Psst. I still don't own Kingdom Hearts or its characters.
It seemed that in no time at all, the night of the masquerade came. Nervous yet excited, Zexion was dressed in his garb and ready to go through the night. He looked forward to dancing with Demyx; though he often acted like he didn't have the time of day for him, he was definitely fond of the male who had a soft spot for him. But most of all, he looked forward to seeing Isa again. Oh how he missed his uncle.
"Any sign of Axel? Or Demyx?" Roxas asked, standing at Zexion's side as they walked to where the masquerade was being held. He then smirked and nudged Sora with his elbow. "Any sign of the youngest prince?"
Sora sighed. "I won't mind dancing with him, it'll make him happy, but Roxas, please don't tease me." he mumbled.
"C'mon, let loose for one ni-ow!" Roxas yelped when Zexion smacked him upside the head.
"Don't tease Sora." Zexion said. "You know things are different for him than they are for us." He sighed. "Anyway, try not to stray too far from each other, and don't make it hard for Sora to find you."
"Yeah, yeah." Roxas grumbled, rubbing the back of his head. "So, Zex, do you want us with you to meet your uncle?"
Zexion thought it over and nodded. "It would be nice to have you all with me." he said.
"Don't worry, Zex, we'll be there with you." Roxas said, putting his hand on Zexion's shoulder. "We're pretty much a family, so we'll always be there for you."
"Thanks." Zexion said. He then nodded in one direction. "Axel sticks out with that bright red hair of his, huh?"
"Even with a mask..." Roxas chuckled.
Axel managed to pinpoint the trio who pretended to be siblings, mainly noticing Roxas' hair that spiked up in a cowlick sort of way. He went over and bowed to them. "My goodness, you three look like gypsies." he pointed out. "The style and colours suit you all. Especially you." He took Roxas' hand gently and kissed it. "Roxas, may I have this dance?"
"Of course." Roxas said with a nod. "But… not too far from my brothers? We're not used to large crowds like this; it's different than a market, you know." He came up with the reason rather easily so he didn't seem suspicious or anything.
"Of course, can't let you feel insecure and be too far from your family." Axel said, leading Roxas to an area that wasn't too badly crowded. He knew he didn't need to be out fully on the dance floor to be seen dancing; just dancing with Roxas, even when out of the limelight, was enough for the redheaded trainee.
Sora watched where Axel led Roxas to dance. While watching, he heard a sigh come from Zexion and picked up on its meaning rather easily. "Don't worry." he told Zexion.
"Huh?" Zexion questioned.
"You're worried about a lot of things. If Demyx will show up, if your uncle will show up, if things will go well… but mostly you long for happiness and a simple life where you can fall in love and live with your love." Sora explained. "It's a common thing to want a simple life and to be worried about other things."
"You're always good at picking up on emotions." Zexion sighed before chuckling some. "I am glad, though. You voice what we have in us… in a way, it makes us understand our own emotions… even if it can be annoying because you are always right when it comes to that."
Sora smiled. "I'm happy to be helpful with that… and content in annoying you guys with it while I'm at it." he said. He then giggled when Zexion playfully took a swipe at him.
"He's really here." Riku said.
"Who is, little brother?" Kadaj, the youngest of Riku's older brothers, questioned.
"Oh, his little crush; the brunette from the market." Yazoo teased.
"Oh? Which one is he?" Kadaj took a look around, smiling when he spotted Sora looking like a gypsy. Though Sora wore a scarf around his head, hiding his hair mostly, some of it still stuck out in the back. "He's a cute one; perhaps if he doesn't fall for you, I can charm him."
"Piss off, Kadaj." Riku grumbled. He then nodded. "Well, I'll go and ask him to dance with me." he stated. "Wish me luck."
"Good luck." Yazoo stated.
"Yeah, good luck getting laid." Kadaj chuckled. He then yelped when Loz, another one of their brothers (and the most emotionally sensitive of them), actually smacked him upside the head. "What was that for?"
"You shouldn't pick on Riku too much." Loz stated.
"Fine..." Kadaj mumbled.
