A Life to Lead ^_^

Having looked the town over more and questioned some residents, Nero could not find any information on the attackers, except that they wore some weird coats in black.It wasn't much, but it was a lead. Cultists and wacko's always wore strange clothing, so he'd start with that and work his way up.As he walked through a residential area he noticed a group of four walking in his direction, all wearing suits, one unkempt, the other neat ..and another wearing white.Odd ..but that wasn't the description he was given, not at all.But how to approach ...hmm, the old fashioned way of his worked nicely, but that guy in white didn't look too easy to intimidate.

Time for plan B

The entire time they left Rufus stayed quiet as he led the Turks away from where Cid resided.He knew Rude would be all right on his own, and if not, they'd be sure to rush to his aid.He was exceptionally glad he hadn't needed to deal with Cloud's attitude as Reno had.And now ..they could come up with a plan with the new information they had gotten.But something caught his eye ..the gentlemen ahead with his arm in a sling.He didn't look like any normal swordsman ..and the blade on his back looked like something Cloud would use.

But instead of stopping to talk, Rufus merely glanced at him for just a moment before looking ahead again, letting him pass until the right time came.

The guys ..one with long hair, the other with red hair, and a cute girl with them ..and that guy in white was no doubt the boss. with Nero coming to the realization that these guys knew something ..they looked professional enough.He stopped, oddly enough at the same time Rufus did."Hey ..you know something about this, don't you?" he asked the leader of the Turks, looking back towards them."I'm here to do some good ..if you know anything, tell me."

"..Likely story.."Rufus responded, eyes meeting the youth's.Reno and Elena looked unsettled, but Tseng remained calm but careful around him.Now, without the cast on the sling being a factor, this guy could be helpful if his head was in the right place.But as for skill, that would be hard to see at the very moment."..Are you really willing to help these people out?"

"..I just said I was here to do good, didn't I?" Nero questioned, wondering if the guy was deaf.Clearly he had just explained he was here to help. Was he really that suspicious and quiet? Or maybe he was blind ..then again, Nero didn't consider himself much of a hero anyway, so it worked in the end.

"I heard you ..but I want to hear you mean it.I won't deal with those who only help when its of value to them, and not to others .." Rufus explained, clearly meaning Cloud only helped out those at home when it mattered to him.And now, all he cared about was material things ..his reason for helping the murderers was completely unfounded.What was that fool thinking? And here the original bad man was trying to help people.Seemed like the roles he had with Cloud were reversed.

He'd be the hero ..and Cloud would be the one in the wrong.

...

Well, his reason was reasonable enough.Nero couldn't help but try and prove it to him. "..You've got my word on this ..I'll defeat the people who did this, even if it costs my own life ..but I won't lose, trust me on this." he told Rufus, as Rufus himself nodded.

"We'll see then ..my name is--"

"Whoa whoa whoa there ..I wouldn't give that information out just yet ..you've got a few spies following you, you know." it took a while to find out if they were human or not, but Nero recognized them as bad creatures, clearly there to listen in.If they wanted to ambush the group they'd have done so long ago."I think it would be smart if we take this conversation elsewhere, know what I mean?"

Rufus had a feeling they weren't alone, but due to this young mans senses it proved correct.He'd be helpful for certain ...but opinions were needed first.He raised a finger towards Nero so he'd wait just one moment, and with the silver haired man nodding in response, Rufus gathered his Turks around."While its ultimately my call, I want your opinions on this ..Elena, you start."

"Well ..he can feel things we can't, and he comes off a little cocky ..I think we should take his help, especially since Cloud is out of the picture." Elena went on to explain.Not to mention the guy looked handsome and strong ..that attitude of his was very attractive to her as well.He was almost like Reno in a sense, only there was more 'giant blade' carrying going on.With her opinion out there, she looked to Tseng for his opinion.

"Well, I don't think we've got much at all to use ..he seems genuine enough, and like Elena said, without Cloud we'll need someone like him to get jobs done faster..and this guy could be the one--"

"But what if he IS just another Cloud?..some guy who was in a special military program, but becomes an idiotic ****** in the end?" Reno protested, not feeling Nero was the wise choice when it came to moods ..but now that he thought about it, he'd probably be better than Cloud was anyway."..On second thought, lets give him a shot." he insisted, thinking that this guy was better than nothing ..or Cloud, anyway.With their opinions given, everyone looked towards Rufus.

