Kindred Spirits, Family
He had claimed, ever since forsaking Saix's "friendship", that he would remain alone, indifferent. As a Nobody, he couldn't have friends. Didn't possess the feelings to truly have friends. Ones without hearts surely couldn't see friends, couldn't see anything, just nothings, like him.
He was wrong.
He remembered that day, that day Xemnas said this situation called for his "special touch". Axel was sent to try and befriend a Nobody that had turned down the offer to join the Organization.
And, of course, Axel was sent to try and persuade him to join in a different way, but also, if he refused…
Well, this "Roxas" would have to come anyway. The Organization needed the Nobody of the infamous "Keyblade Hero".
So, try and befriend this guy. No problem. Axel thought. He was walking down the streets of the deserted city that laid below the Castle that Never Was. Footsteps were behind him. No one cared where he went, unless, of course, it was…
"Where are you going?" The familiar monotone asked.
Axel paused, and then smirked. "I'm on a mission."
"Why was I not alerted?" The voice sounded almost offended. Almost.
"I dunno. Now, if you excuse me…"
Axel tried to continue, but the voice stopped him again.
"You're hoping to find one like you." It wasn't a question.
Axel turned just his face to look at Saix. "What?"
"One who hasn't released his human memories?"
Axel shrugged. "Maybe. My business isn't yours, got it memorized?"
He opened a portal and stepped through.
Of course, Saix was right. Even though their former friendship as humans had fractured, Saix still knew him the best out of the rest of the Organization members. He alone knew his human name, and Axel still knew his.
Funny how Roxas was in Twilight Town. Axel had always come here, enjoying the sunset while off missions, since the scenery reminded him of his former home. Axel knew several of the kids, knew several of adults. No one paid him any mind, even in his black cloak. He was a common face here, always at this time, buying ice cream.
Might as well do this right.
Buying two ice creams Axel looked for Roxas, going off Xemnas's description. It wasn't hard to find the guy, he looked rather lost.
Axel approached him, offering to him to come and talk with him, and gave him an ice cream. They sat on the Clock Tower…and talked.
Axel was amazed, as always, that this single absent minded kid was his friend. He used to be able to talk to Saix as easy as him, but now, Axel was "pleased" to discover that Saix had been right.
He had gone searching, in a vain hope, that the person to fill the empty thirteenth seat in the meeting room Where Nothing Gathers wouldn't be emotionless and cold. He had hoped this person would put on a façade, like he did every day that they were still human.
He had found a best friend, a Kindred Spirit, a person to talk to. Impossibly.
Axel was "annoyed" at some of the other members' snide comments; they were friends, nothing more.
Saix didn't seem to like Roxas but was still "satisfied" that Axel had gotten him to join the Organization. Xemnas was certain now their plans were on track.
Alone, in his room, Axel mused on his human life and his Nobody existence. Supposedly, at least he was lucky to be alive. Was death better than…?
A knock on his door. Axel opened it and found Roxas leaning casually against the door frame. As usual he seemed to have to gather himself, his eyes becoming focused, which meant he was coming out of his daydreaming state.
"Xemnas wants us to go on a Heartless routing mission."
"Where to?" Axel asked.
"Some place called…" Roxas winced. "Wonderland."
"Wonderland? What the heck are Heartless doing there?"
Trust Roxas to come at the right time to get him out of his morbid thoughts. There was a thump on the wall, Axel muttered as he followed Roxas out,
"If Larxene bangs one more time…"
