A/N: I don't own the character or the places. Just the idea of the story.
So first of all I'm sorry for long whiles before updating but the least is that I'll get two reviews for a chapter that I'd keep on updating. Thanks!
Would you notice when things aren't OK?
(A.K.A. Memories and Fears)
Demyx sighed once again. He was sitting on a sofa at the living room. He didn't exactly have any reasons for not being happy but things hadn't been OK for past few days. He had had a slight fight with Axel even though neither was actually guilty for it. And then there were those few nightmares haunting him, which led into several bad memories.
Axel and Zexion watched the Nocturne from the door. "Do you know what's wrong with him?" Axel asked from his friend. Zexion shook his head with a sad sigh. "I don't think it's about the fight. I mean that we cleared it out already and all but... Demyx just don't look any happier..." Axel continued to worry.
"It's not the fight. Even thought that did crash him quite badly, he's still OK. I believe it to be something else but he just doesn't talk." Zexion answered sadly. Axel nodded. Both had tried to talk with Demyx but the musician seemed to whether avoid the questions or then changed the subject.
Demyx had closed his eyes for a while. Unfortunately Xigbar was walking once again in the ceiling. "Hey there, dude. What's up?" He asked slightly scaring the Nocturne. Demyx grinned and sat up while smiling.
"I think you're up." Demyx answered with a chuckle. "Other than that there's the ceiling and the lamps..." Demyx started with a grin. Xigbar shook his head in amusement and portaled down to the floor.
"Heh, you know what I meant." Xigbar said and sat to the floor. "You haven't been too happy lately. So, what's bothering you?" Xigbar asked getting more serious. Demyx smiled, sighed and shook his head.
"Nothing's wrong. I'm just little tired. Haven't slept too well." Demyx replied still chuckling a little. Xigbar sighed. He wasn't going to get an answer this time either. "So, you still up for the practice, Xiggy?" Demyx asked while standing up. Xigbar just nodded and the two of them left the room.
They came to the shooting area, which was made fully for Xigbar's use. Demyx had lately taken up on helping Xigbar. The Nocturne usually called out several water clones to be moving targets. Demyx himself didn't like to fight but did help whenever he could.
Demyx called out his Sitar, sat to a chair and started to play. Xigbar took out his guns and started to shoot. Still, he was a little distracted from his practice. Not because of the music but there was something else in his mind. "Darn it!" Xigbar cursed when he missed for tenth time. Demyx had been watching for a while to take in the mistakes. He sighed and stood up, controlling the clones without the music.
"Calm down, Xiggy. You gotta concentrate." Demyx told him. Xigbar sighed and took aim just to miss again. Demyx shook his head. "What's on your mind, Xiggy?" He asked softly. Xigbar sighed once again and leaned against the long table, which separated the shooting place from its targets.
"I don't know, Demyx. My shooting hasn't been the same lately." Xigbar said with a sad sigh. Demyx looked at the guns, the shooter and the clones. Usually Xigbar could've shot the clones in no time and to head-shot none the less. Demyx thought for a while and nodded then.
"Take aim again." He nearly commanded and nodded towards the clones. Xigbar sighed but stood up, grab the gun and aimed. Demyx came between Xigbar and the counter. The Freeshooter looked a little surprised but let the Nocturne be in there. "I don't know how many times you've heard this, Xiggy, but... You're natural shooter. You could easily shoot anything at any time. You don't miss, Xigbar. You never do." Demyx complimented him while he carefully brought his hand to the gun.
Demyx was a little startled when he touched the gun but got himself composed in seconds. Xigbar wasn't sure if he even saw anything but let Demyx guide his hand. "Don't rush. Take aim and shoot. You know how it works." Demyx continued and took his hand off. "Follow your pray, take in its movements and shoot." He told while ducking away from Xigbar. Xigbar nodded and chose one of the clones.
