"Riku Hatter, I here by declare that you are to be sentenced to death for your crimes against Hearts! Two days from now you will lose your head!" Larxene announced. The entire room was silent for a moment as Larxene went to get down from her stand, but Roxas couldn't take it. This wasn't fair, he hadn't done anything, but Larxene had.
"No!" Roxas snapped, making everyone gasp and look up at him in surprise.
"Excuse me?" Larxene said in a low, dangerous tone as she placed her hands on her hips.
"I said no! This isn't fair! He hasn't done anything wrong!" Roxas snapped.
Larxene raised a brow questioningly and placed her hands on her hips.
"Are you questioning my authority, Ventus?" She asked dangerously, though Roxas refused to back down.
"Yes. I am." He stated, crossing his arms over his chest defiantly.
Larxene narrowed her eyes at Roxas for a moment then turned away, continuing her way down the podium.
"Guards, arrest him." She said casually. A gasp resounded through out the room. Roxas' eyes widened as he watched the guards hurry towards the balcony door at the bottom of the room.
"Shit." Roxas cursed. He turned his back away from the court room, looking through the curtains into the room beside him, waiting with baited breath for them to come take him away. The only thing Roxas could hear was the clanking of metal and loud footsteps as the guards rushed up the stairs and he firmly pressed himself back into the railing, not quite sure what to do with himself now.
This was it wasn't it? He was going to be taken away, Riku would die. This world had no hope now, and it was his fault...
"Freeze." A familiar voice said calmly from behind Roxas, a blast of ice flying past him and hitting the guards as they entered the room. Roxas looked behind him with wide eyes to see Riku standing on the railing behind him. Everyone below was put to sleep. Roxas let out a breath of relief he didn't know he'd been holding and looked back to Riku curiously.
"Well you've made yourself a lovely mess." He said sarcastically, looking at Roxas with a smug smirk.
"I'm sorry. I didn't think this all would happen..." Roxas said sadly, though Riku simply laughed at him.
"It's alright. Not your fault Larxene's a crazy bitch. But we can't worry about that now, we need to get out of here and find some where to hide." Riku said, grabbing the boy by his arm and jumping over the railing.
"Woah!" Roxas exclaimed frightenedly, his heart skipping a beat before they landed safely on the ground.
"I wouldn't hurt you dummy." Riku said amusedly. He didn't give Roxas a chance to respond though before he pulled him onto his back and went charging out of the court room at full speed.
"You should have let her sentence me to death." Riku tossed over his shoulder as he ran, Roxas looking at him in bewilderment.
"You would've been killed!" He responded incredulously, though Riku simply shook his head.
"I would not have been killed. Don't you know anything?"
"About this world? Not a thing!" Roxas joked. "Where are we going?"
"To the graveyard. It's near by, you'll be safe there." He said simply, though Roxas was only baffled by this. How would he be safe in the graveyard?
"Don't worry about it, just hold on tight." Riku said reassuringly. Roxas couldn't help his own confusion, but he decided to take Riku's word for it and nodded in understanding as he readjusted his grip on the silveret.
As the pair continued on, Roxas noticed that things were slowly getting darker and more decrepit. It was kind of nostalgic in a weird way, it reminded him of home and for the first time in a few days, Roxas found himself thinking about his life. His dead father, his drug addict mother, his small, dingy home. He wondered how much of a mess his home was at this point without him there to clean up after his mother. A chill suddenly overcame Roxas as he looked down, his eyes glazing over with sadness. It's not like he really missed his home, in fact, this was a fantastic vacation from the shit hole that was his life. More over, it was how terrible his life was that was getting to him at the moment.
"What's wrong?" Riku asked, his voice pulling him out of his dark thoughts. Roxas looked up in confusion. How did this guy seem to read him so easily?
"I-It's nothing. I was just thinking." Roxas responded, trying to sound casual. Riku glanced over his shoulder at him, the look in his seafoam eyes telling Roxas he'd very clearly failed, though the man didn't say anything more on the subject.
