Fractured Twilight {KH Fanfic/Boy Of Choice}

Chapter XIV

After some rest Ember had ventured back out the next morning to continue her duties for the Restoration Committee. She almost got an early start alone, but Ventus was also awake and noticed her leaving her room. He peeked from his own room a couple doors down and lightly jogged down the hall as he did his best not to disturb the other sleeping members of the household. When the pair retreated downstairs Ventus finally spoke to her.

"You're leaving already?" He questioned.

Ember shot him a smile. "What else am I gonna do?"

"I dunno eat breakfast or something?"

"Nah."

"You're eating!"

He threw her an apple in which she caught one handed. With an annoyed look on her face she bit into it, staring him right in the eye. Ventus triumphantly grinned and grabbed his own apple.

"Mind if I join you this morning?" He asked.

"Absolutely. Let's go."

Side by side with apples in hand the two ventured out at almost the crack of dawn. When Ember burst from the front door she took in a deep breath, breathing in that fresh morning scent. The cooler weather sent goose bumps up her arms and neck, but she walked at a brisk pace happily. Enjoying the morning was a lot better when you wake up rather than going to sleep... Something she had to do in her own world. She remembered having a nocturnal sleep schedule back then.

"So what gotcha waking up so early?" Ventus' question brought her attention out of her mind.

Ember tilted her head towards him yet kept her face forward, allowing her hair to fall to her side. "I have been blessed with lack of sleep."

The pair walked by the Bailey. "So what you just don't sleep?" Ventus questioned as they descended down the stairs.

"Well I'm used to being up all night and sleeping all day. So after this whole adventure thing it's gotten me fucked up."

Ember could deduct why she was groggy the last week, taken everything into account. However sleep was likely the number one cause despite her sleeping for who knows how long when she was poisoned.

The two proceeded to walk down the cliff paths, only a few straggler Heartless appearing that were easy to kill. "I mean I can have Vanitas punch you and you'll get knocked out?" He suggested bashfully yet there was a playful tone in his voice.

Ember threw what was left of her apple at him in which Ventus ducked out of the way with a disgusted tongue sticking out of his mouth. She couldn't help but laugh. "Ya know what I'll refer to Dr. Vanitas about my sleeping problems when we get back."

Ventus allowed a grin when he realized she took to his joke well. The two continued to poke fun at one another up until they reached the mosaic, where Ember's eyes and attention darted to the dried blood that had been spilt. Nothing was there to wash it away so it resided there, giving Ember's chest a twing.

Ventus noticed her actions and abruptly stopped himself, his eyes following hers. He grew somber. "Saïx huh?"

Ember grimaced. "I loved the idea of putting notes in his room, but looking back it was probably a horrible idea."

He was hesitant as he extended a comforting arm. He allowed it to hover for a split second as he thought about it, but in the end he reached out and placed his hand on her shoulder as a way of comfort. "As awful as this sounds, we need to deal with him anyway."

Ember let out a sigh, placing her hand on top of his to accept his act of comfort. "Yeah but it's been like a week now. I wonder what-"

She stopped her thoughts short when she noticed a sudden multitude of Heartless appearing around them as if they were closing in. Ember realized they were lower tier Heartless, ones they've been easily defeating on their walk. What she didn't understand was the amount that appeared seemingly out of nowhere.