Roxas was at the back of the pack. His eyes were drooping heavily as they flew over the black forest that was stained white by the snow and he found himself constantly shaking his head viciously to try and stay awake as he continuously teetered on Roric's back, slowly sliding forwards and back in a soothing lullaby motion as the silence stretched on about him. The sun was high in the sky and Roxas had no idea where they were going as he followed the others. He knew he was still on Tora territory, but he hadn't a clue as to where the Crested Lagoon was, or what they were going to do when they got there.

Stifling a yawn as he gripped Roric's mane tightly with his right hand, his left cradled against his chest as it panged with a throbbing pain, Roxas glanced ahead at the small odd formation they had formed. Roxas himself was still at the back, Roric's wings beating heavily as the black beast shuddered with every stroke. Roxas knew he was probably exhausted from flying for hours on end, and the heavy pants that came from the beats mouth only reinforced his musings.

Flying in front of him and slightly to the left was Yuffie. She had slowly lagged to the back of the pack over the hours they had been running away from the Tora's, her wings becoming stiff as she attempted to keep up a brave face and fly fiercely. Roxas had to admire her. Beside her flew Leon, Pete still held up in his strong hands. Leon himself had slowed down with Yuffie, but it wasn't because he was tired as, although the Tori prince had a lot more weight to carry than Yuffie, he moved with the same grace and speed he had when he first appeared to help Roxas back at his rescue. Every time he sped up Yuffie would try to keep up with him and Roxas watched, slightly curious as Leon would deliberately slow down and give her a small smile. He knew the duo had to be cold because even though the snow had stopped falling it was still freezing, especially up in the air.

Roxas turned away from the Tori pair and the Buta and instead watched the green wyvern that flew haggardly in front of him to his right. The green wyvern looked as if it was prepared to drop out of the sky at any minute as it shuddered and shook, its wings beating unevenly as its many passengers spoke openly between each other. Roxas couldn't hear what they were saying from where he sat, but he could hear the odd bark of laughter drift back to him as the poisonous beat in the wyverns claws looked down at the trees it passed and whickered occasionally, its breath frosting in the air as it snorted and looked about in bewilderment.

Shaking his head slightly, Roxas turned away from them to squint at the red wyvern that rode openly in front, forcing the others to try and keep up as it broke through the sky as if it was still full of energy. Roxas couldn't remember when Axel and Cloud had made their way to the front of the pack, and it unnerved him some that the pair where alone together when they were still in enemy territory and high of the ground. Gulping, he reached down with his wounded hand and slowly slid it across Roric's side, feeling the whickering breaths before he shook his head and thought hard. At the pace they were going at one of them would end up dropping out of the sky before they managed to reach the lagoon.

Coming to a decision, he pulled back lightly on Roric's mane, communicating with the beast telepathically through their bridged connection before Roric slowly began to lower himself down out of the sky, aiming for a small clearing in the trees. Roxas knew the landing would be hard. Both himself and Roric were too tired to prepare a smooth descent. It was as he skimmed the trees with Roric that he caught the eyes of Yuffie. He saw her point out of the corner of his eyes, heard her attempt to shout something as she covered her mouth before she nudged Leon and brought his eyes down on him as well.

Leon rolled his eyes and brought his fingers up to his lips, letting out a shrill whistle and catching the attention of the two wyverns and their passengers before he followed Yuffie as she slowly swooped down and followed Roxas into the clearing. The two wyverns stopped in the air, one confidently and one raggedly, before they both turned and followed the Tori with confusion.

Down amidst the trees Roxas yelped and brought his wounded hand up to cover his face against the snapping trees and branches as Roric cried loudly and shrieked at the thick pine needles that scratched at his oily skin and irritated his wings. When Roxas lowered his hand he cursed and watched as the dirty snow came up to meet him at tremendous speeds. Roric landed hard, his front knees crashing with the soft ground before he toppled forwards, landing on his side in a crumpled heap and sending Roxas flying a few feet with a cry before he landed hard on his front. Shaking his head to rid it of some of the cold snow, Roxas grumbled and coughed, leaning up on his elbows and listening to Roric breath raggedly behind him before he heard the crumpling sound of crunching snow.

