I woke to the sound of quiet voices, and a shadow in the light of the door.

"Alright. Thank you, Saix." I heard Zexion's voice say, and I blinked sleep from my eyes just in time as the room faded into darkness again. His footsteps barely formed the faintest color in my vision. "You awake?" I heard Zexion whisper, and I nodded a bit, blinking tiredly. I felt his lips be pressed to my forehead. "Watch your eyes." he whispered against my skin and I closed my eyes as light flooded the room.

I squinted for a moment before I could properly view anything again and I looked to Zexion. In his hands were some clothing. "Xemnas has requested that you wear something that doesn't set you apart from the rest of us, so he had these sent down. You need to get dressed, we only have 30 minutes until we're supposed to be at the wreck room." Zexion said and I nodded once more as I took the clothing and pulled on each article onto it's proper location. "I'm sorry if it's a little big. Saix had to fork over a clean set of his clothing because he was the closest in measurements to Desmond, and you probably have the same as Desmond, if not slightly more." Zexion said, shrugging as he stood and I went to scrounge for my shoes.

"You won't need them. Just follow me. You just need to watch where you step when we get to the Wreck Room. There's splinters everywhere." he said. Zexion had turned completely into all business, and I frowned.

"Zexion..." I whined.

"Hmmm?" He then looked at me and his face softened. "I'm sorry, Demyx. You just slept so long and Xemnas insisted you come." he said, apologizing.

"That's not what I meant."

"Hu-?" was the only responce he managed to get out before I pressed my lips lightly to his. "Good morning, Demyx. Don't worry, you won't be restricted from kissing me after the Wreck Room is finished." Zexion told me after our lips parted, smiling. He gently kissed me back and our fingers twined before our lips parted and Zexion lead me out of the room and down hallway after bloody hallway.

Until we reached the Wreck Room.

Broken boxes lined a single wall, with only a few open spaces along the wall, with metal binds holding certain weapons to the walls. Zexion seemed unaffected by the sight as he walked in. "Demyx." he said, not looking at me, but I knew that he was being serious. "I suggest you avoid speaking for a moment." and then, I saw the family.

A tan skinned man with white hair sat on a metal bench, next to a man who resembled Zexion in many ways, such as the color of their skin and hair, but his eyes were golden and there was an X scar in the center of his face, crossing at the bridge of his nose. An empty seat resided on the white haired man's other side.

"Xemnas." Zexion said with a slight bow of his head, and the white haired man gave a short nod in return.

"Demyx, come sit." the man's smooth voice said and I looked to Zexion, who gave me a small nod, telling me to do it. I sat down next to Xemnas to the seat he indicated. He inhaled in my scent and scowled. "I see..." he whispered, his eyes still fixated upon Zexion, who stood there like a brave soldier expecting an ambush.

The door to the wreckroom opened and Larxene entered with a pink haired man at her side. Marluxia, no doubt. "Sorry for being late." Marluxia said as he took a seat next to Larxene, who sat down beside me as a guard from her boyfriend.

Axel entered, his spiky red hair hanging far more limply than I had ever seen it. Heck. He probably had just gotten back from doing something that required no hair gel. And he sat down besides Saix.

And then... Dilan came in, dressed in work-out clothing.

"Xaldin. Zexion. Begin when you feel ready." Xemnas said, his voice cold in the air.

My heart started beating fast. Begin what?

Zexion, however, smirked and his hand dug into his pocket to pull out a pair of earbuds and he put them in his ears, hooking the cords around his ears before he pulled out an mp3 player and pushed a few buttons before depositing it back in his pocket. His lips still held a smirk as his stance changed, one foot facing Xaldin with his knee bent, the other foot turned to the side with his knee straight. His arms hung limply at his sides, the fingers on one hand twitching to the music he was listening to.

And in the blink of an eye, Zexion disappeared.

I caught sound and my head whipped to see him reappear behind Xaldin, who seemed shocked at the sudden speed. Xaldin turned around in time to block a kick aimed at his side, catching Zexion's ankle in his hands and he pulled the ankle up hard and Zexion flew upward, spinning to catch Xaldin upside the face with the other one, the solid blow causing his hands to release their hold. The smaller man landed on one foot, the other dangling with his upper leg parallel to the ground, almost taunting Xaldin. The man recovered quickly, his face bearing a red mark from the attack. He bore his fangs and released a snarled roar at Zexion, who just kept smirking, taunting.

