Author's note : Nothing particular. I am just very sleepy now... *Sigh*.

Diclaimer- None of the characters or most of concepts are mine, they belong to Square Enix. Honestly, if they belonged to me.. ..It would have turned MA+ rated.

Warning - Yaoi, M rated for more than a few reasons (later chapters), abusive languages, crimes, etc. Yaoi pairings (AkuRoku, SephCloud, ZexionXDemyx, etc, more side pairing though not in this one. Side stories may be included after the main story gets over)

No. XIII - Organisation XIII

[Chapter 3. Sephiroth]

[In the middle of darkness and light, the shadows of both lay.

The shadows, the midst of the extremes-

They lurk in the most unexpected places at the most unexpected times,

And they reign with the mystery and power,

The shadows call themselves-

Organisation XIII.]

III . i

Riku raised his head as door opened. As expected, it was Roxas. Riku stared at Roxas, but Roxas sighed and spoke.

"...Are you still angry with me?"

"No. But do you really like them? You still don't know what others say about them."

"I don't mind what others say, Riku. You know that.. And Axel seemed fine, Riku. I am sorry if I annoyed you, but-"

"I know, we both know that it was Sora which made me say that. I don't mind whoever become close to you. Just make it sure that Sora doesn't get involved if anything happens."

"I won't get him involved in anything, Riku. You know.. I never did."

"..."

Riku sighed. Perhaps this was why their brother favoured Roxas over Sora. Roxas was always involved in something else beside good stuff, only thing was that no one knew that he was. Riku knew it.. Most probably Sephiroth knew it, too. Riku then realised a bag in Roxas's hands. What was that? Roxas showed the bag and spoke.

"I just got a part-time job in the university, Riku. And Demyx- Ah, you know who it is, right?"

"...I know. What about him?"

"He gave me a ride. When he saw a few photographs of chocobo, he jumped on me and said that he would like to go to chocobo farm I frequently visit- He almost chocked me to death. For that, he gave me a ride."

"Those pictures you have in your phone?"

"Yeah, those. It seems he loves cute stuff. Am I right?"

"...Figures."

Riku grunted. Demyx loved cute stuff, it was a well-known-fact. Well.. It seemed that Roxas had no problem at all with them.. How could it be? It wasn't possible unless one of them like Roxas in a wrong way or somthing like tha-... What did he just thought? Riku froze, his head turning back to Roxas by the speed of light. He... He didn't realise it, right? As far as Riku knew, Roxas was straight- But Roxas never got into such relationship before. Was this how it would be? Roxas, with one of those bastards? No way, Riku thought, that can't be true. It just cannot be. These kinds of matters would always affect anyone related to the person of issue by anyway. And, if his guess was true.. Riku growled and muttered, angry than ever.

"...Axel, that bastard! He better not touch Roxas, Sora will be worried sick about that when he actually hears about them!"

III . ii

*Handphone ringing*

Roxas shook his head. What was this sound? ...It was his handphone, ringing quietly as usual. The clock on the wall indicated that it was 2 in the morning.. Great. Now who was this person, calling him this early in the morning? However, his discomfort melted away the moment he saw the name displayed on his handphone's screen. 'Sephiroth'. Smiling, he picked it up and walked out of the bed and out of the room, careful enough to not to wake up Sora.

"Seph? I am listening."

[...Well, I woke you up, haven't I, Roxas?]

"It's okay. I have no problem.. Anyway, I didn't feel like sleeping."

[...Good. I need your help.]

"Anything you want, Seph."

Roxas smiled gleefully. He liked his elder brother a lot, and Sephiroth taught him a lot of things... Especially in self-defence. It was strange, but Roxas didn't care. Sephiroth almost talked as if he was asked to do it by someone else, Roxas didn't have a single clue who it might be. And the skills and moves Sephiroth taught him.. It was almost like his body already knew them, only Roxas never realised that he could do such things.. Sephiroth's voice was quite cold, but it was nice to hear.

[Anything I want, hm? Well, do you mind checking some files I sent you? It should get there in three days. I sent it yesterday.]

"Of course, I will check it as soon as possible and send you back after I do everything in my power."

[Good. Those files are quite important, and I do not want Kadaj to see those. Oh, and how's Twilight University? Is Leonhart still teaching there?]

"...I do not know who it is yet for I haven't gone through all my schedules for the week, and Sephiroth, it's none of your business."

Roxas's expression changed. Cold, and heartless.. And with this sudden change, Sephiroth laughed like a maniac with satisfaction.

[*laugh* Hahaha.. Yes, this is my brother I wanted to talk to. Alright, let me repeat it.. How are you, staying away from Hollow Bastion?]