"Good answers ..its settled .." Rufus moved out of the gathering and looked off towards the mysterious youth, reaching the decision.

"Well?"

"We've decided to give you a chance ..but you've got to prove your skill to me first."

"That it?...Heh, whenever your ready.."

Rufus whispered to the Turks in silence before walking off, motioning for Nero to follow as he headed to a suitable testing site.

 

Luxord listend to Xigbar said it wasnt much help it would have been helpfull if the organization knew more about the two. Then Gambler thought it was an good plan to check an bar cause that mortals normally did drink themselves to death when they are depressed. "dear free shooter let us make hast to an pleasant bar to look for the two mortals there so we can use our importent time proficianitly" Luxord said to Xigbar.

Xeol quitly went back into the shadows avoiding Sora. "why do i always run into that guy" the fog wielder said to himself. Xeol looked around trying to find the two mortals and his two companions. After an while he came across an house he heard people talking so he decided to stay in the shadows as he kept watch. "so someone died" the fog wielder said to himself from the little bit he heard.

 

Tifa looked around, then went back to Rude, frowning slightly. "Xion isn't here...I'm going to go find her. I'm supposed to look after her now, and she's who knows where..." drifting off in thought, Tifa stared at the wall, her eyes distant.

 

Making a quick attempt to stop her, Rude spun around with Aerith still limp in his hands, and then shook his head."But you can't go out alone just yet, can you?" he handed Aerith's corpse towards Cid, not giving the man the chance to refuse it anyway.His sugar muffin came first right now."I don't think that's a smart idea ..I have faith in your abilities, but going alone ..?"

 

Tifa's eyes focused on Rude, and she smiled. "I've seen worse." she murmured softly. "I'll be fine. Unless you want to come?" She let the invitation hang there. "You can go back to the Turks too. I just have to go find her and bring her back."

 

...

Work.Tifa.Work.Dinner.Work.Hotel.Work.Bedtime adventure.Work.Relationship.

What could he choose!?

Awkwardly, Rude straightened his suit up carefully and cleared his throat."...You have a phone, right?"

 

Larxene winced, feeling Xemnas' tight grasp on her collar as she was pulled towards the altar. Great, now they were being taken to be killed. She glanced up at Axel, glaring with all her might without actually lunging at him. How dare he call her a traitorous shrew. How dare that ginger haired, good-for-nothing piece of rubbish.
They had all assumed that she had been a traitor, a deciever, but those complete idiots had no idea of what happened. Or, to be precise, what didn't happen. She did. Not. Betray. Them.
Slowly, the Nymph felt her anger rising towards dangerous levels; first, lies were being concocted in her fellow members minds. Next, she was being insulted in one of the most pathetic ways possible, and to top it off, she was being man-handled. Someone was actually making physical contact, and physically removing her when she did not wish to be touched or moved in any way, shape or form whatsoever.
"I flirted with Luxord once." They Nymph growled in a low tone. "..And that was only in order to get my own way. That idiot was foolish enough to fall for it." Her breathing was heavy, and getting faster. The more she held her irritation in, the more static seeped into the air like a poisonous gas. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up like pins on edge. "I do not flirt with Demyx. And as for 'the other guys', you wouldn't know what the hell I've been doing because you're too busy running around and giving us away to the vast majority of Hollow Bastion!" More snaps became present in the air surrounding Larxene, followed by the sound of a quick inhale of air in an attempt to calm herself down. It was not working, the only use that taking breaths in was slowing her shortening fuse down by a mere fraction.
With a composed expression, Larxene still kept eye-contact with the fire mage. "Even if I had flirted to get my own way, pulled a few strings to my own advantage, Why the HELL would you give damn!?" With a shake of her head, still furious from the various events, her mind was racing faster than her body could ever move. It seemed like, as she was the only female, every man had to take a fucking liking to her. Every man made her look like she was flirting, and every man wanted to be in her fucking ing jeans.
"What are you? fucking Jealous!?" Wish another low hiss, more static built in the air, lining it thick with humid static, snapping and crackling with the slightest move made.

