The morning was not so cold. They had ridden hard for the best part of the night, wandering through darkened forests and following measly foot trails with their eyes shining. For Titan it had been hard to convince Axel to leave Roxas to the woods, but when he had given him position of lookout he had brightened, taking to searching the forest for riders instead.
There were none. The night had been quiet, peaceful even, and now they approached the looming Neko gates with their beasts sluggish and ready to retire. The two wyverns landed close by the gateway, Raina high up behind Titan, and they waited patiently for Roric to skulk from the bushes.
Wings dropped, hooves dragged, head sunk and rider yawning, both beast and man were ready to seek out their beds. Torches gleamed overhead and moved in the pink haze, soldiers squinted above the barracks, a commander looked over to his men and held up his arm – the signal to wait – and here they listened calmly. Roxas pulled his hood down, raised his fingers to his lips and whistled. The sound was harsh and high pitched, a screech to the ears, and the commander nodded.
"Open the gates! Prince Roxas has returned!"
The great iron chains clinked and groaned, the wood splintered and the heavy gates were yanked apart. Soldiers waited for them, dressed in iron and steel armour like rows of gargoyles holding passage, their gazes stiff and staring straight ahead – never directly at royalty.
Roxas jumped down from Roric and rubbed his eyes. The demonic beast shook its head, snorted a puff of frost from its nostrils, and took to nibbling at the bottom of his cloak. The crunch of boots had them both looking over to where the dismounted wyverns set to the forest in want of hunting, leaving their passengers behind.
The steps themselves belonged to Axel. The Tora shoved Roric's head away in slight annoyance and pulled Roxas close, slipping a hand around the blonde's waist. Red eyes glared upwards and Roric snapped its jaws, flicking its ragged ears back until Roxas set his numb hand upon the ebony snout and shushed him.
"It's alright, Roric. He doesn't mean it."
"Damn thing," Axel muttered, smiling despite himself. "Needs putting out of its misery."
"You don't stop picking on him and I'll put you out of your misery," Roxas laughed, moving his hand aside as Axel stroked the beast's mane roughly. Roric mewled, sniffing the palm and nibbling it.
"Sure you would, Kitten. How are you feeling, anyway? How's–"
"Fine, Axel," he said, pushing the hand from his stomach with a nervous glance for the smiling soldiers. "Stop worrying."
Axel wrinkled his nose but didn't push the subject. Instead he took Roxas's hand and followed after Raina and Titan, passing the soldiers swiftly. The gates closed behind Roric, locking the wyverns outside, and upon entry the noise and sound surrounded and buffeted them with mighty clamours and deafening chatters.
It was the first time Axel had been back to the Neko Kingdom's capital since his twenty first birthday (bar the day he had seen Roxas when he was sick, but he'd only had time to view the castle and its grounds. He could hardly consider that a visit). Cloud had made a strict policy refusing guests from the city whilst it was recovering (bar from trade merchants), and The Neko Council had fully supported his decision, opting to secure the Neko nation's economic safety before tackling public relations. Even royalty had been banned from the vicinity, with the exception of a few special situations (Axel was sure Tifa and Aerith had visited the great city at least more than once), and he had seen public letters that other royal councils had shown his father with outrage; all of them of the Neko Kingdom's denial and exclusion of any obligation to others outside of its kingdom for the time being.
Other councils, in response to this, had wanted to shut their own gates from the Neko Kingdom, claiming banishment and abandonment, but the royal houses had each refused upon the greatest respect and repayment for what Night Crawler had done for them – they were each eager in trying to win the young prince's favour, though Roxas had refused them all his presence, claiming he was needed at home more than abroad. Small steps had been taken since then to try and impress the Neko Kingdom, but the solitary walls had been built large, and no kingdom had dared to try and send a spy against the nation that seemed to breed them as a speciality. Instead they had held their peace, bitten at their tongues, and waited with anxious eyes for the day they could finally visit and see the glorification of the Neko Kingdom rebuilt beyond its surpassing years when Jerome had led the state.
In spring, when he had first visited, Axel had seen little and less. It had been dark, nobody was around, and Zack had made a strict point of his visit being brief whilst Cloud was (for want of a better term) "thoroughly engaged" with Tifa. But now, as he looked around with Roxas squeezing his palm and the gates slamming shut, he could do nothing but smile at the great improvements made.
The Centre Front of the city was large and open, made for space and movement rather than the close confinements and narrow passageways one would find in the other occupying kingdoms. The streets were newly paved with smoothed out stone and brick, the nearby market stalls of the simplest and sturdiest wood, made for endurance rather than ornamentation, but most importantly (and perhaps most impressively) the street was used. People of all ages, sizes, status, and birth walked at ease and comfortably, some leading horses, some atop them, others yelling prices, exchanging goods; children chased each other with laughter, men fished over the small stream that trickled through the eastern side, traders came from across continents to exchange their goods in this very market and now people had the coin to bargain with them.
The houses, what few there were so close to the gates, were newly built. They stood three stories tall, had glass windows on each level, and hovered directly above the market place. Across from them the gate continued to encircle around the vicinity; slipped into the heavy barrier were small stations were the soldiers stood attentive and waiting – no longer watching within, but always without. It was with strange, mingled curiosity that Axel saw a young boy boot a worn leather ball hard from one end of the centre fountain, over his friends heads, and (to Axel's flinching heart) the back of a rough guard's head. The man yelped, turned with lance in hand and saw the small toy, picking it up with a mailed fist and frowning.
"Roxas," Axel said, nodding in the direction of the guard.
Looking over with a small noise in his throat, Roxas let it go and laughed, shaking his head and squeezing Axel's hand again. "Watch."
The command was given, and so Axel watched. The soldier rubbed the back of his head, searching the bustling area before he spied the small boy. Then he placed the ball to the floor, yelled at his comrade to step aside, and kicked it back. No more was said on the matter.
"Wait a minute…" Axel muttered, his brows furrowed. "Did I just see right?"
"A lot has changed since you were last here, Axel," Raina said, her hands upon her hips. "You did not think all would be the same, did you?"
"It is hard to change corruption, but I must admit with my own surprise that you boys have each done a marvellous job. Tell me, Night Crawler, is the rest of your nation like this? Or merely the front border?" Titan asked.
Roxas shrugged. "We're working on it a little bit at a time. Cloud still has the kingdom on lockdown, so the only people we allow in are the traders who come down by ship. They dock on the western front and undergo strict procedures before they're allowed in. They can't work whilst they're here, only trade. Once their goods are sold and they're ready to depart we set them up with enough food for a two week passage and send them out. Because of this there's never a shortage of work within the kingdom, so our own people always have enough to do to earn some coin to put food in their bellies. If they have enough coin left over they come here; they trade, they exchange, some of them with special skills sell excess cloth or wool, sometimes grain and vegetables. It helps keep them busy and sociable, giving them a lifestyle. It's not extravagant, but people are living now. We're not just surviving anymore."
"I see," Titan said, still staring around at the happy faces and bubbling din of noise. "And what of the guards? Are they all from Jerome's rule?"
"No, hardly any of them are. Zack works down in The Network so he's been training up some of the men from down there. Some of The Fades have turned a new leaf too. When Marshal left with his daughter a lot of them lost faith in their own society and tried to join The Network. We gave them places here instead."
"And you believe that they can conform to justice?"
