Over the next month, I had settled into a routine. Wake up, check for missions, complete the mission with whoever I was assigned it with, then I would head over to the Twilight Town clock tower where Axel more often than not waited for me with a sea-salt ice-cream for both of us. We would hang around on the top of the tower until dark, then head back to HQ, where I either went off to hang with Zexion in his lab, with Naminé in the lounge, or stayed with Axel to train. Usually, we were up most of the night fighting each other, honing our skills, before we finally retired to his room. Axel had also taken to sleeping in the bed beside me, although he hadn't held me in his arms since that first night.

And a part of me missed that feeling of enveloping warmth.

Sadly, that basic routine was about to be altered. My room – which had been under construction since I had been initiated – was only a few days from completion, meaning I would be moving out of Axel's room.

Or at least I had thought it was still a few days.

"Hey XIII! You hear? Your room should be done by tomorrow night – no more sharing quarters with Flamsilocks after tonight." Xigbar chuckled, slapping my back humourously. I smirked. My nickname for Axel had swept like a hurricane through the Organization, much to Axel's dismay.

Then Xigbar's words sank in. "Tomorrow? I thought it was going to take a few days still."

Xigbar shook his head. "Nah, they made some unexpected progress, so you'll be on your own a bit sooner than anticipated."

I nodded, and saw Saix walk up behind the scarred man.

"Roxas, you have a solo mission today."

I perked up, full of apprehension at the thought, mixed with a certain amount of excitement. This would be my first solo mission, and I didn't know what to expect.

Saix motioned for Xigbar to leave before he spoke again. "You are to do intelligence gathering on a Keyblade bearer running around these parts. He has been destroying every Heart he comes across, Hearts the Organization wants." I nodded, and he continued. "There's a lead, saying he was spotted somewhere around Twilight Town." With that, the man turned and walked away, probably to bark at Demyx for shirking his duties again.

I headed out of the lounge, through the familiar halls to Axel's room, to grab my coat.

When I got there, Axel was putting his own coat on. "You got a mission?" He asked.

I nodded. "Solo. Intelligence gathering."

The redhead whistled. "Solo, already? I know you've built up a reputation, but wow. It took me months before they sent me out solo. Looks like you're on the fast track up the ranks." He paused. "Oh, and if it's Intel, then don't wear your coat – people tend to open up more if you don't look like you belong to the Organization. Unless you plan on torturing them. Then it would be best to keep the coat." It made sense, and I nodded. It was true that I'd built up a reputation. Now, more often than not, people would run when they saw a small boy in a long black coat carrying Keyblades. Not that I was scary or anything. I had just developed the habit of finishing my jobs quickly, not wasting any time toying with my opponents. Made me seem pretty badass and untouchable, I guess. People didn't tend to pay attention to the fact that most of my opponents didn't end up dying, like they did when they went up against the other Organization members.

So instead of donning my coat, I placed it on the bed, placing my Keyblades on top of it. I had developed the ability to summon my Organization coat not too long ago, and if everything was in the same area, I could summon my Keyblades and coat in one shot. I had definitely caught more than one enemy off guard with that ability.

"You want to meet up for ice cream after you're all finished?"

I smiled as I got dressed in my casual clothes – complete with the short sleeved jacket, despite the warmth outside. "I'm in Twilight Town today, so I guess I'll wait for you?"

Axel chuckled. "Nah, I'll be the one waiting. I got an easy one today." I looked at him curiously, and he shook his head, anticipating my question. "You know the rules. No talking about each other's missions, so why bother asking?" I opened my mouth to tell him I hadn't actually verbalized my question, but he continued, lowering is voice.

"But I'll indulge you. I gotta take out some kid who's been running around with the group that's been destroying Hearts." He grinned. "I'm gonna teach him a fiery lesson!"

I laughed at his giddiness. The man was a pyromaniac, that was for sure. He had the habit of summoning a handful of fire just to play around with it. "Well then. Good luck and have fun," I said, exiting into the hallway, then heading on my way.

I was just about to start climbing the ladder to the trapdoor when Naminé came running up behind me. I turned to face the blonde, and she hugged me and planted a shy kiss on my cheek. "I heard it's your first solo mission. Good luck, Roxas."

Smiling, I hugged her back, just as Axel rounded the corner. The redhead stopped short, and a range of emotions flew across his face, too fast for me to identify, before his face went blank. I thanked Naminé, turning to the ladder – but not before I saw Axel shoot a glare at Naminé. I started to wonder what that was all about, but I shoved that train of thought off its rails, stopping it before it started. There was no need being distracted, especially with my first solo.

