A/N: This story is a collaboration between myself and aliceupsidedown! *spaz* Read and review, please! :D Enjoy!
Chapter 01: Number Six - Zexion's pov.
I bit a large chunk out of the red apple I'd brought with me in my pocket, polishing it off beforehand on the black sleeve of my hoody. While eating, I let my eyes follow the cloaked figures of the monks that were walking around the Monastery. The were walking one after the other, the one at the front carrying a gold detailed lantern, swaying it back and forth to let the incense smoke wind it's way playfully upwards. They were purifying the grounds, their chants made of words I couldn't understand. I assumed it was Latin, it was beautiful and I never wanted to miss this moment as it gave me a sense of peace I couldn't find anywhere else.
The Monastery was quite big in size, both width and height. It was made out of a dark Bordeaux wood, the rooftops layering over each other all the way down to the grass covered ground surrounding the building. It was built in a large circular opening within the woods of Destiny Island, and as the beach wasn't far away, the air smelled of salt and was a little on the cold side.
There was only one way into the Monastery. At least, only one way in that was visible and known. The second way inside the Monastery, or more accurately, beneath the Monastery, could be found deeper into the woods, where the trees were growing closer next to each other and where the wolves roamed the area. It was a secret passageway that only the Organization knew existed, and it was to stay that way. The folks within Destiny Island believed that part of the forest to be cursed and so, none ventured in there except the numbers.
I felt a certain guilt for the monks, they had never wanted to be the facade the Organization could hide behind in order for the base to be kept a secret. Number One was a powerful man though and when he wished to accomplish something, nothing that got in his way could stop him. Thankfully, the monks could go about their business like they had before, serving as cover for the Organization. Number One expected this of them. This lessened the guilt I felt towards them a little bit.
Sighing a little in content, I leaned my back comfortably against the tree trunk behind me, throwing the remnants of my apple somewhere far into the trees as I let my feet slide off the tree branch so they could dangle on either side. I was high up enough on the tree for the monks not to notice my presence. But I suppose I just liked the solitude the height gave me as I could easily hide myself closer to them, and still they wouldn't notice. Number One described me as the "cloaked schemer". Being invisible was my talent, and the fact that my hearing was impeccable worked as a great advantage to Number One.
I felt sleepy as the monks continued to chant, letting their voices carry through the forest, the echo it offered making their voices sound more mystical than they sounded to begin with. This place was set still in time, it felt like I was in another world entirely... Nothing but their gentle prayers and their graceful routines mattered here. Everything stayed the same, nothing changed. I came here every morning, and I could always expect to see and hear the same things. I appreciated it as my own way of living a life that was full of surprises on a never ending scale. The monks and their Monastery gave me a moment of rest I couldn't find elsewhere. While they seemed to be stopped in time to me, they actually stopped me from thinking, worrying and scheming.
It never lasted very long though and I didn't hope for it to last longer than it did anymore either. I'd once hoped that when I broke my pager on purpose, Number One would get the hint and not buy me a new one. Wishful thinking that was though and so, as my pager announced its presence vividly with a vibrate in my hoody's front belly pocket, I scowled up at the blue, blue sky and quickly pulled the damned thing out of there, wrinkling my nose as it was indeed Number One calling for me to get back home.
I peeked a last glance at the monks, remembering the sound of their chants today and then stood onto the tree branch I'd been sitting comfortably on for the past hour or so. Looking back once, I made sure none of them were looking in this direction - right before I let myself fall off the branch, diving head first towards the ground. Flipping over in the air, I gritted my teeth as my feet connected to the ground. I'd broken quite a lot of bones before being able to pull that particular move off.
Blowing the bang of light blue hair out of my face, I untied the robe I'd tied around my waist, pulling it back on over my shoulders and then hiding my face beneath the cloak's hood that offered a shadow to keep my identity a secret. I rolled my eyes at the impatience Number One was displaying by paging me yet again, and this time I quickly pressed the return button so he'd know I was on my way. Knowing that by acknowledging the page, I had onlyl six minutes to get my ass back into the Organization's base beneath the Monastery.
Tucking the pager into my pocket, I turned to face the Monastery and took off in a quick sprint - butterflies rummaging around my stomach as I ran over the small expanse of the clear grass area the Monastery was built on, leaving me visible for anyone to see. I didn't particularly like this, but going over the Monastery was faster than going around it. Knowing the monks had rounded the corner by now, I ran straight for the roof, only needing to step up slightly, as the edge of the roof touched the ground already.
I took big leaps upwards, jumping forward on the tips of my toes so the sound of my feet wouldn't resonate too loudly through the roof and within the Monastery. The monks wouldn't be able to do much about my presence. I was Number Six after all and one of the Organization, but I didn't want to disturb them - which is why I placed some effort in making sure they didn't notice me being around.
Reaching the top of the roof, I slowed down, gently caressing the large bell that rang it's melodious sound every morning, waking me gently from my slumber. I knew the other numbers hated the sound of the bell, I didn't. Slipping my fingers off the metal, I inhaled carefully before I began to make my way down the roof.
