~~~~~~~~Sunday Evening, After Evening Mass.~~~~~~~~
Xigbar slowly landed himself in his seat and stared at his plate, it seemed that Xemnas was boring holes into his own food at that moment. "Sorry the bread is kind of tough..." he murmured.
"The bread tastes fine." he said and looked up at his friend. "Why are you so against this cleansing?"
"Why are you so for it?" Xigbar looked up and shook his head. "Have you not heard of what happened to other gypsy camps in other towns that decided to do what you plan?"
"Why should other gypsy camps matter. If something isn't done, they'll damn the whole town." he muttered.
"So you plan on killing all of those people because you think they're such horrible people?" Xigbar took a drink of water.
Xemnas stood up while banging his hands on the table. "They are not people! They're demons Xigbar, and if you do not listen to me you will be lost."
"I won't help you do this, Xemnas." Xigbar looked up and spoke quietly. "It's up to God to choose who lives and who dies. Not us."
Xemnas smirked and let out a low chuckle. "You plan to help those little tramps."
Xigbar narrowed his eye and stared at the dark-skinned priest. "Yes, I will." He stood up and crossed his arms.
"They already have you. You let that little blond whore steal your soul." he said matter-of-factly. "You slept with him that night."
Xigbar scowled. "Yes, I did. But my soul is my own, Xemnas. I am my own man, with my own soul nestled in our Lord's bosom. Not a single man can pluck it from his hand, no, not even me." Xigbar threw scripture at the priest.
The priest narrowed his eyes. "If you go to them Xigbar, you will be considered one of them."
The one-eyed man shook his head. "If that's how it has to be, then fine. I'll leave you so you can be alone again for the rest of your miserable life." He pushed his plate forward. "Have fun doing what I've been doing for you these past years."
The priest frowned. "Xigbar please. I just want to help you." he begged.
"All your doing is pushing me away, and I'm tired of it. You're helping no one." Xigbar turned to head out of the kitchen and back to his room.
"Xigbar!" he called out after him, the sighed and sank back into his chair. "Lord help him to see the error of his ways." he prayed.
Xigbar shook his head and rushed up the stairs to start packing. When he got to his room he grabbed a small satchel and started shoving as much clothes into it as possible and tucking the money he had kept to himself in the middle of it all. Glancing out the window to the setting sun he knew he had very little time.
Back at the gypsy camp Demyx was helping some of the girls to take down their tents. "Pack up quickly." he said before moving on to check on Saix who was doing nothing with his tent.
Saix sat in front of his tent staring into it and sighed when Demyx walked up beside him. "I can't do it, Dem..."
"What do you mean you can't do it?" he sat down next to the teen.
"I can't just pack up and leave..." He looked over at the blond. "I can't stop thinking about what will happen..."
"Well then I'll just have to pack up for you then." he said and went into the tent.
Saix just stuck his head between his knees and covered his head. "I don't want to leave..." He whispered quietly.
"We're not leaving. Not yet." Demyx said and started putting Saix's belongings into animal skin bags.
Saix stood up and walked into his tent. "I don't want to leave without Xemnas." He pulled his bedding off the ground. and started rolling it into a ball.
"He's going to be coming with us. I don't care if I have to tie him up and drag him with us." he smiled at his friend.
Saix let out a short laugh. "That's reassuring, what makes you think he won't just burn through the rope."
"Well I'll take the torch away from him first of course silly." he laughed.
Saix rolled his eyes. "You make it seem so easy. Maybe I should have made you talk to him in the confessional..."
"Maybe." he said. "But we have to focus on showing him that he loves you."
"Yeah? And what am I supposed to do? Tackle him and screw him on the floor, stripping him of all possible dignity?" He laughed bitterly.
"Possibly. What did you do to him in the woods? Maybe you just need to step in a trap again." he said with a giggle.
"We just kissed, but he totally thought I was a girl, that's the only reason he did it...And he made fun of my hunting style..." Saix pouted.
"You have to show him that he wants you." he whispered with a devious smirk. "Make him realize that he's making a huge mistake."
