Author's Notes:
Oooh, I love this chapter folks. I rewrote the ending of it (same ending only better) and a good tale end of it, complete with adding another scene (I was going to wait until later to add it but I think it's appreciate now). Since there was really nothing significant that happens after the last chapter and didn't want to had a needless filler, I went on a skipped a few days later.
Anywho, please enjoy this next installment and no chasing him with pitch-forks people!
Hints and answered questions at the bottom as usual.
Kamirine
Sephiroth's Guide to Love and Deception
Chapter Twenty-Six: Decaying Roses Coming to Bloom
Depression wasn't even the word to describe Roxas these past few days.
The boy was and had been sitting at his computer desk, slumped down in his chair, his head resting in his folded arms while his cell phone sat to the right of him. He kept staring at it, ocean blue eyes heavy lidded and red from all the crying he'd done recently.
Waiting.
"Man, this is depressing," Cloud muttered softly to his sister and younger brother as the trio watched the blond continue in his sulking.
"And he hasn't gotten up since," Sora added softly, in concern and Ri shook her head. "Nope. Ever since I found him outside Riku's bedroom door, he's just sat at that desk and sulked. Mom's had to force him to eat and she's so worried she's actually called him out sick from school."
"I know," Sora sighed. "Diz tried talking to him but he won't say anything."
"He won't talk to anybody," Cloud agreed. "I even got Sephiroth to point the end of his sword at his throat. He only looked up at us with an almost tear jerking pathetic look, his eyes were practically screaming 'Sorrow!' and then looked back down. Seph threatened to kill me if I ever reduced him to that."
"I can't believe Axel would just break up with him though," Sora replied confused and Ri hunched. "He wouldn't say a word through the door when I tried 'talking' to him. But I did warn him if I saw him out on the streets, I was get his butt, Al Bhed style. You should have seen him…Roxas was a mess!"
"He's still a mess," Cloud joked and the pair glared at him before Ri continued. "He was beating on the door, sobbing, and screaming at Axel to "Let him help" and not to "Shut him out". Even I got a little misty eyed--and you know I never cry."
"Maybe I should go talk to him," Sora announced and both Cloud and Ri shook there head. "I don't think Roxas is going to listen to you." Sora looked at both of them before turning on his heel, already heading down the hall. "I wasn't talking about Roxas."
"Oh," Ri replied softly and Cloud nodded before the blond peaked her head out of the room after Sora. "You never told us how your date went!"
"It wasn't a date!" Sora cried back before after a moments pause, he added. "It was…nice."
He disappeared down the hall and Ri and Cloud glanced at each other, the former smirking.
"Axel! Axel for the love of all things fire, please just open this door!" Mrs. Doss cried as Kairi beat on it for the millionth time.
It wasn't like the red head actually cared that Axel had been locked in his room for the past three days, but her mother was beside herself: she'd always had a soft spot for the older teen, hence why they were even letting him live with them in the first place, and it was really hurting her to see him like this.
Or actually, not seeing him at all.
Kairi was playing her role of the concerned 'cousin that's more like a little sister' type well, seeming as though she was close to tears while her own mother actually was crying, but softly. But honestly, the girl just wanted to get in there to demand a few answers.
She didn't know exactly what happened three days ago: all she knew was that she'd gone to the park on Wakka's advice to find her precious Sora--only to be attacked.
By…water?
She didn't know anyone that could actually use the element and she couldn't dream of anyone that would honestly want to hurt her, other than Riku. But when she'd awoken, she'd found herself still in the park, dizzy and confused--with a missing pouch of munni and her favorite necklace missing.
And to make matters worse, when she'd questioned Sora about his whereabouts that evening, he admitted he was in fact, out with Riku the entire time. And when she'd brought up how bad Riku was, one sentence almost sent her into a tail-spin:
"Actually Kairi…he doesn't seem all that bad to me."
She should have counted on Sora's overly Mary Stu nature and naivety to be an issue in all of this: someone could probably stab the boy in the chest and as long as they apologized, he'd be friends with them again. (A comforting thought, considering if he ever found out what she'd done to him.)
If Sora and Riku became friends again, this definitely would result in a problem but before she could act, she had to know who was out to get her: obviously the boy's date and her not being able to locate them was a complete set up.
