Words: 1624
See Chapter 1 for standard Warnings/Disclaimer.
Additional Warning: This fic is Unbeta'd I edit it myself, though I do have a couple friends who have read it as I worked on it.
A/N: I'll be honest and say I'm not exactly the most technologically savvy person in the world, so theres probably some major issues concerning Tech in this fic, but I wasn't about to spend forever researching this stuff for a fanfic of all things. I'll also be honest and say this is pretty much the first time I've written a fic like this, with guns and more modern weaponry. I'm more used to swords and other less... high tech weapons. It's been an adventure, thats for sure.
Anyway, all the same, I hope you enjoy this rather short chapter.
When Axel awoke once more his room was mostly dark but for the warm orange-gold bars of sunlight slipping in around the shades. He didn't drift slowly awake as he had that morning, but instead woke instantly with his heart pounding so fast and hard that his entire body felt like it was quivering. He couldn't recall what he had been dreaming, but he didn't think it could have been anything good. He sat up slowly and grimaced at the feel of sweat cooling on his skin. He needed a shower, he decided, maybe then he'd feel a little more human. So Axel forced himself up and gathered a set of clean cloths before shuffling off to the bathroom.
The first thing he noticed when he stepped into the bathroom was the post-it note on the mirror over the sink. Reno knew him too well it seemed. Apparently his brother was out, and would get the groceries they were in need of. Axel spared a moment to feel bad about the fact that he'd been ignoring so much of what was around him. Ever since Roxas had gone missing his world had narrowed down, and it was almost like a physical shock every time he was jolted out of his tunnel vision.
Axel pulled the post-it off the mirror and crumpled it in his hand before dropping it into the small trashcan half hidden beside the sink, then he dropped his cloths on the toilet seat and turned on the water. It wasn't like he didn't care about life anymore, it wasn't that at all. Many people would probably accuse him of being depressed, or hell, obsessed; but the fact was he just felt adrift. There hadn't been a day in well around twelve years that he hadn't seen Roxas.
He pulled off his cloths, letting them fall haphazardly to the floor, then stepped into the shower. As soon as he felt the hot water sluicing over his shoulders he began to feel much of the tension knotting his muscles flow away.
Axel had never claimed to be the strongest of people, and when he formed emotional attachments to people he might get just a little to attached. If Reno were to walk out of his life he'd feel horrible: Like there was a part of the world gone missing. He'd still be able to move on though. Reno and he had looked after each other for years, but they were still very much independent of each other, just like any brothers.
Roxas, though, was an entire different matter. Learning that he was missing... It had felt like the entire world had just dropped out from under his feet. Everything was still going around and around as life was wont to do, but Axel was stuck. He was frozen, and he doubted he'd be able to catch up without Roxas. Yes, Axel formed strong emotional bonds, and Roxas was his strongest.
Dragging his hands over his face, he pawed water out of his eyes before reaching for the shampoo. There was no time to worry about it now, he'd made his decision the moment he picked up that phone. There was no time for him to be second guessing.
Back in his room, and feeling much better for the simple luxury of a long, hot shower Axel dug a duffel bag out of his closet and began to stuff some things into it; necessities mostly: Such as clothing, and a few other personal items. He'd leave it at Zexion's place on the off chance that things went sour. He may wing it as necessary, but Axel was usually aware of the larger scope, and he could easily see the chance for disaster that was involved in this little venture.
Next he moved over to his nightstand and tugged open the small drawer there. Inside a bunch of trinkets rested in a jumbled mass, though prominently resting on the cleaner side of his junk drawer were the objects he was seeking: A small semi-automatic pistol along with several rounds worth of ammo, a twelve and a half inch hunting knife, and a simple unadorned switchblade.
The pistol was technically owned under Reno's name, as his brother had bought it several years ago when they'd lived in a less than desirable neighborhood. The hunting knife had similarly been a gift from Reno. The switchblade was just something Axel had bought on a whim.
