Introductions

Part Two

Unlike the rest of the circus that, when not at a hotel, would sleep within tents; Xemnas slept within a large mobile home at the end of Sleeping Valley, as the mass of tents came to be known. It was nothing flashy and showed no signs of the actual wealth Xemnas possessed. The back opened up so during the day people could see him and felt free to walk in and approach him even as he worked. Xemnas had never wanted his position to separate him from those who he had taken in over the years, so he kept his space accessible since he spent many hours in there dealing with various piles of paper works. What was a kitchen space was now an office, full with drawers containing all sorts of legal documents and important information, as well as needed files on certain performers. For example adoption papers for when Xemnas was required to adopt someone into his family in order that they might travel with him, or criminal records that he should be aware of, so he knew how to work round them to assure every person could travel to the different worlds without problems. The living area was stripped to basics, with multiple chairs and a few plugs, more used by the others than him. Marluxia had a habit of using up all the extensions reels for hair equipment or sewing machines etc. The only thing really homely about it was the bed area, cut off by a curtain so as to allow Xemnas some privacy, though there was nothing truly fascinating inside only a basic bed with shelving all around him containing multiple books.

Xemnas sat there as he went over some paper work for their next site at the world of Olympus. Despite it being one of their oldest sites he still liked to triple check the documents, in order to make sure nothing had gone amiss under his nose. Because of that, those doors would probably be open, with him off to the side reading through paperwork until the final performance that night. Then he would join his crew for a little while but would get an early rest (in which he would obviously close the doors and lock up the van). Xemnas liked to get up before everyone else on moving days, especially when they had to move the night after the final performance. He tried to give everyone a day's rest after finale shows, so they didn't have to handle packing up with an inevitable hang over. However dates just didn't always work out.

A knock disturbed his concentration as he heard footsteps approach, knowing the sound all too well Xemnas smiled to himself. This certain persons company was always welcomed.

"How can I help you Saix." Xemnas smiled as he looked at the bluenette before him. He took a moment to soak in the stoic beauty. He always wrapped up more than others, kept lots of layers between his body and peoples gaze. He was more professional than most, with a tucked in white shirt, a finely made short black waistcoat and a pair of long sleek black trousers. Yet even so he still kept some of that strange circus charm Marluxia adorned all outfits with, from the casual to the performance. His black shoulder length gloves had silver chains draping from them, and matching long black boots with a complicated patterning coloured, also of silver, gave said circus charm. It accentuated his height and slim, firm build and yet covered Saix away from all wandering eyes.

Saix's eyes flicked to the floor before returning to Xemnas. He rarely held eye contact with Xemnas. Saix was a weird collection of contradictions. He seemed quieter around Xemnas, yet chose to be around him the most. He was undeniably in control and yet submissive by nature as well. He could keep calm in sometimes the most stressful situations and yet go berserk with the smallest motivation.

"You were right. I just received a phone call from the Valentines, and they want to watch tonight's show." Saix always kept his voice monotone and balanced, to many he was an unreadable human being, one which often made them nervous. Xemnas however had spent many years slowly piecing together the puzzle that was his unofficial second in command. Slowly untangling the contradictions, unlayering all those walls and listening carefully to every word in order to understand him.

"Don't they always? It's a good thing we always try and put on a show for the finale." Xemnas noted; it was no bother that the owner of the land would come to watch. He found it often motivated them to hire out the land next year, even more so than the amount of money they make.

"I guess that's true." Xemnas could see the slight shift in the lines on his brow. Already Saix was putting pressure on himself. Xemnas had no doubt that in his mind he was already checking off everything that needed doing, and had starting making back up plans for every possible issue that one could imagine. Sometimes whilst in thought Xemnas noticed Saix's mouth twitch, and he had yet to figure out what thoughts would spur the slight tick.

"Was that all?" He smiled gently at the other, enjoying the slight raise in lips it enticed out of Saix.

"No actually. According to Lexaeus, Leon came and asked if he could go collect wood for him. Out on his shift, it seems, Leon came across three males he would be interested on bringing in. They don't look familiar, and I don't recall Leon or Sora having friends in Midgar, so one assumes their strangers to him." Xemnas took a moment to take in the information. Well, this certainly was a change.

