Alone Forever

Chapter Fourteen

Well guys, here's chapter Fourteen. I got it up as soon as I could. Hope you like it!

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"So, you wish to hold a Christmas party…" Two shadowing figures were walking through the halls of Castle Oblivion. The taller of the two had spoken.

The shorter one nodded enthusiastically. "Yup. The boss says it's okay. It's going to fix some things. Will you help me?" They stopped and looked at each other.

"Of course." They shook hands. "Things will be much better after this."

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Xembré woke one morning to find Axel and Demyx in her room. She sat up, and Axel and Demyx smiled sheepishly at her. Demyx had his hands behind his back. Confused, Xembré squinted at her friends.

"What are you doing?" She asked, running a hand through her hair.

"Uh…" Demyx glanced nervously around. "There's a party tonight, six o'clock, don't be late!" He said quickly, and then he fled the scene.

Still half-asleep, Xembré looked to Axel. "What? A party?" She was not completely sure what was going on.

"Yeah," Axel shifted his weight from one foot to the other. "I, uh… I'm supposed to take you and Larxene shopping." He looked embarrassed as he said it.

Xembré stretched, yawning. "Okay… Give me a minute, and I'll get dressed." She was still not exactly sure what was happening, but the prospect of shopping was cheering. She hadn't been shopping in forever!

Axel nodded and left, closing the door behind him. When he was gone, Xembré clambered out of bed and began rummaging through her closet. It was Friday, so she could wear anything she wanted. She considered for a long while, and finally decided on a tight, long-sleeved shirt, and a denim skirt over tights. She liked the look, especially the shirt, because it was pink.

Axel returned several minutes later. Now that she was fully awake, Xembré saw that he was wearing jeans and a black T-shirt. Larxene accompanied him, wearing pants that looked two sizes too small, a spaghetti strap shirt, and a tightly fitting hoody. Trying to forget that The Savage Nymph had accused her of making-out with Axel, Xembré greeted them with a smile.

"Ready?" Xembre nodded, and Axel opened a portal. He stood back so Larxene and Xembré could step through, then followed.

When Xembré stepped out of the portal, she found herself in an unfamiliar place. People were milling around, talking, laughing, holding hands in some cases. It appeared to be winter, but there was no snow. Soon Xembré realized that they were near a mall. Xembré had not been in a mall for… forever!

"Come on!" Larxene pulled Axel away by the arm, and Xembré followed. They entered a clothes store, and Xembré smiled. Like any girl, she liked shopping for clothing. She was immediately drawn to a black shirt with short sleeves, a low neck-line, and a red bow on the left shoulder. She pulled it off the rack, and was just looking at some cute jeans, when Larxene shoved a skirt in her face.

"Try this one; it'll look adorable on you!" The skirt was short, ruffled, and red and black plaid. Xembré grimaced at it. She hated short skirts.

"Fine," She said grudgingly. "I'll try it." She reluctantly took the skirt and followed Larxene to the dressing room. Axel waited outside, looking bored.

When Xembré pulled the shirt on over her head, she knew it was perfect. It was comfortable, it fit, and it was really cute. Then she grudgingly pulled on the skirt. It was cute, she had to admit, but she felt like if she made the slightest move, bad things would happen. She heard Larxene call her name, and, sighing, she opened the door and went to let Axel and Larxene see.

"Wow…" Axel said, his eyes wide. "You look great! I think you should buy it!" Larxene nodded her agreement, and then went off to change back. She looked surprisingly pretty in a black halter-top and jeans.

"You really think so?" Xembré smiled shyly at Axel, who grinned.

"Yeah, it'll be a great way to attract someone's attention." He winked, and Xembré felt heat rising in her cheeks. But right then she decided that she was going to buy the outfit. She would wear it if it killed her.

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Later on, Xembré sat in Larxene's room, waiting impatiently while she tried to style her hair. Her hair had grown, and was now about shoulder-blade length. Finally, Larxene decided that just down and curled would suffice. When Larxene was done with her, Xembre's hair fell in soft curls around her face, she wore mascara (The only make-up she would let near her), and was wearing her new outfit. Larxene was already ready.

Almost as soon as Larxene finished, a knock came at the door. Larxene opened it, and there stood Axel and Demyx, looking resplendent in tuxedoes. Xembré smiled shyly, and Demyx returned her smile with his own.