"Maybe. They're on a trial run at the moment, but we're giving everyone a second chance. They still make people anxious so we don't place them straight out in the open, and it would be stupid to have them in the castle with The Neko Council, so we scatter them and place them where they're needed. Sometimes we use them a lot, other times we don't need them for weeks on end – no matter what they get a wage so they don't have to resort to their old lifestyles. But if they do we don't just sit back and accept it. If any man or woman should commit a crime within this city they follow the justice system, no matter their age or title, but the only men that are allowed to give judgement on an act of crime is me or my brothers; The Neko Council has no input. That way if a crime is trivial and the accused has proven himself to be committing the action for a reason he can be excused with manual labour. Murder is not allowed under any circumstance, but other crimes, depending on the reason they were committed, can be appealed and overthrown."
"So only four of you make the decision?"
"It makes for a more concentrated verdict. We've lived on the streets so we know how hard it can be. We don't hand out harsh punishments if we can help it, but sometimes they have to be dealt. Cloud gets the final say, but we each add our input and weight. It's a long system, but–"
"Roxas!"
"Huh?" He glanced over his shoulder.
Zack strode through the hoard, squeezing by people. He was on his own, dressed in simple navy blue clothes, his trousers baggy and lined with pockets, his shirt ripped and ruffled, half-tucked in at the back; across his left cheek was a deep black smudge of soot, his hair was a mess of tussled spikes, and he grinned lazily.
"Took you long enough to get here, Squirt. Hi, Raina."
"Hello, darling. You been busy?"
"Very," he smiled. "We got company then?"
"Just for a little while, Zack. I will only be staying to see my son settled, then I must make my way to the Tora Kingdom. I have a very big announcement to make."
"Yeah, we made a pretty big announcement here ourselves–"
"What?!" Roxas growled. He broke away from Axel, his fists clenched as he rounded on Zack. "You told?!"
Zack raised an eyebrow, his arms folded. "Well, yeah. Cloud made the announcement when we got b–"
"Why? What the heck made you think you had the right to do that? It's my…" He stopped, looking around at the curious faces staring at him, and he blushed. "You had no right."
"We had no choice. What do you think The Neko Council would have done when they discovered you were pregnant with a Tora's kitten? You think they would have accepted it? If they would have overruled Cloud in that court room it wouldn't have mattered what you or Axel said. By telling the people first and sending out messengers to alert the kingdoms we protected what you wanted. You may not like people knowing, and you're going to grow very popular very fast, but we had to do it, Rox. We were just looking out for you."
"Night Crawler, I think your brothers are correct in their actions. By telling people before The Neko Council they have effectively outdone them at their own game. If they were to touch you or your kitten now, after all of your kingdom and the royal families of the world have been informed of your situation, there would be no saving them. You are much loved, as is clear from your sheer effect and presence upon the places you rule and reside within. These people will protect you, as you have protected them."
Roxas looked back to the soldiers lining the gate. They were from The Network, friends one and all, and they smiled as they watched over the small party, too far back to hear their conversation. Roxas cast his ears downwards, falling back into Axel's chest when the Tora hugged his arms around him. The fingers came by his belly, a kiss was planted upon his neck, and Roxas fixed his attention on Zack.
"What'd you tell 'em?"
"We span some rubbish about Neko Royalty being blessed."
"They believed you?"
"They ate it up, Rox. They're all really eager, actually. Most of them remember you as Night Crawler, so they can't wait to see. And then The Neko Council," he wrinkled his nose in disgust, "they want to see you soon."
"They can go fuck themselves-"
"Language, Axel!" Raina scolded. "Zack, dear, how are Gareth, Riku, and Sora taking to the news?"
"They're okay with it. Sora is… confused," he laughed, rubbing the back of his head. "I think you should go speak with him, Roxas. He's down in The Network with Riku."
"He's not upset?"
"It's Sora, Roxas. He's more baffled than anything else."
"This Network…" Titan stroked the stubble on his chin. "It still exists? I had thought it to have been abandoned many years ago."
"The Network? Of course it still exists," Zack beamed.
"I had thought when Night Crawler mentioned it he was speaking of it in a fond light; perhaps after naming a training yard after it. I did not think the actual place still existed. Would it perhaps be too much for me to ask to see such a place?"
"W-what? Oh, er… Well, you see, King Titan, I, er…" He looked away, suddenly uncomfortable. "It's not a place royalty's really allowed in, yanno? It, er… Well it's for regular folk, really, so–"
"I'll take him, Zack. I've gotta go that way anyway, and he is going to be my kitten's grandfather."
"Grandfather," Titan chuckled. "Now that makes me feel old."
"Yeah, but–"
"I think it's time the rules of The Network changed, sweetheart. Surely you must understand how important Titan and Axel are going to become to our family. If they are to be joined fully to our own familiar circle it is important that they are shown everything, including The Network. Come, Zack. I need help locating Gareth. Roxas, tell Riku I'm home won't you? He tends to worry."
She took Zack by the arm and dragged him through the crowd, ignoring his whines of protest. Holding tight to his treasure, Axel rubbed his thumb over the Neko's belly and kissed his cheek, catching the anxious fidgeting as people looked their way until Roxas took his hand and turned.
"So you wanna see The Network?"
"It would be an honour, Roxas. Truly, I have heard much and more about this elaborate place, yet, no matter how many men I would send to search for it, they always came back empty. Some never came back at all."
"I'm not surprised. The Network's designed to keep intruders out; you need a guide to show you the way in. I'm guessing you wouldn't quite be up for the shortcut, so we'll have to take the long way around. We probably won't get there until lunch though. That okay with you?"
"I am so eager in setting my eyes to feast upon this mystic place that I would wait until my body withered. Please, Night Crawler, no more delays. Push on, and let me see where this trove hides."
Roxas nodded his head. "I hope you don't mind getting dirty."
Axel's feet ached. They had been walking for hours; uphill and down, around corners and bends, through tunnels underground and then suddenly beneath a blank sky, then back down into the grooves of the earth. Twists, bends, turns, left, right, up, down, back three paces, jump up onto the next ledge, down this slope – mind the bump – across a deep channel and over an island of ice deep under the frost of the subversive web.
Needless to say he was confused as well. They had followed Roxas down into the pits of darkness, and still they followed him ever deeper. The blonde had struck a torch long ago and now its dull embers bounced and flickered along the walls, dragging them down through hollowed out tunnels into great trenches of mud and worse. Feeling lost, still holding tight to Roxas's hand, he had to wonder how the blonde knew exactly where he was going without tripping.
Finally they stopped before a large brass door made of coiling mechanisms, a ticking sound, and deep iron engravings curved simply around the edges. There was no handle.
"Night Crawler, what is this?" Titan asked, stepping up beside them both.
"This?" Roxas smirked, reaching behind his ear and slipping a grip free. He pushed it into the smallest hole to be found, turning it half a centimetre to the left. The door groaned, a large chunking clunk! could be heard, and it swung open. Roxas held his arm out handsomely.
"Welcome to The Network."
The two Toras stepped inside, Axel taking Roxas's waist as he went and leading the blonde before him. Behind them the door swung closed, trapping them in, but they were beyond breathless – too unsure in their own minds to question something so simple. Roxas looked up and around proudly.
Out of the gloom stood a hollowed out room so large and smooth and flat and round it was bigger than the Neko castle, buried leagues underground and hidden away. Across the floor was dusty rock, clinging to the ceiling were thousands of small glowing bugs they remembered so fondly, and along the walls were huge basins of oil smothered with different coloured flames, casting out illuminating light of all varieties. Across the magnificent hall thousands of Nekos made their journeys, some carting horses, others leading groups, a few setting up stalls and more heading deeper within, all of them processing a manner of business of some vital importance to the inner working of the city.