Wakka was in on it, which she should have thought better of from the start: he did side with Riku during the whole 'lunchroom incident' affair, even if he was still nice to her. She would have thought it would have been Tidus, since he took a stronger stand but then again, now that he was trying to weasel his way back into Selphie's life, he probably wouldn't do anything to anger her best friend.
And while she didn't believe Axel actually had a hand in what happened, he probably knew everyone who was involved and why. And for the sake of her relationship with her Sora, she was going to find her answers.
"Axel darling, please come out of your room!" her mother cried, sounding very desperate. "You haven't eaten sweetheart and that mini fridge only had a few drinks! I know you were not happy about being suspended from school or taking that lesson but please, don't do this to yourself! I've already cancelled any further lessons with that professor so you don't have to worry about that dear! Just come out--or at least talk to me!"
"Yeah Axel, you're starting to scare us!" Kairi pretended in just as much concern, pausing in beating on the door to see if he would speak.
He didn't.
Her mother put a hand to her head and began to massage it, trying her best not to sob. "This is all my fault," she began and Kairi, being serious now, looked at her mother with concern. " I do not know what that professor has done to him but I think he has been traumatized! Honestly, the lesson could not have been that bad--he promised that he would find a way to work out Axel's aggression. I should have looked into his credentials better--but the school is so prestigious, I never imagined anything could have gone wrong."
"Mother, it's not--"
"And I'm sure Axel blames me for whatever happened," she sniffled, looking guilty. I should have met with the professor myself instead of talking with him over the phone and just giving him permission. Perhaps I should have fought that suspension better…"
"Mother, you can't take full responsibly for Axel's actions," Kairi said softly, taking her mother's hand and squeezing it. "If the professor did something wrong, then we'll just have to get Axel to talk so we can seek punishment. But he's the one that fought in school. It's not your fault, you've done all sorts of great things for him and he should be thankful. And he is--he's just probably sulking."
"Maybe your right," her mother began but before she could continue, there was a knock at their door. "We should go get that. Let's give him a little more time and maybe he'll finally come around."
"Great idea mother," Kairi smile and as they walked away from the door, she glared back at it with narrowed eyes. 'You can't stay in there forever.'
It was a few moments before Kairi finally opened her front door, her face immediately brightening up when she saw her boyfriend standing there, a warm smile on his face to greet her.
"Sora!"
"Uh, hey Kai," he laughed sheepishly as she pounced on him, embracing him into a tight hug. "Oh Sora! I missed you!"
"Kai, you saw me yesterday," he replied and she hunched before attacking him with feather kisses to the cheek, making him laugh again and blush.
Just around the corner of the house, a set of aquamarine eyes watched them for a moment, glaring hatefully at Kairi before rolling and continuing towards the back of the house.
He'd seen Sora leaving his home and followed him, asking the brunette where he was going. When Sora admitted he was going to see Axel, the platinum haired blond decided to tag along. While Kairi may have an issue with him coming, since he was going to see Ax, she couldn't really say anything with her mother there.
However when they'd arrived, they realized that the pair were trying to get Axel to open the door and talk--the same reason they were there--but with little success.
"I'll climb through his window," Riku announced and Sora looked at him confused. "You go stall them so I can sneak in and talk to Axel. He can ignore us if we're not in his room but maybe I can get him talking when I'm inside it."
"Why do I have to stale them?" Sora asked confused and Riku smirked in amusement. "Really Sora. Sneaking into someone's house can also be called trespassing and breaking and entering. You go to jail for those things. And since your little girl bitc--friend doesn't like me, don't glare at me like that Sora, she'll probably have me arrested on principle. So stall the two and I'll go talk to Axel. I'm better friends with him anyway."
"Oh, okay," Sora sighed, finally giving in before glaring at Riku. "But don't think we're like, best friends or anything. I'm only letting you help because I'm doing this for Roxas and Axel! I still don't trust you that much--you're just not that bad, okay Riku?"
He rolled his eyes. "Sure Sora. Keep telling yourself that."
'He's so transparent,' Riku thought to himself humored as he climbed up to Axel's window with ease. 'Always has been. And it's always been cute.'
