Two updates in less than a week? Go me! So this chapter is only 6 pages in length but it ends in the perfect place if you ask me, and I know quite a few of you will be left saying 'WTF?!' and I'm ready for whatever your reviews say. However, there is something in this chapter I'm sure all you AkuRoku fans will like and I'm sure you're all AkuRoku fans.

Speaking of the pair, happy AkuRoku day everyone!! It's 8/13! 8 is Axel's Organization number and 13 is Roxas'! So let's celebrate! Cookies for everyone as well as a new chapter! Enjoy!

Chapter 10

Whatever it Takes

Roxas whimpered and squirmed, clenching the sheets in his hands and breathing unevenly. The noises were more than enough to wake the ever light sleeper beside him and Axel opened his eyes to see what was wrong, immediately realizing Roxas was still sleeping. '…Another bad dream,' Axel thought, sitting up and watching him for a few seconds before deciding it was best to wake him up, "Roxas…Come on, wake up," he said, putting a hand on his shoulder and shaking the blonde gently.

Roxas came out of his sleep, quickly looking around and realizing where he was before looking up at Axel and pulling the covers tighter around him. "It was just a bad dream," Axel assured him; he was worried though as these dreams had already occurred 3 times this week. Roxas nodded but rolled away, looking out the window instead of at him. He could feel Axel's stare on him for several minutes before the redhead lay back down and faded back into sleep.

It was just a dream…just a dream. He knew what Axel thought his dreams were of, Xemnas; and they had been but tonight someone else was haunting his dream. Still horribly sensitive from the dream he knew he had to get his mind off of it and so he sat up, pushing the several blankets off and putting his feet on the ground, "Where are you going?" Axel asked, making Roxas freeze.

"I just was going to go up on deck and get some fresh air," Roxas said, looking back at him with a smile. It had almost been a week since they left Halloween Town and the crew was still in the dark about the next plan, but that at least meant Axel was able to recover from his punishment and the bandages should come off tomorrow…or today, Roxas wasn't sure what time it was but it was still very dark and he could only see Axel by the moonlight coming through the window.

"…The mark on your neck is gone," he pointed out and Roxas had noticed that too. What he hadn't expected was for Axel to sit up and take hold of his shoulders, pull him back and put his mouth against his neck in the same spot. Roxas tilted his head back onto Axel's shoulder comfortably to allow him better access, not meaning to let a whimper escape his lips. Axel hadn't expected it either and he dwelled a moment longer on his neck after he finished, but as soon as he let go Roxas stood up and grabbed a jacket off the floor before hurrying out of the room.

As soon as he was up on deck he looked around to make sure there was nobody in sight before going to the upper level and practically collapsing at the guardrail. It was freezing up here and he quickly hugged his knees to his chest and sighed shakily, watching his breath turn into clouds of fog. He felt like a fool for just running out like he had, but he couldn't spend another minute in that room after the dream he'd had. It was different from any ones he'd had before and he wished Axel hadn't woken him up from it before it ended. He knew he meant well in waking him up, figuring he was having a nightmare about the captain.

He wasn't even sure why they started but images of Axel's hands and eyes on him had created the most intoxicating sensations in his sleep, though when he was awake he tried to avoid such physical contact. Whatever was going on he was beginning to lose his head to it all, not sure how to shake the thoughts or behave around the redhead after what he'd just woken up from. Granted he didn't mind Axel's company, in fact he enjoyed it, but to go as far as the dream was too much.

Through his thoughts he heard something, a discussion, and he wondered who was up this late. He picked himself up off the deck and went over to the stairs, listening closely to the noise coming from the room below.

"It's confirmed? He's dead?"

"Yes. I just heard from our eye back on the island."

"How long ago?"

"Nearly a week."

Roxas recognized both voices. It was the captain and Saix, his first mate, and neither one of them sounded very happy, making Roxas wonder if he should get back below deck.

"How? Who-"

"The king himself. Apparently he was shot by Xaldin first though. Not a fatal wound, just in the shoulder and he's fine but he shot Xaldin through the head."

Roxas froze, realizing they were talking about Sora and he listened closer, holding his breath for fear they'd hear him.

"I see…there's an island about 50 miles from here. I'll order a slaughter of every man, woman, and child and that should be more than enough to cover the price."

"I'll set the course immediately."

"We'll have to drug Zexion again, 3,000 milligrams should be enough and I trust you to get it from Luxord's inventory. When he's alive we'll find out what happened and if the brat let any names slip."

"Axel's obviously trying to help him, but he can't be doing this alone."

"Regardless of whose helping him, they'll pay the price in blood. Nobody leaves this ship once they're on board."

Roxas was petrified and shaking from both cold and fear, they were talking about him and he knew he had to get away before Saix came out to change the course of the ship. As quietly as possible he crept down the stairs to the main level of deck, glancing nervously at the door and hurrying away. Both the captain and Saix heard his quick footsteps though and opened the captain's door, spotting him heading for the stairs. With a scowl Xemnas snapped his fingers, "Bring him here," he ordered and without hesitation Saix pursued Roxas, grabbing him by the back of his jacket and jerking him to halt just before he reached the stairs.

