Author's note : Sorry for late update.. Life's hectic.. And I am getting annoyed at myself as my writing styles changed significantly in last two years, not to mention that I see glaring plot holes and distracting plot bunnies.. ..Anyone, who owns a bunny buster? ...But.. Even if it takes years to finish, I don't do hiatus or abandoning my stories.. (unless I loss all source of back-ups, but this one has been uploaded, so..)
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) Added by a friend - Multiple Personality Disorder (or at least a variant of it)
No. XIII - Organisation XIII
[Chapter 17. Breaking Apart]
[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.]
XVII . i
Zexion was only visiting a book store to get a reference material for his course work when he witnessed a meeting of two individuals. It was Demyx and Vexen in a serious discussion, sitting in a cafe. The discussion didn't last long, but Vexen seemed to be a bit annoyed with everything. Also, Demyx seemed to be quite displeased as well.
Feeling somewhat uncharacteristically unwilling, Zexion went into the cafe, only to notice Roxas leaning against the wall at a corner of the cafe, watching Demyx and Vexen. As Zexion took a far away seat from them, Demyx and Vexen seemed to be in a very serious argument, and finally Roxas joined in. They looked shocked to see Roxas, but it was clear that whatever Roxas spoke made them come back to their senses.
Zexion hesitated. Should he go and join them as well? However, Zexion knew something was seriously off about Roxas. And isn't Vexen supposed to be in prison? Now, Demyx was added on this two. Finally, Zexion decided to sit on the table behind them, which was impossible for them to see due to a seperator. As he took the sit and asked for a cup of black coffee, he heard them talking from behind.
"..Always, Marluxia is the problem.. ...Vexen, what about No. I? You haven't found anything yet?"
...Demyx? Zexion froze. Demyx knew Marluxia was traitor? However, he paled when he heard Vexen's reply.
"Demyx, even No. XIII couldn't find No. I at all for last three years, though he wasn't really trying. What do you expect from me? I am a scientist."
"Yes, yes.. I know.." Demyx sighed, "It's no fun.. I am mostly on recon, but it's annoying. No. XIII.. As you know, Vexen, I did found evidences that Marluxia was the traitor. But those evidences do not prove anything about Axel or Zexion. I agree with No. XIII, they would have known. They are too sharp to not to know that. But.. What did they do? Did they support? Did they actually help anything? ..I can't find anything on that. They at least had kept their mouths shut, but even that I can't find any prove. ..Roxas, what about you?"
"..Marluxia knows Vexen is out of the prison. Turks told me one of the idiotic Shinra executive sold information about me and recent Vexen's escape to Marluxia, and he, in turn, killed a couple of that idiot's competitors. I am now supposed to keep an eye on him, because he killed too many Shinra employees. Honestly.. Even my elder brother is none other than Sephiroth, one of the strongest SOLDIER.. They are being ridiculous. I am not as strong as official members or.. Nobodies. I am a human, am I not?"
Roxas knew! Zexion almost dropped his cup of coffee with shock. However, Vexen's calm reply only caused him to be more alert about the situation.
"Only by the records, Roxas. You are a Nobody, we all know. I didn't know No. I actually let one of the Nobodies stay away from the Organisation XIII..."
"I am useful informant," Roxas laughed quietly, "Being a member of Turk, younger brother of Sephiroth- Information is almost granted at my position. That's what let No. I and No. XIII disregard my existence and took me as an ally. Also, it would have been.. Inconvenient.. To kill me. It would be considered an attack towards Shinra, Turk and SOLDIERs."
"..Good one," Vexen muttered thoughtfully, "And your parents are.. Ah, well, bad one. The legendary prosecutors. Damn hard to touch, aren't you?"
"Yep," Roxas laughed softly again, sounding amused, "And I am a good source of information, especially because I am willing. I hate my so-called parents who dared to imprison me and erased my memories from my before-life. They tried to make me ignorant of my powers.. Well, they failed.. ..They didn't know how deadly my power was.. ..Ventus and Terra, my dearest.. Ventus, the one who was swallowed by the darkness and created me.. ..How I loath him for erasing my memories and making me live as his son.."
Roxas's voice was bitter and dark, something Zexion never expected from the junior. However, Demyx's voice caught his attention again, leaving him with no time to think about the situation.
"But what about Sora? Roxas, he doesn't know anything, does he? ..You should give him chance."
"Chance, to betray me again? Chance, to know me and use me? ..I don't think to, Demyx. I don't trust them.. I can't trust them. I am not a human, and I do not understand what they call emotions. I fake them, without understanding. They are different from me.. They do not understand that I don't care whatever happens to them. ...They are annoying."
