AUBADE OF DREAMS

by animeXIII

Reincarnation, rebirth. A second chance. Unless you remember your past life and no one else does. Then things start to get complicated. What happened in the next life? Finding each other might not be so hard. But will having a heart be the problem?

14. Dream XIII

Chapter XIII

…

Darkness was all he was meet with as he faded into unconsciousness.

"You'll forget me, but the memories themselves will never go away. Memories of you and me will always be together... forever, inside him" a girl's voice said within the darkness. It faded and so did he.

Tchhhhh-STATIC-shhhhhhhhhh

There was nothing.

…

"You really have to stop doing this"

"Aw and here I thought you loved my visits"

"If it was visits I might, but you not visiting your harassing"

"That hurts Roxy. Really hurts. I come all the way here to see you and say such mean things"

"Yes I'm just horrible... Axel stop that!" the blonde snapped at the man who was acting as if someone had ripped his heart out. He did as told for once and stopped looking at the blonde with one of his smirks.

"Really Rox you need to relax"

"I'm at work and your standing outside the window refusing to leave. What about that should I relax about?"

"I'm here that's why" Roxas rolled his eyes.

"Yeah well if I loss my job because someone says I'm slacking off to the boss then you'll be to blame"

"You think so?" Axel asked leaning forward on crossed arms.

"Yeah I do" the blonde said coldly.

"Roxy" Axel sighed in a pout.

"Would you at least order something?"

"I can, two please" Roxas took the Axel's munny before turning to get the ice cream.

"Here" Roxas handed him one of the two keeping the second.

"I believe I bought two" the man stated.

"And I believe I'm taking one"

"Have you no shame?" Axel stated dramatically with a hurt look. "Stealing a man's ice cream"

"Not only that, I plan to eat it" Roxas responded with his own devilish smirk before opening the treat. Axel false hurt look fade and he smirked mischievously.

"Now you're getting the idea" the man said starting on his own ice cream.

"Oh I've had the idea Axel. I just don't like encouraging you when I'm at work. But I now see you're hopeless and give in" Roxas teased failing to hold back a smile. Axel laughed pushing away from the window.

"Well my mission has been accomplished"

"What mission would that be?"

"Getting my stressed, cranky and over worked friend to smile" Roxas stared at him. "See you at the committee Rox" the man waved as he left.

"Idiot" Roxas huffed and went on with his day.

It was late July now; the summer heat was full force. 'Crown Ice' was busy and Roxas was getting more then enough hours. Between Cid's and Scrooge's, Roxas was working 8:00am to 8:00pm, with only the two breaks during work and the run to get to the other to himself. At night he would either help Tifa or Leon. The committee was going strong. The groups set up before working together at night. Everyone had their own skills. Demyx and Riku where doing well and went out every Tuesday and Thursday. Axel and Roxas went out every Sunday and Friday. Sora and Zexion went out Mondays and Wednesdays. Leon took Saturday.

Zexion was the only one not to figure out magic yet. Though his knowledge made up for it and his secret skill that Demyx didn't even know about, he was good with a gun. He was just as good as Leon, which is rather scary being as Leon's a cop.

They'd found out when Sora had come back nearly pale as a ghost and everyone asked what wrong he merely stated Zexion had shot at him. Zexion defended that he hadn't and he knew what he was doing when he shot at the Heartless behind the boy's head. Everyone froze when the man pulled out a semi-automatic pistol. Roxas didn't know anything about guns but Riku seemed to and stared at the man asking him a few questions. Apparently Leon was the one to get him into guns. He'd made Riku and Zexion both take safety classes for them, but it seems only Zexion keep the interest. Roxas mind wondered to the saying 'it's always the quite one' and mentally made a note not to piss the man off.

Demyx and Axel where doing well with their elements. Demyx was a self-proclaimed master of water. Axel was slightly more modest, very slightly, stating he'd been doing it his whole life so why wouldn't he be good at it. Demyx other magic skills hadn't changed much but he could heal small cuts. But the blonde hadn't been working on magic much only the water so it didn't really shock anyone. Roxas himself didn't really get it, Zexion had been the best magic user in their past life, he wish he knew what was holding him back now.

The last Monday of the month and Zexion wasn't able to do his shift throwing things off a bit. Everyone made up for it thought, thanks to Zexion himself who'd come up with a plan just incase someone couldn't do a shift. This left Sora and Riku to go out the first few hours of the day and then Roxas to go out after them, for whatever reason he felt the boy could handle it. That left Axel and Demyx to finish up. They did just that as they setout from Leon's house. Everyone planning to crash there that night for the hours of sleep they'd be getting.

Sora and Riku returned three hours after leaving and Roxas took their place. The blonde patrolled for the next three hours and returned to Leon's letting Axel and Demyx to do the next run. Everything ran smoothly and the next day all they had to deal with was a few hours of missed sleep.

The next night Roxas and Demyx went out. Normally Riku would be with the musician but he'd switched. So Friday Riku had to go out with Axel and that night if was the two blondes. Their patrolled like they had for the last few weeks and it began to become second nature to Roxas at that point, really their wasn't much different between having Demyx with you or Axel. The music lover would talk to fill the time as they took out any Heartless that crossed their path, if any did.

"So Zexy isn't going to back until Saturday" the musician stated sadly. "I really miss him, if I'd known he'd be gone forever I would have gone too"

"But Dem if you'd had I wouldn't have had anyone to talk to" Roxas stated hoping it'd cheer the other up. It did just that as Demyx took the simple comment as if it was a blessing from the all holy.

"I love you too Rox" he stated giving the blonde a big huge.

"Yeah now please stop crushing my spine Dem. I need it" the other giggled and pulled away.

The blonde began another conversation this time about music; Blues verses Classical. Needless to say in the end the musician stated that he loved both and didn't see how people could love both. The whole conversation Roxas hadn't needed to say a word.

"Demyx have you figured out how to summon your weapon yet?" Roxas asked when Demyx began getting sad about Zexion again.

"What?" he asked perking up. "I can do what Axel does" Roxas smiled and shook his head.

"I thought I told you that you could"

"Really?" he asks excitedly "What is it? It is like Axel's throwy things or is it something really cool like your sword thingies?"

"No" Roxas smiled "You summon a Sitar"

"That is so great!" Demyx screamed happily, "What's it look like? Does it play well?"

"It's blue and I'm not sure about the rest" Demyx eyes gleamed. He opened his mouth and spoke quickly. Roxas listen at first but nearly halfway through the others sentence he stopped dead. Demyx took a few steps before realizing the other wasn't with him and looked back.

"Roxas?" the other blonde didn't reply as the familiar chill ran down his spine. Roxas spun around quickly and saw nothing but the feeling stayed. He stepped back and got close to Demyx as his eyes searched wildly. Again nothing. Roxas still had the feeling when he turned back to Demyx but hoped he was just imagining things.

"Sorry I just thou-"

"Roxas!" the other cried and the blonde turned sharply to see two Neoshadow and a hand full of Shadows coming from out of nowhere. Roxas summoned 'Aubade' and 'Bond of Flame'. Running forward Roxas cut down the Neoshadows first leaving the Shadows. Demyx pulled out his water that he carried with him and used it like a whip to cut down the small Heartless. Only one left Roxas un-summoned 'Aubade' and cut the Shadow down easily with his fire blade.

"Dem you okay?" the other nodded.

"Are you?"

"Yeah I'm fine" Roxas ensured walking back to Demyx. Both were fine and turned to head back to Leon's, their time almost up. Neither saw the dark figure watching from the roofs above them or heard the lifeless laugh that came from it.

…

Roxas was exhausted the next day as he dragged himself to 'Crown Ice'. He'd managed to get off work with Cid but he hadn't been so lucky with Scrooge. He worked to closing, four hours, so it wasn't much but Roxas didn't do well with two nights of not much sleep. Not only that, he had to do it again that night. Sighing as he took his place behind the counter he did his best to smile and not show how crappy he really felt. He cursed Zexion for being away in London for summer seminar. The blonde kept reminding himself it was only for a week and today was the last day. The rest of the week was lovely sleep filled nights.

8:00pm came around and Roxas was free. He didn't even bother to change out of his uniform as he went back home. Kicking his skateboard into his hand Roxas entered the bar only to run up the stairs and to his room. Quickly pealing off the clothes he hadn't before he got ready for his short shift he would be doing that night. Fighting the temptation of laying down for a minute, Roxas figured it was best just to leave. Keychains in hand the blonde made it down the stairs to meet Cloud, nearly running him over in his rush.

"Sorry" Roxas let out the word without even trying as he stopped sharply, only inches away from running into his brother.

"It fine" Cloud ensured stepping aside. Roxas flashed him a smiled and ran past him. Cloud shook his head and mutter under his breath about kids as he went on his way.

"Roxas" Tifa called and the blonde turned to her.

"Yes?"

"Your going to Leon's again tonight?"

"Yeah only for a few hours though. Nothing to worry about" he ensured.

Tifa was worried, she always was on the nights the he and the others would go. Roxas figured it was a mother's job to worry, but wished it wasn't. He loved Tifa; she was like a mom to him at time, a big sister in others. The last thing he wanted her doing was fussing over him.

"Come here" she ordered and the blonde did as told walking over. Moving behind the bar he stood in front of the woman looking down at her. She looked back her eyes softening and a sighed escaped her. Roxas didn't fight as she pulled him into a hug. He hugged back waiting for her to pull away. Tifa did after a long moment looking up at him again once she did. He knew the look in her eye and smiled at her.

"I'll be fine" he ensure again.

"I know" she confessed, "I just worry anyway"

"Just don't worry to much its not good for you or us. You know the saying 'Happy wife, happy home' or however that saying goes" the blonde stated and Tifa smiled and let out a small laugh. She leaned forward and gave Roxas a kiss on the cheek before turning back to her work. Roxas new he was free to go. Tifa having her mother moment with him and satisfied.

Roxas stayed at the bar for an hour before leaving. He waved to Tifa as he went giving her a reassuring smile when he saw the glimmer of worry in her warm brown eyes. Cloud came down the stairs just as Roxas left and moved over to his wife as the bar began to fill with customers.

"What is it Tifa?" the man asked seeing the odd look the woman had. She turned to Cloud worriedly.

"I'm just worried about Roxas and Sora. Their going out again tonight"

"Tifa, Leon won't let anything happen to the boys" she nodded with a sigh.

"I know but…"

"But?" the man asked she looked down.

"I guess you could say it's a mother's instinct" she stated.

"And what is it telling you?" the man asked softly.

"Something's wrong" she stated frightened. Cloud hugged his wife not sure what to do to make her comforted.

"They'll be okay" he assured. But in the back of his mind, Cloud was worried, not once had his wife's worry ever been misplaced when it came to her instinct. Tifa silently felt the same.

…

Roxas road through the streets on his old board. He got to Leon's early, being the first one their. Riku was next with Sora, and then Demyx and Axel showed up. Riku and Sora left shortly after arriving. Roxas took a nap while waiting and Demyx and Axel sat at the table playing a few rounds of 'War'. Demyx threw his cards down quickly and Axel swiftly did the same while grabbing his wins or pushing Demyx's his.

Roxas wake after a two hour nap and left the couch to find the two still at it in the kitchen. Though 'War' had been forfeited and 'Uno' had taken its place and Rinoa had joined them. The blonde watched as they played. Rinoa called out uno and shortly after won the game. The blonde joined them in the next round. Axel had won the next and before they could start another Riku and Sora got back.

"Your turn Rox" Sora said happily.

"It boring tonight" Riku stated flatly getting a glass of water. "Not a single Heartless"

"Isn't that a good thing?" Demyx pointed out as he shuffled.

"Just makes me feel like I wasted my time"

"Riku, don't be like that" Rinoa said firmly, "Your not going out to fight"

"I know Mom" Riku ensured as he drank his water quickly.

