Sorry this took so long, unexpected things cropped up. But it's all sorted out now, so you can finally see the end of the story that has reminded me of the joys of writing fanfiction, got me out of my general Writers Block Rut and brought me back to my childhood days of playing Kingdom Hearts, AKA the Most Awesome RPG In The Universe.

Thank you for all the praise—it truly brings joy to my heart to see people enjoying my writing, which I usually don't let anyone see, for the very fear that they will hate it. It does help that the KH section seems to be review-happy. :)

What? I wrote a hundred words in the AN?! I need to stop stalling and get to work. Thank you all, especially (as always) Raberba Girl.

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Stupid Questions, Part Four—The Last Question

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We return to the chaotic scene which we left. Four Organization members staring in not-horror (they'd need hearts for that, probably), Xion being somewhat unhelpful with her Keyblade, Roxas having a full-blown 'what-have-I-done' moment and Axel and Xigbar just about ready to break each other's bones.

Also, everything was on fire.

Such situations never end well, and this was no exception. Saix had that look on his face, the one that almost always preceded a severe reprimand. Roxas was the first to break the silence, probably to make sure Saix got the whole story before he started thinking about sending Axel solo against a Giant Heartless and revoking his ice cream privileges.

"You're not going to like hearing this, Axel," Roxas said, sighing deeply.

The Flurry of Dancing Flames turned to his tiny, cute, innocent, clueless Key of Destiny. Realization hit Axel in the face before the kid could even speak.

"Xigbar didn't have anything to do with this," Roxas continued, after a brief pause. "I saw some kids in Twilight Town joking about it, and I had no idea what they were talking about, and I figured you had to know the answer, because you know all the answers, you know? I was so bored at the meeting that it kind of came out without me thinking. I'm really sorry, Axel."

Axel was furious at Roxas. For about two seconds. Because, really, how could anyone stay mad at a cute kid who is making such a sincere apology, especially when that kid meets you for ice cream every day? It is simply not possible.

So fury turned to pity. Poor kid, so clueless, thinking I know all the answers… This feeling, too, lasted about two seconds.

After that, the pity turned to sheer terror. This feeling (Why am I feeling, I don't have a heart, I'm not supposed to feel…) was just a little bit more long-lived.

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After the flames had been doused, Xigbar had been healed and everything had been put back in its proper place, Axel sat across from Saix in the large bedroom that doubled as an office. The chair was extremely uncomfortable, which had probably been intentional on Saix's part. The Luna Diviner's office chair also made him look just slightly taller.

"Now, then, Number VIII," Saix said, sighing for five hundredth time that week. "Can you tell me why you tried to kill Xigbar and burn down the Castle That Never Was?"
"Well, when you put it that way, it sounds a lot worse, now doesn't it?" Axel muttered.
"Nothing could possibly make it any worse, except maybe throwing in a rampaging puppet. Oh, wait, there was a rampaging puppet."

Axel clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. That was the last straw. "It wasn't just the question, you know," he said, anger flowing through his body.
Saix raised his eyebrows in mock surprise. "Really? Do tell, Number VIII."
"Xigbar called them pets. Tools. Toys. I'm getting really tired of everyone in this stupid Organization treating Roxas and Xion like inanimate objects. And you do it to, calling Xion 'puppet' and 'it', like she's a marionette or something."
"Xion was specifically created to achieve our goals. You are getting too attached to it, and—"
"You just did it again!" Axel was shouting now. "I don't care what she was 'created' for, she is a person, and so is Roxas, and I won't listen to you until you refer to them as such!"

The two stared each other down for a moment. "You're far too sentimental towards… her," Saix said, clearly straining against both habit and contempt. Rising frustration and anger was probably part of the mix as well.
Axel took a deep breath. "That's better. I take full responsibility for the whole incident. I'll pay for everything, including what Xion broke, out of my own pocket. I will also accept any further punishment you choose to give me."
"Oh, you're actually accepting punishment. That's a new one."
"It's amazing what happens when you stop and act nice to people for a change."

Saix sighed in exasperation before continuing. "Of course, I am going to have to take away the authority I gave you to scorch the other members and their belongings."
"I understand that, that's perfectly reasonable." Saix suspected Axel was faking that one, but he at least made an effort to make it sound sincere.
"I believe no further punishment is needed, since I have removed the source of the problem. You are dismissed, Axel."

As Axel left the room, Saix called. "I still don't approve of your attachment to them."
"As long as you dislike them as people and not objects, Sai, I don't care."

The Luna Diviner sighed, staring at the massive damage estimate in front of him. Then he got up and wandered around the castle until he found Xigbar. "Number II," he said calmly. "May I speak with you in my office for a few minutes?"

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Everyone other than the Keybearers treated Axel a bit like a wild animal for a while after that. Even the kids were just slightly more careful. Even he admitted that this was understandable. But, as always with such things, there was a silver lining. With the absence of a social life with the rest of the Organization came the even more notable absence of stupid questions. Roxas and Xion still asked questions of Axel the All-Knowing (that's how they thought of him, anyway), but they were almost always easy to answer and never came from a fellow member. Axel could deal with not interacting with his jerks for coworkers if it meant he didn't have to answer any questions.

There was one odd incident in the days afterward, though. The trio was eating ice cream together at the clocktower once again when Xion started talking. "Axel, can I ask you a question?"
Axel sighed, and braced himself. "Go ahead. I promise I won't go berserk on anyone this time."
"What's love?"

Axel had not braced for that. He choked on his ice cream for a moment, before sadly thinking, Here we go again. It always comes around at some point.

"Xi, I'll answer that on our next day off when we have a lot more ice cream. Why do you ask?"
"I overheard Saix muttering to himself. He says… he says you love us."

That night, Saix was quite perplexed to find the word Correct written into his desk, clearly scorched in by fire.

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THE END

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Yup, that's it. I realize this chapter is, in many ways, a deviation from the humorous tone of the rest of the story, but this came out of my head just as the fiasco in the last chapter had, and it seemed like a fitting way to end things. I felt like I had to address Xigbar's jerkish comments in the last chapter, and it took off from there.

So what's next? Not to worry, KH fans. This writer has plenty more in store for this awesome trio of trios, from weird noises to decluttering. Actually, that's what I have planned for the next two fics, in that order. :P I've accumulated several index cards of plot bunnies, many usable, and I plan to use as many as I can for writing this awesomeness. Oh, and the RokuShi series? I think I'll hold that off until later, but it will come within the year, I promise you.

Thank you for your continued support and praise. I will find a way to use the questions and other ideas you submitted me, one way or another. :) Remember, reviews are always appreciated.

Thanks for reading, and tune in next time!