A/N: Here is Chapter 12. I seem to be on a bit of a writing streak. Next chapter comes a showdown, and I'm terrible at writing battle scenes...so be prepared for bad writing. Thanks to everyone who reviewed! Reviews are amazing, they make me want to keep writing. In answer to Twilight-Angel-XIII's question, I did originally plan to make this an AxelxOC fic, but now I'm leaning more towards friendship. Because Kanixa is 17-18, I didn't really have a definite age in mind, but I see Axel as 22 or 23. So a bit of a gap there. Any opinions?

Disclaimer: I do not own anything. Except for Kanixa.

12. Hollow Bastion

Demyx strode through the mists in silence, a frown on his normally cheerful face. Why did everyone always have to underestimate him? Was it because his weapon was a sitar instead of something more macho, like Xigbar's guns? Was it because he was too nice—did not being a cold, uncaring jerk like Saïx somehow make him weak? He'd gotten used to the other members' insults and scorn over time, and had grown to accept it and even ignore it. But now Kanixa thought of him the same way: weak.

He thought when she'd offered to come with him to Hollow Bastion, she wanted to help him out. Work as a team. Kind of like the way Axel and Roxas used to fight their missions together. But no, she wanted to convince Sora not to fight him at all. As if he didn't stand a chance against the great Keyblade master. "We're here," he said abruptly, opening a portal into the hallway outside Kanixa's room. "Goodbye, Kanixa."

"Demyx—" she grabbed his arm. He stopped.

"I can handle Sora without your help," he declared.

"Just, please. Hear me out," she said quietly, letting him go. He glanced back at her to see her gazing at him. "I know you're angry at me—"

"Nobodies don't get angry. Remember?" he asked, walking away.

"Well, then you remember what anger is, and your mind is telling you to feel it. Or whatever the technical explanation is. Look, Demyx, I didn't mean to bruise your ego," she said seriously. "I just—"

"Well, you did," he snapped. Then, realizing what he'd just said, he felt heat rise to his cheeks. Great. Now he sounded like some whiny, pathetic kid.

"I know. And I'm sorry. I just don't want to lose my only friend." He could feel her gaze drilling into his back.

Demyx sighed, turning back towards her. "Look, Kanixa. This is my mission. I've got to handle this by myself."

"Then…at least let me know when you have to go?"

"If I can, then sure." He faked a smile. "Catch you later, Nixa." He raised one hand in a wave. She smiled back, but the expression didn't reach her eyes. Not that any of the Organization members' eyes ever held any warmth, but hers looked…sad.

He walked back to his room and sat down on the bed. Picking up one of his practice sitars, he began to tune it. Just as he had it ready to play, a portal opened beside him. Saïx stepped out. "Sora has reached Hollow Bastion," he said without preamble. "It's time for you to do your duty as a member of the Organization and confront him. Your mission is to attempt to force Roxas to re-emerge through aggression. Either defeat Sora…or don't bother coming back." Without waiting for a reply, the Luna Diviner disappeared into a portal.

Demyx put down his sitar, hands shaking. Number Seven had implied as much down in Fragmented Crossing, but he'd never expected the senior member to say so outright. So, it came down to Roxas…or Demyx. And everyone thought they knew the outcome. He stood up, heading for room number twelve. He'd promised Kanixa to say goodbye, at least. Though he wouldn't take Number Thirteen with him—he'd prove to her, to them all that he could fight his own battles. Either that, or…he wouldn't think about the other option.

"Kanixa?" he called, knocking on her door. It swung open at his touch, and he stuck his head inside. The bedside light was on, but Kanixa had sprawled on the bed, and was evidently asleep. He smiled at the scene—apparently the Struggle had tired her out more than she'd let on. Well, he wouldn't wake her. It wasn't really worth making a fuss about. Either he'd return or he wouldn't, right? And no one would miss him, except for her.

His gaze traveled around the room, looking for a pen and paper to write a note. On the frilly little dressing table, he saw what looked to be a journal and a pen. Opening it to the first page, he recognized Larxene's handwriting. Shuddering, he quickly flipped to a blank page in the back, having no desire to read about whatever horrors lurked in the Savage Nymph's brain. Quickly, he jotted down a note telling Kanixa where he had gone, and he set the piece of paper on her bedside table.

