Chapter Summary: Demyx and Vexen are BFFs (not), Axel is an asshole, Xemnas learns a lesson, and Xigbar goes on a "date"

The Master's Anger

Demyx limped down the corridor, one hand hovering over his side, unsure whether touching the bruised ribs in support would make the pain worse or not. His other hand ran along the corridor to keep him steady and occasionally to readjust the small bag he had strapped over his shoulder.

He usually managed to avoid Xaldin, but sometimes he couldn't, and the bruises he was feeling now was from one of those encounters. The dark haired man had threatened him sexually only a few times, but Demyx always managed to run away before he succeeded. He supposed he was lucky that Xaldin hadn't yet considered beating him up, then sexually assaulting him.

It was… frustrating. Xaldin was one of the strongest, if not the strongest member of the Organization outside Xemnas, so who could he ask to protect him? Besides, Demyx was the odd man out. All the others had ties and connections from when they were Somebodies. Would any of them really be willing to throw that away for him? He didn't want to ask that of anyone, anyway. He pushed down wistful thoughts of being saved by a "pirate" with a torn face who was always kind to him, even when the man was cruel to others, or a young man with fringe covering the right side of his face who smirked at others, but who smiled for him. Demyx paused as he willed back the tears that were blurring his vision.

If only he were strong enough to protect himself. Demyx slammed his fist weakly into the wall. Sometimes, he thought about the water he could feel in each person and in the air. He thought about whether he could use his powers on it. But something always held him back. Whether it was the conscience that Xemnas insisted they no longer had, or cowardice, Demyx didn't know.

He resumed walking and reached his destination, knocking on the door. At the dry "come in," he entered, plastering a bright smile on his face.

"Hi, Vexen. Before we start the lesson, can I borrow a potion? I got injured during my mission today, and I'm all out." He wasn't "all out," but he didn't have time to go back to his room and search through his mess if he didn't want to be tardy and irritate the blond Beta.

Vexen peered at him dubiously. "You seemed fine when I saw you earlier." Still, he moved toward his potion cupboard.

"Ahaha." Oooh, laughing was a bad idea. "I was probably in shock. It didn't start hurting until a few minutes ago."

"Fine. Take it." It wasn't as though anyone would drink a potion if they could avoid it. Unlike cure spells, which could leave a light buzz (Curaga apparently giving quite the high), potions were thoroughly nasty in taste, and in some people, like Demyx, left a slight headache. If he wasn't careful, though, the headache could easily turn into a debilitating migraine. It was too bad Nobodies weren't aligned enough with the Light to use cure spells.

Demyx sat down at the small student's desk Xemnas had reluctantly provided for the lab. He grimaced as he swallowed the potion down, wiping his mouth exaggeratedly afterward, as if that would help remove the taste. He proceeded to open his bag, taking out his notebook and pencil, as he prepared for Vexen's lecture.

The two still didn't get along, they probably never would, but Demyx needed to learn the common sense of secondary genders and what he should look for in himself when expecting heat, etc., and Vexen was the one who knew most about the subject. Interested as he was in creating perfect replicas, although his research had barely got off the ground at that point, he'd researched the subject of gender thoroughly and methodically. A mutual love of Zexion kept the two blonds civil, even when Vexen got too technical for Demyx's understanding and their tempers caused them to snap. Demyx was secretly grateful to the long haired man for the lessons, even though he'd never tell him. At least there shouldn't be too many more left.

Today, Vexen explained to him that although he was part Omega and could go into heat, he'd never be able to bear children. He just didn't have the organs for it, the way other Omegas did. Heat was a chemical process, so it wasn't too surprising that he could enter it without the proper organs. In fact, the way Demyx's body was structured was most similar to a male Beta. He could always father children, if he wanted them. At the moment, Demyx was pretty sure he didn't.

Vexen knew a lot of things even Zexion didn't know. In the previous lesson, he'd explained Alpha-Omega compatibility, something Demyx had never heard of before. Apparently it was a subject that was never really taught or discussed, since it worked on instinct, and not many had seen the need to give it much thought. Beta compatibility was a matter of life or death, but Alpha-Omega compatibility was a matter of preference. Demyx supposed he was fortunate that he, the person who didn't understand secondary gender common sense, had met the one person who had given Alpha-Omega compatibility a good deal of thought.

