IMPORTANT: I changed chapter 3 DRAMATICALLY. This chapter will be confusing if you don't go back and read it. I changed 1 & 2 a little, but just small things. You'll be lost if you don't read ch 3. I'm sorry for the wait.
Rude immediately ran after Saix.
"Dilan, Elaeus, after him!"
Like the leader he was, Xemnas immediately started issuing orders. His manner was calm, but his voice revealed the true urgency.
"Even, get your tranquilizers. Demy, stay with the girl. Lumaria keep her asleep; give her something if she wakes up. Xigbar, Luxord, stand guard outside. Axel, stay with me."
"What about me sir?"
Xemnas thought for a moment.
"Roxas, come with Axel and I, you may be useful."
Xemnas looked at Zexion with cold eyes. "Xigbar, keep an eye on him."
"Will do," and everyone went their separate ways, leaving Demy, Lumaria, Xigbar and Luxord to stare at Zexion. Everyone stood still, even Zexion, waiting to see what Demy would do.
Demy looked Zexion in the eyes briefly and with a completely passive expression, turned away.
Lumaria followed him and Luxord lingered where he was as he watched Xigbar saunter up to Zexion. He brandished an arrow underneath Zexion's nose.
"You stay away from him. E's ours."
Zexion did nothing. He'd figure out what to do. Demy just needed time. Then he could explain properly and not have to reveal what he was until Demy could handle it.
While Xigbar showed his utter disregard for his own safety, Luxord shifted uncomfortably. He didn't like the way Zexion was looking at Xigbar. Though the archer was smart, he didn't possess enough common sense to keep himself out of trouble. So when Xigbar turned his back, Luxord made sure to watch Zexion, even when he started walking back with Xigbar.
Zexion resisted the urge to grit his teeth. That fool really irked him. He needed to be taught a lesson. But Zexion didn't have time for that. He had more important people to deal with.
"You can come out now," he said to the darkness.
"You must admit yo, I am getting better," and a young male with hair as vibrant and red as Axel's stepped into the light. He stood confidently, but seemed slightly unsettled; he shifted a rock with his foot.
"Reno, you will never master the art of silence while traveling with Rude. He's more civilized than Saix, but he's still a brute."
"At least he has a heart beat."
"Still coming to terms with your transformation?" Zexion shook his head disapprovingly. "It has been more than 20 years Reno; you should have passed the stage of remorse and moved onto to appreciating your abilities."
Reno snapped his fingers and the rock at his feet exploded.
"So what if I can blow things up? It doesn't make up for what I've lost. And with Rude…that isn't so important. He's a good partner."
"Choose who you will for your companions, but don't expect praise from me if you're not reaching your true potential."
"Right and that little blondie is your true potential."
Zexion's eyes dilated in protest. "You speak of something you don't understand."
"He made puppy eyes."
"He's a poet. Indiscrepencies such as that expression are expected from the more sensitive individuals."
"No wonder you like 'im. Another guy with big words."
Reno never was one with an appreciation for a versatile vocabulary. Honestly, he was ignoring the voluminous array of insults that Zexion frequently utilized for his own amusement. However, Reno did have some appreciable qualities; he was an excellent dancer, and as a dancer, he enjoyed good music.
"In addition to facilitating my brain with words better than cannon fodder, which I understand is perfectly acceptable to you, he is an adept musician."
"Oh? Into music is he?"
"He is proficient in a variety of styles capable of encompassing almost any instrument."
"So the kid can play," Reno rolled his eyes, but Zexion could tell he was listening intently.
"He performs as well."
Reno relaxed immediately. His eyes glistened with excitement and Zexion was reminded why he had initially chosen Reno. Like Demy, Reno had something Zexion himself never had, even as a human--jubilance. Passion, he had, but the ability to express emotion so openly, so honestly, no. When he found others who possessed those qualities, Zexion would mull over compatibility. Even though Reno was a stretch, it'd been so long since he'd seen such life, and he almost acted impulsively. Reno, however, tried to seduce Zexion, and the blatant relief he felt had allowed him to proposition Reno. The Redhead was suspicious, but always open to new things. Of course, however, the first time he realized that he would have to take lives to survive, he regretted everything. He fled and lived alone. Then he met Rude. What a joy it had been for Zexion, finding out that his beautiful redhead has fallen for the other kind. He didn't have any quarrels with them, but a natural instinct of distaste was still present. Just thinking about Reno smiling his dazzling smile for Rude irritated him. That same feeling was kindled when Zexion saw Xigbar eye Demy. He wouldn't allow it.