"We're here to escort two beautiful Nobodies to a party." Axel said, grinning. Larxene smiled at him, and stepped out into the hall. Axel offered her his arm, and she took it, letting him guide her down the hall.

Xembré looked to Demyx, who flushed as he offered her his arm. Not looking at each other, they started down the hall to the large dining room where the party was to be held.

After a few minutes, Demyx cleared his throat. "You, uh… You look really pretty." He said, glancing sideways at her.

Xembré was surprised by the hesitant tone he used. Sending a curious, blushing glance at him, she smiled. "Thank you." They stopped outside the dining room, looking at each other. Xembré had to tilt her chin a bit to look into Demyx's face. His eyes were like a piece of the ocean, captured forever in luminous orbs. They stood that way for several minutes, then they both blushed and looked away.

Demyx mumbled what sounded like "Come on, party…" and went through the huge, double doors, not looking at her.

Xembré followed, blushing and confused. Why had she, after so many months, just realized, as she stood gazing at Demyx, how beautiful he was? And why, after all that time, had their friendship become so awkward? Never once had she noticed how cute Demyx was, how beautiful his eyes were, how lucky she was to have him as a friend. And now, in one instant, she could barely look at him without blushing.

Trying to distract herself, she looked around the room. One long table stood against a far wall, laden with food so people could eat buffet style. Chairs were scattered around the room in little groups. Mistletoe was hung in several places, including right inside the door and above the table.

All the other members of the Organization were there already. Axel was talking to Xigbar and Xaldin. Larxene was standing at his shoulder. Luxord was sitting slouched in one of the chairs, idly fiddling with his favorite deck of cards. Saix, Xemnas and Lexaeus were all sitting quietly, looking as though they would rather be anywhere than at the party. Standing off in a corner by himself was Zexion. Xembré quickly averted her eyes from Number Six, and wandered toward Vexen and Marluxia.

"Hey," She said, waving shyly at them. She still felt uncomfortable about the skirt, especially since she could've sworn Zexion was staring at her.

Marluxia smiled at her. Xembré had noticed that the Graceful Assassin had been careful to do nothing that might scare her off. IT was difficult rebuilding a friendship after something like what had happened with them.

"You look very nice," Vexen commented, smiling wryly at her. Xembré flushed. For someone so much older than her, he knew just what to say to calm her nerves.

"Thank you," She replied, flashing him a smile.

Just then, Demyx popped up at her elbow. Her grinned at Vexen and Marluxia, and then turned to Xembré. "Aren't you hungry?" HE asked, smiling. Xembré flushed when she met his eyes. He was so cute and his eyes sparkled merrily. "There's gingerbread cookies! But first you've gotta try my lumpia!" He took her hand and dragged her toward the table. Xembré could feel herself blushing furiously, but she could not understand why.

When they reached the table, they passed Axel and Larxene next to the punch bowl. "Hey Axel, look up!" Demyx cried, pointing toward the ceiling. Almost everyone followed Demyx's finger to see that Axel and Larxene were standing under a bunch of mistletoe.

Axel flushed so hard his face was the same shade as his hair. He looked at Larxene, who was smiling. Watched by the whole room, Axel stepped closer to Larxene and leaned down to kiss her. Xembré met Demyx's eye and smiled. Maybe Axel and Larxene would finally get together.

After that incident, Xembré made a mental note to avoid the punch bowl at all costs. It was too risky being caught underneath it. Especially if she got caught under it with Demyx. She would die if that happened.

She started when a hand landed on her shoulder, looking up and to her right. Marluxia was looking down at her, his hand resting on her shoulder lightly. "What are you thinking?" He asked. Xembré glanced around to see that Axel and Demyx were eating. Axel had one arm around Larxene.

Looking back at Marluxia, Xembré met his aquamarine eyes. He seemed to sincerely be asking her thoughts. She turned her eyes once again to Demyx. He smiled, and Xembré blushed, turning back to Number Eleven.

"It's nothing important." She said, smiling. "I'll tell you later." Marluxia nodded once, squeezed her shoulder, and went off to join Vexen, snatching a cookie as he went. Xembré was not really hungry, but she took a few cookies and went to sit with Axel, Larxene and Demyx. She sat beside Demyx, watching as Axel and Larxene flirted shamelessly.

She leaned closer to Demyx to whisper to him. "Are they together yet?" she asked. Demyx would know who she meant.

