Words: 1593
See Chapter 1 for standard Warnings/Disclaimer.
Additional Warning: This fic is Unbeta'd I edit it myself, though I do have a couple friends who have read it as I worked on it.
A/N: To the reviewer who asked me not long ago how Zexion and Demyx meet (You know who you are), I give you your answer. For ther rest... More thickening plot, and another cliffy. Ouch.
When Zexion woke Axel around nine the slate-haired man already had a huge mug of coffee waiting for him, and Axel was ready to elect him to saint hood right then and there. He sat up with a groan, and accepted the cup from Zexion, "Thanks man."
"Hm." Zexion held out a manila envelope, "Here's the research." Axel accepted the file, and practically inhaled the coffee. "Donuts in the kitchen, feel free to use the shower if you want."
Less than half an hour later Axel was getting ready to head out. He reloaded the Eagle, fetched a couple more clips from his duffel bag, then shoved the envelope with the research into a pocket. "All right, man, I'll be seeing ya."
Zexion didn't even turn to look at him, but just before the door closed he thought he heard a quiet, "Good luck."
Twilight Street, and the Twilight Street Train Station were located in a historic part of the city. This meant, unfortunately, that no public transport ran through there except for the tourist trolleys. For Axel that meant taking either the bus or the subway as far as he could, or calling a cab. He ended up settling on the bus, since he didn't have much on him in the way of money. While he may be breaking a ton of laws, he really didn't trust to hijacking a cab. He had a feeling he'd end up with his own gun shoved where the sun didn't shine.
A short bus ride later and Axel was stepping off at the station nearest Twilight street. It was only around ten by then so he figured he'd be safe if he walked over there rather than rushing. It wasn't like he was paranoid or anything, really. Of course, he trusted them to uphold their side of the bargain. Axel snorted loudly, and rolled his eyes theatrically, causing a few passing pedestrians to give him odd looks.
He took the time to wander among the crowds as they wove through the old area, with its quaint orange-red brick fronts, and brightly painted wood work and flower shops, and bakeries filled the air with a pleasant aroma. It was as he was strolling down Castle Boulevard that he became aware of the fact that someone was watching him: The skin prickling feeling of having eyes on him from somewhere was enough to drive him insane.
Stopping to examine the front display of a squat little toy shop he discreetly glanced around. He couldn't pin point anyone, and after a moment to two of looking he just moved on. He wouldn't be at all surprised if they had someone watching to see when he approached. They had said something about watching him after all, but he hadn't noticed anything before now...
As Axel passed by a narrow alleyway he heard a short 'psst.' Stopping mid step, he cocked his head and listened. It came again and he looked curiously toward the alley. A blond guy around his age, with what looked like some crazy mohawk/mullet combination waved insistently at him.
"Look, buddy, I'm busy so if you could go bug someone else, that would be great." Axel said flatly, and turned to continue on his way.
The sound of foot steps heralded the weirdo catching up to him, "Hey! You're name's Axel, right? Look I need to talk to you, it's about Roxas."
Axel froze up, and immediately spun around grabbing hold of the guy's shirt front and hauling him in, and up, until they were almost nose to nose, "What the hell do you know about that?"
The guy waved his hands in a pacifying gesture and smiled nervously, "Look I'm s-sorry, but..."
Axel suddenly swore and shoved the blond man away from him roughly, "You're that guy! The one with the notebook, what the fuck do you want?!"
"My name's Demyx, please, just calm down!"
"Calm down?! Why the fuck should I calm down? You're one of those bastards who took Roxas! I think I'm entitled to getting a little hot under the fucking collar!" Axel realized he was causing a bit of a scene, but he really couldn't seem to care. Instead there was a burning flame of rage tickling at the underside of his ribcage as he advanced on the blond man.
Demyx backed away from Axel, looking at the raging man like he was a tiger who'd gotten loose from the city zoo. Lifting his hands he turned his head to the side, hunching his shoulders and shielding his face, "Look! I just came to warn you about the drop off!"
