Tori tossed in her sleep. Axel smiled grimly. They had been roommates for the better part of a week now. And she hadn't had one night without nightmares. Couldn't happen to a nicer girl, Axel thought darkly. He quickly scolded himself for it. That was unnecessary, he reasoned. She hadn't done anything to him, yet. Tori continued to fidget. She turned towards Axel and for the first time he could see she was crying. Her eyes were closed but tears slid down her cheeks. He thought he should do something so he touched her shoulder gently. She quieted. Axel smiled. He liked her better asleep.

Morning came too soon for both of them. The light shone through the crack under the door. A knock came. It went unanswered. The source of the noise however, wouldn't be deterred. Another knock.

"Hello?" a voice whispered. Nothing. They decided to just let themselves in.

"Wake up!"

The two sleeping forms jumped. Tori nearly knocked Axel off the bed. He looked up and shuddered. Not you.

"What is it?" Tori yawned. She isn't yelling, Redhead thought. She must be really tired.

"Xemnas has something for you, Tori. He said to see him whenever convenient." The Blonde explained.

"Thank you Demyx," she said. "Lord knows this idiot never would've woken me up." She gestured to Axel, who grimaced.

"Look who you're talking to," he muttered.

"At least he doesn't kiss the mirror," she retorted.

"At least I don't talk in my sleep," he shot back.

She blushed, her face flaming.

"That's right, I've heard you." Axel looked like he might laugh. "You mutter something about being alone, and then you start crying."

Tori couldn't speak. It was all she could do to get to her feet. As she fled the room her eyes started to water. She sped up. Then she was gone.

"That was un-called for," Demyx scorned.

"Was it?" Axel asked viciously.

"Yes, it was." He repeated then left himself.

Axel was alone.

Demyx went after Tori. And, following the helpless sounds she made, found her rather quickly. When she saw him, she glared. He tried to look sympathetic.

"I wasn't supposed to hear that was I?" he asked. Another glare was Tori's answer. "Listen," he sat next to her. She moved away. "I-I know what it's like, y'know. I sure as hell didn't fit in at first."

"No," she whispered.

"What?" he asked. He hadn't heard her.

"No," she repeated. "You don't know." More tears. "You'll never know."

Demyx was silent. "Maybe you're right," he agreed. He slid his arm around her shoulder. She flinched, but allowed it. She was shaking slightly. She wept only for a moment more, then willed herself to continue.

"M-my nightmares," she shuddered.

"Yes?" He hadn't expected her to speak so soon.

"They- in them I'm-I'm falling. Into the darkness." Her voice cracked as she spoke the last few words.

"Tori?"

She stared ahead. Her eyes were red, but there was no life in them. Every time she stared off, it was like she died. She dropped her head to her chest and went back to crying. They were out in the open, but Demyx wasn't going to force her to move. But then he remembered the Superior. He had said whenever convenient. She had to go soon. He sighed. Damn that Axel.

"C'mon," he helped her up. "You gotta see Superior."

"Oh, that's right." She got up and hurried on. Demyx stopped her.

"You gonna clean up first?"

Tori nodded and ran to her room. Thank God Axel was gone. She stepped in front of the mirror and winced. Her hair and face were a mess. She wiped off the smudges and cleared up the smears as best she could, then let Demyx lead her to the Superior's private office. Demyx had insisted on taking her. After her little breakdown, he was hesitant about asking much of her. And secretly, she was glad for that.

Xemnas was waiting when they arrived. He had been waiting patiently for a while, but by now his patience was a little tried. He hasn't expected IX to take so long fetching the newcomer. But then, he never knew what to expect from Demyx. A knock came. He admitted the girl in but told the Nobody to wait outside. He need not be involved.

"I hope your time here has been well spent," Xemnas said smiling. Tori twitched.

"I still protest your decision of my quarters," her eyes narrowed.

"I assure you I had my reasons," the Superior maintained his smile.

"Which you continue to deny me?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"My motives are my own."

Tori snorted in contempt, obviously not satisfied with that answer. But she did not press.

"That is not why I summoned you."

"Obviously," she said coolly.

"I asked you to come so I could evaluate how well you've been learning. Zexion says you catch on fast, but he is reluctant to flatter."

Tori nodded. She had noticed VI's apparent dislike of having anything to do with her. She had thought nothing of it. He didn't seem to like anyone.

Axel sat in the library thinking. He was there because he needed to be alone, and hardly anyone used the room. If anyone would come, they'd simply get their book and leave. No one ever stayed. He wouldn't be disturbed.

He thought about what he had said. Had it been right to bring up Tori's nightmares in Demyx's presence? No, he decided. Probably not. But he had been provoked. Surely that was acceptable? As if to answer his question, he heard Tori rushed past outside the door. She must've gotten back from her little meeting with his Superior. He had to talk to her. But not now. He'd give her some time to think.

Tori let herself fall into the soft cushions of the bed. She covered her head with a pillow to keep herself from screaming. She sat up and exhaled deeply. Just breathe. Let go. She tried to keep from getting too worked up, but surrendered to her own rage.

"Relax," she told herself. "Axel will get his." She went over to his desk and decided to get started on her work for the day.

Axel decided it was safe to go talk to Tori. Enough time had passed. He sighed, bracing himself. This probably won't go well.

She heard him before she saw him.

"What do you want?" she snarled.

"Hey, let me explain," Axel began.

"Explain what? What you did pretty much speaks for itself." She snapped.

"I'm trying to apologize, couldn't you try to forgive?"

"No." Whatever his defense was she didn't want to hear it.

"Fine." He turned away; there was no point in wasting his breath.

"Wait," Tori stopped him. She figured she should at least hear him out. "Why?"

Axel paused. "I don't know."