The cold dirt clung to Ienzo's cheek as he lifted his aching head, and tears had stained his white shirt. The young apprentice was woken up by the sound of a happy jay, singing it's song to the world, but, Ienzo could not revel in it. Nor could he find any reason to be happy. For his heart had been broken. And now it was time to fix it. Fix everything that had happened.

Deliberately ignoring what the others had told him the day before Ienzo stomped off to the castle in a blind rage. He would make Xehanort pay for all of the pain he had caused him, and everyone else.

This time around would be different, instead of cursing his lack of strength Ienzo would use a tool much more valuable than that. He would use his mind. His cunning. And any other treacherous tricks he could think of.

He ignored the protest in his muscles as he made his way up the familiar stone steps. The gargantuan doors seemed to open for him on their own accord.

Dusks greeted Ienzo at the door. But they shrunk away as he seethingly shot them a glare. In Iezno's line of sight everything blurred. Shadows and light danced before his eyes in anamorphous shapes. Like they were in between light and darkness.

Xehanort was seated in the garden. Fractured light streamed in through fountain water and gnarly trees. Light fell on the heartless king in a strange way, it softened his features. Reminding Ienzo, for a moment, of happier times. Before all of this chaos had happened.

Ienzo had the high ground this time around, as he entered the garden standing tall on a hill. He smirked, temporarily enjoying his sudden height advantage.

"Iezno?" Shock echoed through Xehanort's voice. "You came back?" Ienzo was reminded of the real Xehanort, just for a second. Then his face snapped back into his usual unreadable mask.

Ienzo gazed at his once friend with a glossy stare, "We have much to discuss." The boy said in a serious tone.

"Of course." Xehanort sighed, standing up and brushing stray grass bit off his pants.

"What have you done with the others?" Ienzo snapped.

Xehanort looked away from Ienzo, with an almost pained and sorrowful look on his face. He mouthed a soundless, 'I'm sorry', to Ienzo.

The blue-eyed boy came to the terrible realization that there might not be a way to reverse the damage Xehanort caused. Still he had to try, "Can you change them back?" He gulped.

Xehanort paused sensing Ienzo's apprehension.

After a moment he replied, "No, I can't"

Without meaning to Ienzo let out a shaky sigh. The young apprentice then turned to walk away. Not really sure what he would do next.

"Wait Ienzo!" Xehanort called after his friend.

"I think I can fix all of this, if, I had help. I cannot change then back, but there might be another way."

Ienzo wrinkled his nose in disgust and then turned around. "Oh, really?" He said sarcastically. There was no possible way. After all of the secret research he and the other apprentices had done on the heart there was just no bringing back a heart once it was lost.

"Yes, I can. There is a way." Xehanort pleaded.

"How do I know this isn't a trick?" Ienzo spat.

Xehanort looked up at him with intense graveness, his orange eyes looked different right now, for some reason Iezno could not fathom. "You don't." he replied simply. "But, would you rather be alone again? You and I both know that is the one thing you most fear. As long as someone is beside you it does not matter if the darkness closes in around you. Just as long as you are not alone, you and I are similar in that regard."

Ienzo closed his eyes. Xehanort had hit the nail on the head. He knew all too well that the very reason Iezno returned was because he was too afraid to leave Radiant Gardens by himself. He would rather be with anyone, even a madman, than be all by himself again.

"All right, you win. For now." Ienzo said warily.

"Would you like to join me in the kitchen for some lunch?" Xehanort said cheerily, his tone completely shifting. This schizophrenic behavior was difficult for Ienzo to get used to.

The two wandered over to the ghostly kitchen hall where all of the apprentices used to gather together and make meals and messes. Just seeing the place made Ienzo's heart ache, so he took a sip of his tea and shut his eyes tightly, shutting out the painful memories of yesterday.

They ate in silence and afterwards, per Xehanort's suggestion, they made their way to the lecture hall, where all of his notes on hearts were now hidden.

Ienzo learned that there was one way to get a heart back, Xehanort intended to form Kingdom Hearts here in Radiant Gardens. The boy believed this to be a foolish plan, yet, he wanted more than anything to save his family. Even if it was for the solo purpose of him no longer being alone.

Xehanort was in the middle of discussing how to go about constructing Kingdom Hearts, when his eyes suddenly went cloudy, a dark shadow cast itself over his face. He was staring into the distance at something Iezno could not see. "Xehanort?" He said timidly after a few moments.

He turned to stare Ienzo down, "Do you ever get lonely Ienzo? I mean so lonely that the feeling almost suffocates you? I just, wanted my best friend to never leave. I got so jealous of all the time you wanted to spend with Eleaus that I felt like I was losing you."

"I didn't want to be alone either. But, that does not excuse you for trying to kill him." Ienzo shouted.

"Can you ever forgive me love?" Something seemed all wrong about his eyes, they were glowing and the shadows started to appear. The walls spiraled with blackness and creatures began bubbling from the floor.

"If you say you'll be mine, I can give you everything! After all, you came back to me." He chuckled madly.

Then, the king started to spasm and writhe on the floor.

He began choking, it sounded like multiple voices sewed together into one. "Ienzo, you must leave."

"What? Xehanort? Are you…fighting the darkness within yourself?"

"Yes, and I am losing. I'm not Xehanort anymore. Believe me when I say that I would never hurt you like this. But the darkness in me has taken over. You must run now! Before that other side of me takes over completely."