-oOo-

I walked towards the ice cream shop in Twilight Town, hoping to get some information from the shop owner. Or at least, that was the plan. I didn't really get that far.

"Hey, blondie! You knew here? I ain't seen you around before." I turned around to see the owner of the voice, and was greeted with the sight of a tall blonde in a beanie holding a Struggle Bat – a blue bat that I had learned was used in the Struggle Battles held by the town.

"I'm just visiting. Trying to find someone actually, actually."

The boy grinned, and his entourage – a tall, dark-haired boy, average height silver-haired girl, and a short person in too many layers and wide-brimmed hat to tell whether it was a boy or girl – backed up. "The name's Seifer. And I'll answer any questions you got – if you can beat me, that is."

The next thing I knew, the other boy behind him tossed another Struggle Bat at me, and I fumbled the catch slightly, startled at this turn of events. I was trying to get information, not fight, dammit.

The boy, Seifer, laughed, and something about his demeanor grated against me. I had a strong urge to just kick his ass in record time and force him to answer my questions, but something in me made me decide to toy with him a bit.

I relaxed my muscles, dropping my guard completely as I looked over my shoulder as if checking the time on the clock tower. As soon as my eyes were off him, Seifer lunged forwards, and I could hear the telltale sound of something swinging through the air towards my head. I ducked, and without even really even looking at him, I jabbed the end of my Struggle Bat inti his solar plexus, dropping him to the ground. I stepped back and started examining the Bat's grip as he scrambled to his feet, shock evident on his face. He came for me again, and this time I stepped around him, swinging and hitting the back of his neck, sending him stumbling. The larger blonde recovered quickly, and started attacking me, raining blow after blow at me – all of which I blocked without trying. I had fought much tougher opponents than him, and I wasn't even having to pay full attention.

We went on like this for a few minutes, and with each blow deflected, I could feel his irritation growing. After I decided I was getting a little bored, I met his attack instead of merely deflecting it like I had been.

He struck down with an overhead attack, and I lifted my bat to absorb the blow before pushing back, the strength behind my attack sending him flying. He landed on his back, head cracking against the gravel, and his friends rushed forwards. One of them – the girl – stepped up to me, her own Struggle Bat raised, ready to defend Seifer. I shook my head at her. "I just want information."

She glowered at me. "Who are you? No one's ever just beaten Seifer like that."

"Oh, leave him alone, Fuu, you stupid bitch."

I turned to see the newcomer, a boy my age with blonde hair that stood on end wearing head to toe camo, followed by a sweet-looking brunette girl and a slightly overweight boy with spiky black hair.

Fuu snarled at the newcomer. "He just beat up Seifer! I can't just let him get away with that, so stay out of it, Hayner."

Hayner laughed. "It looks like he was getting what he asked for, if you ask me." I chuckled. I liked this kid already. Fuu sputtered, then stormed back to Seifer, who had gotten back to his feet and was pointing a finger at me. "I ain't telling you nothing, you fucking cheat." I looked at him, indignant.

"Oh, shove it where the sun don't shine. I didn't cheat, you just suck." At my words, Seifer turned an unsightly red, while Hayner and his friends laughed. Clearly embarrassed and pissed beyond words, he stormed off, defeated. I turned to Hayner. "My name's Roxas. Hayner, right?" I put my hand out, and he took it. "Yup. And this is Olette," he nodded to the girl, "and Pence." He gestured to the other boy.

"Nice to meet you."

"Hello."

Hayner grinned at me. "So what kind of information did you want?"

I sighed, putting up the act of faint annoyance. "I'm looking for a friend of mine. He ran away, and has been causing a bit of trouble. Have you heard of anyone going around destroying little stones wherever he goes?"

The trio looked at me weird. Olette spoke up. "What's his name?"

Crap. I thought of a lie on the spot, hoping it would be convincing. "Uh, his family doesn't really want everyone to know he's been missing, so I'd rather not say. The three teenagers looked at each other, consulting.

"Wasn't there a boy…?"

"… Yeah, about his age, maybe a few years older…"

"He was lugging around some giant key-thing…"

I cut in. "A Keyblade?" They nodded, and my hoped soared. Maybe I could finally get some information. "That's him!" I said.

Hayner looked at me. "Are you sure? Cause he wasn't exactly secretive about his name…"

I nodded. "Just to be sure, who did he say he was?" Saix had said Intel…

Hayner looked at Pence, then at Olette. The brunette spoke up.

"He said his name was Sora."