Sorry, guys. This chapter was meant to be longer, but I was having a problem with my connection this morning. I think I got it fixed, so here is the updated chapter. Enjoy!

"Did you find anything good, Xig?"

"Nah, nothing but a bunch of old pots. You?"

"I got these!" The other boy held up a string of beaded pearls for all to see. "Sea jewels! They're really rare!"

"No way!"

Sora listened to the other Nobodies' banter, looking down at his own bounty with shame. He couldn't bear to take too much; he'd have preferred not to take anything at all from that human family, but all of the boys did this sort of thing, and if he didn't, they would probably beat him.

At least this way, he wasn't a total failure.

"What'cha got there, Sora?" Xigbar sneered, laughing when he held it up. "What, you wanted an extra blanket? Is wittle bitty Sora all cold and scared at night?"

"They didn't have anything else," he lied, not managing to sound derisive about it at all. The older Nobody scoffed.

"Likely story. What'd you do, ask them nicely for it?"

"Did you at least grab a couple of coins?" Zabu, one of the other boys, slapped his shoulder, making him jolt.

"Y-Yeah."

"Better than nothing, but you're still a loser, kid!"

"Shhhh!" Xigbar hissed, forcing the group to come to a halt. "Hear that?"

"Hear what?" Zabu asked. "You trying to scare us, you-?"

"Shut up! Something's coming from the bushes!"

They paused, and listened. Sure enough, there was a rustling up ahead.

"Shit! Scatter!"

Before Sora even knew what was happening, he found himself alone in the clearing. He looked around, confused and more than a little afraid. If it was a bear or a grown human or something, he could be in serious trouble.

"W-Wait for me!" he cried, about to just pick an opposite direction and run, when suddenly, he heard a strange sound. Not loud like footsteps and rustling...no, this sound was soft and airy.

The little Nobody had only heard a bell once before, but he knew it was a sound that he liked.

"Huh?" He took a step closer, not very afraid at all anymore. "What's a bell doing way out here?"

It continued to tinkle softly, and yet he heard it as if it were right next to his ear. It only seemed a little louder when he turned his head.

Making up his mind quickly, Sora followed the sound. Curiosity was never a very good thing as far as Nobodies were concerned, but the brunet was starting to realize that he wasn't like most Nobodies. His mother seemed to think he would grow out of it, but then, she was often saying insincere things.

Parting some very tall grass, the boy stepped into a more open bit of forest and gasped at what he saw there.

A human was sitting on the ground. Not a big human, no, it was a little one, practically no bigger than Sora himself. The boy seemed to be talking to something, and as he whipped around to look at the newcomer, Sora caught a brief glimpse of a small, floating ball of light hovering in the air beside his head. In a flash, it seemed to pop like a bubble in a stream, disappearing as the human began to cry.

"A-Another monster!" Breathing quickly, he scrambled backwards on his hands until his back met a tree. Sora didn't move to approach him, but he was alarmed by the movement, and even more so when the small human curled around his knees and began to cry harder. "P-PAPA! HELP ME!"

"I-I won't hurt you!" he said honestly, dropping his bundle. He rushed over, but paused when he saw the boy quiver. Having a closer look now, Sora could see pale skin was battered and dirty. He didn't think humans were supposed to look that colorful.

"Monster," the boy moaned pitifully, the sound muffling against his knees as he curled away from the Nobody and dissolved into whimpering sobs.

"I really won't hurt you! Honest!" He moved closer and hovered around him, unsure of what to do. "Please don't cry."

That little head lifted, revealing a red, tear-stained face.

"Y-You w-w-won't?"

Sora nodded, smiling a little at the sight.

"I won't. Because I don't want to."

It took a few moments to calm the boy down, but soon he was uncurling from his protective crouch, sniffling and rubbing his eyes and nose.

"Where did you come from? And why are you all alone?" He didn't look anywhere near brave enough to be out on his own, and Sora could see and confirm that humans were more fragile than his kind.

The human sniffled. "I got lost. A bigger you made me fall down a big cliff."

"A bigger me?" He nodded. "You must have seen one of the adults. They can be pretty nasty...Are you hurt?"

He nodded, hugging himself. The boy seemed to be fighting the urge to start crying again.

"I l-lost my papa...I j-just w-wanna go h-home!"

"Shhhhhh," Sora said, giving him a gentle hug. "Don't cry, remember? It'll be okay. You're safe now. Your papa will probably find you in no time!"

"Y-You think so?" Watery blue eyes looked up at him trustingly, and the Nobody had to smile.

"Of course." Sora looked around, thinking for a moment. He couldn't dawdle too long, or he'd get in trouble, but he didn't just want to leave the little human sitting here all alone. He wasn't armed or prepared for anything at all.

After a few minutes fruitlessly thinking, he looked back when he heard a soft yawn. The boy was looking very tired all of the sudden, and he began rubbing his eyes.

"Sleepy?"

"Uh-huh," he said, yawning again despite himself. "I was walking a long time."

That gave Sora an idea, and he grinned at the little human as he hopped back to his feet.

