A/n: Written with the help from MeeShee MuhFFin.

Warning: A bit out of character regarding Lea, Isa, Riku, Ienzo, etc… beginning of Lea/Ventus

Edited: December 18th, 2010

Edited again: July 17th, 2010

Lygophobia

Chapter Two

Darkness enveloped him, swirling around him, imitating a nonexistent breeze. The normal, deafening silence was overpowered by voices. Voices of millions. Disinterestedly, Vanitas scanned the large expanse, searching for any familiar faces as he flew over the large crowd of demons.

It was pathetic, this meeting. The Leaders knew better than to organize such a convention for the demons. To monitor the progress of their kills? It was a foolish idea. Shadows were independent creatures, and just the thought of grouping every being of their species was an irrational one, let alone every demon and spiritual being in existence.

It must be some sort of pseudo census.

Eyes locking on a rather tall creature, he quickly spun midair to avoid it. Was that a Devastator? He hadn't seen one in such a long time… They were the type of demons could create things that could be blamed as natural disasters. With their large build, inhuman strength and the ability to use basic magic, they were skilled enough to raise tsunamis. He faintly recognized the rust-red headed Devastator, but didn't bother greeting him.

Spotting the familiar face he had been searching for, Vanitas descended in the crowd, folding his wings hastily to avoiding hitting another demon. …The Berserkers were frightening enough to even scare him… And the blue haired Berserker behind him looked pissed off enough.

"Hey, Vanitas. It's been a while," the demon before him greeted, a grin spread across his lips. His green eyes crinkled in delight and he waved slightly.

"Why yes, Axel, it has," Vanitas smirked, crossing his arms over his chest. Axel was an Assassin, a demon born from hellfire itself, their mark worn proudly as the gaudy red hair indicated. Their skill with fire was useful for making their kills much more unsuspecting when it came to reaping the lives of humans, something as simple as a house fire or a car accident with a cracked gas tank.

"I see you haven't graduated into a Neoshadow yet by the size of your wings," Axel grinned, poking at the bat-like wings curled against Vanitas' back. Self-consciously he flexed them, dismissing the comment as he reminded himself that having wings two feet long when expanded was still a good thing.

"I'm still having fun with my human, I don't want to kill him just yet for my wings," Vanitas merely countered, ignoring the small frown Axel gave him. It was true, for a Shadow to graduate into a Neoshadow, or in other words, fully mature, they were required to bring a human into the Demon Realm and simply kill them. To rip their hearts out and devour them… His throat tightened at the thought.

Suddenly, Axel's joking behavior fell and was replaced by a grave countenance. "You know, you don't have to hurt your human like that. Be the first to stray from the laws of the Shadows, you don't know what might come from it. Hell, you may never become a Neoshadow, but you'll at least have a friend. Got it memorized?"

Averting his gaze almost shamefully at the demon's spurt of wisdom, Vanitas blinked at the squat demons creeping along the rough floor. However, his eyes flashed and his normal evil nature returned tenfold. "I will not disappoint the Leaders, namely the Elders, and besides," he maliciously flashed his fangs, "I love his screams, I love the taste of his blood, and most of all, I love his moans."

Axel only seemed mildly horrified, but he quickly recovered. He was supposed to be used to that kind of behavior, damn it! "I'm nice to my human, and she loves me!"

Vanitas merely clicked his tongue and shook his head. "You're supposed to kill her, you know. Befriending her would only make it purpose is torture. And you know what? I'm pretty sure my human loves me too…" his voice trailed off in a thoughtful tone. Did he? Most likely not, and Vanitas knew he deserved it.

"Hello, boys, long time no see," a voice snickered behind Vanitas, but he didn't waste time in turning to see who it was. Placing a hand on the Shadow's shoulder, the tall blonde woman rested her chin atop his head, snickering once again at their height difference.

"Hi," Axel merely waved, still slightly disturbed by Vanitas' comment.

"Oh, Axel," the woman tutted, shaking her head, which, in turn, shook the raven's as well. "Have some more heart, you get the pleasure of seeing me, don't you?"