In its mere presence they stood as specs undefined, un-wavered, and unhinged – no longer identified as an entity but as a piece of something much greater. Over the hall music sounded; drums pounded down, a violin played sharply, and a low bass thrummed over the ground, giving the world a sense of joyous fabrication. On their left and right were small pods of secret endeavour, shuttered away with drapes; a large opal lake of white water stayed solid in the centre, hard in places but soft in others; down a treaded path the people marched and prayed and helped and sang, chattering and fumbling and playing and working, all of them holding some form of purpose within this one sanctuary they had formed.
No eyes passed over them when they walked. Roxas led the two Toras through the swarm, smirking as he was waved to, hollered of, called for, pulled, hugged, kissed on the cheek, swamped into huddles of teens, and offered food of all kinds and shapes. He pulled from them all kindly, letting Axel squeeze a possessive arm around him. They passed old men playing chess, a marching band, a queue of strong lads helping an elderly with his cart, maidens giggling by the stream with young men courting them and women smacking their husbands with the back of rolling pins for looking. The scent of heavily cooked spices caught them, all of them delicious and mouth-watering, like soup on a cold day sliding down the back of their throats, warming their inner core until they were fuzzy inside.
It was oddly harmonious.
"I am amazed," Titan said, his eyes sparkling to see a grandmother telling fifteen small children a story of enormous satisfaction about a dragon, a winged shadow, and a demonic god. He smiled at Roxas, catching the young Neko's puffed out chest. "This place is a miracle."
"This place is home," Roxas corrected, nodding politely to the people that waved and leading them around the lake. "Nekos like to think they have community. When the False Neko King ruled we were supressed beyond belief. Not a day passed when people weren't executed in the square. This place has been around since the old days – since before Cloud and Zack were even born. We know we can always come here."
"Who knows about this place, Kitten? I mean, heck, I don't think I've ever been-"
"You haven't. Even The Neko Council don't know where this place is. This place is for the Neko people. The court can't have it."
"Uh-huh. So where are we going? This place is huge! And you still haven't eaten," Axel mumbled, nuzzling by Roxas's cheek.
He was rewarded with a laugh and a light push on his chest before Roxas turned right and took them deeper within The Network. He threw his hands down deep into his pockets, pushing his striped ears back and staying hot on the blonde's heels.
For a few more minutes they walked through the puzzling undergrowth of an aged new world until finally Roxas swept aside a series of purple drapes. He batted them away in annoyance, rolling his shoulders back and sneezing at the growing accumulation of dust.
"Goddess, Sora! Don't you ever clean?"
"Yikes! R-Roxas?"
The room inside was very plain. In the centre was a table (short to the floor), and over on the far side was a collection of beds and clumped blankets squashed into a pile. In one of these beds, the covers pulled high up to his chest in shock, Sora yelped and hid his naked frame, pushing Riku's head down under the covers.
"Don't you ever knock?!"
Roxas stopped, his foot half in the air, and he sniggered at his little brother. Titan stayed outside, too busy looking around the workings of The Network, and Roxas felt Axel creep up behind him, cuddling him tight with a devouring grin for Sora.
"How am I supposed to knock on cloth, Sora?" Roxas asked. He stepped into the room, leaving Axel to sit on the small table. "Why're you naked, anyway?"
Sora's cheeks burned scarlet and he fingered the cloth tucked up under his chin. "'M not naked."
"Yeah?"
"Y-yeah-mngh. F-fuck…"
"Riku, leave him alone a minute, will ya?" Roxas teased. He sat on Axel's lap, wriggling up comfortably with a kiss for his lover before he turned his eyes back on his breathless little brother. "Maybe I should tell Cloud that Riku's givin' you a 'workout' in The Network."
"What?! No, Rox, you can't tell!"
"So Riku is here?"
"Riku-mmmm…" He blushed again, holding a lump over the sheets and biting his bottom lip, his ears sideways on and his chest heaving.
"It's like a damn Neko porno in here," Axel grumbled. "Wanna join in, Kitten?"
"Ew, no! I saw Sora butt naked when he was little. It almost scared me straight."
"Tch, like you were a pretty picture," Sora growled. He sighed heavily, pulling the lump away with a low moan. "R-Riku, they – ah! – Knock it off. They know."
There came a breathy laugh before a puff of tangled silver hair became evident over the covers. Riku groaned, stretched outwards, hooped an arm around Sora and beamed, half-hanging over the flushed brunette with a hand still exploring beneath the covers. Turquoise eyes glimmered with a cheeky grin set upon the lips.
"Hands were I can see 'em, Riku," Roxas growled, wrinkling up his nose.
"Easy, Kitten, you sound like Cloud."
"Yeah, Roxas. Stop being a damn prune."
"I don't care. I mean it, Riku. Hands were I can see 'em."
With a roll of his eyes Riku showed both his hands. "Happy?"
"You're a damn hypocrite, Roxas, you know that?" Sora muttered, his hands behind his head and the covers unbearably hot. "I hear you're knocked up. You gonna try and tell me Axel did it with his damn fingers? Tch. I know he fucked you."
"Shurrup, Sora."
"What? It's nothing to be bothered about," Sora shrugged, loving his brother's blush. "So you bottom. So what? You'll be glad to know that just cuz you take it doesn't mean I do. I-"
"Too much information, Sora!" Roxas yelled, clamping his hands down over his ears. "Goddess, I don't wanna know! You're my damn brother, and Riku…" He looked over to the older male. "Goddess, I need a drink. Something strong."
"No way, Roxas. No alcohol," Axel said firmly, holding tight to the blonde's belly when he tried to move. "You could hurt our kitten."
"What? No, I don't want lots, just a little-"
"It doesn't matter," Riku said. "It can still effect the unborn kitten. From now on there's no more drinking, smoking, vigorous exercise, you can't eat certain foods-"
"Oh fuck me," Roxas whined.
"I thought Axel already did that?"
"Shut up, Sora."
"You shut up, Roxas."
"Goddess, are you two always like this?" Axel laughed, pulling Roxas back onto his knees when he began to slip.
"This is them being nice to each other," Riku said, dipping a hand back beneath the covers fondly when Roxas wasn't looking. He snaked a hand by Sora's thigh, slipping down between and catching the weeping muscle in the soft crutch of his palm. Biting hard at his inner cheek, Sora rolled into his mate, turning his back to the newcomers in hopes he could hide his excited breaths.
Axel's keen eyes picked up on the action and he smirked, giving Riku a sly wink. "C'mon, Kitten, let's go."
"Huh? But I-"
"Roxas," Axel kissed him, nipping lightly at his bottom lip and pushing up against him. "They're busy. We'll catch up with 'em later."
"Wha'?"
Roxas glanced over to Sora with a roll of his eyes, wrinkling his nose at the snogging couple. "Axel, close your eyes for a minute please."
"Why?"
"Please," Roxas turned a pout on him, so innocent and perfect it was irresistible. "For me?"
"Anything for you."
"Thank you."
Roxas leaned into the thumb stroking over his cheek, enjoying the touch before Axel closed his eyes. Placing a soft kiss to the Tora's lips he stood from his lap.
Axel waited patiently, his brow creased and his ears twitching. There came a loud THWAK! Followed by an insufferable pair of yelps and a heavy grunt. Something was dragged, there came the slapping of bare feet, Sora cursed heavily and a door was slammed.