"Now you're talkin'! Well why don't we see him in action yo?" Reno stepped over the bits of rock and slung his arm around Zexion's shoulders. "See if you have decent taste."
"I did rescue you," Zexion smirked.
"I know," and Reno grinned. "That's the problem."
Saix ran as fast as he could; it was important to him. He wasn't just running from Rude, oh no, he was running from himself. He was running from Zexion—from what Zexion had done to him. It was Zexion that had made the decision for him. And that was exactly the problem: it didn't bother him as much as it should. He liked obeying others; it was precisely why Xemnas kept him around. But Zexion had stepped over the line. He saved Isa not because it pleased him, but because he considered it the right thing to do. Zexion had no use for him, no desire to take care of him on a truly personal level. It was in this way that Saix was rejected, abandoned, and he did not like it. Not at all.
Rude knew what he was doing. It only took him 2 minutes to catch up to Saix and pin him to the ground.
"Saix! Saix calm yourself!" Rude growled in a surprisingly low voice.
"NO! You're not my master! You're a pawn! You bent to the will of that demon!"
Rude scoffed." You're wrong. He's no demon. No more so than us. He saved your life. You're indebted to him."
"He didn't save it; he ripped it from me and poisoned me!"
"It was the Remnants that attacked you. They are at fault, not Zexion."
"Irrelevant! I hate him! I HATE HIM!"
Rude picked him up by his shirt threw him back on the ground, pinning him again. "I don't think you do, Saix."
Saix growled. "I do. I hate him!"
"No, you're glad he did it. You just hate yourself for being thankful."
"NO! NO!"
Saix roared. Rude was having trouble holding him down.
Dilan and Elaeus suddenly appeared by Rude's side, effectively restraining Saix, and not long after Even jammed a needle into his arm. Saix went limp.
"Demy, are you alright?" asked Lumaria as they sat in the dark, next to a sleeping Renela.
"I'm—I'm ok, I guess," he said a little too solemnly.
"Is it because of Zexion?"
He nodded.
"You like him, don't you?"
Demy felt like crying.
Lumaria sighed. "Demy, you just met him."
"I know! But that doesn't matter. He…he's different."
Lumaria rolled his eyes playfully. "Well that's for sure."
"Hey!"
"No offense Dem, but he seems a little suspicious." Lumaria had the uncanny way of sounding serious and caring at the same time.
Demy cocked his head to the side. "How so?"
"His…abilities."
Demy scoffed. "Yeah, and we're all completely normal."
"Just be careful alright? We all really care about you. You saw how Xigbar reacted."
"I know, but Xigbar doesn't understand me like Zexion seems to. He likes my music."
"Dem, everyone likes your music. You truly are a genius in your compositions."
Demy looked slightly abashed. "Thanks Mar. It's just…" he paused to bite his lip. "I don't just play. I like to sing too."
Lumaria was slightly surprised. "Oh? I didn't know that."
"Yeah…well, I was singing something, and Xigbar made fun of it."
"That's awfully rude of him."
"Well, that's when Zexion showed up."
Lumaria began to understand. "Did he like your song?"
"Well, he seemed more focused on my violin, but he didn't made fun of me like Xigbar did."
"Don't be too hard on Xigbar," he mimed shooting himself in the head. "He's a little messed in the head." Lumaria smiled.
So did Demy. "Yeah. It's sweet that he's worried about me, but I can take care of myself."
"We all take care of each other Demy; we're family."
Demy huffed a little. "A dysfunctional one."
Lumaria smiled knowingly and patted Demy gently. "For people like us, it's all we have. You, on the other hand, have great potential. Have you thought of going professional and joining an orchestra?"
"Oh no! I love traveling with you guys. I don't think I could handle the stuck ups of an orchestra," he looked away briefly. "Besides, I'd miss you guys too much."
Lumaria smiled. "That's sweet Dem. You make this crazy show normal. You do seem to hold us together."
Demy scoffed. "I have no idea why. I mean, all I do is play an instrument. It's not like I do anything special, like you or Even."
"Yes, Even does have a unique charm to him…but you underestimate yourself. You are no lowly musician."
"Thank you."
"Demy, may I hear you sing?"
Demy paused in thought; he looked abashed and cautionary.
"I promise not to laugh," Lumaria assured.
So without saying another word, Demy closed his eyes and sang.
