Le chapter 7 (that totally took me a long time, so much for finishing this story quickly .) Well, I suppose if I rush, I'm going to find things I don't like about it, like the first time ^^; Anyway, I hope you likes it. I try to do my best, especially now that I've got all this work D; Darn you college professors and your excessive amounts of work *shakes fist* All this work is also keeping me from playing videogames, although I did beat KH pt 1 again on Friday heehee I couldn't help myself :}
[Sadly I don't own KH, but I do own my characters and this story :D]
"You said his name"
"I did? Um, I don't know why though, sorry."
"No, I know...I have to go"
"Wha - Zexion?" she said, reaching out to touch his arm. Demyx watched in a kind of confusion as the two looked one another in the eyes, their gaze holding for a minute before he turned away from her.
"We'll speak later" he replied, as he disappeared through portal. Poxa looked down at the floor rubbing her head, eyebrows furrowed "I don't get it. Why the heck would I say his name?"
"Eh - hem" Poxa looked up suddenly, Demyx giving her a small wave "Hi."
"Oh, hi Dex" she replied with smile "What's up?"
"Well, uh I don't know how to really say this. Maybe I should show you, no I should tell you straight out. Or blurt it out, maybe?" he rambled on, looking about. Poxa smiled, putting her hand on his shoulder
"Woah, why don't you just start at the beginning?" she suggested, Demyx nodding. He told her all about what he had been doing and how he found the papers in Vexen's office. That Roxas could be in danger or already in that situation. He mentioned a mission he had to retrieve a boy named Sora, but he hadn't done a very good job and ended up running away; this last part being said with a sheepish grin and slight chuckle from the blonde. Poxa seemed to be in a daze, her eyes clouded in a non-focus and her head swimming with thoughts. When she finally did look back to Demyx she had seriousness in her eyes
"Dex, I should tell you, that I um...already knew about this"
"What? Really? But, then why didn't you say anything?" he asked, a bit alarmingly.
"I wasn't sure how you'd react; or any of you for that matter. I didn't want you all in a panic or something, I don't know." He looked down with a pout "Listen, we mustn't tell the gang about this, not yet anyway" she added before he could protest.
"Have you seen Roxas?" he asked instead.
"A little while ago yes, but that was before Sora showed up, I didn't want to think the worst but..." Demyx gave her a small smile
"Guess we have to go find out then huh?" Poxa nodded with a smile as well.
"Then let's go!" he yelled, grabbing onto her wrist and running out of the library. He dragged her all the way down the stairs and to their friends, her hair looking as if it went through a tornado by the time they had stopped. "Hey guys!" Demyx yelled, getting their attention. Riku came up beside Poxa
"What happened to you?" he asked with amusement. She just pointed to Demyx, making Riku laugh.
"Pox and I have a mission today so we'll see you later!" he yelled, once again grabbing onto Poxa, but this time sprinting through a portal before she could let out a word.
Zexion's footsteps echoed across the clean, sparkly walls; his pace fast and steady as he approached Xemnas.
"You have good things to report 6?" Xemnas asked.
"Yes Superior. Emotions appear to indeed be developing among our members. They are still subtle and hardly noticeable, but there nonetheless."
"Yes, the boy is contributing more than I thought. He may suspect, but he is no concern to me yet; he'll come to us eventually. Very well, you are dismissed."