Turning, he smiled as Roric wandered over and nibbled curiously at his hair before the beast folded its wings, shook its mane and pawed at the snow with a hard hoof before it slowly buckled its knees and curled up next to him. Roxas let out a small laugh as they sat curled in the snow, Roric's neck wrapped about him as he leaned against the beasts back and closed his eyes, breathing deep as Roric closed his eyes and mimicked him before it stretched an oily wing and covered It over Roxas' front, protecting him slightly from the chill of the snow. Roxas lifted the pendant from his neck and carefully placed it in the pocket opposite the one where the Tora piece was being held, letting out a sigh as he did, grateful to be himself again.

"Trust a Neko to have a catnap when we're being chased." Roxas peeked an eye open at the soft voice and grinned as Yuffie smiled down on him from a few feet away, her hands on her knees as she laughed at him. "You know that sitting in the snow isn't good for you, right?"

Roxas shrugged and closed his eyes once more, letting his shoulders relax before he felt his nerves tremble and shake, the tension tearing from his shoulders as the weight of what had just occurred settled over him like a tsunami, settling fear rigidly in his stomach. He was pulled from his attempt to calm his jittering nerves by a smooth voice he recognised to belong to the Tori prince.

"Leave him be Yuffie." Roxas opened his eyes once more, stifling a yawn as he watched Leon settle Pete down before the Tori landed gracefully and folded his arms, a smirk plastered on his face as he turned from Roxas to Yuffie. "I think we could all use some rest."

Yuffie grinned and straightened up, letting her wings sag downwards where they trailed into the snow as she rubbed the back of her head and let out a laugh. "You said it. I'm beat."

As if to prove her point she sank into the snow and let out a long sigh. Unable to resist it, Roxas raised an eyebrow and spoke in a mimicking high-pitched tone. "You know sitting in the snows bad for you, right?"

Yuffie glared half-heartedly before she picked up a fistful of snow and pelted him with it. As if sensing the oncoming action Roric reached forwards with his neck and caught the ball in his mouth, ripping it from side to side and staring down at the ground in confusion when it fell apart. Both Yuffie and Roxas laughed as Roric gave out a loud snort whilst Leon shook his head and Pete sank heavily into the snow, letting his shoulders sag some and smiling.

"Well, I think I'm about ready for a long sleep too. Flying really takes it outta ya."

At Pete's comment Leon raised an eyebrow and spoke with a hint of amusement in his voice. "What the hell are you talking about? If anything you should have more energy seeing as I was the one doing all the work. You Buta aint exactly light you know."

Pete grumbled inaudibly under his breath and Roxas stifled his laughter as he leaned his head back against Roric and let out a deep breath, closing his eyes once more. No sooner had he relaxed than there was a fierce rolling roar that echoed through the trees followed by the sound of tree trunks snapping and falling like toothpicks before there was a loud explosion like bang that was followed by a range of curses. Opening his eyes, Roxas frowned as he followed the broken trees and the displaced snow to find the green wyvern lying crumpled in a broken heap.

The wyvern never moved as it let out one last quivering breath. Its chest stopped moving and Roxas knew immediately that they would be needing another mount before they were to go anywhere anytime soon. Squinting, he watched as Seifer crawled out from around the back of the wyvern, holding his head and mumbling a string of curses as he grabbed his poisonous beast's reigns and pulled it through the snow behind him. Following him was Hayner. The young Inu was stumbling some as he walked in a wobbly line and shook his head, wandering into the circle and making his way over to Roxas and collapsing beside him. Roxas laughed as Hayner sat down heavily next to him, turned on a side, pushed Roric's wing away, and placed his head in the blonde Neko's lap, mumbling a shushing motion as he shivered and curled up into a ball and folded his ears back. Within seconds of the Inu's eyes being closed he was asleep, a loud succession of snores escaping his frame as he cuddled further into Roxas.

Last to emerge was the shadow with the shackle about his right wrist. Roxas frowned as the man stepped out from around the back of the beast, kicked the dead wyverns hide and turned to look at the red wyvern that landed with perfect formation. Growling, the shadow pulled down his hood to reveal dirty blonde hair and Inu ears as he pointed a finger up at an exhausted Cloud and shouted up at him.

"Oi! Neko! How come you gets a good ride and all I get is this bag of crap?" He turned back to the wyvern and gave it one last boot before he grumbled and made his way over to the odd group, placing his hands on his hips and staring at Pete's raised eyebrow. "What?"

The red wyvern shuddered and shook some of the snow it had gathered on its landing from its back as Cloud slid slowly from it and glared at the Inu. "Shut your trap dog." He rotated his shoulder and popped the muscles in his neck, letting out a sigh and slumping some. "At least I gave you a damn ride. Next time I'll drag you wherever we're goin'. How's that sound puppy?"

