Before I could fall alseep, though, I heard Deidrex shouting at everyone else for being mean to Akane. I tried to block out her words to get some rest, but they got me to thinking, especially about Pashinirix's offer. “Ah, yes. I am part of the Organization, a much more advanced and powerful one that this measly get-together your leaders call an ‘organization’," he had said, and I was beginning to think he was right.
We were constantly arguing and fighting each other, instead of the Heartless and lesser Nobodies. With all of the internal distress going on, there was no way our Organization could accomplish anything, let alone Triskix's goal of reviving the original XIII. And the Leader...what group could accomplish anything when its leader holds no respect for his subordinates? Especially when this Leader has an agenda all his own?
I curled up into a ball, let out a sigh, and, clearing my mind, went to sleep for a long time.
I woke up to the sound of someone pounding on my door. Stretching out my body with a yawn, I felt around my head and back to see that my Spirit had receded. I walked over to the door, opened it with a growl, and said, "What?"
It was RaXi at the door, and she smiled timidly at me. "Uh, hi. I'm RaXi. I've been sent to let you know that the Leader wants everyone to gather in the main hall for a meeting. Now."
"Hm," I said thoughtfully. So the Leader is finally showing some leadership, I mused. "How long has it been since I went to sleep?"
RaXi thought for a moment. "Five days, I think? Was it the same day that Triskix went to bed and Deidrex told everyone off?"
"Yeah," I answered absentmindedly. "Thanks for the message," I said, closing the door. Five days? That meant I had...two more days until Pashnirix came again! I slammed my palm to my forehead. "Stupid energy draining fight," I mumbled.
I hurriedly changed into my clothes and coat, and made my way down to the main hall. I got there just in time to hear Triskix's announcement.
“Now then…due to some research by the Leader, there appears to be an excess of Heartless and Nobodies running around that must be destroyed. Also, we need more information about this rival group. So we will split into teams and conduct work through the worlds. Both these goals will be met if we do this. Got it memorized?”
I raised an eyebrow. We were going on missions? "About time," said Ximh next to me. "What happened to you, Rex? You were out for five days."
"I hadn't slept for five days before that," I snipped back. "because of how nicely this Organization is 'organized.' I think I deserved some sleep."
"Oh," he said, turning back around. That left me to wonder: in the event that I was on a mission two days from now, how would I manage to sneak back to the castle to meet Pashnirix? Time to rely on that tiger cunning...
"Triskix," I called out, "if you don't mind, I'd like to be on a team responsible for obtaining information about this rival Organization. I think I would be of more use there."
Everyone turned and looked at me, including Triskix. I stood my ground, glaring at him fiercely. "And why do you think this, Rexikat?" he questioned.
"Because I know how to deal with people, unlike the others here," I said, "who can barely talk with someone without starting a fight. Also, the one who fought me expressed a distinct interest in myself. I sensed that he would be willing to talk to me, if I presented the right bargaining chips." I hoped that I had phrased everything right.
Triskix pondered my words, while everyone else waited. Akane and Deidrex, however, eyed me with angry eyes. Oh boy. I could tell this meant a fight later. Over what, I had no clue. Perhaps they sensed that my intentions went deeper than the surface of my words.
"All right," said Triskix finally. "You can be on a team that gathers information. Now, let me decide the rest of your assignments." I did a silent cheer to myself as I heard his answer, and began mentally preparing what I would say.
