Author's note : Ok, first thing first.. A while after I began my undergraduate course, my parents started new business and I have been helping as a back-up accountant during monthly settlements and daily translation/oversea communication. I have no other excuses but that I have been extremely busy and took me over a year to get used to my new schedule..

Diclaimer- None of the characters or most of concepts are mine, they belong to Square Enix.. Or Disney. 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 18. Shaky Shaky]

[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.]

XVIII . i

"...Hey, Zexion."

"...What?"

Zexion raised his head from a book as Axel called him from bed. Axel had been moody lately- as if it was possible for a nobody, Zexion mused to himself. However, Axel stared at the ceiling and murmured.

"Is it just my feelings.. Or all of us- that is, Marluxia, me, you, and Demyx- had been somewhat.. Distant, lately? ..Marluxia is frustrated at something, we all know that. Most probably something related to his.. works, again. But us? Demyx is busy humming and playing music, rarely stays with us anymore. And I don't even understand why you are acting strangely, then I am ansty as well."

"...I am not sure. I am.. Thinking of Demyx. ...He had been wishing to return to our... old times. I don't like it much.. But Demyx is quite uneasy about it. And.. You have to admit that he does have a point that we can never understand the humans."

"...He miss it?"

"...At least interactions with another nobody. You have to admit that we act more like humans these days, even in private."

"Too true.. Like how moody I am in these days. ...Think it is related?"

"I think so."

As Zexion calmly closed his book, Axel remained silent. The said silence continued until Axel's PHS rang with a soft tune.

"...Hello?"

-...Axel. It's Marluxia.-

"...Marluxia? What's the matter?"

Axel slowly sat up, noticing cold edge of the voice. Even Zexion stared at him with surprise as the cold voice of Marluxia came out of his PHS. However, Marluxia's voice continued without an acknowledgement.

-Remember the recent reformation of the Team SEED, and their declaration for aims? It was because they found out that we, Organisation XIII, was consisting of thirteen members, not twelve. However.. ...It seems there is more to it. They first found it out from an informant, but in yesterday's progress report, Sephiroth Safer reported that he fought against someone who wore similar cloth like ours when he was in slums at the Hollow Bastion about six months ago. He thought he just met an imposter at the time, but in his report he mentioned that the person was too strong to consider as a mere imposter- and he was wielding two blades, which is matching with No. XIII's known information.-

"...Six months ago?"

-Yes.. And the imposter just escaped once he was sure that Sephiroth wasn't a member of Team SEED.. At least at the time.-

Axel remained silent. Is that so.. All these connections between Sephiroth and Organisation XIII was driving him mad, making him so confused.. But.. With a slightly annoyed voice, Axel snapped.

"And what's so important about this?"

-Sephiroth also reported that No. XIII was seen around the Turks' establishments. Team SEED thinks after fall of Organisation XIII, No. XIII joined Turks.. Thus the cover-up of his existence.-

Silence was rather dramatic, Zexion noted. He wasn't planning to tell Marluxia about Demyx or Vexen anytime soon- or that Sephiroth was actively helping No. XIII, also known as his younger brother Roxas.. Axel was thinking, but Zexion didn't know what. Still.. This, in Axel's point of view, would be a big problem, Roxas having such connection with Organisation XIII.

Zexion stopped his muses as Marluxia's voice rang out from Axel's PHS.

-We need more information- Roxas is very close to Sephiroth while that kid, Sora, isn't. I plan to use that blond, Roxas, for getting more information, and-

"I will do it."

-..And why would you, Axel?-

"If any of you ask such information from Roxas, it would sound suspiscious- and Roxas is still a genius and extremely talented, not to mention that he opted to major same subjects with myself. I can ask him such things easier, faking them as academical interest."

-And this is not because of your human-like facade's idiotic infatuation?-

"I may feel desire to possess, but I am no human, Marluxia," Axel spoke, his voice deceptively calm, "I do not deny that I do feel certain level of possessive feelings over him, but I am a Nobody. If that was your attempt to insult, then you need to think better."

Marluxia merely scoffed and disconnected the call- and Axel suddenly growled, surprising Zexion.

"Zexion, what do you feel about Demyx?"

"...You are asking me?"

"You do feel something about him, don't you? How do you feel about him?"

"...I am possessive of him, and I acknowledge- respect his abilities. Why would you ask, Axel?"

