Busted

Kairi tossed and turned in her sleep. There was… too much going on inside her head. Noises meshing together. Images flashing through her head in a blur. And somehow, she could hear her name being called out

Kairi…

-We have to-…

-Step away from-

Kairi

-What do you want-

*ROAR*

Kairi

-Why?-

-No, don't-

KAIRI!

Kairi was now standing in the last place she thought she'd ever return to. The desolate land, the loaming rock formations. While she didn't seek any keyblades stuck in the ground, she knew, this world was the Keyblade graveyard.

In front of her, was someone wearing a black coat. She couldn't tell who it was. He was sitting on a rock, by his posture, he was bored out of his mind. When footsteps approached both Kairi and the hooded figure turned to see another person in a black coat approaching them.

"So?" The hooded one sitting on the rock asked. Kairi glanced back at him for a second, she didn't recognize his voice.

The approached figure removed his hood, and Kairi's eyes widened. It was Xehanort, when he was younger. But it wasn't his youthful appearance that shocked Kairi, it was his eyes. They were… silver?

"It wards off darkness," Young Xehanort said, "it's useful."

Wards off darkness? Wait did that mean, Xehanort wasn't always possessed by darkness.

"Told ya," the other one quipped, "So, how'd it go? The tour"

Kairi looked back at the hooded man sitting on the rock. Who was this guy, he didn't sound or act like any of the Organization members?

Young Xehanort took a seat next to him on the rock.

"I learned," Young Xehanort responded, "The reason for my existence."

"Ohhhh?" The stranger said dramatically, "Tell me more."

Xehanort looked down, "All around the world, people live seemingly peaceful lives. They consider themselves morale and virtuous, but it's all an act," Kairi frowned, "Darkness lurks in the pit of everyone's heart. Their light, is a total farce."

"That's just human," Kairi said, but neither of them heard her.

The stranger looked ahead, "It sounds like your trip around the world opened your eyes, but you got a bit more than you anticipated. Must have seen a lot of darkness."

Young Xehanort leaned back on his arms and looked up into the sky, "Those who are weak, and desire power simply strip the strong of their power, and convinced themselves they've earned it. That's how people become tainted by darkness. They believe what they want to believe, using hollow reason's and justification. They repeat this cycle and darkness grows."

Kairi did admit that was one way for darkness to grow, but there was still so much light.

The stranger started talking again, "Sounds like someone took a trip next door. So you're saying the weak feel the need to justify their actions to maintain a sense of self. Can't let that slide?"

"No," Young Xehanort shot him a look, "It's better they'd be ruled by darkness."

"There he is," Kairi murmured, the man who wanted to drag everyone into darkness.

"People carry delusions about power," he tightened his fist, "They are but sheep pretending to be wolves. Though I admit, I can understand why."

The stranger acted shocked, "Ohh I've never heard that one before, a keyblade wielder willing to side with the darkness?"

Kairi couldn't tell if this guy was creepy or weird.

"Why not just let them be until the darkness consumes them?"

"Because left alone, the world would fall into chaos. There needs to be order."

"You sure about that," the stranger stood up and began to walk away, "Why not just sit back and let them play out?"

"Understanding hearts is difficult, more so the emotions within," Young Xehanort answered, "I simply believe it's easy to dismiss what you can't comprehend."

"Alright, alright, the world needs you, I'll grant you that one."

"I don't know what to do, but I will act. What comes next is too important."

"I suppose letting false light dictate the future is a pretty lousy move," he turned to face the young man, "So? You can make a change, you have that power. What do you want for the world?

"Power… eh?"

Xehanort actually, looked a bit more relaxed when he answered, "Who knows, my training is coming to an end, and Master Erica says my exam isn't far off. Maybe I can gain some clarity then."

"You're letting the exam decide?" The stranger sounded mildly disappointed, "Listen to me, the results don't matter. You believe the world needs you. Sounds like you already know where you're headed."

Xehanort looked at his hand, "It's funny. Somehow I can sense where I'm supposed to go and what I'm supposed to do. Master Erica… she's been trying to convince me otherwise, but her words don't dissuade. Yes, even this coat there's something familiar about it, as if I'm meant to wear it."

"Hmm…" the stranger hummed before pointing at him," No… you'll ditch it soon."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean one day you're going to out grow it," the stranger said, not as a guess, but as a fact of life.

"How so?"

"If you truly possess great power, the darkness can't control you. You won't need a silly old coat to stay safe. In fact, you'll be the one controlling the darkness instead."

Kairi couldn't help but feel… nervous. How did he know that?