"Thank you Superior" Zexion replied, bowing respectfully and turning to walk off. He saw Vexen portal out of the corner of his eye; a strange look on his face as he scurried hurriedly towards Xemnas. Zexion continued however, not particularly interested at the moment. Once in his room, he pulled out the member profiles and began the entries for the day; getting in all the observed details and behavioral changes. When he had finished he went back, stopping on Nyoxia's; her member photo showing a large, bright smile upon her face. This brought a smile to his own face as he flipped over to Elessari's who had a confident smirk on her face. He remembered how many ridiculous poses she had done before getting one for the files. Finally, he went to Poxa's who held a bored yet intense look and suddenly he laughed. This caused him to freeze for a moment; how long had it been since he'd laughed? Had he ever laughed here at the Organization? He never really had the need to so he was unsure if he knew how, but the foreign sound that escaped his lips again confirmed it. He supposed that he had the strange trio to thank for it then; there were many things that they had brought along that hadn't gone unnoticed by the schemer. He had known from the moment they entered the castle that there was something peculiar about the girls and he was expected to find out why. The problem seemed to be that even though they were supposed to be like any other project Zexion was given, they weren't; somehow in all of this he found himself attached to them. Yes, the flaw in this simple plan; could his feelings be developing for them as well. It was true that he hadn't exactly made friends with the other organization members, but the girls treated him as such. Nyoxia always reminding him to eat when he spent long hours on assignments and poking her head in for support; Elessari wanting to train with him and even asking for some new moves from him and Poxa, who actually enjoyed doing work, would help him on his work load at times. Plus, they could always spend time talking about research and what she had found on her own time. Even Demyx and Riku would stop by and try to persuade him to leave his room, whereas from now they were still unsuccessful in doing, but he was sure they would continue to try. Zexion lay back, his hands behind his head as he stared up at the ceiling. He had much to think about.
"Since when is Demyx eager to go on a mission? He's usually dragging his feet about it" Elessari said.
"Unless we don't tell him it's a mission" Nyoxia chuckled.
"Who knows? Demyx changes all of the time" Riku added with a shrug.
"Atleast Pox is with him, so he can't get into too much trouble." Axel scoffed, not bothering to turn away from the television.
"I wonder where they went..." Nyoxia voiced
"If Poxa's involved, we'll probably never know" Riku replied, flipping the page of his book.
Axel shifted, he was beginning to get a bit curious himself; they did leave in a hurry he thought. Elessari stood up, her hand placed upon her chin in thought.
"What's she doing?" Riku whispered to Nox who shrugged in response. Just as Riku approached Elessari, she yelled out an 'aha!' causing Nyoxia to jump.
"Why are you yelling?" Axel asked angrily, the screen showing a game over.
"We're going to get some work done today" Elessari said, rubbing her hands together.
"Work? What kind of work? I'm tired" Nyoxia whined
"The investigating kind."
"Count me out" Axel voiced.
"Oh no you don't. You can't get away with that like mother can and that's only because I can't always oppose her."
"I thought you weren't supposed to call her that" Riku said.
Elessari looked around with shifty eyes "I don't know what you're talking about, I said nothing. Anyway, Nox and I are going to grab a few things and then we can go. So that means you too Ax!" she yelled as they ran up the stairs, Nyoxia being dragged of course.
Axel shut off the game "I don't even know why I bother with you all sometimes"
"That would be because we're your friends. Unless you'd prefer old patchy and the gang, by all means go" Riku said with a smirk.
"Don't flatter yourself."
"I don't need to bro" he grinned. Axel gave him a smug look.
"Alrighty, let's go" Elessari announced coming in a minute later. Riku offered his arm to her, that she took with a smile and entered the portal together. Nyoxia went in after and although reluctantly, Axel did as well. What was Elessari going to get them into today?
"That was a bust" Poxa said, walking down the Tram Common beside Demyx.
"They had no idea who we were talking about. How can that be?" Demyx asked
"I'm guessing Roxas didn't really exist, which makes sense; he was a nobody" she replied quietly, taking a seat on one of the stone walls. The streets were unnaturally empty today.
Demyx gave her a strange look "We technically don't exist remember?" she answered and he nodded in understanding. He slumped down beside her, looking up at the cloudless sky
"That makes sense. A bit too much; you're starting to sound like Zexion" Demyx grinned.
She couldn't help but smile "I guess I am." They sat in silence for a while, the stillness a strange comfort for them both as their thoughts deepened.
"Hey Pox?"
"Hmm?"
"What's going to happen, to you know, us? Are we going to disappear too?" he asked in a hushed tone.