Saix hugged the bedding to his chest in thought. "So you're saying I should definitely be in mortal danger? That could really screw me over, you know."
"No I'm not saying that. I'm saying that maybe we should try to get him away from the pack of rioting townspeople."
The taller gypsy scrunched his brow. "I don't think I'm following you..."
"When they're walking through the forest to get here." Demyx made his index finger and middle finger walk across his other hand. "We'll have Xigbar grab him and bring him to you so that you can talk."
Saix dropped the bedding as he threw his hands in the air. "Talking will not work! I already tried that and he crushed me." Saix crossed his arms.
"Then don't talk." he said simply as he finished tying up the last bag.
Saix bent down to grab the bedding and pick up a few other bags with a thoughtful look on his face. "I uh, I've never done that sort of thing..." a small blush started to grow on his cheeks.
"But you love him don't you?" he said and sat down next to his friend.
"But...I-I wouldn't know what to do." Saix bit his lip. "I was joking about the whole screwing him part..." He said sheepishly.
"Just go up to him, pull off your shirt and kiss him Saix." Demyx winked. "He'll do the rest."
"Oh! So that's what I forgot the other night. I should have taken my shirt off and then kissed him, yeah..." Saix rolled his eyes.
"Fine. Forget the shirt. Tell him you love him then kiss him." he sighed. "You have to do something."
Saix shrugged and stood up. "I know..." He walked out of his tent and sighed when he saw Xigbar approaching. "Demyx, he's here."
Demyx rushed out of the tent and over to the man he loved. "Oh thank God." he wrapped his arms around the man's neck and pulled himself closer to Xigbar.
Xigbar smiled and dropped his bag as he hugged the boy tightly. "I'm officially an outcast." He grinned and kissed the boy.
Demyx kissed the man back and closed his eyes, blocking the tears of joy.
Xigbar pulled back and rested his hands on the boy's hips. "So where can I help you guys?"
"Well let's start by putting your things in the wagon." he said and smiled up at the man. "I'm so happy." he said before burying his face onto Xigbar's chest.
Xigbar smiled and watched the blue-haired boy dumping things sullenly into the back of the wagon. "How's he doing?"
Demyx looked up at Xigbar then over to Saix and frowned. "Not good. He needs Xemnas, he won't leave without him, and I highly doubt that he'll even go on living if Xemnas hates him."
Xigbar bit his lip. "I couldn't convince him. I tried." He picked up his bag. "He knows about us too."
It was Demyx's turn to bit his lip in worry. "But that doesn't matter anymore. Cause you're here with me now."
Xigbar nodded. "That's right. I'm free of my responsibility." He started to head to the wagon. "I love you, Demyx."
"I love you too Xigbar." he whispered and followed him over to the wagon.
Xigbar tossed his stuff in the wagon and turned to look at Demyx. "So what have you told everyone? What's our plans?"
Demyx looked around the camp at the gypsies packing up. "Pretty much just that we need to leave or we'll die." he looked back up at Xigbar. "It's no big surprise to us."
"Sounds very dramatic...yet everyone seems so calm about it, I can't believe people would treat you so horribly..." Xigbar rubbed the back of his neck. "So how can I help?"
"Well... some of the women need help getting their tents down. Just go around and help where you think help is needed." he smiled and pulled the taller man down for a kiss. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." Xigbar smiled and kissed the blond gently and rubbed his hands up and down the boy back. Demyx let out a little whimper and wrapped his arms around Xigbar's neck.
Xigbar hugged Demyx tightly and let go of him when he was jabbed in the side. "Can you two stop and help pack up?" Saix frowned at his friend.
Demyx blushed but refused to remove his arms from the older man. "Love you." he said and gave Xigbar a small peck on the cheek.
Saix huffed off and headed to the closest tent that hadn't been disassembled. Xigbar blushed slightly and laughed. "Me too."
The blond smiled then released Xigbar and ran off to help another gypsy.
~~~~~~~Sunday Late Evening.~~~~~~~~
Saix leaned against the tree impatiently and fiddled with the bandage on his hand. He didn't like waiting for who knew what would happen.