Riku chuckled before walking off, leaving the balcony they were on and heading down to the main area, making his way to the brunette he came to love. When he reached him, he bowed some like a gentleman, carefully taking Sora's hand.
"You look stunning, Sora." Riku complimented.
"Oh, your majesty." Sora said.
"May I have the honor to dance with you?" Riku inquired.
"Um… okay. As long as we don't stray too far; I'd like to stay close to my brothers… and not be too lost in the crowd." Sora responded.
"Of course." Riku nodded and pulled Sora away some, dancing with him as he always wanted. He smiled as they danced, moving to the music. He saw how Sora moved, quickly adapting to how the brunette danced. "You're a remarkable dancer. You must do this often."
"Just with my brothers or alone." Sora responded. "I was once told that if you don't feel well and you don't know why, you need to ask yourself three questions."
"And what are those questions?" Riku inquired, intrigued.
"When did you stop enjoying nature? When did you stop singing? When did you stop dancing?" Sora stated the questioned. "It was believed that when we stop doing those things, we carry an illness that cannot otherwise be cured."
"I think I know another one to add." Riku stated.
"Hmm?" Sora looked up at the youngest prince.
"When did you stop believing in love?" Riku gave his response. "I think believing in love can keep some of us going, and I never stop believing, especially when I see you." He smiled when Sora actually blushed.
Zexion watched and chuckled some. He didn't hear what they were saying, but clearly Riku said something sweet or embarrassing that made Sora blush; he figured it was sweet since he could see the smile on the brunette's face. Zexion watched longer until he was pulled into someone's arms, the person, clearly male by the body against his, wanting to dance with him.
"Share a dance with me?" the voice said.
Zexion froze and looked up to see the king, recognizing him even with the half-mask on his face. "Um… I..." Zexion tried to protest, but he was pulled further onto the dance floor. He didn't want to make a fuss or a scene, so he went with it, hoping Sephiroth didn't pay mind and just wanted someone to dance with.
"You've grown up." Sephiroth said. "Ienzo."
Zexion refrained from biting his lip. Shit. He thought. He does know… dammit all…
"You were so tiny then… easier to kill if I had my hands on you. But no, your mother was quick to get you out and that damned siren, wherever it is, who seemed to have spared you all these years." Sephiroth said. "But now look at you, a grown man, trying to hide right under my nose." He smirked. "I will be honest," He spun Zexion out and brought him back before leaning in closer to the smaller male, "you did a good job. You did make one mistake, though. You showed up that day, cloaked and hidden. You remained so hidden, you stood out. And then you ran, ran like the little mouse you are."
Zexion didn't respond. He didn't want to satisfy this man with a response. He worried that if he did, it would just end things there; he hoped if he remained calm through this, then Sephiroth would perhaps think he made a mistake and called out the wrong person. Somehow, though, he was sure the king knew he was correct in this.
"You're so silent, Ienzo; haven't you anything to say?" Sephiroth inquired. Zexion continued to stay silent, not wanting to say anything. "Really, though, you are a fool. Could you not stay away from your home? Is that why you came here to the celebration?" He spun Zexion out again with their dance before bringing him close yet again, moving to the music perfectly. "Don't think I'll give up, though. I've worked hard to get where I am now and I'm not going to let you or anyone else ruin it."
"Worked hard?" Zexion inquired, keeping his tone level. "You've murdered many people, innocent lives. Men, women, anyone who was in your way or defied you all so you could fulfill your selfish needs."
"It wasn't entirely selfish." Sephiroth stated. "I was providing an even better life for my sons. Surely you can understand, yes? Your mother did the same thing, getting you to sneak out through the halls that the servants used."
"She did that so I could survive. You did what you did… killing others." Zexion stated. He then bit his lip, realizing that he did give away that he had been Ienzo. That made Sephiroth smirk and bring him closer. Sephiroth cupped Zexion's chin and made him look up at him.
"People who stay in their places are bound to be trampled. Those who rise up and are strong are those who stay on top. I must be stronger than the masses, though, if I am to remain where I am." Sephiroth stated. "And to remain on top, you will be no more. But I'll be generous." Zexion scoffed at that. "In another week, it is the anniversary if your parents' deaths. I'll gladly reunite you all on that day."