She smiled, squeezing his arm "What are you talking about silly? Nothing's going to happen, unless you get yourself destroyed or something by accident" she laughed, making him smile.
"Besides, I don't know about you, but I don't plan on going back. I like being my own side or half whatever, maybe I'll meet her. Who knows?"
"But don't you want a heart? Vexen said the surest way to get one was to join or somebody or something like that"
Poxa scoffed "Vexen can suck an egg. He's way too caught up in his experimental crap. I say if we want a heart and feelings, then we'll get them. Simple as that." Demyx laughed
"Alright, let's go find Sora then" Poxa announced, jumping from her seat.
Demyx thought for a moment "Sora?...Hey, wait up" he said, realizing she was already opening up a portal.
"She's being strangely quiet. Too quiet" Axel said to Riku and Nyoxia as they watched Elessari stare off into space, apparently lost in thought.
"It's suspicious is what it is. This is around the time I get hurt for some reason" Nyoxia replied with shifty eyes.
Riku shook his head with a laugh "How are you two still friends?"
"Don't think I haven't pondered that theory. There's a plethora of ways that girl has caused me pain; I think she secretly enjoys it." This time Axel laughed, recieving a look from the two
"What? I thought it was funny" he said, folding his arms over his chest.
"I see you're using big words Nox; good for you" Els said, patting her shoulder.
"Stop touching me."
Elessari continued, completely ignoring her "I have decided that we should go watch the games at the Coliseum. Oo, better yet! Let's join the tournament!" Axel smirked, fighting and beating things up for a prize didn't sound like a bad idea.
"Join? Oh no, not me" Nyoxia said, hiding behind Axel who gave her a strange look.
"Oh come on. We never do things like this, you act like you're a bad fighter!"
"Never do these things? You put me in danger all of the time and that's fighting little heartless. Who knows what we're up against in the games?" she replied, this time grabbing onto Axel as Elessari attempted to pull on her. Axel, trying desperately himself to pry Nyoxia off of his arm.
"Too late! We're going" Els yelled, pulling on the girl who held on with a death grip.
"Hey, watch it. Get off" he complained. After their failed attempt, Elessari took a step back and opened up a portal beneath her unsuspecting victims; Axel and Nyoxia fell through with a yell, giving Els a nice laugh.
"You're horrible" Riku said. She shrugged, a large grin on her face before jumping into it herself.
"So he's joined the games? This kid sure does like to fight" Poxa said, peering down at Sora with his companions in the stadium. They had somehow managed to track him down to the Olympus Coliseum where they were about to start another tournament. Poxa continued to scan the arena; a couple of other characters apparently competing as well. Her eyes landed on a spiky haired blonde in navy blue, with a very long red scarf/cape thing that covered half of his face. He also held an enormous sword whose blade was covered in bandages; he looks like he'd put up a good fight. I wonder if Sora knows what he's getting himself into. The guy turned in her direction just then, his eyes fixated on her spot. He doesn't see me does he? Usually no one does - he got up then and sprinted across the arena towards her. Oh crap, he does! she thought, scrambling to her feet. She turned to tell Demyx to run, but found him gone. Nice -_-' Just as she turned to run in the other direction, she heard a voice yell out 'hey!' and the next thing she knew she was tumbling over the grassy slope. When she'd stopped, her assailant was hovering over her; she looked up at his intense crystal - like blue eyes. His scarf had slid down, revealing the rest of his face which showed a very good looking guy; a fact that was making her a bit uneasy.
"Who are you?" he finally asked.
"I think I should be asking that. You did tackle me to the ground." He gave her a look she couldn't read.
"You were watching everyone. I came to confront you and you tried to run, I had no choice" he said with narrowed eyes.
"It's not every day a madman comes charging at me, so I suppose I had no choice either" she replied smugly.
This time he gave her a knowing smirk "I'm Cloud."
"Poxa" she answered, looking around for Demyx who was still m.i.a.