Demyx walked up next to the other boy. "Are you doing ok Saix?"
Saix looked over at the blond and shook his head slightly. "What if I can't convince him, Demyx?"
"You will." he said and rested a hand on Saix's shoulder. "He loves you Saix, I just know it."
Saix ran his free hand through his hair and shook his head. "You weren't there when he called me a demon."
"Saix..." he sighed. "I saw that look in his eyes the other night. He loves you. He's just scared."
The pale gypsy bit his upper lip and nodded. "I tried not to look anywhere in his direction, I was so embarrassed." He looked past the trees. "When is he gonna get here?"
"Whenever Xigbar can grab him and get him here." He looked up to the sky. "It's really dark out so he should be leading the mob by now.
Xigbar had already headed back to the church, hoping to cross paths with the other priest and stopped short when he heard voices.
"Don't hesitate. The second you see the camp set it on fire. If you hesitate they'll take your souls. You must not spare a single moment." Xemnas was standing at the top of the stairs of the church.
Xigbar hid within the shadows of the trees, shaking his head. "Xemnas, you idiot..." He whispered to himself.
"These demons must be cleansed. If they beg to be saved we shall try to save their damned souls, but other than that... burn them. Now let us go."
The one-eyed man watched as the group of men ambled past him and he took a deep breath. Demyx's plan seemed too risky. He waited for Xemnas to follow after the crowd.
Xemnas frowned after the crowd and placed a hand over his chest. "Soon this painful spell will be gone." he muttered and started down the steps.
Xigbar stepped away from his hiding place and crossed his arms. "So this is how it's going to be, Xemnas? Cleansing the demons with fire will rid you of your guilt?" He narrowed his eye.
Xemnas took a step back with a small gasp. "Guilt? I have no guilt. The blue haired devil cast a spell over me, and I cannot escape no matter how much I pray to the Lord."
Xigbar walked up to the priest giving little distance between them. "Explain this so called spell, Xemnas."
"My heart. It's rotting my heart." he muttered. "I'm always feeling pain in my chest."
"There's a way to remedy that." Xigbar placed a hand on the tan man's chest. "Do you honestly think that's the work of a spell?"
"What else would it be Xigbar?" he hissed.
"That's simple to answer." Xigbar said simply and dropped his hand. "Love. But, you're so resilient to it's power that you've made yourself feel so wretched inside."
"Love? Why would this pain be love?" he muttered and looked down to the ground. "I need to go."
"No, I think you need to come with me." Xigbar sighed. "They're already gone, Xemnas. There's just one left behind."
"Gone?" he turned to glare at the other man. "You warned them!"
"Of course I did." Xigbar took a step back and shrugged. "What did you expect me to do?"
"Xigbar I needed to do this! You've ruined it!" he growled and hit his own chest. "This pain will never fade now! I'll forever be under that whore's spell."
"Didn't I tell you, that one was left behind?" He glanced back in the direction the mob had left. "If you need to do this I wouldn't let others do the job."
"Which one stayed?" he muttered. "Did the whore stay to capture my soul?"
"He stayed, Xemnas. And he's waiting for you." Xigbar shook his head. "How much time do you think he'll have before someone else finds him before you?"
"Take me to him. I want to finish this." he whispered and fisted his hand over his heart.
Xigbar prayed that the plan would work and nodded. "Fine." He led the priest past the trees and took a turn away from the camps direction. "You're sure you want to go through with this?"
"I can't stand this pain Xigbar." he muttered and put his hands in his pockets as he followed the other man.
"So what do you plan on doing when you finally get to him?" Xigbar glanced behind him. "I don't see you holding a torch."
"I'll just take him to the others." he muttered. "We'll burn him at the stake."
"You realize how horrible that sounds?" Xigbar murmured as they neared the two gypsy's location.
"It's what needs to be done." he breathed and tried to ignore the throbbing in his chest.
Xigbar shook his head and stopped. "I guess I should leave you to yourself then. I'm surprised you don't want to take me with him as well." Xigbar pushed the priest into the small, empty clearing and quickly retreated.
