Rating: M

A/N: Thank you so much for all of the reviews, they were wonderful! I was really excited when this story beat BND for the amount of reviews, -:D:D:D- mostly because I like this one more.

Disclaimer: The characters are still not mine. Remember, its fanfiction.

Reckoning: Chapter 14

Last chapter:

"What about your gun?" Axel asked. I frowned.

"Dad took it," I said.

"I guess you'll need a new one then," Axel mused aloud. "No gang business till then, okay? Besides, that'll give me time to take care of something left unfinished," he said, a smile tugging at his lips, but malice in his eyes.

"Something?" I asked, prodding.

"Yeah, something," he said, not giving up any information.

"Axel, why won't you tell," I started but got cut off when his lips pressed against mine. I knew it was a move to temporarily silence me, but didn't care very much. I stayed still until he pulled away, licking his lips.

"Mmm, Roxas," he said, voice low, in my ear before grazing it lightly with his teeth and pulling me closer, "You've been eating ice cream again."

--

I felt myself flush, no longer tasting the salty-sweetness that had been lingering on my lips. I involuntarily gasped as something warm and wet traced along the outer limits of my ear. I felt Axel smirk against it before whispering, "See you tonight," and pulling away.

"Where are you going?" I asked, recovering when he'd gotten dressed.

That look came across his face again for an instant before he walked by me, ruffling my hair. "Nowhere special," he said. "Stay here, okay Rox?" he asked. "Hang out with Dem or something."

"But I want to go with you," I said, wrapping an arm around his waist before he could leave. He paused looking down at me, smiling slightly.

"You've already gotten your way once today," he said reaching back and disengaging my arm from his waist, squeezing my hand lightly. "Isn't that enough?" he whispered, making me flush a little, from guilt. I nodded my head and he started to pull away again, but paused for a moment, turning back to me before kissing my cheek lightly. Then he was gone.

I thought about following him, but decided against it. He was right after all; I had gotten my way already, so I should just let him go about his business and leave him alone. I couldn't help but wonder what we was up to or where he was going though. I scratched my head, confused. It wasn't like Axel to keep things from me. It seemed odd, but I shrugged it off then sighed, going out into the living room to join Demyx and Zexion, unsure of what else to do.

--

"Hey Rox!" Demyx said smiling up at me as I shut the bedroom door. He was strumming some sort of instrument. "Did you and Axel kiss and make up?" he asked. He laughed when I stared at him, hoping my face wasn't flushed. "I kid, I kid," he said. "So what's the verdict? Are you staying in the gang?" he asked.

I nodded. "Yes," I said.

"Ha! Told you Zexion!" Demyx said happily, "I knew Axel'd give in." I blinked, processing what he'd just said and couldn't believe that they'd been speculating about Axel and me. The shorter boy sighed before rolling his visible eye then went back to the book he'd been reading.

"Aw, c'mon Zexxy," Demyx said, prodding Zexion's shoulder annoyingly, "Don't be a sore loser and tell me what I get for winning." I saw Zexion's frown intensify as his boyfriend continued to pester him. Finally when he could ignore Demyx no longer, he closed his eyes for a moment, giving in. He reopened them just before turning to the blonde. Zexion raised a hand to Demyx's neck and pulled him closer, brushing his lips against it before whispering something in his ear. The blonde immediately blushed furiously. "Zexion!"he whispered, excitedly but loudly enough for me to hear.

I knew I was staring as Demyx rubbed his nose against Zexion's before kissing him just as excitedly. They kept it up until I cleared my throat.

"Uhm, do you want me to leave?" I asked as they looked at me, slightly flushed. Demyx shook his head, smiling at me before patting a spot on the sofa next to him. I could've sworn I saw Zexion smile just before he ignored us for his book, reading again. I had a pretty good guess as to what they were planning on doing later, so I opted for changing the subject.

"What is that?" I asked, pointing at Demyx's instrument. He smiled down at it before running his hands along the strings lovingly as if it were very precious to him.

"It's called a sitar," he said, strumming it lightly. "Would you like me to play you a song?" He asked. He started playing as soon as I nodded.

I watched Demyx in wonder as his skilled hands began to play one of the most exciting songs I'd ever heard. I enjoyed listening to it so much, that I was disappointed when he stopped. "What was that called?" I asked.

"Aquatic Fury," he said beaming at me. "Did you like it?" I nodded.

"Who's it by?" I asked.

"Me," he said, "I write songs in my free time, when I'm not with my Zexyyy," He said, poking the other boy in the arm. Zexion looked slightly annoyed until Demyx gave him a quick peck on the cheek. "Would you like me to show you how to play?" Demyx asked.

"I'd love that," I said, staring down at the instrument as it was transferred to my lap.

--

I'd gained a basic understanding of the sitar and had even learned how to play some simpler songs, but couldn't help but be concerned about Axel. It was past dark and he still wasn't back.

"Do you know where Axel went?" I asked Demyx. He just shook his head before gripping the remote and turning on the TV.

