Chapter 29

Luxord looked around the warehouse then stood up from the crate his was sitting on when Axel and Roxas walked through the door. "Fashionably late as usual Axel."

Axel smiled. "Naturally."

In a corner of the warehouse both Lexaeus and Xemnas were having a rather heated conversation, their tones hushed but continuing, only glancing at the late arrivals. Saix was training with illusions Zexion supplied while he sat high and out of reach of the man's fury. The teen found that using images of Tifa made him attack with even more fury and he smiled at the progress he made. Xigbar hung upside-down from a beam not too far from Luxord and nodded to Axel. He looked to Luxord. "So, this Selphie chick...is she hot?"

Luxord threw an angry glance at Xigbar. "And why does that matter? You have Demyx. Anyone else's appearance shouldn't concern you."

"Aww, that's not what you said in the car now was it?" He grinned, crossing his arms. "I can't enjoy the view of what's going to be teaching me how to hone my skill? Man you do not understand how my mind works at all..."

"I don't want to know how your mind works. How can you even stand to look at another person like that?" he muttered before his attention was pulled to the center of the warehouse where a black portal had appeared. "They're here." he looked back to Xigbar. "Please right yourself, and try not to embarrass me."

A bumpy blue ball came flying out of the portal with a voice calling for someone to catch it, followed by some laughter. Xigbar dropped to the ground and schooled his face into a mean scowly look as interpretation of 'not embarrassing' Luxord. As soon as the portal dissipated, Cid walked to Luxord with a smile on his face. "Long time no see...when's this shindig gonna go down?" He clapped a hand on his shoulder.

Luxord copied his hand movement and smiled. "We don't know yet, but I'm glad you're here."

"Always glad to help." Cid answered back and crossed his arms. "So what are we looking at here?" His eyes scanned the warehouse of each member.

A young looking girl stepped up beside Cid, followed by a blond boy. "Hey Luxord."

"Selphie, Tidus. Good to see you. I'll do introductions in a minute." Luxord said then motioned to Xigbar. "Selphie, this is Xigbar. The idiot you'll be training."

Across the warehouse Namine smiled as she caught the ball and threw it back to Wakka. "It's so great to see you guys!"

Wakka grinned as he caught the ball and spun it on his finger. "When did you start blitzin', Nam?" He walked up to her, still grinning stupidly. "It's been way too long, y'know?"

Namine smiled. "Far too long. But it looks like we'll be moving home after this all fans out."

Xigbar's eyebrows quivered as his gaze shifted to the girl and he lost the expression he was trying to hold. "Aw, come on! She's barely of age AND she sm-" Xigbar quickly pulled back his statement and his shoulders slumped.

Luxord pulled away from Cid to hit Xigbar upside the head. "Watch yourself."

Selphie stepped forward and put a hand on Luxord's wrist. "It's alright Lux, I can handle this." she said then smirked up at Xigbar. "Do you want to get better or stay a lame beginner your whole life?"

"I like how you talk." He nodded. "Lead me oh, mistress of portals." Xigbar grinned, kneeling to the floor in mock reverence.

Selphie arched an eyebrow at the man then looked up at Luxord. "He's an odd one isn't he?"

"You have no idea." Luxord said then turned to the others. "Alright, for everyone who doesn't know them, this is Cid and his coven; Selphie, Tidus and Wakka. Cid controls wind, Selphie portals, and Tidus and Wakka both control water." Luxord looked at Cid. "You noticed we have some new faces. The young one is Zexion, he controls illusions, the one next to him is his mate Lexaeus who controls earth; and he's also a healer. The angry looking one is Saix and his mate Xemnas. We're not sure of their powers yet. And then there's Roxas, who controls light. We're all very happy he's come along, he's managed to put Axel back in his place." He said with a chuckle. "And that should be everyone here. Marluxia just recently turned his mate, which has finally made him become a positive part of society again; but Vexen will not be fighting with us. Alright so now that introductions are done and out of the way. We all know that there's a lot riding on this upcoming battle so we have to make the most of this training session since it may or may not be our last. So don't hold back." he said and crossed his arms. "We're going to have to fight in groups. I've taken the liberty to set up these said groups. Zexion you'll be with Luxord and myself. Lexaeus and Roxas will be with Namine. Axel I want you with Saix. And Marluxia has agreed to work with Xemnas since we have next to no knowledge of your powers."

"Wait you don't have any clues as to what his power is?" Selphie tilted her head to the side. "Well Tidus could help with that. He can sense powers."

Xigbar straightened up and shrugged. "Eh, whatever." He walked a few paces from Selphie.

Zexion blinked at being given new partners and dismissed all of the straggling illusions Saix failed to attack. He slipped off the crate and walked up to the new guys and blinked in surprise. "Wow, you guys are closer to my age, that's a relief..." Saix turned to Axel with a rather wild look in his eye.

Axel looked at the newborn and smiled. "This will be interesting."

Selphie smiled at Zexion. "Yeah, we young ones have to stick together. Although we are a little older than you, it's nice to see another young face."

Tidus stepped over to Xemnas and narrowed his eyes in thought then held out his hand for Xemnas's. "May I?"

Xemnas glanced at the new vampire then cautiously put his hand in Tidus'.

Saix didn't waste any time in going straight for Axel's throat, letting out a rather animalistic growl as he lunged forward.

Zexion looked to Luxord and then Cid and his shoulder's slumped. "Why is it that I'm always given the hard ones to train with?"

Axel's eyes widened and he reacted quickly. He grabbed Saix's arm and twisted it behind his back and pressed a hand to the back of Saix's neck. "Hey now, let's just relax."

Luxord eyed Zexion and crossed his arms. "Hard to train with?"

Saix blinked in surprise and didn't struggle within his grip. "We were told to hold nothing back, weren't we?" He asked, rather belligerently.

Zexion blushed. "I meant-because you guys seem to be the most qualified...to kick ass or somethin'..." He rubbed the back of his neck and Cid nearly busted out laughing.

"So eager." He said with a chuckle. "You're going to be a strong one but we need to figure out your power first."

Luxord laughed and glanced at Xigbar. "Well I suppose that's true. The two of us having control over space and time."

After a few moments Tidus let go of Xemnas' hand and stepped back. He looked confused and he shook his head. "I'm not sensing anything."

"What have I got?" He wiggled his fingers around, tiny poofs of sparks and shadows coming from his fingers. "Illuuuuusions and a power I'm not gonna use until I need to use it..." Zexion sighed and crossed his arms.