He frowned when he found the window closed, but with a bit of jiggling, it came right open and he slipped in, landing on his feet like a trained cat before looking around the room.
The bed was unmade and Riku could see dark stains on the lining sheets that made him frown. Not good.
A few of the pillows had been ripped apart, the others burned. All the electronics were off, and none of the clothing had been picked up off the floor, just scattered around.
And there Axel sat, in one of the corners of his room, slumped down with his knees drawn up and his arms resting one either, looking limp and lazy, his face seeming to have been down because he was looking up at Riku but he'd only lifted it slightly, his emerald eyes blazing with so much emotion that Riku had actually become a little worried. He was only used to seeing mirth, cruel mirth, anger or lust in those eyes.
"Axel?" he called softly, walking over to the red head and squatting down in front of him, looking at him troubled. "Hey man, how have you been?"
Silence.
"What's up with you lately? I heard that you and Roxas broke up or something and that just isn't like you at all. You never seemed like the type to give up on something you wanted and it's obvious you want him…so what happened? Nobody's talking." Riku finished, watching him intently.
The red head remained silent, only glared at him a moment longer before lowering his head. "I don't want to talk about it."
Riku nodded in understanding a gave a low sigh. Well at least he was talking to him--he'd accomplished more than anyone so far.
"I can understand that Ax," he replied softly. "But the only way anyone is going to be able to help you--"
"I don't need anyone to help me," Axel snapped nastily.
"Then why the hell won't you come out of your room?" Riku countered, eyes hardening. "Why would you just throw Roxas away like that? And what the hell happened to you that your mattress and sheets are bloody?!"
Axel flinched a little and looked away but Riku pressed on. "You've been pushing everyone away, including Roxas and now he's a complete mess. You didn't tell him anything and since we all know you still care, don't you think he deserves that?"
"I can't do that Riku," Axel cried angrily, glaring harshly at the younger boy. "Roxas will only try to help and he'll hurt him!"
"Who?" Riku pushed. "Who hurt you Axel?"
The red head turned away from Riku, no longer meeting his stare. "Don't worry about it."
"What the--you can't just scream stuff like that and expect me to actually do that!" Riku replied, shaking his head. "I owe you one Ax--if it hadn't been for you, I never would have gotten Sora back when I did!"
"And look how far that got you?" Axel laughed bitterly. "You certainly don't have him now."
"Maybe not," Ri sighed, looking bitter himself for a moment before continuing. "But the point is that you wouldn't just leave me alone and 'not worry about it'. Even if you were doing it to get back at her, you still help Sora and I get back together after Kairi broke us up. So you better damn well believe I'm helping you and Rox." Then Riku smiled. "Besides, Ri isn't available and a little irate at you I hear, so some 'Riku' has to stick their nose in your busy and make thins right."
Axel couldn't help but give a little smile at the remark. "Yeah…she's nosy but it helps."
Then he looked miserable again. "That bullshit that happened with you guys--that was completely different. Kairi was only doing it because she wanted Sora all to herself and wanted you out of the picture. This guy only threatened to hurt Roxas because he wants me."
Axel looked down at the floor in misery. "He threatened to use Roxas instead--he said he wasn't strong enough like I was--that he wouldn't deserve it because he hadn't done anything wrong. That I should get any punishment he dealt because I was filth. And he was right--Roxas doesn't deserve it. And maybe…"
"Don't!" Riku snapped, touching Axel's arms and jumping back once the red head winced in pain, backing up into the corner as much as he could since he was already against it. Riku watched him in concern before finishing in hesitation. "Axel…whatever this guy said--he's insane. Whatever he did to you, you didn't deserve it! What you deserve is him getting exactly what's coming to him! Tell me what happened Ax--what did he do?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Axel smirked, looking up at Riku finally with misty eyes, making it hard for Riku to keep staring at him. It was like seeing his brother cry--it just didn't…happen. "I had to be 'disciplined'. I had to have my place in the world beat into me…ra--"
He faltered, a tear falling down his face and he looked away, shaking his head. "Leave me alone Riku. I just don't want to talk about it."
"Axel please--"
"You can't help me, Roxas can't help me, no one can!" he snapped angrily, screaming now. "They couldn't help him and they won't help me! I'll end up just like him and no one will give a damn because there isn't a damn thing anyone can do about it!"