Roxas frowned. The banter between his brother and the Inu was almost friendly, but there was still a bite of distrust to it. Before he could raise a question the Inu turned back to his brother and snarled.

"Hey! I didn't have ta help ya save ya bro yano? I did it outta the goodness of me heart. How bout you show me some damn respect kitty cat."

Cloud frowned and made his way over to the Inu, his shoulders tensed as everyone prepared themselves to drag the two males away from each other if and when the fight started. But to their great surprise, Cloud let out a bark of laughter, shook his head, and held out his left hand, the shackle dangling from it lazily as he smiled. "Fair play to you Inu."

The Inu looked down on the hand suspiciously before he took it, smiled, and shook it. "Does this mean I get me freedom?"

Cloud gave a smug grin and shook his head. "Nope. This means you get a friendship. I owe you one Cid."

Roxas frowned, bringing one of his ears up confusedly as Cid laughed, released Cloud's hand and itched his nose. "Ah well…guess that'll have to do for now I s'pose."

Cloud laughed and shook his head before the two were engrossed by a conversation Pete started with them, asking them just how they had managed to get into the Tora grounds without being detected. Although Roxas wanted to know the answer, he found himself drawn to the last figure that dropped from the wyvern's side.

From across the snow drenched forest he found Axel's gaze. The emeralds were dull, tired, and confused. But Axel still held that confident grin as he leaned against his wyverns side and smiled, nodding in Roxas' direction before Roxas found his attention snapped up as Cloud knelt in front of him, picked up a sleeping Hayner and deposited him in the arms of Seifer, before he turned back to Roxas and knelt back down in front of him once more.

A silence settled. Long and heavy, it weighed down on Roxas as he stared at Cloud and watched as his older brother smiled at him with his ears bent slightly. Cloud reached a hand out slowly, frowning when Roxas flinched some before he ruffled his hand in Roxas' hair and leaned his forehead against Roxas' own. Roxas held his breath, unsure if he had fallen asleep in the snow and was dreaming as Cloud looked down and his smile disappeared.

"So…you disobeyed me, left for war, placed a bounty on your own head in more than one nation, wreaked havoc I can't even begin to explain, and almost got yourself killed…" he paused and smiled, looking up to Roxas and grinning. "What the hell am I gonna do with you?"

Roxas laughed, pulled back, and dived into Cloud's arms, knocking the older male to the floor and laughing as he hid his face in his brother's chest whilst the white puffy snow jumped upwards about them. Pushing his face against his brother's cloak, Roxas shook his head and squeezed Cloud tight, letting the small tears fall as Cloud hugged him back fiercely and rocked him slowly. Roxas felt wet tears fall in his hair and listened to Cloud shush him quietly, speaking more to himself than to Roxas as the younger Neko drowned himself in his brother's scent, feeling the warmth come from his brother's torso and never wanting to let go.

Leaning against his wyvern, Axel looked on at the scene before he hummed, smiled, and closed his eyes, resting his chin on his chest as he reflected on all that had happened. Peeking an eye open, he snuck one last glance at Roxas and Cloud and frowned. He would never get a reaction like that, he knew it. And it hurt.

Roxas was forced back as Cloud held him at arm's length, his hands holding on to his shoulders tightly as he laughed and shook his head. "Oh Roxas, you know I still have to kick your arse for this, right?"

Roxas smiled. "I don't care."

Cloud laughed aloud. "When do you ever? As soon as we get Sora my boot'll be up your butt. You're safe 'til then."

Roxas frowned and let his ears go up slightly in curiosity, thinking hard before he spoke in a small voice. "Sora…he's alive too?"

Cloud looked taken aback and retracted his hands as if he had been burned. "Roxas…what are you talking about? Of course he's alive. Why wouldn't he be?"

Before Roxas could speak Axel spoke in a loud tone from the back, drawing all eyes to him as he closed his eyes and smiled. "Because a certain little Kitsune spy was misinformed and told him you and Sora had been murdered in a massacre the King had performed for Roxas no longer relaying information to him." He left out the kiss and looked up as Cloud glared at him out of cold sapphires. "What was he supposed to think? He didn't hear from you in God knows how long, and when you finally do show up it's at his execution." He let out a laugh and shook his head. "Talk about timing."

Cloud growled and stood, clenching his fists and ignoring Roxas' questioning glance as he began his slow march over towards the Tora. Axel, sensing the change in atmosphere, kicked of his wyvern and turned to face Cloud head on.

