Much to Trinity's odd delight, it was Axel who released her from her cell the very next morning.
"Sleep well?" he asked as she stepped out.
"Well enough," she stated as he closed the cell. "Do you have a mission today?"
"Nope. It's just you and me today."
"No Roxas or Xion?"
"They're both out on missions."
"Demyx?"
"Mission." He smiled.
She smiled back. "Guess it really is just you and me, then."
"I hope that isn't a problem."
"I don't see a problem."
"Good."
So they started walking together in silence. Trinity simply looked around the Castle, trying to avoid Axel's gaze at all costs. Though, she was sure he wasn't even looking her way anyhow.
"So," he suddenly broke the silence, "tell me more about yourself?"
"I'd rather not," she replied.
"C'mon, at least tell me which world you're from."
"As a matter of fact, I'm from Twilight Town."
"What? But the other day you said how there isn't anything there for you," he recalled. "If you're from there, though, then—"
"Being from there doesn't mean anything."
"Don't you have a family there?"
"I have a father who doesn't care about me."
"Friends."
"Didn't get along with anyone. They all thought I was a troublemaker."
"Why is that?"
"I was always caught at the right place at the wrong time."
"Don't you mean the wrong place?"
"No, I mean the right place," she confirmed. "I'd arrive in time to practically save the day, and then I would be the one blamed for the incident. Happened so often that no one ever believed me when I said it wasn't actually me."
"That's shitty."
"Life is shitty."
"So that's why you're so nonchalant about going back," he then figured.
"Pretty much."
"Well, I never would've guessed. I mean, you did a good job at acting like the world was new to you when I took you the other day."
"In a way, it almost was new."
He thought for a moment. "I didn't mean—"
"No, it's fine," she cut him off again. "Not like you knew."
"Still…"
"Wanna know how you can make it up to me?"
"How?"
"Tell me about yourself."
He chuckled. "There's not much to tell."
"I don't mean the fact that your name is Axel and that your title is The Flurry of Dancing Flames and that you're the eighth member of the Organisation," she explained. "Tell me what you remember about your past life."
"Whoa, where is this coming from?"
"Something Zexion mentioned yesterday."
He shook his head. "Hate to break it to you, but I don't remember much about my past life."
"What do you remember?"
He swallowed hard. "Lea."
"Lea?" she repeated, her curiosity peaking. "Who was that?"
"That's my original name," he corrected her.
"Oh." She paused. "That's a nice name."
"I haven't said that name since…I don't even know when," he replied. "Since I was him, I guess."
"Aren't you technically still him?"
"Semantics."
"You are, though."
"He's long gone, either way."
"Not necessarily. I mean, what happens when you get a heart again? You'll be Lea again, no?" she assumed. "And when you became Axel, you lost almost all of your memories of Lea. So when you become Lea again, do you think you'll lost all of your memories of the Organisation? Or do you think it'll work differently the other way around?"
"I have no idea, Trinity."
"C'mon Axel, don't you ever think about this stuff?"
"I try not to."
"Why?"
"Because who knows if it'll actually happen?"
"It will happen."
"Better to not get my hopes up, though."
She thought for a moment. "That's a feeling, you know."
He shook his head at this. "Damn, it's been a long day."
"The day has barely even begun."
"Exactly."
Silence surrounded them as they just stood in the middle of a white hallway. Trinity now felt stupid for bringing up such a touchy topic.
"How long have I been here?" she spoke up.
"Oh, I'm not sure. It's been a while, though."
"And I haven't proven myself yet," she stated with a sigh.
"Hey, at least they admire your cleverness," he replied mockingly.
"Please, I haven't even proved that yet. I'm still trying to figure out why the Organisation exists and what it is you all even do besides fight Heartless on your missions."
"If only it were that simple."
She chuckled. "By the way, admiration is a feeling."
"You'll never let this go, will you?"
"Nope."
"And I bet it has to do with that theory of yours."
"Yup."
"Tell me," he demanded.
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"Axel," Saïx suddenly interrupted, appearing out of nowhere. "Your presence has been summoned by Lord Xemnas."
"That's why," Trinity whispered to the redhead.
"What does he need this time?" Axel asked rather than acknowledging her.
"Go find out."
He sighed and left.
"So…you had me training yesterday when I wasn't supposed to be," Trinity then stated. "What was that about?"
"I'm sick of having to babysit you."
"Babysit me?" she repeated. "You barely ever see me now."
"Doesn't mean you don't need to be watched."
"Why do I have to be watched? It's not like I'm gonna try to escape."
"And why not?"
"Frankly, I have nowhere else to go. No home to return to. No friends to seek shelter with." She paused, pursing her lips. "Trust me, I'd rather be here."
He thought for a moment. "Why?"
"Why do you care?"
"I don't."
"Of course not."
"Tell me anyway."
"Don't feel like it."
They stood glaring at each other, a smirk spreading across Trinity's lips at Saïx's clearly displeased expression.
"What is going on here?" Xigbar then cut in.
"Nothing," she denied. "Saïx is just prying."
"Ah. Well, I've been told to return you to your cell," he replied.
"I'll do it," Saïx decided.
"As if!"
She laughed. "Don't worry, VII, we'll talk more tomorrow."
"Fine," he gave in. And he walked away.
"He torturing you?" Xigbar checked.
"No, I can handle him."
"I believe it."
They began walking back her cell. "So what does the Superior think of me?" she broke the silence that had fallen between them.
"Why do you want to know?"
"Well, I'm still alive, aren't I? So there must be something about me that has convinced him to keep me around. Right?"
"Perhaps you are too clever for your own good."
"As if," she mocked.
"Real funny, kiddo."
"Kiddo?"
"You are a kid."
"I'm eighteen!"
"Yeah, a kid."
"Whatever." She chuckled. "So you all still think I'm clever?"
"For the most part."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
He only shrugged in reply. She left it at that, though. And soon after, they arrived at her cell. Xigbar opened it, she walked in, and he closed it again.
"One last question," Trinity stopped him before he could walk away.
"Yes?"
"Did Zexion report on the experiments with me from yesterday?"
"Not that I'm aware of."
She nodded. "Very well."
With that, he left and she sat down. Her mind wandered back to the questions that still needed answering. Then her mind wandered to Axel. She shook her head and tried to think about anything and everything else, but her thoughts always found their way back to the flaming redhead.
One of these days, Trinity would understand.