"We're almost there, it's just a little bit farther." Riku said, making Roxas perk up slightly.
"Can I walk the rest of the way? It's getting a bit... Uncomfortable riding on your back." Roxas said a bit awkwardly.
Riku chuckled slightly and nodded, slowing to a stop and allowing Roxas to climb off his back.
"Thanks." Roxas mumbled as he adjusted his clothing, Riku nodding in agreement.
"No problem." He said before continuing to walk, leading Roxas down the dark road. Now that things weren't rushing by, Roxas had a chance to properly look at his surroundings. All of the trees were dead around here, the sun didn't even peek through the branches. The ground was covered by a thick layer of fog, Roxas couldn't even see where he was walking, and some how, the dead silence seemed to scare him far more than anything else.
"Some how this place doesn't feel safe." Roxas remarked smartly, though Riku just hummed slightly in response.
"Well that's reassuring." Roxas mumbled to himself, making Riku smirk.
"You'll be fine." He tossed over his shoulder, a hint of amusement to his tone.
Roxas sighed but said nothing more, continuing to follow after Riku.
After walking for a while longer, Roxas finally noticed what looked like a graveyard in the distance, though it was a bit difficult to tell as the air slowly got foggier, only further creeping out the blond.
"It's just up ahead." Riku said, Roxas nodding slightly in understanding. Though moments after saying this, Roxas found the silveret continually glancing behind them suspiciously. Roxas slowly looked back in curiosity, though he found nothing hidden in the fog. He didn't have to wait long for Riku to tell him what was going on though.
"They're looking for us. Come on, we have to hurry into the graveyard, they won't follow us in there." Riku said, grabbing Roxas' wrist and running towards the entrance. Roxas didn't have a second to question anything as he was pulled along, struggling slightly at first to get his legs moving, but thankfully he was able to manage to fall into step with Riku. He could tell the man was holding back for his sake though and he honestly appreciated the gesture.
"Why won't they follow us into the graveyard?" Roxas asked, raising his voice slightly to be heard over the wind.
"You'll see!" Riku said.
The response frustrated him to no end, but he decided to leave it be since they were almost there.
The moment they did enter though, Roxas completely understood. They slowed to a stop at the entrance, Roxas panting for air from the exertion. Then he slowly looked up, tensing slightly at what he saw.
There were ghosts. Everywhere. And they all looked very, very pissed.
"Don't worry, they won't do anything to us." Riku said calmly, starting to walk through the grave stones. Roxas was quick to follow after, not wanting to get lost in the fog. True to his word once more, Roxas quickly found that the ghosts, indeed, did nothing to them. They didn't even seem interested in them what so ever. But they all appeared to be waiting for something.
"Here we are." Riku said, stopping just at the top of a staircase. They appeared to lead down a short ways to a door.
"Is this a crypt?" Roxas asked confusedly.
"Sort of." Riku said as he made his way down the stairs, Roxas following behind, still unsure of this, though he decided to trust Riku since he knew this world better than he did.
Riku knocked on the large, stone door, and within seconds it was being pulled open, a familiar red head now standing in the doorway, staring back at them.
"Axel?" Roxas said confusedly, though Axel seemed to ignore his questioning for the time being, looking at Riku inquisitively.
"What are you doing here?"
"Roxas needs a safe house, he defied the 'queen'." Riku explained. Axel's gaze darkened slightly as he looked at Riku.
"And you?"
"I can take care of myself." Riku said, then turned to look at Roxas. "I gotta go now before they get too close, Axel will take care of you."
Roxas nodded slightly in understanding, then watched as Riku took off at full speed. There was no doubt in his mind that he wouldn't escape the Queen's knights.
Axel moved aside as Roxas entered his home, Roxas looking around curiously at the pink, purple and black décor. Even the walls were pink, the sight hurt his eyes.
"Jeez, its like a 5 year old girls dream in here. Well, aside from the sex toys." Roxas remarked amusedly, making Axel laugh loudly.