"You know, Tora," Cloud spat the word as if it was venom in his mouth. "I've heard a rather disturbing rumour about you."

Axel cocked his head slightly and smiled. "Oh Really? Just one?"

Roxas frowned and folded his ears back, turning to face Cid as the Inu let out an "uh-oh" and backed up some. Roxas inhaled sharply as Cloud drew his sword and swirled it in his hand before Axel painfully grabbed his chakram and held it in his own bruised hands.

"Ya see, there was this Tora guard, and he told me that you," he pointed at Axel and growled, "have been getting a little too close to my brother."

"Oh geez." Roxas mumbled, blushing a scarlet as every eye turned between him and Axel before he raised his hood and brought it down over his head, attempting to hide his scarlet cheeks as he could practically feel the snow melt away around him from the heat of his embarrassment. "Cloud can we please talk about this some other time?"

Cloud growled and turned back to him. "So something did happen?"

Roxas shuffled uncomfortably under his brother's gaze and looked away. "W-well it wasn't exactly something…." He itched the back of his head nervously and swallowed hard.

"So nothing happened?" Cloud asked, lowering his sword slightly.

"Well…" When Roxas refused to answer Cloud snarled and turned back to face Axel. Cid let out a "wrong answer Kitty" and Pete grumbled an "I knew this would happen" as Cloud began his advance on Axel once more.

"I swear to God Tora when I'm through with you they'll be scattering what few pieces of you there are left on a fire!" Cloud roared, starting forwards and smashing his blade down hard across Axel's chakram, pushing him back forcefully until the redheads back was against a tree. Axel brought up his own blade to block the attack aimed at his throat and rolled out of the way of the sword that stuck fast in the tree, landing in the snow hard before he let out a laugh at the sword that Cloud wrenched from the tree as it came to rest at his throat whilst the Neko heaved heavily and his chest moved up and down fast with every rapid breath from his mutating rage.

Raising his blade, Cloud was about to slice downwards and lodge it in Axel's flesh before he felt something small crash into his side. Startled, the blow sent him flying a few feet where he landed hard in the snow. Growling, Cloud leaned up on his elbows, about to curse what he expected was Leon or Cid for stopping him. But as he looked up, following the sword that was poised at his throat and shaking in its owners grasp, he frowned to find the holder to be a certain white eared Neko.

Roxas was shaking, his hand physically wavering as he placed the steel at his brother's throat and breathed deep, his eyes wide at his own actions as he shook his head and swallowed hard. Swallowing against the steel pressed against his throat, Cloud looked up and frowned at his little brother. "Roxas-"

"I won't let you hurt him Cloud!" Roxas shouted, speaking loudly to force himself to believe that he was doing the right thing.

Cloud turned his confused eyes from Roxas to stare at the redhead behind him. Axel seemed just as confused by the blonde's actions as he stared up at Roxas in bewilderment and smiled some. Cloud growled at the smile and turned back to look up at his brother. "Roxas! What the hell are you doing? For Goddess' sake, if it isn't bad enough that he's the enemy he damn well fuck-"

"Stop it Cloud!" Roxas let out a shaky breath and pushed the blade down harder when Cloud attempted to get up. "I won't let you do it."

"Why are you defending him?" Cloud asked, sinking back onto the floor and ignoring the stunned silence the others appeared to have been shocked into.

Roxas frowned and looked down at the ground, his hand still wobbling fiercely. "Because…"

When he stopped Cloud paused and pushed for an answer, watching as Axel coughed and kneeled unsteadily behind Roxas' back. "Why?!"

"Because-"

"Why, Roxas?!"

"Because I love him!" Roxas roared, countering his brother's own rising volume and shocking the area into a steep silence as he shook his head and watched his brother's eyes go wide. Slowly he lowered the sword away from his brother's throat and let his shoulders fall. Pushing his ears back against his head, he spoke in a small whisper and closed his eyes, completely defeated and broken down. "I love him, Cloud."

No sooner had the words left Roxas' mouth than the grin from Axel's face vanished. He stared up at the back of the blonde's cloak and cleared his throat, removing some of the phlegm and pulling the eyes to him as Cloud glared at him from between Roxas' legs, still sat on the floor and weary of the sword in his brothers hand, and Roxas turned to stare at him from over his shoulder, the burns on his cheeks inflamed and red.

"I love you too, kitten."

