Edited-11/13/10

-Chapter 10-

Lost and found, or perhaps finding?

"That was a rather bastardized thing for you to do," Luxord hissed angrily. "To announce something so important to the whole organization, yet keep it from me all this time?"

Zexion chuckled. He turned and faced the older nobody, his arms crossed and his fickle smile gleaming at Luxord.

"Zexion…"

The younger nobody shook his head, and looked away once more.

"And what would you knowing about it do," he questioned, continuing to walk and keep eye contact away from his subordinate. "I doubt you would have been able to do a thing about it."

"I mean to say that something like this should be discussed before let out,'" Luxord said. He frowned at Zexion. "I would have at least suggested a better means of dealing with the pregnancy."

"I bet you would," Zexion commented.

He felt a hand grab on to his should and roughly pull him around. Zexion stared right into icy blue eyes, glaring furiously at him.

"And what exactly do you mean by that," Luxord asked in a threatening tone.

Zexion stared nervously for a few seconds before coming up with a rather confident smirk.

"I'm not stupid," he said.

Luxord's grip remained firm as ever, his facial expression not changing the slightest.

"You left me months ago," Zexion said. "The only reason you're here right now is because of what's happened." He yanked himself away from the older nobody and took a step away from him. "You're here because you want to get rid of the problem, that's all."

Luxord's dark expression eased a bit. He smirked at Zexion, laughing just bit,

"Such a childish notion," he said. "To assume I want them removed simply because they may get in the way of my social life? Were you not the one who told everyone not to question who fathered the children?" He sighed. "Nobody knows they are mine, so, in all honesty, that would be the least of my worries."

"But you do not deny that ridding of them would be the better choice," Zexion stated.

"You said it yourself," Luxord said. He approached the smaller nobody. "You don't believe they'll live much longer, so why prolong it? It would be easier for the both of us than to let them suffer any longer…"

Zexion frowned and looked away.

"You don't want to hear it, but it's true," Luxord said. "If they're truly are dying, as you said, then it would be better to rid of the problem now…."

"…"

"Zexion?"

Zexion shook his head. "Is that the only reason you approached me, to tell me this," he asked. He scowled. "You really could care less about me…"

Luxord crossed his arms. "Who was the one who said to me that this was never supposed to get serious?"

Zexion feigned a laugh, "is that what this is about?"

"I could care less about what the two of us did," Luxord said. "It's all behind me now…"

"…I see…"

Zexion began to walk off, doing whatever he could fasten his pace without causing too much attention. But he only made it so far before Luxord hurried and caught up with him.

"You said it yourself," Luxord said, "I was never meant to be anything important…you made the mistake of forgetting your own rule…"

"…"

"But I remembered," Luxord said. "And I did whatever I could to retain my dignity, so I left. It was your own fault that you decided to change your mind while I decided to leave this game of yours…"

"Game," Zexion questioned.

"Congratulations," Luxord said, "you win."

Zexion raised his hand up, almost deciding to hit the other across the face. But he stopped at the last minute, his better judgment getting a hold of him. He stared right into Luxord's surprised face, the blue eyes locked with the gloved hand that was almost at his face. Zexion removed his hand, lowering it before giving a small sigh. He turned around and walked off, his pace rather slow and dragged.

What was he supposed to say to Luxord?

It truly was his own fault.

And Luxord wanted them gone too, just like he did. And, for some unknown reason, it bothered him. He was truly hoping Luxord had returned to say that he was sorry, that he would be willing to raise the children with him.

But realistically, he chose the more reasonable choice. Rid of them. Not because he was a nobody and could not love them, but because it was easier for Zexion. It wasn't even out of love for him; Luxord was made the choice because it was simply practical…

That was all.

Luxord stood silently in the hallway, his eyes locked on to Zexion. He groaned miserably, shaking his head disapprovingly. Zexion didn't seem to want to listen to him. True, he figured as much, but he disliked that the younger nobody wasn't even willing to listen to practical matter. His head was far too deep within his own dreams. Zexion seemed to forget he was the one who had told Luxord not to ever fall in love with him, because such a thing was silly and impossible. Luxord had listened, why hadn't Zexion?

