A/N: Hi, guys! I can't think of much to say in this author's note today, so I'll move on straight to the chapter.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Chapter 9: Demyx the Desperate One

I tolerate the Melodious Nocturne fine, but I used to neither like him nor hate him. Perhaps it's the childish antics that kept me from liking him or the yearning to belong that kept me from hating him. All I know is that he's strong up to a point, a certain limit after so many hits taken. Demyx is just a scared little weasel, as much as I prefer not to admit it. I feel as though he wasn't cut out for this gig regarding the most powerful, borderline evil group in the world. He avoids fighting like the plague, which I guess is a bonus. Still, he also tries to put on a tough guy act for all to see, but fails dismally. The others won't be fooled that easily, whereas Demyx is regretfully one of the most gullible people I've ever met.

I mean, he's the easiest to prank, the easiest to say insults that he actually won't understand until, like, a minute later—it's insane. Other times, though, he does display a more intelligent, mature side when he plays his sitar, which he always carries with him without fail. If he ever lost it, the world would end, I swear. He even whispered in my ear once that he goes to sleep every night with the sitar under his pillow. I'm guessing it's an artist thing. Honestly, Demyx proves that he really is more of a lover than a fighter. And that's a big no-no with Xemnas, who keeps insisting that only through fighting can we achieve our goal.

One of the main mysteries surrounding Demyx consists of his blond hair. We all have struggled when it comes to classifying his hairstyle. Is it a mullet? Is it a faux hawk? Is it just a battle with a weed whacker gone totally awry? I doubt that we will ever know for sure. At least his personality isn't mysterious—actually, quite the opposite. Demyx is like an open book, which we can read without any pauses in between paragraphs, what with his mannerisms and habits. For example, Larxene prepares to beat him up every night at ten o'clock, when he still strums his sitar and sings. To me, his voice sounds adequate, but apparently, the Nymph just can't stand it. The poor guy with such bright yet naïve teal eyes can never put off enough outward innocence to make her reconsider. Seriously, Larxene will attack at a moment's notice if something really fuels her anger.

I actually get along with Demyx rather well, even if he's bit of an oddball at times. He's top five in my book, being right behind Roxas and Axel when it comes to members I willingly place my trust with. And, yes, that's meaningful, considering I don't get along with just anybody. My respect and liking has to be earned first before friendship can ensue. Ah, that reminds me! Demyx, like Axel, hardly received my trust upon my meeting him; if anything, he only received my disdain. He pretended to be a tough guy when Xemnas introduced me to him, I remember. Once the Superior opened the door to the Nocturne's room, I noticed that the blond guy was doing pull-ups on a bar screwed into the wall while eating raw meat. To say the least, this wasn't a good first impression. If he had tried picking a fight with me, it wouldn't have been much worse than this.

When Xemnas spoke in his slow, eloquent monotone, "Number Nine, this is our newest member, Number Fourteen, Xion," Demyx dropped on his feet to the floor, though stumbled slightly in the process. With an obviously put-on bad boy swagger, he gradually strode over to me while "gruffly" putting out his hand.

"Name's Demyx, kid, don't wear it out."

I highly objected to being called "kid." Trust me, when you're fifteen years old, that's the last thing you would ever want to be addressed by somebody.

Coldly, I took his hand, though ensured to say condescendingly, "When you want to introduce me to the real you, let me know."

Taken aback, Demyx retaliated with his voice almost cracking by shouting, "But, this is the real me! I—I can beat you up any day of the week, kid!"

"It's not 'kid', it's Xion!" I raged right back at him before Xemnas gently but firmly guided me down the corridor to meet Luxord.

Things changed real quickly between Demyx and me, though, despite a less-than-perfect introduction. Apparently, my words had had a profound affect on him, causing him to see the error of his ways. Demyx, in my opinion, really is a good guy. At least he learns from his mistakes unlike pretty much most of the other members. They prefer to pretend that they never make any mistakes. It happened when I was kickboxing in the gym, aiming my high kicks at Zexion, who hung upside down. I had tied him up that way.

