CatrionaHearts: I'm gonna write my blurby bit before the story 'cause I have a lot to say. Yeah, I know I don't half go on but meh. Just skip it if you're really not interested. Just so you know, this is where the story is going to go off the actual plot (more than it has already) 'cause truth be told I don't actually know the actual plot!

Firstly- WOW! I never expected this much support and feedback on my first fan-fiction. I am truly touched by all your kind reviews. I've tried to reply to all of them but keeping track is starting to get hard! I hope you continue to enjoy the story.

Second- I am so so so so SO sorry about how long you've had to wait for this chapter. Thing is, in Scotland it's our half-term holidays and in my region we get two weeks. So, before the holidays my teachers decided to give me mountains of work and on top of that I've been writing other things. I then went down to Yorkshire for a week and didn't do ANY writing at all- le gasp! But, I did actually start this chapter in a study period on the second last week of term- that's how long it's been in production. I was finished my human biology essay (yawn) and decided to start writing this. My friend was like- 'Eh? What kind of name is Zexion?!'. I didn't explain about the whole video game thing- would be there for days!

Third (this is a LONG list)- I know I must sound awful, trying to promote myself like this but if you enjoy my writing it would be awesome if you could check out my work on deviantART, particularly The Maylixx Chronicles. I need as much feedback as possible!

Link on my profile page. It doesn't want me to insert one on here.

That's all I have to say. Sorry for leaving on a cliff-hanger last time- I thought it was a nice effect.

Til next time!

Your friend,

CatrionaHearts


Upstairs

Chapter 7

"They said what?" Zexion cried out in disbelief.

Axel sank into a white chair and shook his head. "I'm only repeating this on more time, Zexion. Everything I observed, everything I heard.

"Marluxia called Larxene and I into a sort of 'meeting'. It was dull really, just Sora beginning to think Naminè was his little girlfriend or something like that, I don't really care. Anyway, then Vexen shows up and me and Larx were just like 'eh?' 'cause Marluxia and Vexen hate one another. Then Marluxia kicks us out then, and Larx being the sly and wonderful girl she is-"

"'Sly and wonderful?'" Zexion raised an eyebrow. Naminè giggled.

Axel turned almost as red as his hair. "Well, Larx assumed that they were talking about her so we listened behind the door. But, it wasn't about her at all. It was much more interesting than that!" Axel paused for some dramatic tension.

Zexion was not drawn in by this. He waved his hand and said: "Get on with it, number VIII."

Axel did not like being ranked. There was a note of irritation in his voice. "Okay so, Vexen said he wanted in on Marluxia's overthrowing the Organization plan. He wouldn't exactly say why, but I'm not entirely sure it is a case of 'I want to be on Marluxia's side now'. It looks like he's made this replica of Sora's friend Riku and is going to use in to counter Sora. But we need Sora to get Kingdom Hearts and uh, yeah, my brain is starting to hurt."

"It certainly is a mess," Zexion agreed. "Basically Xemnas wants Sora to aid us in getting Kingdom Hearts, and Marluxia wants him to overthrow the Organization. But now Vexen has made this Riku Replica to counter Sora and is saying that he wants to be on the same side as Marluxia even though that is totally contradictory."

"What Vexen is doing is not important right now," Naminè pressed. "Axel, tell us again what Vexen and Marluxia said they were going to do."

"Right well," Axel began. "They are thinking that maybe we should be more present in Sora's path in Oblivion, so we're going to be sent to sort of antagonise him I guess."

"Sora does not fight like a child," Naminè said. "Marluxia doesn't realise this. By sending some of you to fight him… it may prove to be the end of your non-existence."

"We'll worry about that when we come to it," Zexion said. "What did they say about me?"

"I'm getting there!" Axel snapped. He was a bit unsure of what happened next because by this point in his story, Larxene was stroking his cheek…

"Get on with it then!" Zexion shouted, breaking Axel free from his thoughts.

"Right so then Marluxia and Vexen decided that if Sora is going to have to be encountered, Riku will too. Though how he ended up here, no one has any idea… anyway, then they started to talk about how to use the 'other members' to cover their tracks. That's where you come in, Zex. They have decided that they're going to lead a 'false trail of treason'- damn Vexen and his big words!"

"And what does that mean exactly?" Zexion asked, as calmly as he could. His hands were clenched into fists at his sides- he hadn't even realised how tense he had become until Naminè uncoiled his fist and laced her pale fingers with his.

Axel sighed. "Look, I have nothing to do with this okay? But basically, they're going to make it out to look like you're the one who wants to overthrow Xemnas."

There was silence as his words sank in to both Zexion and Naminè. Zexion was the only one following the damned orders in this castle and yet he was going to be the one perceived as the traitor? It was cruel!

