(Demyx POV)
Saix had taken us to a broken old apartment building, leading us up to a crumbling room and depositing himself in a corner, while I dropped next to the door and sighed miserably. We had only been there for a few minutes, when Saix suddenly snapped. "Why are you following me kid? Nothing but bad stuff happens around me!"
I flinched, and tried to placate him. "No, not all bad stuff happens. We're together aren't we? We're not alone anymore. That should count for something..."
He leapt up at that, storming over with brisk strides. I cowered as he towered over me, yelling angrily. "HA! Together? Like a pack? As if! You're just here 'cause you can't take care of yourself! You wouldn't BE HERE if I hadn't saved your runty butt!"
I got mad at that, bristling angrily as I snarled back, "Oh yeah? I can so take care of myself! I don't need your help! Stupid!"
I stood upright with a jump, glaring angrily into his face, but he didn't even twitch. I huffed and stormed out, growling fiercely. I didn't need that jerk.
I wandered about, lonely and slightly moody. I attacked a group of the creatures that had assaulted me before, slashing angrily with tooth and claw. A couple died before they could all flee. Sated slightly, I continued on my way, when I saw the girl from before.
I leaned back against a pillar, arms behind my head, trying to look cool. She walked right past, not even paying attention as she strolled along. I staggered at the rebuff, then scampered after her, calling after her. "Hey, wait!"
She stopped and turned to look, eyes brown and confused. I grinned at her, waving meekly. "Uh, I wanted to say thanks for earlier!"
"Thanks? For what?" She sounded wary and confused.
"Do you remember that dog you fed earlier? He was mine. I wanted to say thanks for that," I clarified, scooting closer and pacing next to her.
She smiled then, looking at me with a delighted expression. "That was your dog? He was so cute! What's his name?"
Taken aback slightly, I smiled winningly, and said, "His name's Demyx."
Giggling, she said, "That sure is a strange name. And what would your name be?"
I laughed too, nervously, and said, "I just told you, it's Demyx."
Looking at me oddly, she asked, "But I thought you said your dog's name was Demyx?"
Scrambling for an answer, I spouted what came to mind first, stumbling over the words in my hurry to find more. "Well, you see, he's a lot like me, you know, same personality and the like, so I figured I'd name him after myself, right?"
Laughing outright now, she continued walking, agreeing that it did fit my 'dog'. She looked up suddenly however, then excused herself with a quick 'bye'.
I watched as she disappeared, slightly crestfallen, and began to wander again. I had felt happier in her company than I had since Grandmother had died. I shivered and whimpered as I thought of how it had happened. It was too much right now.
I stopped, staring at the ground tiredly, when a thought came to mind. What if the girl could take me in? She had said her dad told her no, but what about now? Surely he would change his mind if he met me. Heartened, I took off back the way I had come.
I followed different streets, until I came across that girl's scent. I drooped as I thought of Saix's harsh words, but then steeled myself against them and set off along her trail, turning back into a wolf so as not to draw attention to myself.
~*(later)*~
I stared into a window of her house, watching as she bustled around. She picked stuff up and placed it elsewhere, all the while a large bird rode on her shoulder. I crept forward slightly, rustling the bushes I hid in. I was envious of that bird.
She rubbed the falcon's head affectionately, and walked over to the window. I shrank back into hiding as she stepped through the large glass window, taking the bird onto her gloved fist and launching it into the air. We both watched as the bird took wing, heading away from the house. I panicked as the bird flew away, chasing after it to bring it back to the girl.
I soon lost sight of it, but I could still hear it ahead. A shriek sounded ahead, and I burst from the brush to see the predator standing over a dead rabbit with extended wings. It thrust its head out at me and shrieked angrily. "Stay away! This is my rabbit!"
I ignored the bird, diving into the middle of its feathery back and seizing it firmly by the neck. I heard footsteps rushing toward us, and I turned to face the girl, holding the bird out in my hands. I smiled brightly, and said proudly, "I caught your bird. Here, wake up, little buddy."
I nudged the limp creature with one hand, and its head merely lolled, blood dripping from the beak where it had torn the rabbit.
She took the bird from me, gasping as she felt the lack of heartbeat. I began to tear up, whispering, "I didn't mean to... it was an accident. I didn't mean tooooooo!"
The last word from my mouth transformed into a howl as I sat back on my haunches and bayed pitifully. The girl's eyes widened in understanding and fear, but still she didn't scream. She did start to back away though, bird dropping from nerveless hands. I whimpered and started to step forward, when she finally screamed. "GET AWAY FROM ME YOU FILTHY BEAST!"