Although an Omega's heat would always trigger an Alpha's rut (and in Demyx's case, vice versa), that didn't mean the two should have sex. Compatibility was measured by how pleasant you found the other person's rut/heat scent and how much you needed it. The more unpleasant one party found the other's scent, the more they should try to avoid becoming intimate. Ignoring a scent being unpleasant tended to lead to abuse and rape, even when not under the influence of hormones. Unfortunately, compatibility didn't work both ways, unlike Beta compatibility. One person could find the scent extremely pleasant, while the other wouldn't be able to stop retching. Even worse, Alphas were the ones who tended to have a higher tolerance to scents than Omegas, leaving the usually weaker Omegas more vulnerable.

"Which is why Betas are so important," Vexen emphasized. "Protecting Alphas and Omegas from unwanted partners are our job."

"I thought you were asexual."

"Shut up."

On the other hand, reactions like Demyx's to Lexaeus' scent, thoroughly pleasing, but with no other reaction to the scent itself, usually meant the Alpha and Omega might be compatible as sex friends, but nothing more. He'd gotten aroused, yes, but he hadn't needed Lexaeus' scent. Demyx could guess what his reaction to Xigbar meant, then. He'd been so starved for the Alpha's scent; he found his own reaction rather frightening.

"What about when one person feels a need for the other's scent?" Demyx bit the bullet, but kept his gaze on his notes.

"Then they could be lovers, at least from the view point of the person feeling the need. It would only work out if the need went both ways." Demyx nodded, and didn't ask anymore.

Several weeks later found Demyx hanging out with Axel. He'd been at the Castle That Never Was for for eight months at that point, and he was concerned for the mental state of his red headed friend. When he'd first arrived, he'd developed a bit of a crush on the charming, handsome flirt, but after a few months those feelings had faded, and he considered him just a friend. It hadn't helped that up until a week ago, Axel and Saïx were lovers, and Demyx found the blunet's stern features mildly terrifying.

But then, exactly seven day ago, Saïx had disappeared for a few hours, and when he'd returned, his eyes had gone from green to gold, there was an x-shaped wound on his face, and he'd broken up with Axel for Xemnas.

Demyx didn't ask what had happened, but tried to be a supportive friend. Axel wasn't making it easy. Something had changed. Axel was broody, his expression flipping between sullen and cruel. The other day, Zexion had walked into the room where Demyx was silently sitting by the fire wielder and Axel had leapt up, storming over to Zexion and demanding a night with Demyx. Zexion had glanced over at him, and Demyx had shaken a quick "no," before venomous green eyes had pinned him down. Before Zexion could refuse on Demyx's behalf, Axel had stormed back over and lifted the blond up by the front of his coat.

"What, you're not willing to fuck me? I'm not good enough for you?" He'd growled. Demyx had never been scared of Axel, but he was now. He shook his head rapidly and summoned Arpeggio, more on instinct than anything else. Axel raised his hand to punch Demyx, before he dropped him, and stalked through a portal, leaving a shaken Demyx with a furious, worried Zexion.

Now Demyx was hovering on the other side of the room, trying to be a friend, but far away enough that he could run away if Axel showed any signs of aggression toward him. Neither of them noticed Xemnas' entrance.

"God damn Mansex." Axel cast a Fira at the wall, where it dissipated harmlessly, barely singing the white stone. Demyx jumped, a nervous giggle at the name aborted by the sudden fire. He moved a few steps farther back. Sure, with his powers he couldn't actually be burned, but that didn't stop the visceral fear that remained. Sure, Axel had made the same complaint and cast the same spell multiple times over the past day, much less the last week, but that didn't stop Demyx from worrying that Axel only needed one time to screw up and send the flames at him.

"Number VIII, Number IX, I hope that name wasn't referring to me." The Superior stepped forward menacingly.

"Of, of course not! Superior, sir!" Demyx squeaked, while Axel just glared at him.