Xigbar leaned over to Luxord. "Kid's right, we are qualified ass-kickers...really isn't fair."

Luxord frowned and shoved Xigbar back towards Selphie. "The groups aren't for just for training purposes. They're the groups that both Marluxia and I think would be best for this upcoming battle."

Marluxia stepped forward and placed a hand on Zexions' shoulder. "He's right. You can't put all your heavily armed men on the front lines."

Xigbar smirked as he walked to Selphie and clapped his hands together. "Alrighty let's get this show started."

Zexion looked up. "What do you mean by that?" He raised an eyebrow accusingly.

Marluxia smiled down at his fledgling. "If we were to put all of the elders on one team and the newborns on another, how do you think the battle would end? Real power isn't about how great your gift is, it's about knowing when someone is stronger than you and using their powers to compliment your own." he ruffled Zexions hair. "You are still very young and you haven't mastered any combat skills. Pairing you with Luxord and Xigbar is a smart move."

Zexion stared up at Marluxia and then it hit him. "I get it! I could watch how they fight and make illusions that complement their skills, to confuse the enemy!" His voice went up a little in his excitement.

Marluxia smiled and ruffled his hair again. "You're going to be a great vampire Zexion." he said then turned to Tidus, Xemnas and Lexaeus.

"What do you mean you can't sense anything? Like... like I don't have a power?" Xemnas frowned and bit his lip.

Looking well too excited for the praise he received he looked back to Luxord. "Alright, how do we wanna go about this?"

"Well Xigbar is going to be training with Selphie for a bit so I thought maybe we could work on your combat skills. Marluxia told me about what you can do with your blood, but it does you know good if you don't know how to wield the weapon you make."
Zexion frowned, thinking about the last time he used it. "I don't want to put Lex through that again, so can we practice with an illusion?"

Tidus tilted his head back in thought. "It's not that you don't have a power, it's just...there's just nothing to explain what it is ya got." Tidus looked up to Marluxia. "Power is there and it's hiding, it's...got a bit of a punch to it, but I just can't figure out what it is."

Marluxia held his chin in his hand in thought as he looked at the worried newborn. "You were the one that was shot, correct?"

Xemnas nodded and frowned, still confused as to what meant his power was hiding. "Me and the other boy."

"Hmm..." he stepped closer to Xemnas and tilted his head to the side. "I can honestly say that I've never heard of a power hiding before. Now what do you remember of the Goddess?"

Xemnas sighed. "That's just it, I don't remember anything-if I had anything at all!" He closed his eyes.

Marluxia calmly put his hands of Xemnas' shoulders. "Relax. We'll figure this out. It's most likely a side effect of the poison in the bullet. The Goddess might not have been able to speak to you very well because of it. Now just because something is hiding doesn't mean it can't be found. It just needs a little coaxing is all."

"Yeah and how are we going to do that? Dangle a carrot and wait to see if it does something without me willing it?"

Tidus looked to Marluxia and threaded his fingers together. "Not a carrot, per se..."

Marluxia smiled at Tidus. "We think so much alike in uncanny." he said then turned to look for Axel, finding him holding Saix in another choke hold. "Axel would you bring Saix here for a minute?"

Axel looked up when his name was called then, without releasing his grip on the angry newborn, walked over to the ancient. "What's up?"

Xemnas looked between the both of them and curled his fingers to fists at seeing his lover being handled in such a way. "Would you let him go already?"

Marluxia put a hand on Axel's arm when he went to go release Saix. "That won't be necessary Axel, if anything would you please tighten your hold?"

Axel looked confused for a second then shrugged and tightened his grip.

Saix gasped for air and clawed at the arm choking him with his free hand. "What the hell are you doing?" He gasped out.

"Just relax. It's obviously an experiment that Marluxia is trying to do." Axel said shifted his position so that he was holding Saix's arms behind him. "Quit scratching, it hurts."

Xemnas took a step forward but was stopped by Marluxia. "What are you doing? You're hurting him!" he said as he felt an odd sensation ripple through his body.

Saix could barely utter a word as his voice let out a strangled cry. He writhed in Axel's grasp and Zexion turned to face the commotion. "Hey!" He called from his position.

"Zexion you stay out of this." Marluxia called back the looked from Axel and Saix to Xemnas. "It doesn't seem to be enough. Axel a little rougher please?"

Axel raised an eyebrow but shrugged again. "Whatever you say." he said and in an instant had Saix pinned to the ground with a knee to his back and his arms twisted at a painful angle.

Zexion found himself angered at being unable to protect his fledgling. He stood indignant, but continued to watch. Saix growled angrily into the floor, his body tensing up as he felt his hair stand on end.

Axel looked up at Marluxia. "If I do anymore, I'll break his arms."

Marluxia shot a glance at Xemnas. "Throw in a little heat."

Axel looked skeptical but sighed and let his hands heat up without producing a flame. He gradually increased the temperature until Saix's arms started to turn red.

Saix cried out once more before he pulled back so forcefully with his arms, something crunched and he was facing Axel with brightly glowing yellow eyes. The break meant nothing to the adrenaline and blind rage he felt as he snarled back up at Axel, grabbing his arms and digging long nails into his forearms.

Marluxia rush forward and grabbed Saix off of Axel, careful not to hurt his arms any further, and put him into a tight sleeper hold.

"Saix!" Xemnas yelled and suddenly weird black spindles erupted into the air, seeming to consume the warehouse. The spindles spun out of control and everyone stopped what they were doing, Namine and Wakka dropped to the floor just narrowly avoiding being hit, and even a few of the overhead lights winked out. Xemnas looked shocked, and after an instant the odd formations dissipated. "Wh-what that hell was that?" he shouted.

Marluxia smiled and looked to Xemnas. "You're power. Voids."

In the silence Luxords' phone began to ring. Looking at the caller id Luxord frowned and opened the phone "Xaldin? What's wrong?" he paused. "What do you mean he's been ignoring… hold on, hold on." He lowered the phone from his ear and looked over to Xigbar. "Hey! Care to explain to me why you've been ignoring Demyx all day? I know you don't want his talking to you but how can you handle ignoring him in your head for six hours?"

"What the hell are you bitching at me for? He hasn't said a word to me! I thought he was being a good little boy and keeping quiet like I -nicely- asked him to!" Xigbar shouted back at him.

Saix pulled himself free of Marluxia's grip and pounced on Axel again, this time going for his throat for real.

Luxord knitted his eyebrows together then put the phone back to his ear. "Xigbar says he hasn't heard a peep from Dem."