The Schemer sighed and winced yet again when I kicked him in the chest. For an explanation, I only say that he had made me very, very mad. And when that furious, I generally don't forgive easily. I induce punishment first before I forgive, which is actually more merciful than Larxene's methods or Saix's.

"Number Fourteen, why do you insist on putting me through seemingly ceaseless torture?" Zexion inquired before I kicked him in the shins.

"That's a question you can answer yourself, Zexy!" I beamed.

"You are sadistic."

I laughed dementedly just as Demyx stepped inside the gym.

Both Zexion and I were astonished to find him in the one place he avoided (due to the possibility of other members ganging up on him) as he headed toward the dumbbells.

"What the heck is he doing here?!?" I shouted, pointing to the tough guy poser.

My then rival calmly glared at me and replied stonily, "Perhaps you should ask him yourself."

With one last kick to his stomach, I left Zexion hanging to investigate the current situation of Demyx being in the gym. Why did he want to be so tough anyway? However, just as I approached the blond, he addressed me first.

"Hey, Xion, I've been thinking about what you said. The truth is I'm a musician who just plays his sitar all day. I still got to be tough, though, or the other guys will beat on me," he told me in the most honest tone I had yet heard from him.

I sighed and wearily patted him on the shoulder. "Dude, the best you can do is kind of tough—not psychotic tough like Saix or brawny tough like Lexaeus."

To my complete shock, Demyx gave me a somewhat goofy grin. "I know, but I can try, right?"

The kid's confidence amazed me, even though most of the other members had picked on him for that past week. Even Axel disrespected him and once said that "that music guy couldn't even fight his way out of a paper bag." But, I decided to think differently.

Putting out my gloved hand for Demyx to shake, I told him, "Then maybe we should be friends, Demyx. You don't seem to be too bad a kid."

"Thanks...I think."

"No, you know," I joked companionably when he shook my hand. "Now how about we just play some video games and forget the gym for today."

The Nocturne grinned as a sign of agreement. "Sure!"

As we created portals to transport over to my room, I heard Zexion inquire, "Is anybody going to let me down, namely you, Number Fourteen?"

Of course, still slightly irate with him, I ignored him.

From that day forward, Demyx and I were good friends who got along perfectly. He showed me his awesome sitar, and I tended to ask him to spar with me. And, when I ask someone to spar with me, it usually means I like them. It should be a compliment, considering I don't like many people. For some reason, Demyx had managed to worm his way into my good side. Maybe it was because he seemed desperate when it came to befriending the members of the Organization—not an easy thing to do. I guess everyone else thinks Demyx is too innocent to be part of the group. It's his innocence, though, that made me want to make friends with him. If he had been a sharp-tongued jerk like Zexion, I would have avoided him.

Demyx is not a fighter, so what? That makes him different from the members always hungry for a fight. It is a refreshing change from all the jerks who love to argue with each other. Demyx just does the smart thing and prefers to not stir up all the drama that already exists within headquarters. He's rather approachable, friendly, and likeable once you get to know him. I have suggested to him working on first impressions, though, because he still sucks at them. It almost seems as though he focuses on coming off as tough to everyone he meets. So much for that one adage that says just be yourself—he might not know that one. Despite all the flaws he has and his unpopularity, Demyx is still one of my friends. And I will stand up for my friends whenever they need it. Trust me, Demyx needs a lot of vouching from me.

A/N: I have no idea where the whole Xion treating Zexion like a punching bag idea came from. I honestly don't. I guess I just wanted to be funny as always. XD Obviously, this is before that part in chapter six.

So, Demyx pretends to be tough, even though we know he's only a little tough. I gotta admit, picturing him eating raw meat cracked me up. And working out? Ahahahaha! XD Never mind. Tell me what you thought--the magical button's right there.

Next chapter: Luxord is a magician!...if you consider cheating on card games magic tricks.