I jumped lightly three times before landing on a small wall that stuck out between some rooftops and then spread out my arms to keep my balance as I took small steps, one after the other, to make my way over the small stone wall. I stopped at the edge of it, crouching down and keeping absolutely silent as the monks were now walking right below me, the incense of the smoke coming from the lantern filling the air I was breathing, their chants still occupying my ears. I waited patiently for them to pass by me and once they rounded another corner, I jumped down, same way I'd jumped from the tree, face first and then flipping over so I could land on my feet in the grass. Five more steps and I was safely hidden within the shadows the high trees offered me. This is where the "cursed grounds" within the forest began. Not even the monks entered this part, only the numbers dared.
Knowing the pack of wolves residing in this area were sleeping at the moment and wouldn't wake to go out and hunt for another three hours - I ran through the trees, skillfully side stepping the ones that got in my way as I continued straight forward, finding my way to the secret passageway. It must have taken me four minutes going over the Monastery's roof and I knew the remaining two minutes would be enough for me to get where the entrance was.
Much like the Monastery, just much smaller in size, there was a clearing among the trees, offering a spill off sunlight that highlighted the top of the secret passageway's entry. It was round, made out of the same dark wood the Monastery was made out off and reminded me a little of a medieval gazebo. Medieval because two large gargoyle statues flanked the stone door.
Slowing in my steps, I walked the rest of the way, stopping when I was facing the door. I pulled the cloak off my head, revealing my identity to the forest only, trying to soak up the as much fresh air as I could before heading down underground. I then put my palm flat onto the center of the stone door, pressing onto it gently so the mechanism built within the stone could scan my fingerprints. Three seconds later, scan complete, the stone door trembled a little before it slid backwards and then sideways to the left, revealing the long tunnel downwards that would guide me into the Organization's headquarters.
Breathing in some of the salted air coming from a breeze, I pulled the cloak over my head again, hiding beneath it's shadow before I entered and then walked blindly onwards through the tunnel when the stone door closed gently behind me.
Number one, a great leader and a mastermind at doing what he did, did have one particular quirk that I had the privilege of seeing. I say privilege, because this particular quirk reassured me on a regular basis that Number One was in fact, only human.
The legends and gossip that ran from mouth to mouth throughout the territory occupied by the Organization had many explanations as to why there were thirteen members. Some believed it was so each member could represent an element. Others said it was to cover all the main categories you needed to be in charge off in order to take over the world successfully. I quite liked the last one. It wasn't the reason though, the real reason as to why there were thirteen of us was because Number One needed there to be thirteen in order to keep his mind at ease.
His quirk? He needed to lock a door thirteen times when there was a lock for him to lock. He flicked the light on and off thirteen times before leaving a room. He was obliged to wash his hands thirteen times after having used the rest room. All the books in his office were placed by numbers of thirteen on the shelves. He'd even gone as far as to commission a hand made clock, with an added extra hour. Meaning that within the headquarters of the Organization, we had days that lasted twenty-six hours as opposed to twenty-four. Of course that last one was also a reminder as to how self-confident Number One was... Knowing you have the power to literally change the clocks? I was very sure Number One would indeed rule the world one day.
His obsessive-compulsive disorder was the reason as to why we were thirteen. No less, no more. This was also the reason why when a number died, a replacement was found to carry on the works the previous did. Number One would be unapproachable in those moments, the glitch in his system putting him in a terrible mood - you needed to keep out of his way until he'd found the replacement, otherwise you'd be replaced relatively soon afterwards as well.
By being part of the Organization, you had to follow a certain number of rules. Thirteen rules in it's entire, of course.
Number One:The Organization comes before all, even your own life.
Number Two: Speak to no one of the Organization, not even with the other numbers.
Number Three: Do not communicate with the other numbers, unless Number One ordered you to do so specifically.
There was a reason for this. We didn't know our names and we didn't know what we looked like. We only knew the number that had been assigned to us by Number One and our specialty. This was the extent of our knowledge as Number One feared that if one of us were to be confronted by Lustitia Agents and forced to spill information we were aware off, at least we wouldn't be able to rat each other out. The Organization would always keep a certain level of secrecy - enough of it anyway for the Organization to keep on going and keep the Lustitia out of their reach.
Number Four: Write your number on your lunch box when placing it inside the communal fridge, otherwise it will get stolen by one of the other numbers and bitching won't be allowed if you haven't followed rule number four.
Number Five: Each has their own weapons, when not satisfied, order new ones - do not borrow from other numbers. Punishment will be severe if this rule isn't followed and Number One finds out you've used another number's weapon.
Number Six: The Organization comes before all, even your own life - in case you forgot from reading the rules in between one and six.
