Author's note : Sorry for the long hiatus.. I am finally done with final examination for my last year of university, although.. I don't even want to think about waiting for my result (or rather, I would rather not see them..) Any-way, getting on with the story! (Finally!)

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 19. Stormy Night]

[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.]

XIX . i

"...The goods are in excellent condition, even better than usual.. However, I wonder.. Why are you delivering this shipment instead of your leader?"

"I-I.. P-please! No. I, w-we do not know what our decreased leader had done to displease you, but please- w-we are not involved in anything that caused No. XIII to show his displeasure at him!"

The man trembled and plead, his voice terrified- and far too horrified and stuck in his fear, the man did not notice the three hooded figures' falterings. However, easily hiding their shock- the No. I spoke, his voice uncaring.

"...Oh..? And how would you know that it was No. XIII...?"

"T-the note! The note he left.." The man whimpered and took out bloody note from his pocket, whimpering and flinching back as No. II snatched the note from him, "P-please! We truly do not know anything that could have displeased No. XIII!"

"...This is 's handwriting.. ..No.I?"

"Let me see.."

No. I gracefully glided to No. II, who uneasily handed over the bloody note- and after looking at the note carefully, No. I began to chuckle, his soft chuckle full of triumph and twisted amusement.

"Hahahaha.. Yes.. I can just see him writing this note.. No. II, take the shipment. No. III.. Go with him, and make sure that there are no one around our old hideout.. No. XIII has finally returned to his duty, and if he is working with No. IV, then he must have some idea about those traitors.. I have some business to do."

No. I's chuckle continued as he walked away from the dark alley, moving away from the others' sight- and once he was complete out of their senses, No. II spoke up, his voice causious.

"...This reminds me of the time No. I mentioned how No. XIII went missing again.. Does he remember that No. XIII is not 'his other friend'?"

"He would say 'as good as him' if you tell him that, like before," No. III answered in quiet voice, glancing at the trembling man and the crates of the goods, "And it's not entirely wrong.. Is it? ..Considering who's hearts they have lost.."

"...Perhaps."

No. II did not bother arguing any further, picking up the crates with ease- and following his example, No. III picked up remaining half of the crates, remarking soft enough that only No. II could hear.

"..Ventus, Terra and Aqua.. ...In a way, I am shocked Xemnas hadn't sought any of them out yet. But then- he doesn't remember being human, does he? ...But we know a little about him, or at least you do.. ...He is getting too excited to hear that No. XIII is back."

XIX . ii

-Hello, Roxas speaking-

"I received your message 3 days ago."

-Oh! Hey.. Aren't you busy, what with returning back to Team SeeD? N-not that I am unhappy that you found your time to check on me!-

-Roxas, who are you talking to, hmm?-

-M-Marluxia- It's Sephiroth, my older brother..-

"...Interesting.. You are not alone, with No. XI, the Graceful Assassin, no less..?"

-Ah, I see.. ..Heard he is doing extremely well in Team SeeD. I still keep in touch with some of my friends back in the Hollow Bastion, you know.-

-That's older brother for you,- Xemnas could hear the smug grin from Roxas's tone, then scoffed- Roxas was a natural actor, as any Nobody was, -Brother- what can I do for you?-

"Status report."

-Of course I am well, brother- All reports to professors done, and no slipping on duties as a student. I don't really like scientific way of thinking, but it will do,- Physically well, all immediate areas of concern checked, no possible loose ends. Still does not like cooperating with Vexen. -I am not certain about continuing my hobby with guitar or reading books, though.. They take time and I am too busy. Watching fireworks is certainly out, although regrettable..- No certainty on loyalties of Demyx or Zexion, but Axel had been certainly involved, -And so is gardening, there isn't even a place to plant something in my room. I think I should consider cooking, like simple salads with cut-and-mix type of dish, or card games as hobby.. They may take less time to enjoy.- Marluxia is a traitor, out of line- and I plan to falling back to Luxord or Larxene. -That reminds me! Speaking of cooking- I used to take home economics back in highschool.. ..That makes me remember, do you remember Assistant Professor Saix? Your, and later my assistant professor back in highschool. He is my psychology professor now! I asked him about Professor Xemnas- you know I liked him a lot- but he said he also had no idea..-

"Give him this number, but do not reveal yourself. I will contact you again."