He smiled up and felt his heart lift a little when Roxas smiled back. Before any more words could be spoken between the trio Cid spoke up from between Leon and Seifer, who was still holding onto a slumbering Hayner that had been snoring quietly through the event.

"Well, this is touchin'. Very touchin'. But I think we should keep moving. We've overstretched the Lagoon by miles and the Tora's will no doubt be on our tail. We have to get someplace safe-"

"I think it's too late for that." Leon mumbled, his eyes closed as he folded his arms and smiled. "We've been watched for the past ten minutes." Opening his eyes he looked between the bare white striped trees and raised his voice to a snarling shout. "You might as well come out! We know you're there!"

No sooner had the words left his lips than a score of Ushi warriors emerged from the snow, covered in frosted moss that camouflaged them completely as they raised their swords and encircled the small band of mixed wounded rebels and spies, screaming at Roxas to drop his weapon as they threw weighed down nets over Roric and Axel's wyvern. Arrows were raised and pulled back, ready to fly at a seconds notice as they were trained upon the two Tori. Emerging through the hoard was Rai, his face smug as he pushed soldiers out of his way whilst a thick cart drawn by a group of six warthogs followed him.

"Well well, looks like Duke Strife has returned to us." On the floor Cloud groaned, growled, and stood, giving Axel one last death glare as he turned to face the Ushi with his arms folded across his chest. Rai continued in an angry tone as he glared about at the bunch. "Give me one reason why I shouldn't kill you all."

To Roxas' surprise it was Pete that stepped forwards, drawing the eyes of everyone upon him as he smiled. "Prince Rai, allow me to introduce myself. My name is King Pete of the Buta Kingdom." As soon as the words left his mouth Roxas turned to face him, completely startled as the betrayal ran thick through him. He had trusted Pete and believed he was a normal Buta…if he would have known he was a king he would have never even thought of breaking down and revealing his secrets in front of him.

Before he could question it Pete continued speaking. "I stand before you with Prince Leon of the Tori Nation and his Lieutenant Yuffie. The Hitsuji Lord of the south, Lord Seifer." Roxas turned to Seifer and frowned as the hitsuji bowed his head respectfully whilst holding a startled Hayner who quickly yelped out of his arms and mumbled a "what the hell is going on?" as he looked about at the Ushi before he raised his hands up to show he meant no harm.

"My trusted accomplices from the Inu nation, the soon to be knights Cid and Hayner." Both Cid and Hayner raised an eyebrow and exchanged glances. "The young Prince Axel of the Tora nation." Axel nodded his head and stood, glaring about at the Ushi and standing a little closer to Roxas as he growled, earning himself a snarl from Cloud as Roxas sighed in the middle. "And the two heirs to the Neko throne, Prince Cloud and Prince Roxas."

Roxas frowned when Cloud never reacted, looking up at his older brother and watching as he pushed his ears back and sighed. It was almost as if he already knew…

Rai gulped to find himself surrounded by a group of such high ranking prestigious people and frowned. "How do I know you are who you say you are?"

Pete laughed and folded his arms. "I think a more important question is how can you prove we're not? If you strike us down now and we are who we say we are you will face the wrath of six nations. Your uncle, King Xehanort, will surely know us for who we are. Take us to him. He'll prove our story."

Rai stayed still for a moment, unsure of what to do or say before he gave out a stiff nod and spoke. "Very well. But in return for taking you there I want you all in chains. I want no one escaping."

Pete smiled. "As you wish."

Rai nodded and turned to face a group of men on his right. "Load the beasts up onto the wagons and have the beasts drag them to the castle. We'll be walking." The men nodded and immediately ran forward to secure a screeching Roric and the roaring wyvern. As soon as the beats were loaded (which took a long time and involved a great amount of difficulty) the chains were brought out and the wagon rolled slowly away through the trees.

Pete was the first one locked in iron, the two heavy metal cuffs locking about his wrists before a third was attached to the middle and tied about the wrist of a stocky soldier. Next it was Seifer's turn. The male snarled when the cuffs were placed on his wrists, hissing at the soldier that attached them before the final third cuff was placed on the soldiers own wrist and they began the march after Pete. Hayner was next. He went quietly, still confused about what was going on.

When it came to Leon's turn the two cuffs were tied to his wrists and linked to a set of two soldier's wrists instead of one before a leather belt was tied hard about his chest and wings, preventing him from opening them and taking of. Yuffie was next. Although she too had her wings tied with a belt she was only linked to one soldier. As she was led away Rai turned to Cloud and grinned.