He followed its movements and then fired. It was straight head-shot. Xigbar was little surprised but tried again just to get a new head-shot. Demyx smiled. "Don't get too cocky. That's when you fall." Demyx said and Xigbar nodded. He shot the remaining clones and turned to Demyx with a smile
"Thanks. I really needed that." Xigbar told him and Demyx just smiled. "Now, I would really love to hear the reason behind your strange behavior but unfortunately I have a darn mission tomorrow." Xigbar continued.
Demyx nodded. "Just go and get some rest, Xiggy. We'll talk when you come back. OK?" Demyx said with a smile. Xigbar sighed but nodded. He bid good night and left the room. Demyx sighed and slumped to the chair. He was left alone into the room and few guns were on the counter. Demyx looked to the shooting range and then to the gun. He shook his head and left the room.
For the next few days Axel and Zexion didn't see the Nocturne except for some meals but even those were quite few. After one of the breakfast times, both Axel and Zexion followed Demyx. Zexion kept them both out of sight, so they could follow without being noticed. Demyx did check the area once in a while but since he didn't see anyone, he kept on going. The Nocturne came to the shooting range and stopped to the door.
Once again he checked to be alone and then pressed his hand to the lock. "I'm sorry, Xiggy..." He whispered when he heard the click of the lock. After that he slipped into the room and closed the door quietly after him. Axel and Zexion looked at each other quite quizzically, shrugged and portaled inside.
Demyx looked around but didn't see anything. He shrugged and walked to the counter. Xigbar had made several copies of his guns but mostly those were just used on the training area. Demyx sighed and leaned against the counter while staring at the gun. After a while of staring he turned around and sighed.
"Why the hell I keep coming here?" He asked from no-one in particularly. He chuckled and shook his head. "Better yet, why do I talk aloud? There's no-one in here!" He stated and chuckled again. After that he sighed in defeat and smiled sadly. "Maybe it's because I don't want to feel alone or then that I would like to talk but just can't?" He questioned, closed his eyes and sighed while turned his face towards the ceiling.
Sighing again, Demyx opened his eyes and pushed away from the table. He started to walk around the small room and kept on talking. "Alright, I know why I'm here and what I'm trying to do. But that's not as easy as it sounds. Face your fears. Yeah, easy said but hard to do..." He came back to the gun, leaned over it and stared at it. "It's not even a real one. A modified gun that shoots darn arrows. Heck, it probably should be more a bow than a gun! Well, at least it's not the one I know about. I can use a water gun and all that but... The hell's wrong with me?" Demyx pulled off again and sighed. He glared at the gun and leaned against a wall for a while before pulling off of it.
Demyx paced around the room for a while and glared at the gun occasionally. He sighed, walked back to the gun and stared at it for a while. After that he sighed again and touched the gun but drew away from it instantly. "I can't even fucking touch it without flinching! How low can I sink, huh? It's just a gun! …And guns kill people... Well, not fully... It's the people using the gun... But it can happen just by accident. Like not knowing it's loaded, you're startled and you accidentally pull the trigger... Darn, I hate it when my mind races off!"
Demyx was seething in slight rage towards himself. "Okay, calm down..." He sighed, closed his eyes and leaned against the wall. A sad smile came to his lips while remembering something really far away. "Heh, dad always said that when you have a problem and you start to figure it out, things might not be how they're supposed to be. The easiest way isn't always the best way. I know I've proved that several times through. And I suppose I'm proving it right now again."
Demyx sighed and looked at the gun on the counter. He shook his head and sighed once again while closing his eyes. "Alright, this is so not good... What did mom say again? That it's easier to see the problems and answers in anything else except in your own life? Yeah... That the keys to other people's problems are lot easier to find but when you're trying to figure out your own problem... You just can't find the right one for it... Heh, I know I've proved that time after time again... Oh, she also mentioned something about the memories...?"
Demyx pondered for a while before his face lit up again. "Now I remember! The memories are part of everyone's life. Good and the bad, it's just part of the life... So, that leaves Naminé out of the question. Can't ask help from her..." Demyx sighed while crossing her off of the list in his mind.