"Xigbar, where are you going?" he called out then turned and gasped when he saw the blue haired boy.
Saix looked up from staring at the ground and bit his lip, his heart feeling like it stopped. Now when it finally came, he didn't know if he could go through with it.
"Why are you still here? You knew that we were coming to burn you." he said and fisted his hands.
"I...I can't leave without you." He whispered. Fear was evident in his eyes. "Xemnas, I don't want to leave without you." He spoke louder.
"Why not? Don't you know that your life is in danger?" he muttered. His heart was beating heavily, and he took a step towards the boy. "They'll kill you." he whispered.
"I thought I told you at the church, Xemnas...I love you." Saix pushed himself off the tree and looked down at the ground. "My life won't matter if I can't get you to understand that." He whispered.
Xemnas looked at the teen and put a hand over his chest where his heart was aching. "Your spell... Remove your spell from me."
"What spell?" Saix looked up, cheeks wet from allowing a few tears to fall. "I haven't cast anything over you..." He closed the distance between them and tentatively reached for Xemnas' hand.
Xemnas' heart broke at the sight of the tears. He lifted a hand to wipe the boy's cheeks dry.
"I love you, Xemnas." Saix pulled the priest close and closed his eyes before kissing him, in an attempt to will all of his emotions onto the other. Xemnas held the boys face tenderly in his hands and kissed him back. Saix wrapped his arms around Xemnas' shoulders and kissed back more passionately. The older man moved his hands down to Saix's hips and pulled him closer, then parted Saix's lips with his tongue and pushed his way into the boy's mouth. The gypsy whimpered and felt his legs begin to falter. Saix held onto the priest and nipped at the invading tongue. Xemnas moaned into the kiss and wrapped his arms around the thin waist as Saix pulled him back to a tree and let his hands travel down the tan man's sides. The priest pinned the boy to the tree and ran his hands up and under the boy's shirt. The blue-haired boy pulled Xemnas' shirt out from it's tucking and slowly ran his hands across the priests abs. Xemnas let out a small moan and pulled out of the kiss to look down at the boy.
"Wh...what' wrong?" He said breathlessly and looked up into he older man's eyes.
He sighed. "Not a spell?" he asked again and looked into the boy's eyes.
"No spells..." He whispered and shook his head. "What made you think that?"
"It's just what is said about your kind." he whispered. "I'm such a fool."
Saix took a hand from under Xemnas' shirt and cupped his cheek. "No..." He smiled. "No you're not..."
"I've caused you so much pain." he whispered, and placed a hand over Saix's.
Saix bit his lip. "I can't deny that." Saix looked away. "I didn't want to live...but it doesn't matter anymore. You finally understand how I feel."
"You have to leave. Now. They'll hunt you down until they find you." he said and tilted the boy's head up towards his own.
"Xemnas, I'm not leaving without you." Saix shook his head within the priests grip. "I can't do that..."
"You have to." he whispered and kissed the boy's forehead. "You can't stay here."
"Then come with me." Saix took hold of Xemnas' hand. "Don't make me leave!" Fresh tears began to slip off the boy's cheek.
Xemnas smiled sadly. "I can't. I have a duty to this town. To God." he wiped away the new tears. "Don't cry, Saix."
"I won't leave without you, Xemnas." Saix kept a firm grip on the priest. "I want to be with you."
"I know." Xemnas ran his fingers over the boy's lips. "I want to go with you, but I can't leave my church."
"You idiot..." Saix murmured and put his hands on Xemnas' chest. "If I leave, I'll never see you again. My feeling are worthless to you."
Xemnas frowned and pulled the boy to his chest in a tight hug. "I'm sorry."
Saix fisted a bit of Xemnas shirt and shook his head. "Please…" he begged.
"Saix… I don't know." he kissed the top of Saix's head and ran his hand up and down the boy's back. "Everything I've ever known is being put into question right now."
"Then question it!" Saix let go of Xemnas' shirt and dropped his hands to his sides. "It's simple..."
"Saix..." he took the boy's face in his hands. "It's not simple. I would go, but the church..."