"Well I'll be off" Roxas said stepping away from the table "See you in three hours"

Roxas went off. He didn't like going alone, it was rather boring really. But he kept his sanity thanks to his ear buds and his music player in his pocket. He didn't need to listen for the Heartless he always felt them before he'd see or hear them.

His eye rose to the sky that was clear and full of stars. The moon's light dime as it was only a sliver. Roxas stood in a t-shirt and jeans, the air around him warm in the summer night. It was perfect and Roxas didn't really mind as the time past and he didn't find any Heartless. The peace of the night was welcomed to the blonde unlike it had been to Riku. Two hours pasted like that and Roxas began to make his way back to Leon's. He liked the night but he liked sleep a lot more.

Walking down the street Roxas knew things where to good to be turn as he turned onto the next street. Shadows standing the greet him. The blonde sighed and called 'Bond of Flame' to his hand, for once it wasn't 'Aubade'. He took down the small fries without any trouble or time.

"So much for no Heartless tonight" Roxas muttered as he felt more forming behind him. He turned and cursed.

What now stood before him was two Novashadows. Novashadows are nearly identical to Neoshadows, though they have different colors and four claws instead of five. Its body is mostly a dark brown color and is also lined by several faint, red veins of color. Instead of a Neoshadows which are black and blue. The only other difference was they were two times bigger and harder to kill. Music playing in his ears; 'Live for Today by 3 Doors Down' changed to 'Bring Me to Life by Evanescence' as Roxas rushed forward.

He dodged and weaved between the two as they attacked. Their speed being the only thing Roxas was having trouble with. Being thrown back by a large clawed hand, Roxas recovered quickly and jumped to his feet. He threw an aero spell at one cutting it down at the same moment. Now one against one Roxas didn't have a problem. Fifteen minutes later the blonde found himself standing with only a few bruises and a small scratch on his leg. He shrugged it off and left it for Axel or Sora to heal when he got back to Leon's.

Again on the next street he ran into more Heartless. This time a Novashadow and two Neoshadows and a few stray Shadows he had to fight. Working his way through them this time his rage did him some good. He cut them down swiftly and found himself having no trouble taking the enemies down. Finishing he check the time to see he was over his three hours and was supposed to be back by now.

"Damn" Roxas panted. "Leon's going to kill me" the blonde ran forward knowing he was late getting back. Axel and Demyx probably had left at this point and he was going to get an ear full from them about it.

He turned onto Red Street now only a few blocks from Leon's. Pushing to move faster Roxas nearly ran into the Heartless that appeared before him. It was a Neoshadow and Roxas was glad he still had his Keyblade in hand. He blocked the black clawed hand that struck out at him just in time to counter. In minutes the monster was gone and Roxas turned back to the direction Leon's house was in. Pausing mid step when he felt a dark presences behind him, it was the same feeling he'd been feeling for months. But this time unlike the rest it was followed by a voice.

"Having fun?" a whisper came from behind.

Roxas turned to see a boy standing before him, barely a foot away. Eyes widened at the sight of spiky hair that looked almost identical to Sora's; other then instead of brown, it was black. He wore a blank black mask that covered his whole face. There were no openings in it, the eye wholes covered in black glass. Roxas stared at the other that stood before him. A hollow chuckle came from behind the empty mask before Roxas felt a pain in his chest. 'Bond of Flame' fell from his hand as he gasped. The masked figure leaned forward.

"I've been waiting for this" the voice whispered into the blonde's ear. "Welcome to my side" Roxas eyes shot to the side just in time to feel his heart to freeze in his chest and fall back. The last thing Roxas saw was the other giving a faint wave with his gloved hand before everything went black.

…

Sora was worried. It had now been nearly four hours passed the set time and Roxas was still not back. Riku and Leon where starting to grow worried as well, Axel and Demyx would be back from their rounds soon. Pacing outside Sora only felt himself grow more anxious.

"Hey!" Demyx called running over with a smile. His smile faded when they all turned to him.

"Roxas still isn't back?" Axel asked coming up beside the blonde. Sora shook his head worriedly.

"No" Sora bit his lip, chewing it nervously. Axel brow frowned and turned to Leon.

"I'll go look" the redhead stated.

"I'm going to" Riku agreed.

"Me to" Sora shot, Riku turned back to the brunette.

"No Sora"

"What?"

"You're too worked up" the silver haired man stated. "If something did happen to Roxas, it will only upset you more. You'd be distracted the whole time. Ending up getting hurt"

"Riku's right" Leon added, "You and Demyx stay here. We'll send you if Axel and Riku don't report back in an hour" the man said eyes not moving from the brunette.

"Fine" Sora huffed in defeat, giving in under Leon's gaze. "Just fine Roxas okay" Riku smirked.

"Don't worry. Knowing him he's just playing hero" Sora smiled.

"Sounds like him" he agreed optimistically.

"We'll be dragging him back in no time" Axel ensured behind Riku. "Then we all can kick his butt for making us worry"

"Yeah!" Demyx agreed, "Then we can eat ice cream in front of him as punishment"

"Oh now that's just mean" Axel smirked, "I like it" Demyx smiled widely.

"I do what I can" he stated smugly.

Riku and Axel laughed as they went on their way.

…

Darkness. Emptiness. Oblivion. Roxas found himself in the nothingness. He felt nothing other then the weightless void of his being. Mind wandering to where he was, only to come up with nothing. Eyes closed and mind racing, Roxas did his best to remember where or who he was. He didn't feel like the person he'd been a moment ago; even if he wasn't sure what he was a moment ago. All he knew was something was wrong. Wrong, only because with all this happening he was still calm. Or was what he was feeling something else? Was he feeling at all? Shouldn't someone that didn't know where they where be scared? Worried? Sad even…? But no, Roxas felt nothing. He couldn't even bring himself to feel anything. He vaguely remembered feeling those things once… So what changed it now?

It was then sky blue eyes snapped open, his mind filling with the sight of the boy in the mask. Jerking upwards only to find himself in a pool of gray. Spinning around, he found nothing; the dusk around him seemingly going on forever, in every direction. His mind again filled with questions but no emotions. Instead of being scared like he knew he ought to be. All thoughts stopped when he remember Sora, soon followed by Axel, Riku and the others. He'd almost forgotten them. They were in danger, fighting the Heartless. The blonde closed his eyes thinking only of them. Nothing else mattered, other then getting back to them. He'd figure out the rest later.

Without even knowing it, Roxas had began to cut through the dusk with a light that now shined from his body. By the time the blonde realized he was even doing anything and opened his eyes, he was blinded. The next thing he knew he found himself falling. Landing with a loud thud, Roxas waited for the pain, only to find none. Blinking his eyes open, Roxas waited for the spots to fade from his vision. Pushing himself up he found himself in the middle of Red Street; name given to the street do to the red bricks it was made from. Rubbing the back of his head as he stood, his eyes slowly paused on his now raised arm. Lowering his hand from his head his eyes widened at the sight.

Skin was black. It stopped in the middle of his hand, leaving his knuckles and fingers abnormal pale skin. Eyes darted to the down to the rest of his body. His chest and shoulder were covered in something that looked like to be red muscle tissue like armor; the same around his hips. His abdomen was covered in a second skin of gray clothe. His legs like his arms were black and his feet were bare, black like the rest of him. Stumbling back, Roxas fell back onto the ground as he stared down at his hands. Though they were a normal skin tone, even if pale, his fingers no longer had nails. Now the blonde looked down at claw like tips.

Unknown the blonde, the black skin also covered his neck, stopping at his jaw. Only to turn to the abnormal pale skin that also covered his hands. His hair, in the same style; but now raven black, instead of sunshine blonde. His sky blue eyes the only think that stayed the same.

Looking down at now shaking hands the blonde realized something he wished he hadn't. Though his minded race, he wasn't panicking. Now knowing why as he held back a breath; his heart wasn't beating. Clawed hands shot to his now black hair, eyes shut tight, and he did the only thing that he could think of. He screamed.

A bitter laugh muting the cry shortly after it started. Roxas head shot to the side to find the source of the voice. Blue eyes narrowed at the sight of the masked boy from before. He sat atop a street light across the way. Legs crossed and his hand holding his stomach. He was dressed in all black, head to toe. Black fitted leather, double button up jacket. Black turtle neck. Black straight legged jeans. Black combat boots. And black leather gloves. Roxas couldn't see an inch of skin.

"Oh go on" he laughed, "I find it amusing"

"Do you know what you've done!" Roxas cried jumping to his feet. "You… I'm a monster" Roxas looked down at his hands. All amusement faded from the other.

"Now that's not fun" he snapped, jumping form his place on the street lamp he'd been sitting on. "Do you want your heart back already? Hasn't even been a day" he teased dryly. Roxas head shot up to glare at the other coldly.

"Don't toy with me" Roxas spat, suddenly feeling anger raise within him.

"Oh? Toy with what?" the black spiked haired boy asked raising a hand calling a light to it. "This?" Roxas felt his heart jump at the sight of the light. It was just that, his heart.

"How…"

"I'll make a little deal with you" the boy spoke walking forward and Roxas had no doubt he was smirking behind his mask. "You get me my heart back and I'll give you yours"

"Your heart…" Roxas jumped away from the other as he took a step closer to him.

"Oh I thought we were friends" the boy faked a hurt tone.

"Last time you got close to me I got turned into a Nobody. I think I'll pass on getting turned into a Dusk" Roxas hissed.

"I didn't turn you into a Nobody" he stated his head falling to the side. "You think that little of what we are?"

"We?"

"Yes" the boy shot, sounding happy as he closed his hand around Roxas heart. "We. You and I" his hand closed completely around the light making it vanish. "We're neither Heartless or Nobodies. Yet we're both. You see you and I both lost our hearts" his tone a mocking sadness. "But not to darkness" Roxas eyes narrowed.

"Explain" the other shrugged.

"Someone took my heart just like I took yours" he stated, "And like you; I want it back"

"…" Roxas stayed silent but didn't take his eyes off the boy.

"Don't believe me? Your lose" he shrugged, turning away. "But you can't deny you're just an empty shell. An empty shell that will strive to have a heart" he looked over his shoulder. "And just like the Heartless you'll start looking. If you want to or not" he said crudely. Roxas clenched his fist.

"I'm not hurting anyone. Not for you or myself" Roxas ensured.

"Oh?" he turned back to him. "I'd like to see you say that after a month" he chuckled as he walked backward. "I'll give you a hint. Think of it as a present. One friend to another; Heartless are useful when you get a craving" without letting Roxas have a chance to say a word, the masked boy called a whole of darkness "Don't go getting yourself killed again now" he gave a faint waved before vanishing.

…

Axel and Riku ran through the streets, checking the area Roxas should be. Riku paused a few blocks away from the house making Axel stop and look back.

"Riku?" Axel called impatiently.

"Darkness" he turned to his left, "Something this way" he darted off to the side. Axel called after him as he ran after his friend.

Riku ran down the back street cutting into an off street. Axel quick on his heels as he came onto Red Street; both man paused seeing a man standing several feet away. His back was to them and his hair was jet black, it spiked up messily. His shoulder and upper back where red his arms and legs black; looking him over there was something off about him. Riku called 'Way to Dawn' to his hand. Axel looked over at his friend oddly before following his lead calling his own weapons.

"Who are you? Where did the darkness go?" Riku questioned the stranger no longer feeling the darkness that called him there. The others head turned slightly, as if to look over his shoulder, but stopped halfway.

On the other side of the street, unknown to Riku and Axel, Roxas stood. The supposed stranger was what was left of their friend. Roxas dropped his head, looking down at his shaking hands. He knew what Riku and Axel would do. The question was would he fight, run or let them do their job. Hearing the masked boy's words in his head, Roxas knew what he had to do. If he still had his heart it would have sunk, but Roxas no longer possessed it. Which was why he knew was the right choice to make. Taking a deep breath, Roxas closed his hands into a fist, summoning all the darkness he could.