Demyx sighed and shook his head and started to walk around the room once again. "So... The meaning is, I guess, that... Fuck... I can't do this alone; need someone else to help... But then again... I can't ask Xigbar to help, he'd ask too much and I'm not ready to talk... The others... I just don't know... Axel's been so darn worried and that's the least I want! I don't want to worry people I just want to help! Oh, speaking of Axel... I think he got a practice fight with Saïx today. Gotta go and check if I could at least be there to cheer for him... Or even give few good advises..."
While talking, Demyx had suddenly stopped when he mentioned Axel's name. Once the realization hit him, Demyx snapped his fingers slightly happier than he had been. After that he left the room in hurry.
Zexion and Axel looked at each other quite shocked. "I... I didn't remember that I had a practice fight today." Axel admitted slightly ashamed. Zexion just smirked, chuckled and shook his head.
"The great "Got it memorized?" guy can't remember something as simple as this?" Zexion asked chuckling. Axel just rolled his eyes. "Anyway, I suggest that you talk with Demyx. Don't mention that we had been listening. Luckily he didn't notice us." Zexion stated with more serious voice than before. Axel nodded and the two left the room.
Demyx had checked Axel's room but the red head wasn't there. Sighing, Demyx went to wait for him in front of the practice arena. Axel did come quite soon to there. Demyx smiled happily and waved to him. "Hey, Axel!" Demyx chirped when his friend came close enough. Axel smiled and nodded.
"Hi. You up to watching?" Axel asked happily.
Demyx nodded eagerly: "Heh, yeah. Oh, by the way..." Demyx started and leaned closer to Axel to whisper to him: "Saïx often leaves himself unprotected while swinging his huge sword. Just thought you might want to know..." He winked to Axel while grinning widely. Axel chuckled.
"Heh, that's a good advice." Axel commented and noticed that Zexion and Saïx were coming. Axel nodded towards the two and Demyx turned around. "You guys don't mind if Dem watches?" Axel asked grinning. Saïx just grumbled and went inside. Zexion shrugged but didn't say a thing. "Okay, then... I guess that means you can watch... See you after the fight!" Axel said and went inside. Demyx portaled to the balcony to watch the fight.
The fight was one of the fastest to go through. Axel did use up the little hint he got from Demyx and managed to use it on right way. Saïx was down in matter of half an hour. Saïx just left the room through a portal and Axel walked out of there with a smug smile. He met up with Demyx outside the door.
Demyx was beaming. "Knew you could handle it! And in a record time, too!" Demyx shouted in joy. Axel just chuckled.
"I got a darn good advice for it... Anyway, what's been eating you? You haven't been yourself for a while now." Axel said while straightening up quite quickly and looked at Demyx.
Demyx gulped. "I... Um... Haven't slept too well. Um... Could I show you something after I've eaten a little? Haven't been up to eating for today." Demyx started to stutter a little while being a little ashamed. Axel sighed but nodded.
"Yeah, sure. If the company is okay with you I could eat up something too." Axel replied. Demyx smiled and nodded.
Demyx was already heading towards the kitchen while shouting: "Of course it is! Come one, to the kitchen!" Axel chuckled but followed the happy Nocturne to the kitchen.
Demyx made up something easy and fast. While eating, he fell quite quiet. Axel got worried but thought the better of it. Demyx sighed few times. He still was wondering if he was up for it or not. Eventually after they had eaten, Demyx took the lead just showing Axel to follow. The Nocturne didn't say a word of where they were going and Axel was quite shocked to find out that they had ended up to the practice area.
Demyx walked inside, put the lights on and took the coat off. "I was wondering if we could take a short practice, Axel..." Demyx said while stretching a little. Axel just stared at him. Demyx chuckled little nervously. "Just the martial arts, no weapons and no elements. Oh, it would be good idea to take the coat off. It doesn't give much of moving space." Demyx explained the rules while giving a little advice.