"Hey, why don't you take a nap then? I can watch you to make sure no more monsters come out, and then I'm sure your papa will find you." He ran over to his once forgotten bundle and grabbed the only thing he had actually managed to steal: an old green cloak.

"You can sleep under this! What do you think?"

The blonde didn't seem to have the energy to disagree, even if he wanted to. He just nodded, lowering himself onto his side and allowing the older boy to cover him up. It didn't look perfectly comfortable, but at the very least he wouldn't be cold. Sora was surprised by how fast the younger boy seemed to be fading. He was practically sleep-talking already!

"Thank you," the human mumbled softly, as the Nobody tucked the cloak under his chin. "Umm...?"

"Sora. My name is Sora." It occurred to him that he hadn't asked the boy's name either. He was just about to ask when-

"Sora...that's a pretty name...I like it."

The Nobody blinked at him, surprised. That was the first time anyone had ever said something like that to him. Under the Earth, his name was like some cruel joke, because Nobodies hated the world above.

"You do?"

"Yeah...I really like it..."

He wanted to say something more - though he wasn't quite sure what - but the boy yawned again, his eyelids getting heavier. "Thank you, Sora."

"...Yeah..." Soon, his unlikely little friend was fast asleep. He was even smiling a little.

Sora didn't stay long. He couldn't, even though he wanted to, but while he was there, he watched the little human curiously, wondering who he was. After his initial fear, he seemed to treat Sora like any other human child. Human adults didn't do that, and the mountain children didn't either.

If circumstances were different, Sora could have almost seen the two of them being real friends. Nice ones, too; not bullies like Xigbar.

He finally had to leave when the sky opened up and began to cry. As he turned to go, he paused, then came back over to the little boy and covered him up a little more, shielding him from the increasing rain.

"Goodbye...and good luck."

"Sora, are you coming?"

The Nobody shook his head, coming out of the memory. He wasn't even sure where it had come from, but he'd been thinking about it on and off since the previous night. For many afternoons after that incident, he had wondered if the boy had made it home alright.

Thinking on it now, Sora supposed he must have been from the castle. If so, he hoped he was alright now. The humans there were all in danger, but hopefully their prince had managed to warn them some.

"Sora!"

The brunet looked out over the forest from whence they'd come, and sighed.

"Yeah, Riku! I'm coming!"

He walked further up the hill to where his lover was waiting and took his hand, squeezing it comfortingly.

"Sorry...let's keep moving."

Soon they would reach the border of the kingdom. Now, at last, it was time to put their people behind them forever.

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"I have to go back out there."

"I know." Roxas opened his eyes and looked up at the older boy sadly. "I wish I could come with you."

"It's too dangerous, kid." Axel waited for him to move his head before getting up. It had been so comfortable, just sitting together and resting his head on Axel's shoulder. "Everyone out there is fighting to keep you safe."

The blonde looked down guilty. "I know. You don't have to remind me."

Axel cupped his chin. "Hey, things will be alright. I'll find your father and make sure nothing happens to him, okay?"

Roxas nodded. His friend would try to save as many people as he could. It seemed selfish to prize one or two people over everyone else, but he couldn't help it.

He just had to trust in Axel.

"Take this with you." With a brief spark, the prince's keyblade appeared in his hand, and he held it out to the surprised redhead. "It will help you."

"Roxas, I can't take that! What about you?"

"I'll be fine," he promised, giving him a reassuring smile. "No one will find me here, and I promise I won't open the door for anyone."

Axel shook his head. "I can't. I mean, even if I wanted to, how can you be so sure that I can wield it?"

"Just try." He held the key out again, giving the older boy a serious, sad look. "Please?"

After a moment, Axel nodded hesitantly. He reached forward and slid his hand over the prince's where it rested on the grip. Roxas smiled a little as warm fingers caressed over his knuckles, and then he started to retract his hand, making room for Axel's, his eyes never once leaving the older boy's.

Axel took Ventus and lifted him up, amazed even as he admired the detailed design.

"It's changed...before, it was just a plain key..."

Roxas nodded. "He appeared to me when I called. I was doubting myself, but I tried to push that away."

"Maybe he reacts to your strength."

"I don't know." He watched the redhead step away and swing the blade experimentally. "Maybe."

"Oathkeeper, huh? That's fitting...Do you think this one will be stronger than mine?" Axel asked, turning back to him. The prince looked at the other beautiful keyblade lying on the floor. It looked like flames made solid.

"Can you fight with one in each hand?"

"I don't know. I can try." The older boy looked unsure then. "Roxas, are you sure-?"

"Yes," he cut in, getting to his feet as well. "I know Ventus won't let anything happen to you. If I can't be there to fight by your side, I want to at least do this for you."

Axel flexed his arm, and the keyblade vanished in a flash of light. Spreading his fingers, he brought it back, looking at it thoughtfully. Then, he walked over and picked up the Bond of Flame, shifting it to his other hand.