"We do not feel emotions.. Then, are those things emotions, or not? ...Anger, jealousy.. Do we actually feel them, or we had been acting far too long, making us seem to feel them? ...Is emotion series of chemical reactions? They why can't we feel it? If it's something more, then why humans believe that emotions can be caused by chain of chemical reactions? I saw you reading that article over and over, about chemistry behind 'love'."

"..."

It was an interesting question, Zexion noted. But that brought another slew of questions.. Why would Axel bring out this question now? Considering the situation carefully, Zexion answered, thinking over his wordings.

"I wouldn't say that it's completely impossible- but our body is not exactly same with that of humans, Axel.. You know this. If you want to know details on that, you would have to find Vexen and make him explain in the words we are capable to process."

"...Are we completely logical?"

"If we wish to be.. But then, wish, or desire, often is illogical. What is most efficient, and what we prefer.. Again, preferance is another illogical choices. Why we like something.. Force of habitual actions, or our body remembering our past actions?"

Axel did not answer, but Zexion didn't expect one from him. This was a long standing debate among all Organisation XIII members.. Only, rarely discussed due to its nature. None among them ever found answer.

With a slight tilt of his head, Zexion calmly stated, slowly standing and leaving Axel alone to his thoughts.

"...Roxas, is an interesting individual- rather different from most human we encounter everyday. That 'bastard'," Zexion paused for a moment, shaking his head, "Riku, is right in a way- that he is so much like Sephiroth Safer. I find it strange.. He was just stuttering, innocent newbie a couple months ago- he changed far too quick, his personality, posture, movement- ackward young man who just got out of his teenager period, to a graceful, experienced man- elegant, even. That doesn't happen.. You know this, Axel."

Axel kept his silence, until he was certain that Zexion was far out of his own hearing range- then muttered sullenly, shaking his head in grimace.

"...I am well aware that Roxas has a serious psychological issues.. Or that the Roxas I have initially met, was nothing but a mask. However.. The question is, how far can I trust Zexion.. Or Marluxia, for the matter.."

XVIII . ii

"Hey- Squall! You need to see this!"

"...What is it?"

"Come on- look, the recording of CCTV here.. See that black hooded figure there? Standing at the corner, in that shadow- almost invisible-"

"..That's not any of the Organisation XIII members identified before. His coat- looks more casual.."

"Yeah, there, the pants are loose- not tucked into the boots like all twelve members in our data base, and that shoes- those aren't boots, more like sneakers."

The members of the SEED nodded of chipped in their own observations around the big screen, attracted by loud call for Squall. In the screen, the unknown Organisation XIII member slightly tilted his head in the shadows and took a step out, revealing his- or her uniform further.

"That shoulder- and sleeves- are similar to No. II and No. IX.."

"But shorter, much shorter- No. II and No. IX are taller of the twelve members, but this one seem to be shortest- and where is his weapon?"

"Agreed.. All others usually keep their weapons out.. Except those whose weapons are too small to be visible-" Squall faltered, his eyes widening as the Organisation XIII member in the screen began to follow a known, dead as of a week ago criminal to a narrow alley, "-wait, this recording- where did you get this?"

"This happened a week ago, three hours before our reformation party," Seifer, from side, scoffed, sounding displeased, "and merely 400m away from the hotel we held the party, no less. Just watch.. I am fucking going to kill that bastard."

"Seifer! You are a prosecutor!"

Squall ignored scandalised shouts- just as Sephiroth entred with a large mug full of black coffee and approached him, frowning as another camera (the screen was displaying 6 different CCTV recordings at same time) viewd the unknown Organisation XIII member picking up and throwing a rock at the head of the known criminal.

-What the fuck? Who-...- The man snarled and whirled around, his face ugly with burning anger- yet the man paled drastically upon the sight, taking a large step back, -Y-You!-

-...- The hooded figure did not answer, yet the barely visible lips curled up in sneer, just as the figure crossed his arms and shrugged, his black leather gloved fingers curling around elbows, -...-

-I- I didn't-

The figure scoffed slightly then took out a mini white board, making everyone present to watch the recording blink, just as the criminal looked confused- then the hooded figure took out a small marker and wrote in elegant cursive, shaking his head.

'rather pointless of you, trying to get an answer from a mute assassin.. Still, I am here to hear your answer- what is it?'

-...You are, mute?- the man flinched as the figure casually placed back the white board on a large pocket, then shuddered, -I.. I didn't mean to, I didn't know Organisation XIII is still around- I just thought the building was empty! I immediately cleaned up everything when I came face-to-face with No. IV! Please...-

The figure sighed inaudibly in the recording, slowly approaching towards the begging criminal- then taking out a smaller notepad, the figure wrote again, looking every bit casual as the situation wasn't.

