Whew, okay so the other night I sat down and wrote all this out in one sitting I kid you not and I had just enough time to finish one more chapter before the grandparents come to town. It's only 7 pages but it's all that I've got and you know what? I like the way it ends and I hope you do too (even though I suspect it will once again leave many of you flipping out)
So we last left off with a rather suspenseful cliffhanger with our poor little Roxy and your reviews truly were helpful and I thank you soooo much for them. I won't delay you any longer! Enjoy!
Chapter 12
Alive
It was an awful sight. The once beautiful snowy city was now painted red, with the smell of smoke filling the air from random fires. An order was an order. Axel kept telling himself as he and the others did one last sweep of the island for survivors, be they man, woman, or child. The life of a pirate was much more glamorous to the dreamers than it was in reality, "Anything?" Luxord asked as his search crossed with Axel's.
"…There was a little girl," Axel said, not bothering to go into details especially when his own actions made him sick. Luxord didn't press the issue any further and without another word the two headed back to the dock to meet up with the others after they'd combed their own area of Moscow. Demyx and Xigbar were already there and it was obvious Demyx was shaken by it all. Sure he'd taken part in these sorts of events before but this was the first time they'd literally wiped out an entire island in almost 3 years.
Xigbar stayed close by his side, still keeping a close eye over him since his curse took hold and he would continue to watch for quite some time. Riku returned shortly after Axel and Luxord, looking somewhat groggy and dazed which made it clear he drank more than he should have and Axel wondered if he'd wake up with another fever in the morning. Lastly came Kairi and Namine, and when the seven were all accounted for Luxord pointed out, "We're missing someone."
Coming out of all their dazes they realized he was right, "Zexion. Which district was he assigned to?" Riku asked, thinking about how they'd been divided up. Thinking back none of them even remembered seeing him, "You don't think he got hurt do you?" Demyx asked quickly, obviously worried. None of them answered though and they didn't have to because the captain came to the front of the bridge leading over to the ship, "Have you finished?"
They all got to their feet and stood at attention, Xigbar informing him, "Yes sir. Nobody is left."
"Then get on board already, we're pulling out," he hissed, turning and walking away.
"Sir, what about Zexion?" Demyx asked quickly, hoping he wasn't stepping out of line. The captain turned back though and gave him a look that made Demyx look away and hang his head in submission.
He had nothing to be ashamed of and Riku put a hand on his shoulder, "He's not here."
"That's because he's been with me," when the captain said that they all looked confused. Axel however spoke up first, "Why?"
When there was no answer, the answer became obvious even to Demyx, "Because we weren't here for the Romanoff fortune," Riku said, glaring at the captain with the utmost loathing, "We were here to pay one person's revival weight in souls."
"And now that you've done so, get on this ship and hold your tongues. That is an order," Xemnas had a sneer on his face that made them all even angrier but with the order they had no choice but to obey. One by one they boarded the ship, but much to their surprise he stopped Kairi from boarding, "Not you," and she froze at the words, realizing what was going on.
One gunshot was all it took and every pirate turned, watching her fall backwards and unable to do anything to help her. "You've outlived your purpose," the captain said coldly, aiming the pistol and firing one more shot to silence her gasps for air. Axel just stood there, feeling a knot in his chest tighten as he watched her die. God he wanted to kill Xemnas, the man hadn't even given her a chance to redeem herself from the one slip today. He couldn't move though, the order of the captain binding them all to where they stood.
"Let this girl be a reminder to you all," Xemnas snarled, turning to the rest of them, "None of your positions on this ship are safe. You serve me above all, and if your performance ever falls short expect no mercy." It was a chilling warning that struck colder than the freezing temperature around them, and they stood there in silence as the captain put a foot on her back and carelessly pushed her off the bridge and into the subzero water.
"Xemnas," Saix stepped out onto deck from the captain's cabin, "He's started." They all knew who 'he' was; Zexion. He was reviving someone but none of them knew who and there was no chance of the captain telling them.
"I suggest you all get to bed now. You don't want to be tired when our guest arrives," Saix said as the captain went into the cabin and shut the door. The order was gone now and Saix crossed to the bridge, cutting the ropes to free the ship from the dock but none of them moved an inch.
"What's going on Saix?" Luxord asked solemnly.
