Disclaimer: Kingdom Hearts II is copyright Square Enix, as are Demyx and Xigbar and Axel and Roxas and ya know those people. I cannot own them, but maybe one day I will join them, eh? Eh? XD

ALSO : the title is unceremoniously stolen from Depeche Mode, so I apologize, but it was too good not to use and come on, how could I not?

Authors Notes: Sooooo yeah this is short. Don't count that these are "Chapter" chapters, in the official sense. They're snippets from the ongoing story, and they end in places that make sense, not always long portions, but yeah. Quality over quantity, but honestly, most of the time my writing is not on par with some people's but eh, you live, you try, you die…. Er… I dunno what I was going for there.

Background Music: AFI's "Decemberunderground"

OMG ENJOY!

XD

Title: Music for the Masses

Author: Zoshi the Confused
Rating: PG-13 to M (eventually)
Category: Kingdom Hearts II

Genre: Adventure/Angst

Contains: (or will contain) Shonen-Ai/Yaoi, Violence, Adult Situations, and Swearing

Sentences or phrases done in Italics thoughts

Select words done in italics emphasis

The melody floating down the hallway was airy and light, the notes vibrating softly in the air. Xigbar paused a moment, listening. The melody itself was nice, he had to admit, although he himself preferred something a bit heavier. Still, even with all its airiness, hidden behind those soft strains was an almost hidden air of desperation that barely, just barely, made itself known. Xigbar looked thoughtful for a moment, wondering if the kid knew just how much his music revealed, then shook his head. With a sigh and a crooked grin, he sauntered over to the large bay window from where the music originated. He leaned against the wall, looking down at the musician seated on the floor who, it seemed, was so absorbed in his music he didn't notice he'd gained an audience.

"Hey, kid…" Xigbar said finally, "Having fun?"

Demyx gave a start, his melody ending in a sharp twang. He quickly placed a hand over the strings to stop the noise and looked up at Xigbar, smiling.

"Hey, Xigbar!" The blond beamed. "Sounds good, doesn't it?"

"Hn…" Xigbar scratched his chin. "Sure, but is it anything new?"

Demyx's face darkened suddenly, his eyes narrowing. He turned back to his sitar sharply, fingers plucking angrily at the strings, a harsh staccato that made Xigbar grimace.

"Of course it is." Demyx huffed, continuing his attack on his instrument. Xigbar grinned, not exactly a nice grin, and looked off somewhere.

"Sure kid… whatever makes you happy…" He chuckled lightly, crossing his arms.

"What're you talking about?" Demyx muttered, his assault on the sitar's strings beginning to form into another melody.

"I'm just saying, y'know, whether it's something you thought up or not…" Xigbar said.

"Uh, yeah…" Demyx rolled his eyes. His fingers were moving on their own now, without thinking, weaving a complex harmony.

"Hm." Xigbar said thoughtfully, and Demyx paused in his playing to look up at the older man. Xigbar glanced down at him, then put a finger to his temple. "So it comes from here, right?"

Demyx grinned, shaking his head.

"No, stupid, it comes from here." He said, placing a hand over his chest and smiling brightly. Xigbar raised an eyebrow skeptically, looking at the younger blond. After a long moment, Demyx found his smile slipping, and he frowned angrily, glaring up at Xigbar.

"It does." He insisted, eyes burning.

Xigbar chuckled, pushing himself off of the wall.

"Like I said, kid… whatever makes you happy…" He shook his head, starting down the hallway. "Just thought you'd know better by now…"

Demyx glared after him until Xigbar turned a corner, then turned back to his sitar angrily.

"Of course it's new…" He muttered to himself, plucking the strings. New maybe, to someone else, but not to him. He growled, tearing his fingers from the strings. Fuck. Why'd he have to pick that song to rip on?

He glared down at the sitar, as if it were responsible for everything. With an aggravated sigh, he ran a hand through his hair and grimaced. As much as he hated to admit it, sometimes, just sometimes, it felt like the songs he played were just living versions of echoes that resounded from distant memories of a past he couldn't remember living. And it tore him apart.

Endnotes: Soooo yeah... its short, but these are more like 'sections' than chapters so, the next one will probably be longer. Or something. I hope you all enjoy and stuff...

Zoshi