Heyo, lovelies! As per usual, I don't own Kingdom Hearts or its characters. I'm just the hopeless idiot who wrote this fic.

"Still interrogating him?" Zexion asked.

"You got it!" Sora chirped. "And he's interesting to talk to, plus I'm making sure he won't be poisoned by that yucky stuff his friend sent with him." He stuck out his tongue and made Zexion and Roxas chuckle at his disgusted expression. He soon looked concerned. "You'll be fine in town, right?" he asked.

"We're just buying supplies, so it won't be long." Zexion said.

"Besides, I'll be with him." Roxas said.

"Still… the way you told me you reacted to seeing Sephiroth… I'm worried. I have a sinking feeling." Sora mumbled.

"Don't worry, Sora." Zexion assured, running a hand through the siren's damp hair. "I'll be just fine. Just go in, get some supplies, come right back."

"Okay. Be safe." Sora said. He thought a bit. "And get me some chocolates please? Those yummy ones with cherries in them that you got me last year?"

"Of course." Zexion said, smiling brightly. "We'll be back between the sun's highest point and sundown."

"Okay." Sora nodded and dove down into the small pool of water and swam along the underground tunnel that lead to other pools of water and to his lake. He swam back to the lake and came up to see Saïx with his little fire again to cook the caught fish for breakfast; he was thankful for the lack of complaint about so much fish, unlike Roxas who got fed up with the taste. He swam over and watched the man put the cooked food on a cleaned and flat stone to cool off. "After breakfast, will you tell me why you're called a demon?"

"Sure thing." Saïx said. "Normally I don't tell people… it's a bit rough, you know, but I think you of all people could understand being called a monster and such." Sora nodded in agreement. Sirens were treated like treasures and/or monsters. They were more valuable than gold covered in the most expensive of gems, but they were dangerous, as Sora had proven in the past.

Saïx finished with the fish and gave Sora his share and ate his own. Though Sora never minded the raw fish, he definitely enjoyed it cooked, too. Once they had finished and Saïx had his fire snuffed out, he sat in the lake again, Sora snuggling up against him, much like a child ready to be told a bed time story; seeing this, Saïx had a nostalgic look on his face and he chuckled.

"What's so funny?" Sora asked.

"It's just… seeing you there, you remind me of when Ienzo was little." Saïx said. "Aqua was often busy helping Terra out with things so I often put him to bed for them. He'd snuggle up on my lap and refuse to go to bed until I would tell him a story." Sora smiled at that, liking how that seemed. "He was more than stubborn at times like those." He then nodded. "Now then, being a demon… People thought I was a demon in human skin due to my strength and how I was when enraged."

-+-Long time ago-+-

Isa sighed as he sat at the table, listening to the villages complain to his mother about him. He didn't like what they had to say, but it seemed all too true.

"That child is a monster! He's going to hurt someone one day!"

"One day? He's already has! At this rate, someone will die at his hands!"

"Please… he can't help it. His anger, it just…"

"That's no excuse. A monster like that doesn't deserve to be out and about. He's a demon's child!"

It was then that Isa covered his ears. He hated being called that of all things by the villagers. He was told his father died in battle while he was still in his mother and growing, but the villagers had been so sure that he was conceived after his… Aqua's father died and that their mother slept with a demon instead, thus having his mother give birth to a demon's child.

"Isa?" Isa uncovered his ears and looked to see his older sister smiling at him. They were a great deal of age apart, almost ten years, which seemed odd with no other siblings between them, but it didn't bother Isa one bit. "It's okay. Don't mind what they say; they just don't know you like Mama and I do."

"Am I a monster?" Isa asked.

"Of course not." Aqua said. "I don't think so. Mama doesn't think so. Terra doesn't even think so." She smiled. "I think the only people whose opinions count are those who don't think so."

"Prince Terra?" Isa asked. "He doesn't think so?"

Aqua smiled. "He thinks you'd make a great protector one day when you can fully hone your skills and strength." She said. She smiled and held a ring. "He hasn't proposed to me… he says he's too young at the moment, but when we're older, he wants me to be his wife."

"So you'll be a princess?" Isa asked.

