Cat and Mouse(Namine)

[marly]

A cloaked figure emerged from a swirling portal of darkness, his boots echoing as they hit the ground. His face was covered by a hood which masked the wearer's features with an impenetrable mask of shadows. The only thing that could identify this Nobody was the powerful scent that accompanied his presence. Marluxia took a moment to observe the area around him, certain that his prey was on this very planet.

The search for Namine had not taken as long as Marluxia had thought it would, it seemed that the little Nobody was not trying very hard to hide. He had summoned Dusk's to go out and search for the little flower, and with an almost endless supply of scouts they had been able to search every planet he thought of in a short matter of time. One of the last worlds searched, though Marluxia supposed it should have been one of the first, was Traverse Town. One of his Dusks reported back, reporting that it had spotted a young girl that fit the description of Namine.

Marluxia was glad to have been given this mission, to re-acquire Namine and bring her back to Castle Oblivion. Even if Xemnas had not ordered Marluxia to do such a thing, the Graceful Assassin would consider doing it simply for the sake of capturing Namine. How he longed to make her pay for what she had cost him. He never had any intention of killing her, but Namine's future was anything but a happy one.

The first place Marluxia checked was the old house, he had heard that it was used as a base back when Traverse Town was a more popular place. With the return of Hollow Bastion, or Radiant Garden to be more exact, Traverse Town had lost a large amount of its populace. The occasional person settled down on the world, but for the most part it had lost its former glory. As Marluxia walked through the house he noticed that some things had been recently disturbed, and that though there was a layer of dust in some places, it had been cleaned in others.

Did Namine use this house when she stayed in Traverse Town? Or had it been used by someone else that Marluxia could care less about at this point? He crossed his arms in contemplation, had Namine already left this planet? He would not give up so easily, he wished to have Namine in his grasp as soon as possible. From the beginning of Marluxia's search he knew that he would have to be patient, Namine wasn't powerful by combat standards, but she was a slippery one indeed.

[namine]

Just outside the small house that was being thoroughly investigated, a slight, slender figure had turned into the quiet back street. Almost sleepily, she passed by the crowded little buildings on one side, and watched her reflection in the stream besides her mirror her walk. As oddly pretty she found the quaint stream in such an uncommon place, there was something preventing her from appreciating it as much as she usually might have. A faint, foreboding sensation that churned in the pit of her stomach.

Uneasily, the girl's eyes flickered up examine the end of the street. A few cardboard boxes was all she saw, casting shadows under the lanterns. Nothing really menacing. There was no breeze either. That was why she had chosen to come here at first. It was warm and peaceful and abandoned, so the Nobody could slip into the surroundings unnoticed without disturbing anyone. The Restoration Committee no longer resided in this area either, which meant Sora would be less likely to visit. And there was less of a chance that she would remind him of...

She shook her head. But still, it was almost too silent. It had felt like someone was watching her earlier, and ever since then she couldn't shake off her uneasiness. Maybe she was just paranoid. She'd been wandering the worlds alone for too long.

The blonde made her way to the vacant house that she'd chosen as her destination. She had been treading the streets of Traverse Town, redirecting lost-looking passersby to those they could seek help from. An unconscious attempt to redeem herself, maybe. Originally, her plan had been to retreat to the familiarity of Twilight Town after she was done here, but as night wore on, her limbs began to slow and her eyes became half-lidded She didn't think she would be able to pass through a Dark Corridor as quickly as she otherwise would have.

The vacant house Leon and company had once stayed in was only a few feet away from her. There was an empty bed there, she recalled, from Sora's memories. Really, who would notice if she crept in and fell asleep just for one night? She would make the bed again so it looked untouched, and be gone by morning.

Pausing at the foot of the door, that odd sinking feeling invaded her insides again. She waited a moment, staring at the solid wood surface that hid whatever might be lurking inside. Maybe... it would be better for her to go back to Twilight Town. She looked away, a dark swirl forming at her fingertips as she raised her hand to make a portal...

Then disappeared again as her eyelids slid shut. Instead, she turned back to the door and softly pushed it open, sealing her fate.