"I can!" Riku pleaded. "Just give me a chance Axel! Tell me who his name is! I don't care what he did but I will help you!"
"Go away," Axel muttered, his head slumping down and by the soft breaths, Riku could tell he was crying and it made his heart sink. "Just…keep Roxas away from me so he won't get hurt. That's all the help I need."
Someone started beating on the door and Riku froze.
"Axel!"
It was his aunt. Then, Kairi spoke.
"Axel, who are you talking to?! Who's in there with you? Axel! Come out here and talk to us! We're all real worried about you--"
Axel snorted and grumbled. "Lying bitch."
"--and even Sora's here to see you! He's worried too. So come out."
Axel looked up at Riku and he nodded and whispered. "Sora came to talk to you first but I got him to let me do it. Really Axel, Roxas is miserable and…I think you should at least tell him why he can't be near you, even if you don't say who did what."
"It's better that he doesn't know anything," Axel muttered softly and Riku shook his head. Then he looked over at the door when his aunt called out to him again.
"I'm just talking to myself--thinking out loud. I'm…I'm fine," he replied weakly and there was a loud sigh of relief. "Darling, would you like to come out now? Please Axel honey! You haven't eaten a-and I've been so scared! Your uncle is threatening to have himself and a few friends come and break down the door if you don't eat soon! If you're angry at me sweetheart, that's fine, but please eat for me! Or for yourself. J-ust…just…"
Axel closed his eyes and he nodded even though she couldn't see it. He knew she was crying and that bothered him--he actually favored his aunt. ". . .If you bring me a…sandwich…"
"O-Oh right away! Kairi, come! We need to fix him lunch and and--"
They could hear her fussing as she quickly left the door, Kairi's muttering as she followed. There was a moment's pause before Sora whispered through the door. "Axel? I'm gonna go on and leave now so they can fix you some food and Riku, you probably should too…cause if they find you in there--"
"I know," he called back softly. There was another pause before Sora continued.
"Axel…I don't know what happened to you. And I'm sorry it did and I want to help. And for whatever reason you're staying away from Roxas I know it's a good one because I know you'd never intentionally break his heart. But please…don't be mad at your aunt. She's really sad and she's been just as much of a wreck as Roxas has been. She really does care about you and…even if you won't come out…just kinda talk to her or something okay?"
And with that, they could hear him walking away. Axel snorted softly and looked a little amused. "He always been like that? Having all this drama in his life but thinking about everyone else?"
"Get's it from his mom," Riku admitted and Axel nodded not saying anything else. Riku watched him for a moment before finally heading for the window, pausing only when he'd swung one leg over the sill.
"I know you don't believe me Axel, but you've got all of our support. Me, Sora, everybody. And even if you won't go into detail, we're gonna find out what happened. And he's gonna pay for it. We are going to help you."
And with that, he was gone. Axel only stared at the place and chuckled bitterly to himself before lowering his left leg slightly, studying his inner thigh.
The potions had done wonders for him overall. Saix had mad sure he'd had plenty of them--elixirs he' called them--so that none of the wounds would show, even if the pain was still there. But one mark had remained.
A single 'X' that the blue haired manic had left with his finger nail--one to match the one on his forehead. His mark. Claiming him. He knew it would leave a permanent mark--a lasting reminder of who he know belonged to. Who dominated him.
Not even he had the mark.
"No one could help him," Axel muttered softly to himself. "And…no one will help me."
It hurt.
Everything just…hurt.
"Change my memories!"
"Who are you!"
"No please--stop!"
He groaned. Or at least he thought he did. He heard something come from his throat but it didn't sound very human. And his throat was so dry--making noises pained him--but his body ached all over and he had to tell someone. Anyone.
He tried to twitch his fingers--where they even moving? He just couldn't tell. His head hurt and he felt so dizzy. He couldn't move his eyes--that was just too hard for him.
He barely wanted to move the pain was so great. To live.
"This is all my fault…"
"What? Thought I wouldn't be able to find you?"
"I never should have erased your memories…"
"Did you really think there was any escape from me?"
"But I didn't want you to suffer…"
"Did you really think that little witch could help you?"
"W-we should have just gone to the police…"
"Save you?!"