Ienzo nodded as he prepared to take off, but, Xehanort grabbed his hand. "Ienzo, I am so sorry my friend. I let this thing exploit my emotions. I know it's not enough to say sorry, but I hope some day you can forgive me."

He ran faster then he ever had in his life. Through the great white marble halls shadows began rising, and giving chase. Ienzo knew that his time was limited. But where? Where could he run to? Ienzo would not give up, he wanted to rescue his friends. The Balcony! This was the final moment, it was now or never! He had always read stories of great heroes, how they would sacrifice themselves to save others. Well, here was Ienzo's chance. He worried that he may not be strong enough to go through with it.

After looking over Xehanort's notes he realized there was a portal being formed, right underneath the balcony. It lead to the place where those without hearts were sent. This was his only chance to part from Xehanort forever and reunite with his family.

The creatures clawed and nipped at his heals but, still he ran.

Ienzo came upon the long hallway that lead to the balcony, he sprinted as quickly as he could, almost there!

A shadow shot out and grabbed his leg. The boy hit the marble ground face first. His ears rang and he felt something sticky dripping down his head. Still, Ienzo fought furiously with the creature to pry it off.

Xehanort materialized out of a dark portal, wearing a long black coat. "Ienzo, you might as well give up now, you are going to be mine forever, until the day you die. There is no point in resisting me anymore Dear."

Ienzo managed to throw the shadow off, but Xehanort was now closing in on him.

The boy stood up, "Whatever you are that has possessed Xehanort's body, I've said this once and I'll say this to you again, I will NEVER be your's!" He screamed with all his might and willpower.

The demon just laughed. "Poor sweet Ienzo, just wait and see what will become of you when I give you're heart to darkness. You will make a most devastating heartless queen."

Ienzo grimaced as Xehanort grabbed his shoulders and forced him to the ground. "But, first, there are still other things I can still do to you're human body."

Ienzo struggled to push the madman off of him. As Xehanort tried to practically rip Ienzo's clothes off, the boy managed to stab him in the eye with his fingers.

He scrambled up and bolted to the edge of the balcony.

Xehanort sauntered slowly towards him. "And what do you think you are doing? There is nowhere for you to go. You are trapped, like a rat."

Ienzo gulped, this was his only chance, he had to take it. "Goodbye Xehanort." he said as he stepped up onto the railing.

Xehanort seemed to piece together what he was going to do quickly enough. "No!" He shouted running over to the edge.

He case one last sad look at Xehanort before taking one step off of the balcony. Colors swirled around Ienzo as he thrashed about through the air. He could barely make out Xehanort's anguished scream as the blood pounding in his ears was as loud as a symphony. He allowed himself to smile, feeling free for the first time in his entire life. This may have lasted a few seconds, but it was time he would relish for years to come.

Ienzo felt his body being slammed into walls, he barely noticed the pain as the blackness overtook him.

Blackness, darkness, void…

That was all there was for the longest time.

Ienzo was sound asleep as a hooded figure approached his new shell. "Ienzo. Zexion," The figure whispered with a hint of pride in his voice. "You played right into my hands love."

Xemnas smirked as he removed his hood. "Didn't I tell you we would always be together, even if we are now just nobodies. You will always be mine." He kissed Ienzo's forehead and left just as the sound of faint voices reached his ear.

Ienzo stirred as he felt his body moving, he was floating? No, that could not be right. He opened his eyes a little wider and saw…..

The apprentices! He tried to smile, but his broken body would not let him. "Ele…au..ss." He managed.

His friend looked down upon him as he carried the boy through the World-That-Never-Was. Eleaus frowned.

Ienzo was confused, he would have thought they would be happy to see him. Now, that he thought about it through, he was not happy to see them. In fact he could not feel anything.

"Is he awake?" Even's precise voice rang out.

"Yes," Eleaus replied gruffly.

They all marched on like a group of broken tin soldiers.

"You should explain things to him then." Dilan said.

"Explain what?" Ienzo asked in a raspy voice.

Eleaus set him down, "Why did you ignore our commands?" He chastised.

"I…I thought I could save you." Ienzo half lied.

Eleaus just shook his head. "You no longer have a heart, you are now a nobody."

Ienzo frowned. He knew he would understand in time, but for now he was tired and wanted nothing more than to sleep.

"Ienzo, welcome to the World-That-Never-Was." Eleaus said without any conviction, gesturing to the emptiness of the ruined city around them. Ienzo looked at his friends and saw the same emptiness in this place reflected in his companions eyes.

If this was to be his new home at least his friends were there by his side. He knew that together they could accomplish anything. Even if they were mad at him, even if they had no hearts and even if they were far away from home, they were all still a family. Ienzo was certain they would be together no matter what.

So, with new found strength all five of the apprentices walked towards the castle in the distance. Where fate and destiny awaited them. Together.

A/N: After years of working on this baby I have finally finished it! I was originally going to write a sequel to this, but seeing as it took me so long to finish this one, that is not going to happen. So, if you all want, I will post some one shots or excerpts relating to what happens between these two as nobodies. I was also, not sure if I should come out with an epilogue to this or not. Let me know if any of you think it needs that. Anyway, thank you all so much for reading my story and dealing with all of my delays. It feels surreal to finally be done with The Object of My Affection. I had a terrific time writing it. Now, onto more of my stories. I hope you all will read some of my other stuff in the future. Thanks and peace out.