Well, it didn't seem to matter anymore. Luxord wanted nothing to do with the nobody, having grown tired of mind games and night where the two pretended they didn't have any feelings for each other, when it was so obvious that they did.

When did Luxord grow found of Zexion? He couldn't remember. But he did remember when that found feeling died, when patience disappeared and annoyance appeared. He had waited, figuring Zexion would return the feelings sooner or later. After all, he was more than willing to give Zexion actual time and effort to produce something close to love. Anything. But nothing happened.

And, of course, Zexion only showed feelings for Luxord after he tired of the nobody.

Irony.

Luxord lifted his hand up, his eyes locked on to his target. It shouldn't be too hard to freeze a body, to stop it long enough for more then just time to cease in existence.

It was wrong…probably inhumane to kill something this way. But it would be easier in the long run, should their lives end now…when they couldn't feel and acknowledge what was going on around them. It would be better this way.

Luxord closed his eyes, focusing his powers and released the spell.

Stop.

"Hey Marluxia," Xigbar said with a chuckle. "You look lovely as ever…"

Marluxia rolled his eyes, trying his best to ignore the other nobody. But it was true, he was pretty gosh darn exhausted. He gave a small yawn, trying his best to keep awake. The past month had been a tiring one, with him trying to catch up with his vitamin intake, all while taking care of a baby.

"Don't be a smartass, Number II," Xaldin said as he walked into the white kitchen. He passed by Marluxia and made a small glance to the smaller being in his arms before making his way to the fridge. "Your…friend seems to be doing well…"

Marluxia smiled.

"Thanks," he said, looking down at Zilx.

"Nice to see the two of you are getting along," Xaldin muttered as he closed the fridge door, a couple of eggs at hand. "Though, I can only assume the exhaustion must be rather…what would be the right word?"

"Exhausting," Marluxia asked.

"No, that would be repetitive," Xaldin said.

"A pain in the ass," Xigbar laughed. "Seriously, when the hell is Zexion gonna do his job and raise the brat?" He grabbed a couple bags of chips and created a portal for him to walk through. "Even I find this degrading to your personality…"

"He's not that bad," Marluxia said, looking down at the sleeping child. "I mean, Lexaeus and Vexen help out with raising him. And he's pretty mellow right now, only being a month old and all."

"There's nothing wrong admitting that raising a mute child is hard, Number XI," Xaldin said while pulling out a pan. "If the bags under your eyes don't say it…"

"I'm managing," Marluxia said. He lifted the child up a bit, making sure Zilx wouldn't slip, and walked over to the cabinet. "He's quiet, and it is pretty hard knowing whether he needs help or attention, but it's manageable for now." He frowned. "I can't wait for him to get older though; it'll be easier once he learns how to communicate his own way."

"If you like objects being thrown at you," Xigbar said before walking into the dark portal and disappearing from the other's sight.

Marluxia groaned. He looked over to Xaldin.

"A little help," he asked.

Xaldin nodded his head and walked over to Marluxia. He carefully scooped the child in his arms, letting Marluxia grab the necessaries that he needed to make the child his breakfast. Zilx was on a formula diet, being too young to eat any solids, and had to be fed often too. And it was hard figuring out when exactly he was hungry, being that he never made a sound. Marluxia found himself frustrated over highly common situations where the little infant became finicky because he wasn't hungry, or found the child silently crying because he was hungry and had yet to be fed.

"Thanks," Marluxia muttered. He grabbed the formula and grabbed the on of the small bottles that had been placed on top of the counter.

Xaldin looked down at the small child in his arms. "And Luxord's shown no sign of progress whatsoever?"

"None," Marluxia said, "and Vexen has yet to determine the reason behind me walking up in the first place…"

"Well, I guess there is a bright side to this," Xaldin said, "you being awake is always a good thing…you're about six months now, right?"