"Me on the other hand," his serious tone quickly turned comical, "I'm too much of a scaredy-cat to ever take mine off."

Xehanort looked at him, "Who are you really, some kind of fortune teller?"

Kairi couldn't help but wonder that as well.

"Well, I could lie and tell you that's what I am. When I'm actually a brilliant artist or scholar," he turned his back on Xehanort and began to preach like a priest, "I could tell you I dream of world peace, when I'm actually planning for it's destruction. The truth is what you see with your eyes, not what you hear."

"Master Erica would disagree."

"Blind ladies are the exception!"

"So, your name?" Xehanort asked any way. Causing the stranger to slouch comically before turning

"What did I just- Nevermind," he sighed, "I guess there's no harm. My name is-…"

"Kairi wake up." Kairi was jolted as she was shook awake by an alarmed Xion.

"Xion calm down, I'm awake," Kairi sat up, "What's…" Kairi trailed off when she looked around. She fell asleep in a desolate wasteland… Where did this forest come from?

Tsunade looked at the two pictures of the girls Sai had produced. She remembered the story team 7 had told her. About how two keyblade wielders had helped them fight off the Akatsuki… and they were two small girls.

Tsunade didn't think that team 7 lied to her, but she couldn't help but be skeptical. Who wouldn't be? However, she did recall an old story.

When she was very small and she was sick, her grandfather, the first Hokage visited her. He told her that a long time ago, he glimpsed real keyblade wielders. But they vanished, before he could speak with them. It was a small story, but a thrilling one that entertained her while she recovered.

As Tsunade got older, she just assumed her grandfather made up that story to make her feel better. Now… she wished she asked more. Before he died.

It wasn't just her grandfather's story. It was the girls, or more specifically one of them.

Kairi, Sakura had identified. She wondered…

There was a knock at her door, "Come in."

Kakashi entered, "Lady fifth," he greeted respectfully.

"Kakashi, you already know I'm sending you to the Deadlands to investigate this forest," Tsunade reminded.

"I'm aware, but I imagine there's something else you'd like to talk about?" Kakashi asked.

Tsunade glanced back at the painting of the girls.

"These girl really are keyblade wielders?" Tsunade asked.

"I know how ridiculous it sounds-…" Kakashi began until Tsunade held up her hand.

"I'm not calling you a liar or crazy Kakashi," Tsunade explained, "There's something strange going on; the darkening, the iced landslide, now a forest is growing in the Deadlands. I'm starting to incline we may have to look at possible solutions that we… don't normally think of."

"I understand," Kakashi said partially relieved. The only person who believed him without a doubt, was Gai... but that wasn't exactly reassuring.

"That being said," Tsunade held up the picture, "If you find these two, bring them back unharmed, and don't tell anyone about their… possible weapons."

Ever since they told her and the other teams their story, Tsunade had them all sworn to secrecy. If keyblade wielders did exist, if their power was as great and terrible as the legends stated, if they were truly beings from other worlds… Tsunade did not want to imagine what kind of reaction the people would have. Hell, she didn't want to know what reaction Danzo would have!

"I took that as a given," Kakashi said, "Is that all?"

"No," Tsunade said looking at the picture, "There's something else we need to discuss…"

"The worlds against us!" Kairi shouted as she cut down a tree, only for it to grow back instantly. She slumped. Why couldn't things just be simple?

They went to sleep in a barren wasteland and woke up inside a jungle. Kairi recalling the grass growing around Xion after using her healing spell, made her quickly realize where this forest came from. Her magic was growing it and was still growing it. Kairi had tried everything to stop it.

"I command to stop growing!" Commanding it didn't work it just kept growing.

"Firaga," burning it down did work it just grew back.

"Zanetzuken!" Cutting it down didn't work, the trees just grew back.

"My first mission since the war and all I've done is screw it up at every turn," Kairi slumped against the tree that just grew back.

Kairi released a small grunt, as pain suddenly shot through her stomach. She clutched her stomach, and slid down the tree, enduring the stomachache. Then as quickly as it came, it passed. Just like before.

It started the day after their fight with the ninja's. At first, they were shorter and less painful. Kairi just assumed she pulled something or was hungry. But as the days went by, they got longer and more intense, these stomach pains.

Xion had noticed earlier, but Kairi didn't have time to worry about this. Hopefully it really was just stress. She could handle a few stomach aches. After all she managed to keep up with Xemnas… before he caught her.

"Just as we thought," Xion appeared through the tree line, "It's spreading."

Kairi let out an exasperated groan, "Am I cursed or something?" Now that Kairi thought about it the princesses of heart tended to get cursed one way or another.

