Disclaimer: I do not own or claim to own Kingdom Hearts or anything related to the Kingdom Hearts franchise. These characters, places, villains, etc. Are not mine. This is fan based fiction entirely for entertainment purposes. Please enjoy.

Axel

"What good are secrets if you go around telling them to anybody and everybody?"

"Eliminate the traitors."

Those were his final orders. The shadow of this next mission loomed over Axel's shoulders for days now. If he were to succeed this could very well be his last mission. Find the two traitors responsible for planning to overthrow the Organization. Simple, right? The entirety of the Organization, excluding Demyx and Roxas, were informed of an alliance in the works. An alliance that would be the undoing of their Organization... should this alliance succeed. It was no mystery and after being summoned to the white circle by Xemnas they all kept a spare eye on the two as they plotted and schemed in the dark corners of the castle. Axel was the only member trusted enough to truly eliminate them before seeing to the completion of the final task; securing Sora.

"Who knows what they are plotting?" Saix smirked. "You know. I know that you know. Travel to Castle Oblivion and kill Marluxia and Larxene. See to it that the others complete our task. If these orders are carried out swiftly, expect the keyblade wielder's demise to bring about our final victory."

He was right. Axel knew exactly what they were plotting. He'd been ordered to spy on the two during their little meetings. At first, Xemnas feared Axel's flashy features and relaxed demeanor would lead to his ultimate discovery. True, his structure was bony and tall but he seemed to blend right in with the shadows. They embraced him and guided him in his endeavors since as long as he could remember. Since he'd first joined the Organization his ability to keep secrets was highly regarded. Though he was carefully watched and seldom trusted. What good are secrets if you go around telling them to anybody and everybody?

Axel had long since been entrusted with the Organization's internal affairs. Saix, his superior and past friend, oversaw Axel's activities and boasted a sincere belief that Axel is the key to Xemnas keeping his leadership smooth and secure. Axel never disappointed his seniors and quite soon was placed in charge of monitoring missions and training those who were deemed weaker than the rest to prove their worth and become something great. He motivated and inspired other members and would often sacrifice his own good standing to be sure that they would be recognized for any outstanding efforts.

Recently he'd been accompanying Roxas on missions to familiarize him with his keyblade. As he watched the boy's confidence in his abilities grow he couldn't help but notice a friendship beginning to grow as well. They shared more in common than Roxas knew, though Axel also appreciated his naivety and knew that Roxas was the only member kept completely out of the loop. Who better to wind down with at the end of the day than the boy who doesn't know enough about work to endlessly talk about it?

Though his days of winding down with an ice cream at dusk were slowly coming to an end. He'd been blowing Roxas off to track Larxene and Marluxia throughout the castle. It became exhausting because they constantly shifted with patterns and meeting times. Just when he'd find himself on the right path they'd turn a corner and lead him back into the dark.

They would plot in hushed tones and conceal themselves in the safety of the shadows. Marluxia, of course, nominated himself as leader of their little partnership. He crowned Larxene his second in command; though he never quite used those words to describe her place. Instead he treated her like an object of lust. In fact, Axel couldn't quite pinpoint what their relation to each other was. He just knew one thing for sure, Larxene viewed herself as his second in command which truly contradicted the idea that a leader should not choose favorites which seemed to be the number one inspiration behind their little revolt.

Axel continued to follow them. They had plans to take out member at a time starting from the middle and moving up. As far as he knew their intention was to eliminate higher ranking members before persuading the lower ranks to join their cause. Rather than scatter missions they could assign each member a single job and value them on performance rather than skill. They spoke of rampant inequality and the desire to imprison Xemnas and torture him for details on every secret he kept for them. Equality in ranks and a voting system for the one they would call 'president' rather than 'master'. They weren't wrong. They were certainly puppets... dancing for a greater cause that would only benefit the masters. Still, orders were orders.

Axel would take Saix by Marluxia's empty room at night when the members of the Organization were dormant and in the castle. This served as proof that Marluxia was not in the places he claimed to be by night's end. It was Saix who suggested they take a trip to Larxene's room. They transported to the East tower where they suddenly burst through the door in an attempt to catch the two of them scheming. To their immediate disappointment Larxene was in bed fuming at their intrusion and Marluxia was nowhere to be found. Saix turned and left but Axel couldn't help but notice Foudre laced between her fingers before departing as well.