The air chilled; Riku and Axel felt their hearts race as the darkness rushed to the one before them. They watched as the dark skin that once only covered his limbs spread, the black covering his whole body. The once red and gray vanishing as the darkness took him. His body nothing more then a shadow of a blank body; the only figures seen were his clawed hands and his main like violet-black hair that now framed his face. Though they couldn't see its face; it was as if a Neoshadow had taken human form, but with hair and no antenna.

Riku didn't waste a moment and rushed forward, Axel doing the same aiming his Chakrams at the odd Heartless. Roxas heard Riku coming and could sense the Chakrams rushing through the air. He stood there, in place his eyes closed and waited.

Both Riku and Axel didn't understand what was happening. Both suspected a surprise attack from more Heartless in any moment. What they weren't expecting was for the Heartless to stand there as the Chakrams cut through him or as Riku blade swung into its side. The black figure was thrown to the side, skidding on the ground. Leaving a trail of black behind him, like blood.

Taking a moment to gather himself, Roxas weakly pushed himself upward. The hole in his chest from Axel's Chakram slowly fused back together. Riku's attack to his side did nothing more then throwing him to the ground. Roxas couldn't help but laugh dryly at the irony of it all. Look as if he wasn't an easy monster to kill, too bad he hadn't been harder to kill when he was human then he wouldn't be in this mess.

Riku watched closely as the beast pushed himself up and began to laugh. Neither man could understand what was so funny. It stood its back again to them, looking it over it looked as if they'd never attacked it. Riku cursed, figuring that was why it was laughing. He didn't know how wrong he really was. Axel didn't both with it, only threw his weapons yet again. To Axel he didn't have time for this, he wanted to find Roxas. Just like Riku he didn't realize he was very wrong.

The Keyblade wielder and the Chakram wielder couldn't understand the enemy they we're fighting. They'd been fighting for nearly twenty minutes and the thing hadn't done anything other then stand to take their attacks. It was almost as if it wanted to die. That or it was mocking them. Riku getting to the end of his rope; he too wanted to find Roxas; so he rushed forward. If the Heartless wanted to die, he'd give it what it wanted. Attacking the black creature Riku threw it to the ground after a combo of attacks. It fell back, landing on its back.

Roxas landed and he caught himself as he landed hard. He was glad that he'd never pissed Riku off or he'd been dead years ago. He sat up his head down with Riku before him, waiting for him to finish. Riku stood looking down at the other. It sat head hung seemingly waiting. Riku didn't drop his guard as he stood, but he did lower his Keyblade to his side.

"What are you?" Riku asked no one, looking the thing over. He didn't see any Heartless mark or a heart-shaped whole. It didn't look up but much to his surprise it did answer.

"Kill me" its voice was weak and sounded as if it had white noise playing along with his voice. Riku's eyes narrowed looking down at it.

"Never heard of a Heartless talking" Riku stated, "Are you a Nobody?"

"Does it matter?" the voice cracked, "Kill me" Riku snorted.

"Fine have it your way" Riku moved forward swiftly and the strange creature raised its head. 'Way to Dawn' came to its chest as Riku got sight of its face for the first time. Its face was human. Despite having black skin; it had everything a person would, though it eyes were closed. This didn't stop Riku's attack. The blade slipped through its chest easily. Riku stood about to lift his blade up and cut the thing in half when its eyes slowly opened. Eyes opened, Riku found not gold staring back at him like other Heartless. No black lids reveal neon blue eyes glowing back at him. Riku heart stopped.

He stumbling as he took a step back, blade slowly slipping out of the black chest. A black clawed hand came up to stop it form leaving completely. Leaning forward, pushing it back into his chest.

"Stop it!" Riku snapped making the blade vanish as he stared down at was sat before him. Axel watching for a distances didn't understand what made Riku suddenly back away from the Heartless. He came up behind the other impatiently.

"Riku hurry up and kill the thing. We have to find Roxas"

"I can't…" Riku could take his eyes off of the one before him.

"Fine I'll do it" Axel stated raising his weapon as he came closer. His words made Riku snap.

"No!" Riku shot turning and holding the other back. "Don't!"

"What the hell's gotten into you?"

"You can't kill him" Riku stated, holding Axel. Axel looked down feeling Riku's arms shake as they held him.

"Kill me" Axel froze; he'd not heard the voice before when it spoke. Hearing now made him turn. He looked down at the human like Heartless that sat his head again down.

"Did it just…?"

"Don't listen to it" Riku snapped, "Leave it"

"What? Did it attack you?"

"Damn it Axel don't touch him"

"Why wont you kill me?" both turned to the one that spoke. "I don't have a heart" Riku paled hearing those words and Axel moved out of Riku's grip while he was distracted.

"See the thing wants to be killed and it admits it's not human" Axel pointed out stepping forward.

"Axel don't" Riku pleaded.

"What's up with you?" Axel asked raising his weapon. "We kill Heartless all the time. Heartless a Heartless"

"You can't" Riku protested as Axel went to attack. "It's Roxas!" Riku cried, making the man stop, his Chakram inches from the others chest.

Axel looked back at Riku; his face was filled with concern. Axel's green eyes slowly moved forward looking down at the dark form. He could see its face, it looked human. But Axel couldn't understand way Riku would exclaim such a thing.

Roxas realizing Axel confusion took things into his own hands. Taking hold of the Chakram that was still inches from his chest, he pulled it into himself. Axel and Riku eyes widened as the round weapon was plunged into the black chest. Roxas's breathing changed and he began to pant and take forced deep breaths. Now all Roxas had to do was manage to focus fire through the weapon. Darkness was the only thing that formed around the boy's hand. Roxas let it fade only to try again.

Axel watched as his hand was being forced to move close to cutting the other in two. He watched as the black hand on his called on darkness. The red head thought for sure he was about to be attacked, only to find the darkness to fade. This occurred several times before he heard the one before him mutter under his breath.

"Fire" the unclear voice stated, "Use it" he said to Axel his grip tightening. Axel blinked.

"Honestly I'm shocked I haven't already. But I want to know why Riku would think your Roxas" Axel stated.

"If you don't I'll kill" Axel raised a brow at this.

"Kill me? Doubt it" he stated.

"Not you" the voice jumped and cracked. "I'll starve for a heart" Roxas head lowered farther, his forehead dangerously close to one of the eight spikes around the Chakram. Breathing changed to a wheeze. Roxas wonder who something could need to breathe when it didn't need a hearts. His mind filling with questions, when he knew it should be full of emotions.

"Roxas" Riku stepped forward. "Axel you can't" Axel looked over to the silver haired man.

"What makes you so sure this is Roxas? And if it is, how?"

"Roxas open your eyes" Riku said to the dark form.

"He calls his fire I'll do as you say"

"Why do you what to die?" Riku shot.

"Why don't you want to kill me!" Roxas screamed feeling emotions build in his chest. His eyes shot open and his head shot to the side. Emotions meant his hearts was close. His heart meant the masked boy.

Axel eyes froze when neon blue eyes opened, his hand becoming numb. Riku was right, it was Roxas. He didn't understand how he knew but he did. Luckily Axel didn't need to act, because Roxas did. Black hand pulled the Chakram from his chest and he stood on unstable feet as the hole slowly formed together again.

"Oh were you going to give up already?" a mocking voice asked. Axel and Riku head jumped looking for the voice. Unlike Roxas, they hadn't seen the black masked man standing on the street sign.

"Go away" Roxas ordered standing in front of Riku and Axel.

"Don't want to introduce me to your friends? I'm hurt" he said a gloved hand rising to his heart, or rather where it should be.

"Hurt?" Roxas shot, "You don't have a heart anymore then I do" Roxas's white noise filled voice cracked.

"Oh but I do" he stated darkly. "And my affair still stands my dear little dark one" at this point both Axel and Riku had found where the man stood, watching him just as closely as Roxas was.

"I'm not going to hurt anyone" the masked other waved it off.

"You sound like a broken record, my dear little newbie" he spun on the pole, cheerlessly, like a child. "But come now" he stopped resting on the pole, "I'm family"

"I don't even know your name" the black Roxas spat.

"You never asked" the other stated innocently. "You tell me yours and I'll tell you mine"

"You know mine"

"Do I?" he asked, "I don't recall knowing it" Roxas remained silent. "Oh that's right, your little friends are here" he mocked. "Don't want them knowing you don't have a heart? Seems their going to kill you either way. It is their job after all"

Roxas couldn't take it at that point. His emotions however faint, building in him. He lunged forward at the masked boy. The boy fell back off the sign, landing gracefully on the ground below. Roxas looked down from the spot the other once stood. The masked face rose looking up at the dark form.

"You know it took me years to get used to my antiform. I have to say you are something else" he stated almost happily. Roxas jumped down and the boy took a step back to avoid him.

"Was that supposed to be a complement?"

"Why of course" Roxas could imagine the smirk behind the mask. And he wanted nothing more then to rip it from his face.

"Roxas" Roxas informed; the masked face fell to the side.

"So you're playing along? What fun" he stated hands claming together, before he rushed forward. Within a blink of an eye he was right in front of Roxas and whispering in his ear. "You can call me Van, since we're friends and all" he chuckled as he pulled away. Roxas grabbed out at him only to find him disappearing back into darkness.

Roxas stood hand starched out as the boy vanished. He felt all emotions fade and knew he was gone; if only for the moment. At this point Axel and Riku could no longer deny that what stood before them was just any Heartless, even if it wasn't Roxas.

"Roxas" Riku called, part hoping the dark figure didn't turn to him. But it did. Slowly it faced them, neon blue glow falling on them. Axel too hoped it wasn't true. But as the darkness faded and the black skin again moved back to only his limbs; his face blank and his hair black, no one could deny it was Roxas. Empty, no longer glowing, blue eyes stared at them.

"You should of killed me" he stated unemotionally, his voice no longer holding the odd noise that it held before. Its sounded like the Roxas they called friend.

"Roxas" Axel said wordlessly walking forward. Soulless blue eyes moved to lively green.

"I don't have a heart. Why didn't you kill me? What if I hurt someone? What if I hurt you?" he spoke his voice void of all emotions and life. Axel stood, now arm length away; lanky hands rising to Roxas's shoulders. Roxas body lacked any heat and was cold to the touch.

"What happened? You were only supposed to…" Axel trailed off his hands falling from the others shoulder down this his forearm, where the odd red tissue changed to black skin.

"He took it" Roxas stated, Axel looked back questionably.

"Your heart?" Riku asked walking up behind Axel. "That guy in the mask took your heart?" Roxas nodded numbly.

"That's why you should kill-"

"Shut up" Axel snapped, "If that guy took your heart then will just get it back" Roxas blinked up at the man.

"Why? I don't get it? We never got others-" Roxas was cut off by Axel hand covering his mouth.

"None of them were my friends" Roxas rose a clawed hand to remove Axel's lanky one from his mouth.

"That's hypocritical" he stated bluntly.

"I don't care" Axel hissed.

"We need to get back" Riku stated looking down at his phone. "Our hours up in four minutes. It'll take at least ten to get back and that's if we run" Axel turned to Riku.

"What about Roxas?" Riku looked to the once blonde, now raven haired teen.

"I don't know. Leon… I don't know what Dad will do"

"He'd kill me" Roxas said flatly, "I should go to him"

"You're not dieing!" Axel snapped. "You not going anywhere but with me" Axel grabbed his chilled hand leading him away.

"Axel" Riku called stopping them. "Give Roxas your jacket. He can't walk around like that" he stated, Axel nodded and pulled off his gray denim jacket that he wore despite it being a warm summer night. Drabbing the jacket over Roxas shoulders before walking again. Roxas held the coat close as he was led.

"Riku does Roxas give off Heartless vibes?" Riku blinked thinking about it.

"Not now" Riku stated.