[marly]

Marluxia raised his eyebrow slightly as he heard the door creaking quietly, who could it be? He vanished into the shadows, the black cloak that he wore hiding him in the darkness easily. His hiding spot wouldn't last for very long if someone closely studied the corner that he was standing in, though Marluxia wasn't scared enough of anyone who could be on this world to be even slightly worried about that.

He waited there for a few moments, waiting to see who it was. Though Marluxia had a small idea, he could sense the presence of a Nobody now, and his mouth practically watered in anticipation. Would Namine come to him so easily? Would this particular objective be completely without the lifting of a finger? Marluxia couldn't imagine things being as convenient as they seemed to be now. Though he was certain that Namine would give up a small fight, Marluxia was also completely confident that he could capture the little flower without much of a problem.

Marluxia almost grinned to himself as Namine stepped into the house, but suppressed the urge. Emotional displays were pointless until he once again had his heart, and until he had that he wouldn't bother with such trivial displays. Marluxia decided to make the most of this situation and summoned a dark portal behind him, stepping back into it and reappearing behind the young Nobody. He still wore his hood, he intended on letting the terror in Namine reach its peak before he revealed himself, which would certainly instill even more horror in her.

"Namine, long have you escaped the clutches of the Organization, but finally its grasp has once again found you. I hope you are ready to feel the confines of Castle Oblivion..." Marluxia made a dramatic pause in his speech to reach up and pull the hood off of his head, small flower petals falling to ground as he performed the action. "Because I will personally ensure that you never again see outside of those walls, my little flower..."

[namine]

The door was shut with the smallest of clicks. Tired eyes did a quick sweep of the house's interior, barely skimming the subtle shine of black leather with their vision, but mistaking it for a metal coat rack or something kept in the corner of the room. Naminé raised her knuckles to rub at her eyes, murmuring some inaudible complaint about the unfairness of Nobodies still needing to sleep.

A moment later, she was making her way towards the comfortable looking bed on the side of the room, about ready to sink into it. However, as she turned her back, the hairs on the nape of her neck prickled upwards. She paused mid-step, suddenly very aware of eyes boring into her. Her thoughts raced too fast for her to concentrate. Someone was here, watching her. Possibly waiting for her. She had to do something, but what? If she turned too quickly they would know she'd found them out, and they'd probably give chase. Oh, why hadn't she just gone to Twilight Town?

Before she could turn back calmly and walk out the door, a vague swoosh sound was heard. And then again, much louder, opening up fully behind her. She knew what that sound meant. She found herself rooted to the floor, her skin becoming pale and chilled as the swish of a cloak and the landing of boots stopped behind her. She could feel the sheer menace emanating from the being behind her.

When an obscure, deep voice filled her ears, Naminé was unable to suppress a shudder. All of her fears had been confirmed. After everything that had happened, after so much effort trying to evade the Organization- she had walked right back into their clutches. Each sentence strung by the member behind her sent a stab right through Naminé's chest.

"I hope you are ready to feel the confines of Castle Oblivion..."

No... not there. Not that place again.

'I've been alone for so long...'

Memories of endless white flashed before her. She was finding it difficult to breathe. Then she heard the slip of material and a scatter of pink petals fell before her widened eyes. Her words turned to ash in her mouth.

"Because I will personally ensure that you never again see outside of those walls, my little flower..."

Alarm bells went off inside her head.

No, no, please... not...

'He said he'd keep me locked away in this castle forever if I didn't obey.'[/i]

Without warning, Naminé propelled herself to move forwards and without even glancing up at the man, she rounded him and dashed towards the door.

[marly]

Marluxia did nothing as Namine bolted past him, partly because the sudden action truly surprised him, and also partly because he really wished to chase Namine. He wanted the horror to mount its full potential, for her to realize how futile it was to try and escape him. She would not even be able to escape through a dark portal, because he could simply chase her through it and capture her anyways. There would be no help for her, and Marluxia knew she would soon be hopeless.

He turned around and practically glided after Namine, allowing her to keep just a little bit ahead of him. No one in this world could protect her from him, no hero strong enough to defend and save her. Marluxia knew that the champions that formerly inhabited this place were now long gone, preferring the glories of Radiant Garden to the feeling of aimlessness that the streets of Traverse Town almost oozed. Only the homeless found a home here, and the homeless population was at an all time low.