This prompted Axel to begin hiding in her room. This was perhaps the most human form of spying, and seriously difficult considering the lack of hiding places, but he knew that results would improve as far as farming information went if he were to bite the bullet and crouch in a place where he could eavesdrop with ease. The room was almost barren of furniture. However, there was a set of dresser drawers under her window and the space under her bed. He convinced Saix to task her with executing a random that they accused of being an enemy of the Organization so that he had a window of opportunity to break into her room and hollow out a space behind the drawers. The space under the bed seemed too practical and hard to get out of in the event of discovery. After he finished his woodworking venture on her dresser drawers he noticed they hardly even opened anymore. That was okay, they were empty anyways.

There were many nights when he would transport there and crouch, waiting for Marluxia to slither through the crack in the door and plot with Larxene. Lately he'd noticed Marluxia putting his hands on her whenever they would talk. Not in a casual teasing way or even in a controlling or abusive way. It was unlike anything Axel had witnessed in all of his years of serving the Organization. He could only see so much from the tiny crack he'd accidentally broke into the wood, but he noticed Marluxia often running his hands down her face or gripping her hands. He would tell her that she belonged to him (only him) and coo words of encouragement to his little partner in crime. He'd watch Marluxia press his lips against Larxene's skin and touch her hips and tell her how devious she looked whenever she would protest a change of plans or voice her own thoughts.

As disgusted as he was with this clear violation of Larxene's personal space, Axel couldn't help but feel a pang of emptiness. Nobody ever thought to touch him like that and he certainly never got the urge to touch another. Besides punching Roxas in the arm or taking somebody down in a fight, the idea of affection was something he managed to suppress since his awakening. Nobodies couldn't feel, although it looked like Larxene was greatly enjoying the attention Marluxia gave her when he'd come to visit on those late nights to her chambers. Axel reported the touching and affection to Saix who growled in disgust and began to pace back and forth, clearly in deep thought.

"Let them pretend to love." Saix said suddenly, turning his head and sneering. "How horrifying. He touches his lips to her? Is she not her own being? Who would allow their co-worker to touch them so intimately?"

Axel remembered rubbing his neck before replying, "Well, yeah. It's called kissing. He does it a lot. It's where you put your lips on another person's lips and then spit happens."

That conversation ended with Saix vowing to one day end Marluxia's position in the Organization himself. A vow he would never get to fulfill, as it soon went forgotten and rage turned to apathy and his hate became a simmering pile of ash that never again erupted into a passionate fire. Instead, he sent the flames of the Organization to complete his promise and avenge his misplaced feelings of loneliness and regret that his cohorts were now practicing in private.

Recently Marluxia managed to convince Vexen to join their little mutinous group. Vexen, being number 4, knew where they would have true privacy to further discuss their plans. Since his experiment had been completed and handed over to the master, Vexen thrived off getting involved with missions that simply didn't concern him. It was Saix's idea to pretend that Vexen was being barred from experimentation to thwart the traitors and have them believe that he would be a likely candidate for their cause. In reality, he simply moved Vexen's efforts to the abandoned mansion that was located on the outskirts of Twilight Town and gave him permission to intervene with the affairs of those lower ranking members of the Organization. However, Vexen couldn't manage to break through the lock on the mansion's gate. Instead he'd sit outside and jot down notes on his fellow members and cackle to himself as he daydreamed of the praise he would receive for being so thoroughly devious at the request of his masters.

Vexen always suspected a mutiny would one day occur. He had been warning Xemnas for ages that if he weren't vigilant of those beneath him he would one day find himself stepping down and serving a new master. Of course, the master's arrogance often caused him to dismiss his friend's warnings and even speculate them as treason. Axel loved to antagonize the mad scientist as he bumbled around and bothered the others to satisfy his conspiracies. Though he would never admit it aloud, he respected Vexen greatly. Vexen taught them how to summon heartless to utilize for their own needs. He taught Demyx and Larxene how to copy and use their form and he perfected the use of dark portals and dark travel. They truly wouldn't be where they were if not for this brilliant shell of what was once a great man and they all owed partial gratitude to his efforts to hold the Organization together.