"Then we'll go back and act like everything's fine" Axel stated. "Roxas will come home with me. Leon won't know what we don't tell him. Sora and Demyx will be too happy to see Roxas to notice anything off… Hopefully" Riku couldn't deny it was a good plan.

"As long as Roxas doesn't talk I think it'll work"

"If I don't talk?"

"Yeah, your voice doesn't exactly sound very lively" Axel added.

"What's wrong with my voice?" Roxas asked emotionlessly.

"Rox you sound bore as hell and empty as a Dem's guitar"

"Oh…" Roxas mind filled with questions again. "I suppose I'm supposed to be feeling something now"

"What do you say that?" Riku asked.

"My mind fills with questions" Roxas looked to Riku. "I remember was I should be doing and that's not it" Riku looked at Roxas sadly.

"What are we going to do about his hair?" Axel asked randomly. "He cant just leave being blonde and come back with it black"

"I dyed it" Roxas tried.

"When you're out killing Heartless? Try again" Axel replied.

"Heartless that with goo?" Riku tired lamely.

"That's…" Axel paused, "That actually is so stupid it might work"

"What about me not having my clothes?" Roxas asked in an empty tone. "I'm just…" he looked down at himself. "I'm not even sure what I'm wearing if it even counts" they all paused looking the blonde over.

Even with Axel's jacket, which was large on the other and hung down to the middle of his thigh, you could see the black that covered his legs to his feet and his neck was also black. His feet bare, Axel wonder if Roxas was technically wearing anything other then other then the odd red and gray around his middle that was hidden by his coat.

"You are kind of naked aren't you" the boy nodded, not seeming to care.

"This isn't going to work" Riku pointed out. "We're already over halfway back and our hours up. Sora and Demyx will find us any minute"

"Then don't hid it" Roxas stated. "Neither are as stupid as your saying. Even if we dyed my hair and got me clothes I still don't think any of them would fall for it" Axel sighed.

"Your right" his grip tightened on Roxas's hand, "But Leon's not killing you"

"No. No he's not" Riku added supportively. "I'm sure Sora and Demyx will back us up on it. If he doesn't come around then we'll just get your heart back without him" Roxas blinked at the two. He may not have had his emotions, but he knew he was happy. Or he would be once he got his heart back, if he did. Either way at that moment Roxas didn't mind the thought of not having his heart. It seemed his friends would stay by him if he did or not.

"Thank you" Roxas said his tone sounding almost happy. Both of his friends stared at him as a small smile came to his face. "I don't want to die now" before either could question the statement two calls where heard. They turned to see Sora and Demyx running their way. Axel stepped protectively before Roxas as Riku stepped forward.

"There you guys are" Demyx smiled pecking around Axel. "Ax, are you hiding Roxas?"

"Point?" Axel asked as Demyx tried to get around him, moving so he couldn't.

"Come on Ax. I got to tell him the torture were going to give him for making us worry"

"No punishing him" Axel said pushing Demyx away. "I'm taking him home"

While Axel kept Demyx busy in the now petty argument they had going. Riku keep Sora's attention, or at least tried. But the brunette wasn't so easily fooled. Unlike Demyx, Sora could feel the odd darkness coming from the one behind the tall red head.

"What's wrong with Roxas?" Sora asked making everyone become silent. Roxas pulled Axel's hand; the man sighed and stepped to the side. Two sets of different blue eyes widened at the sight of Roxas that stood before them.

"Roxas" Demyx gasped.

"We found him at least right" Axel stated, "Now we just-"

"Just what?" Sora snapped. "He's- he's…" tears began to form in eyes. Roxas stepped away from Axel and let go of his hand. Walking over to Sora, who was now crying, Roxas wipped away the others tears.

"I'll be fine Sor" he ensured without emotion. Sora sniffed before hugging the one before him. Sora nearly pulled away when he felt not heart beat or heat. He stopped when Roxas' arms came around him gentle. Heart or not, Roxas still had the ability to calm the brunette. Sora cried on Roxas's shoulder as Roxas rubbed cycles on his back, doing his best to calm him.

Demyx stared, he wasn't as sure as Sora of what was going on. But he knew Roxas wasn't the Roxas that had left Leon's hours before. The blonde knew that Roxas was now either a Heartless or a Nobody. His heart sunk and like Sora he couldn't fight back the tears that where forming in his eyes. Roxas lifted his head to look to Demyx. The blonde was sniffling and doing his best to wipe away tears. Roxas held out the arm that wasn't hold Sora, Demyx didn't was a seconded before taking Roxas's other shoulder. Following Sora example, Demyx cried, leaving Roxas to comfort him.

Axel and Riku watched their hearts sinking. Seeing Sora and Demyx tear only made what was happening so much more real. Roxas stood with both crying on him. Roxas's face never changed, his blank expression stayed as he held his friends. Once the two pulled away, their eyes were red; Sora was composed while Demyx fought back a hiccupped.

"What happened?" Sora asked.

"I lost my heart" Roxas stated rather bluntly.

"We're getting it back" Axel pointed out, "We just have to figure out how"

"I know how" Roxas stated in a monotone voice. "I have to trade"

"Trade?" Demyx asked confusedly.

"The one who took my heart" he explained. "He said he'd trade"

"Rox?" Axel asked confusedly.

"My heart for his. Not that I know where his heart is, but he has mine"

"The freak in the mask?" Roxas nodded to Axel.

"He said that yes"

"Who was he?" Riku asked. The black haired boy shook his head.

"I don't know… He told me to call him Van"

"Van…?" Sora asked confusedly as Roxas looked at him. His empty eyes staring into Sora confused ones. Looking Sora over Roxas mind began to reel. Blinking blankly at the brunette Roxas began to wonder.

"Roxas?" Riku asked, not liking the way the he was staring at Sora.

"Sora have you ever died?" the question took everyone off guard.

"What?"

"Have you ever died?" Roxas repeated, "Example: Like my heart stopping at the college" Sora slowly shook his head. "I see…" Roxas turned away from the brunette walking slowly away from them as he eyes looked up at the sky.

"That was… odd" Demyx stated watching as Roxas wondered.

"Roxas why would you ask something like that?" Riku questioned.

"The boy in the mask" Roxas spoke his eyes watching the sky that was slowly beginning to become filled with light. "Something about him… I don't know"

"I don't get it" Roxas head fell and turned to Sora.

"He reminded me of you"

"How did that freak remind you of Sora?" Riku asked coldly. "He was insane" Roxas slowly turned from Sora to Riku.

"I don't know..." Roxas said idly, "He said he was family"

"Again I point out; he was insane"

"Yes Riku he maybe" Roxas agreed. "But when I have a mind full of questions I can't help but voice some of them… They take place where my emotions should be"

"Isn't being curious an emotion?" Demyx asked.

"I'm not curious. I couldn't careless what the answers are. Their just there"

They stared at Roxas then as he stared blankly in their direction. The Roxas that stood before them, the blank empty shell, was almost alarming; soulless blue eyes making them apprehensive. Roxas seeming to notice turned away from them and hung his head.

"I won't ask any more questions" Roxas promised as he turning his back to them.

"We should get back" Demyx cut in, almost ashamed of himself for feeling uneasy around his friend. Axel nodded walking up to Roxas and grabbing his hand again. Roxas looked up at the man briefly to catch his smile before looking again to the ground. Axel smiled fell when Roxas seemed to only become more withdrawn.

"Come on Rox" Axel gentle said tugging the boy along. "Once we get done with Leon we'll head back to my place and figure out how to get this all fixed" he stated as the others followed behind the two farther back.

"W-w…" Roxas opened his mouth before catching himself and closing it again. Axel stared down at the other.

"What up Roxas?" he merely shook his head. "Not going to work, speak up" Axel gave Roxas a little nudge in the arm as he spoke. The other looked up at him in result.

"I said I wouldn't ask anything, so I can't say anything" Axel paused in thought for a moment.

"Well how about you only ask me questions? Just come to me for stuff and leave the others alone"

"I don't want you to feel negatively around me"

"I won't. Promise"

"… I was going to ask what we were going to do if I don't get my heart"

"We're going to get your heart back"

"But if we don't?" Axel sighed.

"We'll deal with that later then…"

This time it was Axel that was silent; Roxas felt the grip on his hand tighten and didn't dare say another word. As their words faded the others behind them watched. Though they couldn't hear what the two where saying they had an idea with the way Axel reacted.

They returned to Leon's house and all stopped outside hesitantly. No one knew how Leon would react and none of them wanted Roxas to come to any harm. Sora stepped up to the other side of Roxas and took his hand like Axel was on the other side. Riku and Demyx stepped in front as if to be a human shield to whatever Leon would throw at them.

Entering the house Leon and Rinoa came out of the kitchen. Leon's face was blank and Rinoa was full of concern. Neither could see Roxas through the human wall. Riku stepped forward first, they were his parents and he knew them best and had the most likely chance of explaining things to Leon.

"Where Roxas?" the man asked looking at his son.

"Dad we found him" Leon's eyes narrowed hearing Riku not call him by name.

"What happened?" the man's tone changed and those who knew him knew it mean he was worried; to others it wouldn't have been noticed.

"He lost his heart" Riku said bluntly not knowing any other way.

"Don't just blurt it out" Demyx protested sadly.

"It needed to be said Dem" Riku snapped. Leon's whole expression changed but no one could read it. Rinoa gasped and tears formed in her eyes.

"Where's…?" the woman asked but stopped unable to finish.

"What do you plan to do Dad?" Riku asked.

"I plan to call Cloud and Tifa" the man said, this time anyone could catch the sadness in it.

"But we'll get it back" Sora stated, "If we get his heart he'll be fine right?" Leon looked to the boy.

"Sora if Roxas lost his heart he's dead" the man stated and the teen flinched.

"That's not true" Axel snapped heatedly. "We'll get his heart back and he'll be fine"

"Axel" Leon spoke but the other didn't let him go on.

"I don't give a shit what you think" Axel snapped, "Roxas isn't dead until he's gone completely. And for as long as I live I wont let that happen. He's not going anywhere"

"I'm with Axel" Demyx added, "We'll get Roxas's heart. I don't know how but we will and he won't be all emotionless anymore. He'll go back to being the blonde Rox"

"What do you mean?" Leon asked and everyone turned to him.

"Dem" Axel hissed warningly. The musician gasped and his hands shot to his mouth.

"I can't hide forever" Roxas stated from behind Axel. The man looked back at this friend, still hiding him from view, along with Sora. Axel turned to Sora; the brunette nodded and let Roxas's hand go stepping aside. Axel stepped aside but his hand never left the others.

Leon and Rinoa's eyes widened taking in the side of Roxas; that no longer had a heart. Rinoa slowly stepped forward.

"He's a Nobody" Leon spoke wordlessly.

"I don't think he's a Nobody" Riku stated, "I don't think he's really a Heartless. Either way, there's a chance we can still get him back. Until then we're not giving up" Riku finished turning away from Roxas and to his father. Leon slowly looked back to his son then the others.

"He could hurt someone" Leon pointed out.

"He wont" Axel said firmly. "I'll make sure of it" Leon looked at the man.

"He can't go unsupervised"

"Then I wont leave him" the redhead stated.

"What do you plan to do if you can't get his heart back?"

"We're getting it back"

"Axel-"

"We'll get it back I swear" Axel ensured firmly. Leon stared the man down for a moment before his eyes turned back to Roxas. He stared almost sadly at him for a time before pinching the bridge of his nose.

"If anyone finds out about him he'll be killed" Leon stated, "I can't help you with him" he confessed his voice full of regret. "If they even knew I knew about him and didn't kill him I'd be in a heap of trouble. Being fired would be the last of my worries"

"So you're not going to kill him" Demyx said hopefully.

