Seniority

by: Axel

XxX

Xemnas watched as Xigbar watched the young boy moving up the stairs. Roxas, the Key of Destiny. The Freeshooter had shone a rather 'unhealthy' interest in the boy. While Xemnas normally turned a blind eye to whatever Xigbar, or any of the other seniors did for that matter, this had him upset. Roxas was a child. But more than that, Roxas was valuable.

Xigbar started up the twisting stairs, up towards the rooms where the Nobodies stayed between missions. Some called it rest, but others called it merely waiting. Xemnas followed close behind in perfect silence, and the other did not notice he was there.

As Xigbar made his trek up the stairs, the familiar young redheaded man came gliding down the stairs. He leaned away from Xigbar as they passed, then glared back at him after the elder hard already passed. Xemnas made a note of that.

Xigbar came to the hall with the twelve doors of the members (Xemnas having his own space). The first five belonged to the seniors, the number going up the farther down the hall. A little over halfway down the hall, a door opened, and a young blond boy warily backed out of the door. Xigbar walked up behind him, a Cheshire Cat grin playing at his face.

"Demyx," he said in his nicest, most manipulative voice. "You been a good boy?" The blond spun around and met the senior's eyes. He winced, then stepped back, as if scared. Xemnas's glare hardened on the back of Xigbar's head, but apparently he didn't feel it, as he reached out to grab the boy.

"Freeshooter," Xemnas barked. Xigbar froze, then spun around and looked at Xemnas, surprised. He just shrugged and offered the Superior an easy going grin. "Your friend Zexion seems to have discovered something in that book of his. I want you to help him with it. Afterwards, Vexen has requested help in his lab."

"Awww come on boss, why me," Xigbar said with a sigh, shrugging. He knew it was useless to argue. He tossed the blond boy a sinister grin, then slipped back down the stairs.

"Ummm, thank you," Demyx squeaked, looking at their fearful Superior's countenance. Maybe it was his eyes playing tricks on him, but it seemed to soften, for a fraction of a nanosecond.

Xemnas nodded, then drew closer to the boy. His molten amber eyes locked onto the boy's gentle sea green ones, holding him paralyzed. He reached out and ran his fingers through the Nocturne's soft golden hair. Rather than flinch away in fear of his touch, as he had with the Freeshooter, the blond closed his eyes, allowing, perhaps even enjoying, the Superior's attention.

Xemnas gently traced his fingers down the side of the boy's face, then tilted up his chin to look him in the eye. His soothing voice, darker than the bottomless void, caused the boy to shiver. "He'll not have you," Xemnas said, and left it at that. He dropped his hand and disappeared into a corridor of darkness. He left the young musician, bewildered, but not afraid.

XxX