"Hello, Larxene," Vanitas droned, feeling the woman cackle once again as she played with his wings.

She cooed as she flapped them continuously. Annoyed, Vanitas sharply expanded them and smacked her hands before tucking them once again against his back. Larxene only chuckled, and with a choked giggle, she laughed, "No need to be violent, I was just basking in the glorious lack of overcompensation like Xigbar."

Axel snorted in an attempt to withhold his laughter. Vanitas shot him a glare.

"Besides," she continued, "I think he's the only Neoshadow around, really. We all know he achieved that within the first week. All the newborns are a bit annoying as well. I'm a Harpy, I don't understand why I'm stuck training that brainless girl," Larxene complained.

Larxene was a Harpy demon, but they differed greatly from their counterparts of the Greek Mythology. Her species of demon preyed on the weak, humans or demons, as they were allowed frequent trips to the Human World. They could cast strong magic, and each demon had an element they were particularly strong in. Larxene was actually highly skilled in electricity-based magic, and she prided herself in it. Their speed was quicker than the Dancer demons, and they were also very athletic. In all honesty, they were a force to be reckoned with.

"Speaking of newborns," Axel began, scanning the crowd of demons around them. "Where is Xion?"

Larxene winced and Vanitas immediately knew that the newborn she was complaining about was Xion. She sighed and folded her hands on the Shadow's head. "She's with Roxas again. I'm glad he's taken her off my hands. She's been bothering me for the last few weeks straight." Vanitas vaguely wondered if this "Roxas" was a newborn as well.

"They didn't invite me? I thought I was their friend!" Axel whined, taken aback by the rude behavior of his friends. However, when the group of demons parted before them, two figures emerged. Larxene groaned and Axel crossed his arms over his chest. When Vanitas lifted his eyes to the person beside the Shadow girl, he flinched.

"Vanitas, what the hell's up with you?" Larxene asked, tapping the raven lightly on his cheek with three fingers. However, he merely gaped at the blond. When the blond caught his gaze, he stared at him as well.

"You look exactly like my human!" Vanitas breathed, staring at the bewildered blond boy. Larxene blinked and stood erect, lifting herself away from leaning on the raven.

"I could say the same myself," the blond muttered, which called a look of concern from Xion. Extensive stares filled the eerie silence.

"Creepy," Axel sang, breaking the tension between the two. Xion coughed to hide her laugh.

From the looks of the blond hair and blue eyes, Vanitas could only deduce that the blond (Roxas, he guessed) was a Radiant, magical beings who protected humans from evil forces and such. However, Radiants were of light, and could only cast healing spells and use white magic. Being in the presence of such a holy being was unsettling to the Shadow, and it confused him how the hell Xion could manage to stay within a five foot radius of him. However, when a deafening bell resounded through the darkness, everyone fell silent.

Larxene grinned and cackled quietly, "The meeting has begun."

Ventus awoke to the sound of a door being unlocked harshly and without any attempt at subtlety. His eyes shot open, being the light sleeper he was, and stared at his father.

"Wake up and get ready for school," he commanded, the same look of indifference plastered on his face like every morning. His father shut his door and ended whatever interaction they would most likely have for the rest of the day.

Running a hand through his mussed hair, Ventus arose from the bundle of blankets he was entangled in, wincing only slightly from the pain that shot through his back. He had a terrible headache, and he only wanted to stay in bed and sleep a little more soundly after what felt like years of only brief rests.

Faintly he could still feel a body against his, warmth against his neck, a distant pain that would eventually burn away into oblivion… But he knew that those things were going to be absent from his life for a few days, and, no matter how deep inside he doubted it, he was genuinely happy for the first time in years.

Ventus rolled over, swinging his legs over the side and planting his feet firmly on the ground. His upper body followed as well as he pushed himself into a standing position and he stretched. Various bones cracked and he groaned at the noises. He stooped and grabbed the denim pant leg that was strewn lazily around the front of his bed, but growled when he noticed that it was torn in various places that weren't very tasteful. He righted himself and dragged his feet as he moved to his closet. He made a note to sew that pair before his mother saw the gashes in the fabric.