"No" Leon said, "But until he's back to normal I have to tell people something. So will all of you"

"We'll just say we never found him" Riku offered. "Just say he's missing. Then if we do or don't get his heart back things won't be a problem"

"So we just go around saying we haven't seen him?" Demyx asked his hope fading.

"Yes and whatever you do, do not let a Soldier see him. I don't care if it's an Ex Soldier or not. I don't care if their family or your friend. They'd kill Roxas on spot"

"Dad won't do that" Sora shot.

"Cloud may not but he's not an ordinary Ex Soldier" Sora became confused by this. Seeing the boy's confusion Leon spoke again. "Sora that's something you'll have to speak with him about" the brunette nodded and turned back to Roxas.

"So where are we going to take him?" Sora asked.

"I already said he's coming home with me" Axel answered, "I'll call of work for the next few days too"

"No you don't need to do that" Demyx said.

"Yes I do Dem. I can't leave Roxas alone"

"Then I'll come over. Pops won't mind if I'm gone a few days. That way you can still work" Axel thought about it for a moment.

"Okay, but what if Cid makes you work"

"Then I'll come over" Sora said, "I don't have a job. I just help Mom at the bar at night and you'd be home by then right?" the man nodded.

"What about the committee?" Riku asked, "With Roxas gone and Axel having to keep an eye on him who's going to do their shift?"

"I'll do it" Leon stated, "It's the least I can do. Being as Roxas wouldn't be in this mess if I'd sent someone with him in the first place"

"You don't know that" Roxas said his voice hollow. "I think Van was waiting for me"

"Van?" the man asked.

"The guy how stole his heart" Riku explained, "He wore a black mask and was in all black"

"He looked human" Axel added.

"He's like me" Roxas stated. "At least that's what he said"

"What else did he say?" Leon asked.

"That someone took his heart like he did mine. He said I could call him Van since we were friend and that he was family" Roxas listed. "Nothing else was really relevant. He just seems to like toying with me"

"Did you know him?" Roxas shook his head.

"No but he did remind me of someone but it doesn't add up"

"Humor me" Roxas looked at Leon blankly as he answered.

"Sora" Rinoa seemed to freeze and Leon's eyes narrowed.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes" Leon turned and walked away, Rinoa right behind him. Roxas turned to Sora. They both stared at each other before turning back to the others.

"What was that?" Sora asked.

"Did I say something wrong?" Roxas added.

"I don't think so" Demyx said before turning to Riku, "Do you know anything?" he shook his head no.

"Doesn't matter now. I'm sure he'll tell us if it's important" Axel cut in. "I'm heading home with Roxas" Roxas let himself be pulled to the door.

"I'm coming too" Demyx chimed going after them. Sora turned to Riku.

"You can stay here if you want Sora" Riku said softly, understanding that the boy was most likely very upset despite his trying not to be.

"Thanks" Sora voice was quite and Riku pulled him into a hug. Sora hugged back instantly. His arms stayed around Riku as tears began again to fall from his eyes.

That night Riku helped Sora up to the guest room, after he'd cried himself to sleep in his arms. His friend not letting go of the tight grip he had on his shirt, Riku lay down beside him and hoped everything would somehow look better in the morning.

…

Back at Red Street, the one called Van stepped out of darkness stepping yet again onto the red bricks. 'My Last Breath by Evanescence' went to 'Missing by Evanescence' played through the buds that now lay on the ground neglected and forgotten. The black figure leaned down picking up the device and pocketed it putting the buds in his ears. A smile formed on the other side of the mask as his plan played out just like he'd wanted. He turned up to the sky that was now turning pink as the sun began to rise.

"Nothing like a beautiful dawn after a perfect twilight" the masked boy said before turning back to his darkness. "But I have to say a day of serenity is nothing compared to the perplexities of night" he said to no one, as he faded.

…

Axel woke to Demyx pouncing him. He shot up with a groan of pain as the other weight threatened to crush him.

"Damn it Dem get your fat ass off me"

"Your ass is bigger then mine" he huffed not moving from the man's lap.

"Whatever, just get off"

"Nope" Demyx said with a smile. "Not until you come with me" he stated grabbing his friends hand.

"Fine" Axel huffed.

Demyx pulled him off the bed and out the door, leading Axel to the spare room at the end of the hall. Putting his finger to his lips Demyx shushed the other before opening the door. He pecked in before pulling Axel in as he tiptoed. Axel didn't get it as he was pulled in. That was until Demyx pointed to Roxas who lay still asleep.

"Isn't he cute" Demyx cooed. Axel started at the sleeping form of Roxas that was curled up in a ball, looking much like a cat, his knees to his chest and his hands tucked under his chin. He still only wore Axel's jacket and hadn't bothered getting under the covers.

"I guess" Axel said his mind more dwelling on the events of last night.

"Ax your zoning" Demyx said as he poked the man's side.

"Right" Axel sighed turning out of the room. Demyx stood there for a moment before taking on last look at Roxas before going after him.

Roxas woke feeling hollow. His mind paused but then the events of the night before came to him and he closed his eyes. Hearing Demyx's voice loudly cutting through the walls the Roxas pushed himself up and left the room. He found Demyx bugging Axel as he cooked. Axel stood next to the stove pushing Demyx away. Demyx trying his best to steal some of whatever Axel was cook. Roxas stepped forward and grabbed Demyx arm. Demyx let out an 'eek' in surprised, making both turn to the black haired teen.

"Don't do that you nearly gave me a heart attack" the sandy blonde stated. Roxas didn't stop what he'd been doing and pulled the blonde away from Axel.

"Let Axel cook" Roxas said in a small voice. Axel smiled.

"Thanks Rox" the other nodded pulling Demyx away from the kitchen. The musician protested trying to get back to the kitchen.

"But I want food!"

"You'll get some when it's done" Roxas pointed out.

"But-"

"I know Axel makes great food and you want it now" Demyx turned back to Roxas, smiling sheepishly at him.

"Okay I'll wait" he gave in with a pout, falling back onto the couch.

Roxas sat with Demyx who spoke for both of them. Axel called them back into the kitchen for pancakes. Demyx was on his third pancake and Axel was on his eighth when Roxas stopped eating. He'd barely finished one. Axel stopped eating.

"Don't like them?" Axel asked. Roxas shook his head.

"No they taste good"

"Not hunger"

"I don't feel hunger, no" Roxas looked down at his plate. "Sorry" Axel threw him a reassuring smile.

"It's fine Rox. Not like you can help that your not hunger" Roxas didn't respond only stared downward.

Demyx left after the meal and Roxas was given some clothes by Axel. Roxas stood in a large, green long sleeve shirt. Roxas didn't have any pants but it didn't much matter being as the shirt went to the middle of his thigh. Axel had laughed at how big it was, it was practically a dress. Roxas pulled the shirt back onto his shoulder as it slipped, yet again, looking at Axel blankly.

"Sorry" Axel got out between laughs, "But it just so funny"

"I don't see how you even fit into this shirt" Roxas stated looking down at it.

"Yeah it's long on me too but not that bad"

"Then why'd you give it to me?"

"I figured it fit better then my other ones because it's tight on me"

"You just said-"

"It was long not big" Axel pointed out looking at the clock. "I have to get going soon" he muttered.

"When will Sora be here?"

"Any minute" Roxas nodded and Axel.

Sora wasn't there when Axel was supposed to leave and Roxas sat with him as they waited. A knock on the door made Axel jump to his feet and run to the door. Opening it he didn't find the brunette.

"Reno" the other redhead smiled and waved.

"Yo! Rude called me and said you went in and I was on the way. Get your butt moving so we can go" Axel's eyes narrowed.

"I'm not ready I'll meet you there. Now leave" Reno blinked taken back by his brother's attitude.

"Bro you woke up on the wrong side of the bed"

"No Reno" Axel stated, "Now go. I'll see you at work" with that he went to shut the door, only to have Reno hand shot out stopping it.

"Yo, Ax what up with you?"

"It was a long night and my friend isn't here yet. So I'd like you to leave and let me get back to waiting"

"Axel" Reno called not letting the hold go he had on the door.

"Please leave Reno" Axel stated not looking his brother in the eye.

"Axel seriously you're scaring me man. You're acting like you did when uncle Lea got into that accident"

"I am not" Axel protested.

"Yeah you are" Reno ensured, "Bro you're a great lair but I can tell when you're doing it"

"Is that so" Axel eyes glared at his brother.

"Yes it is. You break eye contact when you lie" Axel cursed himself mentally but didn't look away.

"True or not Reno I'd like you to go" Reno eyes narrowed.

"I'm not leaving until you tell me what's going on, Ax"

"Hello?" a voice said from behind Reno. Both redheads looked to see Sora standing there. "Hey Axel, I'm really sorry about being late I sleep in" he apologized.

"Its fine" Axel said stepping aside so he could come in. "I have to get going now though I'm late" Sora nodded once inside.

"Okay what time will you be back?"

"Not until six if I'm lucky"

"Um is it okay if I raid your fig?" Sora asked glancing at the kitchen.

"Yeah go ahead" Axel smiled and stepped outside. "I'll see you later" Sora smiled as Axel left.

Axel stepped outside and shut the door. Reno's eyes were still on him as he did so. Axel stared walking without a word. Reno followed but didn't let the silence stay.

"Axel"

"Reno" he replied still walking.

"Axel stop" Reno grabbed his brother's arm pulling him to a stop. "Talk to me"

"There's nothing to talk about. How many times do I have to tell you?"

"Okay if everything's fine why was that kid staying at your house?"

"Roxas is why. You happy?"

"Oh Roxas stayed at your house last night. That doesn't explain why you're acting like this"

"That's not what I meant" Axel stated. Leon had said to go with the story so he would. "Roxas's is missing. Sora didn't want to be home right now so I volunteered my house. Now can we go to work?" Axel said looking forward, not have looked at his brother since he'd started walking.

"You're shitting me"

"No I like saying shit about my friends" Axel snapped pulling out of Reno's grip. "Now we have to get to work"

…

Back at Axel's house Sora found Roxas in the living room sitting on the couch. Sora took a seat next to him and watched the show Roxas already had playing. By the end of the movie Sora's stomach was protesting its lack of substance and Roxas showed the brunette the kitchen.

"Axel put some pancakes from breakfast in the frig"

"Great" Sora said happily pulling open the frig. Roxas moved to get a plate. Food heated and syrup in hand Sora started his feast. Roxas took the brunettes plate when he was done and silently washed it. Unlike normal Sora didn't try to break it.

The black haired teen dried his hands and turned to the brunette. Sora sat staring down at the table and Roxas knew things were wrong. Walking over, lifeless eyes didn't move from his friend. He didn't seem to notice until the other was standing next to him. Sapphire eyes turned to the others lighter, sky blue.

"What's wrong?" Sora eyes dropped.

"Everything" he confessed sadly, "Leon called Mom and Dad this morning. Mom… Mom was crying" Roxas watched as tears built in the others eyes.

"I'm sorry Sora" Roxas said meaning every word despite his lack of emotions. Sora shook his head.

"I know you didn't mean it Roxas. I know you don't want to be like this" he looked up. "Just… Your gone Rox. Even if you're not really. Outside of right now you are. To Dad, Mom, Denzel and Xion, you're gone"

"I'll be back"

"I know but their hurting so much" Roxas took a step forward wrapping his arms around Sora.

"They'd be hurting more seeing me like this" Roxas stated. "Like you are" Sora's eyes widened and the tears began to flow.

"I'm sorry" he cried.

"No I am Sora. If I hadn't been careless then I wouldn't be like this. I should have known better" he reassured, "Please don't be sad. I'm okay. You'll see things will be okay"

"How do you know?"

"Because I have all of you. And Axel promised. He maybe many things Sora, but he isn't a man that would break a promise to a friend" the brunette nodded again letting his tears dry.