Click..

Xemnas chuckled softly as he cut off the call. It was getting interesting.. The board was set, and the pieces of the game and players began to gather, just as ignorant pawns were summoned on the board to take positions- and among them.. No. XIII was his Queen, a powerful piece that could operate on itself even when he lost his contact with his King and Master.

And.. Considering the fact that his Queen had taken its position.. Xemnas called Sephiroth from the message that had just been sent by Roxas.

"...The Son of Calamity from the Sky.. The One Winged Angel. It had been a while."

-...Xemnas.-

XIX . iii

"Sorry, Sora- I need to finish that report in the library with my research group."

"Again? Well.. Ok, Riku- I guess I need to finish my paper as well.."

Sora frowned at the back of Riku, who nodded in acknowledgement and ran out of the building, towards the library in the campus. This had been repeating for a while now, and if Sora was honest to himself-

"Geez.. What's wrong with Riku? It's like he is avoiding me.."

"Sora? Something wrong?"

"Wah!" Sora jumped and whirled around, surprised at sudden inquiry from behind, then laughed nervously, "Oh! He-he-he, Roxas! You surprised me!"

"Ah.. Sorry, I didn't mean to- but Sora, you look down. Is something wrong with you?"

"N-nothing!"

Sora shook his head, smiling- well, if Riku was busy, he could spend sometime with his brother- he hadn't been spenting enough time with Roxas recently anyway. Cheering up at the thought, Sora glanced at the rose-pink haired senior who seem to be all but hovering above Roxas in a possessive manner. If Sora remembered correctly, he was one of the seniors Riku told them to stay away from.. Usually Sora would listen to Riku's advices, but if Roxas was close to him-

"Roxas, is he your boyfriend?"

"...Oh? He doesn't mind?" Marluxia blinked and glanced at Roxas's twin, sounding interested, "Roxas, you said he is Riku's best friend- so I assumed he would share Riku's point of view regarding sexuality."

"...I think he just dug his grave in self-denial.." Roxas muttered and shrugged, noting Sora's interested expression with practiced ease, "I am not sure about boyfriend thing.. But Marluxia is- nice.. Very considerate, too.." When it suits his purpose, especially when he expects something in return, or he wants something, Roxas added mentally, smiling naively, "And Marluxia- Riku has no idea that I don't mind my partner's gender or Sora shares my points of view, although he never really dated anyone."

"Well- good to know that your brother is different from that fool.. Hmm.. Well, if you don't have anything to do, why don't you join us? Roxas and I were going to meet my friends and have fun- I am sure you'd like it."

"Sure! I don't need to finish my paper until next week!"

Roxas frowned slightly at Sora, but did not comment- he was planning to make Riku's attempts to do things 'for Sora's sake' fail in dramatic manners, and it would be in his interest to get Sora slightly more involved to less than law-abidding side of the society. That said, he didn't trust Marluxia to not to use Sora as a 'leverage' in case anything goes wrong, but.. All it would do was making Ventus and Aqua rush in to rescue. Even if his personalities existed, they were for his convenience, just a very refined form of 'mask'.. Or falling into the character, as some professional actors would say. Behind all those masks, Roxas didn't really care if Sora died, after all.

Dropping the more naive part of facade for a moment, Roxas casually laughed and dragged Sora, chatting up about mundane everyday occurances of the Twilight University- all the while, letting Marluxia carefully observe their interactions from a step behind, following them with cold, calculating eyes.

XIX . iv

"Axel! Demyx! Zexion!"

"Hey, Marluxia- oh! Roxas! You came- and is that your brother?"

"Yes, this is Sora, my brother. Hello, Axel, Demyx, and Zexion. So, this is the club we are going?"

"Yeah. Come on- this is one of the best club around university!"

Demyx cheered and practically dragged the group into the club, making the bouncer laugh. With that- Marluxia scoffed as he followed them. He was certain that his 'not-boyfriend' was half acting, half enjoying- Despite Roxas being a member of JENOVA and Turk, Marluxia was certain that he had naive ideas regarding his own- romantic interests. Marluxia recognised Roxas's side of personality that gave out his identity as cold, sometimes even cruel assassin in pieces, especially when Roxas was analysing past cases and talk of law- and their limitations.