Quickly, he dressed and stumbled out of his bedroom, running down the staircase and into the kitchen where his parents were eating breakfast. It was extremely early, but the sun was already peaking through the curtained windows to his left as he took a seat across from his father.

A chill ran up his spine as he felt the glare of his father through the thin paper of his daily reading material. It gave him and uneasy feeling how much his father disliked him, nearly hated him, all for something that was beyond his control. Setting down his newspaper, his father sipped at his coffee and stood, kissing his wife's temple before bidding her a good day and promising her she would be back before dinner. As soon as he left, an uncomfortable silence befell the both of them. Shifting uncomfortably, Ventus began, "Mom, I-"

"Good morning, dear," his mother cut through, a forced smile on her lips. Every day was like this. A forced greeting, a forced smile, everything was just fake. She didn't know what was happening in her only child's room every night. She was blissfully unaware of the pain and fear he was plagued with every day.

Vaguely he contemplated whether he should finally show her the scars that adorned his body to prove to her that he wasn't crazy… He wasn't insane… Deep inside, guilt smothered his acute anger towards the woman and he brushed off her forceful attitude and glanced towards the clock that was hanging on the kitchen wall. It wouldn't hurt to skip breakfast and show up at school early…

He pushed away from the table, ignoring the sigh of relief that escaped his mother's trembling lips. Walking out of the front door with his checkered backpack slung over one shoulder, he ignored the dull sting that each step brought him. Hastily he crossed a few intersections, glad that his high school wasn't too far away.

The morning was silent. It always was. Crossing through the town, he was greeted by the normal stares of the early-risers. He was sure they weren't even aware of his name, and yet they judged him. Mocked him.

All for his fear.

His eyes brightened at the sight of his school, no matter how much he hated it, he was still fond of the sanctuary. The only place he had friends. The place away from a home that didn't want him.

He sighed in relief, entering the school grounds and running up the steps to the entrance. He hoped that either Terra or Aqua was early as well, because he didn't want to sit alone for half an hour waiting for school to start. However, fate seemed to hate him that morning because he found himself leaning against his locker. Alone. And of course, when he was alone, his consciousness always turned to Vanitas and his mind would send feral waves of terror throughout his veins.

Ventus feared being alone because the silence was deafening and left him to the mercy of his thoughts. And, like every other time, they were as unmerciful as always.

Pain, searing pain, from his memories flooded his senses and he shut his eyes tightly. He needed it to stop. He finally received a break from the demon, and yet his mind wouldn't let him go. What more did Vanitas want? He already owned his body, his mind… What else could he possibly need?

His emotions…? Deep down he knew that they had probably been a part of the packaged deal long ago.

Bringing his head back from around the corner, a teenager smirked at the group of boys huddled around him. Whispering, so the subject could not hear him in the silent hallway, "Hey, it's that loner kid." He nudged the red head standing beside him. A sadistic grin spread across his features as the red head turned to him.

"What do you want, Riku?" the red head growled, only half awake due to waking early and showing up to school early as well.

"I bet you fifty bucks that you can't get into his pants," he leaned towards the red head, the statement rousing him to full alertness.

The boys around him laughed, some whistling while a blond whispered, "C'mon, Lea, or are you too much of a pussy to go through with it?"

Lea merely smirked, crossing his arms over his chest as he looked over Riku with regarding eyes. "You better go to the nearest bank, Riku, 'cause you're out of fifty bucks!"

Riku grinned in return, offering the red head a fist to bump. "I bet he'll fall hard, too. How easy do you think he'll be?"

"I bet a week," a boy grinned, pulling a pen and notepad out of his backpack. "Let's start a pool for it."

A boy with steely gray hair shook his head slightly. "I'd rather not partake in this, but I would bet that you'll have him in the supplies closet before lunch," he muttered, watching intently as the boy scribbled down the information in a messy flourish.

