I don't own Kingdom Hearts.

Warning: This chapter contains violence and some disturbing material.

Thank you Glaciesquest and DecidedFate13 for your reviews of the first chapter.

This chapter focuses more on Roxas and Demyx, but Axel will have a larger role in the next one.

Roxas stirred and slowly opened his eyes. The bright lights stung the retinas causing him to immediately shut them and turn to his side. The boy winced at the sharp pain in his rib cage.

"Roxas, don't move," a familiar voice called softly.

"Ax—Axel," Roxas moaned.

He gradually opened his eyes, subconsciously using his energy to slightly dim the lighting, much to the chagrin of the nobody on the other side of the room. Roxas took in his location being the lab that doubled as the infirmary.

The youngest nobody looked up at the redhead who sighed in relief. "What happened?"

Axel rubbed at the back of his head. "You took a pretty bad beating," he answered, his face displaying relief at his friend's consciousness.

Roxas leaned against the pillow as he attempted to recollect recent memories. The last thing he could remember was being on a mission with Axel in The Land of Dragons. There were there for only a few minutes when they were ambushed by heartless.

Roxas fought them with ease at first. He let his ego get the best of him as he darted after the last, ignoring Axel's pleas for him to wait.

The heartless led him a little ways down where larger, more powerful ones waited. They surrounded the nobody, eyes focused on their prey, their only desire to rip him to shreds. Roxas went into defense mode, blocking with his weapon as he had been taught during vigorous training. Most of the heartless fell victim to his keyblade.

Roxas heard the approach of an assault rider too late. He was hoisted into the air and tossed against a rock wall, where he felt a tremendous pain erupt in his abdomen. A half a second passed, the shock keeping him from screaming, or calling for help. The heartless launched a second attack, smacking the nobody's head against the wall. The painful shout stopped in his throat a mere moment before he blacked out.

"You're lucky," said a voice from the other side of the room. Both looked in the direction of the approaching footsteps to see the frowning face of the man who acted as their healer. "What made you think you could take on one of that size and power?"

"Leave him alone, Vexen," Axel interrupted with a glare.

"It was a foolish mistake that nearly cost him his life," Vexen retorted. "If you hadn't given him the potion when you did, we both know his lungs would be full of blood."

Roxas groaned at that remark.

Axel stood in front of number IV with his arms crossed. "The Superior is gonna' chew him out enough, he doesn't need it from you too." His tone hardened. "Your job is to fix him." The fire in his eyes warned the other he was not one to test.

Vexen scoffed then turned to retrieve the needed medication from the cabinet.

Roxas tried to sit up only to immediately regret it.

"Don't move, little buddy," Axel said as he gently pushed Roxas back down on the pillow. "You have two fractured ribs."

Vexen approached Roxas with foul-tasting medicine. The youngest nobody reluctantly drank it down then thankfully accepted the glass of water.

"Another twenty-four hours and you'll be ready for work again," Vexen said without any ounce of enthusiasm. "But you won't be fighting for a while."

Roxas sighed. It seemed he was going to return to the boring life of reconnaissance missions until his ribs fully healed. Vexen's long hair swayed as he took his exit, leaving Axel and Roxas alone.

"It won't be so bad," Axel said.

"I'm going to be so bored," Roxas complained. "I hate recon."

"You said you wanted to spend more time with Demyx," replied Axel.

"Not on missions," Roxas groaned. "We both know I'll end up doing all the work while he stares off into space and strums that stupid sitar."

Axel laughed which brought a smile to Roxas' face. The pyrokinetic felt a little bad for laughing at Demyx's expense, but it was worth it to cheer Roxas up for a moment.

The Cloaked Schemer walked in from the lab during their conversation to turn in a report of a recent finding to Vexen. He glanced over at the two then resumed his task. Roxas and Axel knew not to expect a warm greeting from the second youngest member.

Roxas returned his attention to Axel. "He's a nice guy and all, but I don't want to work with him." Roxas' hands touched the recently wrapped bandages on his torso. A part of him worried what would happen if they ran into trouble. Demyx was lazy, but surely he was not the kind to leave a wounded man to fend for himself.

"If you're on a mission with Number IX, then at least you'll be safe from harm," Zexion said not making eye contact with the others. The two chuckled and both Axel and Roxas could have sworn that they saw a ghost of a smile on Number VI's face.

None of them knew the object of their conversation stood outside the room. He had heard from Luxord that Roxas had been injured on a mission and had hurried off to the medical wing to check up on him. Just as he was about to enter he heard his name and listened to what his alleged friends had to say in his absence.

With a smile Demyx turned away from the lab. He instead headed for the training area. No one was scheduled there for another three hours, which would give him plenty of time and privacy to work on his new trick.

