Rain pattered on the roof, a rhythym so sickeningly sweet and sad... Demyx wiped his eyes again. He looked outside into the drizzle. Please come back home...

Where'd you go?
I miss you so,
seems like it's been forever,
Since you've been gone,

Where'd you go?
I miss you so,
Seems like it's been forever,
Since you've been gone,
Please come back home...

Demyx's tears dropped into his lap. He looked out the window, feeling helpless, hopeless... lonely. It had been so long... so it seemed, since he'd seen Xigbar. Demyx cast his glance over the gloomy street, hoping for a sign of that cloak, a flick of that silver-streaked hair... but no. Nothing. It felt like an eternity. He wanted to go find him, but he could do nothing... nothing but sit and wait by the window. His tears were silent.

Where'd you go?
I miss you so.
Seems like it's been forever,
Since you've been gone...

There was a soft tap at his door. "Demyx? Demyx, are you in there?" The voice was quiet, and gentle. Demyx looked away from the window for the first time in hours. He sniffed and wiped his eyes. "What do you want, Zexion?" His voice was cracked, barely the ghost of a whisper.

"Demyx...I... I wanted to check on you... to see if you were okay..." Zexion sat down beside Demyx. "Are you okay?" His voice was still as soft. "Demyx...?" Zexion's expression was one of sincere caring. Inside, he felt so much towards Demyx... but there was no way he could ever tell him. Demyx loved Xigbar... that's why he was here alone crying... that's why the salty smell of tears lingered in the air... that's why Zexion felt like crying, too. He looked at Demyx. "Really... are you okay?"

Demyx sat leaning forward with his hands folded and his head bowed. Tears still fell down his cheeks. He tried to hide them, but he knew Zexion could see. Even with one of his deep grey eyes covered in his silver hair, shielding it from the world beyond, he could see. Demyx remembered looking into both of his eyes. He felt the tears coming hard. He let out a shaky breath. "I... I'm fine... really..."

Zexion looked at Demyx. His expression was a mix of sadness and confusion. He didn't understand why Demyx shielded himself from him. "Are you sure?"

"YES! I'm FINE okay? Just leave me alone!" Demyx's voice rose as a sudden wave of anger rolled over him. He looked up at Zexion.

Zexion was taken aback by Demyx's sudden outburst. He felt the suddenness of tears in his eyes. I... oh no, what did I do? I didn't mean to... Demyx... Zexion's tears increased a bit. He felt strange... I'm so sorry... I didn't mean to... really! I just wanted to.. to do something right for you... for a change... Zexion sort of fell backwards a bit, his hair falling from his eyes. "I... I'm sorry... I didn't mean... I'm sorry..." Tears streamed down his cheeks.

Demyx looked at Zexion, his wave of sudden anger residing. "I... Zexion, I'm sorry... I don't know... what happened. I didn't mean to... I didn't mean to make you cry..." He leaned towards Zexion and touched his cheek. He felt tears and wiped them away. "I'm sorry."

Zexion looked surprised and felt a blush coming into his cheeks. "No... I shouldn't have bothered you... I'll just... I'll just go. I'm sorry I disturbed you..." Zexion stood upand looked away from Demyx's gaze. He could smell him so clearly... it was overwhelming.

"No, Zexion... you don't have to..." Demyx looked at the silver-haired teenager standing across from him.

"No. I shouldn't have even come here... I'm sorry. I have to go..." He turned to the door and whipped it open.

"No! Zexy, you don't have to..." he was too late."...leave..." Zexion was gone. Demyx sat down, feeling like a total jerk. Zexion had only wanted to see if he was okay. Demyx whacked himself in the forehead with his palm. "Stupid, stupid, stupid! Demyx you are so stupid!!!" He leaned back, looking up at the ceiling. He was still worried about Xigbar, but he realized sitting there doing nothing wouldn't help the Freeshooter. He stood up. "I have to go to Zexion... I feel like such an ass..." With that said, he stepped into the dim hallway and began the long trek through the marble halls.

Zexion sat on his bed with his knees drawn up to his chest. He sniffled and wiped his eyes on his sleeve. "I didn't mean to... I shouldn't interfere... he loves Xigbar, not me. Yeah yeah, dream on Zex..." He spoke to himself. His room was filled with normal stuff, books, forgotten clothes, CDs, and a mirror. One full-body mirror leaned agianst the wall in one dark corner of his room. He looked across to it. His reflection was blurred by tears, and looked distorted. Ugly. Zexion looked away. "He could never love you. Ever. Just keep dreaming..." He drew his knees tighter into his chest and held them there.

There was a soft knock on his door.

"Zex? You in there? C'mon, Zex." The voice outside was a forte compared to Zexion's piano whispers. The silver-haired teen recognized it. The smell was also very naming. Wood smoke and cinnamon. Axel.

"What do you want, Axel?" Zexion tried to sound like his normal apathetic self, but failed. He released his legs and waited for a reply.

"There's a meeting I think you might want to be at..." Axel's voice changed. Now it sounded sad. "Something very bad has happened. To Number Two. The Superior requested all members' prescence." Axel's voice grew a tiny bit softer. "Zexion... please? Can I come in for a second?"

Zexion stood up and opened the door. He looked into Axel's eyes. The normally bright emerald green was replaced with a shade of green that you might see in an older person's eyes. The kind of person that has seen or heard more than he wished to. Zexion knew that something was very very wrong. But what? "Sure, Axel. But just for a second... important meeting, you know." He opened the door all the way. Axel stepped in.

The two stood facing each other. Suddenly, Axel flung his arms around Zexion, the redhead's knees giving way. Zexion caught him. Axel was crying. "Zex... these things always happen to us. Never anyone else... just us. Why?" Axel cried harder. Zexion became aware of Axel's abnormally low body temperature... and his soaking wet hair.

AT THE MEETING...
"I have called you all here today..." The Superior paused. "I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but I must inform you of a very unfortunate event." Xemnas's hid his emotion behind the neutral mask he knew so well. He couldn't cry. Not in front of numbers 3-13. Later, somewhere remote and alone, he would cry. He would mourn the loss of Number 2. But not here. He was the Superior and couldn't show weakness. He took a deep breath and continued. "Xigbar... Number Two... is... is dead..." He hung his head. the neutral mask wasn't strong enough. He could feel the tears on his face.

Demyx stopped breathing. "W... w-what?" His voice barely came out.

"Yes... the Keyblader... he won't be returning from this mission..." Xemnas refused to raise his head.

Demyx found himself getting light-headed. No... he couldn't possibly be... that's not true. XIGBAR IS DEAD. The words were a neon light in his head. He felt his limbs growing as heavy as lead. His eyes wanted to close. It was a long way down from his chair to the floor... the realization struck him. Xigbar is never coming back. Without warning, the Melodious Nocture fell from his seat, plunging to the marble floor hundreds of feet below.

To be continued in chapter two. Please, feel free to leave a comment.