"Ienzo, you're so cruel," Riku smirked.

A raven haired boy, whose smile was ever-present on his lips, chuckled lightly, "Give him a break. At least give the poor guy a month or something. It's not like he's desperate to lose his virginity or anything."

The boy with the pad and pen allowed his eyelids to fall slightly in annoyance. "He's a loser, Zack, why do you care?"

"He's my cousin's friend," Zack countered, holding his hands up in surrender.

A few other boys gave their prediction, although they chose to be a bit more generous in regards to Ienzo's bet. The boy with the paper struggled to keep up, but finally collected all the data with minimal pleas of repetition.

"So, Lea," Ienzo inquired, never batting an eyelash at the red head's malicious grin. "How long are you giving yourself?"

"I'll give him a few days, and then I'll be expecting my money from all of you and our secret to be kept from my girlfriend."

Riku waved a hand at him dismissively. "Don't worry like an idiot. If you're not getting any from Naminè, you might as well find it somewhere else."

Lea merely grinned and pushed himself away from the wall to begin the timer of his bet. He strolled through the hallway, careful not to make his sneakers squeak on the linoleum floor to startle the blond too greatly. Ventus had long-since stood and was currently leaning against the locker with his eyes shut tightly. Once he reached the blond, he tapped his knuckles against the metal, which only caused Ventus' eyes to fly open.

Ventus turned his head to give attention to whoever was bothering him, but when red flashed before him, he quickly whipped his head in the opposite direction before embarrassment and confusion could settle in the pit of his stomach.

"Hey, Ventus," Lea breathed, leaning against the locker beside the blond, ignoring his obvious defiance. He reached forward, his right hand touching the blond's left shoulder before trailing down to grip the side of the boy's backpack to ensure that he couldn't escape.

It was all wrong, Ventus couldn't help but think as his skin replayed the touch on its surface.

"I was wondering," he muttered coolly, hand playing with the rough fabric of the backpack, fingers playing with the checkers, "if you would like to hang out some-"

"Leave me alone, Lea," he interrupted sharply, his cerulean eyes hardening coldly as his gaze lingered to the shocked stare that belonged to the red head. He jerked his shoulder upward to loosen and eliminate the grip the red head had on his bag.

Lea's eyes narrowed, a snarl forming on his lips. He wasn't going to lose fifty dollars on a loser like Ventus! However, when people began filing through the entrance, he backed away. He didn't need Naminè finding out anytime soon. He glared at the blond's back as he weaved through the crowd towards a brunet senior that was waiting by the door.

"Welcome demons and spirits, alike," the hooded Leader from the center of the craggily thrones called, voice booming and echoing off the dark cliff walls around them. The Leaders were the elites of each specie of either demon or spirits, they controlled the decisions that effected the Demon Realm. Metaphorically, they were each specie's representative. The speaker was a Neoshadow, as his glowing yellow eyes were shining through the darkness his hood cast over his face and large wings folded neatly at his back. He was an Elder, a part of the original demons of the Demon Realm. He slowly pulled the dark hood covering his head back, revealing silver hair and dark skin that showed his ancient age.

The Leaders to his right and left nodded in turn, urging him to continue.

"We have called this meeting to report the progress that we have made through the last century, and to conduct a census of the number of Newborns that have accumulated over the years." A hum of approval from the demons and spirit Leaders erupted. "We need the graduated Neoshadows to step forward."

The crowd parted and only a few demons stepped forward. One being Xigbar, whose right golden eye was hidden beneath an eye patch. A deep scar was running down his cheek as well. It was a rumor that his human had given a fight when he had been brought to the Demon Realm years ago. Thin lines of silver ran down various sections of his hair, representing his great age.

Xigbar was a no-nonsense type of demon. He had only been a Shadow for a decade, barely passed being in the stages of being a Newborn and deemed knowledgeable enough to be assigned a human. In only a week had he made quick work of his victim.