For once in his life Axel thanked Reno for being a bit of terror when it came to self defense, otherwise he'd be going into this completely unprepared. Grabbing the weaponry up he concealed each piece on his person before putting a few extra clips of ammo in the pockets of his knee length black coat; the rest of the ammo went in the duffel bag.
Giving the room a final once over he again noticed that notebook. He picked it up, and after glancing dispassionately at the message he flipped it closed with a quiet fwap. He found himself startled and amused when he saw the cover: It was blue with a bubble and cartoon fish motif. The fluorescent orange price sticker on the front was testament that the guy had apparently bought it right there in the store. Axel wasn't sure if he should laugh or not.
He gave it a few moments consideration, then shrugged and shoved the notebook into his bag as well. Maybe it'd come in handy later, who knows? He zipped the bag closed and shouldered it then prowled out into the hallway, pausing in the living room he glanced to the side and caught sight of some of Reno's possessions splayed out on the coffee table. It was one in particular that had him so enthralled.
Axel moved forward and reached down, picking up the thin plastic card: Reno's ID set for the Shinra and Radiant buildings where he worked as one of the top security personnel. Reno was one of the personal bodyguards to the CEO, and therefore had clearance to most, if not all, areas of the company. Axel silently slid the cards into the breast pocket of his jacket, then grabbed the key ring off the table.
He dropped his bag on the couch and headed back down the hall to Reno's room. Reno wasn't really the kind of guy to use guns, he preferred the rod like weapon he carried while at work, but he did keep a gun handy. Kneeling down Axel pulled the case from under Reno's bed and unlocked it, the gun inside was of the Desert Eagle brand. Axel could remember how he'd asked Reno why he would want such a large unwieldy weapon. Reno's response had been that, for one, it looked cool and, for another, if you ran out of bullets it was big enough that you could use it to bash in the other guys head.
Maybe Axel would finally get to test out that theory. He grabbed the extra clips of ammo, snapped the case closed, and shoved it back into place before heading back to the living room. The ammo cartridges joined the others, and he took a moment to add the Eagle to his concealed arsenal before he grabbed his bag and was out the door.
Axel somehow wasn't surprised when Zexion's door opened before he could even knock. He just gave a slightly self-mocking smile and strode passed the slate-haired man. Zexion gave him an amused look as he dumped the duffel bag among the clutter near the door.
"So, you ready for this?" Axel asked, giving Zexion his best devil may care smile.
"Who? Me? Sure, I'm ready. I'm not the one whose probably going to get himself filled with lead." Zexion drawled, plucking pointedly at the strap of the computer satchel that was digging into his shoulder. "These, by the way, are for you."
Axel took the offered objects: An ear piece and related devices for communications, and a strange little electronic device that looked like it could slot into a computers USB port.
A moment later Zexion confirmed Axel's thoughts, "You'll need to put that in the computers USB port. It'll allow me to remote hack them, but it has a limited range."
"Right, and that means what to me?" It wasn't like Axel was stupid, he just wasn't particularly interested in the details.
Zexion rolled his eyes at him, "It means I'm going to need to be closer than here to do it."
"Right, right, lets get this show on the road then." Axel clapped his hands, and rubbed them together in imitation of an evil villain. "What've you got cooking to get you in this 'limited' range of yours."
Axel's immediate answer was a single eye rolling at his theatrics, "Can we access the employee's parking garage?" He asked as he slid out of the apartment, waited for Axel to follow, and then locked up.
"Yeah, I got it covered." Axel crowed triumphantly as he followed Zexion down the hall. He tugged out the ID and keycards he'd lifted off his brother and waved them in front of Zexion's face. "See! I am capable of some forethought!"
"Impressive."
One elevator ride later found them in the lobby, and shortly, outside Zexion's building. The slate-haired man paused a moment to dig out a set of car keys which he jingled at Axel, "A friend loaned me a car." He jerked his head to indicate a nondescript white sedan sitting at the curb.
"Glad to know you have such faith in me, Zex."
"I figured you'd come up with something. I just wasn't sure if it would involve explosives or not."