Axel paused, and finally became aware of the gathering a crowd. He shot the staring people a dark glare, grabbed Demyx by the scruff of his jacket and dragged him back down the alley he'd emerged from. Here it was cooler, out of the direct glow of the morning sunshine where they were surrounded by a half sort of gloom, accented with mellow gold light. Trash littered the ground around their feet, and Axel thought he saw a late rat or two creeping down their holes. He ignored it all in favor of his own personal rat and turned on Demyx as soon as they were well out of sight of the gawkers.
"Why the hell should I believe a word you say?"
Demyx uncovered his face and eyed him the way a man would look at a bomb that had burnt out its fuse, but hadn't gone off, "You probably shouldn't but I don't want to be part of this mess, okay?!" He ran a hand through his hair, looking up at Axel a little desperately. "I never expected this kind of thing to happen. I'll admit that I was the one who lead you to the meeting with them the other night... But..." Demyx' shoulders slumped and he looked away, shuffling his feet anxiously. "I'm just a musician, I don't want to be part of this. I've been talking to Roxas, and he's really nice... I saw you that night, and saw what you're willing to do for your friend... This is all just so wrong, so messed up. I'm sorry, I really am... I just want out..."
Axel stared at Demyx for a long time following the outpouring of words and shook his head, "Christ... Just like a guy like you to get messed up in a shitty deal."
Demyx smiled crookedly and shrugged one shoulder. That was probably an insult, but he let it slide without comment.
Axel ran a hand over his face, feeling suddenly tired and worn down. This whole thing just kept getting more and more complicated, "Look if I gave you an address could you find it?" He silently hoped that Zexion wouldn't kill him for sending this idiot to him.
"Uh, sure... I'm not as much of an idiot as most people seem to think I am. I have lived here pretty much my whole life." Demyx grumbled, sounding put out. Axel simply wondered if he could read minds.
Instead he simply railed off Zexion's address, and room number, "Got it memorized?" he added, almost as an afterthought.
"Yessir."
Nodding Axel turned to head back out of the alley out, "Now if you'll excuse me?"
"Oh!" Demyx yelped. "That's right! I came to warn you that the drop off is a trap. They plan to kill you, and take the research. One of the guys, he's a sharpshooter. The moment you step into the Plaza..."
"Son of a bitch!" Axel snarled, and started readily contemplating beating his head against the nearby wall. That angry fire licked up his ribs again. It was true he had been expecting them to pull something, but not this!
"Uh, Axel?" Demyx asked timidly taking a step toward him, hand outstretched.
"I'll kill those bastards!" He snarled slashing his hand through the air. Axel didn't even notice the small plume of flame that licked off his hand to dissipate in the air. He didn't even seem to notice that Demyx was still there, and instead took off at a full out run down the alley.
Demyx watched him go with a worried expression, then sighed. He hadn't even gotten to pass on Roxas' message. Remembering the address Axel had given him he shuffled off, pausing only once to glance back over his shoulder in the direction Axel had gone, before he to took off at a run. Maybe if he waited there, Axel would come back and he could tell him then.
Axel ran full tilt down the road, shoving tourists out of his way when the crowds got too thick. He wasn't really sure what he was going to do when he got there, but he'd be damned if he didn't beat those idiots into the ground. He was sick and tired of this shit. They'd made the initial betrayal of their agreement, and he'd be the one to make the ending move if it was the last thing he did. He could see the turn off onto Twilight Street when the sharp retort of bullets being fired sounded. He jumped forward, and rolled on the ground out of pure instinct, only to have to jump backwards again immediately as a figure stepped out of a nearby doorway. Long silver hair fluttered out behind the man, who was drawing an ungodly long katana-style blade even as he stepped in front of him.
"Sephiroth!" Axel yelped, stumbling back another pace. Oh hell.