A/N: Here is Chapter 11. Enjoy! Thanks to all who have reviewed! I love reviews--they really encourage me to keep writing. Hint, hint.

Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts--it belongs to Disney and Square Enix.

Going Rogue

Axel looked down at Kanixa appraisingly. So, she could manipulate emotion…"Interesting," he said aloud. "Very interesting." It meant that he would have to be doubly careful around her, but it also made her a very valuable ally.

"So, what are you going to do now that I've told you?" she asked calmly, folding her arms. The blue eyes holding his own didn't have a hint of worry in their depths. He had to hand it to her, the new Number Thirteen was a cool customer.

"Do?" he snorted. "Why should I do anything?"

"All right, then. Who are you going to tell?" A hint of impatience broke into her tone. "Don't play with me, Axel."

"No one," he replied seriously. Not for now, anyway. Why should he give Xemnas or Saïx a hand if they weren't observant enough to determine Kanixa's power for themselves? He would keep her secret to win her good faith…not that her good faith would mean anything for long, he reflected.

"I wasn't born yesterday. You're not going to pass up an opportunity like this," she said disdainfully. "I guess when Saïx comes to chain me up in the dungeon before I make everyone start falling in love with each other, I'll know why," She said with her normal flippancy. Turning away, looking out the window, she signaled that the conversation was over.

Axel was very good at reading signals, but that didn't mean that he always obeyed them. The mental image of the Organization members becoming couples made him smile. "If you're taking suggestions, I'd say Xigbar and Saïx. They would drive each other insane."

"I'll keep that in mind," she said flatly, not looking over at him. The moonlight from the growing Kingdom Hearts fell over her face, highlighting the features. Axel watched her for a few moments, staying quiet. She looked…determined…much like the way Roxas had looked once he'd made up his mind to go and seek out his Other. Axel had tried to dissuade his fighting partner, the only real friend in his existence, but the former Number Thirteen had been unshakable, confident that his plan was the right one. So he'd left, without a backward glance. Roxas had been determined to leave, so Kanixa was determined to do…what?

Not his business, Number Eight decided almost immediately. If she did leave like Roxas, it solved his problem. The thirteenth position would be open again, and if he were ordered to eliminate her for treason, he could avoid any twinge of guilt from the emotions and conscience that Kanixa seemed to bring back to him.

"I may not be your friend, Kanixa, but then, I'm no one's friend," he began, testing the waters. "So why should I give Saïx or Xemnas a hand? After all, if the Superior is so wise of a leader, why can't he figure your power out for himself?" Axel continued, spreading his hands.

"Why did you all agree to follow him, anyway?" she asked, turning to look at him, face politely curious. "He doesn't seem like a very…involved…leader."

"Dunno. By the time I joined, there were already seven members. You'd have to ask one of the Founders that," Axel replied.

"So, you don't say what you know, and in return…" Kanixa prompted, gazing up at him.

"In return, you keep your powers to yourself," Axel replied easily. "Do we have a deal?"

She shrugged. "Fine. Want to shake on it?" She held out a hand expectantly. Axel took it, pumped it up and down a few times. As he dropped her hand, someone knocked on the door.

"Kanixa?" a voice that Axel recognized as Demyx called hesitantly. "Are you in there?"

"Aw. Are you two going to kiss and make up now?" Axel drawled, folding his arms.

"Shut up!" Kanixa hissed, going over to open the door. "What do you want, Demyx?" she asked levelly, looking up at the sitar player. Demyx looked past her to Axel. He smirked back at Number Nine, enjoying the junior member's look of confusion.

"Oh. I, uh, didn't realize you had company." Demyx ran a hand through his hair nervously. "I guess I'll catch you later, then—"

"No. It's fine. Axel was just leaving, weren't you?" Kanixa asked, turning and narrowing her eyes in an expression that clearly said, get lost! Too bad for her that he didn't feel like obliging. Drama within the Organization had long since ceased to hold his interest—it was always the same old story, an endless round of jockeying for power. But real, emotional drama…it was almost as good as a soap opera, Number Eight reflected, the smirk on his face only growing.

"Actually, I hadn't finished speaking with you yet, Kanixa," he replied. She scowled at him, but abruptly her face smoothed out.

"Well, we can talk here, or if you'd prefer we can talk in your room," she told Demyx.