A portal emerged a few yards away, revealing Elessari and the others; Axel and Nyoxia holding scowls on their faces.
"See? We're just in time, the games haven't started yet" she said with a smile.
"How do you suppose we join? Just portal in?" Axel asked monotonously.
"We're supposed to officially sign up" Nyoxia voiced
"Please, as if we need permission" Elessari scoffed.
"Hey, isn't that Poxa?" Riku asked. The others turned to look, the sight odd to their eyes as they confirmed it. Riku picked up speed as he charged in her direction. Axel was there in an instant, pulling the guy up from his collar, who jumped back and swung out his sword, landing on his feet effortlessly. Riku pulled out his own weapon and stood in his path. Poxa looked up at Axel who had a strange look in his eyes
"Are you okay?" he asked. She nodded slowly as he reached down and picked her up bridal style, much to her shock, but before she could protest everyone began yelling.
"What did you think you were doing?" Axel yelled, eyes on Cloud.
He smirked "I was merely getting acquainted"
"Didn't really look like it. Who are you and what do you want?" Riku asked.
"I'm not sure that's your business."
"Forget who he is! Beat him up!" Axel replied. They all began to argue again, Poxa trying to get out of Axel's hold until Elessari stepped up and yelled "HEY!"
They all turned to her. She looked to Poxa "How dare you not tell us you had a boyfriend?"
"WHAT?!" Poxa and Axel roared together.
"Alright, clearly I'm wasting my time. I'm out of here" Cloud announced, turning on his heel and heading back to the stadium. Riku was about to follow, but Nyoxia held him back telling him it wasn't worth it.
"How long were you going to keep your good looking boyfriend from us mother?" Els asked again.
"You're joking right?" Poxa replied with a death glare. Elessari chuckled, sliding behind Riku. Axel looked down at Poxa with wide eyes, as if seeing her for the first time and then dropped her from his arms with a plop.
"You son of a jackal!" she screamed, lunging for his turned back but was intercepted by Riku.
"I think you've had quite the day Pox" he said as she struggled to reach Axel's neck.
"This was a waste of time. The game has started. I'll be over there if you need me" Axel said dryly as he went to take a seat. Riku finally let go of Poxa when she had calmed down and the red head was a good distance away.
"Care to tell us what that was about?" Riku asked
"Not really. It was pretty much just a uh, I don't really know what to call it. Mind telling me what his problem is?" she asked pointing to Axel "If he doesn't like me he should just say so" she added, arms folded with a huff.
"I don't think that's it. I'm sure he cares about you just like he does us. He's really just a big softy" Demyx whispered with a grin.
"I doubt that. Hey, where have you been?" Poxa asked.
"Oh, uh I thought I saw something strange so I went to investigate and then I got lost and some other stuff" Demyx chuckled.
"That figures" Elessari replied making the others laugh.
Poxa looked over to see Axel staring out, not even paying attention to the fights below. She thought of going to ask what was wrong until she remembered what he had done and she charged towards him, tackling him to the ground and receiving angry shouts.
The others watched with indifference "I'm sure they'll work out their problems" Nyoxia stated. The others nodded in agreement and went to take seats far away from the duel.
Meanwhile, at the castle...
Xemnas sat at the head of the room, shuffling around papers as the members appeared in their seats. After a few minutes he began "Now members, as you may already know, it is time once again to do... the errands." A loud groan went across the room, some members murmuring to themselves while others hung their heads low.
"I have decided that we shall go together this time, seeing as how sending you separately seems to take far too long. Does anyone have any suggestions as to where we can go?" Xemnas asked.
Lexaeus slowly raised his hand.
"Yes V?"
"Uh, we could go to this new Walmart that opened up. I got my oreos from there" he suggested. The others looked at him "What? I like oreos."
"What is this Walmart you speak of?"
"According to advertisements and research, they say you can get just about anything from this superstore" Vexen replied.