The first mate merely sneered and said, "I don't think I'll tell you, but doctor I believe you'll have a long night ahead of you." Immediately that sentence made them all wonder what condition the necromancer would leave the cabin in. There was no way of knowing until morning though and slowly the crew made their way back below deck, nobody saying anything at all.
Axel possibly felt worst of all for just standing there while Kairi died. She'd spoken to him earlier that day about her fear of being useless and he'd done hardly anything to assure her that things would be okay. Never though had he expected the captain to snub her life out so quickly.
Just as he reached his room he realized the lock on the handle had been shot off and he was confused, pushing open the door only to see a sight that drained all color from his face. "Roxas!!!" He ran over and dropped to his knees beside the motionless blonde, left lying in his own blood as he clung to a sheet in what looked like an attempt to stifle the bleeding.
"Roxas, oh God!" Axel could help but say as he looked him over, mortified and horrified, cursing himself for leaving him alone. He quickly put a hand on his neck, feeling for movement of breathing or a pulse. He was breathing but barely and it felt difficult and he couldn't feel a pulse at all. "Hold on, Roxas! Please!" he pleaded, holding the sheet over the bleeding wounds and picking him up carefully before bolting out of the room and up the stairs.
"Luxord!!! Luxord!"
The surgeon was just making his way downstairs when he saw Axel coming and immediately he spotted the mass in his arms, turning quickly and hurrying back up the stairs to beat him to the medical office and prepare.
"Just hold on Roxas!" Axel begged, holding him tight and hurrying into the office where Luxord was ready for him. "What happened?" he demanded quickly as Axel set Roxas down on the bed.
"I don't know…I don't know!" Axel repeated, obviously a nervous wreck which was definitely not norm for him.
Luxord did the same thing Axel had, checked for breathing and a pulse and he looked at the frantic Axel, "Calm down, he's still breathing," he said, though not sure of the damage yet. Finally he pulled the sheet back carefully, scowling when he saw three bullet holes in his chest, "He was shot…Three times."
"…doctor I believe you'll have a long night ahead of you."
Axel suddenly knew who was responsible, the words ringing in his ears hauntingly. "Saix…" Axel was furious but Luxord ignored him, quickly setting to work, "Get out. I'll take care of him," Luxord assured him. Axel however didn't want to leave, but he knew he'd be in the way if he stayed there, "Please save him Luxord…please."
Luxord merely gestured to the door and after one last glance back Axel left, shutting the door behind himself and making a silent prayer for the dying prince. "Axel," it was Demyx but Axel couldn't bring himself to look away from the door, "Axel…what's going on?" Demyx stood there watching him quietly; he'd heard him shouting down the hall and was worried. Riku had come up on deck as well as a result of the noise but there was no sign of Xigbar or Namine yet.
"Axel," Riku said, not so much in a questioning way but more of an implication.
"…Saix!" Axel snarled, turning away from the door and glaring up the man at the wheel, steering the ship away from the island. Before the other two could stop him Axel ran up the stairs and punched him right in the face.
Saix was obviously not expecting it as nobody had challenged him before; they had the sense not to because of his affiliation with the captain. Axel grabbed the front of his jacket though, jerking him to his face after he'd staggered, "You shot him…How dare you?!" he was mad, that was plain to see and he punched him in the face again before tossing him to the side and into the guardrail.
He'd been taken by surprise but now was ready to fight back and Saix drew out his pistol, firing twice at Axel's feet to cripple him but Axel moved quickly and grabbed his wrist. He struggled to keep the barrel of the gun away from him but Saix was stronger and moved it back to the side of his head. Before he could shoot him though Riku's foot swung up and kicked his hand hard enough so that not only the shot missed completely but the gun went flying and hit the deck. Demyx grabbed it quickly and pointed it at Saix, looking firm and not shaken at all, a good sign he was recovering.
Saix looked from Axel, who looked ready to knock his head off, to Riku, who looked like he would slice him in half if he tried to run, and to Demyx, who kept the gun pointed at him ready to shoot if he got the word. He was trapped.
"Why did you shoot him?!" Axel demanded, grabbing the front of his jacket again and practically strangling him. Silence. "Answer me!" Axel was mad, there was no doubt he wouldn't hesitate to kill him.
"He got in the way," Saix said, not faltering under the glares, "He tried to protect Zexion." Axel balled his fist and it collided hard with Saix's jaw, "So you shot him?!"
