I let out a sigh and looked over to my clock, which read 4:45 am. Today we find out what the order for "training" is. The extra fifteen minutes would make no difference to me. Even if I managed to fall back. Then I took a glance out the window, Kingdom Hearts has gotten brighter. Soon it will be visible... I walked over to the bathroom (they serve no real purposes other than hygiene based purposes). I looked into the mirror, my hair of course has become a tousled mess, though it only ensured I hadn't slept well. I grabbed the brush and went to work, running my fingers through it and adjusting it to my "liking". The clock now read 4:56 am. I had plenty of time to waste, he wouldn't call the meeting until nine at the earliest. So then I changed into the standard outfit. Perhaps Seven would be up by now. More like he never went to sleep. On the way out I'd taken my gloves and placed them in my pocket, my cloak remaining unzipped. (No need for me to zip it up yet, the castle was quite warm today and the black v-neck I wore underneath provided me with enough "warmth". By the time I reached his room it had become clear he was not in it, his scent stale. I caught him on the stairwell. "Seven"

"Zexion, although it's quite early for you to be up."

"It's only five-fifteen."

"That's my point, plus I don't have a mission for you today."

"I'm not here about that."

"What? Then why are you?"

"The meeting. How do you think he'll order us?"

The Diviner paused for a second, "That is a good question. Perhaps by "strength". I hope not by number." Then i'd be fifth.

"Maybe he'll stagger it."

"That could be good or bad."

"I know." For now, we can only "hope".

"Zexion?"

"Yes, Seven?"

"Please rest for now, in case you have to go early on."

I shot him a glare, we both knew I'd rather do other things. However, I was still recovering. "Maybe."

"I also suggest you zip up your coat, one might think you're slipping."

"I know my coat is open, no one else is up. So negligence on conduct should be fine. What no one knows can't hurt them."

"Touche. I'll be in my room if you need me."

.: Nine Am, Common Room:.

Everyone had gathered around the Superior, who held a paper in his hand. That paper was what held Zexion's future. If he went early, he'll surely get hurt. Or worse. I'll have to try and persuade the Superior if that is the case. If he's at the end of the list. Good. None of us showed compassion, with the exceptions of Marluxia and Xemnas. Off in the corner Luxord was mumbling something, probably about luck. That's what he needs right now. Some luck. "Now the day you have training and up to two days after you will not have a regular mission." So that way you can heal up when he beats you. "All of the members will undergo three types of training." Oh no. I scanned the room for Zexion, whom seemed to be nowhere in sight as of this time. "Magic based training, endurance training and a round of sparring." I let out a sigh, that is insane.

"Tch." I glanced over to see Zexion was the one to remark to that.

"You will report to the training area at 10 on your selected day. A new updated list will be posted daily." He placed the list and left through a corridor. Neither Zexion or myself moved, the others looked at it though. The two of us made eye contact, both unsure of how to approach it. After some time I managed to get closer and saw it. The break he needed.

Training list:
Each member is to show up alone at 10am to the training area.
Day 1-Lexaeus
Day 2-Xigbar
Day 3-Axel
Day 4-Marluxia
Day 5-Demyx
Day 6-Roxas
Day 7-Vexen
Day 8-Luxord
Day 9-Xaldin
Day 10-Larxene
Day 11-Sai'x
Day 12-Zexion

"That's good." I turned to face the schemer, his expression impassive.

"It is. Nor is it strength based."

"It doesn't look like it's based on anything at all."

"True."

"For now, it seems Lady Luck is on our side."

"Oh please tell me you're not falling for that."

"I jest seven. I jest."

"I'm not sure how to re-act to that."

"Good." Zexion smirked, he knew I was confused. This was clearly what he was aiming for. With that he walked off.

"It's going to be a long week and a half... I'll need to go re-work the missions." I frowned, then sighed softly.

"Hey, Sai'x do you think I'd be able to do a duo mission?"

"Hm? Oh, I suppose it depends I think I could work out something if need be." I turned to face the currently anxious blonde, "Why Roxas?"

"My magic isn't too great and I was wondering if I'd be able to go on another duo mission with Zexion..." That is the one thing he'll have no problem with, the magic category. Since he does have the highest magic here, he's even stronger than Xemnas himself. Some rumors lead to none of us truly knowing how capable he is.

"I could arrange that, however I would talk to Zexion since he does outrank me." I could see the relief in his eyes.

"Alright, thanks Sai'x!" He quickly ran off, to find Zexion I suppose. I couldn't help but smile... I felt a stirring memory of the past.

"Why on earth would someone make a castle this complicated?" I let out another heavy breath. Where could he be? I've checked the basement, the common rooms, the kitchen, and the library. How is he... well I mean Zexion isn't referred to the elusive schemer for no reason. Wait. Does he have a room? Oh man, now I have to go back to the basement again. "Come on..." Can't I summon those corridors. I raised my wrist and flicked it, the portal opening in front of me. When I walked through I was right in the basement. "Hey Vexen! I have to ask you something!"

