Axel sighed as he headed towards Xemnas' office for a private meeting and for Xaldin to check the wound on his chest. Only Xemnas, Saix, Xaldin, Larxene, and he, the members loyal to Xemnas and his policies. Xemnas still had to brief him about their plans and what not.. Fortunately, siding with Xemnas gave him the perfect chance for vengeance; Xigbar and Roxas were going to pay. If he couldn't have Roxas... no one could. At this point, he didn't really care whether Roxas had romantic or friendly feelings for him, or if they even had a chance together; All he wanted was revenge. He... understood Xemnas now; Love brought nothing but heart break. Hate and anger were the only way to go now. It... hurt like hell to listen to Roxas reject him for someone like Xigbar. He didn't care whether Roxas... just didn't understand that Xigbar wasn't right for him. Xigbar was sarcastic, uncaring, and one could even say sadistic. Roxas was a idiot. It just got him so... angry. He tried to be nice, kept his lust in check, and even was understanding when Roxas was troubled; All that, for nothing. All he wanted was revenge now... Nothing else mattered. Axel stepped up to Xemnas' office door, pure high quality wood with ornate designs, painted white. His face was full of subdued anger as he knocked on the door, nearly slamming his fist down each time. He almost bashed Xaldin in the face when the door suddenly opened.

He gave no resistance when Xaldin jerked him into Xemnas' room by the front of his cloak, almost falling onto his face, but he caught himself just in time. He looked up into Xemnas and Saix's fierce gazes of yellow and amber, not flinching, only taking a seat in the plush, black chair immediantly to his right that was placed near the wall of bookshelves. He hadn't been in Superior's office before, and it was grand. A wall of bookshelves to the right, to the top left, a massive king sized bed and closet, top was a massive window akin to the Gray Room, and the left was just a simple wall; All was colored in tones of white and gray.

"Number VIII is present... Good. Number III, you can attend to Axel's wound while we... talk." Xemnas said as scribbled down something on a piece of paper in front of him.

Axel's predicament would be humerous to him, if he indeed possessed a heart. Axel has believed strongly in love and emotion, only to have it thoroughly and utterly trampled upon, and by the one he... 'loved', no less. That was to be expected really, love was worthless; All emotion except hate, anger, and rage. He thought that Axel might betray him... but he could tell the red head was positively seething with rage and hate, and he could sense the strong drive for vendetta; He was almost like a piece of fruit, just ripe for the taking... and vulnerable enough to be twisted to his own purposes by simply feeding off the man's present anger: kill those opposing him and showing emotion, which meant the rest of the Organization. It was... 'sad' to lose a Keyblade Wielder, but there would always be another he could bend to his will. All he had to do now was take advantage of Axel, influence him to think correct, and the traitors would be his; The fire wielder could go undercover. Even his Number II, one of his most loyal members and someone who knew quiet a few secrets, had betrayed him... and for what? Useless love. He had expected Numbers IV, V, VI, and XI to revolt against him at some point, but he wouldn't have thought Xigbar would have. The man was clear thinking and didn't care about not having a heart, nor about any of the other members, and they had known each other since before the Organization.. but no matter; He would have to die regardless of past or present relations.

"Saix," Xemnas called the berserker out, and the man turned to Axel.

"Axel, you'll be tasked with spying on our little traitor," Saix informed Axel, who rested, cloak open while Xaldin redressed his chest. The wound was having a problem healing since it was infected, because of being in that dirty cave unconcious. "Because your wound is infected, you'll need to go see Vexen. That will be your first chance to spy, but keep interaction with II and XIII to a minimum. Xaldin will be administering a special potion to keep the infection from spreading or causing any major damage until you are adequately prepared."

Xemnas observed Saix and Xaldin silently, Larxene giggling at Axel's groan when a needle was shoved in his arm. He cleared his throat, and the nymph looked over, flashing her trademark smile that hid her sadist, cruel nature as she walked over to the desk, hand on her curvy hip.

"Yes, Superior?" Larxene asked sweetly in her high voice, lips plump and pink, smirking; She knew Xemnas had a mission for her.

"I have a special task for you, XII."

Larxene smirked harder, almost grinning, "Perfect."

"Coerce X into siding with us, with your... charm. Make him think the traitors are extremely dangerous and plan to overthrow the Organization, and plan to kill anyone in there way," Xemnas smirked, knowing he was lieing and making it seem like the traitors were the bad guys."If he doesn't agree, threaten him until he does. He'll be quite useful to us."

"Of course, Superior," Larxene giggled, bowing before Xemnas."He'll be ours in no time."

"Excellent, Number XII. Now... Axel, I'll tell you our plans, but I'll need to test your loyalty." Xemnas set his pen down with careful meticulousness, making sure it didn't roll; bending it to his will by placing it. He intertwined his fingers, leaning his chin on his digits as he threw a brief smirk at Axel.

