All the forest's inhabitants had sought shelter from the terrible storm. Axel, a fiery colored naga with flaming red hair that looked like it could defy gravity, was no exception. The snake people, or naga, might have resembled mermaids with scales from the waist down, but Axel was no wish and wasn't overly fond of getting wet outside of lazy soak on a hot day. So he had remained safely at home as the weather raged outside, boring as it was being stuck in doors.

Once the storms had finally passed and the run came out once more he was eager to get out. He hadn't seen a storm that bad in a long time and wanted to see how much damage the storm had caused. Slithering through the forest he made his way towards his favorite spot and surveyed the damage along the way. Some trees had been struck by lightning and others uprooted entirely by the wind. Still, the birds sang and the world continued no worse.

There was more damage near the river as the rising waters had washed away portions of the bank in some places the strewn debris everywhere. As Axel moved along the bank he he paused there was something yellow washed up on the shore.

"A chocobo?" he wondered out load. By the looks of things the river had swollen far past its banks. He wouldn't be surprised to find that something had drowned.

"He slithered closer to get a better look at the thing, pulling aside debris. It wasn't a bird at all it was a young a man. Not a naga but not a human either. A catboy, a race some called neko. They looked like humans except for their cat like ears and tails, as well as their heightened senses and reflexes. Neko were a favorite food of naga, like Axel. The cat people and snake people had been enemies for as long as anyone could remember. They killed each other any chance they got, and that was perfectly fine for the naga since the cats tasted nice. The fact that naga were half snake allowed them to wrap prey in their coils, and swallow things much large than their own heads, usually things like the neko Axel had just found.

His stomach growled, reminding him of the fact that he hadn't been able to hunt for days while cooped up in his den thanks to the storm. What luck to have such a tasty little treat within coil reach… It would be a shame to let that go to waste.

But was it even alive? If it was dead how long had been there...it didn't smell bad but he wasn't a vulture. He liked his meals fresh. With the tip of his tail he nudged the little body, trying to wake him up, but it was apparent the boy wasn't going to. His keen ears did manage to pick up a faint heartbeat though

"So you are alive," Axel said, moving closer to examine the boy. The neko was soaking wet, possibly suffering hypothermia, and judging from a nasty looking bump he'd probably hit his head. Really, it was a wonder the boy was alive. "I'm even luckier than I thought, not only do I find food, but it's fresh and perfect, just waiting for me. Well, maybe after I get you cleaned up." The thing was filthy, hair tangled with branches and dead leaves. Alive or not, Axel wasn't about to eat him now.

He picked him up and slung him over his shoulder. "You better be worth it little snack," he muttered as he headed for home.

Once they reached his den, a cozy little dug out, Axel filled a basin with warm soapy water and used a cloth to gently wash him and once he was clean he toweled him dry. He looked more than good enough to eat now and for a moment Axel considered it. Except, it felt strange to eat something that wasn't moving. Somehow unfair to eat prey that couldn't put up any fight at at all.

Axel sighed and shook his head. He was being ridiculous, really, but he hadn't had a neko in ages and really did want to enjoy it to the fullest. So it was that he wrapped the sleeping kitten in the warmest blankets he could find. He picked up the bundle of blankets and kitten and gently laid the sleeping cat boy in his bed, a lovely nest of cushions and even more blankets. Now that the neko was all dry and clean, he looked far better. It certainly hadn't been a mistake to bring him here; he'd make a nice meal when he woke up.

Of course, he wasn't going to let future meal out of sight. So Axel sat by his bedside and waited for the boy to wake. Eventually, blue eyes fluttered open, although they looked a little hazy. The neko looked around confused, taking in the room.

It was warm here, and warm was good. That much the neko knew. The kitten yawned widely, and then looked at the other person in the room, a smirking naga.

"So finally back with the living? For a moment I was afraid you wouldn't be able to join in on the fun," he licked his lips. He enjoyed seeing his prey's fear. "You're going to be so-" Axel stopped short...there was no fear in the boy's eyes. No dawning realization followed by panic. He wasn't getting any reaction at all.

Tht was all wrong. The neko should be afraid or vicious and angry or something. In the same way baby chickens know to run when they see the shadow of a hawk, even without their mother's warning, so too any neko should have immediately recognized the naga as a threat and tried to escape or else tried to fight. This neko stared at Axel or else and just off into space. If anything he just looked very lost and confused.