Number Seven: Fraternizing with other numbers and people that are not part of the Organization is strictly forbidden. If you wish to soil some wild oats, please see the phone number written on the bathroom wall and you'll be directed to the red light district within Organization territory - pre-approved by Number One. If you are looking for something more serious, consult Number One and he shall find you the husband or wife you are looking for.
Number Eight: If you've followed rule number seven and have chosen the option of marriage, realize that the Organization still comes before all, even your own life and now your husband/wife's life as well.
Number Nine: Any plans or ideas in relation to the Organization are to be discussed with Number One before being set in motion. Those who do not follow this rule, will end up like previous Number Eight.
Previous Number Eight had been replaced about two years ago, it was still relatively fresh and there were some minor complications concerning previous Number Eight's whereabouts. I didn't know his name and I didn't know what he looked like. I didn't know him all that well in a general sense. One thing I did know though, previous Number Eight had a knack for making things extremely complicated. We'd hoped he'd died according to plan, but now that idea was less pleasing as we didn't wish to grant him the power to be able to complicate things even while dead. He was still nowhere to be found.
Number Ten: We have a dishwasher. Use it.
Number Eleven: Always attend our meetings cloaked. Speak only when spoken too.
Number Twelve: When Number One asks for a report, you will find a way to contact Number One within the following twelve hours. If you disobey this rule, Number Thirteen will find you and strip you off your number.
That was the polite way of saying, "Number Thirteen will find you and kill you."
Number Thirteen: The Organization comes before all, even your own life - in case you forgot from reading the rules in between six and thirteen.
Although the rules were strict, and the way the numbers lived their lives wasn't exactly what you'd call social. The system worked. Number One's system worked. The Organization had survived for over fifty years now, and although some numbers had died while on the job, never did we betray. Except previous Number Eight, but he was a different matter and unique in his case. We would make sure that would never happen again.
Grabbing my lunchbox (with the Number Six tagged onto it) out of the communal fridge, I walked out of the kitchen and then back into the tunnel. Each number had their own quarters, and you could get to them by one of their respective doors in the tunnel. As the tunnel was pitch black, (There wasn't any electricity allowed, the air was too humid for candles) when you became a number, you were trained to remember the exact number of steps you had to take before finding the door to your quarters. This way, you had no idea where to find the other number's quarters. You could try, but that would only raise suspicion. And most likely get you killed.
I knew how many steps to take to get to the kitchen, like all numbers, to my own quarters, to the conference room and also Number One's and Number Four's quarters. Mostly all numbers knew where to find Number One. I just had a special bond with Number Four. I'd been his assistant before becoming a number. I'd been in the Organization ever since I could remember, Number One deciding that I would make a good addition to his team. He'd only been Number One for a couple of years since killing Xehanort, his father, and inheriting the Organization. He welcomed my ability to be invisible and collect data in order to expand his influence.
That was the Number One tradition, the heir killed the leader to take their place. The leader would not relinquish the control of the Organization, not until their heir was capable of killing them. You needed ruthlessness and no sympathy, only pure determination. Or so Number One said. Number One didn't have any heirs, not that I knew off anyway.
Number Four had been the one to rescue me when I'd been younger. Apparently, I was born from one of the pre-approved Red Districts whores the Organization used to soil wild oaths. My mother had been set on drowning me when I cost her too much money, but Number Four had stopped her. He'd been about to see her for an hour of... service... when he realized she wasn't where she was supposed to be. He tracked her, concerned for her safety, and found her by the beach shortly afterwards. I'd been about eight years old, she'd drugged me and was ready to toss me over a cliff and into the ocean. Number Four stopped her, drowning her instead and taking me home with him, within the Organization. I had wondered for years if he was my actual father, and when I'd finally found the courage to ask him, he'd laughed that soft way he always did, telling me gently that he was not my father. He made sure not to create any bastards when using one of the pre-approved whores of the organization. I'd been upset, and because of that, I'd distanced myself from Number Four. This is where Number One took notice of me and slowly started taking a liking in me.
Standing in the dark tunnel, lunchbox in hand, I took a left, the opposite direction my quarters could be found at, and counted the steps I needed to take to find Number One's door. He'd tried for thirteen but even he himself realized that would be too obvious. So instead it was sixty six steps. Once I was standing in front of the door, I knocked and then waited until he allowed me to enter. Once he did, I entered slowly, bowing my head low as I closed the door gently behind me.
Number One's quarters were luxurious. Everything within it was of the finest quality. He had the best furniture you could find on the Islands, the best reading material, the best shower (I was very jealous of his shower, it had those massage heads with option for sauna), basically the best everything. Except data, I was in charge of the best data the Organization held. So instead of being Number Four's secretary, I'd gotten an upgrade to becoming Number One's secretary... With the occasional mission to keep me satisfied, on the side. But even those included me searching for more data.
"Zexion... Please, enter. Don't be shy." He always sounded amused for some reason. He had a very playful voice, soft like Number Four, but less serious. Doing as he asked, I pulled the cloak off my head, revealing my identity and looking him straight in the eye. Having grown up by his side gave me the privilege of knowing what he looked like.