Saix bit his lip and pulled his face from Xemnas' hands. "Fine then, you go back to your damn church." He whispered and hid his face from the other man. "I'm not about to let you take my...innocence if I can't ever see you again."
"Y-your innocence?" Xemnas' heart started to pound in his chest, as he put a hand under Saix's chin and lifted his head.
"Stop touching me." Saix fisted his palms and narrowed his eyes. "Just get away from me and go back to your church."
Xemnas stared down at the boy and sighed. "Saix..."
"Just go away!" Saix whined. "Stop giving me false hope!" He pushed Xemnas away.
Xemnas stepped back, and looked over his shoulder when he heard voices. When he saw the glow of the torches he turned back to Saix. "You have to leave."
Saix shook his head. "No, you leave!" He crossed his arms and stood his ground against the tree.
"Saix, they'll burn you." he said and grabbed the boy's shoulders. "Don't you care about your life?"
"Oh? And why would they burn me? I haven't done anything wrong." Saix flippantly answered.
"I told them horrible things about your people Saix. This whole ordeal is all my fault. I was stupid to not trust what my heart was feeling..." he ran a hand through the blue hair. "Saix please..."
"Then explain to them that you were wrong." The young man looked away from the priest. "Fix it."
"They'll kill us both if I try to stop them." he moved Saix's face back towards his own. "Please... I don't want you to die."
"I'm beginning to think I don't care what happens to me." Saix whispered.
Xemnas stared down at the young man. "Well I do care." he said softly.
"Then..." The gypsy stopped and glanced past Xemnas' shoulder. "Then get me out of here."
Xemnas pulled Saix to his chest in a tight hug. "I will. I promise." he kissed the teen gently.
Saix hugged him back and pushed him away quickly when he heard the voices grow louder. "What do I do?" He asked urgently.
Xemnas looked around, and bit his lip when he noticed that the clearing was surrounded by the torch fires. "We need to find you an opening so that you can run out of here without being seen." he whispered.
"What kind of opening, we're surrounded..." Saix whispered quietly.
Xemnas looked around and pointed to a gap between the torches. "There. Now go, you need to hurry." he pulled the teen into another quick kiss. "I love you." he whispered.
Saix kissed him back and shook his head with a sad expression. He looked for the gap and ran as fast as he could from the priest.
A tall man suddenly stepped into Saix's path and put his hands on his shoulders when Saix ran into him. The man looked up to see Xemnas standing in the clearing. "You found the only one left here, Father Xemnas."
Saix looked up at the tall man and tried to take a step back was stunk in the mans grip. "G-get off me."
Xemnas stared at the man, fear in his eyes. The big man lifted Saix over his shoulder and carried him away to the rest of the mob. Xemnas gasped and hurried after the man.
The gypsy smacked the man's back in anger of being man-handled. "Put me down!" He tried pushing off of him in struggle.
"Now now, just calm down, it'll be over soon. Everyone I found the only one left!" the man called out and carried him back into the clearing where the camp used to be.
Saix started to claw at the mans back, growling in anger. Where did Xemnas go?
The priest rushed through the thick trees and tried to follow where the man went. "Saix..." he breathed and pushed his legs to go faster, while all of the other townspeople were gathered around the man who was tying Saix to a secluded tree in the middle on the clearing with a length of rope.
Saix pushed off the tree and spit at the man who tied him to the tree.
The man backhanded the boy and pinned him to the tree by holding him by the throat. "Watch yourself demon."
Saix gasped and looked away from the man. "I'm not a demon, you fool. Release me!"
The man let go of his throat and tightened the rope, then backed away as sticks and twigs were set at the base of the tree. "Light it! Burn the demon!" someone yelled out, and a torch was thrown onto the brush at Saix's feet.
The blue-haired man stared at the flame and shook his head. "Are you insane?" He attempted to get away from the fire but it was only spreading around him.
Xemnas stopped when he entered the clearing, his breathing heavy. He looked at the huge crowed and gasped when he saw Saix tied to the tree with fire surrounding him.
Saix looked up and bit his lip when Xemnas arrived. "Help me!" He cringed when the flame licked at his pants.