Saix laughed a bit and looked at him coldly, "Ofcourse. That pathetic little mark you're 'protecting' him with only protects him from the captain. I can kill him whenever I please, or better Xemnas can order me to kill him, or better yet: order you to kill him. You couldn't disobey."
Axel didn't know that. If he had he never would have left Roxas unprotected, the prince was in danger no matter where he went though. And what if Xemnas did order him to kill Roxas…an order was an order.
"That's enough." Axel heard the captain's voice but didn't let go of Saix, wanting to kill him so badly for what he'd done. "Let go of him now," it was an order and Axel felt his grip involuntarily loosen and his feet step back from Saix before standing at attention facing the captain who didn't look mad at all. "I suggest you keep what he said in mind Axel the next time you consider stepping out of line. I'd love to watch you kill someone you're trying so hard to protect," Xemnas said with a laugh, "So consider this your only warning. I won't order anyone to kill him but you." Saix got to his feet and followed Xemnas back to his cabin, taking his pistol back from Demyx as they passed.
The threat lingered on Axel's ears long after the pair left. The person he had to protect Roxas from the most carefully was himself.
Minutes turned to hours and Axel sat outside the medical office in silence long after Riku had been ordered to his shift at the wheel and Demyx returned to his room. He didn't want to be comforted, he didn't want company, he just wanted to know Roxas was okay. The blonde was his responsibility and he'd failed to protect him. It was in those hours of waiting he admitted to himself he cared. He wasn't helping Roxas off the ship because he felt bad for him, it was because he cared.
He marked him as his own; he brought him to Halloween Town; he shared his possessions with him; he stayed up until all hours of the night talking and laughing with him; he abandoned his duty in the palace battle and faced the punishment to make sure he was okay; he took a stand against Saix because of him; and now he sat on the deck waiting silently for hours because of him, desperate to know he was okay. All of this because he cared for him. Roxas meant more to him than anything or anyone had ever meant to him before.
Roxas had to be okay because, in all honesty, Axel had no idea what things would be like if he didn't wake up next to the sleeping blonde who'd always greet him with a smile.
"Axel."
He looked up quickly when he head Luxord open the door, getting to his feet and holding his breath for the news. They both looked exhausted but Axel breathed a sigh of relief when Luxord smiled a little, immediately he lunged out and hugged him, "Thank you," was all he could say and he repeated it two more times.
"Let go and I'll say 'you're welcome,'" Luxord said and Axel laughed a bit before letting go and going into the room. Roxas was lying in bed, his bloody shirt and the sheet on the floor while several blankets were up pulled up over him to keep him warm. He was hooked up to an IV pumping what was marked as AB blood into his system, "You're lucky I took some of yours back when you were here, otherwise there wouldn't be enough for him," Luxord explained, tapping the IV twice to keep it from getting clotted in the tube.
Axel was glad he could help him and he lifted up the blankets a bit to see the damage. He was bandaged all around his upper chest and Luxord again informed him, "He doesn't heal at the same pace we do so I had to stitch up the bullet holes after I fished them out. Again you're lucky: the bullets weren't that deep and they were clean shots, missing everything."
"So he'll be okay?" Axel asked, sounding hopeful and needing to hear an answer.
"Ofcourse," Luxord assured him with a bit of a smile, "Sore and probably shaken but he'll make a full recovery. Just be careful of those stitches for a while and make sure he doesn't push himself." Axel smiled and sat down in the chair by the bed, putting his head on the mattress and his hand on Roxas' head. It was then Luxord noticed something, the reason Axel had been having sleeping problems, "Axel, what are you thinking?"
The redhead looked at him oddly, wondering what he meant and Luxord repeated, "What are you thinking. There's something on your mind and it's been interfering with your sleep. I can't keep giving you those pills but if you say it out loud it'll help you."
That couldn't be right. The only thing Axel was thinking about right now was Roxas, but at night all he thought about was what had happened earlier that very day and how to spend tomorrow…with Roxas. "I'm thinking about him…I always am," he admitted both to Luxord and to himself. He had to step back and look at himself mentally to realize just how much the boy was on his mind, "I can't stop thinking about him."
As soon as the IV had finished and Roxas was stable, Axel carried him back downstairs to his room. No, not his room, their room. He set him down in bed before realizing the blood was all gone and he noticed a note on the nightstand.
I hope everything is okay.