"Bye, Nixa," he murmured. "Catch you later…maybe in the next life." With one last glance, he stepped into a portal to face the Keyblade master and his destiny.

~*~*~*

Kanixa awoke suddenly, to a whooshing sound that had to be a portal opening. Sitting up, she glanced around the room to find it empty. "You're getting way too paranoid," she chastised herself in a voice still groggy with sleep. Then she saw it, the note on her bedside table. Who would leave her a note? She wondered, brow furrowing. None of the Organization members would care about disturbing her rest, except for…Demyx. Oh, no.

Snatching the note up, she read it quickly. Demyx had left for Hollow Bastion without waking her up. That meant that she'd lost a last opportunity to reason with him. And she had no way to follow him. Unless…she would just have to teach herself how to portal. She'd seen Axel and Demyx do it several times. All they did was gesture, and poof. Maybe it was like summoning her battalion. Maybe it was a matter of strength of will. Closing her eyes, she held out a hand. Hollow Bastion, she thought firmly. More than anything, I want to be able to get to Hollow Bastion…

Opening her eyes, she saw a swirling portal of darkness in front of her. "Yes!" she crowed triumphantly, starting forward. And in the instant that she lost focus, the portal collapsed. Well, she would have to try again. This time, she kept her eyes closed, focused on the Hollow Bastion marketplace, and walked forward blindly. She only opened her eyes once she felt the cool sensation which meant that she'd walked into the portal. Instantly recognizing the mists of the realm between, she walked forward determinedly.

Perhaps she had too little faith in Number Nine, but it seemed wrong to let him go alone. Especially since everyone kept talking about how strong Sora was. Even Axel, who loved belittling everyone, admitted the boy had talent. Kanixa personally found the idea that Sora could take down Demyx laughable. Demyx had wiped the floor with her, and Sora hadn't been able to defeat a few Heartless. Well, more like a few hundred, she conceded mentally, but wasn't the concept the same?

A strange pulling sensation behind her navel stopped her. It felt like something was rooting her to the spot. Maybe this was her cue to debark. Closing her eyes, Kanixa opened another portal, focusing on the little isolated courtyard where Axel had taken them the first time. Walking forward, she heard her boot heels click on stone. She opened her eyes. "Home, sweet home," she muttered sarcastically. Now, to catch up with Demyx. She stepped forward—and the crystals hanging from her coat ties jingled, reminding her that she still wore it. Taking it off, she stuffed it into a corner of the courtyard to reclaim later. Since they knew about the Organization here, being spotted would lead to awkward questions…if not an outright battle.

She hadn't taken three steps through the marketplace when somebody yelled "Anika!" Kanixa put a hand over her eyes, chagrined. So much for not being recognized. A few seconds later, somebody enveloped her in a hug, almost sending her toppling backwards. After she was released, Kanixa removed the hand from her eyes. The girl standing in front of her looked so familiar: the jet-black bob, the blue eyes, and most importantly the shuriken that she held.

"…Yuffie?" Kanixa asked, hoping she'd remembered the right name.

Yuffie's friendly smile turned to a frown. "What happened to you?" she asked, gesturing at Kanixa's ruined dress. Kanixa winced, kicking herself mentally. She'd forgotten than she'd worn this when she trained with Axel. "Well, it's all right," the ninja said cheerfully. "You can just borrow a dress from Aerith. You two are about the same size." She started off towards the Borough, expecting Kanixa to follow.

"Look, Yuffie, that's a sweet offer, but I have to get going," Kanixa demurred as politely as she could. "I have to catch up with a friend—"

"You can't walk around town looking like that," Yuffie cut in, latching onto Kanixa's wrist with a grip like iron. "Besides, it won't take long. Just change into a dress that doesn't look like it lost a fight with a Crimson Jazz, and then go look for your friend."

"Fine," Kanixa sighed, giving in. "Let's go and see Aerith."