Xemnas rushed up to the crowd and tried to push his way through. "Stop! Stop this!" he yelled but was muffled by the shouting of the mob.
Saix kicked what little dirt was available to him onto the fire in an attempt to diffuse it. "I lied, I don't want to die..." Saix wailed, when his attempts were beginning to be worthless.
Xemnas pushed his way through to the front of the crowd. "Stop this!" he yelled and turned to the crowd. "This boy is not a demon! He was a prisoner of those that left." Xemnas grabbed one of the bigger sticks in the fire and tried to move the burning wood to one side so that he could get to the boy tied to the tree.
'Prisoner? What a foul lie!' Saix thought and edged toward the side where Xemnas had disrupted the flame. "He's right, please let me go..." Saix wailed.
He glanced over his shoulder to the confused crowd. "Will none of you help me?" he shouted then stood up to kick at the twigs. Xemnas stepped over the fire and pressed himself close to the tree and started to pull at the ropes.
One of the men in the mob pushed through the crowd and attempted to pull a few more sticks from the pyre when a voice stopped him. "I saw him with the dancers the other day, how do we know you aren't lying?"
Xemnas looked out towards the crowd. "You do not trust me? Why would I lie to you?" he looked down at Saix then back out to the crowd. "This boy means us no harm. Would you burn an innocent boy?" he winced as the fire started to catch onto his pants burning through slowly to his legs.
The crowd murmured in disagreement and the man that had decided to continue helping. Saix looked to Xemnas and slipped towards him when the ropes became looser around him.
Xemnas wrapped his arms around Saix and whispered into his ear. "Everything's going to be ok now."
"Xemnas, I...I..." Saix sobbed and held onto the priest, unwilling to finish the phrase but hoping to get the point across.
"I love you too." he breathed and pulled the boy up into his arms and hurried out of the fire, shaking his legs to put out the flames on the fabric of his pants.
Saix stared at the crowd in fear and shook his head. "I want to get away from here as much as possible." He whispered and the crowd seemed put out that they couldn't burn any of the 'demons'.
"Shh... we will." he held Saix close to his chest and started his way through the large group of people. Saix hid his face with a whimper when he saw the man that had found him. Xemnas tightened his hold on the boy, then pressed a kiss to the top of his head when they entered the woods. "It's ok now Saix."
The gypsy grabbed Xemnas and pulled him into a kiss, tears streaming down his face. Xemnas kissed the teen back and stopped walking. He closed his eyes and let his tongue lick at Saix's lips.
"Mm." Saix opened his mouth, nipping at the tongue that begged for entry and pulled himself closer to the priest. He pushed his tongue into the boys mouth with a moan and leaned against a large tree for support. The gypsy moaned quietly and met Xemnas' tongue. He wriggled out of his grip and leaned on the priest in an embrace. Xemnas put his arms around Saix's waist and pulled him closer, and he let out another moan. He pulled out of the kiss slowly and looked down at the boy.
"Thank you..." Saix whispered and bit his lip. "But they think I was a prisoner now, what am I supposed to do?"
"We leave." he whispered and touched their foreheads together. "Tonight."
"Leave?" Saix looked at Xemnas happily. "You mean it?" He held onto Xemnas tightly.
"I've never been more serious." he said with a smile.
"What made you change your mind?" Saix turned his head slightly, in question.
"Seeing you in danger. I need to be with you constantly to make sure that you're safe." he said softly and kissed the boy's forehead.
Saix laughed quietly. "So you're telling me to be more accident prone?" He pulled away.
"No." he whispered and ran his fingers through the boy's hair. "I just don't think I could live with the thought of somebody doing that to you again."
"Hmm...we should catch up with the others, I made them wait for me." Saix smiled slyly.
"Is there anything that I should bring?" he asked and caressed Saix's cheek.
"Clothing of course...and money… if you can." Saix bit his lip. "Is that ok?"
"Yeah he glanced back to the clearing. We should hurry." he said and gave the teen another kiss.
Saix smiled and held the priest's hand. " I'll stick with you until you're ready to go."