Demyx
So that was what he'd done after he went below deck and Axel made a mental note to thank him as he waded up the paper and tossed it aside. He pulled another blanket up onto the bed, wanting to keep Roxas warm and comfortable through his sleep even though he wished he would wake up.
Unlike Roxas, Axel couldn't sleep. He could only sit in bed, wander around the cabin, stare out the window, and wait for him to wake up. 'I'll have to bring him out more often,' Axel thought absentmindedly as he watched the sleeping blonde. He hadn't thought about it before but spending day in and out in this room couldn't be easy for Roxas even if he hadn't complained at all. 'He liked the sunrise that one day…maybe I'll take him to see it again tomorrow.'
"What say Roxas? Want to go watch the sunrise?" Axel asked as he came back over to the bed and sat down beside him. There was no answer and he wasn't surprised, "The sunset is even prettier if you ask me. Oh and with it snowing and all it'll be really…I hate snow you know. Cold weather is disgusting if you ask me…Good thing you aren't."
'Great, I'm talking to myself,' Axel thought with a heavy sigh. As the silence went on though he found himself doing it again, "I wish you'd just wake up already, there's so much crap going on and I just want to know you're okay…The whole Moscow massacre was a setup, and the captain's bringing someone back to life with all the people we killed…Kairi's dead now…He killed her when she was boarding the ship…As awful as I felt for not being able to do anything to help her, that was nothing compared to walking in and seeing you on the floor like that…Guess I'll have to keep you closer from now on…Oh, and I beat the crap out of Saix. Yup…And now I'm talking to myself hoping you can hear me and wake up…You make me happy even when I don't want to be. You smile at me and it makes me forget my problems and even on days when I feel like crap and want the world to leave me alone I want you there…And you're always there. I guess what I'm rambling on about is…I really care about you Roxas. You make my hell of a life a lot easier to live."
He almost jumped out of his skin when he felt a hand on his and he quickly looked back over at Roxas, who lie there with his eyes open and a small smile on his face. How long had he been awake? Axel didn't care, all that mattered was that he was awake now and he closed his hand around Roxas' gently, "…Everything I said Roxas was true," he said softly and Roxas' smile grew as he squeezed Axel's hand.
With that smile Axel felt all of his worries vanish, all that mattered now was that Roxas was okay and he brought his hand up to kiss it before lying down beside him and carefully putting his other arm over him protectively, as if daring anyone or anything to try and take the boy from him.
"It's done," Zexion panted, his entire body covered in sweat as he collapsed to his knees, one hand covering his heart and the other on the floor to keep him from falling down completely. He couldn't bring himself to look up as the now animated being rose and stepped out of bed. He let out a pained cry as the man's foot collided with his side and he went tumbling over, lying on the ground and unable to move.
The laughter of the three made him more ill and Zexion would have thrown up had he any energy left in his body. Never before had he performed such necromancy, and had it not been an order he never would have done this act in his life. He was drugged and even though his whole body was in pain the injection site ached the most. His body wouldn't have been able to endure such powerful magic had it not been for the overdose though, the pain would literally have killed him and he dreaded what would happen when the drug wore off.
"Welcome back Xaldin."
Welcome back…those words meant that this parasite, this heartless creature had never truly left the crew and Zexion was lost. Five years ago he'd been thrown into the ocean and left to drown, then he showed up in Halloween Town, and now here he was again. What was going on?
"How's your mission gone?"
"Smoothly until that bratty boy killed me. I'll make him pay though."
"Did you get any further information about it though?"
"No, nothing. Other than those maps you found when you attacked the island there didn't seem to be anything else. And the so called king you suggested I 'aide' was of no help."
"I see…"
"However, I remembered you were bothered by the latest soul on your ship and so before he killed me I questioned him about his brother and it seems there is indeed at least one person other than Axel trying to help the boy off the ship, and he has a rather…unexpected relationship with the king."
Well…lots of happenings eh? And AkuRoku! That ending is definitely a kick though, wonder what's going on and what's going to happen in the morning when everyone wakes up to the newest person on the ship. I think I know but the ideas will just bounce around up in my head for a while as I attempt to ignore my grandma's ranting over the next week. Yes, as I said before life is going into lockdown with their arrival tomorrow so there probably won't be an update for about a week or so. However, today was the last day of my dance teachings so there will be much more free time than there was before and I promise to update as soon as possible. Thank you guys so much for continuing to read, and as always I wish you all the best in all the world.
Your loving bohemian, Mad-TopHat-Ter
