A/N: Um so yeah. Just always blame Saix. He is the root of all my problems for this fic. :P If you haven't notice already. Conniving bastard. Xemnas isn't any better now is he? Anyways, this might explain a little why Axel is making everyone feel so sad. He just can't get a break can he? Poor Roxas too. :( Other than that, whatever happened between Lea and Isa in this fic is important and don't worry, will be explained. At some point. When the time is right. :D Like I said. Just blame Saix for holding back on the bunnies.

Oh, if you haven't figured it out, this sorta follows cannon. At least the big plot events with many twists and turns. I do have plans to go as far as 3D. Wish they would just announce 3 already though... *Sigh...

Enjoy!

21

Axel ran down the hall as quietly as possible. If I'm quick enough, I can even catch Roxas at the clock tower before Xion gets there. Honestly, he hated having to tell his best friend that he would be going away for a while; but he hated leaving without saying anything even more. And if he timed everything just right, Zexion would not even notice he had left Castle Oblivion. The redhead sighed as he leaned against the corner that was the last turn to lead him to Saix's office. After all, his lover was having a wonderful time setting up their room.

The doorknob would have felt cold if he was not such a pyro and if he did not wear gloves. There was no backing out of what he was about to do. For us, Zeku. Axel slid inside quickly. "Ah, Axel." Saix smiled as he looked up from his desk. The berserker did not even seem surprised. Of course he wouldn't... "You have come to a decision then?"

Axel nodded, biting his lip in frustration. "I did," He answered. Saix raised an eyebrow in anticipation. "I'll do it."

"Good, just remember there is no going back on your word."

The pyro glared at his former best friend. "You should memorize that little detail."

"Hnn," Saix laughed at the agitated tone. "Of course you aren't one to forget our agreement."

The redhead sighed. How could I ever forget? Axel did not like trusting Saix anymore, but he just did not have a choice. That's right Isa, I've never had a choice in anything.

Heat would not wave off him like he wanted it to. The halls were as cold as his chest. Fuck you, Xemnas! Axel growled, shutting his eyes tightly and balling his fists. Right now he wanted to punch something really hard. If only Larxene would wonder into his path he could let his anger go without remorse. But he sighed and continued aimlessly down the winding hallways. On second thought, never mind you ass. You'd like that... sick fuck. After what he just got done seeing, he wanted to cut his eyes out. Marluxia was just plain freaky to begin with. To watch the weird pink assassin touch anyone made him feel sick.

Aside from all of that, if he did manage to work up the courage to gouge his eyes out, he would never be able to see Zexion again, quite literally in fact. Zeku... damn it, what did I get us into? Axel felt cold again. He rubbed his arms slowly as he looked down the different halls before choosing another. I'm so sorry... His wondering the castle was aimless and very pointless. Eventually he would have to go back to his room. And he was not one who was going to neglect his lover either. He just would have to not say anything until his tongue could be reigned in on certain things. No use on making thing worse.

The air shifted and the sounds of a portal opening made the hair on his neck stand up. "There you are, Axel." The pyro froze. Saix was probably the last person he wanted to see right now.

"Not in the mood today, Number Seven." Right now, he did not feel like using his former friend's name. He continued down the hall, away from the scar-faced Nobody.

Saix coughed. "I need you to do something while you are on this next mission." The redhead froze again. It never occurred to him that even if Saix was not sharing bed space with the Superior anymore it did not mean the dubbed 'second in command' would not know about every mission.

"Find someone else." Axel mumbled.

"I think you will do it after what I have to tell you." A grin could be heard in Saix's voice. There was honestly nothing he could say that- "I know how you can save Zex-"

Axel had never moved faster in his life. His gloved hand was at the berserker's throat. Looking around, he found a door that led into one of the many empty, unused rooms of the castle. Flinging it open, the redhead dragged them both inside and slammed Saix against the wall. The other coughed at the random impact. "Don't speak to me about, Zexion." Saix actually smiled. It was like he expected Axel's reaction. "In fact, don't speak to me at all anymore. Your chances for favors are over and you know it. Find someone else to play your sick little games because Xemnas won't fuck you anymore. Leave us out of it." Emeralds lit up with angry fire.

Axel turned to leave when Saix found his voice again. "He promised you that he wouldn't touch Zexion if you followed his orders didn't he?" The acidic glare was back. "What makes you think he won't keep find other things to keep you tied down? Maybe you think that you can take Zexion's place and keep him safe. But for how long before he'll crave someone else? Someone else you care about? What about Roxas?" The words hit home. Xemnas wouldn't dare touch Roxas.

"What would you know about that shit? You've never cared about anyone before. Not even when we had hearts." Axel countered. Saix mumbled something. "What?" The other shook his head. "Whatever," He turned back around and walked towards the door.

"Just think about it." The berserker called to stop him. "If you make sure that Sora defeats Marluxia in Castle Oblivion, I will tell you how to save him." Axel paused with his hand on the doorknob for a brief moment before swinging it open. "I will tell you how to keep Zexion away from him permanently. Just let me know." Saix smiled as Axel huffed before slamming the door shut behind him.

The wondering continued until the pyro's brain felt like it was going to melt. He was not sure what he was going to do. I hate them both! There was absolutely no way he could trust the Superior's word, Saix was right about that. But his former friend had betrayed him once before so he was just as unreliable. Although, if it had not been for that betrayal Axel would not be here today. And I wouldn't have Zexion... The choice was maddening.

Finally, he found his room again. The normal warmth he felt there turned cold to as he lay on his bed staring at the glassed materia. It burned but no heat came from it. Axel was still not sure what he was going to do. Once he knew everyone was asleep, he slipped into Zexion's room. He had to make sure what was coursing through his veins was what he thought it was. With the first kiss, he knew and it did not surprise him at all. Even without a heart inside him he could finally name what he was 'feeling'. Axel was in love with Zexion. There was no turning back.

"You're leaving?"

Axel nodded at confused Nobody. "I'm not sure how long I'll be gone." Roxas huffed at his words as they stared at the sunset. The colors did not seem as bright as they normally did.

"And Zex is going with ya." That one was a statement.

"Yeah," He answered. "Well, at least you can still talk to Dem. And Xion, take care of her."

Blush filled the young blonde's face. It seemed like the Nobodies had finally worked up some courage between them. That's good to see. Roxas can't relay on me forever. Axel smiled at his best friend. "Y-yeah, I will." He had a feeling that he was going to miss movie nights.

Slowly, the redhead got up from the edge of the tower. Roxas looked up with sad eyes. "Let them know I said, bye. Kay?"

The keyblader nodded. "And the same to Zex."

"See ya latter, buddy." Axel waved before opening a portal back to Castle Oblivion. He hated that he had to even leave. But there were things he wanted to protect and he could not do that by waiting around. You better keep your end of the deal, Saix. Or I'll erase you myself. He was going to beat Xemnas at his own game.

Dreamweaving: I hope you get your FFN account working again! I miss your reviews on how I'm doing. :)

WindWisp: You provide endless entertaining reviews. Keep them up. :) May the bunnies be with you, for they are tasty! One of these days I may have to write a "how to make plot bunny stew" because of you. I know a few people who could learn from it. lol.