Hey y'all, I'm back with chapter seven...and guess who else is back? LARXENE! Lol, I hope I still captured her well but I guess that's up to you guys :) Anyways I really hope you enjoy chapter seven...I hope it's not bad, I am satisfied with it but thinking bout you guys always makes me second guess myself. I did a few different things in this one, I think and I hope you still like it...anyways I'll shut up and let you get on with the reading. Remember to read and review!

Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts and/or any of the characters, they belong to Square Enix and Disney.

Enjoy!

.::Picture To Burn::.

Chapter 7: Tinder

"Until we can figure out a way to recapture Naminé's purity, she will be placed in a restoration pod…perhaps she will be able to regain her essence on her own, she is quite familiar with it's functions. However despite this, two individuals will be charged with the assignment of locating Kairi. For now the sole purpose is to observe her but when and if the circumstances demand it, we may need he to use her to bring Naminé back. Everyone else will remain focused on their previous assignments." their Superior finished with arms folded in conclusion.

"So…who exactly has to find this girl?" Xigbar asked casually as he leaned against the back of his chair with perceptible boredom.

Their leader relinquished a small smile, that seemed terribly out of place on his austere features, before answering the Freeshooter with a placid quality to his voice.

"Ah, I was just about to get to that. I'll ask for volunteers today, but despite my generosity…two of you WILL go, no exceptions whatsoever."

Maybe his mind was sluggish from worry…maybe he had finally lost it, but before Axel knew what he was doing, he felt the muscles in his arms tense and his hand was sent shooting into the air. Don't get him wrong, he wanted to help her with every little bit of will in his body…just not this way. He needed to be near her, not who knows how many miles away in some stupid town chasing some girl.

The fire dancer regretted the involuntary decision immediately. He felt twelve pairs of bewildered eyes burn through his uncomfortable body, shifting nervously under the close scrutiny.

Hell, you'd think I murdered someone…come to think of it, that would probably be more realistic than me volunteering for anything…

"My, my Axel, you are rather charitable today." Xemnas exclaimed with more than a little hint of surprise in his resonant voice.

The inferno threw their leader a quick smirk accompanied by a big show of shrugging his shoulders, attempting to downplay the whole situation before expressing his palpable vindication,

"What can I say, I have my moments…"

"Apparently so…now, are there any more volunte-" Xemnas began before letting his sentence hang in the air, unfinished. His severe amber gaze fell upon another raised hand, "Thank you Larxene…however, I do hope you two will remain focused on your assignment…no distractions."

Axel's verdant green eyes snapped open in disbelief,

What the fuck…can't this chick take a hint?

The fiery male felt his viridian gaze inevitably narrow, with an abrupt but steadily rising rage that festered in the pit of his stomach.

"We'll try sir," the Savage Nymph assured their leader, in a nauseatingly saccharine purr.

She was up to something…what with that underhandedly sly sneer, that did not go unnoticed by the blazing inferno.

Looks like I'll have you all to myself…

The temptation to smack her nasty leer right off her face was unbearably enticing as always, but the hot-blooded man settled for his trademark white-hot glare. He jut wished it held a fraction of the intensity…he was just left disappointed when it failed to burn a hole through her stupid forehead. As usual, Larxene was immune to his apparent hatred, ignoring the fire tamer's scathing gaze. She wasted no time in reciprocating a roguish wink, causing the fuming man to glower venomously before looking away in disgust.

Please someone just kill me now…

The woman could barely stifle the overwhelming delight proceeding to squeal gleefully in her head, sending a tingling feeling thorough her body.

I can do some serious damage with these conditions on my side…since that little slut is out of the way, I can make my move. Oh how silly of me, I meant make my moves…why limit myself?

Xemnas clasped his gloved hands together strongly in finality before exerting his authority onto their directions.

"Now that that's taken care of, the rest of you will promptly return to your previous duties…so go."

Axel's face contorted into a wince of pain as the screech of multiple chairs pierced the barren air, protesting loudly across the steel floor. A hand clapped supportively on the fire dancer's wilted shoulder.

