x RETURNER. [sophie]

[azul.]

X E H A N O R T

A blue moon was being held by the never-ending twilight sky.

The sides he could control. I let him control me for now. Besides, I wanted to stretch my limbs, get some fresh air, and clear up the salty air. Not that I could do that of course. Besides, the salty air wasn't the reason for a salty heart. Even I knew that, and I was the one who studied hearts. Hm. That surprised me. My boy Riku didn't challenge me, when I asked- yes, I asked, surprising?- to take over him. He knew that he could not overpower me, but he seemingly knew that my conscience was clean enough. That was the icing on the cake, I remembered thinking as I knowingly strutted into the arid terrain that belonged to Sophie.

I was infatuated with this mare. Interested, in how her heart was working. I was there, when Riku "played" with her. Call it spying, I was only doing simple research, while my counterpart accomplice was thrashing around with an enemy. Hmph. Such foolish play. I was simply just eager to continue my research though, so the time I spent pondering on the past motions were relentless, and at best, annoying. Giving such a foced laugh, so demented, I looked at the cliff's edge, for which the realm was named for. I allowed a mocking smile to come over my facade, but it disappeared as soon as I scented-well, didn't scent a filled realm. What, Sophie couldn't find any lucky one? The idea tickled me pink that she would be unable to convince a mare, or a stallion to reside with her. It reminded me of me. Imagine that.

Why was my imagination losing it's touch? I remembered everything that happened for the last years of my life. My movements were robotic, and though I lived to be stoic, it was strange. After all, I was a being, but I was undergoing a process that could potentially turn me into a heartless. Scary. My amber eyes flicked forward, auduals remaining forward boredly, if not carelessly allowing a threat to come my way. I was Xehanort. I was ready. My facade was thrown forward in a challenging gesture, my amber eyes looking over the edge of the cliff, looking at the beach foam, splashing up the rock walls, threatening to try and claim my life. Let it. The natural forces of life couldn't take me. I wasn't a normal life. My body was resting somewhere, and my mind was in another's body. But I didn't want to sacrifice Riku's body and spirit. He had a strong heart. Why, just to be able to remain alive while a being like myself comes over him was astounding. It's all science.

Riku's body was molded into a large form. The delicate dish was still there, but the broad image of a dapple stallion would come to mind when they caught sight of me. My light eyes flickered with no interest, but they remained open as I stared at the water, droning back and forth, like a melodious song that lulled you into the final wish: Eternal Sleep. I found myself craving to leap into the abyss, and swim against the currents to prove that it was possible. Not at all probable, but possible. Still, the body factor. Instead, I snapped up from that silent moment, and screamed, loud. Nothing else could describe the scream than a rouge stallion's scream. It echoed through out the whole realm. My facade was slung around, the long, thick tresses that hung from my skull thrashing around, dealing me a slap in the face. Again, as soon as I started screaming, my lungs vibrated, threatening to give out on me; I stopped, regaining my breath calmly, and closed my eyes. They hid the truth behind my well being. They held my color. Amber gold. Tinted with black, where as Riku's were so bright, mine glittered with a hate for those who sited me. Ansem, who warned me not to continue my research. Hmm. That was a wasted warning from the old man. He was my teacher, but students surpassed their teachers. Feeling a presence near me, I spoke, my tone meaningless and demented.

"Sophie. If I was past the point of breaking, would you hold me? Ansem the Wise? Would he hold me? You two, like myself, are fascinated with toying in other's emotions. Why, I've become stuck in another's innocent soul, which reminds me... Why torment young Riku? Innocent and so passionate, he deserves far better than you. Sora and Kairi, his friends. And yet, he wants to help you, and you deny every word of it. Such a foolish girl you are. You've come this far and still you understand nothing. Such a shame. You will fall like he did. I can easily power you, girl, and it doesn't matter what you do to prevent the outcome. You too, will still fall into that dreaded state: eternal sleep. Your gentle voice, so sadistic and vile, your touch, it's all slipping away. Even if it's a dream to me..."