"I knew you'd see it my way," Yuffie grinned, towing her along. "It's so good to see you, Anika! Everyone's been so worried. And then Leon said that he'd seen you in the marketplace—"

Kanixa fought to keep her lips from twisting into a snarl at the thought of the Gunblade Wielder, schooling her features into a controlled mask. Yuffie noticed, of course. "I know he was a little hard on you," she added softly. "He feels bad about it, I can tell. He's been moody ever since."

"Moody is a perpetual state of being with him," Kanixa groused.

"I think you should talk to him. Think of it: the great Squall Leonhart apologizing. How many people get to see that?" Yuffie asked.

"Fine. If I have the time, after I've changed. I really do need to catch up with my friend," Kanixa said, urgency creeping into her tone.

"We're here," Yuffie sang out, leading Kanixa into the house that she shared with Aerith. It stood beside Merlin's house, where the Hollow Bastion Restoration Committee had their meetings. "Aerith!" the ninja bellowed, walking over to the stairs. "Are you up there?"

The healer appeared at the top of the stairs in her customary pink dress. "Yuffie…and Anika!" she said, breaking out into a sunny smile, clasping her hands in front of her heart. "We've missed you!"

"Anika needs to borrow a dress," Yuffie announced. "Can you spare one?"

"Of course. Come on up," the older girl instructed. Kanixa obeyed, and the trio went into Aerith's room. The healer threw open her wardrobe. "I think…blue would be a good color on you," she mused. Soon she was lost in thought, sorting through her various dresses.

"So, Anika, where have you been? You've been gone for a month! Everyone thought…" Yuffie trailed off, but Kanixa could finish the sentence.

"…that the Heartless had gotten me?" she finished.

"Or those weird, new things. Nobodies. We searched the whole town for you, Anika! Me, Aerith, Merlin, Cid, Leon…even Cloud pitched in! No one could find you anywhere." Yuffie looked at her expectantly.

"My memory's kind of fuzzy," she said truthfully. Kind of—she could barely remember anything, other than the fact that she came from here, had been friends with the Restoration Committee, and had at one point attempted to run away from the Organization. "I think that I was kidnapped."

"Kidnapped?" Aerith gasped, turning back to them and holding up a sky blue dress. Kanixa took it, and began to change. Though she couldn't remember the specifics, she felt like she'd known these women forever. They'd probably seen everything at one point or another.

"Mm-hmm," she responded, slipping her head through the neck of Aerith's dress. "By these weird people in black coats. Zip me, Aerith?" The older girl complied, and Kanixa glanced at herself in the mirror on the back of Aerith's door. Not bad, she conceded finally. The dress was sleeveless, with thick straps and an empire waist. The flaring skirt ended just under her knees. Not a ton of fabric to trip herself up in while fighting, but also conservative enough so that she felt comfortable wearing it.

"You look lovely, Anika," Aerith said, sounding satisfied. "I knew that blue would be a good color on you."

The doorknob rattled as someone tried the door. Kanixa whirled towards the noise, preparing to summon her Keyblade, automatically assuming that whatever waited outside was a threat. Now, someone pounded on the door. "Yuffie!" Leon yelled. "Are you in there? We've got a Heartless problem over by the bailey."

Kanixa's eyes widened. Leon. The last person she wanted to talk to. Despite what she'd said to Yuffie, her plan had been to borrow a dress, make her excuses, and vanish. "Coming, Leon!" Yuffie bellowed back. "But first, there's someone here you want to see." She threw open the door. "Look who's back!" she declared, grinning, gesturing at Kanixa.

"We don't have time for your games, Yuf—" when Leon saw Kanixa, his expression turned from anger to shock. "…Anika?"

"Actually, Yuffie, I don't have time to waste, either. I need to get going. Thanks so much for the dress, Aerith," she added sincerely. "I'll bring it back to you, I promise."

"Oh, keep it," Aerith said, smiling. "What are friends for?"

"Well…thank you. See you all later!" Kanixa darted under the arm Leon used to block the doorway, and was down the stairs in a flash. Heavy footsteps pursued her as she let her feet guide her, heading towards the…bailey, that was the name. Her feet remembered their way around this town, even if her mind didn't. The bailey was one of the highest points in the town. Hopefully she could spot Demyx from there.

