A/N: What's this? Another chapter this week? *omgdies* Kidding. I'm just feeling all accomplished today and decided that since the last one was such a short chapter, I'd give you this one because I pity you, lol. Oh, and in answer to a question, yes we are continuing this story. Well, we are finished with it, just taking time in posting. We finish all our stories before we post so we don't leave people hanging. That is evil. Onwards!

Six - A couple of days later

Stepping inside the kitchen, I looked around discretely, noticing that there was nobody here but me. Feeling courageous, I walked over to the fridge, opened it and then stared longingly at Thirteen's lunch. Coke, meat sandwich, a pack of salty chips and a chocolate cookie. On top of the carefully laid out package was a post it that read 'This lunch belongs to Thirteen. Eat it and you die.'

While I'd only spent one day with the man, I knew for a fact that that note was not a joke or a threat. It was truth. I touched his lunch? I'd be dead. Tilting my head, I tried to see the amusing side of it all and then decided that there was nothing funny about it.

Even if I had been able to get away with it, it wasn't Sunday, so no meat for me. I had forced a strict diet upon myself. Food was something humans needed to be able to survive, not so much pleasure. Although it could be considered as something you'd get to congratulate yourself if you'd done something right. I'd read that couples liked to go out on dinner dates. Birthday parties included a lot of food. Having passed an exam usually allowed you to eat cake. And youngsters would go out during the weekend to drink alcohol. While they would refrain themselves from eating before drinking to make sure they got properly drunk, once they had accomplished their mission, they'd end up eating greasy food to satisfy their upset stomach.

While I was certainly not as deadly as Thirteen, as worrisome as Four or as grave as One... I was a spy for the Organization. A fully trained and accomplished number that would soon go out and complete missions given to me by number One. You'd think that would be cause for celebration, thus cake, but things didn't work the same way in the Organization as they did in the outside world. Or so I'd come to learn little by little. I'd been under Four's care for as long as I could remember, and never had I left his side. Not until Thirteen had been ordered by One to come get me and bring me to the Organization's home base. I'd been to every base but that one.

Shutting the fridge door, I took an apple from the bowl instead, tossing it from one hand to the other as I stepped out of the kitchen and into the pitch black hallway. You had to navigate blindly through the corridors as One was relatively paranoid and assumed that if the base were to be found by the Lustitia agency, we at least we wouldn't grant them proper lighting.

I suppose this job was all about making life for the agents and the civilians uneasy. After having counted twenty steps, I took a right, feeling with my hand to find the door that would lead to the conference area. I was to meet One there. He was going to give me my first true mission. I didn't feel particularly excited. To my shame, I'd actually looked up the word 'excited' in the dictionary to better understand the word as I couldn't possibly remember when I'd last been excited. So when Four had explained to me why I was being brought by Thirteen to the Organization's home base and then followed that up with the question 'Aren't you excited to finally begin what you were meant to do?', I'd lied and told him I was. I didn't feel anything, to be really honest. I'm not quite sure when the last time my heart truly raced. Shrugging that off, I stepped into the light, squinting my eyes for a moment as to adjust them, reaching up to make sure my cloak was properly in place before taking a bite of my apple and sitting down next to One who was already seated at the conference table.

I'd been about to take a second bite, but his hand shot out, grabbing my apple and throwing it against the wall facing him, the fruit exploding into several squishy pieces, this leading me to gulp down my previous bite with some difficulty as I stared.

"Rule number two?" He reminded.

Whoops. "No eating in the conference room. My apologizies, One." If I kept this up, One would make sure I'd know what it felt like to have my heart racing. Not in a good way.

"Ignore another rule and I'll make sure that rule number one sets itself in motion." Four had more than stamped it into my head that pissing off One wasn't a hard task to do. He'd also reminded me that he'd allowed me to get more than comfortable around him and that I shouldn't behave as I did around Four, with One. Clearly it was easier said than done.

"Numbers can be replaced." I whispered out.