Xemnas ran over to his furious mate and pulled him away from Axel. "Saix! Saix, love, calm down. We need to heal your arms."

"And now I think we know Saix's power as well." Marluxia said with a chuckle.

All Saix could see was enemy after enemy as he was assailed by yet another. He could only manage a roar in Xemnas's face for trying to calm him down. Zexion took a step forward but still wasn't sure if he was allowed to intervene. "Do I have to stay out of it still?"

Marluxia looked at Zexion and shook his head. "No. But I fear his anger is out of control."

Zexion narrowed his eyes. "I hate your method of discovering powers Marluxia." He moved to Saix and placed both hands on the sides of his head. Saix let out a small breathy whimper as tears poured from his eyes and the glow dissipated. He went slack in Xemnas's arms, seemingly paralyzed from whatever image Zexion had flooded his mind with.

Xemnas gasped and carefully lifted Saix into his arms. He turned to Lexaeus. "Come on let's heal his arms, then we'll let him rest in the car." he said and headed to the exit.

Marluxia shrugged. "Sometimes it's the only way."

Axel stood up and dusted himself off. "Well next time remind me to wear armor."

"There seems to be only one way with you..." Zexion growled and shook his head. "You're too impatient! I had to hurt my fledgling's mind because you couldn't wait for it to happen in action!"

Wakka looked over and raised an eyebrow. "It's gonna feel a lot more awkward in a bit, ya?"

"Wait for it to happen in action? And what if it would have happened in the middle of our upcoming battle?" Marluxia said back angrily. "As it is we only have a few scrapes and broken bones something we can easily fix right now. In battle that could have cost some of us our lives."

Namine frowned and bit her lip. "Just a little awkward..." she said sarcastically.

Zexion put a hand to his head and closed his eyes. "I meant during training! This isn't training, this is, this...it's fucking Mad Minute Math Quiz! It's bullshit!"

"Zexion you may have fledglings of your own but you are still a child!" Marluxia shouted. "Ask anyone in here, this is how you are trained! You learn fast or you die. That is the world that you are in. You more than anyone should know that."

"Really?!" Zexion's voice reached a pitch so high he ended up squeaking. "Is that -really- how you get trained? Roxas, did you get training like this from your fellow vampires?"

Roxas looked like a deer in headlights and answered quietly. "No."

Zexion looked back at Marluxia. "Or you could go the route of zero training at all, like I did, left to die and have no clue what to do with myself! Oh! And how about Vexen? How's his training coming along? Throw him in front of any buses lately?" The teen came dangerously close to Marluxia, yet still shouting.

Wakka nodded. "Ya, definitely awkward..."

Xigbar walked over to Luxord after he wasn't getting answers from shouting across and over the two arguing.

Marluxia's eyes flashed with fury and in a flash he backhanded the boy sending him sprawling on the floor. "You watch your tongue." he hissed.

Namine gasped and hurried over to Zexion, but Axel grabbed her arm. "Axel."
"Leave them." he said quietly.
"But..."
"Leave it alone Nam..."

Zexion touched his cheek in shock as he looked up at Marluxia, narrowing his eyes. "Or what?"

Marluxia's eyes turned red as he stared into Zexions'. "Don't forget who your sire is Zexion."

Zexion's eyes widened and he yelled out in utter pain. He clutched his body in an attempt to somehow obstruct it and continued to cry out. He managed to roll over and tried to crawl pitifully away.

Lexaeus rushed back into the building and his eyes widened when he saw his mate in pain on the ground. "Zex-"

Axel stopped him. "Unless you want to make it worse, stay out of it."

"Whether you like it or not Zexion I am your sire, therefore you should learn to respect me. You don't like the way I train your fledglings? Fine. You train them and we'll see how long it takes until they die." he stepped over to Zexion and lifted his head to look into his eyes, intensifying the pain.

Unable to tear his eyes from the gaze he simply screamed in pain. He raised a trembling hand to Marluxia's and tried showing him the worst terrible image he could conjure straight to his mind. An image of Marluxia doing this to Vexen.

Marluxia wavered for a moment before swatting the hand away. "That won't work on me Zexion, you know that." he said then stood up releasing the boy from the pain. "Lexaeus take him home. He's done for the night."

Lexaeus hesitantly walked over to his mate and kneeled down next to him.

"Does anyone else have any qualms as to how I conduct my training?" Marluxia asked loudly. All eyes shifted away from the Ancient in silence.

Zexion simply slumped to the floor, unable to even curl himself up into a ball. He stared forward and tears streamed down the side of his face.

"Oh Zexy..." Lexaeus lifted Zexion into his arms and held him close. He glanced at Marluxia then quickly left the building.

Luxord frowned then sighed. "Alright everyone back to work." he said then put the phone back to his ear. "No, don't worry about it love. Yeah Xigbar said he hasn't heard Demyx at all."

Xigbar crossed his arms and swatted Selphie's hand away from his ponytail, which she sneakily attempted to do so through a portal. "Well? What's going on?"

"Hold on Xal." he said and looked to Xigbar. "I think Demyx is getting worse." he said with a frown. "Try talking to him."

"What? The whole reason we sent him off was so that he could get better!" He shook his head and placed two fingers to his ear. 'Demyx, what's going on? I thought you were gonna get better.'

Silence answered him as Luxord watched him. "Anything? Xaldin did Dem hear any-. No?" there was a shuffling sound as Demyx took the phone from Xaldin. "Demyx? Dem, just calm down."

Xigbar took the phone away from Luxord and quietly shushed him. "Hey, hey, hey, it's okay, I'm not dead, I'm right here..." He glanced to Luxord and backpedaled into a portal that sent him to a less occupied space. "What's goin' on? I thought you looked great last time I saw you." He spoke in a tone that was extremely gentle and soft.

"I was!" Demyx answered. It was clear that the boy was hysterical and had been crying for some time. "But I tried to tell you that we got here ok but you never answered. I thought you were ignoring me but after a while you just... you never answered. Xiggy, what's going on? I'm scared..."

"I don't know, babe, I wanted to talk to you so bad earlier, but I figured I was gonna be a hypocrite if I talked to you first...Have you met up with London's HQ yet?" Xigbar leaned back on some crates, looking up.

Demyx took a deep breath and sniffled. "Not yet Xaldin's going later. I want you here. I don't have nightmares when I'm with you…" There was a pause. "You really wanted to talk to me?"