 

Tifa nodded, her eyes curious. "Do you want the number?" she asked guardedly, thinking. That was usually reserved for only members of the old Avalanche, and Leon, but she didn't see the harm in letting Rude have it.

 

I ..am going to be the luckiest man alive, right now..

Slowly, Rude nodded as he pulled out his own phone, waiting for her to give him that sweet number of hers.Though he didn't want to lay anything on thick."..Yes, if you ever want me, you can reach me easier this way ...and ... I need you, I'll just call for you.." he nodded.

'Need' was thick ..and he was certain that sentence came out the wrong way.

 

Tifa smiled, then gave him the number. "I'll just be one phone call away." she murmured slipping her gloves off and putting them in her pocket. "If you need me, or I need you, we'll call." she nodded, then turned to leave, her mind already set on the misson.

 

"Right ..farewell, my beautiful--" Rude cut himself short and bit his lip, not wanting her to think of him as a big sob.But he was sure to watch her walk out first ..for ..memorization reasons ..yeah ..so totally not checking her out ..

When she finally got out, he tip-toed after her, watching more.He didn't know if he'd see her again so soon, as work was hectic.So he wanted to make this image last.

 

Using all his strength, the superior threw the two delinquents across the room. The sounds of their bodies ricocheting off the cold ground echoed through the ivory walls, trapped as if they were spectators for the event about to unfold.

Xemnas paced, unable to think of the words he needed to say. They both failed him miserably, beyond miserably. Such failures weren't worth the air they breathed.

Holding a hand to his head, pushing his bangs back, the nobody was finally composed.

"Do you two... realize... how disappointing you two have been?"

 

Tifa walked down the street, then glanced back, a small smile on her lips. She shook her head, then turned, heading down one ruined street, then other, thinking hard. Where woudl Xion be? Her brown eyes thoughtful, she walked down another alley.

 

Xeol watched the two depart he even had an good look at Tifa she was indeed hot. The fog wielder wonderd if Cloude and Leon was there he wanted to know and his curiosity was telling him to do it. Xeol clossed his eyes turning into fog and stayed very low to the ground as he silently made his way to the door. The fog wielder looked at the crack wondering if it was not blocked off "o well never knew till you try" he said to himself silently while he was fog.

 

Cloud was taken a back, but knew Leon spoke the truth for the most part, but he still didn't think his friend Demyx was evil, misunderstood then anything and forced to doings aganist his nature, but not evil. " If there is anything I learned from my trainning long ago it was to fight hard and strong, but also learn to reason with the opposition if he or she is willing to reason." He stopped pacing and folded his arms, his blue eyes glancing in different directions. "Also Aerith and Tifa both showed me kindness, believed in me and always saw the light in me so I'm willing to do the same for my friend. I know he is a nobody, I know he would never betray the organization for his own surivial depends on that and who can blame him, but that doesn't mean we can't still be friends and allies. I'm also keeping a promise Leon, a promise I tend to never break. Zack told me to watch over Demyx as his friend and guide him as well as help out Xion. I don't care what the others say like Reno and the rest of the Turks or you even thinking what I'm doing is evil and corrupt, I will not just toss that away. These orders came from Zack himself and he's the only one that ever believed in me so I will do what it takes to keep his wishes."

Xigbar placed his hood over his head and instucted Luxord too, for he didn't want to call attention to himself for to long. "Luxord, I'll be back I have to check on something." There were people still running where there were muddy areas towards the hills trying to get away from all that had happened earlier. Leaping onto a roof top, he bounded to the other rooftops overlooking the town until he came to the outskirts of the town. Glancing towards the east, he heard the sound of water coming down a mountainside. Was Demyx still in the area? Disappearing he decided to check out the commotion. Appearing where the nocturne had been previously, he smirked when he saw no number IX, but a huge wave that was cascading down the moutainside, and heading towards the valley. "Oh I get it. When the boss was here, he was talking to him, but the boy still held his second wave like he was ready to use it for something, but then he disappeared and said he would be back, but that meant if the wielder was gone, the wave was free to run it's course in the general direction it was facing. So like nature indended, its heading back to the town for another hit and this time by the force and size of it , the town will become a underwater region. "I'll just let the wave do it's job for me and Cloud and Leon will have to come out sooner or later," he laughed.