"My room is fine," he replied quickly, and in a flash the two had vanished into a portal. Axel was left alone, standing in the center of Kanixa's room, with a strange sensation echoing in the place where his heart would be. It was…uncomfortable. Musing, he walked the short distance back to his room and sat down before his bonfire. The light from the flames danced over his face as he pondered over what it could be.

Jealousy. That was the name. Not romantic jealousy—he wasn't capable of love, and if he were, it wouldn't be for some scrawny brat that had to be at least seven or eight years younger than him. He wasn't used to being the one left out. Back when Roxas had been with the Organization, Demyx had been fairly friendly towards him, and Roxas had at least been neutral towards the sitar wielder. But Axel had been his first and best friend in the Organization, and Demyx had never really been included in the friendship. Fire and water didn't mix, after all. Axel didn't hate Demyx, but he found his lack of spunk—lack of spine, really—to be annoying. Now, the same situation was playing out in reverse. Kanixa had the opportunity to befriend Demyx, or to befriend Axel, and she was choosing Demyx.

He'd begun by despising Kanixa, it was true. Having Xemnas appoint a new Number Thirteen—one who could also wield the Keyblade—was a slap in the face to Roxas's memory. He'd seen her as a usurper, as an enemy, though he knew that the real offender was Xemnas. And though she could still be a poisonous little brat, the Mystery's Key had slowly begun to grow on him. Like Roxas, she had spunk—she'd begun her membership by managing to pick fights with over half of the remaining Organization in only two days. She also had a strong sense of justice, a quality that she shared with her predecessor. These Roxas-like qualities drew him to her, in spite of himself. And he was being rejected.

"So that's how it is," he murmured to the fire in front of him. The short flames only smoldered on the wood that fueled them, suiting his sulky mood. Sulky. Axel's lips twisted downwards into a scowl. He was actually sitting around sulking over Kanixa? He was wasting time in which he could be plotting on how to get back Roxas! The Key to Destiny was his only real friend, after all, the only person that he could trust. It was a good thing that Xemnas only intended to keep the new brat around for a little longer, Number Eight decided, getting to his feet. She caused far too many problems. Things had been much simpler before she'd come along.

With a flick of his wrist, Axel opened a portal to the Destiny Islands. It was time to take action. It would be a huge risk, kidnapping a Princess of the Heart without permission—in effect, an act of treason, going rogue. Still, it wasn't like anyone would miss him. And, like they said, it was only illegal if you got caught. Smiling darkly, Axel stepped into the portal, and it hissed closed behind him.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Kanixa took a seat on the bed in Demyx's room, gazing up at him. "You wanted to talk to me, Demyx?" she asked levelly, clasping her hands in her lap. Outwardly, she was perfectly composed, the stereotypical unconcerned Nobody. Inwardly, she tensed, waiting for his answer. It could either be reconciliation, or a cutting of ties. The latter, besides being a personal loss, would also leave her vulnerable within the Organization, with only Axel, the man of multiple personalities, as an ally. She could never pin down whether the Flurry of Dancing Flames wanted her head on a platter or to be friends. Sometimes she wasn't certain that he knew himself.

"Yeah," Demyx replied, running a hand through his hair nervously. "I wanted to apologize for earlier. I didn't handle it well."

"It's all right, Demyx. I shouldn't have sprung it on you like that."

"I should have trusted you. After all, we're friends, right?" he asked, smiling down at her.

She smiled back, relieved. "Yes, we are."

"So…" he trailed off, gathering his courage. "What was Axel doing in your room? I didn't think that you two got along."

Kanixa shrugged. "We don't. He was being his usual charming self." Blackmail was totally within the bounds of Axel's devious personality, after all. The odd thing was how easily he'd given in. Making her promise not to use her power on him was a tiny price. Telling her power to Xemnas might lead to her annihilation, if the Superior deemed her too dangerous to control. Or at least, she would be given to someone less pleasant than Axel, like Saïx. Axel had broken her ribs and given her what had to be third-degree burns in a friendly training match—she couldn't imagine what kind of "mentor" Saïx would be. And all he'd wanted was for her not to influence him.

"Oh," Demyx said quietly. "Tell me something, Kanixa. Do you…like Axel?"

"Not really. He has his moments, but he spends way too much of his time being a jerk. Why do you ask?"

Demyx blushed. "I dunno…it's just, you're always together."

"Because he's my mentor," Kanixa replied, in a tone that indicated the answer should be obvious. "And also…I think he's a little lonely without Roxas," she added as an afterthought, the words transferring from brain to mouth as she thought aloud. "It must be hard, losing your best friend."

