This is my first Kingdom Hearts story. Since playing Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, I've been obsessed with KH and with AxelXRoxas. This may have some spoilers from said game, so this is your ONLY WARNING!

Chapter 1:

Roxas smiled slightly at the feel of the waves gently lapping at his bare feet. Shortly after Sora and Riku had returned after defeating Xemnas, Namine and him had been separated from their others and given a chance to live normally.

Roxas glanced over at Riku and Sora who were currently sparring with one another. They had gotten together a few days ago, much to Kairi's annoyance, but she quickly got over in favor of being supportive of the two. Sora and Riku both looked like they were having fun, despite Sora's determined look as he swung his wooden blade at Riku, only to have the older boy dodge and counter.

Sora barely managed to avoid Riku's attack, but in his rush to get away, he fell backwards. Riku laughed openly at the younger boy's clumsiness.

"Okay you two! Let's just say Riku won today," Kairi called, trying to save Sora from anymore humiliation. Namine giggled behind her. Reluctantly, Sora agreed, but not before chucking a rock at Riku's head. He walked over and sat next to Roxas.

"Hey, you okay?" Sora asked. Usually Roxas would join in on his and Riku's daily sparring session, but he had been keeping to himself all day.

"Huh? Oh, yeah…" Roxas nodded, wrapping his arms around his knees. Sora looked unsure, but Riku's arms pulling him into his lap made him forget for the moment. Roxas watched them for a moment before quickly looking away. Something about Riku made him thing of him. It was probably the arrogant smirk he always wore.

"Oh, look at the sunset!" Namine excitedly pointed out the sinking sun. It was a clear sunset, no clouds to block out its beauty. Roxas couldn't help but smile at the sun's red reflection stretching across the ocean and sky alike.

"Bet you don't know why the sunsets red."

Roxas flinched at the voice ringing through his head. "Axel," he whispered, not noticing the tears running down his face.

"Roxas?" Namine started, laying her hand on his shoulder. Roxas quickly jerked away, running away from the worried looking group. "What's wrong with him?"

"I think…he misses Axel," Sora mumbled sadly, placing his hand over his heart. They were no longer connected physically, but mentally and emotionally, they were still one.

"It wouldn't surprise me. They were best friends before Roxas forgot everything. And even after, think how hard Axel fought to get him back. He even betrayed the Organization," Riku pulled Sora closer and laid his chin on Sora's shoulder. "I guess I understand how Axel felt. Losing someone he loved and not knowing if he'd ever get him back or how he could go about doing it."

"But I thought Nobodies didn't have hearts. How could Axel love Roxas without a heart?" Sora asked.

"Roxas and I were different to begin with. Our others were still alive and still had their hearts, which affected us. It was like we had our own hearts. But with Axel, Roxas became his heart," Namine looked in the direction that Roxas had run.

"He…was the only one I liked…He made me feel…like I had a heart."

"That's right," Sora muttered, remembering Axel's last words to him. "Everything he did…was just his attempt to see Roxas one more time. And in the end…he didn't even get a chance to do that." Sora looked at the sand, thinking how lucky he was. "I can't help but feel that it's all my fault."

"It's not your fault Sora. You were just doing what your heart told you was right. You couldn't have known that it was going to affect Roxas or Axel like that. Well, at the time you didn't even realize that Roxas was part of you or that Axel could actually feel." Kairi smiled down at Sora. "You did everything you could and you stopped Xemnas. Besides, Roxas doesn't blame you."

"I know," Sora sighed and looked out over the ocean. "If I could do anything to help Roxas, to bring Axel back to him, I would. I just wish I could find a way to help him…"

* * *

Roxas looked out the window of his room, tears running down his face. If Axel could only see him now…a sob escaped him at the very thought of the fiery redhead.

Roxas lived with Sora now. Sora's parents had willingly taken him in after the thrill of having Sora back had worn down. His mother had told him that if nothing else, they could just pass them off as twins. Him and Sora did look similar.

Taking a deep breath, Roxas reached his hand out, one of his keyblades appearing in his hand. Sora's birthday had been last week and they decided that it would be Roxas' as well since he didn't exactly have a known birthday. After receiving some normal gifts, Sora dragged Roxas away from everyone else and handed him a key chain to hook to his keyblade. It had been the Bond of Flame that Sora had received from Axel right before he died. Roxas had attached it to Oathkeeper without a second thought.

He didn't know why he bothered attaching it to his keyblade. It would have been more use to him attached to a necklace or something else that he could keep on him at all times. After all, it wasn't likely he'd ever have to use his keyblades again.

