Former Bonds
Saix was listening to Xemnas speak, the leader of Organization XIII said in his deep, intoning voice,
"My Kingdom Hearts. Listen to the hearts sing, Saix. Roxas and Xion continue to reap more of them, and it won't be long before it is complete, before we are."
Saix said nothing, staring at the pink hearts sailing toward the halfway constructed moon. The reverence in Xemnas's voice never ceased to "amaze" him. Xemnas had his arms stretched wide like he could embrace the moon. Lowering them, Xemnas turned around, his orange eyes gleaming.
"Why are you here, Saix?" There was a threat in his voice, Xemnas's personal balcony, so close to Kingdom Hearts Saix could hear the humming, was off limits. Usually.
"I am concerned for Axel."
Xemnas narrowed his eyes to slits. Saix added privately to himself, or as concerned as one can be without emotions.
"Explain."
Saix turned his attention to the moon. "He is the one to exterminate with extreme prejudice against traitors and those we no longer need, correct?"
Xemnas said nothing, but Saix knew he was listening.
"He has become attached to Roxas, and Xion. If they turn traitor…"
"I see. Talk to him." Xemnas interrupted. "But do not bring this up again unless it actually happens." Turning back to the heart shaped moon Xemnas continued, "Unless the possibility is high, there is no need to bring up what could have been."
His tone was an obvious dismissal.
Turning, Saix thought, now where is Axel?
He wasn't hard to find. He was returning from a mission with Roxas, both were laughing about some Wonderland thing. Laughing.
Saix's chest constricted oddly. He let it go. "Axel?"
Axel's smile vanished so fast it was almost amusing. His eyes became guarded. "Yes?"
Saix eyed Roxas. "I'd rather speak to you alone."
Roxas shrugged. "See you later."
When they were alone in the dark city, Saix nodded to Axel.
"Missions are more amusing than nothing." He said, trying to be casual.
"You know it." Axel said in a lightly teasing tone, but his eyes were still "careful". "This city is boring."
"Can't you hear the screams?" Saix asked, twisting his mouth into a smile.
Axel looked startled. "What screams?"
"Isn't the city more interesting already?"
Axel scowled. "Was that supposed to be a joke?"
"Would you rather go elsewhere to talk?"
Axel narrowed his eyes to flaming green slits. "Not really. I just finished a mission against some Trickmaster weirdo, so if you're just here to patronize me…"
"No. I'm here with a message from Lord Xemnas."
"What?"
"He is concerned, you, who are supposed to obliterate traitors, are becoming too close-"
"Concerned?" Axel barked a laugh. "Well, I wasn't aware he could be."
Saix almost felt his temper snap, if he had one. He was certain he was almost at the point his human mind would've gotten broken at.
"Axel, the point being that you're too attached. Roxas might end up flipping at any time."
"Thanks for your concern." Axel turned to leave. Saix decided to try a different route.
"Lea."
Axel froze; Saix saw his whole body become rigid like stone.
"Lea." Saix said his "friend's" former name again. Axel turned to look at him.
"It's not just Xemnas. I agree with him. Is a make believe friendship better than a real one?"
Axel stared for so long Saix wondered why he wasn't saying anything. Finally Axel spoke. It wasn't the voice Saix knew, there was no emotion in it, it was just as flat as his, just as much as a Nobody voice as Xemnas's.
"You say Ais that a make believe friendship isn't better than a real one. Then why do you keep trying to make ours work? We had been friends, once. Not anymore. Got it memorized?" Axel turned and walked off, leaving Saix staring after him.
I always thought, Lea that you changed when we became Nobodies. But…was it…me?