The blonde shook his head, staring down at the floor. "Nah, but he's going to ask her tonight."

They sat in silence for a while, until Axel finally started up a conversation. Then they all talked for a long time. Xembré had never really spent much time with Larxene. They had drastically different personalities and interests. But she found that she enjoyed the other girl's company, to a certain extent.

At one point, during a lull in the conversation, Xembré stood to get some punch. Demyx followed, but he was only getting more cookies. Xembré paused at the punch bowl, thinking. She was so confused, but she didn't know why. It was so hard for her to talk normally to Demyx, especially since she kept admiring the curve of his lips, the color of his eyes, and his voice.

As she stood there holding her cup and thinking, Axel and Demyx were having a silent scuffle. Axel was pushing Demyx toward Xembré, encouraging him. But Demyx looked horrified! He struggled up until he was right beside Xembré, then he stood as though frozen. Axel backed off, giving the blonde a thumbs up when he looked pleadingly at him. Seeing that he was caught, Demyx took a deep, steadying breath, and tapped Xembré on the shoulder.

Xembré turned at the touch, snapped back from her thoughts. Her stay in reality was a short one, for as she turned, she felt a pair of lips pressed against her own in a quick, simple kiss. The kiss lasted about three seconds, and then Demyx pulled back. All he did, as Xembré gazed at him, was glance upward, and walk away. Following his eyes, Xembré saw the bunch of mistletoe and remembered, too late, her mental note: Stay away from the punch bowl.

Unfortunately, almost the whole Organization had witnessed the most embarrassing moment of Xembre's non-existance. She stood rooted to the spot, completely dazed, until someone called her name. Giving herself a shake, she looked around to see Vexen waving her over. Glad of a reason not to rejoin her friends, she started toward the older blonde.

She sat beside Marluxia, and found herself trembling uncontrollably. Her hands twisted in her lap, and her face burned with embarrassment. She felt Marluxia's hand on her arm, and looked up to meet his understanding gaze.

"You want to talk about it?" He asked gently.

Xembré shook her head. She didn't think she would ever be able to put into words what was whirling blurrily through her mind. In fact, she didn't think she would ever speak again. She sat in silence as Vexen and Marluxia spoke together. They were joined briefly by Xigbar, but he didn't tarry. It struck Xembré then how distant the whole organization was.

Soon Xembré was drowsing, her elbow propped on the table and her chin resting in her hand. The drone of voices al around her was pleasant, as was the warm tea she had just been handed by Vexen. She came awake when a hand rested on her shoulder. Looking up, she looked into Axel's emerald eyes. He seemed amused.

"I've got a surprise for you!" He said, his eyes twinkling.

Xembré blinked at him, still drowsy. "Eh..? Oh, okay…" She mumbled, standing up. She followed Axel across the room to a secluded corner where he bade her stop about three feet from where Zexion stood. Xembré ignored The Cloaked Schemer, and stood waiting for the surprise Axel had for her.

The surprise really was a surprise. She had just been drowsing again when she felt Zexion getting nearer her, and then heard her name. "Xembré, look up!" Following the simple instruction, Xembré lifted her eyes to the ceiling to see a bunch of mistletoe hanging right above her. She stifled a frustrated groan as she looked back down and saw Zexion standing six inches away from her. They stared at each other, Zexion advancing by centimeters, and Xembré feeling the familiar heat in her cheeks. Then, someone yelled 'Kiss her already!' and Xembré snapped out of it.

Frowning, she stepped back from Zexion. "I wouldn't kiss you if you were the last Nobody in the World That Never Was!" And with that she stormed out of the room. She was dimly aware of at least three people trying to stop her, and someone shouting 'Oh, burned!' But she continued on her way, and once she was out in the hall, she opened a portal to her room.

She didn't care if the whole Organization knew she hated Zexion. They all knew any way. All she cared about was murdering the treacherous snake who had tried to get her and Zexion together!

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Ahaha! I found that funny… I'm sorry, I just did… Anyways… That was chapter Fourteen. I tried my hardest to get it up sooner, but I didn't… As you can see. I actually finished it several weeks ago. But I had to force myself to type it up. I hate typing, especially when I've already written the whole chapter down. –sigh- Anyways, here it is. Thanks for reading, and don't forget to review! I'll get chapter Fifteen up as soon as possible!