"Yeah, I guess it is a bit over whelming, but its totally balanced out by the doom and gloom outside." Axel said with a wink as he walked over to a plush, black, furry couch and plopped down on it. "So, what did the favorite do to piss of her Majesty?"
"Oh you know..." Roxas trailed off as he walked slowly across the room, looking curiously over a whip sitting on the table and running his fingers over it. "Just told her that her ruling was wrong. She didn't seem to take too kindly to it."
Axel snorted his amusement.
"No, I can't imagine she would."
Things fell silent between the pair after that, leaving Roxas feeling a bit uncomfortable. He didn't know what to do with himself in this place, and even worse, he didn't know how to continue on in this world. He rescued Riku from death, what more was left for him here?
"So Roxy, whatcha wanna do now?" Axel said, looking over to Roxas with that same old grin, though this one appeared a bit happier than his previous grins, and Roxas couldn't help but smile slightly at his current expression as he caught his attention.
"Roxas. And I don't know. There doesn't appear to be much to do in this world..." Roxas said quietly and moved to look at the kitchen. Axel's grin turned wicked as he slunk up behind Roxas, looking at him mischievously as he wrapped his arms around Roxas' shoulders.
"Well~, we could always just, you know..." Axel trailed off, winking at Roxas.
Roxas couldn't help but snort in amusement.
"Not a chance Axel." Said man deflated slightly, but he didn't release Roxas just yet.
"Alright, alright. Then come lay on the couch with me." He said, nuzzling Roxas' neck. Roxas looked at him suspiciously at the suggestion. Axel sighed, resting his head on Roxas' shoulder and smiling up at him.
"I swear, I won't try anything. And if it makes you feel more comfortable, I'll change into my cat form." At the mention of changing, he turned into his cat form, jumping into Roxas' arms and looking up at him expectantly. Roxas couldn't help but chuckle at the gesture. He smiled down at the cat in his arms, patting him on the head as he slowly walked over to the couch and laid down. Axel grinned and laid himself out on Roxas' chest, slowly closing his eyes and purring as Roxas continued to pet him.
"So, why do you live in the graveyard?" Roxas asked curiously as he looked around at Axel's home. Axel peeked an eye open for a moment but quickly closed it.
"Well, I used to live in that forest where we met. Then I may or may not have toyed with the Queen's roses one day." Axel said, a hint of amusement to his tone. Roxas raised a brow to this, looking down at the cat curiously.
"Oh really?"
Axel sighed and nodded.
"She had been setting her guards to work, planting red roses, and I may have switched the red rose seeds with white roses instead. When the plants grew, the guards tried to paint them red before the queen could notice. But of course she did, and it was off with their heads. Though on the chopping block um... Things happened, and Larxene discovered I had switched the seeds. As punishment, she cursed me to live here where she knew I'd have to spend the rest of my life, living with their ghosts." Axel explained.
"Things happened?" Roxas questioned confusedly.
"Yes! Things happened!" Axel snapped, looking up at Roxas angrily. Roxas blinked in surprise, pulling his hand back slightly and staring at Axel for a moment. Axel seemed to notice immediately and looked away, ashamed at his outburst.
"Sorry..." He mumbled. Roxas couldn't help but smile slightly and shake his head.
"It's alright. Touchy topic, I understand." He said, slowly starting to pet him once more. Axel hummed and snuggled back into Roxas' chest.
The pair fell into a comfortable silence, though Roxas couldn't help but continue to wonder what had happened that could make Axel so upset.
Xion pulled up the large skirt of her dress as much as she possibly could, kicking off her heels in the process and ran down the steps of the large mansion. She was breathing heavily, tears pricking at her eyes as she ran for the front door, having to readjust her grip on her skirt several times, tripping over it a couple times as she ran.
"Sora! Hurry!" She called over her shoulder before yanking open the front door of the mansion. On the edge of the forest she spotted the Hatter, smiling slightly as he walked slowly towards his home.
"Riku!" She cried, running outside barefoot and quickly hugging the silver haired male tightly.
