CH 4 : SECRETS

Slowly, Axel and Xion began to get a little closer to each other. They talked about their favorite things, things they don't like, their feelings, and a few more.

About half a year after they met, Axel was making two cups of fruit tea as he thought about the days that had passed since he met Xion. He felt like he found a friend again. And this time he had a feeling that he wouldn't be betrayed like before.

I wonder how Xion is feeling, though. Does she trust me yet? I can sense that we're close to friends now. I'm sure I can trust her. But does she feel the same with me? I don't know...

He was pouring the tea into the cups when he heard an unfamiliar sound from above. He stopped his hands abruptly and listened carefully.

"Did you hear that?" Axel asked Xion, who was reading a book that she brought with her.

"Hear what?" She put down the book and listened.

Then they both heard the sound. It was like footsteps, sounding right above them.

Axel put down the pot and summoned his weapons. Xion did likewise and stood behind Axel.

How did someone get in here? Axel thought. Then his eyes widened like he just realized something. The presence I felt that day... Could it be...?

At that moment, Axel noticed that he had made a terrible mistake. The sounds were a trap. He sensed someone right behind the both of them.

The real people were already there.

He turned and saw two shadows behind Xion.

"Look out!" Axel swiftly came to stand in front of her and threw both of his Chakrams at the unwelcomed newcomers. But the two strangers easily blocked the attack, each of them catching one Chakram.

"Your skills have become quite dull, my friend." One said as he threw the Chakram away. The other one did the same.

"No..." Axel stepped back and shook his head slowly, his eyes wide with fear.

The two strangers came out from the shadows. One was a middle aged man with two guns, he had one in his hand and the other casually resting on his shoulder. The other man was younger, about Axel's age. He had long blue hair and a big scar in the middle of his face. He held a big weapon that seemed to be a huge sword.

"Xigbar." Xion glared at the older man.

"Saix." Axel called the other simultaneously.

They turned, staring at each other, puzzled. "You know him...?" Axel and Xion whispered in unison.

"Long time no see, Axel." The blue-haired man said, ignoring the two's confusion. "Or should I say, traitor."

"Traitor...?" Xion wondered out loud as she glanced from the blue-haired stranger to Axel.

Suddenly, Saix swiftly dashed toward Axel. And before he knew it, Axel was hit with full force in the stomach.

"Aargh!" Axel shouted painfully. He put his hands where he was hit and fell on his knees. "Ugh..." He put one hand on the ground for support.

"Axel!" Xion cried. She ran to his side and knelt down to steady him. "Axel! Hang in there, Axel!"

"You're coming with me, Princess." The middle aged man said coldly as he grabbed her arm.

"Princess...?" Axel wheezed, too quiet for anyone to hear his confused tone.

"No!" Xion tried to pull her arm from his grip. "I have no intention to go back." Xion said firmly. "Not when the Kingdom is like that…"

The middle aged man sighed boringly. "You have no choice, Your Highness. I came here to bring you back and that's what I'm going to do."

He pulled her up by the arm with such force that Xion couldn't pull back and was forced to stand up.

"Let me go!" Xion screamed and fought the man.

"Get.. your dirty hands.. away from.. her..!" Axel croaked. He was almost unconscious at this state.

Saix kicked him, making him curl on the ground and cough as he pressed his injured stomach. "You got some nerve to say something like that, Axel." He spat. "You're punishment as a traitor was just to be banished from the Kingdom. But now that we caught you being with the princess, we can finally punish you properly. And this time, as a traitor and a kidnapper."

"No!" Xion struggled to get out from Xigbar's grip. "He has nothing to do with me!"

"Xion…" Axel whispered as he started to lose consciousness. And the last thing he saw was Xion crying and being pulled back by Xigbar.

--

Axel slowly regained consciousness. He blinked a few times and started to see where he was.

He was in a dim room. He tried to lift his hand to rub his eyes, and noticed that both his hands were chained to the wall. He pulled at them but they wouldn't budge. Then he finally realized where he was. He was in the Dungeon.

He looked across to see bars separating him from the outside. There was one guard standing with his back facing Axel. The red-haired man laughed weakly at the realization.

He was caught.

Suddenly, he remembered why he was caught. He turned to look for Xion. But she wasn't in there.

"Hey!" Axel snapped at the guard. "Where's Xion?"

The guard flinched. Then he glared and pointed his sword at Axel. "How dare you address Her Highness like that? Do you not have any respect?"

"Her… Highness?" Axel said slowly, not wanting to take in the truth. "You mean…"

"It means," A voice said. "She's none of your concern, Outlaw."

Axel looked out to see Saix approaching his cell. "You-" He started but was cut off by Saix.

"Your punishment will be decided today." Saix stood in front of the cell with his arms behind him. He looked down at Axel coldly. "Tomorrow, you will face what you have been running from."

Axel gritted his teeth. "Let me see Xion!"

"Don't you understand, traitor?" Saix let out a small laughed. "She's the Princess of this Kingdom. You are nobody! You don't even have the right to see her."

With that, Saix walked out, leaving Axel to slowly accept the truth.

He sat back, leaning against the cold wall. Before he knew it, tears were slowly trickling down his cheeks. He didn't mean to cry. He didn't know why he was even crying. Maybe it's the hurt caused by Saix. Or the cruel reality that he has to face. Whatever the cause, he just wanted to see Xion.

One more time… just let me see her one more time...