"It is settled then, we shall go there. VII, ready the shopping list and the munny. We leave in five minutes everyone. Meeting adjourned" Xemnas announced, portaling out of the room, others doing the same.
Zexion hung back for a moment, contemplating on whether or not he could get himself out of this. Doing anything in outside worlds with The Organization was not always a smooth outing, but he supposed there was nothing he could really do. Finally, he went to his room and gathered whatever he may need; it was going to be a long day.
The games had ended with Sora as the victor, putting him just two cups away from being the ultimate champion.
"Why couldn't he just be on our side? It would make our lives a whole lot easier" Demyx said as he stretched his arms with a yawn.
"No kidding, he'd be an awesome sparring partner. Hmm..." Elessari added.
"Els, what are you doing?" Nyoxia asked her, but she didn't seem to be paying attention because she sprung up from her seat and dashed down the steps towards the arena yelling "HEY SORA" at the top of her lungs.
"Wahh! Els, get back here! Mother! Help!" Nyoxia yelled running after her friend. Poxa, unfortunately wasn't paying attention either because she was still preoccupied with number VIII. Although, at some point it had become a battle to the death, the both of them neck to neck. Demyx and Riku reacted instead, chasing Elessari as well.
Poxa turned to them, seeing Els closing in to the arena with the others trailing behind her "Hey, where are you going?" she yelled just as Axel's flaming chakram whizzed by her ear, dangerously close to her hair.
She whipped her head around "What was that, you cheater?!" she snarled.
He smirked "Never take your eyes off an opponent." She stampeded towards him, jumping high into the air, weapon glistening in the sun as she aimed for his head.
"XI and XII can get the items on this list, IV and V go get these things, X go that way. Where has VI gone? Never mind, Xigbar can push the cart. Saix and Xaldin follow" Xemnas announced in a loud, booming voice. People looked at them strangely as well as angrily as they passed, one mother grabbing onto her children securely.
Lexaeus walked down one of the aisles mumbling something about getting more cookies with his dangerously, ground shaking steps and Vexen slowly behind doing calculations. Xemnas stopped abruptly in the shampoo section; walking over to the suave professionals and grabbing a bottle. "What? So cheap? What is the meaning of this? A trick?" he asked demandingly. He went to grab an employee by his collar and dragged him over.
"Sir, put me down. What are you doing?"
"Silence. What is this?" he asked.
"Uh, that's the price. Can you let go...?" the guy answered. Xemnas pushed him with ease, sending the poor guy spiraling into a mountain of toilet paper, which flew everywhere, taking down people and children.
"Saix, take 20 bottles" he instructed. "Oh, we need toilet paper as well, take care of that Xaldin." III obeyed, casually stepping over fallen pedestrians and grabbing as many rolls as he could carry and throwing them into a cart, which he snatched from an old lady. He turned to follow the others; people could be seen running away and scattering like cockroaches from their path.
Zexion leisurely strolled down the stationary aisles, grabbing a book every now and then and putting it in his cart. It seemed he could never have enough of them; he filled them so fast he wasn't quite sure where they all ended up. He was lucky enough to drift from the others before anything happened, which he knew all too well that something would because they weren't exactly too familiar with the word incognito. He often wondered why he still hung around. It would be simple to just leave, no? Perhaps the thought of having a heart really was important to him and stirred something; did he want a heart? He seemed to be managing well without one, but perhaps there was something more to it; clearly he wouldn't know what. He had observed the higher spirits and characteristics of somebodies; long hours toiling over the individuality they seemed to possess where as he, like other nobodies, came up a bit dull. They all had different personalities though, which was very clear, so that counted for something right? He looked off into the distance, his mind lost in his thoughts.
Well that's the end of that one. Good? Bad? The good news is, I've started chapter 8, the bad news is that I'm stuck again. Oy. I'll try to use my free time to write though and peel myself away from Harry Potter heehee. Oh and I'm not sure if you noticed that some chapters may have titles and others won't, that's just, uh because I can't think of anything, so...yeah