The Nocturne's lips continued to curve upwards until his teeth were exposed. The Superior's words played through his head, giving him the strength he needed to push back the false desire to shed tears.

"We don't have hearts," Demyx said softly to himself. He repeated that phrase six more times while descending the staircase. Lately he had used the portals less and less. Besides walking was better exercise. He reached his destination and stood outside the doors. The sound of Roxas and Axel's laughter rang through his head.

"It's expected," he told himself giving him a reason to smile. "They aren't my friends." A faltering smile graced his face. "We can't be friends. They don't have hearts. None of us do."

With that comforting thought he pushed through the doors ready to begin his training.

As promised Roxas was released the next day. Xemnas had asked Vexen for an report on Roxas' condition, and the blond informed him that as long as Roxas did nothing strenuous, he was fit to return to the field. Xemnas was not thrilled about having one of his best heart collectors barred from battle for a good while, but it was not worth risking further damage.

Roxas woke in his own room. Were it not for the soreness around his ribs, he would have believed the previous two days to be a nightmare. He groaned at the memory of being told that he was to get ready then report to Saix for his next mission. He was not given a time so the teen dawdled.

The simplest tasks such as dressing and styling his hair took longer. Roxas was too happy to down the painkillers there on the counter. He was tempted to take a few extra were it not for the chance of Axel overreacting upon finding out.

Roxas glared at his reflection. "You just had to get yourself hurt, didn't you?" he said to himself.

The youngest member teleported to the gray area as instructed. He glanced around the room to see the last person he desired to interact with, the very one who required his presence. Roxas hesitantly approached the Diviner. He was still as afraid of Saix as the first day he met him. There was a rumor among the lower ranks that anyone who dared to cross the berserker ended up hospitalized—if they were lucky.

Roxas noticed a smiling man leaning against the wall a few feet down from Saix. He gave Demyx a curt smile then returned his attention to the glaring nobody before him. There were many thoughts swimming through his mind, many worries which would have been lessened had he been paired with Axel.

"Number XIII," Saix said handing Roxas his mission instructions. "You are to accompany Number IX to Agrabah." Roxas scanned the details. Just as he expected it was a reconnaissance mission to an area of that world they had not sent any of the members yet. Saix spoke again causing Roxas to flinch. The berserker waited until Roxas' eyes met his before giving his last command, "You are not to fight, understood?"

Roxas nodded. "Yes, sir," he said.

Saix turned to face Demyx who was stepping towards Roxas. "If there is any danger you get him out of there."

Demyx flashed him a creepy smile. "Of course. Whatever you say." He turned away chuckling. Roxas watched as Saix displayed a momentary look of shock. Demyx gently shook Roxas' shoulder. "Looks like it's the two of us today."

Roxas replied, "Yeah."

Demyx created a portal and the two stepped through. In a few seconds they were at their desired location. Demyx had come to that world several times and Roxas only once with Axel. They were only there a short while to purchase a few necessary items for their next assignment, so Roxas had not really experienced the place.

The world was different from what he was used to. There was a lot more color and it was drier and a lot hotter than The World that Never Was. The people seemed cheerful as they made their way through the streets.

"Stay close, Roxas," Demyx instructed as he began to walk.

Roxas hurried over to Demyx's side. In the directions Saix commanded that they blend in with the citizens of Agrabah. Roxas felt they stood out due to their clothing alone, but no one paid them much attention. Demyx kept that same smug smile on his face as he walked without any incident.

Despite the blazing heat Roxas felt a severe chill creep down his spine. The memory of Axel's confession regarding Demyx returned to his conscious mind. That was not Demyx's usual smile, it was the grin of someone more confident, someone who had very little to lose. Roxas shuddered and found himself suddenly wanting to return to the castle.

Demyx stopped and looked down at the smaller nobody. "Something wrong, Roxas?" he asked.

Roxas shook his head.

"You're shaking," Demyx stated with a laugh.

Roxas nearly cried out. Demyx moved forward causing Roxas to step back and bumped into a middle-aged lady.

"I'm sorry," Roxas said to the woman. "I wasn't paying attention, I'm really sorry."

The woman stared at him startled for a few seconds then smiled. "It's alright. Accidents happen." She turned to go on about her business leaving Roxas both nervous and slightly embarrassed.

Demyx grabbed Roxas and pulled him forward. Roxas struggled at first then gave in, allowing Demyx to lead him through the crowded street. He had to power-walk to keep up with Demyx's strides. When they were a good ways away from anyone he asked, "Okay, you're shaking. What's wrong?"

Roxas stood silent for a few beats. Those sea blue eyes meeting his were the same ones that belonged to a friend who would go out of his way to cheer him up, or displayed what seemed to be genuine concern. He was a friend who had not deserved such cruel thoughts.