Marluxia nodded his head. "Yeah," he said. He mixed the formula together and placed the bottle in the white microwave.

"Guess Zilx could be called for practice," Xaldin muttered. "Not to say that's all he is, though you could learn a lot from him…" He felt Zilx move around in his arms, signifying the boy was slowly waking up. "Speaking of which; does anybody know what Zexion's opinion about this is?"

Marluxia shook his head. "Everybody that has spoken with him doesn't get much of an answer. He just says he really doesn't care about what happens to Zilx…"

"A vague fate," Xaldin said. "With no one to insure a permanent caring structure for him…his outcome doesn't look very good."

Marluxia frowned. It was true. Even with the help from him and Vexen, Xemnas didn't want the child in the castle. And with no one willing to provide him the love he needed, it didn't seem like Zilx would be here long. He knew in a few months, if Luxord didn't wake up, there would be enough consequences. And it would only be a matter of time before Zexion said something sooner or later…

"Number III, Number XI," a stoic voice said suddenly.

Both nobodies turned around and stared at Saix. The berserker nobody walked into the kitchen, his yellow eyes leering at the two, more on Xaldin. He then focused his attention to only Marluxia, his eyes glancing down at the nobody's current form.

"There will be missions today," he stated suddenly, his eyes no longer focusing on the two nobodies. "I will have to ask that you be ready soon-considering the importance of each of them."

Saix gave another glance to Marluxia. "Of course, Number XI; you haven't to worry a thing, considering the state you're in. You can lie around as you are right now…"

Marluxia didn't dare say a thing. The fact that Xemnas was even letting him on prenatal rest was a miracle as it was. But of course, even with Xemnas being at fault for everything that had happened he kept his act on, saying that if Marluxia hadn't done a thing to begin with that everything would be better. Marluxia go this rest, and he didn't have to deal with Xemnas consistently bickering at him, but he still had to deal with his second in command.

"Weekly missions are being reinstated," Xaldin asked.

"Even without Number XIII, we still need to keep the numbers of heartless as bay," Saix said. "Although we cannot guarantee hearts for the completion of our ultimate goal, at least we can assure that we will be more powerful than they…"

"I suppose so," Xaldin said.

"It is beneficial," Saix said, "and since the number if heartless have been rising the past month, particularly in this world and the worlds closest to us."

"They have," Marluxia asked curiously.

"Yes," Saix said, "but I doubt this really concerns you, considering you are in no shape to defend this castle."

Marluxia glared at Saix, not feeling threatened by this rather risky act. Actually, this was rather important to him. Heartless hunted after hearts. After what had happened on his last mission, the last thing he wanted was do deal with a large amount of heartless. And if numbers were arising then he couldn't help but be a little worried.

"Marluxia," Xaldin said suddenly. "The milk seems to be finished…"

Marluxia turned to check the microwave. He pulled out the bottle and checked the temperature of the liquid, making sure it wouldn't be too warm for Zilx and his sensitive tongue. He paid no attention to Saix, who was doing everything within his power to annoy Marluxia right now.

"Let me have Zilx," Marluxia asked, looking over to Xaldin. He could see the infant was awake now, tiny hazel eyes blinking and darting around. And he could tell the child was upset over something too.

Xaldin handed the child over, the little boy struggling just a bit. Marluxia was sure Saix was saying something under his breath, but kept his attention to the child, making sure he was well fed.

In three months, give or take-most likely take- a few weeks he would have to deal with two more. Marluxia really couldn't help but wonder if he could deal with two more babies. Twins seemed like so much to begin with, and right now, considering how tired he got, how much his back hurt, and everything else that was now getting to him as he hit the final months…well, the thought of twins was almost overbearing. How on earth was he supposed to handle three babies? He was already tired taking care of Zilx alone. In three months Zilx would be older, but he would still be quite dependent on an adult figure to care for him. Even with Vexen and Lexaeus' help he knew it would be hard.

Marluxia sighed; looking down to see how far along Zilx was with his meal.

He would have to think of something sooner or later…

"You ever wonder if there is something more to this world than what appears," Demyx muttered as he looked about the huge flowery forest.