"Come on, big guy..." Zexion whispered. "You can do better than that."

Xaldin rushed at Zexion, and Zexion was up in the air, as if he had been propelled by a strong trampolen, his hair almost touching the ceiling before his back arched and his hands met a beam, and his feet locked with the ceiling, Zexion hanging upside down by his hands as Xaldin halted and looked up at him, fangs still bared.

"My, what big teeth you have, Gramma." Zexion sneered and this time, it was Xaldin's turn to disappear, appearing in the air before Zexion and his fist firmly met Zexion's breast, sending Zexion back so fast from the beam that Zexion almost hit the wall, however, he struck it with his feet before jumping to the ground, bothering for a moment to brush the area where he had been hit, almost as if flicking dust from his shirt. Zexion disappeared once more and he was once more before Xaldin, but he was running towards him, Xaldin going to attack but Zexion rolled his shoulders and his back touched the ground as he slid on his back until Xaldin was almost on top of him, his back arching and his legs and hips popping off the ground until Zexion harshly jumped his shoulders and he sent himself feet first up into the air, his feet locking onto Xaldin's shoulders and Zexion came up with his body, knees bending as he started to go over Xaldin's head as his fist struck Xaldin firmly in the nose. Blood met the air as Zexion pushed off of Xaldin to backflip to the ground, but not before Xaldin turned around to firmly punch Zexion in the back. I heard a sickening crack and Zexion gave a grunt before he landed, on his feet, only to crumple to the ground, eyes scrunched closed in pain. "That was my fucking spine, you fucking shitface." Zexion snarled to the ground as Xaldin stood over him, bending down to grab Zexion by the neck of the shirt and hoist him up.

For a moment, I thought that Xaldin was going to punch Zexion again, even in that frail state he seemed to be in. I was sadly mistaken.

Xaldin held Zexion above his head by the shirt, Zexion's legs moving very little, Zexion's fangs bore as he gritted his teeth.

"Give up?" Xaldin asked the man who was at his mercy.

Then, a laugh echoed in the room. I realized that it was Zexion's. "Have I ever?" Zexion purred.

Zexion's arms shot upwards and he slid down and out of his shirt with ease, landing on his feet below Xaldin and he struck the man hard. Xaldin went flying into a pile of boxes, getting up quickly only to stager. He was about ready to attack when a voice sounded.

"Enough."

It was Xemnas.

"Zexion, Xaldin, you both have fought well, but Zexion has proved that he's more than capable of over running you. This, Zexion is now granted full permission."

Xaldin snarled at him. "Zexion brought that human into our home, and you're giving him PERMISSION?!"

"He was Desmond. That's all the reason I need, Xaldin. If you have any objections, take it up with me later, but I will not deal with it now, in front of our guest." Xemnas said, calmly. "His scent is Desmond's. Zexion has tasted his blood, and his blood is Desmond's. He was Desmond, under a new body and name. Zexion will decide his turning, seeing as he was Desmond's sire, and if I hear of you daring to harm him in any way, you will face conciquences, as well as anyone else who does, member of this family or not." Xemnas finished.

"Zexion. I suggest you freshen yourself before attending the meal. And Larxene... if you have any attitude change for the next 5 months, I will abort the infant myself." Xemnas said, standing suddenly (and I flinched at the movement). Then, he looked down to me. "And I will speak to you at meal time. I'm just a little curious about how my Zexion is about his lover." and he walked away. I stared, heart still pounding, and I felt someone's eyes upon me, and I turned. Saix's eyes were upon me, calmly, calculating, and just weirding me out. "Hurt big brother, and I hurt you." he warned me, getting up and striding after Xemnas.

Larxene giggled and gave me a hug to help me relax. "Basically, he's saying you take good care of little Zexy, alright? I'll talk to you later, Demy." she said, smiling as Marluxia and her left.

I looked around for a moment before my eyes rested upon Axel, who was crouching next to the wall where Zexion had propped himself up against. He looked like he was in pain. I got up and went to Zexion's side. "Are you alright?" I asked. Zexion laughed a little.