Meanwhile, Sora frowned slightly at a sudden flash of memory- the time when he and Riku followed Roxas- this club reminded him of that closed bar for some reason. Thinking of that time- Sora didn't even know what a 'nobody' was. He could assume that it may be a codename for something, but what a 'nobody' was, and how those people could be considered 'not human'- Sora couldn't even grasp how that was.

"Hey, Sora- come on- they are playing a nice, suitable song- care to dance?" Roxas's cheery voice broke Sora's train of thoughts, "It will be just like before- when we snuck out of the house, hidden from everyone but Sephiroth! Look, they even have some others dancing- although not very good.. Let's show them what we can do!"

"..Yeah, he even used to take us to clubs whenever he found us sneaking out," Sora blinked at the reminder and smiled, happy at the reminder of nice past, "he used to be so nice, you know! So, for old time's sake?"

"Yeah!"

Sora easily followed Roxas's lead, jumping out of the dance stage along with Roxas. It was easy to see the group of b-boy dancers had been rather surprised at the sudden intrusion, but Roxas smirked and took out a bundle of thick cloths strips, throwing half of them to Sora - and while Sora caught them with a slightly flash and large motion, Roxas cockily tilted his head as he daringly tilted up his chin, wrapping his left elbow with one of the strips.

"Hey, look- that's challenge, right?"

"..Yeah, I think so.. I didn't know there was another group who can, not many people in the Twilight Town are interested-"

"We are from the Hollow Bastion, kind of famous too-"

"-first time receiving challengers, huh?" Sora grinned and hollared at his twin, looking mischievious, "Hey, Roxas- come on, it's not like you to be so modest.. 'Kind of famous', hmm? You, HyPeRioN? (Hyperion, Greek Titan God of Light)"

"We spent last year keeping low.. I am not being modest at all, just speaking of facts.. TeiWaZ. (Teiwaz, Germanic Sky God) And we would have been killed by our parents if they realised what we had been doing back in Hollow Bastion.. During high school examination period no less."

Sora burst into laughter at Roxas's sarcastic tone, grinning- and as Sora began to slowly tap his feet on the floor, Roxas suddenly jump-dashed to one of the other b-boys, looking down at their leader who took a step back in surprise.

"How impolite of me- yeah? It's HyPeRioN, and that's TeiWaZ, Sky Duo of Hollow Bastion."

"Oooh- full title! I don't think we introduced ourselves to other b-boy for past- what, 3 years? Back in Hollow Bastion, anyway-" Sora laughed as he playfully whirled around, a hand stand, then twisting his body to create enough power to jump back up- then shrugged, "Damn good for keeping up shape, too.. I don't think I ever saw you losing in fist fight, Roxas! Anyone ever hit you, seriously?"

"Taking our oldest brother's words- petite little thing like I, getting hit or caught, is as good as dead," Roxas retorted, beginning to demonstrate a couple of mid-to-high level moves, especially ones that allowed him to glide from a place to another, then locked his posture into a hold for a couple seconds, glancing at the slightly stunned looking three, "So, you guys- names?"

"Well- Kunsel? Seems like we are outclassed.. We will get killed if we are found out as well, anyway.." The younger of the three remarked, shaking his head, "And we have 30 minutes until we will be missed from our posts."

"Maybe, Luxiere," the leader of the three shrugged and glanced at the youngest, who seemed nervous, "we could probably make excuse, but Essai would have some problems.. ..And we are kind of new here as well. Hey, you guys said you are from Hollow Bastion, right? We are from Midgar- all three of us, actually. If you guys don't mind- care to teach us some moves? We didn't have enough time to practice or actually learn a lot before we were assigned to be posted here."

Sora blinked, then agreed with an open smile- while Roxas frowned slightly, noting the 'MAKO shine' of their eyes. ...Considering that.. Roxas remarked in casual tone, almost passing by.

"Midgar, huh.. That reminds me, Sora- brother's going to visit Midgar next week, somehting about being dragged there by two friends.. ..So if you need anything from there, call him. He can send you stuff from there."

"Really?" Sora perked up, smiling, "Midgar has best games! You think Sephiroth won't mind buying them for me?"

Roxas smirked inwardly at suddenly stiffening trio of SOLDIERs- and answered in sarcastic tone, his voice utterly bored.