"Damn Strife," Riku cursed. "You can open your eyes now. They're gone."
"They?" Axel blinked twice. Riku was alone, the covers ruffled over his lap, and he looked beyond upset.
"Yeah, 'they'. I fucking hate older brothers. They're so damn protective. It's suffocating."
"Suffocating? You talking about Roxas?"
Riku pointed at a door and Axel glanced over. The brown wood was shut solid, and beyond it he could hear the beginnings of hushed whispers. Turning back to Riku, he expected an explanation, and, loathe to disappoint, Riku delivered.
"They're all like that. Always have been, I guess. Damn hypocrites one and all."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. Cloud and Zack ain't married, but they aren't exactly virgins, you know? Same goes for Roxas and Sora. They know this, but the way they act…" He shook his head. "Once they're married they'll settle down. Hopefully anyway."
Axel laughed, flashing his canines and staring at the door. "Don't worry. I'll settle Roxas down."
"Oh yeah? You like setting yourself challenges, do you?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Roxas isn't one for settling," Riku shrugged. "But hey, you never know, right? I hear you and him are expecting a kitten. Congratulations."
"Thanks."
"How's that going to work then? I mean I know how you got him pregnant, Cloud explained that, but I mean, like, how's it going to work out? What's going to happen to him? How's he going to deliver?"
"We're still working through the kinks."
"Kinks?" Riku sat up a little further. "Doesn't sound good."
"Ouch! Roxas, let go!"
"You let go!"
"I'm not playing, Roxas-"
"And I am?"
"That's it!"
CRASH!
Axel was on his feet in seconds. The door was smashed in, Riku staggered for his pants, heaved them up and ran after him. The Tora stood in the doorway at a loss for words, his snarl so fierce and thick it had all occupants within flinching beneath him.
Axel's blood ran cold at the sight of Sora sat on Roxas's stomach. He was beside them in three quick strides, his body twitching with untamed fury as he snatched the brunette's cloak (which Roxas had given to his naked brother), yanked him up, and threw him clear across the room. The Neko yelped, fell back into the dust with a string of apologies, and Axel sank to his knees by his fiancé.
Roxas peeked an eye open to hear the purr return and have gentle fingers smooth out the chain around his neck, clinging to the wrist strongly with his belly vaulting sickly in a flurry of sparked pain and shooting aches. Axel shushed him, soothed him, held him gently against his chest and tried to place his hand upon the aching belly, but no sooner did he try the action than Roxas started and whimpered, holding the hand away with his teeth ground tight together. The pain intensified and he snapped his eyes shut, swallowing hard through deep, rigid breaths whilst his heart pounded in his ears. He gasped back a lungful of air, tried to release it steadily, but it came out shaky, and when he moved the spasm had him curling inwards in a foetal position of deep agony.
"I'm sorry, Roxas! I'm sorry, I didn't think-"
"Shut your fucking mouth, Neko!" Axel snarled, the voice so dark it was brutal.
"I'm sorry-"
"It'll be okay, Sora," Riku whispered, sitting beside him and wiping at his boyfriend's forehead. "It'll be-"
"I h-hurt him," Sora sobbed. He pushed Riku away and sat up. "Roxas, I'm so sorry. I just-"
"I told you to shut your bastard mouth!"
"Roxas, please, I really am sorry. Please, I didn't mean it."
He tried to reach out for his brother, getting up onto his knees and stretching his arm out, but Axel stiffened, holding the blonde tighter when he whimpered and snarling viciously. Riku dragged Sora away, shaking his head solemnly.
"Don't, Sora."
"But, Riku-"
"'S okay, Sora. 'M okay," Roxas ground out, his arms cuddled around his belly so tightly he couldn't think to breathe.
"I'm sorry, Roxas," Sora cried again, wriggling to be out of Riku's arms and by his brother's side, the tears hot on his face. "I just forgot. I-I mean, you're not even showin'-"
"Of course he's not showing," Axel roared. "It's only been two weeks!"
Sora folded his ears back, shaking his head. "I'm so sorry."
"Get the fuck out of here, Strife."
"But I-"
Axel barred his fangs threateningly. "I said out!"
Riku helped Sora to his feet and led him from the room, muttering about finding his mum as they both vanished. With his tail swishing and his anger replaced with deep worry Axel laid Roxas down, straightening out the chain again and catching the slight wince.
"Kitten, I-"
"You shouldn't have yelled," Roxas moaned, taking hold of Axel's hand and linking his fingers through it. "It was an accident."
"I don't care if it was an accident or not. He hurt you."
"He was leaving. He tripped on the cloak and fell. It was an accident-ow! Ow, stop. Stop!"
Axel pulled his fingers back as if burned, cringing to hear the cry. "Kitten, I only brushed you."
"It hurts," he whimpered.
"Axel, what…?"
Titan stopped in the doorway, his mouth open. In half a heartbeat he was across the room and by the young couple's side, ignoring his son's growl as if he were nothing but a toddler.
"What has happened?"
"The damn Neko went and-"
"It was an accident!"
"He hurt you-"
"He fell."
"Night Crawler, where exactly are you in pain? Speak truthfully."
Roxas winced, propping himself up on his elbows and sagging. "'M fine-"
"Don't lie, Kitten. This is important!"
"Stop yelling, Axel."
"That is enough from both of you," Titan scolded. "Night Crawler, understand me now that the first trimester of a pregnancy is the most dangerous time for an unborn kitten and the carrying parent. If you have been knocked, have been hurt, eaten a wrong food or feel even the slightest twinge in your midriff, it is vital that you get it checked. Even if it evolves to nothing it is still better to be safe than sorry. You could very much endanger your kitten and yourself otherwise. Now, where are you in pain?"
Roxas turned into Axel, hiding by the Tora's chest. The arms cuddled around him, touching tenderly for fear of hurting the kitten within.
"Please, Roxas-"
"He landed hard on my stomach," Roxas admitted. "It hurts."
"Let me see-"
"Back off!"
Titan recoiled his fingers, startled at his son's aggression. Axel brought Roxas closer, avoiding the blonde's confused stare.
"Axel, your fiancé is hurt. Move aside so I may see else I shall make you step away. Do not challenge me. You cannot and will not win."
Axel had the sense to look down to where Roxas leaned against him. Stroking a hand back through the golden hair, he slowly lessened his grip and slackened, taking his role as watchful defender rather than overbearing protector. He growled low, but it was battered down by his father's intimidation. He could do nothing but sit by and watch. Titan's cold fingers pushed up Roxas's shirt and the Neko flinched, crying out to have them press upon his belly. In different places Titan eased and created pressure, listening to the winces from the Neko's mouth.
"Well?" Axel asked.
"Not much is to be said. The area is tender, as is expected, and when it was knocked it was damaged."
"But my kitten-"
"I am unsure, Night Crawler. You must understand that normally when a woman is preparing to lose an unborn she will bleed, however you have no such way of performing a task. We may have to wait and see."
"No-"
"Isn't there anyway to tell, dad? Anyway at all?"
"I know a way."
They turned to the doorway. Zack was back, his chest heaving insanely. Beside him was Cloud, mimicking Zack's breathless status, and between them both stood Sora, now fully dressed with tearstains dried on his cheeks. Gasping, their throats dry from running down to The Network, both Cloud and Zack sank by their brother. Titan stepped aside to give them room, and Axel glared over their heads at Sora, causing the Neko to spill fresh tears.
