Epic 21: "Messing with Her is just Daring Death."

I can't say I was surprised. Irritated as hell, but not surprised. I cast a concerned glance over my shoulder at Naminé. Roxas was the first one behind me keeping his eyes forward his hand held Nami's tightly. She was doing okay, looking back curiously at Demyx. I rolled my eyes the kid was hiding behind Naminé for crying out loud. I turned back my eyes hardening as she entered.

"Well well well, lookey here!" She giggled. "I was all set for a little one-on-one with you Axel, and here you've brought your posse." She giggled again. Good grief I hated that sound. "Bonus."

I didn't look back as I took two deliberate steps towards her. "Larxene," I kept my voice very even and very calm. Very contradictive to how I was feeling. "Where is Arienn?"

She smirked. "You're so calm Axel I was expecting you to come in and just burn the place down."

"If you don't tell me where Arienn is, I still may." I smiled back coldly.

She shook her head. "Aw Axel, Axel don't worry about your little girlfriend. Marluxia's keeping her company."

I ground my teeth Chakarams twisting into existence. "Where?"

"Oh calm down!" Larxene rolled her eyes.

"Tell me where she is!" I shouted. At that moment there was a loud crash above my head and what sounded like Marly cursing. "Ari…" I got cut off by Larxene's foot slamming into me. I stumbled back catching her kunai against the metal of my Chakarams.

"You betrayed us!" she seethed. "You're a traitor and a liar not to mention a murderer! How!" The closest thing to anger she could get dripped from her voice, "How is it you were blessed? Why was it you who got a heart!"

I shrugged absently slamming her back into a wall. "Just lucky I guess." Was all I said.

A wicked smirk curled her lips. "So you do have a heart." I arched a brow before cursing softly. She hadn't been sure till that moment. She giggled gleefully. Talk about bipolar. "All of you have hearts. Even little Naminé! Too bad you got it only after Sora forgot all about you." She shrugged. "Guess you'll have to settle for his shadow." Roxas' blue eyes flashed growing cold. Naminé gripped his hand tighter cowering behind him. Still a tender spot for her. And I'm sure she was feeling a little guilt.

"Larxene," I got her attention back, she could call me what she liked, but I wouldn't settle for her attacking Naminé. "You're gonna tell me where Arienn is."

"Of course. Right after you tell me how she did it." Larxene replied just as calmly.

I shook my head taking a step towards her. "Doesn't work like that Larxene. You're gonna tell me, and I may feel more inclined to let you live." I sounded calm, but inside I didn't even want to give her the chance.

"Inclined?" Larxene asked.

I narrowed my eyes. "You kidnapped Arienn, attacked me, upset Nami and pissed me off." I lifted a brow. "Even just thinking about letting you live is me being merciful." I chuckled at the expression on her face. "What's with the shock? I do believe you were the one to refer to me as a murderer." I said softly. "Did you think having a heart would change me into some mellow merciful person?" I didn't notice that hiss coming back to my voice. "You hurt my girl and then expect me to just let you walk away!" It got dead silent. I couldn't help the shocked feeling. My girl?

Okay yeah, I had been worried about her. Who could blame me? There were about a million and two things that could go wrong here, and too many of those resulted in a dead wind user. Arienn was what was keeping me human, I needed her. I need her alive. But that was no reason to call her mine.

Larxene out right laughed, "Oh Axel, our dear number eight you really do have such a soft spot for her."

"Well yeah." Demyx piped in. "We all do."

"Arienn's our friend." Roxas stated walking up to my side, Keyblades glittering into life. "Messing with her is just daring death." He seethed. Nice to know I wasn't the only one pissed off.

I looked around; even Dem's Sitar had joined the collection of weapons. I looked back at Larxene. "You're choice…"

Larxene growled in frustration. There was no way she could take on all three of us and she knew it. Unfortunately at that moment a scream tore through the castle from above and pain ripped into my back, a blazing pain like my back had been torn open from left shoulder down to my right hip. It was enough to bring me to my knees, clutching at my shoulder, vision blurring. The scary thing was, I knew it wasn't mine.