"Very good. Are you ready to contribute your skills to the Organization?" The light coming from the harsh light above the conference table allowed me to see only a small glimpse of One's lower lip. I wondered if that lower lip could tell me anything on him that nobody else could know unless they'd seen that lower lip. But after a moment of staring, I decided that it didn't speak to me much at all. Not many things did though.

"Yes, I am." I returned. I suppose I was. Honestly, I was glad I was the Number Six and not any other number. I'd not have been cut out to be anything else but Six. Six was a peaceful number... Quiet, reserved, allowed to keep to themselves. While I had to go out and eavesdrop on mostly anything, I never had to be near people. I wasn't allowed to go near people.

"We're received word from one of our sources at the harbor, that an Lustitia Agent has arrived and will be staying at the Destiny Inn located in the town's center plaza for one night. One night only." One paused and I heard him breath out, "It's peculiar and I'd like you to watch the agent, keep track of what he is doing. You must report back to me every three hours, understood?" I nodded.

"You'll see, Six! Your job is the most exciting. You get to go places, watch people, hear things others never will... The number Six is also the only number who knows more than any other number in the organization!" I imitated Four's voice, it mixed with my own frustrated sounds. "You'll be One's favorite!" Kicking the dirt, I stuck my hands into my pockets and returned to pacing the alley I'd been hiding in for the passed- "Twelve hours of nothing..." I blubbered out, reaching up to pull on my hair underneath my cloak. I peeked over at the window, seeing the Agent scratching his butt all the while downing his fourth beer. "Kill me, kill me now..." I whined.

Hearing movement on my far right, I snapped my head in that direction, moving so I could press my body against the inn's brick wall, watching as I waited for the noise to identify itself. The island was really dead during the night, even on the town's center plaza. I'd not even met an alley cat. The sun was starting to rise though and maybe I would need to be more careful about hiding my presence.

Without any warning, a warm body slammed into my side, not hard enough to knock me out, but I did land on my butt. Before I could really get my bearings there were two hands grasping my shoulders and pulling me upright again.

"Dude! Are you okay? Holy crap, I am so sorry!" Hands were then busy dusting off my front and I saw a dirty blonde head in profile as he went completely overboard, bending down and dusting off my backside.

"Nhiaa-ah-" Was the noise that involuntarily came out of my mouth when that happened, my hips jerking forward so his fingers wouldn't be on my behind anymore. "Grabby! No grabby! Grabbing!" I managed to stutter out, "Away-" No. "You are in my way." I grasped the edge of my cloak, tucking it tightly over my head as though it were my security blanket and it would save my life. "You touched my ass!"

Ocean colored eyes stared back at me, knowing they were ocean colored as I'd snuck a peak out of the plane window on the way over to the Islands, and I was taken aback by his very weird hair. Sticking up in a mohawk, it also flowed back and down his neck, long enough to be in a ponytail. Despite the messiness of his hair, my eyes were drawn back to his face as pink dusted his cheeks and he jumped back with his hands up in surrender.

"Sorry! I didn't mean to. I was just trying to get you clean and again, I am so sorry about knocking you over and I didn't mean to touch your, er, butt!" His voice was a pleasant baritone, almost musical sounding. I felt I could listen to him for hours on end and never bore of hearing it. I tilted my head to the side, watching as he continued to apologize, repeating it several times to make sure I absolutely understood he was very sorry for the entire incident. It's not like he'd meant to do me any harm, and I could assume at this point that he'd bumped into me by accident. I kept on staring as he was still throwing out the 'sorry's' and I could see his eyes widening, becoming larger as he became more frantic.

Maybe it was my lack of reaction that was causing him to continue to throw apologies at me. His voice was still soothing, even as it was taking on a rather nervous and fast tone right now. It was nice to hear him speak, so much so, I'd like for him to continue and maybe I'd even want to take the time to learn every melody it could muster with the different emotions he'd feel.

"It's alright." I muttered out, that rendering him speechless and stopping the sorry's. "I can't stay here." This was my first mission given to me by One, and I'd broken the essential and main rule that boxed the job description of the Number Six. Human communication was a big no no. "I must take my leave."