But his keyblades were a part of him, and having the Bond of Flame attached to one of them gave him the illusion that Axel too was a part of him. In his other hand, Roxas summoned Oblivion. Oblivion and Bond of Flame. Him and Axel.

"Roxas, could you get Sora for me? It's time for dinner!" Roxas quickly recalled his keyblades as Sora's mother knocked and opened the door. "Oh, are you okay? Your eyes look a little red."

"Um, yeah. My eyes have been bothering me all day. I think I have allergies," Sora's mom was about to protest his answer, but Roxas darted passed her. "I'll go get Sora! Be back in a few!"

Sora's mom sighed and put her hands on her hips. "I swear, those two are so similar, it's scary."

* * *

The sun had set. The moon was shining brightly overhead, the stars twinkling strongly alongside it. The stars. All the other worlds that had been saved and/or restored thanks to Sora. Roxas smiled slightly at that. At least his other had been good.

"Roxas. I'm ashamed of you," Roxas turned around in surprise, but no one was there. "You've had all the chances in the world to get rid of Sora and Riku both, but you've done nothing."

"Who's there?" Roxas demanded. A man stepped out of the shadows, one that Roxas recognized all too well. "Xemnas!" His keyblades appeared in his hands, ready for a fight. Anything to get his mind off of Axel.

"You've been mourning the loss of Axel. Do you not realize that he's no longer here because of Sora and Riku?" Xemnas backed away as Roxas swung Oblivion at him. "And yet, here you are. Living with the two who took Axel away from you." Xemnas let out a humorless laugh as Roxas cringed at the thought. "I don't know what's more despicable; this or the fact that a Nobody is trying to live as if he actually has a heart."

"Shut up! I know what happened!" Roxas lunged at Xemnas, wincing as on of Xemnas' Ethereal blades collided with his side, effectively stopping his attack. "It wasn't Sora or Riku's fault. If anyone's to blame, it's you!"

Roxas winced as a strange power suddenly flowed through him. He couldn't control his body, and it felt like he was burning. Without his permission, his body forced him to his knees.

"You're still just a Nobody. I have full control of you, Roxas. You're not strong enough to resist my powers." Roxas winced as a painful jolt went through his body. He couldn't move. His body was starting to feel heavy. Xemnas chuckled at the look of hopelessness; raising his blades above him to deliver what Roxas knew would be a deadly blow.

"Roxas!"

"Fire!" Roxas cried, the Bond of Flame blade appearing in his hand and firing a ball of fire at the former leader of the Organization. It hurt…it hurt so much to move…

Xemnas stumbled back as the ball of flame collided with his chest. "You still insist on fighting me?" He sent another jolt through Roxas' tired body.

"Ahh!" Roxas cried out in pain despite his best attempts to keep silent. His body was slowly becoming numb from the consistent pain.

"You're just a Nobody Roxas. You're nothing but a tool for my use; a tool for me to get what I want!" Xemnas grabbed Roxas' arm and yanked him up. "You will come back with me. You're going to help me rebuild."

"N-No…" Roxas gritted out. His body hurt so much. Why couldn't it just stop…

"Roxas!" Sora's voice rang through his head, and then he was falling. Arms grabbed hold of him just before he hit the ground. "Roxas? Roxas!" No…he was too tired to respond.

"The man's gone, Sora. Let's just get Roxas back to your house so he can rest," Riku insisted, picking Roxas up carefully. "His body's burning up. Whoever that man was, he obviously wasn't normal."

"Riku…that man was wearing the Organization robe, wasn't he?" Sora asked, looking down at the ground. Finally home and another threat may be lurking around. When would it end?

"Yeah. And if he was going after Roxas—"

"You don't think it was Xemnas, do you?" Sora clenched his fists tightly, awaiting Riku's answer. Neither of them got a good look at the man, but if anyone would know anything, it would be Riku.

"He did have the same weapons. I think its pretty safe to say that it was," Riku muttered thoughtfully. "But we'll talk about this later. Just act normal for now. No point in worrying your parents."

Sora nodded in understanding, opening the door so Riku could carry Roxas in. Sora's mother met them at the door, frowning when she saw Riku carrying Roxas up the stairs. "Sora, what happened to Roxas? Is he okay?"

"Yeah, he'll be okay. We found him on our way here. It looks like he fell down some steps," Sora lied, refusing to look his mother in the eye. He was a horrible liar. He only hoped his mother bought it for the moment.

"The poor dear. I hope he'll be okay," his mother sighed and walked into the kitchen. "Well, dinner's ready. Riku's welcome to stay if he wants."