"So, your station exceeds that of a duke?" He laughed. "Good to know."

Cid's turn came and the soldier frowned to find the broken cuff on his right wrist. Turning to Rai, they asked what they should do and were met with a snarl as Cid laughed aloud at the struggling men. Carefully they slid a knife under the gap between his wrist and the metal and pulled hard, forcing a grunt from Cid's lips as the shackle fell to the snow and was replaced with a brand new shiny pair. Cid grumbled down at the cuffs, mumbling about always being in chains before he was attached to two soldiers and dragged along.

The same procedure followed with a growling Cloud. The soldier's shook all the while they stood in front of him and slid the knife under his left wrist, breaking the shackle and listening to the deep snarl that rumbled in the older Neko's throat as Axel and Roxas waited for their turn. Two heavy cuffs were placed on Cloud's wrists and he was attatched to two medium sized Ushi's and a rather large one before he was marched off with a growl. But not before he managed to whisper a few harsh last minute words to Axel.

"I swear to the Goddess above Tora. Touch him and I will slit you open and make you watch." He turned his cold gaze away from Axel's unflinching one and spoke to Roxas in a soft tone. "We'll speak soon Roxas. I promise."

He was dragged of and Roxas' turn came. Pushing back the hems of his cloak, the Ushi soldiers flicked the knife under his right wrist and pulled hard, undoing the shackle and breaking it free before they listened to it thud against the floor. When they turned to address Roxas' other wrist they frowned, unable to move it for the swelling. Carefully, they tried to slide a knife beneath it before they pulled back quickly when Roxas winced and pushed his ears back against his head. It wasn't the pain in the Neko's voice that stopped them, but more the rumbling growl that thundered from the Tora that stared at them with harsh fire-lit emerald eyes.

They tried again, once more dragging a wince from Roxas' lips before Axel reached forwards and grabbed the Ushi with the knife by his cloak, holding it tight before he threw him down hard into the snow and snarled. The remaining Ushi backed up some, slightly afraid of the Tora's twitching tail as the Neko gave off a slight look of annoyance and sighed.

"Axel, what-"

He was broken off as Rai stomped over, taking a look at his soldier that was cowering in the snow before he turned to Axel and snarled. "What the hell are you playing at? You think that's funny, Tora? Royalty or not I'll rip you limb from limb!" He started forwards before Roxas cut him off, standing in between the two unflinching males and shaking his head.

"No! He'll go quietly." He turned back to Axel and spoke in a low warning tone. "Won't you, Axel?"

Axel's eyes flicked down to him briefly before he growled and tore himself away from him forcefully, holding his wrists out and avoiding the Ushi prince's obnoxious smirk. The cuffs were placed tightly on his wrist before they were linked to two of the few remaining soldiers, both of them heavily built as they dragged him away to follow the others. Axel gave Roxas one last look over his shoulder, his eyes somewhat softer before he was smacked in the back of the head by one of the Ushi's and forced to pick up the pace, still limping as he went.

Roxas looked back to Rai as the Ushi prince smiled at him and glanced down at his wrist. "We won't be getting that of anytime soon." He snatched a pair of shackles up from one of the few remaining guards and snapped one end around Roxas' right wrist before he directly linked the other with his left, tying the two together and grinning. "Don't worry, as soon as we get to the castle we'll get it off. Who knows, maybe Uncle will remove it for you personally. He's an expert in dismembering people."

Roxas gulped at the threat, never letting his fear show across his face before Rai turned and began storming of, dragging Roxas with him as the last of the Ushi brought up the back of the pack. Together they slowly made their way through Ushi territory and towards the castle.

Roxas frowned. Everything he thought he knew about people was wrong. Pete and Seifer weren't who they said they were. He suspected that Cloud, judging by his reaction, must have had some inkling about who they were. Axel still didn't know about his father, and Roxas was still no closer in finding out where Sora was. He sighed and shook his head. "At least he knew his brother was alive this time. That was definitely a bonus. And now that they were chained up Cloud couldn't try and kill Axel. But when they reached the castle would the King of the Ushi do it for him?

The Neko King sat on his throne, the table before him laid with linen as a map of the fifteen kingdoms laid out before him, some marked with the Neko flag and others branded with a dark red X. Placing his chin in his hands, the Neko King stared down on the map with burning eyes, the pieces of the amulet he had collected resting against his hairy chest as he sat with nothing on but an open grey robe to cover his nakedness. Sighing into the silence, he knotted the middle of the robe and stood, trailing his fingers along the table as he frowned down on the makeshift pieces he had formed to represent his, his enemies, and his allies armies.