"Are you sure? I mean, I did hit you really hard. I could grab you a drink or snack from my store if you needed it." He looked sheepish and he kept rubbing his hands through his hair. "Really, I feel bad. You sure you're okay?" He seemed a rather excitable and frantic individual.

I frowned not only at the fact that I felt the need to reassure him that I was alright, but also why I wasn't walking away yet. "I wasn't hurt." I murmured, "But I'm not allowed to accept a drink or a snack, it's against the rules." Yes, remembering the rules was the wise path to take. "I shouldn't even be speaking to you."

Taking a step backwards with every intention of turning and leaving, I somehow didn't do as planned and ended up moving closer to him, touching his hand that was most assuredly going to run through his hair for the tenth time.

"Are you sure you are alright?" Bells were starting to go off in my mind, whistles blaring at me to tell me I was treading into dangerous territory. When the imaginary alarm went off, I couldn't help but look around and make sure Thirteen wasn't watching me on my first mission. Then again, if he had been, both me and this man would be dead right now.

His cheeks reddened even more at my touch and he shook his head. "No, I mean, yes, I'm alright." Peering down at me, he asked quietly, "What's your name? And why aren't you allowed to talk to me? Am I going to get you in trouble? How come you can't have snacks? Sorry! Too many questions!" He smacked the side of his face, chuckling weakly before giving me a big smile. "How about just your name?" Silence dragged on as I stared at him, my lips parting. He couldn't see that of course, but I suppose that didn't matter. I knew why I didn't want to leave all of a sudden.

"You-" I gulped, looking down at the ground, "You are the first person I've ever spoken too outside of the Organization." And that very realization is what allowed me to feel a painful sting shooting through my chest that I don't think I'd ever experienced before. I felt sad. I was sad. I could count the number of people I'd spoken to in my entire life on one hand. This man was the first with whom I'd had a conversation that didn't link back to some kind of mission or form of Organization training.

"I'm Six." I didn't want to go. "And you are?"

"I'm Demyx. And is it okay if I..." Without waiting, I saw his hand lift and curl around the edge of the cloak hanging in front of my eyes, guarding me from the outside world. "I just would like to see the face of the poor kid I accidentally molested." His voice was light and sweet sounding; it matched the brilliant smile on his face.

I'd taken in a sharp breath when I'd seen his hand move towards me. While I would like to use my reaction as a defense to him wanting to reveal my identity, the reason I'd truly gasped was because I'd wanted to know how I would feel if he'd touch me. "This moment-" I let my fingers curl around his wrist loosely, but not yet pulling his hand away from my cloak. "I'd hate for it to be ruined with you using my identity to harm me. My cloak is my only true protection." Or so I was told.

"Protection? Against what? Well, nevermind you can leave it on." He pulled his hand away and then turned the wrist I was holding so that he could grasp my hand. "I don't mind." Still looking at me, or what he could see of me behind my cloak, he quietly started humming. When I finally identified the feeling that had been rushing through me ever since I laid eyes on him, I felt like I was choking, leading me to do exactly what he'd asked me to do. Pulling the cloak off my head, I could see him just a little clearer than before, and his hum became that extra right amount louder in my ears.

"One is going to kill me if he finds out." Yes he was. Not only because I'd broken every single rule, but most likely because I wasn't sure I could stay away from Demyx even if I left tonight. I'd come back to catch a glimpse of him tomorrow. And I'd go closer to wherever he was residing so I may hear that hum daily. I knew I'd do it, even if I tried not too, because I was rather sure I was attracted to him. There was a momentary thought of 'but he's a man' that passed through me, but I don't think I really cared. It didn't matter because Demyx was the only person who'd made me feels things I didn't think I'd ever feel.

"You overwhelm me." I admitted in a whisper. And that was it exactly. These things I was feeling right at the moment, were things I'd never felt. They were making me reckless.

"Wow...You're cute, er, I mean, I sure hope you don't die." Demyx gave a slight cringe at that, and I immediately missed the smile on his face.