"I should have realized that he was still in your heart."
"Did you really think it was that easy to have me out of your being? Out of your heart?"
"The heart always remembers…"
"Your heart will always know me…"
"I'm so sorry Marluxia. Please don't hate me…"
"After this moment, you will never forget me again. Fear me--fear my rage! Marluxia!"
". . .Marluxia…?"
One of the voices…in his head…was it talking to him now?
He tried hard--he had to--but it hurt. It made him groan--and that made his throat burn because it was still so dry. But he had to know.
"Do you…think it worked? I-is he going to wake up?" a breathless voice asked and he heard a few mutters before someone responded.
"I am not certain. But this guy you brought with you assured us that her methods were reliable."
"I have faith in her abilities, even if I am not too fond of the person," a silky, cold voice retorted. "Maleficent may be quite a few things, but she, like this memory erasing witch--"
"Watch your tone," the second voice warned but it seemed the third ignored him. "--is very good at what she does. Her prices may be steep and her methods unorthodox…but they work, I assure you. I am one to repay those that do me a service so I would not have insisted on using her if I thought she would 'fuck up'."
"Please…just move again. Open your eyes…" the first voice pleaded softly.
And he felt them move. He could see light seeping in from a thin line at the bottom of either eyelash.
"Oh my go--I think he's waking up!" the first voice cried in shock and he could hear a sound of things crashing to the floor and hurried footsteps. The sound seemed so damn loud it made him wince. He felt something soft, touch his arm, then his hand, giving it a soft, light squeeze.
A hand?
"Marluxia??"
He tried a little harder, feeling his eyes fight to stay closed, as if cemented shut. But finally, they opened, just a little--and immediately closed.
". . .t-too bright," he croaked, mentally making a disgusted face in his mind. Was that his voice?? It wasn't the beautiful, silky yet slightly deep tone he remembered that made woman fall to their knees and men bow before his grace.
"M-Marilia!" he heard a voice choke and soon, he felt something wet sprinkle on his cheek. That made him fight harder to try and stand the brightness of the room, opening his eyes only slightly before finally, flutteringly them open.
There were three people standing there. A girl with blond hair who at this point, was sobbing and touching him…his adoptive sister. Namine.
And the handsome detective with the dreadlocked hair and long sideburns that he use to love to stroke when he was bored. . .Xaldin. His boyfriend---or was he? Had he moved on? With a voice like he had now, he wouldn't blame him…
And then…there was the tall one. Close in height to his thick side burned love--or ex love depending on how bad he looked right now. Because the voice thing really had scared him--he was hoping it wasn't permanent or anything because that would just completely rot if it was.
This young man looked slightly familiar. Well toned abs but fair skin. Long sweeping platinum blond hair that might as well have been silver. The most beautiful shade of emerald green he'd ever seen in his life for eyes. As soon as their eyes met, the man's lips curled into a smirk that under better means, would have unnerved him.
"As promised Namine," the man began, looking down at the girl who completely sobbing now, stopped touching him and hugged the tall beauty around the middle, the latter seeming to ignore the gesture--he must not have been used to it.
And for some reason, that just didn't surprise Marluxia in the least.
"T-thank you so much!" she sobbed and he simply nodded. Xaldin came closer as pair continued to discuss things he really didn't know anything about--or rather people he didn't know.
The dreadlocked man looked down at him and smiled, taking one of his surprising soft hands and brushing a bit of his bangs out of his face, Marluxia catching a strand of it out of the corner of his eye and making what he thought was a disgusted face before letting it faultier in favor of not being in pain.
"Oh…dear…lord," he wheezed before looking at Xaldin with the softest smile he could muster--geez did doing anything other than opening his eyes hurt--and trying to pout which he figured probably didn't look to good since he was almost certain, what with dry, dull pink hair (and it used to be so luscious and vibrant. And it had a bounce damn it!) and werewolf growl voice, he said: "T-tell me. . .I'm…pretty. . ."
Xaldin closed his eyes (was he that hideous?!) before chuckling softly to himself and shaking his head, leaning over the railing of the bed (Bed? With railings? Was in a hospital?!) and kissing him gently on the forehead.
"You'll always be beautiful in my eyes."