"..Huh, yeah.. Especially that Riku. I noticed that you glare at him while you are sure that only your proper allies are near."
"That brat doesn't know what's good for him," Roxas hissed coldly, "He had been watching me since he met me for the first time. Only reason he tolerates my presence is because he is in love with Sora."
A few soft sounds from behind suggested to Zexion that the three were standing up. However, before Zexion hid, Roxas's voice was heard again.
"..It's time for me to meet Reno, my contact in Turks. If anything new comes up, or if No. XIII ever feel needs to grant his gracious presence again.. Then I will contact you immediately. But as I said, only when it is needed."
"And we will contact you when we need something from you as well, Roxas. Careful with whatever mission you have today."
"Careful?" Roxas snorted, sounding annoyed, "I don't need to be careful, I only need to stay close to Marluxia! Not even searching for information, only becoming a lover- or closer to that, just to keep his moves tracked. Ah, well.. I doubt he would try to have a sex with me. It's too early, though he already kissed me when he got me alone. It is good thing that he still thinks that I am a human.. ..Seriously.."
Zexion saw Roxas leaving without looking back. Roxas looked very confident and strong.. But what truly chilled his soul was Vexen's cold laughter he heard from behind.
"Who would have thought No. XIII had multiple-personality disorder? This is good.. Roxas, good son and model student. Safer, the Turk and Nobody informant.. And finally, No. XIII, our truest Roxas Safer, our coldest member, the executor.. No wonder why No. I did not show his face or let us lear his voice before. Heh.."
XVII . ii
Axel glanced at Zexion, who seemed deeply troubled. Does Zexion know of Demyx's choice? Axel only could wonder. However, he did not know that Zexion was wondering if Axel knew that Roxas was none other than No. XIII. Even Marluxia didn't notice Axel and Zexion's unusual antics and unnatural glancings, busy with his own problems with musings about Roxas, Sephiroth and escaped Vexen. Demyx laughed to himself- how foolish they were, not having enough sense to talk frankly about what they knew! How ironic, though it was understandable. Roxas made them turned against each other, or at least doubt the others. Though it was done quite carelessly, Demyx was with Roxas when Roxas calculated every possible reactions and methods of executing the plans for hours.
But how ironic, Demyx knew. Roxas always claimed that he understood nothing of the others, but he knew so much. It was surprising just how perceptive No. XIII was- and it actually made Demyx shiver when he thought of the past, when No. XIII acted as nothing more than a shadow and watched them in darkness. Now, Demyx feared just how much No. XIII had seen while he stayed in the darkness at those times.
"..Demyx, can I talk to you in private?"
Zexion called. Faking confusion, Demyx followed him easily, knowing that Marluxia wouldn't mind- thinking that it is just normal make-out sessions. Demyx noticed Axel glancing at them- it would be better to make Axel think that they will solve their problems by themselves. As they entred a perfectly sound-proved room, Zexion questioned Demyx.
"..I saw Vexen with you. How did Vexen came out of the prison? Or how did he escape?"
"...You saw me today with him at the cafe?"
Demyx sounded a bit shocked to Zexion. However, Demyx quickly shook his head, and spoke a bit in a hurry, just as he used to everyday when he felt that he needed to explain somthing quickly- exactly how he used to speak. Zexion couldn't find anything wrong about it.
"I was planning to tell you later in the evening, but- well, now you said it first- Vexen told me that he got out of prison with No. XIII's help. He never spoke in detail, but from what Vexen told me, it seemed No. XIII had very dangerous elemental as his power. Vexen seemed to be very.. eager to experiment on him, not that No. XIII will ever let him. But I did see his journal recording observations.. I cross my fingers for his luck. If that journal is found, I think No. XIII will try to maim him. Anyway.. He told me No. XIII had ordered him to investigate Marluxia and all of us- but he wasn't sure how. So he came to me and told me to keep an eye on you and Axel-" Demyx hesitated, looking a bit down, "-to check if you have betrayed the Organisation XIII. I.. ..I don't know, it seems awfully lot of people are related to this.. The Team SeeD.. Turks.. Shinra... I never knew just how extensive the Organisation XIII's territory was. It is.. Scary. To realise just how many people are truly involved.."
"..People?" Zexion muttered darkly, "Who? How many did you meet, Demyx?"
"...Vexen, and two from Turks. But I heard quite a bit from them. Actually.. It wasn't my duty to watch us at first.. One of the Turks was already in that position, but when his position was ordered to be more specific, they approached me to fill the empty position. ..I was shocked at first, but.. ..Remember that day, Zexion? 3 years ago.."