Indeed, the little neko was quite lost, in more ways than Axel knew. 'Where am I? Who am I? Why am I here?' Roxas wondered to himself.

"Are you even listening?" Axel snapped. Why wasn't the neko afraid? No screaming, no begging, hell not even a flinch, seriously that just wasn't right! Every instinct Axel had was setting him on edge, food that didn't act like food was safer to avoid because that meant something was wrong.

In truth Roxas was too lost in thought to listen, and didn't understand most of what Axel was saying anyway. Besides, there was something important he had to remember. Roxas was trying to find…a name, his name…Sora? No, no that wasn't right. A name, I am…Roxas? Roxas, that was it wasn't it?

"Hello? Is there anybody in there?" Axel waved his hand in front of the boy's face, which got the blonde's attention. He still had the same blank stare, but at least now he was staring at Axel again. Unfortunately, this only lasted a moment.

The neko had gone back to thinking. Roxas…yes, that did sound right. He might not know where he is or even who he was, but there was some comfort in knowing his own name.

Axel inched closer to the boy, still glaring at the boy. He hated being ignored and was angry that after all this work the neko might be unfit to eat. So much for good luck. The boy was somewhat responsive though, at least when he moved closer it looked at him again.

The neko leaned forward and sniffed him. Roxas decided that liked the way he smelled. It is nice here with him. Everything is soft and warm and that is good. He'd been...cold? Yes there had been cold before and now the cold was gone. I'd been alone before and now I'm not alone.

It was Axel's turn to look confused. He'd never in his life seen prey act like this. Before he could say anything the neko left at him. Axel flinched, expecting an attack, but there were no claws or teeth, the neko simply hugged him? It hugged and then it started nuzzling against his chest, purring all the while.

Axel's bright green eyes widened and for a moment he actually thought it was adorable…Such a cute little...neko. Neko, his sworn enemy and soon to be meal. "Hey, just because you're sucking up to me doesn't mean you're getting out of this!" he said, "You're dinner. D-I-N-N-E-R. Got it memorized?"

"Dinner? Is that my…name? Dinner, but…" That didn't fit. It didn't feel right. "Roxas." He said the name out loud. "I think my name's Roxas, or Dinner?" He looked at Axel confused, waiting for answers, his sentences slow and fractured, as if each word was a struggle to find.

Axel frowned as he looked at the neko, looking at those big blue eyes so wide and helpless it was hard not feel bad for him. Well at least the neko could talk and apparently knew his name. Maybe it was just taking him awhile to really wake up. "I really hope you aren't poisoned," said Axel. "Maybe it's just brain damage from nearly drowning or that hit on head. Right, you're probably not toxic." He really wasn't talking to Roxas, more to himself, but in any case it was clear the neko couldn't process that many words at a time.

In truth Roxas really didn't know a lot of words yet, he didn't remember them anyway. He didn't even who he was for sure. All he had was a name. I am Roxas and this...He didn't know who the naga was...had he ever known? It was too hard to sort out. What Roxas did know was that he liked it here and being with him. This is nice because I'm not alone, nice meant not alone and safe...that meant this is…home? Home was that the word, and him he was..."Mommy?"

Axel's draw dropped in disbelief "What? Do I look like a chick to you?"

Roxas flinched, he hadn't meant to say the wrong thing. That was the wrong word then, he thought, out load he slowly asked, "Who are you?"

"Axel," he said reflexively, "A-x-e-l, Axel. Man oh man, you've totally gone."

"Friend?" asked Roxas. That's the word isn't it? Safe, home, warm, person, yes. "Friend."

Axel took a deep breath as he tried to calm himself. The kid couldn't help it, he was just very confused. No need to get worked up over it. But the fact remained Axel was frustrated and the neko could tell and obviously thought he was angry at him. The neko's eyes widened slightly, welling with tears.

"Oh geeze, please don't cry," Axel sighed, he hated seeing anyone or anything sad. "Roxas…you really have no idea what I'm talking about do you?"

Roxas simply buried his head in Axel's chest, hoping that he hadn't ruined everything. "Sorry," he said, his voice small.

Axel looked at him a moment unsure what to do and then awkwardly patted the boy's head. Maybe he had been a bit harsh with the neko, but this shouldn't be his problem. He shouldn't be comforting a neko! It was just food after all. Axel had been looking forward to eating the neko, toying with his prey, fighting it, chasing it, watching it squirm in his coils but this wasn't as fun at all.