". . .T-then…why…aren't they…open?"
Silence.
"Hate. . .you."
Laughter.
Riku ran up the staircase in his house and headed straight for his parents room. Sora had already gone home to see if he could get Roxas to hear what Riku had to say but he wanted to stop and have a talk of his own with his own father.
When situations like these usually arose, he would speak with Sephiroth--but this situation was different…he didn't know why but he felt the need to speak with his father, if only to get advice.
Once he got to their bedroom door, he knocked. It only took a few moments before he could hear his father's deep, silky speaking through the door. "Come in."
Taking a deep breath, Riku entered his parents bedroom, seeing his father sitting on the edge of the bed--playing Nintendo?
"Son of a--"
"Dear, language," his mother laughed as she smashed buttons on her controller, both eyes glued to the large television. Riku looked over at it see that they were playing Super Mario Bros. 3.
"Geez, dig that up out of the stone age maybe?" Riku grumbled and it took five minutes before either would answer. "I'll have you know that back in the day--"
"Stone ages," Riku corrected his mother, looking at her and the television with a black expression.
"Whatever dear--watch that goomba dear! Ooooh…you've lost a life," she teased, and Xehanort glared at his wife, his beautiful amber eyes narrowing as he paused the game.
"You cheated."
"How on earth could I cheat?" Lucinda laughed. "You were the one controlling Luigi and I'm not even on screen--we take turns. You died fair and square."
"I told you I like playing with Mario," Xehanort snapped before throwing his controller to the ground and crossing his arms, making his wife laugh harder and fall back on the bed, dropping her own on her pillow.
Riku watched the scene with wide, fearful eyes, darting them first at his father, than his mother before slowly muttering…"Should…I go?"
"No no dear, I need to go get a snack anyway," his mother replied in mirth before getting to her feet and leaving.
His father watched as she left the room, shutting the door behind her before picking up her controller and purposely walking Mario into the first goomba he saw, causing her to die.
"Laugh at my misfortune," he grumbled, a satisfied smirk crossing his lips before with a relieved sigh, he placed the controller back down as he paused the game, looking over at Riku with this same smirk and an arched brow.
"What's on your mind."
Riku stared blankly at his father, not even wanting to know what had spawned his parents to dig out the old game system and act like…children…before he looked serious, causing his father to do the same.
"Father…I have a problem and I need your assistance," he began and his father simply nodded, waiting to hear him out. "A good friend of mine has been attacked by someone."
His father looked amused. "And what will you have me do? Call the police? Riku, why hasn't your friend done this already?"
Riku rolled his eyes slightly. "It's not that simple father. He isn't tell anyone what happened to him--but I think he's been hurt badly. Really badly. He…he doesn't have any marks but when you touch him, he flinches really bad. And he won't tell anyone anything and even broke up with his significant other because this guy threatened to hurt him if he did. He said that the guy didn't get caught last time so--"
"Did he tell you the man in question?" his father asked suddenly looking very interested in what Riku had to say, startling the platinum blond a little. "Well…no. He refused to because if he didn't, he wouldn't able to protect Rox--uh…his siggy."
"Siggy?"
"Significant other, one of Ri's words, get with the times," Riku replied quickly and his father glared at him, making him look at the floor. "…Sorry father."
"So he's been hurt in a manner that you can't psychically see and won't tell anyone in hopes of protecting another," his father muttered, stroking his chin and Riku nodded. "And whomever this person is that hurt him has gotten away with it once before?"
"I think so," Riku nodded and his father got to his feet, taking Riku by the shoulder and guiding him out of his room. "Stay silent Riku. If you don't have all the information then we can not go to the authorities just yet. However, I will look into this and see what can be done. Just keep a good eye on your friend and help him when needed."
"Uh…okay…" Riku mumbled softly as he was pushed completely out of the room as his mother by him, waving at him a little with a small bag of chips and soda, taking her seat back on the bed and grabbing her controller.
His father watched him leave, his eyes hardening and his face becoming cold. 'So Hojo's experiments had a permanent effect…' he thought sourly to himself. 'Saix. . .'
"Xehanort!" his wife screamed angrily and made him snap out of his thoughts, making him jump.