"Him, shopping games- he wouldn't even recognise names of the games you tell him. Probably just make his secretary to buy them along with his groceries.. He can't shop anywhere without being mobbed in Midgar."

"Wasn't that same back in Hollow Bastion? With that cool appearance, he had a lot of fanatical fans, so usually you did shopping for him.. ...Even when he usually retailiated with force regardless of their genders."

"...Admittedly even I would hospitalise admirers if they tried to break into his bedroom and was caught red-handed, especially when more than some of the said group's admirers had been males or females I particularly hated.."

Roxas winced in sympathy, his eyes carefully watching paling Kunsel- yes, those SOLDIERs had understood that Roxas and Sora were the Sephiroth's younger brothers... Officially, anyway. Then, channeling a certain red-haired Turk, Roxas stretched his back while raising an arm and another holding on its elbow, remarked.

"But, maaaaaan... It's so damn boring these days, yo... Ever since brother got back his old position, he decided I should quit my part-time job related to Shinra until I get older.. And he told my boss to not to hire me back until I am twenty five.. Maybe I should blow up a classroom 'accidentally', then he would let me back to my job.."

"You never did tell me which department you worked part-time before, Roxas," Sora noted, pouting, "they even offered you permenant spot after you graduate from university, right? And you used to work part-time ever since- what, since you were thirteen or something..?"

"Ah.. Investigation Sector of the General Affairs Department, Or Department of Administrative Research.. Usually called as the Turks." Roxas smirked as the trio of the SOLDIERs blanched- they obviously realised exactly why Sephiroth always seemed so well-informed about the Turks, "But seriously~ Reno got assigned to this peaceful town when he used to be in headquarter at Midgar with his old partner, then he even Rude and Elena got re-assigned here.. I wonder what's going on, because Reno's as bored as I am here. Hollow Bastion used to be so nice place to be stationed at, considering the fact that average rape cases per month is over 20, and average murder cases per week counts over ten. Always so much to investigate... Sending mission reports every three days wasn't fun, what with so many obvious and less-than-obvious foul plays..."

"...Hey.. A Turk who was stationed at Hollow Bastion? You are Veld's old partner before he was paired up with Tseng?" Kunsel winced at other two SOLDIERs' surprised expressions and elaborated, looking at Roxas with slight apprehension, "I thought Veld's old partner's speciality was-.. ...Cleaning up."

'...Ah, so he knows, as Sephiroth mentioned.. He knows about Shinra's less than legal dealings..' Roxas smiled kindly at the stressed words- cleaning up, cleaners. Or erasers. Demyx already knew, Marluxia was aware that he did quite a few assassination for Shinra. Zexion- he was quiet scholar type, but he was far observant than anyone would assume, and Axel.. ..Now, he was difficult one.. With a nonchalant voice, Roxas acknowledged Kunsel's unspoken question, glancing at his clueless 'twin brother'.

"Cleaning up, information gathering, rumour verifications-" assassination, infiltration, torture- "take your picks, I got paired up with Veld for a good reason.. Not to mention that infamous, untouchable gang in Hollow Bastion happen to include my- acquintances, and had dealings with the Turks. Technically I was half-and-half.. Not a full Turk, because I joined up Turk as a part of a deal Sephiroth made with them- and not a full part of Sephiroth's group either- because I am not a SOLDIER.. Or had an unfortunate encounter with Hojo."

"...That group of 'acquintances', then- all had been care of the.. kind, doctor?" Kunsel narrowed his eyes, his voice calculating, "You are an outcast in that group as well.. ..Technically part of both, but not really belonging to both.. ..At Hollow Bastion, such a dangerous place no less."

"No more stranger, than Sephiroth being a prosecuter of Team SeeD."

"...He is? ...Wait, is that the reason he isn't taking back his position in the SOLDIER?"

Axel, Marluxia, Zexion and Demyx stiffened- they didn't know Sephiroth had been involved in Shinra as a SOLDIER, obviously quite high-ranked if he was being asked to return. Still.. Roxas gave vague answers and waved it off, noting time in passing to make the three SOLDIERs leave, despite realising that they were dismissed. Then, as they left- Sora and Roxas began to dance, a mock-battle against each other.

