Discalimer: I don't own Kingdom hearts and it hurts like a deep wound...
A/N Time: Well, I got three reviews...interesting. I hope I'll get a few more for this chapter. I decided I'd wait a while to get some reviews up before I updated, but I kinda miss writing, so here's chapter two. Alrighty, thanks to:
Kanarah J: heheh...Love ya sis. I appreciate the spamming.
Captain Bubbles: Spell check..I use it, but it's like I dunno...
Lady Keyblade: Many thanks for the reviews!
XxX
Marluxia sauntered along the intensely monochrome hallway, hands shoved deep in his pockets. It was nearly 3:00 by the time Xemnas finished his lecture. An investigation had to be initiated, which led to the discovery of Xigbar's nobody misuse. He was sentenced into cleaning duty for the next week and a half.
Xigbar's behavior prompted him to review the rules and regulations which it seemed, have been "purposely forgotten for personal delight." The review took even longer, for Xemnas decided to highlight his points by using existing violations. Xigbar's tally of reoccurring breaches made up most of the discussion, and earned him even more penalty, including a strict curfew of 10:00 and a room check each night for anything that may have been taken from the cafeteria.
After Xemnas' point by point review, he ordered them to immediately begin the search for Ansem. Larxene took it as "break first then, busy yourself with meaningless research," and suggested they get started after a well deserved coffee break. These tended to extend well over usual breaking length. In fact they would still be in their designated lounging area, laughing and gossiping for hours to come.
He shoved his hands deeper into his coat pockets. This was senseless. Why on earth would he waste his time looking for Ansem the Wise? Issuing out a few nobodies to search for a few hours was hardly daunting work. Xemnas probably expected a bit more detailed searching than some strategically placed Dusk could ever hope to accomplish, but that was all the effort Marluxia was willing to put into it, and that would have to do.
His contemplation however, was cut short, as he spotted Zexion, easily seen in the midst of the all white hallway. His back was pressed against the wall, emptying a vanilla pudding cup.
Marluxia frowned. Zexion had been fortunate enough to withdraw from today's particularly long lecture. Whenever Zexion did attend one of Xemnas' summons, he'd take whatever it was he was doing at the time, usually breakfast and finish it as he spoke, and when Xemnas suggested he finish later, he simply stopped coming altogether. He certainly had his own way of doing things.
He stopped beside him and smirked.
"Who knew your mouth stayed quiet enough to put food in it?"
Zexion didn't bother to look up. "Who knew it concerned you?"
He licked the vanilla from the lid and swished the spoon about.
"I take it Xemnas is done expelling carbon dioxide and has released his underlings out into the world to do his bidding. Tell me underling, what vast amount of information did I miss?"
"The same thing as always–Ah, I suppose you'd actually have to attend a meeting once in a while to know what 'always' is. Eventually your luck is going to run out you and your endless Summers will come to an end."
"I'll take my chances. Besides, I doubt Xemnas will actually do anything about it anyway. I'm one less object tobefog his view of you. Likewise, Why are you standing here instead of manicuring his ego?"
"Hn. More research on that vicarious old fart. Shouldn't you be doing the same?"
Zexion scraped the last bit of vanilla from the bottom of the container and lifted it to his mouth.
"I'm busy."
" Just make sure you don't fall in the trash can when you throw that away."
Zexion narrowed his eyes in amusement. " I appreciate the concern. And my 'eternal Summer' as you call it, isn't over until I feel like ending it, and right now, there's more pudding in the cafeteria. That sounds much better than listening to you run your revilement burdened little mouth."
Marluxia smirked. His verbal battles with Zexion weren't uncommon, and in fact were occurring progressively regular. They would run into one another in the hallway and stop and deliver whatever personal criticism was on their minds. He couldn't earnestly say he didn't feel a twinge of delight upon arguing with the shorter man.
"I'll cease to run my 'revilement burdened mouth' when you bind yours for good."
"Then how would I greet you on days such as this when you interrupt my lunch?"
"Your absence is greeting enough."
"I'm afraid I'd miss this positively exquisite pudding far too much to condone with whatever it is you intend to enforce that. I decline."
Marluxia was about to reply when a familiar black portal appeared a few yards behind him. Xemnas stepped out of it, hands behind his back. His expression was pleasant, but undermined with a bit of deviance. He advanced at a slow pace, aware of his intrusion.
"Marluxia, I trust you're going to gather plenty of information for me, yes?"
His kept his back to him and said nothing. It was all he could do to keep his eyes from tilting skyward. This happened far more often than he would have liked.
"I much prefer talking to your face."
Gripping the man's shoulder, he turned him to face him. Zexion tipped a brow but said nothing. Perhaps he'd missed something at the meeting...
"That's better. Now what are you planning to do to–"
Xemnas lowered his gaze and frowned slightly when he heard the crinkling sound of foil and Zexion occupied with stuffing the foil pudding lid into the empty plastic container.
"Zexion, so this is were you've been." He tried to keep his voice even, but hints of annoyance crept into it.
Zexion frowned slightly as noted the vanilla clinging to his fingers and tossed the container in the trash bin.
"Yes." He turned and narrowed his eyes in a smirk that almost dared him to say something more on the subject.
Xemnas' brows arched mildly and he cleared his throat. "Well, I'd like Ansem to be found as soon as possible. I'm sure you're aware of how important this is to me."
Marluxia again bit his tongue and replied. "Yes."
"Good. I'm glad to hear it. I wonder if I could speak with you about something before you leave. It–"
'Crinkle'
'Crinkle'
'Crinkle'
Xemnas shifted gaze to Zexion, who was pulling the foil lid off another container of vanilla pudding, this one produced from his pocket. He looked up and met Xemnas' displeased glower with an oblivious one.
"Zexion, why don't you go help..." He looked around briefly before spotting Demyx wandering around clutching a mug of hot coffee. His chin was tilted up, mouth slightly agape, still in awe of how large the place really was. Since Larxene had kicked him out of the lounging area for spilling his first mug of coffee on her, he decided to explore a bit and find a faster way to his room, rather than the roundabout method he'd been using. He stopped and waved in Xemnas' direction.
"Ah...Demyx. Go to Hollow Bastion and find anything you can on the whereabouts of Ansem the Wise." He opened a portal, and pushed Demyx through. He stood beside it and waited for Zexion to go through it.
Zexion shrugged and turned to Marluxia "We'll have to continue this later on. Have fun." He stepped inside the portal, and it sealed up behind him.
Something would have to be done about these seemingly endless interruptions.
"Now, Marluxia, I've something to talk with you about. Please meet with me in my office. I have some papers to look over, and I'm sure by the time you climb the steps I'll be finished." He smiled before walking over to the elevator and pressing the button.
Marluxia scowled. All The way up those sempiternal stairs...
I'm hoping for a few more reviews this time! I have a bunch of hits and like 3 reviews! So please send me some!