Chapter 10

Enjoy!~

Chapter 10: Exceptions

You are the only exception.
And I'm on my way to believing.
Oh, and I'm on my way to believing.

-Paramore

Richard emerged from the portal, an almost disappointed look on his face. Emi stared at him for a second, utterly confused. She had never seen him look anything but arrogant and crazy, and really she wondered what could have possibly happened to make him be this different. Then Emi noticed what was really different about him, Shiloh wasn't trailing behind his heels in his constant guarding.

"Where's my dog?" Emi asked scared, hoping nothing terrible had happened. If Shiloh had gotten hurt, then Emi would have felt something right?

"That strange little doggie? It was so different from its normal self. Out of nowhere it went running off," he said unceremoniously, as if he almost expected it.

"Didn't he do that when you went looking for me?" Emi turned to Zexion asked.

"Yes he did. I didn't hear a word from him until we und you," Zexion answered.

"Do you think he found Namine then?"

"Probably. Shiloh is more capable than he appears."

As they talked, Richard had disappeared from the room, probably going to his own room. Namine didn't want to put any of her clan members up to guard him, she was just too worried about what he was capable of. Her options were the familiars that were still here. Kairi's hamster was too small, and didn't Xion have a cat or something? Emi couldn't remember. Namine's pup had grown into a full grown dog by now, but it refused to leave Riku's side. It was sad and cute at the same time. The only option that was left was Saix's timber wolf, and it was known to get violent sometimes. Also Emi had no idea if Saix would let his wolf guard Richard. Emi could always order it since her orders always had to be followed, but she hated doing that to people. After thinking for a while, Emi she deiced that it couldn't hurt to try. She quickly made her way to Saix's room with Xemnas.

"Saix? Can we talk for a second?" she asked, knocking on the door lightly. There were muffled noises then the door swung open.

"Yes?"

"So Shiloh ran off, can we use your familiar to guard Richard for a while?" Emi didn't think there was going to be any point in beating around the bush at this point.

"You'll have to convince him," Saix said as he stepped aside, letting Emi enter his room. His wolf was lying on its own bed in the middle of the room. Cautiously Emi went forward and placed her hand on its cautious head.

Can you hear me? Emi thought gently. She had mastered telepathy a while ago, but the physical contact always helped her no matter how much she improved.

Who are you human? Saix wolf thought back defensively.

What's your name?

Master calls me Storm.

Hello Storm, I'm Emi. I need your help to keep your master safe and everyone else safe. Would you be willing to help me? They saw each other in their meld of minds, neither one more powerful than the other.

How can I help? He didn't seem willing just yet, but he wasn't denying Emi just yet.

There is someone here who isn't good. You would just guard him at all times. If he does anything suspicious just come and get me. You could also stop him from hurting others and doing anything bad. Can you help me? Silence seemed to be her answer. Emi almost turned away.

And this will keep Master and his Mate safe?

Yes, you will be keeping everyone safe.

Okay, I will help you human. In their minds two forms of them materialized, so that they could see each other.

Just take my hand, and whenever something at all happens, you can contact me. Just shout as loud as you can in your thoughts, and I will hear you.

Slowly Storm reached out and let his nose brush Emi's hand. They both felt an electric bolt, but otherwise nothing happened. Then they broke apart, once again alone in their own minds.

"How did it go?" Saix asked, observing the two.

"It went very well. He said he would help, since it kept you safe," Emi responded, standing up straight and brushing off imaginary dirt off of her clothes.

"Come on Storm, I'll show you your charge," Emi said before walking out of the room with Storm on her heels.

Emi opened a portal, for once being too lazy to walk all the way to Richard's room. She walked in without announcement, opening the door with a large bang. Richard was sitting in his bed, staring into space.

"I found you a new guard, this is Storm. And trust me, he will not leave your side. Have fun you two!" Emi shouted before walking out and leaving the pair to get to know each other.

Emi walked back to her room, not really paying attention to anything around her. When she reached her room she collapsed on the bed, totally ignoring Zexion who was reading his Lexicon. He looked up when she entered but let her collapse on the bed until he said anything.

"What's wrong?" He asked, still reading.

"I'm not sure, I feel like we're so close to finding her. Yet it's like we're missing something really obvious though. I'm not sure what," Emi said with a mumble, not even looking up. Zexion put his book away and laid next to her, putting his arms around her waist and pulling Emi against his chest. Emi buried her face into his neck, inhaling his scent.

"I'm certain that everything is going to turn out okay in the end," he mumbled into her hair.

"I hope so, I really do."

Review please! I really want to know what you guys are thinking about the story so far.