A/N: I had this chapter done before Chapter 2 for odd reasons. I kept back from posting Chapter 3 right after 2 so I could revise this chapter a bit. Also, sorry for all you Diehard KH fans out there who dislike seeing -some- characters OOC *CoughMarluxiaCough* Anyways, the characters in this story are not in any way owned by me, nor is the Kingdom Hearts or Final Fantasy franchise. Lord help me if it was, you'd be seeing endless games. . Anyways, to the story.
Oh, one last thing. By all intents of purposes, this is the final chapter; Chapter 4 is an epilogue. Huzzah for me, this is the second story i've finished. Anyways, enjoy reading. Also, if you'd like, please review. I'd like to hear your opinions on the story and constructive criticism, OKIMDONETALKINGNOW. Enjoy the story.
Roxas and the others were all outside Zexion's house, wondering what they should do if Zexion didn't return soon. Roxas was pacing back and forth repeatedly, biting down on his nails. A red spiky-haired teenager with a black jacket and an "Electo-mag rod" from his costume last night walked up to Roxas and placed a hand on his shoulder. "C'mon man, Zexy'll be fine. Don't worry so much."
Roxas looked at the teenager and sighed, asking weakly, "But how do you know that for sure, Reno. For all we know, Zexion could be seriously hurt, Or worse!" Roxas then began panicking again, starting to hyperventilate. Reno shook his head and sighed. It would seem that words wouldn't get through to Roxas.
A few hours passed, it was almost 8 am; the town would be awake soon. Half of the teenagers were already asleep, the other half struggling to stay awake. Roxas on the other hand was wide awake, hopefully watching the entryway to the forest for his best friend to emerge from it. Roxas was starting to pass out from all the walking, and collapsed under a light post, his eyes barely open. His eyes were almost shit, until he saw the outline of a figure holding a book, with purple hair, limping over to the group. Roxas' eyes widely opened, as he jumped up, gazing at the figure – it was Zexion.
"Guys! Guys! Wake up, Zexion is back!" Roxas turned his head to the group and shouted to them. Everyone woke up within a flash and looked around, then saw the Purple haired teenager.
Reno ran over to Zexion and caught him just before he collapsed. "Easy there, slick. We don't want you ending up in a hospital on our watch." He carried Zexion over to the group and set him down under a tree. Everyone gathered around Zexion and was checking on him to make sure he was alright. Roxas, though, was the only one to notice a mark on Zexion's body that wasn't there before.
"Guys… look at this." Roxas said quietly and pointed at the mark on Zexion's side. Everyone gazed at it and took a heavy gasp. The Mark of the Reaper; it was there, engraved into Zexion's body. It looked like twin scythes crossing over each other and a black rose in the center of it.
It was nearly an hour before Zexion fully awoke and was aware of his surroundings. He sat up and groaned slightly, rubbing his head, gazing down at his side where the mark was, the over at Roxas, who was fast asleep.
Meanwhile, Reno was sitting atop an electric box, watching the sun-filled sky. Reno had heard a noise over where everyone was and glanced at them, seeing Zexion was awake. He hopped off the box and walked over to him, slapping his taser-like rod over his shoulder. "You gave us quite a scare there, Zexy." Reno said to him slight sternly. "Mind telling me what happened while you were held captive?"
Zexion looked up at Reno and nodded weakly, gazing over behind Reno. Reno looked where Zexion was looking – the forest. At the entryway to the forest, he noticed the figure from last night standing there. Reno blinked for an instant and shook his head, reopening his eyes – The figure was gone.
"Last night was very weird for me…" Zexion said quietly as to not wake anybody up. Reno turned back around and looked down at Zexion, thumping his Rod against the ground. "Marluxia… his touch was cold and rough. Before I knew it, he left the mark on my side." Zexion was starting to speak quieter, as if afraid of something. He held his arms to his chest, clutching his book tightly, and began shaking,
Reno groaned slightly and knelt in front of Zexion, ruffling his hair. "Hey, you're back here with us now. It's all right now. Just relax." Reno gave one of his goofy grins that seemed to lighten up the room. Zexion looked up at Reno and slightly smiled, followed after by a weak nod of his head.
"I'll never forget last night… not just for the obvious reason though…"
Meanwhile, Marluxia, who was standing atop a tree, was watching Zexion. He had his scythe in his hands, and a rose in another hand – half red, half black; half tainted, half pure. He smirked slightly, and then vanished into thin air, as a single rose petal fell from the sky.
Zexion looked at the petal that fell from the sky, and caught it in his hands as Reno wasn't looking. He opened his palm to reveal the beauty within his hand – a black and red petal, shimmering like a gem. He held it close to his chest, and remembered what was said earlier that morning...
~Earlier~
Marluxia and Zexion were sprawled out on top of he bed with just a blanket covering them both. They were just laying there, breathing heavily after their little "event" just happened. Zexion, who found some small amount of strength, managed to move over to Marluxia and snuggle up into him. Marluxia wrapped his arm around the back of Zexion's head and smiled, kissing his forehead. It was silent for a while after that.
"We shouldn't speak of this to anyone." Zexion's voice filled the room. Marluxia looked down at his lover and stroked his hair.
"Agreed... besides, I don't think your friends would enjoy knowing that your new lover is the person who "kidnapped you" and held them back as I took you." Marluxia replied, closing his eyes, as Zexion nuzzled his head against Marluxia's hand, as they both drifted into sleep together.
'Yeah...' Zexion said in his head, and continued, 'I promise to never utter a word of this to anyone.'
Reno looked back over at Zexion and noticed that he was passed out completely again. Chuckling, Reno took a blanket and covered Zexion with it, as he patted his head. "You deserve a nice long rest Zex. After last night, you deserve all the sleep you should get." He said, sitting down under a tree, staring into the forest, passing out moments later.