Axel suspected Vexen of communing with Marluxia and was truly surprised. Out of all of the members who would betray Xemnas he just couldn't imagine Vexen as one of them. He finally gathered the nerve to confront Vexen, who eased his mind by letting him know that, yes, he discovered their mutinous little group. He discovered it and asked to join it in a grand attempt to thwart the Organization's potential doom at the hands of death's graceful messenger himself. He was plotting to weave himself into their ultimate plan and immediately turn over that information to the masters. He even had a detailed punishment just waiting to be signed, sealed, and approved.

"Vexen is a part of it, y'know?" Axel teased. "Marluxia asked the guy if he wanted to help overthrow Xemnas and take over the Organization as his good 'ol number 2."

Saix furrowed his eyebrows.

"Number 2? I was under the impression that Larxe-"

"Oh ho, HO. No you're on the right track. See here's my theory. Good 'ol Marluxia decided that Vexen was smart and inventive. Vexen knows his place and knows his friends. He's arrogant and uses his position as leverage. Marluxia is still too new to understand that, much like his little lovebird, Vexen is all talk. His loyalty still lies with the Organization's highest ranks and even the whiff of a mutiny will send him on his own little adventure to undo it. Sure he's an airbag that demands respect but who doesn't want a little recognition every once in a while?"

Saix nodded, "Go on."

"Right. So Vexen said all the right words. He's on Marluxia's sweet side. He plans on using his new position to isolate them in Castle Oblivion so that Lex and I can take them out. Either together or one by one. Preferably together so that they other doesn't try some kind of cute revenge stint."

Saix crossed his arms, "And Sora?"

Axel smiled back. His chest felt full as he assured Saix that they keyblade master would certainly be caught alive and hand delivered to the castle by Vexen himself. Deep inside he pined for Roxas to stay with the Organization and one day become whole. Perhaps he will become his own purpose and with hearts they can truly feel their friendship.

"Good. I knew we could count on you. You leave in a day."

Axel nodded curtly before taking a step back into a dark portal he'd summoned shorty after receiving his final order. He only had one day to decide how he was going to eliminate these traitors. He craved the opportunity to let Roxas in on his mission but deep down he knew what was at risk if he said a word. Instead he continued to ghost the boy who often wandered around seeking Axel's company. He could hear the solemn footsteps of the keyblade wielder echo through the west corridor of the castle and instead changed route to the castle library. There he was sure to find Zexion who was also ordered to prepare for his trip to Castle Oblivion; presumably as support and to clean up any mess that were to occur should the mission fail.

Axel appeared among the mazes of books and began to pace through the rows of shelves. His mind was racing. In truth, he didn't understand why they must be eliminated in Castle Oblivion. He knew Xemnas and he knew his preferences and punishments. One notion of mutiny and they would be executed in the round room and made an example for anyone else who got the idea to challenge his authority. Why go through the trouble of tracking them to a hidden castle to do the job that he could do with one hand tied behind his back? The only reason he could come to was to knock two birds out with one stone. Sora and the treacherous mutiny. Or perhaps there was a greater purpose hidden between the lines that he would have to stumble upon or learn to never wonder about again.

How was he going to even make this happen? He'd put very little thought into it because he just didn't forsee himself doing a job that he was sure his superior would do. It dawned on him that Marluxia was weak minded and willing to employ those who have turned against the Organization to further his own best interests. Though he was planning on betraying Vexen, he didn't seem to once imagine that Vexen could be working undercover for the Organization's best interests instead. This inability to put thought into the possible motives of others would likely be Marluxia's undoing. Though Axel knew that Larxene would have certainly questioned Vexen's credibility. It was written all over her pretty little face as Marluxia gripped her and held her close while he informed her of his involvement. The doubt that Axel saw glimmering in her eyes was enough to convince him that she was well aware that trusting Vexen was no move they wanted to make. But hey, Marluxia is number 1. What Marluxia says goes. Right?