"Hey, Rox," Cloud said, grabbing his brother's hand. "I hear you're not feeling well."
"That damn brother of yours-"
"It was an a-acident!" Sora sobbed, pleading to be heard over Axel. "I'm sorry."
"We'll sort that out later," Zack cut across. "Roxas, do you remember when you ran out of the Buta Kingdom that time?"
Roxas laughed weakly, still clinging to his gut. "Which time?"
"When you went to go save Luxord. You remember? I saved you from falling in the lake."
"I remember."
"You did something pretty special to break into that capital. You remember what it was?"
Roxas paled, looking at Zack incredulously. "You can't be serious?"
"What are you talking about?" Axel asked.
"You said you wanted to know, Rox. This could be the only way to find out-"
"No, Zack. Not like that," Roxas growled. "Goddess, I'll just wait-"
"What is it?" Cloud asked, dressed from head to foot in rich garb of the finest white silk and fur. "Roxas, if it's going to help then no matter what it is I think we should try. We can't move you until we know."
"But-"
"Please, Kitten. If there's any way we can be sure then we should try it," Axel said, taking hold of Roxas's hand to squeeze it tightly.
Roxas wrinkled up his nose, still propped up on his elbows. "Fine. But you all have to close your eyes. None of you can look in case it goes wrong."
"In case what goes wrong? Roxas-"
"Just close your eyes, Cloud."
They did as they were bid. Roxas waited a moment, checking them all before he sucked in a breath, pressed his palm gently to his belly and bit at his lip. The tingling sensation returned, the Neko amulet glowed brightly, and he examined himself first for a moment, shuffling uncomfortably in a room full of males.
"'Kay. You can look."
The voice was soft and noted at a higher pitch. Axel opened his eyes first, almost falling backwards in his shock at the female form before him. Roxas was scowling, but it was so half-hearted and overridden by a painful grimace that it still came across as something sweet and unique. The body had changed its form; the eyes were still the deepest of blues, the ears still white, but now the small appendages were rounded off and made softer. The hair was spiked at the front, pushed up and over the right eye, and it hung down to Roxas's waist in small untamed waves that were only half-way to becoming mature curls. His jaw had become thinner, more precise, and the skin was only a tint paler – hardly even noticeable. The real change came across his chest where two moulds had sprouted and proceeded to try and push their way through the fabric of his shirt, and down below his legs rubbed together in memory of the missing weight that used to hang there.
"Holy fucking shit," Cloud whispered, falling back. "You're a girl?!"
"Language," Roxas whispered, trying to smile up at his brother's astonished face.
Stammering like a goldfish, Cloud swallowed hard and turned to Zack. "What the heck did you ask him to do?"
"It's not permanent," Zack shrugged. "Gotta say, Rox, for a pregnant teenager you look pretty damn hot."
"Thanks, I think."
"I don't… I don't…" Axel shook his head, his heart bumping unevenly in his chest. Unsure of what to think, his trousers (and a certain body part) suddenly hard at the new sight, Axel looked over Roxas again and again, still baffled. "I don't understand."
Roxas's smile fell. "I never wanted you to see me like this."
"Why? Kitten," Axel pressed a finger under Roxas's chin, guiding him to keeping his stare. "You're gorgeous no matter what form you're in. This just makes things easier."
"Easier? How-"
"Night Crawler, I think it is common belief that we were each wondering to how you would give birth to this kitten. This form makes things much simpler, and should make the delivery easier upon yourself."
"You mean give birth like this? No way! This form's too uncomfortable-ah!"
"Don't move, Roxas," Cloud said, pushing him back down. "Okay, so who's gonna check this?"
"Wh-what?! No, none of you-Ouch!"
"Kitten, please, just sit still."
"No! I won't have you all hanging over me like this. It's damn embarrassing."
"Roxas-"
"No, Cloud. I don't feel comfortable," he sniffled.
"I'll do it," Axel said. "The rest of you can get out."
"What? No way, Tora-"
"He's my fiancé, it's my kitten, and I know what I'm looking for. Get out."
"Cloud, he has a point," Zack said, resting a hand on his brother's shoulder. "We can't do anything for him. We'll wait outside for a minute," he said, dragging Cloud up with him. "Let us know."
Titan was the first to leave them, and Zack pulled Cloud behind him as he nudged Sora along. Axel kept his eyes fixed on the open doorway, making sure they all left the small den completely before he turned his attention upon Roxas. The flushed cheeks had his heart racing, and he carefully swept his arms around the blonde's back and knees. When he went to lift Roxas stopped him, his jaw clenched tight.
"Axel, it hurts."
"I know, Kitten," he murmured, kissing his cheek. "But I have to move you. I won't have you sat on the floor."
"But-"
"No buts. Grit your teeth. I'll try and make this fast, okay?"
Roxas nodded. "'Kay."
In one fluid motion Axel stood, stepped into the adjoining room, and laid Roxas down on the bed. The blonde's hands cuddled his stomach and Axel broke a little to hear the soft whimper. The Tora reached down, brought the covers up to Roxas's waist, and shushed him.
"It's okay, Kitten-"
"No it's not, Axel. It really hurts."
"I know, Kitten. I'm just gonna check, alright?"
"Ch-check what?"
Axel slid his hands under the blankets, undoing the blonde's zipper and slipping his hands inside. Roxas tensed immediately, stiffening with wide eyes.
"Axel! No, I-"
"I'm not going to touch you, Roxas, I swear. You look fucking gorgeous," he smiled, his eyes feasting on the slender frame, "but I only want to make sure our kitten's okay."
"Then why are you in my pants?" Roxas frowned, wriggling awkwardly to feel the cold fingers sliding smoothly and moulding against the bare flesh.
Axel purred, slipped his fingers further down, caught the flush on Roxas's face and moaned. He pushed gently, caught the wince and stopped, taking his fingers back and buttoning the trousers back up.
"W-well?"
Axel swept Roxas's fringe back and kissed the pale forehead. "No blood."
"So it's okay?"
"I dunno. I hope so, but you have to calm down. You're breathing too fast, Kitten."
"I am?"
Axel pressed a hand to the heaving chest, swallowing hard to feel the soft breast pivot up beneath his fingers.
"Axel? You're starin'."
"Can you blame me?"
"You're also pitching."
"Mmm," Axel hummed, leaning in to take Roxas's lips with his own.
"My, and they told me this was an emergency." Raina clicked her tongue in the doorway, a hand upon her hip as she waddled into the room. "Dear, if you don't mind will you please take your hand off Roxas's breast. It gives for a rather uncomfortable atmosphere."
"You're not surprised?" Roxas asked, smiling to see Axel loathe to take his hand away, but still complying.
"Your brothers filled me in outside. Riku was an utter mess when he found me. They really thought they had hurt you and your kitten."
"It was an accident. Sora tripped."
"So he told me, sweetheart. He also said that Axel seemed to become rather aggressive."
"So?" Axel snapped, not caring at the glower Roxas sent his way. "He hurt them."
"But we're okay. At least, I think we are," Roxas said, resting a hand gently upon his belly. "Axel said there's no blood."
"That's good news, but I would have been very surprised to hear if there was any in the first place."
"Huh?"
"Darling, you are only two weeks pregnant. Yes the first trimester is a delicate time, but you must understand that your kitten is well protected within your womb. If there was anything that concerned me it would have been the state of your placenta."
"My what?"