"Anika, wait!" Leon called, sounding slightly out-of-breath. Kanixa grinned in spite of herself. Who would have thought she'd ever see the day when she could outrun Leon? That was one good thing about the Organization's vicious training methods—you got fit quickly. That, or you died.

"I have places to be, Leon," she called over her shoulder. "And—oof!" One boot heel lodged in a loose cobblestone, and she fell, hands and knees stinging as she hit the concrete. "Don't you have some Heartless to take care of?" she asked as a hand descended into her range of vision. Taking it with a sigh, she allowed Leon to haul her to her feet.

Running a hand through his long, russet hair, the Gunblade wielder opened his mouth. As if on cue, screams sounded from the Borough. He glanced back, torn. "All right. But this conversation isn't over, Anika!" he warned. His tone softened. "Look…before you disappear again, come talk to me. Please." And with that, he took off running towards the Borough, where the Heartless were now attacking.

Fat chance, Leon, she thought darkly, scaling the steps that led to the bailey. Maybe…maybe…she would comply with his request. But first, she needed to find Demyx before Sora did.

~*~*~*~*

Axel stalked through a corridor of darkness, a scowl on his face. Where had the little brat gone? He wondered, reaching up to run a hand through his spiky hair. He'd been so close to coaxing Kairi to come with him. Using the Dusks to intimidate her had been a stupid mistake. And then…she'd escaped into a second portal. Who could it have been? If it had been one of his colleagues in the Organization, they would have revealed themselves to him. That left 'Ansem,' he reflected in disgust. The shadowy figure who had defeated Roxas, and now helped the Keyblade master from behind the scenes.

Where would he have taken Kairi? Somewhere safe, obviously. Somewhere she could blend in. And somewhere Axel wouldn't think to look. And what met all three of those criteria? Twilight Town. A dark smile on his face, Axel headed towards the town. This time, he wouldn't let the Princess of Heart escape him. He opened a portal into the same deserted alley where he'd landed with Demyx and Kanixa earlier, between two stores in the Tram Commons. Stalking through the space, he glanced around, keeping an eye out for the redheaded girl.

"Hey." Axel glanced back to see a strawberry blonde boy who looked oddly familiar waving at him. "Nice coat."

"Thanks," he said curtly, moving on. He didn't see any sign of Kairi, so next he would check the Sandlot. The Struggle was today, and it drew a crowd. Maybe she'd decided to hide in plain sight.

"We just met some friends who wear the same coat," the boy continued. "Hey, do you know anyone named Demyx or Kanixa?"

Axel froze in his tracks. "Demyx?" he repeated softly to himself. "Kanixa?!" his voice rose in volume. They'd snuck off here together? Who would have thought that Number Nine had the guts for something like that?

"Yeah, that's them," the boy said cheerfully. "Kanixa nearly won the Struggle—Setzer destroyed her at the end. But he's been the reigning champ for seven or so years now. She was really good," he said admiringly.

"You only say that because she beat you!" a girl behind him chimed in.

"Yeah, they're friends of mine," Axel said, keeping the anger out of his voice, flashing them his most charming smile. "I've been looking for them, actually. Any idea where they went?"

"Home, I think," the boy responded. "Demyx had some sort of assignment to complete…"

Axel's eyes narrowed in thought. Assigment…Kanixa had said something about an upcoming mission for Demyx. At the time, he'd brushed it off. Demyx had been in disfavor with the Superior ever since the incident at Olympus Coliseum. But maybe she'd been telling the truth. Where had she said that he was going? Hollow Bastion. For a moment, he thought about pursuing them, but quickly discarded it. He was on his own mission at the moment. "I'm also looking for another friend of ours, Kairi. She's a redhead wearing a pink dress. Maybe you've seen her?"

The blonde shook his head. "Nope. Sorry. Good luck finding her…what did you say your name was, again?"