The Chilly Academic turned to face me, placing his current "experiment" on the table. "That wouldn't have to do with any borrowing of supplies would it? Hm?"

"No, I was wondering if you knew where Zexion's room would be... Since I know he tends to spend a lot of time down here..." He cocked an eyebrow at me.

"It's on the sixth floor, just like how yours is on the thirteenth. Why though?"

"I was told to ask him about a duo mission since I need help with my magic."

"I see, at least your not going to hang around the delinquents this time. If he's not there I don't know where else he could be, if you've checked everywhere." I nodded, then shivered... was it always this cold in here? I suppose he means Axel.

"Thank you Vexen," I quickly turned and left summoning a corridor to the sixth floor. The numbering of this place is so weird. Like the top floor is one and there are sub-levels. Then the bottom floor is 20 which is like the hangars and dungeon. Is there a dungeon? Man. I wasn't paying attention and hit something, which landed on my foot and just- ow.

"I suppose that's better than missing one of the steps." I stopped staring at my foot to look up to see Zexion, who I just had caused to drop like fifteen books.

"Sorry! I didn't mean to..." I leaned down to help pick them up, he had done the same.

"No need to apologize, I don't think you realized I was there... or where you walking for that matter."
He picked up two of the thinner books.

"Alright, also now that i've managed to find you... do you think it would be okay if you could help me with my magic, 'cause I talked to Sai'x and he said to talk to you since he said that he may be able to arrange a duo mission and I looked practically everywhere and then I realized you actually had room. Which you inhabit." He looked at me then smirked a bit, shaking his head slightly at my question.

"First off, you'll need to talk a bit slower thirteen I only caught something about the wonder of me having an actual room. What, did you think I lived in the library? I'm not like four and his lab..."

"Oh... Okay. So, since training is coming up I was wondering if you could help me improve my magic a bit. Originally I had asked Sai'x for a duo mission and he told me to ask you. So than I looked everywhere and nothing. While I caught my breath I remembered you would have a room, and how to use a corridor- funny how we can only use them freely in the castle. So I asked Vexen and he said to check the Sixth floor, and it did work... just I walked into you, and didn't find your room."

"I see, that sounds like quite the adventure you've had. I see no issue with it, however i'll need a couple days. How about this, you go and tell seven to slot it in for two days from now. Also specify nothing with particularly strong heartless." He stood back up, having picked up all the fallen books. I placed the few I picked up on top of the pile. Zexion looks different somehow... is he tired? No, I don't think that's it.

"Thank you Zexion, I really appreciate it. Sorry about walking right into you. I really am." He smirked once again and shook his head... It was more of a half-smile though. He looked nice with i- WHOA THERE. Where did that come from?

"Just be careful not to walk into a wall, or miss a step. It's not a problem really, at least you gave me some notice." He turned and walked off in the same direction. I guess that is where is room is. I'll go tell Sai'x, this is great!

That boy is unique, if anything. His scent has little to no traces of darkness in it, it smells of light, sea-salt and the faintest trace of sand. Thirteen acts like he's truly got a heart... yet he retains little memory. Interesting that he'd want me to train him in magic, I'd have guessed he would ask eight about it. Perhaps he does have some sense to him. Yet he is in a zombie-like daze at a moments notice. "Wonderful..." I gently placed the books I had gathered on the top of my desk. "That is what he relies on." However his asking for help could be favorable if I play it right. It seems another piece is starting to fall into place, what an interesting game this is starting to become...

A/N:

My updating skills They do not exsist for a regular basis.
But hey it's Chapter 9.
Which was a small pain to write.
But done, and I have a bit of a renewed enthusiasm for writing it.
To the key bits:
Training, it's part of Xemnas's "plan" which will be revealed in due time.
Zexion having the highest magic stats- Reference to 358/2, in which he does.
^The rumor, I feel was in Chain of Memories.
I am fully aware Sai'x would probably shoot Roxas down in a heartbeat but I feel like dealing with him is like dealing with a golden retriever puppy.
Roxas is also like Sora with his mannerisms and enthusiasm, just more dazed and docile. So I can see him developing a sense of justice and the need to try and protect everything.
As I was typing this I also realized there are like three characters developing some type of relationship with Zexion.
With Xemnas, he's just plain old creepy and I feel like Xenahort had this odd fixation on Ienzo. Thus it transferred. Not like love, but a desire to make Ienzo/Zexion his and only his. Like a canary in a cage.
Sai'x You've clearly read that it is ZekuSai, and there is not nearly enough of the ship out there. Plus I see these two having an adorable platonic-like relationship. It would be sass and grumpiness. Thus humor-able, which I hope to convey at one point.
Roxas, I see him as having some of Ven's memories too so I think Ven would be like you look sad i'm going to cheer you up to Ienzo. I think that Ven and Ienzo would have an awkward brother-like relationship. Since I feel Ansem let the keybearers in the castle and they probably knew about Ienzo, hence Zexion's half-smile. I may further this one, I'm not sure yet.

Thanks for the follows too, I appreciate it.
Now I will not bore you further with my small essay of an Author's note.