She smiled, sitting on the bed. "A placenta lines the inside of a womb, sweetheart. Its job is to protect and feed the kitten. If for whatever reason this would have been punctured or a bleed had started your kitten could have been in dire need of help. In fact there may have been nothing we could do to prevent the worst from happening. As it happens there is no blood, and you did well to check," she nodded at Axel. "I think you are safe to revert to your original form, sweetheart. Your kitten is well."
"You sure?"
"I'm sure."
She turned away and fixed her eyes upon Axel, a curious eyebrow raised. "I think you should find yourself a cold shower, Axel."
"What? Oh. Maybe later."
Roxas groaned, sagging back down by the covers, happy to have the weight gone from his chest and back between his legs. "Goddess, I feel better. Still hurts though."
"It may hurt for a time, darling. You had a nasty fall. Here, let me feel." She pressed a hand to the blonde's belly, hearing him wince with a thoughtful frown. "It's tender. I think a good night's sleep, some food, and something warm to ease the pain should help though. You'll be right as rain come tomorrow."
"Yeah?"
"Yes. Now, I'll go get you some food and disperse the crowd outside-"
"Crowd?"
"Then I'll send poor Sora in to see you and Axel can go take a cold shower."
"What? No way, lady. I'm not leaving him on his own-"
"I think you'll find that he'll be with his brother, Axel, and you need to release some steam before you explode. I'm sure Roxas doesn't feel up to any sexual activities-"
"Raina!"
"It's nothing to be embarrassed about, sweetheart. Come on, Axel, we'd best be off."
"Kitten, I-"
"It'll be okay, Axel," Roxas whispered, feeling Raina's weight leave the bed as the Tora leaned over him. "To be honest I'm really tired. I just wanna go to sleep."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah."
"You'll both be okay if I go, right?" he asked, ghosting his thumb over Roxas's cheek.
"We'll be fine."
"I love you, Roxas. Please, don't do anything while I'm not here, okay?"
Roxas smiled. "I love you too."
Axel kissed him, clinging to the front of Roxas's shirt for as long as possible before Raina pinched his ears and dragged him away. When he yelped he heard Roxas giggle, knew by some off chance that the blonde was smiling, and he felt slightly at ease despite the panic still flooding through him. He was taken from the room into the outside and there she released him, leaving him to blink in the open brightness of his surroundings. He tensed and sucked in a deep breath to see hundreds of Nekos peering over each other for a chance to glimpse within, all of them holding their breath with glimmering eyes and anxious fidgets.
"False alarm," Raina called. "You can all go back to your business."
Sound returned to the world in a rich hubbub. Cloud and Zack kicked off the rock-face, turning to the new pair with curious eyes, Sora grasped between them firmly whilst Titan hovered close by.
"Is he okay?"
"He's fine, Cloud. Just a nasty shock and a bit of a bruise."
"I'm sorry," Sora hiccupped, still awash with tears. "I am, I swear. I fell."
"You're a bleeding klutz, Sora," Cloud smiled, ruffling his little brother's hair. "But there's no harm done so you can stop crying."
"But-"
"Cloud, sweetheart, aren't you supposed to be in a council meeting? I heard that you were not to be disturbed."
"Sora came and found me."
She clicked her tongue. "And you, Zack, I thought you were busy on the far west of town?"
"Yeah, but when I saw Cloud rushing off I thought I'd join in. I was overdue a break anyway."
"Well I think you had both best return to your posts. Sora, you can go in. Roxas wants to see you."
"H-he does? He mad at me?"
"He damn well should be," Axel snarled, ducking from the swipe Raina aimed at him. "Watch yourself in there, Neko. If I come back and he's hurt again I'll-"
"I'd never hurt him!" Sora barked, wiping his tears away viciously and growling. "It was an accident!"
"Your accident almost cost my kitten its life!"
"Axel stop being dramatic. There is no longer a need to linger on the past, so I suggest we should each move on to what is most important. We all have much to be doing," Titan said. "I think it best we leave Night Crawler to rest for the time being. I myself must return to my kingdom. It was good to see you all again, and I will be visiting soon enough to check up on my family, but if someone would be so kind as to show me the way out of this sanctuary I would be most grateful."
They split into small groups. Raina and Cloud left with Titan whilst Zack turned to working back within The Network. Sora stood still by the drapes, gulping back a solid gasp of air and catching the way a few of the stragglers watched him. He folded his ears and entered.
Inside Sora saw his brother scooting further under the covers, a yawn heavy behind his hand before he rubbed at his eyes, heard soft footsteps, and looked up. Roxas smiled bravely, twitching his ears to see Sora kick the ground nervously.
"R-Rox? Rox, I'm so sorry-"
"You're an idiot," Roxas laughed, but he soon groaned when his stomach lurched.
Sora was on his knees in an instant, grasping the sheets of his brother's bedside. "I'm sorry. Goddess, I didn't think. It was an accident-"
"I know," Roxas said, smiling with his teeth ground tight together. "It's okay."
"You're really hurt. What if I-"
"We're fine, Sora."
"W-we?"
"Yeah." He cuddled a hand to his aching belly, taking comfort in the action. "We're okay."
"Rox, you gotta know I wouldn't do nout to hurt you-"
"Where's Riku?" Roxas asked, wrinkling his nose and trying to look outside. When he couldn't see he huffed.
"He stayed with Gareth. I told him not to come."
"I'm sorry, Sora. Guess I overreacted."
"What? No, don't apologise, Rox. I should be sorry-"
"Will you shut up about that already?" Roxas grinned, pulling back the covers. "Get in."
"H-huh?"
Roxas ruffled and straightened the blankets, backing into the wall and surrendering half the pillow. He patted the mattress, Sora beamed, and Roxas could only think to grin as his little brother clambered in beside him. Together they lay huddled and nestled between each other, the covers high up and over their shoulders with the warmth glorified between them in a soft cocoon.
Sora sniffled, reaching out for the fabric of his brother's shirt. He lifted the cloth, intruding on the private area as he poked the belly gently, taking the time to run his fingers alongside it whilst Roxas leaned back to let him explore. Finally Sora's quizzical stare lessened and he smiled.
"What's it feel like?"
"Like a belly full of custard."
"What?" Sora pulled away, half-snorting at Roxas's lopsided grin. "You're not supposed to say that!"
"What am I supposed to say?"
"I dunno. Lady-stuff. Feels like a belly full of smiles and all that crap."
"'All that crap'? Real lady-like, Sora."
"You know what I mean! C'mon, who says being pregnant is like a belly full of custard, really?"
"I do."
Sora rolled his eyes, tucking his head back beneath his brother's chin. Roxas looped a hand around him, holding him close with the hot breaths tingling his skin. It was a while before either of them spoke, but it was finally Sora who destroyed the comfort, still twisting and fiddling with the collar of his brother's shirt, smelling Axel on it and grimacing.
"You mad at me?"
"Why would I be mad at you?"
Sora shrugged. "Dunno. Axel was mad."
"Axel's temperamental. If I wouldn't have seen his dick I'd have been sure he was a woman. He acts like he's on his period half the time."
"Ew," Sora mumbled, wrinkling his nose. "Yuck. Just what I needed. An image of Tora cock."
"It's actually not that bad."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. I'd say try it, but then I would be mad. Axel's mine."
"You can have him. I'm curious, but not that curious. Besides, I've got Riku."
"You still make him bottom?"
"That'd be tellin'. You shouldn't be asking me these sorts of questions, anyway. I don't go asking questions about you and Axel-"
"Sora, I'm pregnant. Do you think I top?"