Xemnas smiled and squeezed Saix's hand. "Well I'm sure that your people want to get moving."
"You'll be quick, then." Saix's smile grew wider. "I'll wait outside, don't worry."
"I'd rather you come in." he said and started to pull Saix through the trees.
"N-no, I don't have to." Saix followed after him. "I mean, I never really planned on stepping back into that building again." he mumbled quietly.
"Oh..." he frowned and sighed. "I understand." he whispered.
Saix bit his lip. "I'm sorry, I just..." He shook his head and sighed. "I just wanna get out of here."
"I know." he said and let go of Saix's hand as they entered the town. "I'll be quick."
Saix nodded and watched Xemnas head back to the church and sighed. He had very little hope that Demyx's plan would have actually worked.
Xemnas hurried into the church and as soon as the man was out of sight a group of three men walked by the blue haired boy.
Saix took a few steps to the closest wall and nodded in greeting with a happy smile. "Evening, sirs."
The men turned to look at the boy the looked at each other with smirks on their faces. "You're one of them dancing boys, ain't ya?" one of the men said and took a step towards the boy.
"Er...n-no, actually no, I'm not very good at...dancing." Saix took a step back and swallowed nervously. "Why?"
The man laughed and stepped closer to the teen and pinned him against the wall. "But I've seen you with them. You're one of them dirty gypsies." the man pulled out a knife and his two friends laughed.
"Ah!" Saix frowned when his back hit the wall. "What are you doing?" He asked frantically, eyes glued to the blade. "Leave me alone!"
"Just puttin' up a sign to warn folks about a devil's child." he whispered and brought the piece of metal up to the boy's face.
"What? No!" The gypsy struggled and put his arms up in defense. "I'm not like that!"
The two other man stepped forward and held Saix's arms down against the wall. The man with the knife placed the blade against his forehead.
Saix immediately stopped moving when he felt the cold knife on his face and closed his eyes, bracing himself for the pain. "Please, don't..." He whispered quietly.
The man pressed the blade into the skin of Saix's forehead deeply, then made another cut, making an X shaped wound on the boy's forehead and between his eyes. The blue-haired boy hissed as the cold air seeped into the cuts and attempted to reach for his face, curling his other hand into a fist. His face hand been ruined by some random person on the street and he wanted him to pay.
"What's going on here?" Xemnas appeared behind the men and set his bag down on the ground.
The man with the knife whipped the blood off the blade and put it away. "Nothing father." the men let go of Saix and walked away quickly.
Xemnas stared after the men then looked back at his lover. "Saix?"
The boy had slumped onto the ground with his hands over his face and he growled in a mix of excruciating pain an anger. "Those bastards cut me..."
Xemnas ran over to the boy and gently pulled his hands away from the wound. "Oh God... We need to get you to a doctor."
"Yeah, and I'll be treated just as well as everyone else." Saix groaned and tried to cover his face again. "This town is insane..."
Xemnas bit his lips. "Fine then come inside and let me bandage it."
The boy had no room to argue and he nodded slightly. "Fine." Saix stood up and wiped some blood from his face. "I probably look like the walking dead. Xemnas, does it look as bad as I feel?"
The priest sighed and touched the boy's cheek. "It will probably scar." he whispered and picked up his bag as he led Saix into the church.
The gypsy felt uncomfortable in the sanctuary and leaned against a wall. "I figured as much...I should have just come inside..."
Xemnas sighed and turned towards the kitchen. "I'll be right back." he said and disappeared into the kitchen. He returned with a small towel. "We'll have to wait until we get back to Demyx, I don't know where Xigbar keeps the medical supplies."
"I'll be fine until then, I guess...I... I should have fought them..." Saix held his hand out for the towel and wiped some more blood with his sleeve.
Xemnas refused him the towel and gently pressed it to the boy's forehead. "See this is the exact reason why I need to go with you."
Saix grabbed Xemnas' wrist and pulled it away slightly. "Did you find the roughest towel back there or something?" He whined.
"Sorry." he whispered and pulled Saix's hand off his arm. "It's the best one I could find."