Axel shivered under the hard, calculating gaze of Xemnas, something he never did, even when intimidated. Xemnas eyes... were just so... he could almost call them dead. Devoid of even the slightest trace of emotion, but so fierce, the overwhelming vibe of cruelty, superiority, and manipulativeness was as clear as day. The way Xemnas looked at anyone, sans Saix, was as if they were a complete idiot, easily manipulated, but he had absolutely no remorse; He could be described as a sociopath.

"Anything.." Axel stated. He began to become uneasy from the uncomfortable silence as Xemnas thought. Finally, after a few minutes, Xemnas pointed to Xaldin, and Axel's breath hitched. Xemnas was a sociopath, but Xaldin... was purely sadistic, cunning, and remorseless. His task would be straight forward, and most likely involve pain.

"Xaldin, administer VIII his test."

"Thank you, Superior," Xaldin smirked, bowing slightly. Axel's brow furrowed as a maniac flurry of insanity clouded Xaldin's eyes, grinning."VIII, set a Heartless upon Demyx, your ex friend-"

Xaldin was speaking furiously in a joyful tone, smirking demonically, but Xemnas interrupted him.

"Xaldin." Xemnas chided Xaldin in a strong voice, the lancer looking over slowly, fear exploding in his violet eyes for a split second, followed by confusion, then all emotion vanished as their gazes locked. "Keep yourself in check. Remember, we are preserving the traitors... Our plans?"

"Y-Yes, Superior. Excuse my behavior..." Xaldin exhaled, blinkinf slowly as he regained his compoture, remembering what Xemnas' plans were."VIII, you must be seething with hate for Xigbar. Hurt him. Make it look like a suicide, including a note saying something about hs relationship with Roxas, to create dissonance between the two. This must occur after three weeks from this day, and once past three weeks, complete the task in no less than one week. Three weeks time should be enough for you to make a plan and create a sutable note. Once finished, your loyalty will have been proven, and Superior will inform you of our plans."

"Alright..." Axel was almost in shock, yet slightly filled with glee. The task was diabolical, yet it gave him his first chance to get revenge on Xigbar... He couldn't kill the man, but he could make him suffer.

"You all are dismissed. Stay quiet, stay secretive. Saix, Xaldin, I wish to speak to you privately."

Larxene left silently through a portal, while Axel left through the door; 'A minor mistake,' Saix thought with scorn. Both he and Xaldin strolled up to the desk, hands behind their backs as they met the gaze of their Superior. They knew exactly what Xemnas was planning... The man had told them everything, because Xaldin and he were the most loyal, knew how to keep secrets, and shared most, if not all, of Xemnas' opinions and methods. If he had emotions, he would whole heartedly praise Xemnas for his plan; A mastery of emotional blackmail, careful planning, and setting the traitors up for utter destruction by toying with their feelings and turning them against each other. Xigbar and Roxas were new to the realm of love, a subjection he knew much about, and out of the small group, most susceptible to their plan; The others would take longer. Xaldin kept his mouth shut, biting his lip.

"Saix, keep a watch on Axel until his task is complete... and after I tell him our plans, just in case," Xemnas chuckled darkly. "Saix you can leace, but Xaldin... stay."

Xaldin gulped as a bead of sweat appeared on his brow, Saix bowing and exiting through a portal and leaving him alone, with Xemnas. He knew what was coming... He exhibited emotion, lost his cool... his feelings of sadism took over, and he knew he would be punished... severely. If he was fortunate, Superior would be lenient. Since they were part of Xemnas.. group, they adopted all his policies, including showing no emotion. And he broke that rule. He began to breath slowly and calmly as Xemnas' got up from his desk, walking around behind him.

"III... you have broke a rule.." Xemnas stated flatly, warm breath washing over Xaldin's strong neck.

"Forgive me, Superior. It will not happen again." Xaldin ground out.

"It better not.." Xaldin let out a grunt when Xemnas pressed a needle into his neck and suddenly... he didn't feel anything... His mind was evaporating and his chest began to feel like it was filled with hardening cement. His violet eyes became blank as he shifted, turning around.

"I am fine now, Superior.." Xaldin's tone held absolutely no note of emotion, eyes blank and face stoic.

"Good. Remember our real plans... You are dismissed, Xaldin."

"Of course, my leige." Xemnas smirked as Xaldin left, staring down at the needle in the palm of his hand; The little serum he whipped up ten years ago still worked perfectly...

