A/N: Okay. Here's the new chapter! Yay! You get to learn a bit more about Xemnas' past, and my beta-reader, Lyless and lockesilver, says that I'm getting better at writing! Yay! Thanks L and l!

Lord Axel towered over Xemnas, his emerald green eyes flashing. The slave backed up nervously, nearly tripping over his feet. The lord raised his hand, ready to strike, when Lulu walked up and said, "Please, good sir, would you please follow me to your room?" Lord Axel stood still, his hand frozen in the air.

"Come, my Lord," the redhead's companion encouraged. "Let us see this room that is promised." He put his arm on Axel's shoulder, intertwining his fingers in his raised hand. Lord Axel's face softened after a few seconds with this kindness.

"Of course, Demyx," he replied, smiling at his blonde. They turned as one and followed Lulu down the hall, leaving Xemnas breathing heavily. He looked down and saw the terrified kitchen boy staring up at him in awe. He gave the boy a small smile and knelt down to help clean up.

Lulu came down shortly after taking the new arrivals to their room. Xemnas had sent the young kitchen boy – who's name, he found out, was Sora – away. Sora was a jittery boy, also very childish for his age.

"You're lucky, you know that, right?" Lulu asked when she came back, leaning on the wall. Her eyes watched him wax the area of the floor to a perfect shine.

"I can take a hit," Xemnas answered, scrubbing a small area hard.

"I wasn't talking about getting hit," Lulu shot, crossing her arms. "The most recent lucky thing is that you haven't popped some of your stitches yet."

"What's the other one?" Xemnas asked, sitting up straight, looking up at Lulu.

"That he didn't recognize you." Xemnas averted his eyes. Both were silent.

"Yeah," he said at last. "I guess I am."

Saïx returned to the castle the next day, going right into conference with Lord Axel until way after dark. When they were done, Saïx went looking for Xemnas, who was in his room. Looking up when he walked in, Xemnas said, "Welcome home, Master Moon." He bowed deeply.

"Xemnas." Saïx's voice was cold as ice. The slave didn't rise back up to his full height, too afraid of his master's anger. His body shook with the thought; his eyes shut tight, waiting for the blow. Slow footsteps echoed in the small room and all too soon did his hair yank his head up. Faint strains of whimpers left his mouth and his body went slightly limp, but even with the harsh hold on his head, Xemnas did not open his eyes. Saïx saw this and wondered why his slave was acting so scared of him. His free arm wrapped around his slave's waist while the one from his head slid down to caress his face.

"Xemnas, sweetie," Saïx cooed. "Why didn't you tell me that you were scared of Lord Axel?" He began rocking their bodies in a calming fashion. Xemnas' soft whimpering slowly died down as his eyes fluttered open. Confusion and fear met concerned and loving ones; Xemnas quickly averted his. "Well?" He rested his hand underneath Xemnas' chin, pushing it up slightly. His eyes settled into his master's nervously.

"He... um... I..." the silver haired slave stuttered before his master put a finger up to his lips.

"It's okay. Wait until the words come to you," Saïx whispered, kissing Xemnas' forehead softly. "I feel bad leaving you here with Lord Axel here, knowing that you don't like him," he said, resting his forehead against the silver haired one. "Why don't you come spend the night with me?" The master didn't even stop to let his slave answer before grabbing his arm and dragging him out into the hallway down to his room, where he slept until the last day of Lord Axel's departure two days later when something amazing happened.

On the last day of the conferences, Xemnas and Lulu were straightening up the guest room of Lord Axel and his companion when a voice said, "Don't bother." Turning, they saw Master Moon standing in the door, looking in on them. When he had their attention, he walked in and lay down on the bed. Xemnas and Lulu gave each other questioning looks before Xemnas asked, "Why not, sir?" Saïx sighed before standing up from the bed and walking over to the window overlooking the garden just within the castle walls that separated it from the rest of the city, sadness in his eyes. Lulu immediately went over and rested a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"You know," she said, "if something's wrong, you could tell us." Xemnas had also walked over and tried to look into his master's eyes, but it was impossible to read them.

"There is nothing wrong," Saïx answered, backing up slightly so he could see the two better. "Unless you count going to the capital city wrong." A faint smile hugged his lips.

"You mean... we got through?" Lulu asked, one of her hands slipping up to her mouth. "The king is going to hear about the black market trade in the city and the problems about it?" When Saïx nodded, she squealed in pure delight. Xemnas, who had been standing there with his mouth wide open, jumped up in the air and gave a cry of glee. When he landed, he ran over to his master, grabbed the sides of his face, and pulled him into a soul-searching kiss.