"Come, Namine. Do you really think you can escape me now? That you still have a chance? You were doomed the moment I stepped foot on this world. Your flight is futile, and your fate is sealed." Marluxia knew that Namine would run, even as he yelled after her, spelling out her doom, she would flee. He understood why, she would be his prisoner once more, and her last stay at Castle Oblivion would look like a child's game compared to the one that she faced now.

Marluxia was good at making someones life a living hell.

"Run my little flower, go as far as your little legs will take you. Simply know that I will dog your heels every step of the way, that you will receive no reprieve from my chase, and do not doubt for a moment that I will enjoy every last moment of it." When Marluxia finished speaking he laughed, a cold, unfeeling, haunting laugh. It echoed through the streets of Traverse Town, and anyone who heard it felt a chill spread through their spine. No, Namine will not have to worry about anyone dieing to protect her, they would be to busy fleeing for their life.

[namine]

Marluxia.

How long had it been since she'd thought she'd seen the last of him? When Sora had promised to take care of him and assured her that the Graceful Assassin would never lay a finger on her again? It had felt like a pressure had dissipated then. Her smiles had come to her much easier. But now... petals danced tantalizingly before her vision. She could almost smell the overpowering sickly sweet fragrance, with a heavy gloved hand gripping her in place until the poison seeped into her senses. The mere thought of it made her sick.

She would not be made to live again like an emotionless doll in a glass case. She wouldn't go back to Castle Oblivion with him. She wouldn't.

So she ran.

Naminé almost slipped on the ground that was slick from the water outside as she burst through the door, but somehow, she managed to instead skid across and regain her balance before she all but slammed into the Second District entrance. She didn't need to look behind her- she knew Marluxia would pursue. What else had she to do, but flee? His taunts boomed throughout the area as she pressed on.

As desperately as she tried, she could not block out the words that infiltrated her head. He had a point. She was helpless against him- she knew no one here, those she had befriended had already left. Very soon she would run out of ground and he would catch up.

Like he always does, she thought mournfully, but I can't let that happen.

Again, Marluxia's voice rung out from behind, sharply reminding her that he was simply toying with her for the moment. She cringed at the title 'my little flower', as though she belonged to him. She was not one of his possessions!

So consumed in her fear of the one chasing her, she had not thought of what other dangers might be lying in wait. The echo of her footsteps halted abruptly. Short ant-like Shadow Heartlesses sprouted from the ground in front of her, followed by helmeted Soldiers in a burst of dark bubbles. Naminé breathed rapidly, searching for a way around the creatures, but the Heartless seemed to sense this and began hopping from side to side until they spanned all paths and barred every escape.

Glaring helplessly, she counted to three under her breath and made to charge straight through them. A flurry of claws made to swipe at her arms and back, but she was nimble enough to dodge most. A few however, still left deep scrapes on her arm, making her stumble and gasp at the intensity of the sudden pain. She blinked back the water in her eyes and pressed on though, clutching her injury. It was better than being in his grasp.

[marly]

Marluxia immensely enjoyed watching Namine flee from him, staying barely out of his reach only because he allowed her to. This was a simple game to the Graceful Assassin, one that he had not been able to play in a very long time, though that did not make him rusty. No, Marluxia always kept his terrifying edge, was always ready to play on others fears and doubts. Namine made it so easy because she was afraid of him, because she let him scare her, let him make her feel helpless when she was in his grasp.

He missed having Namine as his prisoner, missed the power that she gave him over her. She could never stand up to Marluxia, not on her own, and she would be alone in Castle Oblivion, with no one to keep her safe. "How long has it been since you were freed, Namine? Have you not missed our company? Did Larxene not make your stay warm enough for you? Were things unpleasant somehow?" Marluxia's haunting laugh once again echoed throughout the streets as he spoke.

Marluxia entered the doorway that Namine had run through a moment before, watching as she dashed off again. He continued his pursuit, feeling the presence of Heartless up ahead. Would they attempt to steal the heart that Marluxia was slowly paralyzing with terror? Were they trying to take his little flower before he could whisk her away, back to the blindingly white walls of Castle Oblivion? His thoughts were short-lived, for Namine managed to slip by the Heartless with only a few scrapes on her.