A quick lie came to him and he replied, "It's my first mission without Axel, so I'm kind of nervous." Demyx lifted an eyebrow and Roxas continued, "I got hurt last time, so I'm sorry if I'm a little jumpy."

Demyx smiled. "Yeah, they should've let you recover before sending you anywhere." He noticed that Roxas was still tense and added, "Don't worry. I'll protect you."

"But you don't fight," Roxas accidentally blurted out.

Demyx chuckled. "Is that why you're worried?" he asked. He clamped a hand on Roxas' shoulder then said, "I don't like to fight, that doesn't mean I can't." He placed a finger on Roxas' forehead, leaned close then whispered, "Remember that." He gave a short chuckle, one that was not his usual, blithe laugh, which gave Roxas a reason to shiver once more.

Demyx straightened his posture and continued to walk forward. With a wave of his hand he beckoned for Roxas to follow him to the new area they were assigned to investigate.

Roxas kept a good distance behind Demyx, though the whole time he wondered why he was so afraid of the Organization's joke. Everyone made him out to be a wimp and he himself had never witnessed Demyx in battle, so it was possible that he was just trying to make him feel better with false assurance. The immense fear in the pit of his stomach he had felt since being partnered with Demyx had diminished, but the concern of his well-being slightly increased. The boy honestly could not attest to which was worse.

An hour later they stood in the midst of the desert. Roxas panted while he reached for the canteen that Demyx had graciously refilled for him twice. The Nocturne had even sprinkled him with a mist when he felt as if he was near fainting. It now made sense why Xemnas often sent Demyx on missions to Agrabah.

"Here we are," Demyx said as they reached a remote location in the middle of the desert. "Supposedly there have been reports of activities out here."

"It's just a wasteland," Roxas stated.

"Yep, but this is our location," Demyx replied. He glanced down at the note card just to be sure.

Demyx sat down in the sand ready to watch for any change. Roxas followed his lead. The two sat there in silence for several minutes. Demyx stared out in the open space with that same creepy smile on his face. The younger nobody wondered what his superior was thinking to make him smile like that.

Roxas looked down at the sand trying to think of anything other than what twisted thoughts frequented the once cheerful nobody. He swallowed collected saliva then asked, "Do you like doing this kind of work?"

The older blond glanced over at the younger one. "Pardon?"

"Recon," Roxas clarified. "Don't you ever get bored?"

Demyx shrugged. "If it's what the Superior wants me to do then it's what I'll do," he answered with a chuckle. He leaned forward and wrapped his arms around his legs. "Besides, there's no way I can screw this up, right?" Roxas looked up to see Demyx's blue eyes on him. "Right?"

"I—I didn't say that," Roxas said putting up his hands in defense.

"No you didn't," Demyx said with a sigh. He leaned his chin on his arms. "But you were thinking it."

"Demyx!" Roxas cried as he moved to his feet, shifting sand onto the other nobody. "Please don't tell me what I'm thinking." He crossed his arms then added, "You don't know what I'm thinking."

"Don't insult my intelligence," Demyx replied, straightening out his legs. "It's no mystery what the whole Organization thinks about me." He leaned back on his palms and asked, "Why should you and Axel be any different?"

"We're your friends," Roxas snapped. "Friends don't treat each other that way."

Demyx looked away. A retort surfaced surrounding the very words he overheard Axel and Roxas speak the day before. His tongue burned to throw Roxas' very words in his face, but something kept him from blurting out that knowledge. "You're right, I'm sorry," he said. "I shouldn't assume. It was wrong of me to do so." He gave Roxas a kind smile and asked, "Forgive me?"

Judging from his tone Demyx did not sound full of remorse. Still Roxas wished to end the conflict and forgave the other.

You're right. Friends don't do that. Then you just confirmed what I suspected all along. Demyx decided to keep quiet regarding what he knew was said behind his back. A part of him wondered if it was a misunderstanding, but he had heard too much of the conversation for that to be the situation.

They sat in silence for another ten minutes before it was broken by a rumbling. Both jumped to their feet and summoned their weapons. Roxas held his keyblade tightly, hoping whatever it was would be something small in fear of breaking his body again. He positioned himself into a defensive stance. Despite the promise he made to both Saix and Axel, he was not going to leave a non-fighter like Demyx to fend for himself.

The teenager's fears were confirmed as several heartless appeared in the sand. Roxas stepped forward when Demyx put an arm out in front of him.

"You were instructed to stay put," the Melodious Nocturne said without looking at the boy.

"But there's too many," Roxas protested.

Demyx gave him a smug grin. "I can handle it."