"Xehanort…Did you play my game!" Riku heard his mother cry as he went to his own room, followed by a sound thought oddly sounded like a pillow hitting something.
"Just hear him out, please Roxas?" Sora replied softly, rubbing small circles on the blonds' back. He'd dragged--literally--Roxas to his room, the blond slumped back on the wall, still looking miserable as he simply looked up at Sora with a pouty face. They'd already been waiting a good ten minutes and Riku still hadn't come over yet.
"What's taking him so long," Sora muttered to himself just as a leg came flung itself through his window, startling him. He looked up to see Riku, giving a sigh of relief while the older boy gave him a reassuring smile as he walked over, kneeling down in front of Roxas and studying him before he finally spoke.
"We went to see Axel today and he told me some stuff I think you should know Roxas," he began softly and when the blond didn't reply, simply kept staring at him with ocean blue eyes, he continued.
"Roxas…I think something incredibly bad happened to him. He's hurt--and I don't just think psychically--"
"How do you know that," Roxas cut in, his voice barely above a whisper and Riku continued. "He started rambling. He said something about some guy: that this guy was 'punishing' him or something. That he'd deserved whatever happened to him. And that the guy threatened to do it to you if he couldn't do it to Axel."
There was a dead silence in the room before Roxas glared at Riku in anger. "What guy."
"He wouldn't say," Riku admitted. "But I think Axel may be scared of him…and he doesn't want you getting involved Roxas. I just thought you should know that he doesn't actually want to be apart from you but he feels like it's the only way to keep you safe."
"Axel…that…he's such an idiot!" the blond exploded, bursting in energy and getting to his feet so quickly that both Riku and Sora fell over and landed on their asses. "How could he think I would just sit around and not want to help him! Why couldn't he just tell me someone did something to him! Riku! What did he do to Axel!"
"Roxas--"
"What. Did. He. DO TO HIM!" Roxas demanded furiously, glaring at Riku as if he would gladly kick him in the balls if he didn't want to answer him.
"He didn't say Roxas…not entirely. He said that he 'beat his place in the world' into him. Then he started to say something else but wouldn't finish," Riku admitted and Roxas looked away from him for a minute, seeming to think, Riku and Sora looking at one another before the blond looked directly at Sora.
"Those lessons," he began and Sora hunched. "What about them?"
"Your stupid little girlfriend," Roxas continued and Riku smirked while Sora looked insulted. "Hey--!"
"Did she ever mention who he'd taken them with to you?"
Sora shook his head and Roxas sighed in angrier, rolling his eyes and starting for the door. "Roxas!" Sora called after him. "Roxas, where are you--"
"To school," he snapped, already halfway down the hall, by the time Riku and Sora had come to the door to watch him. He disappeared around the corner quickly and the pair looked at one another.
"Well, at least he's up," Riku sighed in relief and Sora nodded absently before walking back into his room, fidgeting with his hands nervously.
"Hey Riku--can I ask you about something?" he asked softly and the platinum haired blond looked back at him in concern. "Sure Zo. What about?"
"I heard you," Sora began. "You and Axel. Talking. Kairi asked me to get her something and I--I didn't mean to spy but he was loud and…I heard you."
The room had grown deathly quiet and Sora looked up at Riku, who was looking at Sora as coolly as possible even though the brunette could clearly see nervousness in those aquamarine beauties.
"I just want to know," he pressed, his voice still soft, still nervous. "What did you guys mean? When you said that Kairi broke us up--and Axel fixed things?"
Author's Notes:
Ooooh dear! It appears that I have written myelf a cliffhanger of serveral this chapter. ::Trades looks with my Sephiroth plushie:: For shame...
But that's the chapter folks! Now I shall happily answer a few questions I saw out there!:
-There were no immediate signs from Axel's attack, no, because I treated the potions like I do in the game (or elixirs) in the sense that there were no wounds that would be seen. However, he can still feel pain from all said wounds and it will, of course, take time to get over the mental trama.
-No, I don't hate Axel or Sora, lmao. They're unfortunately my targets that have to go through some trauma.
As for hints for the next chapter...
-You'll just have to wait and seeeeeee!:: Sing Song Voice::
Until then: Happy Reading as always and thank you so very much for all the lovely people that have been reading and reviewing!
Kamirine