"Give em' hell man," the water charmer encouraged, trying but failing to instill any reassurance in the inferno's veins.

The nocturne's gloved fingers loosened and fell as the musician made his way towards the lab's exit. Axel didn't even have to look up to know that Roxas' deep blue gaze was the one cutting to his smoldering core. The fiery man lifted his sharp green gaze to meet the searching face of his best friend.

"I'm sorry about Naminé…just do what you gotta to get her back," the dual keyblader started solemnly before breaking into a contagious grin, "Man, Larxene? That's gonna blow…good luck with that. Some advice…try not to let her drive you crazy, I mean even if you wanted to kill her, she'd probably be into it…"

Axel couldn't keep an authentic grin from flaring onto his features. If there was ever any doubt of how much he appreciated having Roxas as his friend, it vanished today. Sure, the kid wasn't always the brightest but his loyalty made up for it…outshined that insignificant speck with impressive ease. He hoped the concern he saw entrenched in his friend's eyes, was snuffed out by the genuine smile on his face…it would be unfair to place any weight on shoulders that shouldn't hold it.

"Thanks man…but I can't promise I won't try to kill her, despite how much she'd like it," the inferno said before adopting a more thoughtful expression, "So when you say, 'do what you gotta'…does that entail letting off some steam, you know torch a couple of things?"

"Obviously, goes without saying man…just don't overdo it this time. Last time you 'let off some steam' Demyx nearly passed out trying to put out that monstrosity in the kitchen. What did that muffin ever do to you anyways?" the boy asked with an inescapable grin.

"Nothing really…just got stuck with raisin bran one too many times, ya know?" the hot-blooded man said, rising from his chair before grabbing the boy in an unexpected headlock, proceeding to give Roxas an affectionate noogie.

"Yo! Watch the hair, perfection takes time man," the keyblader protested before eventually squirming from the fire tamer's strong grip, "What was that for anyways, I didn't do anything this time…" Roxas mumbled as he attempted to rearrange his mussed-up hair.

"Ol' times sake…had to get one last one in before I leave," the inferno admitted with a tinge of sadness before smirking and ruffling the boy's golden hair once more, "Sure you can be pretty stupid sometimes…and not to mention annoying as hell, but damn, I'm gonna miss you man."

"Roxas! My god, would you kindly escort yourself out already!" their Superior's voice boomed unpleasantly from across the room, terribly ruining the moment of brotherhood.

"Yeah yeah, you old fart…" the boy grumbled under his breath before giving Axel a quick punch on the arm and sprinting towards the lab's double doors, but not before sending a hasty goodbye over his shoulder,

"See you later Axel!"

The tiny spark in those vibrant viridian eyes died with the boy's receding figure, but he forced them to harden immensely as he turned to head towards the awaiting Nobodies. The fiery male stopped abruptly in front of Xemnas, arms crossed indignantly, ignorant under the disapproving stare of their Superior. The inferno shuffled slightly to the side, Larxene attempting to stand closer to him than she should even dare.

Stupid wench, she's got a lot of nerve after what she did…

Mmm, I like it when they make me work for it.

Xemnas eyed the two members, to some extent, with interest before beginning to brief them on their assignment.

"You two will leave as soon as possible. You will remain on your assignment until Vexen sends Lexaeus to get you. In that instance, it will be because Naminé has shown signs of improvement and until that time you will only observe Kairi. But if Naminé remains unresponsive…Kairi's presence will become inexplicably necessary. Hopefully it won't have to come to that…but until then we can only play it by ear."

Their leader's instructions were followed by a short-lived silence, broken as Axel spoke out whilst leisurely scratching his head.

"So…where are we going?"

"Kairi resides on Destiny Islands…please try and keep the sightseeing to a minimum." Xemnas ordered sternly, ginger eyes sharpened to a point.

The fire dancer couldn't possibly have missed the subtle innuendos laced thinly along Xemnas' words, the unpleasantness of the whole idea sent is blood bubbling with anger…he was really fed up with the bogus implications.