Roxas yelped and struggled as Saix literally dragged him back to the captain and threw him easily to the ground at Xemnas' feet. Xemnas grabbed him by the front of his shirt, lifting him up to his eye level and leaving Roxas' feet dangling above the deck, Roxas' hands shot up and held onto Xemnas' trying to keep from strangling himself, "Eavesdropping calls for capitol punishment on this ship," the captain hissed but after a few seconds of inspection he sneered and added, "And how unfortunate for you that there's nothing to protect you."

Roxas wanted to cry for help but he was too horrified. The mark hadn't had time to resurface yet and he knew Xemnas was right. "Go ahead, cry for help," Xemnas said cruelly, his free hand reaching out and grabbing his crotch roughly, "It's been so long since I've heard you cry." Roxas couldn't contain a shrill cry and Xemnas laughed at his fear.

From his watch across deck Riku heard his cry and came out of his daydreams, heading over to the guardrail and looking down to the main deck. It wasn't hard to see the three in front of the captain's room and he was confused, why was the captain able to touch him? The mark must have faded and he cursed Axel's name under his breath for not reviving it sooner. He couldn't stand by and watch though, he'd promised Sora he'd keep Roxas safe and knew he'd be in trouble for what he was about to do.

"Captain." Roxas had never been so relieved to hear Riku's voice and looked back at him quickly, practically begging for help. "The boy is still under Axel's possession is he not?" Riku asked, approaching them and trying not to seem too bothered by it all.

"I suggest you keep your nose out of things that don't concern you," Saix said threateningly, blocking his way.

The captain seemed to get a thought though and Roxas saw the look on his face, realizing that he had something planned, "Or does this concern you?" Xemnas asked, looking past Roxas and to Riku. He seemed unfazed but Xemnas wasn't convinced and only a moment later he saw Axel come running up onto deck and freeze when he saw what was going on. Axel had heard Roxas' cry and came as quickly as he could unlike the rest of the crew who knew to ignore things that didn't involve them.

With only a short laugh the captain took a few steps to the side of the ship and threw Roxas overboard. As soon as he let go of him there was a chain reaction; Axel grabbed a long coil rope off the wall and threw the end to Riku as he hurried to the rail and tied the rope around his waist before diving off into the choppy black waters.

It had all happened so quick it looked almost practiced, and the captain and Saix watched with amused looks as Axel stared down into the waters. It was so obvious he wanted to jump in after them but that was the thing about Axel; his body wasn't designed for this cold of water so all he could do was hold the rope and wait for tugs to signal him to pull.

Roxas was sinking fast, trying to swim up but he hadn't experienced the ocean current before and he was tossed in all directions. His body was freezing; it was just like Axel had said the night they'd met.

"If you're trying to kill yourself I suggest another method. That water is a good handful of degrees below zero this close to winter and the death it'll bring will be a slow and very painful one."

But Roxas didn't want to die. He wanted to live, to warn the others about what he'd heard, to make it home, to see his brother, to crawl back into a warm bed with Axel. He could tell his body was numb when he could no longer feel the stabbing needles the cold water pierced him with all over and his lungs were ready to explode. That was when he felt something grab him around the waist, unable to see anything in the dark water but he clung to it as they hurried back up.

When his head broke up to the surface Roxas gasped for breath, coughing water up roughly and trying to catch his breath through chattering teeth.

"Hang on tight!"

Roxas opened his eyes and looked up at the voice, spotting Axel up on the deck pulling them up and then he realized he was holding onto Riku and he quickly held on tighter, relieved beyond relieved. As soon as they were back up on deck Axel took Roxas from Riku and pulled off his jacket and put it around Roxas before hugging him tightly and trying to warm him up.

Riku undid the rope around his waist and watched the pair with a slight smile and Axel looked over at him, "Thank you," he said, truly grateful. Unlike Axel he could tolerate freezing temperatures since he had some cold blood in him so the water hadn't bothered him too much. He didn't mind helping Roxas, what he did mind was when Saix's brass knuckled fist collided hard into his stomach. Riku was knocked back and he doubled over, already short on breath from the water rescue and having much more difficulty breathing after the wind was knocked out of him.

Saix stood back up straight and pulled off his brass knuckles, shaking his sore hand and laughing a bit, "Boy are you in trouble," he said while grabbing his arm and jerking him up straight before twisting his arm painfully behind his back.

Axel quickly looked from Roxas to the captain, "Sir, don't!...Take me instead," Axel pleaded, it wasn't Riku's fault and Axel refused to let him take punishment for it.

"You already got punished for helping him in place of doing your duty," Xemnas said cruelly with a sneer, "He was on lookout duty and abandoned that position to save him." Axel was infuriated by the man's logic and could only watch as Saix handed Riku off to the captain, who shoved him into his cabin before slamming the door shut behind him.

Saix grinned evilly at Axel and Roxas before turning and disappearing into his own cabin. Axel wanted to help Riku but he knew there was nothing he could do and with Roxas freezing in his arms he knew he had to do what he could for him.