I was surprised when a short bubble of laughter pulled out of me, but let it happen as I stared up at the handsome man in amusement. "You don't have a lot of tact, do you?" Strangely enough I simply found that fact about him endearing.

He blushed a fierce red and covered his face with his hand. "No. Sometimes I let my mouth just keep going and going and going when I should have shut up a long, long time ago." His hand dropped, and he shook his head. "Well, Six. Would you like to accompany me to my store?"

He had no idea just how much I wanted to accompany him to wherever he went. When I'd told him that he overwhelmed me, it had kind of been an understatement. While I'd never spend any true time in the outside world that wasn't related to the Organization, it's not like I had never read about it. I'd been allowed books. It's truly the only thing I had been allowed to have. I knew exactly what I was the target of right now, and to be quite honest, while it was a particularly glorious feeling, the timing and person weren't exactly right where it concerned my life style.

Although, as the books said, love at first sight couldn't be ignored, if you tried to, it would consume you as much as the love itself would consume you. Only allowing the love to root itself would be less painful than trying to fight it. I'd always been one to take the easy way out, not seeing why I would purposely complicate my life when I could live it simply. The issue right now though was either I could take the easy way and not feel the pain I'd most assuredly feel were I to ignore the feelings I had for Demyx, or I'd take the other easy way, which was ignoring the overwhelming attraction, bearing the pain and making sure that there was no reason for me to hide or lie to One. Looking at things logically, it was clear that walking away was my better option right now, forgetting about Demyx even if it were the hardest thing I do. Yet...

"I-" Cut off by the ring coming from my pocket, I offered Demyx an apologetic look before fishing the device out and picking up at the third ring. "Yes?" It was One. Gulping and taking a look around myself and Demyx to make sure nobody was watching us, I took a few steps away from the handsome blond, listening to what One had to say. When he informed me that Thirteen was to accompany me back to the base-

"No!" I shrieked, cutting off One and wincing for having done so. "I mean, no, One, I am Six, part of my job demands me to memorize routs and areas at first glance." Pausing and taking a moment to breathe, I looked over at Demyx. The idea of him being in close proximity to Thirteen led my heart to beat erratically. More so than it did when I'd deliberately cut One off. The idea of him being hurt terrified me more than my own well being. Hopefully One would take my interruption as just enthusiasm for the job."Please, allow me to find my way back on my own. I promise I won't disappoint."

It was only when after a couple of beats of silence One informed that I could do so, that I felt my heart rate slow. Once the phone was shut and back in my pocket, I nodded at Demyx. "I shall accompany to your home to make sure no harm comes to you."

"Harm?" He turned and when I took a step to follow him, he continued. "No worries. I'm not all that concerned that the Organization is truly interested in a shopkeeper." He was so dismissive on the whole subject; it was rather shocking. "Have you ever been to a music store? Do you play an instrument?"

I shook my head easily, "Four loathes music, anything that makes noise really. It's a wonder he allowed me to speak from time to time." I confided, not sure I should have done that. "I've never heard a musical note." Except once. Number Eight had not been afraid of Four and had had no issue singing in his and mine's presence. It had been a curious sound, and honestly, I'd remember his voice for the rest of my life because he had sung. But former Number Eight was not to be spoken or thought of.

"And you should not take the Organization so lightly. Even the numbers are afraid of the Organization and they are the ones that run it." I whispered softly, feeling the need to do so as we'd stepped out onto the plaza. Nobody was there, the town's center still deathly quiet. When we reached the front of what I assumed to be Demyx's store, I halted in my steps, hesitating when he walked inside. Looking at him, I was relatively certain he'd be the death of me and it didn't even surprise me that that didn't stop me from following him inside his music store anyway.

The bell above the door chimed as I followed Demyx inside and I immediately noticed a change in the air. It was cool and not as humid as it was outside. As I saw dozens of wooden instruments hanging from the walls, it made sense. Humidity and moisture could warp wood and I assumed that would make things sound funny. Demyx swept his arms out wide and spun in a circle, his smile beautiful and with a touch of pride.

