The moon was waning. Every night, its light grew fainter. In the shadow of the forest, the night seemed particularly dark, at least to Riku. Maybe that was just his point of view, everything black. The silver scaled naga's heart and mind were heavy with guilt, and it ate at him.

Roxas was as good as dead, and it was all Riku's fault. It had practically been his suggestion.

If humans are as treacherous as you say, why are we keeping one around like that?

Riku hadn't meant for Roxas to be killed, he hadn't meant it like that. His words were idle, fueled by anger at humans in general, because he'd been betrayed by the one he'd given his heart too.

Or at least that's how he saw it then. When Sephiroth had found Riku and Sora together, Riku said Sora was his prey, but that was just to avoid getting into trouble. Riku never would have actually hurt Sora. Swallow him? Yeah, if it would convince Sephiroth that nothing was going on. Then, once Sephiroth left, Riku would have spat Sora out, safe and sound, a little wet maybe, but otherwise fine.

So maybe Sora didn't know enough about naga anatomy and biology to know most naga had two stomachs. One, located where a human's stomach is, was more of a pouch to hold extra water or occasionally food, the other, which took up a good portion of the naga's tail, to digest food. Riku would have held Sora in his first stomach. Even if Sora didn't know that, and thought going down Riku's throat would be end, he should have known better. Sora should have known that Riku wouldn't kill him. Riku couldn't understand why Sora hadn't trusted him.

It hadn't even gotten that far, anyway. Riku had spat Sora out the minute Sephiroth was distracted, before he was even half way down. Riku had let him go, given him the chance to run. But instead of being grateful and leaving with his life, Sora had attacked Sephiroth. Not only that, he'd attacked Sephiroth when the naga was engaged in another fight and stabbed him in that back. To Riku, who had been raised with a strict code, it was a move that was completely without any honor or respect.

He'd felt betrayed by Sora, and was consumed with guilt. If he hadn't let Sora go, Sephiroth wouldn't have been hurt. As Sephiroth's apprentice, his loyalty was supposed to be to him, and Riku had betrayed that. All that guilt had easily turned to anger, because it was easier to blame Sora for what he did.

Riku knew better now. When he'd gone after Sora their battle had been interrupted. They'd been attacked by a behemoth, a monster almost twice their size with a temper and ferocity to rival a grizzly. It had attacked Riku first, and would have killed him, if not for Sora. Without any thought to his own safety Sora had leapt at the creature, managing to wound it and lure it away from Riku.

Sora hadn't had to do that. He could have run. It would have been the perfect opportunity to get away, and let the creature finish off his enemy for him. But instead, Sora saved Riku. Sora risked his life to save Riku, even though moments before they'd been battling each other.

Riku understood then, that Sora really did love him. He also understood why he'd attacked Sephiroth. When someone he cared for was in danger, Sora was the sort of person who'd do anything to protect them.

Sure, Cloud wasn't worth protecting. He'd murdered Zack, Sephiroth's lover, in cold blood. But, maybe Sora didn't know Cloud had it coming. Maybe all he knew at the time was someone he cared for needed help. That seemed more likely, because that was the kind of person Sora was. Riku should have seen that from the beginning, but he'd been an idiot. He'd let his anger turn to hatred, and that had blinded him.

Now, because of what Sora did for him, he could see things clearly again. Riku would save Sora, no matter what, but it was too late for Roxas.

If humans are as treacherous as you say, why are we keeping one around like that? Riku's words haunted him. It hadn't exactly been a suggestion that they should kill Roxas, but it might as well have been. The way Riku had said it, he'd practically hissed the words, the implication had been clear. We shouldn't be keeping one around.

Sephiroth had agreed, of course, and at the very moment was informing Axel that the boy, Roxas, was to be killed.

Roxas.

Riku had never really thought of him by name. When he thought of him it was as the human boy or Axel's servant, usually. That's the way most referred to him, if they referred to him at all. There was an unspoken rule in the village that you didn't bring up the human. Because naga hated human, they were supposed to be killed on sight, but for some reason Axel kept one.

Most of the naga accepted it. If humans were lower animals, then why not keep one as a beast of burden. Vexen had remarked that it was a pity they hadn't taken more slaves when they destroyed that village. The blonde naga was the treasurer to the tribe, and his chief concern was always how to increase the village's assets and productivity. From what Riku heard, he'd wanted to raid the human village even before there was provocation because it would eliminate competition for resources and increase the naga's own stores. Vexen saw everything in terms of numbers; it was all cost versus benefit.