I finally stopped speaking. If I bared any emotions, I may have been panicked with so many words, but I was spilling my mind. Slowly, my auduals began to flatten against my skull, hiding underneath my thick, dark mane. Still, I remained where I was, looking over the edge, my amber eyes swirling with such anger, it was amazing. Glancing up, I stared at the creamy, dark sky and nodded to myself. Even if it was a dream, would I remember it all when I was back in my body? I couldn't answer that, so I remained quiet, thinking hard.

[lynx'']

S O P H I E

The dark bay mare lipped up a few blades of dried grass, the best vegatation near the cliff, hidden by a few bushes and trees, the amre was peaceful, her heart was softening just slightly, no major changes. Snorting lightly, the mare raise dher head and inhaled deeply, wait, the scent of Riku still lingered from his last visit, but now, it seemed stronger. Sighing, she walked from the tiny wooded area and over to where she saw the ghostly white figure, perched, on the cliffs edge. However, the call that she heard was not the call of Riku, ah, yet again, Xehanort had returned. The dark bay snorted, what did he want? Walking to him, she listened to his words. As he finished, my audials followed his, burying themselves deep in my black mane. If you were at the point of breaking, why would i hold you? Ansem the wise..if he were so wise he'd let you break..Isn't it fasinating how we both like to do the same things? However, i do have my own body, my own soul. You, only have Riuk's body, and the control of him, for he doesn't fight you..why? I ask myself that question many times..i haven't quite figured it out yet, you mix up his emotions, scare him into thinking you will harm his loved ones. She paused, and sidestepped a little closer. I do not torment the poor boy, why, last time he was here, i beleive we were on quite friendly terms. Does that bother you? Maybe he does deserve better than me, why would i care if he worked that out for himself? You should know by now Xehanort, I care for very few. You think i'm slipping away? You think i'm like Riku? Stuck in a fantasy? How wrong you are, i live in reality. My dreams mean nothing to me. She took yet another small step forward. Now you have finished your lecture, are you ready to tell me your purpose in my lands? She asked, her tone was its usual silky echo.

[/sup][/color]

[azul.]

X E H A N O R T

Glowing darkly in my eyes, I was so terrified by this;

My body remained still; tresses flew away from my neck in a raging motion, but I never moved. It was as if the wind shifted, agreeing with me that the anger in my heart was growing, so steadily, so fast. The moments that it took for the bay thing to arrive- yes, I compromised in my mind and called it a thing. If it was a wench, which I couldn't call them that, no matter the attitude, then I'd be low, but she certainly didn't qualify as a mare, correct? It was a troubling question, a double edged sword in a way, but I was a skilled swordsman, you could call it. Hmm, the sarcasm laced with that anger, it made me begin to laugh. The voice was deep, even if it was angry, and it was a pleasure to listen to.

Then I heard the movement I was alert for. I made no other movement, not even my auduals flicked backwards, but my amber tinted eyes opened with a sudden flicker of interest. Never would I let it show; besides, this wasn't a good interest. Why, I was protecting my boy Riku! Maybe not from bodily harm, as it was impossible, if you really thought about it, but still, I was protecting his untainted heart from breaking at the thought of his enemy turned 'thing' - She still couldn't be called a friend. No one would approve. It was like a forbidden plot to destroy all of my own plans- not fun, at all. So when the bay mare began to approach, I could hear her breathe, that normal breath, even when I started speaking. She obviously didn't get it. From the way she shifted, I could hear her, without looking at her, she was growing angry. Not with me, of course! She brought this onto herself. See, I was everywhere. Because I lacked a physical form to move in and bretahe in, aside from Riku's, I went every without the colt, but was powerless to do anything.

She answered just as I had expected. She didn't suspect a thing. It was great. I resisted the urge to start laughing, because it would only turn into furious yelling as she sputtered on. So, my amber eyes closed, and then opened, glaring into the night when she spoke about my teacher. Sure, he was a foolish person for halting my studies, but in this case, he was a wise man. After all, Sophie was saying that I should be 'dropped' from all life, so how does that say about a jealousy factor? I couldn't allow Riku to be around that! I couldn't stand for her to finish, and after she spoke of Ansem, I halted her with my words, my tone tenacious.