Demyx had never seen Larxene's power errupt so much tension and static in the area and it was not good for his own element, for water was a conductor and would cause great bodily harm to him. Again he struggled to be free, and rubbed his face where Axel had smacked him. He was fearful, but upset at the same time. Swinging his arm back he tried to return the favor to where Axel had hit him. "Don't... tell me what to do Axel. You don't own my soul, you're not the one who created me. You have your own faults too all right? You're not perfect. What I do is of no concern to you. I have reasons for what I do, and I know for a fact you would never destroy me, for if you tried I promise I will extinguish you permentely for you know my power is a great threat and the only thing that can get rid of fire. I may not be a strong fighter like you, but my element sure makes up for it and you know it!" He pointed at him and brought his hand back where it hung helplessly. They had reached the Altar of Naught, where his body was flung like a rag doll forwards, and landing harshly on the ground with such force, the impact nearly knocked the wind out of the water wielder. Gasping, he lay there unable to move, his nerves searing with pain, his tears staining the ground, blood and his element leaking from his mouth and hands onto the ground, where the pressure of the element had escaped through his gloved hands. The shape he was in was very questionable, but if he had been human he would have certainly had a concussion and be on crtical care right now. His strength and power of a nobody had helped him surivive this test and it was only going to get worse. Looking up, he coughed and tried to support his weight with his elbows that were shaking to answer the boss's question. "You didn't even give us a chance... *gasp* to explain ourselves. *cough* You just lost it and overeacted. You acted with anger something you... claim... you don't ... have."

 

Luxord got his hood up like Xigbar instructed he looked around seeing the people run around. "its still imposible for the Nocturn to be an cause of this unforseen chaos" The Gambler of Fate said to himself as he continued walking with the one eyed nobody. Luxord did hear water he already knew Demyx was getting punished even if the others did not see their superiors reasoning he did. When they got on the roof top he watched the wave the Gambler of Fate heard what Xigbar said he chuckled. "grand another sunken city of the bitter unforgiving waves of despair just like Atlantis" Luxord said to Xigbar. Then after an while he sighed "it would have been more favorible and effective to our cause and our destiny if the Nocturn did not open pandora's box in this sad unlucky town that lady luck seen fit to cause mayhem upon" Luxord said to the free shooter.

 

Once released form the grasp of her superior, Larxene's power was released into the atmosphere. A rumble of thunder errupted from the sky as she was thrown through the air, followed by white streaks of searingly hot lightening that smashed into the floor of the altar.
Following the crashing of her element, was the Nymph's small body. She slid for several meters, before stopping just a meter or so away from Demyx. Her lungs burned as she attempted to breathe, but the sharp pains in her left ribs were too much for her to actually take a deep breath.
A copper-like taste formed on the back of her tongue, amungst the confines of her throat. The more she attepted to breathe, the stronger the urge was to cough. She couldn't cough, for she knew that pain was soon to follow that action.
Nevertheless, she still had to find some way of clearing her airways.
Suddenly, Larxene leant forward, using all her energy that wasn't released already into one almighty cough, causing spats of blood to fly from her mouth and onto the floor below her. More followed, causing a small, crimson puddle on the floor between her hands.
She couldn't show a weakness such as this. Now now.

In one swift movement, the Nymph was on her feet. Her posture was bent slightly to her left side, but nothing too noticable. She wiped the corners of her mouth, and shook her head. In doing so, she blinked several times, attempting to make the white spots clear from her vision.
"Tell me, sir, how I have dissapointed you." She declared, looking up at the silver haired man before her. "I have not killed half the population of Hollow bastion, I have not flooded the town and blown our cover, and despite your suspiscions, I have not under any circumstances been a damn traitor to this organisation."

 

"Oh have I?" Xemnas asked mockingly.

So Demyx, suddenly you think your excuses would work? Maybe if they were the truth. We both know that is not the case. And you larxene, If you did not betray the organisation, why did you go around with that boy. More importantly, you COMPLETELY, completly ignored a direct order. Looking at your track record, you haven't assisted with the past three hearts we have needed. Do you even WANT your heart?"

 

Cid took Aerith's body and layed it on a bed. He nodded his head slowly understanding every word and placed a blanket over her face so no one would see the shape she was in. He could only imagine what Leon and Cloud would think and react when they saw her corpse.

