Hey guys! :D

Don't lynch me for starting another chapter story without finishing my other ones.

I'm one of those Miss-Ten-Projects-At-Once, though I do eventually finish them ^^

This story is set in a twisted world of Kingdom Hearts: All of the worlds are like countries, so to the far west of Twilight Town is Port Royal and the sea, including Destiny Islands and Atlantica.

The style is Victorian-era England :) Kuroshitsuji-style ;)

Enjoy!

Twilight Bridge is falling down,

Falling down, falling down.

Twilight Bridge is falling down,

My fair lady.

A tall, slate-haired man with a black top hat sighed heavily as he walked into the bookshop, the little bell on the door tinkling as he shut it. A man sat in front of him, behind his book-piled desk, closely examining a newspaper.

The man cleared his throat.

"Good morning, Vexen," he said quietly. The man behind the desk looked up, his haggard face breaking into a smile at the sight of his visitor.

"Ienzo! Come in, come in!" he greeted kindly, standing and walking over to the man. "It's been a while since I've last seen you," he added thoughtfully, peering down at his guest curiously. "What have you been up to?"

The man in the top hat sighed again and glared halfheartedly at the man he called 'Vexen'.

"Don't call me by that name anymore, Vexen," he hissed quietly. "I—"

"Ah, yes; I know, I know. It was a careless mistake, and I apologize, Lord Zexion," he said, waving his hand with a flourish before bowing teasingly. "What do you need today? A new book? Some bindings? In the lab, I've concocted several—"

"What do you know of the Twilight Bridge deaths?" Zexion asked quickly, cutting Vexen off with a gesture of his hand. His bangs swayed with his movement, briefly revealing his right eye. Both eyes flashed with urgency, and the aqua in them seemed to cloud over, darkening. His companion understood the exigency for information and lowered his voice.

"Oh, so we're being serious now? I see. Well, I've heard rumors that for the past month, four people allegedly threw themselves off of the bridge here in Twilight Town, each death one week apart. There've been some other deaths of bridge-related suicide in Port Royal and the Olympus Coliseum, but so far, the police do not think of them as relevant to this case." Zexion nodded and removed his top hat, along with the black scarf covering his mouth and neck, and his long, black, slightly tattered trench coat, worn from old use. He took a deep breath, covered his visible eye, closing it, looking as if in pain.

"Our keyword here is allegedly," he stated, removing his hand. He looked more tired than when he had come in, and seemed weighed down by an invisible weight on his shoulders. "The police think that it's all an elaborate, sick joke by some madman; gathering suicidal people and ordering them to kill themselves one week apart to keep the police puzzling over a non-existent case as a distraction while thieves and the mafia run loose. It's disgraceful. I, however," he added, looking behind them to check to see that no one was eavesdropping at the door; "think it's something else. I think that those people were murdered, not suicidal, and that there's a criminal mastermind behind it, with, I'm guessing, a rather large fortune behind him. The police won't believe me: what do you suppose of my theory's plausibility?"

Vexen closed his eyes, his eyebrows knitting, and seemed deep in thought. He shook his head.

"It's highly plausible, Ien— Zexion. I think that the part about the money is especially true: our police should not be this incompetent. The Queen would be highly troubled by this, though. It's much easier to pretend that everything is okay and that these poor people are merely depressed and wish for death, instead of acknowledging that there may be a serial killer on the loose…" Zexion let out the breath he did not know he was holding and sat down in a faded green chair.

"Thank you, Vexen," he said after a few moments. "It gives me great confidence that you believe me; I believe I am right and shall act accordingly. Good day," he said, and with that, replaced his top hat onto his head, wrapped his scarf around his mouth and neck, and shrugged on his threadbare trench coat. Nodding once and tipping his hat, he swept out of the small shop, ignoring the tinkling of the small copper bell as he closed the door.

And now, to Riku's…

Taking out his pocket watch from his coat, his eyes widened as he read the time.

It's already nine fifty? I'm late: She will waiting for me. I mustn't keep her waiting, it's rude. Riku can wait.

Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, full of smoke, pollution, and cheap perfumes, he coughed painfully before exhaling and blinking his eyes open and walking down the narrow, crowded, twisting street down to Mirage Avenue, then taking a left, and fading into the shadows.

He walked down several narrow alleyways for nearly twenty-minutes, checking his pocket watch every so often to ensure that he was not too late. The dark, dank, maze-like passages of Twilight Town repulsed him, but he would pass through them if it ensured his anonymity.

He hurried along and reentered the city streets, emerging from the alleys. Walking quickly, he strode over to the outer stables, near Nocturne Aces, a relatively new inn full of music, laughter, and booze, and found his horse.

She was a brown mare, young and lively, but obedient and the fastest horse Zexion had ever ridden. She nickered softly as he approached her, slowing down so as to not frighten her.

Hah. She's a brave lady. I doubt even I could frighten her…

"Shh… it's okay, Destiny. I need to get to the mansion, and quickly. Understood?" he asked quietly of his horse. She nickered again and stomped on the strewn-about hay, but, as soon as he untied her reins and mounted her, quickly galloped off to their destination.

We'll make it. I have ten minutes left…

Destiny galloped quickly to the mansion and neighed loudly as they approached the large, black, iron gates to announce their arrival. A Dusk quickly approached them, followed by two collared Shadows.

"My Lord… welcome back," rasped the Dusk, bowing low and respectfully. "The Lady is inside, awaiting your presence."

"Yes, thank you," said Zexion shortly, jumping off of Destiny. He tossed the Dusk the reins carelessly. "Take care of her, as always: give her two apples and a carrot, and change her hay." The Dusk bowed again, this time placing its fingerless hands on the backs of the Shadows and forcing them to bow as well, before pulling on the reins and attempting to coax his horse to the stables. Zexion smirked to himself as he saw out of the corner of his eye Destiny refusing to obey, and putting up a good fight to boot.

Quickly walking towards the large, white mansion, he knocked twice on the lacquered, cherry wood doors, and waited.

Not a minute later, a small maid with cropped black hair opened them and smiled at the sight of the top-hatted rider, beckoning for him to come in.

"Welcome back, Lord Ienzo! I trust your trip was well?" her voice was soft, and yet full of happiness. Zexion closed his eyes and nodded down at her.

"My goal was accomplished, yes, but the trip was less than hoped for. I never like going to Twilight Town, it's always so filthy." He smiled at her, and she smiled back, before taking his hat, scarf, and coat from him and hanging them up on a wooden rack. The man looked at the large, framed mirror next to the coat and hat rack with disinterest. A tall, slate-haired man, tired and worn, though cleverly masking it, was reflected in the polished glass, and copied the Lord's every move.

"Xion, where is—"

"The Lady is in the library, sir, awaiting your presence—"

"I see. Thank you, Xion," he called over his shoulder as he strode quickly through the elegant hallway, the heels of his black boots muffledly clicking on the red carpet and his footsteps echoing in the hall.

Reaching the top of the stairs a few minutes later, he approached the library and looked down at his attire: a silken white shirt underneath a blue vest with embroidered gold fringe, a pair of dark trousers, and his custom made black heeled boots. Nodding, satisfied, he pushed open the carved doors to the library and walked in.

Inside the library was a moderately sized round table with two thrones and an expensive tea set from The Land of the Dragons set atop the tableclothed wood. A lithe girl sat in one of the thrones, wearing her long, blonde hair down and a simple, elegant, white tea dress. She wore knee-high stockings and blue, heeled, satin shoes. Below the table was a beautiful, hand-woven, circular rug from Agrabah, and beyond the boundaries of the rug were the numerous, tall bookshelves overflowing with books, tomes, and scrolls he had collected over the years.

A large, ceiling-high wide-paned window was set in to the left of the girl, the silhouette of her profile stretching on the floor.

"Ahem." The girl's head quickly snapped up when she heard the man clear his throat. Her mouth twisted into a wry grin.