"I thought we didn't have emotions," Naminè whispered.

Axel and Zexion looked at her, puzzled.

"If we are empty shells, without emotions, how could Marluxia be so heartless?"

Axel snorted. "No hearts, Naminè. Not that hard to be heartless."

"No, Axel, I understand what she means. To be heartless would require some sort of emotion," Zexion said.

"No it wouldn't."

"It would."

"Ugh never mind!" Naminè flopped down in her chair and folded her arms. Zexion smiled at her- at least she was trying to make some sense out of things.

"Do you mind not doing that?" Axel said, cringing.

"Doing what?"

"Looking at each other like that. It's all soppy and so… somebodyish!" Axel made a face.

Naminè chuckled. "Sorry Axel, but you and Larxene are worse. Whatever she says, you do and vice versa. You're like some old married couple or something!"

Zexion laughed while Axel mumbled something about Larxene castrating him if he didn't do as she said.

"What are you laughing at Zexion?" Vexen said, appearing in a portal. "And why are you here?"

"He was watching me," Naminè said, defensively.

Vexen looked at her as if he'd never heard her speak before.

Naminè spoke again: "Maybe if you didn't keep me locked up like some princess in a tower, he wouldn't have to be up here."

Axel started to fidget; afraid Naminè was digging a hole for herself. But Vexen simply continued to look surprised at the fact Naminè had a voice.

"Well, ahem, uh, Zexion go back downstairs. Axel stay here and uh-"

"Watch the princess?" Axel said, airily.

"Yes! Yes exactly- I mean no. Wait, yes! Uh I'm going to see Marluxia now, I'll send Larxene up."

Zexion sniggered at the grin that spread itself across Axel's face. As Vexen left, Zexion also summoned a portal to the basement.

"Find out what side Larxene is on," Zexion told Axel.

"Rightio." Axel saluted.

Zexion turned to Naminè, feeling slightly awkward. "Uh, until later I guess. Princess." He vanished into his dark portal.

Naminè looked up to find Axel standing over her, stifling a laugh.

"What?" she asked, huffily.

"Zexion? Are you serious?"

Naminè glared at him. "Larxene? Are you serious?"

"Ouch. Burn." Axel smiled. He rather liked Naminè- she was like the little sister he never had. Or he may have had, before he became non-existent.

Larxene appeared out of a portal. She smiled when she saw Axel and he returned the smile. They both stood, feeling extremely awkward.

Naminè sighed. "Don't mind me, I'll just be here, ruining Sora's life some more."

Larxene's eyes brightened at this. "Aww do you think you can make him come and save you from us, Nami? Do you think that your false thoughts and false emotions are going to make him fall in love with you and rescue you?" She glided over to where Naminè was sitting and placed a finger under her chin. "No one is saving you, Naminè. No one loves you. No one even cares about you!"

"Larxene! Stop it!" Axel pulled the Savage Nymph away from Naminè but it was too late. Tears were rolling down the blonde girl's pale cheeks.

"Look what you've done," he hissed in Larxene's ear.

"It's high time she learned that she's unwanted," Larxene growled.

Axel pushed her away from him and stared on as Naminè continued to cry, silently.

Larxene glared at him. "This is no time to develop a heart, Axel. Why kid her on like that?"

"Well how do you know that no one cares about her?"

"Pur-lease! We're a castle of Nobodies. No one has the heart to care for her."

"Well maybe we don't need a heart to care. Maybe if someone makes us feel like we have a heart, it's the next best thing. You should know that Larxene." Axel sighed and turned to face her.

"Why should I know that?"

"Because I care about you, Larxene!" Axel yelled. "Not just in this damn castle, before that, ever since you joined the organization. I always thought there was something special about you, even when you act like a sadist. You are the only person in the Organization to make me feel like I have a heart."

Larxene was struck dumb. "A-Axel-"

"Guess I was wrong. I can't believe I even considered risking being turned into a dusk for you, when this is the way you treat people. Does it really give you pleasure when you see others suffer?"

"I-I-"

"In fact, don't even bother! There is only one way to save yourself now and I already know what you'll say. To whom do your loyalties belong, Larxene: Marluxia, or me and the Organization?"

Larxene said nothing. She tried to look Axel in the eye and tell him the truth. But words failed her.

"Hmph. Just what I thought. Wrong answer Larxene- it was nice knowing you. I just wish you were able to feel the same way." Axel summoned a portal and left without another word.

Then Larxene did the most unexpected thing. She fell to her knees and burst into tears, beside the already tearful Naminè.

And that was where Marluxia found them…


Catriona- OK, one last thing. I strongly advise listening to Chemistry of a Car Crash by Shiny Toy Guns while reading this ending. Fitting.