"And then queen." Aqua added. "Anyway, when we're married one day, we're going to have kids. Our kids are going to need a family member who will love and protect them fully. Can you be strong like that and help out?"

Isa thought a bit before nodding. "I will." He said. "I'll work on my skill and be the best protector I can be." He grinned brightly at the thought. "I'll learn to control myself so I don't hurt anyone, then I can properly protect my family."

"Great!" Aqua cheered, hugging her little brother. "I'm glad."

-+-Present Day-+-

"Oh! Zexion! You're in town today!" Demyx cheered. "Sora's still…"

"Not with us, obviously." Zexion said. "How did you find us so quickly?"

"Well, it was actually just by chance." Demyx responded. "I was headed to where you usually keep your stand, but… well, here you are instead." He fidgeted a bit. "Um… there's been more guards around lately…"

"Yeah…" Zexion looked to see a couple of them walk by, talking to each other casually.

"Zexion..." Demyx pulled him closer to speak softly to him. "There's a rumor, Zexion. I think someone is out to get you and they think you're against King Sephiroth… so please… stay on guard?"

Zexion felt his blood freeze and his heart stop. They did see the king the previous day and Zexion feared if he had been fully noticed. He always kept his face and hair hidden, but perhaps that was suspicious enough for the silver haired king.

He then found himself wondering if Demyx had any suspicions. He discarded the thought for the time being and offered a thankful smile. "Thank you for the heads up." he said. "We'll be sure to keep our wits about and be on guard."

Demyx let out a relieved sigh. "Great." he said. "Anyway, about the festival..."

"I don't know, Demyx." Zexion sighed. "I'm busy enough as it is, plus, if King Sephiroth is suspicious of me, then I best keep my distance."

Demyx pouted. He wanted to actually beg Zexion to join him, but he knew just how bad it would be if he was discovered. If his thoughts on Zexion being Ienzo were true, then that would spell disaster. He then got a smile to his face. "The final night!" he said. "They're holding a public masquerade!"

"Masquerade?" Zexion inquired. He knew what that was full well, despite asking.

"Yeah! You can wear a mask and keep hidden; King Sephiroth won't even know you're there." Demyx said. "Sure, all the guards will be on guard even more, since people hide in plain sight like that, but it's a public thing on the third night that you can come to." He smiled brightly. I really hope you do come, though! It means I can dance with you again."

Moments like these had Zexion thankful he had his hood pulled up to hide his face. This made his blush impossible to really see. He felt so flattered by Demyx wanting to be with him so much. He knew full well that the male with dirty blonde hair had a crush on him, he only just ignored the thought so he could get through each day; and aside from Roxas and Sora, he didn't plan on making close relations with anyone. Demyx though being like this, he wondered if somehow this bubbly male could be involved in his life.

"Well… I'll think about it." Zexion said.

"Think about what?" Attention went to see Axel walking alone through the streets. He went over and put his arm around Roxas. "Hey, cutie." he said, earning a blush from the blonde. "So, what's up?"

"Just talking about the festival and masquerade." Demyx responded.

"Hey! Now there's an idea!" Axel said, smirking. "So, cutie, what do you say? Care to join me at the festival? I get time off for the masquerade, you know, since I'm still considered a trainee."

Roxas thought about it. "Well… if Zexion goes, I guess I will, too." Roxas said, considering the idea to be okay. He saw the perk of wearing a mask and hiding in plain sight.

"Hey, if you bring Sora, too, Prince Riku will be happy." Axel said. "What do you say, guys?"

"Well..." Zexion sighed. He did want to go to enjoy himself and dance with Demyx. Ever since he withdrew to live on the cove with Sora, he didn't do much to have fun and socialize, other than sell fish and buy supplies. "I don't see the harm in it." he said. "Very well, we shall try to attend. But we're not making any promises on it."

Heyo, lovelies! Again.

So, the little flashback with Saïx /Isa was mainly filler to help lengthen this chapter some, as well as to show why he gets called a demon. Really, though, it wasn't supposed to be significant. Sorry if you're disappointed.

Anyway! Thanks for reading!

Ciao!

~ Chibi