…

Axel wasn't having a good day. First Sora being late and everything with Reno on the way, then when he got to work the club was packed. Rude was already busy trying to threw someone's ass out and it was only thanks to Reno's help that he'd been able to. After that a group of college students came in making a huge mess after some idiot stared taking to one of their girls. After that things only seemed to get worse as an all out fight broke loss. In the end the group was running away as Axel was being held back by Reno; Axel about to burn them alive after giving Rude a black eye. In the end Rude had to pull out the extinguisher and cover Axel in white foam to calm him down. Thanking Rude, Axel left to get back to work as he brushed off the foam. Reno was starting to wonder if it wouldn't be better to just send his brother home.

Axel was usually laid-back, though he hadn't always been. Before graduating high school he was a hothead teen that had a short temper and even shorter patience. Axel had always been intelligent and somewhat overconfident. His dislike of others was never hidden as a kid. But somewhere along the line when no one was looking he'd changed. Reno hadn't known when, he'd guessed it was after their uncle's accident, but he wasn't sure. In that moment when everyone's back was turned he'd changed into the man he was now. He seemed distant most of the time but if you really know him you'd see that he was very kind, heartfelt and new when to be serious and to let things go. There were still rare moments when he would snap, reminding Reno of the boy he'd grown up with. The boy that was as untamed and uncontrollable as wildfire. Their uncle, Lea, had always called him a spitfire. If the man still did, Reno didn't know, but the nickname was true to him at the time.

In the rare moments, Reno had noticed and quickly learned it was when Axel was under an extreme amount of stress or extremely upset, would be the caused him to snap. And his outburst with Rude had shown he was just that. Normally Axel would laugh something like it off or just have a smoke. But it wasn't Rude's eye he was thinking about. Reno knew that Axe's friend was nagging at his mind more then everything. He dared not say anything yet knowing it would only make him more impulsive. Reno had learned his lesson when Lea almost died.

"Reno you know don't you?" Rude asked the man that he'd been friends with since childhood. Meaning he knew Axel just as long.

"Let it drop" Rude stared down at him through a new pair of sunglasses, his last being broken in the fight.

"He doesn't snap like that over a black eye Reno. What's going on?" the black man asked. Reno sighed running his hand through his red spikes.

"Ax said his friend went miss'n last night. Honestly I was hoping he was pulling my leg"

"What friend?" the man asked, Reno noted the worry in his tone, despite his black expression.

"That Roxas kid he won't shut up about half the time" Rude frowned looking over to Axel who was standing on the other side of the club.

"He shouldn't be here" Reno nodded.

"Yeah but you know him. My bro doesn't layback and do nothing. How much you want to beat he goes out every spare moment he's got looking for the kid"

"That isn't much of a beat" the man pointed out in a deep tone.

"Yo I know that's why I'm make'n it" Rude snorted looking back down at the shorter man.

"Don't have much faith in your brother"

"No I have complete faith in my bro. Faith in his stupid amount of loyalty he has to his friends" with that Reno turned back to his work and the larger man followed.

"Like I said not much of a beat" Reno laughed.

…

Axel left work half past six. He dragged his feet the whole why, seriously hoping a Heartless would pop up so he could burn something. Despite his wishes they hadn't. A peaceful walk home with nothing but his frustrations to comfort him was all he got. Coming to the door he went for his keys before realizing he'd never locked it and even if he had, he'd forgotten his keys. He hoped the brunette hadn't locked him out as he went to try the knob. Turning the knob without any trouble he stepped inside kicking off his shoes. Axel paused when he came home to silence. Throwing his wallet on the table he when to find the two Strifes that should have been in his home.

"Sora, Rox?" he called leaving the empty living room.

"We're in here" a hollow voice answered from the end of the hall.

Opening the door he found the two on the bed. Sora fast asleep next to Roxas curled up under the covers. Roxas sat atop the covers doing nothing. Axel looked the two over again before speaking softly, making sure not to wake the sleeping brunette.

"How was your guys' day?"

"Sora cried a lot" Roxas stated looking down at his nephew running his hand through his brown spikes. "I wish I could do something to comfort him but every time I try he only starts crying again" Axel listened as Roxas's voice became softer and softer, though he could really feel it sounded as if he was truly upset.

"We'll get your heart back Rox and he'll stop crying. I promise" Roxas looked up and smiled weakly.

"I know Axel" Roxas agreed, looking his friend over. "You had a rough day"

"Why you say that?"

"Your clothes look like you were in a fight with shaving cream" Roxas pointed out and Axel looked down before laughing.

"Yeah Rude sprayed me with a fire extinguisher" Roxas blinked.

"Did you set something on fire?"

"No but I deserved it. I almost kill a few assholes that gave Rude a black eye. Idiots…"

"Under that note you might be considered the idiot" Axel smirked and gave the other a shrug.

"They were first. So at worst it makes me a hypocrite"

"Worse things to be I suppose"

"Agreed. Now do you have any plans for dinner?"

"Pizza" Roxas offered, "I can pay you back later, I don't have any money with me right now" Axel shook his head.

"Don't worry about that. You're my guest is only logical that I pay it. Now what kind would you two like? I guessing you know what Sora likes"

"We both like cheese"

"Just cheese" the other nodded.

"Okay one pizza with cheese, another with hot peppers and white sauce coming up"

Roxas emotionless eyes watched him go down the hall as he pulled out his cell. He'd known he was tired, no matter how well he hid it. That's why he said pizza when the man asked. Heartless or not, it wouldn't have been right to ask the man to cook.

Sora didn't stir as he rose from the bed and left the room. He was glad of that, Sora needed his rest. Walking down the hall he saw Axel at the table looking over a menu for 'Tony's'. Exchanging a few word he flip the phone shut and returned it to his pocket.

"Do you have to go pick them up?" the man jumped turning, not hearing the other.

"Gesh… No Riku picking them up" Axel said folding up the menu before adding to the basket that he hadn't on his counter full of other menus and a phonebook.

"Riku?" he nodded.

"I asked him to come over and eat with us. Mostly for Sora, I figured Riku could take him home tonight" Roxas agreed with a nod and stood as silence took over.

"A-" Roxas didn't get to finish as the other spoke quickly.

"I'm going to shower" with that Roxas was left to watch as the man when down the hall disappearing into the second door on the left.

Roxas was standing in the same place when there was a knock on the door. He hesitated at first, he'd been told not to answer the door. Despite this he took a few steps forward checking who it was before opening it. He hid behind the door, completely unseen as he let the other in. Riku stepped in holding two large pizzas. Once he was inside Roxas shut the door and turned to him.

"You're not supposed to answer" the other pointed out.

"I know. But you would have been standing out there for a while if I hadn't. Sora's sleeping and Axel's showering" Riku shook his head as he set the pizza on the table.

"In that case thanks, but don't do it again" Roxas nodded moving to the hall. He stopped looking back to Riku.

"Coming?" Riku raised a brow before following after. He was led to Sora, still sleeping in the same place he'd been left before.

"Has he been crying?" Riku asked worriedly seeing the redness around the brunettes face.

"Yes. I couldn't get him to stop" Riku was taken back by the softness in Roxas tone as he spoke. "He's very upset… I think it best he doesn't see me anymore" aquamarine eyes shot to the side.

"What?" dead blue eyes slowly met Riku's.

"I don't want him to hurt so much. I know not seeing me will hurt him, but I think it would hurt less then seeing me like this" as Roxas finished his eyes had wander down, to stare at his hands.

"So you're saying you don't want Sora here anymore" the other nodded.

"After tonight I think it best he doesn't see me. Or if he must, not often" Riku looked away from Roxas and too Sora that lay unaware of them even being there.

"You'll break his heart if you tell him you don't want him" Riku pointed out almost bitterly.

"Riku when he wakes up, you'll see I already have" with that Roxas left Riku to stare dumbly after him.

Stepping out into the hall Roxas was met with Axel stepping out of the bathroom. The redhead didn't seem fazed by the fact he was standing in only a towel, his hair dripping water allover the hard wood floors.

"You'll catch a cold" Roxas stated, staring at the other.

"I already told you, I don't get sick" the man stated walking to his room. "Anyway I forgot clothes"

"Oh…" Roxas followed after the man. "Riku's here" Axel looked back to see Roxas right behind him as he stepped into his bedroom.

"Rox I need to dress so, out" he said turning the boy and giving him a soft shove to the door. Getting the hint Roxas stepped out and closed the door behind him.

"You owe Riku for the pizzas" Axel chuckled on the other side of the door.

"Yeah I know"

"Are you okay Axel?" the redhead paused in his dressing looking to the door that he knew Roxas stood just on the other side of.

"Why do you ask that?" he replied pulling on his shirt.

"Sora… If me being here is hard I can leave. I don't want to be a burden and-" Roxas words stopped when he felt arms come around him from behind. He looked back to see red.

"Rox your fine" Axel ensured as he hugged the other.

"I don't understand…" Axel smirked resting his chin on top of the boy's head.

"That kind of comes with the no heart thing Rox. You get it back you'll figure it out" Roxas stood there taking the man's words in for a moment before lifting his head. Axel removing his chin as the boy looked up. Roxas stared for a long moment, before looking away again, stepping out of Axel's grip.

"Pizza's getting cold" the shorted stated blankly as he walked down the hall.

…

A week passed. Roxas stayed in Axel's house. Axel took a vacation staying with the boy the whole time. After Sora's day of staying with Roxas, Roxas had asked that the boy didn't see him. Axel and Roxas quickly noticed only Riku and Zexion could manage being with Roxas at that point. Demyx and Sora would get upset and cry for hours. Zexion hadn't believed the news at first. It took seeing the boy sitting in Axel's living room to believe it.

August was just around the corner. Sora was sad because Roxas's birthday was August 1st and he was most likely going to miss it. Roxas ensured the brunette that he'd have many more birthdays to celebrate. Missing one wouldn't hurt anything. Sora merely saddened and Roxas left before he saw the tears fall.

It was on one of the few nights they got all together at Axel's after a long night of searching for Van. The conversation turned from talking and joking, to the most serious thing for them. I all happened with one question from Demyx.

"How does he do it?" Demyx asked randomly as Axel and Roxas went to the kitchen.

"How does who do what?" Riku questioned.

"Axel with Roxas" the blonde stated sadly. "He acts as if it the same old Roxas. Like nothing ever changed. I don't get it. How can he just smile and laugh like that?" Sora looked to the blonde in understanding, having felt the same why at first.

"He being strong" the brunette stated making Demyx turn to him. "Remember that first night and we all felt scared of Roxas for a minute?"

"I wasn't scared" Demyx chimed.

"Yeah you were; we all were. At least for a moment" Demyx sighed, Sora was right. "Well after that Roxas stopped talking, he turned his back. If he could feel I think he would have been hurt"

"Yeah but then Axel walked over and we took him home" the blonde stated.

"No, Axel took him home" Sora corrected, "You, me and Riku. He just watched. We didn't step up; honestly I'm still a little scared and don't think I could. I'm not scared of Roxas himself but more him never coming back" he explained.

"We're all scared of that Sora" Riku pointed out.

"Yeah but Axel" the brunette turned to the door that the man lay just beyond, "He didn't let it stop him. He… I think he saved Roxas from himself. When Roxas turned his back, if Axel hadn't taken his hand… I don't want to think what had happened… Sorry I'm rambling" Sora let out a soft laugh, looking down. His laugh faded quickly and his smile fell as he watched his shoes.

Though Sora didn't know it, he'd made perfect sense to Riku and Demyx. They knew what he was trying to say. Axel really had stepped up. He was being the friend that Roxas need, being his light when he didn't have his own. Axel might not had known it was Roxas right away, he might had have made many mistakes with Roxas and his friendship in the past, but at that moment he was being the best friend the boy needed. In a time when he need someone most; Axel was there.

"Okay… What they heck were you guys talking about? Its like a cloud of doom rolled in while we were getting snacks" Axel stated. Zexion looked up form his book for the first time.

"Nothing to be concerned about" he stated for the others.

