A/N from A.C.: We're with Sai for a little bit before bringing him back with the others. And yes, all of the Prisoner numbers have something to do with the people.

After the blunette took his shower and redressed in his clothes (a single prisoner gets limited clothing), he followed the redhead guard to the warden's office. Rufus ShinRa did not run a very strict prison, but he himself was very strict. He did not tolerate failure and punished for the smallest of things. Ansem was under ShinRa in the rankings at the prison, he was in charge of all of the guards.

Swinging the door open, Reno led Saix into the main office of the jail. "Don't think you've ever been 'ere, pup." He walked forward to the door with 'Warden - Rufus ShinRa' written on it and knocked, "Careful in there, yo."

Saix growled at the redhead before opening the door after he heard the 'come in!'. He shut the door in Reno's face and went to stand in front of the warden. Rufus could not have been older than twenty five. His glimmering blue-grey eyes looked up at the blunette and he smiled, "Welcome. Please take a seat, prisoner 07."

Saix snarled quietly at being called by his number, only Xemnas should be calling him that! He sat down on the chair across from Rufus at his desk, "Why was I called here? I was busy."

"And busy calls for you to be beating another prisoner? I'm afraid I don't tolerate that sort of thing, 07." The warden put his elbows on the desk, lacing his fingers together and rested his chin on top of the bridge they made. "I don't think that is the thing that will get you out of here."

A blue brow arched in question, "So you called me to your office to yell at me. You could not have just sent a guard to my cell?"

"I don't trust my guards enough to do that. I know they go easy on all of you, and that has to stop. I know you, of course, are in on a life sentence, but others have a chance to get out. Don't you want you friends to be set free? Wouldn't you like to see that? They would be so happy."

"Trained dogs, Sir, always repeat their actions unless taught otherwise." Saix huffed, moving his hands from his lap and crossing his arms over his chest.

Rufus sat up straight in that large comfy chair of his, "What are you going on about, Saix?"

"I explained to your redhead already, Sir, so I feel that I don't have to explain once more."

"You said 'trained dogs'. Tell me what you meant."

"It is exactly what we are here, Sir, if you have not realized it already. A man is sent here to be pushed away from existence near regular people. We are supposed to be getting 'fixed' by that counselor of ours. Training pets, Sir. That is what is going on here. You train those that can be because you want them to behave."

"You think that you're all pets?" Rufus arched a brow, "I'm sure some people would disagree. They'd call it rubbish."

"I do not care what the others believe my thoughts or myself to be." Saix got to his feet, "I do not wish to continue this conversation. If you wish to punish me for what I did, go right ahead, though I do expect Sephiroth to earn the same."

Rufus stood up as well, clasping his hands behind his back, "Prisoner 37 should be at Ansem's office at the moment receiving his punishment. He woke up when you were in the showers."

The blunette smiled at that statement. As strict as ShinRa was, Ansem was much more violent when it came to punishments. "I see..."

"I don't see why you two do this, 07. You fight and fight, but does anything ever get resolved? Will anything ever get solved by beating each other and getting beat in return? I'm a civil and understanding man, 07, but I don't see the point in continuous fighting."

"Instinct," Saix said with a smile, "We merely follow our instincts. When one strong animal controls a territory and someone new comes along and tries to take it from him, they fight for what is rightfully theirs. You should know this, it is your prison, after all. You should understand the society it holds."

Walking around the desk, Rufus met Saix's gaze, even though he did have to look up at him. "I do understand. You must realize I do spend my time doing things other than paperwork, and that includes learning more about you and your ways."

"Just me, Sir?" Saix chuckled, "I am flattered."

Rufus sighed and shook his head, "You know what I mean."

The blunette nodded, smiling at the warden, "Of course. Now, if you may, could you get on with my punishment? I want to go back to my cell and rest..."

"I don't believe in punishment like Ansem does. So, from now until I say otherwise, instead of your usual hour in counseling, I want you to stay for three."

"Three?" Saix growled, apparently Rufus hadn't heard of the Roxas-Saix incident... Or, maybe he had.

"Yes. You will be joining Prisoner 08's session and a time where anyone comes in if they need to talk. Roxas is here to help everyone and I think you need it the most. I know you don't like talking about your problems; you just try to scare people away by speaking in that tone that you do and mention eating people. Try being kind and talking to people like you talk to your friends."

"You do not know how stupid you sound right now do you?" Saix asked, snarling at the warden, "I will talk to others like they deserve to be spoken to. Like meat. It is all they are. Bodies to be used and meat to be eaten."

"I don't want to have to send you to an asylum…" Rufus sighed and put his hand on Saix's back, beginning to walk him to the door, "Just try to behave yourself, okay?"

"I hold no promises. Can I go back to my cell now?"

"No, you must go to the counselor." Rufus opened up the door, "Xemnas planned to go at this time anyway. See if you can get along with him. I will be alerted if you try anything and I will send you to Ansem."

Xemnas visibly cringed when he saw the blunette, "Rufus, can't he go a different hour? I already asked Roxa—"

"No. You bring him to counseling, Xemnas. Or there will be a dock in your pay." Rufus shoved Saix out the door and slammed it shut.

Looking at the smirking prisoner, the guard shook his head, "What I do for damn money. Okay, let's go, Saix." He took the blunette's hand in his and started walking down the hall, trying to ignore the loud purring coming from the prisoner.