OK, I owed Silent Dre this one. He's been riding my ass for weeks about this, so I'll throw him a bone.

THANK YOU Mi167 FOR GUESSING THE LAST THREE NAMES!

"ahem" well, anyway, here we go.

Chapter Eight: Rooftop Conversation

Drexan walked up the steps leading to the roof. He was in desperate need of some fresh air, just a quick break for about fifteen minutes. If that.

He was staring to get tired of his lab. Everyday, searching the world with his mind, coming up with nothing. Repeatedly, he informed No.1 as such, but Xadmain was still convinced here was the place. Drexan would've told him again, this time more urgently, but today, he must've decided to give himself the day off, because he was sound asleep.

So now, here he was, on top of their castle in the middle of a city. Why no one had come close to inspect it yet was yet another mystery to him- it wasn't like it was hidden or something.

He just couldn't understand normal humans.

He sighed again. Sometimes he wondered if this was right. Xnohj had told him that Xhrics had been going around asking the others what they thought about it. No. 6 had been awfully quiet as of late. It was starting to look suspicious. If Xhrics was planning something, he'd better stop before Xadmain found out or he'd turn into one of those unbearable Dusks.

The horror of it all.

He looked up at the sky. That was probably the only thing he liked about the human world- when one just slowed down, he could actually see the stars at night. It truly was a beautiful sight. Almost made him wish he had someone to share it with.

Or maybe he did…

"Good evening, Raulax."

He barely turned his head to see No. 3, who was without a doubt the only person he could talk to without having to get the urge to drown them. She stepped out of the shadows to greet him.

"Good evening to you too, Drexan," she replied optimistically, sitting next to him, "what brings you here? It's not very often we see you topside, let alone on top of the roof."

"Couldn't concentrate anymore. Wanted to clear my head," Drexan answered, feeling a little more at ease now that he was no longer alone and had someone to enjoy company with.

Even if she was a rank higher than him.

"Xadmain's still got you on the search?" asked Raulax.

"Yes," he sighed resignedly, "and I'm beginning to doubt it. I mean, wouldn't I have located him by now if he were here?"

"…I guess."

Drexan went on. "I dunno… it just seems like this whole thing is just a waste. Every day, Naxst comes down to my labs to ask and every day, I say no. I feel like I'm getting to be useless around here, I mean, if I can't find the kid, then how-"

"Let's not talk about the search right now," Raulax suddenly cut in, "I think what you need right now is to just get away from Xadmain and Naxst and the search and just sit still for an hour and talk. And I'm right here. So, what do you want to talk about?"

Drexan looked at her as if he had never seen anything quite like her before. For the first time in months, he finally had someone who didn't want to talk about the search or Kingdom Hearts- he just wanted to talk.

"Anything?" he asked softly.

"Anything you or either of us want to talk about. Want me to start?" she asked teasingly.

Drexan finally cracked a smile. He nodded.

For four hours, they just sat up there and talked about this and that- nothing in particular, just shooting the breeze. And all the while, he was amazed that he had never quite realized just how great a… well, not really person, but friend she was. And maybe more. He never took the time to fully appreciate her for what she was inside, despite having no heart, no being. She was the only one he had ever been able to do this with.

For some reason, he felt whole. Like he had found something he hadn't even known he was looking for.

Finally, when it was well past one in the morning, Raulax stood up and brushed herself off.

"Well, I'd better head off to bed. Good night," she said sweetly, turning and leaving.

"Good night," Drexan replied softly, then, more loudly, "Hey Raulax?"

She turned to face him. He smiled towards her.

"Thanks," he said.

She cocked her head, puzzled. "For what?" she asked.

"…You're the only one who's been interested in me for me, not for the search. You prevented me from going insane tonight. So… thanks for that."

Raulax smiled again.

"Well, you're welcome," she winked, "Don't stay out too late."

And with that, she left. Drexan looked back up at the stars, once again fascinated by their beauty. What was better is that for four hours, he had had someone to share it with.

He never did go back to the search that night.

Yeah, sorry it took so long and is so short. Hope you enjoy it anyway.

Review please.