."

"IENZO!"

"That sounds like Xehanort. I'm sorry Serena-chan! See you tomorrow," he hugged me tightly for the first time. From my view Xehanort glared at me with pure disgust and hatred.

"Bye Ienzo! See you tomorrow as well," I waved to him as he darted off back to the lab. My heart always dropped once he left me every day. He was just like the shy moon, he always came back. Something about Xehanort sent chills down my spine.  He remained where he was even after Ienzo entered the building. He advanced towards me briskly; hence I took several steps back.

"Don't be afraid of me my dear," his deep lulling voice hurt my heart tremendously. My heart throbbed with every word that left his mouth. My intuition told me he was pure evil.
I glared at him, "You're pure evil! Stay away!"

"Now, Serena-chan you shouldn't make such accusations. I wanted to talk about your pure heart."

"My heart belongs to Ienzo," I blurted out.

"I know and that's a problem. I don't want to lose any followers in this project. You're a distraction; however, if you agree to come with me I'd let you see Ienzo every day. All I need is your heart. Your heart is purer than all seven princesses combined. Your heart's strength is nothing I've ever seen. How did you a mortal girl acquire such power and strength? The only other way to obtain such power is turning to darkness, and you haven't a bit of darkness inside of you. It makes me wonder how perfect beings like you are made," Xehanort stroked my silk blonde hair. I abruptly pulled back in irritation by being touched by such a vile older man.

"How do you know about my power? You're not of this world are you? I'll never give you my
heart. Neither my love or my purity," I rejected his offer instantly.

"Actually I am of this world, yet I'm in another vessel so I can keep living on. I'm sorry to say that was the wrong answer dear," he immediately grasped onto my arm and pulled out a small beaker full of a blue substance.

"What is that!?"

"Let's see how a pure heart reacts to a hint of darkness. All it takes is one drop," he forcefully shoved the liquid into my mouth. Tears poured down my cheeks from the immense pain that spread throughout my body. It felt like thousands of bees were stinging my insides and I felt like I was on fire. I dropped to my knees.  My heart instantly rejected it in a matter of seconds. I fell weak and blacked out. When I woke up I was staring down to Xehanort holding me in his arms and he smiled sinisterly. My heart revolted and left my body leaving me to be a free spirit. I harnessed my strength to stay a little longer, long enough to see Ienzo's heart-broken face. He shook his head in disbelief. His serene eyes were tainted and were never the same from that day forward. He barely spoke a word after he found out I had died. I wished I could comfort him; unfortunately, he couldn't see, hear, or feel my hugs. He worked longer hours and became sleep deprived. He decided it was pointless to take breaks since nothing mattered anymore. At this point, his health was poor. Even tried to convince him to rest or to eat but Ienzo refused. Braig saw Ienzo's pain, and he said nothing. He knew there was nothing he could say to make it all better or to bring me back. Ansem the wise explained to Ienzo it was my time to leave. Although no one ever knew my cause of death, Ienzo continued on living.  Soon after my death Xehanort realized I would probably seek out another body to host my existance. He knew you would be drawn to Zexion; the same way I was attracted to Ienzo. Shortly after they were all consumed by darkness. They became nobodies because their hearts were strong. I yearned to see Ienzo again. I then decided to mesh into my reincarnation. The next baby girl that was closest was you. I was selfish to use you, but that is why you love him. Please wake up _____-chan. You cannot turn to the darkness. Everyone loves you _____-chan. You're stronger than me, and I believe in you. Your friends care about you and love you, even if you fight sometimes. Don't give up.

~Dream End~

I woke up crying from the horrid dream. I was lying on the ground lifelessly. Serena appeared before me and sadly smiled. Her eyes told me that that dream was her past.

"How am I still alive and how long was I out," I asked with a dumfounded expression. Serena pointed at the large barrier surrounding me. This barrier had a circumference of 25feet.

"Your heart set up a barrier _____-chan. I'm not sure how long," Serena explained. I could see a faint outline of a young man at the edge of the forest, watching me intently.

"So it is you," the figure's eyes widened.

"Who is that, and more importantly can he see you?" I murmured to Serena.

She shook her head 'no', "Unfortunately no ____-chan, but I have a feeling he knows from yourt pure heart." Who was it? I focused even harder through the rain to see the figure. It turned out to be... T.B.C