II~XIII~II~XIII

Lexaeus stared at the ceiling silently as he laid in a hospital bed, crutches next to his bed. Both Zexion he had promised to watch out for the two lovers until Xigbar was well. Zexion had even set up a special illusion to make it seem like Xigbar and Roxas weren't there, just in case Saix found out about Vexen's secret laboratory. He was sure Xemnas was coming after Xigbar and Roxas personally, but he wasn't sure why. He knew the basics of Xemnas' plans, but most of his information was vague and confusing; He couldn't tell whether Xemnas was lying and had secret plans or was holding true to what he was told: Kill the traitors, get more members, and complete Kingdom Hearts. He was sure Saix, and possible Xaldin, knew the truth, but capturing and intterogating either of them would be next to impossible. Only one member was neutral: Luxord. If they could persuade Luxord to join their.. rebel group, finding out information with Luxord's help wouldn't be difficult. Xigbar, Demyx, and Marluxia were friends with the gambler, so it would be somewhat easy; he didn't want to force the man, but he would help immensely... Maybe Luxord agreed with them, and would help out not because his friends were in danger, but because he believed that they had a heart and love was fine... It was strange, when he thought back to the very beginning of the Organization, when he had just woken up to being a Nobody, he was absolutely emotionless; He didn't feel anything and... he didn't care. And he would feel.. needle marks on his neck sometimes, only every few months. After two years... it was like he had a heart again... Lexaeus figured by then he had become accustomed to simulating emotions but now... It was like he was back to being a somebody, though he was much younger then.

Lexaeus swung his legs over the side of the bed, shivering when his bare feet hit the cold floor. He took his crutches in hand, standing. He figured he should head to the small break room where Zexion was waiting for him; He had laid in bed long enough. He was grateful that Vexen had this hidden section of his lab, only one entrance and exit: a small tunnel in the academic's first flood bedroom, that led to the lab.

The whole situation was worrying Lexaeus enough that his stomach was upset... but Zexion could ease his anxiety, the schemer always did... It was amazing to him, how long they had been together, and without Xemnas finding out, at least until he became the man's informant... He was sure that he had become Xemnas' informant because the man found out, but why the man tolerated him, someone who broke his policies was suspicious. He might have done it to find out about other members.. or to get him killed; Lexaeus groaned. In a way, it was useless to imagine theories upon theories with no proof of any of them; All it would do was worry him senseless. They would find out when they found it... Xemnas' plan could even revolve around making them frazzled and vulnerable by keeping things secret and possibly causng in-fighting... he groaned again; He was over-thinking it... again.

His crutches thumped along the white tile floor as he walked slowly. Vexen said he could leaves the crutches behind in a week, though his bandages could be removed today; The burns needed air.

Lexaeus passed a small room where Demyx and Marluxia were having lunch, bothing of them kissing, so he stepped quietly, not wanting to interrupt the lovers. He guessed Vexen was waiting for him with Zexion, seeing as the scientist wasn't in any of the rooms he passed. The hero's thoughts kept roaming from one thing to another, from Zexion, to Xigbar and Roxas, then to Xemnas, his past, and back to Zexion. As he approached the last door in the hallway, he heard the hushed voices of Zexion and Vexen, and he stepped in, Zexion immediantly smiling.

"Lexy, come sit down so Vexen can take the bandages off," Zexion spoke in his quiet, smooth voice, standing and urging his boyfriend to take his chair.

"Hello there, Zexy.." Lexaeus kissed Zexion on the nose after he sat down, leaning his crutches against the small, circular table.

"Let me get those off..." Vexen muttered as he pulled a foot stool next to the table, letting the silent hero put his feet up before he took shiny medical scissors in hand. He sat down at a chair facing Lexaeus', gently sliding the cold, metal instrument under the bandages and beginning to snip the white cloth away.

"I can tell you're worried, Lexaeus..." Zexion said softly, bringing a chair next to his precious boyfriend, hand on the much larger man's shoulder; He could feel the stress bubbling beneath Lexaeus' skin."Talk to me."

"I am.." Lexaeus admitted, smiling at how Zexion knew his feelings. He shivered when the chilly scissors brushed against his thigh, bandages falling off and revealing wrinkled burn scars that resembled rope burns. Almost instantly, the burns began to subtlely itch. "I'm worried about Xemnas' plans... What if he decided to strike now while we're weak or make us fight each other... I'm.."

Lexaeus sighed in defeat, thick fingers ghosting along his unbandaged leg.

"I'm worried as well, but you're going to worry yourself into a hole if you focus on it too much. We'll know when we know." Zexion gave Lexaeus a chaste kiss on his cheek, not bothered by Vexen's prescence; They were friends.

"You're right... I just need to calm myself..." Lexaeus chuckled as Vexen cut off the last of the bandages from his legs, and the Hero sighed in relief at the cool air.

"There we are, Lexaeus. Just try to rest today.." Vexen pulled his gloves off and threw them in a nearby trashcan."I'm going to go check on Xigbar, now."

Lexaeus watched, silent as usual, as Vexen exited the small room, turning to Zexion when he heard echoing footsteps. He let out a soft gasp as his boyfriend got up from his chair and straddled him, thin arms wrapping around his muscled neck.

"We haven't had any safe time alone for quite a long time..." Zexion murmured. "We should now... while we have a chance."

"I understand," Lexaeus exhaled as he kissed Zexion deeply, thin fingers entangling themselves in his messey auburn spikes.