"Maybe not. But you never know, right?"
"I wish I topped," Roxas muttered, scrunching up his face in distaste. "Axel won't have it. He refuses."
"Refuses. That sounds bad."
"Not bad, but it's damn irritating after a while."
"I can believe… So how big is it?"
"What?" Roxas laughed incredulously, feeling Sora chuckle against him. "I thought you didn't wanna know?"
"I didn't, but now I'm curious. Like, how big is he? Is he tiny? I can totally see Axel being small. Maybe three inches – possibly three and a bit."
"Try six."
"Six?!"
"Six," Roxas repeated firmly. "I wish he was three inches. Would make my part a hell of a lot easier."
"Goddess, how the hell do you manage it? I mean… How?" He shook his head in stunned awe. "You must have an arse like a yawning hippo-ouch!"
Roxas whacked him. "My butt is not big!"
"I never said it was. I said your butthole-ouch! Stop hitting me-"
"Stop talking about my arse."
"I was only teasing. So… when did he knock you up?"
"Hayner's wedding night."
"The same night he proposed?"
"Yep."
"He doesn't muck around does he? Straight to the point."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean people know you as the saviour of this whole world. If you were both just engaged people would have tried to split you up, but now…" He smiled, looking at the glowing blue gem. "Now you're taken. He really did claim you."
"I never really thought about it like that. It was just an accident, yanno? I only told him the other day. Heck, I only told any of you the other day."
Sora hummed, tucking his chin beneath his brother's. He felt a hand stroke the back of his head and blinked, his eyelashes tickling Roxas's neck.
"Hey, Rox?"
"Yeah?"
"You scared?"
Roxas shuffled, clinging tight to his brother, his voice small and hardly a whisper upon their pillow.
"Terrified."
"It'll be okay, yanno? I'll be here to help."
"I think that's enough mush," a deep voice said.
Sora yelped, springing free and landing hard on his butt in the middle of the den. He looked back and over his shoulder, catching the sound of brooding chuckles and heavy steps. Axel stood in the doorway, smirking with a hand on his hip and a twitch of his regal ears, dripping wet from head to toe with his clothes sticking and clinging to him, every drop greedy for his cold skin.
"What the hell happened to you?" Sora asked, tilting his head on a side. "You get dunked?"
"It looks like you jumped in the shower and straight back out again."
"I did," Axel muttered, stepping into the room and around Sora. He sat on the edge of the bed, placed a hand on Roxas's leg and smiled softly - just for him. "I was worried. I couldn't finish without you there."
"Gross," Sora complained, sticking out his tongue.
"Oh please, you were just talking about me. I heard everything."
Sora blushed and Roxas sat up, wincing at the sharp tug in his belly and closing his eyes tight. When firm hands took hold of his shoulders and eased him down he didn't struggle. The soft blankets were tucked around him and Axel kept one hand tight to the blonde's shoulder, holding him still.
"Rox, you okay? Want me to get help?"
"'M fine, Sora."
"It still hurts?" Axel asked.
"It will hurt for a while, dear," Raina said, appearing through the curtains with a plate in hand and a strong thatched bundle in the other. "But we'll have you good as new yet. Sora, I believe you're wanted up at the castle. Poor Cloud is struggling to contain The Neko Council on his own and he would very much appreciate your help."
"Okay. I'll see you soon, right Rox? You'll be coming home soon?"
"Soon as I can."
Sora brightened. With a nod of his head he squeezed Raina tight in a quick hug, waved back to them all, and disappeared through the flap. Raina shook her head, sitting on the table and refusing to acknowledge the groan it gave beneath her weight.
"Right, get comfortable then. You're not going anywhere today, Roxas. Axel, was you hopping in?"
"Hopping in?"
Roxas pushed the covers back. "She means are you getting in bed?
Without another word Axel kicked off his boots and slipped in beside the blonde. Still wet and cold, he hugged Roxas close, laying down with his Neko leaning upon his chest.
"Here, put this where it hurts."
Axel took the bag, holding it for a moment and frowning to feel the insistent warmth. Something inside clinked together, like rocks banging and folding over one another. He turned a raised eyebrow on Raina, catching her smile with a small frown.
"What's this?"
"Heating stones. They're a speciality found in the Neko Kingdom down deep under The Network. Essentially they're just special rocks that are imbedded with a source of heat, which they then give off faintly. They only last a few hours or so, so I had to go collect some fresh. They'll soothe the area, Axel, I swear they will do no harm."
"You're sure?"
"I have used these stones many times before, Axel. I am sure."
Axel lifted the covers, peeling Roxas's shirt back and pressing the bag gently against the skin. Roxas laughed, shaking his head against Axel's damp torso and taking hold of the Tora's hand. He moved the palm lower, stopping down by the ache and moaning pleasurably to have it dulled under the sweet warmth, breathing peacefully at last.
"That better, sweetheart?"
"Yeah." He smiled shyly with a fistful of Axel's shirt. The scent was back again, so intoxicating and invigorating he wanted to drown himself in it and forget the world; his stomach eased itself completely between the warmth, the touch, and the scent, until at last he could finally sigh with relief.
"Good. I've got some food here for you so you can nibble at it when you feel like eating. For now I think you should get as much rest as possible. There'll be plenty of time for you to eat when you wake. Take good care of him for me, Axel."
"You're not staying?"
She smiled, brushing down her dress. "I have much work to be doing, as does the rest of this kingdom. I have spoken with Cloud, Roxas. He's going to insist upon four days leave from your workload."
"What?! No. I won't have any of you putting him to work."
"It's not like that, Axel," Roxas mumbled, his eyelids heavy in his comfort. "I just do renovations. I don't do any heavy lifting or nout."
"I don't care. I said no!"
"It would be good for him, Axel. It would keep him away from the castle, and therefore away from The Neko Council. No doubt you are going to receive a lot of guests soon. I should think you would want to start preparing for how you are going to break the news to them, dear. But that is a matter for another time. I will be back to check on you both later."
Axel grunted, watching her leave with a scowl. It was when he turned his eyes downwards to discuss the issue that his frown slipped, and he found himself smiling instead.
Roxas was asleep. Cuddled up to Axel with a hand on the Tora's palm, holding it close to his belly, he had drifted away with soft, even breaths and a content smile, his ears drooped and his cheeks flushed ever so slightly. Axel swept a hand over Roxas's cheek, leaning his head back on the pillow with an unstable breath. The events of the day had shaken him badly, and even though he'd never admit it he shared Roxas's feelings.
He was terrified too.
Namine sat upon the stone bench in the Raion Gardens. Her pale pink dress was swept and ruffled by the wind as it kissed and played with her golden hair, sweeping bronze leaves by her feet and twirling flowers beneath the pale sky. She took a deep breath, holding it within before releasing it steadily to the world, her eyes closed tight and her ears flown back.
"Namine?"
"Mm?"
She turned, her blue eyes open and blinking sweetly for the steps that crunched over the pebbled path. Ventus strode towards her, dressed in dull training armour, leather straps, and the ever present sword. He smiled softly, stopping nearby with a lump in his throat.
"Are you okay? You've been out here a long time."
"I'm just thinking," she whispered, turning back to the surrounding blossom trees. "A messenger came. From the Neko Kingdom, father said."
"I heard. Your sister has been in a foul mood all afternoon. I'm not sure what was said, but to have a messenger… It's the first time I've heard from the Neko Kingdom since the war. It must have been something important."