Then it dawned on him. Marluxia was not the one he needed to convince to let him in on their treason. Marluxia knew better than anybody to doubt Axel's motives but Larxene could sway him. She introduced the idea of not trusting Vexen to Marluxia during their last encounter. She could easily introduce the idea of letting Axel, poor Axel who had a 'falling out' with dear Saix and wanted revenge on the Organization that kept him parted from his dear friend Roxas who he one day wanted to share a friendship with as a whole, join their little treasonous group. He had a day to change her mind and talk her into allowing him a place among their ranks. His plan seemed solid except for the sudden realization that he was leaving a day before they were to make preparations and track Sora. They still had two days left before they needed to make an appearance at the castle. He only had a single day to sway Larxene to believe his sudden interest in joining their cause.

He then stumbled upon Zexion who was perched atop a ladder with his hands sifting through the many books at the top of the shelves. Zexion's blue hair glowed ominously in the dim candlelight that shimmered from the wicks of melted candles that were enchanted to float in groups near Zexion's shoulders.

"Zex?"

He heard Zexion sigh as he flipped his hair to reveal his eyes and replied, "What do you need, Axel?"

"You wouldn't happen to have gotten your orders for Castle Oblivion yet, hm?"

Zexion began descending the ladder and one by one the wicks began to burn out, "Perhaps. Why?"

"Oh just wondering."

"Well, Axel, if you must know I leave tonight with Lexaeus. I'm reading books on gambling because Luxord found a way for Namine to transfer Sora's memories to... playing cards. I'm not quite sure how this is going to work out and if it truly will lead to us gaining Sora's skill for Vexen to copy or just create more human copies for us to house here."

Axel nodded, "Well neat-o. Would you happen to know where our little nymph, Larxene is?"

Zexion cast him a dark look. The candles slowly began to disappear one by one.

"Her room. I just gave you vital information to our mission. Are you not interested in learning about these cards? Axel this is huge. We're playing one big game there... these playing cards are the rules. You must know the rules if you plan on playing a game correctly."

Axel waved him off with a 'thanks' and summoned a portal to transport to Larxene's tower. He paid no attention to Zexion's words as he traveled the waves of darkness to the East Tower of the castle. After years of service to the Organization he still couldn't figure why number 12 practically has a tower devoted to housing her opposed to sharing the West corridor that housed everybody else. Then he remembered she was the only female besides Xion, who also resided in the tower.

"I swear." He muttered to himself. "Women."

Axel materialized in the center of her room. He was surprised to see that she was sitting on the windowsill just above the dresser drawers that he often hid in to spy on her. Foudre was sitting on the windowsill by her feet, which were bare. Her boots were nowhere in sight.

"Well, well, we-" Axel sidestepped as something flew past his head. His vision blurred and he felt himself buckle at the knees. He fell and collided against the cold white tile and felt his vision darkening as his body tingled and he began to lose feeling in his fingers.

He looked up and saw a double of Larxene zipping up her coat and lacing up Foudre; the way she prepped for battle or executing those who tried to thwart the Organization's advancements toward their final goal.

"What... the fuck... are you doing here?"

He couldn't speak or even find the words to say. He bowed his head and closed his eyes tight. He remained concious and could feel her tiny finger wrap around his arms as she pulled him up into a sitting position. He wasn't sure how much time had passed before the feeling in his hands returned and the tingling stopped, but she was seated quite still on the windowsill and facing him when he opened his eyes. She was posed for a fight and just waiting for him to make the wrong move.

"I- what. Watch your langu... watch your... what, why?"

Larxene scoffed. "Why do you think? You aren't allowed to just appear in my room. At least knock or ask a girl first."

Axel grunted and straightened up a bit. "My apologies, number 12. Welfare check."

Axel winked and then groaned as he slumped back down. She gasped and leaned forward slightly. A frown began to spread across her lips.

"You know."

Silence passed between the two.

"About?" Axel asked.

"Us. Marluxia and I."

Axel sighed, "Larxene. You can't fake love..."

"No! Not that!" Larxene interrupted, "You know about the plan."

"What plan?"

Larxene slowly knocked on the top of her dresser drawers. The hollow noise filled the room with each little knock.

"I can't seem to open them. Oh what on Earth could I possibly do with them? Where will I fit my boots? Oh I suppose the hole inside will have to do."