He had kept his army within his kingdom, protecting his borders from the Tora's that surrounded him. The Buta had pulled away from him, breaking their ranks with the Shika and causing a massacre upon the Shika kingdom before they had finally retreated back into their own lands. The Shika populace had been devastated, and had been asking him to help grant them vengeance by loaning them several thousand men. He had declined harshly. Now that he had the amulet the destroyed Shika nation was of no great importance to him. But the Buta still had their amulet, and although he had no doubt in his mind they had been devastated by their own rebellion and taken heavy casualties, he knew they could still pose a threat if they were allowed to get out of hand once more. But, if they wanted to reach him they must first get through the Shika. That in itself would provide him with enough time to reposition his troops.

The Kitsune spy, Aqua, had refused to turn up for duty, and upon his enquiries the Kitsune King had revealed that he had been unable to locate her. The female had disappeared and upon the Neko King's demand he had sent out several spies to try and relocate her. After all, she knew some very important information. Apart from that the Kitsune King had remained stationary in the war, choosing to fight his own battle with the neighbouring Ushi Kingdom as the two fought for farm land in a time when food was becoming scarcer. The Neko King let out a small chuckle in the empty room. He had warned the Ushi to pull out of the Kitsune's territory, warning them that they were still surrounded on all sides by the Neko's, Hituji's and Kitsune's. A battle would commence if it needed to. To the Ushi King's credit he had laughed in the Neko Kings face, spat at his feet and continued with his assault anyway. Proving that he was fill of courage even if he did lack brains.

To counter the insult the Neko King had sent several thousand Hitsuji troops into the Ushi territory on the west whilst the Kitsune's attacked from the north, creating a war he still held no casualties for even if he did help cause it and controlled it. The Neko King frowned in the empty room and stared hard at the Ushi piece of the map. It was connected to the Buta's…that would pose a problem if he didn't take care of that. He couldn't afford a sneak attack yet. Not when his people were still so weak from the toll and the famine. He would have to send some troops out to block the area of.

Looking further up the map he let his finger hover over the small Nezumi Kingdom. So far they had remained neutral in the war and had ignored all of the Neko King's invitations to join him. If they did not make their move soon he would be forced to make it for them. But to get to them he would have to move several thousand troops through either the Tora, Raion or Ushi kingdom. None of them were friendly or in his favour. All of them would pose a threat and could turn the tide in the war, tipping it to the point where he would no longer be in control. He couldn't allow that.

He had extended an offer out to the Raion's, but the foolish King had decided to turn to the Tora's instead, choosing their larger neighbour over his small colony of Kingdoms. However, word had reached him yesterday from the Hitsuji that there had been extreme civil unrest in the Tora nation. Apparently Night Crawler had been killed in a public execution and the youngest prince had gone mad at the death of his father after a break out of fire, ordering the army to turn on itself. The eldest prince, Reno he believed he was called, had been forced to take charge and kill Prince Axel. The after effects were devastating and the kingdom had slowly been ripped in two. The North wanted Reno of the thrown and replaced with a successor, but who the Neko King could only guess at, whilst the South wanted Reno to take charge. The country had been blocked from the outside world ever since. And the Hitsuji reported the stain of red in their rivers that came downwind of Tora land.

It was because of this that the Neko King refused to extend his hand to the Tora. He hadn't initially because of the old Tora King. He knew the old man would see through his plan, even if he was blind. But now that the King was gone the Tora nation was practically destroying itself. All the Neko King was interested in was the amulet, and he could swoop in and snatch that piece when there was no longer a Tora left alive. Which, judging by the circumstances, wouldn't be long.

Then there was the Ookami at the utmost northern hemisphere of the map. The rebellion there had gotten uncontrollably out of hand. Apparently the King had been killed and his people all but destroyed and forced into slavery overnight after a brutal blood bath. The travellers that had managed to survive the journey through the vicious nations spoke of demons raping women in the streets, ripping men in two with nothing but their hands as they burned mountains of children that clogged the sky with a mass cloud of black ash. The young prince had been taken hostage and was locked within the castle walls. The new leader of the Ookami, the known psychotic brother of the recently deceased King, had pulled away from the Tora's, declaring war on the bordering Inu nation and creating a thick war as dogs fought against wolves under a red moon.