"...Interesting old faces. I doubt that he ever will, but in case Sora whimpers, ignore him. I won't play with him for a while."

[Well, well.. Don't play too hard, my little brother. Your toys will break. It's good to know that you have found them. And don't forget that it was I who told you that I saw them there.. You owe me a one.]

"I am aware of it. I will get back to you after I finish fooling them and acquire the information I need, Sephiroth. You have my words."

[As obedient as usual.. I see. I guess that you wish to know who the traitors were and erase them, to complete your role in the Organisation XIII? Am I allowed to consider that it shall be reformed after the completion of your work?]

"Old treaty will be re-signed after I clear all possible threats. I am aware of your enemies' threat. They are as annoying to us as they are to you."

Sephiroth chuckled at Roxas's emotionless answer. It would be fun. Over the phone, Sephiroth couldn't help smirking cynically as he closed his handphone.. But it was time to end this conversation, and he knew it. After a short pause, he spoke gently back to his brother, Roxas.

[I wish you a good luck there, Roxas.]

"...Thank you, Seph! I will try my best!"

[Appreciated.]

Without realising anything, Roxas smiled happily and walked towards kitchen. He felt he was itching to do something, but he had nothing to do now- it was 2 am in the morning- what else could he do? Roxas decided that he may be able to cook a decent meal for the day and perhaps for tomorrow as well.

III . ii

*tic, tic..*

What was this sound? Riku woke up by a bit of noise from somewhere in the house. It couldn't be Sora or anyone.. Riku rubbed his eyes hard and checked his handphone. 3: 30 am. Great. Now, who would be working in this house at this time? ...Of course, Riku could already guess, Roxas. Roxas had eccentric behaviour, after all. Now and then he would wake up at the time too early too be dawn but too late to be night, and working over houseworks and stuff. Usually he would just sleep until someone wakes him up- Once, there was a case of him sleeping for 48 hours without waking up when no one woke him up. He would be able to sleep forever, that Roxas and his love for sleep.. It was almost notorious, even in his school. How the hell Roxas kept his scores in perfect A's while he slept through half the classes was a mystery which was never solved by anyone. But strangely, he had insomnia too.. As Riku walked to kitchen, he could see a dozen different dishes already made, and another triple in process by Roxas. They looked good.. Well, Roxas was a nice cook, after all... But this, he didn't expect. At 3 am, cooking a dozen dishes? Roxas smiled and greeted Riku in warm manner.

"Morning, Riku. You woke up early."

"..Morning? Sure, it's dawn.. What's up with you today?"

"I am just in a good mood. And Sephiroth called me one and half an hour ago! Hmm, it's sweet enough. Do you want one now, Riku?"

"...No. ...Sephiroth called you at 2 in the morning...? ...Figures why you are already up."

Riku shook his head as Roxas turned to him, a piece of pie in a plate. It was almost hilarious... Perhaps not. Riku amended his thoughts as Roxas shrugged and casually made a few lunch boxes. Those were definitely Riku's and Sora's... Roxas chuckled.

"Hey, honestly, I don't think I will be back early today. Don't wait for me, huh? And my classes starts quite early. You know, I take double degree.. I think I have to be considerably early today to check out the places beforehand. Oh, by the way- you know, I took my motorcycle for the trip to this town- I'll be using that to going to university and coming back from there, so don't worry."

"...I'd rather worry about Sora getting into trouble while defending someone who he barely knows. You never got into a trouble."

"That's a compliment, right? Thanks. Jeez, you look surprised.. What's the matter, huh?"

"...You are mad."

"Ah- that. I know- I am not under the category of 'normal', I m rather an eccentric.."

Roxas smiled pleasantly. Riku sometimes did wonder about how mature and selfless Roxas was, because Roxas never got offended by people's comments on himself- he was angry only when their targets includ someone else beside him. How his mind could work in that way... It was odd, really. This particular Safer siblings... Sephiroth, Roxas, and Sora, they all had different personalities and ideas. Ridiculous it seemed, but they were like that. Brothers, but never close. Sora was bright and didn't realise it much, but Sephiroth, and even Roxas, never show what they thought or felt. But it was so odd.. Riku recalled past events and frowned. Indeed, they were all different, but not as much as this before. Just 3 years ago Roxas turned colder and more eccentric than before, and Sephiroth changed a lot too for some reason. Sephiroth.. Especially him. All of sudden, he just had a fight with their parents and cut off all connections between him and his family... Except Roxas. Too odd.. But what else could Riku do about it? Riku shook his head and left the kitchen, thinking of going back go sleep.