Author's Note: Fairly spoiler-free. Unless you know nothing about Demyx, including his existence. I guess I've spoiled you already then. This was originally supposed to be something light-hearted... but… it's kind not anymore.

Disclaimer: I do not own KH2, but if I did, I would have expanded his part. Greatly. :D

The Melodious Nocturne

Demyx is in denial.

"We do too have hearts!"

His blue eyes shine with the torrent of rhapsodies that threaten to spill through. Even his hair seems to be dancing staccato. He receives a languid nod from Axel, neither confirming nor opposing his words. So he continues.

"Why does the Superior insist on stuff like that?"

"Is he wrong?"

"Of course he is!"

Demyx pauses to summon his signature weapon, not noticing Axel's increasing discomfort as the curtain of water draws ever closer to where he stands. In a demonstration of light, a sitar as tall as himself appears, fashioned to mimic the symbol that Nobodies not-so-proudly bear. Various shades of blue and white mirror the domain he reigns over, along with gold pegs adorning it for practical reasons.

Out of habit, he begins to listen for the dulcet sounds. His hands almost reach the fine strings, are mere inches away from them, when he sees the amusing look Axel is giving him.

Demyx scowls in response and nearly shoves the instrument in the other's face.

"Look! What is this?"

An eyebrow is raised quizzically. "Your weapon."

"I know that! But what is it?" Demyx grows impatient with Axel's lack of understanding. Or perhaps it's his lack of cooperation. Either way, he doesn't wait for another answer. "A sitar! A musical instrument!"

"Your point being…?"

"Where does music come from, Axel?"

A smirk. "I dunno. Why don't you enlighten me?"

Axel is toying with him, and he is perfectly aware of it. However, like his familiar element, Demyx lets the potential bout of anger ride out within the currents of his mind. This is likely one of the rare moments that he'll find Axel in such an agreeable mood.

"Music," he begins, touching the spot above where his heart should be, "comes from here."

"Your chest?"

"No! Damn it, don't interrupt!"

He knows Axel is laughing silently behind that prominent grin. Demyx has to take a moment to recollect himself, taking the time to slowly run fingers through his blonde strands.

"As I was saying," he glares from behind his gloved hand, "do you have any idea how much you need to pour into a song? How much time is spent on each melodic composition? Or maybe, how much emotion fills each harmonizing note? To create beautiful music, you've got to understand the anger and excitement that flows from one fugue to the next. It takes an unbelievable amount of dedication, Axel. Music comes from here," he touches his chest again, "from the heart."

"Got it memorized?" he adds mockingly.

That last line earns a grimace from Axel.

"Yeah, alright. You just continue listening to your 'heart'," he says casually.

Even though Axel walks off with a dejected wave, Demyx can't help but feel as though he's lost. He's failed to prove his case again, failed to draw another out from under the shadow of Kingdom Hearts.

But he won't relent. Even if the rest of the Organization writes him off as naïve and idealistic, oblivious to their realities of the situation, he will never stop thinking that inside his body is a beautiful heart, a true heart.

Because with everything else gone…

That's the only thing he can believe in.

---

Later, as Demyx returns to being nothing, Axel will walk up and shout: WHERE IS YOUR HEART NOW?

…Sumi will go seclude herself now. Luxord up next, hopefully. And I swear I'm still working on the ZC piece. Really! ;-; It's just that… KH2 destroyed Cloud and I need some time to get him back.

As a final note: I reread that Syrar thing I deleted. And I found it funny. More like HAHAWTFYOUIDIOT, but I still laughed. Am I weird? XDD;;

01.05.2006: 541