Other members of the pack seemed indifferent. If the boy was useful, what was the harm? Besides, he'd make a better meal when he full grown. Roxas had only been eleven when he was taken, and small for his age at that.

Still, accepted or not, the situation wasn't spoken of. It broke a serious taboo, and besides, everyone knew Sephiroth was loath to be reminded that there was a human living among them. He'd explode at anyone who so much as mentioned the human by name.

Ironic then, that it had been Sephiroth who allowed Axel to keep the boy in the first place. But Riku understood; everyone did. Axel had been Zack's adopted ward, both son and brother to Sephiroth's late beloved. That made Axel like family to Sephiroth.

Tough and cold as Sephiroth could be, he did have his soft spots. One was family, and the other was Zack. Axel and Sephiroth were bound together by their love of Zack, and because Axel had been Zack's child in every way that counted save blood, Sephiroth, unquestionably, had a soft spot for Axel. Axel had wanted the human, and Sephiroth wouldn't deny him that.

That had changed, though, because Riku had called Sephiroth's attention to Roxas. That was all it took. Sephiroth planned to go to war with humans, and he couldn't very well have one of the enemies among them, could he? Riku understood that. He even thought that they were doing what they should have years ago. After all, why let one human live when they'd killed all the rest in retribution? Why let any human live if they were all enemies?

And weren't they? Zack hadn't thought so, and trusting a human had gotten him killed. Humans had no honor, no code of ethics; they were nothing but vicious animals.

Riku had been so angry when he learned how Zack died. Anyone who had ever known the naga would have been. It was that anger that spurred his stupid remark, a remark that sealed Roxas's fate. It was almost funny, Roxas had been spared in the first place in part thanks to Zack and the soft spot Sephiroth had for Axel because of him. Now, he was going to be killed, because of the hatred Zack's death had caused. Everything came back to Zack, even though he'd been dead and gone for years.

Roxas was completely innocent, but he was going to die. Roxas had done nothing to deserve death. He'd lived in this village for five years, and never caused any trouble. Besides, he was much more than just a pet or slave to Axel.

In fact, Riku had never seen Axel treat him as such. In times he'd seen them working together, Axel treated Roxas the same way he treated Xion, his naga apprentice. Then, a little over a month ago, he'd seen Roxas and Axel together at the spring festival; eating sea salt ice cream and talking together like the best of friends.

Riku had seen how they looked at each other. Axel loved Roxas.

Now, Roxas was going to be killed, and it would be Sephiroth who informed Axel. What a thing to hear from someone you consider family! It was horrible, and Riku was, at least partially, to blame.

There was nothing he could do. Sephiroth had ordered him to go get cleaned up, and been clear he didn't want to see Riku again until the council meeting the following day.

Not that Riku had listened, exactly. He hadn't gone home and stayed there. Honestly, he'd tried, but pacing the same room over and over was maddening. So he'd left the village to wander the woods and think about all the things he had done, and if there was anything he could to make it right.

Riku was already on Sephiroth's bad side for going after Sora alone, in deliberate disregard of Sephiroth and Xemnas's orders. Riku was lucky he hadn't been flogged, locked up or worse for what he'd done. The only thing that had saved him was the fact that he'd brought Sora back to the village alive. He'd fulfilled Sephiroth's objective, and for that he'd escape without punishment.

However, he was hardly in a position to argue with Sephiroth about anything, especially letting a human live. Riku's sympathies were already questionable as it was, because Sephiroth knew he'd let Sora go before. By capturing Sora, Riku had regained Sephiroth's trust to a certain degree, and he needed to keep it if he was going to get anywhere near the brunette.

Because there was no way he'd let Sora be killed. It might be too late for Roxas, but Sora still had a chance.

Riku headed back towards the village, intent on making his way to the house of healing where Sora was being held. If anyone stopped him, he'd make the excuse that he just wanted to make sure the prisoner would indeed live. Sephiroth's plan required Sora to live until he chose to kill him.

As Riku made his way back, he spotted Axel, slithering slowly toward home. His eyes widened at what he saw. Axel's stomach was distended with a large meal, a meal the size of a human. Roxas.