"Number VIII?"

Axel scowled.

"I think such flagrant insubordination and disrespect deserves punishment. Both of you, my office. Now." Demyx was torn. He was worried for Axel and upset by the blatant unfairness of being punished when he hadn't done anything wrong. Still, he slunk into the portal Xemnas had created, hoping that the punishment wouldn't be too bad. Maybe it would just be extra missions. He hoped it wouldn't be more paperwork.

Finally, Xemnas thought. He'd spent the past six and a half months waiting for Number IX to screw up, to do something he could punish him for. Granted, he'd merely been in the presence of the real troublemaker, but Xemnas could always justify the punishment as Demyx being a supporter by not rebuking Axel. Xigbar wouldn't be able to protest a legitimate punishment, now would he?

Xemnas let the two miscreants sit down in the chairs facing his desk, before signaling the Dusks to confine them, one Dusk per limb. There was a muffled "Hey," from Number VIII before some of the Dusks used their own bodies as gags, wrapping around the two Nobodies' heads, sinewy arms holding onto legs, in a fairly good imitation of a cloth gag.

Xemnas strolled around his captives and considered what he was going to do. Number VIII's insult couldn't be let go, of course, but today was more about teaching Number IX a lesson. Xemnas hadn't been able to forget that introductory meeting. He needed to make sure Demyx never got any ideas into that stupid little head of his.

He decided he'd start with Axel. Show the blond what he had to look forward to. Then make it so much worse.

He strode over to his desk and plucked the stacks of papers off of it, setting them out of the way on the ground. Once he was satisfied that he'd cleared enough space, he nodded to the Dusks, who unraveled from Axel just enough to push him onto the desk, his body folded awkwardly, cheek scraping against the white polished stone, hands now Dusk-tied above his head, and legs sagging uncomfortably. Axel tried to say something, which from his tone and eyes were probably curses, but the gag made him unintelligible. Demyx could only watch from the side as Xemnas summoned his Ethereal Blades. It was too bad the blades were blunt instruments. He would have loved to carve his punishment into the younger man. Well, there was always the knife in his desk drawer. But first, might as well soften him up.

He struck and Axel's body arched, a pain filled grunt escaping. He struck again. He raised his arm a third time… and his arm stuck.

"What is this?!" He bellowed. He felt his body turn against his will, at the same time, the Blades were banished. His right arm reached out and grabbed the Dusk from around Demyx's face, pulling it out.

"Stop it."

Demyx strained against the Dusks, fighting with every fiber of his being, as he saw Axel being beaten. It didn't matter that he and Axel were on rocky terms at the moment, he just couldn't bear seeing someone in pain in front of him. Xemnas beat Axel a second time and Axel's grunt of pain before more of a sob. Demyx needed this to stop. He saw Xemnas raise his arm again.

He reached out with his mind to the water.

It was hard controlling Xemnas. The water, fed on his anger, wanted so badly to rip, to tear. An image of gore and screaming came to him and he wrestled with the water to stay in control. He managed to turn Xemnas around and had him remove the gag.

"Stop it." The man stared at him in twisted confusion.

"Yeah, that's me controlling your body right now. If you don't want me to stop your heart, you're going to untie us and let us go." He felt the physical object beat and on "stop" he paused the man's blood flow, just for a second. Xemnas looked scared, and the part of Demyx that was feeling so angry and powerful rejoiced.

He let his control lapse, allowing Xemnas to be the one to free them. If the silver haired man didn't agree to obey, there wouldn't be a point. Besides, the Dusks were still under Xemnas' power, and there was no water in them that Demyx could exploit.

Xemnas lunged with a snarl, and Demyx resumed his grip on the man's body, freezing him in place once more. Carefully, he drained the water out of one of Xemnas' feet keeping it above the ankle, to prove he meant business. A potion would be able to cure any damage, right? Xemnas gave a strangled scream at the pain.