"Xemnas." I murmured politely. He walked over to me, wrapping an arm around my shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze as he guided me over to his desk. He let go off me so he could sit down in his large and royal looking chair, while I took the less fancy one opposite of the desk. He gestured at my lunchbox, "Please, dig in. Don't deprive yourself on my account. I shall speak while you eat." He smiled my way and I nodded at him, digging in as he'd put it. I ate the same diet the monks did. They did it to show their love for their God, depriving themselves of certain things to show they wouldn't abuse what God gave to them. For me, the diet was a self inflicted punishment. Eating good food was a luxury I didn't allow myself to have. Although I was with the Organization and believed in the system and plan... Sometimes things went really bad... I didn't like it when people got hurt. I couldn't stop it from happening though, so I hoped little things such as my strict diet could help repay for the wrong I committed.
He looked at me for a little while, before sighing, slightly on the heavy and annoyed side, "A Lustitia Agent has entered the territory of Destiny Island. I have not provoked them to take such a bold step as of late. Number Eleven has heard that the Agent is staying in the Paopo Inn, in the city center. She assures me her source is reliable. I wish for you to keep an eye on the Agent, see what he is up too." Number Eleven. She worked as an undercover within the Red District. Men told their whores everything. Being an undercover whore within the Red District allowed her to keep tabs on all the gossip flowing around the Islands.
Xemnas reached over the desk, gently prying my hand off my fork before he closed my lunchbox, "Go now." he ordered. I gave a tight nod, pulling the cloak back over my head as I stood, taking my lunchbox and leaving his quarters quickly. As I walked back into the tunnel, I quickly went back to the kitchen, only to dump my lunchbox back into the fridge before I exited the kitchen again and took a right this time. I kept walking until I stood in front of the stone door that opened outside to the forest. Letting the device within the stone read my fingerprints once more, I smiled every so slightly as the fresh air hit my face when I stepped out into the forest. Breathing the salted air in deeply, I stretched my arms out over my head, and when they fell back down to my sides, I took off in a sprint. I ran through the forest, back over the Monastery's roof, and on the other side, I continued to run through the second part of the forest that wasn't considered cursed. I didn't stop running until I entered the city center of Destiny Island.
This part of the city center was shaped in a circle, the stores, shops and buildings forming the plaza they were rounded around. The plaza was where concerts and other such events took place, and every Sunday morning the merchants would bring out their stands and create the Sunday market.
I watched the Inn from across the plaza, crouched down on top of the Music Store's roof. I was too far away to hear anything that went on in there, I could see the agent though, he was watching a soccer game on the television, drinking beer. His room was on the first floor to the left, beside the Hospital. I had needed to wait for night fall, so that spying on one of the rooms up close would be less obvious. The agent called someone from his cellphone occasionally, and he received calls as well. I needed to find out what he was saying...
Knowing now I could lurk around unseen, as night had fallen, I jumped from the Music Store's roof, to the roof of the high school build next to the store. I ran silently over it, taking a leap to land onto the Hospital's roof, rolling over to soften the landing. Here, I took the cellphone I owned out of my pocket, turning it on. I hated these things; I hated to be called. The noise they produced did not help me as a spy. But my twelve hours were nearly up, and I needed to report to Number One in order to get another twelve hours. I speed dialed his number, waiting patiently for him to pick up. He grunted into the device, giving me the go-ahead.
"The source was right, he is in the Inn. I got a clear view on him, currently trying to get closer to be able to hear. I need more time." I whispered, slowly making my way to the edge of the Hospital, looking down to see if anybody was walking around in the ally between the hospital and Inn.
"Report back in twelve hours." Number One ordered, hanging up shortly afterwards. Turning off the cellphone, I tucked it back into my pocket before dropping off the roof, landing down onto the ground in a crouch. Rolling over, I then plastered myself against the outer wall of the Inn, looking up at the window above me. The window belonged to the room the Agent was staying in. Now I would be able to find out what he was talking about...
Which turned out to be really boring... Two and a half hours later and I literally hadn't heard one single thing that peaked my interest. The phone calls the agent made were to his wife and kids somewhere on the mainland. The calls he received were from the Lustitia, but the agent only replied in grunts and such noises, not giving me much data at all.
Sighing, and officially deciding the Organization was taking my skills for granted as this was usually how my missions went... dying of boredom... I moved away from the window, deeper into the ally before I stood back up properly, stretching my arms over my head again to try and remove the knots that had settled in my back from sitting in the same position for too long. Looking at the plaza on my left, I decided to take a right so I could make my way back to the forest from there. The plaza had too many people...
Pursing my lips one last time at the window I'd been so carefully watching for the passed two hours, I shrugged and then turned to my right, only to bump into something, nearly making me fall onto my ass. I looked up with wide eyes, wondering where the hell this person had suddenly come from as he gasped a little, rushing over to my side to see if I was alright, I suppose...
