Of Hearts and Nobodies

Shizuka Usagi


Chapter 9

"She's a curious one. Willing to gamble her freedom for a friend? How romantic."

"If you ask me, she knows more than she lets on. Shall I teach Demyx a lesson?"

"No, we must be patient. If we harm Number IX, she will never help us willingly."

"Can't we just force her?"

"The less of a grudge member XIII has against us, the better."

"He has a point. If he harbors a grudge against us, it will be difficult to put the most important piece into play."

"Anyway, where's Axel? That hot head might be messing things up."

"Saix should be keeping an eye on him. I recall the two were quite close. Axel is our best chance of keeping him here when we release the girl."

"Release the girl? Darn. Would've been nice to have a pet."

"We can't have her interfering with our plans. She may convince some of us to leave us, as well."

"Demyx seems quite fond of her, doesn't he?"

"We should make sure this attraction doesn't lead anywhere. Or else we may lose another of our pawns."

Demyx, still holding Olette's hand, steered her to the bed and sat down. She shook her head, trying to clear it from the wooziness of teleporting. She struggled to make sense of the snippets of the conversation she had with Xemnas swirling around her head.

"You still dizzy?" Demyx asked and chuckled when Olette groaned. "Don't worry you'll get used to it. Roxas had the same problem when he first came."

"Why did Roxas join in the first place?" she inquired quietly, picturing the serious blonde in her mind.

"Sorry, no can tell. Xemnas seems miffed at me enough," he cringed at the thought of the Superior torturing him.

"Please, Demyx. I have to know. I'm involved in all this too," she pleaded. Her voice was woven with her previous weariness, making her seem wholly pitiful.

"Olette…" he sighed, staring into her sad green eyes. "Okay, I'll tell you this much. He joined for the same reason all of us did. To obtain a heart."

"How do you plan on obtaining a heart?" she voiced the strange notion. People were born with hearts. You couldn't just make them.

"That's more than you need to know, dear," he placed a finger on her lips before she could protest. "Try to cooperate and you'll be home before you know it."

"But Roxas won't, will he? The commotion in Twilight Town will never be put to rest," she sniffed hopelessly, and put her head in her hands.

He patted her back, unsure of what to say. He hated to see her like this, but there was nothing he could do. Sure, he could take her home; however, it would be at the expense of his existence. Besides, they could easily recapture her, and the second time there would be no mercy. He could only hope that she would be set free safely.

"Found anything?" Hayner shouted.

"Not yet," Roxas and Pence shouted back.

The threesome had split to search the forest for any clues of Olette's disappearance. Three hours had passed without any signs of the brunette. Although, the boys were beginning to tire and were covered with dirt, sweat, and twigs, they refused to give up.

They rustled bushes and upturned rocks until Pence yelled, "Guys, I found something!"

Hayner and Roxas dropped what they were doing and rushed to Pence's side. "What is it, Pence?" Roxas gasped.

"This," Pence stated grimly, holding up a string of blue beads.

Roxas took the small bracelet and observed it critically. "It's Olette's. The same one her grandmother gave her by the looks of it."

"She would never lose something like that," Hayner huffed.

"She must've dropped it when…" Pence trailed off.

Hayner cursed. "This confirms it."

"What should we do now?" Pence questioned.

"We should take this back to the station. Maybe the dogs can sniff out the kidnapper," Roxas replied, pocketing the jewelry carefully.

Just as the boys were about to return to town, Roxas stopped a few feet before the entrance. He had a queer feeling, like somebody was watching him.

"What's wrong, Roxas?" Hayner inquired, also stopping.

"Nothing… I just want to check something," he took the bracelet out and gave it to Hayner. "Go on. I'll be right back." With that, he ran back into the forest.

Ignoring their calls to wait up, Roxas sprinted deep into the forest. He gripped his struggle bat tightly and looked around. The forest was dark and empty. The only light he could see was up above the trees. The dusk sky was colored with cool hues of pink, and purple. Cautiously walking forward, he listened closely. It was silent, save for the incessant chirping of the grasshoppers.

"Yo, Roxas."

The blonde spun around at the sound of his name. "Who's there?" he shouted.

"Fancy meeting you here. Never thought I'd see you again," the voice spoke again, amused.

"Who're you?" Roxas demanding, glaring at the tall figure in black. The cloak concealed his exterior. All he could see was the bottom half of the man's face, lips curled into a sneer.

"Can't remember your old buddy, Roxas? What a shame." The figure shook his head mock-sadly. Although his tone was flippant, there was a tinge of bitterness.

"Why don't you take off your hood? Or do you have something to hide?" Roxas taunted, trying to seem brave and strong.

"Not at all," the man retorted, throwing back his hood. Long spikes of shockingly red hair were revealed. His catlike eyes gazed at him critically. Roxas' eyes widened, astonished for a second. He sure had never met someone like that. Then, recovering his composure, he narrowed his eyes again.

"What are you trying to prove with that toy of yours?" Axel scoffed, thrusting his thumb toward the struggle bat, which Roxas grasped protectively.

"I have yet to see you brandish a weapon," he snapped, soon to regret it.

With a burst of fire, two crimson chakrams appeared in Axel's hands. Flames licked the weapons, dangerously close to the fabric of his gloves, but not engulfing them. He grinned wildly and crouched, like a cat ready to pounce.

Roxas took a defensive stance and went through his options. There was no way he could fight against this supernatural freak without getting burned. But he had no choice. Running away would only lead the man to Twilight Town where many innocents could be injured. Better one sacrifice than many.

The blonde let out a battle cry and charged him. Axel sidestepped him effortlessly and threw his chakram like a boomerang. The bat was instantly set ablaze. Roxas dropped the bat with a startled cry. The redhead caught his chakram the moment the wooden bat turned into ash.

Axel smirked triumphantly, but was secretly let down by the simple victory. The Roxas he knew wouldn't lose that easily.

Too busy gloating, he didn't notice Roxas sneak around back till the last minute. He kicked an old tree as hard as he could, causing it to come crashing down upon Axel. The redhead quickly sliced it in half with a chakram before it hit him.

"Not bad," he admitted. "Still, the Roxas I know could put up a better fight than that."

"I've never met you in my life," the blonde insisted, breathing heavily.

"You're right. Not this life," Axel agreed quietly. "Anyway, are you going to save the girl or not?"

"You kidnapped Olette?" Roxas' voice rose in anger.

"Well, duh, how suspicious can you get?" Axel said, sweeping his arms across his attire.

"You fiend!" he hissed, charging him again.

Axel sighed and evaded again. This time he opened a portal, causing Roxas to rush right in.

"Well, that was easily said and done," the redhead shrugged and followed him in.