They'd made him Axel kill him? How could they? He understood their reasoning for wanting to be rid of the boy, but making Axel kill him... that was sadistic.

As Riku watched, hidden in shadows, Axel paused, and put a hand on his stomach. "Sorry, Rox."

"It's all right," came a reply. It was so faint Riku could barely hear it, Roxas's voice from with Axel's stomach.

"You're still conscious?" asked Axel surprised.

"Not for very much longer," Roxas managed, indeed he sounded like he was about slip away, "but before I go, I want you to know it's okay. I know you didn't have a choice, and I still…I love you."

"Roxas!" Axel said. "This isn't goodbye, all right—" A rabbit that had been hiding under a shrub near where Riku stood darted away, startled. Axel looked up for a moment, and then continued. "Let's meet again, in the next life."

"Yeah, I'll be waiting," Roxas managed, and then fell silent.

A few moments passed, and then Axel looked at Riku. "I know you're there, Riku. What are you doing outside the village? Didn't Sephiroth tell you to go home, and stay there?"

Riku came forward. "I couldn't sleep; I thought I'd go for a stroll, clear my mind. I'm sorry to interrupt."

"It's nothing," Axel said. "I hope you don't think I'm too soft, but I wanted to give him some comfort before…well he's gone now anyway."

Riku looked at him surprised, then at Axel's belly. Normally, when naga swallowed live prey, its struggles could be seen from the outside. "Dead? But how? He's still in your first stomach."

Axel shrugged. "I'm different. Not the same species, remember? Listen, you should get home. You wouldn't want to upset Sephiroth, would you?"

Riku nodded. "Good night then." Axel turned and slithered off, and Riku continued on his way, feeling lower than ever.

He'd a done a terrible thing, and it could not be undone. It wasn't too late to Sora. At the very least, his own love wouldn't die because of him.

Riku made his way back to the village swiftly and silently. Most of the villagers were already in bed, but_ the hospital had guards posted outside. Marluxia and Lexaeus were leaning against the wall outside the door, and Zexion was with them. Zexion was talking to Lexaeus, their coils entwined_, while Marluxia simply looked bored.

Riku approached, and they snapped to attention.

Marluxia smiled, "Riku, hero of the day. As I recall, you were ordered to go home. So what are you doing wandering about? And at this hour?"

"More importantly," said Zexion, "why are you here? Do you need my assistance with something? Don't tell me you were injured and didn't say anything out of pride." Zexion shook his head.

"No, I'm fine," Riku assured him. "I…I wanted to make sure Sor—the human is all right. If he dies, it'll be my head."

Lexaeus smirked, as did Zexion who replied. "It certainly would. You're lucky you got off so lightly, defying a direct order from your mentor. Especially considering who your mentor is! The human is fine though, he's even regained consciousness. We have him shackled to the bed inside."

"Can I see him?" asked Riku.

"Whatever would you want to do that for?" asked Marluxia, flipping his hair behind his shoulder.

"I want Sora to know I'm the one who captured him. I took him by surprise, see," Riku said with a smirk. "He never knew what hit him."

"So you've come to gloat? How juvenile of you," remarked Zexion.

"He wounded my mentor," Riku reminded him. "I think I deserve to look him in the eyes, and tell him the fate he'll meet for that offense."

Zexion sighed, and then looked to the others. Marluxia nodded, moving to let Riku pass. Zexion nodded as well, "He's in the last room on the right." Naturally, Lexaeus agreed with the blue-haired naga, and moved out of Riku's way as well.

Riku slithered into the darkened house of healing, heading for the room where Sora was held. He hesitated outside the door, knowing he'd have a lot to explain. Then, tentatively, the naga pushed the door open. Inside Sora was sitting against the headboard, his head down.

"I'm surprised you're not resting," said Riku lightly, "a lazy bum like you. But seriously, Sora, you were hurt. You should lie down."

The brunette looked up at him, eyes wide. At first Sora looked relieved and then bitter, "What do you want?"

Riku slithered forward, keeping his voice low he said, "Listen, it's not what you think."

Sora looked up, more hurt than anything. "Why did you bring me to them? I thought…I thought we'd made up."

