He couldn't take it anymore. All of his master's abuse was slowly killing him from within. He had to get out. He had to leave. But the question was how? He couldn't simply get up and leave. That'd be too obvious and he wouldn't get all that far before he was caught and brought back. But it might be his only chance. He could risk getting killed if it meant leaving his master.

So he walked slowly down the corridors, thanking the heavens that his master wasn't currently tormenting him. Footsteps reached his alert ears, causing him to jump into a vacant room to hide. It was his master and his royal advisor, talking about something.

"... and we should also send over that other cook servant, what was his name..."

"Roxas, sir," said the advisor answered his voice slightly cracking;. He had a liking for the little child.

"Okay. And then he can have the little brother to be with." The hidden man's master stopped in front of the room where he was hiding. "That will be all." Hurried footsteps left the area, leaving one body standing outside of the room. The man inside held his breath. Finally, the light scuffling told him that his master had left. He sighed. He felt bad for what he was going to do, but it had to be done. There was no other way.

"Bring in the next one," Saïx said lazily. He had a habit of seeing to see each of his new slaves individually in order to see who would turn on him, who was good for what, and if any of them weren't where they were supposed to be and put them where he thought they should be.

A silver haired man was brought in through the door. He stumbled in, looking around the room nervously. His eyes fell on his new master, and he lowered his head, staring at his hands.

"Name?" he asked. The man's eyes moved over to the head slave, Wakka, before he raised his head in nervousness.

"Y-you w-want me to... to answer?"

"Of course," Saïx waved hand in front of him.

"Xe-Xe-xemnas, sir,"

"Okay, Xemnas, what possition did you hold with your old mater?"

It took him a second to remember what to say, and when he whispered "The kitchen, sir," he could see a slightly curious look on Master Moon's face.

"Okay, thank you Xemnas. Wakka," he addressed the man standing next to him, "take him to the kitchens."

"Is that all, sir?" the man asked, his upper body bent forward. Xemnas' eyes found his feet.

"That is all." Wakka began to lead Xemnas out of the room when he called out, "Hold on." Master Moon took one last sip of his red wine, stood up, and walked towards the new slave with long strides. Xemnas backed up, bumping into an end table. The vase that sat on it promptly fell, sending pieces of porcelain, water, and flowers all over the oak floorboards. Oh, great, Xemnas thought as his master towered over him. Not even five minutes and I'm already in trouble. Master Moon's arm shot out at him and Xemnas immediately cowered, hiding his head behind his chained arms. He took the arms in one hand, dragging him closer as the other gripped his chin. His topaz eyes glared into Xemnas' amber ones.

"You know what, Wakka," Master Moon whispered, his voice dangerous. "Move him to my personal care." He let go of Xemnas' face with a solid push. Xemnas slipped on the water, sending the floor rushing up to meeat his head. "Have him washed properly and brought to my quarters by the time I get back from the party." After looking at the floor, he added, "And get someone to clean up this mess."

"Is that all, sir?"

"Yes, that is all."

Xemnas was taken into the slave bathhouse and was forced into freezing cold water. Having grown up with this temperature of water when he was allowed to bathe, he didn't mind so much. What he didn't truly like was that all of the other slaves were scrubbing so hard to get the dirt off of his skin that he thought that it would peeal off. Once a fair amount of dirt, grime, and muck was removed, Xemnas was rubbed down with lavender scented oils and dressed in plane black pants that showed his status as a lowly slave.

He was brought to his Master's quarters at seven by a curious boy named Tidus. Once he had opened the door to Mister Moon's room, he bowed quickly and left, not making a sound. It was as if he was terrified to be there. Xemnas stared at the closed door for a long time before turning slowly around, his head slightly lowered. Glancing around the room, he saw that it was terribly sinister. Chains hung from the walls in various places around the room, barracks stood facing lonely corners, and various increments of pain stood against one of the larger walls. Whimpering pitifully, Xemnas looked towards the center of the room to the four poster bed. The bed looked comfortable enough, once you got past the little fact of the cuffs attached to each of the posts and the big fact that Master Moon was sitting on the edge staring at him. Xemnas immediately slumped to the floor, his head touching the cool stone.

"You're late," his master said, his voice barely above a whisper, but just as deadly as an execution sentence.

"I-I-I'm sorry, sir," Xemnas stuttered, his body shaking. Master Moon walked over and kicked him. He then picked him up roughly by the hair as would a mother cat to its kitten.

"When you're in this room, you will refer to me as Master Saïx."