Marluxia approached the Heartless quickly, watching as the pathetic creatures turned to face him, how stupid they were. He raised his arm and summoned his weapon to his hand, grasping the Graceful Dahlia as it appeared. He lifted the scythe, preparing to destroy the Heartless in one swipe. He drove the weapon down in a wide arc, leaving a trail of dissipating darkness as it passed through the Heartless. "Death becomes your kind." If Marluxia pretended to have a heart, his words would be dripping with the disgust that he felt for the creatures of darkness.

Marluxia kept his grip on the scythe, keeping the weapon so that if Namine looked back at him, she would possibly fear even more for herself. But Marluxia wouldn't hurt Namine, at least not using the scythe. He wanted Namine to survive her pain, not die from it. Because of the Heartless distraction, Marluxia was beginning to catch up with the little Nobody without even trying. If he wanted to, he could instantly end the chase, but he was enjoying it far to much to simply end it like that. "Come, Namine, embrace eternity!"

[namine]

The girl resisted the urge to throw her hands up over her ears only because of the pain. She just wanted him to stop speaking. To stop chasing her and stop reminding her. The mention of Larxene only caused her to clutch her wounded arm tighter, visions of a slim-coated woman striking her with kunai just as sharp as the Heartless that had attacked her moments ago, laughing that high-pitched giggle that hurt her ears. An involuntary whimper tripped from her lips at the memory.

The sleep that had earlier pervaded Naminé's senses had completely evaporated now. Her mind was fully alert, and the adrenaline had given her the burst of energy needed to run this far. However, she was already physically exhausted from a full day of helping people about the town and the heartless attack. With no rest in between running, the situation was really taking a toll on her body.

After sprinting as best as she could up a set of stairs and through the remainder of the Second District, her legs began to slow against her will. She couldn't continue like this. Marluxia would catch up eventually. Her eyes darted about the place frantically, in search of something- anything- that could aid her, but nothing came into view. Not a soul could be seen passing the neon-lit shops, partially because it was so late, and partly due to Marluxia's presence. It felt as though the world had abandoned her to the madman at her heels. Did no one want her?

She kept looking out onto the streets for a familiar face, but could find none. Her stomach did a sickening flip. Marluxia was going to take her back to that prison- where she would be alone again. So utterly alone. Her only human contact would be with that scythe-wielding manipulator and she didn't want his company. She didn't want his gloved fingers crushing her feebler ones to force a crayon across a paper filled with lies. She didn't want his low-voiced commands laced with threats, too close to the shell of her ear.

She wanted to be free.

But she could hear the distant swipe of his scythe, representing the end of her time living; the reaper that wielded it ready to turn her into a captive of Oblivion.

Eventually she came across a large cathedral-like building. The Gizmo Shop! There were plenty of places to hide in there. Maybe she could confuse him for awhile and escape through a portal. Pushing the doors open forcefully with her free hand, she entered and blinked at the brightness of the interior. Candy-pinks and yellows and blues blinded her temporarily. However, with her white dress, yellow hair and powder blue sandals- it would be easier to blend in. Walking sluggishly inwards, she hid behind one of the larger clock-wheels. Hopefully, the noise made by the constant turning would mask her shallow breaths. She slid to her knees, and closed her eyes, trying to think of peaceful times.

[marly]

Marluxia knew that this chase could not go on much longer. Hopelessness paired with exhaustion, and the fact that Namine was now wounded, could only spell out her defeat in this ordeal. The little Nobody had put up a chase, had kept ahead of a half-trying Marluxia, though he could have made the chase ended much quicker if he had wanted. But he wanted no such thing. He continued to dog Namine's steps, to be only a small ways away.

He watched as she flew through the streets, apparently trying to find someone to take her in, to protect her. Was Namine so daft? Did she believe that anyone was here that could truly save her from the Graceful Assassin? Anyone that would not fall to one swoop of his fell scythe? He almost scoffed at the idea, it was naive of her to think anything of the like. Few could save Namine from Marluxia, and none of them were on this world. What was Namine fighting for? What kept her running? Her wish for freedom? Had she not had enough of that yet?