"Welcome to The Music Store. And yes, that is the actual name. I'm not that brilliant when it comes to naming things, so I figured I'd pick something easy and obvious." He chuckled slightly before grabbing my hand and leading me even further inside. There were drums and metal instruments set up on displays, large bookcases filled to the brim with sheet music and as I glanced up I noticed that the ceiling had been painted with large musical notes in bright colors. Displays were set up tastefully, and the entire store invited you to sit and feel comfortable with the instruments.

"Well, what do you think?" He gripped my other hand and grinned, waiting for my answer. He had absolutely no idea what personal space meant. Honestly, I don't think I minded very much with him. Biting onto my lower lip, I peeked down at our clasped hands, gulping as I felt my face and neck heat, this leading to my mouth to part so I could let out a short pant. He affected me so strongly.

"It's-" Looking up, I smiled at him and then took a proper look around, taking in the many instruments, seeing the system he'd most likely come up with when it came to their arrangement. The soft earth colored tones that made the store, the warmth and coziness it was. "It's truly lovely, Demyx."

His smile got even wider and he seemed extremely pleased. "Thanks, Six. I'm glad you like it." He paused, then dropped my hands and snapped his fingers. "Hey! Would you like to play something? Try out an instrument? Anything you want. Pick one."

If Four could see me right now, he'd die just so he could make his point and roll over in his grave to make me understand that what I was about to say, "Yes, I suppose that is alright." Was the epitome of wrong.

Demyx

Crap, this was so wrong in so many ways. When Roxas had called me a few days ago, I'd thought it was just a call to see how I was doing. And that little sneak had started out that way. He'd let me go on for at least ten minutes about my new ordering system and the deal I'd gotten on my second cash register. Heck, he'd even promised to come down and pick up a new amp for his guitar; a nice one. So I'd been relatively happy during the conversation, that is, until he'd asked me if I wanted to meet someone new. He'd made it sound like some sort of friendship thing, but no. No, it couldn't be that simple; of course not.

That brat of a cousin of mine had mentioned something about the Lustitia agency needing my help, and the only reason I'd listened past that was because he was family and I felt obligated. But the more I listened to his 'brilliant' plan, the sicker I felt. He wanted me to spy and make contact with a Number. That was Number with a capital N. Oh, he assured me that it was a non violent number, yay for that at least, but still. A freaking Number and Roxas thought that I could actually connect with him! Up until I'd gotten my first look at Six, I'd thought that. But dang. Once that stupid cloak thingy came down and I got my first look at him? Sure my heart had sped up, but then it'd dropped into my stomach when I realized that the whole point of me talking to this cute guy, was so that I could turn him over to the agency. Ugh, I'm surprised I'd been able to talk to him semi-normally with that hanging over my head.

In all the time that I'd lived on the island, I'd become pro at ignoring what the Organization and Agency were doing to each other. I tapped into that apathy right now, focusing on just the idea that Six had followed me because maybe he wanted to and that this had nothing to do with whatever his mission had been. I glanced around and pulled a trumpet off the wall, making my way back over to him. Dang, but he was cute. Probably not older than me, most likely a few years younger.

"Here, why don't you give this a try?" According to Roxas, Six was new or something as a number. He'd tried to tell me a few ways to catch his attention and become his friend or at least someone he wanted to know more about. But to be honest? Roxas wasn't a huge authority on the whole 'friendship' thing, so I'd gone with my gut and what I was most familiar with. Music. It was an easy conversation starter at least.

Soft blue eyes widened slightly, and he shook the blue grey bangs of hair out of his eye before reaching out and taking the trumpet from my hands. Looking quite unsure about what to do with it, he turned it over, inspecting it and then after a moment, figured out what end he had to stick towards him.

"Ehm..." He looked shyly up at me, pursing his lips as he almost went to place his mouth on the instrument, but then paused and said, "Am I supposed to blow it?"