Sora was quick- but Roxas's reflex was better, Axel noted- if kind of showed that Sora's dancing was more on showy side, while Roxas's movements reminded him of a seasoned fighter. However, Axel frowned slightly at Marluxia's sudden remark as soon as waiter had left their table.

"..Roxas Safer.. Veld, previous leader of the Turk's partner after famed Vincent Valentine went 'Missing In Action', and also a member of the group JENOVA- second in command, in fact.. Joined Turk as a good-will from JENOVA's side- their link. ..For someone who is a son of two famous prosecutors, Ventus and Aqua, he has vast connections to other side of the law. Ironically it was noted that Veld never met him in person before a couple months ago."

"...A Turk," Zexion noted, glancing at Axel, "his specialities?"

"Assassination and torture. Quite high in the hierarchy as well- and well informed. He is very observant to the point I had a couple of near-misses. ...But in Shinra data base, he is scheduled to join Team SeeD as soon as he graduates. He doesn't babble anything important, but I lifted a couple of data disks from his room and copied them- Despite of official report of him never being actually recruited, he had been working with the Turks since he was thirteen- as a freelancer.. We didn't hear about him because he operated in different area from ours- we operated in underworld, his assassinations and other activities were more focused- with higher profiled clients."

"So Roxas was involved more in politics.. Figures," Demyx added, sounding interested, "he talks, you know- he really knows a lot about high class society's inner workings, where everyone knows everyone else. He does belong to that society after all, what with him being youngest son of two legendary prosecutors. He doesn't like them much- though- That much, even I noticed from the way he spoke."

"That's obvious.. There is high probability that it was the cause of his secrets and illegal activities. A rather severe case of rebelling against his parents.."

Axel and Zexion did not comment on Marluxia's assessment- they did not agree, but they didn't feel like explaining their reasons. On the other hand, Demyx mused, sounding interested- and breaking out from his usual, goofy and carefree character.

"Is that what you saw, Marluxia? ..I think it runs deeper, far deeper than you imagine.. He hates his own twin brother, Sora.. He loathes Ventus and Aqua, his parents. ...He doesn't just dislike them- he truly hates them from bottom of his hollow heart. ..Don't you see it?" Demyx watched Roxas and Sora's dance battle, where so many people cheered them on- and smiled darkly, his eyes glinting with chilling cruelty, "See.. Roxas isn't just dancing.. He is destroying Sora's rhythm while moving. Not only that- he is constantly forcing Sora to make potentially deadly mistakes.."

"...Wait, is he- smiling?" Zexion murmured, his voice losing facade of emotion in shock, "He is-"

"He is trying to get Sora kill himself.. Or force him to get injured- enough to leave some permenant damage," Axel assessed the situation, his voice devoid of emotions, "I was not aware of his hostility towards his own twin brother."

"...That may be due to the fact that Roxas is not Sora's twin brother," Marluxia spoke in low voice, his voice calculating, "The Turks knew- so he may be aware as well.. ..Roxas is not Sora's twin brother.. He is Ventus's brother according to the registry.. And Ventus adopted him. ...What is high unusual- is that Roxas is physically Sora's age, or if he actually isn't- seem to be that age. What I don't have enough information to understand, is why Roxas is acting as a twin brother of his real brother's son."

The group of four fell silent, watching dangerous battle held between Sora and Roxas- Sora was frowning sometimes, looking somewhat getting beginning to exasperated at himself for making mistakes, not realising Roxas's tricks- and Roxas, looking at frustrated 'twin brother', extremely satisfied.. ..They were beginning to feel that they weren't aware of many important facts of the Safer family.

XIX . v

"...Roxas? Wha- Sora!?"

"He~y~ It's~ Riku~" Sora giggled drunkenly, sounding positively cute, "Ro-xas~ Riku r-eally wasn't asleep~ like you said!"

"...Huh-uh," Roxas nodded sagely, stumbling slightly as he pointed at Riku's face with unconcerned smile, "See? He waited until you returned, Sora."