"It was," she said, patting the seat beside her.
He sat, and for a moment they waited in the sublime quiet of their own world. Their fingers brushed lightly, not deliberately, and both blushed, not wanting to pull away. He squeezed her fingers, looked down to the floor with red cheeks and a nervous gulp, and waited for her to pull away.
She didn't. Instead she rolled her palm over, took hold of his hand with her own and smiled. "I believe the news was of Night Crawler."
"Is he okay?"
"The messenger told he was well. Beyond well, in fact. He and Prince Axel are expecting a kitten."
"A what?" He turned to her, unable to believe his ears. "A kitten? How-"
"I believe the Neko amulet played an important part, but not much else was said. The messenger told that the Neko Kingdom was demanding its privacy and protection over Night Crawler and the unborn kitten, but would be looking to allow royal guests to visit the couple within the following fortnight when they have settled. I do believe the Neko Kingdom's defences are going to become even more isolated and destructive. They will not accept any form of threatening behaviour close to their walls now."
"Uh-huh… Is that why the council is so upset?"
She sighed. "They feel they have been cheated. Night Crawler was, in a sense, a prize to be competed over. Even after his public engagement it was still thought that he could be wooed and won. But now matters have changed. Night Crawler has been claimed completely and thoroughly by Prince Axel. No amount of gifts, bribes, threats or promises can change that now; effectively, the Neko and Tora Kingdoms are to be wed to one another through the birth of this kitten."
"I can see why this would upset Princess Larxene."
Namine wrinkled her nose. "My father has given her away to a young knight – a lord of sorts – but what consolation is this after all she has been through to secure Prince Axel? I love my sister, but I do agree that her actions were beyond rash. Even if she will not accept me as her flesh and blood any longer I cannot allow my father to wed her so cruelly when she is so clearly unhappy. This news has destroyed her. I am fearful to think what it is she might do if she is allowed close to Night Crawler within the Neko Kingdom. But how are we to stop her? King Cloud must know that he has to invite equal members of royalty from each kingdom to see this miracle in its bloom and birth, but there are many enemies Night Crawler has made. Undoubtedly the Kuma, Buta, Tora, Tori, Hitsuji, and Nezumi will fight to protect what they feel they have an interest in, but what of the others? The Uma? The Ushi? The Kitsunes? Larxene herself, and the Saru? For a time they will be within the Neko Kingdom, and I hate to think that they could pose a threat to something so precious and special."
"I think Night Crawler will be fine, Namine. He has more than proved capability of looking after himself."
"Perhaps, but this is not war, this is politics. It is much harder. Yes, Night Crawler can look after himself, I would be foolish to argue this issue, but it is not himself that he is looking after is it? It is his kitten, something so delicate nature only deemed women fit to carry. There are many that would see Night Crawler and this kitten harmed. How is he to stop them? If the Neko amulet is pulled from his chest the womb within will fade and die, giving immense pain and taking life. It is that simple, and so very, very frightening. A snag, a pull, a weary tug, rolling the wrong way in a sleepless dream, or a weak break in the links – all of these can cause death. Then there is the threats King Cloud has been forced to allow into his border. We ourselves depart in the morning to make our journey south; my father is keen to be one of the first to speak with Night Crawler on this miracle, and then others will follow. With so many people within one kingdom, how is Night Crawler going to survive? This is not war. He cannot run from this without being found out. The councils hope to have a gathering within the Neko Kingdom to decide upon…"
"Upon what?"
She heaved a heavy breath. "They wish to decide upon who should take firm control over the birthing process. They do not believe it practical or morally correct that Night Crawler should stay with his brothers. They believe a female presence should be around to give good influence and help with the pregnancy, so they are eager to take Night Crawler away from the sight of King Cloud, Lord Zack, and Prince Sora. He cannot go to the Tora Kingdom, either, seeing as all of King Titan's heirs are male. It poses a huge problem, and my father wishes to be first in extending his invitation for Night Crawler to stay here."
"Here? With Princess Larxene?" Ventus shook his head. "I think he'd rather die first."
"But how would he refuse? If he should my father would take it as an insult; a lack of forgiveness, in a way, and a deep blow to his pride. As would the other kingdoms, I am sure. Princess Xion and Hayner have both had their child, and will not be staying in the Kuma Kingdom, therefore he cannot retreat there, nor can he reside in the Buta Kingdom where King Pete has neither a wife nor an heir. The same goes for the Hitsuji. He could, quite possibly, take to refuge on the far coast with the Nezumi or Tori, but it would take him so far away and out of sight of the other kingdoms that no other council would allow such a matter. What options does this leave? He could come here and face the wrath of Larxene, or he could go to the Saru and hide under the guidance of Princess Olette. He cannot go to the Ookami, as only King Leonardo and Prince Demyx reside as royalty there. He could take care to venture into the Kitsune Kingdom, but I know he has made enemies with Aqua and Kairi." She shook her head, squeezing Ventus's palm. "I am afraid for this kitten, Ventus. Night Crawler may not know of the position he has landed himself in, but I am sure Prince Axel knows. He cannot protect them from thirteen squabbling kingdoms. He is strong, but no man is that powerful."
Ventus nodded. He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it, standing from the bench and lifting her to her feet. "Well I'm sure they're going to need a few friends in every kingdom. How about we be their Raion lookouts? We could help keep that sister of yours in check."
She smiled, wrapping her hands around his neck as he pinched her waist tightly. "Ventus, you are too good. Those were my thoughts exactly."
"There's a reason I'm being knighted," he laughed, lifting her chin with his finger.
"Oh?" Her eyes sparkled. "I should expect nothing less from you."
He placed his lips upon hers, his heart aflutter with imaginary butterflies soaring upwards. The lips beneath his pivoted, moulding to him with the softest of touches, stealing breath as he swept a hand into her hair and held her close.
In that moment the wind stilled, the world picked up, and the air seemed a little less cold.
He ended the kiss with a light follow-up peck, his nose pressed to hers. "I love you, Namine."
She smiled, squeezed him tight and giggled. "And I love you, Ventus. Forever and always, as long as the sun will rise-"
"And the moon will fall," he finished and kissed her again.
Author's Notes:
I just want to be clear that when Roxas is in his female form I am aware that I still refer to him as a "he" and a "him" because I don't want to confuse people. If there is any confusion please don't hesitate to pm me :)
So, next chapter things explode. Everyone is going to want to see this miracle, and I don't think poor Roxas is up to it :/ They had a pretty nasty scare thanks to Sora, not that he meant it, bless him.
Please forgive any mistakes guys! I can't seem to find my beta reader and I'm not the best at editing my own work ^_^'
mitzi-hindle- I'm so glad you liked it! I agree, this can either go one way or the other. Either they'll cope well or the whole thing will flop and become too much. I wonder which it will be ;) I wouldn't worry about the antagonists. They make more than enough of an appearance in later chapters, and they definitely stress out the new parents-to-be. I hope you enjoyed this chapter too!
Stalker - I'm so glad you liked this chapter! I agree, my favourite chapters are the explanation chapters, but I try to make them scarce so that they don't overwhelm people. I don't want information overload :) Aw, I'm so glad you like Raina, she's one of my favourite OC's, but she's going to take a bit of a back step after this chapter, I'm afraid. And I thought it was only fitting that if Roxas was changing, so too should Axel :) I think Toras, like Ookami' and other domineering nations, would have much different views and cultures to nations such as Neko's and Ushi :)