"Right. All my friends are depressed and you tell me not to worry. Don't see how that works but whatever" the man said setting down the large tray of nacos and Roxas set down sodas.

"Food!" Demyx yelled digging in. Sora watched as the blonde inhaled and Riku tried to fight him off.

"Share dang it"

"No mine!" the musician declared as Riku did his best to get a share. As the two fought Zexion got himself a plate and took his own share easily. Roxas returned to the kitchen and came back with two plates. He handed one plate of nacos to Sora and the other to Axel.

"Thanks" the brunette stated still taken back by Demyx and Riku's behavior.

"You haven't had Axel's cooking have you?" Roxas asked.

"Only pancakes"

"He's a great cook" Roxas confessed taking a chip from Sora's plate. "Only thing he brags about that's true"

"Hey I heard that" Axel snapped back at the comment.

"I'm aware of that Axel" the man glared at the shorter. "Yes Axel"

"Jerk" Axel huffed almost pouting.

"I'm sorry" Roxas said not sounding one bit sincere.

"Yeah I love you too" Axel waved, "I forgive you"

"Then share" the boy said taking food off the man's plate.

"Hey get your own" Axel shot pulling his plate away and lifting it out of the boy's reach.

"Gave it to Sora" the boy stated. Axel stared at him for a long moment before giving in, lowering his plate to share.

"Thanks" Roxas said softly taking another chip.

"Don't get used to it"

"Okay"

Axel and Roxas didn't notice Zexion, Demyx and Riku's eyes on them. The three knowing the redhead longest, smirked and got back to their food. Sora ate unaware of the odd behavior Axel was showing and enjoyed to delicious food.

…

The morning came and everyone crashed at Axel's house. Demyx and Zexion had taken the guest room. Riku and Sora crashed in the living room; Sora on the sofa and Riku on the floor. Axel and Roxas had crashed together in his king sized bed. Unknown to everyone, Roxas hadn't slept that night. He hadn't slept more the a few hours a night for the hold time he hadn't had a heart. He wandered Axel's home, silently.

Memorized, Roxas could move through out the house with his eyes closed. The house was as familiar to him as it was Axel; though the man didn't know it. Roxas had also stopped eating as much. In truth he didn't feel hungry. He'd eat but only because he knew he should be, not because he needed to be.

At night he felt the Heartless that Van would send. Roxas would send Nobodies of his own to take care of them. It was funny how it worked. Van impressed the Heartless and Roxas impressed the Nobodies. Yin and Yang. At time Roxas wondered if it wouldn't be better to stay the way he was now. But he'd see his friends crying and know he couldn't. He and Van both needed to go back. Back to having hearts. Roxas only wished he knew where Van's heart was.

Everyone sleep in, almost to noon. Zexion was the first to emerge. Roxas started coffee as he heard the man moving around in the back room. By the time Zexion came into the kitchen the smell of fresh coffee was filling the air. Riku was next then Demyx and Axel stumbled out at the same time. Sora was soon after.

"We should go out for breakfast"

"You have fun with that Dem" Axel muttered pouring himself a large cup of joe.

"But we haven't gone out together in forever"

"I can't be alone" Roxas pointed out and the sleepy musician realized his mistake.

"Oh right forgot…"

"I don't mind being alone" Roxas pointed out, "You all should go out and have breakfast… Well lunch or brunch. Whatever you want too call it. I promise to behave"

"Food. Just call it food" Sora stated sleepily. Even he having trouble waking up at the moment.

"I think we should go out. None of us are awake enough to make a decent meal" Zexion pointed out.

"You guys have fun" Axel said, "I plan on finish my coffee and having a large bowl of cheerios before vegetating the rest of the day"

"Cheerios?" Riku questioned amusedly.

"Hey, not even I cook everyday. Does no one see the large basket full of takeout menus?"

"Take out!" Demyx shot. "We could order take out" he said jumping for the basket, digging through it quickly.

"Like I said I'm sticking with cheerios" the redhead stated behind his mug.

"I'm with Axel. Cereal sounds great" Sora said, "Axel you have anything beyond cheerios?"

"Think I have some lucky charms" the man said pointing to the cupboard. "But seriously if I have to keep feeding you all like this I'm going to have you all have to bring food. You guys are eating me out of house and home here"

Axel's words fell on deaf ears as the four men went through his cupboards. The oldest sighed and took a large gulp of his coffee.

It was past two when the gang left. Axel sighed and fell back into his chair exhaustedly. Roxas stood by the sofa silently.

"Love those guys I do, but they kill me when there here like that" the man admitted with another sigh.

"Yes you'll defiantly be needing more food" Roxas agreed.

"Don't remind me"

"Okay I wont" Axel eyed his friend.

"Right…" Axel turned to the TV. Flipping through the channels he settled on 'Animal Planet'.

Roxas would have smiled if he had a heart, as the man fell asleep. Leaving his friend be, Roxas moved to the kitchen. After cleaning up the large mess left behind from their friends, he moved to the back room. At first he was just going to make the messy bed but after a quick thought he thought it best just to wash the bedding. Roxas moved around the house cleaning and doing anything he thought needed to be done. The house was spotless and the boy moved back to the living room. Axel sat just how he left him. Roxas turned to the TV and shut it off. He moved to Axel and gently shook the man's shoulder. Axel stirred before slowly waking.

"You told me once sleeping in the chair is hell. So I thought I'd wake you and tell you to move to bed" Axel yawned widely.

"Thanks" he muttered rubbing his sore neck. "How long have I been out?"

"About four hours"

"Four hours?" Axel said shocked. "Why didn't you wake me sooner?"

"I lost track of time" Axel raised a brow questionably.

"How?"

"Cleaning" Axel blinked looking around. Roxas wasn't lying the place was clear then it had been since Axel moved into the place.

"Damn… Roxas if you keep doing this I might not want you to leave"

"So you only want me to stay for my cleaning skills not my company? I'm insulted" Roxas joked. Axel went to comment when Roxas chest jumped. Axel knew the moment Roxas expression changed something was wrong.

"Rox?"

"Van" the boy whispered. He turned only in time to see the very person standing only a few feet away next to Axel's table.

"Nice place" the black masked boy stated his hand running along the wood table.

"What are you doing in my house" Axel hissed jumping to his feet.

"I came to visit Roxas" he answered, "Seeing how he's doing without his heart and all. Honestly I'm shocked he hasn't caved yet and eaten one yet"

"Eaten one…" Axel couldn't bring himself to say another word. Knowing the boy meant a heart.

"I personally eat the Heartless. Much less messy then carving someone's heart out. What do you think Roxas?"

"I think it's repulsive"

"Yes, yes. But you can't stop the hunger building inside you" Roxas stared at the raven haired boy.

"What hunger?" Roxas asked, truly not knowing what the other was talking about. "Nothings building. I don't need any heart, other then my own" the masked face fell to the side.

"Really? You meant every word of that" the boy lifted a hand calling a light to it. A light that was Roxas's heart; "Seems you weren't lying. If you were your heart would have reacted at such close range" the boy gave it a squeeze. "Just like you react to it right Roxas? All those emotions flowing through you now. Just because your heart's near" the boy teased as Roxas hand rose to his empty chest.

"Rox, that light, it's your heart" Axel more asked then said.

"Yes red this is his heart" Van answered for him. Axel's eyes narrowed. "Don't go getting all fired up now. Wouldn't want to accidentally hurt this heart would you?" Axel's fist clenched as heat build in his palms.

"Van what do you want from me?" the boy turned from Axel to Roxas.

"I told you a trade. Your heart for mine"

"Why me?" Roxas snapped bitterly. "Out of all the people in this city you choose me. Why? You owe me that much"

"I don't owe you a thing" the boy replied darkly. "You're the one that took things from me. Things that weren't yours" the light vanished and Roxas heart faded in the now fisted hand. "This is your payment for what you did to me" Roxas blinked.

"That doesn't make sense. I don't know you"

"Don't you? You should. You stole my family" Van ridiculed as a dark portal came up behind him. "I'm getting bored and impatient with you. You better hurry or I'll just keep you heart and rip out my own" with those words the boy faded back into darkness.

The two stood for a long moment confused by the boy's words. Roxas mind played them over and over. Trying to piece together the hidden meaning that he knew was there but couldn't find.

"Roxas what did he mean by his family?"

"I don't know" Roxas confessed his mind still racing.

"We have to find the meaning because if we don't… Rox that guys got your heart in the palm of his hand"

"I know Axel" Roxas said trying to think. His mind coming to the same result each time, "I need to talk to Cloud"

"You can't" Axel snapped, "Leon said no Soldiers. Ex or not"

"He also said Cloud's not an ordinary Ex Soldier. Cloud is the only family I have Axel. A family that isn't my own by birth. There's something there that I'm missing. Something he knows"

"Why not asked Sora?"

"He might not know. And I don't want to hurt him more then I already have" Axel was silent as he thought.

"If we go you need to get dressed. Top to bottom covered in clothes. And we'll go at night. I don't want you to leave my side for a moment"

"Axel…" Roxas looked up seeing the worry in the others eyes. "Okay" the boy said giving in to the man. Axel didn't look at him. Only nodded and left the teen for a moment got to whatever was on his mind.

…

The sunset and Roxas dressed in a black hoodie and worn jeans that were rolled up several times over. The hood pulled up his face hidden from view and his hands swimming in the long sleeves. Axel's clothes where large but did their job, covering him head to toe. His black bare feet were the only thing that showed at the walked down the dead streets of the night. Curfew was nearly come as he walked next to Axel, who stood in a pair of black jeans and orange t-shirt. They came to '7th Heaven' and Cloud stood at the bar as they entered. The man didn't even turn as the door opened.

"We're closed" the blonde man said as he put away a patch of clean glasses.

"We didn't come to drink" Axel said. The man paused and turned. His eyes narrowed seeing the hooded figure next to the redhead.

"Its late Axel you should be home"

"I can manage" he assured, "Can we go somewhere private to talk?"

"It's private here"

"Somewhere Tifa and the boys won't interrupt" Roxas said emotionlessly, Cloud's blue eyes shot to his hooded form.

"And why would I do that?"

"Cloud we need answers" Axel said almost pleading, "We're running out of time"

"Time for what?" the man asked an edge in his tone. "I don't have time for games Axel. Either explain yourself or leave"

"Fine I'll explain. If you don't answer are question's Roxas is dead. Gone. Not ever coming back" Axel snapped, "Now are we going to stand here and do nothing or are you going to talk to us?"

"That was uncalled for Axel" the hooded one said.

"He's the one that wanted me to explain. So I'm going to. Very bluntly and clearly, because this is serious. Or did you forget?" he asked the shorter boy. A sigh came from under the hood.

"It's hard for me not to Axel. I'm the one standing without a heart. Am I not?" Axel anger vanished and guilt took its place.

"Sorry I didn't mean…"

"I know Axel. I do. You're just worried. Worried enough for both of us Axel" the redhead looked away from the other. "Don't worry. Please. I don't need you to break too" Roxas said softly resting a hand on the man's shoulder.

"It seems I'm not the only one that needs to explain" Cloud said stepping out from being the bar. His eyes narrow and never moving from Roxas's hooded form.

"Upstairs Cloud, please. In the office" Roxas said from under his hood. "We both can get the answers we need"

"Fine" Cloud agreed "Lock the door and meet me there"

Cloud left them going up the stairs. Roxas got the door and Axel waited, before both went up the stairs together. They found Cloud in the office down to the left of the stairs. He stood near the desk on the far wall looking down at the metal black frame that was set there. Roxas knew the photo. It was taken before Xion's accident, back when they still lived on the island. One year after Roxas started living with them. First time they all went to the main land together. Time when things were still simple and clean; free from all the complicated and hard times had happened.

"Cloud" Roxas voice cut through the silence as Axel shut the door behind them. Cloud turned from the desk, pinning Roxas with his deep blue eyes.