"I'm bored, let's watch some TV, okay Roxas?" Demyx asked, not making eye contact. I scoffed at him but before I could say anything, he'd turned on the TV. He paled as soon as he saw what was on and hastily tried to change the channel but I quickly grabbed the remote from him. I wanted to know what he was trying to hide.

"And for more recent news," Came a voice from the TV, "here's Olette, reporting on tonight's shocking new story. Tell us Olette, what happened?"

I nearly dropped the remote when I looked at the television and saw Luxord's residence flash across the screen as a new story was being introduced.

"Well, Pence, this is what the residence of former gang leader Luxord Kadou looked like earlier this evening," A petite female reporter with brown hair said, gesturing to the residence behind her. This was obviously the news. Wait… Looked like…? Former…? I wondered, just as the picture switched to a charred building. I stared at the TV, wide-eyed, completely missing the nervous glance Zexion and Demyx shared. I was too busy paying attention to the reporter. "It seems that the place caught fire earlier this afternoon," She said. "The police haven't determined if there was foul play involved or not, but no matter what the cause, the fire caught and the man was unfortunate enough to have been trapped inside… All that is left of him are charred remains."

I pressed mute, unsure of what to think. Had Axel done that? Zexion had said… in the hospital… and… I covered my mouth, shocked. Axel… Axel did that? I glanced over at Demyx and Zexion. Zexion was good at hiding his emotions but Demyx not so much. Judging by the look on Demyx's face, he knew that what had happened to Luxord had been no accident.

I took a deep breath, lowering my hand and looking straight at him. "Demyx, what happened to Luxord?" I asked.

He widened his eyes, shaking his head trying to adamantly deny knowing anything. "Demyx, I know you're lying because you're trying to convince me too hard that you know nothing," I said, scoffing at him. "Now tell me what happened; at least let me know if Axel was behind it or not." Demyx looked at Zexion, obviously for help. Zexion looked like he didn't know what to say either. Poor Demyx looked like he wanted to grab his sitar and escape badly rather than face me.

"Why won't you guys tell me?" I asked, "I thought I could trust you, that we were friends-"I started but stopped when Demyx looked downcast as if he felt bad. He opened his mouth to speak, looking as if he were about to apologize to me, but got interrupted when the front door opened. My eyes widened at the red-head as he came inside.

"Hey guys, did you have fun without me?" he asked. Nobody said anything and I stared at him.

Axel frowned when nothing was said and came toward us. "What's wrong?" He asked before looking at me confusedly as I continued to stare at him. He glanced over at the TV when Demyx pointed discreetly at it, sighing when he saw that the story was being repeated. "I didn't know that you liked the news, Roxas." He said, stopping briefly in front of me before grabbing the remote and turning off the TV. I looked at him searchingly.

"I don't," I said, frowning. "Hey, wait!" I called, hastily following him as he went to his room.

"Axel, please tell me, were you behind Luxord's death?" I asked when he shut the door behind me. His expression didn't change.

"What if I said yes?" He asked, taking off his jacket.

"Axel, please, just tell me," I begged, going up to him and hugging him. He smelled like smoke. "I don't like secrets."

He felt really tense before resting his chin on the top of my head and wrapping his arms around me.

"Yes," He said, "I killed him." I felt an odd mix of emotion at the confession, remembering the news report.

"What did you do? How did you kill him?" I asked, carefully.

"Roxas… I don't want to give you the details," he said moving his chin off of the top of my head so he could look down at me. I knew that he didn't like the fact that I knew.

I squeezed him more tightly. "Please?" I asked into his chest. "Tell me how," I said, looking up at him pleadingly, "I have to know."

He closed his eyes for a moment before looking to the side. "I had him gagged with a rag and bound then had some fun with him, hurting him, as he hurt you. By fun, I mean I burned him badly, making him wish he were dead," He said, looking at me. "Unlike some people, I don't get kicks out of rape." When he saw that I wasn't repulsed, he got a little braver, "Then I decided to put an end to his pain."

"Did you shoot him?" I asked. The red-head shook his head, smiling a little.

"I set the sheets, the gag and his clothes on fire and watched him burn," He red-head said as casually as if he were telling me the sky was blue. I immediately gasped and covered my mouth with one hand, pressing against him with the other, widening my eyes before looking down. "I did it for you, Roxas," Axel said hastily in my ear, sounding a little frightened by my reaction.

"What do you mean?" I asked, hand still covering my mouth.

"Now, you're protected. No one will dare mess with you ever again unless they want to share Luxord's fate. Luxord himself should've known better before he even thought about touching you, but now, if anyone else was still unclear, they know better," he said, squeezing me protectively. "Please don't be mad or upset..." he whispered.

--

-To be continued-

A/N: I got a little side tracked from my original plan for this chapter and got put in the mood for some Zemyx. I blame the sitar song.

Sorry for not updating sooner; I couldn't get motivated at first, so ended up writing a new story one day then when I was on a roll, got dragged to some wedding for like six hours. –sadface-

Anyway;;; No more Luxord D

How's Roxas going to take that confession from Axel about being behind Luxord's death though? Will it change how Roxas feels about the pyromaniac? Or can Roxas accept it?

Review to let me know how I did/ if you want to know what happens next soon?

--until next time