"I guess," Demyx replied, but his mood seemed to brighten a little. "Listen, Nixa. I've still got a little time before my mission. Saïx hasn't come to say that it's time yet. And I was thinking—we should do something."

"Like what?"

"Something that gets us out of here!" The sitar player's eyes sparkled. "I know Hollow Bastion's out, but we could go back to Twilight Town and watch the struggle. Or Port Royal, and sail a pirate ship. Or—"

"I don't know, Demyx," Kanixa said, frowning. "That sounds like a lot of fun, but if Axel found out—"

"Why does he have to know?" Demyx demanded. "We'll be there and back before he even thinks to look for you. Come on, Nixa," he pleaded, green eyes earnest. "It'll be fun." Kanixa was uncomfortably reminded of a condemned prisoner trying to pick out one last meal. He wanted to have some good memories before what he obviously thought would be his last mission. How could she refuse him that? The look that he wore made her loathing for Saïx go up another notch, and decided her.

"All right, Demyx," she said, forcing a smile. "Let's go. You choose where. As long as it's not Hollow Bastion or Halloween Town."

Reaching out a hand, he pulled her to her feet, flashing her a big, boyish smile. "Great! You won't regret this!" He glanced down at her. "Uh, before we go, you'd better change. That dress looks a little…" he trailed off. Kanixa looked down at herself to see that her new dress was covered with rips and scorches. Stupid Axel and his stupid chakrams, she thought bitterly.

"All right, just let me put my coat on over it. I'll be right back." In a moment she returned, wearing her Organization coat.

"You ready?" Demyx inquired. When she nodded, he opened a portal with a flick of his wrist, towing her in after him. Once inside, he dropped her hand.

"So, where is it that you want to take me?" Kanixa asked warily, keeping pace with Number Nine as he power-walked through the mists, evidently eager to get to their destination.

Demyx smiled over at her. "You didn't really get a chance to see the good side of Twilight Town, so I thought we'd go there."

"All right," she replied, smiling. "Like I said, we'll go wherever you want, Demyx." Soon, he opened a portal, and they stepped out into the same alley that they'd used as a landing site before. Demyx led her out into the Tram Commons, and over to the hill up to the train station, but instead of walking up it, he turned left. Kanixa found herself in a large, boxy area between buildings. A stage had been erected in the center, and as she watched, two boys faced each other in the center of the stage.

"And now," the announcer, a skinny man with gelled blonde hair, bellowed, "we have….Raijin and Hayer!" On stage, the referee, a heavyset man in a yellow vest, handed each boy a blue club.

"Keep it clean, fellas," he said affably, before moving off.

"I'm gonna wipe the floor with you, y'know?" one of the contestants, a brawny boy with dark, curly hair and a tan, sneered. His opponent, a lanky strawberry blonde, sneered up at him.

"Why don't you put your munny where your mouth is, Rai?" The blonde lowered himself into a crouch.

"Three!" the announcer chanted. "Two! One! STRUGGLE!" At that, the two boys flew at each other, flailing away with the clubs. Kanixa winced, knowing that each strike was certain to leave a bruise.

"You okay, Kanixa?" Demyx asked from beside her, giving her a worried frown.

"I'm fine," she replied, watching the two opponents. For all their enthusiasm, neither had much skill, she decided. She could probably defeat either of them easily. After all, a club and a Keyblade weren't handled much differently—both were striking weapons.

"So, are you here to watch the match?" an unfamiliar voice asked from behind her. Kanixa glanced back to see a tall boy smiling at her. Well, he wore more of a smirk, really. He was good-looking, and he evidently knew it. He wore a hat pulled low over his red hair, and a long white vest hung open to display his well-toned stomach.

"Yes," Kanixa replied succinctly, turning her attention back to the Struggle. Why else would she be here? Talk about a stupid question, she reflected. Unfortunately, the stranger behind her would not be deterred.

"You're new in town, aren't you? I haven't seen you before."

"That's right," she replied, forcing a smile. "I'm Kanixa and this is my…brother, Demyx," she invented quickly. "We're here to visit our aunt, and we thought we'd watch the tournament while we're here."

"I'm Seifer," the stranger declared with a smile, jabbing himself in the chest with a thumb. "The head of the Twilight Town Welcoming Committee. And I'm about to win this tournament."