"I just wanted to bitch about Luxord mostly." He answered with a sheepish grin. "But I figured since you were doing such a stellar job that I'd stay quiet too." He rubbed his shoulder. "What are you talkin' 'bout nightmares for?"

"Oh, well I've always had really bad nightmares. Kind of like clairvoyance except I can only see the worst possible outcome of the event." he said softly. "I get them... a lot, but ever since you came along... Not a single one."

"Shit man...I'm sorry." He closed his eye. "Should I even tell you what's happening back here? Or is that gonna give you more ammo for bad dreams?"

"I don't need the ammo." he said with a small laugh. "They come to me even without any previous knowledge. I just want you to come home."

"Well things have gotten really...unsettling here...Marluxia just did something to Zexion...all he did was stand up for his own and he just..." Xigbar looked to the ground.

Demyx was silent for a moment. "Well Marluxia is very... stuck in his ways. He's an Ancient so he's powerful and demands respect; rightfully so."

"I've made lots of people scream before, a few younger than him, but nothing compares to what I just heard. Kid didn't even move when Marluxia was done with him." He took a deep breath.

"Ah... that." he said quietly. "That can be quite painful."

"What the fuck was it anyway-and please tell me it's just for Ancients..." He put a hand to his face, driving the heel of his hand into his eye-patch.

"Well not exactly. All sires can do it, just not as painfully as Marluxia can. It's so that sires can keep their fledglings in order. And don't worry, big brother can't do it to you. You drank my blood, not his."

Xigbar sighed audibly. "That is a relief, let me tell you." He sat up straighter. "We don't know when Tifa'll attack or how much she's bringing but I'm worried about how we're all going to do."

"Oh actually I kind of have an idea of how many she'll bring, that's another reason why I was so worried." Demyx said as he sat down on his bed.

"Yeah?"

He took a deep breath then sighed. "Thirty. Maybe more I'm not sure it was hard to count."

Xigbar did a quick calculation. "Shit...She's only aware of four of us and she's guessing there's a fifth I bet...so that's six hunters to each. She wants us all put down." He shook his head. "Typical teams are three to four for a vampire-imagine if she knew how many of us were actually here."

"That's why I'm so scared." Demyx said with a whine.

"But we've got fourteen right now, so that's nearly two to a vampire. This will be easy if she's heavily underestimating how much of a force we have."

"You have to lay low." Demyx said carefully. "You don't want her to learn that there are more of you. And they might all have those same bullets too."

"Maybe...you call me if you have a bad dream where the number of hunters increase, okay?" Xigbar pushed himself off of the crates. "We'll figure this out, you'll be fine."

Demyx smiled. "Yeah we'll be fine, and in the mean time I'll start looking at some places to li-" He let out a pained grunt and the phone clattered to the floor, followed by a loud thump as Demyx collapsed, clutching his chest.

"Demyx?" Xigbar frowned. "Demyx, are you alright?" When there was no answer he pulled the phone from his face and stared at it in disbelief. "Luxord!" He shouted, stuck in his spot.

Luxord was there in an instant and he stared down at the newborn. "What is it? What's wrong?"

"Get Xaldin to Demyx now." He ordered hotly. "Demyx just stopped talking and he won't answer."

Luxord's face paled and he gulped softly. "Xaldin! Something happened to Demyx!"

Xaldin quickly got up from the couch and ran to Demyx's room; he picked up the phone and gently pushed Demyx so that he was lying on his back. "What did you say to him, you asshole?" He growled angrily into his phone.

"What's happening? Is he okay? He just stopped talking, what's going on?" Xigbar held the phone back up to his ear, eye still wide with shock.

Luxord took the phone from Xigbar. "I don't think Xigbar did anything this time love. Check his wound."

Xaldin opened up Demyx's shirt and narrowed his eyes, as the edge of the bandage had gotten darker. He gingerly pulled the bandage off and pulled away quickly, eyes going wide. "Pe-pe...Peste!?"(Plague) The word came across as near childlike fear.

"Xaldin? Xaldin, what's wrong? What's wrong with my brother?" he almost shouted. "What do you mean plague?"

"I-it's gone black! H-his wound-the skin, it's going black!" He bit his lip. "Wh-what if this thing spreads?"

Demyx let out a groan and looked up at Xaldin weakly. "Xiggy..." he breathed and held out his hand.

"Black? How is it turning black?" Luxord looked to Xigbar and pursed his lips. This wasn't good.

"I don't know! No poison has ever done this to a vampire!" He shouted back into the phone, then looked to his hands which began to shake. Xigbar looked at Luxord incredulously.

Luxord took a deep, shaky breath. He needed to be calm. Someone had to keep a level head or else Demyx would die. "Xaldin, call a healer. Call Lulu, call Yuna. Hell I'll send Selphie back with Lex. Just figure out what this is."

Xaldin ended the phone call abruptly calling for Yuna. Xigbar had pulled his hands to fists. "What the hell is going on, Luxord?"

Luxord pocketed the phone, and looked up with a frown. "It's not good Xigbar."

Xigbar grabbed Luxord by the collar and pulled him close. "You tell me what's going on or I am going to London right the fuck now!"

Luxord pushed the other vampire back. "Calm down, we need to keep our heads clear." he sighed. "Demyx's wound has turned black."

"What the fuck does that mean?! I can't be calm now! I can't just shut it off, dammit, he's my mate!" Xigbar still held onto his half-sire.

"I know Xigbar! But you have to relax. Xaldin is taking care of him. He's calling all the healers we know, we'll figure this out." he placed his hands over Xigbar's gently. "He's my brother I love him too, but right now I need you focused on the task at hand. Don't you want to kill Tifa?"

"What I want is Demyx to be okay! Killing her will do nothing to save him!" His eye stared into Luxord's. "This is exactly the opposite I wanted to happen while we were apart!"

"I know that." he said calmly. "We need to keep this between us. There's no sense in worrying everyone else. You have to keep your head in the game, it's what Demyx would want."

Xigbar put his hands to his head and groaned. "How am I gonna be able to focus when all I can think about is when I get to Demyx if he'll be alive or not?"

"You really have come a long way." he said and let go of Xigbar. "Namine can wipe your memory if you want. I know it sounds bad but, Xigbar I need you here one hundred percent."

Xigbar stood there for a moment before pulling his hands away. "Do it." He answered resolutely.

Luxord nodded then sighed. "We'll return your memory once the battle is over."

"Depending on what all she removes, it could put all of you in danger-make sure she's careful..."

"Did Demyx say anything else to you? Just so I know?" he asked as he led the way back to the main part of the warehouse.