"Dude, I'm so sorry! Are you alright? I totally wasn't watching where I was going and you were just standing there, minding your own business and man, I'm such a klutz." He took a step back from me, scratching his head and looking quite embarrassed.
My eyes still wide, I reached up to make sure my cloak was still placed securely over my head and when I realized it wasn't, I panicked, "I... You were not supposed to have seen me. You could not have bumped into me. I was being invisible... I..." I swallowed harshly, trying to stutter my way through the end of my sentence, "Invisible..." I muttered, sounding miserable even to my own ears.
The tall blond standing before me raised an eyebrow in my direction, looking less embarrassed now, "Okay... Invisible huh? Well, somehow I see you." He sounded confused and looked it too, "Should I not see you for some reason?" He edged carefully, looking at me curiously.
I fiddled with the edge of my cloak uncomfortably, looking down at the ground, deciding this was more interesting to look at, "I'm not supposed to be seen. Being seen is against the rules..." Fuck! Stop panicking! You talk to much when you panic. Embarrassed by my slip, I inhaled sharply before shouting, "You should not have seen me!"
The blond's eye twitched as he raised his hands in defense, "Okay, little dude! I'm not seeing you!" He turned his head to the wall on our left, "See, eyes looking the other way. Not seeing you, invisible guy." He paused and I could see his eyebrows knit in confusion right before he looked right back at me, "So can I ask why I can't see you?" He was much too curious for his own good, I decided.
I narrowed my eyes on him, "Do you think me an idiot?" I crossed my arms angrily over my chest, "First you tell me you can see me, then you tell me you are not seeing me anymore, yet you initiate another conversation." He was clearly an idiot, "You may not ask me why you can't see me..." I took a step towards him, hoping it would frighten him away, "While on the other hand, you will tell me what the fuck you are doing here." Nobody entered this ally. Nobody bumped into me. I was never to be seen. Nobody had managed so far.
The blond backed up a step, hands still raised upwards to ward me off, "Whoa. Easy little guy. I was just taking a walk, free country and all that. And you were the one going on about being..." He rolled his eyes, air quoting the following word, "Invisible. For all I know you're some crazy person who thinks they're invisible. And now, I'm probably going to leave and chalk this up to the skittles I ate before going to bed." He smiled nervously in my direction, "Okay?" He asked as he took a few more steps away from me, obviously trying to leave.
I shook my head, jumping forward so I could grab a hold of his wrist to keep him from going, "Not okay! You bumped into me and I haven't accepted your apology yet. This conversation will end when I've accepted said apology. As I haven't..." I eyed him curiously, "Being invisible is my own business, if it's easier on your mind, you may believe I am crazy." I shrugged, "I have no issue with this whatsoever." I tightened my hold on his wrist, "While I do have an issue with you calling me little guy! I am not little!" I shouted, knowing full well I was being a bit unreasonable, but whatever.
He surprised me by chuckling a little, "Wow. Okay, simmer down. If I knew your name I could call you that instead of 'little guy'. My name is Demyx and, again, I am very sorry to have bumped into you being invisible." He started tugging on my hold, trying to free his arm, "Can you please let go? Or at least tell me the name of the..." He tried air quoting the next word again, but since I was holding one of his hands hostage, he could only use the other, "Invisible person assaulting me." He chuckled again, sounding less nervous this time around.
I blinked at the sound of it and felt incredibly confused, "I like it when your laugh." I gave him an expectant look, "Why do I like it when you laugh?" Laughing wasn't part of the Organization... I shouldn't like this.
Demyx seemed a lot less uncomfortable with my hold all of a sudden as he leaned closely into me, "Are you okay?" He asked, sounding concerned, "Should I call someone? And most people enjoy hearing and laughing in return. It's human nature to be happy, and laughter is how we share our happiness in the world." He was talking slowly, articulating each word carefully, most likely thinking I was stupid, "I'm kinda worried about you..." He murmured, stepping even closer to me, "What's your name?" It seemed like he really wanted to know.
I took a step back, a little uncomfortable with the close proximity, releasing his arm in the process, "I want to tell you that I am not stupid, yet the information you gave me on laughter did sort of clear things up for me, so it would be contradicting on my part to inform you that I am not stupid..." I frowned a little, "And don't look at me like I have problems. I'm fine..." I shuffled my feet uncomfortably, "I can't tell you my name... And if I tell you what people call me, you'll run away..." I felt a bit sad with that knowledge, which was strange... "Because people get scared of hearing what people call me." I added in a mutter. The Organization was my entire life. It's all I knew... I was smart enough to know that I was missing out on certain things though. Demyx was the guy I could never be...
"Oookaay." He drew out the word, "Perhaps you can just tell me something to call you. Anything you want. You can pick your name. Something I'm sure everybody wants to do at some point, picking their own name." His facial expression turned into one of concentration, "I'd pick something cool, and secret agent like!" He chuckled again, looking extremely excited at the idea of picking his own name, "Melodious something..." I tilted my head in curiosity as he started humming very softly, the hum slowly becoming a bit louder when it settled itself into a particular melody. He cut himself short when his eyes landed on me, a slight blush covering his cheeks, "Sorry, got carried away there. I love the Mission Impossible theme. So, did you think of a name?" He asked curiously.