"What do you run for, Namine? You are hopeless, no one here can save you. The only way you could avoid my grasp is if you throw yourself at the Heartless, and even then I would be there, saving you from death but trapping you for eternity. Why not give up, my little flower?" Marluxia laughed again, he knew that Namine would not give up, but he could see her steps slowing. Her hope was running out, there was no way for her to escape. She had no recourse.

Or so Marluxia had thought a moment later. He changed his mind when he noticed Namine entering the Gizmo Shop, which would certainly make things more interesting. Would she try to lose him through the winding gears, and then escape? Even if she made such an attempt and succeeded, Marluxia would be right behind her. She could not get away from him, not for very long at least. Her time was at hand, and Marluxia had come to collect.

Marluxia stepped into the Gizmo Shop, knowing that Namine would have had time to hide for a few moments now. He enjoyed the opportunity that this presented though, he would get to search for Namine while she sat in one spot, terrified of being found. It would make things all the sweeter when she inevitably shrieked as he found her, finally putting an end to this chase. He walked through the Gizmo Shop, his eyes wandering everywhere, searching for a hiding spot that Namine might be occupying.

"Hide as long as you want, Namine. It will do nothing but buy you a small amount of time. Enjoy your freedom while it lasts, because it is coming to an end. Do not worry though, you will have plenty to do once you are back inside Castle Oblivion, you won't even notice the passing of time. You'll be far too busy recreating memories..." Marluxia let out another laugh, and though one would think that the grinding of gears would diminish its effects, it carried on as if the other sounds did not exist.

[namine]

The torturing calls that followed her appeared to be ceaseless, but they served to drive her forwards. She could only answer Marluxia in her head.

I run because you leave me no choice. I refuse to give up because that would mean giving up the little happiness I have left.

Naive as it was to hope for someone to save her, Naminé could not help but let her thoughts slide to those who she had counted on in the past. Riku, Sora... as foolish as it was, she could not help but cling to the hope that one of them might be wandering the town. How selfish she was. How weak and cowardly. Here she sat, quiet as a mouse in hiding from the one prowling the Second District in search of her, but she could not for the life of her bear to face him.

I'm... scared.

She had been so afraid of him when she was younger. When she'd first laid her large blue eyes upon his towering frame and cruel smile. The top of her head had only reached his waist then. She always had to look up to see him, but so terrified she had been that she might evoke some vicious reaction from her captor, her gaze never seemed to leave the floor. So much time had passed and still she did not dare to look back at the one tailing her movements.

The tap of his boots against the floor met her ears amongst the slow spiralling cogwheels. The girl clasped her mouth with the hand connected to the arm that was not wounded to muffle any sound that might give away her position. That didn't stop the sound made by him though. Even though he didn't know where she was, Marluxia's voice was directed at Naminé and it made him feel uncomfortably close by. Her eyes squeezed shut at his words, a shiver running down her spine at the sheer confidence in his voice at what he saw as her inevitable re-capture.

The phrase 'recreating memories' struck a chord within her hollow chest. Her eyes sprung open once more. So they were planning to use her to manipulate Sora again.

Sora... after everything that happened, he was still able to forgive me so easily.

To be alone again was terrifying, to think of what Marluxia might do to her even more so. But she could never forgive herself if she hurt Sora. Even if that meant her eternal confinement.

As footsteps echoed further and further into the room, Naminé could feel the heat from running expel from her face and she felt slightly feverish. The pastel colours on the wall began to whirl before her. She couldn't even shake her head to rid the dizziness in fear the movement of her hair would catch her pursuer's attention. She held her breath when the footsteps became even more prominent.

A shadow passed over her.

Agonizingly, she waited for his leisurely steps to fade. She had to think of some place to flee to, some place safe, where he wouldn't be able to come after her. But oh, did such a sanctuary even exist? Where in the worlds could she run to from someone so intent on dragging her back to that horrible place?

[marly]

Marluxia knew that the moment was at hand, that Namine would be in his firm grasp once again, it would only be a matter of moments. He looked into every hole, looked past every grinding gear, searching every possible hiding place that Namine could be in. It consumed time, yes, but it would also instill terror into Namine. Terror, that Marluxia believed would paralyze her. Where else would Namine go? She had trapped herself in this place of gears and levers, confined herself in the colors and wonders of the room. Namine had sealed her fate in this room, just as easily as she could have sealed her fate in any other room that she could have entered in this world.