Leon had never seen Cloud speak so forceful and he was not about to back down. He regarded Zack with the highest degree over anyone else, so if it was Zack's will, Cloud would follow it to a certain extent of course. Leon placed his hand to the back of his head, rubbing it gentely not sure how he was going to answer his determined friend. "I didn't say what you're doing is evil and corrupt. I can't fix this mess by myself. This is our home that the nobodies have ruined intentionally or not, shows how much of a threat they are to us. I just don't want you to get killed. I don't know what I would do if I lost you. We work so well together, we're both strong warriors and it would be a shame to lose you Cloud." Leon explained how he felt. He wasn't good at expressing his feelings, but he and Cloud and just lost Aerith and he couldn't bare losing another friend.

Axel was about ready to backhand her face when she and Demyx suddendly were thrown forcefully on the ground. He had a lot of words to say to the both of them for he was raging mad at what Larxene had shouted to him along with Demyx's bitter words of lashing out. Making his way towards the boss, he avoided him not wanting him to get smacked again and took one glare at Saix who held no expression and was standing there like a statue. He walked over in the direction of the two, and looked down at them, a smirk on his features at the condition they both were in. He couldn't tell who appeared to be worse off. Seeing Larxene had just gotten to her feet, he decided to address his underling whom seemed to be worse off since he had not risen and was barely supporting his upper body as he looked ready to collapse. Waiting a few moments for Xemnas to address the younger member, he spotted the blood dripping from his lips and onto the ground, but it wasn't thick instead it was watered down. Stepping over the mess, he grasped his hood and had the nocturne stare at his cruel, unforgiving eyes. " Shut up! I was sent to keep an eye on you or did you forget that? You have no right to yell at me for what you have done. I'm higher than you and you're supposed to obey me, underling! You were suppose to come back, but you didn't. No you just ended up locked in Larxene's room doing who knows what, you player." He gripped the hood tighter, his fire beginning to burn the leather cloak. "So you're going to extinguish me? Is that a challenge?" He brought him to his face and let go not caring if he hurt him or not. "Traitor. You screwing around will not go unpunished." He let him fall in his own blood and couldn't look at his sight anymore.

 

Xigbar took notice of Luxord's speech that made him shrug his shoulders. "Eh. He was just trying to prove himself in the Organization is all. He said no one told him what he was supposed to do with finding Gex and all so he took it upon himself to get the job done and went overboard a bit. Not bad if I say so myself, but at least he's trying and has the potenial you know?" His only mistake was that he should of asked the boss first," Xigbar saw that the wave was getting closer to the unsuspecting town that would blow everyone by surprise.

Cloud shook his head, feeling stressed out and he took a breath to calm himself, but Leon was accidently bringing up a something he didn't want to even think about. "I know how my friend feels for I feel the same way. I'am a threat to and always have been. Why do you think I chose to be myself all the time? So I wouldn't be bothered by anyone and have to worry about their troubles on top of my own. I know it's selfish, but it's just the way I am. I also don't want to hurt others and you know what I'm talking about, when I get possessed?" He bitterly exclaimed, his hands now clenched as he wiped his hand across his body. "Forget it. I'm just taking my anger out on you and it's not right. I just want to know that I can trust you no matter what I feel or tell you. I want you to promise me Leon, that I can depend on you and you won't judge me like Reno and the other turks. I want to know whether we're on the same page otherwise I'm going solo."

Demyx coughed being held by Axel and now dropped back down laying in his own blood overhearing Xemnas address him with such disdain that he couldn't let himself be silenced for now. "It is the truth! Everything I have ever done has always benfited the organization. So my ways are different then how you would think of them, but I'm still doing my part to help us become whole. You just don't want to believe that, but you won't admit that you're ever wrong! I can't ever please you no matter how hard I try. It's not fair!" He couldn't help what he had just said. His mind had snapped at what he was thinking and not to mention the impact did make him think a litte bit different. He didn't know what to say to Axel, ashamed and both upset at time the same time and the fire had burned him, making him weaker then before. Axel didn't give him a chance to respond, he wouldn't respond, he wouldn't want to feel the flames searing his cloak and flesh again. "I'm not a traitor," he spoke quietly doing his best to get up to his feet and failing miserably.