Struck to the core, I froze, jaw dropped in horror. A beast? I wasn't a beast... I was a good boy... wasn't I? I sat back again, eyes squinting against tears, and began to howl in misery. I continued on for a few minutes, when an answering howl sounded, drawing my attention. It said, 'Leave, and meet me at the building. I have to speak with you.'
I ceased howling, and ran away. I never felt so alone.
(Xemnas POV)
I walked alone for awhile, before finally finding a crowd of thugs being rounded up by cops, and let myself get caught. I was led to a black vehicle, and shoved into the cramped space. I sat on a bench, and noticed Axel sprawled lazily on the bench across from me. Shocked, I asked, "What are you doing here?"
Laughing, he replied, "Couldn't let you go in alone. You don't even know what you're doing. Or where to go for that matter."
Softening, I smiled and mouthed 'Thanks' before settling back for the ride.
~*(later)*~
I stared at the wall of the cell Axel and I shared, silently ticking away the seconds until I deemed it time to break free. Finally, I stood, shortly followed by Axel. "Is it time?" he whispered, staring at the bars.
I nodded, and we began our mission.
(Axel POV)
I led the way down the halls, being a silent as the ninjas humans boasted of. Xemnas followed as quietly, trusting my nose as it led us to the scent of Luna flowers.
We were halfway there just about, my nose said, when a loud screaming sound rang all around us. I dropped, covering my ears with a grunt and squeezing my eyes shut. I heard Xemnas fall behind me, and I continued to wait it out, fingers stuffed into my ears. When the wailing ended, I shot up and looked with worry down the hallway.
We both flew down the hall toward the smell of Paradise and danger.
(Marluxia POV)
I moved sedately through the empty halls, disabling any human in my path with a quick glance. I followed the scent of Luna flowers, since they were my only hope. I had to find the source in order to save my dear Vexen. Without the flowers, he would surely die.
I walked into the lab, not bothering to be quiet or discrete. Several people ran for it, but one woman was gutsy enough to try and stop me. She stepped in front of me, but I brushed past, continuing toward the girl in a green glowing tank. The source of the scent.
The silly woman grabbed my wrist and pulled. I turned to humor her, grabbing her by the throat and hoisting her to eye-level. "Why don't you take a little nap?" I suggested drily, quietly.
She stared blankly at me for a moment, before her eyes rolled back and she went limp. I dropped her, and broke the tank, slinging the girl over my shoulder and leaving the way I'd come. I had what I needed to save my Vexen, nothing else mattered.
Alarms wailed far away, but they were of no concern to me. I was almost free of this accursed place with my prize in tow. I reached a small bridge-like structure, awaiting the return of my ship, when I noticed to people standing in the snow below me. One stared at the figure clutched to my chest, while the other looked slightly nervous. The one fixated on the girl was light-haired and dark skinned, a contradiction. The other had pale skin and flaming red hair. I pondered briefly whether or not it was his true color...
"What are you doing with Namine?" the white haired man shouted, slowly stepping toward me, as if he were trying to frighten me.
I immediately knew then that they were wolves, for no human was foolish enough to threaten ME. Like myself, they wanted the girl to get something for themselves. "Trying to get to Paradise, and revive my dear Vexen. You will not stop me. I will see you when you reach it," I stated firmly, with a slightly bored tone.
Both bristled, and leaped toward me, but I disappeared then with a brilliant flash of light as I was teleported up to my ship.
I dropped the girl on a chair, and ran to a door, flinging it open and rushing to Vexen's side. I knelt and placed one hand on his pale gold hair, stroking it gently. "Soon," I murmured, "Soon you'll be healed and whole again. I have the Flower Maiden."
(Xemnas POV)
There was no draw for me anymore. The Flower Girl was gone, so I didn't want to be here. I turned, nudging Axel, and fled silently into the night. After escaping the sirens and searching police, I stood over a manhole, and tossed aside the cover easily.
Axel walked up next to me, wrinkling his nose in disgust. "Ugh, why are you going down there? It stinks," he complained, drawing away slightly.
I looked up at him from where I crouched, preparing to drop into the dank blackness. "There's food down here, I know. You don't have to come."
With that, I leapt silently into the sewer, followed closely by Axel, who was now quiet. We would think further on it and make actions tomorrow.