"Thanks mom," Sora called after her, sitting on the couch. He couldn't believe that Xemnas might have come back. He growled angrily and slammed his fist against his knee. "How?!"

* * *

Riku carefully laid Roxas on his bed, removing his shirt to check for any injuries. Aside from a large bruise forming on his right side, he didn't see anything. Sighing, Riku turned away from the exhausted boy and crossed his arms thoughtfully. Xemnas was back? That just meant that Sora and Roxas, as well as everyone close to them, were in trouble.

He growled in frustration and put a hand to his head. He'd be damned if he let Xemnas get his hands on Sora! And he felt that he owed it to Roxas to keep him safe too. Roxas had become kind of a brother to Sora and he was a good listener when Riku needed someone to actually listen to him.

"I heard him." Riku turned around and looked at Roxas in surprise. He'd give the boy credit: he healed fast. "I heard him Riku."

"Heard who?" Riku asked. He watched as Roxas called out his Bond of Flame keyblade. Riku sighed heavily. "Axel?"

"Yeah. It was weird. Right when Xemnas was about to attack me, I heard Axel's voice calling my name. I felt strong for a minute, just long enough to fire off a quick attack, but then it was gone." Roxas examined the blade thoughtfully.

"Axel…you really care for him," Riku mumbled, sitting in a chair that sat in the corner of Roxas' room. He smirked when he noticed Roxas' face redden slightly. "Maybe even love?"

"I-I…" Roxas took a deep breath and turned away to hide his blush. He knew there was no hiding anything from Riku. He was just a perceptive person. "Yeah. Yeah, I love Axel. I really do love him. And I miss him." The blade vanished out of Roxas' hand as tears began to roll down his face. "It hurts just to think of him."

"I can only imagine how much it hurts to think that you'll never see the one you love again. But, you never know. Maybe he'll come back to you. Just hang in there," Riku stood up and patted Roxas on the back. "Now, how about we go eat dinner? You're probably hungry. And I'm pretty sure I saw Sora's mom put away some sea-salt ice cream when I came in earlier."

Roxas smiled brightly, wiping the tears from his eyes. Sea-salt ice cream was his favorite "Yeah, that sounds good."

* * *

"Yeah. Yeah, I love Axel. I really do love him. And I miss him."

Green eyes opened slowly as the all-so-familiar voice faded from his mind. "Roxas," Axel mumbled, sitting up in his bed. He had seen everything in his dream. "Did it really happen? Is Roxas…?" Axel laid his hand on his head tiredly.

After Axel had faded away, he woke up in Twilight Town. To his surprise, he had been found and taken in by none other than Demyx. The water-loving Nobody had awaken in the same place and had been trying his hardest to live a normal life. He had a job and had rented an apartment for himself. Of course, he still worked with his Sitar, but for now he was stuck working at a store.

Axel couldn't help but laugh. Demyx, of all people, taking care of him! Axel looked over as the front door opened. Demyx walked in tiredly, plopping down on the worn couch next to him.

"I know that look," Demyx mumbled, looking over at Axel. His eyes seemed distant, as if he were deep in thought. "Thinking of Roxas again?"

Axel sighed, closing his eyes and looking at Demyx again. "Actually, no. It was a dream this time."

"Oh, a dream, huh?" Demyx grinned suggestively. Axel scowled and lightly smacked the blonde in the head. "Ow!"

"Not that kind of dream! I saw Roxas, separated from Sora. Someone was attacking him. I think it was Xemnas, but—"

"Xemnas is gone dude! Sora and his friends got rid of him!" Demyx wrapped his arm around Axel. "Come on! I'm sure Roxas is fine. He's whole now. He has a heart of his own."

"So do we. We have hearts now and because of that, I can't help but miss Roxas. It's like he's haunting me," Axel laughed at the thought of it. Roxas haunting him?

Demyx sighed, a small smile on his lips. "I wish I could have a relationship like that with someone! It'd be great to fall in love with someone now that I have a heart again!"

Axel rolled his eyes at the naïve blonde. But he was right. It was great to be in love, even if he didn't know if the one he loved was okay or whether he was even around.

"Hey Demyx…I want to find him. Whether it's him or Sora. I need to see him again," Axel muttered, leaning back.

"But how do you suppose you do that? He could be in another world! We don't have the power to create portals anymore, so how would you find him?" Demyx asked. They had power over the elements they had before, but the power of darkness was no longer with them.

"I don't know," Axel admitted. "I don't know…"

Well…um…there's the first chapter. Review so that I know whether I should continue or not.