"Now, I said, you're going to 'let us go.' Don't make me demand you apologize to Axel as well." Demyx might have been furious, but his behavior was being fueled as much by false bravado as anger. He didn't want to hurt Xemnas. He just wanted to scare him. But if hurting him was the only way they were going safely to get out of the situation…

He allowed the blood and water to resume their natural flow and released Xemnas again. The tanned man flung his hand and the Dusks slithered away. Axel wobbled up and Demyx went forward to help him. Putting one of Axel's arms around his shoulder with their height difference was slightly ridiculous, but Demyx persevered and half dragged the limping red head out of the room. He ignored Xemnas as he left, not wanting to further antagonize his superior, but he felt the man's glare bore into him all the way through the closing of the portal to Axel's room. He dumped the taller man onto the bed and roamed around the room until the fire wielder pointed out where his potions were. Stuffing one in Axel's hand, Demyx decided he'd been friend enough for one day and headed back to his own room.

Rumors of how Demyx almost killed Xemnas spread through the Organization within two days. After that, Xaldin never bothered Demyx again. In fact, when he saw the blond, he'd steer clear when possible. Saïx no longer pushed for mission reports and didn't say a word on those occasions Demyx skipped out on work altogether. Vexen gave him a few odd looks, and didn't complain anymore if Demyx messed up on giving him the proper respect.

Axel seemed to hesitate when he saw the blond. He continued to act friendly, but put a distance between them and stopped flirting. Still, he would sometimes look at Demyx with a dark gaze that made the blond distinctly uncomfortable.

If either Lexaeus or Zexion heard the rumors, neither gave any indication.

When Xigbar heard, he burst into Demyx's room. After wrestling the blond out of his coat and spinning him around to make sure he was uninjured, frowning in concern, he quickly beamed and promptly dragged Demyx out to a nice restaurant in celebration, barely cramming him back into his coat first.

"What exactly are we celebrating?" A confused Demyx asked while looking at his menu.

"Getting one up on Xemnas! He wasn't supposed to hurt you, you know."

"He didn't. He hurt Axel."

"As if. He tied you up, didn't he?"

"And what do you mean by 'he wasn't supposed to hurt' me?"

"So, you used your water powers to control his body, huh?"

"Xigbar, why are you side-step—never mind. Xiggy… I think I might have killed someone once. With the power I used."

"Oh?"

"I… don't really remember. But… I tore him apart. A big guy, like Lexy. And… there was a girl screaming. And... someone was defending me from the guy who was yelling at me. It was… horrible."

"..."

"It was so hard, to keep control of the water. To make sure it didn't happen again." Demyx whispered.

Xigbar leaned forward and placed a hand on one of Demyx's that was death gripping the menu.

"I'll always be there to defend you, Dem. I'm sure whatever happened, the guy deserved it. But knowing you, I'm sure you made it right." Demyx looked up into Xigbar's sincere gaze before averting his eyes. He had such trouble believing Xigbar's words, that he could be worth them.

"I'm nothing special." He admitted softly.

"I don't believe it." Xigbar responded gently but firmly.

"Thanks."

Demyx smiled.

Xemnas plotted.

Welp, after thinking it over, I decided that I'm going to try to finish the story within the next three chapters. I have an idea of where I want to go with each chapter. I'm not sure how long each chapter will end up being, but I'm going to write it until I'm satisfied. This is the first of the four finishing chapters. Luxord, Marluxia, Larxene, Roxas, and Xion are all going to get short-changed, but it is what it is.

Sorry if you're disappointed by the lack of mpreg. But as a person from Eårth, it just wasn't going to happen. His body structure never changed, just the chemicals having to do with the secondary genders. Perhaps I should have added a tag? Feels a little too late at this point, though.

As for Axel's behavior toward Zexion, in case you don't remember from chapter 1, it's cultural tradition that if an Alpha wants to sleep with an Omega who has a Beta lover, he or she needs permission from the Beta. Rather than a form of control, this is a way to protect the Omega from the volatility of Alphas. Most Betas would never go against the wishes of the Omega. Axel makes a good exhibit of said volatility.

Hmmm… I feel as though this story just keeps getting darker and darker. When I started, I was planning on it being a fairly light hearted fluff piece, with the occasional darker scene. Oh, well. Next chapter should be fairly fluffy, followed by more angst and darkness. Oops.