"Roxas" the man said in a tone crossed between bitterness, anger, relief and worry.

"How'd you know?" the boy asked.

"You can sound as emotionless as you want Roxas. It won't stop me from knowing it's you" Cloud stated. "Now would you like to explain were you've been the past weeks and why Leon informed us you were missing"

"I'm sorry. As I am not I'm not even supposed to be alive let alone here" Roxas confessed, "Me being here might get what's left of me killed"

"You didn't answer my question Roxas"

"I've been staying with Axel" he answered pulling the hood back, revealing his raven black hair and empty crystal blue eyes; leaving nothing more to be said.

"Roxas…" Cloud whispered the name as he stared at what was left of his brother.

"Like I said down stairs Cloud, Roxas is running out of time" Axel said joining the conversation. "We need to get his heart back. To do that we need to know why the guy has it out for Roxas"

"Roxas you're a nobody?"

"I don't know what I am Cloud" Roxas confessed. "But I have a chance to get my heart back. That's why I came back here. I need to know why you left Soldier"

"What does my decision to leave my life as a Soldier behind have to do with anything?"

"Please Cloud. You know I wouldn't be asking if I didn't need to be. I need to know what makes you different from the other Soldiers. Why are you different Cloud?"

"Axel would you leave us alone for a moment" Cloud eyes never moved from Roxas as he spoke.

"If I don't?"

"Axel go. I'll be fine" Roxas answered before Cloud could.

"Not until I get a reason too"

"This is a family matter. Leave" Cloud replied coldly. Roxas looked up at the redhead.

"Please Axel. Just wait outside the door. I'll call if I need you. Promise" Axel looked away from Cloud and down at his friend.

"Fine but if you're not out in few minutes, I'm burning the door down"

"Okay" Axel gave Cloud one more glance before leaving the two alone.

Roxas let Cloud take his time. The man didn't speak. His eyes not leaving Roxas's for a long moment. Still, even as he stared, Roxas could see the emotions in the others eyes.

"I'm going to ask one more question before I answer yours Roxas"

"Alright" Cloud was silent moment before asking.

"As you are now, have you hurt anyone?" Roxas shook his head.

"No. This is the first time I've left Axel's house since I became this way. Axel has done a very good job taking care of me. I owe him more then I'll ever be able to repay him"

"The reason I left Soldier is what you want to know then?" Roxas nodded.

"Yes. I'm honestly not sure if it'll help me fine the answers I'm looking for. But I think I'll a least point me in the right direction"

"First I need you to understand Roxas that his isn't something I talk about. Other then Tifa and Zack, no one knows the whole reason why I left Soldier. No one other then Seifer Shinra"

"Shinra? Isn't that the man that owns the large Electric Company in Traverse Town?"

"He does own it but his main ownership is to the Military & Science Corporation in Twilight Town. I'm sure you know it. Had grown up in that town"

"I do"

"That Corporation is where Soldier program was started and to this day is the operations for their work. It was started by Seifer Shinra's father and taken over by him when the old man died. Seifer became president of the company at nineteen" Cloud explained "I'm sure you don't know this but Rinoa was close friends with Seifer in childhood. And at the time he was a good man. Though I guess that doesn't really matter…"

"But that changed?"

"Yes, yes it did" Cloud said turning away from Roxas "I hadn't known it when I joined, because when it became my goal to join Seifer's father was still running things. But not shortly after I did join, Seifer took the position"

"How does this have to do with you leaving?"

"If you want to know why I left, then you need to know what happened from the start. I have to tell you everyone's story, including my own" Cloud stated looking back to the boy only for a moment.

"Alright" Cloud turning away again as he went on.

"After Seifer took over the Soldier program shifted from protecting the people to making weapons. Not any weapons, human weapons. The goal went from avoiding war to making them. It wasn't obvious at first. It was introduced as a way to make better soldiers. Purely volunteer run" Cloud explained, "And it was, until a scientist started obsessing over the program. He went as far as experimenting on new born babies and pregnant woman" Roxas would have paled if he wasn't already white as a ghost.

"You don't mean he forced it on people do you?"

"Not at first" Cloud said his voice full of vex. "But after one to many deaths, no one wanted anything to do with it. Vincent was the first casualty to the man's madness"

"Vincent?" Cloud nodded looking away from the desk to his brother once again.

"How old do you think Vincent is?"

"Early twenties…" he answered wondering why it mattered.

"Yet he'll be thirty nine this year" Cloud corrected. "After the death of his fiancé, Lucrecia's death, he confronted the man that killed her. He was twenty two at the time when he confronted the scientist. It's no secret that that madman had feelings of Lucrecia. She too was a scientist in the same company. But unlike him, she was against the human experiments. No matter what good they maybe in the end. When she became pregnant with Vincent's child the man snapped farther then he already was. Lucrecia died at the hands of that madman, but no one could touch him because Shinra pasted the death off as a loss in the name of science. Vincent knew better. He knew how much Lucrecia hated the work going on in the company. So Vincent went for blood. He failed in killing the madman. In the end it was Vincent that had nearly died that night. For two years Vincent was missing. Two years until the scientist finally went too far and got what he had coming to him" Cloud explained.

"What happened to Vincent? What did the scientist go too far in?"

"Vincent was a human experiment, Roxas. He was in a tank of god knows what for two years. Two years of torture and experimentation. And he may have been lost if Seifer hadn't been hurt. Though Vincent never been the same"

"Seifer was hurt?"

"Not directly" Cloud explained. "His wife became a victim of the mad scientist; her and his newly born daughter. Just like many before them"

"What happened to you Cloud? Who was hurt to make you leave?"

"He killed my son" Cloud said his voice full of hurt and anger. Roxas felt himself drain. Even without a heart, those words made him feel. His body seeming to react if he still had the beating organ in his cheat; his stomach dropped and his eyes widened.

"What…?" he whispered breathlessly.

"Sora isn't our eldest son. Sora was a twin. His older brother died after birth" Cloud fisted clenched. "That madman… Hojo killed him. And Seifer didn't even care or acknowledge it. His way for making amends even after he realized he was wrong was nothing more then a slap in the face" Roxas stood there silently as the pieces slowly fell into place.

"So you're saying you left Soldier because Shinra killed your son"

"Yes Roxas. Against our wishes they experimented on our son. He was supposed to be safe. But because I was a Soldier that madman thought he could use me and my family" Cloud hissed. "To this day I'll never forgive them for what happened. Nothing in this world could make me forgive them. Treating people as nothing more then tools. People that had sworn to protect others. Seifer Shinra knew about what that man was doing and it wasn't until it affected his life did he care. That isn't a man that should be trying to protect anyone. It isn't a man that can protect anyone. A selfish man can not protected anything, only destroy it"

"Does Sora know all this?" Cloud shook his head.

"No. He's aware he had a brother. Me and Tifa told him that much. Neither of us however could tell him how he lost him. We merely told him he died at birth. We couldn't let him know what Shinra's company had allowed. Tifa and I have enough hate for them. We don't need the kids adding too it"

"Denzel and Xion don't know about him do they?"

"They know they had a brother. They don't know anything more then that" Cloud confessed. "Tifa and I didn't even tell them that until you came to live with us"

"What?"

"Sora. He was every excited about you living with us. He asked us several time if we were sure you were my brother not his. After a while of asking Xion and Denzel picked up on the fact there was more to it"

"Why didn't you ever tell me?"

"It was up to Sora to. He decided not to. He was worried you think he was using you as a replacement"

"Sora wouldn't ever do that. I'd never think he would"

"I know that. We all do. But Sora was unconvinced. He didn't want to lose you if you had thought that. After all you mean a lot to him. You're more then just an uncle to him Roxas"

"I know that. He's more to me then just a nephew. I love him dearly"

"Yes I know" Cloud agreed, "Anyway that why I left Shinra. Zack and I both. I haven't been back there since… Well other then once. When we got the check from them, sent to make up for what we lost. I nearly killed Seifer for it. I went to his house and everything. If it wasn't for Zack I would have"

"What did you do?"

"Beat the living hell out of him" Cloud confessed. "I know it wasn't the smartest thing to do and it was immature, but I did. Sora was two when we got the check in the mail. I marched right into his big house yelled louder then I have in my whole life. Ripped the check up in his face and started beating him" he sighed. "I'm not even sure how or when Zack showed up but he did. Pulled me off Seifer and out of the house, telling me it wasn't worth it. I thank him to this day for stopping me; because it wasn't worth it. Few weeks later I found out Seifer's wife had died and knew why he finally saw things in a new light" he said taking a short pause before finishing. "That's it. That's why I'm an Ex Soldier. End of story"

"All of that…" Roxas looked down before asking the question he knew he had to ask. "Did he have a name?"

"What?"

"Sora's twin did he have a name? Did you name him before he died?" Cloud blinked.

"Is there a reason you're asking this or are you asking just to ask?"

"A little of both"

"Vanitas Ronin Strife. He and Sora looked identical other then the color of his hair and eyes"

"How so?"

"Unlike Sora; he had Tifa's eyes and hair color"

"He had black hair…" Roxas turned for the door.

"Yes. Roxas?" Cloud called as the boy pulled up his hood.

"Thank you Cloud. I know what to do now" he looked back over his shoulder. "I'm sorry I had you remember things better left forgotten"

"Roxas, if there's one thing I don't want forgotten it's my family. Even the ones I've lost"

"That's not what I meant" Roxas ensured, "I'll see you later Cloud"

"Roxas" the younger paused, his hand on the knob. "Why ask all this really?"

"The one that stole my heart, he said some things. Things I didn't understand. Until now"

"Roxas?" the older questioned worriedly.

"Tell Tifa and the others I'll be home soon"

With that Roxas opened the door. Axel stood by the stairs waiting. Both where down them and across the bar before Cloud could even run after them. The man stood wondering just what Roxas had learned from the past. Either way, he chose to trust his younger brother. When the time came he'd be there when he got his own answers.

The streets where completely empty, the curfew keeping people safe at home. Axel walked silently beside Roxas for the duration of the walk home. It wasn't until they were safely in the privacy behind closed doors did he speak.

"So what did he say?"

"Nothing that should be repeated by me"

"Well could you at least tell me if you got some hint? You where in there a hell of a long time to get nothing out of it. I was about to burn the door down when you came out"

"I didn't say I didn't get answers Axel" Roxas said softly, "I simply said it's not my place to repeat what he said"

"So you got something?"

"Yes I got a lot of something"

"Are you going to share or not?" Axel asked impatiently.

"No. But I will tell you that I have a good guess where to find the heart"

"And you're not going to tell me?"

"Not until I'm 100% certain what I'm thinks right" Roxas said pulling off the large hoodie he'd barrowed. "Honestly I'm hoping I'm wrong"

"Roxas why would you…" Axel's words faded as Roxas turned to him. Empty blue eyes stared up at him blankly. Yet the man couldn't help but catch a faint hint of sadness in them.

"Please Axel. Let it be"

"Alright" Roxas forced a smile and turned away from the man.

"I'm going to bed now. Axel you should do the same"

Before Axel could even protest it, Roxas was gone. Down the hall and shut in the room at the other end of the house. Axel sighed worriedly before making his way to his own room to do the same. Sleep didn't come easily for either of them that night.

---

[AN:]

First I'd like to ask if you readers wanted a picture of Roxas's forms here in this story. If you do, tell me and I'll post it on my DA account.

Secondly, all updates from me will be slow from this point. Which is sad seeing as there is only two more chapters to this story.

You see I'm taking care of my father who got hurt falling off a roof. He's okay, thankfully, but he cant walk too well with a broken ankle. Along with both wrist and his shoulder. He can't do much. So I'm very busy with this now along with everything else in my life. I'm sorry to say that I'm not sure when I'll be updating again.

Sorry for any grammer or spelling mistakes. Good day. :)