"He said Tifa was bringing thirty hunters." He answered simply.

Luxord sighed again. "Alright, Then let's get this over with." he said and looked around for Namine. "Hey, Nam! Need your help for a minute."

Namine stopped her training with Roxas and looked over to the two before hurrying to their sides. "What's going on?"

"Remove my memories of Demyx." He closed his eye and took a deep breath.

Namine's face took on a confused look and she turned to Luxord then back to Xigbar. "A-all of them? Why?"

"Just do it!" He yelled. "Just make sure I don't try to kill everyone here when you're done." He bit his lip.

"You don't need to erase all of them. Just the most recent one." Luxord said. "And please keep it to yourself afterwards."

Namine nodded and stepped closer to Xigbar. "Are you sure?"

"Do you see the amount of stress I'm in? Just take it off of my mind!" He yelled at her.

Namine bit her lip then quickly placed a hand to Xigbar's head and closed her eyes. She gasped when she found the memory, but quickly pulled it from Xigbar's mind. She pulled back and looked to Luxord worriedly.

"Not a soul is to know." Luxord said softly.

"I understand." she said and hurried away.

Xigbar shivered and raised his hands up as he wriggled the rest of it out. "Why do I feel like a soggy waffle?"

"Cause you just went through an unstable portal." Luxord quickly made up the lie. "Come on, back to work."

Xigbar looked around. "That's never happened before...Hey Selphie, how'd you do that long-range portal thing you did when you got here?" He started to jog back to her.

Luxord sighed and rubbed his temple. This whole situation was a mess. He pulled out his phone and sent Xaldin a text. Call me when you can.

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Roxas stared at the things in his room that Axel had given him and the things he had carried with him throughout his life and frowned. Axel had asked him to pack up half an hour ago and he wasn't sure what to even pack, unused to having to do so. He sighed.

Axel knocked gently on the open door then stepped into the threshold. "Hey. What's going on? You don't have a thing packed. Your suitcase isn't even open."

Roxas spoke quietly. "The last time I packed was when I was moving to a different foster home..." His eyes watched his things and then moved to the suitcase.

Axel walked into the room and sat down next to Roxas on his bed. "It must feel weird." he said softly.

"Just not used to the idea of packing things up. I've never thought about getting too attached to things, just simple stuff like my new dagger, change of clothes, a hat maybe-stuff I can throw into a backpack and start running." Roxas leaned back in the bed. "I think I'd be better off with just having you pack."

"Well we do have something like that. The Especially Notables, or just the Ten. Ten things you want to keep with you no matter what." he said. "Does that make it easier?"

"So I need to find eight more things? What the hell am I supposed to pick? Nothing's...important to me unless it's absolutely useful." He covered his face.

Axel took Roxas's hands and pulled them away from his face. "Hey. You don't have to have all of your Ten right now." he said. "You'll gather them along the years." he cupped Roxas' cheek and smile. "Don't let it stress you out."

"Then all I care about is Seifer's dagger." He smiled. "Then I'll just pack like I'm some domestic and then we'll be good to go!"

"That's my Roxi." he said and gave the blond a soft kiss. "I love you."

Axel's cell phone started to ring, Namine fidgeting on the other end. She was at the Inferno and chewing on a thumbnail.

Axel flipped open the phone and held it to his ear. "What's up Nam?"

Roxas kissed him back and pulled himself out from under Axel, opening his suitcase and throwing clothing into is haphazardly. "Am I gonna have to check it at the airport?"

"Axel we've been here for years and I stupidly thought it was going to be permanent. I can't pick just ten, Axel, I just can't I love them all too much!" She was in the women's dressing room and looking at each and every one of her dresses. "They're antiques! I can't just leave them behind to burn..."

He shook his head no. "With my skills of persuasion? Nah." he said and his attention turned back to Namine and he laughed. "Namine, we have plenty of time on our hands for you to pack all of them. I don't plan on burning the Inferno. That would be far too suspicious. Besides, then all of my loving, hard-working employees would be out of jobs."

"Well, one thing's for sure, they'll be out of dresses..." Namine answered back. "Thank you..." There was a sigh of relief before the call ended.

Roxas looked back at his suitcase and nodded after he was finished. "Done." He simply said and looked to Axel.

Axel smiled as he shut the phone and returned it to his pocket. "Now are you really gonna pack like that?" he asked pointing to Roxas' haphazard suitcase and sighed as he removed the clothes and started to fold them.

Roxas tilted his head to the side and grinned, "A habit I failed to kick, never folded a thing in my life." He crossed his arms. "Why start now?"

"Cause your mate asked you to?" he said and continued to fold the clothes. "You'll be able to fit more if you fold everything."

The younger vampire pouted. "But that's all I want." He sighed and picked up a shirt for Axel to fold.

"Well then when you get there your clothes will be all wrinkled." he said. "And you look so much better in un-wrinkled clothes."

"Fine." Roxas slowly folded the shirt rather poorly and daintily placed it back in the suitcase with pinkies lifted. "Is that better?"

"You're a brat. You know that?" he smiled, setting the folded clothes into the suitcase.

"Yeah, I was told quite often when I was a child." He said and pushed Axel gently. "So...training was fun. I think the screaming added a whole new flavor to it."

"The screaming? You mean Zexion and Marluxia?" he asked and pulled Roxas into his lap.

"No, I meant Mexion and Zarluxia..." He raised an eyebrow at him asking "Really?'

"You found that entertaining?" he asked with his own raised eyebrow.

"Yes, because I enjoy the sounds of young boys screaming and yelling as they try to escape a pain they can't get away from..." Roxas sighed. "What the fuck was that?"

"Something that you will never have to worry about. It's what a sire can do to a fledgling to keep them in line." he said looked up at his mate.

"Zexion did nothing wrong." Roxas stared at his hands. "I wanted to just...punch him so hard."

"I agree but you can't just... go against Marluxia." he said with a small laugh.

"Why the fuck not?" He frowned. "Is it against vampire code to kick the crap out of an asshole hurting some kid who's just trying to protect his own?"

"No it's not that, babe. Marluxia is an Ancient." Axel said. "He's way too strong for any one of us to try to take down. So... you just deal."

"That's not right." Roxas shook his head. "From what I've heard about this Ancient is that he only really cares about himself."

"Yes well, that's what it seems, but he does have a mate. Marluxia is just very demanding. Besides I'm kind of scared that he might be able to do that to me." Axel chuckled softly.