I was still staring at him, not being able to shrug the hum off as quickly as he had, "Coming up with a name would be like lying. I do not like to lie." I tilted my head in curiosity his way, "If I tell you what people call me, will you promise not to run away?" I licked my lips nervously, feeling embarrassed about my next question, "And because I am willing to give you this valuable piece of information, will you make that pretty sound again?" I wrinkled my nose as I could feel a blush heating my neck. I loved anything that sounded like a song... I only heard the monks sing their chants and a couple of years ago I used to spy on previous Number Eight. He'd had a lovely voice, not soft like Number One or Four. It sounded seductive, like he was trying to flirt with whatever, whoever, he was singing for. I could hear him sing from his quarters... I'd stay outside in the tunnel and listen.
Demyx dragged me out of my thoughts, "Uhh, yeah. No running away and I can sing something for you if you really think it's pretty." He stared at me a little, "So, can I please have a name?" He tried again.
I fiddled nervously with the edge of my cloak again, feeling my heart beat speeding up as this would be the first time I'd announce my Number outside of the Organization... I swallowed nervously, peaking up at Demyx, "They call me Number Six..." Nervous because I truly thought he'd run away and for reasons I wasn't sure I could explain, I didn't want him too, I quickly added, "I like to hear singing!" I was hoping that would distract him from my number.
"Six? Okay, Six. Sounds cool, sort of like a half dozen." He tilted his head, lost deep in thought while I stared at him wide eyed, realizing he wasn't running. Not only that, he didn't seem to recognize me at all! He smiled brilliantly my way, "Oh! I know! How about I sing you something from my favorite movie?" Before I could stop him to try and find out how he did not know about Number Six, he started to hum a tune, the words forming themselves softly, "Look at this stuff, isn't it neat? Wouldn't you think my collection's complete? Wouldn't you think I'm the boy, the boy who has everything?" He then smiled, "How was that?"
And now, I was angry, "You don't know who Six is?" I grumbled a little after my shout, pouting at the ground, "Well. Apparently I've been better at being invisible than I thought!" I shouted at the sky above me, angry at myself more than Demyx.
"So, you didn't like the song?" He asked, sounding a little shocked and maybe a tad bit hurt. He was completely missing the point...
I couldn't help but grin widely at him, "You're really very weird..." I announced, amused. He seemed a little stunned, "You should smile more often. You're really cute..." A furious blush covered his cheeks right after he said this, and I'm pretty sure I followed his lead on that one, "Uh, I mean, yeah..." He scratched his head, shuffling his feet, completely embarrassed, "So, do you want to go do something together?" He looked very hopeful...
I was still trying to get over the fact that he'd accused me of being cute, "I... I'm not cute." I shook my head, dropping that, "I mean, I... I shouldn't. I want too. I'm not sure why, but I want to do something together with you..." I frowned in confusion, "I'm not allowed though..." Then I sputtered in confusion, "But I want too!" I shouted, not at Demyx but at the set of stupid rules Number One had installed. He always got in my way! I couldn't do anything I wanted. I crossed my arms testily over my chest, glaring at the set of rules. Blinking out of it, I looked curiously at Demyx, "What would we do?" Shoving the rules aside for the moment.
Demyx shrugged, "Well, since you seem to like the sound of music, maybe you can come by my shop and try out a couple of instruments? And then maybe we could watch a movie? Unless you need to be somewhere else..." He sounded sad at that.
"I have been out for two hours, twenty-three minutes and thirty-three seconds," I rattled off military style, "I have exactly..." I frowned down at my watch, "Nine hours and thirty three minutes left before I have to head back home." I looked up at Demyx, "I am not capable of making music and I only ever watched documentaries..." I wrinkled my nose, "Number Four says I'm weird..." I added in a mutter.
Demyx looked curiously at me, "Number Four?" He raised an eyebrow, "Is that like, your brother? And who says you can't make music? Have you ever tried?" He frowned for a moment, "What's a documentary?" He asked, making me gape in shock at him, "You've never seen a documentary? I would show you what they are, but then you'd find out who Number Four truly is and you wouldn't survive, so I shall skip the explanation of who he is and with that I am also warning you for future reference, that I'll never bring you back to my place." Yes. That was honest. I could be honest without telling him too much. I nodded at myself.
Demyx huffed, "Okay. So let me get this right. I'm not allowed to go with you, for my own safety..." He rolled his eyes disbelievingly, "But you maybe want to come do something with me. So..." He paused for a moment, "Would you still like to do something with me?" He sounded so confused, "Six, I am a little confused. I want you to come with me..." He nodded at himself this time around.