Roxas watched as he practiced with the two of them, striking out at the walls and air. The strikes were a little clumsy at first, but soon, he seemed to adjust to the second weapon, spinning and slashing out with decent speed. Axel seemed to be fighting an imaginary enemy, as he ducked, dodged, and parried with Ventus.

"It feels good," Axel finally said, bending over and catching his breath. "Okay...I think I can do this."

"Thank you. It really does give me peace of mind, you know."

"What?" he laughed back. "Don't think I can take them on my own?"

Roxas put his hands on his hips. "You probably could, but the fewer chances we take, the better."

"Whatever you say, princess," Axel replied with a grin. The blonde felt his face heat up again, clenching his fists in the fabric of his skirt.

"You ass!"

"What? You really look like a princess now!"

He snarled, advancing on the other boy slowly. "Maybe I should take my keyblade back and ram it up your ass! How would you like that, huh?!"

"Hey! Hey now!" Axel waved his hands placatingly, making both swords vanish. He backed away towards the door. "Easy! I was just kidding!"

"Get out! Get out, and don't come back until those bastards are all gone! You hear me?"

"Loud and clear! H-Hey, don't push me!"

Roxas shoved him up against the door, and grinned maliciously as he fumbled for the knob.

"If you die, I'm going to beat your corpse black and blue."

The redhead gave him a bemused grin. "That's morbid. Glad to see you have so much faith in me, you little freak."

In response, the prince grabbed him by a few stray locks of hair and dragged him forward for another kiss. This time, he was the one dominating, making Axel melt under the intensity. If Axel had any questions about his feelings for him, he hoped this would be a sufficient answer.

"Don't you dare die," he whispered against panting, swollen lips, staring into wide green eyes.

"F-Fuck no..."

...

Roxas watched him run down the hall until he disappeared. He sighed, turning back inside and shutting the door to his room.

It was a little dark, and seemed much emptier. He had drawn the curtains to keep out the maddening noise from the rest of the castle, but even still, the room seemed darker than he remembered. Maybe there was a storm rolling in.

Lighting a candle, he settled himself back in bed and picked up the book he had left open on the covers. He stared at the pages for a long moment, but it wasn't because he had forgotten where he left off.

'I hope he'll be alright...oh Mother...if you're still here, please keep all of them safe. I'll do anything...'

Suddenly, a knock came at the door.

Instantly, the boy was out of bed, hovering by the nightstand. It was too soon for the fighting to be over, and he highly doubted that Axel would have come back for something.

"Come out, Little Prince."

Roxas froze, feeling completely overwhelmed by terror. He recognized that voice, and it wasn't Riku's.

"Come out quietly, or I'll break down this door..."

The blonde ran to the window, throwing the curtain open. It was a long drop to reach the courtyard below, and he knew he'd have no time to make a rope. Looking around desperately, he did the only other thing he could think of, running to the closet and shutting the door behind him as quietly, but quickly, as he could.

"So, you're going to make this hard on yourself?" the Nobody asked, practically crooning at him. "So be it."

Roxas jumped and covered his ears, fighting the urge to scream as he heard something crash, beating against the bedroom door. It kept pounding and pounding, snapping away the weakened wood as if it were only twigs.

When the banging stopped, the prince covered his mouth. He was breathing too fast and far, far too loud. It was probably a vain hope, but maybe the King would give up and go away...

Footsteps drew closer to the door, and Roxas tried and failed to summon his keyblade to him. It must have bonded to Axel, so it couldn't answer his need, no matter how desperate.

Either that, or he really was as weak and pathetic as he'd thought...

"I'd hate to have to break this door down as well," the large Nobody said sweetly. "Won't you come out now, Little Prince? I promise that you won't be harmed."

"No!" he cried, more bravely than he felt, as he held the closet door handle tightly in both hands. He didn't even think to try changing his voice.

"I advise you to reconsider. You won't escape us, and this charitable mood of mine is...shall we say, rare?"

"Never!" He fumbled for something else to say. "I-I have a dagger in here! I-If you come any closer, I'll slit my own throat!"

"Oh, I highly doubt you will."

"I'll do it!" he replied. "Just see if I won't! You can take this kingdom by force, but you'll never get it from me!"

"Even if I believed you, how would you protect your little friend?"

Roxas's eyes went wide. He couldn't stop shaking now.

"Y-You're lying!"

The door was ripped away, the knob sliding right out of his hands. Palms on fire, the blonde fell back, groaning as he hit his head against the wall.

There stood the monstrous Nobody with silver hair, dark skin, and gleaming golden eyes. He was wearing a thick plate of stone armor and a tattered cape. Beside him, another Nobody was holding Xion, bound with chains, in one hand. A sword was poised in the other, waiting to strike a killing blow.

"Roxas, run! Get out of here, now!" The guard readjusted so that he slapped a hand over her mouth before she could say more, unconcerned as she kicked and thrashed out as hard as she could. The girl seemed completely unconcerned for herself, but the sword remained close by, waiting...

"I'll ask you once more, boy," the King said, his amusement belying a dangerous edge. "Come along quietly, and no one will be hurt."