The Neko King let out a laugh. It was all too easy. Everyone was killing each other for him. As soon as one of the two dogs was dead he would swoop in, claim the amulet and destroy the other after they had been weakened from battle. Then all that was left was the Kuma and Uma. The Kuma King had passed away under normal circumstances, leaving his eldest heir, Prince Lexeaus, to take the throne. The Neko King frowned in the dimly lit room. The prince had openly refused to join him in the war and had immediately sent the young princess down to the Buta nation. For what purpose the Neko King couldn't even begin to understand, but it troubled him that the Buta and Kuma could be in ranks.

Finaly there was the Tori. The Tori nation was practically destroyed already. The prince had disappeared in the Tora civil war and the famine was hitting the island hard. It wouldn't be long before they would starve to death, and then he would be able to claim yet another piece of the amulet.

He let out a rumbling laugh and smirked at his own brilliance, grinning down on the map and all that it held for him. He no longer had to worry about Night Crawler, and he had sent Marshal back out to locate the pendant. He knew it was most likely to still be in the Tora castle, and so he was keeping Marshal's ransom until he finished his duty to him. After that he would kill the girl and Marshal afterwards.

There was a fierce knock on the door and the Neko King glanced upwards carelessly, speaking in a lazy tone. "Enter."

The door was thrown wide and one of his General's stepped in wearing his thick iron uniform. He took one look at the King in his open nakedness, inhaled deeply and averted his eyes with a thick blush, stuttering some as the Neko King rolled his eyes and barked harshly.

"Hurry up and spit it out man! I have work to be doing."

The General nodded and swallowed hard, still not looking at the Neko King. "Sire, the Raion King is downstairs. He comes to bargain with you."

The Neko King let out a deep chuckle and wrapped his robe closer about himself, tying it tight as he nodded. "Good. Send him in."

The General nodded and strode out of the room. Leaving the Neko King in silence as he walked over to his throne and sat heavily down in it. He pondered on just what the Raion King could want to bargain over. After all, the Neko King had already extended his offer.

There was a small knock on the door before it was opened and Ansem strode in, Luxord by his side in thick golden plate armour with his hand on his sword. Together the pair entered, Luxord bowed and Ansem nodded his head, receiving the same back from the Neko King before he laughed and looked down on the Raion's before him.

"Well now, this is a surprise My Lord. Tell me, my General says you wish to bargain with me, is that true?"

Ansem nodded stiffly and bit back the growl in his throat. "That is correct."

"What could you possibly have that I want?" The Neko King's eyes lit up with hunger as Ansem pulled the amulet from his neck and held it openly in his hand.

"I have a piece of what you seek."

A silence settled and the Neko King hummed and placed his ears back some. "You would be willing to trade this?" At Ansem's stiff nod he raised an eyebrow. "What cost would you ask? Money? Men? Perhaps women? Trade? Land?"

Ansem shook his head. "None of them, My Lord. As you may know my eldest is smitten with the youngest Tora Prince."

The Neko King nodded. "Yes. It is a shame he perished in the flames. Tell me, how is your daughter? I trust she rests safely back within your castle walls?"

"I sent my personal guard in to retrieve her and her younger sister last night. I received a report that they are both safe and unharmed within my grounds. As for the young Tora prince, he is not perished. Rather he rides south with an odd company."

The Neko King leaned in slightly and clasped his hands together, slightly interested. "Oh?"

"Apparently he fled with a party of Neko's, Hitsuji, Tori and Inu. They currently hide within Ushi borders."

At the mention of the word Neko the King had leaned in even more and had let his beady eyes flick between the two Raion's. "Neko's, you say?"

"Aye. Rumours say that they have white ears." Ansem smiled at the King's sharp intake of breath. "I'm prepared to take care of the situation for you and give you the amulet."

"And what do you ask for in return?"

"I know of the exact location of the group of rebels. And I know exactly who is involved. A rather informative little rat of mine told me. But do not fret, I have cut his tongue out to ensure your secret goes no further. I can help you get the two Neko's, all I ask in return is that when you find the young Tora Prince you hand him over to me."

The King raised an eyebrow. "I could keep the Neko's, and the amulet?"

Ansem nodded. "And I would receive Prince Axel. What I do with him is my own business."

The King laughed through thick gruesome teeth as Ansem placed his amulet on the map over the Raion section, watching as it turned from a golden yellow to an empty black.

"Agreed."

There ya go ^_^ hope you like it.