Axel was still a little shocked but did take the coat off. He walked in front of Demyx and sighed. "Are you sure about this? I really don't want to be blamed for a broken nose or a black-eye or something." Axel stated slightly worried. Demyx grinned.
"Oh, come on! The only time I'M asking a fight and you're chickening out?" Demyx asked a little hurtfully.
Axel blinked and shook his head: "I didn't mean it that way!" Demyx chuckled at Axel's defend. "Okay, fine. I'll fight." Axel said and readied for it. "But don't blame me then!" He shouted while attacking. Demyx shook his head and avoided the attack easily. Axel wasn't going to go too hard on the Nocturne. After all Demyx was known to be the worst fighter.
"Is that all you got, Ax? That's lame!" Demyx shouted while giggling at the fight. Axel didn't like that at all. Even though he still kept most of his abilities off of the fight, he still hit harder and faster. Demyx just out right laughed at him. "I thought you'd be better than this, Axel! Come on! Show me what you got!" Demyx shouted and Axel fully had it. No-one would mock him!
But that was exactly what Demyx was waiting for. Axel made few mistakes and that was when Demyx struck. It didn't take long before the red head was lying on the ground and Demyx pinned him to the ground quite well. "Should we hit three fights?" Demyx asked grinning. Axel just growled at him.
"Get off! I'll show you!" Axel shouted and Demyx jumped off of him. Axel turned around real fast and attacked. But Demyx kept on laughing and avoided or blocked the attacks. Demyx sighed, shook his head and got Axel back to the ground.
"Second round goes to me too. You really gotta do better than that, Axey." Demyx mocked with a wide grin. Axel gritted his teeth and spun to full fight. He didn't hold a thing off but in the end he was the one on the floor once again. "Third round ends up to my victory, Axey." Demyx cooed. Axel sighed in defeat and just lay on the ground while Demyx stood up.
"Okay, here are my advises, Ax. First: you're little too cocky and that'll end up on your fall. Two, you don't defend yourself. Three, you count too much to your own speed. Four, you underestimated me. Five, you showed your attacks..." Demyx started to list out the mistakes Axel had made. The read head sat up and listened for a while.
"Okay, okay! I admit, I didn't think you could handle that!" He shouted in defeat, sighed and lay back down. Demyx just shook his head and walked to him. He gazed down to Axel and offered his hand. Sighing, Axel took it and Demyx pulled him up.
Once Axel was on his feet, Demyx stated straight off: "Okay. Show me few moves." Axel stared at him for a while shocked but then rolled his eyes, sighed and turned around to fight against an invisible enemy. Demyx watched carefully at Axel's fighting.
Demyx shook his head once again. He named nearly each and every move that Axel did and that was before Axel even had the move done. When Demyx named the tenth attack, he had enough: "How the fuck you know what and when I'm going to do?" Demyx sighed.
"Like I said, you underestimate me just like everyone else." Demyx said and walked to him. "Besides, you show too easily what you're up to. You show where you attack and how." Demyx stated, grinned at him and took a fighting stance. "Let me show you something."
Axel was more than awed about the speed and the strikes. Demyx had closed his eyes to fully concentrate. "I don't fight too often but I was taught to fight on martial arts." Demyx stated and continued: "I never liked it, but my teacher gave me very good reasons to fight. I never forget those advice's. I know how to fight with a sword and other weapons too. But none the less, I hate fighting and that's the reason I'd rather be the worst fighter than one of the best."
Axel blinked few times and recoiled backwards when Demyx came really close to him. The Nocturne stopped his hit just few inches away from Axel's face. The musician grinned and opened his eyes. "It's always good to control your attacks as well as to know where your enemy is." Axel blinked and took a step backwards. Demyx chuckled. "Did I scare you?" He asked grinning. Axel flinched a little and sighed.