"My fucking back hurts like shit, and my chest is already starting to bruise." he said, and my eyes traveled his scarred torso, where the bruise was turning dark purple already. Axel shook his head, resting his hand over the bruise and he closed his eyes. Zexion rested his head back. "That feels good, Axel." he murmured.

"A little heat can do good for sore muscles and bruises like this. Just be glad I can control my body temp like a thermostat." Axel replied. I wondered what it felt like to Zexion. Then, Axel lifted his hand. "Time for your back. This might hurt a bit."

"Doesn't it always? He always goes for my back, and one day, he's going to break my spine doing that. Then he's going to die by Saix's fangs." Zexion laughed, moving slowly to rest on his stomach. My breath hitched at the sight.

His smooth, flawless back now bore a bruise in the shape of a hand at his mid-back. Dark, blochy, and swelling. Axel gave a hiss in detest and moved both hands over the bruise. A little pressure and Zexion released a hiss. "Sorry." Axel murmured before he closed his eyes once more. More warmth and Zexion relaxed.

"You're a god send, Axel."

"Thanks. Anything for my roommate. But can I have permission to bring Roxas home, seeing as you do for Demyx. They're basically the same thing in terms of reincarnation. Roxas was Roku, and Demyx is Desmond."

Zexion laughed. "I'll talk to Xemnas for you, but don't expect it to be instant. Just stay polite to him when you ask after I talk to him, and we'll have both our boyfriends in the same room as us in a week or less." Zexion said, smiling. I had to smile a little. Axel was a good friend to Zexion, especially after Xaldin almost took a piece of him. Zexion sat up a bit and gave a small grunt in pain, before Axel looked to me.

"I'll let you do the honors of carrying him back to the room. I need to put the salave on his back before he can go to the meal." Axel told me, and I nodded, shifting to put one arm under Zexion's knees, and the other behind his shoulders, picking him up bridal style. "Follow me."

Then, we went back to Zexion and Axel's room.

._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._.

I felt myself placed upon my own bed when I opened my eyes. Axel was pulling jars out from under his bed, and Demyx was using his lap as a pillow for my head. I smiled as I recognized the feel of his fingers gently stroking through my hair, the fringe now out of my face for him to seem both eyes and my scar. I still lacked a shirt, so the bruise and scars were visible as well. It didn't matter. Demyx didn't flinch when he looked at my scars. That made me happy.

"How are you feeling?" Demyx asked me and I smiled faintly.

"I've been better. At least this time, Xaldin didn't break my nose like I did this time." I said with a laugh. "Well worth it to see it swell up on his face at meal time."

"You forget the Xaldin is the only one who cooks, Zexion."

"I can cook, I just don't care for it. Besides, Xaldin is a chop-chop addict." I chuckled.

"I can cook, too. I live alone, so I have to know how to cook a decent meal when friends are over, " I heard Demyx offer, and I smiled.

"That sounds like a must try." I told him, my eyes opening for a moment. Then, I saw white and I yelped. "WHAT THE FUCK, AXEL?!" I screamed at the man who had just put the medicine upon the bruise.

"Sorry. It works better when it's warm."

"Warm my ass! It's as hot as melted wax, you dipshit! Too hot!"

"Sorry." He waited a couple more moments before reapplying the medicine, which had cooled. I still felt uncomfortable, but when Axel taped some gauze down over it, I turned over, resting my cheek on Demyx's thight, facing away from him as Axel applied it to my back as well. "Looks like Xaldin hit a bad nerve this time. Lexaeus' skills with massages would be great right now, especially with how your back is." Axel said.

"Well, he's not here, is he?" I grumbled.

Demyx piped up, "I could ask Lexaeus to meet up with us before our date to work on your back, if you would like."

I chuckled. "I forgot that you know our missing members. Sure. Call him up. It's about 10 at night, so he'll be at work now, if he hasn't gotten the night off, too."

"Alright." I said, smiling to myself.

Lexaeus was great with massages. His hands were forever strong, but though they were very large in size, making him seem clumbsy, he had hands like magic. Any muscle pain you had before he worked on you would be completely gone within seconds, that was how good he was. I knew this because time and time again before Desmond and Roku died, as well as Xigbar, Vexen, Lexaeus, and Luxord disappeared, Lexaeus worked his magic upon my back and when I was in pain, he was always there to ease it. He was a god when it came to relieving muscle pain. That was all I can say about it.