"Leon of all people bringing in new recruits." Xemnas muttered more to himself.

"It is strange, considering he doesn't know them." Xemnas had to agree. Leon was a good man, that couldn't be denied. Yet, he had a slight loner streak. Not quite to the worrying degree of Riku, but Leon had always been someone happier with his own company. Always willing to talk to people, but still habitual tended to keep to himself. He was also far more cautious than some, making sure the people they brought in were good people. For him to do such a thing, on what could only be assumed was a whim, was rather out of character. Xemnas smiled to himself. He had always prided himself on being good at reading people, a skill he was forced to develop growing up, and was useful in his line of work now. Yet this was one of those moments where he was happy to be proven wrong.

"Well, I must say I'm interested then. There must be something special about these three if they caught Leon's attention." Xemnas stood and stretched his arms, watching as the other seemed to just silently stare. He always enjoyed the others gaze when it latched upon him in such a way. It made him feel like he was the only person within Saix's mind. A rather narcissistic pleasure.

"Give Marluxia and Yuffie a warning that they'll be getting new recruits in. Oh and tell Terra as well, I have no doubt he'll probably need to give them a quick check up." It had been a long while since they had anyone new join. Not since Demyx arrived many years back.

"You already know you're going to accept them?" Saix's eyebrow raised and head cocked just slightly.

"In all these years that you've known me, when have I ever said 'no' to someone who needs my help? Leon's judge of character is as good as mine. If he's the one bringing them, I already have no doubt I'll take them." Saix did that lip quirk smile of his again, as he nodded and went away. Xemnas watched as long blue hair swayed behind him, eyes never leaving the other as he travelled back into Circus Village. Xemnas shook his head as he reluctantly ripped his gaze.

Xemnas had known Saix since he was seven, and was part of the first batch to join the circus. Many of the original performers have left now, yet for ten years Saix stayed. He had taken the young one under his wing, though cautiously at first. Saix had made it clear he didn't want someone to replace his parents and Xemnas made it clear he had no intention to do so, only being 17 himself at the time. Yet as the boy grew older, Xemnas found himself fascinated with him. The strange cold bluenette who spent so much time around him he ended up in his current unofficial position, much to Riku's relief. Saix was a quick learner and was physically, mentally and emotionally older than his age, which in turn had ended up causing Xemnas many personal issues. Now with the boy at 17, Xemnas found his thoughts often stuck on him. Not always in the most innocent of manner either. So he took to playing his little game as a way of dealing with it. The game of understanding Saix the puzzle. Still, there were boundaries and rules to his game. To never get too personal. To never take advantage of Saix. And most importantly, to never let the other aware of his true feelings. After all Xemnas was 27 going 28. Even when Saix crossed the threshold of 18, the age gap was still far too big. His thoughts much too wrong.

Not long after Saix had left, did Xemnas notice Leon approaching, with indeed three figures behind him. Xemnas walked to the front of his desk and leant against it. He had found that being sat behind it made him look too formal, and often put others who didn't know him in a position of discomfort. Leon gave him a nod as he entered with three following suit.

"Xemnas." He said, as Xemnas quickly looked over the three boys. The eldest was tall, thin and rather angelic in looks. His face seemed collected and calm despite the fact that he shivered with cold and clung tightly to Leon's brown jacket that was draped over his shoulders. If it wasn't for his determined stature Xemnas would have worried more about him collapsing from frostbite or hunger. The two behind him were identical twins, in a condition slightly better than the elder. One seemed to hide behind the other, and their emotions where written clearly on their face, again unlike the elder. The one in front had blazing eyes that seemed confused and off-ciltered, and from that came a stature and presence of defensiveness. The other seemed a little more relieved though in an equally off-ciltered state. His slight shaking suggested fear and high levels of anxiety.

"I had heard you were bringing me some possible recruits. I am surprised." Xemnas kept his voice soft and inviting.

"Still I'm glad to have you with us." He nodded to the three.

"I found them sleeping in the woods not far from us. They said they don't have home, and have nowhere else left to go." The story was vague, and the look Leon shot Xemnas as he spoke suggested he too thought there must be more. As often there was with people in their position.