Axel sighed and closed his eyes. "So what now?" he asked, "You kill me with your fancy little lightening powers? Knock me out with a boot and throw me out the window? What is the price I must pay for spying on Marluxia's number 2?"

Larxene shook her head, "Nope. Nada. I know what you've been asked to do. I'm no fool. Marluxia took it too far when he decided to let Vexen in on his little plan and it was only a matter of time before the wretched scientist let his big bad bosses send the minions after us. Truth is, I wasn't that invested from the beginning. Just foolish and allowed a sleazy little man to act like he owned me."

Axel listened, his hands ready to summon his chakrams. He wasn't buying her act. He knew little of Larxene but knew she was strong willed and cunning. There was absolutely no way she was tricked by passion into a mutiny that would cause her her very existence.

"Love. Isn't it a complex emotion? I think that I felt love in my past life. With a boy. How cute, huh? Oh why am I telling you this? You've felt it to, right? I can't deny that I felt it with Marluxia. And you... with Roxas. Or is that friendship? Honestly, sometimes I feel the two aren't all that different. I've been taking trips to the library while you've been stalking Marluxia so I can read ancient tomes on the concept of 'love' and 'hearts'. I've decided that Marluxia's idea of love is... obsession. And what I feel in return is infatuation and passion. Not true love."

Axel interrupted, "Okay and who cares? You read books on things that don't matter."

"I care. I care because I belong to nobody. I'm perfectly content with working for the Organization. So one day I can be whole and experience true love. The way love is supposed to feel. Not a love that a man demanded from me because he decided one day he wanted to be the leader."

"You know," Axel started, "the Organization will never forgive you. For months you've plotted to overthrow them. There's no way in hell they'll keep you around after that. You couldn't prove loyalty to Xemnas. He truly believes there is no use for you. How will you experience love then? Is it truly worth it? Why not just fake love and be Marluxia's sweet little minion until the end of your heartless days?"

Larxene sighed, "It is worth it. If I cease to exist it would be better than living a lie."

Axel stood up. He summoned a dusk which spun around and bounced off the walls of her room. She jumped to her feet and wielded Foudre. Lightening lit up her skin and the dusk backed away and bobbled gently by her door.

"Perhaps we can strike a deal. I want in on this plan. I was given direct orders to eliminate any traitors. You know who those are. If you help make this process for me easy, I'll spare you and vouch for you at the circle. Of course, we must come to a mutual understanding that I am not in any way shape or form responsible for any punishment you may receive. Nor am I responsible for maintaining your existence. That's all on you, sister."

Larxene nodded, "Understood."

Axel chuckled and dismissed the dusk with the snap of his fingers, "They'll threaten to turn you into one, you know. But guess what? They can't. You're already a heartless. When you die something else happens. You won't turn into a dusk."

Larxene gazed at him. He could hint curiosity in her eyes. Did she truly care? Did she not even know? He was beginning to wonder if anyone else really knew that tt was true, the masters have no power to turn what already lacked a heart into a heartless. It was an empty threat used to persuade the members of the Organization to behave and silently carry on with their bidding. At least this is what he had been told by Saix who wasn't at all known for his honesty or mercy.

"I can get you Namine without you two having to kidnap her. I'll bring her to the twelfth floor where she'll be waiting for you. Do not verbally abuse her, Larxene. She will help you with your initial plan. You were right to not trust Vexen. He was sent to take Sora and imprison him for execution... after he helps kill you. Isolate him and I will guide him to complete his task. The others will be on the fourth floor. Pretend you do not know that they will be there. Leave them alone and I will give you further instruction on what needs to happen with them once we arrive at the castle and find a chance to speak alone."

Larxene had crossed her arms and listened intently. Axel didn't notice how bright her eyes were until she was staring up at him. She was almost like a child staring up at him with fascination and wonder. Her little hands were bare and twitched every now and again with excitement as she took in the details of the plan. He even noticed little red welts where Foudre had scratched her between her fingers and around her knuckles.

"How does this plan sound so far?"

"Well..." Larxene took a step forward. Axel heard her feet as she crossed the tile. "Marluxia will abuse the witch no matter what. His plan was-"

"I know the plan. Re-write Sora's memories and use him for all the dirty work. Pick us all off one at a time and have Vexen make copies. Use those copies as an army to take the castle and imprison the master."