"Riku is ni~~ce~" Sora sing-songed, giggling and nuzzling Roxas who didn't seem even slightly drunk, "But Roxas~ is ni~cer! Riku is also~ meanie~"

Riku, who was shocked at completely wasted Sora, winced at the unintented jab from Sora's drunken words. But, before everything-

"...Since when Sora.. Drank? He is-"

"-utterly, completely and undeniably wasted?" Roxas sarcastically noted, looking at Sora who was leaning on him and didn't even protest Roxas's observation, "He is legally allowed to take part in alcoholic beverage consumption.. And he was the one who wanted to try out some stronger ones when I told him not to. We went to dance club to have some 'fun'- Got invited by quite a few tables, too.."

"Ro-xas~ and~ Mar~ly~ on~ the~ tree~" Sora sang, hugging and clinging on Roxas's neck, "K-I-S-S-I-N-G-"

"Don't even try, Sora- you had your share of admirers," Roxas warned Sora, frowning- but knew it was hopeless, considering just how wasted Sora was, "And let's not forget how many people you danced with.."

"H-eeeey.. I wasn't the one who was practically having sex on dance floor~!" Sora pouted, whining, "That was so hot.. If you weren't my brother, I would have jumped on you... Any room for threesome?"

"...We still sleep in same room, and sometimes even same bed when you are scared, don't make me refuse letting you in my bed next time you have a nightmare," Roxas deadpanned, glancing at Riku and gesturing him to move aside so that he could drag Sora into their shared apartment, "And threesome? My current partner would have you moaning like a wanton whore in less than a minute.. And I mean that, you know it."

"Weeeeell, Mar-ly- was still hot.. But you looked hotter- especially when Demy and Zexy got you in the middle to piss Marly off! So many people hit on you.. Mar-ly was so cool, though.."

Roxas shook his head, glancing at Riku who seemed helpless in the situation. He probably didn't understand who Sora was referring to, and that was what Roxas had counted on.. As well as a slight drunken habit of Sora. Sora, when drunk, was extremely clingy to the people he considered 'he was allowed to', in other words 'close enough'. But interestingly.. Riku was out of this list, something, Roxas assumed, due to Riku's open protest towards homosexual relationship. It was honest stupidy and denial that had created this situation- Riku, believing that Sora wouldn't even consider such relationship (as if Sora was that innocent), and Sora, with Riku's open disapproval towards homosexual relationship, giving up possibility of becoming 'more than just best friend' with Riku.. ..Not that he had any intention of helping. Roxas, in fact, had every intention of screwing them up..

Letting Sora nuzzle on his neck, Roxas deadpanned,

"Stop nuzzling on my neck, Sora.."

"Make- me~" Sora taunted, then as if to daring him to do so, began to nibble on him, making Riku stare, "you never really stop me any-way-"

"Sephiroth's going to kill you if he sees you nibbling on my neck.."

"He is the strange one who likes to sleep with you- no offence, both of you are hot and all.. But actually sleeping with you.." Sora pouted, whining, "there's sleeping with brother and there's sleeping witb brother, but if you want to do it, let me join as well~!"

"So you say, Sora, so you say.." Roxas shook it off- Sora was drunk, and he knew Sora would have regretted if he had ever done so.. Even if Sephiroth was adopted one and Roxas himself was actually more of Ventus's brother, not Sora's.. But Riku, who seemed to be in shock and frankly, too stunned to protest or react- didn't know anything.. ..Only, a while ago, Roxas had accused him for attempting to make Sora dependant on him... "Sora, let's go to bed- you need to sleep.. You are too drunk."

"Nuh-uh... So mean.."

Sora pouted, but let Roxas drag him towards the bedroom. However, before they reach bedroom- Sora questioned in quiet voice, sounding defeated.

"...Roxas...? I am stupid, right..? ...Why am I so dependant on him?"

"...Him, Sora?"

"I mean- he is my best friend, and I knew him like forever, but-" Sora stopped his babbling, then obviously completely forgotten about Riku's presence, spoke in a depressed tone, "-I mean.. ..Roxas, do you think- I should start trying to do more stuff.. Alone?"

Should I give up on Riku?

Roxas heard the unspoken question- yet.. Riku obviously misunderstood, nailing the proverbal coffin of his own by answering the question by himself- and thus, in a way.. Shattering Sora's hope.

"You really should make more friends, Sora- it would be better for you to get along with more friends. I can't be always around, you know."

Riku brushed past stunned Sora, who suddenly seemed somber by shock- trying to hide his own pain. However.. Watching Sora suddenly laugh brokenly and dragging him out to drink again.. Roxas smirked. If anything.. A wonderful gift for Ventus, and thus, for Xemnas.