I blinked, "But I already told you that I have nine hours and at this point thirty minutes left before I have to leave..." I frowned, "I thought that clearly stated I wish to come with you..." I licked my lips nervously, grabbing some courage so I could try and un-confuse Demyx, "I also just pointed out that I would like to see you again after today... We just can't go to my place." I could make a friend without breaking rules. I knew I could do this. I was smart enough. And... I really wanted a friend... I looked at Demyx for a moment, taking him in. I really liked him... Especially when he smiled, like he did now.
"Okay! Sounds like a plan!" He said cheerfully, stepping forward to grab my hand and he started walking off in direction to the plaza before I could protest, "Let's get going!" He pumped his fist into the air, laughing excitedly.
And now I was standing, uncloaked, on the plaza... I nearly wanted to throw up, that nervous... Nobody would recognize me, so it was ok... I'd just never done this before! I didn't want to interrupt his laughter though... "Ok!" I squeaked nervously. Letting him guide me to wherever. I was breaking like four rules all in one go... I shouldn't think about that.
He looked back over his shoulder, murmuring a 'cute' beneath his breathe that I assumed I was supposed to hear, "So, Six. What would you like to eat? We can pick something up before we get to the shop. I figure maybe some ramen or something. Then we can see if we can find your instrument. Everybody has one, and it's my job to match the right person with the right instrument. Oh, when's your birthday?" I blinked at his constant rambling and was quite impressed with the fact that he didn't seem to have the need to breathe...
I tried to remember what he'd said so I could answer all off his questions, "I only ever eat rice, a chunk of bread and I allow meat only on Sundays." The same diet the monks had, "Why is it your job to match the right person with the right instrument?" I yelped a little as I bumped into a person walking on the plaza,where me and Demyx were at the moment, making our way over to the ramen stand in the far right corner, "I don't celebrate my birthday..." I muttered, detaching my eyes from the person I'd bumped into, looking back at Demyx who was dragging me along with him, "Demyx? Can you please slow down a bit, you're going to fast for me to process anything..." I told him honestly.
He slowed down marginally, but still kept my hand in his, which I know realized, felt really very nice...
"Oh, sorry. I walk fast when I'm happy." He paused, "I suppose it's my job because I own the music store. I think everyone has the ability to create music. But everyone is different, and it's my job to find them the right instrument to help them." He then shuddered, giving me a funny look, "And if that is all you ever eat..." He shuddered again, "I can't imagine life without ramen, so now it is also my job to open you to the world of ramen. And I didn't ask you if you celebrated your birthday, I asked when it was."
I blushed a little, still stuck on the fact that he was holding my hand... My small hand was swallowed into his larger hand, and I don't think he noticed, but his thumb was rubbing a rhythmic pattern over my knuckles, which felt also really very nice...
"I pace when I think. I will let you help me find my instrument. I will think carefully about your proposition over ramen." He seemed excited to teach me things... "But I will get back to you on that another time as I don't think I'll make up my mind about that decision for at least another week." I sighed a little, peeking at Demyx in slight worry, "I don't know when my birthday is..." I murmured.
He stopped in his tracks, frowning, "Oh. Well, I think perhaps that you can pick your own birthday too. And they sell rice at the ramen stand, so you can decide what you want ramen wise next time," He then grinned, "How cute that you pace!" He made a high pitched noise that I categorized as a squee and then he blushed, "Sorry. Oh, we're almost there, it's just behind that shop..." He looked embarrassed by his statement. I felt my belly do a nervous little flip flop when he mentioned he thought I was cute...
"I don't really mind. But if it makes you happy, you may pick a birthday for me as you are the only one who's ever cared about it..." I paused, staring at him a little before I shyly admitted, "I think my mind is trying to inform me that I think you're cute as well..." I told him softly.
He smiled shyly "Thank you... And let me get back to you about your birthday. I'm gonna pick the best one I can think of for you," He squeezed my hand gently before he turned left, stopping our tracks as we stood before the ramen stand. The man working behind the counter smiled patiently as he waited for us to order. Demyx grinned back, "Yeah, I'll have on shrimp ramen bowl and one rice bowl," He turned to me, "You sure you don't want anything else? It's my treat?" He wiggled his eyebrows, smiling. I blinked at the eyebrows, my lips forming a small 'o', right before I grinned up at him, "Just plain rice, but I will try some of yours if you'll let me..." I tentatively squeezed his hand back.
He pumped his fist into the air in form of celebration, paying the man behind the counter, "Okay! Now that we have the food, my shop is around the corner. Let's go!" He pulled me away from the ramen stand, food held with his other hand as he started guiding us to the Music Store. Then he halted in his tracks, frowning at me, "You don't have a boyfriend, do you?" He asked softly, "I mean, boy that was kinda awkward, but you don't, do you?" He looked hopeful again, making me chuckle at this constant change of subject. I was getting used to it now though...