Roxas didn't protest when Axel picked him up and carried him back to their room, but he did jump a bit when he put him down on the bed and started to pull off the wet clothes. Roxas brought his hands up and stopped Axel's looking away uncomfortably, "Roxas, you've got to get out of these or you'll freeze," Axel insisted, not about to let that happen and he pulled off both jackets Roxas was wearing.

If anything he felt even colder and Roxas shivered sharply, hunching over and wrapping his arms around himself. Axel refused to stop though and pulled his shirt up and pushed Roxas up so he could pull off the clothing. "A-Axel stop!" Roxas said through shaky breaths, wrapping his arms back around his bare chest and still unable to look at him. Before he could stop him, Axel pushed him back so he was lying down and hooked his fingers under the elastic of his underwear and sleep pants, pulling them both off and instantly latching himself onto Roxas with one arm and pulling the blankets up over them both.

Roxas' heart skipped a beat when he first felt Axel on top of him but he finally stopped protesting, instead just staring at him without a word. Within a few seconds Roxas could feel himself warming up greatly and he remembered that body heat was one of the best ways to warm up, but he still didn't relax, "…Axel."

"You're okay now Roxas, don't worry," Axel assured him, keeping his face buried in the crook of Roxas' neck and trying desperately to warm him up. Stripping him down like this might have, at first look, been unnecessary but Axel knew better. A few years back Zexion had fallen overboard during combat in subzero waters and Luxord rescued him, leaving the fight immediately to warm up the frozen pirate the same way Axel was. Later he explained that if he hadn't acted that way then Zexion's blood would have frozen in areas throughout his veins and that he would have died before the battle was over.

A half an hour passed and neither one of them said anything more, just lying there in silence. Roxas was warm again and felt fine, and when he was sure he was back to normal Axel loosened his hold on Roxas and started to get up. Roxas couldn't stop himself from holding onto Axel's shirt though, staring up at him for several minutes without letting go or a word.

Axel wasn't sure what Roxas wanted at first, but then he met his eyes and read everything. He brought a hand up and took hold of one of Roxas' that was on his shirt, "Roxas…" he said, wondering if this was a good idea. Apparently neither one of them cared about whether it was a good idea or not, because when Axel lowered his face to Roxas' he just shut his eyes and melted into the kiss.

Luxord reached the captain's door and knocked twice. It was nearly 3 in the morning and he wasn't too happy being woken up, but he'd been sent for by the captain through the burning in the curse marking along his side, "You sent for me sir?"

"Come in."

Luxord did as he was told, opening the door and unable to contain a gasp when he saw the condition of the room. Bookcases were knocked over a chair was broken by the desk which had been flipped over and there was a shattered mirror near the doorway. Papers had been scattered everywhere and there had obviously been a huge struggle, made even more obvious by the blood trailed and splattered all around the room. Where the blood began and ended was impossible to tell and even though he'd seen a lot through his years of surgery, even this much blood made him squeamish.

Luxord looked to the captain who'd been cut and wounded severely it appeared and was obviously in a bad mood. His chest was slashed and torn just like his face and it looked as though his shoulder had been dislocated as it hung limp at his side. Who'd done this? He got his answer when the captain beckoned him over to the flipped desk and Luxord saw the unconscious pirate lying on his back on the ground. Riku? He looked fine for the most part but the mark on his wrist had apparently burned to the point it cut through the design and left him bleeding. The only other sign of damage though was his right eye, literally missing and bleeding down his face.

"…Sir, what happened?" Luxord asked, going around the desk and checking for a pulse on Riku, there was one not to his surprise. Killing a vampire was difficult if not impossible but he had to double check, even though Xemnas had obviously taken much greater damage.

Xemnas continued to fiddle with the object in his hand and Luxord caught a glimpse of it when he opened his hand. An eye, a sharp green eye, it was Riku's, "In all my years as captain he was the first to fight back and I've realized something: I can't kill him…" he said, obviously deep in thought, "He's the only one I've never been able to kill…Treat him quickly, I want him back to normal by tonight. He's too useful to lose."

Luxord said nothing, carefully picking up Riku whose knife was still in his hand. He took the blade from him and stuck it into the sheath on his arm, looking back to the captain, "…His eye sir?"

"I'll be keeping it," Xemnas said shortly, continuing to fiddle with it in his hand, "As a sort of leverage in case he ever gets out of my control."

Hearing this Luxord realized just how serious the captain was being. Nobody had ever faltered from his control, and here he was worried about losing Riku? Luxord could only imagine what had happened in the room over the past hour or more, was it possible that someone finally jeopardized the captain's rule?

And the drama intensifies…BUT THERE WAS A KISS! Not a bad way to celebrate 8/13 eh? Well tell me what you all thought! I want to know! This update was quick I know and I've been on a writing spree so the next chapter is almost halfway done, your reviews will help me write faster though!

ALSO! You may remember how I said I wasn't going to work on this story until the first chapter of my new story was finished and guess what? It is! However I'm having some second thoughts and won't be posting it for a while until I go through it again and come up with a fitting title.

Well I must be off now, only taught one dance class this morning and I'm going to try and finish some more of the next chapter before rehearsal later today. As always though I wish you all the best in all the world.

Your loving bohemian, Mad-TopHat-Ter