Several shadows made their way towards the nobody. Demyx held his sitar close. He leaped forward and kicked one directly in the face. It instantly evaporated, allowing a second one to advance. Demyx dodged then hit it in the head with the edge of his instrument. He twirled around to destroy another who tried a sneak attack. Roxas watched with wide eyes as Demyx swiftly and gracefully decimated the shadows.

Three neoshadows jumped out of the ground and began their assault. Demyx smirked and strummed a shrill tune. Roxas clamped his hands over his ears, dropping the keyblade into the sand. The water formed into the shape of a spear, which struct the creature in the chest. Demyx played the same tune backwards, which directed the water weapon into the eye of the second heartless. The Nocturne sprung into the air and played that first chord. Two more water spears appeared both impaling the remaining neoshadow.

The ninth member turned in time to repel the advancing deserter's attack with the sole of his boot. The heartless fell back and kicked his feet hoping to gain balance. Demyx jumped up and landed a knee to its stomach. He punched the creature in the face then sliced him with the sitar as it began to topple backwards. Demyx watched with a smirk as it vanished. He turned just in time to jab the next one before it could make its move.

The heartless stumbled but Demyx was not in a merciful mood. He stepped forward and kicked him. The heartless tumbled. The ninth member scurried over. He stamped on the creature's head four times, listening to its shrieks with that same grin painted on his face. Fate granted it grace, allowing it to vanish, leaving only one alive.

Demyx licked his lips. He was kind of saddened that this was the end to the action. He had hoped there would be a more challenging opponent. Oh well, he would make that one last. Demyx played a few chords on his sitar causing the water to chain the heartless. He lifted the weapon back and played a haunting melody that caused the chains to solidify and restrict the creature's throat. Its restrained hands struggled to break free, causing the chains to slice into its wrists. With that wide grin, the nobody strummed that same melody in a higher octave. The icy chains wrung tighter about the heartless' neck until the bones were severed.

The creature disappeared leaving the Nocturne panting with that same smile, his teeth bared and eyes wide. Roxas looked away trying to hide the uncontrollable trembling throughout his body. The older members told him time and again that it was impossible for them to possess natural emotions, but at the moment he found himself not wanting to be anywhere near Demyx.

Demyx released the sitar, allowing it to vanish from the current dimension. The Nocturne made his way back to Roxas. That grin had vanished replaced with a softer one he was used to seeing. Roxas tried to tell himself what he just witnessed was a mere illusion brought on by heat and dehydration. In any case, he kept a good five foot distance from the older nobody.

"I told you I'd protect you," Demyx said. "I think that's enough for today." He summoned a portal with his hand. "Xemnas will be expecting his report." Before stepping inside Demyx looked back at the trembling teen. "What's wrong? You weren't hurt."

Roxas shook his head. He stepped inside the portal after Demyx. In no time they were back inside the castle.

"Roxas?" Axel asked upon his friend's arrival. He opened his mouth to ask if the mission was as bad as he expected when he noticed the young nobody shaking. "What's wrong?" He looked up at Demyx. "Did you run into trouble?"

"A little," Demyx answered. He looked over at Saix who suddenly found interest in the news. "Roxas is okay. I didn't let him fight."

Axel took a quick glimpse over Roxas to see no physical wounds. His gaze switched to the older blond. "You weren't hurt, were you?" he asked Demyx.

The mentioned shook his head. "Just a minor attack. Nothing to worry about."

"Minor attack?" Roxas exclaimed.

"You disagree?" Saix asked. Once again he found himself looking slightly surprised at Demyx. The Nocturne had never been one to boast of his feats, but he never under exaggerated either. "The exact amount is an important detail you will include in your report." He narrowed his eyes then added, "Leave nothing out."

Demyx agreed with a nod.

"I—I didn't know he could fight like that," Roxas stated.

"I swore I'd keep you safe," Demyx stated. "It's what friends do, right?" The Nocturne switched his attention to Saix. "Leave the report to me."

For a moment Saix found himself speechless. A part of him wondered who the clone before him was. He then noticed the strange smile the ninth member wore. To see Demyx, of all nobodies, appear so confident would take some getting used to.

The Diviner recalled Xemnas briefly mentioning in conversation a special discussion he held with Demyx two weeks ago. He made a mental note to applaud his superior's work the next time they spoke.

"The Superior wants it within the next hour," the Luna Diviner instructed.

Demyx nodded and vanished into a portal. He stepped into his room and locked the door behind him. Demyx sat down at his desk. With a pen in hand he began to document all that occurred in Agrabah.

The bottom of the pen was placed gently on the Nocturne's lip as he wondered if he should include every detail of the fight.

Why not? He's always saying he wants to see better effort.

With a grin, the pen scribbled away.

That ends chapter two. I had to research the different types of heartless, so hopefully it's correct. If something is not right, please let me know.

I hope you all enjoyed. Thanks for reading.

Until next time!