It made no difference where Namine hid, because Marluxia would always find her.

"You've not made a sound, Namine. Not even a single peep. My pride for you is overwhelming, even in your extreme terror you remain silent. How difficult that must be, when you think about how alone you are, how no one can save you now. Why feed the fear that you have, Namine? Why not simply allow it to end?" The more Marluxia talked, the more Namine's harsh reality would come crashing down onto her. There was no hero this time, no one to save her. Namine was truly alone, alone with the Graceful Assasin.

Marluxia dismissed his scythe, if he found Namine in a small nook in the Gizmo Shop, it would do nothing for him aside from getting in the way. He chuckled to himself, simply to disturb Namine, wherever she was hiding. What would his little flower think about the goal that Organization XIII had in mind for her? Would she refuse to tamper with Sora's memories again? Or would she pretend to do it, and attempt to save Sora? Marluxia thought about it, using Namine could be dangerous. The small Nobody seemed to be a bit selfless, and she had the power to, if not restore, rewrite Sora's memories of Castle Oblivion. But that did not matter, Marluxia was not in charge of the experiments on Sora's mind, Vexen was. And if Vexen took the fall... Well, Marluxia wouldn't entirely mind that outcome, so long as he came out alive.

After a few more moments of looking around, Marluxia caught something out of the corner of his eye, a flash of white. Could it be Namine? Was she merely sitting wherever she was, or was she now attempting escape? Marluxia did not really care, either way he would catch her. Even if he failed to repossess her on this world, he would find her on the next, steal her away from the clutches of her very friends if he had to, Marluxia was not afraid to do so. He made no sudden movements, made it appear that he had not found Namine yet, slowly walking towards the small flash of white he had noticed, thinking that Namine's time would soon be at hand. Marluxia looked forward to the girls screams, assuming that Namine would scream.

Marluxia finally stopped, looking into the little hiding spot that Namine had picked out. "I have found you, once more, my little flower." Marluxia made no movement to catch Namine, to take her out of her hiding spot. He gave her time to allow the terror to completely sink in, for her to realize that there was no escape, there was no hero, and that she would not have a happy ending. He reached out his hand, giving Namine a chance to simply come with him. "Now take my hand, or Sora will die."

[namine]

(*armflails* I'm so sorry about the long wait. Things have been kinda hectic lately. That or my inner-Naminé was avoiding capture. ^-^')

"My pride for you is overwhelming."

The words were something that might have come from a father to their daughter, or a teacher to their favourite pupil, but from Marluxia's lips the phrase became distorted and cold. It more resembled a puppeteer applauding the doll that hung limply beneath the strings attached to his fingers, an unwilling participant in his dark performances. Marluxia's 'little flower' wished to cut all strings tying her to this cruel master. Puppets can't speak. Likewise, she answered him voicelessly. Because the fear can never end. Not with you around. He would make sure that she always remained silent, that she always remained alone, and he would most definitely make sure no one would save her this time.

She shivered at his laugh. It was too intimate, too close. The sound appeared to mock her helplessness, but what could she do but press her lips together? As Marluxia's footsteps drew closer, Naminé knew she only had a short amount of time before the Graceful Assassin would come across her hiding place. If she wanted to make a portal it would have to be swift and quiet. But where could she go? Surely Marluxia would hear the dark riff and eventually follow her through. She needed instant sanctuary whichever world she sprung up on or else he'd grab hold of her before she'd even have the chance to get to safety.

She could go to Olympus. The Coliseum was always teeming with fighters. She could lose him amongst the crowds... but he could always lie in wait for her, until the arena filtered and every hero went home to catch up on some well earned rest. Then he would saunter in and again her life would be devoid of colour.

Her shaking hand rose to create the dark opening and her thoughts raced to find a secure world to flee to. Of course there were those she could locate easily if she focused on the ties to their hearts. It would be so easy to drop herself into a pitiful heap in front of Sora or Riku and plea for their help. Sora would protect her, she knew, with only the shadow of a doubt- and she would be safe with him.