God damn that bitch…she just has to include me in her fucking make-believe fantasies…what's more, even our leader thinks I'm associated with her. Maybe if I smacked her hard enough her head would screw on the right way…

"I don't think THAT will be a problem sir." the fuming inferno seethed, finding it increasingly difficult to keep his voice even.

Axel retained his merciless glare, emerald eyes blazing as he stormed angrily towards the lab's exit. Upon contact with his pulsating gloved hands, the doors burst open, one hanging jaggedly on a sad looking, broken hinge. The sound of faint footfalls tapping on the cold metal floor reached his ears.

Larxene no doubt…

He stopped tersely, waiting for her footsteps to cease their journey before whirling around and hissing sternly in her face,

"You have ten minutes to be ready…and for your sake, you had better not keep me waiting."

Eyes flashing darkly, he turned away and headed for the staircase that would lead him to the entrance hall. The Savage Nymph watched his midnight cloak swirl ominously around his imposing, yet receding figure. A devious, undaunted smile peeled back her thin lips to reveal the white teeth beneath.

I've always enjoyed pushing your buttons Axel…shall we see just how far you can be pushed?

Slowly, the older woman headed towards her room, deciding against the shortcut and taking the scenic route. She leisurely pushed open her door and gathered her things at a comfortable pace, continuing to wither away her time. Lastly, she stopped in front of her mirror and chased vanity hopelessly, lingering well past her ten minute maximum…

Axel couldn't possibly still his tapping foot, finding it far too demanding to be patient as he leaned against the entrance door, anger simmering dangerously through veins bursting with flames.

I should have expected her to do something like this…it's not like she gives a fuck about Naminé, it's not like her life is drained away with every second she stupidly blows away.

The fire tamer could; ironically, barely tame the firestorm of violence that erupted in his blistering core, as searing orbs of viridian burned through the Savage Nymph descending the staircase.

The flames rippled persuading just beneath his skin as she stopped haughtily in front of him. His burning hands flew to her collar and he lifted her from the ground in blind fury, singing her cloak which seemed to be becoming a regular occurrence.

"If you're going to fuck off, do it on your own time…not Naminé's, not mine! The next time you get in my way, I'll personally insure that it doesn't happen again, and that's a promise." the inferno fumed with full intent, before releasing his grip on her charred cloak and watching her stumble with the lingering ferocity in his indifferent gaze.

The woman looked up angrily as she adjusted her cloak, arrogantly sticking her nose in the air before adding her usual comments that seemed to steer towards more narcissistic accusations.

"Learn to control yourself Axel…I know it's hard to resist when you're confronted with a body like this but honestly, keep your hands to yourself." she insisted, attempting to look disgusted but coming up short with an expression of satisfaction.

The fiery man couldn't keep an incredulous look from slipping onto his features before smacking his head in grief.

How can she possibly twist everything into borderline sexual harassment…I don't know whether to laugh, explode, or just walk away…the only thing I'm sure of is that this is going to be fucking hell.

"What the hell are you smok-, you know what, never mind. Just shut up and let's get going." the fire dancer sighed in irritated defeat.

.::.x.::.

A blinding light pulled unrelentingly on heavy eyelids, eyelashes were unfairly tempted into revealing the beautiful blue eyes beneath. A curious, blinking gaze took in her surroundings…the azure hue deepened by flecks of fear that left dark, lasting impressions on her irises.

"Where am I…" her small voice whispered, features wincing as the reverberations swung back tenfold to her tender ears.

She rose to her feet, surprised at how fluid and light her movements had become…she felt she could've easily walked across the indulgent body of even the softest cloud. Her fear was momentarily barred as she examined her limbs intently, but was brought back rapidly, quickly resurfaced like a transitory squall as a voice tore thorough the silence.

"I'm surprised…you should know better than anyone else as to where you are."

She looked around, consumed by an escalating panic her searching gaze yielding no results. Risking a small step forward she craned her neck upwards, still attempting to locate the bodiless voice that had echoed throughout the room. She pouted in frustration, she wasn't so scared anymore…just a little angry. She really wasn't very fond of games anymore…and she wasn't going to jump headfirst into another one any time soon.