"If you don't mind me asking, why do you not have a home?" Xemnas watched as the elder for a second seemed to flinch at the question, a normal reaction in itself; if it wasn't for how suddenly he was able to replace it with a default look of confidence. The other two just turned up at their brother expectantly.

"We…Well, we couldn't live there anymore. Our father he was…" He paused a moment as if collecting his thoughts, Xemnas gave him all the time he needed. He already had a suspicion of where the story was going, and was not surprised. A cruel family member was a common theme among many past's here.

"Our father was abusive." The words upon leaving his mouth seemed to surprise the blonde. As if only now realising they were true.

"When he began to hurt my brothers however, I knew we couldn't stay there anymore. We left, without much of a plan, we just kind of ran away why we had the chance to do so. Because of that we ended up in the situation Leon found us in." The words left his mouth firmly but with a sense of hesitancy which Xemnas had expected.

"How long have you been homeless?" Xemnas asked again with a level of sympathy that never quite reached pandering or pity.

"Not very long." Now that answer was vague. Still deception was not that strange. Many here felt the need to lie or hide their pasts when they first came here. Some still kept parts of it hidden, for it was a wound just too deep to share. What got Xemnas was the clever subtleness in the way he seemed to deceive. What he was saying was probably true, but there was practise vagueness to it, a cleaver deception in facial features as if he had practised such a thing before. Still despite this Xemnas did not believe them bad or malicious. He had a suspicion the rather defensive twin would cause issues, but whatever the damage the circus could handle it he was sure. After all he did always read people very accurately.

"Well I do need some people to act as helping hands around the circus. Now I have three. If it is a home you're looking for then you may find one here, as we all have our stories here. I'd be more than happy to take you on and I know the rest will be excited for the new company." Xemnas smiled again and watched the tension ease slightly out of the elder.

"Now Leon I know you have some practise to do before the show. Why don't you go, tell Riku I want him as you pass, I'll have him show these three to Marluxia." Leon nodded and glanced at Xemnas gratefully for taking the three in. He placed a hand on the eldest's shoulder, when he tried to return the jacket.

"Keep it for now, until you've gotten warmed up." With that he left, and Xemnas turned his attention to the three boys once again.

"So since you'll be joining us, I think we should at least know your names."

"My name is Cloud sir, and the these two are Roxas and Ventus my younger brothers."

"Cloud, Ventus and Roxas who?" That question earned another pause, one that didn't go unnoticed.

"Strife Sir." That was a lie.

"Ah very well then. Cloud, Ventus and Roxas Strife it is a pleasure to have you." With that Riku entered the trailer, already dressed for the performance, bar make up. His black, white and red fools outfit and sweeping long coat creating quite the entrance.

"This is Riku. He's my own younger brother and ringmaster of the circus." Xemnas introduced him as the others stared fascinated; Riku seemed unfazed by it and simply shook their hands politely.

"Riku this is Cloud, Roxas and Ventus Strife, they'll be joining us at the circus." He explained.

"For now I'll have you three do odd jobs for me, and mainly you'll help as extra labour. However it would hardly be the first time if we found some other hidden talents within you. Now is there anything I should know about before you leave?" He asked.

"Yes actually." Cloud approached Xemnas as if not wanting too many to overhear.

"It's about Ventus. You see he doesn't talk to people."

"A mute?"

"No not quite. I mean he talks to me and Roxas. My mother too when our father wasn't around. It's just…with other people? He seems to go silent. He can't explain why any more than we can." There was an air of caution about Cloud, as if preparing to defend his brother from an attack.

"That's good to know. I'll have Terra look you all over and I'm sure he'll have some idea about what's going on. However not talking is hardly the most difficult thing we've had to deal with." Xemnas then turned to look at the flushed and embarrassed twin still gripping tightly to Roxas.

"I want you to know its fine. Whilst we would like to see you talk we are not about to force you. We don't mind and people here will treat you the same as anyone else." Ventus nodded and gave a smile which Xemnas took to mean thank you. Cloud too whispered a thank you. He turned and the three of them were about to follow Riku out. That's when Cloud paused at the edge of the van, and indicated to the others to stay put a moment as he turned and went back to Xemnas, this time even closer than before as his voice went quieter.