As soon as I felt the gauze be taped down, I opened my eyes and sat up slowly only to have a shirt being caught on my face.

"Use that one. It matches Demyx's shirt more than your other one." Axel told me and I frowned at him, but saw the sense in it, so I put it on with slight difficulty. Axel knew that I ordered my clothing by color in my wardrobe, right down to undergarmets and shoes (I only have three pairs of shoes. My punk boots (black leather), my tennis shoes (which had blue stripes), and my dress shoes (which were technically tap-dance shoes with the metal plate removed that could full lace). Demyx helped me to stand and together, the three of us headed to the dining room, where a long table was set up. Places were already filled, but some were empty. I recognized the two seats where Vexen and Lexaues used to sit, as well as the empty seat next to Xemnas where Xaldin used to be. I sat down next to Saix, but Axel had Demyx sit on the other side of him. We had to sit in order of our numbers. Xemnas at the head of the table, empty seat, Xaldin, empty seat, empty seat, me, Saix, Axel, Demyx, empty seat, Marluxia, Larxene, empty seat. That was how it was.

Food sat upon the table, but no one touched it. Not yet. Xemnas spoke. "We gather today with a number that has been empty for 315 years now filled. Demyx, please stand."

My heart raced as he told Demyx to stand, and he slowly did so, keeping his attention on Xemnas. He looked nervous.

"What members of our family do you already know?" Xemnas asked him, and I knew that Demyx would answer honestly.

"Zexion. Axel. I found out that my friends Xigbar, Vexen, Lexaeus, and Luxord are part of the family, I met Larxene earlier today, and you, sir. Saix spoke to me after the sparring. I have seen Xaldin before, when I first met Zexion."

There was whisperes about the table. Xigbar, Vexen, Lexaeus, and Luxord were still alive. That was what it was about.

Xemnas nodded. "Do you know what Xigbar has done to pain our family?"

"Yes. He killed Desmond while sparring with him, though Xigbar said it was by accident because his control slipped. Vexen, Lexaeus, and Luxord dragged him into running away, and Zexion and Roku both tried commiting suicide because of the loss of Desmond, even though Roku died, and Zexion didn't." Demyx said, now seeming calmer. "And I know that it may be hard to believe that it might be suggesting that Xigbar killed Desmond by accident, but I know one thing about Xigbar. He never lies. To anyone."

I felt my heart stop and I remembered the tape that was still in my pocket. I hadn't listened to it yet. I placed it upon the table, fingers shaking. "I haven't listened to it yet." I whispered, forcing myself to press play.

Everyone was silent as the tape played. It was fuzzy, but everyone could recognize Xigbar's voice, as well as Demyx's.

[i]"You personally once knew Zexion, didn't you?"

[/i]Hesitation.[i] "Yeah."

"What are your thoughts on him?"

"He's the most beautiful mistake I have ever made."

"You were in love with him. So... is that why you killed the only person he loved? Is that why you killed Desmond?"

"How the fuck did you find that out?!"

"Zexion. He told me. He told me how much agony you put him through by killing Desmond. He told me that he hated you because you destroyed the only thing he ever thought he ever could have for himself."

"Zexion... He's still mad at me?"

"Yeah. I thought you would be mad at me for bringing up the topic of him."

"I thought I was going to be, but when I took your phone, I heard his voice. Zoe. That had been his code name back when he had been a newly turned. He wasn't quite Zexion, but he was no longer Ienzo. I miss him, Demyx. And I'm sorry that I killed Desmond."

"Want to talk about it?"