"He's not you sire. And by what Zexion was able to say he was calling him out on him playing favoritism." Roxas slipped off of Axel's lap. "Does anyone even know how he's doing right now?"

"But he did turn my sire. He might have that power over me." he said then frowned. "I don't know. Should we go check on him?"

"If I can even fathom the pain he felt I'm pretty sure he's in the 'I don't want to talk' stage." Roxas ran a hand through his hair. "I'm gonna take a shower, I'm beat."

"Hmm..." Axel smirked up at the blond. "Maybe I'll join you."

Roxas shrugged. "I'm actually kind of gross if that's your thing." He left the room, pulling off his shirt and throwing it back at Axel. "Go fold that, hm?"

Axel's eyes narrowed and his smirked widened as he tossed the shirt aside and chased after the boy.

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Lexaeus carefully carried Zexion up the stairs of their condo, holding him close to his chest. He went into their room and slowly laid him down on the bed.

Zexion simply rolled over on the bed, his gaze semi-glazed over. He sniffled, but other than that didn't make a sound.

Lexaeus frowned and sat down next to his mate. "I'm sorry I let him hurt you Zexi..." he whispered and leaned over to kiss his temple.

Zexion winced slightly, raising a balled up hand to his face. "He hurt Saix." He whispered.

"Yeah I know, but Saix is fine. Other than a minor headache, there's nothing wrong with him." he said softly and stroked Zexion's hair.

"That doesn't excuse him." Zexion turned slightly. "All he ever does is hurt me." His face was streaked with tears. "I thought I was done with bullying..."

Lexaeus stared down at the boy, his heart breaking at the tears. "I'm sure he has a reason. Maybe you should talk to him about this. Tell him it's not working." he laid down next to Zexion and opened his arms.

The teen slowly moved into his arms and buried his face into his chest. "And risk having him do it to me again? No thanks. I've tried the diplomatic approach before only to get my ass kicked by a bully, why should it be different with him?"

Lexaeus closed his arms around Zexion and kissed the top of his head. "I'll stop him if he ever tries anything again. I won't let anyone hold me back."

"I can barely think right now." His voice rasped. "How am I gonna be able to help with the battle if my mind's fried because Marluxia decided to 'discipline' me?"

"I'm sure that he didn't do any permanent damage. Hopefully you'll feel better in the morning." he said and started to run his fingers through Zexions hair.

"No, of course, not-wouldn't want to damage his prized fledgling...He just didn't like that I called him out on being a selfish bastard."

"Do you want to take a bath?" he asked. "The hot water might feel good."

Zexion simply nodded. "If he's looking for an apology the next time I see him he's not getting one."

Lexaeus nodded and went to stand up when there was a knock at the door. He looked down at Zexion. "Let me go check who it is." he said as he stood up.

Zexion slowly pushed himself up into a sitting position and started to take off his clothing. All his muscles ached and his throat was sore. All he wanted was to rest and recharge.

Lexaeus hurried down to the first floor and looked out the peep hole before opening it with a glare. "What are you doing here? Haven't you done enough damage for one night?"
Marluxia was standing on the door step, a bag in his hand and a very pissed off looking Vexen standing beside him.

"Yes well." Marluxia gave a sigh. "I came to apologize to Zexion if he'll even accept it. I've been thoroughly scolded and banished to the couch for a week, but that doesn't matter. I know I was wrong to hurt him like that, and I'm sorry."

Zexion stopped when he heard Marluxia's voice and he went rigid. 'Apology not accepted.'

Lexaeus winced at the sharpness of Zexion's tone. "I don't think Zexion wants to see you."

"Well he's going to whether he likes it or not. I'm not letting him leave until he apologizes." Vexen huffed.

Marluxia sighed and looked up the steps behind Lexaeus. "Zexion, please can't we just talk? Look I was wrong, I should never have hurt Saix or you like that. I was... being childish." he called out.

'Tell him to go the fuck away. He's only here because Vexen made him come.' Zexion rubbed at his head gently.

"He says to go away cause you're only here because of him." Lexaeus said nodding to Vexen.

Vexen looked to Marluxia. "Are you here because of me?" He prodded, moving his hands to his hips. "He's staying on the couch regardless, Zexion, maybe longer, I haven't decided yet."

"No I'm here of my own accord, Vexen just came along to make sure I wasn't lying." he said. "Zexion, let's talk. Please?"

Zexion covered his face and rubbed at it in frustration. "Talk." He weakly called from upstairs.

Marluxia looked to Lexaeus then back up the stairs. "May I come up?"

Zexion shifted on the bed and pulled his jacket back on, facing away from the door. "Fine."

Marluxia walked past Lexaeus and made his way up the stairs and into the bedroom. "How are you feeling?"

"How do you think?" He rubbed his arm and took a deep breath.

"Look, I'm sorry. It was not my place to tell you how to train your fledglings. And you were right, you already practically have a coven of your own, and your mate. You might still be a child but you don't need me." he said and placed the bag on the bed. "I know it's not much and gifts can't take back what I did or give me forgiveness, but I want you to have these. You love Mary Shelly so much I thought you might like these as well."

Zexion swallowed. "You attacked me because I called you out on your bullshit." He answered.

"I know. I was being stubborn, and Vexen will be training with us from now on. But he can't fight. His body simply isn't ready for it." he said. "I know I have to change, just have a little patience for an old man?"

"If I live through this battle...then, maybe." Zexion hugged himself. "Is that all?"

"Yes." he placed he bag in Zexion's lap. "Just let me know if you like these. They're important to me, I just want to make sure that they're going to a good home."

Zexion looked away quickly when Marluxia entered his field of vision. He shivered slightly. "You're keeping me from a bath."

Marluxia nodded. "Of course. Rest well Zexion." he stood up and left the room. A few minutes later Lexaeus returned to the room.

"Hey." he said and sat down on the bed. "What's that?" he asked pointing to the bag.

"Don't know...and I don't care." He shoved the bag from his lap and got off of the bed and wavered a little with the sudden movement.

"You're not even going to look at it?" he asked and eyed the bag curiously. Then stood up and put his hands on Zexion's hips.

"No." He put his hands over Lexaeus'. "If I look, then it's just me giving in to him. I'm done with it-I can't...I can't just be paid off in hopes of forgiveness." He hung his head.

"Then give it back to him and tell him that." he said and led Zexion to the bathroom.

Zexion took a long breath and closed his eyes. "I can't look at him again." He answered quietly. "I just want to unwind, and go to sleep. Maybe piece my brain back into working order to make an illusion or two before this battle."