Still, there was a chance that whatever was wrong wasn't poison or sickness or anything else that would contaminate the meat. It should be safe to eat him. Maybe once the situation became clearer the neko would start acting like prey. He'd be much more appetizing once he was terrified and struggling. Axel coiled around Roxas and pulled the neko close to face. Axel smiled, showing teeth and eyed the neko with hunger in his eyes, and yet the neko remained calm. If anything, he seemed happier now.

I like being wrapped up, it's warm, Roxas thought to himself and at least I'm not being pushed away. Except his friend still didn't seem happy with him.

To Axel Roxas's face looked blank, completely unaware of what was going on. "What do I have to do to make you get it? You're prey, you're supposed to act like it!" Axel sighed again, talking more only made the neko looked more out of it. "I guess it's no use, blank with a capital B. Oh well, whether you act like food or not, you're going in my stomach." He flicked his tongue out, tasting the air and Roxas's scent. He certainly smelled all right to eat.

All the while Roxas sat still, desperately trying to figure out if the naga was mad at him still, or what the look he was giving him meant. It doesn't seem friendly, but it doesn't seem angry either. Then his friend leaned closer and licked him.

"Wow," said Axel, licking him again. "Delicious." He licked him again. For all the trouble and strange behavior this neko was more than delicious enough to make up for it, and he was just the right size to be filling. Axel continued to lick him. He wanted to take it slow and savor every inch of his meal before he began to swallow.

Roxas relaxed completely as Axel licked him and for the first time began to smile. That feels nice, and affectionate, which means I haven't ruined things after all. Then the neko giggled. "That tickles," Roxas told his friend, though he didn't stop smiling.

On the one hand, Axel had gotten a reaction, on the other hand, it wasn't the reaction he wanted at all. Even being tasted, and with it the clear and immediate danger of getting eaten didn't trigger anything in the neko? If anything, the boy seemed to think that it was something good all smiles and laughing. He stopped licking him and shook his head. Sworn enemies or not, he felt sorry for him. "That storm has messed you up pretty badly huh?"

Roxas gave no response, except to start purring again.

Axel almost didn't want to eat him now, but his stomach was still empty and really eating him would be the merciful thing to do. There was no way that the kid would be able to survive like this on his own. Time to eat, no more playing or hoping the neko would start acting like prey. He'd get it over with his for both their sakes.

Axel leaned forward again, debating the best position to swallow the boy down. Meanwhile, the neko was trying to figure out how to return the affection his friend had been showing him. Tentatively, Roxas reached out and put a hand on Axel's face. The naga froze at the touch and met his gaze.

"What-" but before he could finish that, Roxas leaned forward and licked his cheek stunning Axel into silence. I can't eat him like this. Axel admitted to himself. How could he when the boy was so damn innocent and trusting! It wasn't just that Roxas wasn't acting like food, Axel could will himself to ignore that instincts or no instincts, it was more than that. It felt wrong to do this when the neko didn't even know what was going on. It wasn't a fair eating someone who didn't even know he should try to fight.

It would be mercy to put him down compared to leaving him out on his own, but maybe he didn't have to kick him out. Just because he didn't understand things now didn't mean he wouldn't get better. The fact Axel couldn't eat him now didn't mean that he never could. He just had to wait until Roxas recovered enough to understand. He couldn't eat him now, but he wasn't going to leave him to die in the wilderness, that would be a waste of food. No, he'd keep Roxas around and guide him a bit. Then when he showed improvement, it'd be down the hatch for him. In the meantime, he'd take care f him.

Axel uncoiled, and changed adjusted Roxas's positions so he could hold him in his arms instead. "Looks like you'll have to learn everything from scratch." He reached down and scratched behind one of the furry ears.

Roxas purred at the touch, and his eyes slipped close with pleasure. This is good, he thought, and being in the naga's arms felt even nicer than the way he was holding Roxas before. It was…he didn't know the word, but like…warm and home…and that sort of feeling.

"So, you up to me being your teacher?" The naga asked.

"Hmm?" asked Roxas.

"Let's start slow, what's my name? I told you it earlier."

"Acc…es?" Roxas tried.

"It's Axel," the naga corrected, but at least he'd remembered something. "A-X-E-L, Axel. Got it memorized?"

"Ax…el" Roxas said slowly, nodding. "Axel!"

"Good," said Axel smiling at the boy, "That's one thing." Axel let out a long sigh as he continued to pet the boy's head. "We've got a long way to go."