"You know, I'd really rather not play games…I just want to know what's going on." her voice ventured, timid at first but growing with a surge of confidence.

In anticipation, the young witch looked around. Maybe she could pinpoint the voice's location upon it's resurgence into the vacant air, but the voice surrounded her small form. Seemingly emitted from every corner of the room.

"As you wish Naminé…I've heard you are quite familiar with restoration pods, but apparently not enough as to realize when you're in one. Organization XIII has placed you here, investing in the hopes that you will find a way to piece yourself back together."

She felt the tendrils in her mind desperately grasping for thoughts, explanations, anything. But it all kept slipping away, why this had happened to her…why she had let it happen to her. Why couldn't she find it…she could feel the closeness of it all, but it still felt so far, dancing just out of her reach.

"It will come to you…just try. You have to want to remember," the deep voice coaxed, invisibly giving her back the will she had thrown away not so long ago.

A strange sensation overwhelmed her very core and she raised a trembling hand to touch the tears that had silently etched their glistening trails onto her porcelain cheeks. She could feel something stir inside, she could feel certain pieces find their place whilst others lay forgotten on the sideline…slowly the puzzle began to take form. She felt a name slip from her mouth, pulled from the very depth of her soul. The one name that summed up everything that had set her painful downfall in motion.

"Axel…"

She buried her tear stained face in consoling hands, so many things came rushing back, memories, emotions…things she wasn't sure she wanted to remember. She wasn't sure of anything anymore…did she really want to line up all the pieces, reconstruct a heart that was torn apart. He wouldn't care if he knew how much she had cried…he wouldn't give it a second thought, knowing she had died for him…faded away.

Memory defeats everyone, forever wasn't even close to being long enough…she could never forget everything that had played a twisted part in her tragedy. Her shoulders slumped as, what seemed like the weight of the world, was placed upon her small shoulders.

"Would you think less of me if I said I didn't feel like trying?" she asked the invisible entity, tremor apparent in her gentle voice.

"I am but a figment of your sub-conscious, whatever opinion I could ever express would merely be a reflection of your own. It is clear to me, as it is to you, that making that decision would indeed cause you to view yourself in a diminished light. Is that really what you want?" the strong voice replied calmly.

"Of course not…but I'm just not so sure it matters that much to me anymore. He never wanted me, he never cared…why should I want to save something so useless. I can't say I walked away with anything but crawling emptiness inside my chest…but he, he walks away with a great little story. I was just some stupid dreamer with the nerve to adore him, what's left for me to do…count all the scars he made?" she whispered angrily before staring up at the ceiling with a firm glare set in her eyes.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, sub-conscious, but that's the way I feel. How can you possibly tell me to try!" the young witch cried into the never-ending ceiling above, raw anger swelling strangely in her throat.

The echoing silence hung in the stale air…sending back the sound of her furious voice. It didn't feel so good anymore…she willingly swallowed the lump of heaviness in her throat. She knew what it was like to get hurt in the crossfire of anger…it wasn't a feeling she liked, and she would never do it to anyone else if she could help it.

It was the worst kind of wound…people used it to try and feel something, but all it did was leave you emptier than before. No more or less whole…just hollow. She knew that all too well.

"You really shouldn't be so rash, it's extremely unwise to make assumptions based solely on fabrications. My dear, your eyes can mislead you, words can deceive you, but your heart…will never lie to you. Yet, you continue to drown it out, how can you be so sure of how you feel?" the voice intoned gently, nudging the girl onto an unseen path…the right one.

The fair haired girl let her azure eyes fall, hands wringing in guilt. She felt horrible, weak…stupid. She had let words sway her heart, lets sights truly blind her from the truth, let it fall upon deaf ears…she'd give anything to recapture that voice. She never gave him a chance, she had refused to listen to her heart.

She put the blame on everyone but herself…she was truly the only one at fault.

She slowly lifted her gaze, bringing one of her hands to rest over her heart. Feeling it's honest pulse beneath her slender fingers.

"My heart…" she whispered quietly, letting her eyelids close, lashes caressing smooth cheeks.