"I didn't," Axel snapped, moving off. This day kept getting worse and worse. First his plan to kidnap the Princess of Heart had backfired, unless he could recover her. That was looking less and less likely. He could only be away from the World that Never Was so long before he was missed. And now Kanixa was off doing who-knew-what with Demyx. It was probably a harmless, though strictly against the rules, outing for fun, knowing the pair. Demyx wouldn't have the spine to plot against the Organization, and from what he had seen Kanixa still foolishly tried to act with the principles of someone with a heart. Plotting a takedown would be unlike her. Unless, of course, she remembered how exactly she'd joined the Organization in the first place—then, all bets would be off. Still, he'd stirred up enough plots of his own to know that just because something seemed harmless on the surface was no reason to drop his guard.

In succession, he searched the Sandlot, the Station Heights, the train station itself, and found no Kairi. Dejected, he was about to head back to the World that Never Was just to be seen, and then try another world, when he remembered the Back Alley and the Usual Spot. Now he knew why the blonde boy had looked familiar—he had been a member of Roxas's group in the pseudo-Twilight Town. Apparently in the real world, he ran with the same group, minus Roxas. Wearing a feral smile, Axel opened a portal into the Usual Spot. Hayner and his friends were already there, and sprawled on the floor was—Kairi. Bingo!

"Whoa," one of Hayner's friends, a chubby boy with unruly black hair, gasped. "You okay? You just came in through the wall!"

"Ugh," Kairi groaned, sitting up. "I…I'm fine, I think."

"There you are," Axel spoke up. "I tell you, Kairi, it took guts, jumping into the darkness like that. I have to hand it to you—I'm impressed. But it's time we got going. You want to see Sora, don't you?" he continued, latching onto her wrist and towing her back towards the portal.

Kairi dug in her heels, pulling back. "Let go of me!" she hissed.

"Sorry," Axel said unrepentantly, pulling her into the darkness. "But you're coming with me." Once inside the mists of the place between, Kairi continued her thrashing.

"When Sora finds out what you've done, you'll be sorry!" she declared. Axel smiled back at her over his shoulder.

"You're wrong, Kairi. I'm counting on it." It was a documented fact that the Keyblade master shared a strong bond with Kairi. Once he found out that she was held prisoner, he would throw caution to the winds, go to any lengths to protect her. And once that brought out his aggressive streak, it should be only too easy to defeat him and bring Roxas back.

Once they reached the World that Never Was, he paused. "Listen, Kairi," he hissed into her ear. "Where we're going, don't make a fuss. If you do, you'll attract the attention of people far worse than me. And that would be a mistake," he cautioned.

"I'm not afraid!" Kairi declared.

Axel smirked. "You will be." He opened a portal into his room—to find the Luna Diviner standing there, waiting for him. "Uh-oh," Number Eight murmured, not loosening his grip on Kairi.

"Axel," Saïx greeted him, smiling coldly. "When we discovered that you were gone, I thought you might have attempted something idiotic such as this. You have committed an act of treason against the Organization. Your existence will be terminated…unless you hand over the girl."

Axel paused briefly, considering. He didn't believe Saïx's offer for a moment. He would be terminated whether he handed over Kairi, or no. He would have to run, and carrying along a hostage would only make the trip more difficult. Still, he'd never intended for Kairi to get mixed up with the rest of the Organization. He'd only meant to keep her until Sora showed up to claim her. Who knew what someone like Saïx would do to her?

More importantly, who cared? He thought darkly. Not him—Nobodies weren't capable of caring. "Sorry," he said, apologizing not to Saïx but to Kairi. Shoving the Princess of Heart forward at the Luna Diviner, he made his escape into a portal.

"Run while you can, Axel," Saïx called after him as the portal closed. "The Organization will find you, and that brat playing at being Thirteen."

Axel's brow furrowed as he hurried through the corridor to darkness, looking for somewhere to hide out. 'The brat playing at being Thirteen'…he had to mean Kanixa. So, Kanixa had turned traitor too? Why? It made no sense—the new Number Thirteen knew that she didn't stand a chance against the rest of the Organization. There were so many questions without answers, and Axel hated loose threads. So he turned his steps to the place where he was the most likely to find answers: Hollow Bastion.