For a single night's work.. Finally getting a call from Xenmas, No. I- Messing with SOLDIERs and thus Turk, all the while trying to injure Sora.. Well, his original plan was to make Riku to distance himself, too much in love to watch Sora in pain and stay without helping, but this worked too- and three unknowns- or rather, one certain traitor and two unknowns, being observed by already assessed member. And now, with Sora in depressed mood..

Roxas thoughtfully inquired, his voice casual- as Sora all but dragged him through the Twilight Town's night street.

"Say, Sora.. ..If you really are that depressed.. Care to try 'legal drugs'..? ..You know those pills produced by Shinra.. I know someone who sometimes use it in Twilight Town, he should have some to spare.."

"...Huh? But- drug..? Roxas, is that alright..?"

"Completely legal and chemically safe," other than possibly causing mental dependency for escaping reality to develop, Roxas mentally added, shrugging, "I know because it was an interesting case study topic.. Come on- Nineth Prison is this way."

"The bar you are doing part-time job..?"

"Yep- Reno should be there, playing cards again.. It's his and his friends' weekly card game night. That place has best drinks and service."

It took them 20 minutes to arrive at the Nineth Prison, where Roxas easily blend in with the Turks and introduced depressed Sora to them- and Reno, if nothing else, was good in cheering people up- although not in completely healthy or model way, considering he had offered smoke, drinks, and inquired to join their card game.. And then Roxas casually mentioned 'legal drug', Reno blinked and took out a pill case, handing it to Roxas as he questioned.

"Here- but you use this shit, yo? It's expensive for its quality- ya'know less legal stuff which have better effects. We do get a bit of them free because we all work in Shinra, so if ya need, just rang me up- no one in Turk actually use them, 'cuz we get better experimental stuff from science department.."

"And you use them on yourself? Something from science department?" Roxas questioned in sarcastic tone, handing the pill case to stunned Sora who obviously were shocked to realise that those rough looking, carefree and interesting group of people were elites working in Shinra, "and it's for my brother.. He is depressed enough for me to consider giving him some. Any recommendation on taking?"

"Well.. If it's for your brother.." Reno shrugged and smirked knowingly, glancing at Sora who was observing a pill taken out of the case carefully- then remarked, his voice amused, "Hey, Sora- right? It's not that strong- you can take it and even work- or go on living as usual. It's officially not recommended to take more than 10 in a day, but everyone in Shinra knows actual danger point is more than 15, and each one lasts couple hours. You can take more than one at once, but not recommended if you have to do something immediately after. That pill case has 50 full- I haven't take any ever since I got it, too weak for my taste.. And I think everyone here actually don't use them. Rude? Elena?"

"..." Rude, without speaking, just took out three pill cases full, obviously untouched- and handed over to Sora, then shrugged, "..."

"I use it as a bribe," Elena remarked but still took out an untouched pill case and threw it to Roxas, "but I think everyone in Turks get more than we ever need.. We can't really use them ourselves because we all have high drug resistances. ..But Roxas, aren't you getting them as well? You are working in Shinra.."

"Veld has all supplies I should have received as a Turk.. I ask him to mail them over if I ever need them. That reminds me.. Reno, mind asking Veld to send me paper work of the month? I haven't received them yet.. I am supposed to file the reports this month."

Reno and Roxas kept up light mood, observing Sora hesitantly taking the pill by corners of their eyes- And when Sora suddenly turned far more happy and enthusiastic, Reno remarked quietly, his voice quiet.

"...Ya'know.. Ya seriously scare me sometimes.. ..Wha'cha planning?"

"Nothing.. I just want to see my parents' reaction when they realise what had happened to their only son turned to drugs because of stress and depression.. When dependency grew strong enough, and the 'legal' drug's effect is just not enough to satisfy him.. ..Well, I wonder what kind of faces the legendary prosecutors would make, when they learn one of the drug abusers had been their own son.. ...Related to case JENOVA or Organisation XIII, no less. It will create a good blackmail material- say what you will, but they are quite good parents.. Just not to Sephiroth and I. They retired for Sora.. Not for Sephiroth, not for me. It's just unfortunate that we are all on their opposing side due to various reasons outside their control."