Kanixa's smile lost some wattage as she fought down the urge to knock this cocky young man down a peg. She would love to be able to enter the tournament and prove him wrong, but it was already in progress. And it wasn't like she could just challenge him to a match and summon her Keyblade. "I guess we'll have to wait and see," she said noncommittally, in an attempt at politeness.

"So, how long will you be in town, Kanixa?" Seifer inquired, moving up to stand beside her. At the same time, Demyx, on her other side, edged closer, glaring daggers at the new arrival.

"We won't be in town long," he responded for her, subtly emphasizing the plural. "We leave today, actually. We only came for Aunt Sally's birthday."

"That's too bad," Seifer commented. "Well, at least you're here for the Struggle."

"That's right." Kanixa smiled at him. A cry of dismay from the stage brought her attention back to the match between Raijin and Hayner. Rai was on his knees, with Hayner standing over him, club pointed at the larger boy's chest.

"And the winner iiiis—Hayner!" the announcer declared. The crowd erupted into cheers.

"I can take that punk," Seifer said contemptuously, glaring at the blonde.

"If you win your first match," Kanixa reminded him sweetly. "And I'm sure you will," she added quickly.

"And the second match of the day is…Seifer versus—" the crowd fell silent, waiting with anticipation for the second name. The announcer trailed off. He coughed, flustered. "Well, folks, it seems like our fourth contestant has dropped out. That means Seifer gets an automatic by!"

"Booooo!" Some of the crowd, including Hayner and a group of friends around him, voiced their displeasure.

"Unless," the announcer added quickly, "someone from the crowd would like to step up and face him!"

The crowd remained silent, all gazing at Seifer with a hint of fear. A grin spread over Kanixa's face. "I will!" she called.

Seifer laughed. "What? You really think you can take me? You've got to be joking!"

"Nixa!" Demyx hissed, grabbing her arm. "What are you doing?"

"You'll destroy him!" Number nine whispered, flashing her a thumbs-up.

The announcer cut through the crowd, coming over to put a hand on her shoulder. "This may just be a Struggle first!" he said loudly. "For our second match, we have Seifer versus—what's your name, young lady?" he asked at a lower volume.

"Kanixa," she replied.

"Seifer versus Kanixa!" the announcer yelled. The crowd cheered. Seifer glared down at her.

"Don't think I'll go easy on you because you're a girl," he snapped, before stalking up to the stage. Kanixa shrugged off Demyx's grip.

"Don't worry, Dem. You promised me some fun, didn't you?" she leaned forward to whisper in his ear. "And what could be more fun than taking this jerk down a peg?"

Demyx smiled then. "You'll destroy him," he whispered back, flashing her a thumbs-up. Kanixa made her way to the stage, expression turning serious. She had to treat this like any other fight. Even if Seifer couldn't throw magical attacks at her, the boy was still taller and stronger. She just had to hope that she was faster. The referee gave her a hand up.

"So, little lady, do you know the rules of the game?"

"Run through them for me again," she requested.

"Well, your job is to take your opponent's orbs, which he will drop if you strike him. The one with the most orbs at the end wins," the man replied, running a hand through his curly black hair.

"Sounds easy enough."

"So, are you both ready to begin?" the referee asked.

"Yes, sir," Kanixa said brightly, smiling cheerfully at Seifer. The older boy scowled back.

"Let's get this over with," he growled. The referee handed them each a blue club with a beige grip. "Keep it clean, fellas—er, people," he instructed, before retreating off the stage.

"Three!" the announcer chanted. Kanixa sank into a crouch, holding her club up in a block. This is a training match, she told herself. Seifer is Axel, and don't you owe Axel a few lumps for breaking your ribs? Unconsciously, her lips turned upwards into a feral smile.

"Two! One! Struggle!" the announcer finished. Before he finished speaking, Seifer ran at her.

"Kneel, loser!" he growled, leaping up for an aerial attack. Kanixa took a step forward, so that he landed behind her instead of on top of her. Pivoting neatly, she struck him in the kidneys.

"Oof!" he sprawled forward, and several blue orbs appeared on the floor around him. She scooped up a few, then darted back as Seifer climbed to his feet.

