Hi guys, I'm baaaaack. Sorry for the wait and the exceptionally short chapter, I'm just trying to get back in the groove of things. On another word document I'm working on the next chapter, which will have our beloved protagonists up to their usual hijinks. It should be fun, I've been looking forward to writing the next chapter for...two years? Wow, time flies by when you forget about projects. .

Anyway, thanks so much to SunChildRay for the good ol' butt-kicking when I needed it. If anyone else feels like giving me a kick, the address is right on my profile. Go at it!

Meanwhile, back in the little town Vexen had left, things were running as smoothly as they ever did. Of course, Mayor Ansem was worried sick about his son and during the first few days sent out search parties, but now he was all but presumed dead and Ansem had taken it upon himself to mourn for his son and pray for his safe return. The villagers did not voice their relief over having the town oddball disposed of and out of their hair. Sure, it was tragic that he died so young, but one would have to think- what kind of man would he have grown up to be, so concerned with all that scientific stuff? There was no good to come of high intellect, the people were certain of that, and an entire village of mostly-honest, mostly-hard-working people couldn't be wrong, right?

In any case, there were four individuals who really cared that Vexen was missing. The first was, as stated, Ansem the Wise. Two of them were Xigbar and Xaldin, who upon returning with their little girl, Xion, were devastated to hear that their dear friend was lost in the wilderness and potentially dead. And the final person who actually gave a shit over the whole matter, though for more sinister reasons, was sitting in the town bar taking a stiff drink.

"He'll turn up eventually," one of the uke-waiters, a cute young man named Demyx said to a monsieur Luxord Caviera, "I'm sure he's about ready to crack by now."

"Unless he's dead," Luxord grumbled, taking another swig of his poison of choice, "but use your pretty little head to think about it for a moment. Assuming he's still alive, which is a stretch, if he hasn't come back by now that probably means he's surviving well enough. But damn it all, he wasn't supposed to last two days out there, and here it's been two weeks!"

"Maybe he's just lucky. Or, is there a town nearby?"

"None in walking distance, and besides, he probably wouldn't know the way without a beaten path."

"Well then," Demyx said, thinking aloud, "if we think he's still alive, why not go looking for him?"

Luxord looked up at him with a patronizing expression.

"Love," he said calmly, "did ever cross your little mind that I might have, I don't know done that already?! For the past week I've been searching for that good-for-nothing brat, and I've come up with nothing. I can't very well comb the entire forest in this lifetime, you know."

Demyx frowned. "But you've never taken me along with you. I know the forest really well, I keep telling you that I'd be able to find him if you'd give me a chance."

"For the last time, Demyx, no. What kind of barbarian would the townspeople see me as if I took an innocent little uke with me into the forest? You'd best stay here, in the bar, waiting the nice gentlemen."

"…Luxord," Demyx said, "the people here already think you're a barbarian."

"Be that as it may, no, I'm not taking you. But I will organize another search-party."

"It's best to travel in smaller groups in that forest," Demyx noted, "because it's easy to get separated. But when were you thinking about going?"

"Possibly tonight, or early in the morning, so I'm sorry I won't be able to give you the pleasure of my company."

Demyx smiled.

"I wouldn't go out tonight or tomorrow." He said, peering out the window.

"Why ever not?" Luxord said with a laugh, "now's a good a time as any."

"Outside, those are cumulonimbus clouds forming, they precede thunderstorms."

"…Love, stick to words you can understand. Small words. Talking high like Vexen is improper for a good little uke like you. No uke has ever impressed a man with ridiculous.."

A roll of thunder was heard from the distance, and Luxord's jaw dropped a little.

"Nooow can I come with you?" Demyx asked with a grin.

"I'll…consider it."

"Great!" Demyx said, planting a kiss on Luxord's lips. "Well, I've got to get back to work. We'll go the day after tomorrow, and I'll help you find him." He gave Luxord a sly wink, "Don't worry Lux, we'll be rich soon. Filthy rich."

Mr. Caviera smiled at that prospect. "Oh yes," he said" That's always something to look forward to.