Beside the silver-haired Elder a Sorcerer underling demon was taking notes diligently. When finished, it tuck its hands into his sleeves, awaiting a new announcement. However, Xigbar seemed to put the next announcement on hold.

"Howdy, Xemnas," he saluted, grinning lopsidedly as the Elder merely rolled his eyes at him. To show some sort of greeting to his old friend he wiggled his fingers in a wave.

"As I was saying," Xemnas continued, glaring slightly at Xigbar as he retreated back into the crowd, "now I need all the Shadows to step forward."

Larxene snickered and pushed Vanitas forward, coaxing him to step into the opening. He only shook his head, moving to where the crowd opened for him. Looking around, he noticed that there were many Shadows around him. However, when he glanced back to Xemnas, he flinched at the glare he received.

"Vanitas," Xemnas commanded, eyes narrowing significantly. "How long has it been since you were assigned a human?"

Whispers swept through the demons behind him. To minimize being scolded for thinking it through, 'two years' fell easily from his lips.

Xemnas continued, "And when are you planning to graduate?"

A sinking feeling welled deep within Vanitas and his eyes grew wide. So soon? It hardly seemed fair to ask such a thing to him after only two years, however, Xemnas seemed upset with the number of Neoshadows. After all, Vanitas was the oldest Shadow out of all them. He was a century ahead of everyone, with the exception of his years spent as a Newborn.

What was he supposed to say? He didn't want to kill Ventus just yet… It was a frightening thought, and he just couldn't grasp why. However, to sustain his usual, nonchalant behavior, he forced a smirk to cross his lips.

"When I get bored…"

The usual self-conscious feeling enveloped Ventus as he slowly turned the dial of the lock to his locker. He opened it, staring down at the gym clothes that were sitting at the bottom. Faintly he could feel the uncomfortable feeling of a glare on his back and he felt that he didn't need to turn to know who it was.

He shared a class with Lea, and from the glares he received from the red head were obvious. It wasn't very hard to wonder who was glaring at him so violently.

Pulling out his gym shirt from the bottom the locker, he slipped his shirt off. Ventus could feel the glare intensify for some odd reason. He hoped no one could see any stray scars that weren't hidden by his wife beater. When the scars began building upon each other when he was thirteen, he was forced to begin wearing things that would cover his torso. To him, the teasing for not wanting to show his chest went right over his head as he reinforced his ears to ignore them.

No one had seen the scars before. Not his parents, and not his therapist. She had promised that whatever was said would remain strictly confidential, but he couldn't show her. Sharing his secret made him feel… tainted. The scars were a constant reminder of his fears.

He unbuttoned his pants, allowing them to fall to the floor as he bent slightly at his waist to reach into the locker that began at mid-chest. He grabbed his gym clothing, replacing them frantically with the clothes he had on previously. As he pulled on the uniform, he still felt the glare on him, and to be honest…

It was unsettling…

The glares followed him throughout the day, and when he entered the cafeteria, it met him there as well. He walked over to his lunch table, but his ears perked as he heard a conversation to his immediate left.

"I miss Roxas…" the voice whispered in a heartbroken tone and Ventus felt a deep pity at the raw sound of emotions it had to it.

"Sora's talking about his imaginary friend again, Riku," a female voice whispered to the silver haired teen sitting beside her.

"We need to get him help," Riku replied in the same hushed tone. "It's not healthy… He's always talking about him… I'm worried." Anger welled deep within Ventus and he mentally hissed at them for being so terrible to their friend. He picked up his pace once again, rushing over to his table where he noticed that Aqua was sitting at.

"Ventus!" she greeted, raising her hand in a startled wave. He nodded to her as he took a seat beside her.

He didn't want lunch today (although he rarely ate) in particular; the uneasy feeling had taken away his appetite. He had a feeling that something eventful was going to happen to him soon. He glanced over to the senior beside him, two years ahead of him, and, for the first time in two and a half years, smiled at her when he caught her eyes.

Her eyes grew wide. She hadn't seen him truly smile in a while. Was he finally cured? Was he alright?