Her fingers spread, the portal widening at the thought of those kind eyes and that expressive grin, so welcoming and safe. Unlike the lifeless, threatening glances of those at Castle Oblivion. It would be so easy...

Closer the footsteps came, the swirling portal paused to a stop. Walk past, walk past, walk past, her mind urged Marluxia. She felt like her head was about to explode from the tension. By the time a shadow loomed over her she was shaking entirely.

She screamed when Marluxia's face came into view, attempting to launch herself back, but ended up simply flattening herself as best as she could against the wall behind her. For the first time she looked directly into his eyes, sheer terror gripping her. That was it. He'd caught her. She could make a portal now but there was near to no chance of her escaping to somewhere safe in time.

Sora.

The large gloved hand lowered towards her and Naminé recoiled, thinking it was about to snatch her up. When it didn't, she looked back into those sharp blue crystals that were Marluxia's eyes. She heard his words, and her imaginary heart sank. He threatened to kill Sora if she didn't obey. That was over a million times worse than the threat of keeping her locked away forever. Her form slackened as the choice thrown down at her weighed heavily on her fragile shoulders. She pictured herself flung back into her cage at Castle Oblivion, utterly alone except for the haunting peals of Larxene's laughter, taunting and taunting her for the rest of her days. And then she pictured Sora laughing instead, with his friends, with an oblivious smile.

Her hand dropped onto her lap, the small portal made earlier diminishing. Her head bowed, she rose silently- but she did not take Marluxia's hand. Even through her shivering, she made sure her voice was soft and clear.

"I'll come with you- but it doesn't matter what you do to me. I won't hurt Sora."

She knew that truly, no matter what she did, the Organization would somehow bring Sora back into the chaos of their plans. But if she went quietly, maybe she could buy him a little more time.

[marly]

Marluxia relished Namine's scream when she saw him, looking into her eyes with his own cobalt colored orbs. She had no chance now, the little hope that she did was gone. The portal that she had been attempting to silently make was fading away, she knew that she could not continue to run away from him, not now. He was the specter of her doom, a doom that was not death, but a life trapped inside the pale walls of Castle Oblivion, walls that would eagerly swallow her back. He lowered his hand as Namine said she would come with him, that she would not hurt Sora. She would have no choice, but Marluxia did not say that.

With a small wave of his hand he opened his own dark portal, one that led to Namine's prison. Vexen would be somewhat pleased with Namine back, Marluxia had almost thought that the Chilly Academic would attempt to behead Marluxia when he earlier mentioned that he did not yet possess his little flower. But what did the Graceful Assassin care of Vexen's wants and pleasures? He did not, in fact he would love it if Namine would aid him in destroying one of his most annoying foes.

He would not let Namine in on his plans though. She disliked him far more then she did Vexen, and would most likely attempt to reveal his plans to the Chilly Academic if given the chance. Marluxia would not allow Namine to backfire on him this time though, there would be no Axel to set her free and ruin everything he had carefully orchestrated. No, Axel would not come anywhere near Castle Oblivion, Xemnas had wisely stationed him elsewhere. Marluxia would find the opportunity to deal away with the Flurry of Dancing Flames far to promising, and that would not do to further his own schemes in the Organization.

"It is neither here nor there what you will and will not do, Namine. Do not worry, you will find Castle Oblivion a much more enjoying stay this time, perhaps you could even trade drawings with the Melodious Nocturne?" Marluxia's words were fully sarcastic, even if his tone did not portray that. He did not intend on letting Demyx spend much time with Namine, he could not allow the possibility that in his fake sympathy Demyx would aid Namine in helping Sora. "Larxene will not be with us, this time. So perhaps your ears will be free of her shrill laugh?"

Marluxia doubted that Namine would find his words very comforting, but that did not matter. "Come, my little flower." Marluxia did not wait for Namine to walk to his side, he instead grabbed her by the shoulder, his grip gentle yet incredibly firm at the same time, and took her into the portal with him. Marluxia looked forward to the intricacies that would soon appear as the plan for Castle Oblivion moved farther and farther along. It would be just as, if not more, interesting then last time.

(OOC: Hope you don't mind that I just end the thread here, I want to get Vexen off my back about the whole Namine thing. I'll arrange for another thread involving Vexen soon enough.)