"No. I just..." He started but trailed off. Demyx just shook his head. Axel sighed and asked something that had bothered him while watching Demyx's show. "Who taught you?" Demyx blinked and turned away sadly.
The Nocturne sighed. "Zack Fair. My older brother's best friend." Demyx replied sadly but shook his head then. "Now, would you like another fight or a lesson?" Demyx asked grinning.
Axel blinked but readied himself: "I take the fight." Demyx nodded and got ready too. The fight didn't last long. Demyx got Axel once again pinned but this time against a wall. Still, Axel wasn't ready to give up and managed to knock Demyx down to the floor. And that was how they ended the fight. Both of them were out of breath and quite tired. "Get off me." Demyx whined and Axel rolled off.
"Wow, that was cool." Axel breathed while trying to catch his breath. Demyx nodded happily.
He closed his eyes and sighed: "Yeah, but don't tell others. I really don't want to be part of the fighting group. Please?" Axel nodded and rolled to his side to look at Demyx.
"Your secret is safe with me, got it memorized?" He stated grinning.
Demyx nodded happily: "Heh, yeah, thanks." Axel nodded back and smiled. He rolled back to his back and stared at the ceiling.
Sighing, Axel asked once again that one and same question that Demyx just wasn't ready to answer: "So, what's been bothering you, Dem?"
Demyx blinked and sighed. "Um... Can we talk tomorrow? I really would like to take a shower and go to bed." Demyx tried to change the subject and stood up while stretching a little. Axel followed him without a word. Demyx sighed, closed his eyes and sighed once more: "But if you really want to hear what's been bothering me, then be prepared to an EARLY wake-up-call."
Axel nodded happily: "That's fine with me." He took his coat from the floor where he had left it and noticed that Demyx was nearly out of the room already and his coat was still on the ground. Axel took the coat up and shouted: "Hey, wait up! Catch!" Axel threw the coat towards Demyx. Demyx managed to turn around and catch it in time.
"Thanks, see you tomorrow then!" Demyx called out with a smile before leaving the room with his coat. Axel nodded with a smile. It didn't take long before he too left the room and went to wash up. Axel had always known that there was more to the Nocturne that he let in.
The night wasn't easy for Demyx. He had thought to have a little bit longer sleep than before but the nightmares just didn't want to leave him alone. Demyx woke up with a startle and sat on the bed for a while. Sighing, he stood up, changed clothes and went to Axel's room through a portal. He watched for a while how peacefully his friend slept. Sighing, Demyx leaned against the wall. He didn't want to wake Axel. At least not this early.
Axel seemed to sense that he wasn't alone in the room anymore. He sat up on the bed and looked around. "Demyx?" He asked little worried. Demyx walked closer to his friend with a sad smile.
"Sorry. Maybe I should let you just sleep." Demyx said quietly and sighed. Demyx turned around to leave the room but Axel shook his head.
He was still quite sleepy but asked anyway: "No, wait. What time is it?" Demyx wasn't sure of the answer so he checked it from the clock in Axel's room
"At four in the morning." He stated sadly. Axel fell back to the bed cursing. Demyx sighed and turned around again. "Okay, this was a bad idea. Just get back to sleep and..." He started but Axel stood up from the bed and walked to him.
"Oh, shut it! I'm up in five mins. Just wait." He said, grabbed his clothes and disappeared into the bathroom. Demyx sighed and started to do Axel's bed. The less work the faster they would leave the room. Axel didn't take long before he emerged from the bathroom. "Oh, you did my bed already? Thanks." Axel said with a smile. Demyx just nodded. "So, we could talk here and..." Axel started but Demyx shook his head.
"Not here. I want a different place. Just follow me, okay?" Demyx said with a sigh and left the room. Shrugging, Axel followed the musician out of the room. They walked through the corridors in darkness but Demyx seemed to know his way around. Axel was a little surprised to find out that they had come back to the shooting range. Demyx opened the door and muttered something again. They slipped inside and closed the door.