Lexaeus turned on the water for the tub and turned back to Zexion. "How hot do you want it?"

Zexion shrugged. "Whatever, I'm too tired to even think up an answer." He pulled his jacket back off and then his socks. "I tried using an illusion to get him to stop and it just backfired."

"Well your illusions don't work on Marluxia, right?" he asked and felt the temperature of the water and turned the cold water up a little more.

"He says they don't, but I know he sees them. There was a momentary drop in searing pain the second I showed him but he just upped the pain more." He finished undressing and watched the water.

Lexaeus held out his hand to help Zexion into the tub. "Well then you just have to get stronger." he said with a smile.

"'You think that I could become powerful enough to convince him that what he sees is really there?" Zexion stepped into the tub and slowly lowered himself in.

"You have his blood in you. And you're smart. I believe you can do anything." he said and cupped Zexion cheek.

"Maybe in a couple centuries...if I make it that long." He shrugged and closed his eyes, leaning to the touch.

"I plan on living with you forever." he said and kissed Zexion softly. "So don't go thinking that you're going to die."

"Marluxia made it clear that he thinks the way I run things I wouldn't last long." Zexion opened an eye. "And to be honest, being the youngest of each member of my coven it's easy to comprehend."

"I have faith in you." he said and stroked Zexion's cheek with his thumb. "Besides just 'cause you're young doesn't mean you don't know what you're doing. You're a sire, you have to keep your fledglings safe."

"I know, but how safe can I actually make them when my sire is trying to break them down?" He sucked in a breath.

"Well I don't think you need to worry about Marluxia bothering us anymore." he said softly. "You need to relax." he moved his hand to Zexion's shoulder and squeezed it gently.

"I will...it just sucks that...I don't even know if Xemnas and Saix trust me...They trust you-they know you, but they don't know me..." Zexion frowned.

"You'll get to know them." Lexaeus started to rub Zexion's shoulders. "If they trust me then they'll trust you."

"I will, but in the meantime...It's going to take quite a bit of time though..." Zexion sighed. "Was Saix alright?"

"Yes, Saix will be fine." he said and chuckled. "I told you that earlier."

"Is he alright with what happened? With what his power can do?" The teen looked up and frowned.

"I don't know. He was sleeping when I left him with Xemnas." Lexaeus moved a hand up to Zexion's head and ran his fingers through Zexion's hair.

Zexion took a deep breath and sunk into the tub. "I just want everything to be okay-I feel like all of this is my fault."

"You didn't do anything wrong, Zexi. Everything will turn out fine." he said, then a thought hit him. "You must be hungry." he offered the boy his wrist.

Zexion lifted a hand from the water and pulled the wrist to his mouth, keeping his eyes on his mate. He simply kissed it. 'I'll feed in a bit. Maybe after you're done with that massage you started?'

Lexaeus smiled and leaned over to kiss Zexion softly, returning his hands to Zexion's shoulders. "I love you Zexi."

'I love you too.' He kissed him back and moved his hand to his cheek.

"We should probably pack too." he said quietly as he leaned into Zexion's hand.

"Not tonight..." He whispered, pulling him back for another kiss. "I'm too tired for that."

"Mmm..." he smiled. "But you're not too tired for kissing." he whispered against Zexion's lips.

Zexion shook his head with a smile and shifted so that he faced Lexaeus better. "I'm gonna get all pruney if I stay in here for too long." He whispered.

"Well then let's get you out of the tub." he said and pulled the plug for the water to drain.

Zexion pulled away and reached for the towel, pulling it to himself as he stood up. He grabbed Lexaeus' arm for stability.

Lexaeus lifted Zexion into his arms and smiled down at him. "To bed?" he asked softly before kissing him softly.

Zexion nodded. "And then I'll feed." He closed his eyes. "I should make you do my shoulders more often..."

"Whenever you want, babe." he said and carried Zexion to the bed.

Zexion nodded. "I'll remember that, then." He shifted in his grip, pulling himself up as best he could to kiss Lexaeus.

Lexaeus put his arms around the boy and shifted so that he had the teen in his lap. "You're very affectionate tonight." he whispered before pressing their lips together.

"Am I not most nights?" He pulled away and looked confused, then took a moment to think if he actually hadn't.

"I just thought that you would be too tired for anything." he said and took Zexion's face in his hands.

"Well you are right, I am too tired to go all the way tonight." He sighed, eyes drifting to the side. "I'm sorry."

He moved his head to look into Zexion's eyes. "Hey, it's ok. I know you need to rest. You've been through a lot."

"That's been my excuse all the time lately." He half-shrugged with a weak smile. "I promise that when all of this blows over...I'll think of something fun."

"Oh Zexi... The only thing I could ever ask for is just to be able to lay down with you every night." he said and kissed him softly.

"I'm still going to do something, I've been working on it for a while now." Zexion leaned forward, pressing his ear to his chest as he did before Lexaeus became a vampire. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "I love you."

"I love you too, Zexi." he said and ran his hand up at down Zexion's back. "Can I get a clue as to what you're planning?"

Zexion gave a short laugh. "This something is more for me than it is for you, but I'm absolutely sure you'll enjoy it."

"Oh?" he looked up at the boy and smiled. "I wonder what it is..."

Zexion shifted a bit so that he was beside Lexaeus. "I'll have that drink now, if you don't mind?"

Lexaeus smiled and offered Zexion his wrist. "Here you go, babe."

The teen took the wrist and bit into it gently, taking long slow drinks and he licked his lips when he was done. "And now I'll go to sleep." He closed his eyes, wrapping his arms around Lexaeus' frame.

"Goodnight Zexion." he whispered and enveloped the younger boy in his arms. "I love you so much."

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Saix stretched a bit rolling his shoulders and found with pleasant surprise how much his arms felt fine. "Why didn't Ael just fix you up like he did me when you got shot?"

"I think it had something to do with the poison in the bullet." he said and pulled Saix down to his bare chest.

He shrugged, "I guess it's just a blessing in disguise that you had to become a vampire...but this fight we're thrown in really puts a damper on our new lives."

"Yeah well... after it's over we can get back to normal." he said looking down at Saix. "But I suppose we won't be able to go back to our regular lives."

"But it sounds like we'll be in London." Saix grinned and pushed himself up to look down at Xemnas. "I never thought I'd ever leave Radiant Garden."

"Neither did I." he said with a smile. "I was content just living out my life here with you. But I have to say the thought of moving somewhere new with you is exciting."

