It's been quite a while since I worked on this and I can explain the reason why. I had the plot all set and everything was how I wanted it, but then the folder containing the plot was accidentally deleted when I was cleaning out my story folder and getting rid of failed ideas. (For every story uploaded there's at least two that are scrapped instead) I have the third chapter here, but other then that I have to remember and rewrite where I was taking this. Which might take a bit, but I don't want to give up on such a great idea. I will make sure it leads up to something great, since my writing has improved a bit in the last year and a half. At least, I hope it has. ^^;

Anyway, enjoy this chapter and I hope you look forward to seeing the next one.

"This is so stupid!"

Sora, Goofy, Donald and Lea were standing outside with Vanitas. They had him centered in the middle while they tried expressing different emotions. Vanitas became annoyed when they kept going in circles and acting out how one should vent their emotions without the need to summon anything.

"I'm not two! I know how to express emotions," he argued.

"Good, you've got anger memorized," Lea chuckled. He was fully enjoying the kid's annoyance.

"Shut up before I shove your own chakrams down your throat," growled the dark-haired kid.

Kairi, who had been watching on the steps with Mickey and Riku sighed before standing up and approaching them. "Guys, you're not being fair." She handed a small flower out towards Vanitas. "Here, for you."

"Uh," Vanitas' face was blank and there was a hint of something there, but something began to manafest beside him. That's when Donald sprung into action. With a lightning spell the unversed was destroyed and Vanitas doubled over in pain.

"That hurt, you stupid excuse for a feather duster!"

Donald made to roll up his sleeves when Sora stood in between them. "Alright, guys. Let's keep trying. Kairi, why don't you give it another go?"

Kairi nodded and tried something else. "When I'm feeling hopeless I try to think of memories that give me hope and make me feel stronger. Do you have any memories like that?"

Vanitas gave it some thought. Most of his memories were better left forgotten. "There was that time when Aqua managed to get the better of me. I was knocked flat onto my back, but all I did was laugh. It was even funnier after I creeped her out."

"I don't think that's what she meant," Lea guessed and by the look the others were giving the kid, Lea guessed he wasn't the only one who was uncomfortable.

Vanitas slumped his shoulders, "I'm never gonna get this."

Sora shrugged his shoulders, "I don't know about that. I mean, you just expressed disappointment, isn't that another expression? And I don't see a single unversed anywhere."

"See, you're getting it, Vanitas," added Goofy with a smile.

The dark-haired teen fought to control his frustration. "I just don't get it though. Why is it so hard for me, when you guys do it without even trying? Every time I feel a strong emotion an unversed appears. I have no control over that. It just happens."

"I know its not easy," Mickey replied. "It's just going to take some practice."

"That's right, Disney Castle wasn't built in a day, yanno," added Goofy.

Vanitis sighed and looked up. "Alright, whatever. Let's just work on the next emotion already."

Kairi had a smile on her face, which made Vanitas a little uncomfortable. "What's with that look?"

"You'll see."

The next thing he knew they were waiting for her while she went to get something from the kitchen. Sora and the others had no idea what was going on. She emerged not much longer carrying a basket of onions. "I was thinking of making my famous soup, but I need some onions cut up. Vanitas, would you mind peeling and slicing the onions for me?"

"Out here?" he asked.

She nodded. "The smell of onions bothers the master, so I don't want to stink up his kitchen with it. Here Sora, Riku you two can help. There's a lot here. Hm? Sora?"

The brunette was nowhere in sight. Kairi pouted a bit as she spotted him from around the corner.

Sora was trying to hide from this task. As eager as he was to help Vanitas he wanted no part in Kairi's plan.

Kairi on the other hand wasn't about to let him off the hook so easily. "Sora, what are you doing over here?"

"I know what you're planning and I want no part in it," he replied.

"Sora, if I knew your last name I'd use that too. You are going to march right back over there and help Vanitas peel those onions. Now get moving!"

"Yes ma'am," he replied as he sulked his way back to the others.

Once they were lined up, Kairi handed Riku, Sora and Vanitas a knife. "Now, be sure not to cut yourselves."

"Do we look like preschoolers?" asked Vanitas in a sour tone. Kairi glared at him for a moment before Riku explained, "Sora needed safety scissors until the fourth grade."

Vanitas snickered a bit, "For real?"

Sora pouted, but tried to ignore the others. It was bad enough he had to do this in the first place.

Lea quirked an eyebrow and looked over at the King who also seemed to notice what he had.

. . .

Kairi's plan soon became apparent as the trio cut deeper into the onions. Riku was still fighting it, but both Sora and Vanitas couldn't stop the tears from flowing.

"This sucks!" Vanitas protested while Sora nodded in agreement. "I hate onions for this very reason."

"But Vanitas, you're missing the point," Kairi smiled at him.

"And what is that, you trying to encourage me to have a strictly carnivorous diet? It's working."

"No silly," she giggled.

"I got you to cry, without a single unversed to show for it. This is what happens when you're upset or sad. Let your tears form instead of monsters."

Sora blinked as it finally dawned on him. "That's brilliant Kairi!"

She just shrugged. "I try."

"No, it was clever," called Lea.

Upstairs in Vanitas's room, the cat-like unversed watched the scene below and wagged its tail while purring. It was pleased with his progress as well.

Mickey stood then and headed inside, aiming to go upstairs and report the boy's progress to the master.

A raven watched the scene as well before spreading its wings and flying away from the tower.