Chapter 5: Insomniac

Ever since I turned eleven years old, I had trouble sleeping or going to sleep if I woke up. I used to wander around the house and read to help me fall back asleep until I tried sleeping pills. My mom made me try every pill in the book but nothing helped so I'd just lay awake, praying to God that he could help me get to sleep. Now, I just opted not to sleep which gave me no satisfaction. I tossed and turned relentlessly at night but I'd manage to doze off a bit before waking up.

That night, I stood up from bed and threw a robe on to walk around without freezing my butt off. I walked down to the gray room and sat down on the couch, resting my head on the couch cushion. My eyes grew heavy with lack of sleep but I didn't fall asleep because I was alerted by the presence of another. I looked over and saw Xemnas standing in the corner of the room, wearing a black robe and a frown. His luminescent golden eyes were full of curiosity and suspicion as he walked over to stand in front of me.

"What are you doing up so late?" he asked, sitting down on the couch next to me. "Don't you know you have to rest so you can train?"

"Yes," I whispered, gazing at him wearily, "but I can't sleep. I have insomnia." My tone sounded different—I sounded a bit like Luna Lovegood from Harry Potter but that was only because I was so weary.

"I'm sorry to hear that," replied Xemnas quietly.

"Oh, it's okay," I answered quickly, "but it does bother me some times. It's hard to sleep at night and feel rested in the morning. I've tried every pill in the book but nothing works." I lowered my gaze a bit, feeling even wearier than before.

"Do you want me to sit here with you until you fall asleep?" asked Xemnas, sounding like a parent.

"Oh, no," I said quickly, noticing the dark rings around his eyes, "you should go back upstairs and sleep some more. You look as tired as I do."

Xemnas just shrugged and said, "I have nowhere else to be right now. Why is it that you can't sleep?"

I looked at his face, saying quietly, "When my mom and dad were arguing before the divorce, I could hear them at night and I'd lie awake listening to their insults. Soon, it just became ingrained in my system to not sleep so I guess you can figure out the rest…" I closed my eyes and rested my head on his shoulder.

"Are you sleepy now?" he asked quietly.

"Mm-hm," I murmured, nodding my head slightly, letting myself drift off into the waves of slumber.

(Axel POV)

As I made my way back from the bathroom, I saw the familiar figure of the Superior and he was carrying someone. When I looked closer, I saw he was carrying Shelby and she was sleeping. He knew I was there, I reckon, but he didn't care because he didn't yell at me or anything. Quietly, I followed him into Shelby's room and watched him place her on her bed gently. He said something quiet because I couldn't hear what he said but I made out some of the words; it almost sounded like he said "goodnight, angel" but I couldn't be too sure.

As he turned to me, he said, "Axel, what are you doing up so late?" He now spoke to me with the severity he always spoke to us in the organization. "I thought you were in bed."

"I was," I answered quietly, "when I woke up to feel my bladder needing release so I went to the bathroom to take care of things. Why were you carrying Shelby to bed?"

Xemnas's face went expressionlessly smooth as he blinked slowly. "None of your concern, Number Eight," he said, "now go back to bed and don't bother Shelby." With that, he portaled out of her room and left me alone.

I quirked an eyebrow, as I wondered why he sounded so defensive, and headed back to my room anyway so I wouldn't get caught by him again. When I laid down in bed, I couldn't help but wonder if he had a crush on her but that was impossible since nobodies couldn't love, right?

(Normal POV)

As Xemnas laid down in bed, he thought back to the words he said when he placed the girl in her bed but dismissed it for a fatherly care for the girl. It would only be natural if he regarded her that way because she was younger than him and naturally needed attention like a child. But she wasn't a child, admitted Xemnas as he closed his eyes, not in the least bit. She may have acted like a child but she was a fully-matured woman with a curvy form. She had hormones and emotions just as much as the next human but one day she would pledge herself with someone.

That thought sent a bad image in Xemnas's head but he tried to ignore it: he saw Shelby standing in a beautiful wedding dress smiling up to a faceless stranger. His eyes snapped open as he turned on his bedside lamp and he went to do some paperwork regarding the missions the members had. He read the words but couldn't stop thinking about Shelby marrying someone else. Was it natural for a father not wanting his daughter to marry? Maybe the authority feelings he had for her weren't so accurate. Maybe he was falling in love with her, if that were possible.

"It's impossible," said Xemnas aloud, shaking his head. "I will not allow this to plague my mind any further. The next time she's out of bed, I will scold her like I would to the rest of the members. She's still a child and I will not grow attracted to her, even if it breaks her heart. I cannot allow myself to grow close to that girl." He clenched his fist as he gazed out the window that allowed him to view the ever-growing Kingdom Hearts, the sole light in the sky.

I just need to get her out of my head, he thought resolutely as he reexamined the missions.

He did not want to fall for the girl and it was hard but he could not risk sacrificing everything he planned for Kingdom Hearts. No matter what-or who, Kingdom Hearts was more important than this insignificant feeling of love. He refused to fall in love because he was so stubborn to become one with Kingdom Hearts.

A/N: Short Chapter but we get a little turning point in their relationship! Before judging, this story will not be very long, chapter-wise, so I'm just previewing the growing hardship it will be for Xemnas not to want the girl. Please bear that in mind as you review!