"Ven?" Aqua asked, using the blond's nickname he liked.

He didn't know why, but when the glare left him just moments ago, he had the strongest urge to smile. At who, he hadn't the slightest idea. However, the urge wouldn't leave, so he figured that everyone should receive one. However, Aqua continued staring at him, blinking a few times before smiling back, lips curling at their corners and eyes closing ever-so-slightly.

"Hey, Ventus," a voice purred behind him.

Whatever smile was on his face fell harshly, replaced by a deep-set frown. He rounded immediately, coming face-to-face with the red head he was avoiding.

"Wanna hang out some time?" his grin was definitely convincing, but the glee did not seem to reach his eyes.

"No," Ventus flatly responded, turning his head away from Lea. For some reason, the red head he hardly knew anything about (other than the usual gossip) was giving off an eerie vibe. He felt that he shouldn't trust him for a strange reason… Aqua stared at him with her mouth agape.

Lea sighed, pulling the seat that was beside Ventus' out and plopped into it. "Come on," he nudged the blond, "I know you hardly know me and everything, but I'd really like to-"

"No," Ventus growled. The wariness deep within him was flaring at the boy's question. He hadn't the slightest idea why, but he felt weird when Lea continued asking him the same question. He narrowed his eyes and turned to the red head, "Aren't you with Naminè?"

Lea's eyes grew wide before they narrowed and he pushed himself from the table. Sharply he turned, leaving Ventus to his musings and sour mood. The blond sighed through a growl, neck growing limp as his forehead hit the table, causing Aqua to jolt out of her shock. She stared down at the boy beside her, awkwardly patting his unruly spikes as Terra took a seat across the two of them. He stared at Ventus in confusion, but the blue haired senior only shrugged as the blond grumbled to himself.

It was exhausting, really, to think someone so 'popular,' as people put it, could be so annoying. All he wanted to do was go home, play sick, and have a nice nap. His attitude brightened considerably and he smiled dreamily at the thought of sleep.

"Uh, Ven, what was that?" Aqua whispered, eyelids slowing closing after their widened state.

"I have no idea," he murmured, closing his eyes as he moved his arms to fold around his head, he scooted his chair out, sighing in content when his back straightened comfortably.

"What do you mean 'I have no idea'?" she asked incredulously.

Ventus opened his eyes to peak at her. "I really have no idea. He came to me this morning when I came to school early and started hitting on me. I declined, of course, and he kind of got mad at me. I was paranoid that he was going to beat me up earlier or something…"

Aqua exchanged a worried glance with Terra, who wasn't planning on voicing any sort of comment.

…Is he coming?

Ventus was sprawled unceremoniously on his bed, drowsy and welcoming sleep. The sun had long ago crawled the remainder of the way down the horizon, enveloping the room in a darkness that was unaffected by the reading lamp on his bedside table that he hadn't used in years. The faint glow of the bulb only elongated the shadows and projected them to the wall to Ventus' far left.

Faintly he could hear his father on the other side of his door, prepared to lock the door if his son began panicking. However, his son's silence was unsettling and he knocked on the door. He warily opened the door when he received no response.

When he cracked the door open, the sight of his son sleeping soundly brought relief to him. However, he knew it must be some sort of brief thing… He wasn't planning to cancel the therapy session that was only the next day. He sighed, wondering what went wrong. Softly, he closed the door once again, pressing his forehead to the wood of the door.

What had he done wrong?

Ventus entered the blissful balance between conscious and sleep, a dreamless state that allowed him to muffle his usual wariness. He wondered if tonight he would finally receive a sleep that would leave him fully rested instead of tired and stalled.

However, he was slightly pulled out of the bliss when he felt the heat of breathing on his neck. "Goodnight, Ventus," the breath whispered, pressing its lips to the crook of his neck. His eyes shot open, but he saw nothing in the darkness. He slowed his quickened breaths, stilling his heart, and absently ran a hand over his neck.

…Had that just happened?

A/n: Edited out my comments, woo.