"Like what," Axel asked. "I mean, it is Wonderland…it's supposed to be weird on purpose." He looked around and lifted a few gigantic leaves, checking every nook and cranny of the forest for what had to be the umpteenth time. He refused to believe his friend was lost forever. As far as he was concerned the tombstone was blue, which meant he was still out there…he just needed to be found.

"Well, with the way the mean Queen acts, along with the subtle yet obvious referencing to drugs, you'd think this world revolves around corrupt politics or something," Demyx said with a shrug. He made a small smile. "I mean, it sounds plausible, doesn't it?"

Axel turned and gave Demyx a strange look.

"Where do you come up with these strange ideas," he asked. "Seriously, that has to be the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard…."

"It was just a thought," Demyx said.

"Well, less thinking and more looking," Axel said. He moved aside a few flowers and continued on into the forest, Demyx following quick pursuit. He could recognize the area from before when he had done another search not too long ago. Axel sighed and stood where he was, trying to think of another route that he had not taken. Roxas had to be here somewhere.

"Axel?"

"What," Axel asked. His voice held obvious frustration, and Demyx backed away a bit. Axel frowned, seeing that his reaction had caused Demyx to worry more than he should and relaxed himself so that the other would feel less strained around him. "Sorry," he said, "I'm just so…I really miss Roxas…and with everything that's been going on, it just makes me so…I don't know…"

"It's ok," Demyx said in a very understanding tone, "I understand that you're really upset." Demyx smiled. "He's you're best friend, and you really want to find him."

Axel nodded his head.

But then Demyx took a deep breath and frowned, "Axel…you do know it's been more than a month?"

Axel frowned, looking away from Demyx as he did.

"With Sora out there…it seems likely that he's gone back to where he once came from," Demyx said. "We've checked this world over and over…and have yet to find him, not even proof that he's even around."

"Yeah…well…I'm not giving up," Axel said.

Demyx sighed. "Well, maybe you ought to think what's better for not just Roxas, but for you and everyone else…."

"What's that supposed to mean," Axel asked defensively.

"…I think you need to learn when the right time to continue something is, and when is the right time for you to sit down and realize that what you're doing now is just not helping," Demyx said.

"Pretty unlike you to say such a thing," Axel said. He feigned a weak smile. "You almost sound like…"

"Somebody has to be the one to tell you when you're fighting a losing battle," Demyx muttered. "I know it's not to your favoring, but perhaps we should just go back to the castle."

Axel sighed.

He had gone through a lot. He had worried over whether Marluxia would wake up or not. He had worried about Luxord and whether or not he would get through this fiasco without his clever words of wisdom. But the one thing he worried over the most, the one thing that bothered him through and through was whether he would see Roxas ever again. With only Marluxia's word, he knew that Roxas had fought to the bitter end. He had fought a never ending troop of shadows, and that his fate was probably slow and gruesome. And when he thought of this, Axel wanted nothing more than to find Roxas and prove this wrong.

He had searched the world over and over again. There was nothing for him. How much longer would he go on searching till he gave up for good?

Luxord had told him that there would be a way out of problems, though you had to try to find them. The only thing keeping him from spazing in front of Marluxia was the hope his recessive genes would not show, should one of the children be his. The same went for this situation. He wanted to think that searching everyday for Roxas would bring some sort of hope, and that he would eventually find the boy.

But things were really looking dim. And right now, even he was beginning to doubt that he would find Roxas…

"Axel…"

"Yeah, yeah," Axel muttered.

"No, Axel…"

"I get it Demyx," Axel said, "we're not going to find Roxas…"

"No," Demyx said, grabbing hold of Axel and spinning him around. "Look!"

Axel glanced at Demyx, giving him a weird look before looking over to where Demyx seemed so eager to show him.

His eyes widened.

Standing not too far from the two, was a single lone Samurai nobody.

"…but," Axel said. He cracked a small smile. "…he's here…"

Less errors on story. Puncuation fixed.