A/N: It's chapter three! I feel bad. It's taken me ages to update, but I've finally got it up. After that Nanowrimo thing, I decided to take a bit of a break. Now that I've accomplished that goal, I can finish this one!

Disclaimer: Though it breaks my heart to admit it, I don't own Kingdom hearts, or Square Enix.

"My coffee..." Demyx cried.

He stared down at the beverage that lay spilled in a steamy brown pile of shattered white clayware on the ground

Xemnas had shoved him a bit too hard.

"I didn't even get to taste it..."

Presently, both he and Zexion were positioned in the Great Maw, the area where Xemnas' portal decided to commune them. Hollow Bastion –oh, Radiant Garden now–was supposedly one of the largest worlds to explore, what with the dozens of areas to venture into; a perfect hideout for a acrophobic scientist. It was the generally lazy Organization members' worst nightmare, so they avoided it.

Zexion was less than impressed. There was nothing Radiant about it. There was just too much wasted space! With the construction going on and the mundane blue environment, Radiant Garden seemed to be a bit of a partially-constructed wasteland.

He twisted the pre-packaged spoon from the top of the pudding and snorted. He was already a bit miffed of Xemnas' intrusion, and he had to send him to a place about as exciting as watching grass die. If Xemnas wanted to carry on a conversation with Marluxia, let him do it when there was something else to do.

He turned to Demyx who had abandoned the broken mug and was apparently trying to get his attention anyway.

"I think this looks like a good place to start, don't you?"

Zexion shrugged and folded his arms. Like anything about this place looked good.

"Do what you want."

Demyx tilted a brow. "Aren't you going to help me?"

"..."

"..."

"...no."

Demyx placed his hands on his hips, trying to look stern but was worried that Zexion was serious.

"But, but Xemnas said we have to find Ansem the Wise and you can't expect me to..."

Zexion was looking in the complete opposite direction. There had to be something interesting about this humdrum mess.

"Fine! I can do it all by myself, and Xemnas will award ME for all the hard work I did, and I'll get a promotion when I find Ansem!"

Zexion wasn't paying him the slightest bit of attention and decided to expand his look around. He stepped off the blue green platform they were standing on to one identical to it down below.

Demyx wilted. He'd hoped his declaration would promote the man to offer a little assistance, but it seemed recognition wasn't worth the work.

Xemnas eased back in his chair. Marluxia was probably furious. This thought caused a smile to appear across his face. That was fine. Most everyone was miffed at him anyway for some reason or another, the only difference was Marluxia's rather short tactility. Zexion aside, he was the only person that would do something about it. He didn't quite trust the man, and it seemed that there was always a gear of some sort turning and twisting in his mind.

Never the less, he would always do what ever task assigned him more or less without word; descriptive facial expressions yes, but without word.

He placed his feet on the desk and leaned back further. Might as well see how far he could push this incredibly interesting individual.

A frown was starting to make its way across Marluxia's features he was standing in the stark white hallway in front of Xemnas' office, and honestly, it wasn't a place anyone wanted to visit too often. Aside from the fact that it was just that, Xemnas' office, there was a seemingly endless amount of stairs leading up to his quarters. Only Xemnas was allowed to use the elevator. Rumors floated around saying it was to give the visitor ample time to think of all the horrid possibilities that awaited them upon arrival.

All it did was give Marluxia another reason to hate Xemnas.

Mumbling something inaudible, he pushed the door open and was met with an office as blazing white as the hallway. Better get it over with. The decor nearly bled monochromatic boredom. A large black marble vase was placed in the far left corner, next to it sat a plain black desk that sat against the left wall. A few framed pictures were centered along the back wall, each with large black frames, depicting random areas of the fortress. Xemnas was leaning back in his chair, ankles crossed atop the desk.

"Ah, you made it. Have a seat." He replaced his feet on the floor and motioned to the chair placed in front of the desk.

Marluxia sat, but kept his eyes narrow. What could this man possibly want?

Xemnas smiled. "I won't keep you long. Something was on my mind and it bothers me. It seems that most of you think I'm not taking your interests at heart when I make decisions. I wonder...do you feel that way as well?" He waited for a response.

Marluxia tipped a brow. All sorts of affirmative profanities were forming on his lips, but would it be wise to tell the truth?

"Yes." It seemed safe enough. If Xemnas wanted to know his opinion walking up dozens of steps, then the chance was his to take.

Xemnas smiled, seemingly satisfied. "I see."

A knock came at the door, and it opened. Saix stood and cleared his throat.

"I'll be done in a minute, Saix. Have a seat outside."

Saix fumed, finding Xemnas' attention being already occupied, but nodded and remained outside to wait.