"You, sir, are late." She smiled as he bowed low, sweeping his hand and smirking at her.

"Indeed I am. And for that, I apologize, my Lady." He stepped closer, kneeled on one knee and lifted her gloved, white hand, looking into her bright blue eyes as he lightly kissed it. She giggled and sighed.

"Oh, my Lord, what would you do if I were a guest instead of your fiancée? Surely, your reputation would be tarnished and smeared…" Ienzo arose and took his seat across from the Lady.

"Naminé, if you were a guest instead of my fiancée, I suppose that I would have Axel entertain them until I returned, and my excuse would be that I was out on urgent business concerning the welfare and safety of our dear Queen, and that I sincerely apologize for my delay." She sighed and began pouring the tea into their cups.

"Zexion—"

"Lord Ienzo, Naminé. I currently have no idea who Zexion is, and you would do well to remember it." He looked irritated at her mistake, and began gently plopping two sugar cubes into his tea. Lifting it not unlike as in a toast, he drank a sip, holding the saucer beneath his cup, and made a face. The girl giggled.

"As I was going to say before you interrupted, my dear Lord Ienzo," he rolled his eyes at her; "Because of your lateness, our tea has gone cold."

"You tell me now…" he grumbled, but smiled briefly at her before clapping his hands thrice.

Another Dusk entered the room.

"Yes, my Lord?" it asked in its odd voice. Lord Ienzo gestured at the tea set.

"Our tea has gone cold. Tell Chef to bring us another set, though with hot tea instead of cold," he ordered, his tone bored. The Dusk nodded and moved to take the tray, but Naminé placed a hand on its arm and looked reprovingly at her fiancé.

"No, just ask Chef to reheat it, please. It would be a waste to throw this tea away." She smiled at the Dusk, who was slightly shaking from nervousness: as a servant, no Lord or Lady had ever touched it, and it had no idea of the proper etiquette suitable for the situation.

So, it merely bowed low and took the tray.

"Yes, Milady. Right away." It quickly left the library and closed the doors respectfully behind it with a dull thud.

Ienzo sighed and leaned on the table with his elbow, his hand lightly pressed against his face.

"How dull…" he commented. Naminé giggled.

"Yes, it does sometimes get boring here…" she said in her quiet way. Ienzo rolled his eyes.

"Our mansion has three floors, an attic, two basements, a garden, and stables, and you find this place boring?" She laughed, hiding her mouth behind her hand.

"Ze—Ienzo, you're one to talk! You just said how this place was so 'dull', and then you chide me on being bored! Are you sure you are twenty-two? You don't act it," she teased.

"Are you sure you're sixteen? You don't look it," retorted Ienzo. Naminé rolled her eyes.

"How very mature, my Lord."

They continued their friendly banter until the Dusk returned with steaming hot tea, bowing deeply at Naminé's feet and setting down the tray silently, before slipping out and leaving.

The tea, a Christmas present from Lord Marluxia, was rich and deep, with a fragrant scent and a soothing flavor. Ienzo sipped his slowly, savoring the foreign taste, and watched Naminé with concern.

His wife-to-be had been found on his doorstep not two years ago, covered in burns, bruises, and welts from face to feet. They had quickly taken her in and attempted to heal her, but her recovery had been slow. A week later, news came from Radiant Garden that her family's house had been set on fire, and that she and her older brother, a boy of seventeen named Roxas, were the only survivors of the household.

Their second cousin did not live with them, and thus had not died; he had offered to take care of her, but Ienzo refused: he already had several children he had adopted and was struggling to provide for them, and he, Lord Ienzo to polite society and Lord Zexion to the underground, would not have them suffer.

And so, Naminé had lived with her fiancé for close to two years, healing slowly.

She looks fine at the moment… her nightmares have stopped… and most of her memories have returned. She'll be safe here… he thought to himself.

Naminé noticed his staring and stared back.

"What…are…you…staring…at…?" she said slowly, not unlike a hypnotist. Ienzo shook his head.

