Fractured Twilight {KH Fanfic/Boy Of Choice}

Chapter IX

Ember and Ventus' hands collided together into a firm handshake, their eyes coming in contact with one another. They both smiled warmly at one another until a loud sound caused them both to turn their heads and end the handshake. The door to the mansion had erupted open as all of Ember's friends came piling out and running towards them with desperation flaring in their eyes.

"Em!" Sora busted the gate open and ran towards her as he jumped into her arms and embraced her into a hug. Ember stumbled backwards at his sudden reaction but once she maintained her balance she hugged him back, her head buried in his neck.

"Ventus?!" Riku asked as he stood in front of the boy.

Ventus grinned and it was Riku's turn to be given a firm handshake. "Hey! Long time no see!"

Riku scoffed. "You're telling me!"

Axel and Roxas both panted and allowed the scene to unfold before them. When Roxas and Ventus made eye contact, Ventus' face fell with confusion as the two slowly approached one another. Roxas hesitantly lifted a hand up and the two pressed the palms of their hands together as they matched perfectly.

"Well that's weird." Roxas commented  quietly.

Ventus' brows furrowed. "I fell asleep and I got replaced or something?"

Sora released his embrace on Ember and approached the two, lifting a finger as if he had a brilliant idea. However what came out of his mouth was an explanation.

"Ven, when you were under Xehanort's care he ripped your heart apart to create Vanitas. Apparently I repaired your heart with mine, so when I lost my heart to the Heartless a nobody was created who looks like you..." He trailed off, his eyes wandering to the busted gates where Vanitas stood in the background.

Ventus finally noticed his counter parts presence and whipped out his Keyblade and prepared himself accordingly. Roxas held his arms out and shook his head desperately, his eyes pleading with his twin.

"He's a good guy, I promise." Roxas waved his arms to gather as much of Ventus' attention as he could. "There's a lot to explain."

Ventus hissed through his teeth. "There better be."

Ember was taken back by his sudden hostility. Despite only just meeting Ventus his personality seemed child like and calm, yet seeing Vanitas brought out a rage inside of him that stunned her. She could only watch from her spot a few feet away, her hand balling into a fist as she pressed it against her heart. There was still so much she didn't understand about the groups pasts together as everyone seemed to be connected one way or another, whether it was good or bad. She was eager to learn more, but now wasn't the time to ask. For now she could only watch everything.

"Well, it seems like my job here is done." Vanitas' voice was quiet but gathered everyone's attention. "I found Ventus, and now I have unfinished business to take care of."

So much for watching in the background.

Ember's feet guided her in a run straight towards Vanitas as he had created a portal. With such urgency she grabbed the back of his jacket before he could enter and her fistful prevented him from moving. He stopped in his tracks yet didn't turn to look back at her.

"Let go."

"Don't go!" She cried out desperately.

"The deal was that I would find Ventus and that's it. You have no use for me anymore."

Ember was taken back by his words. "Use for you? What about us? You need us." He seemed to stiffen as she spoke as if what she said reached a place in his heart. He finally peeked over his shoulder to look at her, and Ember recognized a look in his golden eyes to be awe.