"Aargh!" Incoherent with anger, he charged her again. Kanixa parried his strike, and cut up under his guard to smack him in the chest. He stumbled backwards, and she took the opportunity to hit him again, picking up the orbs that he left behind as she advanced. She straightened from picking up the last one, and Seifer took the opportunity to land a two-handed swing in her diaphragm, sending her flying through the air. She could hear a few boos—apparently the crowd disapproved of such harsh treatment of a girl. On impact, she saw several pink orbs bounce away from her. Oh, so that was how they differentiated between orbs, she noted, laying there as she tried to get her breath back. The color choice wasn't sexist at all, she thought sarcastically, getting to her feet just as Seifer arrived. Crouching in front of her dropped orbs, she held her club up in a block, glaring at her foe. Keeping the club up with her left hand to repel Seifer's strikes, she scrabbled behind her with the other hand to recover some of her dropped orbs.

As her left arm began to tire, Kanixa decided to cut her losses, rolling to the side. In a flash, she was behind Seifer, and took the opportunity to strike at his back. Seifer fell forward, sprawling onto the wood of the stage, and she began collecting orbs.

"Three!" the announcer chanted, catching her by surprise. "Two! One! Time! And the winner is…Kanixa!"

The crowd was silent for a moment, blinking up at her. Then, led by Hayner and his group of friends, they broke into cheers. Seifer got up and threw down his club. "You got lucky," he growled.

"Maybe," she agreed smoothly. "And maybe I'm just the better fighter. Ever think of that?" The older boy didn't respond, just stalked off the stage. Kanixa moved to do the same, but the referee placed a pudgy hand on her shoulder.

"You can't go yet, miss. You've got a match against Hayner. And whichever of you wins, will fight in the championship against Setzer."

"…Setzer?" Kanixa repeated, frowning.

"Our reigning champion," the referee clarified, lifting his other arm and pointing out a muscular man with long, silver hair in a purple robe. He reminded her of Xemnas, and she already disliked him for that reason alone. That, and the fact that his waves to the crowd and his smug smile seemed overconfident, just like Seifer had been. She would enjoy taking him down…if she could beat this Hayner kid.

Hayner walked across the stage to face her. "Hey there," he said, smiling. "You must be new around town. But thanks to taking down Seifer, you're pretty popular. I'm Hayner." He stuck out a hand for her to shake.

"Kanixa," she replied, taking it.

"Well, good luck," Hayner said, picking up a club. "You're gonna need it."

"Same to you," Kanixa responded, hefting her own club.

"And our third match is…Kanixa versus Hayner!" the announcer shouted. "Three…two…one…Struggle!"

Kanixa twisted away from Hayner's charge, but her pectorals twinged, still sore from Seifer's blow. This battle would be harder than the last, because Hayner had had time to rest. After he passed her, she leaped up to strike him in the shoulders. Orbs went flying, and she left off attacking him to chase them across the space. And Hayner chased her. He leaped at her from behind, and she ducked, sending him flying over her head. The crowd let out an appreciative "Ooh." He landed on his stomach, orbs scattering.

Kanixa winced, sporting two scraped knees as she stood. But Hayner had already recovered, and he struck her across the collarbone before she could find her balance. She landed on her backside, hard, and orbs rolled away from her.

"All right!" Hayner crowed, sprinting after them. Kanixa watched him go, eyes narrowing. Slowly, muscles protesting, she got to her feet and stalked after the orbs Hayner had dropped, waiting for him to come to her. And he did. She could hear the patter of his quick steps as he ran up behind her. At the last second, she pivoted, catching him in the stomach with her club. "Oof!"

This time Hayner fell on his rear, dropping orbs. She scooped up as many as she could, and then retreated across the arena. Hayner advanced, as the announcer called, "Three…two…one…time! And the winner is…Kanixa!"

"Aw, man!" Hayner complained, chopping the air with his club. "I'd almost won it!"

"Better luck next time?" Kanixa suggested tentatively, as he scowled at her. She couldn't muster up the same sense of triumph as she had over defeating Seifer. Hayner seemed like a nice enough guy—practically a saint when compared to the Organization members.

Hayner glared at her, but suddenly the scowl melted into a smile. "Yeah," he agreed easily. "So what if I didn't win it? It was worth it just to see Seifer go down. Now let's see you beat Setzer. That would make Seifer so mad!" the blonde said gleefully.

"I take it you don't like Seifer," Kanixa stated.

"He acts like he runs the town," Hayner growled. "Him and his Welcoming Committee—" the boy broke off as the referee approached.

"Nice job, miss," he said approvingly. "Next you face Setzer. Are you ready to fight?"

She felt anything but ready, but she forced a smile. "Sure."