Naminé felt something give way deep inside her chest, a little ray of her former purity shining through the choking coils of darkness' clutches.

"Seek out the darkness…drive it out from the deepest corners, just listen and you'll always find your way back to the right path."

She felt herself slip deeper into herself, shadows grasping at her body. But she wouldn't let them take anymore of her than they already had. She grasped for the voice's last echoes of comfort, finding strength in the sincere rhythm of her heart.

"Just listen…"

.::.x.::.

Accustomed to the dim halls of their stronghold, Axel couldn't but narrow his emerald eyes as the glaring sun shined valiantly from it's highest peak, right into his unexpectedly open gaze. Unfortunately, it was too little too late as tiny specks of white unpleasantly showered his vision.

"Just when you think things can't get any shittier…they do." he grumbled in frustration, today was going downhill fast and as an added plus, the breaks were busted.

He heard Larxene's portal open up just behind him and soon enough, he was overwhelmed by her smothering presence as she took her place way too close to his side.

"I thought I'd lost you there for a second," she purred into his ear, placing a gloved hand on his arm.

That would've been a damn shame…

Unfazed, he wrenched his arm from her touch routinely before taking a couple steps forward. His hard gaze took in the quaint town below their position with intimidating intensity. She was down there somewhere…possibly the only person who could save Naminé. Despite how powerless that made him feel, he'd do anything to help her…even if he wasn't the one to do it.

"We should split up…" he said slowly, inwardly pleased that he would be able to kill two birds with one stone.

"Why?" the Savage Nymph said defiantly, "I don't want to!"

Because I don't want to be around you if I can help it…

"Because we can cover more ground…and you know what? Tough shit, this isn't about you Larxene. I could really care less what YOU want to do." the fire tamer managed to say in as level a voice as he could handle.

His sharp viridian gaze watched with disinterest as she sniffed snobbishly, nose raised high in the air as she summoned up a portal.

"Fine…but you'll see how much you need me once I'm gone!" she huffed loudly before disappearing inside the portal's dark depth.

"My ass…" he muttered, his pessimistic side coming out as a cynical smirk pulled at his lips.

He let his gaze scan the town with one more quick once over, before swiftly heading towards the winding path that would lead him into the small community. Lithely, he made quick work of the misused path strewn with debris. But not before losing patience, blasting a couple new 'shortcuts' and finding himself in an empty alley.

The blazing inferno prowled his way inconspicuously onto the street, fading into the shadows when possible. He tried to catch parts of conversations, but it all ended up being pointless chatter…so he continued on his way with no leads to help…

An hour had passed by like no time at all and he wasn't surprised to find his shoulders slumped in disappointment. He had noted the almost seamless transition from concrete to dirt and the plunge in foot traffic…it seemed appropriate, as his own hopes were steadily plummeting in unison.

Okay, this calls for a break…

His footsteps stopped abruptly and the fiery man headed for a sturdy tree just off the side of the crude, dirt path. Back leant reliantly against the robust tree trunk, Axel rummaged leisurely in his cloak for a cigarette.

He pulled out an old, unfinished butt that he had neglected just a couple days before. It looked a little past it's prime but he wasn't picky…he'd take what he could get. Shoulders shrugged in triviality and he lit the tip with a spare match.

"Hey Kairi! Wait up!" a high pitched voice yelled loudly, effortlessly reaching the honed ears of the fire tamer.

Just his luck, the voice made contact with his ears just as he took a deep draw from the relaxing poisons, causing the man to cough out a cloud of the usually alleviating fumes. Axel relinquished a lungful of air before looking around with displeasure, grudgingly tossing the cigarette underfoot and grinding it with his boot.

Perfect timing…

Well, that's the gist of it! I know it may seem like Nami's on the road to recovery but she's just beginning and she's going to need Axel's help. I don't think I could possibly see her getting through it without him, she really does need him. Anyways he will play his part in her recovery, maybe in the next chappie. Anyways, enough drivel...I hope I didn't disappoint with this chappie...but tell me what you think! Well I guess that's all I have to say for now so, remember to read and review!

Until next time,

Love, Schmelly :3