I tried to cover the slight blush his words caused me and somehow managed to not chuckle manically at his words. It was not my fault that I could take words as innuendo. I nodded as I silently cursed Roxas again. "Um, yes. This is the mouthpiece and you sort of purse your lips like this." I demonstrated. "And then these three buttons you push down in different patterns to get the notes. Try it." I stepped closer and moved his fingers slightly so that he was holding it correctly.

I saw his Adam's apple bob, his cheeks turning brightly red as my fingers were on his, "I- I can't really concentrate when you touch me." He didn't sound accusing, simply telling me what he was thinking. Turning his eyes away from mine, he took a small step back and then blew into the thing as I'd shown him how, pressing the three buttons quickly, randomly and most importantly, creating the most off key noise ever produced. Yet, even though the sounds were ear bleeding material, when he pulled his mouth away from the trumpet, he smiled brightly my way. "How interesting!"

I just wanted to hug him. How in the flipping world did this kid become a Number? He was just so...so...innocent. I didn't touch him again, even though I wanted to really badly. Instead I turned and grabbed a clarinet. I kept a playing reed in a holder for when someone wanted a demonstration and I took it and placed it in my mouth, wetting it for playing. My fingers were shaking slightly as I put together the mouthpiece with the reed wet from my spit.

Handing it to Six, I said, "This is a clarinet. You make the noise by blowing into the small space between the reed and the plastic mouthpiece. Er, sorry for my spit, but I had to wet it so you wouldn't squeak."

He eyed the clarinet carefully when I spoke of the spit. "Do you promise not to use my DNA or finger prints I left around here against me?" He blew into the clarinet, laughing shortly at the sound that came out of it before handing the instrument back to me. "I suppose that I should have thought things through before, but I do hope you won't take advantage by my current state of," He bit his lower lip again and the blush returned, "distraction."

I rolled my eyes, but smiled while I did it. "Dude, I'm not gonna use your DNA. What in the heck would I do with it?" I dropped the reed back into it's holder and set the clarinet back on the wall. Turning back towards Six, I looked him over and nibbled on my bottom lip. Hmm, maybe I could ask him again and he'd say yes? "Hey, can I get you something to eat? I haven't eaten dinner yet, and I was going to whip up some ramen. Wanna stay?"

He pursed his lips while he checked the time on his phone. "I don't know..." He frowned deeply, which only became deeper when I pulled out a slight sad face. "I-" Was that hesitation? Maybe I should pull out the big guns. Fluttering my eyes, I made sure my eyes were as puppy dog as they could get. "Well, I suppose..." He said carefully. "But you have to know that this is very, very dangerous!" Ramen was dangerous? Six paused then continued in a cutely frantic voice. "You know what I mean!"

I nodded. I did know what he meant, but the Organization was not omnipotent, something I tried to convey to Roxas on a regular basis. "You know, I understand the Organization is huge in your life, but I could care less about it. So when you are here, in my store, I hope you can forget about it too, if only for a little while. I'm not gonna bring it up if you don't." Smiling, I finally gave in and pulled him into a quick hug.

His entire body stiffened and while I couldn't see, I'm quite sure his face was written in shock. "Demyx, you are hugging a number." He murmured for a reminder, yet his hands reached up nonetheless, his fingers grasping my shirt at the sides loosely. "I'm starting to believe you have a death wish." As he said that though, his face turned, his cheek settling against my collarbone and I could feel his breathing soften, telling me he was comfortable where he was.

I resisted the urge to run my hands up and down his back, and instead just gave him a few friendly pats before reluctantly releasing him. He was going to be bad for me and not in the whole 'I'm gonna die' way. It was more like, 'if I'm not careful, I'm gonna shag him senseless while lying and betraying him' kind of way. It was too late now to protect my heart. I just hope I could protect him enough that he wouldn't hate me in the end.

"I'm not going to die, Six. Relax." Keeping my tone light, I dropped my arms and pointed to the staircase leading up to my apartment. "So, dinner?"

A/N: Who knows when I will post again...so savor it...savor...