"Nothing. Sorry. Just… you looked so beautiful. It's a new dress, isn't it?" he quickly covered up. The blonde girl shook her head, laughing.

"Oh, you're so sweet sometimes!"

"Sometimes?" He feigned offence at her remark.

"Yes, sometimes. You're late for the others," she winked. "But, no, it's not a new dress, but Xion did try a new hair cream from Agrabah on me. It smells of jasmine leaves and sun," she smiled.

Ienzo opened his mouth to reply when, suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

"Come in!" he called irately. A collared Shadow entered the room, holding a silver tray with a wax-sealed letter on it.

The wax was blue and had a silver crest on it, one with a pattern of ice crystals.

It bowed low and offered the tray to Ienzo, who took it and said 'Thank you,' before dismissing it with a wave of his hand. It left silently, and Ienzo looked at the letter intently.

"Naminé, please hand me the letter opener," he said sharply, his tone more curt than he hand meant, but the Lady was not offended: she understood that when he took that tone, it meant something was terribly wrong. Quickly handing him a letter opener from one of the bookshelves, she kneeled next to his chair and watched him anxiously.

His eyes had darkened, and he looked drawn, tired, and grim.

How could I not have noticed this before? she asked herself worriedly, leaning her head on the arm of his throne.

His mask is too opaque for me to see through…

She looked up quickly at the sound of Ienzo's sudden intake of breath. Moving to stand behind him, she read the letter in his hand along with him.

Lord Zexion,

There's been another death

The corpse is at Riku's shop.

He has information for you

It's urgent: bring plenty of sweets

And be careful: the streets are dark at night

Leave Her at your house: her safety MUST be ensured

Illusions hide both truth and lies

Vexen

Naminé quickly covered her mouth in shock.

"Another death"? What did that mean?

"Ienzo, what does he mean, 'the streets are dark at night'? It's nearly noon, and everyone knows that!" She looked at his face worriedly.

"It's a code," he said briskly, standing up. "We use codes in case our notes are intercepted. "I must go," he said, and leaned down to kiss her cheek.

"Stay here. I cannot stress that enough. Should anything happen to you… well, nothing will. Stay safe," he murmured quietly to her, before abruptly leaving the library.

"Xion! Roxas!" he barked. Almost immediately the people he called came to him.

"Yes, Milord?"

"What?"

He gave Roxas a Look for his impudence. He lowered his voice and murmured orders to the two.

"I have very urgent business in the city. Make sure Naminé stays here. Ensure her safety: that is your top priority. Send Dusks and Shadows to go to market and fetch things, but none of you are to leave the house, is that understood? Xion, that's an order," he said. Xion looked at him with worry.

"Milord, your health—"

"Naminé's safety is your top priority," he repeated, and straightened up, giving them both a nod before sweeping away to the main hallway. He placed his hat on his head, covered his mouth with the scarf, and shrugged on once again his old coat.

"Hopefully, I shall return before dinner," he said, and left.

Roxas and Xion looked at each other, then at the closing doors.

"I wonder what's up his a—"

"Shh! Master Roxas, that's no way to speak of the Lord of the Manor! Besides, we must hurry to Lady Naminé's side: we must keep her safe. Come on," she said, and tugged Roxas's arm, pulling him up with her as she ascended the stairs.

Naminé gazed out the window sadly, watching her Lord gallop away on his horse as fast as Destiny could go.

I'm glad that she's got a lot of stamina… Destiny Islands may be right off the coast, but it's half a day's journey to Port Royal anyways…

Another death?

Could it be… no. No, that's impossible. She's alive. I know she's alive!

…Right?

A/n: Ooooh, my first mystery story! I LOVE mystery stories, they're so full of suspense and adventure and lots and lots of guessing.

TO MY MATURE AUDIENCES, you may want to check out Keys and Kissing, a Zemyx story (unfortunately) but it's got a good plot! I truly enjoyed reading it, but for those of you underage, you probably shouldn't read it. It's not like I could stop you, but it's got sex in it... and mature content... and gore ):D

Until next time, take care!

Beware of surprises~