"All right, then." The referee signaled for the reigning champion to approach. He sauntered across the stage, waving to his fans. Several of them, who seemed to be teenage girls, squealed his name—"Setzer!"

The silver-haired man approached as Hayner vacated the stage. "So, you're Kanixa," he said, deep voice quiet. "You're new in town, and I've built up a rather large fan base, so I have a proposition for you," he said quickly. "You throw the match for me. I'll make it worth your while."

"What?" Kanixa whispered, eyes narrowing in anger. "No way!"

The referee approached, and Setzer's face regained its nonchalant expression. "All right. Keep it clean."

The announcer began counting down, and Kanixa prepared herself, sinking down into a crouch. She expected Setzer to charge, but he leaped into the air, throwing himself at her in a spiral. Kanixa was knocked across the stage, trailing orbs. It didn't get any better from there. The match was short and brutal. At the end, Setzer had 90 orbs to her 10. Kanixa slumped as the announcer declared Setzer the winner. She'd entered the tournament in hopes of defeating Seifer and puncturing the boy's enormous ego, but it would have been nice to win it all.

"Hey, don't let it get you down," a voice advised from behind her. Kanixa faked a smile, expecting to see Demyx, but when she turned it was to see Hayner, flanked by two friends. One, a pudgy boy with messy black hair, waved. The other, a brunette in an orange dress, smiled. "You did a good job, Kanixa," Hayner continued. "I mean, you've got to be pretty good to beat me!" He smiled good-naturedly. "Say, you're new in town. Why don't you come with us, let us give you the tour."

"I can't. I have to meet my brother—" Demyx materialized at her side. "Um…everyone, this is my brother, Demyx," she introduced him.

"I'm Hayner," the blonde introduced himself, smiling.

"Pence," the black-haired boy said with a smile.

"I'm Olette." The brunette held her hand out for Demyx to shake.

Demyx gave her hand a perfunctory shake before turning back to Kanixa. "You were amazing!" He enthused.

"Thanks, Demyx. So…do we need to head home? Or would you like to tour Twilight Town? Hayner and his friends here were nice enough to invite us."

Demyx considered for a moment. "I think we'd better head home. I've still got that assignment to do," he said.

Kanixa nodded. "Well, it was nice to meet you all!" She waved goodbye to the trio, and Demyx led her back to the Tram Commons.

"So, Demyx, are there any other stops that you want to make?" She glanced over at the Melodious Nocturne to see him frowning down at his boots. "Hello…are you in there somewhere?" She waved a hand in front of his face, and he grabbed her wrist. Hard. "Ow!" she yelped, attempting to tug free.

"What? Oh. Sorry, Nixa," he said sheepishly, releasing her. "You just…surprised me."

"I asked if there was anywhere else that you wanted to go."

"It's all right. Why don't we just head back? Saïx is probably looking for me," he said glumly.

"Did I do something wrong?" she asked, wondering at Number Nine's sudden change in mood. "The purpose of this whole thing was for you to have a good time, remember? So why do you look so sad?"

"Nobodies don't get sad," Demyx said flatly. "I guess I'm just…not ready for it all to be over."

On impulse, Kanixa reached over to take his hand. "It won't be over, Demyx. I'm not going to let you face Sora alone. Besides, he's not such a bad guy. He can be reasoned with—"

"When did you meet Sora?" Demyx demanded, halting. His green eyes narrowed in suspicion.

Oops. In her desire to comfort Demyx, she'd forgotten the fact that her little run-in with Sora on Port Royal was a secret. "On Port Royal, when I went with Axel and Xigbar. Xigbar doesn't know about it, and Axel's keeping quiet…I guess he's holding it over my head until later. Axel and I flooded the world with Heartless for Sora to fight, but there were too many, so I had to pitch in. Sora owes me."

Demyx didn't say anything for a moment. "And what are you going to try to make him do? Get him to spare me?" A hint of bitterness crept into his voice. "I thought you wanted to fight Sora together. I don't need you to make the big, bad Keyblade master leave me alone, Kanixa. I'm a big boy. I can fight on my own. You know what? Maybe it's a good idea if you don't come with me to Hollow Bastion after all." He started walking.

"Demyx—"

"Come on," he said, voice hard. "We've got to get back before Saïx misses me—or Axel misses you." Uncertain what else to do, she followed him into a portal. Maybe if she gave him some time to cool off, she could reason with him. Or maybe she'd ruined their friendship for good.