A sigh. "It had been an accident. Sparing with Desmond had been the main thing. He always asked me to train him to be a better fighter. But this time, our Vexen, our Lexaeus, our Luxord, their Roku, had been spectators. It only took one mention of Zexion to set me off. I wanted to impress Zexion, and I started loosing control of myself. My strikes went faster than what he was capable of, and what had been supposed to be a gentle palm thrust, turned into a sternum-breaking jab. I had broken his sternum, a couple ribs, and a piece of his rib had already sunk into his heart. I was so shocked with myself, as was Vexen, Lexaeus, and Luxord, that they took me and ran. Roku didn't follow, but I found out that 5 days later, he had died from suicide, ripping open his own wrists with his fangs. Roku idolized Desmond as an older brother, and Zexion as a best friend, but loosing Desmond, then seeing Zexion in such pain made him loose it completely. I didn't intend to kill Desmond, Demyx. But after it happened, I hid from them like a mouse from a cat. I was so scared that Zexion hated me. He probably still does."[/i] a pause.[i] "Demyx. You look just like Desmond. Just like him in every way. How your bone structure is, your eyes, your hair, everything right down to the musical ability. That's why I chose you to be on my team, because you are like him in every way, and if you and Zexion ever fall in love... I approve, and I will protect you and Zexion from any harm, because I had been the reason why Desmond died, and I'm the reason why Zexion hurts so much."

"What was Desmond like?"

[/i] a chuckle.[/i] "Brave, aloof, in love with music, lived for the ocean and the sea, smiled the widest and most cheerful grins in the entire group, and when everyone felt like it was a cloudy day inside their hearts, he would be there and the sun would come out. He was such a good friend to Zexion, even though they had both been holding back from confessing their love to each other. Desmond rarely left Zexion's side for any reason other than orders or training. And he just had this weird air about him that seemed to suck the negative energy from the air and make everyone feel more relaxed and happy."

"I'm just like him?"

"Yes, in every way personality wise. I don't know about Zexion and you, but if it ever came to you two becoming friends or lovers, that would definately be Desmond and Zexion all over again." [/i] A pause.[i] "What kind of relationship are you in with Zexion?"

"You remember when you interrupted my phone call?"

"Yeah?"

"Girlfriend Zoe = Boyfriend Zexion."

[/i]Xigbar laughed.[i] "Wow! Am I slow! How long have you two been together now?"

"About three days."

"And you met how long ago?"

"Six."

"He's the owner of the bookstore where you got the Desmondus Virus?"

"Yeah..."

"If you give Zexion a message for me, Demyx, and tell him to try not to kill me before I visit the book store next week, I would like to give him a formal apology before he gives me what I deserve." [/i]a pause.[i]"Promise me, Demyx, that you'll give him that message. Alright?"

"I will, Xigbar."

"Take a few days off with Zexion. The more time you two get to spend together, the better he'll heal. I'll give you 4 days, then I expect you to be back in your desk, and you will be doing paperwork to make sure you live a longer life than you would hunting."[/i]

The tape went dead, and I found my hands shaking. I didn't reguister the tears that now stained my cheeks. Saix looked to me, as well as the majority of the table. I saw none of them, but in my mind, every moment taped of Xigbar's admittance... replayed as if he was in front of me. He was sorry... He wanted me to punish him for what he did to the one person I cared about, over 300 years ago.

"Zexion. We will let you decide Xigbar's fate. As well as Luxord, Lexaeus, and Vexen." Xemnas said.

My lips trembled a moment, before I pressed them tightly together before I spoke in my trembling voice. "I will let him apologize. He always apologized when he did something wrong, especially to me." My lips twitched in a faint smile. "He always apologized, and this time is no different. He won't be harmed, because even though he took away a part of me I yerned for, he has given me back something so much more in replacement. His gift is Demyx, and it is the love that Demyx and I share for each other. Desmond never told me how he felt, but it is Desmond's soul that resides in Demyx. And that, I think, is worthy of him being forgiven. Vexen, Lexaeus, and Luxord ran because they thought that they would be in trouble as well, so we will simply give them a slap on the wrist, and if I may be bold enough to say, may we welcome them home?" I finally said, smiling to Xemnas.

I expected him to be angry wtih me, but he saw my reasoning and he smiled sadly, nodding. "Alright."

"And also, Xigbar unintentionally took Roku from Axel, but now Axel has Roxas, too. So, Xemnas, may we welcome Roxas home as well?" I asked and Axel looked at me estatically thankful.

Xemnas laughed. "Why not? It appears our family will return to being complete soon, and I think... we have found our home, so we will not move unless apsolutely nessicary. We have been traveling so much to try and escape the pain, and it has been a long time, but it appears that we will be whole soon, so we can stop it." Xemnas said. "So, Demyx, please, have a seat, and may we eat."

Tonight, food never tasted so good, and I could think of Xigbar without my chest aching. He was sorry.

He Was Sorry.