I smirked. A contest of wills? Surely the Leader had no idea who he was dealing with. "Very well," I said. "I refuse to tell. Show me what you've got."
The Leader narrowed his eyes at me. "I did say I would allow you the chance to tell me on your own, did I not? Do you rescind that allowance?"
"I told you, I'm NOT telling," I said carefully. Pashnirix was my hunt, my prey, and I'd be damned if I let this man take my prize from me. I hadn't even had my first lesson with him yet.
He sighed, rubbing his forehead. "I regret having to do this, Rexikat. You have such a wonderful mind. I so hate to have to break it," he said mournfully.
"You can't fool me with false emotions," I scathed, "so don't even try."
He smirked. "I was not wrong about you, I see. Then you've made your choice, I presume?"
I snorted. "Look, either attempt what you came her to accomplish, or leave. I don't have the time nor the patience to put up with you," I said fiercely.
"Hmph," he said. I could feel his energy building up around him. For what kind of attack, I had no clue. I dropped my Legato Melodies to the floor and readied my mind, prepared for the worst. He silently watched me for a few moments, and then spoke:
"It still tortures you, doesn't it?"
I didn't answer him as he continued, "Even though there was no conceivable thing you could have done to stop it, it still tortures you every day."
"I don't know what you're talking about," I snarled.
"Of course you do, Rexikat. You know I'm talking about the night your Other was destroyed, and you were finally released for good," said the Leader calmly.
I hesitated; hearing the truth from him was a little shocking. "You...you don't know anything about me," I said.
"On the contrary; I know too much about you," he replied. "I know how your Other, Kateri, lost her heart when she was young due to a tragic and cruel childhood that forced her to grow up before her time. But her will was strong, and she did not fall apart. I know how she met Giovanni, and regained her heart, only to give it away again, this time to him. I know," he continued, "all about the night they were attacked, and his heart broke, taking hers with it. I know, Rexikat."
My eyes unfocused slightly as I drifted through the memories. I had read Kateri's journals; everything the Leader said was true. But why was he telling me this, if I already knew?
"You're just like her, Rexikat," he said suddenly. "She was heartless...by her own choice, albeit, but heartless nonetheless. Yet she couldn't help but yearn for that which she rejected. You feel that pain everyday, that longing, and you can't help but feel guilty, tortured, because you were born as she lost what she sought after her entire life. Now you bear that same burden."
I stared at the Leader with hard eyes. "What are you suggesting, sir?"
"There are more ways to feel than through a heart, Rexikat."
My eyes widened as I realized he was speaking not aloud, but in my mind. How had he slipped past my safeguards? I could hear him laughing at my realization, and a sharp pain twisted through my mind. I fell to the floor, but refused to utter a sound, gasping silently in pain.
"I know," he sneered, stepping over to where I lay on the floor, "all about your meeting with your precious Pashnirix. I know that the two of you were planning on training together, behind my back. Did you really think you could get away with it?"
"Ye-es," I managed to stutter out. "You do not own me. I am not-not your puppet."
"And still, you dare defy me," he mused. "Commendable, but punishable. For this act of treason you will suffer."
"Treason? I swear allegiance to no one," I gasped out. The pain in my mind tripled, and I cried out.
"You swore allegiance the moment you joined this organization, and I will see to it that your allegiance is upheld," the Leader snarled. "You will be punished for your pitiful attempt at creating an alliance with a rival organization, and you will learn your lesson. Come with me."
He tried to force me to follow him, but I resisted fiercely. "No," I growled. "I follow no one." The pain in my mind increased to unbearable levels.
"You WILL follow me, and you WILL be punished for your insolence! Now come," shouted the Leader.
I could feel myself losing control. I was slipping into my Final form, my last route of survival, whether I wanted to or not. My instincts were taking over, and there was nothing I could do to stop it. Staggering to my feet against the pain in my head, I felt my tail growing, ears changing, all of my senses growing sharper. "I refuse," I said, "to follow you, or anyone. I am not your pet."
Quickly summoning all of my strength, I sent my chains after him, binding him fast. My strength didn't last long, however, for after only a few seconds, I collapsed to the floor, exhausted beyond measure. The Leader shook off my chains and walked over to me. I fuzzily saw the outline of his boots near my face.
"Now you've gone and over-exerted yourself. It's no use punishing a broken doll. I will see to your torture at a later date, Rexikat" he said, before walking away, and I blacked out.
[Meanwhile, at Organization Zero...]
Pashnirix walked down the hallway aimlessly, having nothing of particular importance to accomplish at the moment. Suddenly, a portal opened up in the main hall, and he leaned against the railing to observe.
It was the Leader, Xerebus, as well as the second-in-command, Minx, who was carrying Verex. Pashnirix frowned. Making his way down the stairs into hall, he called out, "Xerebus, what happened here?"
Xerebus turned to his number VI. "Pashnirix," he said. "I've been meaning to speak with you."
Pashnirix nodded. "Very well, but what happened here? I wish to know why my comrade is injured."
Minx cut in. "Go away! Verex is mine!" She stomped away cradling the hurt man in her arms. Pashnirix looked after her for a moment, and then decided he would simply ask Verex when he healed.
"You wished to speak with me, Xerebus?"
"Yes," answered the Leader. "It has come to my knowledge that you engaged in a meeting of sorts with a member of the rival Organization. Care to elaborate?" The Leader gave Pashnirix a look that clearly said that elaboration was not an option, but a requirement.
Pashnirix chose his words carefully. "She is strong, sir. She has power beyond comprehension. She also has a weakness: that she wishes to feel, but does not know how. I simply wish to strengthen myself under her tutelage while learning more about her weakness."
The Leader held Pashnirix by the arm and looked into his eyes. "Are you...quite sure that is all, Pashnirix?"
Pashnirix bowed his head. "On my honor, sir."
The Leader knew that Pashnirix's honor could be trusted, but still held his doubts. "And if I gave you orders to eliminate her?"
"I would perform my orders to the best of my abilities, sir," said Pashnirix.
Xerebus eyed the man warily. He would keep an eye on this one, for certain, but for now... "You may leave, Pashnirix. I have no direct orders for you right now."
"Yes, sir," Pashnirix said, turning to leave.
"Actually," said the Leader, calling out to him, "keep an eye on Minx with Verex. That girl gets ever so possessive. I don't want her thinking that Verex is completely hers."
Pashnirix knew that Verex didn't consider himself completely hers, either. It seemed Minx was the only one with that opinion. He smiled. "Of course, sir," he answered, walking off in search of Minx.
