Chapter 1

Deep breaths, anxious hands and an envelope. The bed was made but currently in use, as a figure shrouded in black awaits the results of his test. Apprehensively, his hands start to tear at the top of the file at a startling pace, ripping sounds mixing in with the silence of the room, anticipating the result. With the envelope finally destroyed, the figure finally gripped the sheet of paper that held his fate. Once anxious hands now shake with fear as the parchment is drawn out of its protection, revealing the man's future.

Blue eyes skimmed the meaningless words, like a falcon skimming countryside, until they eventually found the words they had been dreading. The body slumped in disbelief as the pair of eyes re-read the text to try and please their master, but no such luck. The figure stood up, eyes never leaving the paper, as they headed for the door. Before leaving the tortured room, the man hid his destiny within his cloak and then with a sigh entered the blank hallways of The Castle That Never Was.

Demyx and Axel sat in their room, engaged in a game of Sitar Hero, neither of them noticing the sheet of paper that was confidently hidden within the room of old pizza boxes, clothes and magazines . As the game intensified Axel declared "Winner tops tonight!"
"Alright, but I hope you like the taste of floor." laughed Demyx in reply with a confident smile.
The game had started to draw to an end when Axel cried out in a moment of rage and surprise as he realised he was behind by 1000 points. Heatedly, he looked at his partner in a furious wrath, only for this anger to be intensified when he saw Demyx was the picture of calm. And then it dawned on him that he should never have challenged a Sitar wielding nobody to Sitar Hero.

"Well I guess I'm topping tonight" Demyx stated in a calm voice that he know would get Axel worked up.
"You cheated!" mumbled Axel. He hated being on the bottom, mainly because he was used to being treated in a better way. After all, he was number 8, whilst Demyx was 9 and therefore was treated with more respect.
Demyx chuckled as he said "No, you were just an idiot and thought you could beat a person who plays the Sitar at Sitar Hero."
Axel continued to grumble under his breath as he reached in his pocket for a cigarette. Demyx was busy disassembling the game when he heard the slight roaring of flames. Instinctively he turned round; making sure that Axel wasn't torching the place. His face became one of relief but then moulded into one of shame as h turned back to the game. Axel (who was completely unaware of this change) continued smoking and talking under his breath about how unfair the game was.

"Hey Axel, maybe you should stop smoking" Demyx said, not daring to face his lover "you know it doesn't just hurt you."
"What are you talking about?" Axel laughed in disbelief "are you just trying to rub in my face that you won?"
"No! I'm serious. Smoking is really bad for you." Said Demyx, finally turning round to try and stress his point.
"Right... You do realise that I control fire?" questioned Axel as he pointed to his flaming red hair.
"Well, yes, but that isn't the point!"
"But Fire and smoke come hand in hand, so here is no way it can harm me! Also it makes me look cool" Axel said with a wink.
Demyx sighed in defeat and turned round again to continue packing the game, as well as to also to hide his shame and fear.
"Do you want me to head out and get some pizza for us?" Said Demyx in a hopeful voice.
"Sure, that would be great!" Replied Axel, smoke pouring out of his mouth and nose "make sure its pepperoni though, and none of that other muck they call toppings."
"Sure thing" answered Demyx, forcing a smile upon his face, practically running to the door not even daring to look at Axels disgusting display of 'cool' smoking.

---

Having finally escaped the smoky room, Demyx walked slowly to the kitchen that all of the organisation members shared, unbeknownst to him that he was being followed. The corridors of the castle were often deserted, but at the moment this was perfect for Demyx as he found the silence soothing, with the kingdom heart moon high in the sky and the wind rustling through his golden Mohawk.
The garden which was currently in Demyx's view was Murluxia's personal garden but you could barley tell his pink hair from the rest of the flowers that had blossomed in the haven. Looking at this sight always made Demyx feel better, as Axel tended to burn anything in his path. Thinking about Axel made Demyx shudder and after convincing himself that it was the wind that made him tremble, he quickened his pace towards the kitchen.

---

As Demyx turned a corner he bumped into Xigbar, who then caused Demyx to fall on top of him.
"Hey kiddo!" Xigbar said triumphantly "Where're you going?"
"Axel wanted pizza" replied Demyx, hastily getting up from on top of the man who had caused him to fall over.
"Right" Xigbar said disbelievingly, also getting up from the floor "Is he still smoking?"
"Yes" sighed Demyx, not even trying to hide the fact that he didn't approve of his partner's habits. "I tried talking to him, but he won't listen"
"Have you told hi-"
"No" interrupted Demyx, obviously uncomfortable "I don't know how he would take it."
"I see. Well I wouldn't Luxord to keep something like that from me. No matter the consequence" Stated Xigbar who (although his friend's dislike of this subject was clear) carried on despite his companion's feelings.
"Look Xig, I have to go. He'll be wondering where his food is" Said Demyx in an obvious attempt to get away.
"Well just remember what I said before it all ends in tears!" Xigbar shouted at Demyx as he ran down the hallway towards his destination.
"Kids" mumbled Xigbar as he started walking down the corridor in the opposite direction, shaking his head with his long black and silver hair flowing with the movement.