"I'm not allowed to have a boyfriend." I replied honestly, wincing as that was probably too much information on the Organization's rules and I also realized that Demyx was most likely asking because he was interested... in me, "I mean... Now that was kind of awkward of me." I scratched my head, feeling uncomfortable, and then sighed, a little defeated, "Nevermind..." I muttered, "I don't. Have a boyfriend that is..." I added in another mutter.
Demyx looked at me worriedly, "So, you don't have a boyfriend, and you aren't allowed to have a boyfriend... Does that mean you're allowed to have a girlfriend or that you have one?" He edged away carefully, obviously not liking the idea of that as he dropped my hand from his own.
I grimaced, shaking my head at him, "Girls make me uncomfortable, and not in the good way." I smoothed over the grimace, tilting my head to give Demyx a curious look, "Gay is written in big bold block letters on my forehead. The reason I am not allowed to have a boyfriend is in relation to the name I am called... Six." I pursed my lips a little, "Many things are secret, but the numbers are not." I sighed, shaking my head at what I was about to reveal, "I hope you'll keep your promise..." I took Demyx' hand in my own, hoping I could feel that warm feeling rush through me a little while longer before I screwed everything up...
"I am Number Six, a number to the Organization..." I announced firmly, clearly yet somehow I didn't feel confident at all. Being a number was everything I always had been. It was what made me, me. Yet now I didn't want me to be me as it could ruin the warm feeling I was feeling for Demyx.
I looked up at Demyx, who hadn't let go of my hand, "Ohh..." He smiled a little and then nodded, "That makes sense." He paused, a blush covering his cheeks, "I was hoping you were, I mean, I can sometimes project gayness, as my cousin says, so I was hoping I was right." He gave me a nervous smile before changing the topic again, "So you're Number Six?" I couldn't help but notice how calm he seemed about it... How could he not care? "That's cool, I guess. So I think that after we eat, I'll have you try out the piano. You're really smart and seem to be good with numbers, and that's all the piano is, math laid out in patterns." He nodded at me in a satisfied manner, dropping my hand but only to unlock the door to his shop, "And here we are! The Music Shop. Not very original, but I was in a slump. Just grab that stool over there and pull it up to the counter." He proceeded in digging into his ramen, seemingly very focused on it.
I stared at him, my mouth hanging open ever since he'd so nonchalantly made clear he didn't care at all I was a number, "Are you not afraid of the Organization?" I whispered in wonder, and not the good kind because people were supposed to be terrified of the Organization. If Number One found out there were people on the Islands that didn't care about the Organization, he'd throw one major hissy fit!
Demyx looked up from his ramen, a noodle hanging out of his mouth as he smartly stated, "Huh?" I blinked at him as he slurped the noodle into his mouth with a popping sound, "Oh yeah. Well, I figure when I have a reason to be scared of them, I'll be scared. So far, I've not really had a run in with them." He slurped some more noodles into his mouth before deciding to continue, "I figure, there are enough people out there who live and breathe the Organization, that they don't really need me to care." He shrugged, "So I don't. I'm not one to really dwell on things I can't change or influence." He shrugged again and then his entire face brightened happily, making me fall into a sort of staring trance, "Oh! Have you ever seen a piano? I have a baby grand that will be perfect for you!" He smiled at me, waiting expectantly as he continued to slurp in some more ramen.
I shook out of my trance and then walked up to Demyx, deciding common code of personal space was unnecessary for the time being. Standing only a couple of inches away from him, I tilted my head up so I could look at him intently, "You can show me the piano after you answer me this one thing..." I scanned his face curiously, trying to read his facial expressions, "You truly bumped into me by accident, right?" I'd been doubting that a little. I doubted everything. It was part of my job description. Never trust, "My Number means shit to you, doesn't it?" I couldn't help but smile at that a little bit. It took guts to not care about the Organization. Whether is was conscious or subconscious.
Demyx frowned at me, "You shouldn't swear." He scolded, "An no, your Number does not mean..." He wrinkled his nose in distaste, "Whatever to me. It's your name and I like you. So I like your Number." He shoved some more noodles into his mouth, grinning widely, "Your rice is getting cold." I raised an eyebrow at the bowl of rice he was pointing at and then took it gingerly in my hands. I took a bite of it, knowing he wouldn't be pleased if I didn't eat. And I didn't want to displease him, "Swearing is the only thing there is no rule against." I took another bite, staring at Demyx intently still, "I'm afraid I'll continue to swear, as it is the only rebellious act of freedom I have."
Of course I was breaking many rules right now. I shouldn't be fraternizing with a civilian, I shouldn't even talk to him even if it were to be in the Organization's best interest. That warm feeling that was running through me as I was near Demyx... Number One would definitely not approve. And the fact that I was ignoring the clear warning bells ringing in my head could get me killed... I'm not sure I understood why I didn't feel scared. I wasn't scared. And usually I was so scared... I always needed to please Number One, it was my nature...
Now though, pleasing Demyx became more important to me than pleasing Number One... I grinned at the beautiful blond man standing before me, "You can show me your piano now."