"You're okay! Oh my word, I can't believe you're okay!" She said happily as tears streamed from her eyes. She couldn't help but laugh in her excitement as Riku smiled and returned the hug.
"Of course Majesty. What kind of knight would I be if I were to die?" He responded in a calm, soft tone.
"Riku!" Sora called from the front door, catching both Riku and Xion's attention. Vanitas could be seen just to the right of Sora, standing by the door way and peeking out at Riku and Xion, a small almost unseen smile on his face. They all watched as Sora bolted across the front yard towards Riku, Xion barely moving out of the way in time for Sora to suddenly jump Riku, sending the pair tumbling to the ground as Sora gave him a bone crushing hug.
"You're here! I can't believe it, you're okay!" Sora cheered happily, his excitement making Riku smirk in amusement.
"Gee, thanks for having so much faith in me Sora." Riku said sarcastically, making Sora pout. Before he could retort though, Xion spoke up once more.
"Hold on a second, where's Roxas?" She asked worriedly as she looked around, trying to see if she'd just missed the blond.
Riku's face suddenly turned serious as he sat up.
"There were complications. I will explain everything, but know that Roxas is in very good hands." Riku said as he removed Sora from his person and got to his feet. Vanitas seemed to take this moment to butt into the conversation.
"Hold the fuck on! That kid risked his life to get you out of there! Now what the fuck did you do with him?!" Vanitas snapped as he stomped over to where Riku was standing and got right in the taller males face.
Riku sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose and closing his eyes for a moment. This twin he did not miss...
"Roxas is in the graveyard..." Riku said simply, his words making Xion gasp as Sora stared at him with wide eyes. Vanitas however, simply narrowed his eyes at the Hatter, his eyes dark with rage.
"You left him with that fucking cat?" Vanitas spat, though Riku only stared at him. His silence only further angered Vanitas and noticing this, Xion decided to speak up once more.
"Look, why don't we just all go inside and we can listen to Riku's story?" Xion suggested kindly. Vanitas growled slightly but said nothing as he stalked back into the mansion.
"How could you let them get away?!" Larxene screamed in anger at her guards. Her body was shaking with her rage, her shoulders tense and her cheeks flaring red.
"Madam, we had no control over the matter, the Hatter had frozen us!" One of the guards protested, though this only seemed to further enrage her.
"You imbeciles! What kind of guards are you?! Letting prisoners escape! I've had it with your insolence! Off with your heads!" She screeched. Saix couldn't help but cringe at her ear piercing high voice, though he kept his composure as he began to speak up.
"Highness, I believe you should take a moment to consider this. Killing so many of your guard, you'd be putting yourself at a severe disadvantage." Saix said calmly.
"I don't care! I have you and Marluxia for protection! Now off with their heads!" She barked.
"Majesty." A calm, feminine voice said from the side, catching everyone's attention. The sight of the man appeared to instantly calm Larxene as he slowly approached the throne.
"I think, in light of the situation at hand you should heed the guard Captain's advice. Perhaps you could settle for a less severe punishment if you must punish them for the Hatter's escape." Marluxia suggested.
Larxene thought it over for a moment with a small pout on her face. Finally she let out a sigh and looked back to her guards.
"Fine. I will think over your new punishment. Until then, get out of my sight." She said, waving her hand towards the door.
The guards sighed in relief then hurried out of the throne room before they could anger her any more.
"Thank you Majesty." Marluxia said with a small bow, making Larxene blush.
"Yes well, I suppose it wasn't completely their fault. After all, this is Riku we're talking about..." Larxene said quietly, trying to seem nonchalant, though Marluxia and Saix saw straight through her act.
Aaaaand updated! Yay! Hope you all enjoyed my lovelies, I've so missed this story. And I don't have much to say outside of, I'm so very very sorry! I did not mean for this to take so long! x.x but I really hope you liked it, and there will be more to come soon. As always, constructive criticism is very welcome! I'll see you guys next time! Bye-bye!