"There is something else you should know. This time about Roxas."

"Is he mute too?" Xemnas asked humorously.

"Well, more the opposite. Roxas has a temper, a really bad one at that. He can be reasonable, once he gets to know someone, but even then he does tend to get angry quickly. He's not violent for the most part. Not unless the other person eggs him on, if you know what I mean? More, he shouts and says things that are probably rather nasty, though to be fair it's often quite childish. Much like Ventus, he's been like it since he was a kid. If that's an issue, I understand, but would like to know now. It's not fair to give them hopes of a new home and have it gone again. I don't want to put them through that. I mean, if you want, I could always keep them out the way, just do work for the circus myself so they don't get into trouble. Just so I could pay to look after them or..." He trailed off, as he looked at Xemnas with pleading eyes that seemed far too real to be practised. Xemnas smiled softly, understanding now why Leon had taken to Cloud. He placed one of Clouds hands between his own.

"It'll be fine. Now if he were a violent drunk that just hit any old person, or some cruel malicious boy who set out to hurt everyone, we would surly have issues."

"No! No! He's nothing like that!" Cloud interjected.

"Then it's okay. Now I have no doubt his temper will cause some quarrels here and there but everyone here is used to such a thing. Believe me we have had worse, and someone capable of much more damage than what your brother could cause." Axel's own temper and issues came to the forefront of Xemnas's mind. Now he had been difficult.

"However over time, I have no doubt your brothers temper will cool. I know you've heard this a lot but I truly hope you understand everyone here has a past. Everyone here came to get a second chance at life. Everyone here came feeling broken, and every one of them learnt they were merely cracked. This is a place for those who don't have one, and I already know that you will find yourself a place amongst our family." Xemnas meant every word he spoke, as he hoped Cloud understood how much belief he did have in them. Cloud turned and gazed at him for a moment with a look of fractured hope. A look of someone lost and too afraid to believe what he heard but who wanted more than anything for it to be true. It was not the first time Xemnas had been looked upon with such eyes, and every time a piece of him did hurt for them. The greatest reward in life was seeing fractured hope change to happiness and contentment.

"Thank you."

"Welcome to the family Cloud."

Hello again,

So first of all THANK YOU! I emailed only a handful of people from my last fic, the latest readers who appeared to have stuck with the story. I expected a reply at most, and yet I got replies of pretty much everyone, and all of them so lovely.

I feel genuinely honoured that my story seemed to have been not only remembered but enjoyed so much people wanted to go back to reading it, even if they had moved of the sight a bit like I had.

Thank you so much for your support.

In return I do plan on updating this at least once a week on a Friday/Saturday.

However since I'm typing ahead of what I post if I type out two chapters before that day, you get an extra chapter during the week, or two, or three, depending how many times I get two chapter written.

But yeh if I don't update at least once a week get on my case about it.

This little fanfiction of mine is my passion project for the up and coming academic year, and I'm determined to see it through to the end. Hell I;ve had the entire thing planned since the first draft!

Oh the things I have in store for this story!

I know there's a reply button in the review section, but I feel in honour of the original version I shall comment in this shout out style manner :D

XX-Blade: I'm glad my grammar is not as bad as it used to be clearly! Thank you much, and as I said above, oh the things I have planned! *evil laugh*

UltimateNinjaOfDoom: Thank you! Hopefully it'll go even better than the last one, I hadn't evens scratched the surface of my plans with the last one I tell you that much. Nowhere close. So I hope you're buckled up, you're in for a long ride.

HeartOfFantasy: Thank you so much! And a new version in so far as my writing has improved, and hopefully my characterisation as I handled some interactions a little clumsily last time. I'm glad you like it and I hope you enjoy what's to come.

Ern Estine: As always short, sweet and wonderful! Thank you so much for coming back! Hope you enjoy it!

Thank you all so much once again for reading and reviewing and for returning to my little long story :D

This story for me is like a way of finding time for myself and forcing myself to de-stress in stressful situations so it's always really reassuring to know that other people do enjoy my work!