Riku brought a finger to his lips, in a shushing motion. "Keep your voice down," he hissed, "there are guards outside the building, and we can't be overheard. Sora, you were hurt, I had to get you help."

"So you brought me here?" Sora scoffed in disbelief, only to be shushed again by Riku.

"Not so loud!" admonished the naga. "I couldn't think of what else to do. You were unconscious and bleeding. Even if your injuries weren't as bad as I thought, if I'd left you there something might have eaten you."

"You could have taken me back to the human village," Sora pointed out.

"Yeah," Riku rolled his eyes, "except the last time I checked I'd be shot on sight for going anywhere near a human village."

"So you'd rather put my life in danger?" asked Sora.

"No," said Riku. "Listen, if I'd gone to the human village they would have killed me. Even if they hadn't, if I'd come back here empty-handed Sephiroth would have done it himself."

"He would have?" asked Sora. "You mean, you didn't come after me on your own."

Riku shook his head, "Sephiroth wants to kill you to get to Cloud. It's a long story. The short version is Cloud killed Sephiroth's mate and he wants revenge."

Sora's eyes widened. "Was that why Sephiroth attacked Cloud's village?"

Riku nodded, but Sora only huffed. "They killed Cloud's family, you know, you'd think that would be enough."

"Not for Sephiroth," said Riku. "He hates Cloud, so much that it's an obsession."

"Wait," said Sora suddenly. "I heard Sephiroth mention Roxas. Do you mean Roxas is alive?"

Riku looked confused. "What?"

"Roxas, Cloud's brother. Cloud thought he was killed with everyone else when his village was destroyed."

"No, he wasn't killed. A naga named Axel took him as a prisoner of war, he's been living here as Axel's servant-- well, in name anyway; they were more like friends, but —wait? Roxas is Cloud's…Oh gods, if Seph had known that he'd have had him killed ages ago."

"But he's alive?" pressed Sora. What would Cloud do if he knew?

"He was," said Riku sighing heavily. "Sephiroth ordered him executed tonight. Sephiroth couldn't have a human in the village now; he's planning to wage war."

"War?" asked Sora. "But…"

"Sephiroth didn't know if Cloud was alive, not for sure. Now he knows, and he wants to destroy him and all the humans once and for all. But, don't worry about that now. One thing at a time, the important thing now is getting you out of here. That was my plan all along, see. I bring you here, then help you escape. They'll just think you escaped on your own, so I won't be in trouble with any of my superiors and you can go home. Now you know to be on alert. Just promise you won't lead them back here, Sora. I don't want anyone else getting killed. I can trust you right?"

Sora nodded, "Of course you can, but Riku—"

"No buts," Riku cut him off, "I don't have time to argue, I have to go soon or they'll get suspicious." He moved closer, leaning down to kiss Sora. "Maybe it would have been better if we never met, and I know it's selfish, but I don't regret it."

"Riku, I never knew that fear and hate could be so strong, that everything would get so messed up, but I don't regret anything either, my heart is saying we were right. I love you, and that's worth everything."

Riku nodded, tears in his eyes. "I have to go, but I'll come for you. They change the guard just after dawn. I'll slip in and get you out. I can pick a lock easily enough. Don't worry, Sora, I'll get you out of this, I promise."

With that, Riku left. He was sure things would be all right. He'd save Sora, no problem. All he had to do was wait for dawn to come.

Hours passed, and Riku waited, trying not to nod off. The naga hadn't slept in over 48 hours, which wasn't as bad for a naga as it would have been for a human, but it was enough to leave Riku exhausted. Still, he knew he couldn't sleep yet, Sora was counting on him, and nothing would keep him from fulfilling his promise.

It was then the alarm bells began to sound.

Riku hurried out of the house, heading for the village square. His mind racing much faster than he did. Was it Sora, had he escaped on his own? Were the humans attacking?

The village was alive with activity. Naga poured out of their homes. In the throng of people, some moved with purpose, others were like him, confused and looking for direction, some clue as to what was going on.

"Riku!" Sephiroth called, and instantly his apprentice turned.

Riku met Sephiroth, intent on finding out what had happened. "Is it —"

"It's Axel," said Sephiroth, cutting Riku off. "He's turned traitor."

"What? Axel?" Riku didn't understand. "But he killed Roxas on your orders, he's as loyal—"

"The human is alive," Sephiroth stated gravely, "for now."