The gypsy bit his lip and closed his eyes. "I can't believe I let this happen to me."
"It's not your fault Saix." he whispered and touched the towel to the teen's forehead again.
"I should have fought him, then I wouldn't be in this situation." The boy ran a hand through his hair.
"Saix's it's not that bad." he said and set the towel down to tilt his head up.
"Carving an X on my face isn't that bad?" Saix stared at Xemnas. "I can't go into a town at all, without getting threatened."
"I'm so sorry Saix. This is all my fault." he cupped the boy's cheek.
"No, It's my fault for being stubborn and staying outside." He softened his stare and shrugged. "Did you get everything you needed?"
Xemnas smiled sadly. "Yes I have everything." he said and stroked Saix's cheek with his thumb.
Saix closed his eyes and leaned to the touch. "Then let's get out of here."
Xemnas leaned closer to the boy and smiled. "I love you." he breathed against his lips, then kissed him softly.
The blue-haired teen kissed him back and wrapped his arms around the priest. After pulling away Saix shook his head. "Demyx is going to flip-out by the time we get back..."
"Of course he will. The puppy got hurt." he said and handed Saix the towel. "He's going to be angry with me for letting puppy get hurt again."
Saix blushed a maddening shade of red when he heard his nickname come out of Xemnas' lips and attempted to hide it by holding the towel over his face.
Xemnas smiled and moved the cloth from Saix's face. "I might have to keep calling you that, and tell Demyx that he can't call you puppy anymore. I want this look on your face all to myself."
"I can't believe you remembered that..." Saix whispered and looked away with an embarrassed smile.
"Where did the name come from?" he asked and stood up flinging his bag over his shoulder.
He shook his head and laughed. "If I told you then I'd have to tell you to stop calling me that." Saix pushed himself up off the floor and ran a nailed hand through his hair.
"Oh come now it can't be that bad." he said and took Saix's hand into his own.
"You can't have both, Xemnas. If you want to know just ask Demyx." Saix squeezed his companions hand and started for the exit.
"Now I'm concerned." he said and stared down at the boy. "Tonight I'd like to hear about your life."
"Concerned? It's not that big of a deal, he only calls me it on occasion anyway..." Saix pulled Xemnas forward. "My life is boring, there's nothing to tell."
"I don't care if it boring or filled with life threatening adventures, it's your life and I want to know everything about you." he said sternly and he walked next to the boy.
Six bit his lip and looked away. "What about you? How did you end up here?"
Xemnas chuckled. "Now see, my life IS boring. Born and raised in this town." he said and helped Saix down the steps. "How is your ankle?"
"It feels fine compared to the damn towel on my face." He smiled. "So what about your parents? Where have they gone?"
Xemnas smiled sadly. "Back to the Lord." he said softly.
"Oh...well I don't know about my own that well.." Saix shrugged. "They kicked me out when I was young."
"Now who would do such a thing?" he squeezed Saix's hand and looked around at some of the women on the street that were staring at them. "How old were you?"
"Eight." The gypsy followed his look and shrugged. "I was picked up by the people I'm with now, and they've become my family."
"May I ask why they threw you out?" he looked down at his lover with a frown.
"They just wanted me out and away from them as much as possible...I couldn't tell you why...I must have done something wrong, though."
"A child is innocence in it's purest form." he smiled and looked down at Saix. "You never did anything wrong Saix. Your parents are to blame."
"Maybe... maybe not." Saix felt more than a few glances sent his way. "We should really get moving rather than talking." He pulled on his arms and glanced at the woods. "Please..."
Xemnas looked around then nodded. "I suppose your right." he lifted Saix up into his arms. "But I don't want you straining that ankle anymore than you already have."
"Any excuse to carry me around." Saix smiled. "When you're taken into the family they ask nothing of your past. So, no one has to know that you were the reason why we had to leave ahead of schedule."
He laughed. "That's a good thing then I suppose." he looked down into the gypsy's eyes and smiled as he walked quickly into the forest. Saix had dozed off after directing where the other gypsies were waiting and curled himself closer to his love.