"No," Xion shook her head, "I should have used a potion, lets just pick up the pace, we're almost there. Let's just-…"

Xion's gummiphone suddenly rang. It caused them to stiffen as Xion looked at the caller id, "Ven?"

Xion swiped the her finger, answering the video call, what did Ven want?

"Hey Ven, what's-…"

"Are you guys insane?" Ven's angry face filled the screen as he shouted.

"Um…" Xion said confused. Kairi who heard the outburst from the gummiphone stood up equally confused.

"What were you thinking?" Ven reprimanded, "Going to Elemental Nations? Do you have any idea how mad Aqua's going to be?"

Xion quickly tried to play dumb, "What are you talking about Ven? I mean I've never even heard of a world called-…"

Ven raised the missing poster into view of the camera, effectively shutting up Xion and draining the color from Kairi's face when she got in view of the screen.

Ven began to read off the poster, "Missing, two girls, answers to Kairi and Xion. The hidden leaf village is requesting any info on them. If found please contact us."

"Well, at least it doesn't say dead or alive," Kairi laughed nervously.

"Ven, we can explain," Xion quickly said.

"Explain, do you have any idea how dangerous this world is? They know we exist before hand. It's almost impossible to maintain the world order here! Aqua's going to lose it, I don't even want to know what would happen if Mickey or Yen Sid found out."

"We had a good reason," Xion said.

"Wait," Kairi realized something, "Ven, where did you get that poster?"

Ven stiffened, the Xion narrowed her eyes, "Yeah Ven, where did you get that poster?"

"Well…"

"You're here too," Kairi realized, "Aren't you?"

"… Maybe…"

"You jerk!" Xion screamed, "And you have the nerve to yell at us for coming here?"

"Well, I… had a good reason."

"Don't be such a hypocrite!" Xion growled, "What are you doing here, because last time I checked, your status on HeartsBook was still apprentice, not master. So, that means you don't have the authority to come here on your own."

"Neither do you," Ven reminded.

"Okay," Kairi intervened, "Both of you calm down," this wasn't the time to argue, "Ven what are you doing here?"

"Chirithy told me that the Fortellers are back and they're on this world."

"Who?" Xion asked.

"They're the lost masters who started the first keyblade war."

Kairi stiffened.

"Did you hit your head or something Ven?" Xion asked, "How could…"

"Where are they specifically?" Kairi interrupted.

"Huh?"

"I don't know, Chirithy doesn't have a specific location," Ven said, "Why do you believe me."

"Master Erica told me, that Xigbar's friends are lost masters," Kairi said.

"What?"

"Master Erica?" Ven looked confused, "She's dead."

"She is but apparently, she likes to visit Kairi when she sleeps," Xion said, "She's the one who told us to come here?"

"Why would the dead mother of my master tell you to come here?" Ven asked.

"To find Dawn City and use the chamber of revival to rescue Sora," Kairi said.

"Uh… Kairi," Ven said, "Dawn City was destroyed a long time ago."

"It wasn't," Xion dug out the journal, "We have proof, Dawn City wasn't destroyed. It was hidden underground. It's still there and it might help us find Sora."

"Really?" Ven asked.

"Hopefully."

"Okay," Ven nodded, "I'll use the 'Find My Friend' App. It should help lead me to you. Don't move until I get there."

"Wait Ven!" It was too late, Ven hung up.

"How is he supposed to get to us?" Kairi asked.

"He might do something like turn his keyblade into his giant rocket board and fly here."

"That… will attract attention," Kairi stated. Xion slumped.

"Let's keep moving, and hope Ven reaches us before we go underground," Xion said as she slapped a bug away from her.

"Maybe we should stay put," Kairi thought, "I mean, how fast can the ninja's get here anyway?" Kairi swatted at another bug.

"I'm not sitting here where the mosquitos can get me," Xion swatted at another bug.

Kairi looked at the bug, "Wait, what are bugs doing here?"

"It's called the wilderness Kairi," Xion reminded, "Bugs tend to be everywhere."

"Not yesterday," Kairi recalled, "There was nothing here, not even weeds. Nothing for bugs to normally munch on. How can there be bugs here already?"

"Maybe they just move in that fast," Xion thought, "Let's go."

As the two girls walked away, the bug that was pestering them flew back in the opposite direction. After a long time of flying, the bug landed on someone's finger, before digging into the skin.

"I found them."

I feel Shino was greatly overlooked. The reason is, because he is so quiet.

I play KHUX. Terrible evidence has been made clear. Ven, say it isn't so, SAY IT ISN'T SO!

Also it was confirmed in KH remind. Kairi did manage to keep up with Xemnas when they fought.