"Why would you hold me? Sophie, did you not understand me? If I was past the point of breaking, mentally of course, it would affect Riku, and all of his life. And surely, you must care for Riku, to a degree. I'm certain of it. Oh? You think lacking a body, which is off resting, makes us any different? Sophie, dear, Riku doesn't fight me because he needs me. If you could hear what he's said about you, his foals, his life. You would agree, without a doubt. Oh! Goodness gracious, where did you learn that bit of data? When have I scared him? Riku's a strong boy. I need to get his attention. Targeting Jaliya and his family was a simple test. Did I ever harm them? If Riku wanted to fight, he would. He hasn't fought yet, with all of his might. When he does, I will return to my body. But you my dear, are preventing that process."

I placed all the needed blame on her. It wasn't an attempt to make myself feel better; it was the truth. Sophie's mind games had long since frazzled Riku's heart into a panic. My ambers eyes glinted with a dull hate for the bay mare. She was disturbing all my research, and she drew closer to me, so slowly. I never once looked at her, but the warmth that I felt from her hot blooded body was enough to make me stiffen in a pent up rage. I let her finish though, and when she did, I laughed dryly, my large body relaxing to a point where my hind legs grated on the rocky surface of the edge.

"Why, I was here too, remember? Your timing is off Sophie. I didn't see joy on the boy's face when he pranced off like a fawn. I didn't see that warmth radiating from his heart as it does when he remembers Kairi and Sora. You hurt him Sophie. That day when he was struggling on the earth, trying to hurt himself, you hurt him further that even I could describe. The wounds were far from his heart though, but I don't think he'll forgive you. Not at all. Hmm. You are right. It does bother me. I've heard of your recent adventures into different places. You're a wandering traveler, and you lie to my boy, don't you? Ah yes, I do know, but good terms and care were supposed to be the same, are they not? "

I paused, replaying the mare's words. Fantasy? That word crawled under my skin, and finally, my body pivoted towards her. My chest, broad as a tank was thrusted at her thin, delicate features, and I snorted. My emotions never changed though.

"My boy, he's not in a fantasy. I've seen them, for real. They are made of the same flesh and blood that you are. But they, unlike you, are pure. They're dreams are of the life beyond them. I would have expected that you'd have known better, but I was mistaken. You are nothing but a mere pigment of color, etched into Riku's filled mind, troubling him. And with your recent adventures, it's made things worse; far worse. Besides, remember that day, far back when Riku was hurting himself? You had a dream, didn't you? Your eyes glazed over. You screamed, begging for something to stop running. That was a dream if I've ever seen one. But then again, your greed, your jealousy was leading your thoughts, where as poor Riku... My poor boy was living the reality over again, to no point. You know, he'd be better off without you. If you'd disappear, changing your identity, he'd live a far better life, until he found you, wherever you live. I have a feeling that you won't stay here."

I explained shortly, turning my body back around to where it had been for the past minutes. Then Sophie dared to snap at me, asking why I was in her territory. The corner of my mouth lifted into a smirk, and I started chuckling. My eyes glittered with amusement before I responded. It was a daring statement, what I was saying.

"Oh Sophie. Do I need a reason? Does Riku need a reason? After all, 'I'm here to find out the truth. Is that so hard?'"

For a few moments, my voice lingered with Riku's saddened voice. The smirk disappeared from my lips, and I closed my amber eyes, opening them to make sure I was still here. I chuckled, and turned my crown to stare at Sophie, as if the site of my amber eyes, losing their coloring, their pigment fading to Riku's bright blue tint could frighten her. The smile that spread over my face wasn't genuine; it wasn't sarcastic either, but I made it clear that her questions were un-needed.

"Riku's here for the truth. I, my dear, am here for a tool in my research. Riku's research cannot continue until I take away the hate in his heart, and it includes you."