"I suppose I don't see an immediate problem. As the superior, I make the rules, decisions and anything else that aids in the direction this organization goes. Any questions or complaints about it are irrelevant."

Marluxia's frown deepened. "Is that all?" All those steps to hear that? He didn't really care if Xemnas thought it was a concern, but soon enough it would become one.

Xemnas looked out the large bay window behind him. "Actually no, there's one more thing.

I wish to know if you've seen my coffee cup. I've looked all over my office and quarters and it's nowhere in sight. It's gone missing." He smiled a bit seeing Marluxia about to come unhinged.

What?! "Why would I know where your coffee cup is? More importantly why would I care?"

He would have rather accented this statement with a few choice words, but decided it wouldn't be all that beneficial.

Xemnas shrugged. "I'm sure you wouldn't mind looking for it." It must be around here somewhere." He studied Marluxia's face. His eyebrows were curving in an ill hidden, tempestuous scowl.

"Surely you aren't suggesting that I look for your—"

"There isn't a problem is there?"

Though tempting, he smothered the rising temper growing inside him and decided it wouldn't be the wisest of choices to pick a fight with Xemnas in his own office. He closed his eyes and sighed. Another senseless errand was about to be placed on his shoulders."What does it look like?"

"It's white." The response came from Saix outside the door.

Xemnas frowned at the door but nodded. "Yes it's white. Return it to the office as soon as possible alright? You may leave. Saix, come in."

The door immediately opened, and Saix took the seat before Marluxia hardly had time to stand.

Xemnas smiled. He couldn't help but chuckle a bit. Sure it was putting a slight delay in his search for Ansem, but whatever. If it meant the return of his mug from a less than enthusiastic deliverer, it was worth it.

As he descended the stairs, Marluxia could hear the faint voices of Saix and Xemnas.

"I've narrowed down the worlds as to where Ansem could be hiding!" He sounded almost too excited, but Xemnas wasn't.

"And why didn't you tell me this before, when I addressed this in the meeting?!"

Marluxia scoffed, not bothering to hear the answer. Sometimes Saix's jealously was almost visible. He craved Xemnas' attention constantly like a spoiled rich child. It was so indiscreet one could nearly choke on it. If it was so great to have Xemnas' attention, then he'd gladly give up this impossible chore of looking for a white mug in an all white establishment. Every thing was white.

He could just ignore the job, but no one purposely went against Xemnas. (Put his commands second on the list, ultimately forgetting about them sure, but not deliberately so...) After realizing he'd have to descend all those infernal stairs, ignoring the whole proposal would be the icing between the sandwich cookie. Then, he could proceed with his plans for overrunning Xemnas. Unfortunately the incentive of a clean alibi was too profitable to pass up. It wouldn't be too long before these humiliating errands would be put to an end.

Demyx closed his eyes, standing with his legs apart, eyes closed in concentration. "Okay, I think I've got it this time!"

Zexion had returned from his trip into town and looked on, mildly amused. He'd been standing like that for the past half hour—the entirety of his exploration attempting to summon a Dusk. Each trial however, ended in a puff of smoke or nothing at all– not once did he offer to help.

His pudding long gone, Zexion resolved to sitting on one of the broken stone columns scattered along the turquoise colored dais. Chin pressed to palm, he looked past the over hang at the event less little city before him. He debated whether or not to go look at the few little shops erected there, but they hardly seemed worth visiting.

Sighing, he wondered absently what it was that Xemnas wanted with Marluxia. It better've be pretty important. But knowing Xemnas' usual assignments to Marluxia, it probably wasn't. His last duty, was to check each dusk to make sure they properly zipped up each of their white adorned hoods.

Zexion snickered. Those were a lot of zippers.

He looked over at Demyx who's face had gone plum red in concentration. Beads of sweat ran down his forehead.

He supposed he felt sorry for Marluxia being treated so. Being the object of Xemnas' intentions didn't come with any perks. Zexion rolled his eyes. It was disgusting. Why couldn't he be a bit more subtle about it? Marluxia had once told him of his plan to overthrow Xemnas, and how wonderful it would be never have to listen to another word uttered from that incompetent idiot, or zip up another hood again.

Of course, that had been announced when he'd zipped hood number two hundred thirty seven and had twice that many left to zip, but he understood the point anyway.

Ah, in a perfect world Xemnas would be dropped off at Disney Castle and left there to suffer for years to come, but that wasn't going to happen anytime soon. But it was a nice thought.

His curiosity getting the better of him, he opened a portal for himself and slipped into it.

"Hey! I got one!" Demyx was pointing excitedly at the Dusk that swung and swayed beside him, but was horrified to find Zexion missing and moreover, his only way home.

A/N: I beseech you; read and review!