This is just a short Vanitas and Aqua story that I wanted to write. It's an AU story that takes place after Birth by Sleep. Please read, review, and enjoy.

Warning: Vanitas may be a bit OOC.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

More Than Meets the Eye

Aqua thought she knew everything there was to know about her friends. Aqua was a Keyblade Master under the tutalege of Master Eraqus along with her friends Terra and Ventus (Affectionately called Ven for short). She considered Master Eraqus to be the closest thing to a father she ever had. He was stern at times, but kind and caring as well. He loved his students like they were his own children. Were it not for his teachings, Aqua would never be the Master she is today. To her, Master Eraqus and the boys were family.

Terra was the older brother she never had. His name was latin for earth, a fitting name indeed. He was strong, stoic, and a great shoulder to cry on. Underneath the calm exterior beat a heart that would fight for his friends no matter the cost. Ventus was the little brother she always wanted. He was happy, energetic, kind, and a bit michevious at times. Ever since the Unversed crisis, The trio's bond seemed to have increased. And as hard as it was to admit it, Ventus seemed to have matured greatly. Of course, there was her new friend Mickey Mouse. Mickey was a keyblade wielder under the tutalege of Master Yen Sid. Aqua first met Mickey when they had to protect a young Kairi from the Unversed. Ever since then, he became a valuable ally and a close friend. Sometimes he would come to the Land of Departure to visit.

However, there was one person she wished she never met: Vanitas. Vanitas was the sole apprentice of Master Xehanort, and the darkness of Ventus' heart given human form. Vanitas was created by Master Xehanort for the sole purpose of fusing with Ventus to forge the all-powerful x-blade and restarting the legendary Keyblade War. Master Xehanort also wanted Terra's body to see his plan through to the end. Vanitas had the ability to create monsters known as Unversed from his negative emotions and the emotions of those around him. He used them to further Master Xehanort's goals, and serve his own desire to cause misery for others.

The trio, with Mickey's help, managed to defeat Xehanort and thwart his mad goals. Ventus and Vanitas both survived the x-blade's destruction. Terra and Aqua were ready to leave Vanitas to his fate, claiming he deserved it. But Ventus' empathic personality wouldn't allow it. He offered to take Vanitas back to the Land of Departure in hopes of reforming him. After all, Vanitas was Ventus' darkness so he was Ventus' responsiblity. Though Aqua and Terra were opposed to it at first, they learned long ago that trying to change Ventus' mind was an exercise in futility. Master Eraqus allowed it under two conditions: Vanitas was forbidden to summon Unversed, and he had to reabsorb all the Unversed that were still running amok. Vanitas also had to be respectful to him and the others.

Though Aqua had to admit that Vanitas had improved a lot since he started living with them, that didn't mean he was the best company. Aqua sometimes found it hard to believe that he and Ventus were once the same person. If she were to make a list of undesirable personality traits, Vanitas would most likely fall under every category. Having a personality seemingly consisting of every negative emotion in the english dictonary, he fit the description of "complete jerk" quite well. He was respectful towards Master Eraqus, slightly less respectful towards Terra, and treated Ventus with some kindness (though he was still hostile towards him).

But when it came to him and Aqua, Vanitas would take advantage of every opportunity to antagonize, annoy, irritate, and provoke Aqua. He always had an insult ready for her, along with his dry and usually venomous sense of humor. Some days she could power through and tolerate his attitude. Other days, it took all of her will power to resist succumbing to the delightful urge of casting a Mega Flare spell on him.

Aqua was in the kitchen drinking jasmine green tea, an early morning ritual for her. But her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps. That's when she saw Vanitas walking into the kitchen. The raven haired youth grabbed a cup of coffee and sat down across from Aqua. This was a bit... different to say the least. Vanitas was a very heavy sleeper, even moreso than Ventus. Being a girl of ettiqute and thinking that it couldn't hurt to try, Aqua decided to break the silence. "Good Morning, Vanitas." Aqua said in a pleasant tone.

"Morning, Aqua." came the reply.

Now this was startling. Vanitas rarely called Aqua by name. Usually it was "Princess" or "Teacher's Pet". "Never thought I'd see you up this early." she said.

"Actually, I wanted to talk to you in private." Vanitas said. "Can I ask you something?"

This was starting to get a bit strange for Aqua. She couldn't help but notice something was off about Vanitas. He'd never act this way towards her. His tone didn't carry the usual mocking timbre. It was more subdued, more conversational. In fact, his overall demeanor was completely out of the norm. Unsure what to expect, Aqua nodded in compliance.

Vanitas began to twiddle his thumbs and lowered his head to avoid eye contact with Aqua. It was obvious that something was bothering him. Sensing his hesitation, Aqua said in an assuring tone, "Just come out and say it."

After a few more moments, Vanitas finally relented, uttering a small sigh. "Could you show me how to make one of those... wayfinders?"

Upon hearing that question, Aqua literally spat her tea. She must have misheard him. There was no way Vanitas would ask her to make a wayfinder. Beating her chest and coughing, Aqua asked, "Could you repeat that?"

Vanitas uttered an irritated sigh as he grasped the bridges of his nose. "How. Do you make. A wayfinder." he repeated with a slightly irate tone.

Aqua stared at the boy, blinking a few times. "You're serious?"

"Would I bother asking you if I wasn't?" came the rebuttal question.

Aqua simply stared at Vanitas, sapphire eyes wide with shock as her mind tried to process the entire scene and failed. It was as if the universe turned on its head overnight. This must be a dream. This was Vanitas, Mr. Antisocial, wanting to make a wayfinder. If she was a computer, then this would be an equation that could and would never compute.

Vanitas, on the other hand, was growing more frustrated at Aqua's hesitation. All he did was ask a simple question and she's staring at him like an idiot. Vanitas leaned over and snapped his fingers in Aqua's face. "Are you gonna show me how to make a wayfinder or not?"

"Sorry. I just didn't expect you to be intrested in a wayfinder." Aqua said.

"Well I had a change of heart, okay? So are you gonna show me how to make a wayfinder or did I just drag myself out of bed for nothing?"

"Well, okay." Aqua said. Aqua then went to her room and retrieved her wayfinder kit. The two then spent the next two hours making wayfinders. When they were done, they had made two wayfinders, one red and one green. She was quite surprised at how fast Vanitas learned the process. "So, what's the occasion?"

"Hmm?" he grunted.

"Why the sudden intrests in wayfinders?" she asked.

"The details aren't up for the discussion." he said as he rose from his seat.

"Hmph, figured as much."

"Thanks for the help." Vanitas said as he walked out of the kitchen. As he neared the door, Ventus walked past him. "Hey, Vanitas." he said in his usual upbeat tone.

"Hey, Ven." he replied.

The greeting from Vanitas made Ven stop in his tracks. He then turned to face Vanitas and pinched himself. Vanitas would never call Ventus by his nickname. He always called him by his full name. "Did you just call me Ven?"

"What, you changed your name last night?" Vanitas asked as he walked upstairs. Once he was gone, Ven turned to an equally astonished Aqua and asked, "What the heck just happened?"

"Let's wait until Terra gets here." Aqua said. "This is a story I think you'll both want to hear."

First chapter down. 2nd will be up soon.