Larxene rolled her eyes, "Yeah. Well it isn't gonna work. We need to re-write his memories to trap him. You must deliver him to the masters. Vexen is unstable and who knows what part of the mission he'll misunderstand and royally screw up for himself. You take Sora back and I'll work on helping Vexen's Riku copy eliminate the traitors. The rest of us will travel back and I will beg for forgiveness."

Axel glanced down. He had no idea that she knew about Vexen's experiment. Of course he would use it. Though he was sure it was confiscated for the leader's use... perhaps Vexen stole it back. Or maybe he truly was shut out of the laboratory for making multiple copies. Whatever the case may be, Axel was not the one sent to retrieve Sora and he was not one to disobey orders.

"Vexen is not on our side. He's on the master's sides. He will return Sora. I will stay and I will eliminate Marluxia. From there, we will commune and decide if it is worth taking you back. Your role is to use Namine to help capture Sora. You will battle and weaken him and when he is ready for capture you will secure him and turn him over to Vexen. Do so successfully and you may earn your place back into our ranks."

Larxene smiled and nodded with enthusiasm, "Oh yes!" She exclaimed. "All while I'm still pretending to be Marluxia's sidekick?"

Axel nodded slowly, "For now. And report to me any plan changes or important information. Suggest to Marluxia that I join your inner ring to overthrow the Organization. Make a good case and if you can get me in, let me know before tomorrow night. That way I can travel with the both of you instead of alone."

Larxene walked past Axel and smoothed out the sheets on her bed.

"Sounds good. Now get out. I'll confront Marluxia in the morning since I have the day off."

Axel began walking toward the door. He opened his portal slowly and took one step inside. He then turned around and curiously stared at her backside. She was taking off Foudre and placing it on her bed on the spot next to her evening resting spot.

"Can I help you?"

He heard her ask as she began unzipping her coat.

"Larxene. Before I go. You know I've been watching the both of you? Right? I'm sure we covered this earlier. I just want to be sure you know that I was ordered to watch you."

"I do."

"For how long? I mean, how long did you know and how did you know I was spying on orders?"

"Oh, hmm. Since I felt your presence lingering and the sounds of long drawn out breaths emitting from my drawers whenever I'd inch past to get in bed at night. I see you sneaking about and it is an insult to my intelligence that you assumed I didn't know. Saix uses you as his eyes and ears because he can't be bothered to do the job himself."

"Marluxia? Does he-"

"Marluxia is concerned with other things. He would've mentioned seeing you by now."

"You never mentioned me stealthing around after the both of you. And you knew all this time?"

"Some things are better left kept to myself. Just in case I needed to make a case to the castle's grand spy to save my hide in the future."

"Just one more question."

"Go ahead."

"Can you touch my hand the way you touch Marluxia's? I want to-"

Larxene turned around and silence fell upon his lips. Her hands were holding her coat closed. He noticed clothing move underneath it and felt relieved that he would not yet have to face experiencing the female form. She approached him slowly, her eyes taking in his naivety. He noticed her hair was slicked down and kind of messy. As if she'd been running her fingers through it nervously all evening. She lifted one tiny hand and touched his. He felt nothing and sighed in disappointment. She then pulled the glove from his hand and touched the exposed flesh. He shuddered at her touch. He felt a jolt from her fingertips and winced at the electricity that she mistakenly caused when she touched his hands. She suddenly threw the glove at his chest and turned to retreat to her bed.

"Get out."

Axel smirked and slid his glove back on. He stepped through the portal that took him to his own room. Tired, he climbed into his own bed and looked up at the ceiling.

"I felt that." he muttered to himself. "I felt her."

He turned to his side and closed his eyes. She was his puppet now. His puppet to use to disband treason, capture the keyblade master, and bring him closer to being whole. She was the perfect skeptic for him to use to appease his masters and sway Saix to forgive him for his secrecy with Roxas. She would lead him to victory quite soon without any clue as to what the Organization's true motives really are. And if she had any idea in her head that she would be spared... she was fooling herself. Axel spared no target once the order is given.