How could he not remember? Zexion thought, realising how little he knew about Demyx. He and Axel always just assumed that Demyx would be happy to be out of the Organisation XIII's clutches. However, now, looking at his love, Zexion wasn't so sure.. Demyx looked almost like brooding, wanting to go back.
"..I.. It was terrible.. You know, I kinda liked Saix? Yes, he was a slave-driver.. But it was kinda nice to have works with other Nobodies, and use our power without hiding who we are.. And they already have quite a few missions, I think."
"...Missions? Are you telling me that they are still getting rid of the Heartless?"
"Yeah, and a lot of recons. And.. No. XIII is actually quite nice if you get to know him. He is.. More agreeable. And he actually explains why we need to do what, so it is easier to do our missions as well.. He also asks about our opinions. It is nice to have some change."
"I.. I see.."
Zexion was confused. No. XIII was nice? By the way Demyx was brooding and muttering, Demyx must be speaking of truth. This made Zexion realise that he truly never knew about how Demyx thought of the Organisation XIII. Zexoin and Axel just assumed that Demyx will like freedom just like them. But.. That assumption was based on the fact that Demyx liked playing music and laxing. They never counted the fact how Demyx enjoyed the freedom.. Freedom to use the power. This, was something they had never considered. They never realised just how much Demyx enjoyed using his power.. And now, Zexion think of it, even he missed it. He wasn't sure about Axel, but.. In case of Marluxia, Zexion suspected that he was still working as an assassin..
..Zexion needed time to think about it, and Demyx knew it. Smiling a bit, Demyx left Zexion alone in silence, already knowing Zexion's only decision possible. Unless Axel or Marluxia notice it fast enough, Zexion would decide his future actions.. And it won't be pretty, Demyx knew.. He only knew it too well.
XVII . iii
"Roxas! Wait up!"
"Sora! Careful!"
Roxas turned sharply, feeling sick of his brother. Ah, but what could he do about it? And Riku.. His mere presence made him annoyed.. But really.. Who was he to complain?
Roxas turned and grinned to Sora, still half running away from Sora.
"Well, come on, try catch me!"
"You are so fast! Slow dow~n!"
"Why would I, Sora? Catch me!"
"...Argh! Riku, help! I want to get him this time!"
Just like always. When Sora couldn't do something, Riku did it for him. How.. Annoying. But Roxas and Riku were faster than Sora. Sora was slow, and before Riku noticed it, Sora lost them.. Roxas and Riku were away from others, alone in an empty backstreet. Riku noticed it only when Roxas stopped running abruptly. And when Riku realised it, he flinched and looked around- Roxas thought he looked like a deer caught on the headlight. Chuckling a bit, Roxas tilted his head and smiled.
"You look scared, Riku. What's that face? I won't going to kill you."
"...What do you want? You did this purposely."
Roxas clapped, smiling happily.
"Yep! Of course, I wanted to talk to you in private!"
"...Why?"
"'Why', you ask?" Roxas shook his head, smiling, "That's an interesting question... Why, I wonder...?" His smile made Riku feel uncomfortable.. But all of sudden, Roxas's eyes filled with fury and he spat the words. "Let go of Sora. Do you realise what you had been doing? You are making him rely on you so heavily without realising it. Let him grow up, Riku! How long will you stay with him? He needs to learn how to act like his age! Stop making him dependant on you!"
Anger and fury. But did Roxas really felt as much as that for his twin? Riku was shocked to see normally refined Roxas glaring at him. However, he was already replying to Roxas without thinking, almost instinctively.
"I never made him dependant on me! I-"
"You want to protect him, I know! I know you love him, why do you think I tolerated you so much! I do not want him to suffer when you aren't with him- you can't possibly with him 24/7! Let him live his life, and stop interferring!"
"I.. I don't..."
"You are nothing but nuisance to his maturity.. He needs to know how to stand alone. You won't be able to stay with him forever and always- So stop babysitting him, Sora isn't a baby. He never was- yes, you are a year older than us- so what? Stop pestering him, you poor excuse of a friend! He doesn't need a protector- he can become a protector by himself! You are making him weak just because you want him all by yourself! Even just now- 'help me, Riku, I want to catch him this time'? What the hell? What is he, three? You made him like that, Riku, and I hate you for that.. Get away from my brother, or I will kill you if I have to.. You are nothing but a nuisance and hinderance to Sora's growth!"
Without another word, Roxas glared at Riku and left him alone, leaving towards a faint cry of Sora for them. However, Riku was too shocked to follow Roxas.. And when Riku finally noticed that Roxas was gone, he helplessly looked up and whispered to himself.
"...Am I.. Am I really nothing but a nuisance to Sora...?"