Chapter 2, Another Day

Xemnas arrived at his brothers office half beat from all the writing he had done earlier.

I wonder if that new guy Xigbar had mentioned is going to be there. He'll probably be ugly, knowing what Xigbar calls good looking. Xemnas thought to himself, finding it rather humorist.

Xemnas entered the office expecting his bother to scold him for not knocking. Which surprisingly he didn't. He did have a bit of an annoyed expression.

"Hello Xemnas" Ansem greeted. He stood up from behind his desk.

Xemnas really wasn't in a talkative state. So he just gave him a nod

"I like you to meet my new acquaintance, Saïx"

I guess Xigbar was right about him. Xemnas thought to himself. He is one handsome young man. No wonder his brother had hired him or maybe he'd hope to get him.

He didn't want to be rude and not say anything so he just gave him a little welcoming.

"Hi" Xemnas greeted. He sounded rather plan. Which he didn't intended too.

Ansem looked at Saïx. "Saïx my brother Xemnas" He gestured him to Xemnas as he introduced him.

"Pleased to meet you" Saïx greeted with a half smile.

Xemnas didn't like the way he smiled at him, or if you would even call it a smile. It made him feel a bit uneasy. Perhaps his brother had said something to him. Like he always does. No wonder people have a bad impression on him when ever he is around, besides the ones that got to know him.

"I believe you are here to hand me some reports. I assume you have them?" Ansem sounded a bit inpatient. Probably because he wanted to be alone with the new guy.

Xemnas looked down at the papers in his hands and then handed them to his brother. As his brother skimmed through the pages, Xemnas took this opportunity to check out the newest acquaintance. Not to really check him out, but to see if he still had the unwelcoming expression.

He looked over at Saïx, who was watching Ansem. Xemnas searched his face and was immediately drawn to his piercing but calm eyes. Looking into them made you feel like you're being swallowed. Not realizing, Saïx was starring back at him. He quickly turned his head away, not wanting Saïx to see him flush. Xemnas was a bit worried of what he thought of him for starring like that. Maybe he might say something to his brother. Xemnas decided it was time to leave. Not really for what he thinks, but more because it was hard to keep his eyes off of him.

"I'll let you read the papers and if you have any questions you know where to find me" Xemnas tried not to sound rushed. He exited the room as quick and unnoticeable as he possibly can.

Xemnas knew that it will be hard having this new guy around. As long as he keeps his distance, then everything thing should turn out fine.

He walked the long journey back to the lab. Thinking he would be travel alone, one of the others members popped around the corner.

"Hey Xemnas" Marluxia greeted with a flirtatious tone.

"Oh hi, Marluxia" Xemnas greeted back, but trying not sound as flirty as he did.

Xemnas once had a crush on Marluxia. They would always fool around together when no one was around, but not the intimate way. He never had a chance with him because Marluxia had an eye on his brother. So he gave up on trying to get him and just remained friends. Xemnas can't say that he still likes him, but being around him would brighten his day and he does enjoy his company.

"Are you heading back to the lab?"

"As a matter of fact, I am"

"Mind if I join you?" He asked, walking closer then he was a few minutes ago.

"Sure" Xemnas smiled crookedly.

Marluxia seem to be enlightened by the smile he had gave him. Maybe he should try this technique on the new guy. It could be a way to lure him in. Xemnas paused his thoughts for a second. What am I thinking?. I thought I was going to try to stay away from him and here I am thinking about bringing him near. Xemnas thought to himself.

"Any plans for you today or are you just going to be in the lab?" Marluxia interrupted his thoughts.

Where else would I go, besides my room.

"Probably going to be in the lab. I have nothing better to do"

"I have nothing else to do either. So I'll come keep you company" Marluxia offered.

"Like old times" He added.

"Fine with me"

Xemnas could hear Xigbar talking away from the other side of the door. He must be bugging Vexen since he would be the only one there other then Zexion, who would casually drop by and then mysteriously disappear.

The room went quite as they entered. Vexen and Xigbar were standing by the counter doing nothing but looking to see who it was.

"What did Ansem think of the report?" Vexen asked before the others had a chance to say anything. He sounded very eager to know.

"He is reading it as we speak. I was too impatient to stay. So I told him I'll be here if he has any questions" Xemnas half lied. As if he would tell him the real reason.

"Hmm" Vexen stroked his chin the way he always does.

Xemnas slumped across the room with Marluxia following.

"Feeling a bit lazy, hey Xemnas?" Xigbar noticed.

"Very" He leaned against the counter where everyone else is standing.

"Why don't you go lay down for a bit?" Marluxia suggested.

"I was planning on to, but first I'm going to clean my office"Xemnas decided. He strolled across the room to his office door which was connected to the lab. He left his door open so he could listen in on their conversation. His entertainment as he cleans his room.

"Zexion my pal. How's the tree house going?" Xigbar joked.

Oh, Zexion must be here. Xemnas thought to himself, scrambling all his papers together. I wonder where that guy has been.

"You have a tree house?" Marluxia blurted.

"I don't have a tree house" Zexion exclaimed.

"Oh... There goes my garden idea"

Xemnas chuckled quietly to himself. The others couldn't here him because he was in the other room.

"Garden?" Xigbar raised his eyebrow, looking at him oddly.

"It was a joke"

"Oh" Xigbar laughed.

Soon after his amusement died. Xemnas decided he will go lay down for a bit. Everything was pretty much done anyway.

"I'm going to go lay down for a bit. I'm exhausted from all that work earlier"Xemnas said as he walked out of his office.

"Why so early?" Xigbar asked.

"I'm tired"

Did he not mention it earlier? He thought.

"Have a nice nap, Xemnas" Marluxia said.

"Thanks, See you guys later" Xemnas walked out of the lab.

He felt a bit bad for leaving. Him and Marluxia were going to hang out for a bit. He was pretty sure that he would understand how tired he was. They could always later get together and chat for a bit.

Xemnas entered his nice warm room and strolled towards his bed that's in the centre along the wall. He took of his clothes before he plopped down on his big comfy bed. He relaxed his body so it will help him drift off to sleep. Before he dozed off, he thought that later he will journey around the castle and see if he runs in to Saïx.

Will Saïx give me the same expression from earlier or will he be more friendly? Come to think about it, I did give him an unpleasant welcome. Maybe that is why Saïx looked at me the way he did. Xemnas pondered to himself.

It took awhile until he finally dozed off to sleep. The last thing on his mind was the beautiful face of Saïx.