'Your interruption almost caused No. IV to be re-captured by police.. While I broke him out of the pathetic cell he was placed before, I have no desire to do again- waste of time and resource, that had been. No. X and No. XII would be- displeased, if I am to break No. IV twice and never bother with them.. An unfortunate fact, no? I have no intention of breaking them out when I can not be certain of their true allegiance.. That reminds me.. I am supposed to check about out next order..'

-T-the order No. I will be delivered tonight at usual place, usual time! Please, please-

'...How anticlimatic. I have been looking for No. I for past three years after that incident.. Thank you. I am sure your second in command will be able to inform No. I regarding your unfortunate- demise- and how displeased I am at them.. Probably grovel to No. I to the point that No. I will realise that I am not fake..'

-..W..What..? You...-

'Me, what?'

The figure laughed soundlessly and took a step away from furious man, shaking head- then with a rather arrogant smirk on his lips, the hooded figure soundlessly mouthed words.

-Gah! Let me go, you bastar-Ugh! N-no..-

Icy spikes, crystalised bloody crimson colour- and frozen statue with horror and terror, in the middle of summer.. Only then, the figure petted the ice statue with encaged dead corpse with a cruel, sadistic smirk, leaving a note on the man's forehead.

'Please inform No. I that I managed to get back my same contact information from 3 years ago.. I am around, with No. IV far too often grovelling and begging not to ruin his experiments.. ...Requesting permission to kill the Chilly Academic, even if I am well-aware that it will be denied- again?'

The figure then walked away from the location, far out of the CCTV's range- then vanished, leaving the corpse alone until another known criminal came then paled drastically, taking the note with shaking hands and fleeing with it.

Finally, the pin-drop silence was broken by Sephiroth's casual, almost bored remark.

"...That No. XIII can't be any older than university student- I know that bracelet- the white bracelet around that person's left wrist, that's Hollow Bastion's highschool identification bracelet- it got implemented around the private schools and specialised schools when I was just out of my highschool, my younger brother was the first batch to have that.. And he is the new freshman in the Twilight University."

"...You mean to say that the No. XIII, assassin of the Organisation of XIII, who stopped working 3 years ago.. Is currently, at oldest, a new freshman at a university..? He wasn't even out of highschool when he was murdering and torturing people around 3 years ago!?"

Sephiroth snorted at the shriek, and disturbed faces of the Team SEED excluding Seifer- then remarked, his voice cold.

"Hollow Bastion often reminds me of war- especially darker parts of the Hollow Bastion. Rape, murder, torture.. Slave-markets, drugs.. All kinds of crimes, all reminding me of the war I participated as SOLDIER- how low a human can be. I know for a fact that there are quire a few orphans turning into assassins at the backstreets- I saw it happening with my own eyes, even. ..The only answer I got from those children- was that killing- and risking life- was easier than living any other way, because hunger and cold- was harder to endure than a bit of guilt or nausea."

XVIII . iii

"Riku- please? Let's go to the arcade? I really want to check out some new stuff I heard they got yesterday!"

The silver haired young man snapped his head up, startled by Sora's bright words. Past week was a living hell- Riku spent every moment he was with Sora realising how much Sora relied on him, and what would happen to Sora without him. Sora would be utterly lost, unable to do anything- every little thing, Sora had asked his opinion and what to do- or what he wants to do.. And Riku now saw past his happiness that Sora liked to include him in anything Sora did, it was a need. If this was what Roxas saw every time Sora was with him, was it really a wonder that Roxas hated him?

With a soft sigh, Riku winced and answered stiffly, his voice ackward.

"..Ah, Sora- I am sorry, I need to go somewhere-"

"Oh- that's alright! We can go together later!"

Another strike. Riku flinched at Sora's words- Sora just decided to not to do something he obviously really wanted to, just because Riku wasn't going to be there. Something that used to please him- became a cause of utter despair- upon how much he had crippled his best friend by his overprotectiveness, and..

With a grimace, Riku couldn't help but mutter, his voice full of pain.

"...Damn it, I fucked up.."

"..Riku? What-"

"That bastard was right. ...Sora, sorry- I need to go somewhere right now!"

"-are you talking..about..?"

Sora watched blankly, shocked as Riku all but ran away from him- obviously in a hurry. He wasn't sure what it was about, but.. He just, felt, that perhaps-Something was wrong with the situation.. And it was only just beginning of it.