Axel sat down to a chair and Demyx started to pace around the room. "Demyx?" Axel asked a little worried.
Demyx sighed and half-snapped: "I'm thinking!" Axel flinched a little but didn't say anything for a while anymore. Demyx eventually stopped pacing and came to the counter where the gun was lying. He sighed and gestured to the gun.
"You see this?" Demyx asked and Axel nodded. "I... I've come here several times to get rid of this one fear I have and... Well, it hasn't gone too well... The problem is this: I have fear towards guns. The funny thing, though, is that I can use water guns and toy guns..." Demyx explained and continued right away: "I... I don't have good memories about guns. All you need to know right now is that my memories include a gun, several really important persons to me, an argument and tragedy and... And that I saw the whole thing..." Demyx sighed and glanced at the gun.
"What happened?" Axel asked carefully. The things Demyx had said hadn't sound too good. Demyx shook his head and trembled a little. "Demyx?" Axel asked worriedly. He walked to the Nocturne and hugged him. Demyx broke down and clutched to Axel. A little startled, Axel still managed to start trying to comfort the crying musician. Demyx's legs gave out and Axel carefully lowered them down to the floor. "Dem, it's OK." Axel whispered while gently stroking Demyx's back.
Demyx calmed down after a while and sighed sadly. "My parents were shot to death. I saw it... There was nothing I could do no matter how many times I go through it in my head... My parents had had a fight just a while ago. The last thing they ever said to each other was 'I hate you'. I don't want that to be the last thing I'd say to you or anyone else I care about... I think that fight we had a week ago triggered this..." Demyx explained sadly. Axel sighed and hugged the Nocturne again.
"Dem, no matter how angry I'd be or how badly I say, especially those three words... You gotta know I would never mean those things." Axel told him. Demyx nodded. "Now, let me tell you one thing. It's not a gun that kills; it's the people wielding them. Gun is merely just a weapon; it doesn't kill unless someone uses it." Axel stated. Demyx blinked few times to really understand. He knew those words and had thought about it too but hearing it from someone else helped a lot. He glanced from Axel to the gun and back. After that he started to think about it.
Demyx stood up and looked at the gun. Suddenly the door was opened and both Nobodies looked up to see Xigbar walking in. "What are you two doing here?" He asked quite surprised. Demyx was startled and Axel just grinned and stood up from the floor.
"We... I... Um... I thought to show Axel your awesome shooting range..." Demyx tried slightly nervously. Xigbar didn't exactly believe it but walked to the gun, took it and offered it to Demyx. Demyx blinked several times at the offered weapon.
"I've seen you looking at my gun. Go on and try it." Xigbar said. Demyx looked from Xigbar to the gun and then to the targets. He glanced once at Axel who just shrugged. Demyx took once a deep breath and took the gun. He was totally surprised that he took the gun so easily from Xigbar's hands.
"I guess Axel's right. I shouldn't be afraid of guns but of that darn idiot who killed my parents." Demyx thought, smiled and walked to the counter. He took aim while wondering should he shoot normally or then side-ways like in police movies. Eventually he grinned, put the gun side-ways and shot. He didn't only shock himself but also both Axel and Xigbar.
"Bull's eye. On first try none the less..." Xigbar breathed in more than surprised. Demyx just stared before he grinned, lowered the gun back to the counter and shouted happy Thanks guys! Both Xigbar and Axel watched in shock as the happy Nocturne left the room. "I don't think I did anything spectacular...?" Xigbar said quietly.
Only reply the red head could say was: "Me neither..."
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A/N: Thanks for reading! If you red this, I'd love it if you left a slight review! Thank You! (Even flames are accepted! Though, those are going for Axel's amusement or then for Demyx to practice on. Thanks!)
Oh, and thanks for everyone who has favorited my stories and/or put them to alert! Sorry if I forget to thank you about those when I reply to your reviews!