"What do you think we'll do with our new lives? Keep up police work?" He dropped to the side of Xemnas and looked up at the ceiling.

"I suppose we can do whatever we want." Xemnas rolled onto his side to look down at Saix. "Would you like to stay in the law enforcement area?"

Saix shrugged. "I don't know. We can do anything now. Why should we limit ourselves to what we thought we could only do?"

"Well then what do you want to do?" he asked as he sat up.

"I want to do everything...and everything!" Saix looked to Xemnas. "As long as it's with you." He grinned.

"I want to do everything with you too, but let's just focus on one thing at a time, hmm?" he chuckled and kissed Saix's softly. "So... what have you always wanted to do?"

"I want..." He took a moment to think and blushed. "Ah, well, I'm not actually sure...whatever you want to do?"

Xemnas thought for a moment then smiled. "Remember when we went to that little bed and breakfast a few summers ago?"

Saix nodded. "That was right before my promotion." He nodded, still looking up at the ceiling. "Wait, you're not saying what I think you are, are you?"

"Well why not?" he laughed. "Don't you think it'd be fun? Something different?"

"Two vampires running a bed and breakfast." He grinned with a shake of his head. "Sounds like two complete opposites."

"Well what do ya say? Want to open a bed and breakfast with me?" Xemnas laughed again and cupped Saix's cheek.

"I will open a bed and breakfast with you." He laughed and leaned forward to kiss him. "But you're in charge of naming it."

Xemnas laughed and wove his fingers into Saix's hair. "What about Radiant Garden?"

"That's horribly ironic and awful." He smiled. "Might as well call it Hollow Bastion."

"But that doesn't sound as bed and breafast-ey." he said with knitted eyebrows. "Hollow Bastion just sounds... creepy."

"No, not very welcoming..." Saix closed his eyes. "What could you call a bed and breakfast without it sounding creepy, even though two vampires own it?"

"Hmm... I don't know, but I suppose we can work on the name later." he said and ran his fingers through the blue hair.

"Of course." Saix closed his eyes, pulling himself closer to his mate. "You know I never expected I'd get that promotion...I figured you'd would've gotten it.

"You deserved it more than I did. And you made a much better chief." he said and wrapped his arms around his mate.

"I only joined the force because you were there." He whispered. "I didn't mean to take such an opportunity away from you."

"You only joined because of me?" Xemnas asked and he raised his eyebrows. "You never told me that."

"You must not have seen how fidgety I was around you, Like Aerith was around Zack." He shook his head.

"Well I guess I do remember you being a little shy." Xemnas tilted his head to the side. "So if you only joined the force to be with me, what were you going to do before we met?"

"Be a law keeper, rather than an order enforcer." Saix shrugged. "Might have been my studies in politics that gave me an edge in getting promoted."

"Maybe. Either way, I'm glad you joined." he said and kissed Saix softly. "I don't know what I would do without you."

Saix chuckled. "Oh, I'm sure we would've met...I'd be your D.A. and we could argue over details of cases...But Radiant Garden doesn't get that much action."

"No. No it doesn't." he said. "But if you were my D.A. I'm sure we would have had a lot more angry make up sex."

Saix laughed and gave Xemnas a quick kiss. "You would say that." He grinned and rested his head on his lover's chest. "It's weird..." He started, speaking quietly.

"Hmm? What's weird?" he asked and placed his hand over Saix's.

"I'm okay with...everything." He gave a light sigh. "I'm not worried, I don't even really care about what happened at the warehouse today. It's like," Saix shrugged. "It's just weird."

"Well Marluxia said something about it being your power, so maybe that's why." Xemnas lifted Saix's hand to his lips to kiss it.

Saix raised an eyebrow. "I must have missed that, then." He shifted and closed his eyes.

Xemnas nodded. "You were... kind of out of it." he said.

"Well, what did he say? Don't keep me in the dark." Saix lifted himself up and looked down at Xemnas. "And what do you mean out of it?"

"Not much, something about anger. Zexion didn't seem too happy about the whole situation and I think Marluxia may have done something to him."

"What's me being okay with everything have to do with anger? And what did he do to Zexion? Why do I feel like I'm missing something here?" Saix frowned, sitting up.

"Well, Saix love, you were kind of out of control with anger." he said and sat up next to him. "I don't know what he did to Zexion, just that it must have been bad. I was too worried about you."

"So what I just black out in fits of rage and I'm just satisfied afterwards?" His tone lifted, sounding frustrated. "What happened to me?"

"You just got... really angry and started attacking everyone. Well mostly just Axel since he was the one holding you down." he said. "Maybe it's just a big release of pent up energy."

"Oh...I see." Saix looked down and nodded. "Did you figure out your power?"

"Yeah." he said with a nod. "Voids is what Marluxia called them. I don't know what they do yet."

Saix hummed. "Well, voids are areas where nothing is, right? So you...make nothing?"

Xemnas shrugged. "Yeah I guess I do." he said and chuckled. "Sounds kind of silly, doesn't it?"

"It's only silly if you make it silly." Saix laid back down on the bed. "It could be something really powerful, making nothing be where something was."

"I suppose so." Xemnas smiled at his mate and slid his hand over Saix's. "But we both need to learn to control our powers better, that's for sure."

"I would like to not have blank spots of memory..." He nodded and closed his eyes. "Though trying to remember only fills me with dread..."

Xemnas pushed Saix back down onto the bed and leaned over him. "Fills you with dread?"

"Just can't shake this feeling of seeing you hurt...really badly." He muttered.

"I wasn't hurt." he reassured Saix softly and cupped his cheek with his hand. "Not today at least."

"It still feels as if you were." He paused, "Why would I feel like that if nothing actually happened?"

"Maybe you're just imagining things, love." he leaned over and touched their foreheads together.

"Because that is something I enjoy imagining." He sighed and moved towards him, shifting so that he was as close as possible.

"Well sometimes you can't control what your mind sees." Xemnas rested an elbow next to Saix for balance and moved closer to his mate.

"I guess." He whispered and nuzzled his mate. "I think I'm going to try and sleep, if that's alright with you?"

Xemnas smiled and gave a small nod. "Yeah you need your rest." he said and gave Saix a gentle kiss.

"Maybe I'll think of something else we could do with ourselves in the future as I sleep." Saix smiled and closed his eyes.

"Maybe. Whatever we do, I'll be by your side." he said and kissed Saix's forehead.

Saix fell slowly into sleep, constantly shifting for a better position beside Xemnas. Something felt off, but this was really the first night they slept without being exhausted.